Travel Guide | CSTCTD.org

Melbourne is the sort of cultural cocktail that is five parts elegance, five parts soul, served with a dash of pizzazz seven days a week. Strong on history and heritage, the city is a hub of theatre, art, festivals, movies and music, fine food, elegant fashion and lots of sports.

One notices harmony between nature and urban development. There are wide beaches that beckon visitors, a vast bay stretching further than the eye can see, hills, forests, and rich wine country. And there is the Yarra River. Melbourne was born on the banks of the river and the stories have always been closely intertwined. Seeing the city from the river offers a whole new perspective and one can take leisurely cruises up stream or down on anything from passenger ferries to Venetian gondolas and luxury cabin cruises.

Melbourne is more action packed than any other Australian city. Formula 1, Australian open, Cricket, Australian rugby and much more, it is the race that stops a nation….. More then anything else, it is this wide variety of attractions that make the city what it is- a bustling, urban melting pot. You can’t take the city by surprise because of the fact that it is always providing memories around every corner.

With the setting sun comes a different Melbourne. One that brooks no excuses for staying home, away from the swinging restaurants, cabarets and night clubs, where good, easy fun comes naturally. The brightest lights, biggest games, and headiest atmosphere are to be found in the Crown Entertainment complex.

People don’t seem to talk much about it but lost somewhere in the sporting activity and ballets and things, is some incredible wining and dining, ala Australian style. Melbourne is a ‘cut and come again’ magic pudding and its people explore food and appreciate its familiarity while searching for new ways to indulge.

What people do talk about here is the shopping, and it’s certainly worth a shout or two. It isn’t so much what you buy but the way you buy it, and the surroundings in which every thing is set. A fashion center since 19th century, Melbourne continues to set standards in customer service,. Move around, shop and explore at leisure.

The city awaits its visitors. It stays wide-awake even in the dead of night and its soul and spirit are there for all to see. This is no place for the bashful, certainly no place for the staid visitor who likes his sightseeing with the help of a guidebook and map. This is the kind of place where they encourage asking for directions, seeking advice on the best place to eat, or any conversation that touches in the city and its fortunes.

So, keep talking, mate….

All of April, all across Japan, people give parties under the tress, follow the weather forecast carefully, hunt out the best picnicking spots, and are generally seen to be happy. The reason for this outpouring of national bonhomie: cherry blossom season. The ‘Cherry Blossom Front’ takes acout a month to blow across the Japanese archpelago, from south to north. The peak season, where the trees are in full bloom, is short- for about a week in each place, the flowers open all at once, and the petals all fall soon after. One of the most popular blossom, viewing spots in the Tokyo area is Asukayama Park, where a costume festival is sometimes held to go with the spirit of season. Other famous viewing areas are around the imperial palace, along the palace moat, and in Uneno Park. Good time to go.

Set in the mountainous terrain of South Africa which juts into the Atlantic Ocean, this is one of the most popular towns of South Africa. The Table Mountain which is often covered with clouds is a striking feature which rises up in the middle of the town. The scenic beauty makes it a romantic attraction, where couples would like to spend their honeymoons. The city has vineyards, hiking routes, forests and wilderness and public gardens giving the visitors ample to do and see.

The Tabletop is a vantage point which overlooks the docks and the rest of the countryside. The vineyards and the botanical gardens are a feast for the eyes. The picturesque beauty of Capetown is worth visiting at least once in a life time but people keep coming back for more.

There are many activities that visitors can partake in like sunbathing, picnicking and hiking. There are wild life safaris that are organized by travel agents and hotels for their tourists. Windsurfing is another exciting offer and the brave at heart can jump from the Lion’s Head or paraglide at the Cliff in Beachfront.

The architecture is a conglomeration of all the diverse cultures that have had their effect on Capetown. The English, Dutch and French have left their mark and so have the Muslim slaves who were freed and put up their minarets. All this adds to the beauty of this town.

Monarchy and The Beatles, you can get a taste of various aspects of London and it is a treat for persons with truly varied interests. For those who are interested in historical events the monuments, palaces, fortresses, museums and cathedrals will give them a glimpse into the past of the rich heritage of England. For art lovers and those who would like to shop there are the theatres, galleries, street markets and many other kinds of entertainment to make the day seem too short. There is a lot which any traveler can choose from and there is something of interest for everyone here.

There are several places on the banks of the river Thames like The Globe Theatre of Shakespeare, The Imperial War Museum and the Tate Modern Art Museum. The Tower of London and The Buckingham Palace would obviously top your list of places to visit while in London. Madame Tassaud’s would be another choice which no one who has visited London could possible miss. A popular method of traveling is by the subway or tube.

No matter what your choice of cuisine, London is famous for a variety of eateries. The pub culture which originated here is another not to be missed experience along with the underground train. If you are planning on visiting the Buckingham Palace then don’t forget to visit with watching the changing of the guard. A stones throw from the palace are some other sights in London like the Hard Rock Café and Trafalgar Square, 10 Downing Street, The River Thames, Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. A visit to London would not be complete without seeing all these places. London can be reached by air and also by rail and road.