English-speaking world

24 June 2016

EDMONTON

Alberta's capital city has become widely known as  Canada's festival city. Every summer an array of colourful, exciting festivals fill the streets and parks. It is a vibrant urban centre in the heart of the wilderness, the largest northernmost metropolis.
West Edmonton Mall is the world's largest shopping complex with over 800 shops, eleven major department stores, 110 restaurants and 14 movie theatres. Of course, you can enjoy eating well anytime of the year in one of Edmonton's 400 restaurants specializing in over 25 different types of cuisine!



Edmonton skyline with Muttart Conservatory with Canada Place in the background


Edmonton offers many more attractions which are a "must see" while visiting. A laser light show and planetarium at the Space Science Centre. The historical exhibits at the Provincial Museum. And don't miss the Muttart Conservatory, futuristic glass pyramids which house flora and fauna of the world's four climatic regions! 
Edmonton has more green space per capita of any city in North America with biking, cycling and walking trails winding through its massive river valley.



19 June 2016

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

Located in central California, Yosemite National Park was established in 1890. Almost 95 percent of the park’s 747,956 acres is classified as wilderness. The Valley is a 7 mile wide canyon with incredible rock formations, including El Capitan, the world's tallest granite monolith and one of the world's top rock climbing destinations. It attracts rockclimbers, who spend days on its sheer face to reach the top. Yosemite Falls is the largest waterfall in North America with breathtaking views. Peak visitation at the   is in the spring as it is comprised entirely of melting snow. The park is also known for its Giant Sequoia trees, which are estimated to be over 3,000 years old.



On the left Elt Captain, the world's largest monolith of exposed granite, rises over 3,600 feet above the valley floor. To the right Bridalveil fall drops over 600 feet into Yosemite Valley's Merced River


Soaring cliffs, rugged canyons, valleys, gigantic trees, and waterfalls all combine to lend Yosemite its incomparable beauty. Each season offers a different experience, from the swelling waterfalls of spring to the russet colors of fall.

08 June 2016

OXFORD

Oxford is ninety kilometres from London and only sixty kilometres from Heathrow Airport. The River Thames runs through Oxford, and the River Cherwell joins it there. The land is low, but there are hills to the west. One of the most peaceful ways to enjoy Oxford is by walking along the riverbanks, watching the rowing eights at practice and occasionally glancing up at the "dreaming spires" on the skyline. 


Oxford spires from South Park


The city is an important centre for work, shopping and nighlife. But people from all over the world, come to Oxford to see the fine buildings, the museums, and the parks and gardens. Much of the city is old and very beautiful. Oxford is a very interesting city, and many visitors fall in love with it.



Radcliffe Camera


More than 110,000 people have their homes in Oxford. But in some months of the year there are a lot more people in the city; thousands of students come from other towns for parts of the year.


The Sheldonian Theatre (1664)


Designed by St Christopher Wren, where degree ceremonies are  held


The College of St Mary Magdalen 

The college was founded on St Swithun's Day in 1458 by William Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor of England under King Henry VI. Today, Magdalen is one of the largest Colleges in Oxford both in student numbers and also ground area. From  the top of the building  there is singing  at dawn (six o'clock ) on May Morning each year.  A few students make the dangerous jump from Magdalen Bridge into the river below.



Magdalen College Tower from the Botanic Garden

03 June 2016

PORT VILA

Located in the Pacific Ocean, Vanuatu is made up of more than 80 islands and islets. Pacific islands of extraordinary beauty and fascination. Fragrant blooms of the tropic abound. Fringed by tall palms, white sand beaches remain unspoilt and uncrowded. The tourquoise waters of lagoons sparkle under a warm sun. This is the home of a proud people who still honour and nurture culture rich in age-old traditions and ceremonies. 




Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, projects the image of a very cosmopolitan town with its mixture of European, Vietnamese, Chinese and Melanesian cultures. Alongside the modern two or three-storey buildings, the large colonial houses are reminders of a none too distant past. Not to be missed, the big market on mornings. 


 

Another heritage of those times, the bustling Chinese district, where you can find everything you could imagine "made in Hongkong" at very reasonable prices. Most of the commercial life is in the main street (Kumul Highway), with duty-free shops, coffee shops, restaurants, fashion boutiques, travel agencies, but also the banks and many other establishments.