The beautiful city of Cannes – playground of the rich and famous, and home to the Cannes International Film festival – is a beacon on the French Riviera.  Located at the head of the Mediterranean, this iconic location welcomes millions of visitors every year. The Hotel Majestic Barriere is host to musicians, artists and stars of stage and film from all over the world. The hotel offers magnificent views of the Riviera and the jetty. The U Spa Barrière is a pampering experience that makes a relaxing trip worthwhile. The hotel’s three restaurants include the famed Fouquet Cannes restaurant and the Sud Beach Restaurant.

Rooms and Facilities 

The hotel’s 265 rooms and 84 suites are complemented by two fabulous penthouse suites – the Majestic Suite and the Christian Dior Suite. Designed by Lucien Barrière and Christian Dior, the suite joins the traditional Majestic Penthouse as the hotel’s flagship residences and is usually booked months in advance of the film festival. The hotel’s rooms have an elegant white-and-pastel ambience, with contemporary French paintings and murals.

The Hotel Majestic Barriere enshrines the spirit of Cannes and the French Riviera.

Cape Town is the second largest city in South Africa, and is the most southern city on the continent of Africa.  Called the ‘Mother City’, Cape Town is located near the Cape of Good Hope, and in recent years has been increasing in popularity as a tourist destination.  

The best times to visit this famous South African city include October and November; this is when springtime, with its warmer weather, arrives.  The summer lasts from December through February, with the sun setting as late as 8:30 pm; February days in particular can be very hot.  March through to May offers cool but comfortable autumn weather.

Travellers from the UK will most likely arrive at Cape Town International Airport.  Cape Town is big enough to warrant a visitor having their own transport to fully appreciate its beauty, unless the traveller is using the services of a tour company.  Most Cape Town roads and highways are in excellent condition, and car hire can be arranged throughout the city and at the airport.
 
One of the most popular attractions in Cape Town is The Castle of Good Hope, which is the oldest building in South Africa, having being built between 1666 and 1679.  The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens showcase beautiful flora, and are open to the public year round.  Robben Island is also open to visitors and is the prison where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, while the Rhodes Memorial is set on the slopes of Devil’s Peak and provides one of the most amazing views of the city.  The Victoria and Alfred (V & A) Waterfront is located at Cape Town Harbour beneath the slopes of beautiful Table Mountain; it is a huge entertainment and shopping complex that is popular with tourists due to the many fashionable restaurants and shops found there.  There are also countless galleries and museums to visit in the city. 

Fun activities include taking the cable car up Table Mountain and soaking in the views from the top; more adventurous visitors can also climb Table Mountain.  A drive through Simonstown and a visit to the colony of African penguins at Boulders is an excellent outing for the entire family.  Wine tours can be arranged which visit a variety of wineries in Constantia Valley and Cape Winelands. 

A colourful and bustling city, this east-meets-west destination is truly unique.  With a mix of both Christian and Islamic influences, you certainly need more than a long weekend to discover what Istanbul – formally Constantinople or Byzantium – has to offer.

You will find a great selection of accommodation in the city, from central boutique hotels to cheap and cheerful hostels.  For those planning on staying a little longer, you can even rent a room in private accommodation.  In any case, the underground makes it easy to get round the city, so if you wander a little too far from the centre a good map and dictionary should get you where you want to go.

The main sights include: The Blue Mosque, a huge, domed building commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I; Topkapi Palace, which housed some of the famous Sultans; the bustling Grand Bazaar where you enjoy the art of haggling; the Bosphorus (the night cruises are recommended) and the Archaeology museum.

Although Istanbul is the capital city of Turkey, it is almost like another country by itself.  It is a great transport hub too, so you can take a coach to one of the bordering countries, or venture deeper into Turkey itself to see its wide beaches or green countryside.

Straddling the banks of the Elbe, Dresden city is a charming spectacle of Baroque architecture.  Almost completely destroyed during the Second World War and dominated by Soviet architecture during the years of the German Democratic Republic, Dresden has seen its centre restored to her pre-war majesty since Germany’s reunification in 1990.

The city has been famous across Europe for centuries and celebrated its 800th birthday in 2006.

The Frauenkirche, in Altstadt, (the Old Town), is the most famous attraction in Dresden.  Recently rebuilt, its pinnacle is a gold cross, gifted by the people of Coventry as a mark of friendship between the two cities.  Climb to the top of the Bell Tower and enjoy breathtaking views of the “Florence of the North”. Other famous landmarks include the Opera House and the Zwinger, home to Saxony’s art treasures.

Neustadt, or New Town, is home of the more alternative communities and students.  Every year it hosts the Neustadt festival, celebrating all of the creativity that Neustadt embraces.  It’s also home to Dresden’s best comic store, “Dresden Comic Laden”.

Steamboat trips along the Elbe are very popular, giving visitors fantastic photographic opportunities.  The banks of the river are also a favoured spot for enjoying beer gardens.

Visitors to the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina may find themselves wondering what attractions to visit.  Aside from the many traditional tourist sites, the city is filled with picturesque neighbourhoods, delicious restaurants, and spectacular shopping.

For a traditional night out, make your way to El Niño Bien.  Although there are many tango shows for tourists around Buenos Aires, this particular place is where residents go for some homegrown entertainment.  A night filled with graceful dance, El Niño Bien is not a tango place, but an authentic Milonga salon, where locals can be found drinking and dancing.

For the traveller with a large appetite, a visit to Cabaña Las Lilas is essential.  This famous steakhouse has been serving the public since 1905, and is known worldwide for providing patrons with the nation’s best beef.

A visit to Museo Evita will add a touch of history to your day as you stand before the Casada Rosada.  It is here that Evita Peron addressed the crowds.  You can also see the tomb where she was buried at the Recoleta Cemetery.  To get her full life’s story, visit the Museo Evita, where many of her personal possessions are on display.

There are several great shopping districts in the city.  One is Calle Florida, which is filled with quaint boutiques and shops.  The San Telmo Antiques Fair in Plaza Dorrego, which is held every Sunday, is a good location for smaller crafts and antique finds.  Spend the day wandering through the stalls as you enjoy live music and tango dancing.

If you really want to get away from it all, the city of Perth in Western Australia is the perfect travel choice.  Lying on the Swan River along the west coast of mainland Australia, it is described as the most remote city in the world.  Yet despite its geographical isolation, Perth is a sophisticated place, famous for its cosmopolitan feel and modern architecture.  You can arrive in Perth by land, sea, or air.  Several airlines fly to Perth from the United Kingdom, and once there you will be spoilt for choice with a number of things to do and places to see.

Nature lovers are well provided for in this scenic part of the world.  Perth has nineteen white sandy beaches to choose from and the whale watching season lasts from June to December.  Food lovers will appreciate the fare along the seafront of Perth, where smart restaurants and bistros vie for your custom.  If wine is your passion, then a tour of the world leading wineries in the nearby Swan Valley is an excellent choice.  The central business district is the place to go when exploring the nightlife, with plenty of nightclubs and bars to choose from.

Getting around is easy by car, rail, or the free bus service operating seven days a week within the business district.  A wide range of accommodation is also available for all tastes and budgets.  Whether you want a pampering package in a boutique hotel or a rustic break in a bed and breakfast in the hills, Perth offers plenty of choice.

Beautiful gay Paris is the city of love, romance and fine cuisine.  This capital city exudes charm from every alley and beguiles all who visit it.  Even getting to Paris has a certain romantic charm to it, especially from London as visitors board the Eurostar at beautifully renovated St Pancras and alight at the delightfully French Gare du Nord a mere two-and-a-half hours later.

Paris is crammed to bursting with top tourist attractions.  For culture vultures, The Louvre is a must to catch a glimpse of the alluring Mona Lisa.  History buffs will likely want to get themselves down to the Palace of Versailles, to retrospectively soak up the outrageous indulgences of the long-gone French royal family. 

For those who simply want to see the many architectural sights, and bust the myth that a trip to Paris is only for the wealthy, the city is a delight to discover on foot, walking down the Champs Elysee to the L’Arc de Triomphe, and onwards again to all that epitomises Paris, La Tour Eiffel.  Though you can take the lift to the summit of the tower, walking the 1,000 or so steps to the second stage is well worth it – the views are spectacular.  You get a sense of being up close and personal with the inner workings of the tower, and you are more than entitled to a patisserie treat once you descend! 

Paris will delight every visitor lucky enough to walk through its streets.

Most people have heard of the Tate Modern.  It can be found inside the former Bankside building on the banks of the Thames in London.  The Tate Modern provides a wonderful way to experience modern art in all its forms, especially since it is free to enter at all times, however there may occasionally be a fee to see a special exhibition.

Visiting Tate Modern is quite an experience especially if you are new to exploring the world of contemporary art.  The works are beautifully presented in a range of galleries and you can sketch them if you wish.  You can wander through several floors of delightful artworks and explore various artistic periods in history including Cubism and Futurism.

If you wish to find out more about some of the works of art at Tate Modern you can go on one of the tours that guide you round the main points of interest in the gallery.  You can even book a private tour for two people if you wish.  This should be booked in advance and it incurs a cost but it is very rewarding.

Tate Modern benefits from being easy to access from many points in London.  The charming riverside setting also gives you the opportunity to explore outside once you have seen the gallery itself.  Whatever hotel in London you choose to stay in, it should not take you long to reach Tate Modern.

For a truly unique holiday experience, tourists may want to try the most populous city in the world.  With over 18 million residents, Shanghai is simply packed with people.  The unusual history and culture of this city make it a top destination for travellers.

Unique History

Shanghai is an ancient city, but it is the more recent past that makes it special.  In the early 20th century Shanghai was divided between China, Germany, Italy, France, Russia, Austria, Japan, and the U.S.  The result of that divide is that the city has a number of different European-style neighbourhoods and a very cosmopolitan feel.

The French Concession

One of the nicest parts of the city is the former home of the French.  The tree-lined streets of the French Concession offer a refreshing getaway from some of the more bustling areas of Shanghai.  On a walking tour visitors can see the many examples of Art Deco architecture in this neighbourhood.  Fuxing Park, designed in the French style, has several nice shops and restaurants popular with locals.

The Old City

For a taste of pre-Westernised Shanghai, a visit to the Old City is in order.  Found behind walls, this part of the city remained under Chinese control and as a result retains a feeling of true Shanghai culture.  Here visitors can see lovely old temples such as Chenxiang Ge Temple and the Temple of the Town Gods, and enjoy tea at one of the traditional tea houses.  The Fuyou Antique Market and Xiliupu Fabric Market are fun places for tourists to shop and take in the sights.

“When it’s spring again…” and then the song says either, “We’ll sing again” or “I’ll bring again” (depending on the version) “… tulips from Amsterdam.”  Well, no matter which version you prefer, the Netherlands is certainly associated with symbols such as traditional windmills, wooden clogs and fields full of tulips.

Certainly, Amsterdam has plenty of important sights and attractions to tempt visitors, such as the many world-famous museums, and the historic Canal District. A tour via the canals, whether by boat or on foot, is a lovely way to get to know the centre of this fascinating, relaxed and easy-going city.

There are also unusual districts surrounding the centre with singular features that illuminate another side to Amsterdam. The inner city area, for example, has lots of quirky museums that are sometimes masked by beautiful buildings fronting the canal side. It also offers superb shopping at local markets, marvellous exhibitions in the “Mirror District” galleries, Chinese catering in the vibrant Zeedijk and the floating flower market that includes traditional Dutch tulips as well as geraniums, plus Christmas trees in winter months.

At “Centrum” is the Westerpark District there are chic cafés, contemporary galleries, cinemas and experimental clubs. In the “Eastern Docklands” (Oostelijke Handelskade) new residential blocks appear between the 19th century storehouses and idiosyncratic places like the “Music Hall on the River IJ” provide concerts as well as places to eat and drink with a great view. Finally, at The Bimhuis, there is a concert hall and studios where jazz musicians can work and experiment, delivering jazz performances and improvised music.