The Tweed Coast on the far North Coast of New South Wales, Australia offers visitors many different attractions – from uncrowded beaches to world-renowned surf breaks, and beautiful rivers which wind their way down their valleys and empty out into the Pacific Ocean. It’s also developing a reputation as a delicious culinary destination for foodies.
Brunswick Heads is a small coastal holiday village situated at the mouth of the Brunswick River. Nestled within the breakwater there is the safe and peaceful Torakina Beach, while a white sandy surf beach stretches to the south. The north bank of the river hosts a protected rainforest and the southern bank provides a harbour and small marina for fishing boats and small craft. Mount Chincogan and Mount Warning provide a spectacular hinterland backdrop to the river that meanders down from the nearby small town of Mullumbimby (“The Biggest Little Town In Australia”).
Porto is a coastal city in northwest Portugal known for its stately bridges and port wine production. In the medieval Ribeira (riverside) district, narrow cobbled streets wind past merchants’ houses and cafes. São Francisco Church is known for its lavish baroque interior with ornate gilded carvings. The palatial 19th-century Palácio de Bolsa, formerly a stock market, was built to impress potential European investors.
Madrid – Madrid is by far the largest city in Spain with a population of over 3.3 million. While the size of the place might seem intimidating to some, there is a vast amount to see in this fine European capital. Getting around is also fairly straightforward thanks to the city having a superb metro system. Whether you’re looking for an unforgettable party holiday or a cultural visit to some of Spain’s best known landmarks, Madrid has everything to offer. Among the many sites to see in Madrid is the enormous central square (Plaza Mayor), the stunning Royal Palace, the Puerta de Alcala and the Plaza de Cibeles.
Barcelona – Barcelona is Spain’s second-largest city with a population of about two million. It is the capital of the region of Catalonia and you’ll hear the Catalan language being spoken here considerably more often than you’ll hear Spanish. The city offers plenty of sightseeing opportunities and a legendary nightlife scene. Barcelona was first established as a Roman town about 2,000 years ago. Sightseeing in Barcelona largely revolves around the Old Town, known locally as “Cuitat Vella.” The area is also home to the Barri Gotic, the city’s Gothic Quarter. One of Spain’s most famous landmarks, La Sagrada Familia is also located in Barcelona. One of the most stunning structures in the world, the church has been under construction since 1882 and is only now nearing completion.
Cadiz – For lovers of history, Cadiz certainly won’t disappoint. Founded by the Phoenicians as early as 1104BC, it is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Iberian Peninsula. The city is located in the very south of Spain. It has a population of only 130,000 making it an easy place to explore on foot. Cadiz boasts a vast number of historical landmarks including the central Plaza de Mina, the Plaza de San Antonio, Cadiz Cathedral, the Roman theatre, the City Walls and the Fortress of Candelaria. Cadiz is also home to some of Spain’s best beaches, especially the Playa de la Caleta. Another popular beach is the Playa de la Victoria, a three kilometer stretch of sand near the city.
Bran Castle is a castle in Bran, 25 kilometres southwest of Brașov. It is a national monument and landmark in Romania. Bran Castle is a large castle found in central Romania in Europe, along the border of the historic regions of Transylvania and Wallachia. Is situated on a cliff at an elevation of 762 metres (2500 feet), and is surrounded by valleys and hills and is major tourist destination in Romania. Also ‘Bran Castle’ is popularly known as ‘Dracula’s Castle’, especially by tourists, and is also known as ‘Bran Fortress’.
Corsica, a mountainous Mediterranean island, presents a mix of stylish coastal towns, dense forest and craggy peaks (Monte Cinto is the highest). Nearly half the island falls within a park whose hiking trails include the challenging GR 20. Its beaches range from busy Pietracorbara to remote Saleccia and Rondinara. It’s been part of France since 1768, but retains a distinct Italian culture.
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a 96-mile (154 km) border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, the North Sea to the northeast and the Irish Sea to the south. In addition, Scotland includes more than 790 islands; principally within the Northern Isles and the Hebrides archipelagos.
Pamukkale – Imagine a glorious spectacle of white terraces made of sedimentary rocks. There are pools on the white terraces. That’s Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction in Turkey. Pamukkale, Turkish for “cotton castle,” is a surreal natural landscape located in southwestern Turkey. The pools on the white terraces have high mineral content, and people have bathed in them for thousands of years. Also, expect to find hot springs and limestone walls in Pamukkale.
Blue Mosque – The Blue Mosque sports six minarets and majestic architecture. Situated in Istanbul and built in the 1600s, this historic Turkish attraction and place of worship entreats with an opulent interior lined with thousands and thousands of blue tiles that are adorned by various patterns. Find the mihrab, the central element in the mosque. It is a beautifully carved marble with a stalactite recess.
News, Views and Reviews For The Intellectually Curious
Boomers Daily 