Touring the World's Capital Cities

Hanoi is North Vietnam's lively capital city located in the north of the country and set amid the delta plains of the Red River. Compared to other southeast Asian cities that have developed into modern metropolis' at breathtaking speed, Hanoi could be described as being a provincial city. In 1882 the French built their government offices around the city's large Ho Hoan Kiem Lake.

Taipei is a pulsating metropolis in the north of the South Asian island state of Taiwan, a land of gods, spirits and temples. With around 3 million inhabitants it is the largest city in Ilha Formosa, a beautiful island that is located 130 km from the Chinese mainland. Taipei is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, a modern Asian metropolis that is full of ancient traditions.

Valletta is the capital city of the Mediterranean island of Malta and is also known as The City of Palaces. It was once inhabited in turn by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Turks and in 1530 the Order of the Knights of Malta moved its main residence to this section of the island. The former City Of Knights in which the future joins with the past.

Helsinki, the Daughter of the Baltic, the Gibraltar of the North, a dividing line between east and west and a modern and liberal minded metropolis. Founded in 1550 by Swedish king Gustav Vasa as a trading centre and in 1812 Tsar Alexander The First made it the capital of the Principality Of Finland. Helsinki is a captivating city and has rightly been declared Europe's capital of culture.

Dublin is the capital of the Irish Republic and is a city of musicians, poets and dreamers. Its Georgian buildings, whisky distilleries and historic castles are tangible and colourful reminders of bygone times and numerous well preserved buildings, cafes, churches and idyllic canals also add to the captivating atmosphere of this fun loving city.

Dublin is the capital of the Irish Republic and is a city of musicians, poets and dreamers. Its Georgian buildings, whisky distilleries and historic castles are tangible and colourful reminders of bygone times and numerous well preserved buildings, cafes, churches and idyllic canals also add to the captivating atmosphere of this fun loving city.

Phnom Penh is the reawakened capital of Cambodia and former Land Of The Khmer, now a wonderful place with all the charm of a bygone age. Today, one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in Asia is gradually recovering from the tragic events of the past. It is as though Phnom Penh is now keen to enjoy everything that was forbidden during the Vietnam War and the savage rule of the Khmer Rouge

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's modern capital city, is relatively young. It originated in the middle of the nineteenth century at the junction of the Gombak and Kelang Rivers. The Petronas Twin Towers are one of the city's main landmarks. Each tower is 452 metres tall connected by a breathtaking bridge. Tradition, history, the past, present and future, each is harmonically united in Kuala Lumpur.

Damascus is the capital of Syria and is a symbol of culture in the Near East. 100 km from the Mediterranean coast, the strategically located city was once the capital of the Umayyad. Cannons, the busts of various presidents and military vehicles are displayed in the large courtyard of the Takiyeh Mosque, an ancient Dervish monastery complex. The most beautiful capital city in the Near East.

Since the 16th century Vientiane has been the capital of Laos and is situated in the heart of Indochina. The city originated at the point at which the first navigable section of the Mekong River joins with the Gulf Of Thailand. Some signs of affluence are beginning to appear and in future years Vientiane may become yet another Asian metropolis with skyscrapers, smog and manic rush hours.

Abu Dhabi is a perfect example of the awesome transformation of a poor desert emirate into one of the richest states in the world. The capital city of the largest of the United Arab Emirates is like something from the One Thousand And One Nights. Almost overnight the Emirates has been catapulted from the Middle Ages into the twenty first century. Next to follow the oil boom is tourism.

Tripoli is the capital of the desert state of Libya. The old town is known as the Medina and with its narrow lanes and squat buildings it is a combination of Arabian, North African and Mediterranean cultures. The joie de vivre of the local people is obvious and music and dance are part of their daily life. Tripoli is one of the most spectacular places of ancient culture in North Africa.