Travelling Colors

Cinque Terre is a beautiful destination and is very popular among tourists. Literally meaning, five towns, the place has a lot to offer for every traveller. Read below for an overview of Cinque Terre that can help you in planning your trip.

Places to See

Cinque Terre comprises five towns, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Riomaggiore and Monterosso. They are all included in the world heritage site list and are a very popular tourist destination. Corniglia is located on top of a hill while the others are located near sea level. Monterosso is famous for its beaches and should be on your list if you are a sea lover. The landscape of Cinque Terre is world renowned for its beauty and attracts many photography enthusiasts.

The place is known for its many trails but it’s always best to check with the local centre for weather forecasts as the place is a landslide prone region. The Lover’s walk is the most famous and is the name for the path from Riomaggiore to Manarola. It is suitable for people of all ages as it is paved and easy to access.

If you are looking for more unbeaten paths then the one from Corniglia to Vernazza is unpaved and a bit more difficult. If you are looking for some mountaineering experience then the path from Monterosso to Vernazza is one of the steepest climbs and is very good for budding mountaineers. Visitors need to purchase a pass before they can gain access to the trails so ensure that you visit the information centre and plan your schedule beforehand. A good idea is to purchase a train pass that allows for unlimited travel between the villages.

You can also enjoy a swim in each of the five towns. The beaches are relatively crowd free during the mornings and you can also enjoy watching the sunset at dusk. The region also organises many local festivals and it’s always a good idea to plan your travel to coincide with the festivities. It’s the best way to learn about the native culture.

Dining

The place is famous for its wines and you must try some if you decide to visit the place. A local dish, Trofie which is basically pasta is very famous and you must try it. Another famous delicacy on the menu is the vegetable pie and most restaurants in the region serve many dishes. Frittatas are the preferred option for breakfast and you will find a range of frittatas on offer in the many restaurants in all towns.

How to Reach?

Pisa and Genova are the nearest airports if you are planning to fly in. You can also take a train from Milan or take the road from La Spezia.

Places to Stay

Since Cinque Terre is a very famous tourist destination, there are many good hotels and budget options that cater to all sorts of tourists. Cinque Terre Holidays offer some of the best views of the region and are a good budget option for student travellers. In Corniglia, there is a monastery that allows accommodation for a modest fee.  

Tower Bridge London is a famous tourist destination and gets a lot of visitors throughout the year. Dating back to the nineteenth century, it is a suspension bridge which is often confused with the London Bridge. It is world heritage site and a very popular tourist destination. The bridge is 244 m in length and serves both pedestrians and motorcars. It is now serviced through a hydraulic mechanism. Read below for an overview of Tower Bridge London.

Things to Do

The major attraction is the bridge itself. It is on the river Thames and offers great spots for clicking pictures. Ensure that you have your camera at hand whenever you decide to visit the bridge. You should also explore the Tower Bridge Experience that will tell you about the history of the bridge and its mechanism. The bridge is free for all but if you wish to take the Tower Bridge Experience, then you need to purchase a ticket.

The London Pass includes major destinations such as the Tower Bridge. There are walkways for you to explore that now have glass flooring to make the experience more attractive. It offers spectacular views of the city and of the river and is a good opportunity to make use of your camera. The Tots at Tower Bridge is another popular activity aimed at kids where they can learn about the bridge and its mechanism and also explore the glass flooring before it opens for the general public.

The Bridge opens at least three times a day but the schedule is erratic so it’s best to check the scheduled times with the Tower Bridge Website. It is a good photo opportunity so try to plan your travel at the time of the opening of the bridge. It can be very crowded since its always open to the public so it’s best to plan an outing during the afternoon when it’s relatively traffic free.

Places to See

Apart from the bridge, there are many popular tourist places worth a visit. Most popular are the Tower of London, City Hall and HMS Belfast. You should consider booking a walking tour or avail of the services of an agent for the same. There are many good budget options for such tours.

Dining

There are many good restaurants in the vicinity where you can enjoy a good meal. If you are in London, then you should definitely try the Fish and Chips. There are also many good bars in the area where you can relax and enjoy a quiet time. A range of cuisines is always on offer and you can always try different delicacies.

How to Reach?

If coming by the tube, then the nearest station is Tower Hill from where the bridge is a mere ten minute walk. The tube is the safest and quickest mode of transport but you can also make use of taxis or public transport if you like. There is also a car parking nearby if you decide to hire a private car.

Times Square New York is world famous for its many recreational centres, theatres, cinemas and market centres. The place is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world and if you are in New York, you must take time out to visit it. Read below for an overview of Times Square New York.

Places to See

The most famed tourist attraction at the Times Square is the Paramount Building and Visitors Centre. There are also many stores where you can shop to your heart’s content. The Tony Awards Pop Up Show and Drama Book shop are some that are worth mentioning. The place is heaven for shopping enthusiasts and there are also many bargain shops where you can find some souvenirs.

Madame Tussaud’s Wax Works is another hot favourite tourist destination where you can view life like idols of major celebrities. Snap a picture with your favourite celebrity here and the place itself is huge so spare enough time for this location.

NBC studio is another place that you must find time to visit. You can watch the live taping of a show but some popular shows come with advance bookings so ensure you make reservations early if you are planning to visit the studio.

The New York Public library and Rockefeller centre are other destinations that you must not skip. Top of the rock is the best way to view the entire city in its full glory. The place attracts a lot of visitors so plan your visit accordingly. If you are into art, then there is also a Museum of Modern Art worth exploring.

For photography enthusiasts, there is the International Centre of Photography. The Intrepid Sea, Air and space museum is another place that is worth a visit. Discovery Times Square plays host to one of the largest exhibitions centres and should be on your to do list whenever you find time to visit Times Square.

Dining

There are many good restaurants in Times Square where you can find a range of delicacies. Open Table is one such favourite spot among tourists. The place is pretty crowded so do make advance reservations for a favourable experience.You can enjoy your meal in a restaurant or even pick a dish from the many takeaways and enjoy it in one of the many parks located in the vicinity. There are also many good bats in the area where you can not only have a drink but also enjoy the live performances by budding artists. Most restaurants frequently host musical shows and performances.

Places to stay

Since Times Square is a major tourist destination, there are many hotels located in the vicinity. If you are planning to visit the place more than once, then it’s a good idea to stay in one the hotels located near the place. There are also some good budget options but the place can be overbooked during festive seasons so plan your travel and book a place in advance.