Denpasar may not be far from the usual touristy resort areas of Bali, but the moment you transcend to the capital of Bali, a change in atmosphere is clearly felt. The laid back beach lifestyle is instantly changed to a bustling city. Not as hectic as you may think a capital city to be, and the lack of skyscrapers, due to a Balinese custom that disallows buildings to be taller than a coconut tree, gives way for blue skies. Apart from the many busy Balinese buzzing around on their scooters, many monuments and temples can be seen around the city. Catch a glimpse of the traditional markets at Pasar Badung and see the magnificent colors of fresh produce and colorful batiks up for offer.
Saint Petersburg was founded by Tsar Peter the Great on May 27 1703. In 1914, the city was changed its name from Saint Petersburg to Petrograd, in 1924 to Leningrad, and in 1991, back to Saint Petersburg. The city is a major European cultural center and also an important Russian port on the Baltic Sea. Tourists can come to the Hermitage, one of the largest art museums in the world, in the city. Gradually, the city evolved from a swampy backwater into a modern European city, Russia’s ‘window to the West”.