7 top destinations in Tbilisi, Georgia

Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is the city of contrasts, where both modern structures and old architecture perfectly co-exist next to each other. Here are the best attractions you can visit on your next trip to the capital.

Narikala Fortress

Overlooking the Abanotubani, the oldest district of the capital, the Narikala Fortress, a brick structure, dates back to the 4th century when Tbilisi was a Persian citadel. The fort sits on a steep hill between the sulfur baths and the botanical garden. The St. Nicholas Church, located inside the courtyard, is a fairly recent construction (1996–1997), but it replaces the original 13th-century one, which was destroyed by fire. You can walk up the steep hill from Maidan Square or take a cable car.

Kartlis Deda

Right next to Narikala, there’s a big statue of a woman holding a sword and a cup. That’s the Mother of Georgia or Kartlis Deda in Georgian. The aluminum figure rises 20 meters (65.6 feet) and is a symbol of not only Tbilisi but the country as well. The sword is for those who come as an enemy, while a cup of wine is for those who come as friends.

Metekhi Church

Located on the opposite side of Narikala Fortress, Metekhi Church is a famous landmark in the city, along with the statue of King Vaghtang Gorgasali, the founder of Tbilisi. This locale is where he built his palace and the first church in the area in the 5th century. The church that’s present today is from the 13th century and has undergone reconstruction several times since then.

Rike Park

One recreational space in Old Town is Rike Park, which features pools, fountains, a giant chess board, and several dozen chairs. During summer evenings, locals and visitors enjoy “dancing fountains” accompanied by music and a light show.

Tsminda Sameba Cathedral

The biggest symbol of the Georgian Orthodox Church, after the Soviet Union, is the Trinity Cathedral, as it translates in English. The cathedral, located on Elia Hill above Avlabari, is visible from almost every corner of the city center. The construction of the cathedral took approximately a decade and opened to the public in 2004. Its height is 84 meters (275.5 feet), including the gold-covered cross above its central dome.

Clock Tower

This fairytale-like clock tower is a relatively new edition to the capital. Made by Rezo Gabriadze, a puppet master, and a screenwriter, the tower features hundreds of handmade tiles created by Gabriadze himself. Every hour, an angel comes out of a door at the top and strikes a bell with a hammer; at noon and 7 pm, you can watch a small puppet show called “The Circle of Life.”

Stalin's Underground Printing House

Just a bit outside of the city center, Tbilisi hides a unique underground publishing house from where young Stalin and his colleagues used to spread Soviet propaganda at the beginning of the 20th century. The publishing house was built under a well, 17 meters (56 feet) below the ground. Activists accessed the room by climbing down the well, but it also had an emergency exit just in case their secret was leaked.

See more: Come to Georgia and taste its best traditional dishes

Source: Internet

Souvenirs to bring home after your Sapa trip

While Sapa is the ultimate trekking destination in Vietnam with sublime landscapes all around, the markets scattered across the region are also beautiful in their own ways and offer a lot of cultural insight. Here are some souvenirs you can grab for your friends and family back home that are meaningful.

Brocade and handicrafts

Wherever you walk in Sapa town, it is likely you will bump into a female from the age of five and up trying to sell you some handcrafted good. A bracelet will only cost you VND$10,000 which is just about USD$0.50. A small purse can cost around VND$100,000 (USD$5.00), but you can barter it down. We do not recommend that you do so, because a lot of effort is put into these items and lowering the price by a dollar could mean a whole day’s meals for them.

Brocade such as scarves, bags, quilts, embroidered jackets and woven skirts similar to those seen on local women are all meticulously hand-made with skills passed down through generations. It may take a person days or even months to finish a single item.

The Sapa market is a fabulous display of colors and warm smiles. You will find plenty of the aforementioned items spread out in front of each vendor who have created makeshift stalls for themselves on blankets. These H’Mong, Dzao and other ethnic minority ladies are lovely, hospitable, always smiling and completely enticing. Members of different tribes mingle together, and even though their outfits may look similar to the untrained eye, they have significant differences identifying each tribe, usually on the headpiece or other accessories. Most of these ladies even speak decent English, so you can talk to them and understand what it is all about.

Hemp is commonly grown around as the strong fibers are used to make clothes. Cotton and linen are also collected from the forest and silkworms are raised to make the beautiful silk thread used for embroidery. The colors, too, are made with natural ingredients. Yellow is made from turmeric, black from a local leaf, red and brown from the rind of local trees and blue from indigo leaves. With these, the locals get creative about patterns and styles. They really are a unique kind of beautiful.

Herbs and packaged foods

Dried and packaged medicinal herbs are also available, and they confer a lot of health benefits to the user. You can use these as you please – as tea, mixed into food, added into a herbal bath or even used with a nice, aromatic massage. Raw honey is a Sapa favorite, as is ta meo fruit, a local apple. Dried produce is also popular, such as horse meat and buffalo.

Fruits and veggies

Local fruits and vegetables are also sold in large colorful piles. The two most popular fruits one can find in Sapa are peach and pear. Vegetables such as radish, carrot, ginger, potatoes, eggplants are abundant, and often found in northern cuisine.

Bamboo sticky rice 

Bamboo sticky rice is a popular snack in Sapa and it is cooked in cut and carved up bamboo sections. The bamboo keeps the rice fresh for the long walks of the tribes people, makes it easy to transport, and also adds a little bit of flavor.

Silver jewelry

Silver is also made by numerous ethnic groups. The H’Mong and Dzao are known for their necklaces made of several silver circles put together. The weight of the bracelet is often an indicator of the person’s status. The shapes of these jewelry pieces are also a way of telling the tribes apart. These silver bangles can be quite expensive.

See more: A day to visit Sapa, Vietnam

Source: Internet

The best restaurants in Kobe, Japan

Kobe has always been one of Japan’s most cosmopolitan cities, with a culinary scene reflecting its international influences. Yet Kobe is also no slouch when it comes to Japanese cuisine, with numerous restaurants cooking up the city’s biggest claim to fame: Kobe beef. Here’s some of the best restaurants in Kobe.

Hyotan

This no-frills restaurant has been packing in customers for more than 40 years with a single dish: gyoza (Japanese-style dumplings). Hyotan’s dumplings are known for the light texture of their wrappers, which are filled with savory cabbage, minced pork and leek. Tucked beneath the tracks of Hanshin Sannomiya Station, Hyotan has no English sign, but look for the red noren curtains hanging in front of the entrance.

Kitano Club

Located on a hillside overlooking Kobe, Kitano Club is one of the city’s most popular fine-dining restaurants, known for its panoramic views and exceptional French cuisine. Open for more than 50 years, the restaurant’s menu changes monthly, with typical offerings including foie gras, escargot, and dishes featuring fresh fish, roast beef, duck or lamb with seasonal vegetables. The restaurant’s stylish interior is a great spot for people-watching and the separate bar and lounge area is a relaxing place to linger after dinner, offering views of Kobe in the valley below.

Wakkoqu

For many people, the name ‘Kobe’ is inextricably linked to its world-famous beef, and Wakkoqu is one of the best places in the city to give it a try. There are several set menus featuring various cuts of beef, which is cooked directly in front of dinners on large iron griddles. The beef is served alongside side dishes like soup and fried vegetables, and the chefs provide guidance on which sauces and seasonings to add for different flavor experiences.

Nishimura

Opened in 1948, Nishimura is a timeless café that offers more than 20 different blends of coffee, all of which are roasted on-site. Set in a German-style house, its distinct half-timbered exterior has helped to establish it as a well-known Kobe landmark. The interior exudes the same elegant charm, decorated with antiques and beautiful wooden furniture. It was one of the first places in Japan to serve now-popular cappuccinos, Vienna coffees and coffee jelly, earning it a lasting place in Kobe’s coffee culture. Aside from coffee, the café offers a light menu of sandwiches, cakes, and other snacks.

Nailey’s Grill

Nailey’s Grill is a friendly, European-style restaurant nestled down a quiet alleyway. The international menu features burgers, sandwiches, soups, and Kobe beef, but the restaurant is particularly well-known for its Caesar salads. The staff speak both Japanese and English, and the interior is invitingly decorated with warm lighting, comfortable seating and muted pink walls. Jazz music adds to the laid-back atmosphere, making this spot a great place for a meal or post-dinner drinks.

See more: Visit Kobe, a glorious harbor city in Japan

Source: Internet

Best family-friendly destinations in Asia

The largest continent on Earth, Asia offers plenty of diversity to suit all kinds of travellers. From dramatic landscapes and gorgeous beaches to lively modern cities and places with rich cultural heritage, Asia has it all. If you’re travelling with the kids, here are some of the best places for a family-friendly vacation in Asia.

Universal Studios in Singapore 

Singapore

Marina Bay

With a plethora of places to stay, a public transportation system that is clean, efficient, and easy to use, myriad places to eat and plentiful attractions, Singapore is a firm favourite for families exploring Asia. The beaches may not be the best, but many hotels have pools and you can stroll along the sands of Sentosa Island and East Coast Park and take trips to interesting islands such as Lazarus, St. John’s, and Pulau Ubin.

Singapore Flyer

Soak up the views from the Singapore Flyer, see the iconic Merlion statue in Merlion Park, admire diverse and colourful religious buildings, like the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Masjid Sultan, and Sri Mariamman Temple, and have outdoor adventures at places like the MacRitchie Reservoir, Singapore Botanic Gardens, the Southern Ridges, and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Few children can resist the appeal of the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay, and there are many museums to stimulate curious minds. See the nocturnal animal kingdom at the amazing Singapore Night Safari.

Universal Studios Singapore

Singapore really comes into its own for families on Sentosa Island, with theme parks and fun activities galore. Enjoy movie-themed rides and shows at Universal Studios Singapore, see the exhibits at Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, ride the luge, soak up the views from the Tiger Sky Tower, marvel at the gigantic Merlion, and step back in time at Fort Siloso. Adventurous kids will love MegaZip Adventure Park, and Kidzania Singapore is perfect for younger children.

Hong Kong

Disneyland Hong Kong

Another of Asia’s super cities, Hong Kong combines the old and the new for a cultural, fun, and family-friendly holiday. Easy to navigate and with plenty of places to eat, drink, and sleep, there’s something to keep everyone happy here.

Hong Kong Disneyland is an obvious choice for a day out filled with laughter and smiles. There are rides to suit all ages, shows, and the opportunity to get up close and personal with beloved characters. The firework show over Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is the perfect end to a magical day. For more thrills and theme-park fun, spend a day at Ocean Park Hong Kong. The combination of rides, shows, play areas, aquatic creatures, and a large aquarium will appeal to kids (and adults!) of all ages.

Causeway Bay

Ride the Peak Tram for iconic views over Hong Kong’s harbour, stroll through the pleasant Hong Kong Park, or take a boat trip to try and spot pink dolphins. See the unusual rock formations in the eight Geoparks, ride the cable car to the large Buddha statue at Po Lin Monastery, and take heaps of cool pictures at the Trick Eye Museum or the 3D Repulse Bay Visual Art Museum.

Shanghai, China

One of China’s most modern cities, Shanghai has a rich assortment of things to do and see for everyone. You can combine theme parks and cultural sites with museums, parks, shopping centres, and more. There are many child-friendly places to stay and finding something tasty to eat won’t be a problem. Try some of the many themed restaurants for an unusual dining experience.

Shanghai Disneyland is often near the top of the list of things to do with the kids, and for good reason. The theme park offers a day of enchantment for all. Cool down on hot days at the enormous Dino Beach Water Park, and watch many animals at Shanghai Wild Animal Park and Shanghai Zoo. Home to an impressive array of marine life from around the globe, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium also boasts the longest underwater tunnel in the world. Watch your kids’ faces light up as you hop on the rail car that travels through the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel and soak up the views from the observation deck of the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower.

Oriental Pearl Tower Shanghai

People’s Park is a top place for children to run and play and for adults to stretch their legs, and Century Park has a fishing lake, a beach, walking trails, and play areas. Other lovely parks include Fuxing Park, and Jing’an Sculpture Park.

Shanghai Science and Technology Museum

Snap loads of great holiday pictures at the interactive 3D Magic Fun House and cosy up with celebrities at Madame Tussauds. The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum will inspire curious kids and the skilled acrobats at Shanghai Circus World will leave them speechless.

Tokyo, Japan

Thriving, colourful, busy, and modern, Tokyo is a veritable wonderland for kids and adults alike. The bright lights and crowds may be a bit overwhelming at times, but there are heaps of attractions to enchant children and help everyone to have fun. The Japanese capital has many family-friendly accommodations, from Western-style hotels to traditional Japanese abodes and ryokans where you can all sleep on tatami mats and experience local life.

Panda in Ueno Zoo

There are theme parks galore, with something for all ages. Enter the cute and kitsch world of Hello Kitty at Sanrio Puroland or let kids act out a range of scenarios at Kidzania. Then observe many creatures from across the world at Ueno Zoo followed by a few hours at Hanayashiki, believed to be the oldest amusement park in Japan. Or why not channel your inner architects at Legoland Discovery Center?

Of course, few kids can ignore the allure of Tokyo Disneyland! DisneySea is a unique Disney experience, combining all your favourite characters and water-based attractions, while Universal Studios takes you deep into the world of movies.

Tokyo Disneyland

Kodomo no Mori Park

For some outdoor time, check out the city’s many pleasant parks. Walk with dinosaurs in Kodomo no Mori Park, paddle on the lake at Inokashira Park, and soak up the scenes at Futakotamagawa Park, the Imperial Palace Garden, and Shinjuku Gyoen. If you’re up for a hike, head to Mt. Takao. Don’t miss the nearby Monkey Park too.

Read more: 5 places to travel with kids in Asia

Source The Culture Trip

6 food centres to visit in Singapore

Can’t decide where to start on your Singaporean food adventure? Here are our top 6 picks of hawker centres in the country to check out.

Old Airport Road Food Centre

Built on the runway of Singapore’s old Kallang airport, Old Airport Road Food Centre is a favourite hawker centre for locals to get their fix of cheap good hawker food, though this hidden gem has become increasingly popular with tourists in recent years. There are over 150 stalls to choose from on the first level, and more sundry shops can be found on the second level. Popular picks that see long queues include Nam Sing Fried Hokkien Mee, Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee and Dong Ji Fried Kway Teow. Each stall has their own opening hours, do your research before you visit.

Maxwell Food Centre

Maxwell Food Centre is one of the more popular hawker centres with both Singaporeans and tourists in the heritage Chinatown district. It garnered international interest thanks to visits by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay to the Hainanese Chicken Rice at Tian Tian Chicken Rice, now a Michelin Bib-Gourmand recipient and a must-try dish at this hawker center. But if you’d rather skip the perpetually long queue, there are plenty of other stalls that locals love, like Zhen Zhen porridge and Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake.

Chinatown Complex

It’s easy to get lost in Chinatown Complex Food Centre, home to the largest hawker centre in Singapore, with over 260 food stalls on its second floor, offering a generous variety of Singaporean street food fare. From the cheapest Michelin meal at Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle, to international craft beer on tap at Smith Street Taps, there is a whole plethora of choice, all at budget friendly prices.

Tekka Centre

Tekka Centre’s first level houses a bustling hawker centre. Located in Little India, naturally you have to try the North and South Indian food stalls here. Allaudin’s Briyani specialises in tasty briyani rice dishes while Sri Tiffin is where you can get your fix of masala thosai. The name Tekka comes from Teh Kia Kah or Tek Kah, a Hokkien name meaning ‘foot of the bamboos’, a reference to the many bamboo plants growing along Rochor Canal.

Tiong Bahru Food Centre

Tiong Bahru Food Centre has 85 food stalls to choose from, with several hawker food stalls awarded Michelin Bib-Gourmand and The Plate awards – just look for the long queues. A breakfast favourite is Jian Bo Shui Kueh, with its steamed rice cakes topped with diced preserved radish and a dollop of chilli. Tiong Bahru Fried Kway Teow, Teochew Fish Soup and Lor Mee 178 are good places to start your eating journey, though Tiong Bahru does have many indie cafes and restaurants to check out as well.

Lau Pa Sat Hawker Centre

The historic Lau Pa Sat or ‘the old market’ in the middle of Singapore’s Central Business District is a tourist favourite hawker centre, both for its convenient location near the attractions in the downtown area, and its unique octagonal shape and wrought iron arches with its iconic clock tower in the center. The small road next to the food centre is blocked off at nights to allow for satay sellers to take over, recreating a once-famous Satay Street under the stars.

See more: The most crowded places in Singapore

Source: Internet

Ideal destinations to work or study in Shenzhen, China

Shenzhen is a great city if you want to savour China’s relentless energy and hustle and bustle. But finding a quiet spot to study might sometimes be a bit harder. But whether you’re revising for your mid terms on a study abroad programme, swatting up Mandarin characters for your Chinese primer or remote co-working on a project as a digital nomad, we’ve found the top places to get the focus you need.

24 Hour Bookbar

Shenzhen might have a reputation for being a hypermoderncity with a burgeoning start up scene and it is incredibly science and technology orientated. But it also has a huge book reading culture. As well as a giant library in the heart of the city’s dazzling new CBD district, the city also boasts a bookstore that claims to be the world’s largest. Among the extensively stocked stores, catering to many of your literary and academic whims and needs is a 24 hour book bar. It’s a perfect place to pull an all nighter.

GEE Coffee

Art hub OCT Lofthas a lot offer visitors. With galleries and design stores amid quirky statues, graffiti and greenery, there’s plenty going on. Among the creative offerings are a number of high quality coffee shops to while away the hours with a book or else swot up for an upcoming exam. With quality coffee, decent food, and a chilled out atmosphere, this is good place to plan some up coming creative projects.

Old Heaven Books

Another gem tucked away in OCT Loft is Old Heaven Books, a curious space with an independent spirit, beloved among Shenzhen’s arty crowd. Collaborating with legendary livehouse B10, not only does the venue serve up coffee and boast a great book selection, it also puts on inspiring events. LPs, cassettes and jazz posters abound. It also has a covered outdoor area.

SimplyWork Co-working Space

For those wanting to start a business and make use of the city’s burgeoning start up infrastructure, investing in a co-working space might be a good option. This spaceis in the heart of Shenzhen’s tech heavy, Nanshan district and features a number of amenities to help with getting work done efficiently and without unnecessary distractions. Run by a team of local entrepreneurs, it also has features zones to relax in and is open 24 hours a day.

See more: Visit attractions in Shenzhen, China

Source: Internet

The unique souvenirs you can buy in Taiwan

Anyone that travels understands the joy of taking something home to share with friends and family. Whether it’s a local delicacy or piece of finely crafted jewelry, these slivers of local culture allow you to share your experiences with others. So what does Taiwan have to offer as a souvenir that you won’t find anywhere else? Here are some of the favorites.

Pineapple cake

One of the most popular sweets available throughout the island is the humble pineapple cake. It’s a buttery pastry with a deliciously sweet pineapple paste at its center. These usually come in airtight packaging so taking them home on the plane is no trouble at all.

Mini Sky Lanterns

You may have heard of the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, but you probably didn’t realize that you can buy these wonderful little miniature sky lanterns as souvenirs. Handcrafted and set within see-through containers, they make a nice little ornamental gift for someone’s mantelpiece.

Read more: Best autumn festivals to celebrate in Taiwan

The world’s best jade

Of course, you can buy jade all around the world, but Taiwan is well-known as a place to find some the finest jade on the planet. The jade market in Taipei offers an incredible range of pieces in all shapes and sizes but expect to pay premium prices for high-quality pieces.

Taiwanese tea

The teas of Taiwan’s mountain regions are among the most sought after in the world so if you have a tea connoisseur in the family then you surely have to take home a box of leaves. Look out for Oolong; it’s the most popular, and with good reason.

Taiwanese peanut nougat

They do things differently here in Taiwan so don’t expect the typical nougat you find in candy bars in the west. Taiwanese nougat is often quite hard and chewy and full of peanuts. Some will also have sesame too while others may have pieces of brown sugar. Nougat is the most traditional of treats in Taiwan and expect to find boxes of it everywhere especially during festivals.

Sun cakes

The sun cake is a flaky pastry that traditionally has a sweet and sticky filling. These days though you can get many different flavors such as dried pork and even green tea. In truth though, the originals are still the best.

Source The Culture Trip