Established by Imperial decree at the end of the 18th century, Odessa quickly flourished as a crucial port on the Black Sea. In the 19th century Odessa was the most populous city in the future Ukraine, and was inhabited by titans of the age like the writer Alexander Pushkin and Field Marshall Vorontsov who made …
The old city of Lviv in western Ukraine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, at the crossroads of cultures and jam packed with historic architecture. Being on a key trade route made Lviv very cosmopolitan in medieval times: Ukrainians, Poles, Armenians, Jews and Germans mixed here for hundreds of years, at a time when this …
Ukraine’s second city is in the east of the country in the region of the same name. Internationally Kharkiv is associated with manufacturing and commerce, a reputation that has persisted since it was the third-largest centre of industry in the USSR. As for tourism, Kharkiv was never directly affected by the recent conflict in eastern …
Ukraine’s capital is a green metropolis on flowing hills next to the Dnieper River. In the middle ages Kiev was the capital of an enormous state occupying a big tranche of Eastern Europe, and you can enter monasteries and cathedrals stemming from this golden age. There’s no denying that Kiev has seen some tough times, …
The coastal city of Tel Aviv is Israel’s effortlessly chic cosmopolitan destination for those looking to catch some rays, indulge in the mouth watering foodie scene, or hit the shops. The gorgeous beaches alongside the metropolitan comforts of a thriving city make it a world-class destination for visitors. It’s a hotbed of local culture, where …
The ocean state known as Rhode Island in New England is America’s smallest state. In spite of its diminutive size, it offers visitors over 40-miles of coastline. The estimated population of this wee island is 1.06-million. Rhode Island combines picturesque beaches with delectable cuisine, chic stores, a booming nightlife, and an infinite list of activities, …
Memphis, in the southwest corner of Tennessee, is the state’s second-largest city and arguably its most famous. Memphis is well known internationally for being the home and last resting place of Elvis Presley, one of the most famous characters in musical history. More than this, the city’s long association with blues and the southern American …
At the confluence of the Inhulets and Southern Bug Rivers, Mykolaiv is a port and shipbuilding city where the Black Sea Fleet was assembled in the 19th century. Mykolaiv’s history begins in 1789 when Grigory Potemkin ordered a port here after Russia acquired new territory on the Black Sea following the Russian-Turkish War. The city …
The beautiful Italian city of Sorrento faces out across the Bay of Naples on the western coast of southern Italy. Although the city is found in the tourist region that surrounds this spectacular coastline – that includes such famous locations as Naples and the Amalfi Coast – Sorrento still somehow manages to retain an aura …
Ho Chi Minh City used to be known as Saigon although this was officially changed after Ho Chi Minh unified Vietnam following the Vietnam War. As such, Ho Chi Minh City is a place that is steeped in some of the most important modern history in the world, and you will find references to this …