To experience the United Arab Emirates in the most authentic way, you absolutely must not miss Abu Dhabi, the fascinating capital of the country.
Abu Dhabi is not only the capital of the United Arab Emirates but it is also the largest of the seven emirates. Its name means in Arabic. The father of the gazelle, in reference to the abundance of gazelles that once lived on these islands. The two cities have huge skyscrapers and beautiful beaches in town, but seeing one of them does not mean you have to miss out on here. Abu Dhabi attractions are listed below
• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a monument which never fails to impress with its sheer size. It is the most spectacular among Abu Dhabi attractions. Open to all, the Great Mosque is the eighth largest mosque in the world and has 24-carat gold plated candlesticks, the largest handmade rug in the world and 82 domes supported by more than 1,000 columns. Both men and women should cover their shoulders and knees. Men may be required to wear a gandoura and women must wear a hijab and an abaya to enter the mosque.
• Saadiyat Island
Saadiyat Island is located just 10 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi. Still, in progress, the island is destined to become the beating lung of the emirate and also an important cultural and artistic center which will be the principal among Abu Dhabi attractions. The island as a whole will not be completed until 2020, however, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, which has opened, already attracts crowds. Designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel, the museum tells the story of humanity through an exhibition of 600 works of art and objects from around the world. Starting in 2018, three hundred works will be exhibited in turn in four temporary annual exhibitions organized by 13 French partner museums.
The island of Saadiyat will also house a multitude of residences, shops, and recreational sites. In addition to the Louvre, seven other museums designed by renowned architects are being created. A Guggenheim Abu Dhabi designed by Frank Gehry is planned in the same way as the Zayed National Museum. Both are being constructed.
• Visit Al-Ain
Located east of Abu Dhabi, Al-Ain is the historic seat of the Sheiks. It is commonly referred to as the Garden City because of its lush vegetation. The Oasis Al-Ain, which covers more than 1,200 hectares and contains more than 147,000 date palms, is considered the main tourist heritage of the Emirates and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visiting the Al Ain National Museum and the Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum is a must as well as the Camel Race Track and the Camel Market.
• Visit Ferrari World
One of the main Abu Dhabi attractions is Ferrari World, the world’s first theme park dedicated to Ferrari. It is home to the world’s fastest roller coaster, which reaches a speed of 120km/h in a 52-meter loop. The Yas Marina Formula 1 circuit, right next door, is a must for fans of speed.
If you feel like a Formula One driver get ready to race around at the wheel of a real race car. In Abu Dhabi, it is possible to drive an Aston Martin GT4 or a Jaguar F-Type or a Chevrolet Camaro Drag.
Moscow was once the epicenter of a secret superpower, hidden from the eyes of the Western world. The city is now the center of a reviving superpower that has opened to business and visitors. From Lenin to the Kremlin, here is a list of things to do in Moscow.
• Take a walking tour
In recent years, Moscow has changed and is, in some places, unrecognizable. Central roads, such as Tverskaya Street and New Arbat now have wider sidewalks and are much more conducive to walking tours. Today, Moscow, from the Kremlin to the Ring of Gardens, which circles the city center, is the perfect place to stroll and enjoy a sunny day.
The brand new Zaryadye Park, just a stone’s throw from Place Rouge, will make an excellent starting point for your stroll. Walking through this unique ancient yet modern city is one of the essential things to do in Moscow.
• Take a plunge into art and history
In Moscow, ancient and modern coexist everywhere. Thus, after visiting Zaryadye Park, it is natural to cross the street to walk the pavement of the Red Square, where stand the Cathedral of St. Basil, the National Museum of History, statues from the Soviet and imperial times, the Mausoleum of Lenin. Each of these elements has its own unique story so it may be interesting to take part in a guided tour to learn more about them. Learning the history of this famous city is a principal among things to do in Moscow.
It is the same for the Kremlin, the fortress of Russian leaders. Here you can see the treasures of the Russian tsars, kept in the Palace of Armor.
The fantastic Muscovite museums, however, are not confined to the Kremlin and Red Square. The Tretyakov Gallery, which has the largest collection of Russian national art, is also a must, as is the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts on Volkhonka Street.
• Spend time in Moscow’s parks
In addition to Zaryadye Park, the Russian capital has plenty of other parks to explore for those who love walking. Gorky Park has long been a mecca for young people with an open-air cinema and the museum of contemporary art to sports centers and dance floors not to mention the numerous cafes.
Other parks offer more serenity, such as the Neskoutchni Garden or Sparrow Hills, where you can wander quietly. Another wonderful place is the Muzeon Park, which contains an impressive collection of Soviet monuments.
• Admire Moscow from above
The chance to view this city of 15 million inhabitants from above is certainly an unforgettable experience, especially when the weather is good. There are several places in Moscow where it is possible to do it. First of all, the Ostankino television tower, a structure easily recognizable by its height.
The Moskva-City business district has two skyscrapers with observation platforms located respectively on the 58th and 86th floors.
The Sparrows Mount is also a classic, from where you will see the entire city center, three of the “Stalinist Seven Sisters”, Luzhniki Stadium and Moskva-City.
• Take the subway
The metro is an incredible Muscovite treasure. Far from being a simple transport system, its many stations, especially those in the center, are comparable to the most sumptuous palaces and are considered part of the national cultural heritage. Admiring the subway is one of the fun things to do in Moscow.
Ireland is such a beautiful country. Full of rolling hills and forests, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations. And while it is home to many beauties and has a host of activities that are inviting to the usual tourists, a lot of adventure junkies travel here each year looking to feel the thrill of one quite extreme sport that is known as sea stack climbing.
Sea Stacks are called so because they are staggeringly tall and huge cliff-like structures that have indentations on them, like stacks of paper or files but, somehow, much more inviting. And they rise straight out of the sea, waves crashing and curling around their thick bases. Climbing is often considered dangerous and is, hence, even illegal in many places in the world. But if you’re an adventure seeker in Ireland, you’re in luck. Ireland is known for its collection of majestic and terrifying sea stacks, rising straight out of the surface of the sea and making our hearts call for adventure.
So, here are five places in Ireland you can go to if you love or want to try out Sea Stack Climbing:
Berg Stack
At the turn of the road at An Port stand four looming figures. The Berg stack faces South and towards the Sturral Headland.
All four stacks can be reached using one launching pad. From An Port, climbers need to head south using a coastal path. After about 600 meters, which involves crossing two different bridges, one needs to leave the well-beaten path and head sea-ward. This will lead you to an angled slope that’s not very steep and overlooks the Vertical Picnic stack and the Berg Stack. Climb down to the platforms at sea level, specifically the one that faces Berg. It should be easy to recognize considering that it has a couple of sharp grooves running up its northern side.
Ends of the Earth Stack
Much like its name suggests, this twenty meters stack sits serenely in one of the quietest and most remote areas of Ireland. The moment you step foot here, the majesty of the land hits you. It is as if you and your travel partner(s) are the only people on the planet and somehow it’s not terrifying at all but exceedingly calming. Located to the north of Glenlough Bay, the Ends of the Earth stack looms at a staggering three hundred meters away from the mainland. Not far from this devilishly beautiful stack are Glenlough Bay, Tormore Island and the northern stretches of the Slievetooey Peninsula. At the base of this giant, the tidal streams from north-west and south crash into foaming white salt waves, the sight both violent and breath-taking at the same time.
Glenlough Bay
Glenlough Bay is tucked into the nook of another very remote location in Ireland. A meandering twenty-kilometre trail leads you 3 kilometres away from An Port and to that which can be termed Ireland’s final stretch of wild, wild greatness. Along the length of the entire sea coast, the surface of the churning sea is broken by a collection of sea stacks and cliffs, all of which are fantastic for climbing.
Tormore Island
In the outer edges of the Slievetooey Massif and in southwestern Donegal, this island is a whopping 148 meters in height and is definitely Ireland’s tallest sea stack. It rears its head over the flurry of skerries and sea stacks that have often been termed Land of the Giants. This no rag-tag bunch of stacks are Cnoc na Mara and the Cobblers Tower. This giant among giants is pretty dangerous to get to. If you are going for the nautical way there, you will need an expert guide with you, for the way will take you twisting and turning among a maze of skerries and islands, some of them lurking in the quiet depths, ready to welcome any amateur into their chilly embrace. But, once you brave all these terrors, the sight that awaits you at the top will make all the effort seem more than worth it.
Cnoc na Mara Island
Considering how popular Cnoc na Mara is with climbers, you could say that we saved the best for the last. Cnoc na Mara can easily be called the most popular destination for sea stack climbers. It has an almost vertical climb, sometimes considered too steep for beginners.
If you are coming here by boat, remember that it’s about 150 meters away from the mainland.
There are some things that you need to remember before you decide to climb this stack. The winds can get very harsh and make climbing extremely difficult so you must remember to confirm the weather conditions beforehand. The grassier side is also a big no-no. It is too steep to climb and the winds make it nigh on impossible to attempt a climb.
Tip: Try and use about five dozen half a meter ropes to climb this stack.
St. Petersburg, Petrograd, Leningrad, and back to St. Petersburg – the city of the tsars founded by Peter the Great more than three centuries ago has had many names with each passing era. But her beauty has remained unchanged. The Petersburger’s like to say that they live in the most beautiful city in the world.
Here are few excellent things to do in Saint Petersburg that everyone will find enjoyable.
• St. Petersburg Subway
It is strange but true. Traveling by the St. Petersburg metro is one of the main things to do in Saint Petersburg. Each station is spectacularly decorated and houses exquisite works of art. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful metros in the world. Since many roads in St. Petersburg are one-way, it is much easier to get around by subway – and it’s very affordable, and you can expect around € 1 per trip. It’s also the deepest underground in the world, so be ready for long escalators.
• Saint Isaac’s Cathedral
St Isaac – the fourth largest cathedral in the world – has had a tumultuous history. During the Soviet era, it was stripped of religious outlines and turned into a museum, but the building remained remarkably intact. The interior is home to enormous stretches of marble and granite, and its dome – which is 100 meters high – is covered with pure gold leaf, although it was painted gray during the Second World War to avoid attracting the attention of enemy air forces.
• The Hermitage Museum
The Hermitage Museum is one of the largest and oldest museums in the world and was founded in 1764. This museum of art and culture is located in several buildings – including the Winter Palace – steeped in history. Be sure to visit these buildings that are often as much, if not more impressive than the works of art they house. Visiting the famed Hermitage is one of the principal things to do in Saint Petersburg.
• The Peterhof Grand Palace
The Peterhof Palace is a relatively “small” palace, but it is beautiful and worth visiting if you visit St. Petersburg. However, true beauty resides in your garden. Inspired by the architectural style of the French gardens, you can admire the great waterfall and Sanson fountain and the beautiful gardens. This palace is called the “Russian Versailles”. You cannot skip visiting it in St. Petersburg if you want to think outside the box.
• Peter and Paul Fortress
Housing the State Museum of Saint Petersburg and filled with many beautiful buildings, the Peter and Paul Fortress is a place not to be missed. The cathedral located within the complex is worth a look and with its massive bell tower, it does not go unnoticed. In summer, the sandy areas surrounding the castle walls become “beaches” where the locals and tourists come to get a tan.
• Neva River Cruise
Do you want to enjoy the main sights of St. Petersburg without having to get up from your seat? Embark on a boat trip to discover the Neva River. The tours cost just € 3.5. This excursion is well worth it, especially if you have a few hours of free time at hand. If you do not know what to do, this is definitely an activity not to be missed in Saint Petersburg. It is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Saint Petersburg.
The capital of Ontario, Canada, the city of Toronto is modern and very dynamic. It is also cosmopolitan. On the shores of Lake Ontario, one of the five Great Lakes of North America, Toronto has become Canada’s premier metropolis, a leading international finance, industry and commercial center. The city of Toronto also stands out as a cultural city, well known for its film festival, one of the largest in the world, or for its museums, such as the Royal Ontario Museum or the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Do not forget that not far from here you can admire the Niagara Falls.
• CN Tower
The most important attraction in Toronto is the CN Tower, the highest freestanding structure in the Western Hemisphere. Literally walk on the edge on EdgeWalk, a walkway around the outer edge of the tower.
Rising to an altitude of 1,815 feet and listed as one of the wonders of the modern world, this marvel of technology is not only a premier dining and entertainment venue, but also a Canadian icon and preeminent among Toronto attractions.
• Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
The Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is located at the foot of the CN Tower, in the heart of the entertainment district, and is home to nearly 16,000 exotic and beautiful aquatic species.
With 135,000 square feet of interactive underwater exhibits, the country’s largest indoor aquarium offers to a sightseer magnificent jellyfish, ancient giant lobsters, sharks, rays and all kinds of colorful fish imaginable. Admire the aquatic creatures of the fresh and salty waters of the whole world, observe how they swim in the acrylic vision tunnel. It is the most spectacular among Toronto attractions.
• Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum is Canada’s largest museum of world culture and natural history and one of the principal among Toronto attractions.
There are many galleries with displays of archeology, art, and natural sciences, including six million objects, awaiting you during your visit to the first museum in the country. Thanks to many interactive and interactive exhibits, from dinosaurs to ancient Egypt, to precious stones and minerals, history comes to life in this world-class museum at the heart of Toronto.
• Art Gallery of Ontario
The Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the most famous art museums in North America. It is probably the most famous of all Toronto attractions.
From the iconic Canadian works to the African art gallery, to the contemporary works and masterpieces of European art, AGO offers an incredible experience during each visit. In 2008, the innovative architectural expansion of world-renowned architect Frank Gehry resulted in one of the most recognized architectural achievements in the world.
• Toronto Islands & Centreville
Visitors can take a short ferry ride to the Toronto Islands, which offer great views and the opportunity to take a picture of the city’s skyline. With several islands to explore, there are beaches, picnic areas, sports facilities, canoe and kayak rentals and much more.
• St. Lawrence Market
St. Lawrence Market, which has been recognized by National Geographic as the best food market anywhere, offers a wide selection of fruits, foods, and fresh produce. Take a walk along famous food stalls and stalls, restaurants, art exhibitions and cooking classes. Be sure to try the famous peameal bacon sandwich at Carousel Bakery.