STI: dr hols

June 16, 2009

dr hols

I am planning a trip to Germany for two weeks in December. What activities and sights would you recommend?

Danielle Xu

If you are going to Berlin, the tourist hotspots are the Berlin Wall, the Reichstag German Parliament building, the World War II ravaged tower of Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and the grand 17th century Charlottenburg Palace.

There are a handful of museums in the city, ranging from art to history.

If you are interested in getting a glimpse of Nazi horrors during World War II, go to the Topography Of Terror.

The open-air museum, which preserves the remaining part of the Berlin Wall, includes exhibitions of the excavated remains of basement prison cells.

The city is also known for its theatre and opera. Check out the famous 100-year-old Friedrichstadt Palast, located in the centre of the city, for current shows.

I am planning to visit Rome after watching the film Angels & Demons. What are some of the places I should visit?

Jessica Lee

The places that were featured in the film, such as the famous Vatican City, Colosseum and the Pantheon are definitely 'must-sees'.

If you are into art and museums, visit the Villa Borghese in Campo Marzio. It houses 15th- to 18th-century paintings and sculptures, including works of famous Impressionist artists such as Monet and Van Gogh.

The Piazzas, such as the huge and famous Piazza del Popolo, are also worth visiting for their rich history and monuments.

While you are sightseeing from one place to another, do cool off with refreshing Italian gelato ice cream. There are many gelato shops around the city, so take your pick.

For those interested in shopping, check out Castel Romano, which is just outside the city. The factory outlet has more than 110 branded shops with discounts of up to 70 per cent.

If you are planning a day outside Rome, do visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa City.

I am thinking of going to Egypt. Besides visiting the famous pyramids, what other activities does the country have to offer?

Para Raja Singham

When you have seen the pyramids, take a cruise down the Nile River.

Traversing one of the world's longest rivers is a great way to see Egypt. You will get to check out other beautiful Egyptian sights such as the Valley of the Kings and Queens in Luxor and the Aswan High Dam in Aswan.

There are jeep safari tours where you can chase bounding gazelles and spot other animals that live in the desert. You can also go sand surfing or dune bashing to explore the sand dunes.

If you like to scuba-dive, check out the world-famous dive sites in Marsa Alam. Located in the south of Egypt, the waters of the Red Sea are a clear blue and you can spot dugongs and sea turtles among colourful reefs.

Boat trips to off-shore islands are also available.

For shopping, Cairo has malls and bazaars that offer hand-woven carpets, jewellery and papyrus paintings.