Rome is one of the most spectacular cities I’ve visited. Historic, romantic, beautiful, confronting and electric all the same time. There is so much to do and see in Rome. Here are a few well known and great places to visit…

1. Spanish Steps
2. Trevi Fountain
3. Pantheon
4. Colosseum
5. Vatican City
6. Roman Forum

Perhaps the most awe-inspiring sites in Rome would be Trevi Fountain, Vatican City , and Colosseum. The Colosseum is truly remarkable, ranking alongside the Great Wall as possibly the most spectacular man-made structure I’ve ever seen. Hands down to them.

Quick Tips/Suggestions:
WHEN TO GO: Rome is hot and crowded with tourists in summer (June to August). Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best times with mild temperatures and fewer tourists. Winter is peaceful, but cold – it does snow in Rome.

WHERE TO STAY: There are plenty of affordable hotels around Termini train station, which is located in the city centre.

WHERE TO EAT: The markets, specialty shops and groceries (alimentari) are a good source of cheap, fresh food and the guidebooks list authentic, cheaper trattorias and pizzerias for that memorable evening meal.

OTHER TIP: It is certainly the best option to take your food away to one of the nearby attractions (try taking your sandwich at Trevi Fountain) and slowly enjoy your meal while watching the world go by.

Best Way to Get Around:
On foot: The best way to get around the city’s compact historic center is to walk. You will notice that most of the attractions are located near to each other.

Metro: Very basic two line system, easy to use and convenient. My hotel was near the Termini station, where the Metro lines have transfer points, so i could get to just about anything by riding. To be honest, although I bought day passes, I struggled to get value for money from them and merely ended up walking to sights from various bus stops and metro stations. HaHa!

Taxis: Reasonable but only worth it for longer rides. Traffic is so congested that you can cover the shorter distances faster on foot.

Bus: Take bus number 64 running from Termini to the Vatican, to visit all the attractions, and 116 and 117 which run through the center, but it’s also a thieves den for pickpockets- so be extremely careful.

Oh, and those stories about gypsies/itinerants and pickpockets? They’re true, but no more so than any other crowded city. Common sense is the best recommendation.

I just love Xi’An. It should be my favourite destination in China of all time. You’ll be surprised to know most of the 5,000 year history of China are centralised in Xi’An (also known as Western Peace). There is a cosmopolitan feel to the city that I, naively, did not expect to find in China. As with many cities in China, Xi’An is being modernised in a major way but the ancient areas of both the inner and outer city have retained their integrity. Xi’An was the capital of China under the Qin and Tang dynasties. It was also the eastern end of the Silk Road that traders traveled in the days of Marco Polo.

(more…)

Overview:
Montreal, one of North America’s most beautiful cities, is a glorious collision of cultures. Few cities in the world can lay claim to being as authentically multi-cultural as Montreal, the second largest French speaking city on the planet. Montreal is a truly unique and beautiful. Experience the culture of France right here in North America. From great food to fun attractions, Montreal has something for everyone.

(more…)

Beautiful, breathtaking Hangzhou is the capital and pride of the Zhejiang Province. Being one of the seven Chinese ancient capitals, not only is the history and culture of this legendary city prominent, but its scenic landscapes and serene beauty will leave tourists in complete awe and wonder.

(more…)

Frankfurt, the fifth largest city in Germany, is not the most exciting city (to me, Berlin holds that title). However, its prominence as an important financial, communications, and transportation hub means that I have stopped by for a few times, in hourly or daily increments.

(more…)

Dublin, “Town of the Hurdled Ford” is the thriving capital city of the Republic of Ireland. It is noteworthy in terms of its vibrancy, its nightlife and its tourist attractions, and is the most popular entry point for international visitors to Ireland. As a city it is disproportionately large for the size of the country, well over a quarter of the Republic’s population lives in the metropolitan area. The centre is, however, relatively small and can be navigated by foot, with most of the population living in sprawling suburbs.

(more…)

Many of my friends have asked me over and over again when will i feature Sandakan…the town where i grew up for more than 15 years. Well folks…it’s finally here. I wish to dedicate this special review to my late father who raised me up in this town.

(more…)

You actually expect me to write about the highlights and best things to see and do in Paris in 200 words or less? Better make it quick then…Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Musee d’Orsay, Musee du Louvre, Musee Picasso, Jardin de Luxembourg, Montmartre, Musee National d’Art Moderne, Notre Dame, rue Cler market, Place des Vosges, Place de la Concorde, the cafes, the food and wine…and uh, you get the picture?? High on many travelers dream lists as a destination, one of the most popular cities in the world can also be enjoyed surprisingly economically, with a little planning and background knowledge.

(more…)

Before i begin my story, i need to warn you of the length of this review. This is simply because i’ve come to like this small and unique town located down south of Malaysia. Here it comes…

The name Kluang derives from the Malay word ‘keluang’ which means a type of flying fox or rather a type of fruit bat. These used to be plentiful in the district decades ago. They have almost completely disappeared due to the combination of hunting and destruction of their natural habitat. I was told by a local friend that pictures of bat can still be seen on road signages and boards. Kluang is a town located roughly in the middle of the state of Johor in Malaysia. The population of Kluang district is considered small but has now exceeded 250,000 residents with more than half are centralized in the town itself.

(more…)

Canberra is often described by Australians who haven’t been there as a boring town, full of politicians, bureaucrats - and not much else. But those who go there find beautiful galleries and museums clustered around a lake and cupped in bushland.

One of only two capital cities in the world that have been built to a premeditated design, Canberra is rather eerily symmetrical. Placed about its nice, planned combinations of straight and curving streets are the old and new Parliament Houses, the National Gallery, and the National Museum.

(more…)