Best Beach in Europe on Benidorm Beach, Spain

Benidorm is a coastal city located in Alicante, which is part of valencia, Spain. This is Costa Blanca beach resort best known and most developed, ranging from Levante beach, Poniente beach, Cala de Finestrat, and Malpas beach, all offering the beauty and activities within each. Benidorm beach is also a perfect destination for those of you who want to make a sexy brown skin in the daytime, and enjoy the lively nightlife. Besides famous for beautiful beaches, and apartment and hotels buildings near beach, this place is also famous for beautiful old town which consists of building shops, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, amusement parks, and more. this is one of the best beaches in Europe for the cleanliness, beauty, and the Facility offered.

Positano – Captivating Beauty on the Amalfi Coast

Between mountains and the sea, the town of Positano climbs the sheer cliff side with pastel colored houses stacked one on top of the next. How a town could possibly exist in such an inhospitable environment is mystifying. And, yet, once the beauty of Positano penetrates deep into your heart, all of the questioning about why and how the buildings seem to cling to the mountains fades away. What is left is the simple joy that comes from appreciating the beauty of this extraordinary town on the Amalfi Coast.

 

The heart of Positano is just steps away from the beach at Marina Grande. The streets surrounding the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, Positano’s largest church, are lined with restaurants and boutiques selling the town’s famous fashions. From the center of town, look up at the buildings stacked up like colorful boxes and you’ll see why Positano is known as “The Vertical City.” Standing on the beach, surrounded by the vertical kaleidoscope of colors, it feels like you’ve stepped into another world – and you have.

 

Part of Positano’s unique charm is its relative isolation compared to other popular towns such as Sorrento or Amalfi. The road that winds its way along the mountainous Amalfi Coast passes high above Positano, and the long walk down from the road prevents many of the coach tours and day trippers from reaching the center of town. The most scenic and comfortable way to arrive in Positano is by boat from nearby Amalfi or from Naples, Capri, Sorrento and Salerno. You’ll arrive right at Marina Grande with fabulous views of the town and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta.

 

Credits: Flickr

During your visit to Positano, be sure to visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. The 18^th-century interior of the church is filled with light that reflects off of the refined white arches and dome with their gold accents. At the high altar is a 12^th-century Byzantine icon of the Holy Virgin, also known as the Black Madonna. The festival for the Assumption of the Virgin takes place on August 15^th, which is an exciting time to visit Positano.

One of the best reasons to visit Positano is to spend time relaxing on its beautiful beaches. Spiaggia Grande is the town’s largest and most popular beach and is located right in the heart of town. During the summer months it is covered with brightly colored umbrellas and sun beds.

For a quieter and more secluded beach experience, follow the pretty Via Positanesi d’America promenade from Marina Grande to the lovely Fornillo Beach. Set on a cove with scenic views of the Li Galli islands and a watchtower, Fornillo is a popular beach with locals.

Even if you’re prepared for it, the beauty of Positano can still take your breath away.

Burj Al Arab in Dubai

The Burj Al Arab is the tower of the Arabs, and is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is a luxurious hotel, standing 1,053 feet tall. It is said to be the second tallest hotel in the world. The tallest hotel building is the Rose Tower. There is another building that is still unfinished and is nine times taller than the Burj Al Arab. This building is an icon that is defined as the symbol of Dubai and it shows the modern trend that Dubai has. It is also an imitation of the sail of a boat.

The architecture who designed the Burj Al Arab was Tom Wright of Atkins. The hotel has 202 rooms and the construction got completed in the year 1999. The Burj Al Arab has 18 elevators and 60 floors. The hotel is located on an artificial island which is constructed almost 80 meters offshore. The hotel looks like a seven stars hotel in and is known for its unique architecture. However, if you go to the official website of the hotel, it claims to be only a  five star hotel.

One of its restaurants, called the Al Muntaha is situated 660 feet above the Persian Gulf and shows a splendid view of the entire Dubai. Another restaurant within the hotel is called the Al Mahara, which features a seawater aquarium. This restaurant can be reached by catching a submarine and it is within the sea, which holds 35,000 cubic feet of water. This restaurant is voted one of 10 best amongst the world.

                      

Mount Vesuvius

It is the only volcano on the European mainland to have erupted within the last hundred years, the last eruption was in 1944.

In ancient times Greeks and Romans regarded Mount Vesuvius as being sacred to the hero and demigod Heracles/Hercules, the son of god Jupiter/Zeus. The ancient town of Herculaneum was named after him.

In the year 79 AD on 24 August, one day after the annual Vulcanalia festival in honor of Vulcan, the god of beneficial and hindering fire, a two day eruption of Mount Vesuvius took place. The eruption destroyed the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum and led to the death of estimated 10,000 to 25,000 people.

Also depicted on the map are the volcanic islands of Ischia and Procida and the island of Capri .

                       
 

 

Chartres Cathedral

The Chartres Cathedral of France is situated in Chartes, about eighty kilometers southwest of Paris. It is one of the best & most famous churches in the entire France. It is counted third best among the Gothic style of architecture. It’s full name is the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres.

It is a beautiful sight to see from a distance, between the wheat fields and only when tourists come closer to the church, it stands on the top of the hill and stands out in beauty. The Chartres Cathedral was built in the 16th century and it has two Spires, the first one is 349 feet and the other is 377 feet tall.

As far as the history of the cathedral goes, this cathedral was said to be the most imperative building in the city. It acted as a big landmark for the local public and also for the nearby visitors. All important activities were entered around the cathedral. Sometimes during the middle age, the cathedral worked as the market place. In the middle of all this, the priests however were always against the cathedral being used as a market place. So much so, that they did not allow people selling wine in the crypt. The cathedral was a common assembly point for different kinds of workmen to find jobs for themselves. The Chartres Cathedral is one of the most visited Gothic churches in the entire France. The Chartres was a place where pilgrims used to come quite often and during older days, the church used to be a hospital to take care of the sick.

                            

Golden Temple of Amritsar

The Golden Temple in India, which is often called the “Darbar Sahib or Harmandar Sahib” by the Indians, is one of the oldest places of worship for the ‘Sikhs’ and is located in Amritsar, Punjab. It is considered one of the holiest, blessed and sacrosanct places in India. It is a symbol of both beauty and peace. The temple is surrounded by a small man-made lake which has tons and tones of fishes in it. This lake is supposed to have holy water. The temple can be entered from four different sides and thus symbolizes openness, acceptance. This concept is based on the old tents which were open from all four sides, welcoming travelers from all directions.

The Golden Temple has three holy trees. There is also a small Sikh Museum near the Ghanta Ghar in Amritsar which is very rich in information, especially for the first time visitors. The entire top of the temple is made of pure gold and thus adds a lot of pride and beauty to the entire temple.

During the earlier days, this place was a huge lake surrounded by a thin line of forests. It is also said that Buddha journeyed to find out the real meaning of life spent some considerable time in this place. The first guru of the Sikh community called the Guru Nank also used to meditate in this peaceful place and years after he passed away, many of his disciples kept coming back to the site and then it finally became a sacred place. It was during the Fifth Guru, Arjana when the Temple was finally built 1604. It was Guru Arjan who installed the “Guru Granth Sahib” in the temple and appointed the first reader in August 1604. The temples architecture is that of both Hindu and Muslims. On many occasions, it was destroyed by a certain set of community and rebuilt by the Sikhs.

                            

The State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg

The State Hermitage Museum is said to be one of the largest museum in the world. It has over 3 million different kinds of art in it. The museum is situated along the Palace Embankment in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The museum has such a large collection of arts that it cannot be put out on display at one point in time. It is said to have the oldest art galleries the world. The museum was made in 1764 and was made public in the year 1852. The huge collection of the State Hermitage Museum is spread in six different buildings along the Palace Embankment. The most prominent and known amongst them is the Winter Palace, which now is made the official residence of Russian Tsars.

It is very interesting to know that the Hermitage Museum also has international branches. It is located in Amsterdam, London, Las Vegas, and Ferrara (Italy). In fact, the State Hermitage Museum has coined its presence even in the Guinness World Records for having the world’s largest collection of paintings.

Some of the classic collection of the State Hermitage Museum is the western art collection that includes Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Rubens, Van Dyck, Rembrandt, Poussin, Claude Lorrrian, Watteau, Tiepolo etc. The museum also has a beautiful assortment of Faberge Jewelery. Even though the main museum was established in the year 1764, it has seen constant expansions every century. In the 19th century, addition to the museum was done by relics of Greek and Scythian culture. More of ancient gold was added to the museum, thus making it the world’s richest collection of gold. During the 20th century, a private collection of several of the Russian Tsars were added to the museum and in the 21st century, the building expanded to nearby general staff and took over more ambitious projects in the international branches of the museum.

Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon

The Shwedagon Pagoda or stupa is also called the Golden Pagoda and it is situated in Yangon, Myanmar. The exact height of the Stupa is 321.5 feet. The Shwedagon Pagoda is located to the west of the Kandawgyi Lake, on the Singuttara hill. This Pagoda is considered to be the most religious pagoda of Lord Buddha for the Burmese. The Pagoda was built to give shelter to the hairs of Buddha.

The reason why the Shwedagon is so special because its Spire is made up of a thick quote of gold and has lots and lots of diamonds, rubies and precious gems embedded in it. The lighting effect in the Shwedagon Stupa gives it a different feel altogether, the entire place lilts as of it is the aura of Lord Buddha still prevailing in the place.

The exact age of the Pagoda is not known to anyone. It is estimated that the structure is 1000 to 2500 years old, made during the time of Buddha. However, it has been said that over the years, it has been destroyed numerous times in the past due to earthquakes and other natural disasters.

The Shwedagon can be reached from all four sides of the hill. On the east and south, one can see vendors selling different kinds of items like the flags, books and images of Lord Buddha. A pair of lions guards the entrance to the Shrine. It is also said that the entire city of Myanmar has contributed gold to the pagoda so that it can be maintained well. This all started from the queen of Shin Sawbu who donated gold equal to her own weight.

                          

Kathmandu City

Kathmandu is the biggest city and the official capital of Nepal. It is located in Kathmandu Valley, which has two other cities called Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. One is the old city and the other is the new city of Kathmandu Valley. The language spoken in Nepal is Napali. Kathmandu city has a total population of 700,000 and it is the only developed and modern city in the entire Nepal.

The view from the Airport is so breathtaking as it is covered from hills all over and has untapped natural beauty and greenery all over. The main religion followed in Kathmandu is Hinduism. It is present in the center of the Himalayas and some of the peaks of the Himalayas are clearly visible.

Kathmandu has a very famous temple that is called Kaasthamandap, which was built in 1567 AD. It is also called Marusthal and is entirely made of wood. It is now rules by the government, but once, it was ruled by the royal house.

Swayambhunath and Boudhanath are two famous stupas within Kathmandu. It also has a famous Hindu shrine, called Pashupatinath. Kathmandu city, throughout the year, has honeymoon visitors visiting mostly from India. The city has a small thickly populated place where you will find monks in abundance. The city has seven most prominent groups of monuments that are rich in culture and heritage, which speak volumes about the city historic past. Durbar Square and Changu Narayan temple are very unique, which is worth a visit.

Kathmandu has some of the best five star hotels in the main city and gambling in the casino is legal.

Cappadocia in Nevsehir

Almost 3 to 4 million years ago, there was a volcanic eruption that shook the Central Anatolian Plateau and swiped all the contents from its land. Cappadocia is located in Nevsehir Province, within the middle of Turkey and is 200 Km long and 400 km wide. It has lots of underground cities, churches and captivating terrain. This site day by day is becoming one of the favorite tourist’s spots because of its rocky formation. Due to high sweeping winds, the Cappadocia has taken interesting shapes like that of an inverted cone, chimneys and mushrooms. It is because of its formation, travelers prefer to travel on horses.

In fact, it is very interesting to know that the name Cappadocia came from Persia and means “ the land of fine horses”. It has been believed that during the medieval period, this place was used to bread animals. Though it started with a bread of fine horses, it was also know for the fine men it had on its land. There are more than fifty churches in this valley. It still has communities that stay here and use old styles when preparing food. Some of the areas have become a part of the conservation policy and new houses would be constructed out of stone to maintain the uniqueness of this place.

Another tourist attraction is the Melendez River which has been made by inactive volcanoes over millions of years and now have deposited very thick layer of mud ash and dried lava. This is almost 1500 feet tall. Over the past years, it has remained untouched by invaders and hence, give a very real picture of the natural beauty.                             

Chichén Itzá, Mexico

The pyramid of Chichen Itza is a symbol of knowledge and place of worship of the Mayan culture. The pre-Columbian city is located in the northern center of the Yucatán Peninsula of present-day and is one of the most important examples of the Mayan-Toltec civilization.
 


                              
 

Palace of Versailles (Château de Versailles)

In the 18th century Versailles was the cultural and political center of power in France, it was the principal residence of the French kings. When in 1682 King Louis XIV (the Sun King) and his court moved to Versailles, the former hunting chateau has been expanded over the following decades and became one of the largest palaces in the world. Versailles was the seat of the royal French government from 1682 until 1789.

 




                         
 

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany

It is one of the former city gates, built 1788–91 (the Quadriga, was installed in 1793), and it is the only one that survives.
The design of the gate is based upon the Propylaea, the gateway to the sanctuaries of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. 

The Brandenburg Gate consists of twelve Doric columns, six to each side, forming five passageways. Atop the gate is the Quadriga, the chariot of gods, drawn by four horses and driven by Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory. Today the Quadriga faces east, as it did originally.

The gate has played different political roles in German history, for example: after the 1806 Prussian defeat, Napoleon took the Quadriga to Paris. Some years later the Quadriga was restored to Berlin.
After the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, the gate stood in East Berlin, a conspicuous symbol of a divided city. After the fall of the wall it was reopened in December 1989.

Brandenburg Gate is located west of the city center at the intersection of Unter den Linden and Ebertstraße, immediately west of the Pariser Platz. 

Cologne Cathedral (Dom zu Köln), Köln, Germany

The Roman Catholic cathedral is, according to Christian belief, home to the relics of the Three Magi. 

Cologne Cathedral has a long history, the laying of the foundation stone was 1248 AD. 70 years later by 1320, the choir, including all the interior furnishing and decoration, was complete. The consecration of the choir took place in 1322. In 1560, the construction halted and for the next 300 years, the city panorama was dominated by the mighty torso of the unfinished church. In 1842, King Friedrich Wilhelm IV laid the foundation stone for the resumption of construction, in 1880 it was accomplished. 

Today the Cologne Cathedral is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

The Roman Catholic cathedral is, according to Christian belief, home to the relics of the Three Magi.
Cologne Cathedral has a long history, the laying of the foundation stone was 1248 AD. 70 years later by 1320, the choir, including all the interior furnishing and decoration, was complete. The consecration of the choir took place in 1322. In 1560, the construction halted and for the next 300 years, the city panorama was dominated by the mighty torso of the unfinished church. In 1842, King Friedrich Wilhelm IV laid the foundation stone for the resumption of construction, in 1880 it was accomplished.
Today the Cologne Cathedral is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

Leaning Tower of Pisa is located at Pisa's Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square), also known as Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) in the city of Pisa in Italy. The Piazza del Duomo with the cathedral (Duomo de Pisa), the baptistery of St. John (Battistero di San Giovanni) the bell tower (Torre di Pisa) and the Camposanto Monumentale with its frescoes, is recognized as one of the main centers for medieval art in Italy.

The Tower of Pisa is the freestanding bell tower (campanile) of Pisa's Cathedral made of white marble. Its construction began in the end of 1173 and continued (with two long interruptions) for about two hundred years, The reason why the bell tower is leaning is a result of a poorly laid foundation and loose substrate that has allowed the foundation to shift direction, by now about 17 feet (5.2 m) out of the perpendicular.
Height of the tower is about 56 m (184 ft)
Its weight is estimated at 14,500 tonnes.

Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia

The Opera House was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973, ten years after the original completion date. and is recognised universally as the finest building of the 20th Century even so until this day it remains incomplete. The Opera House is a world-class performing arts center and became a cultural icon of both Sydney and the Australian nation. Sydney Opera House was created by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, he was responsible for the iconic white silhouette, while the interiors were finished off by a team of local architects, after Utzon's resignation in 1966. In June 2007 the Sydney Opera House was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its innovation in both architectural form and structural design.
  

Teotihuacán Pyramids in the Valley of Mexico

Teotihuacán is a sacred site that is about 30 miles northeast from Mexico City in Mexico. This is a very popular site to visit from the city, as these ruins are among Mexico’s most remarkable, as well as some of the most important in the world. Teotihuacán was built about 300 AD and is characterized by enormous monuments that have been carefully laid out based on symbolic and geometric principles.

The Temple of Quetzalcoatl is one of its most monumental structures, located in the center of the area and boasts its fine decoration and lavish offerings. The front of the temple has large, finely carved serpent heads that jut out from feathered collars that are carved into its stone walls. This temple has a pyramid built on top of it called the Feathered Serpent Pyramid, where over 200 ceremonially buried warriors’ skeletons have been found by archaeologists.

The Pyramid of the Sun is positioned on the Avenue of the Dead’s east side, is the 3rd biggest pyramid in the world, and the largest pyramid that has been restored in the Western Hemisphere. This structure hasn’t been completely understood yet, but is built over a sacred cave that has the shape of a 4 leaf clover. The first part of the Pyramid was built about 100 BC, being completed 400 years later.

The Pyramid of the Moon faces the northern plaza and has no discovered features in its interior, such as a cave. It is smaller than its neighboring pyramid, but appears to be the same since it is built on higher ground. This pyramid seems to have been built in a pattern to reflect the sacred Cerro Gordo Mountain to the north.

 

Bagan Temples & Pagodas

Bagan is a plain that covers an area of about 16 squares miles alongside the Ayeyarwaddy’s east bank. The temples and Pagodas of Bagan that are now decaying were constructed mainly between the 11th and 13th centuries A.D., which was during the time that Bagan was the Myanmar dynasty seat. Local chronicles have carried tradition that says that 55 kings ruled over the Bagan kingdom over twelve centuries.

The Bagan temples are known as “gu” and were inspiration from the Buddhist rock caves. These were big multi-story buildings that the people could enter and were places where people went to worship, with the interior having richly frescoed corridors and sacred images and shrines that would be worshiped. The temples are often massively built oblong or square structures with terraces on the outside to represent Mount Meru, which was a symbolic home for the gods. The Bagan temples would also be surrounded by a wall made to be thick so that it would separate the sacred realm from the world outside.

The pagodas of Bagan are funerary monuments that have acquired a Buddhism cosmic symbolism. The Bagan pagodas also contain relics that are associated with Buddha. Some of the monuments were constructed in honor of a notable person, being built to bring lasting memories for important families as well. These structures are built in the shape of a bell that is set on an octagonal or square base, and they usually stand to a tapering peak covered with jewels and metal, with a sacred decoration shaped like a parasol (called “hti”) on the top.

The Forbidden City in Beijing

The Forbidden city of China is located right in the heart of Beijing and was the home of 24 emperors of the Qing and Ming Dynasties. The grand palace’s construction was started during the Emperor Yongle’s 4th year of ruling the Ming Dynasty in 1406, ending 14 years later in 1420.

During ancient times, the emperor was claimed as the son of heaven, therefore having supreme power. Their home on Earth was a replica, built to resemble the Purple Palace in heaven where God lived. A place so divine as this was certainly forbidden to ordinary people, which is where the Forbidden City got its name. Its splendid architecture is a representation of the culmination and essence of the traditional architectural accomplishment of the Chinese. The Palace Museum has become a real treasure of Chinese historical and cultural relics and was recognized to be one of the top 5 most important palaces worldwide.

During 1961, the museum was named an important historical monument under the Chinese central government’s special preservation. Then in 1987, the museum was a nominee of the world cultural heritage, which UNESCO nominated. The Forbidden City is the country’s best preserved imperial palace and the world’s biggest ancient palatial structure. It covers about 72 hectares of area, having a total of 150,000 square meters of floor space. There are 90 courtyards and palaces, 8,704 rooms, and 980 buildings. The city is surrounded by a moat that is 6 meters deep, as well as a wall that is 10 meters high, having a gate on every side.

Clock Tower

Big Ben, the Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster also known as the Houses of Parliament, the seat of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Palace of Westminster is located in London. 

Actually Big Ben is the nickname of the main bell housed within the tower. The English architect Augustus Pugin designed the clock tower in Gothic Revival style at the end of the 19th century. The tower is housing the world's largest four-faced chiming clock, the clock faces have a diameter of 7 metres (23 ft).
Height of the Clock Tower: 96.3m 316 ft.

Eiffel Tower

The iron construction is located on Champ de Mars (mars field) close to the Seine River.
The tower was desigend by Gustave Eiffel and was built between 1887 and 1889 as the entrance arch for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World Fair).
On 15 May 1889, the Eiffel Tower opened its door to the public.

The Eiffel Tower is the most visited paid monument in the world.

Overall Height: 324 metres (1,063 ft)

Weight:
of the metal structure 7,300 tonnes
including non-metal components approximately 10,000 tonnes.

Statue of Liberty, New York City, USA

The Statue of Liberty was a gift of international friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States, in recognition of the friendship established during the American Revolution. The French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was commissioned to design a sculpture with the year 1876 in mind for completion, to commemorate the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence.

Height from base to torch 151 ft 1 in, 46 m
Foundation of pedestal to torch 305 ft 1 in; 93 m
Thickness of copper sheeting 3/32 of an inch 2.4 mm
Total weight used in Statue 450,000 pounds 204.1 tons

Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls, also known as Iguassu or Iguaçu Falls. These waterfalls are situated on the border of Argentina and Brazil. It touches the Parana region in Brazil and the Misione region from Argentina. It is the fall that separates the river into upper and lower Iguassu. The first person who discovered the place was a Spanish guy called conquistador Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca in the year 1541. The fall was once again rediscovered by Boselie during the end of the 19th century.

The Iguassu Falls have a total of 275 falls and is 2.7 kilometers long where it finally combines with the Iguassu River. Some of the falls have a common height of 269 feet. However, the best of all is the Devil’s Throat, which is a u-shaped, 82 meters high, 150 meters wide and 700 meters long fall. The view of this fall is breathtaking. Out of all, more than two thirds of the falls lie in the Argentine Province.

It is said that almost ten days of vacation time must be allotted to cover all the falls and do justice to the place. Since the falls are not evenly divided between the countries, enough time must be given to both the countries. No words or pictures can describe the real beauty of the falls. It has to be seen in person to fall in love with it. The tourists can reach the falls from either the Brazil Province or the Argentine Province. The national park of Brazil and Argentine are now a part of the UNESCO, world heritage site.

Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon Rainforest, which is also known as the Amazon Jungle, is located in South America and covers the Amazon River basin. The Amazon River is considered to be the largest river as far as discharge is concerned. Most of the forest is in Brazil (60%), Peru (13%) and some other countries like Venezuela, Colombia, French Guiana, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, and Suriname. Amazon Rainforest is the largest and biggest rainforest in the world and makes about half of the planet’s rainforest space. According to historians, the Amazon Jungle was created millions of years ago when the Amazon River changed its flowing direction from the West to East direction.

Amazon Rainforest or Amazonia is also considered a mysterious and powerful place containing a huge variety of animal species which comprise of mammals, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Many medical and pharmaceutical agencies are running projects in the jungle for gaining plant knowledge and doing drug research.

In today’s world, the environmentalists are deeply concerned due to deforestation, destruction and the loss of bio-diversity in the Amazon Jungles. Due to new and developing human settlements, the issue of deforestation has increased many folds. Before the year 1960, access to Amazon interiors was restricted, but due to farming practices in the later years, there has been a lot of damage to the Forests. Also, due to pollution and carbon emissions, the growth pattern in the trees and plants has drastically changed, which is unacceptable.

Ngorongoro Crater (Conservation Area) – Africa Safari

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area of Tanzania stretches 8,300 square kilometers and boasts a blend of people, archeology, landscapes, and wildlife.  Here you will find the Ngorongoro Crater, which is one of the greatest natural spectacles in the world and is considered to be the world’s 8th wonder.

The crater is located on the border of the Serengeti National Park and is only a few hours away from Arusha, which is a town located at the bottom of Mount Meru.  Ngorongoro Crater is one of the World Heritage Sites and is the biggest unbroken ancient caldera worldwide.  It is almost 3 million years old and is now considered to be the Garden of Eden in Africa.  Before the Ngorongoro volcano exploded, collapsing 2 million years ago, it was one of the tallest mountains in the world.  The crater actually measures 12 million inches diameter and the rim is 2,000 feet above the floor of the crater.

The abundant wildlife and magical setting never cease to amaze its visitors.  The wildlife here consists of wild game, lions, zebras, buffaloes, rhinos, elephants, gazelles, wildebeests, and so much more.  The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is said to have about 30,000 different animals, which are all protected by the steep walls that ring the crater, sheltering the area’s grasslands, a big soda lake, fresh springs, and forests.

Within the conservation area, the Maasai people have made a home around the crater.  Visiting these temporary, traditional villages is a highlight of the area for visitors, who can watch while the nomadic warriors and herders create beadwork, wear their bright colored robes, and utilize cattle.

Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet

The Potala Palace was the center of the Tibetan theocracy and the winter palace and the chief residence of the Dalai Lama since the end of the 17th century until 1959. Lozang Gyatso, the Fifth Dalai Lama, started the construction of the Potala Palace in 1645.
For most Tibetans the 7th-century Jokhang monastery is the most sacred and the most revered site in Tibet.

Bali and Its Attractions

Bali is an island in Indonesia that is located at the extreme west of Lesser Sunda Islands that are present between Java and Lombok. Where Java is on the west and Lombok is towards the east of Indonesia. Indonesia has over seventeen thousand islands with a population of more than 200 million. Indonesia also has almost 400 volcanoes, out of which 70 are active and the rest are dormant. English is only used for commercial purposes. Most of the people here are Muslims and a minority of the population is Christian, Hindus and Buddhist.

Bali is the most commercial place in the entire Indonesia as it attracts a lot of tourists because it is known for its beautiful rice terraces, temples, arts, dance, painting, leather and music. The first sets of people to inhabit Bali were Austronesia’s in 200 B.C. These had initially migrated from Taiwan. The Bali culture had lots of influence of India i.e. the Hindus and Chinese culture. Bali is said to be a place that is full of fun, enjoyment and is famous for its mysterious past. Tourists from all over the world travel to this part of the city to see it culture, natural beauty, art and paintings.

If you are one of those who would want to go on a vacation, then this is a destination you must not strike off your list of vacations. Bali has no rail tracks; there are only coastal roads that surround the Island. The entire island is enclosed by coral reefs. The beaches that are in the south have white sand, however, the ones on the north and west have black sand. Another must see site in Bali is the Bali blast monument.

Machu Picchu Above Urubamba Valley

Machu Picchu is the pre Columbian, Inca empire site that is located almost 8,000 feet above the sea level. The site is located on a mountain ridge above the valley of Urubamba in Peru. The city is also called the “lost city of Incas”. When tourists make a list of the best world tour destination, Machu Picchu is the site that undoubtedly gets the maximum number of votes.

It is said that the journey to this spot is a dream journey, which one must never miss. It is a journey to the top archeological site on the planet earth. Data says that the Machu Picchu Tourism is one of the proudest industries in the country. Whatever your expectation out of the place would be, you will really be more than delighted to see the picturesque beauty of the place and the intoxicating power that it will have on you.

Machu Picchu was built in 146 AD, however, it was left by the Inca rulers 100 years later. Legendary stories suggest that the place was neglected for quite some time. In the year 1911, Hiram Bingham, who was an American historian, got the world’s attention to it and then there was no looking back. Recent discoveries also show that the site was dug many years ago by a German businessman. The site became a part of the UNESCO, world heritage site in 1983. The site as built in typical Inca style with dry stone polished walls and it most famous buildings are ‘ the temple of sun’ and ‘ the room of three windows’.

Christ The Redeemer Statue on Corcovado Mountain

Christ the Redeemer is a statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The statue is 120 ft tall and has a weight of 635 tones. It is now a part of the new Seven Wonders of the World. It is located in the Corcovado Mountain which is at a peak of 700 meters i.e. 2,300 feet in the Tujuca forest National Park overlooking the city. The statue is made of concrete and soapstone. As a symbol of Christianity, it has become an important icon of Brazil, with Jesus Christ appearing to open his arms wide to embrace the entire city below.

It was in 1850’s when for the first time it was suggested to make the statue of Christ on the top of Carcovado by a catholic priest called Pedro Maria Boss. The request of the finance was sent to Princess Isabel to build this huge religious mountain. Initially, the idea was not thought to be a very good one. It was only in 1921, when a need and a proposal of a large landmark were thought about and finally the statue was made by the catholic Circle of Rio.

During this time, in order to gain more publicity, a group organized an event for a week where donations were taken from the public and signatures were taken for those who were in favor of the making of the statue. Most of the donations came from the Brazilian Catholics. A lot of suggestions were given; some suggest that the cross of the Christ should be represented along with Christ, or an idol of Jesus with a globe in his hands. But finally, a statue of Jesus with open arms was chosen. Construction of this religious symbol took nine years to complete, beginning in 1922 and ending in 1931. The brilliance of its engineers was revealed when it was struck by lightning in February of 2008 during an electrical storm. Several trees were felled by that storm, but the statue was left unscathed, owing to the fact that it was made with a top layer of soapstone, which is a good insulator.

Rome Colosseum

Colosseum, Rome, Italy

The ruins of Angkor are located to the north of Tonle Sap lake and south of the Kulen Hills, near the city of Siem Reap,

Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia.

The Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, (9th to the 15th century), including the temples of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and the Bayon Temple. Todayit is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Acropolis of Athens

Acropolis of Athens, Athens, Greece

Have a look at the center of the ancient Roman Empire. The satellite view shows the Colosseum, originally the Flavian Amphitheater, a historic monument located in the former center of ancient Rome, the Roamn Forum. The Amphitheatre was completed in 80 AD. It was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles, it could be flooded to re-create naval battles.

 

Angkor

Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia

The Acropolis of Athens is a flat-topped rock with a complex of remains of monuments of the Greek cult, the great sanctuary of ancient Athens dedicated primarily to its patron, the goddess Athena.

Most of the now existing remains of temples were rebuilt, after the Persian Wars under the leadership of Pericles during the Golden Age of Athens (460–430 BC).

The Acropolis and its monuments are universal symbols of the classical spirit and civilization. They have influenced art and culture for many centuries, it is the greatest architectural and artistic complex bequeathed by Greek Antiquity to the world.

Chichen Itza in Yucatan Peninsula

Chichen was founded by the Maya civilization in 400 AD and it is located in the north central, north of Yucatan Peninsula now called Mexico. Chichen has a history that is 1500 years old and is located 75 miles from Merida. It is said to have been the main regional point for different ceremonies. During the earlier days & time, it was governed by priests. Chichen means “At the mouth of the well of Itza”. The word Chi stands for ‘mouth’, Chen for ‘well’ and Itza for ‘the Itza tribe’. The main belief is that people were thrown from the top as a sacrifice to make their god happy and the ones who could survive were the ones who were believed to be seers.

The site predominantly contains many buildings of stone in various stages of thier preservation and has been stored properly. The site is built in different architectural styles. It has a very clear cultural mix and difference of the Mayan and non Mayan civilization. The Chichen site has in total three divisions: the north, central & and the south group. Where one group is in the Toltec style and the other gives an idea about the early period and the old Chichen culture. Since this is the most famous Mayan Pyramids, it has been thoroughly researched by private agencies. Not really.

It is now a federal property and it is maintained by the Mexico’s nation Institute of Anthropology and History. The best time for site seeing is either early morning or late in the afternoon.

Petra in the Arabah

Petra is a site in the Arabah, Jordan that was discovered by a Swiss explorer called Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812 and is considered to be, yet another splendid beauty in the history of mankind. Arabah is a section of the Great Rift Valley and it is located between the Dead Sea (north) and the Gulf of Aqaba (south) forming part of the border between Jordan (east) and Israel (west).

Petra represents the ancient world’s heritage culture. It is a beauty hidden behind layers of mountain. The ones who have seen it say it is a treasure beyond comparison. It is now said to be one of the seventh wonder of the world and it belongs to the UNESCO world heritage site. The entire red rose city of Petra has such a charismatic appeal that it attracts anyone & everyone who enters the city, taking them to a different world of divine beauty and mystery. Petra mainly is admired because of its picture perfect architecture, its complex structure, quality and the non mentionable mere size.

Petra is said to have its origin before 106 AD; its culture is said to have been flourished in almost 400 years old. The one’s who visited it say that it is a site that can never be forgotten. The city of Petra takes its name, which is the Greek word for “rock”, from the fact that it is most notable for its buildings and tombs that are carved directly into the red sandstone that serves as the city’s natural protection from invaders. Its popularity with tourists may also have a connection to the city’s Biblical significance. It is here where King Aretas called for the arrest of the Apostle Paul at the time of his conversion.

Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China, a memorable landmark, is the most popular tourist attraction in China. The Wall has fascinated the minds of many in the world and it is part of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Great Wall is the ultimate tourist destination for sightseeing. People from all over the world visit China to see this exotic architecture because it is one of the most appealing attractions of China. It has its share of fans including those who spread speculations about it being seen from the moon.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge, Wiltshire county, UK

Satellite view is showing Stonehenge, a Neolithic monument located in the English county of Wiltshire, about 8 miles (13 km) north of Salisbury. It is one of the most famous prehistoric sites in the world and one of the oldest built around 2500 BC. 

The sanctuary consist of circles of menhirs arranged in a pattern whose astronomical significance is still being explored. New archaeological evidence indicates that Stonehenge might has served as a center of healing, other theories propose that it was a burial ground or a place to worship ancestors.

Anyhow, the people who built Stonehenge must have been of the opinion that the stones and the place harbour great powers, otherwise they wouldn't have carried the stones, the largest weighs as much as 50 tons, over 240 km (150 miles) to the place where they were erected.

 

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India 

The immense mausoleum covered with white marble was built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by decree of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, in memory of his beloved wife Arjumand Banu Begum, her nickname: Mumtaz Mahal.

The "crown of buildings" is the symbol of the Indian nation.

Taj Mahal world heritage site in the city of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, seen from the banks of Yamuna river, with Mihman Khana or assembly hall (left) and Taj Mahal mosque (right), the two almost identical buildings on either side.

Giza Pyramid and the Great Sphinx

The Ancient Egyptian complex is located on a plateau on the outskirts of Cairo.

The archaeological site consists of a number of edifices: the Pyramid of Khufu (known also as the Cheops Pyramid or the Great Pyramid), the somewhat smaller Pyramid of Khafre (or Chephren) and the relatively modest-size Pyramid of Menkaure (or Mykerinos) and a number of smaller satellite edifices, known as "queens" pyramids. The Great Sphinx lies to the east side of the complex.

The Pyramids of Giza and others are thought to have been constructed to house the remains of the deceased Pharaohs who ruled over Ancient Egypt.

Until today it is not known how the Pyramids actually were made. There are various theories about the construction techniques, but the ancient builders keep their secrets.

The Cheops pyramid is the only remaining monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.