The largest as well as the most populous continents in the world - Asia is a land of diversity with a multitude of geographies, cultures, and people. Occupying an area of about 9% of the total area of the earth’s surface, Asia is home to more than five billion people.

In other words, Asia consists of more than 60% of the world’s overall population. As a tourist destination, Asia boasts of a feast of attractions in the form of traditional cities, ancient monuments with superb architecture, museums and art galleries that throw light on the history of the place, incredible wild life, scenic mind blowing attractions, and attractions that are a blend of both east and west.

There are also a range of vibrant attractions, covering action packed beaches, bargain shopping areas, and exuberant nightclubs. Equally remarkable is the sumptuous cuisines available here, each of which is a representation of different cultures. In fact, the world’s majority of tourist attractions are found in Asia. Discussed further in this article are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Asia.

The continent of Asia is home to such incredible destinations as India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Philippines. Asia has such a great number of attractions that even a year is not enough to explore them all. For those who want to explore a range of rich culture and topography and at the same time interested in recreational pursuits, then one of the most suitable options would be to take a tour to India. Stunning beaches, gorgeous monuments, ancient temples, and lively cities, all sum up the attractions of India. Attractions, among many others, in India are Red Fort and Qutab Minar in Delhi, Taj Mahal, one of the world’s seven wonders, Khajuraho Temples in Madhya Pradesh, Elephanta Caves in Mumbai, Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Aurangabad, and Kerala’s backwaters.

For those interested in exploring the pristine beauty as well as the ancient wonders, perhaps the greatest of all attractions in Asia would be China, which boasts of such lively destinations as Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing, all of with loads of mind blowing attractions. Most popular among the attractions in China are the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, Potala Palace, West Lake, and Mogao Grottos. Another much sought after tourist destination in Asia is Japan, which is acknowledged as the Land of the Rising Sun. It features attractions such as Nara Park, Kyoto’s Higashiyama area, Kin Osaki, Himeji Castle, and Takayama in Gifu. With attractions such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is also an incredible spot in Asia.

Popular countries in Asia also include the Kingdom of Thailand, which is probably the number one tourist destination in South-East Asia. What that set apart Thailand from other spots in Asia is its breathtaking natural beauty, stunning temples, gorgeous island destinations, stupendous monuments, healthy cuisines, and above all presence of amicable Thai people.

Just few among many of the attractions in Thailand are Bangkok, the capital city; Ayutthaya, which is much famed for its Gothic ruins; Chiang-Mai, bestowed with the title ‘Rose of the North,’ Krabi, which is a paradise for enjoying a range of water sport activities; and Pattaya, one of the best resorts in Asia. Also, a tourist spot in South-East Asia is Singapore, which is an island destination situated at the Malay Peninsula’s southern tip. Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore Discovery Center, Little India, and China Town, are some of the Singapore’s landmarks.

Southeast Asia also contains incredible destinations such as Indonesia - the largest archipelagic nation in the world; Malaysia, with attractions like Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya; Philippines, with more than 7000 islands; and Burma, which is the largest country in Southeast Asia. Other top places of interest in Asia are Sri Lanka - an island destination located off the southern tip of India; Afghanistan, with a rich as well as complex history; Maldives, which consists of more than 1,000 coral islands in the Indian Ocean; Uzbekistan, one of the most popular destinations in Central Asia; Kyrgyzstan, which is probably the most popular tourist spot in Central Asia; and Bangladesh, which has to its credit a number of ancient palaces, magnificent Buddhist shrines, and beautiful monuments.

In short, Asia is truly a dream destination for every traveler.

Wild life Africa is a Safari tour company that is based in South Africa. They have over 30 years of experience taking tourists on tours to view things such as wild life reserves, and wilderness areas. They have exclusive African safari lodges and camps in which there are game rangers that have been specially trained and trackers that are on standby to take you on day and night safaris on foot and on open safari vehicles.

They have a wide range of African holiday destinations and tours to suit your needs and more importantly budget. It can be a guided tour through Namibia, or a luxury safari camp in South Africa. However they still take great pride in providing their customers with the ultimate African aafari experience. The game lodges and safari camps that are used for their itineraries are all small and also offer the best African bush experience, wonderful game viewing, high standards of service and probably the most important, a holiday that you will forever remember. Some of the safaris that they have to offer include Botswana safari camps and game Lodges, with Botswana being Southern Africa’s largest and authentic wilderness.

Next there is South Africa Safaris, Tours and Private Game Reserves which has Africa’s most famous game reserve Kruger National Park. Mozambique Safaris and Tours is a great package, the Mozambique coastline is a diving, deep sea fishing and snorkeling paradise. The shallow, crystal clear waters of Mozambique pulse with marine life including soft corals, starfish, anemones, seahorses and a wide range of beautiful fish.

Finally there is the Zimbabwe Holiday Destinations and Tours. They have a high range of diversity and attractions available and this makes Zimbabwe one of the prime African Safari Destinations. Victoria Falls happens to be Zimbabwe’s foremost attraction. This happens to be the world’s largest waterfall, 1700 meters wide plunging 100 meters down.

The land of infinite wonders, Kerala has just begun to unfold its colors to the tourists who have started to pour in hordes from all over the world to capture the true essence of this magical land better described as - God’s Own Country. With its verdant backwaters, virgin golden beaches and lush green mountains, Kerala is increasingly becoming a tourist hub attracting thousands of international and domestic tourists every year from all parts of the world playing a key role in the framing and development of the regional economy. A Kerala tour has become almost a compulsory feature of all itineraries to India.

However, it is only recently that Kerala tour has become so popular among tourists all over the world. Surprisingly enough, the sinfully tempting and exotic locales in Kerala were kept hidden from the tourist spectrum for a long time. This late limelight has, however in a way proved beneficial for Kerala- the dense forests and vast backwaters have fewer plastic bags and mineral bottles that bear traces of enthusiastic tourists all over the Indian subcontinent.

Kerala is in more ways than one, India incarnate. Be it the moist supple fertility of its soil and climate, its ancient orthodox temples or the smiling hospitality of its dark skinned people, Kerala makes for most of the Westerner’s view of India. Somehow, time has not been able to etch too deep a scar on the face of Kerala and the ancient traditionality of the place and the innate awareness of that heritage among the locals is what takes one aback at his/her first Kerala tour.

You will pass plenty of sprawling spice plantation homes and rich beach and backwater resorts on any drive on the outskirts of a city and it is fascinating to see how almost all the significant structures you pass conform to the Keralian architectural traditions- conical roofs with intricately carved wood paneling and railings, brass bells hanging at doorways and pillared conical porticos rule the show. The houseboats that take tourists along on a cruise of the backwaters are all traditional wooden houseboats that were actually used by the ancient dwellers of this ancient land to traverse the stretches of emerald backwaters that connected one island to another forming an intricate network of lakes and canals teeming with a rich store of aquatic life. The Vembanad Lake notably, is the largest lake on the Kerala Backwaters.

The ancient heritage of Kerala however, has more to offer than wooden houseboats and Chinese fishing nets- it is the wealth of the ayurveda and the masked dance of Kathakali. A Kerala tour without a therapeutic massage or a Kathakali performance is an alien concept in modern day tourism. With the mushrooming of innumerable ayurvedic spas and the promotion of Kathakali by travel agents and hotels, Kerala tours have become serious competitors of Southeast Asian destinations. The Kovalam Beach and the Varkala Beach along with the backwater lakes and the Eastern Ghats are burgeoning fast and steady into a tourism market that seems increasingly to shun the city for rustic luxury with a seasoning of the exotic.

Australia is a huge country, almost as large as the contiguous United States, and one of the most important tips for any traveler would be to give themselves enough time to really see the country. Most international visitors fly into Sydney, the country’s largest city, but the rest of this vast country, which also happens to be a continent, is well worth visiting too.

One of the biggest challenges is negotiating the huge distances; the distance from Perth on the west coast to Brisbane on the east coast is almost 2500 miles. The easiest way to travel is to fly. QANTAS serves the major cities as well as smaller places with intriguing names, Wollongong, Lord Howe Island and Doomadgee.

If you plan to see as much of the country as possible, consider buying one of the many air passes available which allow you to save money by taking a certain number of flights within a specific time period. The cost depends on the itinerary. A ticket from Perth to Cairns to Alice Springs and Melbourne might cost around $1200. You generally need to purchase these tickets outside Australia, and often in conjunction with your plane ticket to and from Australia.

If you have the time, driving is an excellent way to see the country, and to appreciate the sheer size. Car rental is easy and convenient, you will need a valid driver’s license to rent a car and you need to have it with you while driving. Many travelers even find it more economical to purchase a car and then sell it before returning home. Australian drivers are polite, and won’t tolerate drunk-driving, driving without a seat belt or talking on a cell phone while driving.

Roads are generally good in Australia, although some roads in the Outback are unpaved (or unsealed, as they are known) and can only be driven safely in a four wheel drive vehicle. If you are driving in the more remote parts of Australia, be alert for animals and “road trains”, huge tractor-trailers up to fifty yards long. Never venture into the Outback without extra water and fuel, spare tires, a rope and perhaps a satellite phone. And don’t forget, they drive on the left.

There is also a surprisingly good rail and bus network in Australia, there are several long distance bus companies, although Greyhound Pioneer Australia covers the entire country. Also, if you have the time, the train journey from Perth to Sydney is considered one of the world’s most spectacular; it also boasts one of the world’s longest straight stretches of railroad track.

If you don’t want to fly or drive, consider an escorted tour. These can vary greatly in the quality of accommodation, the length of the trip and exactly what you will see. Most tours take in the popular destinations, Sydney and the surrounding Blue Mountains, the Gold Coast, Uluru, (Ayers Rock) and the Great Barrier Reef. Darwin makes a good base for exploring the tropical north of the country and Alice Springs is convenient for exploring the Outback.

Many people visit Australia to experience native Aborigine culture. If you plan to travel on Aboriginal land, other than on a designated road, you will first need to obtain a permit from the Land Council in that state. There are plenty of places throughout the country to see Aborigines and purchase their art and crafts, but you are also expected to show respect for their sacred sights.

The unit of currency in Australia is the dollar; divided into 100 cents. At the time of this writing, Australia is affordable to American and European visitors, due to the rather favorable exchange rate. ATMs can be found in all the larger towns and the major tourist areas, although they are often hard to find in the Outback.

Credit cards, particularly Visa and MasterCard, are widely accepted. Tipping is not as common as in the US, although it’s appreciated. An inexpensive hotel room might cost somewhere between $50 and $80; a more luxurious hotel room may cost in the range of $260 to $300. Hostels and campgrounds are also widely available, reasonably priced and popular with families and backpackers.

The internet has meant that trip planning and keeping in touch has become easier. Australia is no exception. Internet access is widely available, even in the remotest Outback settlements. Australians use 240 volts AC, so you will need to take an adaptor for electrical appliances.

One of the easiest aspects about traveling through Australia is that the language is familiar. Although, you may come across such strange things as thongies, billabongs, sheilas and, as Australians are well known for their hospitality, possibly an invitation to a shrimp on the barbie.

Kampala was built on a seven breath taking hills, cut up by delightful valleys, and swamps traversed by sluggish streams, giving it entrancing cinerary. Kampala hills not only provide a back drop of the city and a panoramic view from any direction, but its living history and definition. The seven hills on which the city was gradually built are: Rubaga, Namirembe (Mengo), Makerere, Kololo, Kibuli, Kampala (old Kampala) and Mulago. The three hills are dedicated to God: The catholic hill of Rubagga; Namirembe hill provides the headquoters of the Bristish church missionary society, and Kibuli is Muslim. Kololo and Nakasero were assigned for diplomatic, residential and administrative purposes. Mulago was set a side as the hill of the sick and Makerere, the tower of knowledge. Kampala hill remains a Fort, Muslim new mosque headquarters and a small administrative centre.

Kampala the garden city of Africa grew into Uganda capital partly from historic accidents that started over centuries ago in the Kingdom of Buganda. Thought slightly over a 100 years old, the city is now firmly east established as one of the fasted growing commercial and business city on the continent, home to more than 2 million people.

Its form this development that Kampala manage to host the Common Wealth meeting in 2007, which lead to the development and rehabilitation of New Hotels around.

The word Kampala come from the word “Impala” a type of antelope, which the 19th century Kings of Buganda used to graze on the slop of the hill near Mengo palace. Most of the are were the present day Kampala stands was wetland and mash, dominated by rolling hills, an ideal habitat for the impala, grazed on the hills and came down to the wetlands for water.

In those days places were named after events or things associated with them. So the Bristish reffered to the area as the Hill of the Impala Kasozi Kampala. So, whenever the Kabake (king) left his palace to go hunting, the Royal guards could tell his visitors that he had gone to Kampala to hunt; the name Kampala stuck.

The Name”hill of the Impala” was given specifically to the hill on which captain Fredrick Lord Lugard, a British admistrator, established his camp in December 1890. this hill was the imperial Bristish East African Company’s administrative headquarters until 1894, when the company collapsed and the headquarters of the protectorate was transferred to Entebbe. A small building existed on the hill was the new mosque is built; the building which is next to the mosques formed the first museum between 1908-1910. Unfortunately the site is not accessed to the public as it is the home of the Uganda Muslim Supreme council.

At this tinny Fort and administrative post, Lugard Hoisted the Imperial British East African company flag on December 18th, 1890; it was replaced by the union jack on April 1, 1893. The fort at Kampala hill (now known as Old Kampala) attracted several hundred people and a small township developed. Soon, traders erected shops at the foot hill.

After this foundation was laid just before the turn of the 20th century, kampala began a speed development. Its physical and climatological factors favoured it more than any other spot for modernisation. Kampala was also advantage as easy access to Entebbe (the colonial capital and gateway to Uganda for most international visitors), its central position. By 1900 the confines of the fort had become too small for the distractive purposes, so it was decided to move the colonial offices and government residences to Nakasero hill. Shops and other commercial premises followed and flourished.

Asian entrepreneurs flocked in and begun controlling part of the commercial activity. While the British planned and laid development for Kampala, the Asians implemented it. They monopolised the serene business life rapidly growing town.

With improvements of communication the growth of Kampala was assured. Between 1911 and 1945, Kampala’s expansion followed closely the Patten of international events. World wars led to the depressions, while post-war years saw a boom impetus and trade expansion.

The commercial and administrative growth was replicate in the Kampala’s population growth rate. The population stress in the city placed more additional demands on social and physical infrastructures, including housing, water sanitation, electricity, health units and schools. From 1930s steady progress was made to provide piped water, electricity (at first by generators) hard roads drainage services and water-born sanitation. The church missionary society had already established a hospital at Mengo hill in 1897; the British set up Mulago hospital in the early 1920s. These services contributed to the improvement of health and other social facilities, and subsequent status of all municipalities bestowed onto Kampala on January 1, 1949.

In the field of education, work on Makerere College (now Makerere University) started in 1922 at Makerere hill. Dozens of primary and secondary schools have been built in and around Kampala were also built till date. Missionaries and Asians took the lead in the sector were Luganda, gujrat, urdu, and English were the major languages of instructions in schools.

After 1945 Kampala’s development kept pace with increasing volume of commercial activities. This was particularly so in the 1950 s, which saw tremendous construction of new office block, residential houses, maintenance of 160 km of roads in the town ship and the landscaping of kololo Airstrip ( now the national Heroes’ cemetery).

To safeguard and protect the development work and projects, the British installed soldiers at strategic hill around Kampala. These military stations were transformed into fully-fledged barracks. These were: Makindye , Mengo ( later referred to as Lubiri ) ,Kireka and Mbuya .

Kampala has undergone a remarkable transformation since its conception in the 1890s. In physical size it has grown from 19 square kilometres to the present 80 square kilometres, an expansion that has been reflected administratively.

In 1906 the settlement was declared a township. In 1950 the first mayor of Kampala, Sir Amar Maini (C.B.E) was appointed. 9 the current mayor, Mr John Ssebagala-Kisito, is the seventh mayor) On January 1, 1962, Kampala became a city council. The City had kept its peace and had blossomed. Hence, on the day Uganda was granted independence, October 9th 1962, Kampala was finally declared capital of Uganda.