CHARLESTON

Charleston is a city with a style. A style all its own ... upbeat, cosmopolitan, contemporary, yet friendly and full of down-home hospitality. West Virginia's largest city is a vibrant and progressive state capital that is also a hub of regional coal and chemical commerce. The city's riverfront skyline is distinguished by gleaming towers of commerce forming a backdrop for its collection of classic Art Nouveau and Deco buildings. First-class hotels, fine restaurants, a large civic center and the two downtown shopping areas are all within easy walking distance.

In Charleston you can dine and dance on a riverboat, get caught up in the excitement of greyhound dog racing, walk along the tree-lined riverbank or while away the hours in museums and art galleries. Charleston is a great place to visit and a great place to live. 

 

 

Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau

MINNEAPOLIS-ST.PAUL

MINNEAPOLIS, ST.PAUL and their neighboring communities make up an exciting metropolitan area that's teeming with things to see and do. The Twin Cities region is cosmopolitan at its heart, surrounded by busy suburbs and peaceful countryside along its perimeter. The urban landscape is punctuated by greenways and lakes and the Mississippi, Minnesota and St. Croix rivers offer recreational opportunities galore. The southwest corner of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area is well known for its many scenic lakes and attractions.

 

Visit Saint Paul

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BRISBANE

Brisbane is Australia's third largest city, with 1.2 million residents living beside the Brisbane River as it flows into Moreton Bay. It is a busy and optimistic place. It is hard to believe that it was once regarded as little more than a dull, provincial backwater. The city's quintessential architecture, designed for the heat of the tropics, sees many of the houses elevated on stilts to take advantage of cooling breezes. Brisbane is Queensland's cosmopolitan capital, sparkling in sunshine by day and with myriad lights reflecting on the river by night.

 

Brisbane, capital of Queensland. Left to right: The beach at inner city South Bank Parklands; the city on the Town Reach of the Brisbane River; Brisbane City Hall.

 

Completed in 1930, the Neo-Classical City Hall is home to Brisbane City Council, the largest council in Australia, and the Museum of Brisbane. City Hall’s 92-m Italian Renaissance-style tower gives a panoramic view of the city from a platform at its top.

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HONG KONG

 Placed on the southeast coast of China, Hong Kong’s strategic location on the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea has made it one of the world’s most prospering and cosmopolitan cities.

Kowloon and Hong Kong Island

Dominating the Kowloon waterfront stands the 118-storey International Commerce Centre. The land in front of it is designated for the West Kowloon Cultural District. At centre lies Harbour City and Ocean Terminal and beyond, on Hong Kong Island, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

"A Symphony of Lights" over Hong Kong Harbour.

This spectacular display, already named the 'World's Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show' by Guiness World Records, has now been expanded to include more than 40 buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour. It is an all round vision of coloured lights, laser beams and searchlights, synchronised to music and narration, creating a stunning, unforgettable spectacle celebrating the energy, spirit and diversity of Hong Kong.

Neon fantasy on Nathan Road.

This is a composite creation made up of many of the best neon signs on both sides of the harbour. Many of the signs represent some of Hong Kong's best restaurants and night spots. The street is real and is Nathan Road in Kowloon, also known as "the Golden Mile".

JOHANNESBURG

Gold was the catalyst which brought Johannesburg into being and the city's identity will always be closely linked with gold. Today, Johannesburg is a city contrasts. In the heart of the city, the mine dumps and headgear, ideally viewed from the top of the Carlton Centre, one of the highest buildings in the city, still serve as symbols of Johannesburg's boisterous past. The 202 m high observation deck on the 50th floor of the Carlton Centre provides breathtaking views.

Evening view of the 269 M Srtijdom Tower and of Hillbrow, the most cosmopolitan, bustling and populated square kilometre in South Africa. Hillbrow is famous for its multi-racial society where everyone enjoys themselves at the many restaurants, discos and night life goes on to the early hours of the morning.   

Johannesburg glass and concrete skyline symbolises the country's escalating industrial and urban thrust. Golf courses, botanic gardens and parks are dotted among the high-rise buildings. The modern, cosmopolitan metropolis of Johannesburg, packed with vitality and verve, offers an exciting pleasure repertoire, superb hotels, five star restaurants and excellent shopping centre. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the only one in the country, is filled with the tumult of financial negotiations.

LONDON

London is the capital of Great Britain. It's in the south-east of England on the River Thames. London - described by many as one of the most exciting cities in the world - has something to suit all tastes. The city has an amazing variety of historic buildings, museums and art galleries, parks and gardens, as well as restaurants serving food from all corners of the globe. There are hundreds of great pubs, bars and nightclubs to enjoy, and London's theatreland is world famous, as is its department stores and shopping streets.

'When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.' said Dr Samuel Johnson. Over two hundred years later, Dr Johnson is still right! London is the place to be, with so many different things to do and places to visit. The city's outstanding museums, palaces, churches, and first-rate music and theater offer endless entertainment.
London's center is fairly compact and covers the financial district (called the City), the entertainment and shopping area (called West End), and Westminster, seat of Parliament and home of royalty. The very center, from which distances are measured, is Trafalgar Square.

Pigeons, demonstrators and New Year's Eve revelers flock to London's most famous square. One-armed and one-eyed, Admiral Lord Nelson stands loftily above the pigeons on his 172-foot column in the middle of Trafalgar Square, named for his famous victory. 

London is an attractive city with great character. It changes as the centuries pass, but its ceremonies stay the same. Why not come here and see it all for yourself?

SYDNEY

The gateway to Australia

Sydney is Australia's largest and most cosmopolitan city. It is the capital of the state of New South Wales. Although the majority of the 'sydneysiders' are of British and Irish descent, there are substantial minorities of immigrants from Italy, Greece and Asia. Sydney is a sprawling city, and, though the centre contains many tall buildings, most of its inhabitants live in one or two  storey houses in the suburbs and travel into the centre to work.

Hyde Park and the Botanical Gardens complement city highrise

Sydney is the biggest port in Australia, with a huge natural harbour spanned by the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. On 31st December, Sydney Harbour hosts the spectacular New Year's Eve firework display. It is also a major cultural centre, with one of the world's most imaginative and best-known opera houses.

Sydney's famous harbour is flanked by the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge

Australians are famous for their ability to relax and enjoy life. In Sydney they can sail, go to one of the many sandy beaches, including the famous Bondi Beach (a paradise for surfers and swimmers), or simply cook up an fresco meal on the barbecue in the garden.