As The Largest City In The World Mexico City Has More Than A Bit Of Excitement In Store For You

With 25 million inhabitants, Mexico City is the largest city in the world; it's therefore no surprise that it has so much to offer - from intriguing modern attractions to a variety of ancient cultural wonders. The roots of Mexico's capital lie in its historic centre, which is home to a number of museums, galleries and landmarks; visitors can also experience various religious festivities, cultural events and the 'spirit' of the city by spending time wandering through its centre. Some of Mexico City's top attractions include the National Museum of Anthropology, the Templo Mayor and the Catedral Metropolitana, which now dominates the city's main square, the Zacolo. What's more, Mexico City offers an exquisite opportunity for children to partake in its cultural splendour. The Papalote Children's Museum, for example, holds an array of treasures and is one of the most visited scientific museums in the world.

But the cultural wealth of Mexico is apparent in much more than its ancient buildings, museums and galleries; it's particularly evident in the city's traditions and celebrations. Cinco de May, Dia de Muertos, Representación de la Pasión de Cristo and countless other traditions exude the intriguing character of Mexico City to visitors and locals alike.

While in Mexico City, visitors can take their pick from an extensive array of activities. It's particularly worthwhile to tour one of the city's local markets - such as the La Merced and San Juan markets in the downtown area - where you will find a vast variety of fruits, herbs, flowers and regional products. And where better to experience the world-renowned Mexican cuisine than in Mexico City?

Mexico City's nightlife is also something which should not be missed on your trip to the city; with various shows, restaurants, clubs, bars and discotheques around the city, night time adventures are guaranteed to be just as exciting as daytime jaunts. Dance to cumbia, salsa or meringue music, or see a show in one of Mexico City's numerous theatres.

If you'd like to take a break from the bustle of the city, rest assured that you have countless options to consider. Take an Aztec tour just northeast of Mexico City, where you'll experience the Teotihuacan Pyramids and the ceremonial centre - with its palaces, plazas and altars - along the Avenue of the Dead. Or, for a bit of spectacular fun in the sun, head to one of Mexico's many blissful beach resorts and seaside towns. Mexico's beaches are truly stunning: explore junglous regions, take a dip into the crystal waters, or sun-bathe on the vast, golden coastline. If you're after a bit of beach-side adventure, take your pick from a range of activities such as snorkelling, sailing, surfing and more. Cancun, Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta are particularly popular destinations for Mexican beach holidays.

If you're thinking about taking a trip to Mexico City, you'll find that getting there is easy; countless airlines and travel agents offer frequent flights to Mexico City as well as various other places of interest in Mexico - so don't delay. With so much to choose from on a holiday to Mexico City - from bustling excitement to nearby quaint villages and serene beach settings - every holiday-goer can fulfil his or her idea of the perfect getaway.

Andrew Regan is a freelance online journalist that enjoys travelling.

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Madrid Travel Experience - All Night Out

Madrid is Europe's third largest city and certainly one of the most exciting, exhilarating and fascinating. Your travel agent can show you how to best visit the historic barrios of Malasana, Lavapies, and Chueca, gaze upon the Palacio Real, and if you can handle the bloodsport, attend a corrida at Spain's largest plaza de toros at Ventas for a dazzling celebration of Spanish passion and temperament. Then you can head for Calle Serrano in the Salamanca neigbourhood for some truly upmarket shopping and if you're in the mood for one of the great experiences in the art world, view the over 4,000 priceless masterpieces at the Prado Museum.

One of the finest experiences in Madrid is to savor the superlative tapas bars or tascas (pockets, as they're usually very small establishments) which the city is world-famous for. After all, what would a trip to Madrid be without savoring the tapas, the traditional snack-sized portions of Iberian delectable delicacies? Take a pleasant walk down the Gran Vía and admire the fashionable shops, marvelous theatres and galleries, but prepare your taste buds for a tapas feast!

Your travel agent can inform you that you have hundreds of world-class tascas to visit in your tapeo crawl so you'll never run out of new taste experiences. It might be a good idea to go have a nap in the heat of the day because the movida, or the "wave action" of nighttime starts around 11 pm and runs until dawn! That's the time when Madrileños socialize, dine, drink, play and party. The streets are busier at 3 am than at 3 pm!

Most tascas serve a variety of tapas, but have their own special dishes that they are renowned for. Casa Labro on Tetuán specializes in cod croquettes hot from the fryer. El Oso y El Madroño on Calle de la Bolsa serves caracoles (snails) which will rival anything in Paris. Calle de Casa Criaco's specialty on Calle Mayor is the bouquerones which are anchovies marinated in vinegar. At La Casa Del Abuelo (Grampa's house) on Calle de la Victoria, you can choose from a dizzying array of shrimp and prawn specialties including grilled in their shells "a la plancha" or "al ajillo" which has them peeled and fried in a powerful garlic oil. The house specialty at Tasca La Farmacia on Calle de Diego are the bacalao croquettes, which are big chunks of cod in a béchamel paste deep fried to golden greatness.

The first thing you'll note as you enter La Taberna de Antonio Sánchez on Mesón de Parades is the stuffed head of the bull who gored and killed the founder's son in the ring in 1850. This tasca is a hangout for bullfighting enthusiasts to this very day who will engage in animated discussions of events in the ring the way Americans will argue over football or baseball loyalties. The garlic soup is redolent and satisfying, and the shrimp are succulent and juicy. You may want to taste what may be Antonio's son's revenge on his killer by ordering a tapas made from bull's testicles. Whether or not you're quite up to that "treat" your travel agents can certainly assist you in making the arrangements so you can savor the spectacular tapas tascas of Madrid.

Visit http://www.tripology.com to connect with 3 specialized Travel Agents, perfect for any Trip!

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Old World Historic Destinations

Egypt
Egypt is the cradle of one of the world’s oldest civilizations, rich with ancient treasures, pyramids, tombs and temples. Moreover, it is the fusion of various cultures and religions that survived and co-existed peacefully for so many years that give Egypt its unique identity.

Archaeological sites, Pharaonic tombs, ancient temples, vibrant bazaars and sailing down the Nile are only some of the experiences that will give the traveler an insight into the historically rich tapestry that weaves this amazing country. The beauty of Ancient Egypt, the stunning Mt. Sinai at sunrise, camel trekking into the desert with local Bedouins, donkey rides into the Valley of the Kings makes for some of the most exotic and cherished experiences you will ever encounter. In a journey of a lifetime, indulge into the truly memorable expedition across Egypt’s sandy deserts to the spectacular Gilf Kebir, location of the famous Cave of the Swimmers, romantic and remote landscapes following the great explorations of the Long Range Desert Group and Count Almasy.

While Sinai is an area of outstanding natural beauty, delicate eco-systems and home to many Bedouin villages, a visit to Luxor will take you to the depths of the ancient wonders, Valley of the Kings, and the famous Karnak Temple. The Pyramids, Tomb of Tutankhamum and the wind sculpted rock formations, cliffs with corals and fossils dating back millions of years are some of the other highlights that make Egypt as a tourist destination and truly one of the wonders of the world.

Greece
Greece is the true amalgamation of cultures, colors and civilizations that are not only diverse in nature but rich in history and heritage. Much before most of the world was still trying to break out of its cocoon Greece was known to have already developed its birthright through the elements of chaos, drama, tragedy and democracy. Combined with its deep respect for its ancient traditions, it still believes in the proclivity to partying, an inheritance that has been brought down from the Dionysos.

It is a land of contrasts and ecological value, endowed with a rich and diversified natural environment - legacy of a rare geomorphology. The country’s abundant natural gifts that include thousands of indented coasts, imposing rocky massifs, caves, gorges, lakes, rivers, biotopes of spectacular beauty and unique natural habitats have made Greece a truly unique and popular tourist destination.

Greece is full of ancient archeological sites and monuments of distinctive charm. The rich cultural and historical mosaic has left its impression on every region of the country emphasizing the diverse manifestations of the Greek tradition to date. The Acropolis of Athens, Monastery of Aghio Oros, Temple of Epicurean Apollo, Thessalonica and Monastery of Meteora are the sites characterized as the monuments of cultural heritage. Among its more ancient attractions are the navel of the cosmos at Delphi, fallen columns on the sacred island of Delos, frescoed Minoan palaces on Crete and remnants of Atlantis at Santorini.

China
China situated in eastern Asia and bounded by the Pacific in the East is the third largest country today and one of the four oldest civilizations in the world. It has a written history dating back 4,000 years and boasts rich cultural relics and historical sites.

China claims to be the inventor of the compass, paper and gunpowder as well as having built three ingenious engineering projects 2,000 years ago that include the Great Wall, the Grand Canal and the Karez irrigation systems. Now they represent the rich cultural heritage of this mighty Chinese nation.

It has a 9000 mile coastline where scenic rivers like the Yangtze meander their way from the northern and central mountains to the oceans of the east. The diversity of this nation is vast and unique, in that we see western winds blowing across desert sand dunes, pandas munching bamboo forests in central highlands and rice terraces climbing mountains in the south.

Beijing, one of China’s thriving communities has been confirmed to have existed since the last 3000 years. In the year 1215, it was established as the capital of the newly declared Yuan Dynasty by the Mongol leader Kublai Khan. It was during his rule that the city truly blossomed - imperial palaces were built, streets broadened and temples as well as canals were built. Beijing's major attractions include the Forbidden City, Jing Shan Park, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Mansion of Prince Gong and Hutongs.

The Yangtze River is known as China's "Mainstreet." For thousands of years, this 4,000-mile river provided a vital and only link between China's seacoast and the rich, fertile lands of inland provinces.

China will always be linked to its ancient civilization, friendly people, and many of the world’s most revered treasures, such as The Great Wall, Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses and the Yangtze River. Even today we find impressive architecture and towering skylines in Shanghai and Beijing, luxury accommodations as well as exquisite cuisine.

India
India is a vast country with a rich cultural heritage and a diverse historical background. An amalgamation of different ethnicities, traditions, cultures and languages has manifested into many architectural wonders that makes India the land of the unique and the exotic. Its first civilization flourished almost 5000 years ago along the Indus River. The journey since then has been colored with hundreds of rulers and dynasties helping to shape India as we know it today.

In a country as diverse and complex as India, people here reflect the rich glories of the past, the culture, traditions and values relative to geographic locations and the distinctive manners, habits and food that will always remain truly Indian. The colorful mosaic of Indian festivals and fairs - as diverse as the land, is an eternal expression of the spirit of celebration for the Indian people.

India is set apart from the rest of Asia by the Himalayas, the highest, youngest and still evolving mountain chain on the planet. The subcontinent as it is rightly called, touches three large water bodies and holds every kind of landscape imaginable. An abundance of mountain ranges and national parks provide ample opportunity for eco-tourism and trekking, and its sheer size promises something for everyone.

From north to south India extends a good 2000 miles and represents a diversity that is distinctive and spectacular, ranging from the snow covered Himalayas in the North to the sun-drenched beaches of Kerela in the South, from the Rajasthan deserts in the West to the lush forests of north Eastern India. The Taj Mahal in Agra, Meenakshi Temple in Chennai, Arjuna's Penance at Mahabalipuram, Bharathiyar Illam in Tamil Nadu, the Hawa Mahal, Amber fort and Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, the Ajmer Sharif in Ajmer and many more make up for the unique attractions that India has to offer. Honeymoon getaways, hill stations, pilgrimage sites, wildlife sanctuaries, and beach resorts, there's something for every traveler in India

Italy
Italy has long been recognized as a country full of historical and cultural attractions. Two-thirds of the world's historical artistic heritage is in Italy. Rome, the Eternal City, contains the ruins of the Roman forum and Coliseum as well as the independent state of the Vatican City with its famous Sistine Chapel. Naples is close to the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and Mt. Vesuvius is another famous attraction. Florence has been a centre of the arts since the fourteenth century, and has many museums and art galleries along with the Pitti Palace and Ponate Vecchio. The town of Pisa is home to the famous leaning tower and Sienna with its ancient piazza and cathedral is a must see. The majestic Alps in the north, the soft and green hills of Tuscany and Umbria, the romantically rugged landscape of the S Apennines and the Bay of Naples, dominated by Mt. Vesuvius are some of the world's most famous sights.

Italy is also known as the land of la dolce vita (the sweet life) and is one of the world’s most loved travel destinations. Whether it's culture, gastronomy, haute couture, or simply the art of dolce far niente -- doing nothing and just soaking up the atmosphere - this is a country for lovers of all that is good in life.

William Brister.
http://www.travelonguide.com We have detailed information on various travels to help you to make informed choices to make your holidays easy convenient and pleasurable.

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