Holiday & Travel Guide For Toyko, Japan

Sightseeing

Toyko is part of historical Japan with its many Temples, Shrines and Museums to explore. There are beer museums and electrical high tech showrooms alongside each other, demonstrating the diversity of Japanese culture. These alone will keep you busy, discovering Japan is exciting from the old and ancient to the most up to date technology, there is something to suit everyone. Treat yourself and experience a tea ceremony with the ladies in traditional Kimono's, take a 4 hr trip from Tokyo to see the magnificent Himeji Castle (the Japanese architecture is amazing with its moats and surrounding colourful gardens), or go back into the centre of Tokyo where you can discover the Imperial Palace.

Tours are restricted to certain areas as the palace is still resided in and important functions still take place there, so security can be quite tight. One of the prime spots to view is Tokyo Tower; it stands taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris and gives you panoramic views of the beautiful scenery. The oldest temple in Tokyo is Asakusa Temple, it dates back to 628, this is a favourite of tourists from all around the world and many locals still go there to pray, so you will find the area rather crowded, but it's well worth the hustle and bustle. There are many park areas in the city for a break from the bustling streets, with wonderful monuments and well laid out gardens. The newest building in the city is the impressive National Arts Centre, with a variety of exhibits that change regularly, it's a must see for art lovers. Tokyo is an amazing city to explore and meets most people's needs, from the young to the older traveller.

Nightlife

All around the city you will find an array of things to do, from traditional pastimes to the modern and funky. There are excellent casino's and lavish nightclubs if you feel like a great night out, but if you would like to experience the country's historical culture there are many places performing traditional Japanese theatre. Some places offer themed evenings too, where you can dress up in a Kimono and drink tea in the traditional way, or perhaps you would prefer something a little more exiting? Sumo wrestling or Kung Fu fighting is the entertainment for you if this is the case; traditional yet lively, you are sure to enjoy the mastery of watching this. For those looking for a little romance there are restaurants set in lavish surroundings, with light entertainment being performed. For young or old there is an assortment of night life to suit your taste and budget.

Eating

There are various eating options in Tokyo from lavish upmarket restaurants serving traditional cuisine, to plenty of fast food kiosks, American style. There are the usual international restaurants dotted everywhere, serving Mediterranean cuisine as well as other European style foods. Raw sea food is very popular in Japan, with many Sushi bars being self service, but you can also experience this typical Japanese fare in posh fine dining establishments. Dining can be an expensive experience, so if you're on a

Holiday & Travel Guide For Barcelona, Spain

Sightseeing

Barcelona is called "the city of culture". It is a fabulous city with so many attractions you need to have plenty of time to see them all. The most famous has to be the giant cathedral Sagrada Familiia designed by Gaudi. Park Guell is an impressive park full of sculptures and buildings also created by Gaudi. It really is an amazing place to visit. Barcelona is a very family friendly city with lots of street entertainment that everyone will enjoy watching. The amazing Magical Fountain Montjuic, "the dancing fountain" is a wonderful sight at night. You can see the water dancing to the music and changing colour. There is something to suit most people in this city. The live statues are incredible and an absolute work of art. You will find them all around the city but especially in Las Ramblas which is one of the most famous streets in Barcelona. For the historians this city has architecture from the medieval period to the Roman era and Gaudi. With its modernistic and contemporary buildings there is something for everyone, especially in the old town Ciutat Vella, where you will find most of the historic buildings and churches. This city is truly amazing. There are museums of art, erotica, history and wax, along with many others. You will not be disappointed.

Shopping

Las Ramblas is lined either side of the street with shops selling a variety of items. Here you will find that the prices are rather high and you'll most likely be able to purchase the same items further into the city centre at a more reasonable price. The City has an enormous amount of stores including some international ones, along with the well known designer shops selling watches, perfume and designer labelled clothing. There are over 3500 shops and with no vehicles allowed in the town it makes shopping a lot more pleasant. El Corte Ingles has two massive department stores in the city where you will just about find anything and everything you're looking for. Exotic fruits and flowers can be found in the large markets, they are well presented and extremely colourful. Remember that Tax free shopping is available in Barcelona but this is for non European visitors only.

Eating

Eating or drinking in restaurants and cafes around the major tourist areas can be rather expensive and if you're on a budget you would be better finding one on the outskirts of the major areas. There are fast food options around the city, serving pizza and filled baguettes. For those wanting burger and fries you will be sure to find a McDonald's. Tourists with a comfortable budget will have a great choice of establishments in 5 star surroundings serving local and international cuisine.

Holiday & Travel Guide For Auckland, New Zealand

Sightseeing

Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand and very popular with tourists, it truly is amazing and there are plenty of things to do in and around this city, so there is something to suit every traveller. If you want to get your adrenalin pumping then there are quite a few activities to do this; how about sky jumping for example? Get strapped up and free jump from one of the largest buildings, the Sky Tower. If this is a little too daring then there are plenty of bungy jumping experiences to wean you into the sky jumping. For those of you who enjoy activities a little less thrilling, then you have more than enough excursions to fill your criteria, from beautiful botanical gardens to fascinating aquariums, along with whale and dolphin safaris.

If history is more your thing then you will not be short of sights to see; the city has an excellent museum. You could then visit Howick Historical Village with the wonderful Maori buildings housing many historical artefacts from the area. There is also a Maori guided tour, with the guides telling you all the ancient stories about these historical tribes. There is so much to do that you will need more than a month there to see it all. If you are a nature lover and don't mind a 90km cruise or a flight out to Great Barrier Island to explore this untouched paradise, then you will be truly amazed with the marine and bird life and the native forests. There are endless places for you to explore in New Zealand and there is a wealth of water sport readily available too.

Beaches

The closest beaches to Auckland are the east coast beaches, with beautiful clean sand beaches and perfect waters for water sports and swimming. If you want a more rugged ocean for surfing, then the west coast beaches are for you. All of Auckland's beaches are within an hour or so from the city, and with around a 100 of them you're sure to find one you like.