5 Things to do In Istambul

1.Touch the heart of the Ottoman Empire

Part command center for a massive military empire, part archetypal Eastern pleasure dome, the lavishly decorated Topkapi Palace was the seat of Ottoman power for over three centuries. At least half a day is needed to explore it; and given the high entrance fee you might want to take a full day to get your money’s worth. If you’re pushed for time, the must-see features are the Harem, Imperial Treasury and the views from the innermost courtyard.

2.Explore Byzantine wonders

Though off the beaten track, it would be a big mistake to overlook the Church of Saint Saviour in Chora.Known  for its Byzantine splendor, it houses celebrated mosaics and frescoes that are arguably the most important surviving examples of art from that era. Ironically, this Christian art owes its excellent condition to the church’s conversion to Islam in the early 16th century.

3. Haggle for carpets at the Grand Bazaar

Serious shoppers should go armed with a notepad, a calculator and plenty of time when visiting the Grand Bazar– three hours is about the minimum needed for a purchasing expedition. Choose your vendor from over 5,500 and prepare for an onslaught of courting and cajolements. Yoruku  is a highly recommended little carpet store while Pako (at No.87) stocks the city’s best handbags and purses. For coats and jackets, Kürkçüler Çarşisi is the area of choice. While beating down the price remember that the vendors pay they’re rent in gold – a hefty seven kilos a year for shops on the main avenue.

4. Ferry around the Bosphorus

A truly relaxing way of getting across one of the world’s busiest waterways is to take one of the half-hourly commuter ferry services up the Bosphorus from Eminönü. Alight ashore at Beşiktaş, Ortaköy and Bebek along the way to take in the lush parks, palaces and yalıs (waterside mansions).

5. Hang out under the bridge

It may not sound like an ideal way to spend an hour of your precious sightseeing time, but  hanging out under the Galata Bridge is highly recommended. The bridge itself forms the vital link between the two sides of European Istanbul, while its lower deck – directly under the walkway – is home to restaurants, bars and tea-houses with ringside waterfront seating for boat watching and cheap beers.

Top Five Things to Do in Spain

1.Eat Free Tapas

"Going for tapas" is an essential part of life in Spain It isn't so much what you eat but how - that is, a morsel food with every drink, and each each one in a different bar. Lots of bars, lots of drinks, lots of great food.

2. See a Bullfight

Animal rights activists in Spain will be up in arms about bullfighting's inclusion in this list, while many Spaniards will groan - bullfighting is no longer anywhere near as popular as it once was. However, bullfighting is an inescapable part of Spain's history and remains an anachronistic curiosity - ritualized animal cruelty in a progressive Western democracy or an endangered art form? You have to see it for yourself to decide.

3. See the Architecture of Antoní Gaudí

Antoní Gaudí's architecture is famous, daring and unique - but that doesn't mean it is actually any good. I met a Swedish man who described La Sagrada Familia as "the most ghastly thing I have ever seen". But even he admitted that everyone should see it.

4. Visit the Alhambra

In the hills of Granada is the Alhambra Moorish fortress, which protected the city's inhabitants from invasion by the Christians for hundreds of years. It certainly worked - Granada was the last city to fall during the Reconquista, the Spanish leg of the Crusades.You can image what to expect at the Alhambra with this simple equation: take the most beautiful gardens in the world, add a beautiful fortress and multiple by ten.Most people get around the Alhambra in under four hours, but many have been known to stay longer. Avoid busy times of year as tickets are in short supply.

5. See a Flamenco Show

 Flamenco is virtually unique in present day music - a traditional form of folk music that is still as alive today as it has ever been. Flamenco can be heard backed by a full orchestra in the gardens of the Alcazar in Seville played by a pair of drunken gypsies in a seedy tavern or blaring from the stereo of a youth's turbo-charged sports car.

Five of the most beautiful places to visit in France

1. Loire Valley

An area of outstanding natural beauty, the Loire Valley is also affectionately known as the garden of France. The valley is filled with culturally and historically important architecture which has earned it a world heritage site status- unsurprisingly it’s one of the most visited places in the country. Renowned for its large collection of fairytale-esque chateaux and mansions, exceptionally beautiful landscapes and one of the most striking rivers in Europe the Loire Valley is a gentle but most definitely bourgeois paradise.

2. Mont Saint-Michel

Second only to the Eiffel Tower as France’s best-loved landmark, Mont St-Michel is rocky, peaked island which is connected by a causeway to northwest France. An imposing sight sitting amid sandbanks and powerful tides, the heritage site is most celebrated for its Gothic-style Benedictine abbey. Directly below the grand monastery is a medieval village complete with winding streets, small houses and souvenir shops. The island is accessible at all times except when the tide is very high.

3. Côte d’Azur

The Mediterranean coastline of southeast France is otherwise known as the French Riviera. Although expensive and over-developed to some, with its miles of gorgeous coastline and azure waters it’s still one of the most beautiful places in France. The area has attracted and transfixed many visitors over the years including royalty, celebrities, writers and artists such as Pablo Picasso, and Henri Matisse. The Côte d’Azur is also famed for it’s stylish coastal cities such as Nice Cannes and St-Tropez, which still remain exclusive holiday resorts even today.

4. Giverny

Giverny is a riverside rural idyll located on the borders of Normandy which is most famous for being the birthplace of impressionism  The small village was once Claude Monet’s cherished country retreat and now both his pink shutterboard house and highly photogenic country gardens are open to the public. Planted by Monet himself, the walled water garden (which inspired so many of his famous paintings) features white and purple wisterias, water lilies, weeping willows, bamboo and the iconic green Japanese bridge.

5. Versailles

 

A wealthy suburb of Paris Versailles is an important administrative centre and a proud tourist attraction in its own right. It’s most famous for its chateau – the grand and ornate Palace of Versailles which once housed the kings of France, (including the ill-fated Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette). Both the beautifully preserved palace and manicured gardens are extraordinary and they also offer an interesting insight into the lives of 18th century French royalty before the start of the legendary Revolution.

Top Five Cities in Italy - Italian Cities Worth a Visit

Italy has many beautiful and historic cities worth a visit. Travel to cities is best done by train as driving in Italian cities may be very difficult and the extensive Italian train system is inexpensive. Most city centers are well-suited to walking and parts of the city centers may be closed to transportation. Large Italian cities generally have good public transportation, too.

1. Rome-Roma is the capital of modern Italy. Rome is full of history everywhere you look. It has many ancient monuments, interesting medieval churches, beautiful fountains, museums, and Renaissance palaces. Modern Rome is a bustling and lively city and has some excellent restaurants and nightlife. The Vatican and St. Peter's are also found in Rome.

2. Venice is a unique city built on water in the middle of a lagoon. Venice is one of Italy's most beautiful and romantic cities as well as one of the most popular for visitors to Italy. The heart of Venice is Piazza San Marco with its magnificent church. There are many museums, palaces, and churches to visit and wandering along Venice's canals is interesting. Venice is in the northeast of Italy and historically was a bridge between East and West.

3. Florence is one of the most important Renaissance architectural and art centers. Its Duomo and Baptistery are magnificent but crowded with tourists as is their large piazza. Florence has several interesting museums with many famous paintings and sculptures. There are also Medici palaces and gardens. Florence is in Tuscany.

4. Milan, one of Europe's richest cities, is known for stylish shops, galleries, and restaurants and has a faster pace of life than most Italian cities. It also has a rich artistic and cultural heritage. Its Duomo, with its beautiful marble facade, is magnificent. La Scala is one of the world's most famous opera houses.

5. Naples is one of Italy's most vibrant cities. It lies on the coast south of Rome and is the most important city in southern Italy. Naples has recently undergone some renovation but still retains much of its old character. It holds many historical and artistic treasures.