ArrivalGuides.com - Your own free updated travel guides

Olbia

Olbia is the gateway to the pearly white beaches of Sardinia's northeast coast and the sparkling Costa Smeralda. This is where jet-setters, film stars and the ‘glitterati’ arrive to indulge in 'la dolce vita' Sardinian-style. With a Greek name meaning ‘happy’, Olbia used to be a little fishing village but has now grown to become Sardinia’s busiest ferry port, complete with an international airport and tons of tourist amenities. The countryside is cloaked in aromatic wild herbs, the macchia, and the surrounding sea glows in every hue of electric blue, in a little known and exclusive place waiting to be discovered.

Nîmes

Nîmes is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It is also the city of spring, named after the Roman God Nemausus. In recent years Nîmes has been rediscovered as a weekend destination, thanks to, in large part, its beauty, rich architectural heritage and proximity to both the Mediterranean and Provence. There are also many exciting restaurants in the city, including Aux Plaisirs des Halles by Nîmes’ large indoor food market.

Quepos

The world bestowed a wealth of biodiversity, rainforests, waterfalls, and sublime coastlines to Quepos, Costa Rica. Named for the native Quepoa Indians who inhabited the area in the colonial era, Quepos is quite the natural wonder. Only ten degrees north of the equator, the city also champions the Pacific Ocean to its west and the Caribbean Sea to its east. Such prime coordinates provide a veritable sanctuary for outdoors enthusiasts.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Aquaventure - Atlantis

Splash into Aquaventure Waterpark before exploring the underwater world of Atlantis' Ambassador Lagoon.

Canberra

Edged by mountain ranges, Canberra is a planned city built on vast limestone. Canberra is Australia’s national capital – seat of the Federal parliament and home to many institutions and national monuments. Four distinct seasons add to its charm and visitors quickly discover that it really is Australia’s hidden gem. The surrounding countryside contains historic and picturesque rural villages and a burgeoning cool-climate wine industry.

Athens

Of all Europe’s historical capitals, Athens is probably the one that has changed the most in recent years. But even though it has become a modern metropolis, it still retains a good deal of its old small town feel. Here antiquity meets the future, and the ancient monuments mix with a trendier Athens and it is precisely these great contrasts that make the city such a fascinating place to explore. The heart of its historical centre is the Plaka neighbourhood, with narrow streets mingling like a labyrinth where to discover ancient secrets.

Naxos

Naxos stands out from the Cycladic competition with its unusually crisp white beaches and an exceptionally lush, fertile terrain. With none of Mykonos' pretense or Ios' ferocious partying, the island is a destination for those who enjoy a good hike and low-key evening entertainment. Naxos is also home to its fare share of ancient sites, off-lying mountain villages, and excellent family-run taverns.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Sheikh Zayed Road Time-lapse

See how Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai's main arterial highway, presents iconic silhouettes across the city.

Bloomington, Minnesota

The Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official marketing organization for the City of Bloomington and markets Bloomington, Minnesota, area attractions, and the surrounding communities, to visitors around the world. Bloomington is located adjacent to Minneapolis and St. Paul, just minutes from the International Airport, is the home of Mall of America, and is a premier destination for meetings, conventions, and tourism. For visitor information, special offers and to book hotel rooms online visit www.bloomingtonmn.org.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

NYE In Dubai

New Year's Eve in Dubai is a celebration like no other. From grand fireworks to non-stop parties, you'll want to be in this city for the next countdown.

Bloomington, Minnesota

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

Transport yourself back to the 16th century with a trip to the annual Renaissance Festival in nearby Shakopee, Minnesota. Laugh at court jesters, shop for handicrafts, watch a joust and enjoy some delicious, authentic fare. The festival opens in late August and finishes up in early October.

Malta

The sun shines almost all year in Malta: the island boasts some of the fairest temperatures in the world. Add to that the fantastic beaches and superb Mediterranean cuisine, and there is barely a destination to compete. Together with its neighbouring islands, relaxing beach- and vibrant nightlife, Malta is a wonderful island to visit nearly all year round.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

As the birthplace of America, Philadelphia has endured centuries of peril, challenges and conquest, and remains one of the nation’s top attractions. Historical buildings, sculptures and murals line streets that were once walked by the Founding Fathers of the United States. Weather varies throughout the seasons, vacillating between mild springs, hot summers, and chilly winters, but people can always be seen out and about in the City of Brotherly Love.

Malta, Malta

Valletta - The Capital of Malta

Valletta, the capital of Malta, was built by the Knights of St John in the 16th-century. It is a baroque city which has often been described as an open-air museum due to the amount of historic buildings concentrated in the area, such as St John’s Co-Cathedral and the Grand Harbour, all built by the Knights as well as the over 25 churches all concentrated in an area of 900m x 630m. The city is officially recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bangalore

Once a sleepy regional capital, Bangalore today is a modern metropolis that will come as a big surprise to those who are visiting for the first time. Also known as Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka is the technological hub of India and the very place where the country’s new, confident and global identity is being forged. Although the city might somewhat lack in historical sites, its buzzing and liberal atmosphere provides the perfect base for exploring the beautiful temples and palaces of the Deccan.

Athens, Greece

Benaki Museum of Greek Culture

Benaki is a history museum with Greek art and objects from the Stone Age up to the War of Independence against the Turks. It lays its pieces over three floors and apart from seasonal exhibitions, the museum offers events, courses and publications to educate the audience of all ages. The annexed cafe-restaurant welcomes you in a relaxed ambience where to enjoy dinners, lunches or breaks before exploring the museum.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Eastern State Penitentiary

Formerly a prison holding the likes of Al Capone, this building is now more of an experience than a museum - take the guided tour through its cold, haunted hallways and learn about the prison's chilling history. Wear the red necklace if you don't mind being snatched away from the group by the "spirits" of deceased inmates.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art offers an impressive array of exhibitions, collections, programs and entertainment as one of America’s largest museums. It boasts more than 227,000 pieces of art, and over 200 galleries feature paintings, decorative arts, sculptures, photography, textiles, paper works and feats of architecture from around the world. Children and family-oriented programs are included, as well as fascinating lectures, films and even concerts.

Malta, Malta

The Three Cities of Cottonera

Across the Grand Harbour, to the south of Valletta, are the historic fortified towns of Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea, commonly referred to as the three cities of Cottonera. If you only have time for one of them, Vittoriosa is the one most worth a visit. Here you find Fort St Angelo, the Inquisitor's Palace and the Vittoriosa Waterfront was refurbished in the early 2000's to once again reach up to its former glory.

Visit Hoi An

Old world charm

Visit Cozumel

Dive right in

Visit Kyoto

A present past

Explore a world of possibilities.

Olbia

Nîmes

Quepos

Aquaventure - Atlantis

Canberra

Athens

Naxos

Sheikh Zayed Road Time-lapse

Bloomington, Minnesota

NYE In Dubai

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

Malta

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Valletta - The Capital of Malta

Bangalore

Benaki Museum of Greek Culture

Eastern State Penitentiary

Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Three Cities of Cottonera