Vayama Highlights Top International Destinations for Students

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Vayama.com, the online travel agency that specializes in international travel, announces today a list of international cities that provide a wealth of history and culture for students who want to continue their education outside of the classroom. Each destination highlights popular attractions and local cuisine along with other insights about the culture and its people.

"Traveling internationally is great for students as it creates a sense of independence while also providing a once in a lifetime learning experience that cannot be found inside a classroom," said Thomas Kent, vice president of marketing at Vayama.com. "Our experts at Vayama.com have developed a list of some of the most culturally rich cities on the planet that provide an abundance of great food, entertainment and historical attractions so that students can get a firsthand look at how people around the world live, work and play."

Casablanca, Morocco
Morocco is a country that is rich in culture and etiquette as it is home to a variety of backgrounds and religions. The cultural diversity in Morocco is so abundant that a separate unique identity can be found in each city within the country. Students should visit Casablanca as it is not only world famous because of the 1942 Hollywood romantic classic, but is also home to the Hassan II mosque, the largest mosque in the country and the seventh largest mosque in the world. A true taste of Moroccan culture can be found in its cuisine, which contains an extensive blend of spices along with a large range of Mediterranean fruits, vegetables and common meats such as mutton lamb, beef, chicken, camel, rabbit and seafood.

Istanbul, Turkey
Turkey is packed with over 2000 years of history that is illustrated in its monuments that are placed throughout the country and date back to Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Istanbul is the most populated city in Turkey and is the country's cultural and financial center. Great historical attractions in Istanbul include the Hagia Sophia, a mosque and now museum that originally opened in 360 ac, and the Topkapi Palace that was home to the Ottoman Sultans for nearly 400 years. Students should be sure to check out the local bazaars, Turkish delight and the national drink Raki, an unsweetened hard alcoholic drink.

Shanghai, China
In the 18th century Shanghai was just a small fishing and textiles town, but it has since grown to be the largest city in the world. It is known as the birthplace of modern culture in China. Tourists flock to the city for its historical landmarks, stunning architecture, flourishing nightlife and great shopping. Students should be sure to check out The Bund, which is one of the most famous attractions that sits on its world famous waterfront boulevard and is lined with 1920's art deco buildings along the Huangpu River. The Pudong district is also popular as it is home to the gleaming 21st century towers and some of the best-known buildings in China such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center. Shanghai cuisine is popular worldwide and many are shocked to find that sugar is one of the key ingredients along with soy sauce and alcohol.

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires contains a mix of old-world traditions, but is chock full of contemporary attitude. It is Latin America's third largest economy and a top tourist destination known for its European style architecture and rich culture life. Students should take in such local experiences as a tango show and enjoy the traditional barbeque techniques called asado. Buenos Aires offers a unique history that can be viewed by simply visiting the old-world cafes, colonial architecture, outdoor markets and the La Recoleta cemetery where Eva Peron (Evita) was laid to rest.

Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is the largest city in Thailand and is known as the "city of angels." It is the political, social and economic center of Thailand and one of the leading cities in Southeast Asia. Students who travel to Bangkok will discover that the city is not only living in the modern world, but also surrounded by tradition. The city has some of the country's most visited historical venues such as the Grand Palace, the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782 and Wat Pho, a temple that is known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Thai food plays a tremendous role in the country's culture and visitors do not have to travel very far to find something to eat as street carts can be found on every street corner and in many small Soi (lanes) that are full of varieties of food stalls.

About Vayama
Vayama is an online travel agency uniquely focused on international travel. The company offers travelers a vast selection of flights through its online booking engine that taps into inventory not available on other online travel websites. Launched in 2007, Vayama has continued to expand its online international travel services to include features such as 24/7 customer service, premium economy airfare, hotels, activities and car rentals.

For regular Vayama updates, follow us at www.twitter.com/Vayama become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/VayamaTravel or visit www.Vayama.com.

About Travix International B.V.
Vayama is part of Travix International B.V., a global travel company that manages an extensive portfolio of international travel websites operating under the brands: Vayama (USA), CheapTickets (Europe & Asia), Vliegwinkel.nl (Netherlands), BudgetAir (The Netherlands, United Kingdom, UK, USA, Canada & France), Flugladen (Germany) and EasyToBook.com (Worldwide).

Travix operates in 16 countries, employs 430 staff and has combined sales in excess of USD $1.1Billion.

SOURCE Vayama