Turn Five

A K-12 Education Blog

Archive for December, 2008

28
Dec

Barcelona at Night

Spain’s second largest city is beautiful Barcelona. With its stunning architecture, rich cultural heritage, and incredible food, the city is easily one of the top tourist destinations in Spain, if not in all of Europe. Visitors come here to have a enjoy the wonderful sights, eat delicious food, and stay in comfortable rooms at five-star Barcelona hotels and other lodgings. While the beaches, museums, and shopping can keep tourists busy all day, make sure to keep some energy in reserve to enjoy all that Barcelona has to offer at night.

With thousands of restaurants offering Spanish cuisine and some that specialize in dishes from other parts of the world, there is no end to the great dining available every night in Barcelona. The city is also home to around two hundred nightspots. These bars, discos, and nightclubs offer drinks, music, and dancing to keep you entertained all night. In the summer, Sunday nights on the beach offer swimming, live music and drinks.

The Magic Fountain is part of a series of fountains and cascades between the Plaça d’Espanya and the Palau National (Montjuic’s main exhibition center). Restored for the 1992 Olympic Games, the fountain changes shape and color constantly. On summer nights, you can view a fifteen minute “show” that features music, light, and water with the illuminated Palau National as a backdrop. The shows repeat every half hour.

Several of Barcelona’s buildings are illuminated at night and are worth seeing. check out Casa Batllo and the Torre Agbar office tower. The Sagrada Familia Crucifix is also lit up at night. If you make it to the top of Montjuic Hill, you’ll find amazing views of the city lights.

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posted by Aisha in Travel and have No Comments
23
Dec

When to visit Hong Kong

Hong Kong is an irrepressible and exotic destination. More than a decade since its return to Chinese rule, the area has regained its position as a leading territory for finance, business, entertainment, and culture. A blending of dense cityscape (holding more skyscrapers than any other city in the world) with all the conveniences and amnenities of modern and traditional life and gorgeous countryside that is a haven for climbers, hikers, bird watchers, and those who just want to enjoy the quiet beauty of nature.

When deciding on the best time to visit Hong Kong, there are several factors to consider. The most obvious is weather. If you’re seeking sunny, warm, and dry conditions for your sight-seeing, then October through December is the best time to visit. January to March is ideal for those who want to escape the tropical humity and enjoy slightly cooler temperatures. Humidity is worst in the summer and not much better in the spring. Winter temperatures range from 9°C to 24°C (48°F to 75°F) while summer temps can be from 26°C to 34°C (78°F to 93°F).

Hong Kong hosts a number of festivals and celebrations throughout the year. While Chinese New Year is a popular time to visit, be aware that many restaurants and shops are closed during this time anywhere from three to five days. However, if you find the right lodgings, such as any of the 5 star hotels in Hong Kong, you don’t have to worry about meals or shopping and can enjoy the parades, fireworks, and lion dances that accompany this three-day public holiday. Christmas is another fun time to visit. During this season, shopping centers and shops sport Western-style decorations for the season and the holiday spirit is prevalent throughout the city. Most restaurants and shops remain open through the holidays, but expect large crowds of shoppers hunting for sales.

Visitors to Hong Kong in February through April will find a number of cultural festivals to keep them occupied. The Hong Kong Arts Festival features a month of international performances in February – March. Late March – early April is the three-week long Hong Kong International Film Festival and the Man Hong Kong International Literary Festival is also held in March. The latter is an English language festival lasting two weeks and featuring international writers. Those wanting to enjoy the end of the year will find a second batch of cultural events starting in the autumn and running through December.

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posted by Aisha in Travel and have No Comments
19
Dec

Phuket’s Exotic Allure

The dream destination of many tourists, Phuket, Thailand, offers stunning beeches on the Andaman Sea, lush greenery, and even swathes of rainforest. This largest of the Thai islands is known for its incredible restaurants, luxury resorts, and exciting nightlife. The island is also known for its rich cultural heritage and colorful history, but it is the natural beauty of sea, sand, and greenery that attracts most visitors.

The high season for travelers is usually November to May, but Phuket is hot and humid year-round. It may be worth visiting during what the locals call the “cool” season of May to October, since the weather is still enjoyable and the various hotels, such as the five star Phuket hotels, are less crowded. Even the summer monsoon season finds most mornings and afternoons to be sunny and clear, though nights tend to be rainy.

Patong Beach is arguably the most popular tourist spots. The name means “the forest filled with banana leaves.” Located on the central western coast, Patong is home to some of the best shopping, food, and nightlife on the island. Visitors can enjoy snorkelling, sailing, windsurfing and other aquatic sports or just soak up the sun. Once the sun sets, the area is known for its nightclubs and restaurants.

Some of the other beaches to visit include Phromthep Cape in Phuket’s extreme south. Locals referred to it as Laem Chao, which means “the God’s Cape.” Hat Karon is the second largest tourist beach on the island and features bone white sands and a coral reef. Nai Han Beach, Rawai, Kamala Beach, Surin Beach, Kata Beach and Kata Noi Beaches are just a few of the other coastal offerings on the island. View Point offers stunning views of Kata Noi, Kata, and karon beaches as well as Ko Pu Island.

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posted by Aisha in Travel and have No Comments
14
Dec

Reasons to Visit Ibiza

Ibiza has a reputation as a party destination for the youth of Europe. While it is still home to fabulous bars, discos, and nightbclubs, there is much more to this Island oasis than that reputation. The government of Spain has worked hard to bring make Ibiza a more family-friendly place and to call attention to many of the attractions that were overlooked by those who preferred to see only the Island’s raucous surface.

One of the Balearic Islands off Spain’s southern coast, Ibiza is a jewel in the Mediterrean Sea. It has breath-taking scenery that attracts artists, photographers, and filmmakers. Gorgeous beaches contrast the hills, mountains, and forrests of Ibiza, which is one of the two Pine Islands. Much of the island is protected with World Heritage status, including the two national parks.

Ibiza’s modern cities are full of restaurants, clubs, and luxury Ibiza hotels. However, the island also boasts traditional villages and cottages that showcase the other side of island life. The island is also dotted with cultural and historic sites as well as archaelogical preserves and military architecture.

Visitor can check out the San Antonio smuggler’s cave that has been refashioned into an aquarium or take a train excursion to explore the island. There is also plenty of shopping to be had on the island, most notably the Hippy Markets that offer handmade jewelery, crafts, and clothing. And don’t forget to partake of the local cuisine that features the freshest of seafood.

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posted by Aisha in Travel and have No Comments
14
Dec

The Surprise of Goa

Goa is one of those places that turns out to be different than you expect. Unlike the rest of India, which was heavily influenced by British Imperialism, Goa was a colony of Portugal. This makes India’s smallest state a unique atmosphere of modern India infused with Portuguese colonialism. Located on India’s west coast, Goa is known for its beaches, its famed architecture, and its ancient temples. However, hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit each year will also find increasingly modern cities with shopping, nightlife and five star hotels in Goa.

As a port, Goa was second only to Libson as a Portuguese trade and commercial center. Today, this coastal region offers tourists two benefits: beaches and seafood. The beaches offer a range of expereiences. Some are small and quiet, while others are crowded, active destinations. Anjuna Beach is home to a weekly flea market and the Albuquerque Mansion. Most beaches offer sparkling waters and golden sand. Take advantage of opportunites like parasailing and diving to get a non-traditional view of Goa.

Goan cuisine is famous for its seafood. Xit koki (rice with fish curry) is a dietary staple. Elaborate recipes involving chili peppers and spices create a wide variety of fish dishes. Khatkhate is a vegetable stew native to Goan that is popular during both Christian and Hindu celebrations. Other native Goan dishes include Sannas (a type of idli), Koilori (a variation of dosa), and bebinca (an egg-based sweet dish that is popular at Christmas).

Goa is home to a number of historic sites, some of them religious in nature. Bom Jesus Basilica and the mangueshi Temple are two of these. There are also several forts in the area as well as museums such as the Goa State Museum and the Houses of Goa which is an architectual museum and the Naval Aviation Museum.

Many visitors are drawn to Goa as an entry point to India – a charming, slower-paced alternative to the large metropolitan destinations. Once they arrive, however, visitors discover that Goa is so much more than they expected.

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posted by Aisha in Travel and have No Comments
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