Articles by Baljeet Sangwan on ArticleSnatch.com

The Top 10 Attractions of Budapest, Hungary

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:27:37 -0400

To see the best of the "Other Europe," go to Budapest, Hungary, the city on the Danube, the city of rose-tinted sunsets and ancient hills crowned with fabled fortresses. It is both the capital of Hungary, home to 2 million of the country's 10 million people, and the seat of Hungarian history. It is a city of storied bridges that crisscross its famous river to stitch up Buda and Pest into one. It is a city bubbling over with museums, theaters, galleries, parks, monuments and centuries-old mineral baths. It is a city that has emerged from the "Goulash Communism" of the Cold War more vibrant than ever. It is, ultimately, a city where "the paprika burns twice." And what, in Budapest, ought one to see? Well, here are the city's top 10 attractions. 1. The Citadel At the top of any visitor's list should be the Citadel, quite possibly Budapest's foremost attraction (after, of course, the Danube!). The Citadel is an imposing, mid 19th-century fortress, situated on Gellert Hegy (Gellert Hill) which rises from the Buda shores some 430 feet above the Danube, with superb views all around. **End Summary** Topics: Budapest]]> Hungary]]> attractions]]> sights]]> sightseeing]]> Citadel]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Baljeet Sangwan is a globetrotter, travel editor and travel writer who has published 12 travel guidebooks. He is a co-publisher at IndianChiefTravel.com and a contributor to Budapest, Hungary , Berlin, Germany and Paris, France travel guides.

The Top 7 Attractions of Kitzbuhel, Austria

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:28:17 -0500

Kitzbuhel, Austria, for our American friends, is the Vail or Aspen of Europe, but with a twist. Situated in the Austrian Alps, it is at once a pricey ski resort town and an old, medieval hamlet with a fairytale charm and cobblestone alleys lined with brightly painted storefronts and trendy little boutiques and cafes, where the promenading crowd dons furs rather than ski wear. It is a place, particularly its walled town center, that lends itself to walking around and lingering, soaking up an ambiance that is both quaint and upscale. But if you are visiting Kitzbuhel for the first time and wish to take in the sights, here are the city's "Top 7" attractions. 1. Bergahnmuseum The Bergahnmuseum, or the cable car museum, is located at the world-famous 2 mile-long (3.5 km) Hahnenkamm Ski Run in Kitzbuhel, on the top station of the gondola lift. It has exhibits documenting the history and technology of ski lift construction. For ski buffs, the museum also offers a simulated run down the Streif ski racecourse. The museum is open daily. 2. **End Summary** Topics: Kitzbuhel]]> Austria]]> sightseeing]]> attractionss]]> museum]]> ski resort]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Baljeet Sangwan is a globetrotter, travel editor and travel writer who has published 12 travel guidebooks. He is a co-publisher at iChiefTravel and a contributor to Kitzbuhel, Austria , Innsbruck, Austria , and St. Anton, Austria travel guide.

The Top 10 Attractions of Stockholm, Sweden

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:03:15 -0500

To see Scandinavia at its best, go directly to Stockholm, Sweden, for Stockholm is not just the loveliest Scandinavian city, but is regarded as one of the most beautiful and cleanest capitals in the world. Situated between Lake Malaren and the Baltic Sea and built on 14 islands, it is, in equal parts, a third each, water, parks and green spaces, and urban city. To add to that, the urban part of the city is more than 750 years old, filled with well-preserved historic buildings in equally delightful neighborhoods. So, what should one see when one visits Stockholm, you might ask. Well, here are the city's 'Top 10' attractions. 1. Gamla Stan Gamla Stan, or Old Town, ought to be at the top of your list. This is a place of Old World charm, with brightly painted buildings and medieval streets, which in the mid-13th century constituted the entire city of Stockholm. And since Gamla Stan is all about atmosphere, walking around is the best way to soak it up. The main street of interest here is Vasterlanggatan, liberally punctuated with shops and restaurants. **End Summary** Topics: stockholm]]> sweden]]> sightseeing]]> attractions]]> palaces]]> gamla stan]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Baljeet Sangwan is a globetrotter, travel editor and travel writer who has published 12 travel guidebooks. He is a co-publisher at iChiefTravel and a contributor to Stockholm, Sweden , Reykjavik, Iceland and Dublin, Ireland travel guides.

The Top 5 Attractions of Cordoba, Spain

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:29:18 -0500

To see where Christianity and Islam collided and fused, go to Cordoba, Spain, an ancient city in Andalucia, Spain's southernmost province, situated some 75 miles (121 km) northeast of Seville. For here, in Cordoba, Romans, Goths, Jews, Moors and Christians triumphed and succumbed in succession, molding the city in their own image, to offer up a surprising amalgam of cultures and religions, and a couple of architectural gems besides. And for first-time visitors to this colorful, sun-drenched Spanish city, here are its top attractions. 1. La Mezquita If Cordoba is famous for one thing, it is its mosque-cum-cathedral, La Mezquita. This is among the largest mosques in the world, and singularly the most astonishing with its mad mix of Islamic, Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque influences. Begun in 784 AD and built on the site of a Visigoth church, which in turn was built on the site of a Roman temple, the original mosque was embellished and added to over the centuries; until in the 13th century, when Christians conquered the city and consecrated the mosque to be a Christian cathedral, a chapel was added, followed in 1523 by a Christian cathedral built inside the original mosque. **End Summary** Topics: cordoba]]> spain]]> sightseeing]]> attractions]]> museums]]> la mezquita]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Baljeet Sangwan is a globetrotter, travel editor and travel writer who has published 12 travel guidebooks. He is a co-publisher at iChiefTravel and a contributor to Cordoba, Spain , Sevilla, Spain and Toledo Spain travel guides.

The Top 10 Attractions of Oslo, Norway

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:05:52 -0500

For a healthy dose of Viking culture and a good smattering of art and history museums, go to Oslo, Norway. For Oslo, a small capital by most measures, with a mere 500,000 people, has a surprisingly large collection of good museums - most of them easily accessible from the city center and, with the Oslo Pass in hand, inexpensive to boot - as well as a wealth of Scandinavian architecture, both historic and modern. For first-time visitors to Oslo, however, since it is easy to be overwhelmed by the city's offerings, here are Oslo's 'Top 10' tourist draws. 1. Oslo's Opera House Oslo's new Opera House, inaugurated in April 2008, is absolutely, positively, a 'must-see'. It is Oslo's bold, New Millennium statement to the world, aptly made with granite and 36,000 slabs of white marble. Partly submerged in the sea, the $700-million architectural masterpiece rises from the fjord like a massive sheet of ice, with its angular slabs, like giant ski slopes, surprising at every level. The opera house is home to both the Norwegian National Opera and the Norwegian Ballet. 2. **End Summary** Topics: oslo]]> norway]]> sightseeing]]> attractions]]> museums]]> palace]]> art]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Baljeet Sangwan is a globetrotter, travel editor and travel writer who has published 12 travel guidebooks. He is a co-publisher at iChiefTravel and a contributor to Oslo, Norway , Bergen, Norway and The Fjord Region, Norway travel guides.

The 10 Best Bahamas Islands

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:29:33 -0500

For tropical vacations, the Bahamas are legendary. And with good reason. Even as one of the smallest countries in the world, the Bahamas archipelago, with its approximately 700 tiny islands and 2,000 tinier islets, offers a broad spectrum of topography, facilities and recreational opportunities, and gorgeous, pristine beaches besides. There are nearly 30 inhabited islands here, and of those more than a dozen hold tourist interest. So, for those visiting the Bahamas for the first time, or even those revisiting, here are the 'Top 10' islands in the archipelago, which are also the ones most easily accessible to visitors. 1. New Providence New Providence is the principal island in the Bahamas. It is by far the most populous, most popular, and literally a magnet for vacationers, particularly Americans. On it is located Nassau, the largest and best known Bahamian city, which claims more than 175,000 people and over 400 banks (oh, did we mention that the Bahamas is a tax haven? No? Well, it is!)! Accommodations, dining choices and other visitor facilities are plentiful here, as are other real time tourist attractions. **End Summary** Topics: bahamas]]> islands]]> nassau]]> caribbean]]> destinations]]> vacations]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Baljeet Sangwan is a globetrotter, travel editor and travel writer who has published 12 travel guidebooks. He is a co-publisher at IndianChiefTravel and a contributor to The Bahamas Travel Guide and Aruba and Curacao travel guides.

The 10 Greatest Castles of Germany

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:52:38 -0500

If you like castles, you'll love Germany, for Germany has castles the way Venice has canals, or Norway has fjords, or the Napa Valley has wineries. There are literally scores of them, virtually in every German state and seemingly on every other hilltop, especially along the river Rhine. There are schlosses, which are essentially castles or palaces, and there are burgs, which are castles or fortresses; and then there are festungs, quite simply, fortresses. Here are ten of the most famous German castles, the must-sees, the "great castles" of Germany. 1. Schloss Neuschwanstein Schloss Neuschwanstein is perhaps the most picturesque, the most recognizable of Germany's great castles. This is the one that inspired the magical castle at Disneyland, the one with interiors that resemble scenes from Wagnerian operas. Perched high on a hill in an alpine setting in Schwangau, along Northern Bavaria's Romantic Road, the castle follows a distinctly Romanesque style. It was originally built between 1869 and 1886 and was the ultimate fantasy of the Mad King Ludwig. Public tours of it are 9 euros each, not cheap, but worth it. 2. **End Summary** Topics: castles]]> German castles]]> Neuschwanstein]]> Burg Eltz]]> sightseeing]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Baljeet Sangwan is a globetrotter, travel editor and travel writer who has published 12 travel guidebooks. He is a contributor to Great Castles of Germany , as well as The Rhine Valley and The Mosel Valley travel guides.

Best of Maui, Hawaii: Top 10 Attractions

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:54:05 -0400

If Hawaii is your idea of a dream vacation, then Maui ought to be the realization of that dream. For Maui, of all the Hawaiian islands, is the most magical, the most alluring, the most exciting. It has the best beaches, best golf courses, best windsurfing, best weather, and the sweetest pineapples you'll ever taste, Maui Gold! And on Maui, besides soaking up the sun and sipping a mai tai as the sun sets, what else should one see and do? Well, here's the island's 'Top 10', do-not-miss list. 1. Haleakala Haleakala is a place almost of pilgrimage. The dormant volcano looms large on the island, more or less at the center of it, and at 10,023 feet, its summit is the highest point on Maui. Besides a visit to the informative Haleakala National Park Visitor Center, you can hike or go on horseback down into the 3,000-foot-deep Haleakala crater. You can also explore ancient lava flows and see silverswords here, which are rare, silvery flower stalks indigenous to the area. But for a spiritual journey, try to go there early and catch the sunrise. **End Summary** Topics: Maui]]> Hawaii]]> travel]]> attractions]]> sightseeing]]> destinations]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Baljeet Sangwan is a globetrotter, travel editor and travel writer who has published 12 travel guidebooks. He is a contributor to the Maui, Hawaii travel guide, as well as the Oahu, Hawaii and the Big Island, Hawaii travel guides.

Best of Florence, Italy: Top 10 Attractions

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:54:16 -0400

If art and architecture pique your interest, go to Florence, Italy, the 'Renaissance City' on the River Arno. For this is a city bubbling over with treasures that will both surprise and delight. There are museums, galleries, cathedrals, churches, palaces, historic squares, artisan neighborhoods, landmark bridges. But that, in a nutshell, is the good thing about Florence. On a more sobering note, there is no way to see it all in one, two or even three visits. So, for those visiting Florence for the first time, or even for those returning for seconds, here are the highlights, the top attractions of the city. 1. Piazza Duomo Piazza Duomo should be at the top of every visitor's list. For the piazza, or square, is not only at the heart of Florence, in the city's Historic Centre, but it is dominated by Florence's foremost, most recognizable attraction, the Florence cathedral, or Cupola Duomo. The cupola stands 100 meters high, with its massive, red-ochre dome (41.5 meters in diameter!) visible from virtually any vantage point in the city. Built between 1418 and 1434, this was the signature piece of architect Brunelleschi. Be forewarned, though, that the lines here are long. **End Summary** Topics: Florence]]> Italy]]> Travel]]> Attractions]]> Art]]> Architecture]]> Destinations]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Baljeet Sangwan is a globetrotter, travel editor and travel writer who has published 12 travel guidebooks. He is a co-publisher at IndianChiefTravel.com and contributor to The Top Attractions of Florence , as well as the Florence, Italy and Venice, Italy travel guides.

Best of Paris: Top 10 Attractions

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:19:25 -0400

To say that Paris is a city of art and culture, of high fashion and haute cuisine, is to understate the case. For Paris is not only the premier tourist destination of France, but among the most popular destinations in the world. It is visited by more than 30 million people every year, and is filled to the gills with visitor attractions, including several world-famous, iconic landmarks, which, collectively, are enough to overwhelm even the seasoned tourist. So, what, you might ask, should you see in Paris? Well, to do the city justice, you must, absolutely must, take in the following. 1. Eiffel Tower The Eiffel Tower is the foremost attraction in Paris. It is both a symbol of the city and one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. Designed by Gustave Eiffel, it was built in 1889 for the Universal Exhibition held in Paris in 1900. The tower features 15,000 sections of iron, held together with 2.5 million rivets, and rises 324 meters into the Paris sky. There are several elevators here, as well as a flight of stairs that goes to the second platform at 115 meters. **End Summary** Topics: Paris]]> France]]> Travel]]> Attractions]]> Sights]]> Sightseeing]]> Destinations]]> Louvre]]> Eiffel_Tower]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Baljeet Sangwan is a globetrotter, travel editor and travel writer who has published 12 travel guidebooks. He is a contributor and co-publisher at indianchieftravel , where you can read more on Paris on the Paris, France page.

The Top 5 Attractions of Bremen, Germany

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:08:20 -0400

If you like contrast, go to Bremen, Germany. For Bremen is both Germany's smallest state as well as one of its larger cities, with a population of around 660,000. But its appeal lies in its surprising blend of old and new, where historic neighborhoods filled with charming, age-old buildings are juxtaposed with newer high-tech sites that typically draw a wired, younger crowd. But if you are a first-time visitor to Bremen, here are the top five attractions of the city that you should not miss. Bremen's Marktplatz This should be at the top of your list. Located in the heart of Bremen, this historic square is dominated by the city's huge Rathaus (Town Hall), considered to be one of the loveliest civic buildings in Germany. Originally a Gothic building dating from 1410, it nevertheless features a Weser Renaissance facade that was worked in during the 17th century. The statues here are of Charlemagne and the seven electors, and an 18-foot (5.5-meter) one of Roland, Believed to the tallest of the 26 statues of Roland still in existence in Germany. There is also a 1951 Gerhard Marcks bronze here, the 'Street Musicians of Bremen'. **End Summary** Topics: travel]]> Bremen]]> Germany]]> Bremen sights]]> attractions]]> Bremen sightseeing]]> destinations]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Baljeet Sangwan is a globetrotter, travel editor and travel writer who has published 12 travel guidebooks. He is a co-publisher at IndianChiefTravel.com and contributor to the Bremen, Germany and Berlin, Germany travel guides.

The Best Beer Gardens and Beer Halls of Munich, Germany

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:06:21 -0400

If you've ever been to a beer hall in Germany, you must know that beer drinking isn't for the faint of heart. And in Munich, in particular, beer drinking is a serious past-time. There is etiquette, there is terminology, there are pairings, and ultimately there is ambiance. But briefly, here's what you'll need to know. Ordering Beer Beer is served by the liter or 'Mass', or by the half-liter or 'Halb'. Ordering quantities smaller than that is generally frowned upon. For non-drinkers, even though sodas and colas are available in some of the beer gardens, a customary drink is 'Apfelschaftschorle', which is soda-water mixed with apple juice. This is of course not only much healthier but also more refreshing than a cola. And then there is the 'Radler', which literally means 'cyclist', and is half-beer, half-lemonade. Food with Beer The staple food in beer gardens is large, soft pretzels and sausages of all sorts, usually served with sauerkraut and potatoes. A favorite in Munich is 'Weisswurst' or white sausage, which is traditionally served in the morning, often with sweet Bavarian mustard and beer. Etiquette requires that you eat 'Weisswurst' by hand and leave out the skin. **End Summary** Topics: travel]]> germany]]> munich]]> beer]]> beer gardens]]> beer halls]]> destinations]]> beer drinking]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Baljeet Sangwan is a globetrotter and travel writer who has published 12 travel guidebooks. He is a contributor and co-publisher at indianchieftravel , where these beer gardens can be found on the Best Beer Gardens of Munich page.