Travel Destinations: Tongli, Jiangsu Province, China

With so many different places to go to and explore in China, it can be very difficult for travellers to choose where they want to spend their limited time in. For most Westerners, it is Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong that mostly appeal, but many are choosing to opt for a river cruise along the Grand Canal.

The Grand Canal is a wonderful way to explore China as not only do you get to explore some major towns and beautiful scenery, but the smaller towns and little canal villages are simply lovely and give you the chance to get a sense of real China and some amazingly authentic historical sites.

Tongli is a canal town in Jiangsu Province, and a popular stop-off destination as you either cruise down the Grand Canal or make your way by bicycle or car. It lies only 18km from Suzhou and near Lake Tai and was established in the 9th century. Even today, it has managed to retain that ancient and charming historical feel to it with their traditional architecture, intricate roof carvings and black tiles.

The town’s streets are lined with willow trees and cobblestones. The old buildings have a weather-beaten charm to them which makes Tongli a popular tourist destination from either Suzhou or Shanghai.

To get the most out of the Old Town it is best to explore by foot. For those who get lost easily, keep to the sides of the canals. They are criss-crossed by a network of ancient stone bridges that you can imagine ancient Chinese people crossing with baskets of fruit and goods in their brightly coloured silk robes and dresses. Not only this, but as you admire the beautiful traditional buildings you get away from the other tourists.

At some point in your wanderings here, you will come to three residential houses that you shouldn’t pass up on the chance to visit. Gengle Tang is by far the best of them. This is a stunning estate containing 52 halls throughout five sprawling courtyards. These buildings have been lovingly restored to their original brilliance and have wonderful painting, furniture and calligraphy to create that ancient feel.

Pear Pagoda is in the north of the town dating back to the Qing Dynasty but has undergone recent restoration. In the east you will find Tuisi Garden, the highlight and famous landmark in Tongli. The name means ‘to retire and contemplate’ and was named so after it became an official’s retirement home.

The one attraction that does keep people coming to Tongli is the Chinese Sec Culture Museum. Westerners have long though Confucius was a prim and proper man, but once you find this museum, you will soon learn that he wasn’t. It was originally established in Shanghai but the government force it out and it found its home here.

Tongli is a beautiful place that should not be missed out upon. The words charming, lovely, quaint and beautiful do not do it justice.

Boardwalk Inn & Suites, Daytona Beach, Florida

Whether you are coming to Daytona Beach on your honeymoon, spring break, on business or just a holiday, the Boardwalk Inn and Suites is the perfect hotel in which to stay. It is ideally situated on the corner of corner of International Speedway Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue, making it the closest Oceanfront Resort from the International Speedway.

From the first moment you step into the Boardwalk Inn and Suites, you will be as warmly greeted as the outside weather. The staff members are incredibly friendly and professional, emphasising the motto that the customer is always right. Impeccably dressed, the staff members can help you with whatever query you might have and will always go out of their way to make sure their guests are comfortable and happy.

The rooms are bright, airy and modern, with all the necessary comforts that you might need for your holiday. There are a number of different rooms to choose from, including the Honeymoon Suite, the Ocean Front Private Front Room, the Standard Room and Standard Suites.

The spacious Honeymoon Suite gives you everything you could ask for when off celebrating your marriage. This suite gives you a Jacuzzi to relax in, a soft king sized bed in a separate room, a private bathroom and a kitchen area.

The Ocean Front Private Room gives you the opportunity to gaze out at some spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean as you rise for the day or relax at night. Relax on the private balcony with a glass of wine and watch the sun set for the day. These suites are the height of luxury, with plush furnishings and special amenities not found in other rooms. There is a full equipped kitchen, private bathroom and a separate bedroom where you will find two soft, over-stuffed double beds.

The Standard Rooms will give you everything that you need for your stay at the Boardwalk Inn and Suites, including two comfortable beds, air conditioning, cable/satellite TV, tea and coffee makers, telephone and private bathrooms.

The Boardwalk Inn and Suites has a wonderful dining experience to offer you. Iguana Sam's Beach Bar & Grille, with open air seating, offers a wonderful and tasty menu for guests. Relax and sit back with one of their world-class cocktails and sample the delicious food as you gaze in wonder at the magnificent views of the Atlantic.

Your stay at the Boardwalk Inn and Suites will not disappoint you. A stay at this hotel will show you why countless others make this their first choice hotel destination in Daytona Beach.

Travel Destinations: Anyang, Henan Province, China

Anyang, with a population of 792,000 people, is situated on the ancient city of Yin, the last capital of one of the earliest dynasties of China, the Shang. In the late 19th century, peasants discovered fragments of tortoise shell, inscribed with an ancient form of Chinese writing, as well as some wonderful bronze objects. This led to the belief that Anyang was the last capital of the Shang Dynasty. In fact, it is from these ancient inscriptions that modern Chinese is founded upon.

Anyang, whether you love history or not, has some wonderful places to visit, but history does dominate the tourist attractions.

The first sight you should see is the Museum of Yin Ruins (Yinxu Bowuguan). This museum showcases and presents the history of Yin and its incredible achievements. There are displays of pottery, fragments of the famous oracle bones, bronzes and jade artefacts as well as some wonderful tomb reconstructions. To get here, take the number 1 bus from the train station and get off at the museum drop-off place; from here cross the railway tracks and head along the river for about 10 minutes.

Another place to visit is the Tomb of Yuan Shikai (Yuan Shikai Mu). This is the grand resting place of the Qing military official who took the presidency from Sun Yatsen. Yuan Shikai attempted to bring China back to an imperial system and proclaimed himself emperor in 1916. The tomb is situated around 3km east of the Yin Museum. You can get here by taking the number 2 bus from the train station; get off at the bridge and walk northwards to the tomb.

Anyang has some wonderful streets to wander around and get a sense of a true historical city. Wander around the old section of town; this is situated east of the train station, south of Jiefang Dadao. Here you can see the old Drum Tower (Zhong Luo) which still survives. You can also visit the Tianning Temple (Tianming Si), located in the heart of town, as well as the Wenfeng Pagoda); this is a lovely five tired pagoda which you can climb and reward yourself with some incredible views and beautiful Buddhist carvings.

Anyang is reachable by train or bus; it is on the Beijing-Zhengzhou train route and there are regular trains to Xingxiang, as well as easy connections to Guangzhou and Shijiazhuang. If coming or going via long distance bus, there are also regular routes to Zhengzhou (three hours), Luoyang (four hours) and Kaifeng (four hours).

Boasting its magnificent and ancient history, Anyang has a deep sense of pride in itself; in addition to this, it can also pride itself on beautiful architecture, delicious food and some of the friendliest people in China.

Travel Destinations: Brac, Croatia

For most westerners, Croatia is fast becoming a popular tourist destination for several reasons; the country has some incredibly beautiful beaches, good food, great cultural attractions, relatively unscarred by other tourists and is much cheaper than other destinations in Europe.

The island of Brac lies nine nautical miles south of Split by ferry or catamaran. You can visit Brac as a day trip if you are visiting Split, but to really explore the island it is best to stay a night or two. There are several really nice hotels that you can choose from.

Brac Island is famous for his gorgeous beach and the ideal spot for windsurfing. You can catch the early morning Jadrolinjia ferry from Split to Supetar. After you dock, catch a bus to the other side of the island to the south coast or else you can catch another ferry that will take you to Bol.

There are some wonderful cultural attractions here on Brac, but the island is famous for its beach. Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape) can be found on the south coast near the little fishing village of Bol. Tree line the promenade from the village to the beautiful cape consisting of tiny pebbles which stretch 0.75 km out to sea.

Depending on the season and the winds, this cape is ever-changing. This is the ideal spot if you like to wind-surf and the shallow waters make it a perfect place if you have children travelling with you.

There are some wonderful places just waiting for you to explore them. Take a trip to the Galerija Branislav Deskovic (Branislav Deskovic Gallery) where you can discover over 300 paintings and sculptures made by 20th century Croatian artists who all have one thing in common – they have been inspired by the island of Brac and the sea.

The Dominikanski Samostan (Dominican Monastery) is another site that should not be missed. It is situated on the western fringes of Bol and was established in 1457. The monastery houses a famous 16th century painting by the Venetian Tintoretto and also showcases some important ancient Greek coins and amphorae that have been excavated on the nearby islands of Hvar and Vis.

You can also take a boat trip to the 16th century Pustinja Blaca (Blaca Hermitage) which was built into a cliff face overlooking the sea. When you leave the boat, it is a one mile hike up to the building where you can see an old collection of furniture and clocks. The views from up here are simply amazing, especially at sunset.

Brac may not be the firstchoice when you start planning your holiday, but it is a beautiful island and should not be overshadowed by its neighbouring islands. Book your holiday to Brac today, you will not be disappointed.

Who Were the Parni?

The Parni were a race of people from the ancient Middle East from the south-east region of the Caspian Sea who went on to found the Parthian Empire. They were one of the three tribes in the Dahae Confederacy and most of our knowledge of them comes from Classical Greek and Roman sources.

There is much of the Parni tribe from before the foundation of the Parthian Empire that we still do not know much about. There have been many names which have been applied to them, including Sparni, Apartani, the Eparnoi or Asparioi. However it should be stressed that these names could be applied to other tribes in the area – we simply do not know if these names applied to the Parni or not.

The majority of our information of the Parni comes from Classical Greek sources and concerns the rise of Parthian Empire. This came about due to Arsaces and his brother Tiridates. They were leaders of the Parni tribe who invaded Persia from the north. They set about creating a revolt made up of the Parthians against Syria. This allowed them to establish an independent new kingdom out of Iran and part of Mesopotamia. This empire, known as the Parthian Empire, and the Arsacid dynasty, lasted from c. 250 BCE to 226 CE, despite its many troubles with the Romans.

The Parni adopted many of the administration practices from their neighbours, the Seleucid Empire. Before the Parni overtook this region, the area was heavily influenced by the Greeks and immediately after their conquest, the Parni discarded the Greek institutions. It is probably this that the following Greek quote was so heavily critical of the Parni leaders. “A coarse, rude and semi-barbarian character attached always even to the most advanced part of the nation, to the king the court and nobles generally, a character which, despite a certain I varnish of civilisation, was constantly showing itself i1i their dealings with each other and with foreign nations”.

As stated earlier, much of our knowledge comes from Greek sources and archaeological evidence for this race is sparse. We know that they were a nomadic people and according to scholars they shared cultural traditions with the Saka-Scythian tribal societies of South Russia and Central Asia. They spoke related Iranian languages and Pliny himself claimed they lived on equal terms with each other.

Bibliography:

Coyne, John J. A. (1912) Hellenism and the Oriental Reaction, Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review, Irish Province of the Society of Jesus.

Hansman, John & Stronach, David & Bailey, Harold (1970) Excavations at Shahr-I Qumis, 1967, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Robinson, David M. (1927) A Graeco-Parthian Portrait Head of Mithradates I, American Journal of Archaeology, Archaeological Institute of America.

Travel Destinations: Anshun, China

Anshun is a beautiful town with a long history. She was once known as the centre for opium and tea trade, but today she is known for her production of batiks, kitchen knives and the extremely strong Anjiu brand of alcohol.

Most travellers who come here use her as a base for exploring the nearby sites and attractions especially Longgong Caves and Huanggyoshu Falls. Anshun herself doesn’t have much in the way of cultural attractions but she is well worth a visit.

When you arrive in Anshun, you will find the bus and train stations 3km and 4km south of downtown respectively. The locals set up their stalls in town and the street can get increasingly busy with shoppers that it can be a little hard to move. Despite this though, the smell of delicious baked goods will make your mouth water and make you forget about the amount of people around you.

If you want to get away from the mad crowds, take a trip to Wen Miao. This is a dilapidated Confucian temple in the north part of town but has still managed to train a charm that makes people flock to her doors. Locals will come here during the weekends to chat and drink tea.

If you wander southeast of the temple, you will come to Donglin Temple. This Buddhist temple was built in 1405 during the Ming dynasty and the monks that still reside here will make you feel very welcome.

If you wander outside the village, you will find that there are a few more things to see and do. Longguan Caves are a popular attraction, a network of winding and twisting caves about 23km south of Anshun. These caves twist through 20 hills but only a small amount of these caves are open to the public. You can take a journey through some on a little rowboat with the guides, giving you an impressive and delightful experience.

Zhijin Cave is the largest cave in China and one of the largest in the world. This makes it a good place when passing through Anshun. Situated in small village 15km outside Anshun, the cave is roughly 10km long and 150m high.

When you need to relax, take a trip to Huangguoshu Falls. The best time to come here is during the rainy season (May to October) when the falls flow so hard and fast that you can hear them from miles away. From Rhinoceros Pool below, you will see rainbows span across the sky as the mists rise up from the cascading waters, making it a truly beautiful place to view.

Travel Destinations: Tiger Leaping Gorge, Yunnan Province, China

Yunnan Province in China is home to some amazing sights and experiences a traveller should not miss when visiting this part of the country. In northwest Yunnan, you will find Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiao Xia), one of the deepest gorges in the world. It measures 16km long and is 3900m from the banks of Jinsha River to the snowy peaks of Haba Shan (Haba Mountains) to the west and Yulong Xueshan in the east.

The hikes here are a ‘can’t miss’ experience; the best time to visit is in May to early June when the hills burst into bloom with plants and flowers. The hike can be done in two days, but most will take three or four to thoroughly explore this area. Many more international travellers have spent up to a week here, just to enjoy and see everything they can.

The treks at Tiger Leaping Gorge should not be undertaken lightly; July and August are the rainy months here and landslides and swollen waterfalls can often make treks quite dangerous. There have been some foreign travellers who have died because they have wandered off the path. So be careful and bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

There are two trails at Tiger Leaping Gorge – the higher route, also known as the 24 bend path, and the lower route. The higher trail is by far the best option and starts at Qiaotou and the route is dotted with guesthouses.

It takes about six hours to Bendiwan or eight hours to Walnut Springs. Be aware that at the peak times, there can be up to 100 people each day on the same trail. The first day takes you to Walnut Garden about two hours from Bendiwan. The second day can take about four to six hours to get to Daju. There are two ferries to get you here and most people will call it a day after they reach the bottom.

For those who want to carry on hiking, you can continue all the way from Tiger Leaping Gorge to Baishuitai via Haba village. This will turn your adventure into a four day trek from Qiaotou and then carry on further to Shangri-La.

Once you reach Walnut Garden it takes about eight hours to Haba via Jiangbian. From here it is another eight hours to the Yi village of Sanba.

Before attempting any of these trails, you should seek advice and make sure you are properly prepared.

Travel Destinations: Changchun, China

One the Japanese capital of Manchukuo between 1933 and 1945, Changchun is an industrial city today and known for its car manufacturing business. The first car manufacturing plant opened up in the 1950s with the help of the Soviets; today both Volkswagen and Toyota have factories here.

There are some wonderful cultural attractions here in Changchun. The Puppet Emperor’s Palace and Exhibition Hall (Wei Huanggong) is the main tourist destination here for international travellers. This was the former residence for the last Qing dynasty emperor, Henry Puyi. In 1987, Bernardo Bertolucci based his movie The Last Emperor on his sad tale.

When he was three years old, Puyi became the 10th Qing emperor. In 1911 the Chinese Revolution ended his rule and he lived in exile until 1932 when the Japanese installed him here as the ‘puppet emperor’ of Manchukuo.

A lot of the rooms, including his bedroom, study and temple, his wife’s quarters, his lover’s quarters and his offices, have all been painstakingly restored down to the last detail. You can even see his toilet from where it is said he agreed all governmental decisions. You reach here by taking either the number 10 or 18 bus from the train station.

Changchun is home to some wonderful restaurants; you can sample some fantastic dongbei (north-eastern) dishes from the many inexpensive restaurants that are grouped together along Guilin Lu and Xikang Lu. A good place to eat is at Songji Zhoupu, where the speciality is porridge served with breads and pickled vegetables. It is very cheap, which is great if you are travelling on a budget. If you are craving something sweet and more western, head to French Bakery; this coffee shop will serve you some amazing croissants, pastas and sandwiches.

There are some good, comfortable hotels in Changchun. The Shangri-La Hotel (Xiangeilila Dajiudian) is the most luxurious hotel in the city. The staff members all speak English and there is internet access in the beautiful gold and marble lobby.

For something in the midrange price guide, Chunyi Binguan is a good choice. It is simply charming with its woodwork and stained glass features. It was built in 1909 for the elite Japanese and Manchurian officials and now caters to everyone.
If you are looking for something on a tight budget, the Elan Fashion Inn (Milan Huashishang Jiudian) is bright and colourful whilst still being comfortable.

To get here, you can get a bus from the airport 20km east of the city. There are also regular trains from Haerbin, Jilin City, Beijing, Dalian and other cities.

Travel Destinations: Tianshui, Gansu Province, China

Within the eastern region of Gansu Province you will find some of the most beautiful area of China. You will find tampered earth houses, terraced wheat fields and lush green forested hills. You will also find what remains of the once well travelled Silk Road.

Tianshiu is home to 400,000 people and one of those places in china that has an incredibly long history – it is, in fact, located near one of the ‘cradles’ of Chinese civilization and the people here are very proud of the heritage. The town is famous for the nearby Maiji Shan Buddhist caves and the Fu Xi Temple.

In addition to this, Tianshui is the perfect place to stop in Gansu and relax before continuing on if following in the footsteps of the ancient traders who walked the Silk Road route.

So, what can you see and do here?

Fu Xi Temple is one of the key attractions here. It was originally constructed in 1483 and the main hall is simply stunning. It is one of the most elaborately decorated main halls in Gansu with its gorgeous wooden carved door panels as well as the beautiful original paintings of the 64 hexagrams located on the ceiling.

Fu Xi is the originator of the Chinese people and some say a Chenji (modern day Tianshui) local, who taught the Chinese people the art of hunting, eight trigrams and how to domesticate animals.

Jade Spring Temple is another place to visit. It is located on the top of the hill above Qincheng. It has a weather beaten look to it due to its age but it is still a nice place to go and see.

Maiji Shan is the main reason that visitors come here. The grottos here are one of the largest group temples in the country. The caves rise out from the lush green landscape to awe the visitors who approach.

The grottos are full of statues and other carvings which date to the Norther Wei and Zhou dynasties and were continually added to throughout the succeeding periods. There are so many things to see here; the Sui dynasty trinity of Buddha and Bodhisattvas in cave 13 are the highlight here but you shouldn’t miss out on seeing Cave 17 with its excellent protective guardian statues.

A trip to Water Curtain Caves is the image of China that you dream about. 17km from Luomen, you see sandstone dooms dominating verdant canyon walls with Buddhist and Daoist temples hidden within. The key site here is Lashoa Si, where the 31m high painted image of the Buddha sits cross legged on a throne made of the petals of lotus flowers, lions, elephants and deer.

There are so many other things to see here; take a trip to Tianshiu and explore them for yourself. You will not be disappointed.

Travel Destinations: Tibet

Known as ‘the Rooftop of the World’, Tibet is one of the most magical and hauntingly beautiful places you will ever experience in this world. When you think of Tibet, bright blue skies, peaceful nomads of their horses and magnificent temples instantly spring to mind.

Tibet is a country that has experienced some of the harshest treatment throughout the centuries and the people can live in some of the harshest environments; however, these strains do not deter the traveller from seeing the beauty of this country and her people.

There are five major roads that get the international traveller to Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet. However, foreigners are only officially allowed to use the Qinghai and Nepal ones only. The Qinghai route is 1754km of road that connects Lhasa with Xining via Golmud. The mountain passes get quite chilly in the evening so take some warm clothing for this. Alternatively, the 920km road from Kathmandu to Lhasa is known as the Friendship Hwy.

Other routes into Lhasa are in Sichuan, Yunnan and Xinjiang and are closed to foreigners. Some travellers will try to hitchhike over the border but the Chinese government comes down very hard on both so do not attempt it.

Lhasa:

Lhasa is the capital of Tibet and the first port of call for any traveller – it is the sacred and spiritual city in the Tibetan world. The PLA came marching in during the 1950s and reopened the city in the 1980s. However, the Chinese had done quite a lot of damage to this beautiful city; many of the temples now sit next to modern karaoke bars and such. Despite this though, Lhasa is still a beautiful place.

The Potala Palace (Budala Gong) is the world famous sight that visitors flock to in their thousands. It was once the seat of the Tibetan government and was the place where the Dalai Lamas would visit during the winter season.

It rises 13 storeys into the air, almost touching the sky it seems. There are over 1000 rooms in the palace and you can see the pilgrims whispering prayers as they go from room to room as they make offerings of liquid yak butter and khatak (ceremonial scarves).

Visitors have to line up for tickets the night before as they are limited here. But once you have got your ticket you can enter and see the White Palace (which is the eastern part of the building and were the living quarters of the Dalai Lama), and the Red Palace (the section used for religious purposes).

In Lhasa, about 3km west of the Potala Palace is Norbulingka (Luobulinka), which was the former summer home of the Dalai Lama. The highlight in this charming park is the New Summer Palace (Takten Migyu Potrang) and there are other chapels and palaces that you can visit as well.

Around Lhasa:

Venturing outside of the capital is a wide range of wonderful cultural attractions for you to discover. Start by taking a trip to Drepung Monastery. Located 7km west of Lhasa, this 15th century monastery was one of the ‘three pillars of the Tibetan state’ along with Sera and Ganden Monasteries. The monastery was regularly destroyed by the Mongols and the Tsang kings but during the Cultural Revolution, the Red Guards pretty much left it alone fortunately. It has undergone some restoration and you can clearly see its architectural and spiritual beauty.

Sera Monastery (Sera Si) is located 5km north of Lhasa and another place you cannot miss. It was founded in 1419 by a disciple of Tsongkhapa and formed one of the three pillars of the Tibetan state. Today there are about 600 monks at home here, but at the very height it housed about 5000. Come here and you can catch the monks debating in the assembly hall.

Nam-Tso Lake:

Nam-tso is located 195km north of the capital and the waters are sacred. Think of crystal clear blue waters shimmering in the sunlight and you are here. You can also visit the Tashi Dor Monastery which is on an elevation of 4718m so climb slowly!

Samye Monastery:

Samye Monastery is located 30km west of Tsetang and was built in 775 CE by King Trisong Detsen and was the first monastery in Tibet. The architecture and design here is absolutely beautiful – the main hall symbolises Mt Meru as the centre of the universe and other buildings here are also representations of Tibetan cosmetology. Although somewhat difficult to reach, once you make it here you will be rewarded with some exquisite beauty, history and peace.

There are many other places in Tibet to visit and explore. It is best to book your hotels and your visas before you depart but once you get here you will not want to leave!

Travel Destinations: Mokpo, South Korea

South Korea is a wonderful destination for travellers to visit, with Seoul as the most popular city. However, there are other cities and towns that offer much to the tourist. One wonderful city to visit is Mokpo, located in the lower part of the peninsular.

Mokpo is an expansive port city, a great starting point for sea trips to Jejudo and the western islands of Dadohae Haesang National Park. Just visiting the port gives amazing sunset views.

The Gatbawi Park Museums is the first place to visit. It is a complex of museums and art galleries that are nestled in between rocky hillsides and a lovely river, located 4km northeast of the downtown area of the city.

The majestic four-storey atrium building known as Jeonsigwan, gives the viewer an amazing display of work from local artists. It showcases all different types of artistic works, from traditional ink pieces to the more modern splodges of paint to photographs of the art of bonsai trees.

The small National Maritime Museum showcases two shipwrecks which date from the 11th century and the early part of the 14th century. From these excavations, hoards of Korean and Chinese artefacts were discovered - coins, celadon and other items used for trade. The museum also gives fascinating film footage of the artefacts being salvaged.

The Local History Museum should be the next port of call. It holds a natural rock collection, a hobby that was popular in Joseon times where collectors would display unusual shaped rocks. The museum also showcases some gorgeous oil paintings from the 20th century artist, Oh Soong-woo.

The new Mokpo Natural History Museum is aimed at children, so if you are travelling with youngsters, this is a good place to bring them to. It boasts large dinosaur skeletons, fish, live lizards and bright dead butterflies. When the kids get hungry, take them to cafeteria to snack up.

If museums are not quite your thing, or you have had enough of them, then take a trip to Yudalsan Park. This place offers spectacular views of the island-scattered sea and the rocky cliffs. To reach here, from the train station walk down Jungangno to the park entrance; this takes about 20 minutes.

700m to the right, is the glass botanical garden. These gardens are home to some beautiful orchids and rare Korean flora. The sculpture park is nearby and offers some great pieces. Turn left before Soyojeong and you can head down to the beach. Although the beach is a tiny patch of sand, rocks and seaweed, the main attraction for coming here is for the amazing views.

Mokpo is not a destination that springs to mind when thinking of travelling to South Korea, but it is well worth a visit. It offers wonderful insights into the culture of the people and the most beautiful and breathtaking scenery.

Travel Destinations: Daegu, South Korea

Located in Gyeongsangbuk-do province, the city Daegu is a beautiful city that draws in thousands of tourists each year. With a population of 2.45 million, it has a reputation for traditional medicine. Tourists who come here, come to see roots the size of human thighs, liquids in all colours and medicinal herbs that conjure images of the past. Even in the pouring rain, these wonderful scents fill the air which many modern Koreans still say work beautifully.

The town is easy to get around, thanks to its simple two-line subway system. This is necessary as Daegu covers a larger area than that of Seoul. Many sites and attractions are located within easy reach of the subway or train station and the airport is about a 30 minute drive from the city.

Daegu is heaven for any of those who love shopping. Brand name goods (clothes, bags, shoes etc) can all be found in the department stores but on the streets of Daegu, the numerous speciality markets are a must-see.

It is recommended that you start from the Seomun Market and work your way down. Seomun Market has over 4,000 shops in six sections and is one of the three biggest markets since 1669. It is closed on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. Yasigolmok is at the very heart of the shopping district and shoppers can be found day and night, perfect for those shop-a-holics.

The Daegu National Museum is a must-see place. It holds within its walls an amazing collection of pottery, Buddhist iconography and various other artefacts showing the wonderful local history. To get here from central Daegu, you should take either the 242 or 427 bus.

If you have kids travelling with you, a visit to the Woobang Tower Land is a good stop. The amusement park is located to the west of the city centre in the large Duryu Park.

The Bullo-Dong Tumuli Park, just north of town, is spread across 330,000 sq meters. These grassy hills are tumuli (burial mounds), dated from the second to sixth centuries CE. These tumuli are for both peasants and elite circles – the higher on the hill, the higher your social status. This is a great attraction for those who love history.

Being South Korea’s third largest city, Daegu has hotels and restaurants for everyone’s budget. It is best that you book your hotels in advance though. The airport is located northeast of the city and can be reached by either taxis or the 401 bus.

Travel Destinations: Dakovo, Croatia

Croatia is becoming an increasing popular tourist destination for many westerners and for good reason. You can find historical attractions, interesting cultural activities, good shopping opportunities and breathtaking scenery.

Situated 38km (24 miles) southeast from Osijek, the peaceful little town of Dakovo is a wonderful place to visit. You will find more bicycles than cars and the dribbling of basketballs. You can get here from Osijek in about 40 minutes by train.
The best time to visit Dakovo is in the last week of September when the Dakovo Embroidery Festival (Dakovacki Vezovi) is held every year. You will experience song and dance performances plus a wonderful folklore show, complete with traditional costumes. In addition to this, you can also catch a show by the famous Lipizzaner horses that are trained in Dakovo.

What is there to see and do in Dakovo? The town centre is a great place to start. In the centre you will find the imposing neo-Gothic Dakovacka Katedrala (Dakovo Cathedral). This was commissioned by the Bishop of Dakovo, Josip Juraj Strossmayer (1815 – 1905), and was designed by the architect Frederick Schmidt who did an amazing job. It took two decades to get it finish and is renowned for its three nave structure and two steeples which tower up to 274 feet. They look like beehive cones on either side of the entrance and a pinnacled cupola. Inside you will find wonderful colourful scenes from the Bible, especially of the life of St. Peter, who is the patron saint of the cathedral. Raise your heads upwards and gaze upon a breathtaking blue ceiling sprinkled with gold stars.

If you are a lover of museums, take a walk up the road from the cathedral to the Spomen-muzej Biskupa Josipa Jurja Strossmayera (the Strossmayer Museum). Here you will learn about the life of the bishop who had great influence on the town and throughout Croatia.

The Lipizzaner Stud Farm is not too far from the train station, you will be able to tell by using your nose. These are the famous white horses who are trained in Dakovo.

Where do you stay when visiting Dakovo? There are no many options here as Dakovo is a small town, but there are several choices to suit your budget range. The more elaborate, the higher the price. Why not stay at the Croatia Tourist Hotel, as their restaurant is the best in town. The food is absolutely delicious and is situated in a good central location.

Dakovo is a wonderful place for the traveller to really get the feel of tradition, authentic Croatia. Why not explore this lovely town; you will not be disappointed.