Canada is a gigantic gem of natural beauty travelers don’t want to miss. This largest penis in the North America..Oops, I mean largest land, is also the world’s second largest country (behind Russia).

Because it has got so much to offer to your insatiable desire to walk around the world, I bet you would slowly forget about the 20 golden places to travel in Mexico, forget that The Tower of Pisa in Italy is indeed leaning, forget that you need to refill nitrogen enriched gasoline before speeding your sport car to the autobahn network in Germany, forget about the taste of Moussaka that you drool over so shamelessly in Greece, forget about the hot Japanese chicks that you spent nights with in Japan..What else? If you can’t even remember the exhilarating experiences above after seeing the picture-perfect Canada, you are certainly going to lose your memory about the fun of La Tomatina festival in Spain, the otherworldly landscape of Cappadocia in Turkey, the mind-blowing futuristic buildings in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Now, the pyramids in Egypt is no longer mysterious, you no longer want to take a second ride on Elevador da Bica in Portugal, French kissing with your lovers in France is no longer something romantic.

That serious? Not quite, just trying to impress you with words how beautiful Canada is. But there’s one thing quite true to me, Niagara Falls certainly outshines The Giessbach Falls in Switzerland. Hey, who doesn’t know that?

The Magic of Canada

Being one of the world’s wealthiest countries and tourist dreamland, Canada never turns visitors down by offering a myriads of activities which include skiing, sailing, museum-combing or spoiling oneself in first-class gourmet, just to name a few. Its vast geographical area, unspoiled sceneries and one-of-a-kind culture attract gazillion travelers each year. This delicious cake should not be eaten in one bite, but savor bits by bits as different parts deliver different kinds of beauty. Eastern Canada blends the aroma and fascination of Europe with the hustle and bustle of chic New York; Western Canada is well-known for its strikingly gorgeous countryside; Northern Canada offers the best of the best wildlife viewing. Wherever you go, you will virtually be shocked by how much more this country has to offer rather than just Mounties and maple syrup. And then, your eyes pop out and jaws drop standing before the unique landscape that embraces enormous mountains, gargantuan glaciers and larger-than-life polychromatic skies all into one. Not exciting enough? Alright, your internal organs will then spill out from your mouth when you see the creatures like polar bear, grizzly bear, humpback whales and moose roaming the terrain and its waterways more enjoyably than any traveler.

Hence, it’s never possible to say “no” to this all-in-one travel pack which only Canada is able to present. Let’s see what is inside the golden package and if there’s not even one kindles your interest, do go see doctor or may be travel to Mars is your cup of tea I guess. We have the festival-crammed cities such as Toronto and Montreal which are best known for its world’s best quality of life; North America’s oldest city, Newfoundland, which history buffs throng it to take a double dose of history in St John’s; Saskatchewan that offers peaceful ride through the wheat-waving temperate grasslands of North America; The enthralling Banff & Jasper National Parks for outdoor activists in love with the prospect of hiking, snowboarding and skiing over the cloud-poking mountains; Some more? Remember to head to the Kelowna’s local farmers’ markets to pick up ripe peaches and cheeses if you want a nosh lighter than Nunavut whale blubber or Alberta beef. Other than that, the multicultural society yielded by the crazy numbers of immigration is also something you must utterly soak yourself in. If you do it, you would be able to tell your relatives and friends how favorable is the shopping for Buddha trinkets in Vancouver’s Chinatown, how spicy is the curry in Toronto’s Little India and how the Vietnamese café au lait wake you up in Montreal.

Travel To Canada - Top 10 Best Places

This magic land seems to be as big as the universe and I think even the man with the best sense of direction would wander aimlessly here if he doesn’t stumble upon this A-list that includes only the 10 best tourist destinations that worth your time the most.

1. Toronto - Canada’s biggest, busiest and many say best city to eat, shop and drink in
2. Halifax - Capital of Nova Scotia, major port city
3. Vancouver - Beautiful and busy west coast city; third largest metropolitan area in Canada; home of the 2010 Winter Olympics
4. Montreal - Fashionable cultural and arts centre; multicultural and multilinguistic downtown area; internationally acclaimed restaurants; fabulous old-world architecture; fun loving “Joie de Vivre” culture
5. Niagara Falls - An undiminished world wonder despite the human circus and architectural spoil
6. Ottawa - Being Canada’s capital, Ottawa is Canada’s fourth largest and a major business, government, high tech, and tourist palace
7. Calgary - Canada’s fifth largest city and home to the Calgary Stampede. Also there are major oil offices in downtown
8. Banff - Towering peaks, tumbling glaciers, baby-blue lakes and an ark’s worth of animals
9. Edmonton - Canada’s sixth largest city and dubbed “Canada’s Festival City” due to the endless amounts of festivals
10. Winnipeg - Capital of Manitoba, Transportation hub of Canada and Gateway to the West. Canada’s midwestern Chicago

Outside looking in..

• Quebec City - Distinguished birthplace of modern Canada, lorded over by Le Château Frontenac’s mighty towers
• Victoria - Noted as a residential city because of its mild climate, beautiful scenery, many parks (including Beacon Hill Park) and drives
• Saskatoon - Known as the “City of Bridges” for its seven river crossings, the city’s name comes from the Cree word for the saskatoon berry, “misaskwatomin.” 
• Whistler - A resort town primarily known for its world-famous snow skiing and Mountain biking
• Churchill - Remote gateway to nature and history on Hudson Bay’s polar-bear-mad tundra shores
• Tofino - Brooding rainforest and wave-smashed shoreline, prime for surfing, whale-watching and hiking
• Thousand Islands - Hushed group of teeny windswept islands, trillium petal showers and 19th-century mansions

3 Reasons Why I Love Canada

Aiks, there are millions of travelers flooding its kaleidoscopic cities each year and that means there are millions of reasons to be enamored with Canada if everyone brings along a distinct reason. I am telling my idiosyncratic ones. Don’t get fainted okay?

• You all know I’m a fashion cult. Everyday people looking for various fashions from the high street fashion in Milan to the hip hop street fashion in Tokyo to cultural piece like Mexican clothing, but none is looking at this country when fashion is being talked. Indeed, there is quite a numbers of cool trendy stuff originated from here. From the most stylish high fashion Urban Behavior clothing to the most fun street label Wrongwroks clothing, from the most sought after hip LRG clothing to the Japanese horror influenced Akumu Ink clothing, Canadians really impress me with their creativity in arts and design.
• I wonder which country the world’s best skiers or snowboarders will tag as the best spot for winter sports but I’m totally into the gigantic glaciers and mesmerizing colorful skies this country has to offer. Could there be better places than this one? May be yes, Zermatt in Switzerland or Niseko in Japan, but I still think this is the best one.
• So know you believe that a single trip is never enough to feel the most out of this lovely country. Even if you got the money and time to travel around everyday, it still could take up to years to get bored with the things you bump into. Anyway, there’s only one thing that I do not want to miss. The one thing I do after stepping out from the plane is to head directly to the Niagara Falls, to stand closely and be flabbergasted by this world wonder I have visited a lot of times in my sweet dreams since I was still a kid. I love Canada!

Canada

Canadian flag

map of Canada

Canada map - attractions

Kristin Kreuk represents sexy Canadian girls

What about flying to Mexico and feel what is the thing that makes it one of the top 10 most visited tourist destinations in the world? Now dump the Europe mood particularly the “joie de vivre” in France and “la vita Italiana” in Italy, and put on your Mexican clothing to boost your “viva Mexico” mood. Go? No?

Hey, let’s move. I promise your trip to North America is going to be an unforgettable one. Let’s make up your mind and stop being a prince or princess in the Chateau de Chillon in Switzerland, jump out from the hot air balloon overlooking the Fairy Chimney in Turkey, wake up from the fantasy of Greek mythology in Greece, kill your beer belly and sausage obsession cultivated in Germany, live today and forget about the grandeur of the futuristic Dubai sky-high buildings in United Emirates Arab (UAE), decipher the Egyptian hieroglyphs once and for all and no more pretending to be mesmerized by the mystery of pyramids in Egypt.

If you would miss the sombrero in Spain, you have the same thing here in Mexico as it used to be Spanish colony long ago. I guess anticipation is getting more and more overwhelming. No more talking, travel!

The Magic of Mexico

Geographically, Mexico covers a mammoth land, sitting astride temperate and tropical zones and stretching ten thousand kilometers along its coast. The staggering numbers of 19 million people who do not know where to go and hence throng its center along with the countless tiny pueblos (traditional communities of Native Americans in the southwestern United States of America recognized worldwide for their adobe buildings) spotted everywhere, have presented travelers with an array of options to explore its true essence. Thanks to gazillion of travelers who flood this land seeking easy travel, its multi-billion-dollar tourism industry has been blossoming in order to keep feeding the ever-growing and insatiable tourists. And if those “investors” that help make what Mexico is today would love to experience true adventure, taking a few steps off the preplanned routes is all they need to do. Escape to the rural areas for genuine ecotourism, community tourism and activity-based tourism would add colors to your country trip by being an angelic traveler helps conserve local environments. Besides, golden opportunities to get out and embrace stunning wild places and interact with local communities to utterly soak in their culture are always opened up for travelers who love “walk and feel” than “walk and burn up pixels”. Why not putting your digital cams aside and live life cool with Mexico’s top-notch canyoning near Monterrey, hiking in Oaxaca cloud forests or snorkeling the gorgeous coral reefs of the Yucatan Peninsula? If outdoor challenge is not your cup of tea, taking Mexican cooking lessons in the Veracruz countryside might favor you.

Other than that, there is a myriad of attractions and activities to captivate visitors. Gasping in awe in front of the 1300-year-old Maya palace at Palenque or gliding down from a palm-fringed sandy beach into the warm and turquoise waves of the Pacific at Puerto Vallarta should open up the door to more authentic Mexican feels. Once the playful cells in your body are activated, go kayaking at dawn past a colony of Baja California sea lions, dining on salmon enchiladas and chrysanthemum salad at the world-renowned connoisseur fusion restaurant in Mexico City and shaking your a*s all night long at any of the electrifying Guadalajara nightclubs. Decide what you want and create your own memorable slideshows to bring home. What? Asking for more? Alright, to immerse yourself in more truly Mexican experience, visit San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas to see how the indigenous Mayan peoples live in that beautiful colonial city.

Mexico’s cities are carved to style with slick restaurants and coffee houses, ever-improving cultural and entertainment offerings, and parks and pedestrian areas for people to get away from the contaminating traffic. Besides, chilled-out travelers often find themselves do nothing but sha la la from city to city in the hip, bohemian and artsy scene seeping into in the flourishing music and art currents. Indeed, Mexican creative movies, music, art, design and cuisine has kindled the interest of people all over the world and made a comeback in the international stage. Even its hotels and inns have caught the trend and jumped into the bandwagon of design and style. Hence, you’re guaranteed to be enchanted with its beguiling and delicious lodgings designed with mishmash of modern and traditional styles, often embellished with the audacious use of color typically Mexican. Last but not least, it is the inherited enduring qualities in Mexicans that make the trip to this country more interesting than ever. The unbreakable family and community bonds, the profound creativity and immeasurable warmth along with the lusciously hassle-free tempo of life are what really matter.

Travel To Mexico - Top 10 Best Places

There are quite a number of places to visit in this large gem in the North America and you’ll have to spend years to travel if you do not have clear directions. I’ve do you a favor and sorted out the 10 best spots you must not miss. Hope you love this A-list.

1. Cancun - One of the world’s most popular and famous beaches, known for its clear Caribbean waters, its lively party atmosphere, and its wealth of recreational facilities. During Spring Break it is noted for drinking, sunburning, and debauchery.
2. Mexico City - Highland megalopolis, ancient Aztec capital, kaleidoscopic canvas of riveting museums, culinary adventures and masked wrestlers
3. Playa del Carmen - The Riviera Maya’s toniest stop offers amazing daytrips to crystalline cenotes, spectacular diving and an 800-year-old ruin or two
4. Acapulco - A sophisticated urban beach setting known for its top-notch nightlife, elegant dining, and nightmarish traffic. Many of the older (pre-1990s) concrete structures have suffered tropical decay.
5. Mazatlan - A gorgeous colonial district only a short walk from a 20km-long crescent of sandy beach
6. Tijuana - Mexico’s busiest border crossing for pedestrians and private vehicles, and a long-time bargain Mecca for southern Californians due to its proximity with San Diego.
7. Monterrey - A large modern city that is the commercial and industrial hub of Northern Mexico. Monterrey enjoys a dry, mountainous setting and is known for its high-quality educational and transportation infrastructure.
8. Guadalajara - A traditional city, capital of Jalisco state, and the home of mariachi music and tequila. Guadalajara is blessed with perpetual spring weather and its colonial downtown is graceful and sophisticated.
9. Oaxaca - Fascinatingly lovely colonial city with great crafts, great ruins and great food
10. Teotihuacan - Explore a pair of mysterious and majestic pyramids, remnants of a mighty civilization

Outside looking in..

• Copper Canyon - Ride the train, a horse, a bike - or just use your feet - to explore the awesome canyon country
• Merida - Stroll the colonial-era streets of the Yucatán Peninsula’s cultural capital and buy a local hammock for your travels
• Guanajuato - A vibrant and picturesque city with a lively student scene, great cultural activities and a fascinating past
• Cuernavaca - the heart of Mexico, surrounded by some of the most beautiful and culturally rich regions of the country.
• San Luis Potosi - Located in central Mexico, a colonial city that was once an important silver producer, but today, relies on manufacturing for its economic base.
• Puerto Escondido - Super-relaxed coastal town for all tastes: surf, beaches, fishing, wildlife, nightlife
• Palenque - Ancient Maya temples rise majestically from a thick steamy jungle
• Taxco - In central Mexico west of Cuernavaca, this steep mountain town was once a major silver producer, and now has a strong place in the trade of decorative silver, from cheap fittings to the most elegant jewelry and elaborate castings.
• Morelia - One of Mexico’s least known but most beautiful colonial cities, with rooftop bars and clubs nestled in Spanish relics
• Valladolid - A gorgeous colonial city, located strategically between Merida and Cancun, to only 40 kilometers of the majestic Chichen Itza

3 Reasons Why I Love Mexico

Hey are you kidding me? This is a superstar travel destination, simply pick someone from the world’s most populated street of Tokyo and ask him to give his reasons to fall in love with Mexico, he is going to blurt out 99 reasons easily. But rule will be rule, let’s just give my own 3 absurdly best (Or I should say “bestly” absurd?) reasons to extol its beauty to the skies.

• Oh my god! I’m being sucked into the time sliders again. It’s exhilarating man! Alright, I’m into my own imagination again so if you’re new here please ignore this. As you all know I love hunting stuff from the street fashion in Japan to the high fashion in Paris or Milan, travel through time back and forth from the ancient to modern world. I would never forget the amazing trip to the ancient Mexico. I was totally falling in love with traditional Mexican clothing. It has been sought after from ages ago until today. Sombrero is my favorite!
• Oops, sombrero reminds me of the many historical cities standing in style across this land. They were built during the time of the Spanish colony. You know I love history. Isn’t that great to see what Fernandes Torres’ great great grandpa and his comrades left in Mexico centuries ago? Gosh! This is a real freak question. Could this be in any way implying the love for this country? YES. I’m after all a freak traveler traversing through time for the journey of life. Everyday there are thousands of travelers walking around the world just to visit historical sites and seek the true meaning of living the moment, reminiscing the past, thinking of the future.
• Ok, you don’t care about all these crappy philosophies but want to live life cool. You love challenging your limit and putting your life at stake, that’s what you define as the real significance of life. Now come with me, we are going to experience the world-class canyoning that clearly tells you your limit, and human insignificance compared to the intimidating grandeur of the great Copper Canyon. I love Mexico!

Mexico

Mexican flag

map of Mexico

Mexico map - attractions

Colourful Mexican house facades is nothing but picture perfect

Date Palms (Phoenix dactylifera) and Fan Palms at sunrise, looking over Rio Mulege (Arroyo Santa Rosalia) with Sierra de Guadalupe in distance.

Gorgeous Mexico cityscape at dusk.

Hot-air balloons at Plaza Principal Parroquia (Parish Church), Mexico

Iglesia Santa Prisca and hillside houses lit up at dusk, Mexico

Mision San Luis Gonzaga, Sierra de la Giganta, Mexico

Overhead of Satevo mission church, Copper Canyon, Mexico

Playas Olas Altos, Old Town, Mexico

Pristine church above the main square, Mexico

Ruins and abandoned silver mines of Real De Catorce.

The Santo Domingo Church - Oaxaca, Mexico

Waterfall at Agua Azul, Mexico

Mexican food

Mexican clothing

Traditional Mexican clothing

Salma Hayek is the representative of Mexican girls

Hot Mexican girls hunt - Elsa Benitez playing dice on the backstreet

Can anyone resist Ninel Conde desnuda?

Enjoy Mexico’s nearby beaches and resorts too and experience nature with Puerto Vallarta adventure tours.

Let’s join the camel trains heading to Egypt for the awe-inspiring Giza pyramid complex and Great Sphinx. Those things are great: unfathomable Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, splendid Musee du Louvre in France, wonderful Jet d’Eau large fountain in Switzerland, enchanted Fairy Chimney in Turkey, futuristic looking Burj Al Arab Hotel in United Arab Emirates (UAE) and a lot more, but none of them could give you the kind of larger-than-life impression reflected from the ancient wonders in Egypt.

Wandering around those aged monuments is seriously a mind-blowing experience. Your life is put at stake as the greatest civilization the world has ever known would make you reel into fatal hallucination in which you were an audacious pirate sailing alone to the end of the world looking for the meaning of..death. Okay, it’s me who is soaking in imagination, trying to say that Egypt is so breathtaking that once you’ve been there, it would be shameless for you to leave the world in peace as you’ve done the best thing in your life.

The Magic of Egypt

Even millennia before Thomas Cook sailed his steamers up the Nile, this magical land had already allured visitors with its oh-my-god ancient wonders. Travelers have been amazed by Egypt’s archaeological World Heritage Sites for centuries ever since the ancient Greeks paid visit to the pyramids. Back in 430 BC, while Greek historian Herodotos stopped over at those splendid monuments in Egypt, from the mesmerizing pyramids of Giza to the astoundingly stunning temples of Karnak or Philae, or the painted tombs in the Valley of the Kings, many of them were already 2500 years old. Time flies, we are in new millennium and gazillion of tourist clichés has popped up like mushrooms to pay homage to this sacred destination as the sheer age of this great civilization is beyond belief. Every year, tourists from all over the world are enticed to visit the temples, hieroglyphs, mummies, and visible above all, the great pyramid, with an addition of modern seasoning of eye-catching diving resorts of the Red Sea. 

Modern travel to Egypt is all about letting your jaws drop before the glorious monuments seen all over the place. It’s the pointed precision of the Pyramids of Abu Sir, sky-high minarets of Cairo that manipulate the skyline, and grand tombs and temples of Luxor that allure generations of visitors during their city sojourns, jaunting up and down the Nile and exploring through dramatically stark desert backdrops. Anyway, the Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings and other ancient monuments are just part of the gargantuan iceberg of the world-renowned Egypt. It is so much an enthralling tourist spot because it is very much a country in flux. All these short journeys are punctuated by a babble of exotic sounds and aromas in a few huge and dusty cities. Be it savoring a cup of coffee in a laidback cosmopolitan cafés in Alexandria, or lingering over a calming glass of shai (tea) after a frantic shopping spree in Khan al-Khalili in Cairo, it could be just so homey at times.

Besides, the landscapes alongside the life-giving Nile, running north through the country to the Mediterranean, is beguiling. Villages are in the shade of gracefully swaying palms, overlooking the emerald ribbon of irrigated fields fed by Nile. Be it sailing on a grand cruise ship or just shabby traditional felucca boat, the panorama is an unswerving visual feast. Heading to Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheik on the Red Sea coast would give you another kind of thrilling experience. These spots are the portals to a miraculous underwater world of Technicolor fish and coral that attracts countless divers from all over the world. After that, you should challenge the inland that has monasteries amid the arid mountains of Sinai, and hit the far-away desert oases, home to the enduring nomads whose camel trains still wander the Saharan sands. All in all, you will not only find fabulous sights but hardy inhabitants here. From the Cairo’s city streets that emulate the suffocating density of Tokyo streets, to the ruthless bits and pieces of the open desert, Egyptians show their incredible resilience amid their ability to constantly find humor and optimism in the most implausible of atmosphere.

Travel To Egypt - Top 10 Best Places

Traveling in Egypt might not equal to easy-going and hassle-free, but certainly eye-opening. But what are the 10 best places to leave your footsteps while getting that goldfish eyes? If you are in trouble finding it out, the A-list below could be your salvation. I hope it helps.

1. Cairo - For a glimpse of the more recent past, wander through the dusty, decrepit glamour of Garden City, a labyrinth of crumbling 19th and early-20th-century mansions
2. Alexandria - Sip coffee, smoke sheesha (water pipe), or join in on the heated debates that take place in the many antique coffee houses that dot this hip metropolis
3. Luxor - gateway to the Valley of the Kings, amongst other fabulous attractions
4. Abu Simbel - a very remote town in the far south, with some beautiful ancient temples
5. Aswan - Watch the sunset over one of the most beautiful stretches of the Nile at Aswan, ancient Egypt’s frontier town, and still a place where you can feel yourself in Africa
6. Dahab - Kick back and recover from chronic temple fatigue at this ocean-side backpacker nirvana
7. Hurghada - a town on the Red Sea, filled with all-inclusive resorts and diving
8. Lake Nasser - created by the Aswan Dam
9. Saqqara - filled with relics and ruins of ancient Egypt, they’re often combined as a day trip from Cairo
10. Siwa - a stunning remote oasis near the Libyan border

3 Reasons Why I Love Egypt

Why I love Egypt? I guess it is more or less similar to the reasons I love Greece, mostly because of the impact my childhood imagination has on me. This time not because of the manga series or anime from Japan, but an unverified truth (okay, it’s verified by scientists ages ago, but at least not by myself yet!) I heard from my friends.

• Ever since the first time I heard of Egypt, I have been wondering if it is just an imaginative place exists in thriller (not fast and furious! You got only pyramids and camels here, not an extensive Autobahn network and racing cars in Germany for me to realize my fantasy of adrenaline-fuelled raid.) Do pyramids really have so many unfathomable questions that even the greatest scientists are puzzled? Cutting an apple into half and putting it in the pyramid, without adding any chemical substance, is it true that it is not rotting due to the special energy that exists within the pyramid’s perfect geometrical structure? Let’s figure it out.
• What’s next up in your mind after the image of pyramid? I bet if it is not the Great Sphinx, it would certainly be the mummy! YES! There are so many forms of mummies out there, hyped in the movies and cartoons, I really wish so much to see the real one with my own eyes! Oops, my goldfish eyes after they are shocked to open up so big by the real and serious stuff.
• I don’t know if you guys ever dreamt of becoming a super hero or a prince but I do, and always. If you do too, are you a handsome prince from Spain riding a white horse (if it’s not a fighting bull), or just a depressed and beaten prince walking in the middle of the falling autumn foliage in Kyoto, Japan? You want to know mine? I want to be a weird princess (not that type living in a gorgeous castle waiting for you!) riding a camel passing the Giza pyramid complex, Great Sphinx, desert oases and then bumping into my comrades riding camel trains. We talk a while and all of a sudden, the mummies attack. Aiks, I’m always going nuts every time talking about this country. I love Egypt!

Egypt

Egypt flag

Egypt map

map of Egypt - attractions

A beachfront restaurant in Dahab, a popular destination for Red Sea divers

Ancient egypt mummies in tomb on the mountain of the dead.

Ancient painting in tomb of Si Amun, mountain of the dead.

Avenue of the Sphinxes at Luxor Temple.

Blue waters and coral reefs of Ras Um Sid, dive spot and resort holiday location.

Camel in the early morning light as trekkers ascend Mt Sinai, Sinai Peninsula.

Domed interior, Coptic Cairo.

Dunes in the Great Sand Sea, Western desert, near Siwa oasis.

Egyptian hieroglyphs

Feluccas (local sailing boats) on Nile River.

Giant statues at temple complex at Abu Simbel.

Interior of Mausoleum of Barquq.

Luxor Temple at night. The light show creates an eerie spectacle as the temple is lit up and the statues and Obelisk are featured

Osiris statues at Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir Al-Bahari.

Sunset over ancient egypt pyramids.

Temple of Philae.

Tutankhamun's exquisite death mask. Made of beaten gold and inlaid with precious stones this most famous of archaeological treasures can be discovered at The Egyptian Museum.

View of Islamic Cairo.

View of modern Cairo and vehicular traffic crossing the Nile River.

Let’s shalala lala to United Arab Emirates (UAE), the home of the world’s craziest buildings and architecture that have travelers do nothing but gasp in awe. The “oh-wow” moments in Dubai any day could be as great as the sum of all the French kisses in France in one year, the total litres of beer being poured in Oktoberfest in Germany, and the gazillion of tomatoes flying overhead of the crazy crowd during La Tomatina festival in Spain.

This Middle-East country is a federation of 7 states (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Sharjah, Fujairah, Umm al-Quwain and Ras al-Khaimah) located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia on the Persian Gulf. So what are you waiting for? Still lingering in the chocolate shops in Switzerland or Leaning Tower of Pisa is finally falling and pressing you against the earth in Italy? No? Oh! I got it! You might be lost your way in the labyrinth of white-washed houses and blue domes in Greece, or you are so unwilling to alight from the Elevador da Bica in Portugal because of the fabulous landscapes in Lisbon.

Whatever it is, let’s pack your stuff and head to UAE. If you are from Turkey, it’s 90% that you are feeling dizzy now after watching the popular Whirling Dervishes. Take a Panadol and go!

The Magic of United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The skyscrapers in UAE’s modern cities certainly outline how space age is going to look. Before the exploding oil industry, these seven sheikdoms were just sleepy backwater dependent on fishing and pearls. In recent years, Dubai has surged up behind the unparalleled investment in luxurious hotels and infrastructure. It is now developed as a tourism honey spot for short break and holiday destination with fabulous shopping and prosperous cultural life. Abu Dhabi, UAE’s capital situated on an island linked to the mainland by two bridges, has been growing fast too thanks to its new airline, Etihad, while other emirates are slowly becoming more competitive in their own ways. United Arab Emirates is no longer just a stage for Dubai to strut its ever-increasing wild things. This wonderful little federation, a lot of travelers would call it touristy “Disneyland”, has more to offer behind its modern, clean and dynamic façade.

This Islamic state is a contradictory yet harmonious tourist destination where traditional Bedouin lifestyle and customs morph into the very Western edition of unbridled consumerism, where DJ’s disc spinners stop turning before being cut short by the muezzins’ morning call to prayer. It remains an unfathomable question how those savvy sheikhs (Islamic leaders) manage to find the poise amid all the apparent contrasting forces. Just like Japan, the leaders manage to have their realms undergo an evolution to reach futurism while maintaining the deep-rooted customs. It’s advisable that you bring enough money there not only because it’s a high costing travel destination but in case your jaws are seriously dropped by the incredible hotels and real estate project, you could immediately ask for a surgeon to make them up.

The UAE is a fairly safe Middle-East travel spot in the perception of western tourists, offering cozy home feels with a touch of the exotic. Whether it is hitting the zenith of shopping experience at designer clothing shops with your credit cards, or simply lazing on a beautiful beach and sip a cocktail thinking of which connoisseur restaurant to head to with your darling, all the wild dreams you could have are promised to come true here. If hedonism is not your cup of tea, what about realizing the romance of riding a camel under starry sky in Abu Dhabi’s extensive desert sands, bargaining the price of souvenirs in the popular souqs (markets in any Arabized or Muslim city) in Sharjah, immersing yourself in the ambience of the heritage districts or the splendid mountain backdrops of Hatta, or diving the coral-filled waters of the Gulf especially the intact beaches near Ras Al-Khaimahare? Okay, I know most travelers are insatiable, just soak up the mélange of everything as that’s what makes this one-of-a-kind gem in the Middle East.

Travel To United Arab Emirates (UAE) - Top 7 Best Places

There are seven overwhelming cities in this touristy “Disneyland” that you should visit if you ever step into its UAE’s territory. It is basically an easy starting point for travels in the Middle East and hence if you don’t do it right here, you will certainly get lost in other Arabian countries.

1. Dubai - Cruise across Dubai’s chaotic creek in an abra (water taxi) – no matter the time of day, it never looks the same.
2. Abu Dhabi - Join the locals for an often steamy stroll along the city’s stunning Corniche.
3. Sharjah - Admire the historic wind- tower architecture in the atmospheric heritage area.
4. Al Ain - Lose yourself in the labyrinthine lanes of Al-Ain’s shady date-palm oases.
5. Ajman - The smallest emirate, one of the budget destinations.
6. Liwa - Wonder at the spectacle of the shifting sands that drift across the roads in the desert of Liwa.
7. Dibba - Count the colored doors as you kick back in the low-key fishing town of Dibba.

3 Reasons Why I Love United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Oh my god, it’s not at all hard to state 3 reasons here as I’ve got more than 10 in my mind. But let’s just say the 3 best of the best reasons.

• If you have been walking the world with me in these days you should know I love Japan so much especially Tokyo due to the skyscrapers and bullet train that tell us what futurism means. This Islamic state does the same, presenting us so many “wow-wow” futuristic buildings that best described as “aliens in the desert”.
• Of course I’m not a multi-millionaire but I love fashion as you all know. Dubai is the centre of all the highest end haute couture as sheikhs have deep pockets and adore their wives. I would love to walk in the middle of luxury forgetting who I am, what I want, when and why and how I get here. Am I weird?
• Okay I should wake up now. I’m not used to too much luxury (just a little at times). So let’s do something romantic but that doesn’t need much money like riding a camel under star-filled sky in the widespread sand dune in Abu Dhabi’s desert.

United Arab Emirates, UAE

United Arab Emirates, UAE flag

United Arab Emirates, UAE map

map of UAE, United Arab Emirates - attractions

Al Majarrah Souk on the south bank of Khaled Lagoon, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Beach at Dubai Marina and parts of the Palm Beach

Burj Al Arab Hotel reflected on beach at sunset, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Dubai, the city of gold, looks charming at night

Interior of Al-Muntaha, the top floor restaurant in Burj al-Arab hotel, featuring wave-like ceiling design

Jumeirah Mosque on Beach Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Twin Towers building, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

UAE girls have big and sexy eyes

Turkey audaciously straddles across Europe and Asia to develop a distinct culture that mirrors both West and East. It is a terrific land where European ambitions mesh harmoniously with Asian background and the capricious atmosphere of the Middle East blends itself effortlessly into the chilled-out façade of the Mediterranean world.

Hence, after your romantic French kisses at the world’s most quixotic Oberhofen Castle in Switzerland, after the Gucci-licious high-end fashion shopping spree in Italy, after savoring the larger-than-life graffiti on Berlin Wall in Germany, after wandering in the world of blue and white only in Greece, let’s keep the spirit high and cross the Aegean Sea to explore this wonderful land of battlegrounds, ruined castles, the palaces of great empires and other amazing scenes.

The Magic of Turkey

Turkey might be the most contested country in the globe due to its transcontinental status and the rich history which has left an indelible mark reflected in the myriad of historical wonders and archaeological sites set in an array of gorgeous backdrops. History aficionados often come here to soak themselves in phenomenal scenes and mementos traversing back to the dawn of civilization. For chilling out, travelers usually indulge themselves at a hamam (Turkish bath, the Middle Eastern variant of a steam bath), or let the warm waters off the Mediterranean coast lap at their toes. Here, the Mediterranean coastline is dotted with well-preserved Greco-Roman cities like the popular Pergamum and Ephesus, while cave churches concealed in the unbelievable fairytale settings of Cappadocia could be found on the jagged Anatolian plateau. Istanbul is the dreamland of bons vivants where stylish and atmospheric markets and bars appear at every corner. It is also the home of the most lip-smacking mod Ottoman cuisine in the world.

However, Turkey has more than that to offer as far as world-class gourmet is concerned. The meze is something you must not miss! It is an assortment of appetizers or small dishes often served with beverage, like anise-flavored liqueurs such as arak, ouzo, raki (the killing alcohol!) or different wines, similar to the tapas of Spain or finger food. Overlook the menu and order a platter of everything and feast to stuff yourself in order to acclimatize yourself to being in Turkey even if you don’t hear “Afiyet olsun!” (Enjoy your meal!). Other than that, Turkey boasts its enviable Mediterranean climate which four seasons happens concurrently, in addition to the numerous tranquil gardens, serene harbors, golden sandy beaches as well as vivacious nightspots and frantic bars that scattered around the big cities.

What about culture? Due to its turbulent history, travelers are often shocked by the incredible passion Turks have for the country. This passion could be as hot as the discovery spirit one finds in Portugal people. However, in ordinary people, it’s not an ardor in fighting for a patch of land or in martial arts, but in simple delights such as family, friendship, music, food and football. Oops, instead of comparing their zest with the Portugal spirit, it might be more appropriate to put it alongside the “joie de vivre” and “savoir-faire” in France. Turks takes pride in their inherent capability to keep stuff in perspective, to make their everyday life moving and to enjoy to the most in the process. Sharing their pleasure in simple things is what they do that impresses almost every visitor. Anyway, the widespread history at every turn has led to a common misconception about Turkey being an old-fashioned, time-locked country that sticks steadfastly to traditions. However, the truth is that, under the leadership of the modern republic’s first leader, Kemal Ataturk, Turkey was long reorganized as a modern secular state after the downfall of the Ottoman Empire. It’s now a vigorous blend of ancient tradition and contemporary look that emulates that of Japan. Nevertheless, this outlook bears slight contradiction in having contemporary European ways tempered by Islam and long-established traditions of hospitality.

Travel To Turkey - Top 10 Best Places

Though it’s one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations, there are still a lot of lesser-known cities which are so fabulous and certainly worth your time. If you do not want to miss any of these nice spots like most of the travelers out there, go through our top 10 list that rocks.

1. Istanbul - Visit Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofya. Haggle like mad in the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar. Float along the Bosphorus. And that’s just for starters
2. Cappadocia - Float over Cappadocia and admire the extraordinary fairy chimneys, then delve deep to explore the unique underground cities
3. Antalya - the fastest growing city, hub to an array of beach resorts
4. Ephesus - Marvel at the most extensive remains of a Roman city complete with a 25,000-seat theatre
5. Ankara - the capital of Turkey and its second largest city
6. Bodrum - nice and trendy Aegean resort in Mugla for a romantic escape
7. Kusadasi - bird island” set in a superb gulf in the Aegean region of Turkey and is known for its turquoise sparkling water and broad sandy beaches
8. Marmaris - a little touristy, but nice resort in Mugla
9. Gallipoli - Wander the Anzac battlefields and ponder the follies of war
10. Goreme – Everyone talks about goreme cave hotels in this land famous for the natural rock formations that can be found around this area called “fairy chimneys”.

Outside looking in..

• Bursa - the first capital of the Ottoman Empire on the foothills of Mt. Uludag, a national park and a winter sports resort.
• Izmir - Called as “the Peal of the Aegean”, is the third largest city and one of the most important commercial and industrial centres in the country.

3 Reasons Why I Love Turkey

Hey man, the best of the thousand reasons I could think of is that I love to eat Turkey! I’m just kidding. But I guess the below reasons aren’t too serious too lol.

• I would like to quote a part of the lyric from the most favorite romantic song of mine,”I’ve walked across many cities and finally reach Istanbul. It’s just like fairy tale where there are churches and castles. I’ve been searching for something busily everyday but still couldn’t figure out the thing I really want. All of a sudden, I found myself lost in the middle of nowhere.” Yes! I’m lost! What am I trying to say? You got it. It’s the romantic Istanbul that moves my heart.
• Though I failed Geography in virtually every test in my junior high, but all the history tests were nothing but flying colors.*applause* I’m actually a history buffs and fiction aficionado and hence unveil the ancient secrets behind this land where the Ottoman Empire fought battles that would shape the world has been the tremendous task from heaven. You know, with great power comes great responsibility. This is my gift, my curse. Who am I? I’m Turkey man.*mad*
• Last but not least, I want to find out if the formula I created Tokyo + Nikko (Japan) = Istanbul + Cappadocia (Turkey). Let’s see if the Japanese or the Turks are better in blending ancient tradition with modern outlook. Let’s see who give us better feelings or who could make us go nut in our hallucination. Hey, are we the ancient or modern people? I Love Turkey!

Turkey

Turkey flag

map of Turkey

Turkey map - attractions

Aya Sofya (Sancta Sophia) at night.

Be spellbound by a street vendor display of colourful tasseled Turkish slippers at Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey

Clear blue waters by Fethiye coast are the hidden treasures in Turkey for nature lovers.

Fairy Chimney Hotel in Goreme ll in the region of Cappadocia (Capadokya), central Turkey, the setting for one of the strangest landscapes in the world.

Fancy Bosporus Houses by the river are where fishers stay

Interior of Chora Museum (Kariye Muzesi) featuring Byzantine mosaics and frescoes.

Landscape of Cappadocia seen from hot-air balloon.

Suleymaniye Mosque is one of the most gorgeous mosques in the world.

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is one of several mosques known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its, Istanbul, Turkey

Turkish flag in front of Uchisar Castle, a natural skyscraper of Cappadocia, Turkey

Turkish style hanging lamps at the Kapalicarsi (Covered Bazaar), also known as the Grand Bazaar, built in the 1400's in Istanbul, Turkey

Very nice houses at Anadolu Kavagi, Istanbul, Turkey

Wall frescoes in Greek Orthodox style, Cave church.

woman smiling to the camera on the marble at a Hamam (Turkish Bath), Turkey

Turkish girls also blend in both European and Asia heritage?

Two hot Turkish gilrs showing love