The launch pad for many Polar expeditions, Tromsø lies just under 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle and, if you are fascinated by the world of snow and ice, the city’s Polaria Science Museum is the place to visit. Within its iceberg-shaped walls you can meet the local wildlife at a vast aquarium, experience an Arctic snowstorm or take a virtual trek through the frozen wilderness to encounter polar bears and see the mystical Northern Lights.
TRONDHEIM Norway Looking south along the picturesque Trondheim fjord, the most northerly in Norway’s west coast Fjordland region, are lush forests and valleys. Look north and you see the beginnings of the vast expanse of the Arctic Ocean. But, whichever way you are heading, there is much to enjoy in Trondheim before you set sail. Visit Stiftsgarden, the King of Norway’s offi cial residence, or the Archbishop’s Palace, the oldest secular building in Scandinavia. Among the several fascinating museums is one featuring the decorative arts with its collections of 16th century ceramics and Art Nouveau artefacts. For the best bars and restaurants, try the 18th century Bakklandet waterfront district.
TUNIS (from La Goulette) Tunisia La Goulette, the port for Tunis, lies about 40 minutes shuttle bus drive away from the city, but is much closer to the ruins of Carthage. The 2nd century Colosseum and Roman Temple are only 20 minutes drive from the port, and most excursions combine Carthage with a restful stop at the pretty seaside village of Sidi Bou Said. There are more archaeological treasures to be found in Tunis itself; the Musée du Bardo houses a huge collection of Byzantine and Roman mosaics, while you can see sections of the old Roman aqueduct running through the city centre. But the focal point for most visitors to the city is its bustling medina – the old walled town, with its graceful, tree-lined squares and lively souk.
USHUAIA Argentina At the tip of Tierra del Fuego with only Cape Horn and Antarctica beyond, the Argentinean settlement of Ushuaia has a history as fascinating as its location, as a visit to its ‘End of the World’ Museum entertainingly displays. It’s also the gateway to Argentina’s only coastal national park: Parque Nacional Tierra Del Fuego. This stretches west of Ushuaia and north of the Beagle Channel and contains rivers, lakes and glaciers, forests and swamps which are home to a rich variety of marine, bird and other wildlife.
VALENCIA Spain Vibrant Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, is a popular and picturesque resort. Amongst art and architecture you can see plazas, palaces, churches and cathedrals, before heading to one of the city’s white sandy beaches to cool off. Valencia cathedral displays three magnifi cent portals; one baroque, one romanesque and one gothic. Once inside you can climb the octagonal Miguelete Bell Tower to see sweeping views then from here navigate the narrow streets to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, the Museo de Belles Artes or the towers of Torres de Serranos.
VENICE Italy There are just the two choices for getting around this World Heritage city: the vaporetto (water-bus) network or walking. A gondola ride is really for fun and romance rather than transportation. To see some of the main
sights you can start from St. Mark’s Square, with its ancient Basilica, lavish Doge’s Palace and imposing bell tower, then follow signs for the shop-lined Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs. But wherever you walk, there are intriguing arty shops, museums and galleries plus some tasty cafés and restaurants along the way.
VIGO Spain Spain’s busiest fi shing port, Vigo, sits on the rugged west coast of the province of Galicia, with the best view of the town being from the fort (Castillo del Castro) built on the hill overlooking the harbour. Walking through the steep, narrow streets of the old town (Barrio del Berbes) you can see (and smell) the daily fi sh market. Why not join an excursion to the nearby historic fi shing village of Bayona? Stroll through the streets of the old quarter and enjoy delicious tapas at the Talaso Atlantico Spa Hotel. From Vigo you can also visit the beautiful medieval city of Santiago de Compostela, with its stunning cathedral centrepiece.
VILLEFRANCHE France The steeply terraced streets of this pretty fi shing village, set against a densely wooded backdrop, create a delightfully timeless picture. Despite its increasing popularity with visitors, Villefranche remains a small, relatively uncrowded resort with plenty of Gallic charm. Along a maze of cobbled streets, you will fi nd chic boutiques and a choice of cafés and restaurants. Alternatively, walk along the seafront to a long narrow beach which curls around the bay. Villefranche is a convenient base from which to explore the French Riviera and Cote d’Azur and the medieval villages of Eze and St Paul-de-Vence.
WALVIS BAY Namibia Though the pretty town of Walvis Bay is well-endowed with restaurants, bars and shops, nature is the big attraction here; Walvis Bay’s lagoon, salt fl ats and sand dunes are home to a fabulous array of birds, including pelicans and fl amingos. You can see the bay at its best from the top of Dune Seven – the highest in the region.
WARNEMUNDE Germany The popular German seaside resort of Warnemunde is your gateway to all things Hanseatic, which means a fascinating tour through living medieval history. Nearby Rostock still emanates some of its former glories as a major Hanseatic city. Its pedestrianised old town is full of narrow atmospheric streets, cutting between impressive centuries-old buildings. City Hall, in the New Market Place, is particularly impressive, but the 15th century St. Marien Church, with its astronomical clock, is Rostock’s true focal point.
WELLINGTON New Zealand New Zealand’s capital is blessed with a wonderful setting, overlooking a glittering harbour fi lled with bobbing sailing boats. Behind the gleaming modern skyscrapers of its centre, you’ll fi nd the city’s history well preserved in some outstanding old buildings – notably the old Government Building, built in 1876. But to see New Zealand’s story brought most vividly to life, visit the Te Papa Museum. Make time, too, to enjoy lunch with a view on the city’s lively waterfront, then take a four minute ride on the cable car to see the marvellous views from the top of Kelburn.
WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS Australia Situated south of Townsville and off the coast of tropical North Queensland, the magical Whitsunday Islands are the perfect place for pure relaxation. Named by Captain Cook in 1770, the Whitsunday’s number more than 70 islands, many uninhabited. Beautiful white sand beaches are an idyllic setting for swimming and sunbathing while the resorts on Hamilton, Hayman and Lindeman islands provide superb retreats.
XINGANG (for tours to Beijing and The Great Wall) China Beijing is a microcosm of modern China and all its contradictions and with so much to offer, you can but dip your toes into the culture and sights – the architecturally magnifi cent Forbidden City, the equally impressive Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest), the elegant grounds of the Summer Palace and the stately buildings of Tiananmen Square. For a different experience you can forego the city for The Great Wall which snakes magnifi cently through the surrounding countryside, desert, hills and plains.
YALTA Ukraine A mixture of medieval and modern history makes Ukrainian Yalta one of the most stimulating calls on any Black Sea itinerary. Its medieval past literally stares you in the face with the imposing and turreted Swallow’s Nest castle overlooking the port, but there’s nothing quite like a visit to the White Palace of Livadia to evoke memories of one of the most important events in modern history. Built in Italian Renaissance-style for Tsar Nicholas II in 1911, this was where Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill met towards the end of World War II to draw up their controversial map of post-war Europe.
ZADAR Croatia Dating back to the 9th century BC, this picturesque historical resort is the capital of Dalmatia and until recently, remained largely a forgotten city. Surrounded by the azure Adriatic on three sides, Zadar old town is set on a narrow peninsular and has preserved the old network of narrow and charming city streets. Fortifi ed with 16th century medieval walls built by the Venetians, the old town contains Roman ruins from its days as a Roman colony. Interestingly, the symbol of the city – the circular church of St. Donat – is built on top of the old Roman forum. Two of the ancient pillars are built into the church and the church fl oor has been removed to show the original forum stone work.
ZAKINTHOS Greece Call it Zakinthos or Zante, this most southerly of the Ionian chain is still one of the most ruggedly beautiful of all the Greek islands. Springs run down from the mountains and the fl at plains feed an abundance of wild fl owers. There are also lovely sandy beaches tucked away in hidden coves, some only reachable by boat. The main town of Zakinthos, is typically Greek with startlingly white houses and bar after bar along the harbour front. It was destroyed by an earthquake 50 years ago and, although it has a couple of good museums (including one on Greek literature), you have to travel inland to fi nd historic sites such as the Venetian fortress, thought to have been built within the walls of a long-gone acropolis.
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