Travel to Liverpool

Situated on a broad curve on the Mersey river, prone to fogs, battering seas and long rains, Liverpool is a seafarer's dream. Liverpool was and still is one of the world's great ports, and was second only to London as the greatest city in an enormous empire that stretched across the world. A cosmopolitan and diverse city, Liverpool was the departing port where millions of immigrants left for the Americas. If you live in North America, your ancestors more than likely left from the famous Mersey docks.

Right now is an exciting time for Liverpool as it is recovering from a depressing slump and it is revitalizing its streets. The city is bracing for an exciting future and taking its rightful place as one of Europe's premier cities. Liverpool is a city alive with music, sport, good humour and vitality. It is a progressive city which is proud of its past. One can experience the maritime heritage of this major seaport, enjoy the Victorian, Georgian and Neoclassical architecture, visit one of the many museums and galleries, or walk in some of the 3000 acres of Liverpool parkland. Liverpool is a city famous for its football, music scene and nightlife, and for the countless well-known personalities that originated here. Liverpool is one of the liveliest and most exciting places in the British Isles.

There is no denying that Liverpool is a large commercial city but it also has many large parks and impressive public buildings which reflect the city's rich heritage.

Because of Liverpool's position on the Mersey estuary, the sea and shipping have been an integral part of city life for several centuries. The city is currently undergoing a major transformation, as a result of the injection of hundreds of millions of pounds of funding from Government and European (Objective One) sources. A recent example of a successful redevelopment is the Victorian Albert Dock which has now become a major tourist attraction, of chic cafes, restaurants and designer shops, which attracts more than 5 million visitors to Liverpool each year.

Impressive stuff, no doubt, but it’s the culture on offer that really has us buzzing. The city’s store of superb museums and top-class art galleries – all free – have put paid to the scurrilous rumour that Liverpool peaked with the Beatles: in 2004 the whole of the waterfront and docks was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site because there are more listed buildings here than in any other city in England except London. And then, of course, the nightlife: as rich and varied as you’d expect from a good northern city.

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org; lonelyplanet.com

Travel to Fiji

Fiji is one of these paradise islands in the Pacific. But the island has more to offer than just beaches where you can bum, and water where you can snorkel.

There are many scenic and historic attractions in Fiji. The capital, Suva, has many old shops and markets with various foods, artefacts, handicrafts and especially seafood. Places of historic interest include the National Museum, situated in the lush surrounds of Thurston Gardens next to Government House and the old Parliament Buildings. Other sites of interest on Fiji include the Cultural Centre at Orchid Island, just outside of Suva, the mysterious earthworks at Taveuni and the old colonial houses (situated around Fiji).

Very typical for Fiji are three things : The first is the word “Bula”! This will probably be your first word when arriving in Fiji. Meaning “welcome” but also “be at ease”, it will most definitely make you feel both. Secondly it is common refrain repeated by all who travelled to Fiji, is that the islands of Fiji are not only among the most pristine in the world, but also inhabited by the friendliest people. And last but not least the world renowned Island Resorts, resorts on private islands, many of them within easy reach from the international airports of Nadi and Suva.

The ethnic variety of Fiji society can be seen mainly in the towns. There are powerfully built Fijians dressed in wrap-around sulus, numerous Indians, men in Western clothes, women wearing colourful saris and a scattering of European, Chinese and other Pacific Islanders. One tradition of both the Indians and Fijians is the practice of fire-walking. Fijian fire-walking has its origin in legend, while Indian fire-walking is done for religious reasons; although tourists can pay to see these ceremonies, the ritual remains a religious penance and not merely a tourist attraction. Cruises on large schooners or yachts to the different islands can be arranged, and tours around the main islands in comfortable coaches are also available.

For the hardier, hiking in the mountains with dramatic views of the islands is another option.

If you are interested to view the Map of Fiji, please do not hesitate to check out the Fiji Mapserver Website on http://map.mrd.gov.fj. Fiji is a very nice place to go and visit although it has many island i suggest that you try a cruise to visit all the islands.

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org