Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is the economic capital of Scandinavia. From its humble origins as a small fishing town on the coast of the Baltic Sea, it has now grown into a bustling metropolis, the most populous city in Finland, and is the country’s cultural, economic, and communications hub. Lovingly referred to as “the daughter of the Baltic,” Helsinki is famous for its coastlines which are dotted by ports and secluded coves.
Ferries glide into Helsinki’s ports every day, and watching one as it softly makes its way to the harbor is something that no visitor to the city should ever miss. The city is also the perfect place to marvel at neoclassical architecture, as exemplified by buildings around the Senate Square. The city’s countless waterways are perfect for romantic or leisurely strolls and are an all-time favorite of locals and visitors alike. Travel back in time and discover the city’s past by visiting various museums or marvel at the interesting mix of modern and traditional structures that sit comfortably beside each other. English is widely spoken so there should be no trouble communicating with the locals.
Getting around Helsinki can be done by bus or by walking, which can be a good idea since the city is relatively small. Going around by car is discouraged because of the difficulty in finding a good parking space. Safety is of no concern in Helsinki, which has been named the second safest city in the world. Pickpockets and thieves can be encountered in crowded areas but visitors can be kept safe if they carry wallet or purses in their front pockets and refrain from staying in dark or dimly lit areas.
Americans require a valid passport for entry to Helsinki but they are not required to present a visa for stays that last up to 90 days. No vaccinations are required for entry into Finland.
Beograd (Београд), the capital of Serbia sits on the Balkan Peninsula, at the junction of the Sava and the Danube Rivers. The city is home to 1.6 million people and is the major hub for trade, communications, science and technology and tourism in Serbia. The city, popularly known as Belgrade, is known to locals as Beograd, its historical name. Belgrade is the largest city in Serbia after Novi Sad.
Beograd Serbia enjoys its location in the middle of the other Serbian towns and cities, making it easily accessible from any point in Serbia. Beograd locals, no stranger to the woes of the Balkan wars, are a hardy group whose hospitality is unsurpassed anywhere in the Balkan Peninsula. The people of Belgrade are slowly transforming their city into a center for entertainment and commerce, a place where locals and visitors can soak up the Mediterranean sun while lounging in seaside cafes during the day and revel in the vibrant nightlife after sundown, with parties spilling from the city’s trendy bars to the boats moored on the river, and where music floats until the sun breaks from the Bohemian enclave.
Public transportation leaves much to be desired in Beograd, although tourists can also hire rentals for a more personalized experience of the city. Those who are new to Serbia may also feel safer traveling by taxi or bus. It is better to be careful when going to public places which are notorious for pickpockets and thieves like the Republic Square and train stations. The best time to make your visit is between late spring and early autumn. Winter visits are also good, since winters in Belgrade can be cold but not harsh.
American citizens do not require a Visa to enter Belgrade. A valid passport is all that is needed for a stay in Belgrade for no longer than 90 days. Tourists are required by law to register with the Serbian police within 24 hours after entering the Serbian border.
Stockholm, one of the most populous cities in Sweden, is also one of the most beautiful destinations in the region. Built on fourteen islands, Stockholm is home to the Swedish Parliament and the official residence of the Swiss royal family. It is also home to 21% of the total Swiss population, with 1.3 million in the urban area and 2 million in the metropolitan area.
Sweden is known for its beauty, made even more resplendent by the reflection of the water that surrounds the entire city. Its capital, particularly, is famous for its waters that crisscross the city, and the narrow cobble stoned streets of Gamla Stan, where love stories form and for some, end. Stockholm is rich in history, its 750-year heritage evident in the medieval structures that lie side-by-side with modern high-rises and architectural marvels. The city is also famous for its six-day food festivals, where tourists and locals alike gorge on traditional Swedish cuisine. Restaurants that range from the trendy and exclusive to the budget-friendly and more laid back also thrive in the city.
Getting around Stockholm is easy. One can walk, which is the best way to savor the city’s atmosphere and meet its people. A stroll through the Djurgården is one activity that no visitor should never miss. One can also take the bus, the subway, or the trams. Rentals are also available, as are parking spaces. Taxi fares in Stockholm are quite expensive, so if you can avoid getting into one, by all means do so. The city is relatively safe, although places where crowds congregate are favorite hunting grounds of pickpockets.
Americans need a valid passport to enter Sweden, although no visa is necessary for stays up to three months in any given six-month period. Visitors are required to show a visible means of support along with documentation and tickets for return or further travel.
Kampala is the capital and largest city of Uganda. It replaced Entebbe as the national capital of Uganda in 1962 and is now the country’s administrative, commercial, communications, and transportation center. Built on and surrounded by seven hills, Kampala is home to more than 2 million people.
Kampala is known for its lush greenery interspersed with modern buildings, all buzzing with life. This city is known for its interesting mix of establishments ranging from traditional to trendy restaurants, fashionable shopping places, and a bustling nighttime entertainment scene. African culture is very alive in Kampala, especially in the markets of Owino and Nakasero, where locals, dressed in traditional African attire, all flock to gather for the day’s produce. Cultural events are also not hard to find in the city. The city’s residents speak English, Swahili, and Luganda, although local tribal dialects are also widely spoken in the suburbs.
The safest and most convenient way to get around the city is by commuter taxi, since the move to a city bus service which has long been in the works has not yet been implemented by the government. Another popular mode of transportation is the boda-bodas — motorcycles that offer more accessibility, especially in areas of heavy traffic. Rentals are also widely available but tourists are often advised not to drive after sundown to avoid car thefts and highway banditry. Tourists are advised against using their credit cards because credit card fraud is rampant in the city.
The visa policy in Uganda follows the principle of reciprocity, where countries that require visas for Ugandans are also required to present visas to enter Uganda. Those with US passports need an entry visa to visit Uganda. The same applies to naturalized American citizens of Ugandan descent. Single-entry visas will cost around $50 and applications can be processed at the Ugandan embassy or at various entry points.
Vienna, the city of music, is the capital of Austria and lies along the banks of the Danube. Home to 1.7 million people, Vienna is the country’s center for communications, trade and politics. The city is also known for its rich history in music, as exemplified by its many concert halls and the world-famous composers born in the city, as well as for the Vienna Philharmonic, one of the most world-renowned orchestras in the world.
Austria’s unique culture is only one of the many things that one will not forget about the country. Austria is the land of rolling hills and music, great food and exciting recreation. Marvel at the smorgasbord of Baroque architecture and art noveau, or get a rush of adrenaline as you ski down the slopes of the Alps, and end with the day with a cup of coffee at one of the city’s many cafes that line on the Ringstrasse.
Austrians love their cars and it is not hard to find a car rental agency anywhere. Highways are well-kept but this is offset by the lack of good parking space. Other ways to go around Vienna include the rail network, which is comfortable and fast as well as buses and trams. Cycling is one more leisurely way of exploring the city. Designated cycling lanes crisscross the city. Locals especially love to cycle along the banks of the Danube. The best time to visit the city is from September to October, during the grape harvesting seasons. It is advisable to visit in the weekdays if you want to avoid large crowds.
Visa-free travel to Austria lasts for no more than 3 months for Americans and other nationalities. You can request for an Austrian visa prior to traveling to the country in the Austrian embassy, or apply in Austria before the 90-day duration has expired.
Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia, as well as the largest city in all of Europe. It ranks among the largest urban areas in the world and is home to around 12 million people. The city is Russia’s economic, cultural, educational and communications center, easily accessible from all parts of the country due to its location in the Central Federal district on the banks of the Moska River.
Moscow’s pre-Soviet era art and architecture stands with modern monuments, testaments to the success of Moscow’s rapid shift towards modernism. Despite the push towards Western ideas and trends, Moscow still likes to look back and appreciate its past, personified in the renovation of old historical structures such as the Bell Tower and the ever-dominant Red Square and the opening of cultural establishments such as the Moscow International Performing Arts Center. The people of Moscow are laid back and friendly, the main reason for the city’s bohemian flavor further enriched by the locals’ love for art, as seen in the many art galleries sprinkled all over the city.
Getting around Moscow can be done by car or by train. A ride on the Moscow Metro is already an attraction unto itself. Other options include trams, trolley, buses and route taxis. Tourists may also fall victims to bad cops who are on the look-out for tourists to bribe. The best way to handle this is to call your embassy. Pretending that you are doing so is usually enough to make your dirty cop back off.
Russian tourist visas are issued to tourists looking to visit Moscow for a duration of 14-30 days. The total validity for a trip to Moscow or any part of Russia cannot extend longer than 30 days. Americans can obtain their tourist visas from the travel agency which can also provide them with other supporting documents such as tourist acceptance confirmation and the tourist voucher, both containing the signature of the hosting travel agency.
Warsaw is the capital of Poland, the country’s center of commerce, entertainment, and finance. The city quickly made a name for itself as one of the fastest-growing economic and cultural centers in Europe with the emergence of the free markets and democracy, directly followed by Krakow. Home to more than 1.6 million people according to the latest measurement, Warsaw sits on the banks of the Vistula River, right between the Baltic Sea and the Carpathian mountains.
Warsaw is a beautiful and refreshing mix of palaces and park lands, and no visit is complete without seeing the structures that define both the modern and historical Warsaw such as the Palace of Culture and Science and the Royal Castle. A trip to Warsaw wouldn’t be complete without a stroll through the cobble stoned streets of the Old town for a unique medieval experience. Indeed, Warsaw has perfected the non-contrived but cosmopolitan look that most cities fail to achieve with its eclectic mix of traditional and international restaurants, bars, and shops. Such an eclectic combination of local and international establishments is set in a city with a skyline defined by high-rises of modern and contemporary architecture.
The city is accessible through public transport options such as buses, trolleys, and trains. Taxis are also a good choice, especially if your Polish is good enough to use for directions. However, be careful with the meter because Polish taxi drivers do not have the best reputation when it comes to the fair charging of passengers. Rentals are also available although Polish road signs can be hard to understand and parking spaces are hard to find, especially in the Old Town. The best time to visit the city is from June to September, when the days are warm but are not very humid.
Only a valid passport is required of American tourists who want to visit Warsaw for three months or less. Confirmation of travel itinerary and proof of accommodations may be required at the border.
Kiev is the capital city of the Ukraine. It sits on the banks of the Dnieper River, the home of 2.7 million inhabitants. The city has a varied and colorful history, the center of East Slavic civilization in the 10th and 12 centuries until it become relatively obscure after the invasion of the Mongols. Kiev is one of the most important industrial, commercial, and cultural centers in Eastern Europe.
Young and old thrive in Kiev, where the modern is enjoying a seamless blend with the past. Historical monuments dot the city, which is also a storehouse of world class art and architecture such as the Cathedral of St. Sophia, known for its 11th century frescoes, and the Ukrainian Baroque Church of St. Andrew. The city’s varied past is not only seen in the arts and architecture but also in the cultural events, where dramas, musicals, and plays are held on a regular basis in venues such as the Ivan Franco theater and the Kiev Opera House. The people of this charming city are hospitable to a fault, ever ready to acquaint any willing visitor with the best that the mother of all Russian cities has to offer.
Kiev’s inhabitants love their public transportation. The three metro lines serve 1.7 million of the population every day. Taxis are abundant and relatively cheap although flagging down private cars for a short jaunt across town will prove to be cheaper. The city is relatively safe, with thieves and pickpockets making up most of what tourists should be wary about. Money scams are also common. The best time to visit Kiev would be during the summer months from June to August.
A Visa Free Regime is now applicable to US citizens for a period of 90 days, with a valid passport from a country with an embassy in Ukraine. Other necessary papers include travel documents confirming that the purpose of the trip is tourism, as well as proof of accommodations and the itinerary of the trip.
Celebrations were almost prohibited in the strong-communistic period. Only political feasts were an exception. Since Doi Moi the Vietnamese got back to feasting again. Festivals involve impressive wealth of colors, a lot of spectators and a colorful program.
The Vietnamese calendar is a mix of the sun calendar (Western Gregorian year of 365 days) and the moon calendar. A moon year has 355 days. The Vietnamese moon calendar is a match with the old Chinese moon calendar and they started counting 2637 years before our calendar. The sun calendar is established through the republican revolution of 1912.
Vietnam celebrations & festivals include,
Tet, the Vietnamese New Year. People feast for a whole week (three official festival days): family meetings, annual fairs, parades and lots of presents. Since a few years fireworks are forbidden. If one can afford it, people let the champagne corks pop. This is for the Vietnamese our form of Christmas. When you travel through Vietnam in this period, you should take full hotels, transportation, sights and closed shops into account.
Thanh Minh, the fifth day of the third month is dedicated to the ancestor honouring. Graves are decorated with flowers, incense candles and paper objects.
Phat Dan, on the eight day of the fourth month the Vietnamese celebrate the birth date of Buddha. Religious people spend this day in the pagoda that is decorated with lanterns. In the evening processions are held.
Tet Doan Ngu, the highest point of the sun Is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month. The Vietnamese believe that their energy reaches its highest point. They offer gifts to the angry spirits that spread diseases. They throw dolls into fire as a sacrifice for the god of death.
Trung Nguyen, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month people celebrate the movement of the soul. In houses and temples people give sacrifices in form of gifts and food to the restless souls of forgotten dead.
Trung Thu, this is a feast for children on the fifteenth day of the eight-month. In a procession the children walk through the streets with lanterns in the shape of boats, unicorns, dragons and more.
Birth date of Confucius, the 28th day of the ninth month.
Thong Tan Tet, this is the celebration of the harvest on the tenth day of the tenth month. Children will give their parents presents, patients to their doctors, pupils to their teachers and so on.
Oc Om Bok, on the fifteenth day of the tenth month the Khmer people in the south of Vietnam have their traditional celebration of the harvest. They hold spectacular boat races, in Soc Trang for example. In the next night they have the ceremony in honor of the moon, Le Cung Trang.
Honiara is the capital of the Solomon Islands and the Guadalcanal region, although it has a separated administrative town. Its situated on the north shore of the mountain island Guadalcanal. The capital was previously called ”Nagoniara” but the English colonialists found it to hard to pronounce, Nagoniara meant ‘in front of the wind’ in the Guadalcanal language.
The city of Honiara, and the Solomon Islands in general are popular travel destination for snorkeling and scuba diving lovers. Even for those who enjoy diving but don’t have their certificate, this is the place to learn it. The waters are surprisingly warm so there’s no need for wet suits, its underwater vision is extremely clear so you wont have to miss a second of the wonderful sea life. Coral and fish of every description and imaginary color swim around as a few lazy moving sharks pass you by. Honiara and the Solomon Islands are among the most beautiful dive sites world wide.
Honaira is a small city with a bay used as harbor, with a population of 50 thousand people its a small city yet the biggest on the Solomon Islands. The city is crossed by the 18.5 miles long Kukum Highway running from Hederson Field in the east to the village White River in the west. From the harbor ferries leave every thirty minutes to the provinces, night clubs and restaurants. The houses in the city are combined by slums and houses at the waterfront, and the neighborhood settlements away from the shore.
Most nationals do not require a visa to enter the Solomon Islands, just a valid passport as long the stay does not extends 30 days. The average daily temperature is 82.4 degrees Fahrenheit year round, the sea water temperature on average is 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Honiara is a safe travel destination, petty crime and theft are not common against tourists and locals.
