Turku

The southwestern Finnish town of Turku (Swedish Åbo), the country's oldest town and once its capital, lies on the Gulf of Bothnia, at the mouth of the Aurajoki. About 5 percent of the population is Swedish-speaking, and the town attracts many visitors from neighboring Sweden. Turku lies in the area where the successors to the Swedish Vikings landed in the 12th century and set out to conquer what is now Finland. In 1525, the town received its municipal charter from Gustavus Vasa. In 1810, the seat of government was transferred to Helsinki. During the 1970s, Turku developed into a considerable tourist center. The hub of Turku's traffic is the Market Square (Kauppatori), on the north bank of the Aurajoki. This is a great place to come for coffee and pastries. Flanking the square here are the Swedish Theater, the glass-roofed Hansa shopping center, and the lovely Orthodox church. Standing on the east side of Turku's Cathedral Square is the main cathedral, founded about 1230 and consecrated in 1290. It is a massive brick church in Late Romanesque style with Gothic and Renaissance additions and a massive 97-meter high tower that dominates the city. Just down from the cathedral along the river, two old sailing ships are moored - the "Suomen Joutsen," now a training school for seamen, and the barque "Sigyn." Both are open to the public in summer. Also along the banks of the river are a number of old vessels, which have been converted into restaurants. Finally, a must-see is the old castle. Located on the west side of Turku near the harbor, the castle was built around 1300 on what was then an island at the mouth of the river. It was enlarged in the 16th-17th century and now houses the Turku Historical Museum.

Vaasa

Established in the 1300s, Vaasa was an important town in the time that Sweden ruled Finland. The original town burned down in 1852 and was relocated six kilometers northwest near a better harbor. The ruins of the old city are now a giant park (Vanha Vaasa, Gamla Vasa) that is well worth the visit. The town is about 34 percent Swedish-speaking and retains many ties to Sweden. Surrounded by a wide range of cafés, restaurants, and shops, the large market place is the center of city life. This peaceful town offers plenty of attractions. Visitors can walk along the waterfront, which begins in front of the town and extends for miles along the coast. Other attractions include the Kuntsi Museum of Modern Art, down at the harbor, the Ostrobothnian Museum, the Terranova Kvarken Nature Center, the Tikanoja Art Museum, and the Vaasa Maritime Museum. Just to the east of the city center, on an island, is Tropiclandia and tropical spa, a waterpark inside a heated dome packed with pools, slides, and saunas. South of Vasa is the famed Söderfjärden crater caused by a meteor millions of years ago. To the north lies the Kvarken National Park, a wild archipelago hosting many great hikes and excellent bird watching opportunities. Vasa also hosts a number of notable cultural events including the Night of the Arts; the Korsholm Music Festival, one of the most noted of chamber music festivals; and the Vaasa Choir Festival. Vasa also claims to be the sunniest town in all of Finland, so soak up some rays on one of the many beaches.

Stellenbosch, Western Cape

Stellenbosch is one of the most picturesque towns in South Africa. A mosaic of farms, old oak trees, and white-washed Cape Dutch dwellings, Stellenbosch is one of the best preserved towns from the era of the Dutch East India Company. Today, it's a university town with a vibrant feel and fantastic scenery. Foodies will love it here. Stellenbosch is home to some of South Africa's best restaurants as well as many sidewalk cafes. History buffs can take a walk back in time at the Village Museum, a group of four restored houses and gardens dating from 1709 to 1850. Rupert Museum displays important works by South African artists, and the Botanic Garden at the University of Stellenbosch is another top tourist attraction. In the surrounding area, nature buffs can hike and bike on the wilderness trails in the breathtaking Jonkershoek Nature Reserve.

Kgalagadi (Kalahari) Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape

A merger of South Africa's Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and Botswana's Gemsbok National Park, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is one of the largest wilderness areas in the world. Established in 2000, it is Africa's first officially declared transfrontier park and lies in a remote region of South Africa's Northern Cape. Gnarled camel thorn trees, red sands, golden grasslands, and deep blue skies provide a bold backdrop for photographs and game viewing. Among the huge diversity of wildlife, this vast conservation area is home to the famous black-maned Kalahari lion, stately gemsbok with their V-shaped horns, the sprawling nests of sociable weavers, meerkats, and many birds of prey. Other predators such as leopard, cheetah, and hyenas are also found here. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for some of the minor rugged roads or for those venturing into Botswana.

Cape Town, Western Cape

One of the planet's most breathtaking cities, Cape Town is, by population, the second largest settlement in South Africa. Nature surrounds this multicultural city, which nuzzles between a rugged range of mountains and the sea. For a spectacular overview, hike to the peak of flat-topped Table Mountain, or glide up on the cableway. The hour-long hike up Lion's Head also provides panoramic city vistas. On Table Mountain's eastern slopes, the magnificent Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens lie within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Strolling along the waterfront boardwalk, visitors might see whales spouting from the harbor. Penguins waddle along the golden beaches in False Bay, while south of the city, Cape Point is home to abundant wildlife and diverse botanical wonders. One of Cape Town's top attractions is the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Reminiscent of Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, visitors come here to shop, dine, and enjoy the many entertainment venues, including Two Ocean's Aquarium. Camp's Bay, rimmed by beautiful boulder-flanked beaches, offers chic shops and cafes. At sunset, nature lovers stake a spot along spectacular Chapman's Peak Drive in a dusk ritual known as "sundowners" to watch the sun sink slowly into the sea.

Harare

Harare is the capital city of Zimbabwe with an area of 370.9 sq meter and elevation of 1,490 feet. It is the most populated city of Zimbabwe which was founded in 1890. Due to its presence at high altitudes it has a subtropical highland climate. This huge city has a number of outskirts to visit which should not be skipped by the tourists like Chapungu Sculpture Park, Zimbabwe Museum and National Heroes Acre. It is a one of the largest commercial city of Zimbabwe which is popular in trading for the variety of products including Cotton, Maize, Tobacco and Citrus fruits. It is the city where gold is mined and has many industries like chemical industry, steel industry and textile industry.

Doon Estate, Harare

It is a fluky state of Harare the best place for shopping as one can buy homemade things like confectionery. Coffee of the state is one of the delicious things to enjoy as it has a great taste that one cannot forget. Local authors and artisans can be enjoyed there in a lovely manner. Shops there include Dendera gallery, Zimbabalooba, Roz Byrne and many more. this place is serving good food from vegetable platters to salads and yummy lemonades.

Bungee Jump off the Victoria Falls

The most kooky, nutty and terrifying thing to do is Bungee jumping from the height of 111 meters off the Victoria falls. This is been running by a company named Zambezi Adrenaline Company. it is one of the most adventurous dive into the Zambezi. A person is tied from its ankle with a rope and can jump into the Zambezi in four seconds. This fall is one of the first top five jumping on the Planet. It is one of the seven natural wonders. it is the best place in Zambezi to visit. thousands of people enjoy this jump every year.

Zambezi River

The fourth largest river flowing up to 2700 kilometers is the Zambezi river in Africa. Zambezi river is the best place for tiger fishing, from September to April. Summers are the best months for fishing as the fish feed in these months the more. Fishing is usually done at Kiambi Lower Zambezi. Here one can be provided with all types of facilities including luxurious accommodations to cottages and best camps. Boats are provided for fishing with a boatman and cooler boxes fixed in. the place is visited early in the morning. A huge number of tourists visit this place every year.

Chimanimani Mountains, Zimbabwe

Chimanimani is actually a park that includes outstanding Chimanimani mountains. The astonishing scenery and immaculate environment of these mountains have always attracted audacious travelers. This provides hiking, rock climbing, camping, caves and natural swimming pools. most of the range is levelheaded with quartzite ridges. The highest point is 2440 meters high. the village of chimanimani was founded by Thomas Moodie. At 70 meters high and 16 meters round tree called mahogany can be visited. Bridal Veil Falls can also be visited which is located above the Chimanimani village. Base camps are available for the limited number of visitors.

Bulawayo, Matabeleland

The second largest city after Harare and the number one industrial place to visit is Bulawayo. as of the 2012 census it has a population 653,337 was estimated. Bulawayo railway museum, Matobo national park, National history museum, The Nesbit castle, Khami ruins, Chipangali wildlife are some of the places not to miss in Bulawayo. it is also called ‘City of Kings’. It is located near to the watershed between the Zambezi and Limpopo drainage basin. it is a multicultural city. the residents here can speak at least three different languages including English, Shona, Xhosa, Soth and Tongo. The city has sub tropical climate.

The Great Zimbabwe Ruins, Masvingo Province

It is Zimbabwe’s one of the ancient archaeological sites which is believed to be the city constructed by Gokomere culture in 11th century. Later this site was settled in 14th century, which is now turned into a ruin. here some walls can be seen with height of above, then 5 meters, which are not joined by mortars. this property of almost 750 hectare is divided into three groups named Hill Ruins, the Great enclosure and the Valley Ruins. first group include several layers of human settlements. second group includes a variety of blocks arranged in a regular courses made up of granite and the third group is a series of living organizations.it is a best place to visit in Zimbabwe.

National Herberium and Botanic Gardens, Harare

This is a 58 hectare garden is one of the best research center containing 500,000 plant species and has 900 trees and shrubs. it has a diverse variety of species from southern Africa. It has sections of trees containing Lowveld, Highveld and Eastern Highlands. It has plants from the regions that have climatic conditions similar to Zimbabwe. It has also an educational institute which provides information about the Zimbabwean flora. It is a great place to spend a day.

Hwange National Park, Metabeleland North

Hwange National Park in one of the best tourist places in Zimbabwe, covering an area of 14,651 km which was founded in 1928 and constructed near the Kalahari desert. It is located between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. This area is dry and has a lack of water during winter months but during the wet summer months the park become lush green. It has almost 500 species of animals, birds and huge number of elephants which make it an important place for predators. It has many camping and picnic sites which attract the tourist even more. This park can be explored by walking or using animal trails. It is one of the best places in Zimbabwe to visit.

Maasai Mara National Reserve

Maasai Mara is one of the world's most magnificent game reserves. Bordering Tanzania, the Mara is the northern extension of the Serengeti and forms a wildlife corridor between the two countries. It's named after the statuesque, red-cloaked Maasai people who live in the park and graze their animals here as they have done for centuries. In their language, Mara means "mottled", perhaps a reference to the play of light and shadow from the acacia trees and cloud-studded skies on the vast grasslands.

The park is famous for the Great Migration when thousands of wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson's gazelle travel to and from the Serengeti, from July through October. In the Mara River, throngs of hippos and crocodiles lurk. The park is also known for providing excellent predator sightings thanks to its relatively large populations of lion, cheetah, and leopard - especially in the dry months from December through February. Thanks to the parks altitude, the weather here is mild and gentle year round.

Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba National Reserves

On the banks of the palm-lined Ewaso Nyiro River, Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba Reserves lie in an arid region in the remote north of Kenya. Shaba National Reserve is one of two areas where George and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the lioness, made famous in the film "Born Free". The wildlife in all three reserves depends on the waters of the river to survive, and many species are specially adapted to the parched conditions such as Grevy's zebras, Somali ostriches, and gerenuks, the long-necked antelope that stand on two rear legs to reach the fresh shoots on upper tree limbs.

Amboseli National Reserve

Crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, Amboseli National Reserve is one of Kenya's most popular tourist parks. The name "Amboseli" comes from a Maasai word meaning "salty dust", an apt description for the park's parched conditions. The reserve is one of the best places in Africa to view large herds of elephants up close. Other wildlife commonly spotted in the park includes big cats such as lion and cheetah as well as giraffe, impala, eland, waterbuck, gazelle, and more than 600 species of birds. Nature lovers can explore five different habitats here ranging from the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulfur springs, savannah, and woodlands. Look for the local Maasai people who live in the area around the park.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park, in Central Kenya, is famous for its huge flocks of pink flamingoes. The birds throng on Lake Nakuru itself, one of the Rift Valley soda lakes that comprises almost a third of the park's area. The park was established in 1961 and more than 450 species of birds have been recorded here as well as a rich diversity of other wildlife. Lions, leopards, warthogs, waterbucks, pythons, and white rhinos are just some of the animals visitors might see, and the landscapes range from sweeping grasslands bordering the lake to rocky cliffs and woodland.

Lamu

The small island of Lamu, northeast of Mombasa, oozes old world charm. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lamu Old Town is Kenya's oldest continually inhabited settlement with origins dating back to the 12th century. Strolling the labyrinthine streets, visitors will see the island's rich trading history reflected in the buildings. Architectural features from the Arab world, Europe, and India are evident, yet with a discernible Swahili technique. Intricately carved wooden doors, coral stone buildings, hidden courtyards, verandas, and rooftop patios are common features. Visiting here is like stepping back in time. Dhows plow the harbor, few if any motorized vehicles exist here, and donkeys still rule the streets as they have done for centuries.

Punta Cana

Thousands of tourists flock the beaches of Punta Cana, one of the most popular resort destinations in the Caribbean. Located on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana’s public beach is also a popular for water sports including surfing and kayaking. The area is served by an airstrip with regular flights and charters bringing pleasure-seekers to its world-class golf courses and the nearby Scape Park where adventure seekers can enjoy a zipline tour, dune buggies, and visit the refreshing Hoyo Azul Lagoon.