Top 5

Montreal is like no place in the world with a unique fusion of American and French Cultures.  It is the 2^nd largest French speaking city in the world after Paris.  I encountered culture shock in Montreal when I first arrived in the city as you really have a mixture of expectations.  You will pleasurably be surprised by the French influence in the city as its one of the places where you can find Paris around the world.  It is truly the American Paris, here are the top 5 things to do in Montreal:

Old Montreal:

The streets of Old Montreal

This is the oldest part of the city dating back to the 1600’s and is one of the most popular things to do in the city, not to mention its one of the completely free things to do in Montreal!  Feeling as though you were in Europe, you can walk through the cobblestone streets and the European architecture.  Sit down in the square to watch live performances and people watch as you get a taste of Paris served with cafe au lait.  CAUTION:  They do serve Nutella which is an evil delicious chocolate from Italy.  We will not be responsible for any weight that you gain.

Mont Royal & Outdoor activities:

The view from the observation deck on Mont Royal

Providing a great backdrop to the city, Mont Royal is a popular place to visit especially during the summer time.  You can get some exercising running up the mountain, hike to the top, or even have a picnic during the beautiful days of spring and fall.  The peak isn’t impressive but you are able to see incredible panoramic views of the city before reaching the top.  Don’t forget to visit the Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal where pilgrims come to pay respects to St. Joseph.  They hold great concerts and recitals in the summer at the Oratoire.

Notre Dame in Montreal

Sightseeing & The arts:

The sights of the city are quite impressive and will leave you in awe.  The best way to see the city is by renting a bicycle.  The city has over 400 miles of bike paths and plenty bicycle renting stations in the city just like in Paris.  The Notre Dame Basilica is very impressive and the Marie Reine du Monde Cathedral is gorgeous as well.  Don’t forget to visit the 2^nd largest Botanical Garden in the world and the largest underground complex in the world where you can burn some plastic.  The waterfront is also a great place to visit.

The Arts: The city has over 30 museums & the oldest museum in Canada resides right in Montreal: The Montreal Museum of Fine Art.  The Canadian Centre for Architecture and the Musee d’art contemprain de Montreal are equally as impressive.

Wine being served during dinner in Montreal

Dining:

It wouldn’t be a version of Paris if they didn’t have the Parisian food right?  Crepes, Nutella, Filet Mignon, the food will have you coming back.  More than just dining it’s the atmosphere that you have when you go out to eat.  Don’t bother trying to find the best restaurant, just step outside and start to walk and you will be greeted with a few great choices.

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The Festival of Laughs in Montreal

Nightlife & Festivals:

Frozen in the winter, Canadian’s come out with a vengeance in the summer!  Montreal is a city of festivals in the summer hosting the world’s largest fireworks competition, the Grand Prix of Canada, the Jazz festival which boasts up to 1 million visitors, and the Just for Laughs festival as well.  The nightlife certainly will not disappoint you either.  You can really see the diversity of the country at night; make sure to stop by the following streets:  Crescent, Saint-Laurent, or St-Catherine.

Dont forget to check our top 5 section for more things to do in Canada!

Malta is nestled just south of Italy which I commonly refer to as European’s Caribbean because of its geographical location.  A British colony at one point, Malta has recently become independent in 1974 making it one of the most recent colonies to become independent after Macau, Hong Kong, and Angola (to name a few).  Being so isolated, the Maltese have created their own culture within European standards providing great tourist activities throughout the island.  Here are the top 5 things to do in Matla:

SNORKELLING & DIVING-

The Blue Lagoon Bay in Malta

Home to best combination of coastlines and crisp blue waters, Malta is known the world over for its diving.  Diving can commonly be called one of the most popular things to do in Malta as people the world over come to visit because of the rocky reefs, plentiful caves, and abundant marine life.  There is also a huge number of ship wrecks off the coast of Malta and Gozo because of the strategic position in the Mediterranian.   Cave diving is also extremely popular on the island.  Dont forget to visit the Azure window, you won’t be disappointed.

HYPOGEUM-

One of the chambers inside Hypogeum

It is the only underground prehistoric temple in the world and has been around for over 5,000 years.  Hypogeum literally means underground chamber in Greek and they have found the bones of over 7,000 people in the burial chambers.  It provides a chilling view of the past and a possible premonition of the future.  Many have said that you can envision the past residents lurking in the background with the detailed wall carvings and erie air flowing through the underground compartments.  Book in advance since only 80 people are allowed inside every day.

VALLETTA –

View of the center of the city

It is one of the safest places in the world with friendly people and no bad areas found in the city.  This in turn, allows for great Valletta sightseeing.  Make sure to take a ride on one of the old buses, take a stroll to see the rocky beaches of Valletta, and sit down and try some signature Maltese food.  You can also see Grand Masters Palace which is one of the first buildings erected in Malta and also check out the unforgiving nightlife!

St. Mary’s Church (The Rotunda of Mosta) –

A front view of the Church

Boasting the third largest unsupported dome in the world this is not why this Church is popular.  During the 2^nd World War a bomb hit the church directly while 300 people were at mass.  The bomb landed inside the church after slicing through the dome and even bounced (that will turn you religious in a heartbeat).  It failed to explode and the army took the bomb outside and diffused it.  The occurrence has become infamous and a replica of the bomb now sits inside the church.  Only 20 minutes outside of Valletta, the church one of the popular things to do in Malta.

The Megalith Temples of Malta –

Ggantija Temples in Malta

The temples themselves have been around for over 5,000 years and are very impressive.  They served as religious and burial sites and are some of the oldest archaeological sites in Europe.  It really will make you think about the past and how they concurred such architectural challenges.  Maltese legend has it that the bones of the giants that built the megalith temples are still buried there (no jolly green giant have been reported).

No other country can lay claim to the oldest continuously inhabited region in the world in Anatolia or commonly referred to as Asia Minor.  The Anatolian peninsula (or Anatolian plane) is the location where human kind can trace its earliest settlements (say hi to grandpa).  Turkey is the location where western culture and the Islamic east clash, fortunately for the world this has provided a unique and dynamic land to explore instead of war.  Here are the top 5 things to do in Turkey:

ISTANBUL –

The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul

The New York of Turkey, it is the cultural and economic powerhouse of the country.  Similar to Sicily, it has been a major trading route throughout history causing it to be conquered by almost every culture imaginable including the Romans, Greeks, Persians, and even the Byzantines.  You can even find great cheap hotels in Istanbul and there are plenty of hostels in the city as well.  Some of the highlights of Istanbul are listed below, don’t forget to see the Roman Baths and Hipondrome!

Hagia Sophia – Built 500 AD by Justinian the Great, this church/museum exemplifies incredible Byzantine and Islamic Art.  It stands as a Mosque today (openly accepts tourists) and stood as a largest enclosed area until modern times.

Topkapi palace – Built originally for Sultan of Ottoman Turkish Empire, he housed a bevy of concubines behind the walls (thousands during the height of the empire).  Its massive, incredibly gorgeous, and dripping with history.

The Grand Bazaar – Travelers would cross the roads of Istanbul to get to their destination and commonly stop at one of the world’s most famous spice markets.  You can find anything your heart craves in the popular market!

CAPPADOCIA –

A view of the planes in Cappadocia

Not on the popular things to do in Turkey list, Cappadocia is one of the most fascinating places to visit in the world.  Some of 36 underground cities once housed upward of 20,000 people.  Unique rock formations can be seen across the planes for great picture opportunities.  They even use to have horse stables and tombs, a very interesting place to visit.

ANKARA –

Anıtkabir, the Mausoleum to the founder and first president of Turkey

The capital city of Turkey is the 2^nd largest city behind Istanbul and the political capital of the country as well.  There are museums galore providing great resources and information about everything Anatolia (you remember, grandpa).  You can feast your eyes on history and architecture all over the city from the Romans, the Ottoman Turks, and Islam.  The city also boasts gorgeous parks and a great shopping district.

THE IONIAN COAST & RUINS  OF EPHESUS –

The Celsius Library in Ephesus

Ephesus- was a crucial port and strategic location in ancient times and is also located in a very fertile valley.  The first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary is in Ephesus since that legend has it that she died at this location.  A great combination of Greek and Roman ruins throughout the area including a great Greek Theater and the popular Celsus Library also can be seen in here.

The Ionian Coast – The Turkish Riviera is formally part of the Mediterranean and boasts incredible views of the sea and use to be a very Greek in ancient times.

Pergamon (Pergamum or Pergamo):

The Pergamon Alter in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Germany

Another very important city in ancient times this city sits on top of a hill providing great views of the Turkish lands.  Pergamon’s library is the 2nd best in the ancient Greek Civilization and houses one of the first spa’s and medical centers in the world.  Take a seat at the Greek Theater that use to house 10,000 people and maybe afterwards see what ancient healing was like!

Come visit the capital of the home of an empire where the sun never set.  At one point in history the British Empire was so vast that it controlled one quarter of the Earth’s land surface.  You can take a stroll on the funny tour buses, try to make the royal guards laugh, poke fun at the tiny black taxis, and taste some of the world’s least tasteful foods.  Don’t forget to get your measurements to get one of the best tailored suits in the world.  Here are the top five things to do in England

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Windsor Castle-

Windsor Castle in England

Built in 1070, it is one of the most popular historic and well preserved from the medieval times.  Its close association to the British royal family allows it a sense of romance and adventure that few castles in England can match.  Please don’t go the castle if you are a fire bug as a large portion of the castle was burned in the 1992.  You may be searches, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

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Canterbury Cathedral-

Canterbury Cathedral

This cathedral was around built before your great, great, great, great, great (get the point yet?) grandmother was born.  There has been a cathedral on this site since 597 and many royal weddings have been held here.  Many of England’s famous religious leaders have been associated with this famous landmark.

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Stone Hedge-

Stone Hedge

Built by the ancients of Britain and ruined by Chevy Chase in the movie European Vacation, this landmark’s purpose has still not been completely found.  Some claim its purpose is to determine the movement of the sun and stars and others feel it is a religious.  Whether either or both are true, make sure not to jump on any of the boulders because that will be an expensive repair bill.

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London-

Buckingham Palace

One of the most multicultural cities on Earth, London is one of the financial capitals of the world.  What London is lacking is tasty national dishes.  Not being known for good food, London is still a place for sightseeing and relentlessly chasing the Queen and her entourage.  I will give you a monetary reward if you are able to get through to the Queen since it has not been done since great break in at Buckingham Palace.

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Roman Baths-

The Great Bath

As the name indicates, this site was built by the Romans.  The baths have historically been a site for wiping away your stench and restoring good health.  Be aware of the urinators as they don’t have the water that turns blue when that happens.

Dont forget to check out our top 5 section for more tips on England travel and tips around the world.