MILDURA

In 1887, Mildura was little more than a village on the banks of the Murray River, situated in the middle of a red sandy desert. That year, two Canadian brothers, William and George Chaffey, came to town direct from their successful irrigation project in California and began Australia’s first large-scale irrigation scheme. Since then, the red soil, fed by the Murray and Darling rivers, has become a vast plain of farms stretching for nearly 100 km. 

Feeding the pelicans on the banks of the Murray River

Today, Mildura is a modern city with a thriving tourist trade. The former home of William Chaffey, the Rio Vista is worth a visit. Built in 1890, it has been restored with its original furnishings and is now an Arts Centre. Grapes, olives, avocados and citrus fruit are grown successfully in the region and the area is rapidly expanding its vineyards and wineries. 

GERMISTON

 Mainly an industrial  town and railway junction, site of the largest gold refinery in the world. John Jack, a travelling Scot who decided to try his hand at prospecting, discovered gold with incredible ease on the farm Elandsfontein. With his partner, August Simmer, Jack bought the farm and floated a mining company called Simmer and Jack in 1887, around which the city of Germiston grew.

 President Street

 

The Illuminated Fountain in the shape of a mine headgear, in Johann Rissik Street, is one of the town's well known landmarks. Gosforth Park Race Course is an important racing venue and headquarters for the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of South Africa. The Hermann Immelman Stadium, with its tartan track, is one of the most modern sports complexes in the country, hosting a wide variety of sports.

HOUSTON

 Named after Sam Houston, general of Texas army that won independence from Mexico, and president of Republic of Texas. The city, largest in Texas and fourth largest in nation, has experienced phenomenal growth since a small riverboat landing was established on Buffalo Bayou by Allen brothers in August 1836. Today metropolis is industrial and financial hub for much of the state. It is one of nation's largest seaports, and headquarters of Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. Major annual events include the Texaco Grand Prix in Oct.; Houston Industries' Power of Houston in Sept.; and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Feb.

 

 Astrodome Convention Center - Complex includes Astrodome, Astrohall and Astroarena. Superlatives are required to describe the Astrodome. An 18-story building would fit inside the Astrodome. It's world's first air-conditioned domed stadium for baseball and football, and also accommodates basketball, boxing, conventions, rodeos, and almost any other entertainment or sporting event.

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MONTEBELLO

 The Outaouais offers the perfect mix of proximity and diversity. There is something for everybody: nature lovers, foodies, culture and history buffs. The easternmost territory in the Outaouais is a prime destination for those in search of an authentic local experience. In May 1855, Louis-Joseph Papineau named his property "MonteBello", and in 1878, the town was officially founded. The spirit of the Papineau family can still be left at the Manor, in the family burial chapel and in the village, where history has been well preserved. Located on the bank of the Ottawa River and with two marinas, it's a top vacation spot offering a wide array of activities, including golf, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking,  hunting and fishing. It's also home to two very popular attractions, the Château Montebello and Parc Omega.

Château Montebello

Tourisme Outaouais - A region where fun awaits!

WATERFORD

 Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city, was founded by Vikings in 914. Set in a commanding position by the estuary of the River Suir, it became southeast Ireland’s main seaport. From the 18th century, the city’s prosperity was consolidated by local industries, including the glassworks for which Waterford is famous. The strong commercial tradition persists today and Waterford’s port is still one of Ireland’s busiest. Following extensive archaeological excavations in the city centre, a new heart and atmosphere has been put into the old city with the creation of pedestrian precincts in the historic quarter and along the quays.

 Within the city of Waterford there is an abundance of interesting places to visits which has made WATERFORD CITY a mecca for the tourist. Waterford City has fast become an attractive tourist spot for holidaymakers who wish to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Waterford's popular night life and who also enjoy travelling around the County by day savouring the many historic sites and buildings which has made Waterford so popular.

HENLEY-ON-THAMES

Henley-on-Thames, set on a mile-long stretch of the Thames, is famous for its regatta, founded in 1839 and held every year in early July. At regatta times the banks are lined with hospitality tents and well-dressed spectators parade up and down. The river is also the focus for another annual event swan-upping, in late July. For 800 years the cygnets born to swans on the Thames have been caught and marked to distinguish their ownership.

 

Henley itself, which grew itself around a 12th-century river crossing, has a very attractive and compact town center with lots of half-timbered or soft-toned brick buildings of the 15th to 18th centuries. Look too for the flint and stone-checked 16th-century tower of St. Mary's Church, and the adjoining 15th-century Chantry House, timber-framed with jettied upper floors.

HARTBEESPOORT DAM

 A popular recreational spot 35 km to the west of Pretoria in the Magaliesberg mountain range. This dam, covering 12 km², formed by the Crocodile and Magalies Rivers, hosts a variety of water sports and is popular amongst anglers. There are beautiful views from the road which skirts the dam and crosses the dam wall via a small tunnel. Facilities in the area include caravan and camping sites, a hotel, lodges, tea gardens. Numerous recreational resorts offer walking trails, picnic sites and sports facilities. The Cableway offers panoramic views of the whole area from the highest point in Magaliesberg. Hot air balloon flights are available; transport is provided from Johannesburg.

 Hartbeespoort Dam * Western Transvaal /1973/
The damming of the Crocodile River amidst delightful scenery in the Magaliesberg Range has created a popular inland resort some 21 miles from Pretoria.

HARTBEESPOORT ZOO AND SNAKE PARK
On shores of dam. A small zoo with variety of animals, reptiles and birds. Snake, seal and chimpanzee shows held Sundays and public holidays at 12h00 and 15h00. Visitors may take 20 minute ferry trip around dam from small jetty in the zoo.

NASHVILLE

 Music and musicians are everywhere in Tennessee's Heartland, and nowhere more plentiful than in Nashville, "Music City USA". In the heart of Nashville's recording district, "Music Row", you can tour the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The exciting Opryland USA complex on the edge of the city, is home to Opryland music-filled theme park. If you visit Nashville and miss the Opry, you may as well have stayed home.

 Tennessee State Capitol. Charlotte Ave., Tennessee's first permanent structure to serve as capitol continues today in that function. Architect William Strickland is burried within its walls. On the grounds is the tomb of James K. Polk, 11th President of the United States. The building, is one of 12 state capitols that does not have a dome.

 

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SAGUENAY

 From morning until night, Saguenay is alive with all its festivities and colours. Whether it's cultural outing or foodie extravaganza, you'll enjoy yourself to your heart's content. It's impossible to get bored here. As the downtown streets come alive, chefs like to showcase local products in both small bistros and big restaurants. All year long, it's one festival after the other! Cultural and trendy, Saguenay vibrates to the rhythm of all the pleasures in a concentrated formula. While festival-goers invade the city, shopping enthusiasts and nature epicureans take the best addresses by storm.

L’Anse-Saint-Jean * Sainte-Rose-du‑Nord * Rivière du Moulin* Saint-Fulgence

 

The Saguenay Fjord is one of the longest in the world, sprawling over 105 km. On either side  of the Fjord Route, the most beautiful villages in Quebec look like postcards, and the living is easy between land and sea. There's so much to do! Between hiking on dizzyingly high capes, biki riding along clearwater gulfs, bird's-eye-views from the treetops, and whale watching, if there's such a thing as paradise, it's here.

Tourisme Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean

TYNE AND WEAR

 The landscape of Tyne and Wear is dominated by the River Tyne and River Wear characterized by the river bridges, including the icon Tyne Bridge, and the modern Millennium Bridge and complemented by green belts around the main conurbations. The main populations are centred in the cities of Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, Gateshead, South Shields and Tynemouth.

 Sunderland * Tyne and Wear * South Shields
Cullercoats * Whitley Bay * North Shields

  

For a long time a great coal-producing center and worldleader in shipbuilding and engineering, Newcastle-upon-Tyne has suffered in the post-industrial age. First impressions are not promising, yet the city has a distinctive, austere beauty, while its heavily-accented citizens, called "Geordies", seem to have a permanent twinkle in their eye. Six great bridges span the Tyne. The city took its name from the "new castle" built in 1080; a later Norman keep can still be seen.