Cape Town is the second most populous city, as well as the provincial capital of the Western Cape and legislative capital of South Africa. The city is the center for the national parliament and many other government offices. Cape Town has a population of approximately 3.5 million people.
The city is world famous for its harbor, as well its natural settings including the well known landmarks and top tourist attractions as Cape Point and Table Mountain, a mountain that’s 700 million years old. Aside from Cape Town’s natural and tourist attractions that draw 3 million people per year to the city, the city also offers outstanding restaurants, cafes and bars that serve locally brewed wines which have worldwide recognition. Cape Bay is filled with modern hangout spaces while Long Street has several great options for dining and nightlife.
The traveler should feel blessed with a trip to the most popular South African destination for tourism, with its resplendent landscape such as the beaches, the harbor, the vineyards and Victorian styles buildings. It impresses many first timers to South Africa‘s freshly reborn ‘Mother City’.
Travelers to Cape Town require a valid passport and visa. American citizens can visit without need of visa unless the stay extends 90 days. Petty crime and theft are common issues for tourists, its advised to look after your belongings and ignore the many con-artists trying to sell or offer you something.
Mexico City is the capital of Mexico with a population of 8.7 million people. The city is the world’s third largest urban area and fills a highland basin 2240m above sea level, so you might feel a bit light-headed upon arrival. Its the most important center of economic, industrial and cultural in Mexico.
In the recent years Mexico City is experiencing a well deserved increase in interests. Travelers often dismissed Mexico’s capital because of the city’s problems including crime, pollution, and overcrowded areas. Now that these trends have decreased, the culturally curious have been rediscovering what originally led so many to this magnificent city. The city is filled with cultural treasures and energy, although some compare it to great European cities the regular Mexico City traveler disagrees.
Mexico offers many historic attractions, from ancient ruins Olmecs, Maya and Aztec, to train routes used by the brash. When it comes to the capital, many travelers believe the city itself is a museum counting over 2000 historical buildings, all situated around the Zocalo such as: the Rufino Tamayo, the National Art Museum, the Anthropology Museum and Diego Rivera museums.
Travelers to Mexico City must have a Mexican government issued tourist card, which is easy to obtain. Some nationalities may require to obtain a visa. Because regulations changes regularly, it’s advised to confirm them with a Mexican embassy or consulate before your trip.
The capital and largest city of Chile, Santiago is located in the country’s central valley at an elevation level of 520 meters. Santiago is the industrial and financial center of Chile, it generates 45% percent of the country’s gross domestic income. Due to the stability of the Chilean economy, many multinational companies have chosen Santiago as their headquarters for the region. The city has a population of 5 million people.
Approximately two decades of continues economic growth have transformed Santiago in one Latin America‘s most modern metropolitan areas, with extensive development, spacious shopping malls and impressive high-rise architecture. As the city booms economically, Santiago is improving its tourist, nightlife and restaurant scene incredibly fast. Pay a visit to the city’s historical attractions, cultural centers or take a day trip to the ski resorts and wineries.
In order to relax yourself from the Chilean city life, go wine tasting. The biggest and best (sworn by the Chilean’s) wine producer: Concha y Tora has a modern, Napa Valley style wine tasting room and gift shop right in the city. Discounts cards are given to travelers coming by the information center on Avenida Providencia. Tours are given in both Spanish and English and since its located easy accessed by public transportation.
Travelers to Santiago are required to have a valid passport and visa. The city is notoriously infamous for the smog and it’s worse during summer months (December through March), rain is appreciated by locals as it cleans air. By South American standards Santiago is a safe city, but travelers should be aware of pickpocketing and other petty crimes.
Brazil‘s second largest city lives well up to its name “Marvelous City” as Rio de Janeiro is alive, beautiful and full of charms. The city is located on the South Atlantic coast and has a population of 7 million people. Rio de Janeiro was the capital Brazil till 1822.
A good starting point for a trip (don’t forget your camera) to Rio de Janeiro are the curious sights of the Pão de Açúcar and Sugar Loaf Mountains, where the city view is spectacular. The view combines the city separated in shanty towns, such as the Rocinha Favela which stands in contrast with life’s grim realities and the culture’s innate passion and joyfulness. The shores of Rio are filled with tourists and locals buying the fried shrimps snack from the empanada peddlers to down their voices while others lounge at the seaside commercial establishments.
Rio de Janeiro’s carnival is the most popular reasons to visit, this spectacular party lasts for almost 2 weeks and is well known for the ‘escolas de samba’ (samba schools) that parade on gigantic structure also called Sambódromo (Sambadrome). During the carnival the streets of Rio turn into ‘samba blocks’ where thousands of people gather together to dance, eat, drink and socialize. Most travelers enjoy and capture every moment on their digital camera.
Travelers landing on Rio de Janeiro International Airport are required a valid passport and visa. Tourist visas are valid for 90 days and can be extended for another 90 days. Petty theft and street crime might be of issue, travelers are warned to look after their belongings.
Lima or ‘Ciudad de los Reyes’ (City of Kings) is the capital of Peru, as well the largest city with a population of nearly 8.5 million people. Central Lima is located at an elevation level of 512 feet on the south bank of the Rímac River, about 8 miles from the inland Pacific Ocean port Callao.
Lima’s international airport Jorge Chávez is the main entrance for travelers coming to Peru. Most likely the adventurous trip will start here. Lima, like any modern capital city offers all the tourist services, an excellent and modern hotel infrastructure, a good variation of attraction centers, as well cultural and night entertainment including luxurious casinos and outstanding restaurants with tasty Peruvian dishes.
As population problems rise the transportation services are surprisingly well arranged. There wont be any issues finding a taxi to take you from the crumbling pre-Inca pyramids to a ultramodern shopping mall and there after to one of the many historic museums. Before eating fresh seafood by the ocean, go paragliding off the cliffs in Miraflores. To get your night groove on visit the many bars and clubs in bohenmian Barranco’s area.
Travelers to Lima need a valid passport and visa. Citizens from US, Europe, Australia and Canada do not require a tourist visa, as long the stay does not extend 90 days. The best period for visiting are the summer months, which are from December till March with the best temperatures and the least rain.
New York (officially New York City) is the biggest city of New York State with a population of 8 million people. The city lies at the mouth of the Hudson River in the most southern part of the state, which is part of the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. New York is a center for culture, media, fashion, art, food, research, finance, and trade.
New York has the globe’s largest and most famous city skyline, dominated by the gigantic Empire State Building. New York is a good travel destination for almost any reason let it be, a romantic couples weekend, a family, shopping or adventurous holiday. New York often referred to as ‘The city that never sleeps’, is an vibrant and exciting city that has many attractions including: spacious parks and gardens, museums, art and culture, fabulous shopping facilities, historical landmarks and diverse architecture.
During a trip in New York, there’s a list world famous sightseeing’s tourists should go see including; Times Square, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Rockefeller Center and Chrysler Building. Getting around in the city is not a problem, yellow taxi cabs can be hailed at street side and the public transportation system (Subway and Bus) offer reliable and safe travel. For cheap New York City accommodation, why not choose to stay in a hostel? You can book dorms or private en suite rooms, take advantage of self-catering facilities and enjoy other great value for money offers such as a free breakfast, a free city tour or free internet access. Book your New York Hostel with HostelBookers.
In order to enter the United States / New York you are required to have a valid passport. Depending on your: nationality, reason to visit or length of stay you may be required a visa. Travelers to the United States are advised to contact the local USA embassy to verify before leaving.
Caracas is the capital and largest city of Venezuela, its situated in the north of the country nearby the Caribbean sea. Caracas is a cultural city with many different nationals. About 60% of its population counting 3.9 million people lives in the slums district of Barrios.
When traveling to Caracas you need to understand that its rarely the top choice for tourist to Venezuela, a more often chosen travel destination within the country is Maracaibo. The city is often referred to as a concrete jungle since its congested, noisy, polluted and entering certain districts can be dangerous. However, if you are careful, stay in the right districts of the city and don’t look a typical floral-shirt tourist you most likely will be fine.
There’s a few popular tourist attractions within the city: if you are into shopping visit one of the largest malls in South America named Centro Comercial Sambil. For travelers that are into historic a few good locations include: La Plaza Bolivar, La Casa Natal de Simon Bolivar and the Museo de Arte Colonial. Restaurants, bars and cafes for dining and nightlife are spread out in the city.
Once landed at Maiquetia International Airport you are required a valid passport and visa to enter Caracas. To get around in the city simply hail a tax in the street, be warned first agree upon a price before getting in as they have no meters. You can also choose to travel by metro which is clean, modern, safe and extremely cheap. The city has a good climate throughout the year.
Delhi (दिल्ली) also pronounced as Delli is the capital city of India. Delhi is one the globe’s oldest cities counting well over 5.000 years. In the city’s long existing it has been destroyed and rebuilt 11 times, slowly but surely traditions being set side by side with local boom in dot com and business outsourcing centers especially in the Gurgaon area. Delhi’s population has rise to well over 16 million people.
Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea. The city is located on the basin of the Han River in the country’s northwest. Seoul’s influence as a leading business and cultural center contributes to it’s major global city status. The population of over 10 million people ranks the city to one of the biggest in the world.
The city of Seoul contrast lies in the heart of the city and has given the Korean capital its distinctive character. Where else on this globe you will find a modern city walled by 14th century gates? New age technology has built this city and plays a larger role among the youth, while old school merchants and fortunetellers still earn their living on the busy streets.
Travelers interested in Seoul’s history can find it the many museums and palaces spread over the city. Those who want to go fashion shopping in the sparkling malls or hunt bargains on the street markets. Food is widely available and diverse, from local foods to international and vegetarian cuisine. For entertainment lovers there’s plenty of destinations as well, you won’t have to be bored from morning till late night.
American citizens just need a valid passport for a trip to Seoul which allows them to stay for maximum of 30 days. There after a visa is required. Other nationalities may require a visa when visiting Seoul. Spring, from April till June is the best time period for traveling to Seoul.
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam. The city is situated on the bank of the Red River which is in the North of the country. While Hanoi is not the largest city in the country (which is Ho Chi Minh) it has had a rich history. It has been inhabited since 3000 B.C and has served the government seat for nearly 1000 years. Hanoi has a population of 3.4 million people.
Once arrived at Noi Bai Airport it takes about an hour to get into town, this ride offers you glimpses of modern Vietnamese life; farmers in their fields, great rivers, modern highways that occasionally become bumpy roads. Somehow the sun setting seems perfect as it always disappears into the cornfields horizon. Once into the city you are surrounded by roadside artisans, shops and taverns, commuters on bicycles, cyclos and motorbikes. Modern buildings appear from nowhere and look so out of place, you start to wonder if they dropped from the sky.
To leave the tourist attractions and city life behind, be warning this is for adventurous only! rent a Russian Minsk and follow the road towards the hills. This route offers one of the world’s most stunning scenery which stops in hill tribe villages, including a motorcyclist’s dream of long mountain roads. Most of these roads are unpaved, alternately dusty and dangerously muddy. At full throttle this track can be completed within a week but most adventurous travelers take at least two weeks. There’s a possibility to do the tour by jeep also.
Travelers to Hanoi need a valid passport and visa. US passport holders must have a valid passport and a visa is required. Travel in Vietnam is generally safe and violent crime is uncommon. Pick-pocketing is rife, and drive-by purse snatching is a common trick. The summer months are between May and September, though rain can be expected.
