Last time I visited London, I decided to have a look at the ‘London Eye’, the largest observation wheel in the whole world. It is actually a huge ferris wheel, which stands at a whooping height of 135 meters. The ‘London Eye’ is a sweeping presence in the skyline of London. Situated on the South Bank of the River Thames, the gigantic ferris wheel is a joint venture between  the Tussauds Group, British Airways and Julia Barfield and David Marks, the renowned London architects. This cantilevered structure is fitted with 32 passenger capsules and weighs about 1600 tonnes. The London Eye has been in operation since January, 2000.

The British Airways London Eye, is truly a symbol of the new millennium. My ride aboard the London Eye Millennium Wheel was exhilarating in every sense of the term. The high tech passenger capsules, equipped with a heating and cooling system glide gently through space to afford views of the spectacular sights and sounds of London. Some of the major landmarks that left me awestruck were The Tower of London, The Houses of Parliament, The Imperial War Museum, The British Museum, Buckingham Palace, The Oval Cricket Ground, Westminster Abbey, The Tate Gallery, The Globe Theater,  St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Telecommunications Tower and The National Portrait Gallery.

The British Airways London Eye has the capacity to handle over 1,500 visitors per hour. Each of the passenger capsules can accommodate 25 people at one go. The ferris wheel takes about half an hour to complete one rotation. It took almost three years to complete the construction of the ‘Big Eye London’. The outside rim of the ferris wheel, decorated with lights is truly a splendid sight to behold at nightfall.

Last year, myself and Nikhil decided to set off on a Mediterranean holiday. We chose Cyprus Islands, which is the third largest in the Mediterranean, after Sicily and Sardinia. Cyprus is situated close to the south of Turkey. Our Cyprus tour was planned for the winter. We had boarded a flight with Cyprus Airways. It connects most of the towns and cities of Europe. Cheap flights to Cyprus are also available with this airlines.

Cyprus, the sun-kissed isle, is a wonderful holiday resort. We were struck by the beauty of the pine dotted mountains, the pristine beaches with sand like gleaming gold, the archaeological sites and monuments that bear witness to the bygone era and most of all the sparkling turquoise blue sea.  Nicosia, the capital, divided by the ‘green line’ border and Paphos, which has been declared as a World Cultural Heritage Site by the UNESCO, are eloquent in their grandeur and cultural heritage. We visited the Hamam Omerye, Augustinian Church of St. Mary, Paphos Archaeological Park, Quiet Valleys,The Rock of Aphrodite, The Seven St. Georges, Kykkos Monastery and the Famagusta.

The gorgeous sea beaches of Protaras and Ayia Napa and the beautiful Troodos Mountains with Mount  Olympus visible at its peak are must visit places for a relaxing sojourn. The cafeterias dotting the beach front of Larnaca and those at Nicosia and Limassol are simply awesome. You must also try out the mouth watering Cypriot cuisine.

Getting around Cyprus is no big hassle. There are lots of taxis, cars and buses that provide easy  transfer from one place to another. The Cyprus hotels, villas and apartments provide excellent lodging options. Our stay at the Forest Park Mountain Hotel was a pleasant one. The Cyprus budget hotels also offer comfort and shelter at an affordable rate. An important word for shoppers: Cyprus is famous for lace work, jewelery and leather goods.

The tranquil ambiance exuded by the islands and the warm camaraderie of the people lingers in the memory long after the visit. The Cyprus, is truly the ‘Emerald of the Mediterranean.’
 

Last year, I took a trip to Brazil, the exotic Latin American country whose Amazonian rain forest, gorgeous beaches and waterfalls, tropical jungles and bustling towns and mega cities have a strange allurement for the tourist. The temperate climate of Brazil, makes it just perfect for undertaking a tour of this place. However, the Southeastern parts have a more pleasanter climate than the rest of the region.

A tour of Brazil is incomplete without a visit to Savannah, the Amazon Basin and the glorious Iquassu Falls. The panoramic beauty of these places will remain etched on the memory forever.  A saunter along the sunny beaches and a cruise along the Amazon River proved to be a wonderful refreshment from the din and hustle-bustle of daily life. The Pantanal, located in the west, is inhabited by various species of wildlife.

There are other interesting places in Brazil. My visit to the bustling, colorful cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo proved to be full of surprises and unexpected pleasure. This was followed by a trip to the  colonial towns of Olinda and Ouro Preto, the quiet city of Salvador in the northeast and the Fernando de Noronha Island. Both Olinda and Ouro Preto preserve the colonial history of Brazil, which was under Portuguese domination.

Santa Carina and Praia do Pinho in southern Brazil are worth a visit. Salvador is less crowded than the other metropolitan hubs of Brazil. Praia do Pinho is the most preferred place for nude bathing. Brazil is practically littered with myriads of small beaches. Some of these are the Garopaba,  Estaleiro, Taquaras and Mariscal. These areas provide exciting opportunities for indulging in a host of water sports.

Of course, the much awaited event is the carnival of Rio de Janeiro. The samba dance troupes which infest the streets, truly make it a bash every night. Soccer and music are the other attractions of Brazil. The rhythmic musical beats of the samba, forro, bossa nova and tropicalismo are simply enticing.

Brazil is truly an embodiment of ‘joie de vivre’. The city is very aptly called the melting pot of diverse  cultures. Besides the locals, you will encounter people of African origin as well as the descendants of European immigrants.

Picturesque landscape, fascinating history, friendly people, Crete islands sure offer the perfect getaway for travelers. Part of the European continent, Crete is the largest island off the coast of Greece in the Aegean Sea.

Take a flight to Crete or opt for the boat ride from Athens, the island is well-connected to the mainland. Buses will take you to your desired destination. A drive through the diverse landscape is also another interesting option to explore Crete.

Be it an adventurous vacation or a relaxing holiday, Crete offers all sorts of opportunities. Go hiking on the rugged mountains or sunbathe on the exquisite beaches, the island caters to all kinds of tourists. The turquoise waters, the sun and sand, makes Crete one of the favored beach destinations on the continent.

Explore the archaeological ruins of the Minoan civilization on the island or visit the museums housing a wealth of artifacts, Crete sure has lots to offer. Crete hotels and resorts offer a luxurious stay for travelers.

A blend of the traditional and the modern, Crete includes sleepy towns and bustling cities. The exotic cuisine and the amazing nightlife of Crete is something not to be missed. Local handicrafts of Crete make for great souvenirs.

Crete, the exotic travel destination of Europe, is a must visit!

With its south-eastern part bordered by Greece, Albania is a country which offers a visual spectacle for travelers. It shares its coasts with the Ionian and the Adriatic Sea. The capital of Albania is Tirana which encompasses a population of 600,000. In modern times, Albania is being considered as a fast emerging tourist hot spot. With its rich diversity of various cultures and a mix of ancient civilizations, Albania is a wonderland waiting to be explored. Offering visitors a unique glimpse of its historically rich museums,religious monuments and archeological parks, the Albania offers top tourist destinations like Orikum, Bylis, Antigonea, Butrint, Shkroda, Lezha, Berati and Apollonia.

Just 25 kms north-west of Tirana is the mother Theresa International Airport which acts as a gateway for air travelers. Numerous shuttle bus services are available connecting parts of the country. Various relics from the bronze age can be seen here. Butrint in particular has been considered as one of the world’s archeological wonders. Enjoying a typical mediterranean climate, travelers can expect the weather to be very moderate. Days are usually sunny. The Ionian coast, frequented by beach lovers, has an annual winter temperature of 8-10 degrees celcius.

I have already gathered information on how I will reach the Aaland Islands. Mariehamn Airport is the only airport located on the islands. It is situated in the Mariehamn City, which is the capital of the Aland Islands. Daily flights from Helsinki, Turku or Stockholm will easily take me to my destination. But, you know what? I have decided to go there by any of the ferries that ply from Sweden or Finland to the archipelago.

After reaching the Aland Islands, I am going to hire a bike to explore the islands of the archipelago. I will not only visit the tourist places marked on the Aaland Islands map. I will explore the archipelago in every possible way. I will go for hiking, camping, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing— in a nutshell, I will go for all possible outdoor activities in Aland Islands.

In the evening, I will sail to an island, pitch my tent there, and will have a campfire. You know what! My heart has already started humming my favorite song,
“Lord I’m one, lord I’m two, lord I’m three, lord I’m four,
Lord I’m 500 miles from my home.
500 miles, 500 miles, 500 miles, 500 miles
Lord I’m five hundred miles from my home.”