- A Walking Tour of Prague
Explore Prague’s narrow side streets, gorgeous flowering gardens, courtyards and avenues. Here are a few of places that shouldn’t be missed:
Stroll the Vltava
Talk a long walk along the banks of the stately Vltava River, which runs through the centre of the city. The promenade offers breathtaking views, and interesting monuments and memorials.
Prague’s Eiffel Tower
Keeping watch over Prague from the top of Petrin Hill, Lookout Tower is the city’s own smaller version of Paris’ Eiffel Tower. It’s also a fantastic way to see much of the city. On a clear day, you’ll see all the way to Snezka, the highest mountain peak in the Czech Republic, 150 kilometers away.
Vyšehrad
Once upon a time, it was a forbidding 10th century fortress. Today it’s a popular place for romantic picnics and strolls. You’ll see the city’s oldest Romanesque rotunda, St. Martin, and the Church of St. Peter and Paul.
Vrtba Garden
Head over to Vrtba Garden to not only take in the lovely sights and fragrances of the plants and flowers, but to also gain a nice understanding of Baroque-style gardening and aesthetics.
- Historic New Orleans
New Orleans is filled to the brim with history, and it shows through its architecture. Here are a few sites that will give you an authentic feel of the city:
Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre
Catch a show at the oldest continually running theatre in the United States. Le Petit Theatre’s current home was built in 1922 in a lovely Spanish Colonial style.
Historic Hermann Grima and Gallier Houses
These two houses are New Orlean’s finest examples of its “golden era” architecture. Painstaking restored to their former mid-19th century splendour, the buildings are now open to the public.
Longue Vue House and Gardens
Built for the wealthy Stern family, Longue Vue boast 8 acres of manicured gardens and an early 20th century mansion.
Beauregard-Keyes Hosue
Although fairly unassuming from the front, it’s what’s behind the facade of this 1823 house that is interesting. Once home to both a Confederate general of the American Civil War and, later, a popular American female author, this home boasts a wonderful stone-walled courtyard and a small ballroom.
- Designer Pastries at Paris Le Grand
This fall, Paris Le Grand and Cafe de la Paix are proud to announce the return of “Les Patisseries Fashion.” This brand new collection of pastries were designed and presented by three giants of the fashion world: Franck Sorbier, Jean-Claude Jitrois, and Marithé + François Girbaud. And they’re ready for the tasting.
“Love Bites” follows in the footsteps of four years of Cafe de la Paix’s designer pastry tradition. Past participating celebrity designers have included Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Stanislassia Klein (Stella Cadente), Chantal Thomass, Agnès B, Paco Rabanne, Gaspard Yurkievich, Claude Montana, Olivier Lapidus, Elie Saab and Franck Boclet.
These creative and delicious pastries are absolutely not to be missed on your trip to grand Paris.
- EXPLORE MIDIEVAL KIEV
Discover countless midieval treasures in Kiev, Ukraine. Explore abundant museums or take a stroll through the historic St. Sofia Square. Even your hotel itself is actually situated where “Kyiv” was founded over 1500 years ago. Here are a few wonderful examples of architecture from across the ages:
Saint Sophia Cathedral
This cathedral is an outstanding architectural monument of Kievan Rus. Today, it’s one of the city’s best known landmarks and the first Ukrainian patrimony to be inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Kiev Pechersk Lavra
Also known as the Kiev Monastery of the Caves, this historic Orthodox Christian monastery was founded in 1015. It contains numerous architectural monuments, from bell towers and cathedrals, to underground cave systems and stone fortification walls.
The Golden Gates
The Golden Gates were the main entrance into Kiev. Erected by builders of Old Rus, this unique structure was a combination of defensive tower and church.
St. Andrew’s Descent
Andrew’s Descent is a winding cobbled street that is home to the stunning baroque St. Andrews Cathedral and the house of Mikhail Bulgakov. The street is also a great place place to stock up on souvenirs and kitschy artwork, courtesy of several peddlers’ stalls.
- Budapest Architecture
Budapest, Hungary has a rich and rare architectural heritage that spans over 2000 years. Visit the city and you’ll find examples of nearly every style in recorded history.
Ancient Roman Ruins
Dating back to the 1st Century, the Aquincum town ruins features public spaces, a traditional-style bath, the remnants of pottery shops, and a fascinating glimpse into everyday early Roman life.
Gothic Matthias Church
Step back in time to the Medieval era at Matthias Church. You’ll find archetypal Gothic architectural elements of church construction, and all of the beautiful embellishments you’d hope to see.
Classical Lanchid (Chain Bridge)
A stroll across the Lanchid provides not only a beautiful view of the Danube, but also a glimpse into early 19th Century Budapest. As the story goes, the bridge was constructed due to the frustration of Count István Széchenyi, who had to wait a full week to cross the river and attend his father’s funeral.
Art Nouveau Geological Museum
Although it houses a myriad of natural geological wonders, the museum’s building itself is also a sight to see. It was built in the Art Nouveau style (or more specifically, the Secessionist style) by famous Hungarian architect, Odon Lechner.
Budapest Bauhaus
There are many fine examples of late 19th to early 20th Century Bauhaus modern architecture, including private villas, public works areas, and apartment complexes. If you’re a modernist fan, these sites are not to be missed, but do rent a car, as the buildings are spread fairly widely throughout the city.
- Bora Bora: What To Do
Whether visiting for your honeymoon or just a romantic vacation, you’ll find sugary beaches, turquoise waters, and wonderful shopping. Here are just a few options:
Matira Pearls and Fashion
Bora Bora is known for its beautiful pearls, and this family-owned shop sets the gold standard in black pearls of all shapes, sizes, and colours.
Reef Discovery Tours
Take a leisurely trip through crystal clear waters or an exciting excursion with local wildlife. Whether by boat or snorkel, Reef Discovery tours will show you everything Bora Bora has to offer.
Dining
Most of Bora Bora’s restaurants present casual, beach-side fare, such as La Matira, Chez Ben’s . Head over to La Villa Mahana for a romantic, French-Polynesian dining experience.
- Austin's Educational Fun
Austin, Texas is a great place for education to be fun. From trains to bats, everyone in the family will find a place worth visiting.
Congress St. Bridge Bats
Head over to the Congress St. Bridge to North America’s largest urban colony of bats for an educational and an incredible nighttime sight.
Austin Children’s Museum
The Austin Children’s Museum is the perfect place to take younger kids. Let them explore the Global City, and the Rising Star Ranch.
Zilker Zephyr Miniature Train
Take your little ones for a leisurely voyage through Austin’s Zilker Park on the Zilker Zephyr Train. Complete with a nice, loud whistle, the train provides a lovely view of Lady Bird Lake and glides under the cavernous Barton Spring Road Bridge.
Barton Springs Pool
After the train, be sure to put aside a few hours for swimming. The Barton Springs Pool is a natural limestone pool, which is both an interesting lesson in geology and a fun time for all.
- The Ancient Culture of Seoul
Visit Seoul and you’ll find a vibrant mix of modern and ancient. Here are a few ways to enjoy antiquity:
Amsa-dong
Take a stroll through an actual Neolithic settlement, and get a glimpse into what life was like in about 3000 BC.
Gahoe Museum
See wonderful examples of Korean art at the Gahoe Museum.
Deoksugung
Since its creation in the 16th century, this grouping of buildings has been mainly used as a palace by many different types of Korean royalty. Visitors will find examples of many types of architecture through the ages— even a few more contemporary buildings.
Koreahouse
Get an introduction to the hanuk, a low, mainly wooden house at Koreahouse. Also, take in a wonderful lunch of traditional fare at their Royal Food Court.
- Chopin's Warsaw
Have a look at Warsaw through famous composer Fryderyk Chopin’s eyes. Here are a few places to visit:
Chopin Museum
Start your journey through time at the Chopin Museum. Housed in the Ostrogski Castle, the museum features personal letters, manuscripts, and cameos.
Holy Cross Church
In 1882, part of Chopin’s remains were buried in the Holy Cross Church.
Lazienki Park
Although most of Warsaw was destroyed during World War II, Lazienki Park survived remarkably well. It’s here that you’ll find a monument for Chopin, not to mention stunning lakes, gardens, and palaces.
- Mumbai Language Tips
Many of Mumbai’s residents use English as their second language, but it does come in handy to have a few phrases in Marathi, just in case. Here are the most popular:
“Hello” Na-ma-skar
“Goodbye” Ach-ha
“Please” Kru-pa-ya
“Thank you.” = Ab-ha-re a-he
“Take me to my hotel” Ma-la ho-tel la gheun ja
“Where is the bathroom?” Bath-room kut-he a-he
“How much does this cost?” Hy-ach-e kim-mat key-tee
InterContinental Travelogue
