World Guides is committed to providing up-to-date travel and tourist information for countries and cities throughout the world.
Our popular travel guides are full of useful information, such as travel tips, tourist attractions, major landmarks and monuments, nearby excursions,
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With almost 500 detailed travel guides and new guides added all the time, World Guides is one of the largest, expanding travel sites on the Internet.
The second-largest continent on the planet, Africa is a huge and diverse place to visit, with many fascinating countries. In Egypt, the ancient pyramids are
quite legendary, while in Morocco, the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines hold great appeal.
Others come to Africa for the safaris, with many game reserves around Kenya.
In South Africa, the Kruger National Park borders both Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Officially named as the Argentine Republic, Argentina is an exciting Latin American country and borders the South Atlantic Ocean. The Argentinean scenery
is extremely varied and ranges from beautiful sandy beaches and coastal resorts, to the wondrous snowcapped Andes mountain range, which remains the largest mountain range in existence.
Buenos Aires is Argentina's bustling capital city and is very much a modern city, with towering skyscrapers and a distinctive Spanish-style vibrancy.
The republic of Austria lies in the very heart of Europe and is bounded by the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia and Slovenia. Home of the waltz and the apple strudel, Austria is rich in culture and tradition.
Vienna is the capital of Austria and this important city contains some of the country's most magnificent buildings and palaces, such as the Hofburg (Imperial Palace), Schloss Belvedere and Schloss Schonbrunn. Salzburg is another popular Austrian city and is actually the birthplace of Mozart.
Belgium resides in the north-western part of Europe and is particularly close to France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
Although this is amongst Europe's smallest countries, Belgium is filled with interesting cities and towns, which are often based around the banks of the prominent Schedlt River.
The capital of Belgium is Brussels, and this vibrant city is divided into two main districts, the Lower and Upper towns. Antwerp is another Belgian city worthy of some time and
is where you will find the truly splendid Cathedral of Our Lady (Kathedraal).
As Latin America's largest and most densely populated country, the Federative Republic of Brazil is packed with interest for tourists. Brazil is to be found
directly north of Argentina and lies next to the Atlantic Ocean, where many breathtaking, sun-drenched sandy beaches await holidaymakers.
Some of the very best beaches in Brazil are located in the party city of Rio de Janeiro, where Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach are particular favourites. Sao Paulo is Brazil's number one city in term of size, although Brasilia serves as the capital.
Canada stands in the northern area of North America, bordering the USA to the south. With ten main provinces and three territories, Canada is a vast country.
Ottawa serves as the Canadian capital and is a graceful city, with much in the way of greenery, culture and important landmarks, such as the Parliament Hill buildings and the Supreme Court of Canada. Toronto is altogether more of a showy city, with soaring skyscrapers surrounding the CN Tower, which is currently the tallest free-standing structure anywhere on the planet.
Located in the English Channel, between southern England and north-western France, the Channel Islands comprise Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Herm and Alderney, along with a series of small islets and rocky outcrops.
Jersey and Guernsey are the biggest and most visited of the Channel Islands, offering mild winters, endless summer sunshine, some interesting fortifications, hidden war tunnels and literally hundreds of miles of glorious beaches.
Known throughout the world as the People's Republic of China, this exciting country is home to many world-famous landmarks, both natural and man-made. Ranging from Mount Everest to the
awesome Great Wall of China - the world's longest ever fortification, China is a great place for a vacation.
Full of high-rise, gleaming skyscrapers and a huge number of ancient temples, Beijing is China's capital city, where top attractions include the Forbidden City, the Ming Tombs, and also the
stunning Temple of Heaven.
Lying within Central America, the Republic of Costa Rica is close to both Panama and Nicaragua, and sits next to the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. Beautiful sandy beaches are in
plentiful supply along its 'Central Pacific' coastline, while the southern side of Costa Rica is rainforest country.
The Costa Rican capital is San Jose and holidaymakers will discover this busy city to be a leading travel hub. Other prominent cities in Costa Rica include Alajuela, Cartago, Dominical, Heredia, Liberia, Puntarenas and Quesada.
A sizable Euroasian island country located in the easterly Mediterranean region, the Republic of Cyprus is famed for being the place where a number of Greek gods where born, including both Adonis and Aphrodite.
Many wonderful archaeological sites remain around Cyprus, while for lively beach holidays, the nightlife at the resorts of Ayia Napa and Paphos is almost legendary.
A landlocked country within the heart of central Europe, the Czech Republic is bordered by Austria, Germany, Poland and Slovakia.
When the Cold War finally ended in the early part of the 1990s, much of the country began to enjoy increased levels of tourism.
The most famous and visited city within the Czech Republic is Prague (Praha), its proud capital. Prague has grown up around the meandering River Vltava
and features an important historical centre, where the best examples of Czech architecture can be found.
A Scandinavian country located in the Nordic region, Denmark is especially close to both Germany and eastern Sweden.
Denmark boasts a strong Viking heritage and this fact is celebrated at various museums around the country.
Consisting of approximately 400 different islands in total, Denmark is home to a particularly beautiful coastline and numerous beach resorts, which often feature
fine white sand. Copenhagen is the Danish capital and lies next to the Oresund Coast, within North Zealand. Each year, thousands flock the rock festivals in Roskilde.
Egypt contains some of the most spectacular landmarks on the whole planet and is located in North Africa. The city of Cairo is the capital city and where many spectacular sights are to be found, such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, the tomb of Tutankhamun, and more.
A number of outstanding resorts offer beachfront locations, next to either the Mediterranean or the Red Sea. Scuba diving is especially popular around both Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh, where the coral reefs are not to be missed.
England, the largest country in the UK, is steeped in history, with many landmarks famous all over the world. Highlights include Stonehenge, London's Houses of Parliament, Oxford University, the Roman city of Bath and countless seaside resorts.
A small and appealing country offering an array of seasonal activities and attractions, Estonia is at its most appealing during the warm and
inviting summer months. However, huge numbers of skiers do arrive each winter to make full use of the Estonian ski resorts and fresh snow.
Estonia is surrounded by the countries of Latvia and Russia, and also edged the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland. The main cities tend to be scattered around the endless coastline and
include Haapsalu, Muuga and Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.
Finland is and extremely modern country, with many stylish cities and towns. However, despite Finland's successful attempt to
embrace the 21st century, the country has managed to retain much of its strong Scandinavian heritage, with many historic buildings remaining in excellent condition.
During the Finnish summers, the daylight hours are extremely long and the midnight sun means that the nightlife at this time of the year is legendary. Finland contains nearly
200,000 lakes and islands, with many recreational activities based around its shoreline.
The Republic of France is sited in Western Europe, next to the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
Stunning attractions abound in France, particularly in Paris, the capital city. Major sights here include the Palace of Versailles, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and Disneyland Paris. Other locations worth visiting include Aires, Biarritz, Cannes, the Loire Valley, Toulouse, Marseille and the French Riviera.
The Federal Republic of Germany, in central Europe, is known for its past communism and its fairly recent reunification of East and West Germany regions.
Places to visit in Germany are plentiful and important cities and towns include Bavaria, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Essen, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, the Rhine Valley and the capital city of Berlin.
Greece is a country standing in south-eastern Europe, between the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. Popular Greek islands include Corfu, Crete, Rhodes and the Dodecanese Islands.
Greece has an extremely long history and offers a huge selection of ancient attractions, with many striking ruins and archaeological wonders being situated in the capital city of Athens, such as the Acropolis temples, which include the Parthenon.
Standing within central Europe and completely landlocked, the country of Hungary offers an extremely green and verdant landscape, with
large expanses of farmland and countryside. The Danube River is a notable natural feature and runs through the city of Budapest, the Hungarian capital.
Budapest is well-known for its rich heritage and was founded almost 2,000 years ago, when Romans first began to settle the area. The result of a merge between the cities of Buda and Pest, the Budapest
of today contains exceptional shopping.
A milder country than many visitors are led to expect, Iceland is famed for its diverse natural attractions, which
come in the form of steaming geysers, hot springs and even some volcanoes, a number of which remain active.
The Icelandic capital is Reykjavik and it is close to this city where you will find one of Iceland's premier tourist attractions, the Blue Lagoon Spa at Grindavik. These mineral-rich waters are
geothermally heated and reputed to provide a range of medicinal benefits, drawing crowds of spa-goers from far and wide.
Home of the Bollywood film industry and the spicy curry, the
Republic of India is where you will find one of the world's most iconic landmarks, the simply breathtaking Taj Mahal. Located in Agra, the Taj Mahal dates back to 1632 and is famous the world over.
India's Delhi region contains plenty for visitors to enjoy, including the capital
city of New Delhi itself. For some serious coastal scenery, consider a holiday in Mumbai, next to the Arabian Sea.
A spreading island nation made up of in excess of 17,500 different islands, the Republic of Indonesia straddles the line of the equator and offers tourists a tropical climate, with plenty of sunshine.
Amongst the main islands of Indonesia are Java (home of Jakarta), Kalimantan, Lombok, New Guinea, Sulawesi and also Sumatra. The Indonesian island of Bali is too worthy of a mention and has become nothing short of a tourist hotspot.
Ireland consists of two separate countries - Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the UK and home to the city of Belfast, with counties of Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone.
The Republic of Ireland borders Northern Ireland to the south and contains a particularly rich heritage, with historic attractions including St. Patrick's Cathedral and Dublin Castle.
Whilst the State of Israel is a fairly small country, its tourist appeal is undeniable, enhanced in no small part by its desirable location alongside the Mediterranean Sea.
The landscape of Israel is especially diverse and is a mixture of coastal attractions, deserts, mountains and beautiful valleys. Israel is also home to a series of busy, modern cities, such as Haifa, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
The country of Italy is situated in Southern Europe and is shaped as a long peninsula, surrounded by the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic Sea. Islands in Italy include Sardinia and Sicily
Rome is one of Italy's most historic cities and is full of ancient ruins, many of which date back over 2,700 years. Other major Italian cities include Milan, Venice, Florence, Bologna and Pisa, with its world-famous leaning tower.
For many, a trip to Japan is the absolute embodiment of all things oriental, where geisha girls, Zen rock gardens, colourful pagodas and
truly ancient temples can all be found. Japan is also a country set very much in the present and the future, with state-of-the art technology, awesome skyscrapers and speeding
bullet trains.
The country of Japan comprises in excess of 3,000 islands, being surrounded on all sides by the Pacific Ocean. Japan's largest and most noteworthy islands include
Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku.
The South-East Asian country of Malaysia is located along a lengthy peninsula, bordering Thailand to the north, while Singapore lies directly to the south. East Malaysia also occupies a northern share of Borneo island.
With some extremely beautiful coastal stretches and beaches, Malaysia enjoys a healthy tourist industry. Particularly visited is the Malaysian city of Kuala Lumpur and also the island of Penang, where Georgetown serves as the capital.
The United Mexican States, better known as simply Mexico, is full of Latin American charm and character. Each year, millions of tourists marvel at Mexico's many ancient remains from past Aztec and Mayan civilisations.
The Mexican landscape has something for everyone, with mountainous areas, deserts, glitzy modern cities and coastal resorts, where white sandy beaches and world-class scuba diving sites await.
Located within North Africa and next to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, Morocco is a hot and sunny country, with past
civilisations dating back some 10,000 years.
Many tourists favour the northerly Mediterranean Morocco area, where hotspots including Ceuta, Chefchaouen, Melilla, Tangier and Tetouan can all be found. Other locations and cities of interest in Morocco include Casablanca and Marrakech.
The country of the Netherlands lies in Western Europe, next to the North Sea. Much of the country is fairly flat and low, with some areas actually being below sea level, including the famous Dutch dykes.
Many cities and towns in the Netherlands contain excellent attractions, both old and new, such as Alkmaar, Delft, Edam, Gouda, Haarlem, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Amsterdam, which is one of Europe's most popular cities.
The vast country of New Zealand is located between the Tasman Sea and South Pacific Ocean. With two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, New Zealand has become a major tourist destination.
Attractions in New Zealand include Wellington - New Zealand's historic capital, Auckland - on the North Island, with sandy beaches, and Christchurch - in the Canterbury area of the South Island.
The northerly Kingdom of Norway is to be found next to both the Norwegian Sea and also the Arctic Sea. Norway features an extremely long coastline,
around which many popular beach resorts are gathered. Summer is a good time to visit Norway, when the sun never actually sets and exciting night-time celebrations take place.
The Norwegian capital of Oslo stands close to the Skagerrak strait and offers a host of outdoor activities, such as hiking and even cross-country skiing, when the winter snow arrives.
Look out for the Vigeland Sculpture Park and the peninsula of Bygdoy.
South America's Republic of Peru draws large numbers of tourists each year, many of which come to discover its ancient civilisations, including Peru's world-famous Inca Empire.
The lost Inca city of Machu Picchu is amongst Peru's most magnificent sights and many visitors choose to trek here, along the extremely scenic 'Inca trail'. Lima is the Peruvian capital and offers a taster of modern city life, whilst being conveniently close to the Pacific Ocean and a number of noteworthy beaches.
Comprised of over 7,000 islands, the densely populated Republic of the Philippines is called home by more than 90 million people. The tropical climate of the Philippines is especially hot from March to May, while between December and February, the weather is considerably cooler.
The Philippines offers everything from mountains and volcanoes, to bustling cities, beaches, leading scuba diving sites and even World Heritage towns. Manila is the Filipino capital and a much visited city in its own right.
Although Poland may be known for its communist past, the country of today has gained its independence and has never been more appealing to visitors.
Poland is overflowing with sightseeing opportunities and contains many beautiful timber-constructed buildings and charming medieval villages.
Accommodation in Poland may not be quite the bargain that it was just a few years ago, but is still considered to be relatively inexpensive. Try to visit the cities
of Gdansk, Krakow, Malbork, Poznan and Warsaw (Warszawa), the Polish capital.
The Portuguese Republic is situated on the south-western side of Europe and is known for its sunny weather and numerous beach resorts.
A number of islands are considered to be a part of Portugal and include both the Azores and Madeira, two major tourist destinations.
Lisbon is Portugal's capital city and resides next to the Atlantic shoreline and the River Tagus. The beaches within Lisbon's Praia da Adraga area rank as some of some of Europe's very best. Other
appealing cities include Faro, Funchal, Guimaraes and Porto.
A vast city with a strong Soviet past, the Russian Federation is the largest country in existence and is simply vast, encompassing
many different landscapes, time zones and some quite distinctive climatic extremes. The sights around Russia offer many areas of natural beauty, along with plenty of imposing landmarks and buildings.
No trip to Russia is really complete without visiting its capital of Moscow, where the crazy colourful architecture of St. Basil's Cathedral really has to be seen in the flesh to be properly appreciated, as do the palaces and cathedrals of the Kremlin.
Scotland stands to the north of England and is actually the northernmost country in the UK. With a rich Scottish history and a wealth of places to visit, Glasgow and Edinburgh are Scotland's largest cities.
Edinburgh Castle, Craigmillar Castle, Tantallon Castle, Inchcolm Abbey and Stirling Castle are all notable landmarks in Scotland, well worth a visit.
The country of Spain can be found in the south-west of Europe. With many outstanding attractions throughout the country, Madrid - Spain's capital city, is particularly historic and vibrant. The Balearic Islands of Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca are major family-friendly locations with stunning beaches, together with the famed Canary Islands.
The Republic of South Africa actually attracts a larger number of visitors that any other area within sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa is bordered by both the Indian and Atlantic oceans, and is home to a number of exceptional safari parks, such as the Kruger National Park. Cape Town is the capital of South Africa and enjoys a splendid backdrop, provided by its Table Mountain and coastline.
Formerly named the Republic of Korea, South Korea is an East Asian country, bordering North Korea and close to Japan. One of the most wealthy and influential of all the countries within Asia, South Korea
offers tourists a rich history, contrasting with its multitude of modern buildings and skyscrapers.
The South Korean capital of Seoul is a truly dynamic city and is filled with beautiful, ancient temples, many of which line the Han River. Busan is the number two city, while other popular locations include Chuncheon, Daejeon and Panmunjeom.
Considered to be the most important of all the Nordic countries, Sweden sits within the northerly region of Europe and alongside both Denmark and Norway.
Sweden is the birthplace of some many iconic brands and names that are known the world over, such as Ikea and Volvo, whilst also being the official home of the Nobel Peace Prize.
There is so much to see in Sweden and a good place to start is within its capital city of Stockholm, which is based around the modern centre of Norrmalm. Don't overlook Gothenburg (Goteborg), or indeed Malmo and Uppsala.
Switzerland is famed for is recreational activities, which are often dependent upon the season and include everything from
hiking to mountain skiing on the Swiss Alps. Home to the United Nations headquarters, Switzerland's biggest cities are extremely important in the world of finance, and Zurich is filled with global institutions.
Berne is the Swiss capital and although this is actually Switzerland's fourth-largest city, it was chosen for its convenient westerly situation. Also make the time to explore Lausanne and Geneva, both of which are based around the shores of Lake Geneva.
Thailand is amongst the most popular cities in South-East Asia and is famed for its ancient temples (wats), Buddhist shrines and elephant shows. With traditional Thai
restaurants and breathtaking architecture, a visit to Thailand will be remembered.
Northern Thailand is dominated by mountains and lush forests, with Chiang Mai being the most significant city in this region. Further south,
Thailand's capital city of Bangkok is the epitome of a major Asian city, while for some of the world's best scuba diving, the island of Phuket
is a true tropical paradise and quite unmissable.
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago resides within the southern Caribbean and close to Venezuela. Although this archipelagic state comprises many
different islands, it is Trinidad and Tobago that remain the two most significant islands.
Trinidad is the largest island by far and home to some 90 percent of the total country's population, with the Port of Spain being the capital city. Both islands offer much in
the way of beaches and water sports. In particular, Buccoo Reef on Tobago is famed for its exceptional scuba diving and scenery.
The Republic of Turkey stands between both western Asia and south-eastern Europe, and is bounded to the
south by the Mediterranean Sea, where a number of popular Turkish seaside resorts are to be found.
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and is particularly tourist-friendly, while Ankara serves as the busy capital and offers an interesting Roman past.
For many, the United Arab Emirates is abbreviated as simply the 'UAE' and is sited within the south-east of the Arabian Peninsula, alongside both the Gulf of Oman and
also the Persian Gulf.
Dubai is perhaps the most well-known and spectacular of all the coastal cities in the United Arab Emirates, and contains many truly epic skyscrapers, which include some of the world's very tallest.
Abu Dhabi is another wealthy city and features an especially scenic waterfront 'Corniche', along with mosques, malls and upscale hotels.
The USA is the world's leading country and is located in North America, comprising 50 large states, including Alaska and Hawaii, bordering Canada and Mexico.
Wales is located to the west of England, bordered by the Irish Sea and the Bristol Channel. Much of the Welsh scenery consists of green hills and high mountains, including the Brecon Beacons, Mount Snowdon, the Cambrian Mountains and Snowdonia.
Tourists visiting Wales will find many sightseeing opportunities, such as Cardiff Castle, Caerphilly Castle, the historic Tintern Abbey, Tretower Court and Castle, Conwy Castle and also Caernarvon Castle.
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Marriott hotel resorts offer sensational sojourns in some of the world's most enticing locations. Aruba, Bali, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica - where will you go?
