Glasgow is not the gritty, working-class metropolis of legend. It never was, and there are many attractions and things to do in this Mecca of the North.

Glasgow, in fact, is one of the UK's most visited cities. It hosted the Great Exhibitions of 1888 and 1901, became an industrial powerhouse in the twentieth century, and has returned as a place of culture since the Second World War. The city hosted the popular Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988, and was designated European City of Culture in 1990. In 1996, it hosted a spectacular Festival of Visual Arts. More than two million tourists visit from within the UK and from Europe and more distant areas every year.

The Old and the New

Glasgow is home to many of Scotland's principal performing arts organisations:

• The Scottish Opera
• The Scottish Ballet
• The Royal Scottish National Orchestra
• The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
• The National Youth Orchestra of Scotland
• The Citizen's Theatre

In addition, there are many new small and "experimental" venues and lively pubs and clubs, especially clustering around the Glasgow centers of learning. Since the city's first university was established in 1451, Glasgow has been hailed as a powerful seat of learning. Lord Kelvin, Adam Smith and James Watt are just some of history's great thinkers associated with the city's academic past. Today's educational establishments include:

• The University of Glasgow
• Strathclyde University
• Glasgow Caledonian University
• The Royal Scottish Academy of Music
• Glasgow School of Art
• College of Commerce
• College of Building and Printing
• College of Food Technology
• Glasgow Hotel School (Strathclyde University)

Visitors are often surprised to learn that Glasgow has the largest retail sector outside of London. Residents and visitors from around the UK and overseas are drawn to the city's expanding shopping outlets, which include:

• Shopping malls like the chic and trendy Princes Square, the enormous St Enoch Centre, Sauchiehall Street Centre, Parkhead Forge, the historical Argyle Arcade, and the Buchanan Galleries (opened 1999)
• The main pedestrian shopping thoroughfares of Sauchiehall Street, Buchanan Street and Argyle Street. .
• The unique and colorful Barras weekend street market
• The smaller, character filled outlets of the city's bohemian West End
• A wide range of top class cafés, restaurants, pubs and wine bars

The city of Glasgow is proud of its tough industrial past and current vibrant economy. The city employs City Centre Representatives to help shoppers and visitors around the city, and a comprehensive City Watch close-circuit TV scheme keeping a watchful eye on the streets.

 

One of the most popular tourist destination in the city is the Ibirapuera Park, which is located at the heart of the city. The park boasts of magnificent lake views and a Planetarium that the whole family can visit. There are also fountains, bicycle paths that are perfect for any family activity.

You will also find in the park the Museu de Arte Moderne and the Pavilhão da Oca, which is one of the most popular venues for international events and conferences. Another Park that is worth visiting is the Parque Zoológico de São Paulo, which features a zoo with about 2,700 animals of different species. Take particular notice at the reptiles and the birds.

Clubbing the night away

Nightlife in Brazil will never be a problem as this South American country boasts of a rich and varied clubs that will suit every interest. There are dance clubs for those who want to dance the night away; jazz clubs for those who want to listen to some good music, discos and even comedy clubs for some bit of comic relief.

Shopping a la Rio!

If shopping is your forte, you can browse through the different shops near Rua Oscar Freire. This is only a block away from the famed Hotel Fasano.

History and view combined

A place known for its fresh water areas and rock caverns, the Serra da Cantareira is one place that you should not miss when you go to Brazil. Only half an hour away from the city, here you will find the Parque Estadual da Cantareira, which features a preserved rainforest. You will also surely enjoy walking through the Pedra Grande and get to see a panoramic view of the whole city from this vantage point.

Capital of the Arts

One of the places that you should definitely not miss is the Museum of Art in Sao Paulo. This is where the Biennale is held every year, which is one of the most important event in Latin America. Museum of art of Sao Paulo also has a very extensive collection, including the works of several European masters such as Conde Nast.

Planets and stars

Another must see in Brazil especially to young children and science enthusiasts, is the Carmo Planetarium, which can house more than 50n people. One of the great feature of the planetarium is the special chairs that are tilted at different angles, allowing everyone to have clear sight of the dome.

Mansion from the past

Another tourist spot that should be included in your itinerary while traveling in Brazil is the old mansions that once belonged to the coffee barons. These magnificent mansions can be found in the Avenida Paulista and Bixiga.

Despite the old-worldly charmed that the mansions presents, the district has also come to be known as one of the major financial hubs in the country, occupied by big banks and other major financial institutions.

A little of Paris in Rio

Inspired by the great opera houses in France, the Teatro Municipal is built with gold leaf accents and moss-green marble. The auditorium is also filled with mirrors and other art nouveau elements. The Theater Municipal is where some of the greatest art festivals and cultural events are held.