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 London is a wonderful place to visit but you do need to plan in advance to make the most of your time. Visitors to London can count on hundreds of London activities and sights, spanning a variety of categories, to satisfy even the most adventurous of spirits. London is considered an expensive city in the world and even though its home for many foreign migrants, still keeping its traditional heritage and surrounding. There is an incredible amount of points to consider: when to visit, what to see—. Most overseas travelers favor the summer months because of school vacations and warmer weather. July and August are also busy months for tourism, so keep that in mind if you want to avoid large crowds. London weather is quite unpredictable. So always carry both sunglasses and an umbrella. No visit to London would be complete without a ride on the famous “double-decker” buses

City of London provides many attractions for visitors. Some of which are:-

1. 1.Buckingham Palace:-Buckingham Palace serves as both the office and London residence of Her Majesty The Queen, as well as the administrative headquarters of the Royal Household.

2. The British London Eye:-The British London Eye is the world’s largest observation wheel and a permanent fixture in London’s skyline. The views over London during the 30-minute “flight” are sensational. The British London Eye has won more than 75 awards for national and international tourism.

3 3. St. Pauls Cathedral:- St Paul’s Cathedral is an Anglican Cathedral on Ludgate Hill, in the city of London and the seat of the Bishop of London. The cathedral is one of London’s most visited sites. St Paul’s Cathedral is the masterpiece of a man of genius, Britain’s most admired architect, Sir Christopher Wren, and one of the world’s best-loved buildings.

4. British Museum:- : The history and culture of the whole world is contained in this storehouse of the British Empire, one of London’s most popular visitor attractions. Ancient mummies, the Rosetta Stone, and a real statue from Easter Island, are all arranged in the museum’s airy galleries.

5. London Tower:- More than one royal miscreant and a few of Henry VIII’s wives met their ends in the Tower of London, which comprises a fortress, palace, and royal storehouse built by William the Conqueror more than 900 years ago. It is located within the London Borough of Tower Hamlet and is separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space known as Tower Hill.

It would take a lifetime to see everything that London has to offer. Perhaps that is why so many visitors regard each trip to London as a “once in a lifetime experience” and return often to continue their explorations of its many facets.

Technorati Tags: Destination, London, Popular, Tourist

In this era of faster everything, including faster and larger commercial airliners where passengers are packed in like sardines, one thing seems to remain constant.  That is the wonderful, leisurely world of cruising.  For many years the airline industry has experienced numerous setbacks, while the cruise industry has been growing by leaps and bounds. There are many reasons why you should consider becoming a part of this amazing phenomenon.  Here are some of them.

According to recent research from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), ninety-five percent of cruisers give top marks to their cruising experience and more than seventy-five percent plan to cruise again within three years.

Contrary to what some people think, cruises are very affordable.  With most vacations you end up paying for air flights, hotels or resorts, restaurants, entertainment, and sometimes car rentals.  If you add all these costs up, cruises can be a real bargain.  When you book a cruise, in most cases you pay for the airfare and cruise.  However, if you live close enough to your cruise ship departure port, you may be able to drive there much cheaper than you can fly.  Even if you have to fly to the departure port you can always get a flight and cruise package deal which is usually less expensive than purchasing your flight and cruise separately.   

When you book a luxury cruise vacation, well over 85% of your holiday is prepaid and that includes all meals, night clubs, stage shows, movies, and entertainment, as well as numerous other activities and amenities.  In addition, most ships have onboard activities such as golf, rock climbing, dancing, swimming, scuba diving lessons which can lead to certification, Pilates, yoga, and fitness trainers.  You can also pamper yourself with wonderful spas and body massages. 

Another way to save big bucks on a cruise is to book an inside cabin.  If you do not need to have a cabin with a balcony or ocean view, then you will save a lot of money.  You have use of all the shared amenities that your fellow passengers have, but it’s costing you a lot less. 

You can also save a bundle on repositioning cruises.  A repositioning cruise is made possible at certain times of the year, usually in the spring and fall, when cruise lines relocate their ships from one part of the world to another.

There is a large variety of luxury cruise vacations to choose from, ranging from three day mini cruises to several month long cruises as well as an amazing around the world cruise odyssey.

When you cruise, you are traveling in the lap of luxury in a floating five-star hotel.  You will be pampered and feel you are living the life of a king or queen, not just for a day, but for the entire length of the cruise.  Gourmet dining, impeccable service and elegant surroundings are only a few of the superlatives that are used to describe cruising.

If you like delicious food you will absolutely love gourmet meals and scrumptious desserts created by great chefs and served in a variety of restaurants.  There are always wonderful buffets available throughout the day and even midnight buffets.  A number of themed lounges are located throughout the cruise ships for your convenience.

Love seeing Broadway style shows and theater performances without having to make reservations or pay outlandish prices for tickets?  Then taking a luxury cruise is the answer.  So many things are included on cruises which make them such a great value for your travel and entertainment dollar.

From children to great grandparents, there is always something to interest everyone on a cruise.  You have the option to be as active as you like or you can just relax and experience magnificent sunrises and breathtaking sunsets while watching the world go by.  So many wonderful, precious memories and experiences will stay with you a lifetime when you take a luxury cruise.

Want to party around the clock?  Not a problem.  Whether you are with a partner or single, it’s always party time.  You don’t even have to plan or clean up after the party, just have a lot of fun!

Businesses from around the world book conferences and seminars, team building get-togethers, new product launches and employee reward vacations on cruise ships.  Cruise lines do not charge extra for conference room facilities and use of audio and video equipment.

Group cruises are not only for companies and business people.  Family reunions, honeymoons and weddings, sports groups and clubs, charities and fund raisers are only some of the many kinds of groups that have their events on cruises.

On cruises there is no hassle of having to pack and unpack again and again every time you travel to a new destination.  Another bonus is that there is no limit on the amount of luggage you can bring on a cruise.

People with disabilities should have no problem getting around on a cruise ship.  Cruise lines have made onboard accessibility a non-issue as their ships are equipped with ramps, elevators and easily accessible cabins and state rooms.

Modern cruise ships have dramatically reduced the problem of seasickness.  Today’s larger ships slice through the waves instead of riding on top of them.  Also, new innovative technologies like stabilizers and counterbalancing systems have greatly reduced the pitch and roll of cruise ships, all but neutralizing any problem of seasickness.

Cruising is also one of the safest forms of travel.  The cruise industry has an exceptional safety record.  And as far as assaults and robberies are concerned, they are over a hundred times less likely to occur on a cruise ship than in your own home town.

A physician and medical staff are never more than a few minutes away on a cruise ship should any passenger need to see doctor.  Most common passenger ailments and minor mishaps occur less on a cruise ship than on shore.

For those that have a fear of flying or don’t enjoy being crammed like sardines into commercial airplanes when traveling to their destinations, here is some great news.  The cruise lines in the United States are making terrific strides catering to cruise passengers needs.  They are opening up more ports of call on both the East and West coasts so more and more people who would love to go on a cruise but don’t like flying, can easily drive or take a bus or train to most departure ports.   

Technorati Tags: Becoming, cruises, holiday, Luxury, Popular, Vacationers

Home to a major shopping mall and a tower of offices, the Times Square Hong Kong is a focal point and a landmark in Causeway Bay. Previously a tram depot spot, the complex is the first “vertical mall” in Hong Kong that consists of several floors, and is easily identifiable by its twin towers and big video screen. A visit to this fashionable mall is a must, as it is amid the city’s top 10 most popular tourist destinations.

The mall provides a totally fun day out as it has retail, entertainment, recreational and dining sections that are divided in a logical sequence. Visitors can start off by shopping at the trendy and fashionable shops that number over 280 within the mall. Everything you need to purchase, ranging from gift items to personal needs can be bought here. There are specific floors that cater to a certain set of people. For example ladies clothing and casual clothing have its own floors which provides tourists a convenient shopping experience.

For entertainment, a multi cinema complex is found within this state of the art building where you can catch a movie and relax. If you are hungry, there are many nice restaurants inside that serve delicious local specialties that will delightfully make your taste buds tingle. The large atrium in the center of the mall makes it an airy and comfortable place to shop and enjoy a relaxing day out.

The Time Square Hong Kong is easily accessible for visitors as there is an MTR exit built just beneath it. The complex has also excellent transportation links with trams, buses, taxis and mini buses that move around this popular tourist destination, making it an ideal place for a fun day out.

Amid the 5 star hotels in Hong Kong, the Langham Place Hotel Hong Kong is a preferred choice by travellers due to its luxurious and elegant atmosphere. It also lies in a convenient location for exploring the city and visiting popular attractions like the Times Square Hong Kong.

Technorati Tags: destinations, Hong, Kong, Kong's, most, Popular, Square, Times, Tourist

Southern California, and specifically Los Angeles remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States today and continues to grow in popularity with each passing day. Los Angeles offers everything for everyone in the family. From Disney Land to sporting events, Los Angeles has it all. The Angels, Kings, Dodgers, Clippers and Lakers all call Los Angeles home. Los Angeles is referred to as ‘Cities within a city’ and it is where the world goes to party. Only miles from Loa Angeles are Hollywood, Orange County, Beverly Hills, Hermosa Beach, Long Beach, Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica, Sunset Blvd., Venice and Marina del Rey, and plenty of tourist spots to go to in Los Angeles.

In the Los Angeles area tourists can visit plenty of sporting events for the basketball, hockey and baseball lover as well as attend concerts at a variety of venues throughout the area. Any family that wishes to vacation in the Los Angeles area might want to take more than a week when there to make sure that they hit everything that the area has to offer. For concert lovers there is the Disney Concert Hall, the Greek Theater in Hollywood, the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, the Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa, the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles, the Verizon Amphitheater in Irvine and the Universal Amphitheater in Universal City.

Other tourist spots to go to in Los Angeles while on vacation are Disney Land in Anaheim, the Getty Museum in Santa Monica, Griffith Park in Hollywood, Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, the Hollywood sign in Hollywood, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Museum of Contemporary Art in downtown, Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific, the RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach, Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, the Santa Monica Pier, Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, Venice Beach and Universal Studios in Universal City.

For the sports enthusiasts in the family, there are plenty if stadiums and arenas to visit while in Los Angeles. Some tourist spots to go to in Los Angeles for sports enthusiasts are Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine, Edison Field in Anaheim, Hollywood Park in Inglewood, the Home Depot Center in Carson, the L.A. Coliseum in the Downtown district, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, the Pauley Pavilion in Westwood, the Santa Anita Park in Arcadia and the Staples Center in the Downtown district.

For the television show enthusiast in the family, don’t worry, there are plenty of tourist spots to go to in Los Angeles to view television show tapings. Tickets can be obtained from Audiences Unlimited, located in Universal City; from CBS, located on Beverly Blvd. and the tickets are for talk shows, game shows and sitcom tapings; Paramount Pictures, which is located on North Gower Street. The tickets for any of Paramount Pictures’ sitcoms and talk shows can be obtained as far in advance as five days prior to the taping of the show at their offices or on their website. Los Angeles offers plenty of tourist attractions for every member of the family and plenty to do in a week’s span.

There are several airports to fly into to get to one of these lovely spots such as LAX, Long Beach Airport or Orange County’s John Wayne airport. Even the Inland Empire has the Ontario International Airport. So, you have options. Just make sure to get the right transportation like a shuttle or taxi.

Technorati Tags: destinations, Popular, Tourist

Singapore is a rather spectacular travel destination and it should definitely be on every tourist’s list of places to visit. Singapore is not a typical Asian city as there is a strong British influence which can be seen in everything from architecture to politics. It is definitely a city where the East meets the West. Singapore is also a wonderful holiday destination as there are so many excellent tourist attractions from which tourists can choose.

Singapore is one of the leading travel destinations in Asia and millions of tourists visit this nation island every year. It is also a popular business travel destination as a large number of exhibitions and conferences are organized every month in Singapore. This article however focuses on what makes Singapore such as fantastic destination for tourists which is why we have listed some of the most popular Singapore tourist attractions.

Night Safari
The ever so popular Night Safari can be found on the grounds of the Singapore Zoo. It is in fact the first night safari found anywhere in the world and it allows its visitors to view a large number of nocturnal animals in their natural settings. There are over a hundred species of animals which visitors can see during their visit to the Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari. Opening hours of the Night Safari are daily from 19:30 until midnight. Tickets for the Night Safari range from SGD 10.40 until SGD 15.50.

Jurong Bird Park

Another very popular tourist attraction in Singapore is the Jurong Bird Park. Not only tourists enjoy visiting the Jurong Bird Park as also a lot of local Singaporean residents enjoy visiting this lovely and rather stunning wildlife park. Visitors can find nearly ten thousand birds from six hundred species in this twenty hectare bird park. If you would like to visit the Jurong Bird Park then please note that opening hours are daily from 08:00 until 18:00. Entrance fee for children is SGD 4.10 and the entrance fee for adults is SGD 10.20.

Sentosa Island
No visit to Singapore can possibly be complete without a visit to the amazing Sentosa Island. It is an island which is located on the main island of Singapore and it has been developed into a major travel destination. There are a number of wonderful hotels and resorts located on Sentosa Island and a large section of Sentosa Island has also been developed into what seems a major theme park. All types of attractions and activities can be found on Sentosa Island including an underwater world as well as several camping grounds.  Please note that the entrance fee for adults to Sentosa Island is SGD 6 and for children it is SGD 4. You will need to buy separately tickets for all the various attractions on Sentosa Island.

Technorati Tags: Attractions, most, Popular, Singapore, Tourist

Hong Kong’s major sporting events take place at the Hong Kong Stadium. It was redeveloped from the old Government Stadium, and reopened as the Hong Kong Stadium in 1994. The stadium seats an audience of 40,000 people with place for 18,240 on the main level, 3153 executive seats, 48 seats for wheel chair users and 18,559 upper level seats.

The seating at the stadium can be summarized as follows:

18240 at main level
18559 at high level
3153 suite level
48 wheel chair users

The stadium is located in So Kon Po valley near Causeway Bay, on Hong Kong Island. The stadium is the preferred venue for most international football matches held in Hong Kong, as well as the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament. In fact it hosted the IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens twice, in the years 1997 and 2005.

The Stadium offers a host of other facilities, like refreshment kiosks serving international fast food like McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken and so on.

Initially it was planned to make the stadium not just a sports but an entertainment arena as well, as it had a huge seating capacity compared to the Hong Kong Coliseum. The latter is thoroughly over-used, as it is the only place for popular entertainment programs.

However, since 1999, the stadium has not been allowed to hold entertainment programs, as it is open-aired and causes noise pollution for residents of neighboring tower blocks who are quick to complain. Because of this a new multi-purpose stadium is being planned at South Eastern Kowloon. Once constructed, the Hong Kong Stadium will be demolished and in its place a luxurious housing project will commence construction.

The new multi purpose stadium will be called the Kai Tak Stadium and have a seating capacity of 45000.

Whenever you are in Hong Kong and take some time off to catch the latest sporting event at the stadium, you can stay at the Eaton Hotel Hong Kong, which is an excellent Hong Kong hotel if you are particular about superior comfort and modern conveniences.

Technorati Tags: Hong, Kong, Popular, Sporting, Stadium, Venue

Residents of United Kingdom who are seeking the ideal holiday destination should consider taking a trip to Majorca, Spain. This is the largest Spanish island and is located right in the Mediterranean Sea. It is part of the Balaeric Islands. One of the best aspects about travelling to Majorca from the United Kingdom is that there are several travel package options available.

When you are planning on going on holiday, you look for several different factors so that you can find the ideal destination. Naturally, you want to go somewhere that is warm, sunny and will afford beaches as well as a chance to relax under the sun.

In addition, most people today are concerned about price. Tourism in the United Kingdom is down, just as it is in other parts of the Western world. Package deals make the most sense for those who want to travel on their holiday as they can often save money. Package travel options ordinarily include air fare, but also accommodations as well as some attractions.

Palma is the capital of Majorca and has featured a population growth in recent years.  Palma is a city that relies very heavily upon tourism and there are many attractions in the city itself for tourists to see. Some of the points of interest that you will want to see when you visit Majorca are Bellver Castle, LaSeu, Coves del Drac, and Serra de Tramuntana to name a few. You can also see the Marivent Palace when you visit this island, which is where the members of the Spanish Royal Family holiday in the summer. This is a private residence, although you can view the area surrounding the palace and also see the sailing competition in which the family participates.

Spanish and Catalan are the languages spoken in Majorca, with the dialect of Catalan very prevalent and differing from village to village. However, if you know Spanish you will not have any problem communicating with the locals.  In most of the tourist areas, English is also spoken as well as German.

The summer months are naturally the hottest when visiting this island off of the coast of Spain. However, the weather in Majorca is mild throughout the year and will even be climate during the winter months of December and January. Tourist season is in the summer, which is when most of the travel packages are offered. However, if you are willing to go off season, you can find many good travel deals. An ideal time to visit Majorca is in October when the weather is still very warm, yet is considered to be off season.

When you are visiting Majorca from the United Kingdom, you should use a travel company that you can trust. They should be able to assist you in getting air fare as well as a desirable package that is affordable for your holiday. You will find that Majorca is a destination worth seeing as it offers everything from beaches, historic sites and sunny weather in a Mediterranean locale that is pleasant throughout the year.

Technorati Tags: Destination, Majorca, Popular, Travellers

Organized river rafting trips are a good idea for novices and
experts alike. River rafting tours provide all of the equipment,
guidance, and instruction necessary. If the trip covers several
days, the rafting company may provide camping accommodations as
well. Trips are available for rafters of all skill levels, from
beginners rafting for the first time, to skilled experts looking
for the toughest rivers in the country.

River rafting tours are offered on many major rivers in the
country. Trips are available in many different lengths, varying
from an afternoon to a two week trek. River rafting trips
designed for families as well as trips that cater to experienced
rafters are available almost anywhere. While much river rafting
is done in the Southwest, it is by no means the only place for a
river rafting adventure. North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, and many
other states have great rivers for rafting.

A couple of well-established river rafting outfitters are Dvorak
Expeditions, California River Rafting Excitement, and the
Nantahala Outdoor Center. All three of these companies offer
great guides, top-of-the-line equipment, and routes on some of
the best rivers.

Dvorak Enterprises was the first outfitter given a river
recreation outfitters license in 1969. Run by the world famous
Bill Dvorak out of Salida, Colorado, this company offers
exciting river rafting trips to visitors in many states
including Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, Utah, and Texas, as well
as New Zealand and Nepal. Dvorak Enterprises is known for its
friendly, skilled, and knowledgeable guides.

California River Rafting Excitement is one of the top-rated
river rafting outfitters in the Sunshine State. This company
offers river rafting trips on five different California rivers,
has trips designed for families as well as experienced rafters,
and offers camping equipment for trips lasting several days.

Nantahala Outdoor Center in North Carolina offers a variety of
river rafting adventures on several rivers in the area. The
rivers range in difficulty to accommodate rafters at any skill
level, and Nantahala offers great guides as well as a rafting
school for novices.

River rafting trips are a fun way for adventurous travelers to
unwind and relax. River rafting adventures are available for
rafters of all skill levels, insuring that everyone will have a
good, safe time

Technorati Tags: Popular, Rafting, Review, River, Services, Trips

Cruising the waters and going for a ski on your new ski boat is the perfect way to enjoy those long deserved days off.A popular outing and sport, water sking has been around for a number of generations.

To ski on water you not only need the right kind of skis, but also the right kind of boat. For a better ski boat they should have small wake and have nippy maneuverability and turning capability, and getting the biggest meanest boat doesn’t make it better. Some popular ski boat ranges are equiped with an inboard engine rather than outboard, and while many people ski using general purpose deck ski boats, the best are purpose built.

There are many popular ski boat ranges in Aussie and since there are so many of them and most are great for Australian conditions for water sking. It would be easier to single out those slightly less fabulous than the rest than to pick the best, and you can’t go by price. Australia is a nation perfectly situated for water skiing, and they know how to build the right ski boats for sale to do the job.

If we were to name a few, then of the popular ski boat ranges in Australia, Lewis must be amongst the most favoured, being one of the major ski boat builders in the world.  Anywhere there is water skiing you will find a Lewis boat, built by Australia’s oldest manufacturer.

Although the original Lewis boats were made of wood, they are now fiberglass that provides a strong but very lightweight boat.  Even though the internal stringer system is generally wood, Lewis boat sales are high preformance and have the speed and dexerity for great skiing. The 2280 and Revolution are typical of the Lewis range with their zippy Mercruiser engines that produce a small wake at speed for a smooth slalom ride, and nice big wake for wakeboarding at lower speeds.

Their well crafted Wake towers can be pimped any way you like them, with sound system speakers, . However, the disadvantage in a dual purposeski boat or wakeboarding vessel is that you can get a rougher ride on skis.  It isn’t always ideal to have a dual purpose boat, but if you enjoy both sports then you should get enough performance from a wakeboarding and ski boat to make you happy.  If it’s championship performance you are seeking, then a specialist boat for sale for skiing could be an option.

A well known and popular boat builder Bayliner has a great standing in the 16-22 foot range of ski boat sales The Bowrider 205 is is a great example of skiboat with a 220 hp Mercuiser engine. This ski boat for sale comes with and great sound system from its stereo controller that allows you fit a CD player, iPod or MP3 player. Building boats for over 40years Bayliner has the experience to know how to build good boats. These ski boats for sale are quality, and respond to the helm perfectly.  They have great acceleration with a agility for some great water skiing.

Crownline boats are for the boating enthusist that likes a bit more power.  These boats for sale exude class and quality, and the Bowrider 240LS is great for skiing. With a variety of colours to choose from and your Mercedes engine up to a maximum 425 horse power.  With many great options including an entertainment system, sink and shower it makes it a great fun throughout your ski boating day. If you prefer a deckboat to a bowrider for your skiing, then the Crownline 252 EX has similar features with the same outboard engine, and a Sony Marine stereo system as standard. Crownline may be a little more expensive but you pay for quality and one of the best ski boats for sale.  Again, though, they are multi-purpose and while a common choice with the mid range ski boat skier they are not designed to be specialised ski boats.

For a championship specialist ski boat, then Skicraft must figure in there somewhere.  Based in Bayswater, Skicraft boats, have been building top of the range ski boats for sale since 1969, offering very reliable turning and maneuverability, but is also very safe. From the lustrous and prompt 202 to the new V-Drive eXV Skicraft are true ski boats.  The ExV is an updated model of the popular eX2, with a good heaviness design allowing you to switch from wakeboarding to skiing with a turn of a switch.

Skicraft normally build specialist boats, and the V-Drive is commonly better for wakeboarding. However, wakeboarding boats for sale can be costly because they have to be heavier to produce a good wake. Skicraft have developed a wake control technology whereby you can adjust the size of the wake to switch between skiing and wakeboarding, and all at a price well below that of a purpose-built wakeboarding boat.

However, the luxury cruiser that catches everyones attention is the new Mustang. Since being taken over by new owners, Mustang has re emerged, and is going from strength to strength. Their most recent boat, still to be unveiled, is the Mustang 2008 430 Sports Coupe.  How good this will be for ski boat we don’t know, but it is equipped with Volvo IPS 600 engines as usual, with 418 HP each so is going to be prompt enough.

These are among the more popular skiboat ranges around Australia, and with so many more ski boats for sale that we have missed it might pay to visit a great website Boats To Buy for both new and used boats for sale online.

Technorati Tags: Boats, Popular

The Russian Federation or simply Russia for short is a vast transcontinental country straddling the continents of Asia and Europe with Moscow as its capital city. With a massive territory covering 6,592,800 sq miles (17,075,400 sq km), Russia is the largest country in the world spanning across eleven time zones and covering more than one eighth of the world’s land area.

For a country so vast, Russia has a population of only about 142 million people as at 2007. The country’s history and culture went back a long way and because of this, although the Russian landscape is so beautiful and diverse, its main tourist attractions are its historical monuments and sites of majestic buildings, cathedrals, ancient cities and museums.

Nevertheless, nature loving tourist to Russia will always marvel at the largest freshwater lake in the world, stunning raging rivers and alpine forests teeming with fish and wildlife, majestic volcanoes, and towering mountains.

Herebelow are some of the more popular tourist attractions in Russia.

Moscow – Since Moscow is the capital of Russia, it is also the main gateway to the country and its provinces and tourist will usually start their sight-seeing tours here exploring Russia from this ancient city. Moscow itself is also home to several tourist attractions such as the Kremlin and the Red Square amongst many others.

Moscow is one of the biggest cities in the world and occupies an area of about 400 sq miles (1035 sq km) with a population of about 9 million people. This is not counting the more than three million tourists and visitors to the city yearly.

Moscow buildings are rather unique because its architectural style combines the features of Eastern as well as Western cultures and features. The Vysantium styles are mixed with architectural styles of Britain, Italy and other West-European countries.

A visit to some of Moscow’s 80 museums are indeed eye openers as these museums preserve invaluable treasures ranging from rich collections of Russian and foreign art and culture. The Kremlin, the symbol of Russian might and power stands proudly towering over the left bank of the Moskva river. It is the oldest part of the city and is its political, historic and cultural center and the seat of Russia’s legislative power. It is also the site of several museums.

Another tourist attraction in Moscow is the famous The Red Square which is the main square in Moscow and Russia not unlike what Tian An Men square is to China.

St. Petersburg – St Petersburg is another well known city in Russia popular with tourists because it is one of the most beautiful cities of Europe and affectionately called Venice of the North. St Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia after Moscow and has a population of about 5 million people. The city was founded by Peter the Great in 1703 and was the capital of the Russian Empire for about 2 centuries from 1712 to 1918. This historical city was the scene of the February and October revolutions in 1917 and was a besieged and fiercely defended city during the last world war.

St.Petersburg is an impressive display of remarkable architectures which can be seen from the cathedral of the Peter-Paul Fortress, the Summer Palace, the Winter Palace, the Smolny Convent, the Vorontsov and Strogonov palaces, the Kazan and St.Isaacs Cathedrals. It is also the soul of Russian fine arts in its rich world class music, ballet, and theatre performances.

If you are in St Petersburg, then you must not miss visiting The Hermitage Museum. This is one of the biggest museums in the world which was founded by Catherine the Great in 1764. Here is a treasure trove of famous works of luminary greats such as the likes of Leonardo da Vinci, Rafael, Titian, Velazques, Murillo, Rubens, Van Dyke, Hals, Poussin, Watteau, Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Picasso, Matisse, Michelangelo and Rodin, just to name a few.

Velikiy Novgorod – Velikiy Novgorod is located on the banks of the river Volkhov River which is about 120 miles (about 190 km) south of St.Petersburg. This amazing ancient city was founded more than 11 centuries ago and is a popular tourist attraction today.

Velikiy Novgorod suffered severe damage from German bombing runs in the Second World. The good news is that many of the historical monuments are now restored to its former splendor and glory.

Murmansk – The town of Murmansk is located in northwestern Russia and has a population of almost half a million people. This town is now an important fishing port and is home to one of the largest its fish-processing plant in Europe.

The best time to visit Murmansk is during the Festival of the North, which is celebrated in the last week of March with a ski marathon and reindeer races.

Sochi – After touring some of Russia’s city and towns, let’s take a look at Sochi, Russia’s favorite resort by the Black Sea with towering Caucasus Mountains serving as the beautiful resort’s backdrop.

What makes Sochi such a popular resort in Russia is because of its cool subtropical climate, warm blue sea and the modern resort complexes. This resort also attracts dignitaries like local and foreign head of states and movie stars as its guests.

To cater to the demands of tourists, you can find dozens of hotels and campsites with more than 50 sanatoriums. There are also natural beauties to enjoy such as picturesque waterfalls, wonderful hilltop views, mineral springs spas and alpine vistas to stroll in.

Vladivostok – This is also another important Russian town that is worth visiting. Vladivostok is an important seaport and administrative center of Primorsky Kray region, in southeastern Russia and is extremely rich in Russian military history.

The town was founded in 1860 and is now the chief educational and cultural centre of the Russian Far East. The city is famous for its performing art theatres and its philharmonic symphony orchestra.

Vladivostok is surrounded by the Ussuri Nature Reserve and the Far East Maritime Reserve. Nature lovers can find bumbling black and brown bears, Siberian boars, majestic Ussuri tigers, the rare Amur leopard and colorful migratory birds in these reserves.

The Trans-Siberian Railway – The best way for tourists to discover and tour the vast expanse of Russia is by The Trans-Siberian Railway. The rail trip on the train from Moscow to Nakhodka takes about eight fascinating days, passing through forests of birch and pine, quaint Russian villages and beautiful steppes.

The train will also rumble past Siberia’s Lake Baikal which is as big as Belgium and is home to the world’s only freshwater seal. Other tourist attractions along the journey are the multicultural town of Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude city which is Russia’s center of Buddhism.

Visiting Russia soon? Then do not missed out the tourist attactions featured in this article.

Technorati Tags: Attractions, Popular, Russia, Tourist