Travel Photos of the Week: RMIT University Open Day
We enjoyed a pleasant day to Melbourne city last Sunday to attend RMIT’s Open Day for Miss 16 who is considering studying journalism, media or public relations. Other than visiting the relevant buildings and speaking with lecturers and volunteers students who make themselves available on the day, we meandered the grounds to take in the historic blue-stone buildings which are located right beside the historic ‘Old Melbourne Gaol’. Some of the RMIT buildings and images captured can be seen below.
Whilst Ankara is the governing capital of Turkey, Istanbul was and continues to be the Turkish metropolis with it’s highly recognisable sky-line of mosque minarets. Istanbul has a population of more than 13 million which stradle two continents, Europe and Asia being separated by the Bosphorous. The two continents are now connected by the Bosphorous Bridge built during 1973 but prior to that, the only way to go between the European and Asian parts of the city, was by boat.
I travelled Istanbul and other other regions of Turkey on my own and felt completely safe as a solo-female traveller. I found it a fascinating travel destination where east meets west, the Ottoman architecture and hard working, friendly people.
If you intend to spend some time in Istanbul I highly recommend you find a hotel in The Sultanahmet district being the heart of the historic Old Istanbul. There are numerous hotels suiting all budgets. A hotel near the Blue Mosque or a hotel near the Hagia Sophia, where you will have ready access to other grand historic sites such as the Cistern Basilica and Topkapi Palace just to name a few. It really is your best base for sightseeing in Istanbul.
Barcelona is one of Spain’s most versatile tourist destinations: one minute you can be touring architectural masterpieces and the next lying on a beach and topping up your tan. There are obvious choices when it comes to what to see and do whilst in Barcelona, but why not explore the area in a bit more depth and seek out some hidden gems? You’re likely to discover a new and exciting side to this Catalan city.
To really get a taste of Barcelonan life, take a leaf out of the mature residents of the Gothic Barrio’s book. Come two o’clock, when most locals are settling down for a siesta, don’t follow the other tourists returning to their Barcelona hotels . Instead, take a trip to Fira Nautumismo and browse the wide range of collectables on offer in the street market set up by the elderly residents. You can get anything from stamps and coins to crafts and jewellery here and will discover some real gems that cannot be found on the main shopping strip.
If you want to hang out with the coolest Barcelonans then head to the (not so) secret bar, El Mariachi. Tucked away in the Barrio Gotico and identifiable only by the painting of a snake-entwined woman sitting below the legend of El Mariachi on the ‘shop front’, this bar is the most popular hangout for musicians such as Manu Chao. Take in the mismatched furniture whilst supping on a random array of spirits and beers. If you dare to venture into this muso den, you should make sure you sample the interesting cocktails on offer, such as the Mariachi – made with Pacharan, or hydro-miel – the house speciality liqueur blended with honey.
Whether you’re looking for an ideal souvenir for your stay in Barcelona or wanting to feast your eyes on some local art, then take a walk from the Ramblas to Escudellers. Here you will find Art Escudellers, a pottery shop selling pieces from all over Spain. Navigating the shop is easy as the products are divided by their region of origin. Expect prices to increase as you head downstairs and if you do find yourself making an extortionate purchase, ease your soul with a swig from the fabulous wine cellar in the basement.
It’s also worth heading out on foot and making the most of the beautiful landscape surrounding Barcelona. Pack your own picnic and watch the world go by on a trip to the Botanical Gardens at Montjuïc Mountain, situated near the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. These beautiful gardens showcase the Mediterranean’s most extraordinary plant and wildlife and are a great place to relax and spend an afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre and beaches.
This post is part of a monthly Spanish Series sponsored by www.hotels4u.com, where you’ll find plenty of Barcelona hotels suitable for all tastes and budgets.
Renowned as the city of sails, Auckland shows itself to be among the biggest tourist attractions in all of the two beautiful islands of New Zealand. Maybe this is because of its exotic area islands and beaches or its breathtaking forests and glass like seas. It could also be because of the attractions, entertainment, and restaurants that cater to the visitor. Auckland possesses a large quantity of things for visitors to see and do. You will find adventurous and outside activities, nightlife, and even shopping. No matter what your age is, you will find many things to occupy you in the amazing city of Auckland.
The first thing that you will need in your Auckland visit is some flights to Auckland. As the largest city in New Zealand with plenty of outdoor activities, indoor shopping, and dining opportunities, you can count on major flights to Auckland from many destinations. From Washington D.C., American Airlines, United Airlines, Air Canada, Continental Airlines, and US Airways all provide cheap flights to Auckland. Qantas and Air New Zealand fly from New York City. From London, a number of full service and discount carriers also make Auckland flights. These include Air China, Thai Airways, Emirates Air, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, United Airways, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, and the budget airline bmi.
Once you are in Auckland, you will find that there are plenty of things to do to fill your time. History lovers will want to go see the Auckland Museum. It contains historic New Zealand’s priceless treasures. It is located in the beautiful Auckland public reserve.
There is the most famous landmark of Auckland for to see, the Sky Tower. This icon rises 328 meters over the skyline of Auckland. You will find bungy jumping activities here, and a few good restaurants located inside the tower itself. Below it is the Sky City Casino with still more attractions.
If you love the sea, then you will want to visit Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic and Underwater World. This aquarium that showcases literally thousands of sea creatures and fish has more than two million liters of water. There is also an Antarctic display found here with penguins living in ice and snow.
For all of you outdoors lovers, the Auckland Zoo is an attraction that is worth your time. The zoo is beautifully landscaped and makes for a wonderful outside walk. Here there is an enormous gathering of both rare and unusual animals, like the kiwi, zebra, lion, and giraffe.
Beach lovers will want to go walk along Mission Bay Beach. This stretch of sand is visited by both tourists and locals alike. The best time to see it is early evening or late afternoon.
The most famous place for shopping in Auckland is Victoria Park Market. At over a hundred years old, this is a must see market building for you shoppers. In it you will find market stalls and many shops offering art, fashion, crafts, and many other items. There are also nice restaurants from which you can choose.
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