Poland’s second largest city is filled to the brim with beauty and character. Largely undamaged during World War II it has retained all of it medieval charm. It is a great place to stroll around and explore the Old Town and soak up its long and rich history. Dominating the cities skyline is the Royal Castle, situated at the top of Wawel Hill which provides the best views of the city and the Vistula River.

 

Reykjavik

The Icelandic capital is known for its hot weekend nightlife as well as its hot pools. But for those who prefer a quieter time visit one of the interesting galleries, museums and bookshops or just hang out in one of the many coffee shops. With old-fashioned wooden buildings in amongst the modern architecture and breathtaking landscapes Reykjavik is a unique experience.

 

Bruges

This city in the Flemish region of Belgium had its entire town centre designated a World Heritage Site and is often referred to as the “Venice of the North”. It is the home of some of Europe’s best preserved medieval buildings and is easily one of the prettiest cities in Europe with its canals and cobbled streets. Bruges is all about strolling through picturesque streets, sampling the good food and beer and admiring the gorgeous architecture and art.

 

Istanbul

The only city in the world to encompass two continents Istanbul is the gateway between Europe and Asia. This range of cultures is what makes Istanbul such a fascinating and beautiful place to visit. Whether it is admiring the centuries old Ottoman minarets or shopping in the ancient bazaars there is lots to do. And when the sun comes down there is great food and a vibrant nightlife to explore.

 

Budapest

The Capital of Hungary was formed by the joining of hilly Buda on the right bank of the Danube with bustling Pest on the left bank. Budapest’s fascinating history along with its mix of modern architecture and Eastern mystique makes it such an absorbing place to visit. There are over 100 museums, galleries and historic buildings to see but it is the off-beat cafes that are the soul of Budapest with lively music and great food.

 

Stockholm

Perched on 14 islands, the city offers up spectacular views of its quaint waterways and pastel coloured buildings. Despite being famously expensive there are lots of museums and galleries to visit for a fix of culture once you have run out of money shopping in the numerous excellent shopping districts. The beauty of Djurgarden is also not to be missed along with the impressive 18^th century Royal Palace.

 

Vienna

Grandiose Vienna is the world’s classical music capital and the adopted home of Mozart. With its other famous resident being Sigmund Freud this is a city bursting with culture and places of interest to visit. Vienna has plenty of other pleasures too whether it is enjoying a few drinks in one of the plentiful or renowned wine taverns, a walk in the woods or along the river or just bar-hopping till morning.

 

Prague

The “Paris of the East” sits on the banks of the Vltava River and practically defines the word ‘picturesque’. It is easy to lose yourself in a city that was left largely untouched by the Second World War. In both the castle district on the left bank of the river and the Old town on the right you can stroll down narrow medieval streets and courtyards, across cobbled squares and into the many stately buildings.

 

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is cosmopolitan, classy and cultured. You can admire the elegance of the 18^th century New Town, stroll along the Royal Mile or gaze across the city from the parapets of the 16^th century castle. But it is in the summer that Edinburgh truly comes to live when the festival takes place each year, with hundreds of theatre and comedy shows and street entertainers on every street.

 

Seville

The capital of the region of Andalusia has often been overshadowed by Barcelona and Madrid but won’t disappoint. There are enough sights and things to do to wear down the most ardent of travelers. A stroll along the banks of the Guadalquivir river will give you a feel for the romance of historic Seville. And when you are worn out by all the sightseeing relax in one of the many riverside restaurants.

 

The city which divides Asia and Europe is truly a place which has a lot of culture, tradition, the new meeting the old and history and a lot more perhaps.

Sultan Ahmet

Being the first time to Turkey I think it is a good idea to stay over in Sultan Ahmet area since this is the heart of where the backpackers stay and this area could be classified as the centre of the city as most of the monuments in Istanbul can be reached over walking distance or easily through the transport network. Arriving in Istanbul airport and taking the metro to Sultan Ahmet I was just overwhelmed by looking at this city for the first time and not certainly the last one

Places of Interest

The Grand Bazaar, Kapali Carsi, Blue Mosque, Top Kapi palace, Aya Sofia Mosque and the area around the grand bazaar can easily be done on foot and perhaps as I realized it's much better as this is how you come into contact with more people and see more.

I stayed at Cordial House which is a moderately priced hostel at 15 Ytl a night for a dorm bed and the staff is pretty friendly besides the area where it is located is generally safe even at 2 am at night although it's better to take precautions by taking as little cash or valuables with oneself.

I befriended a lot of locals and they took me to a lot of places.

The open air theater is a place to go to. It's near the Hilton. I went there to see the Leila Majnu folklore and although it's in Turkish but one can easily understand what's happening if you have a local along to do some translation. Besides the place being open has a great ambiance for shows of this nature and with some slight drizzle you wouldn't mind feeling romantic!

Taksim

Any trip to Istanbul would be incomplete without going to Taksim and Beyoglu. These are the areas which are famous for being the heart of Istanbul nightlife and these places rock at night. Firstly passing through taksim with its different souks and the performers and jugglers showing there skills or sharpening them is a treat especially since we don't need to pay. Furthermore the small streets unwind into great coffee places and the party area but the clubs are mostly empty on regular days and only fill up on weekends. The coffee places generally are full. The Turks love hanging out especially the young Turks with their multitude of friends. Besides in this area you would find people of all ages and all classes so its very cosmopolitan but be careful after 12 am because the public transport stops and you need to hire a regular taxi not a dolmush to take you and the taxis at this time are very expensive. So bring a tent over or party the whole night!!!

Bogacizi University Surroundings

The area around Istanbul University is also a place to pay a visit and this is the place where you can find a lot of young people honing their skills of English so if you speak English you can get first hand information from these students but be prepared to be patient if they don't understand what you mean.

The area around the Bosphorous is a treat especially if you if book a ferry ride from the local companies on the terminal and this is cheap. I feel there is no need to take a guided tour. Once on the ferry one can easily savor the different architecture of the Anatolian and the European side and how Istanbul is such a great city because of the enmeshing of these two cultures and how it could not be Istanbul if one of the cultures is removed. The bridge over the Bosphorous is also a great landmark.

Once you are finished with the ferry trip you can easily go around the area where there are lots of small clothing stores and electronic outlets as well as restaurants. The food tastes great and so does the Turkish desserts like baklava and other ones I just tried them for free. The Turks also love their ice creams and one can easily observe the ubiquitous ice cream stalls although it could leave a hole in your pocket if you are on a tight budget in indulging in all these pleasures but then life doesn't come more than once so just go for it.

Top Kapi Palace

The Top Kapi palace is a big landmark to visit. The articles on display are simply amazing and mind boggling. Most of the articles on display are off limits to taking pictures which is why I believe they are full of mystery and opulence. If the sultans lived in such times they would have been the most ingenuous and crafty people to say the least and the fact that these have been preserved very well is testament to the Turks ability to take care about their legacy.

Topkapi Palace

It's construction started in 1459 by the order of Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II. Mehmet II is one of the important sultans of Ottoman Empire since he was the the conquerer of Istanbul. Topkapi Palace was the home and official residence of Ottoman Emperors from 1465 to 1863. The historical tissue of Topkapi Palace damaged because of big earthquakes and fires. Currently, Topkapi Palace is museum. It is under administration of Ministry of Culture and Tourism. When you visit Topkapi Palace Museum, you can see a large collection of Ottoman art and architecture, Ottoman miniatures, weapons, shields, armor and a display of Ottoman treasure and jewelry.

Dolmabahce Palace

It is located at the European side of Istanbul. After 1853, it was used as the official residence of Ottoman Emperors. It was also the administrative center of Ottoman Empire from 1853 to 1922. Dolmabahce palace is the first European style palace in Ottoman Empire history. It was built by Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid II between 1842 and 1853. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder and the first president of Turkey Republic, spent his last years in this palace. Ataturk died in November 10, 1938 in Dolmabahce Palace.

Yildiz Palace

It was built in 1880 and used by the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II. Inside Yildiz Palace, there are apartments, pavilions, theatre, opera house, museum and a porcelain factory.

Beylerbeyi Palace

Unlike Dolmabahce, Topkapi and Yildiz palaces, Beylerbeyi Palace is located at the Assian side of Istanbul. It was built between 1861 and 1865 by the order of Ottoman Sultan Abdulaziz. It was designed in baroque style. It was mainly used as a place to entertain visiting heads of state. Sultan Abdulhamid II spent his last years of captivity in Beylerbeyi palace. He died in Beylerbeyi Palace in 1918.

Ciragan Palace

It is located between Besiktas and Ortakoy at the European side of Istanbul. It was built between 1863 and 1867 by the order of Ottoman Sultan Abdulaziz. It was designed by famous Armenian architect Nigogayos Balyan and constructed by his sons Hagop and Sarkis Balyan. In 1910, it was destroyed by a great fire. However, the ruined palace was restored in 1991. It was designed in Baroque style during restoration. Currently, it is used as a five-star hotel.

GuGong, China

• Airfare from New York (JFK) - $1,497; from Los Angeles (LAX) - $1,356; from London (LHR) - $1,071
• Nearest Hotel: Shangri-la China World Hotel; Cost per night (avg.) - $314
  

Imperial Palace or GuGong (Forbidden City, Zijincheng) in China was a Royal Administrative site for royal use and public access during the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Chinese history. It was recorded that the third emperor of dynasty Ming built this palace before he successfully took over the politic and crowned himself emperor. There have been a total of 24 emperors of Ming and Qing who dwelt in this palace. The palace has 9,000 rooms to accommodate imperial families, administrators, eunuchs, maids and soldiers. It has also served as a major location for discussing internal administrative affairs. Now, this palace has been turned into a national museum for tourists to visit and preserves many classical Chinese architectural structures of imperial splendor.

Located in the heart of Beijing, it has easy access to Tiananmen Square while the city of Wangfujing is located to the east. In 1961, this ancient palace was approved by the State Council as the National Palace Museum displaying protected heritages. By 1987, the palace was listed by UNESCO as a “World Heritage”, reflecting the cultural dimension of historical value which has gained international recognition.

The White House, United States of America

• Airfare from New York (JFK) - $136; from Los Angeles (LAX) - $226; from London (LHR) - $684
• Nearest Hotel: The Captial Hilton; Cost per night (avg.) - $399

The White House is one of the more well known symbols of America and is obviously home to the president of the United States and his family. This "palace" is a two-story building and is located in Washington, DC. It was initially established in 1792 and officially became the US President’s official residence in 1800. President Roosevelt first used the phrase “White House” in 1902, referring the to white color of the Presidential residence.

Buckingham Palace, England

• Airfare from New York (JFK) - ; from Los Angeles (LAX) - $614
• Nearest Hotel: Crown Plaza London St. James; Cost per night (avg.) - $296

Buckingham Palace was a palace originally established for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703. In 1761, George III used this palace as his private residence and it was then known as “The Queen’s House”. It became the royal palace of Queen Victoria in 1837 and includes 19 state rooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, 78 bathrooms and 52 principal bedrooms as reported in a 1999 book published by the Royal Collection Department. There is a well known statue of Queen Victoria created by the sculptor Sir Thomas Brock in 1911 in front of the main gate.

Grand Kremlin Palace, Russia

• Airfare from New York (JFK) - $972; from Los Angeles (LAX) - $1207; from London (LHR) - $520
• Nearest Hotel: Swissotel Krasnye Holmy; Cost per night (avg.) - $438

Grand Kremlin Palace or Great Kremlin Palace was built between 1837 to 1851 on Borovitsky Hill in Moscow, Russia. The exterior building portrays medieval Russian and Byzantine architecture and includes nine churches from the 14th, 16th and 17th centuries, and more than 700 rooms. It was reported that the former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and the former Soviet General Secretary Mikhael Gorbachev signed the INF Treaty at the Grand Kremlin Palace during the Moscow Summit on June 1, 1988.

Palace of Versailles, France

• Airfare from New York (JFK) - $629; from Los Angeles (LAX) - $759; from London (LHR) - $214
• Nearest Hotel: Pullman Versailles Château; Cost per night (avg.) - $237

Palace of Versailles or Versailles was built in the 16th century under Louis XVI. It is located in the city of Versailles, 16 km west-southwest of Paris, France. It includes a 70 meter long hall of mirrors, luxurious apartments built for the king and the queen and the famous Le Norte French park. Before the 1789 revolution, it served as the center of the French monarchy which housed 20,000 nobles and was finally turned into a museum by Louis-Philippe in 1837.

The Potala Palace, Tibet

Due to the present unrest in Tibet, travel anywhere near the palace is currently highly restricted.

The Potala Palace was established at an altitude of 3,700 meters on the side of the Marpo Ri in the center of Lhasa Valley in China. The palace was built by King Songtsen Gambo to greet his bride, Princess Wen Cheng of the Tang Dynasty of China. This palace has been recently named one of the “New Seven Wonders” by the American television show “Good Morning America” and the newspaper “USA Today”. The palace occupies an area of 41 hectares, is 115 meters in height and has a 13-storey main residence. It is divided into the “red palace” for religious affairs and the "white palace" for political affairs. The palace is richly decorated with paintings, jewels and ornaments.

The Topkapi Palace, Turkey

• Airfare from New York (JFK) - $1,262; from Los Angeles (LAX) - $1,239; from London (LHR) - $375
• Nearest Hotel: 7 Hills Hotel; Cost per night (avg.) - $322

The Topkapi Palace is a glorious building located on the Seraglio Point overlooking the Sea of Marmara and Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey. Its initial construction commenced in 1459 and it was built under the orders of Sultan Mehmed II who was a conqueror of Byzantine Constantinople. From the 15th to the 19th centuries, this palace was the official and primary residence of Ottoman Sultans until the reign of Abdulmecid I (1839-1860). The palace portrays classic Ottoman architecture and also contains huge collections of Ottoman miniatures, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts and murals, robes, porcelain, shields, armor, and a large display of Ottoman treasure and jewelry as well.

Blenheim Palace, England

• Airfare from New York (JFK) - ; from Los Angeles (LAX) - $614
• Nearest Hotel: Macdonald Bear Hotel; Lowest per night (avg.) - $183

Blenheim Palace is one of England’s largest houses and was constructed between 1705 and 1722 in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England. This palace was originally a gift to John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, in the military triumph against the Bavarians and French. The palace is surrounded by a magnificent lake, sweeping lawns and formal gardens. Inside the palace, the highlights of particular interest are the beautiful carvings and paintings, as well as the monumental Great Hall with its painted ceiling depicting the battle of Blenheim. The state rooms are decorated with numerous hanging tapestries and includes a room commemorating Sir Winston Churchill with elegant pieces of furniture and large collections of portraits by Van Dyck, Laguerre, Reynolds and Kneller. In 1987, this palace claimed its place on a list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Note: All prices are in US Dollars and are approximate/average prices from a general search. Airfares given are round-trip fares and do not necessarily include all taxes.

I found myself through circumstance, with an un-used first class ticket to Mexico. As a student at a State University, I investigated travel opportunities where I might make better use of its value. I found the college I attended offered a package deal theater tour to London that was right up my alley. Upon researching the trip, I learned I could have my unused ticket re-issued, back out the airfare from the package price and I was on my way to London for a cash outlay within my budget.

It was the perfect first experience for a novice traveler. All the travel details and accommodations were arranged. There was no language barrier, we had London Transport or “Underground” passes awaiting us and the city is extremely safe. We were allowed generous free time outside of our organized theater events. It was a whirlwind experience for a young, single mother who had grown up in a middle class, multi cultural neighborhood before air travel was affordable for a middle class family of 5 kids and 2 adults. The extent of our family vacations had been cross country trips in our old, green station wagon to visit cousins in Missouri.

Planning that first trip, I built a few days in at the end for a little wanderlust. With a young American college student named Kristen who had the same in mind, I conjured up a plan to head for Paris at the end of our stay in jolly old England. At the suggestion of a friend who had traveled to Paris the year before, our plan was to take the hovercraft, an arduous trip which is now made much easier by way of the English Channel Tunnel.

Once in Paris, we cabbed to the area where we intended to begin our room search. On the advice of my friend, we planned to scope out the local hotels and make our pick when we found one asking a reasonable price.

We stopped at a few hotels before the luggage we were dragging got the best of us. Schlepping an oversized suitcase, garment bag and shoulder bag down the street in Paris is a sure way to quickly learn how many clothing items you can do without.

But still, nothing will dampen my memories of those first three days on my own in Paris. My young companion and I stayed at the Mars Hotel where we shared a hallway bathroom and awoke to the aroma of French Roast coffee and buttery croissants warming. I saw the Eiffel Tower, the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. I ordered steak tartar (raw ground beef) at a local restaurant where the French waiter showed me how to blend the ingredients correctly.

My appetite whetted, I have continued my travels making several trips accompanied by my daughter, Patience. I have since been to Germany, Italy Turkey, and back to France, making most of the arrangements myself. The internet, cellular phones and debit cards have made foreign travel immensely easier and more affordable. Doing the planning is part of the adventure even with an occasional botched reservation.

I knew few people who had traveled internationally when I set out to expand my horizons. So with common sense and a few ounces of caution, I learned as I went. Here are a few suggestions to pave the way for your journey.

1. Make a checklist of trip details you need to finalize before your departure. Start a “trip folder” with all trip details; reservation confirmations, payment verifications, contact information, addressees and a photo copy of your passport. Keep them in a file that is easily accessible in your travel bag. On my second trip to Italy I left home a bit unorganized. We had a side trip to Terme Di Saturnia arranged at a discounted rate through an American booking agency. The package was to include our 3 night stay and 5 spa treatments each. When I arrived at the property, the discounted price was not reflected in the hotel's reservation record. Thankfully, I had my confirmation. I enjoyed myself a lot more than if I had to pay the regular price which was double the package price. Since then, I have not left home without a complete trip folder.
2. Contact your medical insurance carrier and confirm your coverage and special procedures for obtaining medical care while out of the country. Nobody plans to get sick. Know how to handle it in the event you require medical attention.
3. Contact your bank and credit card company. Ask them to note you are going to be out of the country. While in Turkey after not using my debit card for several days, I booked and paid for the next leg of our journey. My bank put a block on the card. While I appreciated the fact that they were protecting me against fraudulent use of my card, it did cost me an expensive call and minor inconvenience to resolve the matter.
4. Choose a good travel partner and be a good travel partner. Traveling with a companion requires effort. Don't let a rough moment or two ruin an otherwise great trip. There is no rule that you must do everything together. You may find going on your own adventure will add to the enjoyment of your trip. On our last night in Istanbul I took a cab across town and had a dinner in the bar of the once luxurious, Pera Palace Hotel where Agatha Christie wrote her famous novel, Murder on the Orient Express. My daughter had no interest in going and my trip would have been incomplete without that experience. I could imagine the glory days gone by when the likes of Greta Garbo, Mata Hari and Ernest Hemingway sat in the very same bar.
5. Dress for the airplane flight. I have what I consider my “travel uniform”. The less metal, the better. We can all live without security delays. Keep in mind most airports require you to remove your shoes so make sure they are easy to slide in and out of. It also makes one more conscious of making sure their socks are a matched pair and have no holes. Sadly, terrorism has altered air travel forever. Just live with it.
6. Pack a few emergency items in your carry on. I always carry 2 pair of underwear and 2 lightweight shirts plus toiletries, (samples come in handy with airlines restricting liquids) including a toothbrush and travel hairbrush. You may be grateful to have an extra change during a long flight, especially if departing and arriving in different weather conditions. Wear comfortable undergarments. If your luggage has to catch up with you, you'll manage fine for a few days.
7. Pack smart and light. It can be done. I never take more than a 22” expandable suitcase plus a carry on. Layering clothes allows you to adjust to climate variances. You never know when the weather may turn unseasonably hot or cold. Think lightweight and hand washable. A few drops of shampoo in a washbowl works perfectly well to hand wash a few items along the way. Reduce the space of boxed items by un-boxing and placing in zip lock bags. Pressure changes can cause some packed liquids to leak. Minimize the risk by placing them inside zip lock bags before packing.
8. Wear long pants on the plane trip. You will be better protected wearing long pants than shorts or a skirt, God forbid the need to evacuate the plane should arise. I picked up this tip in an airline magazine years ago when I traveled extensively for business. I have followed it ever since. I also check for the nearest exit once seated on my flight.
9. Pack an empty, lightweight back pack. It is a great replacement for a handbag on day trips. It will also come in handy for the trip home when you need to make extra room for purchases you have made.
10. Be flexible. Know that you are in a country that is not your own and things may be different than what you are used to. Being courteous and polite works even when you don't speak the same language. Act like an ugly American and you are sure to be treated like one.

May your travels be above all, safe.