More Than A Number

Sweden has long been known for the ‘Swedish Sin’, the Vikings and for being one of the first countries to truly uphold gender equality. Its capital, Stockholm, is a blend of medieval and modern architecture in the forms of museums, churches, mosques, synagogues, art galleries, shops and several parks and gardens that is a must-see for any visitor to take in while being a pedestrian’s paradise which makes it perfect for a stroll.

So, here are the top five sights that is must-see for tourists and visitors:

1. Gamla Stan
Roughly translated into English, it means ‘The Old City’. With its cobbled streets, medieval alleyways and a heavy influence of North German architecture, this city is steeped in culture and history, so almost every sightseeing trip begins from here.

2. Skansen
Founded by Artur Hazelius, Skansen is the first open air museum and zoo in Sweden and is located on the island of Djurgården. This museum/ zoo which is a great place for the family, also boasts of being one of the few museums that almost everyone who visits, loves.

3. Archipelago
Take a boat trip that stretch from Stockholm itself all the way to Finland, and you find green, rocky or sandy islands. Considered the most popular sight in Sweden, this one is a must-see for visitors.

4. Sergels Torg
Centrally located, it is the most public square in Sweden named after its sculptor, Johan Tobias Sergel, and is considered to be timeless although controversial. Beneath the square lies a shopping mall that you take advantage of.

5. Kungliga slottet
Being the official residence and the primary royal palace of the Swedish monarch, the Stockholm Palace is located partly on Stadholsmen and Gamla Stan, while neighboring the Swedish Parliament building known as the Riksdag.

Rio de Janeiro, the capital of Brazil, is the second largest city. The city is surrounded by green mountains, thick forests and beautiful blue seas. The city also is home to samba music that is also another reason why it this tourist spot is so popular. So, let us look at some of the must-visit holiday places in Rio de Janeiro:

Rio de Janeiro is full of life with its carnival celebrations, natural settings, beach resorts and restaurants. Some of the hot tourist spots are Corcovado and Sugarloaf mountains, Maracana Stadium and the Quinta da Boa Vista Art Museum.

Rio is famous for its beaches. Some of the famous beaches are Flamengo, Botafogo, Copacabana, Ipanema and Barra da Tijuca.

Copacabana is one of the most famous beaches in the world. The New Year in Copacabana is celebrated in a grand way with more than hundred thousand spectators.

Sugar Loaf is a best-known landmark in Rio de Janeiro with the peak located at 396 meters above the harbor. The peak was named due its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loafsugar.

Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer, in Portuguese) was placed on top of Corcovado Mountain during 1931. The Christ statue with his arms spread out is 2,300 ft high, as if to embrace those living in the city.

Jardim Botanico is another popular tourist spot that is a botanical garden of 340 acres. The garden has more than 5000 species of flower, and is the best spot on a sunny day with temperatures falling ten degrees below normal temperature.

Maracana is the biggest soccer stadium with a capacity to accommodate more than 100,000 spectators. Rio de Janeiro’s famous soccer team is called Flamengo.

The start of a new Algarve vacation can be such a thrill. But before visiting the car rental, Faro tourists should review the U.S. Department of State’s tips for driving abroad safely:

• Carry both an IDP and a valid U.S. driver’s license at all times.
• Observe the country’s minimum driving age; in Portugal, the minimum age is 18, though some Portugal car hire companies may require drivers to be older in order to rent a car.
• Wear your seatbelt. Some countries penalize drivers who violate this law.
• Obtain liability insurance.
• Do not pick up strangers or hitchhikers.
• Be aware of your surroundings when getting in and out of your vehicle.
• Chart your course before you begin. Make sure that you have a good map.
• Brush up on local traffic laws. Some countries require you to honk your horn before driving around a sharp corner or signal before passing by flashing your lights. You can learn more about Portugal’s traffic laws by visiting the website for the Portuguese Directorate-General for Traffic at www.dgv.pt.

Unfortunately, Portugal has a very high rate of auto-related accidents and fatalities. But by following these tips and using extreme caution at all times, touring the country by car can be a pleasant and safe experience.

On your next Paris vacation, you could take the Métro around the city, or you could try the Vélib’ system. Modeled after Lyon’s Vélo’v system of public bicycle rentals, the Vélib’ debuted in summer 2007 and has since grown to encompass more than 20,000 bicycles at 1,450 stations spread over the city every 300 meters or so. The system is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, so you’re never without transportation. To use the Vélib’, you’ll need to purchase a daily, weekly, or yearly subscription that gives you an unlimited number of free 30-minute rides each day. Rides that last longer than 30 minutes incur increasing fees for each subsequent 30-minute period. To find out more, visit the Vélib’ website at www.en.velib.paris.fr/.

Orlando, Florida is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country. Whether you’re planning the ultimate Disney vacation for your family or you want to enjoy the nightlife, there’s plenty for you to see and do. And for theme park fans, there are endless opportunities for fun.

One thing that many people who’ve never been to Disney or Universal before don’t realize is that each actually consists of multiple parks, each of which requires a separate pass to gain access to. Disney World includes the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM Studios, and Animal Kingdom. In addition to the original Universal Studios, there is now a Universal Islands of Adventure. When planning Disney World or Universal Studios Florida vacations, you should keep in mind how much time you will have and the interests of those traveling with you. Animal lovers will probably prefer Disney’s Animal Kingdom while Islands of Adventure is a must-see for roller coaster aficionados.

While many vacations that you will take with your family after the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative goes into effect on June 1st, 2009 will require you and your family members to obtain passports, this won’t be true for all travel outside of the United States. If you’re considering Cancun all inclusive trips via air, having a valid passport will be a must. But if you’re looking to take a cruise, that might not be the case.

If a U.S. citizen is traveling on a cruise that starts and finishes at the same domestic port (also known as a closed-loop cruise), he or she won’t need an actual passport. However, proof of U.S. citizenship is still required. This can be a birth certificate and a valid picture ID (laminated and used by the government). However, if you’re looking to travel without obtaining your U.S. passport, you might want to consider such a cruise over all inclusive family resorts in Mexico or the Bahamas.