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Despite a reputation, accurate in many respects, for being expensive, London remains one of the most popular travel destinations on the planet. The city is without a doubt, one of the most complete in the world. Other than a boundless supply of tropical weather, London has it all. Since the advent of the European Union, the rise of China and India and the cultural and economic stagnation of the United States, the metropolis has emerged as the defacto world capital. From fashion and style to commerce and cuisine, London is on top. The action takes place in the city boroughs, which is where we commence anew in the third and last installment of our London guide.

Merton

For many, the borough of Merton is notable for one reason: Wimbledon. Without a doubt, the Lawn Tennis Championship held here every year draws the eyes of the world, if not the best tennis players around. The stadium complex and museum is a top draw with tourists. Do not however, overlook Merton Park and the banks of the River Wandle.

Continue reading A Guide to London’s Boroughs III »

A megalopolis of supreme magnitude, Tokyo is a bona fide monster. One trip is seldom sufficient to appreciate the city for what it is. Not one homogeneous region but rather, a cluster of districts or special wards, known as “ku” in Japanese. In fact, the administrative hegemony of Tokyo covers a full 23 wards, 26 city districts (”shi”), 5 towns (”machi”) and 8 villages (”mura”). As such, to the Japanese and especially to urban planners, Tokyo is not so much a city but a metropolitan prefecture.

Continue reading A Guide to Tokyo’s Districts I »

Our walkabout through the vastness of London continues unabated with alphabetic precision. The boroughs, plentiful as they are, represent the best possible approach to tackle this prominent world capital. Too many trips to London have been marred by haphazard, sloppy touring, with sprints between the major monuments. As tourists check the Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace off their list, they desecrate what should be a precious experience and with it, lose the soul of the city.

London, like New York City, Paris and Tokyo, is much more than a cavalcade of familiar sights. Indeed, the very heart of the metropolis is in her neighbourhoods. The boroughs are the thing. On that note, on with our nifty guide, which includes the best possible deals on London hotels. Tally-ho!

Hammersmith and Fulham

The bustling inner London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham is a hotbed of young, single and upwardly mobile professionals. The posh home to Chelsea and Fulham football, the borough boasts some of the best restaurants in the city. If history is your bag, the area has it in spades, with Fulham Palace and the famous Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.

Continue reading A Guide to London’s Boroughs II »

It may sound silly to classify a city with a metropolitan area of 20 million people as under the radar but in many respects, this is where Mexico City stands. Admit it or not, there is a bias in global tourism in favor of certain nations and while resort areas in Mexico thrive, the capital city could stand to welcome more admiration.

Mexico City is in supreme position to do so, with more available attractions than one can appreciate in a fortnight. Loads of terrific hotels as well. With that in mind, our look at the Top 15 resumes.

Continue reading Top 15 Mexico City Attractions Part II »

Though in need of a polish from time to time, Mexico City is a jewel. At once the target of scorn for a metro population that now exceeds 20 million and the recipient of praise for a reputation as the most progressive city in Latin America, the capital of Mexico demands some of your attention and time.

With a history that dates back to 1325 as a Nahua Aztec tribal base of power, Mexico City has gone through various incarnations that together, in their totality, make it a very attractive destination for tourism. As a result of a rich cultural heritage and a conglomerate of influences, the city offers up an embarrassment of treasures.

Continue reading Top 15 Mexico City Attractions Part I »

Scuba has come a long way since development as a United States warfare tactic in World War II. Now a sport, or recreation rather, that spans the globe and counts millions of faithful adherents, scuba is a veritable industry and vital mini-slice of the world tourism pie.

Much like golf, people plan entire vacations around their ability to secure that elusive perfect dive. Clear waters, a myriad of colourful flora and fauna and perhaps some cool caves and sunken relics are all highly sought after features. Steep prices are paid to secure the best underwater eye candy, in paradisical backdrops no less.

With that in mind, here is a Top 10 countdown of the best places in the world for avid proponents of scuba.

10. The Red Sea, Egypt

With a surfeit of endemic sea life, unique to the region, and loads of reefs with proprietary ecosystems, the Red Sea offers divergent scuba experiences. The benefits of a trip here are twofold: supreme spots for eager divers and a rich cultural heritage and history that few other locations in the world can lay claim to.

Continue reading Top 10 Scuba Diving Spots in the World »

No other spectacle shepherds the world together like the Olympic Games. The quadrennial event soars beyond mere sport and serves as a touchstone for humanity. Cynics chide the contemporary relevance of the Games in the wake of crass commercialism and political injustice but even the most stubborn skeptic must admit that for better or for worse, come August 8, 2008, the eyes of the world will be on Beijing.

The collective effort to prepare the city for reveal as the shiny symbol of New China has been a paragon to future aspirant hosts. No logistic detail has been immune to clinical dissection by officials to clinch Beijing’s place as Olympic showcase par excellence.

Continue reading Your Guide to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games »

It’s easy to get lost in London without the right strategy in place. The city is a massive metropolis that swells beyond its resident millions, with countless commuters and tourists clogging the streets day and night. Rather than see the forest through the trees, it’s best to view London for what it is: an enormous village, with neighbourhood pockets to explore, one at a time.

With over 600 square miles and a population of 8 million plus, London is segmented into 33 distinct boroughs. Residents cling fiercely to their chosen ‘hood and identify themselves with borough first, city second. As a visitor, it would be wise to acclimatize to the borough map and work out a manageable itinerary from there. Chances are, you’ll hit all the major landmarks and score some precious hidden gems along the way.

Barking and Dagenham

East of central London, the comically-titled borough of Barking and Dagenham comprises 165,000 residents. One major attraction of note is the ancient Anglo-Saxon abbey. Built in 665 AD in the Barking area, the historic ruins host a massive carnival every May. Other points of interest include the Valence House Museum and Broadway Theatre.

Continue reading A Guide to London’s Boroughs I »

As we embark on the sequel of our look at cool UNESCO World Heritage Sites of cultural import, a thought comes to mind. Why not plan your next vacation around a heritage site theme? Think about it - this concept could blow your mind and revolutionize your future travel plans. Rather than make a city, hotel, beach or family reunion the focal point of your vacation, why not inject a little historical flair into your program? No? Continue reading 10 Cool World Heritage Cultural Sites Part II »

In 1959 under Gamal Abdel Nasser, the government of Egypt built a dam in the town of Aswan. An innocent enterprise at the time and one that had the vast support of the people. With the economy of Egypt in the toilet, the hydroelectric dam was going to provide a shot in the arm. The dam was a big success on that measure but there was a high cost to pay. The priceless temples of Abu Simbel, with their countless treasures and historical place in the evolution of human culture, were swept under water. Continue reading 10 Cool World Heritage Cultural Sites Part I »