"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware" - Martin Buber, philosopher
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Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and the biggest city of Thailand. It is one of the most popular touristic destinations and serious rival to Singapore and Hong Kong. Settle in The Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, the premier deluxe business hotel located on Rajdamri Road close to Erawan Shrine, the Bangkok's most important landmark.
First thing you will notice in Bangkok are nice and calm people. Even in the afternoon streets are full of people and you won't see a driver that blares his horn or use words we all used to hear in those situations. When you are there try to speak with a little bit lower tone because our normal voice tone is almost shouting for them.
More than 90 percent of Thais are Buddhists and in almost every house there is a picture of king's family, one of the Thais biggest holiness. In the city of numerous temples visit Grand Palace surrounded with many temples, especially Wat Phra Kaew temples. There you will see little Emerald Buddha statue and fine murals. Bangkok is the true paradise for shoppingholics.
Extraordinary quality silk with world-wide reputation is just one of the Thai products you simply must see, and the same stands true for Thai antiques which are expensive and rare. Visit trendy malls like Emporium with designers' labels or MBK where you will find almost everything that you can find on world's market. Inevitable visit colourful Chatuchak weekend market with bargain prices and find something that will stand in your living room as the memory to those nice peaceful people and the town of small Emerald Buddha.
New York
From the peaceful city to a completely different one. New York is the largest city in the state of New York and in the United States. New York is the city of numerous delicious restaurants, exclusive hotels, streets crowded with people and even lot of traffic. It is also the place of many theatres and museums and places worth visiting. For staying choose Hotel Plaza Athenee, European-style hotel situated on East Side of Manhattan on a quiet street, a short walk from Central Park which is very beautiful and especially colourful in this time of the year.
If you are visiting Big Apple for the first time make your plan very carefully to be able to see as much places as you can.
Empire State Building at the 86th floor offers magnificent view of the whole city, try to visit it. Walk through Rockefeller Centre, visit well-known Guggenheim Museum and Metropolitan Museum of Art. It has more than two millions works from all around the world. Drive through The Brooklyn Bridge that is really an architectural wonder. Walk to Five and Madison Avenue and shop the whole day. See what Macy's and Bloomingdale offer. Find some nice quite restaurant just for you and your dear one. Don't talk about home issues or similar subjects, buy a map of the city and plan where to go next.
Save at least one evening to visit one of the old New York's jazz or blues clubs and listen music that characterizes the real City. If you decide after that to go to an evening boat ride around Manhattan, that will be the perfect end of a beautiful and adventurous day in one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
Tunisian Republic
Tunisian Republic is situated on the Mediterranean shore of North Africa. It is the northest and the smallest country on the African continent. Once it was known on the name "basket of bread" of Roman imperia. A hypothesis said that the name Tunisia on Berber languages means "spend the night" (than go further on the road).
Around 40 percent of the country is Sahara desert, while the rest of the land is very fertile. An interesting fact is that Tunisia was known as a pirate base from the end of 16th century. Tunisia got full independence in 1956.
Contrary to Thailand, Tunisians talk very loudly with lot of gesticulating and waving. Here the drivers blare their horns a lot, people walk fast in a hurry and everybody looks as they are doing something absolutely significant. If you decide to buy something in Tunisian's shops be prepared for ten to fifteen minutes of haggling with clerks but at the end both of you will be satisfied. Stay in Les Berges du Lac Concorde 5 stars Hotel on the shores of the Lake of Tunis, situated in the capital's most prestigious business centre, only five minutes from the international airport. When you are there spend one day in Sahara and test quality Mediterranean vines.
Tunisians like to eat lamb and fish and they are crazy for pancakes filled with everything. Some 20 kilometres north of Tunis there is Sidi Bou Said, blue and white coloured village with nice mosque. From the cliffs a spectacular view to Tunis spreads, and if you visit it before sunset you will take to your home magic pictures from holiday you will never forget. ■
