Travel Blog

Listed among UNESCO world heritage sites, St. Petersburg has an extraordinary architectural, religious, cultural and literary heritage, which makes it one of the most attractive cities in the world. Its attractions can impress even the most discerning travelers.

The Cathedral of the Resurrection (St. Savior on the Spilled Blood) with its beautiful colorful domes is ranked number 1 on the list of St. Petersburg attractions. This magnificent church is clearly visible from the Nevsky prospect. It was built by Tsar Alexander III beside the Griboedov Channel on the spot of the assassination of his father, Tsar Alexander II the Liberator. The Tsar’s carriage was blown up on March 1, 1881 by a bomb thrown at by members of a revolutionary group calling themselves “People’s will”. The evil irony consists in the fact that this terrorist group assassinated the very Tsar who 20 years earlier had issued the famous Emancipation Manifesto liberating Russian serfs, as a result of which Russian peasants became free of serfdom. It is built in the Old Russian style and strongly reminds of St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow. The church is richly decorated with beautiful mosaics both inside and outside. Services resumed here after the fall of the Soviet regime and are now held on a regular basis.

The Alexander Nevsky Lavra is a monastery located in the very center of the city. In 2013 it celebrated the 300th anniversary since its foundation. The monastery, surrounded by stone walls and moats, is dominated by the Holy Trinity cathedral housing the holy relics of St. Prince Alexander Nevsky. The monastery is believed to have been built on the very spot where St. Alexander defeated Swedes in 1240 in the famous Neva battle. Saint Prince Alexander Nevsky is the Patron saint of St. Petersburg.…

If you’re planning a holiday to Florida for sun, sand and some great nightlife, visit St Petersburg. Perched between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, this gorgeous city is home to a thriving nightlife, excellent stretches of beach and reliable sunshine. Once considered a prime destination for retirees, the city has transformed its image in the past 20 years and is now one of Florida’s most vibrant and exciting locations – but what are the best options for evenings out?

No matter what time of day it is, the pier is the social center of St Petersburg – or St Pete’s, as it is known locally. Situated on the east side of the city, it feels just like the Gulf of Mexico and offers somewhere beautiful and sunny that people of all interests can enjoy. It is home to a bustling shopping center, which is strikingly shaped like an inverted pyramid, where you’ll find some restaurants that allow you to dine with the water directly beneath you. Alternatively, head all the way to the end of the pier to the fishing platform, where you’ll be able to enjoy a fabulous view of the sunset.

If you fancy doing something a little out of the ordinary one evening, a ghost tour is a great option – and one that allows you to get to know your holiday destination a little better. Indeed, these kinds of tours will take you on fun candlelit walks along the waterfront and through the winding streets, telling you ghost stories that are said to have taken place in the city. What’s more, if you really enjoy it, you’ll find similar tours are run at nearby Tampa Bay, so you can include these as part of your holiday to St Petersburg.

Should you been keen to discover some of the city’s best eateries, meanwhile, head to The Garden. The oldest local restaurant, it is equally well-known for its cuisine and live music. Dining here in the evening, you can expect to enjoy Mediterranean-inspired dishes and a variety of entertainment. Depending on which day you visit, you can be treated to live jazz – for which the venue is most famous – salsa dancing or poetry readings. Attend on a Friday and you can see trombonist Buster Cooper and his band perform, which they have done here since 1995.…

King Gustav I of Sweden established Helsinki in 1550, calling it Helsingfors. His goal was to make it a trading center. The plague nearly destroyed this city in 1710. IT suffered political turmoil and conflict, finally coming under Russian rule in 1809. It came under the Nazi government during World War II and regained its independence after the war.

A beautiful city, located on the Baltic Sea, air, ship, train or automobile can reach it easily. No visa is required for U.S. citizens, and documentation requirements are simple, no matter how one arrives. If one only has one day in Helsinki, there are some fantastic things to do, but at least two to three days are much better. Here are some of the exciting things one can do in this marvelous city. Walking is THE way to see the city; however, the tram service is excellent and easy.

Suomenlinna Island is easy to reach by boat. A charming area with restaurants and shops, it is a pleasure to relax here. If one is there in the summer, stop at one of the local delis and make some sandwiches and do what the Finns do, enjoy a delicious picnic with a bottle of wine.

Sibelius Park, easily recognized by its steel sculpture, built to honor the famed Finnish composer. A great place to relax and see incredible sculptures.

Temppeliaukio Church, literally built into a huge rock, often called “Rock Church”, is such a relaxing and memorable place to visit. No matter what one’s beliefs are, it is pleasant to sit on a pew and listen to classical music.

Helsinki City Museum is an ideal place to learn the history of this fabulous city. It contains photos, books and various documents on the history of Helsinki.

Seurasaari Open-Air Museum is a fantastic place to see locals dressed in period costumes. One can view houses dating back to the 17th century. A fantastic place to relax.

City Winter Gardens is a beautiful botanical garden. The feature of this maze of greenhouses is the roses – they are spectacular!…

Helsinki, which is the capital of Finland, is a very modern city that is located on the Baltic Sea. Helsinki along with the neighboring cities of Kauniainen, Espoo and Vanta, form the metropolis of Helsinki. This city holds a special status among the north European capitals. When you visit Helsinki, you will notice that this city is indeed one of the contrasts. The city will greet you with its hundreds of friendly people and also their plethora of activities. The influence of western and eastern cultures is seen in every aspect of the city which is what makes Helsinki unique and different from other tourist spots of the region.

The architectural influence of various periods is starkly evident in the city. The scenic beauty of the surrounding nature blends seamlessly with the design and beauty of the architecture to give birth to a beautiful metropolis that enchants many. Here, the old traditional values mix with contemporary technology. While the city centre has beautiful parks, the city comes in its plethora of nightclubs and restaurants. You can also take a walk in the nearby forest if you want some peace.

There are many attractions to Helsinki and they are sure to keep you busy for many days. No matter what your age or taste, Helsinki will always have something to offer to you. You can begin your tour of the capital city with the Ateneum Art Museum. If you enjoy art then this museum is absolutely meant for you. The Museum contains Finnish art between the time periods of 1750 to 1960 and western art from the time periods of the late 19th century to the 1950s. Here, you will find the works of famous Finnish artistes like Akseli Gallen Kallela and Helene Schjerbeck.…

Visiting a favorite destination for holidays or a much deserved vacation can be one of the most fulfilling things. Oslo happens to be one good city where you can choose to spend your holidays in Norway. It is a city with plenty to offer to visitors and tourists from across the world. Apart from the long list of attractions you have at your exposal to enjoy, the city also has some great activities you can enjoy while visiting.

Skiing – If you happen to be in Oslo during winter, the Oslo Winter Park is the place to be at for some skiing fun. Formerly Tryvann, the Winter Park is the largest ski resort in the city with 11 lifts and 18 slopes. It has cruising slopes and slopes for beginners and children as well as challenging slopes for more experienced skiers. You can get ski passes to enjoy what the park has to offer you. The best time to enjoy the park is between November to April when the snow conditions are perfect.

Skating – If you are more of an ice skater, you still can enjoy this activity on your holiday or visit to Oslo. The Spikersuppa ice skating rink is located between Parliament and the National Theater. It is free and open throughout winter. You have the option of bringing your ice skates or renting a pair at the pavilion that is just next to the rink. It is important to remember that sticks and pucks are not allowed here.

Golfing – It is a cherished sport by many and you don’t have to miss out on the thrill since Oslo has just the right place for you. The Oslo Golf Club in Bogstad is where you need to be to enjoy it all. It is one of the finest courses in the country with 18 holes and beautiful surroundings of the magnificent Bogstad Lake. It is host to numerous international and national golf tournaments.

Bowling – Another fun activity you can enjoy on your visit to Oslo. The Solli bowling hall has it all with 11 lanes at your disposal. The good thing about the hall is that it is centrally located in the city giving you quick access. It has a pool table and air hockey too for your enjoyment.

Rafting and kayaking – They are activities that will keep your adrenaline rushing and can be enjoyed at the Randalselva River and Lysakerelva River. There are very good travel companies in the city that arrange the activities to suit every kind of enthusiast including beginners.…

If you are planning a stop in Oslo during a Norwegian cruise, you will be glad to know there are plenty of activities and attractions to keep you occupied throughout your stay.

Tourists can explore the city’s amazing natural landscapes, take sightseeing tours and learn more about the country’s history and culture, making Oslo a destination that is not to be missed.

Famous for its fjords, Norway is a great place to spend some time in the great outdoors and Oslo is no exception.

Tours of the fjords are available from several providers and you can see these stunning landmarks from the sky or by sea, with boat and helicopter trips available.

This unforgettable experience usually takes around two to three hours and gives you the perfect opportunity to get some holiday photographs to wow your friends and family with.

Other outdoor activities popular in Oslo include swimming, boating and cross-country skiing.

Due to the city’s vast woodland areas, there are also great hiking and biking trails through tranquil forests, allowing you to get closer to Norway’s stunning natural attractions.

Looking to brush up on your local historical and cultural knowledge? There are numerous museums and galleries throughout Oslo that you can put on your itinerary.

One of the best places to visit is the National Gallery, which boasts the largest public collection of sculptures, paintings and drawings in the city.

Symbolist Edvard Munch’s iconic The Scream painting is arguably the most famous exhibit at the institution, but there are a number of other works including pieces by Cezanne og Manet.

Norwegian artists and their masterpieces form the bulk of the displays, although many international artists are also well represented, including French impressionists.…

Norway attracts people from different parts of the world because of the spectacular things it has to offer. If you happen to visit Oslo, you will have plenty of things to do and see especially urban attractions with historic value to them or the stunning art pieces that will take your breath away. The city of Oslo has numerous famous places, some of which are a must-visit while here. With so many things you can do on your visit, planning your time to exhaust most of them will be your main challenge. Here are some of the things to do while in the beautiful city.

Visit the Oslo Domkirke

This 17th century cathedral is a must visit in the city. Even though some parts have been restored over the years, the altar and pulpit date way back to the origins of the church. It has stunning bronze doors done by Dagfin Wereskiold. One thing you cannot miss in the cathedral is the organ standing at five stories high. The church is used for both secular and religious concerts and events.

Tour the Royal Palace

It is a large palace that will take you a whole hour to enjoy. The tours are mostly guided to make sure you don’t miss out on anything that holds significance within the palace. Changing of guards is done every day at the castle’s park and it is one of the things you simply cannot miss out on while visiting it.

 See the Giant statue at Christina Tory

Christian Tory is an Old town in Oslo home to the magnificent giant statue pointing a finger. The statue is located on a beautiful cobblestone square and appears to be pointing at a spot King Olaf the Blond chose to rebuild the town. This was after burning down back in 1973.

Visit Oslo’s City Hall Radhuset

It is a simple red brick building housing frescoes and colorful murals depicting different historic, economic and cultural aspects of Norway. The grounds and the hall have tapestries, woodcarvings, sculptures and paintings by famed Norwegian artists like Daffin Werenskiold, Edvard Munch and Dyre Vaa not forgetting Per Krogh. Other features to enjoy here include the large clock face and twin towers. The hall hosts ceremonies in December.…

Stockholm is Sweden’s center of trade and commerce, having it accorded the capital city status by its government. Looking at a map, it is situated on a group of different isles in Lake Malar towards the Baltic.

The beauty and charm of this city lie in its geographical location – the land mingling with its waters. This unique feature creates astonishing sights – fringe of seaside towns, steep cliffs rearing upwards from the clear blue sea, and the complex waterway patterns all over.

But there is more to this city. It is home to 3 heritage sites as recognized by UNESCO – Birka (or the Viking City in Björkö), the palace of Drottningholm, and the Skogskyrkogården cemetery.

Furthermore, Stockholm is known for its internationally-acclaimed art galleries, Nobel institutes, theaters and museums. Plus, touring all over the city has never been easier with its world-class, modern railway transportation underground. Through this, you can get around easy and fast, anywhere you like to.

They also have available buses ready to take you towards your next destination, especially when the next railway station is a distance away. However, you can always choose to walk in order to fully enjoy the beauty of this magnificent city. You can also see their dedicated bicycle lanes in every street, which makes Stockholm a very eco-friendly place. But wait, here’s more.

Know More About Their History at the Old Town

You will see buildings and architectural wonders which have been around the town since the twelfth century. Walking around, you will never be bored discovering awesome coffee shops, pioneer restaurants, boutiques, and more. This should rather be the first destination for first-time tourists in Stockholm. This way, they will know more about the city’s rich culture and heritage.

Feel Like A Royal Member at the Royal Palace

Located near Old Town, this is the official home of the city’s royal lines. However, don’t expect that the queen is here too because she has her own residence too (in Drottningholm). Having been the greatest empire in the world, this palace boasts of its more than 600 rooms and 5 museums – making it one of the biggest on the European continent.…

Stockholm is a very special place, with its laid-back people, history and intricate island layout; it is a visually stunning place to be. When you think of anywhere in Scandinavia you will probably be skeptical of the weather. Tourist season, which runs into September, has high temperatures of up to 70 degrees F. and lows in the 50s, with the added benefit of very long days of sunlight. Winter of course can get quite cold, with temperatures mostly in the 20s F.

To really appreciate all of Stockholm, it is best to visit there in the summer, and first acquaint yourself with the city with a boat trip, which could take a couple of hours. The city is built on 14 islands strategically located between the large Lake Malaren and the Baltic Sea. The latter half of the 20th century saw Stockholm expand into a modern, technologically advanced city, as modern architecture began to spring up. But areas such as Gamla Stan, Sodermalm and Ostermalm fortunately for us retained their historic feel by surviving the renovation.

Gamla Stan is the historical, geographical and cultural heart of Stockholm. Stockholm began as a settlement in 1252, and this island at the center of the city is still intriguing with its cobblestone streets winding through beautiful churches, museums, restaurants and bars. The Nobel Museum is here, and check out the Stockholm Cathedral and Royal Palace, where there is a daily changing of the guard, which draws a lot of people but is quite long and drawn out.

Gamla Stan is really a lot of fun, and very interesting. You can see a whole lot of the city just by walking around, and I would suggest hiring a guide to do a two-hour walking tour. We were there in July, and although there was quite a bit of rain, other than that it was quite comfortable. But I’ve heard that when the snow falls in the winter the city can take on a story-book feel.

Stockholm is a great walking city, but if you want to explore out further the metro, called the Tunnelbana (T-Bana) is one of the best in Europe. Its 66 miles make it one of the longest networks in Europe. For a 3-day pass, you can buy a travel card for all public transportation in greater Stockholm for about $23. Getting around to the various larger islands in the archipelago can be accomplished year-round (winter ice conditions permitting), and several taxi boat companies are available.

If you are going to cruise the Baltic, a cruise I would highly recommend, you will probably start or finish in Stockholm. I think you will be rewarded if you plan to spend a few days on one side of your trip to Stockholm. It is really a fascinating city.…

The Helambu region is a popular trekking destination, especially for trekking companies that offer guided hikes. This is largely due to its proximity to Kathmandu, lack of astoundingly high elevations, and stunning mountain scenery.

It is frequently marketed as easy by tour companies for many of the same reasons. However, many hikers who come here on tours discover that it is more difficult and demanding than they were led to believe.

Trekking in the Himalayas is always challenging, and while this trek is not as high as others, it is still a physically demanding hike that requires trekkers to be in good physical condition. With that in mind, this is a lovely hike with beautiful rhododendron trees in bloom in March and April, and it’s well worth the effort.

The Sherpa-inhabited Helambu region is located in the upper part of the Malechmi Khola valley. The Helambu Trek can be started and finished in five to eight days from Kathmandu. The typical seven-day itinerary is circular, with the first day’s section repeated at the end. The stark contrast between the lower and upper lying regions, as well as their distinct cultures, is striking.

The Helambu short trek is the most popular trekking route in the Langtang region. Nepal Trek Adventure offers this circuit for 5 to 7 days at the best cost (price) and itinerary. This trek can be started from either Melamchi Bazar (60 km) or Sundarijal (26 km) from Kathmandu. It is located northeast of Kathmandu and stretches from Taramarang to the tree line of Gosainkunda Lake and the lower slopes of Jugal Himal. We come across several highland Tamang and Sherpa villages on both sides of the Melamchi Khola.…