1-Best things to do in Galway (Ireland)

Salthill Promenade

Located on the northern shore of the Galway bay, this 2km beach has a series of small rocky and sandy stretches. Salthill Promenade offers a view of the outline of The Burren down in County Clare, while up in the northwest are the peaks of Connemara. The promenade is lined with bars, seafood restaurants and cafes. At the Atlantaquaria aquarium native species to the Irish Atlantic can be spotted

Fig.1 - Salthill Promenade

Fig.2 - Salthill Promenade
Corrib Princess River Cruise

This 157-passenger boat cruise is one of Galway’s most popular activities. You can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the cruise from May to September. The Corrib River Princess sails twice a day from Woodquay in the middle of the city. In the 90 minutes trip you can enjoy the most spectacular waterway in Ireland. The cruise is even great for gatherings and parties as caterers and great entertainment is provided

Fig.3 - Corrib Princess River Cruise
Dunguaire Castle

Dunguaire Castle was bought and repaired by by Oliver St. John Gogarty, the famous surgeon and literary figure in 1924 who had literary greats like W.B. Yeats, Lady Gregory and George Bernard Shaw as guests. The castle was acquired by Christobel Lady Amptill in 1954 who completed the restoration. Finally, the castle has become the property of Shannon Heritage. Its located about half an hour away from Galway on the south side of the bay. You can enjoy a medieval-style fare and live entertainments like poems from Yeats and Gogarty and Shaw in the summer at the “Dunguaire Castle Banquet”.

Fig.4 - Dunguaire Castle
Latin Quarter

A hook-shaped district -often referred to as the cultural heart of Galway- is located in the center of Galway. There are many pubs, bars, restaurants, galleries, shops, historic landmarks, events and attractions around the area. Its located very close to the Spanish Arch at Long Walk, O’Brien’s Bridge to St Nicholas’ Church and back (via Buttermilk Lane).

Fig.5 - Latin Quarter

2-Best things to do in Portland, Maine

The Casco Bay Lines & The Mail Boat Tour

The 3-hour boat ride offers a tour of Portland and its surrounding six islands. It allows you to see how locals live and commute. The boat is also used for commuting and delivering goods and products. The tour includes an informative narration. There are light snacks and restrooms available on board. There’s also a 25-minutes stop at Cliff Island where refreshments and souvenirs can be purchased

Fig.1 - The Casco Bay Lines & The Mail Boat Tour
The Portland Head Light

The head light is located along the shores of fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth and at the entrance of the shipping channel into Casco bay. The lighthouse was built in 1971 by a commission of George Washington. The Museum at Portland Head Light is located in the former keepers’ house which was built in 1891 and displays artifacts and documents, navigational aids, Fresnel lenses, models and photographs. A historical time line will guide your tour through the museum beginning with the origin of the lighthouse and the lives of the keepers, technology changes over the course of 200 years, the military activities at Ft. Williams and ending with the decommissioning and automation of Portland Head Light in 1989

Fig.2 - The Portland Head Light
The Portland Museum of Art

The museum was found in 1892, the museum is the seventh oldest museum in the United States and the oldest in the Pacific Northwest. The museum’s collection includes 50,000 objects displayed in 112,000 square feet of galleries which reflects the history of art from ancient times to today. The collection holds art from native North Americans, English silver and graphic arts. The Museum’s campus of landmark buildings, a cornerstone of Portland’s cultural district, includes the Jubitz Centre for Modern and Contemporary Art, the Gilkey Centre for Graphic Arts, and the Northwest Film Centre. The museum has a membership of over 23,000 members and serves more than 350,000 visitors annually and is a premier venue for education in the visual arts

Fig.3 - The Portland Museum of Art
The Peaks Island

Peak islands was once known as the Coney Island of Maine and later a world war one outpost. There are fourteen daily departures from Portland to the islands (17 minutes one way) which makes the peaks islands a perfect family destination. You can have a bun at the Peaks Café, explore the island with a gold cart, visit the Fifth Maine Museum, finish your day with a stroll along Island Avenue, where you’ll find Take a Peak, the Gem Gallery and the world’s only Umbrella Cover Museum

Fig.4 - The Peaks Island
The Portland Observatory

The Portland observatory was built in the 1800s to monitor the ships nearby, covering a distance of up to 30 miles. The observatory is one of the earliest marine signal stations in the US. The observatory is located on Munjoy hill. The octagonal tower is 86 feet tall, 32 feet at the base and 15 feet at the deck. The observatory also served as a watchtower during times of war. The Observatory is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1972) and is a National Historic Landmark (2006). As of 2007, the observatory has operated as a museum and historic site by Greater Portland Landmarks

Fig.5 - Latin Quarter

3-Best things to do in Salzburg

Hohensalzburg Fortress

Located on top of the Festungsberg Hill, the fortress is also known as The Salzburg Fortress and rulers have lived there since the 1000’s. The fortress is built at the request of the Princes-Archbishops of Salzburg with a length of 250 meters and a width of 150 meters. There are many courtyards and beautiful exterior walls to look at from outside and also many rooms and wings to explore; the golden hall has marble pillars and the chapel is decorated with Stuccos and Ornate busts

Fig.1 - Hohensalzburg Fortress
Mirabell Palace and Gardens

The palace is listed as a cultural heritage monument. It was built in 1606 and is the former banquet hall of the Prince-Archbishops. The likes of Leopold Mozart and his children, Wolfgang and Nannerl, made music here in old times and today it regularly hosts weddings, conferences and awards ceremonies. Salzburg Cathedral can be viewed from the garden. The garden has a symmetrical design with emphasis on mythology including the Pegasus Fountain and lots of other fountains, hedges, and themed gardens

Fig.2 - Mirabell Palace and Gardens
Hangar 7

This fantastically designed building is located next to Salzburg airport. The “Hanger” has several bars, a café, a Michelin Star restaurant, and outdoor lounge, several motorbike and Formula 1 race cars, and an amazing display of aero-planes ranging from a Cobra Helicopter to an Alpha Jet aircraft. This air foil shaped building is owned by Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz

Fig.3 - Hangar 7
St. Peter’s Abbey

St. Peter’s Abbey was constructed in the 7th century over old Christian remains in 696 by Saint Rupert. The monastery is the oldest in the German speaking era and also has the oldest library in Austria. The architecture now is a combination of Romanesque and Renaissance styles. The abbey has a Catacombs that is open to the public, a cemetery, the large gallery that includes many paintings and also an extensive library with 100,000 books (the library is only accessible with few guided tours). The cemetery and catacombs are also a must-see for fans of The Sound of Music

Fig.4 - St. Peter’s Abbey

4-Best things to do in Kochi, India

Chinese Fishing Nets

This popular sight at fort Kochi is a must visit attraction in Kerala. According to legend, the nets were delivered to Kochi by Chinese explorer Zheng He in the 14th century by the order of Chinese emperor Kublai Khan and have been in use ever since. In return for a small fee, the fishermen show how to use them. The nets are fixed on bamboo and teak poles holding it horizontally by huge mechanisms so as to pull them down into the sea

Fig.1 - Chinese Fishing Nets
Elephant Training Centre

The training center is located near Perumbavoor on the banks of Periyar River in the Ernakulam district (also Kochi), Kerala. If you get to the center before eight in the morning, you can help wash the elephants. Watching the he elephants roll around and play in the water will be the highlight of your trip. For a small fee you can enjoy the elephant safari

Fig.2 - Elephant Training Centre
Kathakali Performance

Kathakali is one of the nine classical dances of india originating from Kerala and is known for its colorful costumes. The dance theme and stories are inspired by Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana as well as many other folk stories. The show runs every day and also allows you watch the artist get ready and also offers classical dance training programs

Fig.3 - Kathakali Performance
Paradesi Synagogue

This Jewish synagogue is the oldest in the commonwealth of Nations. “Paradesi” is a hindi word translating to foreigner which refers to the exiled jews from Europe and middle east who took refuge in the Synagogue. The Synagogue was built in 1568 and later restored by the Dutch after it was destroyed by the Portuguese. The synagogue has a gold pulpit and hand-painted, willow-pattern floor tiles that were imported from China. A beautiful Belgian chandelier illuminated the synagogue and the clock tower adds to its charm

Fig.4 - Paradesi Synagogue

5-Best things to do in Lille , France

Old Lille

The historic district is lined with well restored bourgeois houses on cobblestone streets. The old town is located in the north side of town. There are many sightseeing icons like Place Louise de Bettignies and Rue de la Monnaie

Fig.1 - Old Lille
Parc Zoologique

This 60 hectares park is located in the upmarket Esquermes quarter and is free to enter. The zoo has 450 animals like monkeys, zebras, panthers, rare birds, etc. and is a member of an international conservation program for endangered species. The zoo is surrounded by the Deûle canal and the The Bois de Boulogne woods. The zoo is open every day (except Thursdays) in winter from 10am to 5pm and in summer from 10am to 6pm

Fig.2 - Parc Zoologique
Lille Citadelle

Built under the order of Louis XIV when he conquered the town by Sébastien Leprestre Marqui of Vauban, the star-shaped citadel was built in three years. It took three million stone blocks, sixty million bricks and 70,000 lumps to build the citadel. Today, the citadel is a French military base and the various gates and outer walls can only be admired from outside

Fig.3 - Lille Citadelle
La Piscine Museum

Located in what used to be A.Baert's 1932 Art Déco swimming baths, the museum offers applied arts (drawings, textiles and ceramics ) and fine arts ( 19th and 20th centuries paintings and sculptures ). The art collections date back to 1835 and allow you to connect with Lille’s industrial past

Fig.4 - La Piscine Museum
Marché de Wazemmes

Best loved and most popular market in northern France and held at Place Nouvelle Aventure on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday mornings. Anything can be found at the market from food to antiques and even clothing

Fig.5 - Marché de Wazemmes