Amazing Africa

About the destination: With a mild, sandy Mediterranean coast, perfumed with jasmine and sea breezes, Tunis is reinventing itself as an ambitiously modern Arab capital. The city is eager to preserve its Mediterranean traditions as well as its Arabic and African roots. This attitude is reflected in its architecture, with the old Arab medina situated next to the French colonial Ville Nouvelle (New Town). Like any other Arabic metropolis, the medina is the historic and spiritual heart of the city. The labyrinthine streets of the medina are packed with people selling, buying and transporting goods, enveloped in the aroma of spices. The contrast with the palm trees and café terraces of the ville nouvelle's avenue Habib Bourguiba could not be more stark. Old men in traditional attire watch suited office workers and the young pass by in jeans and shirts: this is Tunis. In the suburbs are the magnificent Bardo Museum and the impressive and enigmatic ruins of ancient Carthage, from where Hannibal set out to drive his elephants over the Alps. Also nearby is Tunisia's most beautiful village, Sidi Bou Said, an inspiration to many artists, and the stunning white-sand beaches of La Marsa. Tunis is a vibrant yet relaxed capital city that celebrates its Western and Eastern influences and proudly displays its cultural heritage.

About the destination: Gateway to the desert and the south, Marrakech is overwhelming like no other imperial city of Morocco. Its reddish-pink streets and lanes are full of sounds, sights, smells and life. The mid-summer heat is enough to knock most tourists for six. The best times to explore Marrakeck are early morning, early evening, and winter, during winter temperatures are mild, but drop significantly at night, due to the cold air from the High Atlas. The Djemaa El-Fna, Assembly of the Dead, is anything but what its name suggests. A hot and crowded market by day, the Djemaa really kicks off at sunset when the entertainers take over. This chaotic outdoor circus offers a microcosm of Morocco at its most exotic. The massive audience clusters in tight circles around the diverse cast of performers. Almost every tour of Marrakech begins at the 12th century Koutoubia Mosque, with its magnificent minaret presiding over the Djemaa. The minaret, topped by a lantern of three golden spheres, is the oldest and purest surviving example of the architecture of the Almohads. The city’s two most breathtaking monuments date from the 16th century. Feast your eyes and cool off at the ornate Ben Youssef Madrassa, the largest Qur’anic school in North Africa. Even more lavish are the dazzling Saadian Tombs, modelled on the interior of the Alhambra in Granada. The view from the terrace at the Badi Palace, now in ruins, is majestic. Close by we find the 19th century Bahia Palace. It is an ornate and beautiful palace with peaceful fountained gardens. To escape from the relentless midday sun, wander in the lush Menara Gardens and lounge in the charming lakeside pavilion. Marrakech is noisy, busy, dusty and chaotic. It is a visual and sensory feast of colour, diverse cultures, architecture and design. Marrakech delivers an exotic and exciting taste of Africa and the best part is that it is only a few hours away from Europe by plane.

About the destination: Dakar, the capital of Senegal, is situated at the most westerly point of the African continent. Dakar is a vibrant, expanding and evolving capital with modern buildings, working-class neighbourhoods and busy, crowded markets in the Medina area. Dakar, like many cities in the developing world, is heavily influenced by its colonial past, which is still evident in some of its architecture. But don't be mistaken, Dakar is proudly African, colourful and genuine. The Plateau, historically the French area of the city, still has a very European character. Many parts of the urban landscape are indistinguishable from a street in a French city. This is where the city's major banks and businesses are located. European style cafés and shops are also found throughout the area. Historical buildings such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Presidential Mansion and the railway station are also located here. Other important attractions in Dakar are the African Renaissance Monument, Ile de Goree, the Place de l'independence, Dakar Grand Mosque and Dakar Cathedral. Dakar is a bustling, charming and sometimes chaotic city of typical West African character.

About the destination: Cape Town is the second biggest city in South Africa and is the capital of the Western Cape Province, as well as being the legislative capital of South Africa, Cape Town houses the parliament even though the capital of South Africa is Pretoria. Cape Town is located at the foot of Table Mountains which is encircled by both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean. Cape Town is a place that has everything from stunning mountains and brilliant beaches to picturesque mountain ranges and tasty wine routes. Have a wander around Green market square or through the squirrel filled gardens by the SA Cultural History Museum just off the main Adderley Street. The esplanade in the shadows of the City Hall serves as a stage for political rallies as well as a market selling everything from food to clothes. The Castle of Good Hope overlooks the esplanade and it is the oldest colonial building in South Africa. One of the oldest residential areas of Cape Town, the Bo Kaap is a unique neighbourhood with a strong cultural and social history. Visit Nobel Square and see a tribute to four of South Africa's Nobel Peace Prize winners. Cape Town has some of the best beaches in Africa, all of which have the clean white beach sand unique to the Cape. Cape Town is a spectacular place with something for everyone, sun, beaches, friendly folk, African culture, good grub, great wine and fantastic scenery. What are you waiting for?

About the destination: Toamasina, a bhfuil "cosúil le salann" nó "salainn" mar chiall aige, go neamhoifigiúil agus i bhFraincis freisin Tamatave, is í príomhchathair an réigiúin Atsinanana ar chósta thoir Madagascar ar an Aigéan Indiach. Is í an chathair an príomhphort farantóireachta na tíre, suite ó thuaidh thoir a príomhchathair agus a cathair is mó Antananarivo, in aice lár an chósta thoir. PRÍOMHATRAICHTÍ TURASÓIREACHTA - Place de la colonne - Tuama Belasety - Musée de l'Université - Musée du Port - Palais des enfants - Easanna Ivondro - Oileán Prune

About the destination: Cairo, one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East, is the capital of Egypt. Cairo has been a centre of great importance to many civilisations, cultures and religions. From Pharaonic and Greco-Roman to Ottoman and European, and passing by Jewish, Christian, and Islamic, each of its identities has left a strong imprint on Cairo, thus making it one of the most fascinating cities in the world. The Giza Plateau, that includes the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, is the only remaining monuments of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the country's most famous tourist attraction. The sheer mass of the pyramids is awe inspiring. Islamic Cairo, the centre of historic Cairo, is best done on foot. Located east of downtown, it is full of charming little mosques and water fountains. The most important sites to visit are the Citadel, Mohamed Ali Mosque, Khan el Khalili, the main bazaar, some historic mosques and displays of medieval architecture, as well as some of Cairo's Turkish baths or Hammams. No visit to Cairo is complete without seeing the Egyptian Museum. Exotic atmosphere, chaotic traffic, thousands of minarets, noise, charming people, Cairo is a fascinating city. Few cities in the world surpass Cairo in number of monuments or architectural styles. Cairo is not an ordinary city, Cairo is a whole world.