Holiday Destinations #11: Egypt

One of the cradles of civilisation, Egypt is a popular holiday destination unlike most others, in the massive diversity of its options for the holiday maker. If you want to catch the sun and enjoy a beach holiday, you can do that. If you want to soak up history rather than rays, then that is certainly an option too. In between the two, Egypt is an excellent introduction to Africa for people whose tastes are European by nature.

Anyone who wants to be overwhelmed by the history of a location need only seek out the Pyramids of Giza. The last remaining example of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the pyramids are an architectural wonder, built millennia ago (admittedly using no shortage of slave labor) and something that really needs to be seen to be believed.

The pyramids are standing tombs to some of the great Pharaohs of Egypt, and the Great Pyramid of Giza was actually the largest man-made structure on Earth for a period of nearly four millennia. Neighboring the Pyramids, the Sphinx is another example of ancient Egyptian architecture which is noted for its epic scale and aesthetic brilliance.

If, on the other hand, you have no head for history and fancy a beach holiday with some diving thrown in, then Sharm El Sheikh is one of the world’s most popular beach holiday destinations, and with good reason. This is an option for anyone who likes aquatic sports – and if you have had your fill of beaches and of pyramids, then it is also well worth visiting Cairo, the capital city – a modern city with a historical twist.

Holiday Destinations #10: Amsterdam

There are few things in this world more tiresome than innuendo, which makes it a tremendous shame that Amsterdam has been the source of many a sniggering remark over the years from – usually – teenage boys who prize it as a holiday destination for the ideas it gives them, of free love and soft drugs. While it is true that Amsterdam has a more liberated approach to these concepts than some places, they do not define it.

Amsterdam is, for most people, the real jewel in the crown of Holland. One of two capitals – the other is the Hague – it is certainly the Dutch city that most people visit on a yearly basis. Its wide variation of architecture spans centuries and many different schools of architecture, including its own style influenced by the art deco era – the Amsterdamse School.

The “liberal” attitude to matters such as drugs and sex should not be taken on the word of giggling frat boys. Amsterdam as a city is an easy-going place, although the political liberalism which many associate with the city is greatly exaggerated. People expecting to take drugs or fornicate openly in the streets will find their hopes dashed – Amsterdam is not exhibitionist even if it is tolerant.

It is worth exploring a little deeper into Amsterdam – yes, beyond the red light district – because the museums of modern and classical art are well worth seeing, including the work of Rembrandt and Vermeer. Sports fans can go to see the local soccer team, Ajax, whose influence upon the modern game is perhaps unparalleled by any single team, and whose three consecutive European Cup triumphs mark them out as a club unlike others.

Tourist Destinations #9: Barcelona

Beautiful architecture is what separates the cities which are merely pleasant from those which are notably beautiful – and anyone who has taken a trip to Barcelona in Spain’s Catalunya region will be able to tell you that the city falls very firmly into the latter camp. As a holiday destination it has the lot – beautiful historic sites and buildings along with a present-day vibe that everyone will appreciate.

In many ways, Spain is a “young” country – it has only been fully democratic for just over thirty-five years having lived under the fascist dictatorship of General Franco. Much of its history, too, is recent, and none more arresting than the Spanish Civil War. In Barcelona, no area is more infused with the history of the Civil War than Las Ramblas, one of the most famous streets in the world and the scene of many fights in that war, and mentioned by George Orwell in Homage To Catalonia.

The sad history of Barcelona is just one side of its story though, and its gorgeous Gothic architecture reflects the work of one of the most noted architects of all time, Antoni Gaudi. Sights that you must see if you go include the Sagrada Familia and the stunning Park Guell. These set Barcelona apart as the most beautiful city in all of Spain.

Sporting enthusiasts will enjoy a trip to the Camp Nou stadium, home of one of the world’s most noted soccer teams – FC Barcelona. Although outstripped for success by Spain’s “establishment” club, Real Madrid, Barcelona are loved by fans throughout the world for the dynamic style of play and sentimentally because of the efforts that have been expended in trying to beat the favored Madrilenos.

Holiday Destinations #8: South Africa

Among the most popular holiday destinations around the world, it is fair to say that there are going to be many which have had a history that could be described as mixed and in places tragic. Indeed, history doesn’t tend to happen without at least one side having suffered, and South Africa is an example of a country with a recent history which, while still raw, is also interesting for the holiday maker.

Until less than twenty years ago, South Africa lived under the apartheid regime which made black people second-class citizens, without a vote and without representation. There is no point sugar-coating the facts, it was a racist form of government that was practised by a colonising force which saw fit to keep a disproportionate amount of the wealth and the power for themselves.

As any historian knows, an elite (financial, military or otherwise) cannot expect to keep hold of its power without blood being shed, and South Africa’s history is bloody in places, tragic in others. When apartheid was finally consigned to the past in 1994, and Nelson Mandela took power as the country’s first black president, a page was turned.

Of course, the struggles of the past are not easily forgotten, and any young democracy will have its problems. There are issues of violence and criminality in South Africa, but as a successful soccer World Cup showed in 2010, there is much to appreciate about a beautiful country with a vibrant culture. Johannesburg and Cape Town are particularly worth visiting, for their present as much as their history.

Holiday Destinations #7: Dublin

For a country as small as it is, Ireland has had what might be called a disproportionate impact upon the world’s consciousness. And although some of this has not been positive – the Troubles in the North of the island have been an ongoing headache for British and Irish alike – there has been an impressive list of things to enjoy about the country – much of which is seen in Dublin.

The city of Dublin was the scene of the birth of the Republic of Ireland, with the Easter Rising of 1916 giving rise six years later to the Irish Free State. Much of the history of the Easter Rising has been kept intact, giving Dublin a strong historical character – witness the bullet holes on the front of the General Post Office (GPO) where the rebels hid out for much of the time.

Dublin also has a strong literary history, with some of the most prized authors in the English language having come from there. There are museums to the memory of Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw, and a strong representation for the poet WB Yeats. Along with these heavyweights, the author James Joyce lived and set is novels here – the tradition of “Bloomsday” being a day-long retracing of the steps of the hero of his novel Ulysses.

If you have had your fill of history and reading, then Dublin is also a place where you can enjoy a drink and socialize with the locals. Home to the Guinness brewery, it really is true that a pint of Guinness tastes better in Dublin than anywhere else in the world. And if sport is your thing, then the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) and rugby tradition is also something to be reckoned with.

Holiday Destinations #6: Dubai

While the core strength of many of the world’s holiday destinations might be considered to be in their history, this is not true of every popular destination in the world, and there is no better example of this than the emirate and city of Dubai, the most well-known of the United Arab Emirates. Before the second half of the last century there really wasn’t much there – now there is more than you could really get through in a week.

Traditionalists will not particularly enjoy Dubai. There is perhaps just enough Arabic influence to make it identifiable as a city in the Arab world, but in order to make it the tourist destination that it is, the architects of Dubai have set out to make it all things to all people – something which turns off those who go on holiday to soak up culture.

What does set Dubai apart from other places is the work that has gone into making it one of the world’s most opulent cities. Home to the world’s first “seven star” hotel – the Burj al-Arab – Dubai has focused on providing an experience which can blind the visitor with its almost decadent style. The landscape of Dubai city looks as modern as any in the world, and its hotels are known for their luxury.

If you are a keen shopper, then Dubai will have enough to keep you interested for days on end, with malls that keep on going forever. One such mall, the Mall of the Emirates, is home to the Middle East’s first ski resort. Ski Dubai, an indoor skiing resort with everything the winter sports buff could ask for, is an example of how Dubai decides to do something, and then goes about making it happen.

Holiday Destinations #5: Rome

One of the major reasons given for travelling is that it gives you a chance to see historical locations which have become iconic in the minds of many. For a real historical holiday destination, it is hard to imagine getting better than Rome, which contains the Vatican City along with many other popular historic sites.

The history of Rome is perhaps richer than in any other city in the world. Not only is it home to the Catholic church, but it is one of the seats of ancient civilisation along with Egypt and Greece, and has a plethora of historic sites beginning with the ancient period, through the medieval and the Renaissance and into the recent past, with its part in the Second World War under the fascist rule of Benito Mussolini.

Rome has the benefit of appealing to people no matter what their interest – for the history buffs there is all of the above. For those who love to shop, there is a fashion business that compares will with just about any other country. Sports fans will love the rich tradition of Italian soccer while fine dining enthusiasts will find a range of food and wine that matches France step for step to be among the world’s best.

The ancient architecture is reason enough to visit Rome, as much of it has been preserved in something close to its original form. Rome was one of the birthplaces of democracy and its parliamentary buildings young and old are testament to the strong tradition of architecture in the city. With the works of Michelangelo in the forefront, this makes it a destination worth savoring.

Holiday Destinations #4: Tokyo

For many people, the major cities of the world can be broken down to four main ones – New York, London, Paris and Tokyo. These are the world’s great examples of the word “metropolis” and when you visit them you refer to them by name – not by saying “I went to America/England/France/Japan”. These are cities which to many define the country they are in, and to others transcend them.

Tokyo is a little different from the above three, with its attraction for many being not in its past but in its present – a futuristic present which makes many people feel like they have jumped forward in time. It is a city that is on the “to visit” list for most of the world’s technology junkies, as an industry of ideas and micro-technology make it a gadget paradise.

This is not to say that Tokyo is a bunch of bright lights and nothing else. In among the imposing futuristic landscape of the country there are plenty of examples of traditional Japan which are well worth visiting. It is a city of contrasts, with charming architecture in one spot, not far from the buzz and the flash of the city center.

Tokyo is different from the other three cities mentioned as well in that its chief influences are not European but Asian. Although there is some evidence of European influence upon the city, there is an undeniable sense that when you come to Tokyo, you are in a different world with different customs. And those customs have a real charm to them for someone who has only seen European life up until now.

Holiday Destinations #3: London

Although there is a lot of talk these days about the decreasing influence of Britain, and by extension England, upon the world, there is no doubting the fact that it still punches above its landmass when it comes to topics of conversation and its impact upon worlds as diverse as sport, music, politics and tourism. With a history as rich as London’s, and a present as dynamic, it will continue to be a place to visit for many years to come.

There was a time when London was the center of the world (geographically, it still is in some ways), and the most influential city on the globe. This may have changed in recent years – the geopolitical pendulum never stops moving, after all – but it is still home to what is known as the Mother of all Parliaments, the Houses of Commons and Lords on Parliament Square.

If you go to London and someone asks you if you saw Big Ben, you probably did not. Many people assume that that is the name of the famous clock tower of the Palace of Westminster – but in fact, it is the name of the bell that is housed inside the tower. You can go and see it if you want, but there is so much else to see in London, and you can’t see it all in one visit.

London is also home to Buckingham Palace, the residential home of Queen Elizabeth II and of all sovereign monarchs of the United Kingdom. This is another of its most popular landmarks – and we have only dealt here with the historic ones. Modern London is another thing entirely, and just as beguiling.

Holiday Destinations #2: New York

There is little that can be said about New York that has never been said before, but if you want to argue about its continuing relevance as a tourist destination, just ask the representatives of the city’s tourist board, who will point to ever-growing numbers of visitors as a proof that people are still bewitched by the city immortalised in song by Frank Sinatra, The Pogues and Alicia Keys (and what other city can claim that?).

New York is just one of those cities that gets under the skin. Not everyone will like it – if you’re not one for masses of humanity then you maybe should give it a miss – but everyone will have an opinion on it, and most people will be able to find something that they love about it. It is also one of the most cosmopolitan cities around – if you are Irish, Italian or just about any other nationality, you’ll find somewhere that feels like home.

New York has some astonishing architecture – even since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 which removed the World Trade Centre from its imposing skyline. As well as this it has perhaps the greatest menu imaginable for the gastro-tourist, with eateries of all cuisines, and a nightlife that is unmatched by almost any other city in the world.

Like the other great cities of the world, you could put anyone into New York, and with enough time and patience they will find something and somewhere that they love completely. That is the mark of a city worth visiting and returning to – whether you are a theatre buff, a sports lover or an architecture nut, it is a sight to behold.

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