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The Top things to Visit in New York

Published

9 years ago

June 10, 2016

The city that never sleeps. The capital of the world. The City. The Big Apple.

Most romantic cities in the world

Whatever you want to call it, New York is one of the few cities in the world whose charming is always intact: the place everyone wants to visit at least once in a lifetime. Being it a romantic journey or a lonely trip, with your family or with friends, New York and its many attractions can always offer a new experience.

Reaching New York is simple, thanks to its 3 enormous airports, JFK Kennedy, Newark and La Guardia, which connect the Big Apple with hundreds of destinations worldwide.

In order to fully enjoy your stay in New York, the best idea is to book a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Our main suggestion goes to the Grand Hyatt Hotel, a stone’s throw from the main destinations and most fashionable districts. We suggest you buy a New York Pass or a City Pass, allowing you to visit several museums and monuments such as the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building at a lower price, sometimes also skipping lines. These 2 passes have a different price and a different validity, so to meet tourists’ needs.

Once in the city, you only have to make up your mind about where to start to discover this multicultural metropolis.

Without a doubt, the first visit must be for her. Outstanding and impassible, the Statue of Liberty is the referring point for those willing to discover the city. A gift from France to celebrate the centenary of the Independence War, the Statue of Liberty became a symbol of democracy and freedom. Located on Liberty Island, it is 93 meters tall. The most courageous ones may climb its 357 steps leading up to its crown and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline. The Statue of Liberty was also the first thing immigrants saw of the American soil. Close to Liberty Island, you can visit Ellis Island, once the checkpoint for immigrants and now the Museum of Immigration holding the old registries of those coming to the United States. You may discover Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert DeNiro’s ancestors, or your great-grandfather.

Statue of Liberty Photos

Another symbol of New York is the World Trade Center, so sadly famous for September 11^th attack in 2001. Ground Zero, the museum and memorial, now stands where the Twin Towers used to be, to remind a day which inevitably left its mark in the entire world.

Another icon of the city is the Empire State Building, which has been the town highest building for a long time. Reaching the 86^th floor terrace gives you an incomparable view of Manhattan. Seeing it at night uncovers a world of lights. And talking about lights, you surely cannot miss a visit to Times Square, the neon place we saw in so many movies, with its big animated ads.

Though New York is often considered a cement jungle with its skyscrapers up to the skies, the city is also famous for Central Park, 3-square kilometers green lung. A relaxing afternoon there is absolutely a must. You may jog, rent a bike or take a walk along the many pathways and hung around its small lakes. The continuous transformations of the city give new life to old decaying areas, just like the Meatpacking District, once considered the New York butchery and now home of the High Line, a 2-mile overhead park along an abandoned and still visible railway.

In New York you cannot miss some art and culture! The city is home of some of the most famous museums in the world such as MOMA (Museum of Modern Arts) where you can see paintings like Van Gogh’s The Starry Night or Andy Warhol’s golden Marilyn Monroe.

Always talking about modern art, you should see a museum that was built as an artwork itself: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright as an upside-down Tower of Babel, its circular corridors display artworks of artists like Chagall, Modigliani and Picasso.

For those willing to experience both classical and modern art, your destination is the Metropolitan Museum, also known as The Met.

Last but not least, the American Museum of Natural History is a must for those who like or want to find out about, anthropology, paleontology and zoology.

Discovering New York also means taking a walk around neighbors that made the story of the city, whose charm is still intact. Greenwich Village has been the cradle for many artists. Modern jazz, folk music and new series like Friends and Sex and the City took place there.

To experience the Italian atmosphere, you can stroll around Little Italy, the first quarter that welcomed immigrants from Italy.

Next to Little Italy is Chinatown, home to Chinese New Yorkers, which turns yellow and red for the Chinese New Year’s Day as dragons fill the streets.

Long Island, on the other hand, is home of one of the most populated boroughs of New York: Brooklyn. To get there, you must cross the East River on the world-famous Brooklyn Bridge. We recommend you cross it on foot so you can enjoy the view over Manhattan.

If you feel hungry after so much touring, you can have a hot dog on the go. But if you fancy something sweet, it is time to taste cheesecake, the sweet symbol of New York. We recommend that at Two Little Red Hens, in the Upper Est Side.

What about you? Ready to leave for New York?

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Top 5 Historical Landmarks of Portugal

Published

3 years ago

April 17, 2022

Guest Author

Portugal is a hive of culture, history, and architecture and is home to fifteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you plan a holiday to Portugal to discover some of its glorious histories, look through our top five Portuguese historical landmarks.

Alcobaça Monastery

This beautiful monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobaça is a prime example of early Gothic architecture. The sanctuary is home to the ornate tombs of Ines de Castro and King Pedro I. There is a tragic love story associated with the burials. Ines de Castro was assassinated in 1355, and the king ordered his tomb to be placed next to hers so that he could face the woman he loved on the day of resurrection. They are considered to be the most beautiful medieval tombs in Portugal. There are also living quarters, including a refectory, dormitory, kitchen, and cloisters that have been inhabited by monks for 800 years.

Convent of Christ

The Convent of Christ is a beautiful roman catholic building located in Tomar. It was initially a stronghold for the Order of the Knights Templar. The building houses impressive art and examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance architecture. The walls inside are exquisitely decorated with paintings, carved stone sculptures, and a window depicting symbols and motifs. This site has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983.

Évora

Évora is a Portuguese city home to several historical sights, some over two thousand years old. The Cathedral of Évora is considered one of Portugal’s most important gothic monuments. Moorish palaces and courtyards, a renaissance fountain built-in 1559, and a one-of-a-kind Roman temple have become the city’s most famous landmarks. It is not surprising that Évorahas is classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Belém Tower

Belém Tower was built to be a fortress in 1515 to guard the entrance to Lisbon’s harbor. The tower is constructed from lioz limestone that is local to Lisbon. It is considered one of the prominent examples of the late gothic Manueline style. There is a drawbridge, spaces for cannons, turrets, and arches that have been decorated with images of animals, plants, and royal coats of arms. Inside there are statues, pillars, and gargoyle facets. UNESCO has listed the tower as a World Heritage monument.   

Jerónimos Monastery

Jerónimos Monastery is considered one of the most beautiful monasteries in Portugal and Europe. Located in Lisbon, the monastery has various entrances that have been decorated with carved figures, gables, and pinnacles. There is a 16th Century Portuguese sculpture of Our Lady of Belém in the central doorway, a figure of Prince Henry the Navigator in the center of the monastery, and a statue of King Manuel I. The monastery has been classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

We hope this has inspired you to start planning your trip to Portugal today.

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Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Find out why Sand boarding, Diving and Safaris through the desert are included in the Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar.

Published

3 years ago

April 8, 2022

Guest Author

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Qatar is a country of reinvention. Shimmering towerblocks rise against a desert horizon, and maze-like souks thrive next to 21st-century shopping palaces. It’s also one of the more accessible countries of the Arab Gulf, with a welcoming reputation towards visitors and plenty of attractions to keep them coming. Some of the best holiday activities you’ll find in Qatar are the adventurous kind. And these are the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar.

Sunset in Qatar – Photo by wj2012

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Diving expeditions

The Gulf Sea is famed for its crystal waters and the exuberant marine life which lurks just beneath the surface. Messaid is a good jumping-off point where you’ll find angelfish and barracuda, while those intrigued by underwater wrecks will love the Hall Island dive site at Al-Sharqi, where bright clownfish circle the abandoned boat.

Sand Adventures

Many of the sports here have been adapted from colder climates, so instead of skiing down a mountain piste, try Khor Al Adaid beach to glide down the impressive dunes on a sand-board. Alternatively, race your blo-kart along the sands of Al Wakrah, south of capital Doha, to experience the thrill of wind-sailing on dry land.

Sand Boarding – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by ground zero

Al Jassasiya

The ancient carvings of Al Jassasiya lie to the north near Al Shamal, amid a truly remote landscape of village ruins and limestone. Hire a 4×4 of your own and make the journey to see the 900 petroglyphs which riddle the rocks here. The carvings denote flowers, animals, fleets of shows, or traditional Arab boats, and to this day, their origins remain a mystery.

Sunset Cruise

When the time comes for a more relaxed excursion, you can do no better than a sunset cruise onboard a wooden dhow as you drift past the super-modern Doha seafront of Al-Corniche and the old harbor at Al Khor. If you’re still hankering after some adventure, rent a smaller vessel and go for a fishing trip the following day.

Desert Safaris

Much of the inland desert in Qatar remains inaccessible on foot, but fortunately, that’s where a 4×4 comes in very handy for a safari trip you won’t easily forget. There are numerous options available from Doha, including day-long excursions, bumping, and rolling to the inland sea at Khor Al Adaid. Or make the trip at dusk for a spot of star-gazing before you settle in Bedouin-style tents for the night.

Desert Safari – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by robertpaulyoung

Most activities can be arranged via a tour company. Although cash has been the predominant payment method in Qatar, this is beginning to change, which is good news for tourists since HSBC offers protection against loss or theft. If you’re planning on taking part in several activities, it can be handy to have some plastic on you to avoid expensive traveler’s cheques, plus credit cards from HSBC and other familiar providers also enable easy access to money at the ATMs. However, it’s wise to exercise caution, using only official bank machines here and sticking with local currency at the market and in smaller shops.

There’s no doubt that Qatar offers some world-class cultural attractions beyond the more energetic highlights, and while you’re in the country, set aside some time for the historic Al Zubarah fort or browse the recreated 19th-century Souk-Waqif, in Doha.

This country has been undervalued in the past but is now coming to the world’s attention. With its desert adventures, ancient sites, and thriving culture, this attention is thoroughly deserved.

This is a travel feature by world traveler, Jose Capelo. He loves exploring the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar and has spent many trips exploring the wild deserts of Qatar.

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Boys will be Boys – Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

Published

3 years ago

April 1, 2022

Guest Author

Barcelona has a lot to offer to the quintessential all-boys travel group for a stag weekend in Barcelona. This sunny Spanish city is known for its gorgeous Mediterranean beaches complemented by turquoise waters. In addition to this, this city offers the ideal environment for an all-male party hotspot, considering its vibrant nightlife, football culture, flamenco dance clubs, tattoo parlors, and its delicious sangrias and tapas.

Paella cooking class Barcelona

Barcelona is a widespread consideration for a quick all-boys getaway during the summer. With a variety of heart-thumping activities that can make your trip a memorable one, make sure you take out time to pursue the following –

LTW Tattoo:

If you are looking for a real adventure that will stick with you all your life, there is no better way to commemorate this epic trip than heading to Barcelona’s best tattoo parlor.
Barna Paintball:

Take on your best buddies in a battle of agility by visiting the Barna Paintball. With four thematic areas to choose from, your experience here can be genuinely adventurous.
Bar Crawl Barcelona:

Considered one of the most famous pub crawls globally and the biggest in Europe, the original Bar Crawl Barcelona is a great way to explore the city in its nocturnal state. You and your buddies can visit four bars and then finish at one of the best clubs in Barcelona. Complete with some of the craziest drinking games, this memorable experience costs all but 15 Euros.
FC’s Camp Nou:

If you are a group of football fans visiting the city, you cannot leave without making a trip to Camp Nou, the city’s football ground. With a ticket for the stadium tour, you will have access to the changing rooms, benches, press rooms, and stands. If you are fortunate enough to have a match coinciding with your travel dates, make sure you book your tickets for the game well in advance.
Circuit de Catalunya Racing Track:
If you and your crew are into racing, consider heading to the Circuit de Catalunya, host to various Formula 1 and Moto GP races. Here, you can get a detailed tour of the briefing room, pits, and podium.
Comedy Nights:

Comedy nights are often an option that everybody loves. Especially as a group of single boys, you may love to attend an event organized by the Giggling Guiri program that consists of English-speaking shows.
Al Fresco Drinking on Las Ramblas:

The heart of tourist activity in Barcelona, Las Ramblas, offers unique casual outdoor ambiances for groups of boys to spend hours finishing pitchers of sangria or chugging down buckets of beer bottles. Vibrant as ever, this street located off the Gothic Quarters is a great place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing.

Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

As a group of boys, you can also research options for day trips to beaches outside of Barcelona that offers relaxing and laid-back environments for your holiday. Many options are available in Barcelona for hiring a car to explore this scenic and exciting city with your friends, such as Thrifty Car Rentals. So when you are in Barcelona with your amigos, nothing stops you from having a great time!