Where To Travel ?

The alien beauty of Salar de Uyuni - the largest salt desert in the world, Bolivia

2015-03-18T05:18:00.001-07:00

The alien beauty of Salar de Uyuni - the largest salt desert in the world, Bolivia

Salar de Uyuni is one of the few places on Earth where you can feel like on another planet. The amazing beauty of this place often leads people to think that those pictures are digitally processed and changed, but the fault for those breathtaking views is only the nature.

Salar de Uyuni is a desert, but instead of the traditional abundance of sand, you will see billions of tons of brilliant white salt. When covered with water in the rainy season, Salar de Uyuni is becoming a shallow lake and creates a unique mirror effect that makes the place seems almost unreal. The water depth is only a few centimetres, so everyone can safely walk on the surface.

This amazing creation of nature is located in southern Bolivia and the largest salt desert in the world with an area of slightly more than 10,000 square kilometres. Located on the impressive altitude - 3656 meters, and was formed after the transformation of several prehistoric lakes. Its beauty attracts many tourists. There are various attractions such as a hotel made of salt.

International Istanbul Tulip Festival, Istanbul, Turkey

2015-03-06T07:08:00.000-08:00

In April the annual International Istanbul Tulip Festival (Istanbul Lale Festivali) takes place. This shouldn't be a surprise if you know that — unlike common belief — tulips originated more or less in

Turkey

Every April since 2006, the city government in Istanbul has planted millions of tulips in Istanbul's parks, avenues, traffic roundabouts and...really anywhere there is open ground.

In 2013, the total was 13 million!

The result is a glorious spring flower festival with brilliant splashes of color everywhere you look.

Tulips originally grew wild on the Asian steppes. Although tulips are associated with Holland, commercial cultivation of the tulip or lale (from the Persian word lâhle) began in the Ottoman Empire. The most widely accepted story is that of Oghier Ghislain de Busbecq, Ambassador of Ferdinand I to Suleyman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire in 1554. He remarked in a letter that he saw “an abundance of flowers everywhere: narcissus, hyacinths and those in Turkish called Lale.” It’s no coincidence that this period — the wealthiest of the Ottoman era — is called the Tulip era (Lale Devri).

In the 16th century they were brought to Holland from the Ottoman Empire, and quickly became widely popular.

During the month of April, you can spot these glorious spring flowers everywhere in Istanbul. But for a real tulip treat and the International Istanbul Tulip Festival, you have to head to Emirgan Park. It is one of the largest public parks in Istanbul and has several tulip gardens.

The magestic Hang Son Doong - the largest cave in the world, Vietnam

2015-02-20T15:27:00.001-08:00

The magestic Hang Son Doong - the largest cave in the world, Vietnam

Deep inside the jungles of Vietnam is hidden the largest cave in the world – the majestic Hang Son Doong.

This natural phenomenon was found by a local man named Ho Khanh in 1991. But 5 years ago it was not visited by humans. The whistling sound of wind and roar of fiery stream in the cave heard through the entrance as well as the steep descent prevented the local people to enter the cave.

Only in 2009 did the cave become internationally known after a group of scientists from the British Cave Research Association, led by Howard and Deb Limbert. Their progress was stopped by a large, 60 metres (200 ft) high calcite wall, which was named The Great Wall of Vietnam. It was traversed in 2010 when the group reached the end of cave passage.

The cave is five times larger than Phong Nha Cave, a nearby cave previously considered the biggest cave in Vietnam. The biggest chamber of Son Doong is more than five kilometres long, 200 metres high and 150 metres wide.

It is so large that can accommodate several settlements or 40-storey building without any problem. There are not known to humanity plants and organisms as well as extremely rare cave pearls. They are formed by drops of water falling from the ceiling onto the limestone formations - consuming process thousands of years.

The cave contains some of the tallest known stalagmites in the world, which are up to 70 m tall. Behind the Great Wall of Vietnam were found cave pearls the size of baseballs, an abnormally large size.

In early August 2013, the first tourist group explored the cave on a guided tour at a cost of US$3,000 each. Future exploration trips are planned.

Unique underwater house reveals stunning views, Manta Resort, Zanzibar, Tanzania

2015-02-11T13:25:00.000-08:00

Have you ever imagined what is to sleep in the aquarium? If you decide to travel to Manta Resort in Zanzibar, Tanzania, you can actually experience this feeling - or at least as close to it, which is possible to experience a person because the roles of the fish actually are reversed: you are in the tank, and they, together with water, are outside. Saying aquarium, do not imagine a simple rectangular court. It's really wonderful underwater bedroom, part of a small unusual structure into the ocean, which the owners of the luxury resort tempt lovers of more unusual emotions.

The house has everything. It is divided into three levels; the lowest level the bedroom - 4 meters below the surface. Thanks to the large glass windows the residents can enjoy the tropical marine life around. Stunning views are provided at night, thanks to special lighting, built into each of the windows.

The living room is at the water level. For traditional holiday activities such as collection of tan and diving is intended third level - a platform with comfortable lounges. They are perfect for watching stars when the night falls.

The tallest building in the world- Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE

2015-02-05T05:30:00.000-08:00

The tallest building in the world- Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE

Let’s stay in Dubai. It is amazing place. Burj Khalifa is Dubai's pride. It is the tallest building in the world, standing at 828 m.

During construction and the last days before the official opening the whole world looks forward to the tower Burj Dubai. It turns out that Dubai has amassed billions of dollars of debt. The name of the skyscraper was changed at the last moment to honour Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi for bailing out Dubai's bankrupt sovereign wealth fund with a $10 billion in 2009.

Burj Khalifa has 54 elevators which have a speed of up to 40 miles per hour. If you are ever in Dubai, your first point of interest should be the towering tower. From its observation deck, you can see the rest of Dubai. You can avoid a really long wait by booking your tickets in advance. General admission can be booked online for AED 100 per person and immediate entry admission can be booked online for AED 400 per person. 1 AED = 0.272250 USD

The building is swaying with deviation 1.50 m in the upper part. Given that it was built on sandy base and flown often stormy desert winds, this tolerance is amazingly small and hardly noticeable.

The tower has a vending machine for gold. If you get on the observation platform of any other skyscraper in the world, you can buy a souvenir T-shirt, fridge magnet or ceramic figurine. Burj Khalifa besides all this, there is a vending machine for gold. You can get a gold coin or miniature gold bullion. Give them or keep them and wait for the price of gold to rise.

If 36 cleaners and all the equipment are working simultaneously it takes about 4 months all the windows to be washed. The self-cleaning system for 24 348 windows cost over $ 8 million.

At 158th floor of Burj Khalifa is the tallest mosque in the world.

Few interesting facts about Burj Al Arab Hotel, The Icon of Dubai, UAE

2015-02-02T22:41:00.000-08:00

Burj Al Arab is a luxury 5 Star hotel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It has been called "The world's only 7 star Hotel" and is the third tallest hotel in the world. Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 m (920 ft) from Jumeirah beach and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge.

Construction of the Island began in 1994. To secure the foundation, the builders drove 230 forty-meter-long (130 ft) concrete piles into the sand. It built to resemble the sail of a dhow, a type of Arabian vessel. Two "wings" spread in a V to form a vast "mast", while the space between them is enclosed in a massive atrium.

The diagonal trusses on the side of the building are as long as a football pitch and weigh as much as 20 double-decker busses.

The icon of Dubai was designed by Tom Wright of WS Atkins PLC. During the designing stage, the world was told that it was built to resemble a sail, but critics are claiming that Wright designed a cross after he had a dream to have a Christian influence in a Muslim country.

The hotel is managed by the Jumeirah Group. Despite its size, Burj Al Arab holds only 28 double-story floors which accommodate 202 bedroom suites. The smallest suite occupies an area of 169 m2 (1,820 sq ft), the largest - 780 m2 (8,400 sq ft). The Royal Suite, billed around US$18 000 per night, is one of the 15 most expensive hotel suites in the world.

In March 2004, professional golfer Tiger Woods made a few strokes and sent balls into the ocean from the helicopter platform on top of the hotel.

In February 2005, the professional tennis players Roger Federer and Andre Agassi played a friendly match at the height of 211 meters to the helicopter platform, especially for the match turned into a tennis court. The platform had no limitations or fence around the edges.

There are 29 000 Swarovski crystals in the ceiling of Junsui Lounge, designed in the shape of the Milky Way.

Approximately 1,790 square meters of 24-carat gold leaf was used to embellish the interior.

No doubt the hotel is an extraordinary place. I wish for all of you to visit it soon as possible.

www.hoteliermiddleeast.com

http://www.jumeirah.com

The castle "In love with the wind", Sozopol, Bulgaria

2015-01-28T14:14:00.001-08:00

The castle "In love with the wind", Sozopol, Bulgaria

Did u hear about the castle "In love with the wind", also known as the Castle of Ravadinovo?

It is an amazing attraction located 2 km from Sozopol, Bulgaria. It is the childhood dream of his owner- a fairy-tale castle built of greenery with a huge garden, a lake with swans and a lot of beauty in exquisite details.

The building started in 1996 and used 20,000 tons of stones - manually taken out of Strandja Mountain, aged about 65 million years. According to the researches of geologists these rocks contain traces of micro diamonds and probably for this reason the castle changes its color - morning with a tinge of pink, white during the day, when the moon is full it shines ...

At the entrance you can see a statue of knight Tumpel and on the pedestal it’s written:

"I am a stranger from a distant land and I carried you in my heart,

I kept it hidden in the threads in my soul, as a mother keeps her child.

I carried a long way dream of mine and I built you stone by stone,

I already see you front of me now - "in love with the wind" fairy-tale castle! "

The castle provides unique memories, and an excellent photo opportunity, especially if you come in the summer. In the summer the walls and towers are covered in lush green ivy mantle and the flowers in the garden are in full bloom. There are no guided tours so visitors are free to wander about on their own. The garden is huge. Take your time, stroll along the beautifully landscaped alleys. You can listen to the sounds of parrots talking, peacocks screaming and the water splash in ponds and basins.

You can stop by the lake and watch the graceful swans float peacefully across the clear water surface.

There is a chapel with unique iconostasis and icons with baroque elements.

Тhere are also fancy fountains, statues, antiques, tiny bridges and other amazing treasures.

https://www.facebook.com/CastleRavadinovo

Samarkand The Land of Scientists

2011-04-13T06:26:00.000-07:00

Samarkand is the second biggest city of Republic of Uzbekistan and among as is age as Rome, Athens and Babylon- more than twenty-five centuries old. Ancient Arabian manuscripts refer to it as the “jewel of the East”, Europeans called it the “The Land of Scientists”. An impressive and beautiful city, Samarkand is the city of legends. When Alexander the Great 1st time saw Samarcand, he exclaimed “ I heard that the city was beautiful but never thought that it could be so beautiful and impressive”.

Sherdar Medressa, Lions gate

Based around 700 B.C. From the Sogdians, Samarkand has been among the primary centres of Persian civilisation from its youth. It was already the capital of the Sogdian under the Achaemenid dynasty of Persia once Alexander the Great appropriated it in 329 B.C. . The Greeks adverted to Samarkand as Maracanda.
From the sixth to the thirteenth century it grew larger and more inhabited than New Samarkand and was commanded by the Western Turks, Arabs (who converted the area to Islam , Persian Samanids, Kara-Khanid Turks, Seljuk Turks , Kara-Khitan , and Khorezmshah before being sacked by the Mongols under Genghis Khan in 1220. A little part of the population survived, but Samarkand hurt at the least one other Mongolian sack by Khan Baraq to get treasure he asked to pay an army with. The town took a lot of decades to go back from these tragedies.

Guri Amir Mausoleum

In 1500 the Republic of Uzbekistan Turks took charge of Samarkand. The Shaybanids emerged as the Uzbek leadership at or about this time.
The city got under Russian rule after the citadel had been taken by a force below Colonel Konstantinovich Petrovich Kaufman in 1868.
In 1886 the city turned the capital of the freshly formed Samarkand Oblast of Russian Turkistan and developed in importance still additional when the Trans-Caspian railroad reached the city in 1888. It became the capital of the Uzbak SSR in 1925 before being replaced by Taskent in 1930.

The foursquare is traced on the 3 sides by sparkling and greenish blue covered buildings Ulugbek madrasa, Sherdor and Tilla Qori. Madrasa in Arabic language means The mediaeval universities. Inferior and outside facades of the madrassah are decorated with beautify of glazed brick, mosaic and carven marble. The foursquare is believed an architectural jewel representing the best in Islamic Art.

The additional historic site is Mausoleum of Tamerlane, among the magisterial conquerors in history, who earned Samarkand beloved by poets and travelers. The majesty of architectural forms and lines and colorful mosaic designs make this mausoleum a unique monument of medieval architecture. the famous blue ribbed cantaloupe dome of mausoleum rises over the tin roof-tops in central Samarkand. A massive slab of green jade, under which Tamerlane was laid is said to be the largest such stone in the world.

Saving money while traveling

2011-03-05T00:25:00.000-08:00

Save Money While Traveling to Business Meetings

It is almost inevitable that eventually you'll require to go to some business meetings whenever you do work in the corporate world. While your business perhaps willing to invite your airfare and your hotel room, if they send you, you'll still get a number of expenses to pay for out of pocket. This is even a lot of an issuing whenever you own up your own business and are responsible the all travel.
Luckily, there are ways to save money on all aspect of your meeting – whenever you know how to act the system.

Trip Expenses

Whether you travel by air or auto, there are ways to keep money. When it comes to airfare, you best bet is to buy tickets from internet discount travel sites such as Cheap Flight Ticket sale Today in addition, to save more money, search for promo codes. These codes canful as well cut the price of the tickets you buy or offer discounts on hotels when you get in. Finally, try to fly at less suitable times; the redeye flight is attending cost less than the one that leaves at nine am.
For hire cars you are able to attend as is sites and as well search promotional codes and vouchers. Some of the times, by combining altogether your requires – airfare, hire car and accommodations – you'll entree better deals, so play around on the choices. As well, believe driving together with other business associates and deal the costs of tripping.

Food on the Road

Whenever you're driving, taking food along on your travel is the most well method to cut costs. It may not be imaginable to eat all meal out of a cooler, but it's sure possible to eat a lot of your meals that way. Carry on fruit, hard boiled eggs, granola bars, and other easily to handle foods. Prepacked oatmeal and microwaveable meals are perfect for dining in your room also. Taking along a water bottle will keep you hydrated and you can fill it at any water fountain you encounter.
Dining out when Required
No matter however careful you're with your expenses, sooner or later you'll likely accept to go out for a few meals. The common money-saving methods will do work all right here. Go to deal a meal with a fellow worker. Arrange a starter instead of an entrée. Choose for lower costly restaurants and cut drinks, specially alcohols. Whenever you are able to get everybody to agree to attend a happy hour buffet instead of accepting dinner, you are able to get your meal also as a drink for very little cash.

Cutting Back

Naturally, the most in effect method to save on business meetings is just not to attend any. That isn’t of necessity practical always, but everyone is caring with tightened financial belts, and other choices such as teleconference and videoconferencing can be fair options for a lot of previously regular face to face encounters.
Business meetings are an unavoidable depart of company politics, but by keeping off them as often as you are able to, scheduling alternatives and anticipating your costs so you are able to trim them as often as possible, you are able to make them affordable once again.

Bohemian Carnival, Prague, Czech

2011-01-16T12:52:00.000-08:00

The Czech capital Prague is located on the Vltava River in central Bohemia. Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic.

Vltava River, Prague

In the charming of February it is time to put your mask on and your imaginary dress up and take part in the Czech carnival! Don't fret if you don't have any such fineries, you will be able to rent a fantasy party dress and mask, addition you are able to have your makeup done at the carnival.

And who would not like to parade up and down the winding cobblestone paths of Praha appearing like an eccentric Venetian? The city of Prague is perfect for such fun, especially at night.

Bohemian Carnival, Prague

Prague returns to its Bohemian roots by resurrecting its 700-year-old Carnival tradition. Historically, this celebration was the "feast" before the "famine" of Catholic Lent-a period when believers go without meat for 40 days ( Crane-vale literally mean "farewell to meat").

Bohemian Carnival, Prague

During Renaissance times the Prague carnival celebrations became notorious throughout Europe. There then followed a long dark age for merriment, but the carnival is now back with all the parties parades and galas you would expect from this Bohemian capital.

Bohemian Carnival, Prague

Expect main squares to be transformed with a flurry of masks and parades while the palaces and mansions host luxurious private parties and balls. Prague's restaurants and art galleries join the fun by offering special carnival menus and exhibitions. Daytime activities offer plenty to keep the kinds entertained as well. You can find a full program of festivities on the Bohemian Carnival website:
http://www.carnevale.cz

All the fun of the nuclear power station ! Germany

2011-01-11T11:57:00.000-08:00

What do you get if you cross an unused nuclear power station with a hotel complex and an amusement park for kids? No, this is isn't a joke - the answer is Wunderland near Kalkar, Germany.
Kalkar is a municipality in the district of Kleve, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located near the Rhine, approx. 10 km south-east of Cleves, Germany.

Wunderland came about thanks to three countries changing their minds and a forward-thinking businessman.
Back in 1972, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany decided to build the Schneller Bruter nuclear plant near the historic town of Kalkar in the Lower Rhine region of Germany. It took 12 years to build and cost €3bn. The plant was finished in 1985 but by 1991, following protests staged by up to 40,000 people at a time, the three countries had decided they didn't want it after all.

Wunderland near Kalkar, Germany

"There was so much protesting about it that the politicians decided not to put it on the network." explains Wunderland's sales manger Tamara Deumers.
So the nuclear plant sat there as a huge white elephant for several years until Dutch businessman Hennie van der Most, a former scrap metal merchant with a penchant for converting unusual buildings, bought the complex for "an apple and egg" as Tamara puts it (ie, not very much) in 1995.
By 1996 there were a few dozen hotel rooms on the site which gradually expanded to several hundred as well as bars and restaurants and in 2002, Kernie's Familiepark 9amusement park) was opened with the old nuclear plant cooling tower as its centerpiece. And as the publicity material states: "Because this nuclear power station has never been put to use, this whole complex is guaranteed free of radiation!"
As you approach the park it looks pretty much like any other nuclear power station with its big gray concrete buildings. It is only the few extra signs and lights and the mountain mural which has been painted on the cooling tower that makes it look a little more cheerful.

Wunderland near Kalkar, Germany

Inside, however, the grounds are quite pretty (complete with chirruping frogs on lily pads) anf Kernie's Familiepark is noisy and colorful almost like any other theme park except for the plant's concrete buildings still looking over it. The old cooling tower has a swing ride built inside it and the outside can be used as a climbing wall - it's 40 meters to the top.
the on-site children's Museum explains something of the workings of a nuclear power plant but other than that the park offers the usual theme park fare of roller coasters, water flumes and other rides, mainly aimed at kids aged three to 12. Today it is visited by over 500,000 people per year for meetings, sport and hotel breaks as well as for the funfair attractions.
Elaine Wallace-Legg from Northumberland in UK visited Wunderland with three friends as part of a road trip through Belgium and Germany. "You can't miss the fact that you are in an old nuclear power station while you are there, "She says. "The cooling tower is enormous and there are big concrete power-plant buildings everywhere - although a lot of them have been painted with blocks of primary colors.
"The cooling tower is the best rise it's a swing ride which takes you all the way up and out of the top of the tower and then spins you round really exhilarating and there's a fantastic view of the park from up there!

Geneva in three steps, Switzerland

2011-01-10T05:06:00.000-08:00

Geneva is The second most populous city in Switzerland after Zurich, and the third European financial center. With a little exaggeration, it is possible to say that Geneva can be seen in just three steps, thanks to its rather small size and very well organized mass transportation and highway system.
Its cold and wet almost all the year round, Geneva is a world city located at south west of Leman Lake ( or Geneva Lake). The city owes its cosmopolitan atmosphere to the fact that the famous GERN physics laboratory the European office of United Nations as well as the headquarters of many international corporations and NGOs are all located there.

Geneva Lake

Palace of Nations

Geneva is a green and clean city, While luxury cars parade on the streets in rush hours, many of the inhabitants prefer to walk or ride their bicycles.
Jet d'Eau is the hallmark of Geneva: Pumping 500 liters of water from Leman Lake with a 200 km/h speed, this water jet looks like a natural wonder made by human hands. It only operates when the weather is fine and not windy. You can take a boat tour on the lake to see it up close.

Jet d'Eau Geneva

Geneva is the center of Swiss watchmaking. There you can find the stores of all famous watch brands of the world and shop for fine jewelry as well. Running along the lake shore, Rue de Rhone is the street where these stores are lined up. If you have an interest in quality watches, you will spend quite some time there, looking at the shop windows.

To have a better insight of the history of watchmaking in Geneva and to see how good the Swiss are in watchmaking, you must definitely visit Patek Philippe museum. There you can also see valuable watches produced for the Ottoman Palace.

Patek Philippe museum

You can find shopping malls around Rue Basses and the stores of high end brands around Rue de Marche. But please note that shopping hours in Geneva are limited. You have time until 07 o'clock in the evening. Many if tge stires and malls ate closed onsundats and thus the sweet rush on the streets on saturdats.
Vieille Ville is the place for history and art enthusiasts, with its brilliant art galleries, chic cafes, gothic and neoclassic houses, cathedrals and churches, You can take the Geneva Tram for sightseeing but it will be easier and more fun to walk.

Geneva Tram

Geneva public transport
Official website of the City of Geneva
Patek Philippe museum

original article

The Treasure Of Istanbul SULTANAHMET mosque - Blue Mosque

2011-01-05T10:05:00.000-08:00

The Treasure Of Istanbul SULTANAHMET, All you really have to do to experience all the many different cultural and historical dimensions to this great city that had been home to so much civilization is to visit Sultan Ahamet.

Blue Mosque

Sultanahamet is one of Istanbul's most breathtaking historical treasurers. This massive square has been Istanbul;s most important area since the time of the roman Empire, and had been home to some of the most extraordinary buildings and monuments over the millennia,this place is must-see not only for locals but also for visitors and tourists, as it includes such opulent and unique monuments as the Haghia Sophia, the Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque and the underground Cisterns, to name a few. Now , to accommodate the growing numbers of tourists flocking to this historical treasure trove, there are ample hotel options to choose from, and all of them virtually a few steps from the main square.

Blue Mosque

It was built up between 1609 and 1616, on the rule of Ahmed I. As a lot of other masjids, it also represents a grave of the founder, a madrasa and a hospice. As still used as a mosque, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque has as well turn a popular tourist attraction.
After the peace treaty of Zsitvatorok (1606) and the unfavourable final result of the wars with Persian Empire, Sultan Ahmed I decided to build up a big mosque in Istanbul as recompense. This would be the 1st imperial masjid to be built up in more than 40 years. Whereas his predecessors had paid for their masjids with their war booty, Sultan Ahmed I accepted to withdraw the funds from the treasury, because he hadn't won any notable victories. This provoked the anger of the ulama, the Muslim legal scholars.

SULTANAHMET mosque

The figure of the Sultan Ahmed masjid is the culmination of 2 centuries of both Ottoman mosque and Eastern Church development. It contains some Byzantine elements of the neighboring Hagia Sophia with traditional Muslim architecture and is counted to be the finale great mosque of the classic period. The designer has ably synthesised the ideas of his master Sinan, aiming for overwhelming size, majesty and splendour.

The masjid was to be built up on the land site of the castle of the Byzantine emperors, facing the Hagia Sophia and the hippodrome, an internet site of big symbolical significance. Big parts of the southern face of the mosque rest on the foundation and vaults of the Great Palace.

SULTANAHMET mosque

Alexandria Library

2010-10-03T09:29:00.000-07:00

The phaetons at the exit give a cause to smile. People prefer them while going to the Alexandrian library. After the end of pleasurable phaeton trip that passed by looking at tall white buildings on the right and squares among them where Greco-Roman columns show themselves, magnificent domed Arab style architectural works and , on the left, the sea which is enlivened by small, gentle waves. People are stunned when they see the Alexandrian Library standing before the Mediterranean with its exceptional modern architecture.

It is a huge complex, a wonder of design built entirely for knowledge, culture and art. The library has an eight million book capacity, a main reading room of immense proportions, conference halls, museums, art galleries, restoration workshops and a planetarium. We bid farewell to this library that was constructed with details that would honor its historical predecessor which was the largest library of the ancient world before it was burned.

Belogradchik rocks, Bulgaria

2009-04-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

The French traveler Germon Blanky wrote the next on the Belogradchishki Skali in the far 1841: “Neither the famous narrow passes of Aulihul in Provance, neither the Pancarbo Gorge in Spain, neither the Alps, neither the Pyrenees, nor the most eminent Tyrol mountains in Switzerland have anything, which can be compared with what I saw in Bulgaria in the town of Belogradchik”. The known Felix Kanits appends: “It’s hardly probable that a more romantic fortress than the Belogradchik one has ever been built”.

The region is one of the natural wonders of Bulgaria! A fairytale stone world surrounds Belogradchik from west, south and southeast. If you come from Sofia by car you will see at first the Falkov-Borovets group of rocks with Momina Skala (Maiden’s Rock), Pchelin kamak, Torlaka, Borovishki Kamak and etc. Lipenitsa group is to the east of the town among which biggest interest evoke the Dinosaur and the Latin Kale (a strategic fortress surrounded by a fortified wall). It is worth seeing the Lepenishka Cave in which coaled wheat and watercrafts dating 2000 years ago were found, and the Izvozki oak - more than 1200 years old. Among the Zbegovska group of rocks to the west of the town a great impression make the Twins, the rocks in the area called Magaza, Small and Big Zbeg, which were used as fortresses, the lonely obelisk Borich and the Belogradchik stone bridge. The primal group rises right away above the town. One can see about 100 m high lonely rocks named Adam and Eve, the delicate Madonna, Konika (The Rider), Uchenichkata (The Female Student), Mechkata (The Bear), the Dervish (Muslim clergyman), the impressive Borov Kamak, Mo-na-site (The Monks), the terrific kale with ancient fortress walls, above which the most magic rock wonders rise.

Tree of life, Bahrain

2009-02-20T03:25:00.000-08:00

The Tree of Life in Bahrain is one of the mysteries of world which should be in your sightseeing list while in this Asian country. The Tree of Life in Bahrain is 400 old mesquite tree which lives in the middle of desert. The mystery of the survival of the tree has made it a legend. People from all over the Middle East and the world want to visit this spot to see this magic of nature. The name “tree of life” is absolutely fit for the tree as it truly symbolizes the magic of life. A legend is also attached to the place where the tree is located. The local inhabitants believe with heart and soul that this was the actual location of the Garden of Eden.
The Tree of Life or Sharajat-al-Hayat, as the Arabs call it, is located 1.2 miles or 2 kilometers away from Jebel Dukhan. The tree stands lonely in the heart of desert and from far away it looks like a green spot in the white desert.

This large tree (the size of a big banyan tree in India), with its solid trunk, stout branches and luxuriant green leaves is a mystery to one and all, stands majestically. It stands on top of a 25-foot-high sandy hill. The tree has continued growing-despite the extremities of the climate. At present it is 32 feet in height.
It is fascinating to see something grow in such heavy conditions - loneliness, heat, drought, dust storms and grazing animals. The average temperatures are probably about 110 or so and the hot winds blow heavily.
The tree’s source of water is mystery. Plant scientist may say that its roots go very deep and wide to get water from the reserves of sweet springs kilometers away. The Bedouins believe that Enki, the mythical God of water, had showered its blessing... and greenery on the Tree. This tree is Nature’s gift to Bahrain.According to one theory of some scientists who have studied the rings on the trunk of "Tree" (a tough, ancient acacia), they say it is over 1500 years old. Almost declaring it as the best preserved heritage of the 5000 years old land of "Dilmun" (meaning noble) which was ancient name of Bahrain.

source

Casablanka, Morocco

2009-02-19T05:26:00.000-08:00

Casablanca (Spanish for white (blanca) house (casa); nicknamed by locals: Casa; Old name in Amazigh: Anfa is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Greater Casablanca region.With a population of 3.1 million (3.85 million in the "greater Casablanca" (September 2005 census), Casablanca is Morocco's biggest city as well as its chief port. It's also the largest city in the Maghreb and the sixth biggest city in the entire continent of Africa. Casablanca is counted the economic capital of Morocco because it is the heart of Moroccan business. The political capital is Rabat. It is also the main naval base for the Royal Moroccan Navy.Casablanca is the major city hosting headquarters and important industrial facilities for the leading Moroccan and outside companies established in Morocco.

Industrial statistics demonstrate Casablanca retains its historic position as the main industrial zone of the country. The Port of Casablanca is considered as Morocco's chief port and as one of the largest artificial ports in the world. It is also the largest port of the Maghreb and North Africa.The French period New Town of Casablanca was designed by the French architect Henri Prost and was a model of a new town at that time. The important streets of the New Town (Ville Nouvelle in French) radiate south and east from Place des Nations Unies, where the main market of Anfa had been. The New Town is possibly the most majestic in Morocco. Former administrative constructions and modern hotels populate the area. Their style is a combination of Hispano-Mauresque and Art Deco styles.Casablanca is home to the Hassan II Mosque, designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau. It is located on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic, which can be seen through a gigantic glass floor with room for 25,000 worshippers. A further 80,000 can be accommodated in the mosque's courtyard. Its minaret is the world's tallest at 210 metres.Work on the mosque was started in 1980, and was planned to be completed for the 60th birthday of the former Moroccan king, Hassan II , in 1989. However, the building was not inaugurated until 1993. Authorities spent an estimated $800 million in the construction of the building.The Parc de la Ligue Arabe is the city's largest public park. On its edge is situated the Cathédrale Sacré-Coeur, which is disused, but is a brilliant example of Mauresque architecture.The Old Medina (the part of town pre-dating the French protectorate ) attracts fewer tourists than the medinas of other Moroccan towns, such as Fes and Marrakech . However, it has undergone some restoration in recent years. Included in that project have been the western walls of the medina, its skala, or bastion , and its colonial-period clock tower.The city is served by Anfa Airport and Mohammed V International Airport, and its port is one of the largest artificial ports in the world.

Source

kennedy space center - Florida

2009-02-01T06:45:00.000-08:00

Know the past times, deliver and future of space exploration at the family-friendly Kennedy Space Center. The space complex offers invitees a chance to fulfil their loved spacemen, tour full-size reproductions of shuttles and space platforms and look on stirring movies in the larger-than-life IMAX Theater.

Educationally stimulating for grownups and teens, almost displays can as well be reveled by the youngest of children.
The latest addition to the campus is United States. Spaceman Hall of celebrity, which reopened below KSC auspices after a $700,000 renovation.
The difficult is many-sided and the exclusive way to tour it allice with a maximal accession Pass, which gets you into the 2 IMAX theaters and onto a guided on bus tour that carries you around the another visitors and launch area observation fields.
Pre-Schooler favouritesAltho little ones' preferred place is attending be the covered act Dome, accomplished with a 1:5 scale Space Shuttle/space platform gymnasium, pre-schoolers will becharmed by the rocket pieces and parts.
They can pass through with a replica of the space shuttle adventurer at the primary visitors center on and go up into Mercury, Gemini and Apollo capsule replicas in the skyrocket Garden. "Exploration in the New Millennium" has a lot of hands-on chances - kids can even touch a chunk of Mars! Do not miss the gift store for play starships or preserved ice cream sandwiches, astronaut expressive style.

Primary school WinnersAt the Visitor Complex, elder kids will laugh as they discover in the Robot guides demo, a flashy, funny multi-media intro you walking through. "Crazy Mission to Mars 2025"uses stereoscopic 3D computing device animation, outstanding showy effectuates and wacky roles to transform guests into "spaceman trainees," and so head them with an interactional journeying by the cosmea. To arrive at another aspects of the space center, you must board the tour autobus. Single stop is the 60-foot-tall LC39 observance gauntry, a multi-level deck that looks out at 2 launch areas, the Crawlerway and Vehicle Assembly Building. On the gantry's bottom floor, there's a theater presentation and interactive room for behind-the-scenes and hands-on involvement. At the amazing Apollo/Saturn V Center, kids canful touch a real moon rock (and dine next to it at the Moon Rock Café), gape at one of just three 363-foot moon rockets in existence overhead, and stair into the Firing Room Theater for a shuttle launching refreshment and to engross in early interactive exhibits. The Lunar Theater exhibits a multimedia system show culminating in the landing place of a moon module.
The IMAX theater presentations can change; check the Kennedy Space Center's website to find out the last screenings.

source

Ozeaneum, German

2009-01-10T05:07:00.000-08:00

The oceanography museum opened its doors to the public in the north-eastern German port town of Stralsund. It contains 39 huge fish tanks and seven life-size models of whales.

Ozeaneum is an architecturally dramatic extension to the existing Oceanography Museum in Stralsund, a town on the Baltic Coast. Inside Oceanography Museum visitors can discover what is going on in a mysterious world that makes up 70 per cent of our planet's surface. With aquariums and exhibitions spread over some 8,700 square meters of exhibition space, visitors are treated to an underwater journey through the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the Northern Atlantic, right up into the Arctic Ocean.

Unknown fish, coral and other marine life are exhibited in no less than 39 different aquariums. The journey begins with a model of Stralsund harbour which is used as the backdrop to show specimens of local fish like Rudd and Perch. Visitors are then guided to the deep-sea life in the North Atlantic aquarium and on to the Greenland basin and the fish world below the ice sheets.

Only 2.4 square kilometres of the deeps have ever been properly surveyed, using submarine probes. Statistically that is so little that it barely even counts as a sample of the whole surface worldwide. "We still don't even know about many species of creature in the deep oceans." said Harald Benke, director of the Oceanography Museum.

A museum with green credentials

A highlight at the Ozeaneum comprises life-size models of the Giants of the Seas. The exhibition, which was organised in conjunction with Greenpeace and its anti-whaling campaign, depicts giant models of whales hanging from 20 metre-high ceilings in rooms filled with whale song. Greenpeace donated 1.45 million euros to the whale exhibition. "We want visitors to see exactly what we will lose if whales become extinct," said Thomas Henningsen, who heads the Greenpeace project. The museum says the site contains the world's best library of whale books and data.

The live fish at Ozeaneum will live in the 39 aquarium tanks, which have a total capacity of 6 million litres. That is enough water to fill a bathtub 60,000 times over. To ensure it is disease free, it will come from the city water system and have 200 tons of salt added to match the salinity of sea-water.

The Ozeaneum is designed not only to showcase the beauty of the underwater world. Another of its aims is to use science-based information explained in lay terms to inform visitors about climate change, over-fishing and water pollution. The idea is to bring home the extent of threat faced by the marine environment and its life forms.

Ozeaneum also contains exhibits in old-fashioned glass cases and computerized displays. Harald Benke says fellow museum experts have praised Ozeaneum's unique approach and hail it as one of the world's best aquariums.

______________

Sourse:http://www.german-info.com/press_shownews.php?pid=327

Sweden's No1 destination

2008-11-12T01:38:00.000-08:00

When in Sweden the temperatures has drooped, Lapland's build big ice «igloo» or Ice Hotel. It is situated in the village Jukkasjärvi, 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle in Sweden and 17 kilometers from Kiruna, the nearest town. Its construction is about 1000 tons of ice and 2,000 tons of snow, and the complex includes church, a room for golf, cinema and a bar called «Absolute Ice». If you are thinking is to stay for a night, your bed will consist of a sleeping bag, lying on mattresses from spruce boughs and reindeer skins. The hotel provides a wide variety of hot meals and various traditional for these places of entertainment, including skiing on dogsled racing and skating.

If the air temperature is around -4 C and you decide to not stay, then there are near real hotels. But if you did show courage and settle in the ice hotel will give you a certificate of adventure, which you can brag to your friends.

King Solomon's Mines Possibly Found in Jordan

2008-10-31T03:32:00.000-07:00

A group of archeologists suppose that they have found in a mine in the deserted area in South Jordan the world famous King Solomon's mines. Scientists working under the direction of American Thomas Levy of the University of San Diego, they did radio -carbon investigation into the mine Khirbat en-Nahas and found that in the era of King Solomon there had been extracted copper.

King Solomon is mentioned in the Old legacy as a wise ruler who according to legends has owned unusually rich gold mines. This story became world famous after it in 1885 in Britain published a bestseller of the same Henry Ryder Haggard "The mines of King Solomon. The heroes of the novel are searching for diamonds, gold and ivory.

However, the location of the biblical king was covered with secrecy. Levy noted that, while working on the one hand, is supposed to analyze scientific data on the other - to set to ancient texts. "We can't believe everything ancient writings tell us. But this research represents a confluence between the archaeological and scientific data and the Bible." he said.

Meteora, the Holy Rocks in Greece

2008-10-28T03:46:00.000-07:00

Somewhere between Pindos and Hasiya, where the plain of Thessaly landscape lost the first roll of the magnificent mountains in central Greece, is the Meteora. Huge dark rocks, which rise in the suburbs of

Thessaly land remind tenacious grip in fatal ancient giants. The view is impressive with its majesty. This unusual phenomenon is not mentioned in legends or myths of antiquity in, no Greek or foreign author of antiquity, whose writings to speak for him. The centuries zealously guard the confidentiality of its occurrence.

It is one of the most picturesque sights of Greece. The Meteora is a complex of 24 monasteries and hermitages, built in smooth rocks that once served as a shield for monks seeking refuge from the Byzantine army raids. Construction of the Meteora monasteries in the complex that included one or two churches, monastic cells, library, refectory, water tanks, continued even during the Turkish expansion. Built in the incredible difficulties the Meteora monasteries severely damaged during the Second World War and the ensuing civil war, but were restored in the 1960's. Thus, to date, of all the great heritage of Meteora lived four largest monasteries: Great Meteoron (1350 g), St. Varlaam or All Saints (1530 g), St. Stephen (1312 g), St. Trinity (1458 g. Earlier, the monasteries and Skete Meteora, most of which are now uninhabited, were fragile narrow staircases, fortified by nearly cliff, and up to 1920's were also used winches, which now applies only to lift cargo. In fact it is reasonable to question travelers: «How often changing the rope to winch», - the monks calmly replied: «When God will please».

Norway, in the land of the fjords

2008-09-27T06:51:00.000-07:00

It feels like a temple in the open air. You almost expect that, at any moment, an angry Nordic god will appear from behind a rock and carve another fjord from the very stones.
We stood on a flat rock, the wind blew gently and we cautiously peered over the edge – a sheer drop of 600 meters to the water below.
Now you know what ants see when they look down stairs! This place is called Preikestolen, meaning "Pulpit", and everybody who travels throught the fjords in Norway comes here to experience the sense of vertigo this massive cliff produces.

The view from this rocky platform is beautiful; the tops of the hills have been ground down by glaciers, reminiscent of The Badlands in the United States, and they are covered by a sprinkling of low trees that seem like lichen from this distance. The air is crisp and crystal clear. The sun is surprisingly warm and the azure skies, vaulting and open above us, seem infinite.

Unto Valhalla

There are other beautiful nice fjords; take Sognefjord, for instance – it is also called "King's Fjord" as the Norwegian successor to the throne comes here to fish. Another reason for the name is that it is the largest in Norway. Hideous depths lurk in these dark waters with the sea bed lying some 1200 meters below the surface.
The fjord cuts almost 200 kilometers inland and when the ship steered into some of the side fjords, which are in fact quite independent, you get the impression of being tested for claustrophobia. The cliffs are so impossibly high and so close that there is a tangible sense of enclosure, of being locked within the landscape itself.
The landscape is beautiful and deserted. You look around in wonder, knowing that Valhalla is near at hand, the hall where heroes and gods feast before the final battle and the end of the world.
You fear that at any moment a Viking "drakkar" may glide out from the mists, full of merciless conquerors. Instead, you might come across a thousand-year-old wooden church, six storeys high, resembling in shape a Viking helmet. Or, more frequently, you'll find a herd of goats with bells round their necks.
The secrets of the hundreds of fjords, cutting into the Norwegian shores like wrinkles in her skin, are made more tantalising yet by the colorful houses of the locals. Many people come here to breathe deeply and experience one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, a landscape so sparsely populated that it just swallows up crowds without trace.

Norwegian fjords are a fisherman's paradise teeming with cod, mackerel, sea trout, wolf-fish, sea-devils and of course the king of the fish, the wild salmon. You'd have to search high and low for a better place to fish: a snack perched on a steep slope, its pillars washed by the sea. The views open out across the fjord to ragged rocks dusted with snow and the midnight sun gleaning on the dark waters. And the catch? None, except perhaps a meter long cod or delicious Salmon! It may look like a normal lake but it's actually northern wilderness. Norway is a country with most unreliable weather forecasts – they are of no use anyway, since you turn a corner and everything is different. "We have two seasons," Norwegian say, "a white winter and green winter. There's no such thing as bad weather. You can only be poorly dressed."

Bucharest, the Paris of the East

2008-09-02T01:35:00.000-07:00

Bucharest is the capital city of two million inhabitants, once called “The Paris of the east”, has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past 15 years, as has most of Romania. This proud people are descended from the warlike Dacians, live in the shadow of the beautiful Carpathian Mountains and produce a seemingly endless stream of excellent gymnasts. Having joined the European Union 2007, Bucharest now aspires now to be called “Paris of the east”.
Bucharest is true metropolitan area and the big names such as McDonalds, Benetton, LG, Sony and many others have been there along time now. Ceausescu’s grand boulevards and majestic palaces still dominate the city.
There are small balconied corners, with lacy ironwork and colored window shutters reminiscent of Paris at its finest. Continuing this Gallic theme; Romanians are also flattered to be called “the French of the Balkans”.

The most attractive site in the city is the compact historical centre, but obviously one can’t ignore Ceausescu’s People’s Palace. To build this monument to megalomania almost one quarter of the old town was pulled down, including any houses, churches, synagogues and beautiful modernist villas, all demolished.
Today, the Romanian parliament sits on this sight and guided tours for tourists are also organized here.
Ceausescu’s People’s Palace is one of the largest and most bizarre buildings in the world, exceeding even the decadent palaces of Saddam Hussein. In terms of perhaps only the American Pentagon could compete with it. It has over 3100 rooms, 20 wings, a labyrinths of secret passages and the upper floors nearly disappear into the haze of the metropolis. The Romanian leader had called the building “The house of people“ and referred to it as the Romanian acropolis.

He didn’t however leave to see the completion of the building as was execute by “his” people during the revolution in December 1989.
There is an interesting irony in the fact that, at the beginning of April 2008, Ceausescu’s monstrous palace hosted the largest ever NATO summit.

-------------------------

*If you want to try speaking Romanian yourself:

Hello - Buna ziua

Excuse me - Ma scuzati

Yes - Da
No - Nu
OK - In regula

Good morning - Buna dimineata

Good afternoon - Buna ziua

Good night - Buna seara

Thank you - Multumesc

Please - Va rog

Sorry - Imi pare rau
Perhaps - Poate

What - Ce

Where - Unde

When - Cand

Why - De ce Niceties

Dakhla Oasis, Egypt

2008-08-31T09:38:00.000-07:00

Dakhla Oasis Located between the towns of Mut and Al Qsar this oasis is approximately 200 kilometers from the Oasis Harga and 250 kilometers from the Farafra Oasis. Mut is a maze of narrow streets and stone homes located on the slopes of the hill. And on top of the citadel worth, which was once the center of the city. On the hill a fantastic view of the medieval city and rocky cliffs, dunes and desert. Near the new city centre is an old Muslim cemetery and around the city - hot sulfur springs. The second city Al Qsar is a small ancient town, where most buildings preconditioned in the traditional architectural style. The narrow streets (which once provided protection to citizens of midday sun and sand storms) non-transferable create a medieval atmosphere. Most houses and buildings are above the door memorable board on which carved the names of the builder, owner, as well as the number and a quotation from the Koran. The earliest board dates from 924 year AD. From Cairo to Dakhla daily walk three buses.