World Tourism

Top 10 Amazing Waterfalls in the World

2014-01-29T03:33:00.001-08:00

1) Jog Falls

Jog Falls, created by the River Sharavathi, falling from a height of 253 meters (829 feet), is the highest waterfalls in India. Before the rainy season Jog Falls is nearly unrecognizable with only a pair of thin streams of water trickling down the cliff. But during the monsoon season the waterfall comes to life and exceeds even Kaieteur Falls in Guyana in terms of height and volume.

2) Huangguoshu

Measuring 77.8 meters (255 feet) high and 101 meters (330 feet) wide, Huangguoshu is one of the largest waterfalls in Asia and part of a group of 18 waterfalls in the surrounding area. A 134 meter (440 foot) long naturally formed cave in the back of the Huangguoshu allows visitors to view the waterfall from a very close range and one can even touch the water.

3) Gullfoss

Gullfoss (“Golden Falls”) is a magnificient 32 meter high double waterfall on the White River (Hvítá). It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. The flow of the river from the regular rains and the glacial runoff, particularly in summer, makes it the largest volume falls in Europe.

4) Detian Falls

The Detian Falls is situated on the border between China and Vietnam. It is, in fact, the fourth largest cross-border falls in the world after Niagara, Victoria and Iguazu. Due to the various border conflicts between the two countries the area has only recently been opened to tourism.

5) Blue Nile Falls

Known as Tis Issat (“smoking water”) in Amharic, the Blue Nile Falls are located on the Blue Nile river in northern Ethiopia. Although much of the water is now diverted to a power dam, it is still a beautiful sight and one of Ethiopia’s best known tourist attractions.

6) Kaieteur Falls

Kaieteur Falls is located on the Potaro River in the centre of Guyana’s rainforest. It is one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world, averaging 663 cubic meters per second (23,400 cubic feet per second). With a free fall height of 226 meters (741 feet) it is about five times higher than Niagara Falls and about two times the height of the Victoria Falls. While there are many higher falls, few have the combination of height and water volume.

7) Angel Falls

Angel Falls or Salto Ángel is the world’s highest waterfall, dropping a total of 978 meter from the summit of the Auyan Tepuy, and with an 807meter uninterrupted drop. Because the falls are located in an isolated jungle region of Venezuela the only access to Canaima National Park, the gateway to Angel Falls, is by air.

8)Niagara Falls

Probably the most famous waterfall in the world, The Niagara Falls are located between the twin cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, New York. Niagara Falls is actually three different falls, the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls. Horseshoe Falls is located on the Canadian side while the other are located in New York. With more than 14 million visitors each year it is one of the most visited tourist attraction in the world.

9) Victoria Falls

The Victoria Falls (indigenous name: Mosi-oa-Tunya meaning “The Smoke That Thunders”) are located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Victoria Falls is often called the largest waterfall in the world, although it is neither the highest nor the widest. It has a width of 1.7 kilometers (1 miles) and height of 108 meters (360 ft), roughly twice the height of North America’s Niagara Falls. In combined height and width Victoria Falls is rivaled only by South America’s Iguazu Falls.

10) Iguazu Falls

One of the great natural wonders of the world, Iguaçu Falls is situated on the border between Brazil and Argentina. The waterfall system consists of 275 falls along the Iguazu River. The majority of the falls are about 64 metres (210 ft) in height. The most impressive of them all is the Devil’s Throat a U-shaped, 82 meter high (269 ft), 150 meter (492 ft) wide and 700 meter (2300 ft) long waterfall.

Dave Lindahl

World's largest building In China

2013-09-06T23:17:00.002-07:00

The building capable of fitting is 20 20 Sydney Opera Houses.

The New Century Global Center in Chengdu, Sichuan province is a staggering 19million sq.ft. And contains shopping centers, a Mediterranean village, a water park, an ice-skating rink, and multiple hotels. However, visitors to the glass panelled building need not worry about the weather as the giant complex will have its own artificial sun.

Dave Lindahl

Just a Views about Sanfrancisco Hotel Recommendations!....

2013-09-03T02:25:00.000-07:00

Hotel Hyatt Regency :

4.4 out of 5

Room cleanliness

4.5

Service and staff

4.4

Room comfort

4.4

Hotel condition

4.4

91%of guests recommend

Rooms: 802

Dinning: Eclipse Restaurant

Accessibility: Special requests are available

Recreation: Complimentary 24-hour fitness center includes stair steppers, treadmills, exercise bikes, and weights. Guests also enjoy discounted access to a health club with pool and spa two blocks away.

Amenities:

Turndown service (on request)
Refrigerator
Premium TV channels
Pay movies
Video-game console

Electronic check-out
Electronic/magnetic keys
In-room safe (laptop compatible)
HBO
Pillowtop mattress

Parking and

Transportation: Parking (surcharge), Secure parking, Street parking (metered), Valet parking, Valet parking (surcharge), Parking garage, Parking nearby, Parking nearby (surcharge)

Internet: Available in all rooms: Wireless Internet access (surcharge), Wired high-speed Internet access (surcharge)

Available in some public areas: Wireless Internet access - surcharge, Wired (high-speed) Internet access - surcharge

Price: $450/night (Double Beds)

Includes all taxes/fees

The Fairmont Hotel:

4.5 out of 5

Room cleanliness

4.7

Service and staff

4.5

Room comfort

4.6

Hotel condition

4.6

93%of guests recommend

Rooms: 591

Dinning: Laurel Court Restaurant & Bar

Accessbility: Special request are available

Recreation: Club One at Nob Hill Health Club. Conveniently Located on the Terrace Level of The Fairmont San Francisco, Club One at Nob Hill offers a luxurious, comfortable environment for exercise - and the ultimate San Francisco spa experience. The Club features state-of-the-art Techno gym cardio and strength training equipment.

Amenities:

Premium TV channels
Video-game console
Pay movies
Hypo-allergenic bedding available
Climate control

In-room safe
Rollaway/extra beds available
Cribs/infant beds available
Wireless Internet access (surcharge)
Daily housekeeping

Parking and

Transportation: Parking (surcharge), Valet parking, Valet parking (surcharge)

Internet: Available in all rooms: Wireless Internet access (surcharge), Wired high-speed Internet access (surcharge)

Available in some public areas: Wireless Internet access - surcharge, Wired (high-speed) Internet access - surcharge

Price: Start at $429

Omni Hotel:

4.7 out of 5

Room cleanliness

4.8

Service and Staff 4.8

Room comfort

4.7

Hotel condition

4.8

98%of guests recommend

Rooms: 362

Dinning: Bob's Steak and Chop House

Accessbility: Special requests are provided

Recreation: The Omni's 1,500-square-foot fitness room provides free weights, cardio and strength-training equipment, yoga mats, a plasma TV, and individual screens for treadmills. Get Fit Kits for use in guestrooms are available at the front desk, and include a floor mat, two dumbbells, and elastic bands.

Amenities:

Private bathroom
Premium TV channels
Pay movies
Premium bedding
Climate control

Bathroom phone
Bathrobes
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Shower/tub combination

Parking and

Transportation: Parking (surcharge), Valet parking, Valet parking (surcharge), Parking garage

Internet: No Availability

Price: from $212.00

Mandarin Oriental Hotel:

4.7 out of 5

Room cleanliness

4.9

Service and staff

4.7

Room comfort

4.8

Hotel condition

4.7

94%of guests recommend

Rooms: 158

Dinning: Brasserie S&P

Accessbility: No availability

Recreation: No availability

Amenities:

Premium bedding
Hypo-allergenic bedding available
Complimentary newspaper
Air conditioning
Soundproofed rooms

Private bathroom
Bathrobes
Hair dryer
In-room massage available
Electronic check-out

Spa:

Couples treatment rooms
Manicures and pedicures
Body wraps
Body scrubs

Massages
Body treatments
Facial treatments

Parking and

Transportation: Valet parking, Valet parking (surcharge)

Internet: Available in all rooms: Wireless Internet access (surcharge)

Available in some public areas: Wireless Internet access - surcharge

Price: From $355 per night

Park Hyatt:

4.6 out of 5

Room cleanliness

4.7

Service and staff

4.6

Room comfort

4.7

Hotel condition

4.7

96%of guests recommend

Rooms: 360

Dinning: Park Grill

Accessbility: Special requests are available

Recreation: The hotel fitness room has treadmills, elliptical trainers, stair machines, free weights, and a selection of weight machines

Amenities:

Premium TV channels
Pay movies
CD player
Premium bedding
Hypo-allergenic bedding available

Makeup/shaving mirror
In-room massage available
Sewing kit
In-room childcare (surcharge)
Electronic check-out

Parking and

Transportation: Parking (surcharge), Secure parking, Valet parking, Valet parking (surcharge), Parking garage

Interenet: Available in all rooms: Wireless Internet access (surcharge)

Price : From $349 - $485

Hungtington Hotel:

4.6 out of 5

Room cleanliness

4.7

Service and staff

4.7

Room comfort

4.6

Hotel condition

4.4

95%of guests recommend

Rooms: 140

Dinning: Big 4

Accessbility: Special requests are available

Recreation: Guests receive complimentary access to Nob Hill Spa, within the hotel. The spa includes an indoor pool and spa tub, saunas, a eucalyptus steam room, and fitness equipment. Also available are a weight room, yoga studio, and fitness classes including Pilates and yoga (surcharges may apply). The concierge provides jogging maps.

Amenities:

Air conditioning
Bathrobes
Refrigerator (on request)
Cable TV service
Window opens

In-room safe
Iron/ironing board (on request)
In-room massage available
Wireless Internet access (surcharge)
iPod docking station

Spa:

Manicures and pedicures
Body wraps
Body scrubs
Aromatherapy treatments
Hydrotherapy treatments
Ayurvedic treatments
Sauna in spa

Spa tub in spa
Spa boutique
Massages
Minimum age to access spa is 16
Body treatments
Facial treatments

Parking and

Transportation: Valet parking (surcharge)

Internet: Available in all rooms: Wireless Internet access (surcharge)

Available in some public areas: Wireless Internet access - surcharge

Price: $315-$1110

Palace Hotel:

4.5 out of 5

Room cleanliness

4.6

Service and staff

4.5

Room comfort

4.5

Hotel condition

4.5

92%of guests recommend

Rooms: 552

Dinning: Garden Court

Accessbility: Special requests are available

Recreation: Located on the fourth floor, the health club features a skylit lap pool, along with a sauna, and fitness center

Amenities:

Air conditioning
Bathrobes
Bathroom scale
Bathroom phone
Designer toiletries

Extra towels/bedding
Hair dryer
Daily housekeeping
Iron/ironing board
Makeup/shaving mirror

Parking and

Transportation: Parking (surcharge), Secure parking, Street parking (metered), Valet parking, Valet parking (surcharge), Parking nearby, Parking nearby (surcharge)

Internet: Available in all rooms: Wireless Internet access (surcharge), Wired high-speed Internet access (surcharge)

Available in some public areas: Wireless Internet access - surcharge

Price: From $399

The Four Seasons:

4.5 out of 5

Room cleanliness

4.8

Service and staff

4.6

Room comfort

4.7

Hotel condition

4.7

88%of guests recommend

Rooms: 277

Dinning: MKT Restaurant-Bar

Accessbility: Special requests are available

Recreation: No availability

Amenities:

Premium TV channels
DVD player
Pay movies
CD player
Hypo-allergenic bedding available

Bathroom phone
Separate bathtub and shower
Bathrobes
Hair dryer
Iron/ironing board

Spa:

Manicures and pedicures
Body wraps
Body scrubs
Aromatherapy treatments

Massages
Body treatments
Facial treatments

Parking and

Transportation: Parking (surcharge), Street parking (metered), Valet parking, Valet parking (surcharge), Parking nearby, Parking nearby (surcharge)

Internet: Available in all rooms: Wireless Internet access (surcharge), Wired high-speed Internet access (surcharge)

Available in some public areas: Wireless Internet access - surcharge, Wired (high-speed) Internet access - surcharge

Price: $400 - $435

Harbour Court Hotel :

4.5 out of 5

Room cleanliness

4.7

Service and staff

4.6

Room comfort

4.2

Hotel condition

4.6

94%of guests recommend

Rooms: 131

Dinning: Ozumo

Accessbility: No availability

Amenities:

Video-game console
Pay movies
DVD player
CD player
Daily housekeeping

Complimentary weekday newspaper
Soundproofed rooms
Clock radio
Air conditioning
Coffee/tea maker

Recreation:

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or near the hotel; fees may apply.

Aerobics nearby
Dock nearby
Sailing nearby

Running track/path nearby
Basketball nearby
Racquetball/squash nearby

Parking and

Transportation: Parking (surcharge), Secure parking (surcharge), Street parking (metered), Valet parking, Valet parking (surcharge), Parking nearby, Parking nearby (surcharge)

Internet: Available in all rooms: Free Wi-Fi

Available in some public areas: Wireless Internet access - surcharge, Wired (high-speed) Internet access - surcharge

Price: $209 - $249

W Sanfrancisco Hotel:

4.3 out of 5

Room cleanliness

4.6

Service and staff

4.3

Room comfort

4.4

Hotel condition

4.5

88%of guests recommend

Rooms: 410

Dinning: Living Room Bar

Accessbility: Special requeste are available

Recreation: In addition to a 40-foot atrium swimming pool and adjacent spa tub, the hotel has a 24-hour fitness center with changing rooms and showers, free weights, and weight machines. Cardio equipment includes stair machines, exercise bikes, treadmills, and cross trainers, most of which come equipped with personal televisions. Complimentary Pilates classes are offered on the pool deck on Sundays and guests can enjoy complimentary use of a variety of board games in the hotel lobby.

Amenities:

Premium TV channels
DVD player
Pay movies
Premium bedding
Hypo-allergenic bedding available

Extra towels/bedding in room
Makeup/shaving mirror
In-room massage available
In-room childcare (surcharge)
Electronic check-out

Spa:

Manicures and pedicures
Body wraps
Body scrubs

Aromatherapy treatments
Body treatments
Facial treatments

Parking and

Transportation: Parking (surcharge), Secure parking, Valet parking, Valet parking (surcharge), Parking garage

Internet: Available in all rooms: Wireless Internet access (surcharge)

Price: $499-559

Hilton Financial District:

4.1 out of 5

Room cleanliness

4.4

Service and staff

4.2

Room comfort

4.2

Hotel condition

4.2

86%of guests recommend

Rooms: 543

Dinning: 750 Restaurant & Bar - Asian-inspired regional cuisine.

Flyte Coffee & Wine Bar - Serves Starbucks® coffee and local wines from Sonoma and Napa paired with small plates.

Accessbility: Special requests are available

Recreation: The hotel offers a state-of-the-art fitness center with a stationary bike, treadmill, and elliptical machine (free of charge). The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or near the hotel; fees may apply.

Amenities:

Premium TV channels
Pay movies
Premium bedding
Hypo-allergenic bedding available
Blackout drapes/curtains

Window opens
Electronic check-out
Electronic/magnetic keys
Pillowtop mattress
Rollaway/extra beds available

Spa:

Number of treatment rooms 11
Manicures and pedicures
Body scrubs
Mud bath in spa
Facial treatments

Parking and

Transportation: Self parking, Self parking (surcharge), Street parking (metered), Valet parking, Valet parking (surcharge), Garage parking (surcharge)

Internet: Available in all rooms: Wireless Internet access (surcharge), Wired high-speed Internet access (surcharge)

Available in some public areas: Wireless Internet access - surcharge, Wired (high-speed) Internet access - surcharge

Price: From $189

Hotel Vitale:

Rating Distribution

over 295 reviews

Rating Over Time

(30-day average)

Rooms: 200

Dinning: Americano Restuarant

Accessbility: No availability

Recreation: No availability

Amenities: nurturing guestrooms and spa, a robust and sustainable Italian restaurant, full service concierge, business center, and more. This collection of unique experiences cannot be found at any other San Francisco hotel. Hotel Vitale provides a fulfilling experience for business and leisure visitors alike.

Spa:

Smooth Sailing Package
The Bathing Ritual
Massage
Stress Buster
Massage Instructional Class for Couples

From the Crown on Down

Parking and Transportation: Parking (surcharge), Secure parking, Valet parking, Valet parking (surcharge), Parking garage

Internet: Wireless LAN with Internet access in rooms

Price: From $259- $349

Hotel Argent:

Rating Distribution over 21 reviews

Rating Over Time

(30-day average)

Rooms: 667

Dinning: Restuarant available

Accessbility: Special requests are available

Recreation: Shopping, Sightseeing Tours, Museum/Gallery Viewing, Sports Event.

Amenities:

AM/FM Alarm Clock;
Television with Cable;
Safe Deposit Box;
Restaurant;
Free Newspaper;
Meeting/Banquet Facilities;
Modem Lines in Room;
Mini Bar;
Hairdryers Available;
Express Checkout;
Handicapped Rooms/Facilities;
24 Hour Front Desk;
Concierge;
Coffee Maker in Room;
Business Center;
Bar/Lounge;
Babysitting/Child Services;
Laundry/Valet Services;

Spa: Masseuse/Massage Service

Parking and

Transportation: Valet Parking

Internet: Modem Lines in Room

Price: From $179

Hotel Bijou:

3.7 out of 5

Room cleanliness

4 .0

Service and staff

3.9

Room comfort

3.5

Hotel condition

3.6

83%of guests recommend

Rooms: 65

Dinning: The hotel's front desk has a candy counter for movie munchies.

This hotel does not have its own restaurant, but there are several dining options in the surrounding area.

Nearby restaurants include:

Dottie's True Blue Cafe
Sakana
Dudley's Bar and Grill
Foley's

Accessbility: Special requesta are available

Recreation:

Ice skating nearby
Kayaking nearby
Boating nearby

Bicycle rentals nearby
Bowling alley nearby

Entertainment: Free entertainment is provided by the Hotel Bijou at Le Petiter Theater. Two movies are shown daily at 7 PM and 9:30 PM

Amenities:

Blackout drapes/curtains
Voice mail
Direct-dial phone
Multi-line phone
Wake-up calls

Iron/ironing board
Desk
Window opens
Clock radio
Electronic/magnetic keys

Parking and

Transportation: Parking (surcharge), Self parking, Self parking (surcharge), Street parking (metered), Valet parking, Valet parking (surcharge), Parking nearby, Parking nearby (surcharge)

Internet: Available in all rooms: Free Wi-Fi

Available in some public areas: Free Wi-Fi

Price: $135-$180

To know more reviews about hotels in San Francisco, visit http://www.sanfranshuttletours.com

Best Attraction Places in Oman

2013-06-27T22:55:00.005-07:00

Muscat City

Muscat is Oman's financial and trade centre. Hamad bin Said took Muscat as Oman's capital from Rustaq between 1779-1792 and this has never since been contested. Today, under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, Muscat has improved beyond recognition, but has never lost its pride in its heritage and culture.

Nizwa Castle

Set amid a verdant spread of date palms Nizwa Castle is a powerful reminder of the town of Nizwa's invincibility through turbulent periods in Oman's long history. The town of Nizwa has a strategic location at the crossroads of vital caravan routes linking interior, Muscat and Dhofar.

Nakhl Castle

Located in Al-Batina region, the castle sets on top of a 200-metre rocky prominance in the foothills of the Western Hajar Mountains, overlooking the extended verdant palm farms of Nakhl countryside which gave the castle its name.

Bahla Castle

Located in Bahla; Ad-Dakhliyah region, the Castle is one of the oldest remaining strongholds in Oman and has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1988.

Wadi Shab

The Wadi is 76 Km from Qurayyat-Muscat. The road to the wadi dips as it crosses the bed of the ravine and rises steeply on the other side where the houses of Tiwi cling to the cliffs. At the mouth of the wadi is a single beach dotted with fishing boats.

Wahiba

Ash-Sharqiyah Sands (also known as Wahiba Sands) offer the romantic visitor desert in the accepted sense of the word. Rolling sand dunes, varying from deep red to a rich honey colour sands stretching as far as the eye can see.

Jabrin Castle

Located in Jibrin town in Wilayat Bahla; Ad-Dakhliyah region, Jibrin Fort resembles a remarkable blend of defensive architecture and sophisticated artistry. It consists of three floors and 55 rooms, and is penetrated by Falaj Jibrin.

Wadi Daikah

Known as the Devil's Gap, Wadi Dayqah was described by explorer S. B. Miles in 1896 as the most singular piece of earth sculpture in Arabia. The wadi runs through a narrow winding vertical-sided canyon that looks as though the mountain has been split in two. The walls soar to 1,700 meters and close in to 12 meters in some places.

Wadi Ghul

It is located approx 15 Kms from Al Hamra. Over here one can see an abandoned persian village perched on the sides of a steep cliff.Wadi ghul has a recharged dam built to stop floodwaters from washing into Al Hamra and to allow water to be stored and drained down into the Wadi bed.

5 Destinations in this monsoon in India

2013-06-13T05:10:00.001-07:00

1. Leh and Ladakh

Ladakh region in general and Leh town in particular are two amazing place to visit especially at the end of summer and during the onset of monsoons. This mountainous region has enchanting beauty of the landscape and holidaying here is being in the lap of the nature fairly distant from your usual moorings and in the midst of an entire different civilization. Leh is the capital city of Ladakh, while Ladakh is the plateau with interspersing valleys lying close to the Greater Himalayas. There are several ways by how you can reach there depending on the route that would be open. Srinagar and Manali are two major gateways to Leh, Ladakh.

Ladakh is alluring with its altitude of at least 9,000 feet overlooking the Kargil and Tibet border. There are also many longertrekking trails to choose from, such as the ones from Likir to Temisgam, and Markha Valley from Spituk.
2. Rajasthan

Rajasthan is located in the northwestern part of the country and is the largest state of the India in terms of area. The state is surrounded by Pakistan to the west, Madhya Pradesh to the southeast, Gujarat to the southwest, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to the north east, and Punjab to the north. The capital of Rajasthan is Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City. The state is a tourist’s delight with its natural beauty, a great history, splendid forts & palaces, colorful festivals & fairs, lively culture, and varied landscape.

Aravalli Ranges

The Aravali Range, one of the oldest mountain ranges of the world, runs across the state from southwest Guru Peak (Mount Abu), which is 1,722 m in height to Khetri in the northeast. The Chambal River, which is the only large and permanent river in the State, originates from its drainage to the east of this range and flows northeast. The monsoon brings relief to the sultry and sun-baked terrain of Rajasthan during the month of June and July. The state receives maximum rainfall during this period. The lakes get rejuvenated, massive forts and palaces have a freshly washed new life look, and flora and fauna find a new spring in their step. The temperature also drops to 30 degree Celsius. With cooler temperatures and soaring sprits, it is precisely the place to visit during monsoons.
3. Goa

Goa, the land blessed with splendid scenic beauty, golden beaches, beautiful rivers and lakes and architectural splendors is undoubtedly a “Tourist’s Paradise”. The perfect words to describe Goa are – “The land of Sun, Sand and Sea”. A leisurely day basking under the sun on the white sandy beaches of Goa is definition of a perfect holiday. The second smallest Indian state (area wise) is also known for its unity in diversity.
One of the best reasons to visit Goa during the monsoon is the vibrant festivals that are celebrated. The most popular festival, Sao-Joao (the fertility feast of Saint John the Baptist), is celebrated in late June and involves the interesting feat of men jumping into overflowing village wells to retrieve bottles of local alcohol ‘feni’. The feast of Saints Peter and Paul, at the end of June, sees people sailing up river on rafts performing plays and songs. In late August, the carnival-like Bonderam flag festival is held on tiny Divar Island, off the coast from Panaji. Ganesh Chaturthi is also observed in Goa during the season.

Mandovi River

During the monsoons, Mother Nature is in her full element and brings a fresh aroma, romance and liveliness to this coastal state. Places like the Mollem National Park and Cotiago Wildlife Sanctuary, the famous Dudh Sagar falls and the gorgeous spice plantations in Savoi are spectacular in the rains. Those in search of some hard core romance can take a boat ride up the Mandovi River and get a feel of the historic Goan architecture. If you’re looking for some quiet time, you could also just spend hours just watching the rough waters.
4. Coorg

Coorg or Kodagu, as it is officially known, is one of the tiniest districts in the southern part of Karnataka covering an area of 4,104 Sq Km. Coorg consists of three taluks or administrative units viz Madikeri or Mercara, the District Headquarters, Virajpet and Somvarpet. Coorg borders Mysore district to its east, Dakshina Kannada district on the west, Hassan district in the north and the state of Kerala to the south.

River Cauvery in full swing at coorg

The largest river here, River Cauvery, which the local people worship, rises on the eastern side of the Western Ghats. Its tributaries drain the greater part of Coorg. Coorg is the largest producer of Coffee in India. Monsoon in Coorg is the most romantic season of all, especially for the newlyweds. The Weather is cold that induces couples to cuddle-up almost all the time! A mild walk in the rain through the sleepy city sharing just one umbrella is an unique experience. There is an added charm in enjoying the mist and fog all around that adds mushiness to the air. The mountains and fields cover themselves with a verdant green carpet ready to welcome you to the land of eternal beauty with thunderstorms rolling in from all most everywhere.

5. Lahaul Spiti

Lahaul & Spiti is a big district in Himachal Pradesh having international boundary with Tibet. The valleys. mountains, glaciers, rivers, forests, pastures, gompas (monastries) and ancient forts of the former rulers are the principal objects of interest. The area located just south of Ladakh, is one of the most sparsely populated regions in India and is the perfect place to get away from the crowds. Miles and miles of high altitude desert stretch in the rain shadowed side of the Himalayas promises to be perfect get-away.

Adventures at lahaul

The rugged awe-inspiring snow clad mountains are standing invitation to the hikers, mountaineers and adventurers. The entire district is full of natural scenery exhorting the tourists and visitors to explore and imbibe its natural grandeur. The customs, myths, beliefs and conventions of the simple people are the unique features of this border highland. Every village or hamlet has a prayer flag fluttering over the Buddhist monastery. These shrines are the centers of the cultural life of the people that have influenced their religious beliefs for centuries and form the core of their social life.

10 Top Tourist Attractions in California

2013-05-07T22:07:00.001-07:00

1) Redwood National Park:

The Redwood National Park is much more than tall trees. In this vast parkland of woodlands, rivers and miles of spectacular coastline, visitors can enjoy a wide range of fun outdoor activities. There are several interesting exhibits, guided walks and nature programs on offer at the various visitor centers. Activities include horse riding and mountain biking along well-maintained trails, fishing for salmon and rainbow trout and kayaking down the trickling rivers. Scenic routes through the forest allow visitors to admire the amazing redwood trees, wildlife and waterfalls while a drive along the coastline offers breathtaking views of the ocean and glimpses of gray whales and seabirds.

2) SeaWorld San Diego:

Situated in sunny San Diego, SeaWorld is characterized by its theme of marine mammals, daring rides and live shows. Through shows, displays and enclosures people can learn about the world’s oceans and the creatures that inhabit them such as dolphins, killer whales, walruses, penguins and Polar bears. Rides include a flume roller coaster, rafting through the Shipwreck Rapids and a simulated helicopter ride to experience the Wild Arctic. The main attraction however is the Shamu Show, which involves dancing fountains and talented performances by killer whales.

3) General Sherman:

General Sherman is a Giant Sequoia located in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park in California. The trees of the Giant Forest are among the largest trees in the world. In fact, if measured by volume, five of the ten largest trees on the planet are located within this forest. With a height of 275 feet the General Sherman tree is the largest of them all. The tree is believed to be between 2,300 and 2,700 years old.

4) Venice Beach:

Venice Beach is one of Los Angeles, most popular beaches. The sandy three-mile beach here is just one of the attractions. During the summer season and on weekends, the Ocean Front Walk fills up with street performers and people just doing their thing: biking, rollerskating, swimming, sunbathing, and people watching. Muscle Beach is a special area where fanatic bodybuilders pump iron in a public show of strength.

5) Death Valley:

Located in the Mojave Desert, Death Valley encompasses much of the Death Valley National Park. Although regarded as the driest and lowest place in North America, Death Valley offers a variety of outdoor activities, historic sites and nature viewing. From snow-capped mountains to colorful sand dunes, the unique desert landscapes of Death Valley are like no other place in California. Places of interests include the scenic area of Zabriskie Point and historic sites like Scotty’s Castle, the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns and ruins of ghost towns.

6) Disneyland:

Located in Anaheim, Disneyland is a world-famous amusement park where Walt Disney movies and characters all come to life in a magical, make-believe kingdom. Featuring thrilling rides, roller coasters, dazzling shows and colorful districts packed with restaurants and shops, Disneyland offers adventure for the whole family. In themed neighborhoods like Main Street, USA, visitors can step back into the early 1900s, visit Tarzan’s Treehouse in Adventureland or meet Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck in Mickey’s Toontown.

7) Big Sur Coastline:

Stretching about 90 miles along the Central Coast of California is one of the most scenic driving routes in the world. Known as Big Sur, this stunning coastline covers an area between Carmel and the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Most of the 3 million drivers who visit Big Sur every year travel the popular Highway 1 to admire and photograph some of the country’s most dramatic scenery. Attractions along the route include the historic 40-foot Point Sur Lighthouse, Bixby Bridge, which is one of the world’s tallest single-span bridges, and the splendid, 80-foot McWay Falls plunge directly into the ocean.

8) Lake Tahoe:

Created about 2 million years ago during the Ice Age, Lake Tahoe is one of the largest lakes in the world. The lake is located along the border between California and Nevada. Surrounded by majestic mountains, this popular tourist attraction offers exciting events and activities all year around. In the winter, the main activities are snow skiing, snowmobile riding, snow-tubing and snowshoeing at one of the ski resorts. From spring to fall, visitors can enjoy a host of water sports and other activities like sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, paddle boating and swimming.

9) Golden Gate Bridge:

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most visited tourist attractions in California and the US. Spanning over the San Francisco Bay for more than a mile, this famous landmark is one of the world’s most photographed bridges. The famous red-orange color of the bridge was specifically chosen to make the bridge more easily visible through the thick fog that frequently shrouds the bridge. The splendor of this bridge can be experienced by driving, walking, cycling or participating in a walking tour to learn about the rich history of the bridge.

10) Yosemite National Park:

Spanning an area of more than 760,000 acres in the central eastern part of California, the Yosemite National Park is well-loved for its stunning granite cliffs, Giant Sequoia groves, beautiful waterfalls and diverse animal and plant life. Visitors can hike among the 800 miles of trails, or drive along scenic routes to experience the beautiful landscapes and glimpse wildlife. Attractions include Glacier Point, with incredible views of the Yosemite Valley, the nature center and Yosemite Museum and historic places like the LeConte Memorial Lodge and the Ahwahnee Hotel.

5 Cleanest Cities in USA You Must Visit

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Portland, Oregon

San Jose, California

Buffalo, New York

Columbus, Ohio

San Francisco

Famous Tourist Place in Zambia

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Victoria Falls

Zambezi River

Chimp Sanctuary

Shiwa Ngandu

Lake Mweru

Intricate Rainforest Sculptures of Olinda

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Welcoming Arms

Hidden deep within a lush Australian rainforest are a set of mystical Aborigine sculptures seemingly merged into the natural surroundings. Moss covered torsos of men, women and children protrude from tree trunks and boulders. Some reach heavenward with widespread wings, others envelop each other protectively – all are symbols of the relationship the indigenous Australian Aborigines have with nature.

Aboriginal Man

These mesmerizing sculptures are the work of William Ricketts, a rare Australian born in 1898 who was in awe of the connection the Aborigine people have with the land.

Entrance Guardians

The clay figures, which Ricketts created on site in his home on Mount Dandenong, near Olinda, express his devout philosophy that all people need to act as custodians of the natural environment just as the Aboriginal people do.

Mother Earth

Ricketts gained his deep understanding of Aboriginal culture during frequent trips to Central Australia, where he lived with the Pitjantjatjara and Arrernte people from 1949-1960. They soon adopted him as one of their own and willingly posed for the sculptures that would become their legacy.

Man With Boy

William Ricketts died in 1993 at the ripe old age of 94 but he will always be remembered as his figure, too, is dotted around the tranquil fern gully, forever connected to both the family and the land he so loved.

Top 10 Colorful Towns on Earth

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Riomaggiore, Liguria, Italy

Willemstad, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles

La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Wroclaw, Poland

Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway

Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark

Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico

Lima, Peru

Bryggen, Bergen, Norway

Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Most Bizarrely Shaped Islands on Earth

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1. Heart

‘Lover’s Island’ just off the Croatian coast is one of the few naturally occurring heart shapes on Earth. Actually called Galešnjak, it is a privately owned island located in the Adriatic Sea, close to the town of Turanj. Full of wild plants and trees, but little else, this sleepy isle came to worldwide attention because of its unusual shape in February 2009, when it was publicized by Google Earth.

2. Dolphin

There are so many stunning landscapes on Earth, yet nature never ceases to amaze. Islands are often beautiful enough in their own right when seen from ground level: we don’t need to discern any particular pattern in their design. When viewed from above, you might imagine the shape of islands to be random too, but a look at the following images may make you think again. Sprawled out in the oceans, islands can paint many a strange picture. Mother Nature certainly seems to have had a sense of humor in designing them!
This coral reef island – situated off the north coast of Flores Island, Indonesia – is simply stunning. It looks as though the shape of island was inspired by dolphins that might have been swimming around it. Simply breathtaking!

3. Boomerang

Wow, look, a boomerang, right in the middle of the South China Sea! If you want to spot it, you have a good chance to do so on a flight from Manila to Kuala Lumpur – about 45 minutes after take-off, advises photographer, Earl. The atoll is part of the Spratly Islands – an archipelago of over 750 islets, reefs, cays and islands – and is a real shape-shifter: depending on the season and the flow of the current, you may find a different form meets the eye.

4. Eye

This incredible human eye, complete with retina and iris, can be found in the Maldives. Or, staying with the marine motif, perhaps it could be conceived of as a majestic jellyfish. Actually, of course, it’s a coral reef – or, according to photographer Mohamed Shareef, the birth of an island...

10 Top Tourist Attractions in Singapore

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Merlion Park.

1. Standing tall at 8.6 meters high and weighs as heavy as 70 tones, Merlion is well-known tourist attractions in Singapore. There are 1 Merlion in Sentosa Island, 1 at Mount Faber, 1 at the Singapore Tourism Board headquarters in Orchard Spring Lane and 2 other Merlions in Merlion Park.

Pulau Ubin

If you want to enjoy the natural vegetation, wild life and the laidback atmosphere of a village, then Pulau Ubin is your best choice. Located off the northeastern coast of Singapore main island, a small island called Pulau Ubin is the last village in Singapore which still full of legends, with an enthralling history and geography.

Singapore Zoo

You can experience the thriving wildlife in the modern Singapore Zoo which was known as the Singapore Zoollogical Gardens. The Zoo offered a kingdom of Singapore wild animals with over 3.200 mammals, reptiles and birds such as leopards, jaguars, white tigers, baboons, and polar bears etc which are kept in hidden dry or wet moats, instead of caging the animals.

Orchard Road

Shopaholic could satisfy their hungry of shopping in the Orchard Road district where it is dominated by the shopping centers, hotels and many other shopping arcades. Orchard Road district is one of the top tourist attractions in Singapore

Fort Siloso

Sentosa island offers many landmarks such as Fort Siloso fortress where we can find some guns from the World War 11 era, also one of the most famous tourist attraction in Singapore: the 2 integrated casino resorts, Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands.

Singapore Night Safari

Singapore things to see at night is the Night Safari which is the first night wildlife park. The Night Safari is divided into 8 geographical zones which can be explored using some walking trails or with a tram. We can find about 920 animals where 30% of them are endangered species

Jurong Bird Park

Bird lovers must visit the Jurong Bird Park which is one of the best aviaries park in the world and hosted 9000 birds of different species. One of the highlight of the Jurong Bird Park is the Amazon jungle aviary where we can find the largest man-made waterfall.

Chinatown

Chinatown in Singapore is an amazing tourist attractions in Singapore. Chinatown offering more than just a restored shop houses selling any kind of products but also a lot of monuments and cultural heritage buildings such as the Thian Hock Keng Temple and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM)

One of Singapore's most acclaimed national museums is the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) which is located in the Armenian Street. The museum provide a deep insight into the interesting pan-Asian arts and cultural heritage whose integration is the rich base for the multi ethnic society in Singapore.

Escape Theme Park

For adrenaline seekers then the Singapore's biggest outdoor theme park, Escape Theme Park is the best place to visit. This popular tourist attractions in Singapore provide a huge range of wet and dry rides for the family, from the small kids to the grown up.

Top Tourist Attractions in Poland

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1) Wawel Castle

People have lived upon the site of Wawel Castle since the Paleolithic Age. The castle itself was first built in the 14th century, at the command of Polish monarch Casimir III the Great. The Gothic castle is home to the only preserved piece of the Polish Crown Jewels, the legendary sword Szczerbiec coronation sword. Decorated with symbols and floral patterns, the blade is notched to hold a small shield, giving the sword its nickname, the Jagged Sword.

2) Auschwitz-Birkenau

A visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau is a powerful experience that words can scarcely describe. The immense size of the infamous Nazi concentration camp is the first thing to strike visitors as they approach the entrance to the memorial and museum in Oswiecim, Poland. Devoted to the memory of the murders in the camps during World War II, Auschwitz-Birkenau has been visited by more than 25 million people.

3) Masurian Lakeland

Located in an area that encompasses the lower Vistula River to the Lithuania border, the Masurian Lake District contains more than 2,000 lakes connected by an extensive system of canals and rivers. The Masurian Lakeland is the most popular tourist destination of Europe’s lake districts. Hotels, guest houses and camp sites are plentiful in the villages that surround the lakes, and visitors often travel by bicycle or boat to tour the scenic area.

4) Slowinski Sand Dunes

Situated in northern Poland, the Slowinski Sand Dunes are part of the Slowinski National Park located on the coast of the Baltic Sea. The park is named after the Slovincians who once lived there, and an open-air museum in the town of Kluki features artifacts of their culture. The dunes themselves are formed as waves and wind carry sand onshore and can reach as high as 30 meters. Their forms change with the season and are known as the “moving dunes.”

5) Malbork Castle

Malbork Castle was founded in 1274 by the Teutonic Knights who used it as their headquarters to help defeat Polish enemies and rule their own northern Baltic territories. The castle was expanded several time to host the growing number of Knights until their retreat to Königsburg in 1466. Today it is the most popular tourist attraction in the city of Malbork.

6) Wieliczka Salt Mine

Located on the outskirts of Krakow, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is considered one of the oldest companies in the world. Salt has been mined from the site continuously since the 13th century. The site features an underground city, all carved out of the rock salt, including a chapel that is said to have the best acoustics of any structure in Europe. Dozens of ancient sculptures carved from salt are augmented by new sculptures from contemporary artists.

7) Bialowieza Forest

The Bialowieza Forest is a large remnant of the primeval forests that once covered much of Europe. The forest straddles the border between Poland and the Republic of Belarus, and there are border crossings for tourists on foot or on bicycles. The Bialowieza Forest is home to around 800 wisent, a protected species of European bison. While the wisent are kept within fenced areas, guided tours are available either on foot or in horse-drawn carriages.

8) Gdansk Old Town

Located on the Baltic coast, the city of Gdansk’s history includes a long occupation by 14th century Teutonic Knights whose fortresses contrasted strongly with the existing town that came to be known as Altstadt, or “Old Town.” In the 15th century, Casimir IV of Poland allowed the structures built by the Teutonic Knights to be demolished. Gdansk’s Old Town area includes many 17th century structures, including granaries, mills and churches.

9) Warsaw Old Market Place

Founded in the late 13th century, Warsaw and the city’s central marketplace were the heart of Polish culture for five centuries. The original Old Town Market Place was destroyed in World War II but was carefully reconstructed almost immediately after the war ended. The market square features a bronze sculpture of the Warsaw mermaid, the symbol of Poland’s capital.

10) Main Market Square

Dating back to the 13th century, the Main Market Square in the Old Town in Kraków is the largest medieval town square in Europe and one of the main tourist attractions in Poland. The square is surrounded by historical townhouses, historic buildings, palaces and churches. The center of the square is dominated by the Cloth Hall, rebuilt in 1555 in the Renaissance style, topped by a beautiful attic.

Amazing Desert Landscapes

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1) Valle de la Luna

Valle de la Luna is located in the Atacama Desert in Chile. This breathtaking desert landscape is the result of centuries of winds and floods on the sand and stone of the region. The large sand dunes and stone formations mimic the surface of the moon, giving the region its name, which translates to “Valley of the Moon”. The unique color of the landscape, caused by the way the salt formations reflect the sunlight, makes the Valle de la Luna a beautiful, changing spectrum of bright blue, green, yellow and red colors.

2) The Pinnacles Desert

The Pinnacles Desert is in the Nambung National Park in Western Australia. Its unusual finger-like limestone formations among vast sand dunes create a strange, mystical appearance. With the movement of the sun, these formations cast eerie shadows across the desert. Surrounding wildflowers enhance the desert’s beauty from August to October.

3) McMurdo Dry Valleys

With an annual precipitation of only 200 mm (8 inches) along the coast an even less inland, Antarctica is considered the largest desert on Earth. Antarctica’s most extreme desert region is the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Even though the Valleys are nestled in an ice-covered continent, they have have been ice-free for thousands of years. The harsh katabatic winds blow through the desert at speeds of up to 320 km (200 miles) per hour with a force capable of evaporating all moisture. Consequently, the McMurdo Dry Valleys are considered to be the earth’s closest equivalent to the surface of Mars.

4) Death Valley

Death Valley is an imposing, diverse landscape that stretches across parts of Nevada and California. It is known as the lowest, driest, and hottest location in North America. Death Valley has recorded temperatures as high as 130 degrees. From snow-capped mountains to colorful sand dunes, the unique desert landscapes of Death Valley are like no other place in the United States. Places of interests include the scenic area of Zabriskie Point and the mysterious moving stones of Racetrack Playa.

5) Sinai Desert

Located along Egypt’s border with Israel , the Sinai Desert is a major tourist destination due to its religious history, and it’s scenic beauty. The rugged mountain contrasting with golden sand and blue skies offer the visitor spectacular views of the desert. The Sinai Desert branches out to join the beaches of the Red Sea, where the amazing diving waters are known world-wide.

6) Erg Chebbi

Located in the Sahara Desert, the Erg Chebbi dunes are one of the top attractions in Morocco. The awe-inspiring dunes are as high as 150 meters tall, and one certainly feels small in their shadows. Excursions to the dunes normally start from the village of Merzouga which is located on the edge of the erg. Camel trekking is the most popular option although it isn’t the most comfortable way of traveling.

7) Nazca Desert

The Nazca Desert occupies a strip along the northern Pacific coast on a high arid plateau. The famous Nazca Lines are located between the towns of Nazca and Palpa. Created between 200 BC and 700 AD the figures range from simple lines to stylized spiders, monkeys, fish, llamas, lizards and human figures. The lines were created on such a large scale that it wasn’t until the 1920′s, when Peruvian airlines started to fly from Lima to Arequipa, that the lines were recognized as figures. The dry, windless, stable climate of the Nazca Desert has helped keep the lines uncovered to the present day.

8) Wadi Rum

The Wadi Rum valley features amazing wildlife and remarkable rock formations. Located in the country of Jordan, the valley is a spectacular tourist destination. Guests can ride a camel or horse across the amazing desert and camp out under the clear, star-filled sky. Adventure-seekers can practice their rock-climbing skills on the vast rock formations including Jabal Rum, the second-highest peak in Jordan.

9) Salar de Uyuni

Located in the Andes Mountains of Bolivia, Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world. The expanse of salt creates an unending white landscape during the dry season, but the area is most breathtaking in the rainy season when it is covered in water. The reflection of the blue sky creates an even more surreal landscape although some people insist on seeing the salt.

Top Famous 10 Buddha Statues

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Hussain Sagar Buddha Statue

The Buddha statue situated at the center of an artificial lake in the city of Hyderabad is one of India’s most famous Buddha statues. This figure stands at a full 17 meters (56 feet) tall and weighs 320 tons. The single largest monolithic statue in all of India, it was sculpted by a group of artisans from a single piece of stone. Tragically, during the statue’s installation in 1992 the figure tipped over and fell into the lake, causing the death of 8 workers. The government recovered the statue and restored it to its full height and stature.

Tian Tan Buddha Statue

Tian Tan Buddha sometimes locally referred to as the Big Buddha, is located on Lantau Island, in Hong Kong. Fashioned of bronze and completed in 1993, The statue is the main feature of the Po Lin Monastery, symbolizing harmony between man, nature, people and religion. The statue is named Tian Tan Buddha because its base is a replica of Tian Tan, the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. The statue sits on a lotus throne on top of a three tiered altar. At 34 meters (110 feet) tall, the Tian Tan Buddha is presented in a posture of serenity. His right hand is raised to remove affliction. His left hand rests on his knee, representing happiness.

Monywa Buddhas

Monywa is a city in central Myanmar located on the banks of the Chindwin River. Just east of the city is the Po Khaung Taung, a range of hills where you can see the Monywa Buddha– the largest reclining Buddha statue in the world. This colossal figure measures 90 meters (300 feet) in length. The head alone is 60 feet high. The Monywa Buddha was constructed in 1991 and is hollow inside, allowing visitors to walk along from the head to the feet. Inside the figure are 9,000 one-foot-high metal images of the Buddha and his disciples, depicting various representations of important events in the Buddha’s life. Recently a gigantic standing Buddha statue was built on top of Po Kaung Hills. At 132 meter (433 feet) high it is one of the largest Buddha statues in the world.

Ayutthaya Buddha Head

Thailand’s city of Ayutthaya is the location of one of the world’s most unusual Buddhist statues. Among the ruins of Wat Mahathat (The Temple of the Great Relic) is the remains of a sandstone statue of the Buddha whose body has been lost to the ages but whose head rests appropriately in the climbing roots and vines of a tree. Around this famous figure are many other stature of the Ayutthaya period which have survived the ravages of time.

Gal Viharaya

Located in north central Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa is the site of one of the most breathtaking of the world’s representations of the Buddha – the Gal Gal Viharaya. This massive rock temple was constructed by Parakramabahu the Great in the 12th century. The central attraction of the temple are 4 large Buddha statues carved into the face of a granite boulder. Among these giant stone figures are a reclining statue of the Buddha that measures 14 meters (46 feet) in length and a standing figure measuring 7 meters (23 feet) high.

Ushiku Daibutsu

The Ushiku Daibutsu is located in the city of Ushiku in Japan. Finished in 1995, the figure is one of the world’s tallest statues, standing a total of 120 meters (394 feet) high including the 10m (30 foot) base and 10m high lotus platform. Visitors to the Buddha statue can take an elevator to a platform where an observation deck is situated. The bronze-plated figure depicts Amitabha Buddha, and is also known as Ushiku Arcadia.

Temple of the Reclining Buddha

Located in Bangkok, Wat Pho is famous for the huge Reclining Buddha statue it houses. It is one of the largest temples in Bangkok and also one of the oldest, constructed nearly 200 years before Bangkok became Thailand’s capital. Wat Pho holds the distinction of having both Thailand’s largest reclining Buddha image and the largest number of Buddha images in Thailand. The gold-plated Reclining Buddha statue is 46 meters long and 15 meters high, and commemorates the passing of the Buddha into Nirvana. The statue’s eyes and feet are decorated with engraved mother of pearl, the soles of the feet displaying the 108 auspicious characteristics of the true Buddha.

Great Buddha of Kamakura

The Kotoku-in is a Buddhist temple of the Jodo shu sect located in the city of Kamakura in Japan. The temple is famous for its great Buddhist statue (or daibutsu). a colossal outdoor representation of Amida Buddha, one of Japan’s most celebrated Buddhist figures. Cast in bronze, the Great Buddha stands at over 13 meters (40 feet) high and weighs nearly 93 tons. The statue reportedly dates from 1252 and is generally believed to have been cast by the Buddhist monk Joko, who also collected donations to build it. Although it originally was housed in a small wooden temple, the Great Buddha now stands in the open air as the original temple was washed away in a tsunami in the 15th century.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Another of Bangkok’s Buddhist temples is Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, located within the grounds of the Grand Palace. The main building is the central ubosoth, which houses The Emerald Buddha, one of the oldest and most famous Buddha statues in the world. A jade statue adorned in gold clothing, the Emerald Buddha was, according to legend, created in India in 43 BC in the city of Pataliputra, where it remained for 300 years. In the 4th century AD it was taken away to Sri Lanka by Buddhist monks to save it from destruction by war. Eventually the statue made its way to Thailand and was moved to Wat Phra Kaew in 1779. The statue has three different sets of gold clothing, which are changed by the King of Thailand in a ceremony at the changing of the seasons.

Leshan Giant Buddha

The Giant Buddha of Leshan is a gigantic Buddha statue carved out of a cliff face in Sichuan, western China. The great sculpture is a figure of Maitreya — a Bodhisattva traditionally represented in sitting posture. Begun in the year 713 during the Tang Dynasty, the statue was not completed until the year 803, and was the effort of thousands of sculptors and workers. As the biggest carved stone Buddha in the world, the Leshan Giant Buddha is featured in poetry, song and story. The sculpture stands about 71 meters (233 feet) high and has three meter (11 feet) long fingers on each of its enormous resting hands. Today it is a popular tourist attraction in China.

Top 7 Largest Statues in the World

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1) Rod1) Rodina Mat (102 meters)

Located in Kiev, the Rodina Mat statue is modeled after a symbol made during World War II to mobilize the Soviet people. The titanium statue was finished in 1981 and stands 62 meter (203 ft) tall on top of a museum building with the overall structure measuring 102 m (335 ft) and weighing 560 tons.

2 (Emperors Yan and Huang (105 meters)

The sculpture of Emperors Yan and Huang were carved into a mountain over a period of 20 years and was completed in 2007. The sculpture is 106 meter (345 ft) tall and depict two of the earliest Chinese emperors, Yan Di and Huang Di. China’s “Mount Rushmore” is located inside the Yellow River Scenic Area near Zhengzhou.

3) Guan Yin Statue (108 meters)

The 108 meter (354 ft) tall statue of the bodhisattva Guan Yin is situated on the south coast of China’s Hainan island. The statue has three aspects with one side facing inland and the other two facing the South China Sea. The statue took 6 years to build and was finished in 2005.

4) Cristo-Rei (110 meters)

Inspired by the famous Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, the Cristo-Rei shrine was inaugurated in 1959 after a 10 year building period. The statue is about the same size as its famous model in Rio, 28 meter (92 ft) high, but it stands on a 82 (209 ft) meter tall structure in the form of a gate so the total height of the monument is 110 meters (361 ft). At the base of the statue is an observation deck providing panoramic views of the city of Lisbon.

5) Ushiku Daibutsu (120 meters)

The Ushiku Daibutsu is located in the city of Ushiku in Japan. Finished in 1995, the figure is the 3rd largest statue in the world, standing a total of 120 meters (394 feet) high including the 10m (30 ft) base and a 10m (30 ft) high lotus platform. Visitors to the Buddha statue can take an elevator to a platform where an observation deck is situated. The bronze-plated figure depicts Amitabha Buddha, and is also known as Ushiku Arcadia.

6) Laykyun Setkyar (130 meters)

The Laykyun Setkyar is the second tallest statue in the world at 130 meters including a 13.5 meter throne. It was built on top of Po Kaung Hills near the city of Monywa in central Myanmar. At its foot lies the largest reclining Buddha statue in the world. The Laykyun Setkyar was completed in 2008, the reclining Buddha in 1991.

7) Spring Temple Buddha (153 meters)

The Spring Temple Buddha is the largest statue in the world. The total height of the monument is 153 meter (502 ft) including a 20 meter (66 ft) lotus throne and a 25 meter (82 ft) building. Construction of the Spring Temple Buddha was planned soon after the Bamiyan Buddhas were blown up by the Taliban in Afghanistan. The statue was finished in 2008 and depicts Vairocana Buddha.

Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Kenya

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1) Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park is just a 10 minutes drive from the center of Nairobi with only a fence separating the park’s wildlife from the metropolis. Nairobi’s skyscrapers can be seen from the park. Despite its proximity to the city and the relative small size of the park, Nairobi National Park boasts a large and varied wildlife population. Migrating wildebeest and zebra gather in the park during the dry season, and it is one of Kenya’s most successful rhinoceros sanctuaries.

2) Malindi

Malindi provides a very nice introduction to the coastal tourist attractions in Kenya with its extensive coral reefs and beautiful beaches. There are surfing, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing and other water sports. The Malindi Marine National Park is protected and has fine beaches clear water and very colorful fish. Malindi is served with a domestic airport and a highway between Mombasa and Lamu.

3) Mount Kenya

Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest in Africa, after Kilimanjaro. The mountain offers a beautiful sight. Its series of peaks are crowned with snow, and its slopes are covered with forest. The 5199 meter (17,057 ft) high summit is a difficult technical climb, several lowers peaks however are an easy destination for any fit trekker.

4) Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Reserve is a very peaceful national park in Northern Kenya. It attracts wildlife because of the Uaso Nyiro River that runs through it and the mixture of forest and grassland vegetation. All three big cats, lion, cheetah and leopard, can be found here, as well as elephants, buffalo and hippos. The Uaso Nyiro River contains large numbers of Nile crocodile.

5) Hell's Gate National Park

Hell’s Gate National Park is a tiny park named after a narrow break in the cliffs, once a tributary of a prehistoric lake that fed early humans in the Rift Valley. It is unique among Kenya’s wildlife parks, as you are allowed to walk or cycle without a guide. There’s dramatic scenery, with steep cliffs, gorges and basalt columns. The national park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, though many are few in number. Examples of little seen wildlife include lions, leopards, and cheetahs.

6) Lamu Island

Lamu Island is a part of Kenya’s Lamu Archipelago, and has managed to stay unspoiled and untouched by the mass tourism that has hit much of Kenya’s coastline. As the oldest living town in Kenya, Lamu Town has retained all the charm and character built up over centuries. There are no roads on Lamu Island, just alleyways and footpaths, and therefore, there are few motorized vehicles on the island. Residents move about on foot or by boat, and donkeys are used to transport goods and materials.

7) Tsavo National Park

Tsavo is the largest national park in Kenya and one of the largest in the world. Due to its size the park was divided into Tsavo West and Tsavo East. The Tsavo West has spectacular scenery with a rolling volcanic landscape while Tsavo East has more open savannah than its western sibling. Tsavo National Park is the ideal destination in Kenya for people who seek solitude and privacy as well as the chance to explore the wilderness.

8) Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru is a very shallow lake in central Kenya. The lake’s abundance of algae attracts vast quantities of lesser flamingos, sometimes more than one million at once. Often called the greatest bird spectacle on earth, the flamingos are one of Kenya’s top attractions. Sadly, in recent years the number of flamingos at Lake Nakuru has been decreasing, due to environmental degradation and pollution.

9) Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is a relatively small park located close to the Tanzania border at the foot of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. The park is famous for being the best place in Africa to get close to free-ranging elephants. Other attractions of the Amboseli National Park include opportunities to meet the Maasai people and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

10) Masai Mara National Reserve

The Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the top tourist attractions in Kenya and the country’s most popular game park. Each year the Masai Mara National Reserve is visited by thousands of tourists who come here to watch the exceptional population of game and the annual migration of zebra and wildebeest. The “Great Migration” takes place every year from July to October when millions of wildebeest and zebra migrate from the Serengeti in Tanzania.

5 Top Tourist Attractions In Spain

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1. Real Palacio

Real Palacio (Royal Palace) of Madrid is the official residence of the king of Spain, although it is only used for state ceremonies. The Royal Palace was built between 1738-1755 and King Carlos III stay in the palace on 1764. Madrid's Royal Palace of is considered to be one of the finest palaces in Europe. It is not the official residence of the King of Spain, that is the Zarzuela Palace outside Madrid, though official banquets and other important state events do take place here.

Real Palacio is the largest palace in Europe by floor area. The palace has 135,000 square metres (1,450,000 sq ft) of floorspace and contains 3418 rooms. The interior of the palace is notable for its wealth of art, in regards to the use of all kinds of fine materials in its construction and the decoration of its rooms with artwork of all kinds, such as paintings by artists such as Caravaggio, Velázquez and Francisco de Goya and frescoes by Corrado Giaquinto, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and Anton Raphael Mengs. Other collections that are preserved in the building are the Royal Armoury, Porcelain, Watches, Furniture and Silverware.

2. La Concha

La Concha in San Sebastian is one of the best beaches in Europe, especially Spain. Here you can go surfing, walking along the promenade to find a good restaurant and enjoy the beautiful scenery. La Concha is surrounded by steep cliffs and islands around it. Here visitors can play surf, stroll the beach and enjoy the atmosphere of a typical forage Spain. La Concha is one of the sights in the country of Spain. If you had the opportunity to travel to Spain is not complete if you do not stop at the La Concha.

Here you’re treated to some amazing views across the bay towards the little tree-topped island of Santa Clara. With soft sand, spectacular views and clean, clear Atlantic waters. But La Concha is long enough and wide enough for you to find a peaceful spot, even in peak season. As you’d expect from a city beach, the facilities are excellent, with plenty of changing rooms and sunbeds. With such a fine combination of culture and natural beauty. La Concha is one of the nicest beaches you'll ever get in a city.

3. Aqueduct Of Segovia

Ancient aqueducts carries water 16 km (10 miles) from the Frio River to Segovia and constructed of some 24 000 large granite blocks without using mortar. It was built around 50 AD still provide water to the city in the 20th century. Aqueduct Of Segovia become one of famous tourist attractions in Spain.

The aqueducts are located on the Iberian Peninsula and is a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site. The aqueducts are a major architectural landmark in the city. It continues to function to the present day, in good condition and well preserved.

4. Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia is a large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, and one of the most visited tourist attractions in Spain. It was designed by Antoni Gaudí, a Catalan architect who worked on this project for nearly 40 years until his death in 1926. The remarkable church is well worth a visit. You can visit the crypt were Gaudí is buried as well as the transept and central nave with its giant, tree-like pillars and spectacular vaulting. A museum narrates the history of the church and tells the story of its great architect. You can also visit the towers. An elevator and a long walk will lead you to the top of a tower from where you have a magnificent view over Barcelona.

5. Alhambra Palace

The palace was built in the 14th century by the Nasrid sultans. Alhambra is a palace complex, the royal relics of the golden age of Andalusia located on a hill at the edge of Granada city province of Andalusia region of southern Spain. Alhambra is also one of the top cultural highlights ever achieved by a European. Complex that was about 1300 years, ever became a settlement for forty thousand people, complete with housing, schools and gardens and their gardens. Alhambra palace is now one of the major Spain's tourist attractions and many visitors come to Granada just to see the Alhambra

10 Top Tourist Attractions in the USA

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1) White House

The White House in Washington DC is the official residence and office of the President of the United States. It was built between 1792 and 1800 and first used by President John Adams. After the 9/11 attacks it has become more difficult to visit the White House and today tours are available only for groups of 10 or more and must be requested up to six months in advance through your member of Congress or your country’s US Ambassador.

2) Denali National Park

The Denali National Park and Preserve is located in Interior Alaska and contains Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in North America. The word “Denali” means “the high one” in the native Athabaskan language and refers to Mount McKinley. In addition, the park protects an incredible wilderness area that contains grizzly bears, caribou, moose, wolves, and numerous other creatures.

3) Las Vegas Strip

The gambling mecca of the world, Las Vegas is situated in the midst of the southern Nevada desert landscape. Casinos can be found throughout Las Vegas, but the strip, a stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard South, contains the most of them. It features giant mega-casino hotels, decorated with lavish care and attention to detail to create a fantasy-like atmosphere. The casinos often have names and themes that evoke romance, mystery, and far-away destination.

4) Florida Keys

The Florida Keys are a 120 mile long chain of tropical islands curving around the base of the Florida peninsula, connected to the mainland by a series of bridges. The most spectacular bridge, the Seven Mile Bridge in the Lower Keys, has been frequently used as a location for films including True Lies and Fast 2 Furious. US Highway 1, the “Overseas Highway” runs from Key Largo, Islamadora, Marathon, Lower Keys and finally to Key West, the most distant and most famous island.

5) Kilauea

Kilauea is the most recent of a series of volcanoes that have created the Hawaiian Archipelago. It is a very low, flat shield volcano, vastly different in profile from the high, sharply sloping peaks of stratovolcanoes. Kilauea is one of the most active volcano on the Earth, an invaluable resource for volcanologists. Thirty-three eruptions have taken place since 1952, not including the current eruption which started on January 3, 1983 and is still ongoing.

6) Niagara Falls

Situated between the state of New York and the province of Ontario, Niagara Falls is one of the most spectacular natural wonders on the North American continent. Niagara Falls is actually three different falls, the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls. Horseshoe Falls is located on the Canadian side while the other are located in New York. With more than 14 million visitors each year it is one of the most visited tourist attraction in the world.

7) Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the strait between San Francisco and Marin County to the north. The Golden Gate Bridge was the longest suspension bridge span in the world when it was completed in 1937, and has become an internationally recognized symbol of San Francisco and California. The famous red-orange color of the bridge was specifically chosen to make the bridge more easily visible through the thick fog that frequently shrouds the bridge.

8) Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park was the world’s first national park, set aside in 1872 to preserve the vast number of geysers, hot springs, and other thermal areas, as well as to protect the incredible wildlife and rugged beauty of the area.Yellowstone lies on top of a gigantic hotspot where light, hot, molten mantle rock rises towards the surface. Subsequently, the park contains half of all the world’s known geothermal features, with more than 10,000 examples of geysers and hot springs. In addition, black bears, grizzly bears, deer, elk, bison and wolves can all be found within the park borders.

9) Manhattan

Manhattan is one of New York’s five boroughs and is what people most often think of when they picture New York. It’s familiar skyline and sights have been featured a thousand times on screen. Walk in the shadow of the skyscrapers, picture the Statue of Liberty, see a Broadway show , climb the Empire State building, stroll Central Park, window shop on 5th Avenue or stagger around a museum.

10) Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is located in northern Arizona and is one of the great tourist attractions in the United States. Carved over several million years by the Colorado River, the canyon attains a depth of over 1.6 km (1 mile) and 446 km (277 miles) long. The Grand Canyon is not the deepest or the longest canyon in the world but the overwhelming size and its intricate and colorful landscape offers visitor spectacular vistas that are unmatched throughout the world.

10 Top Tourist Attractions in Italy

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Canals of Venice

Referred to as “The City of Water”, Venice is the crown jewel of water cities. Romantic gondolas, and Italian architecture along the Grand Canal helped earn this status. Stitched together with over 150 canals that have become central to its character, Venice has decayed since its heyday and has more tourists than residents, but with its romantic charm it remains one of the top tourist attractions in Italy.

Colosseum

The Colosseum in Rome is the largest and most famous amphitheater in the Roman world. Its construction was started by emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty in 72 AD and was finished by his son Titus in 80 AD. The Colosseum was capable of holding some 50,000 spectators who could enter the building through no less than 80 entrances. Spectators were protected from the rain and heat of the sun by sails called the “velarium”, that was attached around the top of the attic.

Santa Maria del Fiore

Begun in 1296 in the Gothic style and completed in 1436, The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is Florence’s beautiful cathedral and symbol of the city. The exterior of the basilica is faced with polychrome marble panels in various shades of green and pink bordered by white. The basilica is one of Italy’s largest churches, and until the modern era, the dome was the largest in the world. It remains the largest brick dome ever constructed.

Piazza del Campo

One of Europe’s greatest medieval squares, the Piazza del Campo is the principal public space of the historic center of Siena, Tuscany. It is renowned worldwide for its beauty and architectural integrity. The Palazzo Pubblico and its famous tower, as well as various palazzi signorili belonging to the wealthiest of Siena families surround the shell-shaped piazza. The twice-per-year horse-race, Palio di Siena, involves circling the Piazza del Campo, on which a thick layer of dirt has been laid, three times and usually lasts no more than 90 seconds.

Pompeii

On August 24, 79 AD, the volcano Vesuvius erupted, covering the nearby town Pompeii with ash and soil, and subsequently preserving the city in its state from that fateful day. Everything from jars and tables to paintings and people were frozen in time. Its excavation has provided an extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of people living two thousand years ago. Today Pompeii is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Italy, with approximately 2,500,000 visitors every year.

Positano (Amalfi Coast)

Positano is a small town located on the Amalfi Coast, a stretch of coastline renowned for its rugged terrain, scenic beauty, picturesque towns and diversity. The city seems to be scattered from top to bottom down a hillside leading to the coast. Though Positano grew and prospered in medieval times, by the mid 19th more than half of the population was gone. In the 20th century it went from being a poor fishing village to a very popular tourist attraction with the help of author John Steinbeck who wrote about its beauty.

Lake Como (Italian Lake District)

Lake Como is part of the Italian Lake District an area popular with visitors for well over 100 years for its combination of fresh air, water, mountains and good weather. The lake is shaped much like an inverted ‘Y’, with two branches starting at Como in the south-west and Lecco in the south-east, which join together half way up and the lake continues up to Colico in the north. The lake is famous for the attractive villas which have been built here since Roman times. Many have admirable gardens which benefit from the mild climate and are able to include tropical as well as temperate plants.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

The world famous Pisa Tower was built over a period of about 177 years. Soon after the construction started in 1173 the tower began to sink due to a poorly laid foundation and was left alone for almost a century. When the construction resumed the engineers built higher floors with one side taller than the other to compensate for the tilt and the tower was finally finished in the 2nd half of the 14th century. Since 2001, the famous tower in Pisa is again open to those wishing to climb it’s 296 steps.

Manarola (Cinque Terre)

Mestled in the Italian Riviera, Manarola is one of the oldest towns in Cinque Terre. The “Five Lands” comprises of five villages noted for their beauty. Part of Cinque Terre charm is the lack of visible modern development. Paths, trains and boats connect the villages, and cars cannot reach it from the outside. The towns sprout out of the mountainside to provide a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean sea.

Towers of San Gimignano

Nicknamed the medieval Manhatten, San Gimignano is a village in Tuscany famous for its 14 stone towers. At the height of San Gimignano’s wealth and power, more than 70 towers were built to defend the town against enemy attacks. After the plague devastated the city in 1348, San Gimignano’s power faded, which kept enemies away and preserved many of the city’s medieval towers.

Top Tourist Attractions in China

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Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China built, rebuilt, and maintained between the 5th century BC and the 16th century to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire from the attacks of nomadic tribes from the north. The majority of the existing wall were built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). The condition of the Great Wall of China ranges from excellent to ruined.

Potala Palace

Situated 130 meters above the Lhasa valley, the Potala Palace rises a further 170 meters and is the greatest monumental structure in all of Tibet. The construction of the present palace began in 1645 during the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama and by 1648 the Potrang Karpo, or White Palace, was completed. The Potrang Marpo, or Red Palace, was added between 1690 and 1694. The Potala Palace remained the residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India, after the Chinese invasion in 1959.

Forbidden City

Located in the center of Beijing, the Forbidden City is the world’s largest palace covering 72 hectares. Built from 1406 to 1420, the palace complex consists of 980 surviving buildings with 8,707 rooms surrounded by a six meter (20 ft) deep moat and a ten meter (33 ft) high wall. Twenty-four emperors reigned over the country for almost 5 centuries from the Forbidden City until the abdication of Puyi, the last Emperor of China. Today the Forbidden City is a museum and one of the most popular tourist attractions in China.

Victoria Harbour

Victoria Harbour is a major tourist attraction in Hong Kong and one of the deepest container ports in the world. The bay offers stunning views of the skyscrapers of Hong Kong island on one side, and the Tsim Sha Tsui shoreline on the other. Victoria Harbour is also one of the busiest harbors in the world with hundreds of ferries, junks and speed boats darting up and down the shore. One of the best ways to see the harbor is a trip on the Star Ferry.

Terracotta Army

The Terracotta Army is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang (221 BC-206 BC), the first Emperor of China. It is the most popular tourist attraction in Xián and one of the most popular in all of China. It is estimated that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits.

Li River Cruise

A Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the highlight of any trip to northeastern Guangxi Province. The landscape is decorated with amazing hills, steep cliffs, incredible caves and farming villages, and is lined with bamboo groves. With its breathtaking scenery and taste of a life far removed from the concrete metropolis, the scenery along the Li River is one of the top tourist attractions in China.

Mount Huang

One of China’s major tourist destinations, Mount Huang is a mountain range in eastern China also known as Huangshan (“Yellow Mountain”). The area is well known for its scenery, pine trees, peculiarly-shaped granite peaks and views of the clouds from above. In ancient times almost 60,000 stone steps were carved into the side of the mountain range. Today there are also cable cars that tourists can use to ride directly from the base to one of the summits.

Leshan Giant Buddha

The Giant Buddha of Leshan is a gigantic Buddha statue carved out of a cliff face in Sichuan, western China. Begun in the year 713 during the Tang Dynasty, the statue was not completed until the year 803, and was the effort of thousands of sculptors and workers. The Leshan Giant Buddha stands about 71 meters (233 feet) high and has three meter (11 feet) long fingers on each of its enormous resting hands.

Mogao Caves

The Mogao Caves form a system of 492 temples 25 km (15.5 miles) southeast of the center of Dunhuang, an oasis strategically located at a crossroads on the Silk Road. The caves contain some of the finest examples of Buddhist art spanning a period of about a 1,000 years. Construction of the Buddhist cave shrines began in 366 AD as places to store scriptures and art. Along with the Longmen Grottoes and Yungang Grottoes, the Mogao Caves are one of the three most famous ancient rock-cut temples in China.

Pudong Skyline

Pudong is a district in Shanghai on the eastern side of the Huangpu River that has emerged as China’s financial and commercial hub. A skyline of gleaming skyscrapers rises out of what was mere farmland only 20 years ago. Skyscrapers includes the symbolic Oriental Pearl Tower, the Shanghai World Financial Center, the Jin Mao Building and the Shanghai Tower that should be finished in 2014

Top Tourist Attractions In Hawaii

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Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

After years of restoration efforts, Hanauma Bay has been a spectacular natural resources in Hawaii. Here you can Leveraging opportunities for snorkeling and swimming in this paradise. By visiting Hanauma Bay nature reserve you will get an education and learn about conservation programs and other activities you can do in the area. You can talk to volunteers at the beach kiosk to learn more. Enjoy the natural beauty of Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve.

Diamond Head State Monument

Diamond Head State Monument is very popular tourist attractions in southeast of Hawaii. There you can find a diamond in the slopes of the crater in the 1700s, but before you start digging, you should know that the diamond is called calcite crystals that are only valuable to the mine. There you can also go hiking through the old military bunkers and you can also go on a hike to the summit, about 1.4 miles. Up there will get a view of Honolulu area and do not forget to bring a flashlight as a pathway through the long, dark tunnel.

Waimea Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

In this tourist attractions area you can swim in crystal clear pool at Waihi as he lit the blazing sun. But not only that you can do several things such as get acquainted with 36 main botanical collection. By visiting the Waimea Valley Audubon Center located in beautiful Waimea Valley along with family and friends will surely have a great experience.

Panaewa Rainforest Zoo

There will get a chance to find a variety of rainforest animals and endangered species - spider monkeys, lemurs, Nene geese, just to name a few. Go visit the zoo and gift shop for one-of-a-kind souvenir. Panaewa Rainforest Zoo is also considered a botanical garden. It is open daily and free admision.

USS Arizona Memorial, Oahu

Visiting the Remains of the USS Arizona Will Encourage you to contemplate the sense of sacrifice our military personnel endured attack.The During the Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial is the mid-section of the sunken Battleship and offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about that Fateful day. The guided tour of the USS Arizona Memorial includes a 23-minute documentary film, a short boat trip and a self-guided exploration of the Memorial.

Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, Big Island

Located on the Big Island, the Pu `uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park is a 182-acre park full of Archeological sites and reconstructions of an ancient Hawaiian" Place of Refuge ". This sacred site was once home to Hawaiian royalty and a place of refuge for Those WHO broke a kapu (ancient Hawaiian law) or Defeated military. You can do at there: the self-guided tour, photographing the many green sea turtles Sunbathing on the beach, and playing a game of kônane. Must-do is this: self tour, photographing many green sea turtles bask on the beach, and playing games kônane.

Waimea Canyon, Kauai - "Grand Canyon of the Pacific"

Waimea Canyon is amazing, "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" The canyon is one mile wide, 10 miles long, and over 3.600 feet in depth.The deep canyon gashes in the landscape look like the Claw marks of some Immense Prehistoric creature. The play of light and shadow throughout the day on the colorful striated layers of rock is extraordinary. A fun pastime is to stand at one of the Waimea Canyon overlooks and watch the reaction of the visitor after visitor, as Their jaws drop, and They Become first speechless and then Breathless as They witness this spectacle of nature for the first time, Realizing That words fail Them and that there must be a God.

Top Tourist Attractions in Belize

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Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker is a small coral island in the Caribbean Sea and is accessible by high-speed water taxi or small plane. In recent years the island has become a popular Belize attraction for backpackers and other tourists for its (relatively) cheap prices, laid-back vibe, and abundance of restaurants and bars. The main mode of transport on Caye Caulker is simply walking. The paths are well defined, and crossing the island takes about 20 minutes. Bicycles and golf carts can also be rented.

Caracol

Siting high on the Vaca Plateau, 500 meters (1650 ft) above sea level, Caracol is the largest Maya site in Belize. It was once one of the largest ancient Maya cities, covering some 168 square kilometers (65 mi²). At its peak around 650 AD it had an estimated population of about 150,000, more than twice as many people as Belize City has today. The largest pyramid in Caracol is Canaa (Sky Place), at 43 meters (143 ft) it is still the tallest man-made structure in all of Belize.

Placencia

A popular peninsula in southern Belize, Placencia has the best mainland beaches, plus some of the most amazing offshore coral cayes. The eastern side of the Placencia Peninsula is a long expanse of white sand beach. The western side is bounded by a long and narrow bay. The beautiful beaches together with the abundant, inexpensive accommodation, make it a great place to relax and one of the attractions in Belize.

Lamanai

Located in northern Belize, Lamanai was once a considerably sized Maya city. The ancient ruins are not completely uncovered yet. Archaeological work has concentrated on the investigation and restoration of the larger structures such as the High Temple, a 33 meter tall temple. Since it was still occupied by the Maya when the Spanish arrived, Lamanai, which in Maya means “submerged crocodile”, is one of the few Mayan sites to retain its traditional name.

Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye is the largest of several hundred islands in the northernmost waters of Belize. The island is the top tourist destination in Belize, and its lack of high-rise hotels or big city traffic gives the island a relaxed, laid-back feel. Most people get around Ambergris Caye by simply walking. There’s a great deal of quality hotels in town, and many resorts on the island are less than a mile from the town of San Pedro, the only urbanized area on the island. Many travelers enjoy renting golf carts, which are the dominant form of transportation, next to bicycles.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the biggest, protected destinations in Belize. The reserve was founded in 1990 as the first wilderness sanctuary for the jaguar. Although roughly 60 of Belize’s 700 jaguars are believed to live in the sanctuary, your chances of seeing one are very slim. However, it’s an ideal environment for plant-spotting, bird viewing or seeking out other wildlife, and the trail system is the best developed in any of Belize’s protected areas.

Xunantunich

The Maya ruins of Xunantunich are located atop a ridge above the Mopan River near San Ignacio, within sight of the Guatemala border. Most of the structures date from about 200 to 900 BC. Xunantunich consists of a series of six plazas surrounded by more than 26 temples and palaces. At 40 meters (130 ft) the pyramid known as “El Castillo” is the tallest structure in Xunantunich and the second tallest structure in Belize, after the temple at Caracol.

Actun Tunichil Muknal

Actun Tunichil Muknal is a cave in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve near San Ignacio. The cave was discovered in 1992, and was subsequently featured on the National Geographic Explorer film, “Journey Through the Underworld”. A sacred site for the Mayans, the cave contains many examples of pottery, ceramics and stoneware, as well as several sets of human sacrificial remains, one of which (known as the “Crystal Maiden”) has been almost entirely covered in limestone crystals by the natural processes of the cave.

Belize Zoo

Set in natural forest, 31 miles from Belize City, the [tl]Belize Zoo[/tl] is one of the finest zoos in the Americas. Many of the animals in Belize Zoo are wild animals that were kept as pets by individual collectors and the zoo tries to recondition such animals for a return to the wild. It enables visitors to see the native animals of Belize at close quarters, housed in spacious enclosures that closely resemble their natural habitats. Unless you’re a seasoned wildlife photographer, this is likely to be the best place to get excellent photographs of the animals of Belize.

Top 7 Tourist Attractions in Morocco

2013-01-10T21:29:00.001-08:00

1) Djemaa el Fna

The Eiffel Tower is a symbol of Paris and one of the top tourist attractions in France. The tower was built by Gustave Eiffel as the entrance arch for the International Exhibition of Paris of 1889. Since its construction more than 200,000,000 people have visited the Eiffel Tower making it the most visited paid tourist attraction in the world.

2) St Tropez

Aït Benhaddou is one of Ouarzazate’s fortified cities along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. Inside the high mud walls are 6 kasbahs and a small number of homes. Most of the town’s inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other side of the river although a few families still live within the city walls. Aït Benhaddou has appeared in several movies, including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator.

3) Fes el Bali

Fes-al-Bali, the larger of the two medinas of Fes, is a nearly intact medieval city. With a population of about 150,000 inhabitants, it is the largest carfree urban area in the world by population. Transports of goods is provided by donkeys, carriages, and motorbikes. The entire medina is surrounded by high walls with a number of historic city gates. Several shops and restaurants have a rooftop terrace which is a great way to escape the bustling streets. The views are particularly spectacular during sunset and after dark.

4) Erg Chebbi

The Erg Chebbi dunes are located in the Sahara Desert. The awe-inspiring dunes are as high as 150 meters tall, and one certainly feels small in their shadows. Erg Chebbi special feature is its beautiful unique orange colored sand. Excursions to the dunes normally start from the village of Merzouga which is located on the edge of the erg.

5) Draa Valley

Located south of the High Atlas mountains, the stunning Draa Valley, lined with old Kasbahs, Berber villages and palm groves, spreads from Ouarzazate in the west to Zagora in the east. A drive through the valley is undoubtedly one of the most scenic journeys in Morocco. The Draa Valley is intersected by the Draa River which starts in the High Atlas and ends in the Atlantic Ocean, though in reality the river normally dries out before reaching the ocean.

6) Essaouira

Essaouira is a relaxed fishing port, protected by a natural bay. It was formerly known, by the 16th century Portuguese as Mogador. The present city of Essaouira was only built during the 18th century to increase trade exchanges with the European powers. Nowadays, Essaouira is renowned for its kitesurfing and windsurfing, with the powerful trade wind blowing almost constantly onto the protected bay. Parasols tend to be used on the beach as a protection against the wind and the blowing sand. The medina of Essaouira is home to many small arts and crafts businesses, notably cabinet making and wood-carving.

7) Todra Gorge

Todra Gorge is situated on the remote east side of the High Atlas Mountains. Both the Todra and neighboring Dades Rivers have carved out cliff-sided canyons through the mountains. The final 600 meters of the Todra Gorge are the most spectacular as the canyon narrows to a flat stony track as little as 10 meters (33 ft) wide in places with sheer and smooth rock walls up to 160 meters (525 ft) high on each side.

Top 10 Beach Vacations in India

2013-01-03T00:52:00.002-08:00

Palolem Beach:

Palolem beach in South Goa is a far cry in contrast to North Goa beaches. When it comes to the golden sands, swaying palm-fronds, gentle surf and heavenly sunsets, Palolem raises the yardstick a notch high! With sea birds wheeling over serene sandy stretches, occasional sun loungers and comforting shacks, Palolem is the right place for an idyllic hide-away.

Varkala Beach:

If Goa was the Mecca for Hippies and back-packers in the '70s, Varkala beach in the Southern state of Kerala holds that distinction now. A laid-back affair with the backdrop of dramatic cliffs and a generous amount of reggae, this beach is just right for some rejuvenating beach-therapy!

Om Beach:

Together with its surrounding beaches, Om Beach in the town of Gokarna in Karnataka, remains a vestige of the fabled hippie trail. One of the most secluded and pristine beaches, Om is the ultimate destination for spotting Dolphins and for a delightful Bohemian holiday.

Kovalam Beach:

One of the prime beaches in India’s beach repertoire, Kovalam in Kerala has always enjoyed the status of being a major tourist spot. Blessed with calm blue waters, sensational rocky outcroppings, palm groves and some spectacular sunsets, this beach draws flocks of tourists and locals. Take a hint and make a beeline for the resorts along the coastal front, which offer access to a private beach to enjoy this picturesque paradise.

Havelock Beach:

The legendary colonial past, unexplored shores, incredible corals and marine life make this beach on the Indian Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar islands a favorite soul-soothing retreat.

Mahabalipuram Beach:

A world heritage site, Mahabalipuram is renowned for the ancient Shore Temple and rock carvings which sit majestically, close to the beach. Though the beach itself is a little grimy, it offers a pleasant mix of sun, sand and sea food. Set out for this beach laced in history if peddlers and crowds do not bother you.

Bangaram Beach:

Nestled, in one of the 36 coral islands of Lakshadweep, off the coast of Kerala, Bangaram beach is famous for its pristine lagoons and unblemished coral-reefs. It is a dreamland for diving, snorkeling and parasailing.

Kanyakumari Beach:

Located at the Southern tip of India, Kanyakumari is located an interesting confluence of 3 water bodies - the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. Thronged by tourists and natives, Kanyakumari is not an ideal beach haven for swimming and tanning. Nevertheless, being a pilgrimage site and the prospect of a glorious sunrise and sunset attracts travelers here.

Paradise Beach:

As opposed to the rocky shores of the rest of Puducherry – a quaint erstwhile French settlement town in South India - Paradise beach has a lovely sandy beach with the options of swimming and water-sports.