Lying in the heart of the Red River Delta, the Vietnamese capital city of Hanoi blends old world charm with the dynamism of a rising Asian city. Its legacy as a former French colonial city is still evident from the features such as lakes and parks, colonial architecture and broad tree-lined boulevards that dot the present cityscape. The city has undergone dramatic transformation over the last thirty years and is now seeing a burgeoning population paralleled by rising motorbike ownership, a rapidly expanding retail sector and a flourishing art scene. Yet when compared with Ho Chi Minh City, the economic powerhouse in the south, Hanoi still retains a romantic and elegant atmosphere.

What to see in Hanoi?

Hanoi is one of Asia’s most fascinating cities with its unique blend of western and oriental charm. You can wander through the 36 streets in the Old Quarter, rummage for souvenirs and witness the artisans working on their specialty crafts. As the oldest university (established since 1070), the Temple of Literature and its five courtyards retains a scholarly atmosphere and makes a peaceful respite from Hanoi’s busy streets. Pay homage to the late Ho Chi Minh at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his ‘house on stilts’ and learn why “Uncle Ho” is such a respected figure to the Vietnamese. Vietnam is a culturally diverse country and the fascinating ways of life of her 54 ethnic groups can be seen at the Museum of Ethnology.

To check out the budding arts scene, pop into the dozens of art galleries that stock works ranging from traditional to modern. Some of our favorites, the Apricot Gallery and Art Vietnam have consistently received positive accolades from art connoisseurs and travelers. Although modern entertainment outlets are readily available in Hanoi, why not opt to catch a water puppet show – a unique cultural form of North Vietnam? For early risers, head to Hoan Kiem Lake or Park of Reunification (formerly Lenin Park) and observe Vietnamese in their synchronized Tai Chi moves. On fine afternoons, stroll through the French quarter, sip an aromatic cup of coffee on the sidewalk and observe the bustling street life.

If you have more time to spare, there are many interesting locales in Hanoi’s outskirts that are lesser visited by tourists. Tam Coc – with its series of limestone rock formations jutting out from a sea of rice paddies, is a scenic and surreal place to visit. Nearby Hoa Lu also offers similar landscapes of rocky outcrops – no less spectacular when compared to Tam Coc – as well as 10th century relics from when the area was the capital’s country.

To learn about Vietnam’s pottery history, a visit to Bat Trang Ceramic Village should be on the travel agenda. Here, you could try your hands at making the ceramics, but it is much easier to be enticed into owning the exquisite vases, bowls and dishes produced from the hands of the talented Bat Trang potters. For lovers of indigenous crafts, the Van Phuc Weaving Village lures visitors with its bewildering range of silk products.

Explore the rustic landscapes by cycling around the city’s northern outskirts in Dong Ho Village, which is also famous for its painting styles that depict the traditional Vietnamese village lives. Follow the trails of Vietnamese pilgrims and embark on a 2-hour trek up Huong Son Mountain to Perfume Pagoda (or Chua Huong), with lots of photographic opportunities along the way.

Where to stay in Hanoi?

When in Hanoi, a stay in a colonial-style hotel should not be missed. The Sofitel Metropole Hanoi is a celebrated Hanoi institution which boasts of an impressive guest list.

For a lavish stay, the InterContinental Westlake Hanoi tops with its chic Vietnamese décor and waterfront location by the historic West Lake. The upscale Sheraton Hanoi Hotel, situated by the picturesque West Lake, is especially favored by business travelers while Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel provides a luxurious choice in the city center. Nearby the famous Hoan Kiem Lake, the boutique Maison D’Hanoi Hanova Hotel appeals to discerning travelers with its 55 tastefully designed rooms.

For accommodations that are more wallet-friendly but yet present good value, we prefer Anise Hotel, Thang Long Hotel and Flower Garden Hotel – all conveniently located within walking distance to the Old Quarter and other city attractions.

Where to eat in Hanoi?

For street eats, Pho Bo (beef noodle soup), Bun Cha (grilled meat with dry noodles) and Banh Cuon (pho package with beef rolls) usually make good introduction to the local cuisine. For delicious pho eats, consider the ubiquitous Pho 24 which offers different varieties of the much-loved Vietnamese beef noodle. The popular Quan An Ngon makes a good introduction to Vietnamese cuisine with its scrumptious and inexpensive offering in a courtyard setting.

A classic Hanoi dish, Cha Ca – grilled fish with turmeric usually served with rice noodles – is best savored on Cha Ca Street where this northern specialty dish originated at Cha Ca La Vong Restaurant. Highway 4 is a recommended stop for its complete dining experience with its delectable range of traditional Vietnamese liquor and specialty dishes. The bustling Bao Khanh Street, lined with numerous cafés and open-air eateries, is a great hunt for a cup of Vietnamese coffee while people-watching.

Housed in an old colonial building, both Wild Lotus and Seasons of Hanoi are stylish establishments that serve rich Vietnamese menu with tasteful Asian décor. For French – Vietnamese fusion fare, opt for Didier Corlou’s La Verticale which showcases an impressive selection in an intimate setting. For the ultimate dining experience, head to one of the homes of the celebrated chefs who will whip up a tantalizing dinner for you.

Beijing is the metro capital city of the People’s Republic of China. It is among the most often frequented tourist places within the whole of Asia. Rich in culture, China is a going to be a loving experience. Lots of people call it “China, the mysterious”, simply for its extremely mysterious aura displayed in its wealthy customs and historical past. Feng Shui is among the mysteries of this beautiful country and only the pure understand the power which is situated behind Feng Shui. Beijing, also known as Peking is exactly positioned in northern China which is also one of the 4 great ancient capitals of the country. It is the second largest city after Shanghai with almost 18 million in population and subdivided into two rural counties and 16 urban and suburban districts. Beijing is the considered as center of China’s culture, politics and education. It has even become more popular when it hosted the Olympic Games in 2008.

Beijing is a heaven for a lot of tourists from around the world. The different amusement spots and attractions are endless. Your meals are sublime. Chinese cuisine is regarded as one of the best in the world but you have to try the different side of Chinese cuisine – its street foods. You can observe very active streets at night selling delicious noodles and finger foods being sold by a stretch of street vendors. The city can also be famous for great buys making this place a shopaholic and bargain hunter’s delight. Its popular shopping district, Jianguomenwai, is home to many international fashion brands such as Gap, Prada and more. If you want to observe much more great things to buy from clothes to gadgets that are rock bottom prices, the Xindong Plaza, Beijing’s first ever mega mall, is the perfect place. For antique collectors and shoppers, go to Liulichang, as it is home to many of the city’s oldest antique shops.

The New Year party in Beijing provides most of the best firework spectacles on the planet with the well-known dragon parade in many of its streets. Fireworks are usually part of an extended tradition in China because they believe that it drives away evil spirits and invites good luck in.

Climate: Early spring in Beijing is windy and dry and ranges from 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Sandstorms are frequent during the spring season. Summer, from June to August, ranges from 70 to 80F, although it rains often in some of the parts in China. The best time to visit Beijing is during Fall or Autumn season with abundant sunshine and mild temperatures. Generally, Beijing has hot humid summers and cold, dry and windy winters due to what we call the Siberian winds.

Transportation: The tremendous development and growth of Beijing made the city as China’s major transportation hub. It has 5 ring roads, 9 city express and expressways, railway lines, 11 national highways entry and an international airport. It has railway systems which extends and connects many other cities in China. The most famous and modern is the Beijing-Tianjin high-speed train, and the Beijing Subway. Metered cabs can also be found everywhere in Beijing, one of its most convenient public transports.

Using the motto being “Minchen mag Dich” meaning “Munich Loves You” you can’t help but be taken away. Not only will you really feel the actual love of Munich through its gorgeous buildings and landscape, but you may fall deeply in love with it as well. Munich is situated in the Upper Bavaria- north of the northern edge of the Alps. Along with one end being the Alps and the other morainic hills, in between are oceans of glacier ice. The panorama of Munich is green with numerous parks, such as one of the globe’s largest urban public parks, the Englischer Garten, where one can enjoy the peaceful serenity of nature.

Munich is popular for its many well-known composers including W.A. Mozart, Orlando di Lasso, and Max Reger, making the area culturally right in the arts. With theatres and opera houses it’s possible to enjoy the talents of modern, traditional, orchestra sounds, and more as the performers perform live on stage. Munich also is home to the Munich Kammerspiele which is the most important German language theatres in the world.

Munich is really a mix of architectural beauty. Preserving their roots by rebuilding many of their prehistoric buildings, Munich is mixed with the past and the present. Rich in art and culture you will find world famous museums such as the Deutsches Museum which is one of the oldest and largest science museums in the world. Their cuisine is well-known soups such as the Leberknodel, and one of Munich’s finest specialties, the white sausage. Pot roasted pork is also a favorite and served with dumplings made from potatoes and white bread and cabbage. The popular desert is apple strudel that is also an American favorite.

Climate: Munich experiences warm, wet and cold climates. While summers are generally warm and wet, thunderstorms could be experienced. Because of the Alps, southerly winds crossing the Alps can bring warm Fohn conditions during any of the seasons, but will only be experienced for a few days. Rain and snow can be experienced any time of the year.

Transportation: Transportation in Munich consists of public transportation including buses, train, and air, taxis, cars, bicycles, motorbikes, and shuttles.

Saigon, also called Ho Chi Minh City was initially a really humble fishing village. During its early days of a fishing village it had been called Pery Nokor then. Today, Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City is now a destination hot spot of the world for its many marvelous beauties. Saigon is draped with large stylish boulevards, a well persevered past and rich art and culture. Its historic buildings built during the French occupation are preserved and have become some of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. Other famous structures in the city is are the Ho Chi Minh City Hall, Reunification Palace, Municipal Theatre, State Bank Office, City Post Office, and historical hotels such as the Hotel Majestic, Rex Hotel and Caravelle Hotel which were also built during the French colonization of Vietnam. The city also features of its grand museums such as the Museum of Vietnamese History, War Remnants Museum, Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, and the Ho Chi Minh City Museum. It will surely have the tourist in delight as they witness and experience the many wonders of the city.

The majority of the city’s revenue also originates from its active entertainment and film industries where private film companies are also based. It is home to hundreds of cinemas and theatres which are very active daily without fault. If you merely want to have a high-class form of relaxation, the greatest fun places to visit while in Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City are the Dam Sen Tourist and National Park, the Suoi Tien Amusement and Tradition Park and the most popular Can Gio Eco Beach Resort

Ho Chi Minh City offers experienced huge transformations since its early days and has now turn out to be the largest town in Vietnam with a dense population count of 9 million, one of the most populated metro areas in the country. This Vietnam city was once under the French occupation for several years and was one of the most chaotic cities affected by the Vietnam War during the seventies. However that may be read in history books now, and has become one of the quickest developing economies in Asia. Its financial growth is actually well manifested via its gorgeous and modern day buildings and plazas and now holds the title “financial center” of Vietnam with 1000s of huge businesses, electronics, technology, retail, and entertainment industries.

Climate: The best time to visit Saigon is throughout the Christmas holidays or December where the weathers become extremely gorgeous especially in the mornings. Generally, Ho Chi Minh City experiences humid times throughout the year. During the wet or wet season, heavy down pours are usually experience quite often. Such things happen among the months of May and November. Its dry time occurs from December to April. Its temperature during the dry season may shoot up to 39 degrees Celsius.

Transportation: Xichlos or Cyclos is the most popular public transport in Ho Chi Minh City because it is man-powered. It looks like a little carriage with only one seat and two wheels that it is being pulled by a person. Taxi cab fleets are plentiful in this city day and night. Commuters can take bus lines, motorcycle taxis, ferries and boats. You may also find a great number of car rentals within the city.

Shanghai, China is a major tourist destination in Asia with abundant historical landmarks. A few of the frequently visited places within the city are the internationally renowned the City God Temple and the Oriental Pearl Tower that lies in the middle of its ever-expanding metro region. Its skyline is just wonderful as it is the largest hub of finance, trade and commerce in mainland China. Shanghai is known as a port city and the largest city in China with over 20 million residents consisting of Chinese and foreign migrants. It is also considered among the fastest developing economies in the world.

The strong Chinese tradition and traditions in Shanghai are still very much alive considering its modernity. The city has many wonderful parks, restaurants, cafes, bars making it one of the cities in China that possesses a very lively nightlife. There are many westernized parts in Shanghai where you can see many hip neo-Chinese but still retains their old Chinese traditions sacred. Some of the must-see destinations in this lovely city are the Jade Buddha Temple, Yu Yuan Gardens, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Museum, Xin Tian Din, ZhuJiaJiao and Nanjing Road, simply to name some.

The best about Shanghai is the Chinese cuisines known to be the most scrumptious in China. It’s also known as a major shopping destination with hundreds of elegant niche stores, fashion boutiques, bargain markets, and large international chains. The Bund is the most famous attractions in Shanghai and becomes even more beautiful at night when the structures are lighted up, making a spectacularly colorful scene to behold. The architecture in this city is incredible with the use of many different styles like Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance evident in its many banks and hotels.

Hairy crabs have become popular in Shanghai. It is going to be one of the best crab feasts you will ever enjoy but this particular city cuisine can only be enjoyed throughout the autumn season on the months of September through November where these hairy crabs are most abundant and fully grown. Local and tourists alike benefit from the rowing boat trips in water villages surrounding the city.

Climate: Shanghai generally includes a humid climate called subtropical and has four distinct seasons. In winter, it gets really cold because of the Siberian winds from the north and also the temperature can drop at freezing levels. The City experiences an average of two days of snowfall within a year. Summer time in the city becomes very warm and humid but with occasional rain showers and irregular thunderstorms. Typhoons are often experienced in Shanghai that causes flooding within the city. It other seasons are spring and fall which are generally dry and sunny. Its wettest weathers occur in the month of June.

Transportation: The city of Shanghai takes delight in its Shanghai Metro, of the rapidly-growing railways systems on the planet. It currently has ten lines that extend to a lot of suburban districts. Its public transport methods have become efficient including thousands of buses, trolleybuses, and metered taxi cabs. Bicycles utilized to master the main roads and highways of the city but they are now only allowed within the city’s bicycle lanes and intersections.

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Planning any trips? That long planned but never fulfilled dream to go somewhere? Or are you still unsure where to go? Or even just to start planning is a big step you can’t even make? These are many questions but do you know the answers to them or even just one?

Many talk about how going to a certain place be a dream come true for them. But how can these dreams come true if you don’t put an action behind them? Our hectic lives seem to always get in the way. Because of their busy schedule when the topic vacation comes up, most say “I can’t! I am so stressed at work! There are so many things to be done!” are one of those persons? If you are then this actually the perfect time to push through with. Don’t wait for a lifetime before taking this trip, look around you and see, maybe for you it is still okay to delay but how about your loved ones? Did you even find time to ask them if they need a vacation?  To help in your decision visit Lets go travel guide in the net. All your travel needs are there, from hotel accommodations to travel air fare. Read on different discussions and blogs from many travelers and deciding on where you’re next travel will bring you would be easier. You can even order guide books like the Los Angeles Travel Guide, Amsterdam Travel Guide and much more.  These guides can help you in all your travels, know the best places to be and when is the best time to visit them. Useful for vacationers and even international students, these guides can make sure you don’t get lost anywhere. Pictures of different places are also available, making your decision where to go easier to make.  So what are you waiting for? Yes it is time! You deserve it! Just don’t forget to visit Lets go travel guide, to make sure your vacation is most memorable.

Flashbooking guides have been written for giving the essential information about the most visited cities in the world and in particular for any traveller or first-time visitor.

Madrid is the capital of Spain and is the largest city in that country. It is also the third most populous city in the European Union after London and Berlin. Its economic and political importance, as well as its major cultural influence, rank Madrid as one of the major global cities of the world.

The Madrid free travel guide is full of essential hints on where to go, things to see, Madrid’s Museums, shopping mall and flea markets, quality places reasonably priced where to eat Spanish famous tapas, drink cava wine, clubs and discos, budget hostels and cheap hotel deals to book, emergency numbers and more. The free City pocket guide of the Madrid City contains, in just 9 printable pages, all the essential information and very good suggestions divided by areas.

Flashbooking’s happy travellers can book their rooms and beds not only in cheap hotels or cheap hostel Madrid but also consider other budget accommodations in Bed and Breakfast, Guesthouses, Campsites, apartments, farm houses and much more.

Madrid is also the largest city in Spain, as well as in the province and the autonomous community of the same name. It is located on the river Manzanares in the center of the country, between the autonomous communities of Castilla y León and Castilla-La Mancha.

Madrid is renown for its open and friendly international people, art museums and Art Galleries, the sea, the movida and cheap lodgings, classic itineraries in the Catalan region and a lot more to make a visit worth wise.

Flashbooking chose to provide backpackers, students and families with a list of budget selected and independent accommodations worldwide, mostly run by locals, in order to promote an alternative tourism respectful of cultures and different societies. For this and other reasons Flashbooking is becoming a recognized source of information and services for who loves creating a trip by him/herself and book bed nights securely online.

Flashbooking cheap lodging solutions are all available for online bookings and divided by Countries. Travellers have free access to the updated list of Europe hostels and budget hotels, North and South America hostels, Caribbean and Central America hostels as well as for Asia cheap accommodations, Oceania youth hostels and Africa hostels.

Flashbooking accommodation database is easily available online and comes completed with all relevant information about youth hostel and hotel location and map, description, services, hostel contacts, customer ratings, six pictures and updated prices inclusive of taxes and services together with instant real availability.

With the monthly newsletter, Flashbooking puts at travellers, students, volunteers free disposal some useful pocket travel guides of major European cities: the Amsterdam City guide, the London City guide, the Prague City guide, the Paris City guide, the Rome City guide, the Florence City guide, and the freshly issued Madrid City guide!! For the Madrid travel guide Flashbooking staff efforts concentrate on making it simple to read dividing the Madrid centre in different districts with their relevant amenities.

Flashbooking policy tends to privilege small and family-run hotels in order to promote an alternative tourism respectful of cultures and different societies.

So mates, we are looking forward to finding you THE budget accommodation that meets your needs and pocket for your next trip! Last but not least, if you wish to help us, you can either give your personal ratings of some accommodations, lodgings, hotel in Madrid, bed and breakfast, youth hostels and budget small hotels where you stayed, or enlarging the hostel offer by reporting some new hostel contacts!

There are certain aspirations that every travel guides has when he decides to pay visit to any place. It is, therefore, of utmost importance that he knows the place he intends to visit inside out, for it would give him an ample opportunity to make memorable his visit. It is here that such guides come in very handy. They also prove their utility by providing information about things that give exclusivity to the place. This can include information about such things like some rare dish or cloths or some special products. These would not only go a long way in making the trip memorable for people but also add more spunk to their adventure.

The role of travel guides, therefore, is immense and simply cannot be ruled out. However, while purchasing travel guides one thing must be kept in mind. First of all it is mandatory that they are published by a reputed publisher for otherwise there wouldn’t be a guarantee that the information given there would be correct. Secondly one should always ensure that he buys the latest edition for things might have changed and the information available, therefore, can become obsolete. Lastly one must ensure that while purchasing travel guides he never compromises on the cost for the information given in them worth their merit in gold.

It is for this very reason that travel guides are considered to be of extreme importance. So much so that it is advised that before planning an outing to any place one must consult the travel guides, for then one can be rest assured that he would have complete information about the place he plans to visit.

Morris’ publication combines research and personal experience to share with her readers everything one needs to know when planning a trip to Tuscany. You’ll learn about all the great things to do and see there, both big and small, from museums and tourist attractions to rare finds.

The content of The Ultimate Guide to Florence flows effortlessly from broad to specific with tips for all kinds of travelers to Italy, whether you’re traveling as a family or planning a romantic get-away for just the two of you.
This travel guide for Italy is more than just places to see.

You can even secure the best hotel with the accommodations guide that’s included in the eBook. It also offers suggestions for authentic restaurants for every budget, as well as a comprehensive listing of wineries and vineyards that offer wonderful wine tastings. As well as all that, you can locate typical prices, operating hours, and other things to keep in consideration when visiting places in Florence.

Not only that, you’ll have hundreds of web links that take you to additional information on Tuscany and Florence, which will be absolutely essential to knowing enough about the place to plan a proper trip – you’ll also get two other eBooks, with tips on speaking conversational Italian, as well as beautiful pictures of the area you are planning to visit. When the moment comes to get your holiday organized, you’ll be good to go. The order in which [Morris has] written about everything is pretty clever – as well as informative.

Go to placestovisitinflorenceitaly.com in order to buy The Ultimate Guide To Florence and get going on the trip of a lifetime, learning what you must to make your visit to Florence one to remember for decades to come.

Click here for your free bonus travel guide for Italy.

For more travel guide for Italy information, click here:
Travel Guide for Italy From Exclusive Visitor Stories
Utilize This Travel Guide For Italy To Organize A Fantastic Vacation
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Traditional guide books make up the largest chunk of your selection… and there are plenty of these. They usually contain lots of good information, some black and white maps, key areas to see, and diagrams of significant buildings. You\’ll usually find a few color pictures and maps too.

Think about where you\’re going….

Are you doing the Grand Tour of several European counties? There are travel guide books that cover whole countries, and some that cover whole continents.

Are you going just to London and Paris? There are some books that cover just specific cities or areas.

Some will combine two or three neighboring countries like Southeast Asia with Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam all in one book.

Choose the guide book that will suit your trip. No need to carry that “continent-of-Europe” tome around if all you\’re seeing is a couple of cities. Two slim city guides will do and be so much easier to pack and carry.

Some guide books are far more visual than others. They tend to have lots of pictures and less information. The information is good, just not as in depth as other guides. If you\’re taking a quick trip somewhere, those pictures can tell you in an instant if something looks like what you want to see…. they\’re really enticing. And if it\’s a quick trip, you probably don\’t have time for long detailed explanations anyway.

There are lots of specialty guide books. These won\’t give you as much general information, but if you have a special interest, it might be worth carrying one along. You can find specialty books for birdwatchers, or wine tasters. There are books that specialize in fancy restaurants.

There are whole books on castles to stay in or luxury spas. Guides to gardens or camping spots or great hiking trails. If you have a special interest, look online and visit travel bookstores… you\’ll probably find a specialty guide in just the field you\’re interested in.

Digital guide books are coming… well, some are already here. The publishers are still trying to figure out the best way to handle this. Some guides can be downloaded and read on your mobile phone… but those little screens make for eye strain when you\’re trying to read a map or the fine print in those descriptions.

You can down load some onto your laptop, but carrying your laptop all day will be a drag. You can download them and print them out, but then you might as well take a published guide book.

Keep your eyes open for digital guides in the future though. Once some of these paperback sized reading devices become easier to carry around, you\’ll be able to download just the areas you want, the specialties you want, and link to GPS technology.

Never get lost? I don\’t know. Sometimes part of the fun of travel is getting lost and having great experiences you didn\’t expect.

So for now, choose the type of printed travel guide book that will work best for you, and enjoy your trip.