What does Adelaide Have to Offer?

Posted by Cheap Airfares in travel on 16-11-2009

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Adelaide’s CBD measures just one square mile. Wherever you are in the city, it is within the heart of Adelaide. Festivals, food, arts, culture, shopping and sports, this is Adelaide. Whether you want to party or relax on your next holiday, South Australia’s capital has it all. With vibrant inner-city districts, stunning architecture and beautiful gardens, plenty of accommodation to choose from, Adelaide is the perfect place for a wide variety of leisure activities.

Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, located on the Torrens River and surrounded to the east by the ranges and to the west by the beach, it prides itself on its live music and arts scene, its historic building heritage and its central location to one of Australia’s best known wine grape growing regions, the Barossa Valley.

You might prefer to follow in the footsteps of sporting champions at the world-famous Adelaide Oval. Or retreat to the seaside suburbs of Henley Beach, Glenelg & Semaphore. As Adelaide is situated on the coast, its beaches are numerous. One can choose between city beaches or quieter out-of-town beaches about half an hour from the city centre.

Since Adelaide is situated in a gulf, the beaches are calm and safe. For those who enjoy surfing, the open sea beaches are about one hour away. Since the beaches face west, one can enjoy the most magnificent sunsets.

There is no doubt that Adelaide Oval is indeed one of the most iconic and photographed cricket grounds in the world. Australians take their cricket extremely seriously, and Adelaide is without doubt an important member of the Australian sporting scene.

Residents of Adelaide can play or watch a number of sports including Aussie Rules Football, swimming, tennis, netball, soccer, hockey, cycling, horse racing and a variety of water sports. South Australians pride themselves on their level of involvement in sport and have a proud tradition of participation and winning in a wide variety of sports.

The mighty Murray River is an hour’s drive from Adelaide. It is a favorite aquatic location for South Australians and provides many diverse leisure activities such as skiing, fishing and swimming.

At the University of Adelaide the new Business School creates a stimulating multidisciplinary learning environment that fosters the pursuit of leadership and excellence in both research and education.

South Australia has over 78,000 small businesses. Of these an estimated 55,000 are located within the Adelaide metropolitan area. Almost 40% of these employ between 1 - 19 people making small business a major source of regional employment within Adelaide.

Adelaide offers a diversity of food, wine & culture, it offers a thriving sports scene and growing small business sector. When planning your next holiday destination or a new residential location take a close look at Adelaide. When in Adelaide don’t hesitate to use the Adelaide Locality Directory to find everything form community groups, hospitals, restaurants, accommodation, employment and much more.

Cairns Attractions

Posted by Cheap Airfares in travel on 09-11-2009

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Fun, sun and memories of a happy Queensland vacation, these are ideal elements for a vacation of a lifetime when you holiday in Cairns and the Tropical North.

Blessed with an ideal climate most of the year, featuring temperatures in the Summer months (October-April) of 29-33 degrees C, and Winter months (April-October) 25-29 degrees C, Cairns can offer some of the earth’s most engaging natural tourist attractions, the reef, the rainforest and the Australian Outback, and they are all here awaiting for you to discover.

The very friendly residents of Tropical North Queensland will show you the kind of friendly and courteous hospitality that has become the standard to aspire to for other tourism hot-spots. Adventure tourism, night life, fine dining and shopping add to the excitement and attraction of this fabulous city.

If you have been here previously, welcome back. If you are here for the first time, bathe in our tourist offerings and enjoy your stay.

Queensland’s premier regional city, Cairns is the international entrance to Tropical North Queensland. It is an exciting cosmopolitan destination with warm, sunny tropical days balanced by cooling ocean breezes. Enjoy a stroll along the central Esplanade or satisfy your tastebuds in one of Cairns’ many multi-cultural, diverse and prize-winning eateries.

Cairns provides access to the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforests as well as the Australian Outback. Cairns, with its international and domestic airport, is the first stop for most visitors who want to see the real Australia.

Relax on the sandy beaches, dive on the reef and experience the unique tropical rainforests that date back to when the continent was part of ancient Gondwanaland, thousands of eons ago.

Take a swim in the relaxing Cairns Esplanade lagoon, then look across the serene waters of Trinity Inlet and you will see coastal mountains and mangrove habitats that have not changed since the site was discovered by Captain James Cook in 1770.

The beautiful Esplanade Lagoon is the perfect place to spend a lazy day basking in the sun and wading in the lagoon’s cool and inviting water. There are many shaded spots to take refuge from the sun in the heat of the day, as well as barbeque facilities. The boardwalk has unique displays of Cairns’s local history and has many exercise facilities for those keen on getting a bit of exercise.

Cairns is extremely well suited to walking, or travel by bicycle. Well trodden routes and dedicated walking tracks abound or a visit to the Cairns Botanical Gardens is not to be missed. 38 hectares of native Australian gardens are maintained to lush standards, and many plants found here cannot be seen elsewhere. Located among the plants is a coffee shop and restaurant, it is open every day for breakfast and lunch. Admission to the gardens is free.

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Norfolk Island

Posted by Cheap Airfares in travel on 18-08-2009

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A tiny jewel set in the blue seas of the South Pacific, Norfolk Island is just 8 km (5 mi) long, and 1,600 km (994 mi) northeast of Sydney, Australia.

It is the biggest of a cluster of three islands on the Norfolk Ridge, fringed by coral reefs and crowned by pristine rainforest and some of the world’s tallest tree ferns.

On 10 October 1774, James Cook first landed on this diminutive island and named it in honour of the then Duchess of Norfolk.

Convicts started to arrive 14 years later and over time it gained quite a bad reputation, becoming known as ‘hell in the Pacific’.

Then in 1856, descendants of the Bounty mutineers with their Tahitian wives and children sailed for five weeks from Pitcairn Island to settle on Norfolk Island. These new settlers brought with them a distinct culture and language, and many held mutineers’ names such as Adams, Buffett, Christian and McCoy. From that day, Norfolk Island began its steady climb out of hell and into heaven.

Once sustained by agriculture and fishing, visitors now keep the island alive. But traditional culture remains deep rooted with dancing, singing and a unique cuisine. Banana dumplings, fried fish and Hihi pie, concocted with periwinkles, can be sampled at one of the fine restaurants scattered across the island.

The blue waters around Norfolk Island are teeming with fish, and there are countless fishing charters and scuba-diving trips out to the reef to explore this kaleidoscope underwater world. In the sheltered waters of Emily Bay, you can also indulge in some lazy swimming and snorkeling, and endless relaxation.

Norfolk Island is favoured by well-heeled Australians and New Zealanders, and a few millionaires have migrated to this tax-free haven. There are over 70 low-tax shops and many eager customers. Yet the island seems to balance the old and the new perfectly honouring its Pitcairn people, its rich environment and its visitors.

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Aldabra Atoll

Posted by Cheap Airfares in travel on 16-08-2009

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Aldabra Atoll is a member of the Aldabra Group, one of the archipelagos of the Outer Islands of the Seychelles. The second largest atoll in the world after Kiritimati, Aldabra is the coraline tip of a volcanic sea mount, rising from depths of 4,000 to 4,500m (13,120 to 14,760 ft). At 34 km (21 mi) long, 14.5 km (9 mi) wide and just 8 in (26 ft) above sea level, the atoll is made up from four coral limestone islands forming a circle around a lagoon of 224 sq km (86 sq mi).

The lagoon is tidal and two thirds of its water recedes back to the ocean at low tide. Aldabra was given World Heritage status in 1982 to protect its delicate ecological environment.

Because the atoll is so isolated, many of its species of flora and fauna are found only here. The islets and rocky outcrops in the lagoon provide nesting areas for thousands of birds.

It has possibly the largest population of red-tailed tropic birds and the second largest colony of frigate birds in the world. Many other birds are found here too, including the Aldabra flightless rail, the only flightless bird found on any Indian Ocean island.

The Aldabran giant tortoises are, however, the atoll’s most renowned residents, being the last of the giant tortoises which were once spread across the entire region. Commercial exploitation is believed to have made all other giant tortoises in the area extinct by the mid-19th century, and very nearly exterminated the Aldabran population. Two species of marine turtle also nest on beaches on Aldabra: the green turtle and hawksbill turtle.

Unlike the nearby Seychelles, the atoll is inhospitable to humans as the limestone has been eroded into sharp spikes and water-filled pits. However, the mangroves support fish nurseries, and the lagoon is home to a wealth of marine life, from black-tipped reef sharks to eagle rays and parrot fish.

For almost a century, scientists have been studying the flora and fauna of the atoll, which is uninhabited other than by those working at the scientific research station.

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The Lake Islands of Sweden

Posted by Cheap Airfares in travel on 08-08-2009

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Lake Malaren is the third largest lake in Sweden, adjoining the city of Stockholm. The lake’s area is 1,140 square km and its greatest depth is 64 metres. Its numerous islands contain an incredibly rich heritage, a beautiful lush historical landscape with palaces, old churches, rune stones, forty castles, and two World Heritage Sites - the Palace of Drottningholm on the island of Lovo and the Viking sites of Birka on Bjorkb and HovgArden on Adelso.

The Royal domain of Drottningliolm with its Chinese pavilion, wooden theatre, and Baroque gardens is a stunning 17th century palace complex, modeled on Versailles and set in the pastoral landscape of Lovo. Birka, Sweden’s most ancient city, and one of its most famous ancient monuments, is situated on Bjorko — an island that today has a romantic, desolate air about it.

Birka was founded at the end of the 8th century and for nearly 200 years was at the centre of European trade In the late 10th century the build up of sediment made the lake too shallow for ships to negotiate and the city was deserted.

Hovgarden, the kings farm on the neighbouring island of Adelso, remained in use until the late Middle Ages. Today these lovely islands are beautiful places in which to walk and cycle as well as see the incredibly well preserved Viking ruins.

The landscape of Lake Malaren was formed at the end of the lee Age when the land started to rise as a result of the gradual melting of the ice-cap lifting the tons of pressure that had been bearing down on it.

Quite apart from the cultural heritage contained in these islands, the moraine ridges and lush valleys are scenically lovely. They include rolling farmland dotted with oak trees, pine forest on cragy hills, and trees and grasses growing right down to the water’s edge.

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Munich: Beer, Bavarians and Business

Posted by Cheap Airfares in travel on 03-08-2009

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munich-beer-girlMunich is packed with popular beer gardens, magnificent public spaces and buildings with ornate stucco facades. Tradition and modernism rub shoulders in Munich as in no other German city.

The small town charm of many Munich districts stands in great contrast with the hectic pace of big city life on the Marienplatz or along the sidewalks of Maximilian Street. Quite aside from the famed Oktoberfest held each autumn, this city on the Isar River offers visitors a wealth of architectural masterpieces. During the years of the last century, Munich has become one of Germany’s most important media and commercial centres. Munich’s unique combination of iPhones and lederhosen have made the city one of the most frequented business and tourism destinations in Europe.

From Petersbergl to Munich.
Monks settled on the Isar in the eighth century, building Tegernsee Monastery at the place they called Petersbergl. The crypt of the church of St. Peter, Munich’s oldest, dates back to the early Middle Ages. In the twelfth century Heinrich the Lion, Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, founded the city of Munich around St. Peter’s. Under the command of this powerful duke, Munich became an important city. It was the official residence of the Bavarian dukes from 1255 and named the capital city of Bavaria in 1506.

A square for football celebrations.
Just as Munich is the heart of Bavaria, the Marienplatz is the heart of the city, the most popular and best known of the many squares in Munich. The new city hall is on the north side of the square, with the old city hall, the Rathaus, on its eastern side. St. Peter’s is just a few meters away. The famous and beloved Bayern Munchen football team has traditionally celebrated its championship titles on the Marienplatz with thousands of enthusiastic fans.

Munich conjures up images of Oktoberfest, the Hofbrauhaus, noisy beer gardens and people wearing lederhosen and dirndl. All of these images are accurate, but Munich is more than simply a bastion of Bavarian traditions. The city is one of Germany’s most important publishing and television centres, for example. Many publishing houses, radio and television stations, film production companies and recording studios are headquartered in the media city of Munich. As a result, Munich is home to more actors, artists, television executives and stars than any other German city.

Summer residence of the Bavarian monarchs.
The celebrities of the past, the Bavarian dukes, princes and kings, also resided in Munich. Their legacy has left the city with many fascinating historical attractions. There are so many to choose from, visitors may have a hard time deciding which of the many sights to head for first.

Nymphenburg Palace and its park should be near the top of the list. The former summer residence of the Bavarian rulers, Schloss Nymphenburg is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bavaria today. Its elaborate interior furnishings, including King Ludwig I’s almost surreally ornate “Gallery of Beauties” should not be missed.

Symbol of Munich.
The twin towers of Munich’s most famous symbol, the Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Lady), are 99 metres tall. Duke Sigismund laid the cornerstone of Munich’s most beloved church on 9 February 1468. Today the Frauenkirche is officially the Cathedral Church of the Archbishops of Munich and Freisling. Its towers can be seen for miles around, is in part because the city administration prohibits the construction of any building within Munich’s central ring taller than 99 metres. New construction of taller buildings further away from the centre has been permitted in the past, but is currently under review. Only the south tower of the Frauenkirche can be climbed. It offers a unique view of Munich, its surroundings, and the nearby Alps, which on clear days appear to be close enough to touch.

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The City of Peace - Jerusalem

Posted by Cheap Airfares in travel on 02-06-2009

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israelJerusalem is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth. The Canaanite Phoenician “city of peace”, Urushalim, evolved into Jerusalem after it was invaded by King David around the year 1000 BCE.

trying to live in Jerusalem has always been a bit of a risk. The ancient Babylonians, Egyptians and Persians all cast greedy eyes on Jerusalem’s riches. In the seventh century, Moslems conquered the “Holy Land” along with its city sacred to three faiths.

During the Crusades, Jerusalem changed hands often. After the knights of the First Crusade succeeded in breaching Jerusalem’s walls, they murdered nearly everyone within them, regardless of religion, killing as many as 40,000.

Today, the Israeli and Palestinian states covet to parts of the city and Jerusalem’s bloody, violent history continues.

Since 1980, Jerusalem has been the seat of the Israeli government, although all foreign diplomatic missions are based in Tel Aviv in accordance with a UN mandate.

Three major religions live together in Jerusalem, which naturally leads to a multiplicity of opinions. Each religious group is split and subdivided into factions and sects. There are as many as a dozen different Christian splinter groups, the largest of which is the Greek Orthodox group. This diversity of belief should contribute to Jerusalem’s attraction, but, in reality, it too often leads to conflict and violence. The incredible concentration of sacred sites draw visitors, religious or not, from all over the world.

For Jews and Christians, Jerusalem is the Holy City and the home of their faiths. For Moslems, Jerusalem is the third holiest city after Mecca and Medina. It was the destination of Mohammed’s miraculous journey to and from Mecca in a single night. Its Temple Mount is the place from which Mohammed ascended to, and returned from, heaven.

Three architectural styles
The Old City of Jerusalem was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. It is split into four districts. The Armenian Quarter occupies the south-west, the Christian Quarter, the north-west, the Jewish Quarter, the south-east and the Moslem Quarter, the north-east.

The wall around the Old City was built on the order of the Ottoman sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in the 16th century.

Jerusalem’s treasures are so many that only a few can be mentioned here. The most visited site is probably the Wailing Wall, a 400-metre-long section of the retaining wall of the terrace on top of the Temple Mount where Herod the Great built his great Jewish temple.

This temple was destroyed by the Romans in the year 70 CE. Important pilgrimage sites for Christians include the Via Dolorosa, the name of the path Christ walked on his way to the crucifixion, and the fourth-century Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

One of the most beautiful Islamic monuments is the Dome of the Rock. Erected on the Temple Mount over the place from which the Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven, the Dome of the Rock is not a mosque. The remarkable Al-Aqsa Congregational Mosque, one of the largest and oldest in the world, is located nearby, also on top of the terrace of the destroyed Jewish temple.

More than a lookout
The Mount of Olives (Hebrew: Har Ha-Zetim) is a famous hill on the eastern outskirts of Jerusalem. The ridge of hills is within sight of the Old City. The Temple Mount is actually higher than the Mount of Olives, which is just 809 metres above sea level. The Mount of Olives has great significance for all three major religions.

According to the Jewish faith, the Messiah will cross the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem before the Last Judgment takes place in the Kidron Valley. Moslems also believe the Final Judgment will take place there. For Christians, the Mount of Olives is inextricably tied to the life and death of Jesus. Today it plays a more practical role for many visitors, because its observation deck affords a stunning view of Old Jerusalem.

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Manila History

Posted by Cheap Airfares in travel on 22-05-2009

colourful-jeepneyManila is the political and economic nerve centre of the Philippines, and it serves as a magnet for residents from all over the country. For most visitors from North America or Australia, this mega-city does not seem to merit more than a few days’ visit, after which the tranquility of the provinces may seem all that much more attractive. Although a trip to Manila can be draining, it nevertheless gives the visitor important insights into the culture, history and current state of this island republic, insights that stem from its very wealth of contradictions.

In the sights of foreign conquerors
Natives who settled at the mouth of the Pasig River in Manila have seen a great many rulers come and leave. The first to come were the Malaysians, who arrived in the Philippines during the pre-Christian era. Hindu and Buddhist rulers from Indonesia followed. Islam got to Manila at the end of the 15th century. The Muslim reign established in the mid-sixteenth century had been in existence for barely a decade when Spanish Catholic seafarers appeared on the horizon.

Colonial Manila
Miguel de Legaspi conquered Manila in 1571, declaring it to be the capital of the Spanish colony of the Philippines. Despite the ravages of World War Two, when Manila was heavily bombed, traces of the city’s colonial past are still in evidence, particularly in the Intramuros district. Intramuros, literally “within the walls”, meaning within the wall enclosure of the city/fortress. The city centre, with its partially restored wall , is the site of a number of sixteenth-century buildings including Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral and the church of San Augustin, the oldest in the city.

At the centre of power
The heart of Manila is now elsewhere, in Makati, the modern commercial and banking quarter. Elegant high rises, gorgeous residential estates, super-modern shopping centres and numerous international hotels can be seen. The modern development of this quarter began in the mid-twentieth century. Like much of the growth in Manila, Makati is closely connected to the politically powerful Zobel de Ayala family. The family name is found throughout the city, on streets, buildings and public monuments.

They come here not only to pray
Pasay City is located in the south-west of Manila across the superhighway from high-class Makati. On Wednesdays, Pasay is overrun with people. In Baclaran, the faithful crowd into Redemption Church, where weekly services are held in honour of the Virgin Mary. But one suspects that even more Manilans make their way to Pasay in order to patronize the neighbourhood’s famous lech6n stands, known to be the best source of that quintessential Philippine specialty, roast suckling pig.

A bit of folk culture
Throughout Manila, a light rail station is never far away. If your stomach is complaining after a feast of suckling pig, a gentle ride on this elevated railway is highly recommended. The trip back to town can also be made by Jeepney, of course, though it will be slower and more crowded.

Jeepneys were originally former US Army surplus jeeps that had been converted into passenger vehicles with as many as fourteen covered seats. These days, however, most Jeepneys come new from the production line. Beautiful painting and ornamentation are a prerequisite for genuine Jeepney status. Most have religious icons as their central theme, but they may include funny comic strip images.

Many Jeepneys are so thoroughly covered in advertising that they resemble moving billboards, while others looks like temples on wheels. What’s important for visitors to remember, however, is that Jeepneys follow specific routes, just like buses. It is always best to inquire about the route before getting on board.

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Welcome to Hong Kong

Posted by Cheap Airfares in travel on 16-05-2009

hong-kong-cityHong Kong greets visitors from all over the world with a wide grin. The urban embodiment of the compromise between Chinese and European cultures, Hong Kong has long been one of the most vibrant business centres on earth.

Few travel to Hong Kong for the sights; they come for business and excitement. Hong Kong is so lively it sizzles like the oil in the woks of its ubiquitous street vendors. Little has changed since the 1997 return of the British colony of Hong Kong to China. The city that flourished through co-operation between the Chinese and British societies is, if anything, more fascinating and colourful than ever before.

Opium highs and wars.
In the early eighteenth century, the original British merchants to arrive at what would be Hong Kong, found only a few fishing villages. The region had no importance at all within the Chinese Empire and had been ignored for centuries.

The British built a trade port here in 1711, and it thrived during the early nineteenth century when goods from China were in fashion in Europe.

As the fashion for things Chinese declined the British began to deal in opium instead, harvesting it in India and importing it illegally into China, where the Qing dynasty emperor had banned its sale. When the Chinese tried to halt the imports, the British responded with military force.

The resulting Opium Wars (1838-1856) were devastating for China. In 1842, the British took control of the city of Hong Kong and it became a British colony. A 1898 pact with China made Hong Kong and 234 nearby islands a British protectorate for ninety-nine years. The treaty ended in 1997.

Negotiations took place in 1982 to modify the original agreement in order to protect Hong Kong’s special status. China had originally demanded control not only of the so-called “New Territories” around the city, but also of Hong Kong itself. Through a series of agreements and concessions, the UK was able to prevent Hong Kong from being directly incorporated into mainland China. Instead, on 1 July 1997, Hong Kong was declared a Chinese Special Administrative Region.

Office Blocks and feng shui.
Hong Kong’s special status has allowed it to remain a modern economic hub. Despite its visible modernity, traditional ways of life are never far beneath the surface. The ancient Chinese art of feng shui is still used with new constructions, where measurements are configured according to lucky numbers and windows positioned so as to let good luck in and bad luck out.

Skyscrapers loom where splendid colonial buildings once stood, only a few of which have remained. In the central district, the Cathedral of St. John, the former French Residence and the Legislative Council Building are among the few traditional buildings that remain.

Omnipresent Buddha.
Traditional life is a stronger presence in the New Territories than in the city itself. Superb temple complexes are everywhere, built in traditional style in tranquil settings. 10,000 Buddhas Monastery is one of the most visited. This number represents “very many” or “countless” in Chinese, rather than a specific number of Buddhas.

In fact, there are more than 10,000, perhaps as many as 13,000. The enormous bronze Buddha towering above Lo Pin Monastery on the island of Lantau is the largest Buddha in the world, measuring 26 metres tall. Visitors can climb a steep path of 260 steps to reach it. The panoramic view from the top definitely rewards the effort, as does the spiritual enlightenment achieved along the way.

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Stunning Brussels - Heart of the EU

Posted by Cheap Airfares in travel on 09-05-2009

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brusselsOften featured in the media as the seat of government of the European Union (EU), Brussels is much more than a city of bureaucrats. It is a meeting point all the diverse cultures in Europe, and exudes a unique multicultural energy.

Brussels is not only the heart of the European Union. The Belgian capital is a diverse and stunning city in its own right, a town rich in history and full of places to see. Designated the cultural capital of Europe in 2000, Brussels is no mere town of faceless bureaucrats. It has its own tale to tell.

A fortress in the middle of a river.
The name Brussels (Bruocsella) is first written about in the year 966. It means “chapel in a swamp”, and likely refers to its position on the Senne River. The settlement itself had probably been founded between three and four hundred years earlier. The earliest fortification on Brussels Island dates back to around the end of the tenth century.

Central Brussels.
The story of Grand Place (in French, or Grote Markt in Dutch), the town square located at the middle of Brussels, leads us on a journey through the city’s history. Grand Place was created as a market and business square, but soon attracted the trade guilds and city administrators.

They designed magnificent guildhalls and government buildings as a testament to their power and affluence, Brussels became one of Europe’s most important trading and financial centres during the High Middle Ages and would remain so until 1695, when French cannons shelled the city for three days, levelling Grand Place and reducing much of the city to dirt and ashes. It was rebuilt at speed, and the guildhalls that currently stand on Grand Place bear witness to the city’s revival.

Grand Place remains a favoured gathering point for residents and tourists alike. Many of its countless restaurants, cafes and eateries are open around the clock.

Brussels city hall.
The Hotel de Ville (Brussels city hall), completed in 1450, is an architectural crown even among the grandiose guildhalls and buildings around it. Its facade was one of the few structures to survive the French bombardment of 1695. With its 96-metre-tall tower topped by a gilded statue of St. Michael and the dragon, the Hotel de Ville is Brussels’ most known landmark, visible from every part of the historic old town.

A different kind of city emblem.
Most visitors consider the statue called Manneken Pis (literally, “the boy peeing”) at the corner of the Rue de l’Etuve and Rue des Grands Charmes to be the emblem of Brussels. Just who the little boy in this work by sculptor Heironimus Dusquesnoy is supposed to be is an unsolved mystery. In any case, the brazen lad is certainly one of the city’s main tourist attractions. Meanwhile, his female version, the Jeanneken Pis, can be viewed at the end of a cul-de-sac called Impasse de la Fidelite just off La Grand Place. The habitants of [the city~Brussels} have always been in favour of equal rights, and if that meant commissioning a statue of a similarly naughty little girl, so be it. The statue was dedicated in 1987.

The giant molecule.
The 102-metre-high Atomium is another favourite installation in Brussels. It began its existence as an exhibition hall built for the 1958 Worlds Fair. It represents an iron molecule, magnified 165 thousand million times. The tubes connecting the nine atomic particles are actually conduits containing escalators and walkways.

Due to its use of futuristic materials and interesting design, it has long been considered both an architectural masterpiece and an impressive piece of civic monumental sculpture.

Inside, the Atomium still houses the occasional exhibition on topics related to nuclear technology, aeronautics, astronomy and meteorology. Inside the uppermost sphere is a restaurant that affords a beautiful view of the entire city.

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