Leisure Markets

Top Attractions To See In Torquay (All Squeezed Into One Day)

Arguably the most popular & visited of the three Torbay towns, that describe themselves as the English Rivera.

Torquay has some good beaches to enjoy and also offers the standard English seaside experience of tea rooms and sea-side amusement arcades.

A holiday in Torquay should include a visit to the jubilant harbour area, littered with nice restaurants, pubs and other convenience eateries. It can get quite lively at night time.

What To Do In Torquay:

Babbacombe Beach has a nice harbour and seaside area and is covered by steep hills which offer excellent views of the coast, both by night and day.

Babbacombe Model Village is a charming miniature village containing thousands of buildings. A great attraction for kids.

Kents Cavern is an ancient geological structure and there have been some highly significant prehistoric finds here (some as old as 700,000 years old).

Living Coasts a wonderful wildlife attraction where visitors can come and see penguins, seals, puffins, ducks and countless other marine life in a natural surrounding.

Torquay Museum first opened in 1845, Torquay Museum is worth a visit to discover a wide range of facts about the town. There are exhibitions about everything from history and archaeology to pottery.

Compton Castle About 5 miles west of Torquay lies Compton Castle which was built in stages from the 14th to 16th centuries. The castle itself is a notable attraction but the surrounding grounds are also very popular with tourists because of the feast of lush flowers, shrubs & trees that inhabit it.

Paignton About a 15 minute drive from Torquay is the coastal town of Paignton. If youre in Torquay, its certainly worth visiting Paignton too. Though many argue that its a low-class version of Torquay, there are some nice attractions including a fair seaside resort, zoo, and the impressive Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway. A mere five miles from Paignton is the wonderful little town of Brixham its a highly popular place with tourists and its not difficult to see why – narrow, steep streets brimming with character and a cosy harbour just two of the things that visitors flock to see every year.

Brussels is known for more than just being Europes capital city and any visit to Brussels should include at least some of the below famous landmarks.

Grand Place

It all begins here Brussels most distinguished feature started life as a cobbled marketplace in around the 12th century. Many of the grandeur buildings that make up such a vivid part of Grand Place today werent erected until the 18th century.

The guildhalls that give Grand Place its identity were part of trade societies formed around the 13th century notably butchers, bakers and cloth makers. Each guildhall is distinguished by certain unique designs.

Perhaps the most admired part of Grand Place is the magnificent Hotel de Ville, which was completed in 1444 by architect Jan von Ruysbroeck. Since then, its been described as a gothic masterpiece and one of the most splendid sights in Belgium. Inside, you can take a tour and browse over some wonderful artwork and tapestry from the 15th century. Take in the breathtaking majesty of the conference room boasting ancient tapestry and the Aldermens Room where even today the Mayor holds certain prolific meetings. The final masterpiece of Hotel de Ville is its exquisite belfry described as one of the finest in the world. Now, the Hotel de Ville is the town centre of Brussels.

The Maison du Roi was built in 1536 by (then) Spanish rulers and now houses a fine collection of art, tapestries and Manneken Pis from the 16th century. Meaning Kings House Maison du Roi is now the setting for Musee de la Ville de Bruxelles a collection of medieval art. If youre planning on seeing a number of museums during your stay in Brussels then you may benefit from a Brussels Card which offers free entry to 30 museums for 30 Euros the holder also gets unlimited access on public transport and discounts on various additional attractions and eateries.

Le Pigeon is known as being the home of Victor Hugo, the famous French writer in 1852 after he fled France following the French insurrection and La Maison des Boulangers was built by the guild of bakers a testimony to their power and wealth at the time. Maison des Tailleurs is made famous by the statue of patron saint St Barbara this was the guild of tailors.

One of the best experiences of visiting Brussels is to enjoy a coffee or beer at one of the cafes set within Grand Place and watch the bustle of tourists potter along the cobbled streets while viewing the grandeur.

If you intend on having something to eat in and around Grand Place then theres no shortage of options. If youre in the mood for traditional Belgian fare, try tKelderke which serves up the usual offering of moules et frites at reasonable prices. Katyas Kitchen is also an interesting establishment serving up a variety of cuisine including Asian and more traditional Belgian dishes. There are other restaurants within a stones throw of Grand Place so if these dont take your fancy simply take to the streets until something does.

Try coming back to see Grand Place at night the busy atmosphere and night lights make it a truly enriching experience.

Parc du Cinquantenaire

Beautiful, tree-lined Parc du Cinquantenaire was built as a tribute to the golden celebrations for Belgian independence in 1880. The famous Arc de Triomphe landmark was completed several years after the park was built.

The park houses the Musee de lArmee which is a museum describing Belgiums military history and includes various artefacts stretching back to over two centuries. The gateway into the city is marked by the Central Archway. Interestingly, the park is also home to Autoworld which has hundreds of classic cars on display. Also worth a visit is Musee du Cinquantenaire which has international artefacts from civilisations dating back to the 15th century.

Aside from the many features of Parc du Cinquantenaire its also a very plesant place to take a relaxing stroll indeed its one of the most loved places by the locals who come in droves during weekends and public holidays.

Quartier Royal

Once upon a time the Quartier Royal was the home of Belgian Royalty, though this is no longer the case (the Royal family are now situated in Laeken). Even so, the Quartier Royal are grand and handsome grounds with an eventful history including being utterly destroyed by a fire in 1731 before being rebuilt by the 19th century.

Stretching over a mile long, Rue Royal runs from Quartier Royal to the pleasant Jardin Botanique and is a pleasant way of seeing some fine architecure. The Quartier Royal also houses the Palais Royal, Palais de la Nation and Palais des Academies. The Palais Royal remains the largest of the palaces set within Quartier Royal and boasts a fine throne room, long gallery displaying ceiling paintings and the hall of mirrors. Its open to the public between July and September and is well worth the visit.

The attractive Parc de Bruxelles has some elegant fountains and is lined with trees the park was originally conceived in the 17th century.

Cathedrale Sts Michel et Gudule

This grand cathedral took over three centuries to complete work actually began in 1225, under Henry I (Duke of Brabant) and was completed around the 16th century under Charles V. Saint Gudule was the 7th century saint who the Cathedral was inspired after along with St Michael (Patron Saint of Brussels) whos statue can be seen in the middle of the structure. The Last Judgement window is an exquisite feature of the Cathedral indeed, its the first sight that stands out as you approach. This interesting gothic styled institution is located on Parvis St.-Gudule.

Palais de Justice

Completed in 1883, the Palais de Justice was designed by Joseph Poelaert and remains one of the distinctive constructions in Belgium and unlike many other landmark still functions as it was originally built for in this case the capital of Brussels legal courts. The Palais de Justice is situated along Place Poelaert. Very near the Palais de Justice are Les Marolles which are stuffed with little cafes and tiny shops. For some unusual bargains make your way to the junk market on Sunday mornings on Place du Jeu de Balle.

Palais dEgmont

On rue aux Laines is the unmistakable sight of Palais dEgmont originally built in the 16th century, the palace took on further historical significance in the 1970s as the place where Great Britain officially became a member of the EEC.

Musee dArt Moderne

The multi-storey building that houses this museum is almost as interesting as the exhibits inside as many of the levels are underground. The museum is located on Place Royale and as the name suggests, includes works of art from modern talent (19th century onwards). Also worth a visit is Musee dArt Ancien – displaying art dating as far back as the 15th century and includes a pleasant sculpture garden thats a delight to visit. Musee dArt Ancien is on rue de la Regence.

Le Sablon District

Known as the region where Brussels splits into two (the upper and lower region) the Place du Grand Sablon is a pleasant area with a prolific fountain and the Gothic church of Notre-Dame du Sablon. This prosperous region of Brussels is noted for housing top restaurants, bars & cafes to stop by and enjoy a bite. Aside from visiting the gothic church (completed around the mid 1500s) the Place du Petit Sablon must be seen these delightful gardens are a pleasure to amble along. Sit on the many benches available, peruse the statues and take some pictures of the fountains built to honour Counts Egmont & Hornes.

Atomium

The Atomium (located in Heysel) is one of the most distinguished landmarks of Brussels the structure a giant molecule was constructed in 1958 when Brussels held the world fair. Its well worth a trip to see this interesting structure.

Laeken

This leafy suburb situated north of Brussels is the Belgian equivalent of Windsor it is the residence of the Belgian royalty and is noted for its abundance of greenery and picture-perfect parklands.

Paris, France is the home of European refinement and love. Fashion, historical culture, and overindulgence seem to be around every turn. While there are lots of things to do in Paris, there are five attractions everyone must see at least once when they visit Paris.

Built in 1889, the Eiffel Tower is the icon of Paris. It was erected as tribute to the end of the French Revolution, but today it is one of the most well-known and most recognizable buildings in the world. The magic of the Eiffel Tower can truly be felt when you venture to the top to get a spectacular view of Paris. Going to the top of the Tower right before sunset provides the best views. Please dont try to take the stairs. You can reach the first two levels of the observation decks by foot, but why settle for that when you can ride the elevator to the very top. Somehow the sweat and gasps for breath as you hike up the flights of stairs steals from the romantic mood of the Eiffel Tower but there are the odd fitness gurus who attempt the walk or even run up. After it gets dark, you can see the lights on the Tower twinkle in the twilight. Lights go off at 2 am, so be sure to catch a glimpse before then.

The Louvre is a top attraction in Paris and one of the most famous art museums in the world. Dont make the mistake of thinking you can see it in a day. It will likely take you three days to peruse the famous art work, and take in the majesty of the Louvre. The Louvre is home to famous art like the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa. Be sure not to miss a trip to the Louvre on your next visit to Paris.

The Champs Elysees is a famous stretch of road that goes through the center of Paris. It starts at the Arc de Triomphe and goes outward to the Place de la Concorde and is lined with shops, cafes, and 5 star hotels. Bring comfortable shoes since youll want to walk down this avenue to get the full experience. Christmas and New Years are favorite times to visit the Champs Elysees for the lights and hustle and bustle of the holidays.

The Seine river winds through the center of Paris. Taking one of the available river cruises is a popular way to see the many sights of Paris. Take a cruise at night to see the lights of Paris its a whole different cruise to see the city at night.
Its also fun to walk along the banks of the Seine river. Among all the popular buildings, art, and monuments, youll find small stands where people sell tourist items and Paris memorabilia.

Take a short train ride to Versailles to visit the Chateau of Versailles, one of the largest castles in the world and home to the King. The Chateau de Versailles has more than 700 rooms, 1250 fireplaces, 2000 windows, 67 staircases, and over 1,800 acres of gardens. It is a magnificent home which has now been transformed into a museum. You can take a tour of the castle or walk the grounds yourself. There are also restaurants and outdoor restrooms available for tourists.

When vacationing in Paris, stay at Le Meridien Etoile set on the Seine River, a stones throw from the Champs Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre. This hotel features elegant rooms, fantastic room service, and the best location in Paris. These five attractions are only a small sampling of the variety of fun, interesting, and culturally educating things to do while in Paris.

Located on the sprawling banks of the river Yamuna, Delhi, the capital of India, represents an intriguing blend of a myriad of ancient and the modern civilizations, reflected not only in its diverse cultural heritage and historical monuments but also in the present social structure and lifestyles. The city chronicles the history of the various civilizations and dynasties that flourished here for over 3000 years. Their legacy survives in the many ancient monuments left behind by their rulers, each a chronicle of the glory of its times and a reflection of the prevailing cultures. The remains of seven distinctive capital cities can be seen here.

Here is a pick of the top five tourist attractions in Delhi:

Qutub Minar

A mammoth minaret (238 feet tall) built from the remains of 27 Hindu and Jain temples during the years 11931369, commemorating the victory of Qutab-ud-din over the city’s last Hindu kingdom, Qutub Minar is one of Delhis oldest monuments. Decorated with calligraphy representing verses from the Koran, it tapers from a 50-feet diameter at the base to just 8 feet at the top. The first three floors are built with red sandstone, and the upper two with white marble.

In the same complex stands a mysterious Iron Pillar, bearing fourth-century Sanskrit inscriptions from the period of King Chandragupta II, that has intrigued scientists to no end because it has withstood centuries of climatic upheavals and remained rust-free till today. A popular legend says that if you can encircle it with your arms while standing with your back touching it, any wish will be fulfilled.

Red Fort

Popularly known as Lal Quila and built by Shah Jahan during the years16181647, Red Fort, with its massive sandstone walls and exquisite architecture, is the ultimate reminder of the sheer wealth, splendor and power of the Mughal Empire. There are many must-see places within the fort, resplendent with intricate decoration, with separate rooms and balconies for the womenfolk, swimming pools, and natural air conditioning. It also houses an Archaeological Museum.

Jantar Mantar

Built in 1724 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, this esoteric, awe-inspiring salmon-colored stone-and-brick structure is an observatory used by the king for measuring time and calculating the positions of the stars and planets, and for prediction of eclipses. It houses multiple buildings with unique architectural combinations of geometrical forms, each meant for a specialized purpose of astronomical measurement.

Purana Qila (Old Fort)

Believed to have been built on the ruins of the ancient original city of Delhi (Indraprastha, founded in 3rd or 4th century B.C.), by the Afghan ruler Sher Shah during the years 15381545, the Old Fort with its massive walls and three imposing gateways gives a fair idea of its lost grandeur. It houses a small octagonal red sandstone tower, used by King Humayun as a library, the Qila-i-Kuhran Mosque, and a small archaeological museum.

India Gate

Built in sandstone, India Gate is a war memorial to commemorate the sacrifice of Indian soldiers during World War I. The sheer grandeur of the architecture of the neighboring Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhawan must not be missed, either.

So, start planning your trip!