Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido. The city itself is not really beautiful, but is an excellent base for exploring the rest of the island. It has more nightlife than any other city north of Tokyo. The Susukino district has countless bars, nightclubs and hostess bars. During winter the Sapporo snow festival attracts visitors from all over the country to see the huge (15 to 20 meters high) snowsculptures that are on display all over Odori Park. You can rent cross country skis for free in Nakajima park.

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Despite its size and bustle, this is a pleasant and vibrant city, dominated to the south by the mountains that served as the location for the 1972 Winter Olympics, it is less than thirty minutes from the coast. It’s also generously endowed with parks and gardens and is laid out in an easy-to-follow grid plan. The city’s layout was designed in the 1870s by a team of European and American experts engaged by the government to advise on the development of the island.

Online map of Sapporo in Japan:

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Sapporo in Ainu language means “important river flowing through a plain”. Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido and Japan’s fifth largest city. Sapporo is also one of the nation’s youngest major cities. In 1857, the city’s population stood at just seven people. Sapporo became world famous in 1972 when the Olympic Winter Games were held there. Today, the city is well known for its ramen, beer, and the annual snow festival held in February.

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One of Japan’s newest and nicest cities, Sapporo’s population has grown from 7 in 1857 to nearly two million today. Being a new city, especially by Japanese standards, means it has little in the way of traditional architecture and the like of cities such as Kyoto.

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Gonder (also called Africa’s Camelot) is home to several castles dating back to the 17th century when Ethiopia was a wealthy nation with caravan routes to the Red Sea. Three wealthy rulers had built palaces in one compound in Gonder. Though their lavish riches and decorations are long gone, the basalt walls, domed towers and crenellated parapets still stand.

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First stop on the Gonder tour is the Royal Enclosure - a 70,000 sq metre site in the middle of town full of castles built by successive emperors in the 17th and 18th centuries. Inside the outer walls one finds Fasilides castle, Iyasu’s Palace, Dawit’s Hall, a banqueting hall, stables, Mentewab’s Castle, a chancellery, library and three churches.

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King Fahad Mosque in Banjul is the largest mosque in the city is an example of the richness and diversity of Islamic architecture in Banjul. The skyline of Banjul is graced by the twin minarets of the King Fahad Mosque and the State House, built by the Portuguese.

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The King Fahad Mosque is a good walk away, but it’s worth the effort to gaze on the tall minarets and the splendour of its arches. Take in the bright fresh colours but remember, if you enter, remove your shoes, cover your legs and, if you are female, cover your head and shoulders. It’s important you respect the building and their religion.

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HW6 West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire - West Wycombe is an area due west of High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, England and is the home of the West Wycombe Caves and the Italianate West Wycombe Park. The entire town of West Wycombe is owned by the National Trust, who purchased it in 1929 when it was under threat of destruction.

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The village boasts several fine examples of historic buildings, with most dating from the 16th to 18th centuries. Leaflets outlining an architectural walking trail about the village are available from shops on the High Street.

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