Paros is considered to be among the most beautiful islands among the Cyclades’ Islands in Greece and it attracts hordes of tourists every year. The natural scenery in Paros consists of beaches covered with golden sand adjacent to the crystal clear water.

The beaches in Paros are quite organized and you can use nice sun beds and umbrellas while you sit and enjoy the beauty of the beach and the warmth of the sun. Many adventure sports such as windsurfing are also available on the beaches. Some of the most beautiful beaches among the Cyclades including the Golden Beach and Santa Maria are located in Paros.

The Island has many scenic old villages, which are both beautiful and peaceful. There are small white cubic houses on the paved alleys with bougainvilleas hanging on them. The contrast between the white houses and colorful flowers is quite stunning.

Paros also boasts of a nice nightlife. There are numerous bars and night clubs in Naoussa, a little village, and Parikia, the capital city of the island. The interesting features of these clubs and bars are the waterfronts, beach parties and beach concerts. The city does not sleep and most of the places are open all night long.

(Image courtesy of Eustaquio Santimano)

Birqash camel market, located 35 KM northwest of Cairo, is the largest of its kind in Egypt, and it offers a unique and unforgettable experience to visitors.

You can get to Birqash from Imbaba through a road that winds through dusty villages, orange orchards and a few urban pockets.

You have to pay a nominal fee for admission to the market. Female visitors should wear conservative dresses, as the market is virtually an all-men affair. Hundreds of camels are brought up the Forty Days Road from Sudan to Birqash. Camels from different parts of Egypt and even Somalia are traded in Birqash market for cash or for other animals like sheep, goats and horses.

You can watch the whole process of camel trading from a suitable middle position of the market. The negotiations start from morning and the whole show is all but over by the early afternoon.

Lastly, always keep in mind that Birqash camel market is neither meant for the animal lovers nor for the faint hearted. Moreover, you should be ready to bear with the smell if you want to enjoy a trip to the Birqash camel market.

Shark’s Bay is a diving village located close to Sharm el Sheikh, one of the most popular and frequently visited beach resorts in Egypt. It was developed in the ’80s but still retains the original warmth of Sharm.

From its private beach, tourists can have amazing views of the Tiran Island. From here up to Ras Mohammed National Park you get the most astonishing underwater views through the crystal clear water, including eye catching reefs and a mind-boggling range of fish. Sharm has easy access to Red Sea’s well-known dive spots that offer a host of facilities like dive ships, diving training centers and boats.

Besides divers, general tourists and vacationers also find modern amenities at Sharm. You can engage in water sports and frolic around doing four wheeling, horse riding, bowling, and bungee jumping. You can also enjoy the beautiful, panoramic view of the splendid mountains and valleys of Sinai.

You can avail diving trips to Tiran, Ras Mohammed, St. Catherine’s and Dahab from Shark’s Bay. You can also go for exciting RIB diving and shore diving whenever you feel like. As Shark’s Bay has a Beduin connection, you can spend some time on learning different aspects of the culture of the Beduins.

(Image courtesy of WomEOS)

Ismailia is a charming town in Egypt, very close to the Suez Canal, and just 120 km from Cairo. With the greenery, sand, and shady avenues, the place has a quaint and serene feel to it.

An interesting feature of Ismailia is its parks that boast of some rare varieties of flora. Mallaha Park, which is spread over almost 500 acres, is one of the most popular among both local and international tourists.

Ismailia offers visitors an opportunity to explore the beauty of the mysterious past of Egypt. It has many historical monuments that attract tourists from all over the world. One of the famous tourist attraction is the Garden of Stelae, which has a number of stunning stelae made from stone or wood and with beautiful paintings, inscriptions and reliefs carved on them.

The Ismailia Museum, which is more than 75 years old, boasts of a great collection from many periods, including ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Islamic. There is a magnificent sphinx at the entrance of the museum, and the walls have stunning paintings from ancient Egypt.

Lake Tismah is a popular destination for water sports and for spending some peaceful time with family and friends. There are also some beautiful tourist villages in the area, like Safa and Morgan.

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Ios is one of the Cycladic Islands of Greece and is also known as the Party Island. The nightlife of Ios is famous, not just in Greece, but all over the world.

Ios largely comprises of a town, a beach and a port. There are many pubs and clubs that offer pure fun with drinks, great music, exquisite food, and friendly people. This is the place to head to if you are looking forward to a fun-filled and exciting holiday with your friends or spouse.

Other than partying, there are many other attractions in Ios including beautiful beaches that have soft golden sand and crystal clear water. You can enjoy the thrill of playing in the sea or relax and get tanned on the shore.

The Hora village of Ios has some stunning architecture comprising of small, white houses with contrasting purple flowers all over the city. From the top of the hill, a breathtaking view of the whole city can be seen. The sun rays reflect from the white houses and the entire experience is magical.

Another tourist attraction of Ios is the Venetian castle built on a hill top, which is surrounded by beautiful landscape. Ios offers something to everyone with its quirky nightlife and peaceful picturesque spots.

(Image courtesy of BigBlackBox)

Andros is one of the many beautiful islands in Greece that is just one hour away from the capital city of Athens. It has a rich cultural history and has been named after the grandson of the Greek god Apollo.

Andros gives a feeling as if the time has stood still. There are many beautiful villages on the island. Even the architecture that can be spotted in the city is from the long gone eras. Beautiful Venetian style houses and monuments can be spotted everywhere on the island. There are many rural houses as well which are built in the simple but elegant style.

Several places in Chora town, the capital of Andros Island, deserve a visit, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art that features many beautiful paintings by the local artists. The statute of the Unknown Sailor and the lighthouse are both mysterious and stunning.

Other than the beautiful villages, the un-spoilt natural beauty of the beaches of Andros is another feature that attracts tourists. Agios Petros is one of the picturesque old villages of Andros that has a beautiful beach with golden sand and clear blue water. The mountains add to the beauty of this little Greek island and make it an ideal holiday destination.

(Image courtesy of Archway Andres)

Vergina is a charming little town located in the Northern part of Greece in the Central Macedonia region. The city is a major archaeological site and understandably, the main attractions of Vergina are the old relics from the past.

The tomb of Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, is an architectural wonder from the ancient world. Burial places of many other kings of the Macedon Empire are also located in this town. These historical attractions boast of beautiful craftsmanship and stunning designs along with aesthetically pleasing architecture.

The museum on the Great Tumulus has many beautiful historical artifacts on public display such as the golden crown with carved leaves that often has onlookers stunned. The museum is located on the old archeological site and shows the tombs the way they originally were, which adds to its attractiveness. The artifacts are well restored and are exhibited with enough information on display that gives visitors insights about the ancient civilization.

Another charming aspect of this town is the beautiful natural scenery that includes green hills, mountain ranges and the serene coastline. Vergina can be a great choice for a romantic visit or for a fun trip with your friends.

Naxos is a small island in Greece that is well known for its natural beauty. It offers tourists a chance to experience the magic of long beaches with golden sand and clear blue water of the sea.

The western part of the island has a beautiful coastline with a turquoise sea. The beaches of Naxos are among the most beautiful in the whole continent. Further, the town is surrounded by majestic mountains, which will leave you enthralled.

A major attraction of Naxos that you should not miss at any cost is the ruins of old temples located in the city. There are many other architectural wonders as well, including some beautiful Byzantine churches.

Naxos combines old world magic with the convenience of modern world as it boasts of many fine hotels, restaurants and shops. An interesting feature of the island is the small villages that have hardly changed in last few centuries and here you get to observe the native lifestyle and culture.

If you are seeking adventure and excitement, you should know that Naxos is also a great destination for windsurfing. The windsurfing services, with complete safety gear, are offered by hotels on the beaches. The water is warm and the wind is strong, which makes windsurfing in Naxos an unforgettable experience.

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The city of Alicante with a history of over a thousand years has emerged as a modern cosmopolitan recently. Situated at the centre of the Spanish region of Alicante on the Costa Blanca in the southern part of the Valencian Community, the city has established itself as a centre of commerce as well as tourism. With its beautiful seafront promenade and famous palm tree lining, Alicante is frequented by Spanish as well as foreign visitors.

The famous Santa Barbara castle in the city is said to have witnessed the Moorish invasion of the Roman City of Lucentum (old name for Alicante) and the site draws hordes of visitors. Amongst other places to visit, there are the Port of Alicante and the Church of Alicante. You can also enjoy the scenic beauty of the El Palmeral Park that is one of the most frequented places in the region.

In addition to the historical significance and natural beauty, Alicante also has a vibrant nightlife. If you visit the city between June 19 and 24, you can even witness the Bonfires of Saint John, which is amongst the biggest festivities of the region. If you want to venture beyond the city, you can go visit many other places like the Tabarca Island, which is fast becoming a hot tourist spot in Spain.

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Costa del Azahar is the coast of the province of Castellon, situated in north most part of the Valencian Community. The name itself means ‘orange blossom coast’. Lying between the provinces of Catalonia and Castellon in the north with vague southern boundaries, the region includes some beautiful towns like Peniscola and Valencia.

The orange blossom coast offers you a number of reasons for spending your next vacation in this breathtakingly beautiful part of Spain. You can enjoy the excellent beaches, perfect climate, friendly people, and a wide range of fresh seafood here. Despite the commercialization of some of the areas, there are still a number of pristine beaches that attract thousands of visitors every year. The vast expanse of beaches giving way to the mountains presents a mesmerizing site.

The region is not just about the beaches but also about the great countryside. It has a rustic charm and you can go horse riding or cycling to enjoy it to the fullest. The local population is very friendly; however, it will be a good idea to learn a few words of Spanish before you travel to the beautiful Costa del Azahar.

(Image courtesy of Erik Cleves Kristensen)