VIETNAM: THE PRACTICE OF INDEPENDENT TRAVEL

In order to see this country and forever falling in love with her, to plan good, more independent travel, and here is no big deal. In this article, the basic guidelines

Viet Nam long enough the country from North to South, so professionals advise planning two trips: guided North + South Beach vacation. But not because of the distances. On the contrary, in Viet Nam, all internal flights, good enough and they cost a penny. Case in climatic zones.

The Climate Of Vietnam. When it is better to go in Viet Nam

On the northern part of Viet Nam, it is best to travel from September to December or mid-March to may. In the South most comfortable from December to April. On the Vietnamese new year (late January-early February) we advise you to book in advance greatly — there might be a problem with the availability of places in hotels.

VIETNAM RESORTS WEATHER BY MONTH

If you want to meet in one trip, it's best to go from North to South. Arrive in Hanoi and back from Saigon. Direct flights-Aeroflot and Vietnam Airlines (2 times a week). However, there are many transit flights via Tashkent, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong S.A.R.. Pick up the handy ticket search page SmartTrip tickets.

Sample itinerary Vietnam from North to South

Optimal duration: 2 weeks

Arrive in Hanoi, sightseeing tour, evening water puppet theatre, city walks, dinner in the street snack bars.

Drive to Halong Bay. A two-day cruise on Halong Bay on johnke. Karst caves, grottoes, beach Titov.

Return to Hanoi, Danang, fly across moved in Hoi an. Excursion to Michon, tour of Hoi an. Have a rest.

From Da Nang to fly across any of the resorts for a beach holiday: Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Phu Quoc island or Lomhaj. Le Meridien Jakarta-sunbathe!

Fly across (or moving) in Saigon. Overview of the city, shopping, Zoo, water park, in the evening at the ferryboat that sails on the Mekong, Mekong Delta tour tusnâ of the city.

From Saigon fly away home.

THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF VIETNAM

Hoi an is a town-museum, recognized by UNESCO as world heritage: the 400-year-old Japanese bridge, 300-year-old Chinese temple, 200-year-old Vietnamese House of merchant

Sapa is a mountain resort, waterfalls and fair — a slice of cultural life.

Danang-Museum of Cham art, marble mountain

Hue — the Imperial capital of Vietnam Nguyen dynasty, the last imperial palace complex, the tomb of emperors, Thien Mu pagoda, t-bone

Nha Trang is Ponagar Cham towers, statue of Buddha pagoda Long Shawn

Qui Nhon city-fortress Tâban, pagoda 17 century Mirabel Club resort čamskih system Mirabel Club resort towers 11-12 centuries, the Temple of Tejšonov

Dalat is a Chinese pagoda Heavenly Master, garden flowers, Fragrant Spring Lake

Lomhaj-reclining Buddha pagoda, statue of Jesus

Hanoi. Appearance-passwords

From the northern part of hoan Kiem Lake, hoan Kiem, the two streets is silk and the Russians call the "Embroidery". Silk inexpensive silver, pearls. Šopimsâ.

48 Hang Be is at this address is The Green Tangerine restaurant, it lunched Catherine Deneuve while filming the movie "Indochine."

The market 19-12 — cheese, spices, seafood, durian, frogs, dogs:) Excursion "street food of Vietnam is trying everything.

Cha Ca La Vong restaurant with authentic fried fish

Puppet theatre-57b Dinh Tien Hoang

Beaches and resorts Vietnam

Halong Bay — thousands of limestone islands, caves, rocks, Emerald water and the narrow beaches. Do not see anywhere else

NYA Chang is the most popular and populous resort (located between Hanoi and Saigon). Universal place.

Whale island is to the North of N′âčanga. "Wild" beautiful coves and clear water. The Vietnamese consider it their "Maldives"

Langkao is a peninsula in the 50 km. South of hue. White sand

Muine-serferskij Beach

Fukok is an island in the South of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand. Suitable for diving

Kotei-exclusive option, an archipelago of 14 islands, 45 minutes by plane from Ho Chi Minh City on the largest island, Konson. National Park with forests, beaches and stunning coral're. From May to September, you can see the green sea turtle.

Coloring

Majčau is a valley in 140 km. from Hanoi. Here you can admire the natural surroundings look like grown most Holy — rice

Dalat is a very beautiful town in the mountains, nicknamed little Paris and which has in this regard, a copy of the Eiffel Tower. Here the most beautiful colonial houses and vineyards. Be sure to visit the Crazy House and hang out on the square Nguènti-Min′kaj, where up to 50 nights eateries Cook-soar mussels, shrimp, fish.

The Mekong River is a river in Saigon. Boating, watch farm, the floating market.

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Shopping vs. Singapore for three days

That you want to see and do in Singapore, if you managed to stay there for only a few days.

Singapore is an ideal destination for a short trip. No, I'm not a campaign you fly round-trip to the long weekend; ten hours in an airplane is not a joke. But on the way to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia or New Zealand, where there are direct flights from Singapore, a town that is called gateway to Asia, deserves not just a transit and a full stop. At least two or three days — so much so that tourists in transit if there is a ticket to a third country may be located in Singapore to 96 hours without a visa.

A lot of my acquaintances, former Singapore short transit, fall into the same trap: thought it was a small town that can be run at random along or across, when this show all — well, almost all, and subsequently spared, that have not seen it. Singapore is, of course, a small (pass it from one end to another in less than 40 minutes), but its not enough attractions for one week — I personally with each trip I continue to discover something new.

Where do you start, if pressed for time?

Best of all is the waterfront Marina Bay. Even if you're in town for only a few hours, you can take photos with the city's symbol is a lion with the tail of a fish. The lion was chosen as symbol is not accidental: Singapura in Sanskrit means "Lion City". Legend has it that in the 13th century Sumatran Prince Sang Nila Utama was on the island at that time was the name of Temasek, shipwrecks. The first thing he saw was the animal that resembles a lion. First beast growled and prepared to attack, but came closer, suddenly stopped, stared at the Prince and went away. Sang Nila Utama felt it is a good sign and decided to settle on the island, renaming it to "Singapore".

The current 70-ton lion named Merlion, impartially looks into the distance, the Bay of Marina Bay, spitting out of the mouth of the water jet and refreshing spray on a hot sunny day crowding around tourists. In 60-th Merlion served as the official emblem of the city, which was drawn by request of the Singapore Tourism Board. The head of the lion symbolizes fearlessness, and fishtail-the connection with the sea. Today the city has another logo, but the statue continues to be one of the most photographed sights.

Opposite Merlajona across the Bay stands the shopping and entertainment complex Marina Bay Sands is building three towers, skyscrapers, which is crowned by a terrace in the form of a giant vessel. Inside is a hotel of the same name, Casino, two theaters, Expocenter, and a large shopping center, and on board the vessel "is one of the best viewpoints in the city, as well as a bar and an outdoor infinity pool (swim in it allowed only for hotel guests).

At the foot of the complex-unusual low building, resembling a Lotus flower with asymmetrical petals, constructed under the project of Moshe Safdie — Museum of art and science.

In the evening on the waterfront near Marina Bay Sands arrange svetomuzykal′nye submission with fountains, which pulsate straight from the Gulf. There are always plenty of viewers, because admission is free.

From "Lotus" on the opposite bank of the Bay Bridge Helix, which leads with evening illumination recalls the crystal lattice. You can get off at the Marina promenade that culminates at least quaint building, smahivaûŝim or a huge Durian fruit, whether in the eye of the giant insect (architect Russell Johnson — steel microphone) is a theatre complex Esplanade. Inside is a drama theatre, concert hall and shops, including a musical theme. If you have a free evening, I highly recommend a peek here, after analyzing a poster. Touring the world music celebrities — here is standard, and based at the Concert Hall of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra — professionals of a high class. In the lobby between the performances often organize free concerts.

If you go from the Marina Bay Sands in the opposite direction, you can (and should) get into a complex of Gardens by the Bay — the gardens by the Bay ". These gardens are very exotic: with the alley of the eighteen giant steel «superderev′ev», trunks which are decorated with living plants. Along the trees on their tops are held hanging bridges over which day you can walk (close them only in heavy rain), and one of them is located outside a trendy bar with a circular.

Steel trees surrounds the large Green Park, and adjacent to it covered botanical gardens-greenhouse. Even for those who are not quite the nerd, these vertical gardens impression. Once inside, you find yourself at the foot of the artificial mountains (which — specifies the beginning seems; plate inspection is the Himalayas), and each slope reproduced the ecosystem of one or another of the mountain range, with the characteristic haze and many plants (there are more than 250 000000). So you can walk virtually all mountains of the world, without leaving the building! In addition, the national gardens are planted here in the tradition of the major ethnic groups of Singapore is Malay, Chinese, Indian, as well as colonial.

If you have time, spend the whole day on Sentosa Island, which connects the main island tramway-another chance to look at Singapore. Aside from the beaches, with all the necessary infrastructure and trendy bars where local celebrities hang periodically (once I happened to be watching at Tanjong Beach, the Sultan of Johor and his entourage), the island is full of entertainment: Universal Studios Park, the world's largest Marine Life Park, Aquarium attraction iFly Singapore, where you can fly in zero gravity, Madame Tussaud's, the historic Fort Siloso was built by the British in 1874 d. , and much more.

Take a trip to the Singapore Zoo, which won many international awards-he is absolutely not similar to our zoos, there are no cells. Take a ride in the evening at the Singapore River to admire the panorama of luminous skyscrapers, stroll through the ethnic quarters-China town, little India and Kampong Glamu, and if you are interested in history — visit the Asian Civilisations Museum. The short shopping trip worth it go to Orchard Road is a street with the highest concentration of shops. As for the cuisine, the "gentleman's set includes crab Chile sauce or black pepper, a traditional soup lax with coconut milk and seafood, fried spicy scat.

But do not flatter yourself: time you in any case will not suffice. Because Singapore is a lot. An exotic, thrilling, bright. So that will have to come back for more. About this in the following posts.

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Turkey: Istanbul

The capital of the four Empires, whose history is enough for a dozen other cities. We invite you to fly over the Bosphorus, again see AirPano Ayia Sofia and lost in the boundless sky of Istanbul.

The former capital of the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman empires, modern Istanbul lost the capital status, but is the third largest city in Europe. There are 14 million people and another 13 million visit annually.
The Bosporus divides the city into the European and Asian parts. Each of them, saving the monuments of different times, has its own unique atmosphere. In addition to the magnificent mosques of considerable interest sights the Roman-Byzantine period.
Constantinople (Istanbul is worn with this name until 1453 1930 year) for the first half of the 5th century has grown beyond those walls that have been its founder Constantine the great. For protection against the barbarians Emperor Theodosius II ordered to build a new fence; its length was then 5630 m. Feodosievy at the end of the 19th century walls began to raze: they held back the continuing growth of the city, but subsequently supported by UNESCO part cannibalized lines was restored.
Another witness of antiquity — 17-meter Roman triumphal column in the Fatih district. It was erected in the middle of the 5th century and bears the name of the Byzantine Emperor Markian.
In the vicinity of the columns is aqueduct of Valens, built in 368-375. Connecting two urban Hill, it became an important stage in the development of the water supply system of Constantinople. Until the mid-19th century to lead pipes, footsteps upstairs in city water, and nowadays the aqueduct is a popular tourist attraction of Istanbul.
The site of the ancient Hippodrome, the construction of which was begun by the Romans in the year 203, now occupied the main square of Istanbul-Sultanahmet. It consists of two parts: a square between Ayia Sophia and Blue Mosque and Hippodrome square directly. Columns and obelisks, established during the Byzantine period, as well as the German fountain, donated by Kaiser Wilhelm II, still adorn this remarkable place.
The oldest Turkish architectural monument of the city is the Anatolian Fortress (Anadoluhisary) on the Asian side. Among the many Byzantine churches, one cannot but be called Church of Christ the Savior monastery choir and Pammakaristos Church: there are the largest collection of mosaics. One of the most famous palaces of Istanbul-Topkapi Palace. Located at the confluence of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn in the Marmara Sea on the territory of more than 700 000000 m2, surrounded by wall length 1400 m.
Ayia Sofya-Hagia Sophia: a symbol of the golden age of the Byzantine Empire. More than a thousand years of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople remained the largest church in Christendom. The scale of the temple subsequently surpassed only by St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome.
And even if you already have been traded at the Istanbul Bazaar, woke up at five in the morning by screams of muezzins and strolling narrow streets in pursuit of another attraction — discover the unique town from the air.

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Candy, poultry and pandas. Singapore for kids

Singapore is an ideal place to travel with a child, a real children's paradise. And not only because it is warm, bright and all that unusual and causes curiosity. Singaporeans just adore children. Whenever possible try to Pat on the head, treat the sweetness or shrimp in batter, spread some spirits, shove in the arm bracelet for happiness and so on. Not less friendly to children and the infrastructure of the City States: places that any child will make glow with happiness, stop here for at least a full week-long trip, and stories about them — on a small guide. So talk only about the win-win options.

Sentosa Island

Generally, the whole of Sentosa is a real treasure for travellers with children. Entertainment here mass, dull will neither children nor adults.

Let's start with the classics of the genre — with Park Universal Studio, which hardly needs introduction. In Singapore it is located on the island of Sentosa: going from downtown leads the cableway, which in itself is a spectacular attraction. Here the highest roller coaster in the whole of South-East Asia and lots of interactive attractions that it is better to visit those who are over six years — take "revenge of the Mummy": you scooting down a dark tunnel, and on you periodically snatch mummies, enormous insects and other horror ... Screech, laughter, delight and horror! The second valid impressions attraction — two shows: "Waterworld" and "Jurassic Park," in which the actors certainly you would be poured over with water from head to toe, if not seated away in advance. Complete the walk you can visit the giant candy store Candylicious, which decorate the candy trees and inside sell thousands of sweets for the sweet tooth.

For small children and for those who don't like noisy rides, ibid., at landmark village, there are the Singapore Oceanarium, the largest in the world. Here lives more 800 species of marine fauna-000000 100 individuals! Sharks, sea rays, fancy jellyfish, seahorses and bright fish live in a Habitat, since the Oceanarium has access to the high seas. By the way, Singapore Oceanarium is not entertainment center, a large educational complex where you talk about the behavior of marine animals, protection of the oceans and human interaction with nature. And fun can be good in a nearby water park with lots of rides.

Jurong Bird Park

Jurong Bird Park is a great respite from the hot city in the rainforest and meet with the birds closer. They live here without cells freely. The idea is that the Park is designed so that visitors go in circles: the arrow pointers everywhere. But if you hate the crowd or you have a very small child, which has moved in a wheelchair, it is better to go in the opposite direction: so you avoid crowds and the quality of the walk is not lost.

ARC was founded in 1971, the year when the Finance Minister of Singapore, visited a similar Park in Rio de Janeiro and was so appalled by the idea of the content of the birds in the wild that his filing was founded in Singapore Bird Park, the construction of which spent 3.5 million Singapore dollars (about 1 million United States dollars). Today there are 5000 birds, 400 species. The Park is divided into thematic areas: "the African waterfall", "descendants of dinosaurs" (flightless birds), "South East Asia", "Beach of the penguins," "world of darkness" (nighttime birds) and Laurie, the Loft "is interactive" area, where you can hand feed Lory special fodder — these funny bright birds are absolutely not afraid of people. In addition, every day in the Park, arrange the show: "Kings of heavens" demonstrates the tamed predators-Eagles, falcons; during the show's high-flying "you can observe all peredraznivaûŝimi cockatoo, as well as for the pelicans, flamingos and rhinoceros bird. But the biggest culture shock awaits children from ... with storks. Here they behave relentlessly: scream, fight, cranes lift up, steal fish from pelicans — in short, look like a very reasonably priced for teenagers. It is connected with their behavioral characteristics. Storks — migratory birds: the offspring grow in Europe and winter in tropical Africa, India and Asia. The behavior of "home" and "resting" is strikingly different, as, unfortunately, and some part of Russian tourists.

Zoo and Safari

If you have enough time (at least two days to spare) and you can visit three parks directly, it is better to take a week-long combined ticket Wildlife Reserves: comes out cheaper.

The Singapore Zoo is one of the best in the world, the award-winning. Even those who aren't a fan of zoos for ethical reasons, Singapore will cause a fall all animals here are contained in open enclosures, without cages and fences. Besides, it's a real tropical Park — you can walk on the shady alleys and photographed against the backdrop of wandering around animals like you somewhere on a Safari in Africa. By the way, to the 50-th anniversary of independence of Singapore Zoo temporarily settled four koalas, which was brought from Australia, for which the plane even specially organized a salon "Koala". So hurry up and see.

Next to the Zoo are two more parks: "night Safari" and "the River Safari. The first involves excursions after dark to observe nocturnal animals; the second Park was opened only three years ago and is the most famous ecosystem of rivers in the world. In addition, the "Safari Boat recently arrived two pandas from China — Kai-Kai and Jia-Jia. In fact, they are here in long business trip: Singapore accepted the pandas "Treaty of renting animals for 10 years. As residents of both countries saw off and were greeted by animals (and they flew special Board, the Singapore on the entire route of the pandas stood people welcoming placards), watched not only by local journalists, but also to the world press. Recently Singapore post even released their honor stamps.

Urban entertainment

Children's Singapore is not only a theme and nature parks, here a lot and exclusively urban entertainment. For example, Singapore Flyer observation wheel, which until recently remained the highest in the world. In the building there is another wheel attraction — Flight Experience, which is a real cockpit of an airplane, equipped with a computer. Children meets pilot, conducts training, and under his leadership they can "fly" in one of the world's airports 24000, overcoming along the way various weather conditions.

You can also go to the Museum of optical illusions where you want to take a fully charged phone since taking pictures and posting via instagram you will all the time: How do you like hang the entire family under the ceiling, and as you grew, becoming Gulliverov in Lilliput, and as sedlaete Merlajona (name is a symbol of Singapore is a lion with a body of fish) and fly over the city on it.

However, the strangest experience of parents in Singapore is the realization that for a small child there is no greater joy than to be at the Centre of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel parking: walked past and stuck on the hour. And swear is completely useless, better to pull the plug on plans and spend time in a joint examination of the most expensive new products the world's automobile industry, shimmering in the Sun with all the colors of the Rainbow.

Posted By Unknown9:22 PM

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