3 Top Museums in Geneva

When you are travelling to the Geneva, airport transfers are the best way to get into the city to see all that the second largest city in Switzerland has to offer. Situated in the French speaking part of Switzerland, Geneva is a global hub of finance, culture, history, business, and education. Previously, it was a simple border town when the Romans took control of it in 121 B.C. From there, it grew and became a mostly self-governing city in the last part of the fourteenth century, and, during the sixteenth century, John Calvin famously founded the Protestant sect of Calvinism. In 1815, Geneva joined the Swiss Confederation and throughout the next centuries, the city and its arts flourished. With such a rich array of choices for furthering your knowledge of the city's art and history, be sure to see the Art and History Museum, Les Délices, and the Olympic Museum.

The Art and History Museum

After you fly into the Geneva airport, transfers to the city will make it quick and easy to get to the centre, where the large and impressive Art and History Museum is located in Les Tranchées. Built between 1903 and 1910, the museum has a huge exhibition space of 75,000 square feet. As an institution, the museum opened as the Musée des Beaux-Arts in 1826 in the building that the Rath Museum now occupies. The collection itself stretches over a large period, from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century, and boasts a variety of French, Italian, Dutch, Genevan and Swiss schools. As you wander around, be sure to look for the works by Rembrandt, Paul Cézanne and Rodin, before exploring the applied arts sections which boasts Byzantine arts, weapons, icons and household items. The section for archaeology showcases findings from European prehistory, Egypt, and a variety of Middle Eastern finds.

Les Délices

As you arrive in Geneva, airport transfers will take you into the city where you can visit the home of Voltaire, which is known as Les Délices. Voltaire is the famous French philosopher and writer and he occupied the house from 1755 to 1760. Due to the ways the laws worked in those days, Voltaire, as a foreigner, couldn't buy the house so he, instead, purchased a life interest in the estate. Les Délices now houses the Voltaire Institute and Museum with a library that has more than 25,000 books.

The Olympic Museum

As you head back to the Geneva airport, transfers can give you a bit of extra time to allow you to visit the Olympic Museum to explore the history of some of the greatest games in the world. On the shores of the famous lake, the museum is located in a modern facility that explores the heritage of the games and their importance in history. Currently the museum is closed for renovations, but it will be back on track before the next games in Rio.

Singapore Packages: Singapore Is a Foodie's Paradise

If you happen to be a foodie, then you have got one more reason to buy a Singapore package. Singapore is a country which surely needs no description! It is a widely popular tourist spot pulling in thousands of backpackers every year as they get lured towards its verdant beaches, temples, markets, marvels and restaurants. However, the country is also a foodie's paradise known for serving your belly with a plethora of cuisines.

Singapore is a cosmopolitan country which also houses the Indian community, Chinese community and local Muslims. Hence, it is no surprise that cuisines of India and China are widely available. Moreover, all these cuisines retain that local Singapore flavor and have something unique to offer.

Singapore packages will pamper you up by helping you explore the various delicious corners of the country. Be it the Raffles hotel or food joints at Bugis Street, there is no limit to the quantity of cuisines & delicacies available in this part of the world. If you love your seafood, then East Coast Parkway will be your number one destination where you can sink your teeth into all kinds of sea food like oysters, squids, crabs and even octopuses. These special cuisines not just bring the most fearful creatures from the sea right into your plate but also leave a pleasant taste to your mouth.

Singapore packages also include visit to the Sentosa Island where there are a hoard of restaurants lined up to serve you with their exotic meals. The month of July also witnesses a special Singapore Food Festival. If you can make it during that time, then you can even taste some of the yummiest and most experimental foods that you have ever seen.

If you're a shopaholic, Singapore serves you with an experience like never before. Shopping is, in fact, the national time pass in Singapore, and a rewarding experience for travelers related to any lifestyle and budget. Orchard Road is the most famous and the largest shopping spot at the island brimming with a range of shopping arcades. Mustafa Center, spanning two complexes in the middle of Little India, is also a great place to shop anything ranging from garments to jewelry and cosmetics to artifacts. The Newly opened Parco Marina Bay is one more popular shopping spot in Singapore. Nestled in the sleepy Millennia Walk, it offers a quality range of goods at lucrative rates. Apart from that, Chinatown, Little India and Ann Siang Road market make you full your shopping bags when in Singapore.

A budget-friendly Singapore package is your ultimate passport to a land not just known for its food but also for its beaches, extraordinary man-made structures and its wildlife. You just need to choose among the customized Singapore packages to ensure a delightful vacation at this wonderful land. Professional support from a reliable travel agency also comes in handy to plan your journey perfectly.

Visit Lake Nakuru on Kenya Safari Holidays

Experience the Beautiful Lake Nakuru National Park on a Kenya Safari

One place that simply must be visited on a Kenya safari is the magnificent Lake Nakuru. Providing an awe inspiring introduction to Africa's diverse wildlife, the varying terrain around Lake Nakuru enables vacationers to see large pythons coil and dangle from branches in the dense forests, waterbucks drinking from waterholes on the savannahs, Rothschild giraffes plucking leaves from lofty trees and black and white rhinos plodding over the wetlands. The Lake Nakuru National Park stretches over 188 km², containing myriad animal and bird species to watch, photograph and video. Situated on the southern border of the town of Nakuru, the Lake is an alkaline one which varies in size from 5 to 45 km² depending on the rainfall. One of the Rift Valley soda Lakes, the abundant algae sustains a huge population of birdlife and troops of baboons socialise on its banks and under the canopies of the tropical forests. No Kenya safari is complete without a trip to this stunning Lake.

Witness the Vibrant Pink Flamingos

Climb the 100 meter nature trail that winds its way to the top of Baboon Cliff to enjoy a picnic among the acacia, euphorbia and olive trees which provide shelter for inquisitive baboons. Baboon Cliff is the ideal vantage point to take in a sweeping view of Lake Nakuru. An unforgettable visual spectacle is provided by the shifting pink carpet created by flocks of lesser and greater flamingos that descend to gorge themselves on the rich algae. The sight of these elegant birds will become a cherished experience for every tourist on a Kenya safari vacation. Keen birdwatchers will be spoiled for choice and photographers will relish snapping a colorful gallery featuring goliath herons, African fishing eagles, pelicans, verreaux eagles, cormorants and pied kingfishers. An ornithologist's dream, this Lake brims with winged wonders that dazzle enraptured safarists.

Lake Nakuru Provides Many Memorable Moments during a Kenya Safari

After a visit here, tourists will have many tales to tell. One minute they will staring into the eyes of a rock hyrax, the next they may see an elusive bat eared fox dart between some tree trunks. The high quality hotels and lodges in the area allow holidaymakers to relax in sumptuous comfort while they gather their thoughts and check the pictures and videos they took throughout the day. Anyone who makes the right choice of embarking on a luxury Kenya safari must make sure a visit to Lake Nakuru is on their itinerary.

Travel in Burma to Meet the Northern Hill Tribes

Burma's northernmost province, Kachin State, is also one of the least-frequented by western visitors who travel in Burma. Those adventurous souls who do venture into the northern mountains will be rewarded with incredible views of peaks and valleys, spread with lush jungle - some of the most abundant and biodiverse landscapes in the region, with rich seams of rare jade underneath.

They will also have the honour of being able to meet some of Kachin State's diverse peoples. The province is home to many ethnic groups, some of whom have very little contact with the rest of the country. The people of the state are sometimes referred to collectively as the Kachin, but they are in fact made up of very distinct groups. The largest, in terms of population, are the Lisu and Rawang so you are most likely to meet these groups as you travel in Burma. As you will be guests in their lands, you may want to learn something of their cultures before embarking - so read on for a short introduction on the wonderful Lisu and Rawang people of the country.

The Lisu

The Lisu people are an ethnic group with populations in several modern nations, including China and Burma; they trace their thousands-of-years-old ancestry to Tibet. They are one of the peoples you are most likely to meet as you travel in Burma, passing through their villages and lands where they work in rice fields. Some villages are Christian, others Animist - look out for spirit shrines in the latter. Like many other Lisu tribes, those in Burma keep their historical records in song form, and these songs can take all night to sing.

The Rawang

The Rawang nation is made up of over 70 tribes, inhabiting Kachin State as well as Arunachal Pradesh in India and nearby parts of China. They have traditionally been a hunter-gatherer society, but may have settled in this fertile region of Burma in order to cultivate rice; they also mine the jade and gold that the region is known for. They have their own language, Rawang, and distinct clothing with red and blue/black patterns on white.

Manau Festivals

As you travel in Burma, you will see that there are many differences between the peoples of Kachin State, but traditionally they share the Manau Festival on National Day in January. This is marked with music and dancing in honour of the creator spirit, Lamu Madai.

Rome's Ancient Circus Maximus

History students interested in ancient Rome often find a visit to the Circus Maximus to be particularly rewarding on their study tours. Initially a stadium for chariot races, it was the first and largest stadium of its kind in the Roman Empire, and provided the template for many other imitations and stadium constructions. With a capacity of over 150,000 spectators it was the city's largest venue for 'ludi' - days or half-days of sporting events connected to the Roman religious dates, sponsored by leading political figures or the state itself for the benefit of the population. Today, the site of the Circus Maximus is a public park, open for students and history buffs to enjoy delving into the history of the ancient Roman Empire.

The Ludi

Despite the reputation of the Circus Maximus as an arena for chariot races, history and classics students on their study tours are often surprised to find that there was a bewildering array of entertainments on offer - athletic competitions, plays, poetry recitals, beast-hunts and even the type of gladiator contests that you might have expected to find at the Colosseum! Most of the entertainments began with a flamboyant parade, specially crafted to present a sense of wealth and abundance to the people; the complexity of staging the ludi became a way to demonstrate the generosity and fitness for office of the organisers. One notable event was recorded to have included 63 leopards and 43 bears and elephants - surely a sign of incredible competency to arrange!

The Phenomenon Expanding

As the Roman Empire grew in stature and political power, the Circus Maximum didn't lose any of its splendour or relevance - far from it! Ludi were held at the Circus Maximus on 57 days of the year, and the venue would have been a hubbub of activity even on days when no official event was scheduled, as charioteers practised on the track. Students on study tours will be amazed at the versatility of the entertainments on offer; even at the height of its popularity for chariot-races, the wide space of the Circus Maximus was also one of the most suitable in Rome for religious processions on a massive scale. The other shows it hosted were no less spectacular; in one, it is reported, the emperor Probus organised a spectacular event in which beasts were hunted through a forest of artificial trees, on a specially built stage. Now that's an interesting spectacle for imaginative students on their study tours to contemplate!

Hiking in Rio De Janeiro - 3 Easy Hikes to Do on Your Own

One of the things that make Rio special is its proximity to nature. There are numerous national parks, hills and mountains within easy reach which are well suited for hiking. This article will introduce you to 3 short hikes that you easily can do on your own and that will only take between 20 and 30 minutes one way.

1. Parque da Catacumba
Next to the lagoon (Lagoa Rodrigo De Freitas) there is a park called Parque da Catacumba. Until the 1970's this area was a favela but it was removed by the government. InsiDe the park there is a trail leading to two lookout points with great views of the lagoon. One faces the Leblon direction and the other faces Corcovado. The trail is at times a bit steep but the short distance still makes it relatively easy and you will probably make it in about 20 minutes. InsiDe the park just follow a sign that says "Mirante" which means lookout point. The entrance to the park is at Avenida Epitácio Pessoa, 3000 opposite a Petrobras gas station and the park is open from Tuesday to Sunday.

2. Morro da Urca
Morro da Urca is the first hump leading to Sugarloaf and where the cable car makes its first stop. The name means Hill of Urca, Urca being the name of the neighborhood in which Sugarloaf is located. If you don't want to take the cable car you can hike to the top of Morro da Urca for free. And if you wish to continue to the top of Sugarloaf you can pay for the second part of the cable car at a reduced price.

This trail is easy both in difficulty and in length, it is common to see children doing this hike. The trail starts between Sugarloaf and the little beach Praia Vermelha. You follow a paved path along the coast for about 1 km until there is an opening on your left. This is where the hike starts. Once you have found the entrance the trail is quite straight forward. You only need to choose direction once, which is when you reach a kind of plateau where you need to go to the left (after going to the right a few minutes you will notice that you are wrong). On this hike you will be likely to see Marmosets (small monkeys), birds and colorful butterflies.

3. Morro do Leme
Morro do Leme is the hill at the end of Leme which is the end piece of Copacabana. It is a military area housing the Forte Duque De Caxias on top of the hill. (Not to be confused with the Forte De Copacabana, if you ask people about the Forte they may send you to the wrong siDe of Copacabana). There is a relatively easy trail following a cobble stone road to the top which gives you a great view of Copacabana. The trail starts at the bottom of the hill insiDe the military area, soldiers in the area will point you in the right direction. The trail is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 to 16:30. On Tuesdays entrance is free and on other days it is cheap (at time of writing 4 Reais).

Incredible Sights on Your China Tour

China is a fascinating country to visit, brimming with historical sights dating back thousands of years. It's also one of the fastest developing countries in the world, with its city skyline dominated by skyscrapers. Here is just a selection of the fantastic sights you can see while on your China tour.

West Lake

The west lake is set in the centre Hangzhou, an influential city in Eastern China. This mammoth water body covers over 2.2 miles, it offers a place for tranquillity and the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the inner city. It is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site this year and has been an inspiration for many Chinese garden designers. West lake is brimming with small islands connected by bridges and passageways, among the highlights is the abundance of lotus flowers within the Crooked Courtyard

Yangtze River

At nearly 4,000 metres long, the Yangtze is the longest waterway in the country, and the third longest river in the world. The Yangtze rampages from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau, penetrating through the middle of steep rocky valleys all the way to the East China Sea in Shanghai. It offers some breathtaking landscapes with steep gorges, rainforests and mountain ranges all offered on the way. It is often a hugely popular destination for river cruises, there couldn't be a better way to view the river than via a vessel.

Terra cotta warriors

First buried in 210BC, this incredible work of ancient art wasn't discovered until 1974 when local farmers recognised a life size terracotta figure. Little did they know that there would be around 8,000 more warriors buried under ground, along with 130 chariots and 520 horses This collection depicts the armies of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. The collection was buried along with him as a method to protect him in the afterlife. The collection still stands as one of the greatest archaeological discoveries ever made.

The Great Wall of China

No guide on China could be complete without its most famous landmark. The Great Wall of China is a collection of fortification walls which, some dating back to the 5th century BC. It has been estimated to be over 5,500 miles long and stretches from the Far East to the West. It has become intrinsic with the country, becoming a national symbol and easily the most visited attraction of all.

Sunny Winter Holidays at a Jamaica Villa

If, like many people, you begin counting down the months to summer when the winter's just begun, perhaps you need to start planning a warm weather holiday away from the cold in a Jamaica Villa. Heading to this charming island (where the average temperature tends to be around 30 degrees Celsius) will chase your winter blues away, and you will be spoilt for choice with all the fun things you can enjoy under the warmth of the Caribbean sun. Here are a couple of the key activities to consider taking part in once you leave the chilly winter behind and arrive on the joyous 'Jamrock'.

Watersports at Aquasol Theme Park

A definite antidote for the winter blues equals going to the Aquasol Water Theme Park! Conveniently located at the Walter Fletcher Beach, in the heart of Montego Bay, Aquasol is probably no more than a stone's throw from your gorgeous Jamaica Villa. So slip on those flip flops and head down to the beach. At Aquasol you can sunbathe (of course) on the white sands, go snorkelling in the clear, warm waters, or opt for one of many other water activities available. Try the water trampolines, go jet skiing, wave running, kayaking or take either a banana boat or a glass-bottom boat ride. If you don't fancy any of these (for some strange reason) you can always go for tennis or beach volley ball. If you're on holiday with the kids, don't worry! There's a well-equipped children's playground to keep them happy.

J-J-Jerk Chicken

Now, it may seem like a given, but, just in case you didn't know, jerk chicken is so popular in Jamaica, it's almost like a staple (really). In all seriousness, no holiday staying in a Jamaica Villa would be complete without trying this fabulous local delicacy. If you aren't a fan of chicken, they 'jerk' just about everything else too - pork, goat, shrimp, beef, sausage, tofu (yes tofu) you name it! The key ingredient is the hot, spice laden rub in which the meat is marinated. The meat is then smoked using different techniques to produce a number of distinctive tastes. Now popularised across the globe, thanks to the Jamaican Diaspora, jerk chicken is believed to have come about in Jamaica when the Maroons introduced African meat cooking techniques, which later evolved in conjunction with unique local ingredients and spices.

Even if your eating habits aren't that adventurous, believe us when we tell you that sampling some Jamaican jerk chicken will add some extra heat to your holiday! Wash it down with some coconut water straight from the nut and you'll start to understand why a holiday in a Jamaica Villa is top of everyone's list when it comes to an idyllic getaway.