Fuzzy Bus

Founded in the 17th century, Channis is the capital of India’s Tamil Nadu state. It was known in the West as Madras until the official name change in 1996. As India’s fourth largest metropolitan area, Chennai has much to offer visitors. In addition to the many temples and cultural venues, the city has a thriving film industry, modern sports facilities, beaches, a national park, and plenty of opportunies to shop and dine. Visitors can choose from a range of lodgings, including the five star hotels of Chennai and easily find restaurants, markets and shops that suit their budget.

The Theosophical Society’s world headquarters are on the banks of the Adyar River. They include shrines to all major faiths and extensive gardens. Chennai is an ideal place for this multi-faith center, given that it is home to dozens of temples, churches, and mosques representing the many faiths of its citizens.

Santhome Cathedral Basilica is perhaps the most famous of Chennai’s churches. Christian tradition holds that St. Thomas, one of the original apostles of Jesus, came to India in 52 A.D. and died there twenty years later. The National Shrine of St. Thomas Basilica was built over his tomb. Chennai houses the oldest Anglican church in India, Mary’s Church which was build in 1680. The Tamil Baptist Church is over 100 years old.

Visvaroopa Baktha Anjaneyaar Temple is notable for its 32 foot idol. Ashtalakshmi Temple is one of the more modern religious structures in Chennai. Dedicated to the Goddess Lakshmi, it is less than twenty years old. The city is home to dozens of other temples and mosques that offer a glimpse into the architecture and culture of the region.

The area surrounding Chennai is famous for its temples. Most are a short trip from the city and offer stately architecture and beautiful grounds. The Vaidhya Veera Raghava Swami Temple and Sri Viswaroopa Panchamukha Anjaneya Swami Ashram in Tiruvallur houses a Murti of Hanuman that is forty feet tall. The reknown Meenakshi Temple is in Madurai. The Kamakshi Temple in Kanchipuram is the seat of one of the Shankaracharyas, which is the closest thing to a spiritual leader that Hinduism recognizes.

The Spanish island of Mallorca appeals to tourists from Europe and the rest of the world due to its dry, sunny climate and its amazing beaches. Each year, visitors travel to the island to shop, dine, and relax on the sands. They stay in a variety of lodgings, ranging from the small bed and breakfasts scattered throughout the island to the 5 star Mallorca hotels. A lesser-known reason to visit the island is its intriguing architecture, mostly centered in the capital city.

Palma de Mallorca, known to locals as Ciutat is home to the island’s premiere architectural sites. Built on the site of an Arab mosque, the Cathedral La Seu was begun in 1229 but not completed until 1601. It is a prime example of Spanish Levantino Gothic styles, with strong influences from French and North European Gothic styles. Restoration of the Cathedral began in the mid-nineteenth century and was taken over by Antoni Gaudi in 1901 who worked on the cathedral for over a decade before abandoning the project.

Castell de Bellver is also located in Palma. It was designed by Pere Salva and begun in 1300. It is the only castle in Spainthat is completely round, with large towers surrounding a two-level courtyard. This central structure is connected to a free-standing keep by an arch. Intended as a royal residence and defensive installation, the building was used as a prison from the Middle Ages through the Spanish Civil War.

Other architectural sites of interest in Palma include La Lonja, which is a stunning example of Mediterranean Gothic styles and features sculpture by its architect Guillermo Sagrera, the Monastery of St. Francis, the Almudaina Palace (also designed by Pere Salva), and the Palma Cathedral. The city is also home to the Arab Baths, relics of the island’s Islamic conquerors.

Barcelona is a prime destination in Spain known for its art, architecture, food, and nightlife. The city has a style and energy all its own. The museums, monuments, historic taverns, modern nightclubs, and amazing food all serve as magnets drawing visitors to experience, not just see, this cosmopolitan city on the Mediterranean.

The best time to visit Barcelona is April – June and late September – November. During this time the temperature ranges from 19-23 degrees Celsius (66-73 degrees Farhenheit), which, with the high humidity, is considered quite comfortable. As the temperature rises above that range, the humidity can make it seem unbearably hot. The humidity factor also makes the off-season an attractive time to visit. Winter in Barcelona has much lower humidity, making the 9-10 degrees Celsius (48-50 degrees F) temperatures tolerable and the lack of crowds appealing. Just be careful to keep an eye on the rain forecast.

Summer is the busiest time for tourists in Barcelona with August leading the pack. Because most business owners tend to go on vacation themselves from mid-August through early September, as much as ten percent of the restaurants and shops can be closed during this time. Barcelona is much quieter at this time, but there will still be plenty of tourists, so don’t expect the city to be as deserted as in the off-season. Hotels may offer great bargains at this time, due to the lower demand, so be sure to investigate rates even at 5 star Barcelona hotels to make sure you get the best deal on the accomodations you want.

The exotic islands that make up Singapore have a reputation for the diverse and delectable food available to both locals and tourists. Part of this reputation is a result of the fusion of Chinese, Malay, and Indian cuisines. No where else in the world will you find Malay versions of Tamil dishes and Chinese foods created using indigenous Malay techniques and ingredients. Increasingly there are also influences from other Asian cuisines as well as western food traditions. Given that many restaurants use the finest imported ingredients, the variations and combinations are virtually limitless.

Another reason for the strong reputation of Singapore fine dining is the influx of chefs from around the world. Some of the top chefs from the east and west are finding their way here to experiment not only with the diverse ingredients and local flavors, but to take advantage of the open and welcoming environment of the Singapore food scene. The adventurous diners here applaud innovation and appreciate the new flavors created with cutting edge gastronomic techniques.

As an international destination, Singapore is not limited to Chinese, Malay, Indian, and local fare. Cuisines from around the world are offered in Singapore restaurants. Some of the most popular eateries feature French, Italian, Thai, and Japanese dishes. The variety of foods available is matched by the environments in which to eat. Food lovers can choose from some of the finest restaurants in the east or explore street vendors, coffee shops, and hawker stalls.