A proud home to the sporting teams Tigers, Pistons, Lions and Redwings, Detroit is definitely a city to see and take the time to explore its rich history and multicultural areas. Here’s some inspiration:

1. Old Saint Mary’s Church

Source: Flickr

The third oldest German Roman Catholic church in the Greektown district of Detroit, was first built here in 1841, that makes parts of this church really, really old. The inside is extremely impressive and calming. There’s daily mass at 12.15pm, and Sundays at 2pm there’s a whole program to enjoy of music from the choirs, organs and string instruments.

Built in a Romanesque style with Venetian accents, you don’t have to be catholic to enjoy a visit to the Old Saint Mary’s Church, just respectful, as its really, quite beautiful.

2. The Fisher Building

Another wonderful art deco building rich with Detroit history is the Fisher Building. 30 stories and 21 elevators, this building was built in 1928 by the Fisher family. After numerous owners it sold in 2015 at a loss at 12.2 million.

A silver medal for architecture this building is also home to the Fisher theatre, one of Detroit’s oldest live theatre venues, and regularly host art exhibitions. Love your architecture? Then you’ll love the Fisher building.

3. The Detroit people Mover

The Detroit People mover is the city’s light rail train system. Opened in 1987, this monorail was meant to be the next big thing for the city but after small success, and a scale back on planning, this left only one track for the sidecar in completion. The People Mover today is not a bad way to get around town, when you need to travel in one direction. You are touring above the street and get to see lots of the city scoot past as you travel from one station to the next. 13 stops in all, one round trip is very affordable and you can say you’ve been people moved by the city of Detroit. This is an underestimated gem of Detroit and one to get into.

4. William Livingstone Memorial

This great big marble lighthouse was erected April 8, 1930, atop the east end of Belle Isle Park. It commemorated the life and work of banker, publisher and transportation aficionado, and all round great guy, William Livingstone. This lighthouse was built to remember his work shipping on the great lakes and preserved as a memorial because he did so much for Michigan.

Sitting 80 feet high you can’t actually go in to the lighthouse, but admire it from behind the fence, which is not too bad, as it’s a beautiful sight to see.

5. Museum of African American History

This museum celebrates and explores the culture and history of African Americans. Established in 1965, the museum aims to preserve black history and is a cultural icon in the city of Detroit. As well as 35,00 artefacts the museum also has a library, a theatre, research centre and gift shop. The run permanent and visiting exhibitions, and have an events calendar running concerts, screening, performances and lectures.

Open Tuesday to Sunday (Mondays as well in February for Black History Month) Tickets are very affordable at $5 for children and seniors and $8 for adults.

6. Mexicantown

Source: Flickr

Mexicantown – The name says it all! You guessed it. This part of Detroit was named for the settling of the Mexican population in the town in the 1940’s. It grew in waves of immigrants then in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s and is now a vibrant place to see in the city. Colourful buildings, memorials and street art and the neighbourhood is full of restaurants. Are you hungry for Mexican food? Definitely make your way down and try one of the many traditional restaurants in the area, try a few if you have the time!

Further reading:

• Official tourism office on Visit Detroit
• Detroit’s top 25 on The Crazy Tourist
• Timeline of the Rise and Fall of Detroit on The Week

Semarang has loads of options to delight and amaze your tastebuds – everything from very modest food stalls to spectacular fancy restaurants, and almost every dish you come across can be amazing. This central Java city has plenty to attract those in search of great food and decent places to stay and if you appreciate simple online hotels booking Whiz Hotel Semarang makes things easy. The design of the building is awesome and the rooms are clean, comfortable and smell good. Hungry yet?

Lekker
Lekker (similar to what Europe serves as a crêpe) are different across Indonesia. Unlike the ones in Jakarta which are thin and crunchy and only come with chocolate the local favourite, Lekker Paimo comes in a variety of flavours. They are I can absolute taste sensation, you’ll never be able to have just one.

Loenpia

This is an absolute classic dish and one you will find served at all levels of gastronomy, right across the city. These flavoursome little spring rolls full of bamboo shoots, dried shrimp, chicken, and prawns are a real local favourite so you’ll see plenty of varieties. If you really want the best go for loenpia gang lombok or loenpia mbak lien.

Tahu Pong
Fried tofu can be a bit hit or miss, if it’s not flavoured properly it can be quite bland. However, served the local way it’s creamier inside than the normal white tofu, and with a splash of plecing (sweet sauce) it is absolutely delicious. This is one of the traditional foods of the area and you might see it alongside other favourites such as sliced raw cabbage, rice cake, egg, and shrimp fried with flour.

Wingko Babat

This is one of the dishes this city is known for. These luscious little pancakes with grated coconut have a subtle but striking flavour and make a good snack for any time of the day. Get them in either a large, plate-sized cake or small, paper wrapped nuggets of delicious.This one is to be particularly recommended, don’t leave without trying one.

Presto Milkfish
Seafood is always good in this town but this flavoursome dish of fish steamed in banana leaves. Packed full of spices there is enough ginger, turmeric and roasted coriander in the recipe t really pack a punch. When the fish goes in it’s covered in little spikes but the high-pressure cooking method leaves them soft and add texture to this traditional dish. Don’t be put off, they’re a real treat.

There’s lots of European influence to Semarang food and it’s a delight to get stuck into these tasty and fragrant local dishes. Wherever you go you’ll find great value and even greater variety. Go on, get stuck in!

If cycling is your thing then perhaps you should consider spending your next vacation on a cycling holiday. England has some absolutely fantastic places for you to cycle and many areas that are fully geared up for those looking for a biking holiday. Such is the varied landscape of England, there are lots of options for cyclists whether you prefer some adrenalin fuelled downhill biking, some casual cycling along flat roads or something a little more arduous like a cycling tour. In order to help you decide where to go, here is a run down of some of England’s best locations for a cycling holiday.

Yorkshire

Yorkshire has steadily grown a reputation as one of the best places to cycle in the UK, so much so that the 2015 Tour de France actually started in the English county. The Yorkshire Dales is where you should be heading if you are looking for a cycling holiday, a vast region of fields, greenery, wooded areas and most importantly, plenty of cycling trails. The Dales attracts thousands of cyclists each year and as such there is something of a community that has built up over the years which means there is plenty of people to help you find your way and plenty of options for you if you have any troubles.

Cornwall

If cycling along beautifully rugged coastal terrain is what you’re after then look no further than Cornwall on England’s south coast. This part of England has a far milder climate than the rest of the country giving you more days to be able to cycle and along it’s coastline has some beautiful little fishing villages and some busy harbour towns as well. There is a trek available that will take you right the way along the Cornish coast taking in places like Newquay, Padstow and St. Ives, beautiful places to see and lots of options for accommodation in all. Generally speaking the roads are flat and not too arduous but there are some rugged areas to watch out for, remember to stay safe when you cycle and use a helmet, head to Simpson Millar for some more information on how to stay safe when you cycle and what to do if you have an accident.

Lake District

The Lake District is a national park in the North of England, an area that is considered by many as an ideal location for hikers and climbers. Whilst this is true, it is also a perfect location for cyclists of all types. Firstly, there is a huge variety of accommodation available from B and B’s to hotels, hostels and guesthouses. Secondly there are over 100 cycling routes that have been mapped out around these areas that range greatly in difficulty from slow climbs to heart pumping downhill tracks. Finally, you will be cycling through some of the finest landscape in the country, amongst flora and fauna, lakes, mountains and forests, a perfect combination.

When you turn up for your cruise, departure day can go very smoothly, or it can be very stressful. It all comes down to careful planning on your part. Make sure your departure day goes as smoothly as possible by following some simple tips, and get your dream cruise off to the best possible start.

Know the Boarding Procedure

All cruise lines will have a slightly different boarding procedure. You should try to find out a bit about this when you book your cruise using an online comparison site so that you know what to expect.

In general, when you arrive at the terminal, you will go through the check-in and security, during which your luggage will be scanned. You will then leave your luggage with the baggage handlers who will take it away and deliver it to your cabin. You will also have to hand over all of your documents so your identity can be checked, and you may then have your photograph taken for security. You may also have to complete a medical questionnaire.

You will normally be given an ID card, which you will use to get on and off the ship and to pay for items on board, and it will sometimes also be the key to your cabin.

Once you have completed check-in, you will go to a waiting area. The suite customers will often board first, followed by groups and wedding parties. However, this depends on the cruise line. When your turn comes, you will go on board and your ID will be checked again. Personnel will greet you when you get on board, and sometimes you will be led to your cabin. However, you may be have to find your cabin yourself with the help of a map.

Prepare Your Documents in Advance

Make sure you have everything you need before you leave home. Check and double check that you have your passport, ticket, insurance, and any receipts for excursions you have booked. Keep them together in one place and don’t leave home without them.

Take a Small Day Pack

Your suitcases will be taken to your cabin, but this process may take a few hours, so it is a good idea to take a small day pack with you that you do not mind carrying around. Use this to pack the essentials such as your medications, something to do while waiting in the queue, and maybe even a change of clothes.

Don’t Be Late

Don’t make the boarding process more stressful by having to rush from the airport. The best idea is to arrive the day before boarding, but if you arrive on the same day, arrange your transfer in advance. Have a plan written out so you know exactly where to go and what time the boarding starts, and this will help you to avoid rushing.

You could aim to get there just after boarding in order to miss the queues, but be careful if you do this because you do not want to arrive too late.

Enjoy a Great Start to Your Cruise

Don’t start off your cruise badly by failing to plan properly for departure day. Familiarise yourself with the boarding procedure, pack appropriately, don’t make it into mad rush, and carry everything you need for the first day. Then you can ensure a smooth, stress-free process so that you can enjoy the best start possible to your dream cruise.

Ryan Posa founded Cruise Republic in 2008 after being the District Sales Manager for Carnival Australia. Passionate about the travel experiences and opportunities offered aboard a ship, he often blogs about his favourite cruise destinations and tips for a successful modern cruise vacation. See Ryan’s Tweets here.

Passionate about travel? Here is the list of lively cities, which are highly popular across the globe for their iconic monuments, natural beauty, museums and breathtaking architecture –with that little something extra that makes them the most compelling and interesting destinations for travel enthusiasts.

Berlin

A passionate city, Berlin enthrals everyone with its intricate architecture, vibrant culture, sumptuous food and profound history. Owing to its unparalleled aura, Berlin city attracts people from far and beyond. Boasting rich culture and history, including the fall of the Berlin Wall, even today the legacy of this city continues in places like Checkpoint Charlie, the East Side Gallery and the Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer.

If you plan to visit this city, do not miss to explore a group of treasure houses and Berlin’s ‘Louvre, which are the highlights of the city’s museum landscape. Berlin’s ‘Louvre has been declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The interesting thing is that it showcases the art and cultural history from the Stone Age to the 19th century.

Paris

Paris is a picturesque 19th-century cityscape, famous for its dynamic culture, fashion and cuisine. Also known as a romantic city, Paris is full of grand restaurants, glamorous boulevards, manicured gardens and enchanting architectural icons. You can spot couples enjoying a walk down the serene Canal St-Martin or simply getting close and personal in restaurants and wine bars over a candle-lit dinner.

Eat in as many cafes, bistros and brasseries and shop in some high-end boutiques to experience the true taste of Parisian culture. Apart from Eiffel tower, some of the popular sights to explore and various things to do in Montmartre, The Louvre, Notre Dame and The Musée d’Orsay’s.

Barcelona

Popular for its quirky art and architecture, Barcelona offers diverse variety of things to do. The small alleys in Barri Gòtic, countless tapas restaurants, nightclubs on beachside, old cathedrals, and vibrant street life defines the cosmopolitan city of Spain-Barcelona. The city is one of the famous tourist destinations amongst young couples and families alike.

Tour and explore some breathtaking Spanish architect including the world famous Sagrada Família and mouth-watering Spanish cuisine, which is influenced by regional delicacies while the cooking methods are influenced by the geography and climate of this area.

Sited between the sea and the mountains, it offers the best of both worlds.

Miami

A vibrant city, Miami is all about dazzling sandy and sunny beaches. Nestled on the Atlantic coast at Florida’s south-eastern tip, Miami city offers multiple enticements for everyone. Popular place to explore here is the South Beach and the nearby area-popular for impressive art deco buildings. The city is famed for its white sand, colourful buildings and fancy nightclubs and its pleasing winter climate, which makes it a highly popular holiday destination.

Miami is a famous destination for a slow cruise and some excellent structures like the Beacon Hotel, the Colony Hotel and Waldorf Towers. Overall, the city is a great holiday destination for those who are looking for some hottest spots and beautiful locations to explore.

Choose any of the destinations, pack your bagpack and take on the tour to create lifelong memories. Before heading to any of these destinations, make sure to book your accommodation prior to the visit, so that you know where to go while you are in a completely new city. If you are looking for homely stay, it is good to book a serviced apartment to make your trip comfortable and hassle-free.