The Kilkenny Observer Friday 03 June 2022
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Travel & Leisure PART 2 OF A SERIES In Lower Manhattan there are loads of great things to do there like exploring (and eating) in Little Italy and Chinatown, going thrift and book shopping and visiting the Oculus. Head even farther south and you’ll hit Battery Park, the place to grab the ferry to visit the Statue of Liberty. When it comes to nature there are two particularly beautiful places to visit in NYC. First up is of course Central Park. One of the best things to do is to cycle through the park. Second up is the fantastic High Line. The High Line was an old railway line that was no longer used. It was regenerated and filled with plants, benches, little food stalls and much more. It is a lovely place to spend an afternoon. For something a little different get the ferry out to Governor’s Island. It s open May through October and has many live events. It is another great place to cycle in New York City. Washington Square isn’t the greenest park you’ll ever visit but it has so much character and life in it and there is always something interesting going on. NYC has so many extraordinary buildings. The most beautiful is the Chrysler Building, and the art deco wonder that is Grand Central Station. And Rockefeller Centre is just stunning at Christmas time. 7. Vancouver Lovely Vancouver is a physically beautiful city. It is surrounded by both snow topped mountains and blue sea. Stanley Park is perhaps its most famous landmark. This park is on the peninsula and covers over 400 hectares. Granville Island was once highly industrial but is now home to stores, theatres, galleries, restaurants and So, this is how it goes... You go on holiday, pick up a rental car, venture out onto the roads... and it’s bedlam. Not only have you got new highway codes and road signs to grapple with, but you’ve got different driving norms, too. It can be absolute chaos. But have you ever wondered which European country’s drivers are the worst? A study by French motorway operator Vinci Autoroutes reckons it has found out. Called the ‘European Barometer On Responsible Driving’, the study surveyed 12,400 Europeans (from 11 countries) earlier this year on how they perceive their own driving, the driving of their countrymen and of others around Europe. Across the continent, 79% of replies had a negative view of fellow drivers. In the UK, a quarter said they were a completely different person behind the wheel, while in Poland 42% said that driving is
of this stunning museum/ church. Both the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofya are particularly stunning at sunset. Topkapi Palace is a favourite Istanbul tourist attractions. This palace was used between the 15th and 19th centuries and apparently was a hot place to go during the Ottoman Empire. lt is stunning and filled with lots of fantastic Instagram opportunities, particularly the colourful tiles. The Grand Bazaar or Kapali Carsi is the largest covered market in Turkey with over 4,000 shops. This market contains everything you could ever imagine needing. The market is 30,700 square metres and has 60 streets and is a must in any Istanbul itinerary.
Your guide to the great cities of the world the Granville Island Public Market. Kitsilano Beach is where locals go to swim in the outdoor heated seawater pool or to lie on the beach in the summer. Kitsilano has some great restaurants, fantastic views over Vancouver and Vanier Park is nearby. Gastown is the oldest part of the city and filled with historic buildings, cobblestone streets and iron lampposts. The roof of Canada Place was designed to look like a sailing ship. Which is appropriate given that it is probably the first place you will visit in Vancouver if you arrive in the city by sea. Even if you haven t arrived by sea, head down to Canada Place for some fantastic views, a flight simulator experience and the beginning of a scenic walk to Stanley Park.
8. Cape Town Like Vancouver, Cape Town is an extraordinarily beautiful physically. It is a waterfront town, sitting on the Atlantic Ocean. And then behind the city is the majestic Table Mountain. Table Mountain is synonymous with Cape Town. Rising nearly 1000 metres south of the city centre it is visible from many points. Depending on when you visit or the time of day it may be wearing its famous tablecloth which is cloud sitting on its top. A cable car will take you to the top of Table Mountains in seven minutes. If you re looking for something more active a walk/climb to the top takes between two and four hours. It is tough going but well worth it for the views and the satisfaction. Signal Hill is just a five
The worst drivers in Europe
minute drive from the city centre and has fantastic views of Cape Town and Table Bay from a more manageable 350 metres. It is a very popular spot to watch the sunset in Cape Town. This is also where the noon gun is fired each day at 12. If you re looking for beautiful beaches head to Camps Bay or Clifton, about 6 kms from the centre of the city. For entertainment, great food, shopping and a generally buzzy atmosphere head to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. 9. Istanbul Istanbul in Turkey is literally where east meets west. This beautiful city is the perfect place to get your feet wet so to speak if you re keen to explore the Middle East or Africa. This atmospheric city has all the magic of the Middle East and
North Africa with a slightly more European feel. The Blue Mosque in the late afternoon, a highlight of a week in Turkey The Blue Mosque is possibly Istanbul s most famous attraction. The mosque has six minarets or towers and several domes. It isn’t actually blue but it was named the Blue Mosque because of its beautiful interior tiles but it is absolutely stunning. Hagia Sofya has had several lives. It began as an Orthodox Cathedral and was turned into a mosque. In 1935, Ataturk proclaimed it a museum although it is still considered by many to be the second biggest cathedral in the world. Up to 30 million tiny gold mosaic tiles cover the interior of the church. Yes, 30 million. Make sure you head up the stairs to the mezzanine as it provides one of the best views
10. Quebec City Quebec City is the only walled city in North America and a UNESCO-listed site. I was quite blown away by the beauty of Quebec City when I visited. Unlike some of the other cities in this post, the base of Quebec City s beauty isn t natural. It is a mix of beautiful architecture, the height given by its cliff location above St Lawrence River and the French influence. Quebec City is divided into the upper town and the lower town. The two towns are connected by both a funicular and winding streets. The lower town of Quebec City is filled with cute little cobblestone streets and squares. There are many cute stores and restaurants in this atmospheric area. Don’t miss Quartier Petit-Champlain. A great way to get some fantastic views of this beautiful city is to take the Quebec-Levis Ferry. This ferry regularly crosses the St Lawrence River between Quebec City and Levis. Dusk is a great time to take the ferry for beautiful views. about ‘every man for himself’. Of all the countries in the study, however, it’s Greece that really stands out. A huge 91% of Greeks had something negative to say about other countries’ drivers, while they also reported the most ‘uncivil behaviour’ from their own drivers. For swearing, beeping, tailgating, driving on the phone and even getting out of your car to confront other drivers, Greece ranked very highly indeed. In other words, if you’re planning a road trip through Greece this summer, you best be ready for one hell of a ride. But Vinci’s study isn’t all about the negative stuff. The Spanish and British, for instance, are the least judgemental about the driving of people in other countries, while the German responses were rather favourable of their own countrymen – reporting that very few of their fellow drivers were aggressive or irresponsible.
