Guangzhou, China

The teams started out by flying into Guangzhou but only got to spend enough time here to transfer to a second flight taking them to Guilin. While the Pear River Delta region of China is known for being polluted it is still necessary to give the capital of the Guangdong province credit for being an important historic epicenter. Guangzhou is known for serving some of the best Chinese cuisine in the world and is also home to a myriad of museums, temples, shrines, and even shopping malls.

Image Credit:Bushrat Steve

If you do visit Guangzhou you absolutely must visit the medicine market known as Quingping Market. The market used to be a disturbingly messy, wet market but has since been transformed into a beautiful and clean mall. Inside you’ll find over 100 stalls featuring acupuncture needles, lizards on sticks, dried sea horses, and much more.

Another incredible Chinese experience you won’t want to miss is the cabaret performance of The Magic Phantom at the Mo Li Fang Theater. To be honest, if you’re looking for entertainment of this sort this is the only show you’ll find in Guangzhou, let alone China. The performance includes karaoke, dancing, opera, and computer animation, amongst other things. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss.

Coffee lovers won’t find a Starbucks store anywhere in Guangzhou. Instead you’ll need to watch out for Wong Chun Loong. Wong Chun makes healthy beverages out of hemp seeds, coconut milk, and a variety of other ingredients. They also brew bitter medicinal teas for those who are ill. With over 800 stores in Guangzhou, you’re bound to run into at least one during your stay.

Guilin, China

While the Amazing Race competitors let the heat of the competition get the best of them in Guilin, we took the opportunity to find some of the best attractions in the area. Even if they had time to explore, these teams would have been too busy throwing elbows and slurs to enjoy the region.

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Guilin’s landscape is absolutely incredible and one of the best places to start your tour is along the Li River. One of the most popular destinations is Elephant Trunk Hill, found in the downtown section of the city. The hill itself earned its name because the rock formation actually looks like an elephant drinking from the river itself.

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Another incredible destination is the Guilin Art Museum. It’s the most popular museum in Guilin and is also considered to be amongst the largest museums in the southwest section of China. The collections here include works of art from both current and deceased master artists. Visitors exploring the second floor will find themselves in a gallery displaying works that are for sale, although the museum will gladly sell you works from other parts of the museum with the permission of the original artist.

Beijing, China

During the 10^th episode, the travelers found themselves in Beijing, the home of the most recent summer Olympics. Their tasks certainly felt Olympic, as almost every team struggled with their swimming or diving tasks.

Visitors to Beijing shouldn’t leave without at least one trip to the Forbidden City. Within the city walls you’ll find buildings and monuments representing the rule of dozens of emperors and many of the buildings are still used by the government today.

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The Lama Temple is another sight you won’t want to miss. It is one of only a handful of Buddhist temples that still function in the city of Beijing today. Once the home to over 1,500 lamas, the temple is home to a 75 ½ foot statue of Buddha carved from a single piece of sandalwood.

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You’ll also want to make a special effort to visit Tienanmen Square. The square sits in the center of Beijing and spans over 100 acres. The site of several historic protests, the square is considered to be the largest public square in existence. From here you can see the Forbidden City and several other significant cultural buildings and landmarks.

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China is a diverse land with lots to offer tourists from all walks of life. The Amazing Race travelers only got a taste of what China has to offer. Hopefully you’ll have a lot more time to explore.

Phuket, Thailand

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The first half of their trip to Thailand took place in Phuket – located on the western shores of Thailand and featuring a vibrant nightlife, spectacular beaches, and dozens of attractions. Of course, our travelers got to see very little of the area, spending most of their time at the Phuket Zoo.

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In nearby Pattaya you’ll be delighted by the Elephant Kraal. This is an incredible site for those traveling with children and features a two hour show in which the elephants are able to display their unique skills. While it seems strange to see the elephants in the city you can be assured that the Elephant Kraal has an excellent reputation and is known for not mistreating the lively pachyderms.

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The focused travelers also missed the opportunity to check out Khao Rang, an incredible viewpoint where visitors can go to catch a glimpse of the entire town of Phuket. Khao Rang is a hill situated in the northwest section of town and can be a bit difficult to find if you don’t have a great map or guide. The view at the end is well worth the effort you’ll have to make to get there.

History buffs will really enjoy a trip to the National Museum, also located right in Phuket Town. Inside you’ll find dozens of monuments and artifacts depicting the history of the island. You’ll also learn about the heroines credited with saving the island from a Burmese invasion.

Bangkok, Thailand

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After leaving Phuket the exhausted competitors headed towards Bangkok where they were met with additional challenges. While they were busy chasing down their bags and hailing taxi cabs, the average tourist was busy exploring one of the most culturally diverse cities in the area.

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The gang on the show may have spent some time in the waterway but we guarantee they didn’t have the chance to really explore them they way they deserve to be explored. At one point the waterways at Krung Thep used to be known as the Venice of the East but many of the paths were later paved. The ones that do remain are very clean and are filled with longtail boats, ferries, and even houses on stilts. If you really want to explore you should consider a Chao Phraya Tourist Boat day pass – you’ll hear commentary about historic sites as you travel from destination to destination.

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Our fierce competitors also missed out on an opportunity to visit the Suan Pakkard Palace. On the palace grounds you’ll find a group of small teak houses on columns surrounded by lotus pools and beautifully manicured lawns. The Lacquer Pavilion features panels depicting the life of Buddha – though the age and origin of these artworks are still debatable.

The Flower Market in the Chinatown section of Bangkok is a sight worth seeing. The market is a street full of flower vendors and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The best time to visit is at night because you’ll get to see the market bustling with activity as delivery trucks restock the vendor stalls or carry away products purchased by local hotels and restaurants.

Thailand in General

Visitors should avoid Thailand between October and December unless, of course, they don’t mind muddling through monsoon season. If you do visit during that time, you can expect to pay prices that are around half of those charged during peak months. The months of January through July are considered peak and prices for attractions and hotels are much more expensive. Thankfully, our Amazing Race contestants don’t have to worry about finding their own lodging.

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No matter where you visit in Thailand, make sure you wear plenty of insect repellent to protect yourself from mosquitoes. While malaria is now considered to be very rare, it does still exist. The sun shines bright on Thailand, so make sure you’re wearing plenty of sunscreen and protective clothing during your stay as well.

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Hopefully you’ll have more time to visit Thailand than our friends competing in The Amazing Race. Take your time, explore the area, and submerse yourself in the area’s unique culture. You’ll never regret a trip to either Phuket or Bangkok!

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What a spectacular opportunity. It’s a shame most of them won’t have enough time to kick back and explore before heading on to the next leg of the race. India is such a culturally diverse country and the opportunity to spend a day, let alone a week or more, is an experience no one should take for granted.

During this episode the travelers spent most of their time in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, in India. Jaipur, also known as the Pink City because of the pink sandstone buildings in the older sections, sits on some of the most beautiful landscape in India and is surrounded by the Aravali Hills. Let’s take a look at some of the incredible attractions our contestants missed out on.

Jaigarh Fort

Towards the center of Jaipur you’ll find the military site known as Jaigarh Fort. This fort is one of three found in the city and was once the home of the royal treasury. Today you’ll find a series of enormous water tanks that are used to capture and store rainwater that runs down from Nahargarh.

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At the center of the fort itself you’ll find a rather large population of monkeys. Some visitors find them amusing while others (likely the locals) find them to be incredibly annoying. While you’re there, be sure to check out the largest wheeled cannon in the world and visit the watchtower for amazing views of the city.

Albert Hall Museum

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The Albert Hall Museum is one of those places you want to visit not necessarily for the contents but for the architecture of the building itself. Built in the late 19^th century, the museum itself is an incredible work of Indo-Saracenic art.

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Inside the museum you’ll find a rather large collection of folk art, paintings, and exhibits that aim to explain Indian culture. Sadly, the museum and its collections are not well maintained and you’ll feel as though you’re walking through an unorganized maze of artifacts and artwork.

Hawa Mahal

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Hawa Mahal is one of the most photographed castles in all of Jaipur. Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, Hawa Mahal is also known as the Palace of Winds. The pink sandstone building is only as wide as one room and stands five stories high.

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Originally the building was designed so that the royal ladies could catch a breath of fresh air and people-watch without drawing attention to themselves. With over 1,000 screened windows, the unique design of the building allowed the breeze to pass through and naturally cool the entire structure.

Apno Gaon

Apno Gaon is a village-style museum designed to allow visitors to experience what life is like in the smaller villages without actually forcing them to leave the main city. Within the simulated village you’ll find musical performances, live arts performances, and a number of other activities.

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The food here is spectacular as well, making this an excellent place to visit if you’d like to try some traditional Indian fare. Most meals include locally grown vegetables and fresh milk products. You will, however, have to sit on the ground and you will enjoy your meal by eating with your hands. The village is open from 11am until 11pm each day, but tends to be more enjoyable in the evening.

Jawahar Kala Kendra

Jawahar Kala Kendra is one of the most well known performance venues in all of Jaipur. The center was actually created by the government of the state of Jaipur in order to ensure there would be a place for individuals of all ages and walks of life to experience folk traditions and cultural ceremonies.

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It’s important to remember that there is more to life than traffic and chaos, so holding traditional folk lore close is important to the people of Jaipur. You may opt to visit for a scheduled event or simply drop by and meet some of the exhibitors and performers.

Where to Stay in Jaipur

There are, of course, plenty of modern hotels for you to choose from in Jaipur. One of the most popular is the five-star Raj Palace Jaipur, located in the city itself. Also located in the city center are the Hotel Amer View Jaipur, Jaipur Inn Jaipur, and the Hotel Sarang Palace Jaipur – each of which is also beautiful and accommodating.

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Take advantage of any opportunity you have to visit India and, specifically, Jaipur. There are dozens of other incredible attractions to visit and explore. This is a city you’ll regret only having time to pass through.

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The contestants had the opportunity to visit some of the more well-known areas of Romania but also ducked their heads in on some lesser known cities and towns as well. Check out the incredible places they visited.

Bucharest, Romania

The city of Bucharest in Romania is believed to have been in existence since approximately 500 BC, though actual documentation doesn’t appear until around 1459 AD. Now serving as the capital of Romania, Bucharest has earned a reputation for being a hot spot for those looking to live the “high life.” It has even earned the nickname of “Little Paris.”

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Bucharest earned its name when a shepherd by the name of Bucur captivated audiences with his flute playing and endeared them to him by serving wines he brought from some of the local vineyards. The local traders decided to name the area, located on the Dambivita River, after the shepherd.

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The city is, without a doubt rich with history. During the 15^th century Prince Vlad Tepes housed his court in Bucharest. The area was the capital of Walachia during the 17^th century and by 1862 had become the capital of Romania.

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Those looking to explore some of Bucharest’s main landmarks should include Casa Presei Libere, or the House of the Free Press, on this list of things to see. Built in 1956, the building at one point was the home to all of the printing presses in the capital. Today it houses not only newsrooms but is also the location of the Bucharest Stock Exchange.

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Piata Revolutiei, or Revolution Square, is also a significant landmark that shouldn’t be missed. The square became a cultural landmark in December of 1989 when Nicolae Cesusescu, the then leader of the communist party, looked down from the balcony of the Communist Party Headquarters and realized that his people had turned against him. While certainly not the first notable historic point in the square, the start of the Revolution is a piece of recent history that had a huge impact on the development of current day Bucharest.

Brasov, Transylvania, Romania

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The city of Brasov can be found in the Transylvania section of Romania. Only 28.5 square miles in size, the city is home to approximately 320,000 people. Brasov is surrounded by the Southern Carpathian Mountains and is a city jam packed with historical landmarks and baroque architecture.

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The city was officially founded in 1211 by a group of Teutonic Knights. Over time the prominent location of the city, between the Ottoman Empire and the rest of Western Europe, put the Brasov in a position to become a very wealthy community full of merchants. The city’s importance led to the building of several walls and towers. During medieval times each tower was guarded by a different craft guild.

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Anyone who has the opportunity to visit Brasov should include a trip to The Black Church, or Biserica Neagra, to their itineraries. The church was originally built between the years 1385 and 1477 and despite surviving several raids throughout history was destroyed by fire in 1689. The fire turned the walls of the church black, hence the new name. It took almost 100 years to restore the church and the project was completed with only one of two planned towers.

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The Council Square, also known as Piata Sfatului, was built by the Saxons and consisted of a series of enormous stone walls and bastions surrounding a collection of churches and ornate buildings. Within the Council Square you’ll find the Old Town Hall, the aforementioned Black Church, the Merchant’s House, and the Orthodox Cathedral’s spectacular archway.

Costa Rica

OK -  so the travelers didn’t actually get to visit Costa Rica during this episode, but the winners and the end of the day earned a trip to Costa Rica – one we’re sure they’re going to enjoy much more than the events they experienced to earn the trip.

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A trip to Costa Rica will prove to be completely different than any of the experiences our travelers had in Romania. Here they’ll have the opportunity for a different style of vacation – consisting of snorkeling, windsurfing, zip-lining, and participating in a number of other outdoor activities. Of course, those who prefer to keep things a bit low key will enjoy relaxing on some of the area’s beautiful beaches. It just depends on where in Costa Rica they end up.

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Romania is a country with the power to keep visitors spellbound as they explore and uncover some of the mysteries of the area’s dark yet magnificent history. Pack your bags and prepare for an adventure you’ll never forget!

• Munich, Germany
• Ruhpolding, Germany
• Schonau Am Konigee, Germany
• Salzburg, Austria (Schloss Hellbrunn)

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There were fewer destinations in this episode, but there were also fewer opportunities to take trains and planes that would land our travelers in out of the way positions. Let’s find out what they missed.

Munich, Germany

The best place to start out when visiting Munich is at the Munich Tourist Office. Here you’ll find information on all of the services available to visitors including guided tours, special events, and the location of some of the best sights in the city.

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While in Munich you will want to make sure you take the time to visit Alter Peter (the Church of St. Peter). The church is the oldest parish in the city which, if you don’t mind hiking up 306 steps, will provide some of the best views of the area.

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The Deutsches Museum is another incredible tourist attraction and happens to be one of the largest “scientific-technological” museums in the entire world. Inside you’ll find information chronicling the history of sailing ships, windmills, robots, lifeboats, and much more. The museum aims to help society understand the importance of staying up to date with changes in technology as the world around us advances.

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Sports lovers also need to include Allianz Arena on their list of must-see attractions. The arena officially opened in 2005 and is the home of the TSV 1860 Munchen and FC Bayern Munchen soccer clubs. The 69,000 seat stadium draws always draws stunning and dedicated crowds on game day.

Ruhpolding, Germany

Ruhpolding, Germany is known for being a delightful destination for both German locals and international tourists alike.  Our travelers, passing through on a paragliding road block mission, really missed out on the area’s incredible beauty and opportunities for relaxation.

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The town of Ruhpolding is rich with Bavarian tradition which is reflected not only in their special festivals and events but in their daily lives as well. The town has only 6,500 residents and is a romantic destination for couples whether they’re looking to enjoy a four-start hotel or a simple bed and breakfast. There are over 700 places to stay in Ruhpolding, so you really won’t have trouble finding a place to relax after exploring some of the area’s museums, churches, and markets.

Shonau am Konigssee, Germany

Shonau am Konigsee, Germany is another small municipality in the state of Bavaria. Located alongside Konigssee Lake, the city relies heavily on visits from tourists for survival.

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This small town is home to the oldest bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track in the world – making it a huge destination for fans of the sport. The track was built in 1968 and has been in operation ever since.

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Shonau am Konigsee is known for having hosted a few famous people as well. Anton Adner was burn in Schonau in 1705 and went on to become a famous supercentenarian (someone who lived over the age of 110). Actress Romy Schneider spent part of her life in Shonau as well.

Salzburg, Austria

To conclude the episode, our weary travelers finally left Germany and headed towards Austria. It’s a shame they weren’t able to stay here longer. Salzburg is an incredible city rich with history and adventure.

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Take, for example, the movie/musical The Sound of Music. Did you know that it was filmed in Salzburg? Many of the movie’s locations were filmed right in the city, including the Benedictine Convent on Nonnberg, Mirabell Gardens and Mirabell Palace, Felsenreitschule, St. Peter’s Cemetery, and many more.

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Fans of classical music will enjoy visiting the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as well. Born in 1756, Mozart was considered a child prodigy and when his youth was no longer a novelty he left Austria to explore the world, visiting Italy to write an opera before traveling to several other destinations, marrying, and dying at the young age of 35.

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Those looking to enjoy a season of entertainment and spirit should visit during the summer months for the annual Salzburg Festival. The theme of the 2009 festival is “The Game of the Powerful” and will feature a number of concerts, dramas, and opera performances throughout the city.

Germany and Austria certainly set the backdrop for travel experiences full of breathtaking views and cultural experiences. Make sure you add one or two of these incredible towns and cities on your list of places to visit in your lifetime. You won’t regret your choices.

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These incredibly dedicated couples are merely hopping from one place to the next with nothing but the end in mind. With that in mind, I thought I’d take a little time to outline some of the places these people travel. Maybe one day you or I will be able to spend a little more time than those merely passing through.

Exploring The Amazing Race 2009, Episode 1

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During the first episode of the most recent season, travelers found themselves traveling to and passing through a number of different places. These included:

• Los Alamitos, California
• Zurich, Switzerland
• Milan, Italy
• Locarno, Switzerland
• Lucerne, Switzerland
• Interlaken, Switzerland
• Stechelberg, Switzerland

Los Alamitos, California

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Los Alamitos, California, a small town in the famed Orange County, turned out to be the starting point of the entire race. This town of just under 12,000 citizens isn’t a tourist attraction by any means, but it is the home of the US Military Joint Forces Training Base which also houses the Los Alamitos Army Airfield.

Zurich, Switzerland

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Only a stop on the way to Locarno, Zurich is an incredibly beautiful town nestled in the Swiss Alps. You won’t find yourself wishing for things to do while you’re there, either. There are dozens of incredible art galleries, museums, parks, theatres and monuments to explore.

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Make sure you visit Burkliterrasse while you’re in the area. Opened in 1887, the incredible park sits on the lake and provides visitors with stunning views of the Alps. After you’ve taken in the view, head on over to Grossmunster and tour one of the most incredible Romanesque churches and crypts in the entire area. The Reformation Museum, also found at Grossmunster, is open Monday through Friday and is a sight you won’t want to miss.

Milan, Italy

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Our adventurers didn’t really want to find themselves in Milan, but a few found they had no other choice but to pass through on their way to Locarno. The second largest city in Italy is certainly intriguing.

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Milan is especially well known within the fashion industry and is considered to be amongst the design capitals of the world. The city has always been famous not only for its fashionable shops but for its incredible cathedrals as well. Another popular sight is the Garden of the Righteous, established in 2003 to commemorate anyone who has lost his life due to genocide.

Locarno, Switzerland

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Locarno was the first official destination for the racers but when they arrived they had little time to explore. Found at the tip of Lake Maggiore, Locarno is known for having one of the mildest climates in the region. Those lucky enough to find themselves in Locarno may think they accidentally landed in the Mediterranean.

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During the summer months locals love gathering for open-air concerts or for the International Film Festival, which finds it way to the area in late August. Anyone feeling adventurous will enjoy a trip up Cardada-Cimetta, where hang-gliding, hiking, skiing, and sledding are incredibly popular depending on the time of year.

Lucerne, Switzerland

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Lucerne is another beautiful city found in Central Switzerland. The city itself sits on the shores of Lake Lucerne and is a very popular tourist destination for those hoping to catch a glimpse of Mount Pilatus, Mount Rigi, and the Swiss Alps.

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There are tons of incredible attractions and landmarks to explore, but one of the most famous is Chapel Bridge. The structure was built in the 14^th century and is one of few remaining wooden bridges still standing today. The medieval covered bridges, such as Kapellbrucke and Vierwaldstattersee, are definitely worth seeking out as well.

Interlaken, Switzerland

Image credit: Fr Antunes

The town of Interlaken is so named because it can be found between two more beautiful Swiss lakes – Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. The small town, which sits about 1,870 feet above sea level, was once the home of a convent owned by the Augustinian Canons, who resided there from around 1130 until 1528.

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If you love adventure, Interlaken is certainly a spectacular destination. Backpackers frequently stop in Interlaken because of the friendly hostels in the area and those who plan to stay longer will enjoy skydiving, hang gliding, and skiing in the surrounding areas.

Stechelberg, Switzerland

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By the end of the episode our adventurers found themselves in Stechelberg, Switzerland. Stechelberg is a very small village that can be found at the base of the mountain known as Jungfrau. Visitors to this village often take the aerial tramway to reach Gimmelwald, Murren, and Schilthorn – all of which are car-free destinations where tourists enjoy skiing, hiking, and other outdoor sports.

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Not far from Stechelbeg you’ll find a collection of over 72 waterfalls including Staubbach Falls, the highest waterfall in Switzerland. The occupants of the village creatively blend their need to herd dairy animals with their desire to promote tourism and take great pride in their abilities to give visitors a host of incredible trails, cable cars, cabins, chalets, and festivals to explore.

Hopefully the couples taking part in this season’s race will have the opportunity to spend a bit of time backtracking to at least a few of these destinations before heading home after the show. They’re certainly missing out on the chance to explore some of the most beautiful mountainous countryside in the world.