Bangalore is a city that is rapidly growing, and is one of India’s major IT centres. Its history is thought to date back at least to the 9th century AD. The mild climate makes this city popular all year. Upon arriving, visitors land at Bengaluru International Airport. From the airport, transport is available by bus or taxi, both of which are recommended. Rickshaws are also commonly used.

One of the most impressive sights is Vidhana Soudha, which is the State of Karnataka’s legislative building. It has some elegant architecture that reflects the Dravidian style. A beautiful outdoor attraction is Omthara Kala Kuteera. It includes 30 acres of some of the most beautiful, tranquil gardens that visitors will ever see. Do not forget to visit Lal Bagh gardens, which have an impressive display of flowers. There are numerous Hindu temples that can be visited. One of the most famous is the Shiva Temple, with an impressive walk-through area.

There are several shopping areas where everything is for sale from local crafts to discounted Western items. The Commercial Street area has a mix of Western designer items and bazaar-style shopping. Bangalore is home to several large malls, including the Forum Mall, which is home to several European and North American chains.

Much of the food offered in Bangalore is vegetarian food representing the South Indian culinary style. Shettara Beedi is an entire street that hosts food vendors who have inexpensive meals to offer. To find meat dishes, Fanoos specializes in beef cuisine. Stop by the famous Corner House for a delicious ice cream dessert.

Tourists who wish to experience a taste of Australia should consider a visit to Sydney, the largest city in the nation.  Serving as the state capital of New South Wales, Sydney provides visitors access to the Tasman Sea which features over 40 beaches where tourists enjoy swimming, sun-bathing, skiing, para-sailing and other water sports.

Sydney is the most significant city in Australian history; it was the site of the British colony established in 1788; this event began the modern history of the nation.  Australia’s British heritage is remembered today in such locations as Hyde Park, named after the most famous park in London, and the Royal Botanical Gardens, whose name calls to mind the British monarchy.

Yet Australia is much more than a British off-shoot these days.  The nation has a character of its own, visible in such iconic locations in Sydney as the world-famous Sydney Opera House with its semi-domed roofs and the nearby Harbour Bridge.  Almost three million visitors come to the city each year to see attractions such as the Sydney Tower, the second-tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere, and the Australian Museum, which provides visitors a detailed glimpse into the natural history of the continent.

Other attractions in Sydney include its wealth of museums.  Among the most visited are the Powerhouse Museum, which specialises in technology, science and design; the Art Gallery of New South Wales; the Australian National Maritime Museum; and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Paris, the capital city of France, is famous for three things: light, fashion and love!  Famed as the city of lights, the city of fashion and the city of love, Paris offers a tantalizing glimpse into the world of beauty and romance.  With iconic sights such as the Arc de Triomph and the Eiffel Tower, Paris is the one unbeatable destination on your list.

This city is easily accessible from all major airports in the UK, as well as via the Eurostar.  In fact, it’s definitely easier to get to Paris than to travel within the UK, although navigating the Charles de Gaulle airport will require some patience on your end.  Once you leave the airport, you’ll see why Paris is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.  Despite its reputation for being expensive, it boasts accommodation to suit every budget and style.

Whatever your passion: art, fashion, music or food, Paris is where you’ll get to indulge in it all!  In fact, this is the one city in the world where one visit in just not enough to do it justice. Apart from the well-known sites and landmarks, you can opt for a short trip outside the city to the Palace of Versailles: home to Louis XIV.  This gives you the perfect opportunity to slow down from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis and indulge in the sumptuous historical splendour.

For the young and the young at heart, Disneyland Paris is within easy reach of the city and provides a fun alternative to shopping and sightseeing.  Back in the centre, the plethora of cafés offer a pleasant way to linger and people-watch whilst deciding which one of the city’s 83 museums you should visit next.

Liverpool was responsible for the quintessential sound of the 60s, and was the home of the pop group that would literally shake the foundations of music and change it forever.  Visiting is a must for any music fan; but you will be pleasantly surprised at what else you discover in this fashionable and vibrant city in the northwest of England.

Firstly though, you can’t think of Liverpool without thinking of The Beatles, and quite rightly so.  The city is geared up to take tourists on a Magical Mystery Tour of all things mop-top.  This is quite literally the case – the psychedelic bus used in the film can now be seen trawling Liverpool and its suburbs to allow fans to get up close and personal with the extremely humble beginnings of the Fab Four, and the places that are now forever immortalised in song, including Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane to name but two.  Down at the Albert Dock, taking a trip to the Beatles Experience is highly recommended. 

Once you have finished with that, however, take your time and wander through this sophisticated complex, which is bustling with food and drink outlets.  The Albert Dock is typical of the type of regeneration that has taken place in Liverpool over the last decade, and what was once was an industrial and dilapidated area is now a hubbub of activity as the café culture has claimed the banks of the Mersey. 

Likewise, leafy Sefton Park and the adjoining Lark Lane are great places to put your feet up with a latte or a glass of wine if you have been hitting the chic shops hard in the city centre. 

You won’t regret your trip to this amazing city – Liverpool never disappoints.

Edinburgh has an interesting historical and cultural heritage.  It has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with both the Old Town and New Town buildings being included.  Several restaurants, bars and shops are found in main tourist areas.  The city also boasts a number of beautiful parks.

Edinburgh’s Attractions

The Old Town area, which includes Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket and Royal Mile, dates back to medieval times.  Edinburgh is also home to the Stone of Destiny, an ancient symbol of Scotland that has been used in the inauguration of British monarchs right up to the present day.  After leaving the Castle, you can travel down the Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.  The gallery, throne room and royal apartments are open to visitors.  Historical churches still open for services include Old Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church and St.  Margaret’s Chapel. 

Shops

There are numerous shops in Edinburgh that suit the interests of travellers.  These shops also carry local crafts that are worth taking home as souvenirs.  Hawick Cashmere of Scotland and Ragamuffin sell quality knit ware.  Mr.  Wood’s Fossils sells interesting fossil and mineral items from around Scotland.  If you want to purchase local produce during your holiday, visit the Edinburgh Farmer’s Market.  In addition to these unique shops and markets, you can find boutique-style shops, booksellers and much more.

Restaurants

There are several places where tourists can enjoy good meals.  The Wee Windaes offers traditional Scottish meals seven days a week.  It is located on High Street.  Healthy, grilled Mediterranean food can be found at  Palmyra.  Several popular fast food chains such as McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken are found throughout Edinburgh.

Barcelona is one of Spain’s chief cities, with over 2000 years of history.  Tourists have shown an increasing interest in the city ever since it was home to the 1992 Olympics.  Several distinct neighbourhoods are found in the city, each with their own special attractions.  A series of parks, outdoor markets and churches tops the list of favourite attractions.  Barcelona is ideal to visit during the month of August, when most residents are on holiday, or during the off-season between January and February.

Attractions

One of Barcelona’s chief attractions, a board walk, borders the beach area.  To get an authentic feel for Barcelona’s cultural life, take a walk along La Rambla.  Entertaining street performers are found here, as well as artists who sketch or paint.  Barri Gotic is also worth visiting.  It is the medieval section of the city.

Shopping

Several newer shops are found on El Portal de l’Àngel.  La Rambla is also home to several shops.  Maremagnum is a large mall open seven days a week, with stores that offer quality souvenirs.  For an authentic market experience visit La Boqueria where plenty of fresh produce is available.  El Corte Inglés is a popular department store that sells a variety of goods.

Restaurants

Many local restaurants specialise in Catalonian cuisine, especially fresh seafood.  Restaurants that only offer tapas dining are also quite popular.  Two-course meals are commonplace and some restaurants close for part of the afternoon.  Usually, the restaurants that are popular with locals have better-quality food.  The Barceloneta has a large number of restaurants that are popular with both locals and tourists.  Plaza Catalunya is a good area to find tapas.

Paris is France’s capital city and premier tourist destination.  It is a truly cosmopolitan city, ideal for romantic getaways, short city breaks, cultural trips or a place to take the family.  Paris is France’s largest city and can easily be reached by airplane, with trains leaving from London’s St Pancras International or ferries from Dover if you want to take the car.  The transport network in the city itself is highly developed, with an efficient metro and bus service and plenty of taxis.  Most of the central attractions are within walking distance from one another, so exploring on foot can be practical and inexpensive.

One of the most famous destinations in Paris is of course the Eiffel Tower.  Built in 1889, it stands 985 feet tall, providing a wonderful view from the top of the city and its surroundings.  The tower is beautiful at night when all lit up and frequently has a spotlight sweeping the city from its peak.  Another key destination is the Louvre, the world famous museum holding more than 30,000 works of art.  The Louvre highlights art from a variety of different movements around the world, from antiques to Renaissance pieces, from the Modernists to the Impressionists and much more besides.

The Notre Dame cathedral, built in the 12th century, is an architectural masterpiece and widely considered the best example of French Gothic architecture.  Although typically busy, it has a calm atmosphere.  For shopping enthusiasts, the historic Avenue Montaigne is an ideal destination, home to a number of fashion houses including Dior and Chanel.

There is much more to Paris; the best way to find out is to explore the city for yourself.

Vancouver is Canada’s third city, after Toronto and Montreal.  It is in British Colombia and faces out to the Pacific Ocean to its east and the Canadian mainland to the west.  It has a population of some six million people.  As in Canada’s other large cities, Vancouver is home to a variety of different cultures; it is estimated that over half of its inhabitants are not native English speakers.

Vancouver is a cosmopolitan city set in vast natural surroundings.  The mountains, lakes, forests, rivers and ocean surrounding Vancouver are main tourist attractions; Canada is popular with nature lovers and those seeking adventure or active holidays.  You can book walking, cycling, kayaking and exploration tours which take you into the countryside surrounding Vancouver.

The main route to get to Vancouver is by air.  The city has an international airport, with non-stop flights available from London.  Transport in the city itself is highly developed.  The SkyTrain is a light railway system that takes you from the airport to the city.  There is a catamaran ferry that can take you around Vancouver harbour and to North Vancouver.

There is a range of activities for you and your family to enjoy during your stay.  Granville Island has a famous market, which you can wander around and browse for souvenirs and presents.  Stanley Park is a nature preserve you can enjoy without leaving the city.  The Museum of Anthropology houses a varied collection of Native Canadian art for you to admire.

Athens is a good holiday choice for travellers, especially those from the UK.  Flight times to Athens from the UK are just three to four hours, and most major airlines, including budget carriers such as Easyjet, operate a good service from London.  Athens International Airport is about 27 kilometres east of the city, so you can travel to the centre via the metro in only about 30 minutes.  Taxis can take a little longer due to the level of traffic, so visitors who plan to spend a few days in the city should learn the Metro system to save both time and money.

The Acropolis, one of the world’s most well known ancient sites, cannot be missed.  Standing on a prominent flat-topped rock with extensive views of the city, the Parthenon temple dominates the centre.  A short walk away is the Acropolis Museum, where valuable artefacts from the monument can be viewed, and the Theatre of Dionysus, where up to 17,000 ancient Athenians were able to watch a performance.  This love of theatre still exists in Athens today, as the city boasts a total of 148 theatrical stages, more than any other city in the world.

Athens also holds the record for the highest temperature ever recorded in Europe, which was 48°C in 1977.  True to this record, summers in Athens can be very hot and muggy, but winters are typically mild and enjoyable.

Plaka is a popular district close to most of the tourist attractions where a good selection of hotels and tavernas, Greek restaurants, can be found.  Monastiraki, close by, is a good area for shopping and markets.

It is far easier to see the sights in Paris than in London. It is a much more compact city and you can get around on foot with no problem. If you start of on the Ile de la Cite and use this Roman founded site as your base to explore the city you’ll find yourself ideally placed. The Musee d’Orsay and the Louvre are near here, and the Notre Dame cathedral is one of the wonders of the world. Also at this historic heart of the city can be seen the Conciergerie and La Sainte-Chapelle.

Take a river-bus or boat from here to see the other great tourist destinations such as the Eiffel Tower and St-Germain des Pres. Even other lesser known sights are just a few minutes away even on foot. These include the Musee de Cluny, the Palais Royal and Jardin des Plantes.

The Louvre Museum is the most famous in the world and everyone comes to see the Mona Lisa. This is one of the oldest museums in Europe, founded in 1793 as France gave birth to the Revolution and great buildings were given back to the people.

The Arc de Triomphe at the head of the Champs Elysees attracts almost two million visitors each year, and although not as tall as the Eiffel Tower the view from the top is panoramic and stunning.

Paris with its museums, art galleries and historic buildings all within easy walking distance of one another has all the makings for a perfect break.