PORT GAZETTEER
Port gazetteer
ACAPULCO Mexico Long a magnet for the rich and famous, Mexico’s
top beach resort, Acapulco, is situated on a spectacular sweeping bay lined by fi ve star hotels. This jetsetter’s city makes the perfect destination with a huge
range of attractions to suit all tastes and interests. If you head ashore independently, there’s a huge variety of watersports from snorkelling and scuba-diving to deep- sea fi shing. But top of the list has to be the world famous cliff divers at La Quebrada, who plunge 40 metres from perilous cliffs into the swirling waters below. You can marvel at the timing, grace and sheer bravery of the divers as they perform every lunchtime and evening.
ADELAIDE Australia Food and wine should always be high on the agenda for any visitor to this European-infl uenced gateway to the outback. Hot, dry summers (our winters) give the city an almost Mediterranean feel as people spill out onto the streets enjoying outdoor dining or wandering through the impressive Botanical Gardens. Wineries along the Murray River and Barossa Valleys are only an hour away from the centre of the city and make for fascinating side trips.
AJACCIO Corsica Napoleon was born here and his name is everywhere. The main shopping street is called Cours Napoleon and the wide tree-lined boulevards, parks and large squares in this newer part of town feature many statues of the great man, notably in the main square (ironically called General de Gaulle). The Old Town boasts Napoleon’s House and the cathedral where he was baptised. The main marketplace is right by the port and here you’ll fi nd lots of local craft goods and endless Napoleonic souvenirs.
AKUREYRI Iceland Akureyi is a charming Icelandic town with a stunning location on the country’s longest fjord – Eyjafjordur. There are several interesting museums and churches but the most amazing feature of Akureyri is its botanical garden. The fact that this glorious display of fl owers and plants thrives is a tribute to the local microclimate which is remarkably mild for somewhere so close to the Arctic Circle. There are a range of tours to appeal to nature-lovers, from whale watching to the spectacular ‘Waterfall of the Gods’ at Godafoss. Along the way, there are also age-old glaciers, beautiful lakes, bubbling sulphur mud-pits, hidden caves and coves, dormant volcanoes and natural lava sculptures.
ALESUND Norway Completely rebuilt after being destroyed by fi re in 1904, Alesund looks quite different to other Norwegian towns along the country’s west coast. Stretching across three islands at the mouth of magnifi cent Geirangerfjord, Alesund’s architecture is now an eclectic mixture of mock-gothic and neo-classical with more than a dash of Art Nouveau. You can trace the development of the town’s trend setting style at the Art Nouveau Centre, one of several fascinating museums in the town. The Atlantic Sea-Park is also worth a visit as it’s one of the largest aquariums in northern Europe.
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ALEXANDRIA Egypt Dating from the 9th century BC, Alexandria was one of the greatest cities of the ancient world and home to one of the Seven Wonders – the Lighthouse. Modern Alexandria also has its treasures. The Corniche, a broad waterfront promenade near the docks, is lined with spectacular 19th century grand hotels and overlooks the sandy beaches. Alexandria’s main souk, just one block inland from the seafront, is worth exploring with its colourful jewellery, intricate brassware, carpet shops and pungent spice stalls.
ALGHERO Sardinia Easily the prettiest and most interesting of the ports along Sardinia’s northern coast, Alghero looks as much Spanish – or rather Catalan – as it does Italian. This all dates back to when the town was taken over by travelling merchants from Barcelona. Local food and language still has strong Catalan elements and the historic Catalan Church of San Francesco, with its ceramic dome and gothic belltower, is one of Alghero’s major historic sites. Others include the Magdelena fort overlooking the network of narrow cobbled streets at the heart of the atmospheric Old Town.
ALICANTE Spain Built around a natural harbour, the main city on Spain’s Costa Blanca, Alicante, is also a top beach resort in its own right. It has a sophisticated Mediterranean feel with its restored Old Town adding to its charm. Dubbed the ‘City of Light’ when founded by the Romans, Alicante is a relaxing place to walk around. Down from the impressive Castillo de Santa Barbara fortress, which offers impressive views across the city, most activity centres in the streets around the Ayuntamiento, a plaza area buzzing with restaurants and tapas bars. Works by artists including Dali, Miro and Picasso are on show at the Museo de Arte Siglo and there is also an archaeological museum.
ALTA Norway Situated in the Land of the Midnight Sun, Alta is home to the world’s fi rst Northern Light observatory, earning Alta the title, ‘The Town of the Northern Lights’, so you could be no better placed to see this spectacular natural phenomenon if luck is on your side. Other sights of interest include the rock carvings at Hjemmeluft – the fi rst of which was discovered just 60 years ago. The site is now UNESCO protected due to its signifi cance and size and comprises carvings and paintings made between 4200BC to 200AD.
ALTA DO CHAO Brazil In a beautiful bay in the Rio Tapajós, you’ll fi nd Alta do Chao. Fringed by pristine white sand beaches, which are lapped by deep blue waters, it has an almost Mediterranean appearance. The small village consists of rustic native cottages, surrounded by lush tropical forest. Standing out with a façade that would look more at home in New Mexico, is the Centre for the Preservation of Indian Art. Nearby at Belterra and Fordlandia, you can visit the ruins of what were once Henry Ford’s huge rubber plantations in the 1920s.
AMSTERDAM The Netherlands The beautiful city of Amsterdam, with its fi ne gabled houses, leafy canal walks, unusual boutiques and offbeat pavement cafés, is the last word in laid-back relaxation. Capture its true spirit on a scenic canal ride or by exploring the narrow winding streets, bustling bars and eclectic shops of Joordan, its fascinating old district. The Stedelijk Museum is home to major works by Picasso, Cézanne, Matisse and Monet, and if gardening is your interest, stroll around the daily Bloemenmarkt. This is the city’s only remaining fl oating market and its riotously colourful plant and fl ower-laden boats are a fragrant delight.
NEW FOR 2012 ANCONA Italy Beyond its busy harbour, the ancient Adriatic port of Ancona – capital of Italy’s Marche region – offers visitors a fascinating insight into its past. Walk under the ceremonial Roman arch, a gift from the Emperor Trajan, and head uphill to explore the oldest part of the city. Ruins, including an impressive Augustan amphitheatre, are revealed as you head towards the summit. Here you’ll fi nd one of Italy’s fi nest examples of Romanesque architecture, the medieval Cathedral of San Ciriaco. More history can be found at the 16th century Palazzo Ferretti, home to the National Archaeological Museum of the Marche region. There’s also an art museum with works by Crivelli or, for a hands-on experience, reach out and touch the displays at the The Museo Tattile Statale Omero.
ANDALSNES Norway Andalsnes nestles where the towering Romsdal Alps meet the northern end of sparkling Romsdalfjord. A small, friendly town, Andalsnes is close to the famous Trollstigen road which leads through stunning scenery and across the stone bridge over the cascading Stigfossen waterfall to the Trollvegen (Troll Wall) which – at nearly 1,830 metres – is the highest vertical drop in northern Europe. Another way to see the Troll Wall and even more dramatic Alpine scenery, is to take the Rauma Railway train.
ANTALYA Turkey Situated where the towering Taurus Mountains meet the sea, Antalya was fi rst established in the second century BC and reached its peak during the Crusades. Today this fi ne port, still surrounded by ancient walls, boasts all the trappings of a modern resort, including a picturesque harbour and marina. Within the city itself you can see its many mosques and monuments including its soaring brick minaret, which has become a symbol of the city. Further afi eld, older treasures beckon and you can pay a visit to the ancient amphitheatre at Aspendos, the magnifi cent Roman theatre at Perge or the Apollo Temple at Side.
ANTIGUA With over 365 beaches, there is a slice of white sand heaven for every day of the year on the idyllic Caribbean holiday island of Antigua, which played host to Admiral Horatio Nelson’s fl eet in the late 1700s. Nelson’s Dockyard now bustles with crew and passengers from yachts and ships sailing these waters for pleasure rather than for King and Country. The main port, St. John’s, is also the capital and a vibrant hub for shopping as well as being within easy range of some of the island’s best beaches.
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