STOCKHOLM Sweden One of the most beautiful cities in Scandinavia, Sweden’s capital, Stockholm – where the Baltic meets lovely Lake Malaren – is approached through a string of 14 islands and myriad small islets. The heart of this famous city is its medieval quarter, Gamla Stan, which dates from the 13th century. Here you can stroll through narrow cobbled streets lined with quirky shops and atmospheric cafés, explore the spooky gothic
cathedral of Storkyran, discover the elaborate 17th century Nessin Palace and visit Sweden’s oldest museum, the Livrustkammaren – home to fi ve centuries’ worth of royal carriages, clothes and weaponry (its most unusual exhibit is Streiff – the stuffed stallion which once carried King Gustav II into battle).
SYDNEY Australia One of the world’s great cities and harbours, Sydney always lives up to great expectations and the fi rst glimpse of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House will stay in the memory forever. From the waterside restaurants fringing the historic Rocks district, take an easy walk around Sydney Cove past the Circular Quay ferry terminal to that remarkable Opera House and the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens. Travel to the top of the 300-metre- high Centrepoint Tower for a bird’s eye view of the city. Or catch a harbour trip to Manly for some top beaches. Brash Bondi is the classic Aussie beach experience while Darling Harbour offers museums, an aquarium and shops. Further afi eld, you can get right away from it all in the Blue Mountains.
TALLINN Estonia Tallinn is a fascinating medieval capital. This multi-faceted jewel of a city and its architecture – a legacy of Teutonic, Polish and Russian rule – will be certain to impress, from the spectacular onion domes of the Nevski Russian Orthodox Cathedral to the baroque Toompea Castle (home of the Estonian Parliament) and the elaborate gothic façade of the 13th century Raekoda, Europe’s oldest town hall. The magnifi cent St. Mary’s Cathedral, with its display of more than 100 coats of arms, is also worth a visit, but it is worth taking time out just to stroll the winding streets and cobbled squares of the city’s atmospheric old town, where you will fi nd exquisite amber jewellery, fi ne lacework and gorgeous woollen jackets at bargain prices.
TENERIFE Canary Islands Tenerife is blessed with one of the world’s most dramatic and varied landscapes, ranging from verdant valleys to glorious beaches and the volcanic ‘moonscape’ of Mount Teide National Park. Tenerife’s port Santa Cruz has grown from a fi shing village to a splendid city with classy bars and restaurants, varied shops, fi ne architecture and interesting museums. For a family day out, make sure you don’t miss Loro Park, home to many exotic animals including killer whales, sea lions, gorillas, tigers and the world’s largest collection of parrots.
TORTOLA Virgin Islands, UK If you want to experience the ‘undiscovered’ Caribbean, visit the unspoiled British Virgin Island of Tortola. Rising to 1,709 feet at its highest point and famed for its rugged volcanic landscape, Tortola has proved diffi cult to develop as a major tourist haunt, and so has preserved its charm. Its quaint capital, Road Town, is charming and compact – home to a colourful crafts market and a range of small speciality
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shops. You will also fi nd some of the loveliest and least crowded beaches in the Caribbean. At Cane Garden Bay you can tuck into a barbecued freshly caught fi sh, snorkellers will fi nd the most eye- boggling marine life, while those who prefer to stay on land can explore the spectacular virgin rainforest at Mount Sage National Park.
TOULON France Toulon has unexpected charm. Look out for the superb maritime and art museums, the magnifi cent romanesque cathedral and Le Marche, where fresh fl owers, fruit and vegetables are displayed every day. The best view of the old town and the harbour is from Mont Faron which overlooks both – take the funicular up from Boulevard L’Amiral Vence. There are some excellent beaches a short drive along the coast. Or you can head for the beautiful and often dramatic Provencal countryside or to the French Riviera resorts.
NEW FOR 2012 TRAPANI Sicily Revered by its residents, Trapani’s 14th century statue of the Virgin and Child is one of this ancient port’s must-see monuments. Part of the Cappella della Madonna within the impressive Santuario dell’Annunziata, it sits in the high altar beneath a baldachin. Next to the Sanctuary, a former convent houses the regional museum. Among its displays are centuries-old examples of beautiful jewellery crafted by the city’s famous coral artists. Other local industries include the export of salt with salt-pans and their distinctive old windmills lining the nearby coast. Also found on the water’s edge is the quadrangular-plan tower, Torre di Ligny. Inside, the museum of prehistory
exhibits artefacts from across Sicily. Other attractions nearby include the historical hilltop town of Erice, reached from Trapani by cable car in season.
TRIESTE Italy Trieste is a lovely city with a pretty medieval Old Town. You can’t fail to notice the Basilica di San Silvestro sitting high atop Colle Capitolino hill, or the equally impressive 14th century cathedral which presides over the Piazza della Cattedrale. Also worth a visit are the lively harbour area, the city’s multitude of museums, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia, an expansive square which frames the seafront and is home to the Town Hall. Alternatively climb the 200 steps to the top of the Victory Lighthouse for spectacular views over the city.
TRIPOLI Libya Tripoli, is a typical North African city of narrow streets and lively souks. It also has a fascinating national museum but the real treasures are out in the desert which covers most of this country. First, along the coast to the east of the capital, is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman cities in North Africa or Europe: Leptis Magna. Its remarkably impressive scale and condition is down to the protection afforded by the layers of desert sand which buried it until its discovery early last century. Along the coast to the west and near the border with Tunisia is another Roman city, Sabratha.
TROMSØ Norway It is easy to make the most of a day in Norway’s most northerly city, Tromsø, because, in summer, it never gets dark. The best way to see its full glory is to take a cable car 480 metres up to the top of Mount Storsteinen.
PORT GAZETTEER
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