Travel around the world

Germany

2011-10-16T05:55:00.000-07:00

Germany is one of the leading tourist destinations in the world. Scenic landscapes, beautiful orthodox villages, age-old festivals, astoundingly magnificent castles and modern industrial towns, are the reasons why tourists are attracted to this culture-rich country. The country is also known for its unspoiled rivers and grand river cruises. The hospitality of the people and their fluency in English are sure to amaze you. Here are few must-visit places in Germany.

Black Forest
The Black Forest is, possibly, the best place in Germany. Visiting Germany is definitely incomplete without seeing its rolling hills, small villages with roads still made of cobblestones, and the lush green forests of the Schwarzwald (Black Forest). Whether walking, driving or biking - many paths will lead you to small villages, wineries, and old monasteries. These are areas which are known world-over for their famous wines. In fact, Germans celebrate many wine festivals too. The region also has many spas running through almost 200 kilometers. The town of Baden Baden is famous for its spas, and has 14 award-winning thermal and mineral baths. Lake Titisee, the largest lake in the Black Forest, is formed by the Feldberg glacier.

Black Forest in Germany

The Romantic Road
One of Germany's best scenic routes is The Romantic Road, which runs from Bavaria through the Franconia wine country, right to the foothills of the German Alps. The Romantic Road is full of German culture and scenery, picturesque towns surrounded by walls and towers, castles, half-timbered houses, unspoiled nature, etc. This is another a must-visit place for anyone who wants to experience real German culture. From romantic, courtyard restaurants to beautiful vineyards, this route has everything that will make a nature lover fall in love with it. Some of the highlights along this route are:

- The town of Würzburg, known for its excellent wines and gourmet restaurants.
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the best preserved town in Germany.
- Augsburg, one of the Germany's oldest cities.
- The castle of Neuschwanstein in Bavaria.

Neuschwanstein, Bavaria
Nuzzled in the majestic Alps, the famous castle of Neuschwanstein is the most photographed building in Germany. The castle was also the inspiration behind Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty. Instead of taking help from architects, King Ludwig II of Bavaria realized his own fairytale castle, for pure pleasure, in 1869.

Berlin and Potsdam

Berlin and Potsdam
The capital of Germany, Berlin, has many places to visit, from old to new, combining great views of its historic past and modern outlook shown in its culture, restaurants and nightlife. Do not miss out the Brandenburg Gate, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, and the Museum Island. Brandenburg Gate is a national symbol for Germany, crowned with the winged goddess of victory on the four-horsed chariot. During the Cold War, when Germany was divided into East and West Germany, the Brandenburg Gate stood between them. Potsdam which is a short distance from Berlin, was the heart of the Prussian Empire. Potsdam, reflects pan-European history, and is also a UNESCO world heritage site.

top zoos in the united states

2011-10-08T09:22:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid the most awaited day of the week was the day when my father used to take me and my brother to the nearby zoo. We used to get amaze on watching different types of animals and their activities filled us with enthusiasm. Like me all the people out there at least once in their lifetime must have visited zoos. A zoo is the best place to take your children as it helps the children to learn and know more about the world around us. So, let us find out what are the top zoos in the united states, which are known for different types of animals and their wide variety of species.

There is a huge list of top zoos in the United States and all are well known for their excellent wild animals and the varied variety of species. Following are some of the best zoos in America. Just have a look.

Cincinnati Zoo : Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati Zoo : Cincinnati, Ohio
This is second oldest zoo in the United States which was opened in the year 1875. It is spread over 65 acres with approximately 510 species. It has the oldest reptile house building in America. The main attraction of this house are the king cobras, rattlesnake, etc. The zoo is nicknamed as 'The sexiest zoo in America'. They conduct lots of breeding programs and famous for the breeding in cheetahs.

Phoenix Zoo

Phoenix Zoo : Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix Zoo was opened in the year 1962. It is spread over 125 acres with over 1300 animals. The zoo is divided into four major sections namely the Tropics Trail, the Arizona Trail, the Africa Trail, and the Children's Trail, which is a petting zoo. It is famous for its Asian elephant named Ruby who is a world wide painter. Yes, that's true, an elephant with painting skills.

Philadelphia Zoo

Philadelphia Zoo : Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Zoo is the oldest zoo in the United States. It was opened in the year 1874 in the area of 42 acres. It is house for over 1500 animals. They are famous for their collection of many endangered species. The major attraction of this zoo are gibbons, snow leopards, lowland gorillas, orangutans, jaguars, etc.

Houston Zoo

Houston Zoo : Houston, Texas
Houston Zoo was opened in the year 1922. It is one of the zoos which have the modern facilities as maximum renovation is done in the past few years. It is the house for over 4000 animals of around 900 species. You can make an early reservation and can enjoy the rare moments with the wild life. You can even watch the special animal training sessions which is itself a very different experience.

Tallest Building in the World

2011-10-03T00:54:00.000-07:00

Man has always desired to reach the top, be it by building a gigantic ship like the Titanic, the huge airship or the tallest building in the world. Even in the Bible, we read about people in the city of Babylon, who decided to build a tower so high that it would have its top in the heavens. They called it the 'Tower of Babel'. It has been and still is man's innermost desire to be above the others, and this desire has resulted in the construction of skyscrapers rising hundreds of meters into the air, overlooking the thousands of ordinary brick-and-mortar buildings of the concrete jungle in the urban landscape. But which is the tallest building in the world today?

Tallest Building in the World
During the first 90 years of this century, the title of the tallest building in the world was enjoyed by USA, who constructed several famous tall buildings. Chicago's Sears Tower, completed in 1974, held this prestigious title for more than 20 years. However, in 1996, Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur snatched away the title. But there were a lot of contentions with regards to which is the tallest, Sears or Petronas.

To put an end to the debate, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), which is the official body who has the authority to determine which building deserves the title of the 'tallest building in the world', came up with four basic categories for measuring tall buildings. They make their decision based on four factors such as height to the architectural top of the building, height of highest occupied floor in the building, height to the top of the roof, height to the top of the antenna, and then give their verdict. However, what's the situation today? Which is the tallest building in the world today?

Which is the Tallest Building in the World Today?

Burj Khalifa of Dubai

The tallest building in the world today is 'Burj Khalifa' of Dubai, UAE. Standing at a fantastic height of 2716 feet or 828m, this building breaks the record of the previous record holder, Taiwan 101. Officially opened on Jan. 4, 2010, this record breaker was welcomed with a fabulous celebration of laser show and fireworks that seemed to be shooting from the building itself. The tower itself cost $150 billion to build.

This needle shaped skyscrapers' construction began in 2004 and was known as Burj Dubai during its construction. However, with the economic downturn, Dubai found itself crumbling under the weight of its debts. Abu Dhabi, Dubai's oil rich neighbor then helped bail the nation out by lending $10bn (£6.13bn) to pay off the debts. Thus, in gratitude for the warm, salvaging gesture, Dubai renamed the building Burj Khalifa, after Abu Dhabi's leader, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan.

Burj Khalifa of Dubai

Besides being the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa also has the most stories and the highest occupied floor of any building in the world. It has been built in a 'Y' shape with with three wings to keep the weight balanced. The building boasts of housing the world's first Armani hotel on the bottom floors. It also comprises 900 Dubai residences, 37 floors of office space, and a superb dining restaurant and observation deck on the 124th floor. People can ascend to the deck via the longest lifts in the world, which take only two minutes to travel 504 meters. Let's now find out some more about the other tall buildings on this planet.

Dubai

2011-09-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

It is well known that from the ancient times the human started a fight with the nature. A place where he had won this fight is certainly the United Arab Emirates, a country built on the golden sand on the south shore of the Persic bay. With a surface of 83.600 km2 the U.A.E. presents seven administrative divisions, each of them with its own leader and rules. Of all these divisions, the most populated and famous is Dubai, which impresses with its architectural structures and with its well known Burj Al Arab, the largest seven stars hotel in the world.

Of a special beauty, Burj Al Arab is the most expensive and the highest construction in the world. Having 321 meters tall, this king of hotels is only 131 meters shorter than the tallest building on the globe, the Petronas Twins Tower in Kuala Lumpur. Built on the sea, the 28 floors hotel is a miracle of the technique science. The famous hotel permanently attracts celebrities due to its interior decorations realized in the most sophisticated style and its incredibly various recreational programs. The building is hiding a sub aquatic restaurant underneath, Al Mahara, and another one situated above at 200 meters tall, named Al Munthana.

Dubai

Rooms gifted (over 6.800 dollars) with rotating beds, marble bathrooms with jacuzzi, walls covered with mirrors and mosaics, flats gifted with elevators and with their personal cinema, big aquariums fixed in the walls etc. The tourists have at their disposal numerous fascinating activities like: rallies through sand dunes, races with camels in the middle of the desert, sand skiing, also cruises on the Dubai Canal.

The tropical desert characterized by excessive heat (up to 50°C in August), extremely reduced precipitations (75 mm/year) and high humidity (90%), has obliged the population to plant and artificially maintain most of the trees found on the city’s streets.

Night in the city is a veritable spectacle in itself! The trees ornamented with luminous installations make Dubai look dressed in feast clothes! The same brightness can be seen in the showcases of the shops, which expose lots of gold made objects in impressive numbers! That is the reason why people call Dubai `The Golden City`.

This name has its origin also in its crude oil resources (the third place on the globe), if we take into consideration the name of `black gold` gave to this important resource which made possible the development of the impressive metropolis built on sand.

For the Saudi, the religion constitutes the base of the social life. Each day, five times, the whole city is pealing in calling to pray, and in the most respectable religious event is the Ramadan, when they are not allowed to eat or drink or smoke while is still light outside.

The specific man clothing is formed by a long and white coat (kandura), a white canvas (cadrilata), which is wore on the head maintained by an circle, and for the woman, a black long coat with long sleeve (abaya) and an veil (sheyla) which covers their hair. The traditional costumes include a metal or leather mask that covers the nose, cheeks and forehead; women are the only ones who ware it.

Unlike other Muslim countries, the clothing code in Dubai is not very strict and as the matter of fact, the young ladies can be seen on the streets dressed lightly in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt (plus the `abaya` over it).

Do you love shopping? Great! Dubai is the capital of oriental shopping! Even if it is considered to be an expensive place, you can still go shopping here because the bargain is normal so you have the chance to get nice things with less money if you are a good negotiator.

So, if you get here one day, you will be astonished seeing the tremendous amount of people who are having fun every day and if you are considering going out on a pub around 8 o’clock it’s no use…you’re late as the places are already jam-packed at that hour!

After you've seen - even with someone else’s eyes- this miracles on the south shore of the Persic bay, you can’t deny that Dubai is one of the most important spots of tourist attraction in the whole world and why not, thinking about it as the number eight miracle of our planet.

Village Life in India

2011-09-26T02:26:00.000-07:00

India is the largest democracy in the world. It's natural boundaries comprise the Bay of Bengal on the east, Pakistan and the Arabian Sea to the west, China, Nepal and Bhutan to the north and the Indian Ocean in the south. India cradles the ancient Indus Valley Civilization and is a region consistently explored for ancient trade routes and past empires. It is the home of Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism and also flaunts the presence of Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and the followers of the Islam religion.

Ever since the country's independence from the British colonial rule in 1947, the economy of the nation has banked upon its agrarian society. Most of its population is involved in agriculture and allied industries, transforming it into one of the fastest growing world economies. India is a multilingual nation and home to a multiethnic society, that truly personifies the adage 'Unity in Diversity'. Village life in India is totally dependent on agriculture and innate throughout the land. The lifestyle of people and their working styles are as interesting as the balance provided by the lifestyles in the metropolitan cities.

Village Life in India

Village Life in India:
The Government of India promotes socialist-inspired rural policies and extensive protectionism in Indian villages. The attempt to save the Indian village from pervasive corruption is consistent and totally market-based, since the agricultural surplus is an advantage to the increase in population. Village life in India is simple. The village folk not only dress simply, but also display simplicity in their meals and work life. Indian villages are major contributors to the agricultural products like wheat, rice, various lentils and cereals and also cash crops like cotton, oilseed, jute, tea, coffee and sugarcane. The typical village home also houses cattle, sheep, goats and poultry.

Village life revolves around tilling and reaping and providing the raw material for allied industries. In spite of regular migration of youth to cities and townships, the population directly involved in agriculture remains constant and dedicated to the cause. Villagers begin the day with baths in the makeshift baths and eat only after worship at home and at the village temple. The rest of the day spreads over work in the fields and/or the creation of ingenious crafts. Their meals comprise of hand baked breads and lentil. The day culminates in either richly earned rest or sharing of thoughts in the village quadrangle.

Most homes are eco-friendly units, with courtyards, cattle enclosures, and thatched kitchen areas. Their community life spurs to action during annual fairs and pilgrimages. While men in most Indian villages sport light, cotton shirts and loose trousers or dhotis, the women's attire comprises the typical sari or long skirts and blouses. Handcrafted jewelry like bangles, anklets, nose rings and earrings highlight every dress code, urban as well as rural. Festivities of Diwali and Holi bring the villagers together and it is not uncommon to see even non-Hindus have a whale of a time with the colored water and special delicacies.

Villagers display a deep loyalty to the village deity and the village itself. Village feuds are not uncommon. Certain facilities are common to the village, like ponds and tanks, meadows, temples, cremation grounds, trees and wasteland. Traditionally, Indian villages follow the panchayat or headman system, which offers equal opportunity to women and men to be a part of and contribute to the village administration.

Village Life in India

Village Work Life in India:
Village work life largely depends on the main occupation of the family or gram (village). While some are pledged to agriculture, some indulge in the creation of arts and crafts for generations, and yet some others, dedicatedly trade. The village work life depends on the location of the village. For example, people of the coastal villages of Kerela naturally indulge in large scale fishing, while those near the tribal settlements capitalize on the national and international market for native craft. Villagers in India use simple tools and implements and in spite of the current trend of dependency on automated tools, the preference is for manual labor.

However, the government has made technology and automated revisions of farming implements available to every villager and currently the readdress of 'ownership of land tilled' is being considered to encourage the retention of village youth, who are otherwise migrating to cities. Today, the outskirts of Indian villages flaunt textile industries, food packaging plants, steel plants and sugar industries. These have again generated employment opportunities for the young and old alike. Ongoing government reforms endeavor to fashion the nation as a 'motor' for world economy. Improvements in public sector reforms, agrarian infrastructure and rural development, redressed labor norms etc have redefined village life in India.

The Rocky Mountains

2011-09-19T19:03:00.000-07:00

The rocky mountains are the largest mountain ranges in North America. They are found in the west of North America and Canada, and are also known as 'Rockies'. The ranges are not continuous but are segregated. All the peaks rise above 3000 m. Mt. Elbert (4401 m) is the highest peak of Rocky mountains, while, Mt. Massive (4398 m) and Mt. Harvard (4397 m) are the second and third highest peaks respectively. Mt. Robson (3955 m) is the highest peak in Rocky mountains of Canada.

Location
Rocky mountains extend from British Columbia to New Mexico. They stretch nearly 3000 miles. They are found in the American states like New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, South Dakota, Idaho, Montana and Colorado as well as in Canadian states like British Columbia and Alberta.

The Rocky Mountains - North America

The rocky mountains are classified into Southern, Middle and Northern Rockies, the Rocky mountain system in Canada and the Brook range in Alaska. The Southern, Middle and Northern Rockies are found in the United States. Canadian rockies are the largest among the Rocky mountains and stretch along nearly 900 miles. Sawatch, Sangre de Cristo, San Juan Mts, Gore, Yellowstone Plateau, Wasatch, Park and Mosquito are the major mountain ranges.

Formation of the Rocky Mountains
The process of mountain formation is known as Orogeny. The formation of mountains in the world began in Paleozoic era (300-250 million years ago). The ancient rockies were formed in this era. Followed by it was the Mesozoic era or the age of dinosaurs (249-200 million years ago). Tectonics and sedimentation took place in North America in mesozoic era. In both of these eras, huge sediments from the oceans were deposited on land due to invasion of the oceans. At the end of mesozoic era, the process of formation of the Rockies started taking place. They were formed due to plate tectonic activity. The outermost layer of the Earth's interior is called as Lithosphere. It is broken into several plates. These plates are present below the surface of the earth. The collision of any two of these plates result in upliftment of vast land areas. The mountains are formed in this way.

Before the formation of the Rockies took place, there was a shallow sea in the area where Colorado is situated today. The youngest ranges of the Rockies were formed some 100-60 million years ago. The sedimentary as well as igneous rocks are found in the Rockies.

Erosion has played greater role in shaping of the Rockies since ancient times. As compared to their present day height, the Rockies were very large earlier. Tremendous amount of erosion took place and the sediments were washed away. These sediments were deposited eastwards and plains were formed.

Colorado Rocky Mountains
The highest and the broadest mountain ranges lie in Colorado. Many peaks are found in this region. Various summits rising above 4000 m are found in Colorado. The Sawatch is the principle range in Colorado. Rocky mountain National Park, situated in center of Colorado state, is a major tourist attraction. It incorporates nearly two hundred thousand acres of land. Peaks, glaciers and lakes are found in the park. There are grasslands at the lowest part of the National Park. Rock climbing, mountaineering, fishing and camping is found here.

The Rocky Mountain

Features of the Rocky Mountains
The rocky mountains have very slanting sides and most of the peaks are covered with snow. Inter-mountain basins are remarkable characteristics of the rockies. They are the areas formed due to less amount of upliftment. Many basins are seen in the rockies. The Wyoming Basin is one such example. It is a flat grassy prairie which divides the Rocky mountains into two. Biologically, these two parts of the rockies are completely different. Different kinds of fauna are found in these two parts.

The rocky mountains are the source of rivers like Mackenzie, Missouri, Fraser and Colorado. The Great Divide, created by the rivers in the rockies, separates the rivers flowing into Atlantic or Arctic from the rivers that flow into the Pacific ocean.

As they are rugged terrains, rocky mountains are thinly populated. The chief economic assets are natural resources, gold, copper and places of tourist attraction. Lake Louise and Jasper National Park are the major tourist attractions in the rockies of Alberta. Gold was discovered in the state of Idaho, Colorado and Montana, in the 19th century. Copper, lead, zinc is found sparsely in these areas. Leadville is a major mining center. Abundant forests are found that are major natural resources. These are under government control. Spruce, fir and pine are the species of trees that dominate these forests.

top zoos in the united states

2011-09-17T06:13:00.000-07:00

Disney Animal Kingdom

Disney Animal Kingdom : Orlando, Florida
Disney animal kingdom is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It houses 1,700 animals in 500 acres. The zoo is divided into seven major sections and its wildlife is spread in each and every part. You can also have an African safari experience with the giraffes, hippos, elephants and many more.

San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo : San Diego, CA
San Diego Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the world. It was opened in the year 1915. It houses more than 4000 animals of over 800 species and is spread over 107 acres. You can enjoy the close view of the animals and can also stay back at the zoo in the resorts and camps. Their special features are the native horticulture and you will get to see some of the big mammals likes the giant panda bears.

Bronx Zoo

Bronx Zoo : New York, NY
Bronx Zoo holds the flagship of the metropolitan zoo in the US and was opened in the year 1899. It has over 4000 animals of around 650 species and is spread over 265 acres of area. You can get a wonderful experience of all most all the wild animals from the Congo forest gorillas to the Himalayan highlands snow leopards. You can also enjoy 1 acre of indoor Asian rain forests.

Maryland Zoo

Maryland Zoo : Baltimore, MD
Maryland Zoo is the third oldest zoo in United States. It was opened in the year 1876. It was previously known as Baltimore zoo but later the name was changed to Maryland in the year 2004. It has over 2000 animals of over 200 species and is spread in the area of over 160 acre. It was featured in the America's best Zoos in the year 2008. You can get to see all types of animals like birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles.

Columbus Zoo

Columbus Zoo : Powell, Ohio
Columbus Zoo is the home for over 5000 zoo animals and approximately 746 species. It was open in the year 1905 and then after the expansion and renovation it was reopened in the year 1927. It is now spread over 580 acres and has a variety of animals. Entire zoo is divided into sections and all the sections are very well known for their collection of animals.

Celebrations in Spain

2011-09-15T03:02:00.000-07:00

Carnival
February is the month, to witness the crazy carnivals. It is celebrated in different parts of the country, which follow different ways to make these carnivals enjoyable. It's the best time, where many people socialize and get together, with an intention of having fun. Canary Islands, Cadiz and Stiges are the cities, which conduct one of the most amazing and wild carnivals. A lot of people are dressed in unusual and beautiful costumes, and sing and dance all through the night. The streets are occupied with many people as they watch and participate in many events and parties. The carnival in Spain is filled with many wonderful and interesting events such as, beauty pageants, music shows and various forms of dances. Every citizen of Spain actively participate in these carnivals. In case, these competitions do not interest you, then you can always book your villas and throw a great party or instead head to open air parties. Carnivals, is a reflection of art, where many artistes get a chance to display their skills. This fun filled spectacle takes place just before Lent, which involves 40 days of fasting and as per old traditions no parties were permitted. Origin of carnival is under many speculations, but masquerading and parades were observed in Italy and soon spread to other European countries.

San Fermin - Running of the Bulls

San Fermin - Running of the Bulls
San Fermin is among the popularly celebrated events in Spain. Saint Fermin was dragged by the bulls on the streets of Pampola, which is an event of great significance. The celebrations take place from 6th July from noon and goes on till 14th July. The event is inaugurated with the launch of a rocket, an act popularly known as Chupinazo. As the day proceeds, the city council members, parade from City Hall to the Saint Fermin chapel, while many young people block the streets by performing various art forms. Each day involves certain events for which this festival is famous. The event of bulls running begins at 8 in the morning, when the firecracker is launched, indicating the release of the bulls. This event takes place from the 7th to 14th July. After the bull run, the bulls come back to the bullring of Pamplona, where they are killed in the bullfight. This is the most dangerous and yet intriguing part. Many bulls get killed and people or bullfighters who participate in this event also pay with their lives. Irrespective of the bull run and fights, there are many sports such as stone lifting, hay bale lifting and wood cutting are organized. San Fermin, is among the most awaited events of the year, where many Spanish and even people from all around the world visit to witness the great bullfights.

Easter in Spain

Easter
Easter begins with Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos) and comes to end with Easter Monday (Lune de Pascua). A lot of people carry palm leaves and visit the church to get it blessed by the priest. Many churches also organize a parade mark the arrival of Jesus. On easter Sunday, many dummies are made, which are ultimately torn into pieces and thrown into the air. The easter Sunday meal is a special one, as the godfather presents the cake, La Mona to his godchild. These cake come in many shapes and designs, which are served by wine or honey syrup.

Tomato Festival

Tomato Festival
Known as Tomatina, this big tomato fight event takes place in Bunyol. This festival takes place on the last Wednesday of August. Many people from different parts of Spain gather at Bunyol and throw around 240,000 pounds of tomato at each other. The tomatoes are specially grown for this event and are smashed before the fight to avoid injury. Many participants protect themselves by wearing goggles and gloves and continue to fight up to 1 hour.

Some of these celebrations in Spain have attracted many tourists, who visit and enjoy all these wonderful events. Celebrations are one of the factors, that attract people to this destination. However, its great cuisine, enchanting beaches and wonderful culture also pull the attention of many, who wish to become a part this beautiful country.

London, The Best Known Capital City In The World

2011-09-12T20:17:00.000-07:00

To Londoners, London is home but to the rest of the world it is known to be the world's largest financial centre and is home to more than 100 of Europe's top 500 largest companies. Education, media, fashion, arts and other cultural activities are also widespread in the city, thus making it the best known capital city in the world.

London is one of the largest urban areas in the entire European Union and its history goes back to Roman times when it was called Londinium. Remnants of London's ancient history are still visible today as its historic core is still surrounded by its medieval boundaries.

London - England

The first permanent settlement of present-day London was a Roman one in around 43 B.C. but only lasted for 17 years as it was raided and destroyed, although it was rebuilt by the 2nd century. By 1300 the city had an organized governmental structure and had a population of over 100,000 and in the following centuries London continued to grow.

In 1666 much of the city was destroyed by the Great Fire of London and rebuilding took over ten years and again in the 17th century London lost about one fifth of its population in the Great Plague. However, despite all this the city continued to grow.

Figures recorded in 2007 show that the City of London had a population of 7,556,900, and this population is a diverse mix of various cultures and religions with over 300 languages spoken in the City.

The office of National Statistics has named the UK cities most visited by international visitors, with London holding the position of number one and Edinburgh coming in at number two. London is a city of colourful markets, great shopping and home of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the British Museum and large green open spaces, more importantly a cosmopolitan culture.

London - England

London welcomes more than 25 million visitors a year through its five airports, national rail stations and Eurostar terminal, which of course is the gateway to the continent. Tourists flock to this capital city year in year out and take up residence whether for a long weekend or several weeks or months, and feed off the culture it presents.

Accommodation in London ranges from a hotel room to serviced apartments in London and in recent years this serviced accommodation London has been the preferred option for tourists wishing to have a home-away-from-home experience. This type of accommodation is also great for business accommodation in London.

A spokesman for Dolphin House luxury serviced apartments London, said "we have on offer luxury serviced apartments that are perfect for the tourist as they are completely self contained and are the perfect base for both holidaying or business stays in the city. Our apartments have all the comforts of home and are very tastefully furnished and extremely well fitted out. Although there are plenty of places to eat out in the city, your very own kitchen is great for families and entertaining business associates and certainly offers a time to impress".

If a visit to this best known capital city is on the cards why not try out serviced apartments in London for the better alternative to a hotel room?

Famous Places in Greece

2011-09-07T03:56:00.000-07:00

Located in Southeastern Europe, Greece is one of the most famous destinations for those who are inclined towards nature as well as for those who love places of historical significance. The landscape of Greece is mountainous with an interesting mix of plains as well. Tourism in Greece is a large industry, which is why one can find extremely good amenities. The beautiful landscapes and interesting monuments continue to attract visitors particularly from China. To know more about this beautiful country, read about some famous places in Greece.

Famous Places in Greece:

Athens - Greece

Athens:
Being the capital as well as the largest city of Greece, Athens attracts hordes of visitors every year. Athens is also known as the center for arts and philosophy. Since the 2004 Olympic games, Athens has turned out to be even more famous as a tourist destination. The city has the most magnificent museums that display the best in Greek art (The National Archaeological Museum and the Benaki Museum.) The Greek temple, Parthenon located on the Acropolis was designed by Phidias and is a must visit for tourists.

Corfu - Greece

Corfu:
For the lovers of the azure waters, Corfu is a perfect destination! This Greek island lies in the Ionian Sea. The beautiful coastline stretches to 217 kilometers. Corfu is known for its very unique history, which lends it a completely different look from other places in Greece. The Corfu town is also distinctive because of the unique architecture. There are many landmarks of historical significance such as the City Hall based on Venetian-Roman style architecture or the palace of Mon Repos.

Santorini - Greece

Santorini:
Known more for its volcanic islands, this is a circular shaped archipelago in the Aegean Sea. Although, Santorini can be considered to be the result of volcanic eruptions, it still remains a major tourist destination in Greece. What one can expect to see out here is the beautiful lagoon located between three cliffs. The town of Santorini is located high up on the cliffs that offers a panoramic view of the coastline. The towns of Kamari and Perissa are notable for their black sandy beaches. Those who love quiet, serene places can visit Akrotiri. Basically, you can look forward to a wonderful time at Santorini.

Rhodes - Greece

Rhodes:
The Greek island of Rhodes, famously known for the Colossus of Rhodes, lies in the eastern area of the Aegean Sea. There are many places that are of historical importance such as the Acropolis of Lindos, the Temple of Apollo, Acropolis of Rhodes and the old town of Rhodes etc. The island of Rhodes has a very lively nightlife. You can have a great time visiting the Archaeological Museum or simply amble along the lanes of the Old City. The Rhodes City has some interesting landmarks such as the Grand Master’s Palace and the Medieval City of Rhodes. It is amongst the best international tourist destinations.

Apart from these, some other famous places in Greece are Kefalonia, Mykonos, Crete and Kos that are a must-visit for all people who are planning to visit this country. Truly, Greece holds some of the most spectacular sights that can transport you to a completely different world!

Australian Aborigines

2011-09-01T08:15:00.000-07:00

Who are the Australian Aborigines?
Australian Aborigines is a term commonly used to refer to the Aboriginal people and the islanders from the Torres Strait. These natives make up 2.4% of Australia's modern population. They reside in the Australian mainland, neighboring Tasmania and the adjacent islands. The Torres Strait islanders live between Australia and New Guinea. These natives are believed to have arrived on the islands nearly 70,000 years ago! The term Australian Aborigines includes members of different communities and societies, with unique cultures. These natives of Australia actually speak over 250 languages and dialects, of which the world has considered 20 to be endangered. The Aboriginal society is not a single social entity – the component segments differ in modes of subsistence, culture and language.

Australian Aborigines Culture

Culture:
The Australian Aborigines display a large number of divisions between tribes and the linguist grouping pattern. On account of this, there are subsequent varieties of diverse cultural practices, only sometimes showing any sign of similarity. Religious demography census reports that 72% Australian Aborigines practiced a ‘form’ of Christianity – near and yet not, while 16% did not profess any religion. Today the community is witnessing an increase in the number of members following Islam. Among the Australian Aborigines, religious values and oral tradition are based upon reverence for the islands and the want-sufficing nature of all inhabitants. Earlier, the different groups exhibited individual culture, belief and language.

Australian Aboriginal art and paintings:
Australia’s culture is rich with the tradition of Aboriginal art. The art forms date back to more than thousands of years. The rock art and bark painting display the Australian Aborigines in harmony with nature. This relationship between the people and their environment is most visible in the use of earthly colors in the paintings, most of which are made from ochre. Things have changed and today the modern Aboriginal artists continue the tradition, but with the use of the versatile modern materials. The watercolor paintings of the Hermannsburg School, the dot art paintings and those by Albert Namatjira. In fact, not only does original Australian Aboriginal art have a lobby of international patrons, but it also is the a large source of income for some of the Australian communities. Australian Aboriginal poetry delves deep within the realms of sacred ferver to daily reverence to Mother Earth. The ‘Three Faces of Love’, The Honey Ant men's love song’ and ‘Little Eva at Moonlight Creek’ are some great compilations.

Australian Aborigines

Australian Aborigines today:
The Australian Aborigines are mostly urbanized now. The health and economic difficulties are substantial, with adverse ratings on the social indicators like education, unemployment and poverty. There is now a political shift, more of mutual obligation rather than self determination. The world at large has realized that it is time to recognize their distinctiveness of identity and help them to preserve their heritage. Politically speaking, two Indigenous Australians have managed to bag seats in the Australian Parliament, Neville Bonner and Aden Ridgeway, till 2005. Among the names of the Prominent Australian Aborigines are names of the former captain of the Australian National Rugby League Team, Arthur Beeton; Olympic athelete Cathy Freeman and actor David Gulpilil, among a myriad of others.

Temple of Hephaestus

2011-08-30T10:26:00.000-07:00

Hephaestus is the Greek God of fire and volcanoes. He is also the God of all craftsmen and smiths. He is equivalent to Vulcan (the Roman God of fire) and Agni (the Hindu God of fire). The hammer, anvil and tongs are his symbols. He was worshiped by all craftsmen in Athens. Hephaestus is the only Greek God to have a grotesque appearance; he was lame and crippled as he had misshapen feet. Some portraits also depict him walking with a stick.

There are various stories about Hephaestus's birth. According to one of the stories, Hephaestus is the son of Zeus and Hera. Once, during an argument between Zeus and Hera, Hephaestus took Hera's side. This infuriated Zeus, who threw Hephaestus off Mt. Olympus. According to mythology, Hephaestus was falling for 9 days and 9 nights and finally, he landed in the sea where he was brought up.

Temple of Hephaestus

Another story states that Hephaestus was born to Hera by parthenogenesis. Hera was horrified to find her son lame and crippled and hence, she threw him off Mt. Olympus. Hephaestus, later took revenge by entrapping her and made her a prisoner. There are also many stories regarding Hephaestus's marriage. In some legends, Aphrodite is portrayed as his wife; while in others, it is said to be Aglaia. It is also believed that Hephaestus created the first woman, Pandora, at Zeus's command. Hephaestus, a skilled craftsman, crafted many of the magnificent weapons and equipment of Greek gods. He is the creator of Achilles's armor, Aphrodite's girdle, Helios's chariot and also, the scepter of Zeus. It is even said that he discovered the technique of making various equipment with metals.

Temple of Hephaestus and Athena Ergane

Temple of Hephaestus

Temple of Hephaestus and Athena Ergane or Hephaisteion, situated on a hill overlooking the ancient Agora in Greece, is one of the classic Greek temples. Although, built in 449 BC, it is almost completely intact even today. The columns, roof and pediments are nearly unscathed. As it was believed that Theseus (a hero and king of Athens) was buried in the temple, it is also known as Theseion. However, the remains of Theseus were found in some other part near Acropolis. It is also believed that the temple was dedicated to Theseus. Numerous smiths and craftsmen worked in the temple's vicinity. Therefore, Hephaestus, the god of craftsmen and Athena Ergane, goddess of pottery and arts were worshiped here.

The temple is believed to be designed by the architect of the Parthenon (temple of Athena). It is a peripteral temple having Doric style of architecture. The east and west sides of the temple are shorter, having six columns; whereas, the north and south sides are longer, having 13 columns (the columns in the corner are counted twice). Marble is extensively used in the temple. Its sculptures are made of Parian marble.

On the eastern front of the temple, on the frieze, there are sculptures depicting labors of Hercules. There is also a frieze depicting a battle of Theseus with the Pallantides. On the west, there are sculptures showing the fall of Troy (in the Trojan war). Only few of the metopes of the temple were sculptured; while most of them were painted.

In the 7th century, the temple was converted into a church. It was known as Church of St. George. It was also a burial place of the people, who laid down their lives for the Greek War of Independence.

In 1834, King Otto of Greece declared the temple to be made into a museum. It remained so for nearly 100 years. In 1934, it was reinstated to its original status as an ancient monument. Various archaeological researches are conducted here. The beautiful temple of Hephaestus, giving us an insight of Greek culture, is the best preserved building of ancient Athens.

Osaka Japan

2011-08-27T19:57:00.000-07:00

Osaka, Japan is Japan's second major city after Tokyo. The 'Venice of the East' as it is sometimes called because of its abundance of rivers, this industrial city is often ignored by travelers or merely passed through because most people prefer to see the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara located nearby. If one wishes to truly experience modern Japanese culture, look no further than Osaka itself. There are a number of fascinating cultural landmarks located in the city as well as excellent food that must be experienced here in what's known as the Nation's Kitchen (tenka no daidokoro in Japanese).

The most important place of interest is Osaka Castle. Originally built in 1583, it now houses a large museum of history relating to both the castle and the Osaka area as a whole. Cases line each floor with relics including swords, armor, and various objects used in the castle during its days of usage. The castle itself was destroyed on several occasions but was rebuilt each time.

Dotonbori Osaka Japan

Dotonburi is one of the top destinations for tourists in Osaka. This street is lined with shops and restaurants decorated with bright neon signs. The famous Glico Running Man sign as well as the drum playing clown doll Kuidaore Taro. Also found here is Kani Doraku, a giant mechanized crab built in 1960. Though these might seem like strange landmarks, they are famous throughout Japan as being Osakan.

Namba, the district that houses Dotonburi, is itself famous for the numerous shopping and commercial opportunities. Shops line every street. One notable shop is the Takashimaya department store, also famous throughout the country. Namba Parks is a new building containing offices and a shopping area as well as a rooftop garden. Food abounds in Namba and if one wishes to experience true Osaka cuisine they need look no further!

Osaka Castle

Osaka's main commercial district, Umeda, is famous for its department stores and theaters. Here you will find a number of fascinating places to shop, including the Yodobashi Camera electronics store, Hankyu Department Store, the Kinokuniya Book Store, and the Whitey underground shopping center that also connects the subway stations. Movie theaters and gaming centers also abound in Umeda. HEP Five and HEP Navio house a number of shops as well as the giant red ferris wheel that overlooks the entire city. The ferris wheel sits atop the building allowing patrons a magnificent view of this Japanese city's ocean of buildings and concrete.

Though these locations only scratch the surface of all there is to see in the Osaka area, one must not miss out on any opportunity to visit these historical and beautiful sights in Osaka, Japan

Adventure Enriched Morocco Travel

2011-08-24T09:27:00.000-07:00

Morocco, a country with splendid beauty and rich historical background is a place that has been attracting tourists for over decades now. Located on the coast line of North African continent, the Kingdom of Morocco speaks for its opulence. Every year, the country expects a large number of tourists from across the globe to mark their footprints at some of the most popular Moroccan cities such as Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes, and Oujda etc amongst others.

Spending vacations in Morocco is one of an experience to remember. Those, who wish to visit the country, can consult a genuine and a reliable travel and tour guide who can plan an adventurous yet affordable Morocco holiday package for them. Moreover, planning a trip to the popular cities of Morocco can be really enjoyable for tourists who love to explore the intriguing contrasts of these cities. Tourists, who are planning their vacations to Morocco, can explore for the best travel deals through travel websites that offer cheap airfares along with a comfortable and luxurious hotel accommodation.

Morocco Travel

Morocco is a place with extravagant and luxurious hotels that not only are known for their hospitable services, but also for their facilities that include spas, swimming pool, and delectable Moroccan cuisine.. Hotel ambience is kept relaxing and soothing with subtle interiors so that travelers simply feel heaven on earth experience whilst their stay in Morocco.

Tourist Destinations in Morocco

Gates-Bab-Entrance-Essaouria - Morocco

Apart from numerous tourist destinations situated in Morocco, the popular ones are Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, and Marrakech etc.
If beaches fascinate you, then planning a tour to Agadir is a must. The white sand city located on the Atlantic Ocean shore and by the foot of Atlas Mountains is known for its sunny environment. As a matter of fact this very beach has the sunniest bay in the world. So, it is a popular destination for tourists who love to lay aside the sea shore and get their bodies tanned. Casablanca on the other hand is a commercial capital of Morocco and is known for its urban landscapes that portray both modern and traditional building structures of the Moroccan culture.

Tourists visit both the cities with a view to explore rich culture of Morocco that existed even before 15th century A.D. Traveling to Morocco will definitely bewilder you with it's beautiful and lushly surroundings that are eye catchy and magnificent. Moreover, Morocco tours and travel companies can be the best sources for designing attractive tour packages for the tourists as per their requirements.

Harare the cute city of Zimbabwe

2011-08-22T02:12:00.000-07:00

When we travel round the globe then we have come across many out class and mind blowing attractions which are placed and situated in different parts and continents of the world. There are seven continents in the entire world. Each and every continent is full of tremendous and enormous beautiful attractions which are placed and split in different conurbations and cities. Africa is the best continent among the seven continents of the world as far as tourism is concerned. All the splendid beauties of Africa are placed in different cities.

Harare is one of the most beautiful and attractive cities of Zimbabwe to visit. Harare is capital city of Zimbabwe. Harare and its mind blowing beauties are scattered in different parts of Harare. Out class and classical beauties of Harare are Victoria Falls that are occurring naturally. Hwange and Matobo national parks are worth to visit. The National Gallery, Collection of Rhodesiana and Africana, Queen Victoria Museum, the Queen Victoria National Library, National Botanic Garden, The Kopje are other main tourist attractions.

Zimbabwe River

Pleasant climate of Harare is biggest weakness of the tourists who have come here by taking their flights to Harare from London and other parts of the world. Kenya Airways is a three stars airline providing very good services to its customers. Air France is a four star airline providing cheap flights to Harare from London. Emirates are also a four stars airline connecting Dubai to London and Harare. Etihad is connecting London and Harare to Abu Dhabi. Qatar Airways is a five stars airline connecting three cities London, Harare and Doha. All these airlines are indirect airlines available from UK and are scheduled to Harare International Airport.

Zimbabwe Travel Guide

Most of the tourists book their flights to Harare with Air Zimbabwe to visit at the fantastic beauty Queen of Harare the one and only Victoria Falls. Victoria Fall is the only fall in this entire African region which is occurring naturally. Human beings are very close to nature and this is in the nature of human beings to love nature. These mentioned natural beauties and many more are situated in Harare to please and entertain the tourists of the world.

Accra is wonderful city of Ghana to visit

2011-08-19T19:12:00.000-07:00

Accra is beautiful city of Ghana to visit. Accra is among those cities of Africa which are full of natural beauties along with excellent attractions and supported by pleasant climate. Pleasant climate which is called hot Savannah climate is the best climate to observe in the entire African region. Accra is capital city of Ghana. Accra is serving Ghana as capital city since 1877. Ghana is very famous and old country of Africa. This country is situated in western part of Africa. Ghana remained under the administration of Colonial power for many years. This area was used by the British, Dutch, French and Germans in the past for their gold trading. That's why this was called the gold coast. Ghana got independence from Colonial Empire finally in 1957.

Accra - Ghana

Ghana like other countries of Africa is full of natural resources. Most of the African countries are enriched with oil and coal reservoirs. These economies are full of potential but unfortunately these economies are miss managed economies. The biggest reason is the interest of big powers. Any ways, the biggest source of revenue generation is off course dependent on oil and petroleum products. All the furnished products of oil and petroleum are manufactured at Accra. According to an estimate more than 70% of the manufacturing of Ghana is made in Accra. This makes this city clearly the back bone of Ghana's economy and hub of all commercial activities.

Accra - Ghana

Accra is full of lovely and lively places. Tourists of the world like this city as their homeland and visit there by taking their flights to Accra from London and other parts of the world to feel the pleasant tropical climate and have a look at the grand beauties of Accra. National Theater, National Museum, National Library, Nkrumah Khawame Museum, Castle, Novatel hotel, James Fort, Light house Fort, Independence Arc, Independence Square and Makola Market. La pleasure Labadie beach, kakrobite beach, Coco beach, Bojo beach and Elmina beach. These places are such a beautiful places which attracts thousand of tourists to visit Accra by booking their seats in flights to Accra by Royal Air Maroc and other Airlines.

Overview of Taj Mahal in Agra

2011-08-15T01:41:00.000-07:00

The captivating white marble stone architectural wonder is a symbol of never fading love between two human souls. The eternal temple of lovers was beloved as Taj Mahal in Agra and admired for its fascinating structural design. It is an incomparable gift to inspire generations to believe in the divine grace of love. The mausoleum built by Shah Jahan in the memory of beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal is one of the master pieces of architectural wonders and doubtlessly the proudest creations of humanity.

Taj Mahal

About Taj Mahal
Enamoring Taj Mahal in Agra is one of the seven wonders in the world and has been named as an UNESCO world heritage site in the year 1983. The structural amazement is also the highest revenue earning heritage site in India. It is spread over 42 acres of area and took 20 years for completion from the year 1632 to 1653. It is strategically positioned on the banks of river Yamuna also exhibiting the esteem architectural creations of Mughal's. It is a memorial stone that depicts the story of grief, undying love, and passion between Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. The Agra tours are a must if you visit India as Indian excursion is almost incomplete without a visit to Taj.

Shah Jahan & Mumtaz Mahal

Shah Jahan & Mumtaz Mahal
Shahab Uddin Muhammad Shah Jahan was more popularly respected as Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan which means King of the World. He ascended the throne of Mughal Emperor Jehangir and was the 5th Mughal King. He is immortalized in Indian history as the most creative builder the world has ever witnessed.

Mumtaz Mahal means beloved ornament of palace and she was the third queen of King Shah Jahan and the most beloved of all queens'. She died while giving birth to her 14th child and also became the inspiration for the construction of Taj Mahal the proudest creation of humanity.

Myths of Taj Mahal & Star Attractions of Agra tours

Many European scholars have argued to the point that Taj Mahal was designed by Italian designer Geronimo Veroneo.
Shah Jahan planned to built a Black Taj and connect the two Taj by a Bridge
Taj Mahal was attempted to demolished a lot of time by the British rule in India but it survived
Taj Mahal is sinking is a much talked myth of time
Taj Mahal is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva

A Visit To Provence France

2011-08-10T09:32:00.000-07:00

Provence France is a rather beautiful place, with many things to offer. It has a very old history which dates back to the prehistoric times, and then on down through the ages. This can be seen in many of the buildings and architecture which are dotted throughout this area.

Provence is situated in the South East region of France, it reaches eastward to the Alps and extends westwards towards the Rhone Valley. It sits on the edge of the Mediterranean in the southern area and reaches towards and borders the previous province of Dauphine.

It is a place which tends to have its own kind of language, artistic talents, social and intellectual pursuits. Many famous painters have put brush to canvas here, and this would include the prehistoric cave painters of the Cosquer Cave. It is a place for people from all over the world to come and enjoy what it has to offer.

Visit To Provence France

Its cuisine is interesting and varied and it has its own traditional dishes such as Ratatouille and Bouillabaisse. As it has a varying climate that can sometimes be warm and dry, and with a percentage of its landscape being reasonably rugged, it has created its own food dishes from what has thrived in this kind of region.

Many other agricultural industries are now practiced and this has added to the cuisine experience. As Provence has a small area of good arable land, it can be quite interesting to see vineyards interspersed with flowers, fruit and olive tree groves. The lavender fields when in bloom add to the attraction and beauty of the wonderful countryside and landscape.

Visit To Provence France

Staying in one of the different houses in Provence when on a holiday can be an experience on it own. There is some absolutely charming accommodation to be found in village houses, cabanons, country properties, villas and many other places which are often available. Many of the country properties etc., are situated reasonably close to some of the towns and villages.

Provence has many things to offer, with its beautiful landscape, its special wines, and the many types of foods it has to taste. There are a great number of interesting places to visit and some exciting things to see and do. Provence has some very famous places such as Nice and the French Riviera, Monaco, Avignon and the Camargue near the towns of Arles and Saintes Maries de la Mer. These are just a few of their famous places and there are many more to see. Want to bring a touch of Provence to your home? Boutique Provencale offer a huge range of provencal tablecloths and home accessories including dishes Pottery which will give any home that French country feel.

Places to Visit in Beijing

2011-08-08T01:27:00.000-07:00

While you must have showed your kids the majestic Forbidden City and the Great Bell Temple, you should not forget the fact that kids expect some fun and frolic during their travel time and for them, merely visiting places of historical importance or architectural marvel, may not make much sense. Unless they are exhausted because of playing, running and doing something that relates to their age, they may feel, as you can imagine, all lost and may complain that Mom, something is missing! You must show them the architectural beauties but don't let them feel bored by not taking them to some places where kids can be themselves.

Toy Shopping

Go for a Toy Shopping Bonanza
Chinese markets are known for variety of toys and that too, at affordable prices. Enter with your kids in famous toy markets in Beijing and you will find it difficult to leave it without buying anything. Stuffed pandas, helicopters, dolls and any other toy, you always wanted to gift to your kids, these toy super markets will surely be an answer to your kids dream world.

Marine World

Explore the Phenomenal Marine World
Imagine watching killer sharks, sea lions and dolphins all through the windows in the walls of an aquarium. It would indeed be mesmerizing to experience marine life so closely. Hailed to be the largest inland aquarium in the world, the Beijing Aquarium in Haidian District, houses nearly 1,000 species of freshwater fish and marine animals. It is located inside the Beijing Zoo.

the Greatest Wall in the World

Sweat Out on the Greatest Wall in the World
One of the best Beijing attractions for kids is to explore the Great Wall of China. The most enjoyable section for children would be the Mutianyu section. It is the best preserved part of this magnificent wall and is opened to visitors. It consists of 22 watch towers in which you can go and watch the magnificent China and forest and woodland surrounding the Great wall. Your teenager kids will love some adventurous stuff on the Great Wall of China, like hiking or the cable car ride. You shouldn't miss the experience of sleeping on the Great Wall because accommodation is provided in the watch towers.

Olympic stadium of Beijing

Watch the Bird's Nest More Closely
Your Kids will find it amazing to watch the Bird's Nest, the iconic Olympic stadium of Beijing, from close quarters. The recent Olympic hosted by China has proved to the world the Chinese economic power. Visiting the historical stadium will be a great experience of learning for your family.

the Forbidden City

Get Awestruck at the Marvel of the Forbidden City
Forbidden city is one of the few royal palaces left in the world and stands testimony to the prosperity and magnificence of Chinese dynasties. This 961 meter long palace is said to have nearly 9,000 rooms. Since the Ming and Qing Dynasties, citizens were not allowed to enter in this palace, it was called as 'Forbidden city'. A UNESCO world heritage site, Forbidden city is a great place to let your kid learn about the real Chinese art, history and culture.

Places to Visit in Beijing

2011-08-06T03:15:00.000-07:00

The capital city of China, the mesmerizing Beijing, offers multitude of options for kids to enjoy their journey to the fullest. There are some fascinating tourist attractions in Beijing, dedicated exclusively to kids. Beijing attractions for kids include amusement parks, water parks, science museums and what not. Kids will have a life time experience from their trip to Beijing because there are some excellent options for them to freely enjoy.

While you must have showed your kids the majestic Forbidden City and the Great Bell Temple, you should not forget the fact that kids expect some fun and frolic during their travel time and for them, merely visiting places of historical importance or architectural marvel, may not make much sense.

Beijing World Park

Journey Around the World in Beijing World Park
With nearly 1.5 millions visitors flocking to this park, every year, it is not a surprise if you get lost in this huge 46.7 hectare area theme park. It was built in 1993 with the sole aim of providing its visitors an unique experience of the world community without leaving Beijing. The most fascinating attraction inside this park is that it includes miniature models of nearly 100 famous world monuments. Right from India's Taj Mahal to America's Empire State building, it includes almost all monuments you can think about. It is open from April to October for visitors. Besides the opportunity to see world class attractions in mini sized models, made almost of the same materials as the original one's, this world park will give your kids a slide show depicting the world. The journey will make you feel as if you have seen the entire world in a day. Music, dance, food and drinks from different parts of the world are some other things that kids can enjoy in this park.

Get Mesmerized at Sony Explora Science Museum
This science museum will amuse your kids to the core. It doesn't matter, if they are still not interested in science, numerous things in this museum are bound to enthrall them. Located in Chaoyang Park, this high tech, interactive museum will certainly bewitch them by the wonders of latest technology and human interaction.

Real Kung Fu Fighting - Beijing

Experience the Real Kung Fu
Your family, especially your kids who must be in awe of the Kung Fu Panda, will be delighted to see some real Kung Fu fighting. In Beijing, Kung Fu shows are organized at various places, as a part of cultural events. Don't you dare to miss them.

Be Friends with the Pandas
In the Beijing Zoo, kids will find numerous varieties of animals and they will also get chance to see Pandas. Well, kids would certainly wish, if it was the Kung Fu panda, their cuddly Po. Observing rare Pandas from up close will really make your kids exhilarated.

Cuisine and Dining in Korea

2011-08-03T18:57:00.000-07:00

Korean food is best known for kimchi, the fermented rice with vegetables, cabbage its distinctive treatment of most Kimchi is said to reduce the pores on the skin, reduces wrinkles and provides nutrients to the surface naturally. There are also healthy, as it provides essential vitamins and nutrients Gochujang (Korean traditional sauce made from red pepper) is also commonly used as a pepper (Capsicum) drop, gaining a reputation for spicy food.

Bulgogi (roasted marinated meat, usually beef), galbi (marinated grilled short ribs), and samgyeopsal (pork belly) are popular meat entrees. Another popular commodity is fish, a traditional meat in Koreans diet. Meals are usually accompanied by soup or stew, such as galbitang (stewed ribs) and doenjang jjigae (fermented bean paste soup). Shared collection of side dishes called banchan is commonly found at the center table.

Cuisine and Dining in Korea

Other popular dishes include bibimbap which literally means "mixed rice" (rice mixed with meat, vegetables, and red pepper paste) and naengmyeon(cold noodles). A common snack in Korea is kimbab, which is rice mixed with vegetables and meat wrapped with seaweed. While an increasingly wide variety of ingredients are used in kimbap, either raw or cooked fish is seldom, perhaps due to kimbap's foundation as portable snack and fish could quickly spoil if remained unrefrigerated.

Instant noodles are also very popular snack food. Koreans also enjoy food from pojangmachas (street vendors), where one can buy tteokbokki (rice cake and fish cake with a spicy gochujang sauce), fried squid and glazed sweet potato. Soondae, a sausage made of cellophane noodles and pork blood, is widely eaten.

Additionally, some of other common snacks includes "chocopie", shrimp cracker, "bbungtigi" (fried rice cracker), and "nu lung ji" (slightly burnt rice). Nu lung ji can be eaten as it is or boiled with water to make a soup. Nu lung ji can be eaten as a snack or a dessert.

Seoul Restaurants
Itaewon
This area is Korea's melting pot, where people from a number of different cultures in every corner. The restaurants here serve traditional food from around the world and some of the cuisines available include Thai, Mexican, Italian, French and Chinese.

Myeongdong
Lovers of gourmet food will want to visit this street, which is located in the heart of Seoul. Most of the restaurants here serve traditional Korean cuisine, served with flare in stylish settings.
Jangchungdong Jokbal Street

Located in Jung-gu near Jangchung Gymnasium, this area is known for its traditional food and many of the restaurants here have been in service catering customers for fifty years. The specialty here is a dish of pig's trotters known as jokbal.

Sinchon
This area is popular with university students and young backpackers. The food here is cheap, tasty and creative and many restaurants specialize in fusion dishes as well as Western favorites.

Planning a Trip to Australia

2011-07-31T07:01:00.000-07:00

It is needless to say that you want to learn how to plan a successful trip to Australia, and that too with as little to do as possible. Am I right? Well, in order to get started, there are certain practical requirements that every international travel includes - visa, customs, flight and hotel reservations, driver's license, traveling inside Australia (deciding which place to see in Australia), money exchange, and shopping. All these things need to be taken into consideration before you travel to Australia. Keeping all this in mind, we have put together a "must go through" list and necessary paperwork to complete.

Australia

Australian Visa
No visa… no travel. Everyone has to have a visa for whichever country they are willing to travel to; and the same goes for Australia. Although, if you are a New Zealand citizen, you can enter Australia and get the visa at the time of your arrival (at the airport). For other countries' passport holders, you will have to apply for an Australian visa before you leave your respective countries. There are different types of visas available, but since you are traveling to Australia in terms of vacationing, you need to apply for a tourist visa. To apply for the visa, visit your closest Australian Consulate, and complete the formalities as per the Australian government's visa and immigration rules and regulations.

Customs Rules & Regulations
As per Australian government's customs laws, when entering the country, you are not permitted to bring weapons, illegal firearms, steroids, illegal drugs, perishable items (certain food items), and protected wildlife. There is no limit on the amount of cash you are allowed to bring into the country, but if the amount is equal to or over AU $10,000, you will need to declare it. For other details, you can talk to your travel agent.

Trip to Australia

Flight Reservation
There are various airlines that fly to Australia at an affordable price range. However, if you are planning a vacation, you should go through a travel agent that can help you with your itinerary. Depending on the number of people traveling, you can customize your vacation plans as per your requirement, and spend as many days as you like in Australia. Begin by finding the toll free number to contact a travel agent.

Now you have two options for traveling to and around the country - traditional way (flight, hotel, car, etc.) and cruise. Either you book flights and do all the normal things other tourists do, or you can opt for an Australian cruise package for a completely different experience.

Travel Insurance
For international travel plans, it is recommended that tourists take out a travel insurance policy so that they are safe from theft, accidents, and medical issues, while on the trip. Now since Australia is known for its adventurous spots, you should make sure that your insurance policy covers it all.

Driver's License
In Australia, they drive on the left side of the road. So if you are used to driving on the right side of the road, perhaps you should think twice before driving, when in Australia. Plus, you need to make sure if your current license from the country of residence is valid or not. You should be aware of the traffic rules and regulations as well.

Weather Conditions
Depending on which time of the year you will be traveling, go over the weather and climate conditions. This will help you while packing for your trip, as you don't want to carry extra clothing and items if you're not going to need them. Pack as light as you can, and do take essential items that suit the weather in Australia, and be safe.

Tourist Attractions in Shanghai, China

2011-07-29T01:53:00.000-07:00

Shanghai tourist attractions are easily accessible from the center of the city and will keep you enthralled during your stay in the city. Some of the popular tourist destinations in Shanghai are:

Yuyuan Gardens
Yuyuan garden is located in the center of Shanghai's old city and is one of the few remaining old tourist sites in Shanghai. The garden is built in traditional Chinese style and features several rock and tree gardens. Ponds, zigzagging bridges, scores of doorways and dragon lined walls are characteristics of this garden. When you enter the garden you are welcomed by its scenic beauty. The small ponds adorned with shrubs, trees and rocks on the sides, simply overwhelm the soul. The garden is surrounded by a bazaar or market that has vendors selling all kinds of stuff from wares to food stuff. So you should have plenty of time if you want to absorb the beauty of Yuyuan as well as do some shopping at the bazaar.

The Bund shanghai

The Bund
It is said that if you visit Shanghai and fail to visit the Bund, then you've not really seen China. The Bund, an epitome of Shanghai's history is one of the most prominent architectural features of the city. The Bund usually refers to the buildings and wharves sweeping along the western side of the Huangpu river. Many banks and financial institutions opened their offices here, making the Bund the financial capital of Asia. The buildings that should specifically be on your look out list are the old Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, the Bank of China, the Peace Hotel and the Customs House.

Dianshan Hu Lake
Dianshan Hu Lake situated in the west of of Zhujiajiao in Qingpu in the Shanghai municipal area is a natural freshwater lake that is a must-visit. This 60 sq km area lake is the upstream of Huangpu river and happens to be the only natural lake in the whole of Shanghai. Since it's the only natural lake in the area and the only source of water, it is monitored thoroughly and the lake water is therefore clean. Numerous fish, shrimps and crabs are seen to dwell in this lake. On the southeastern stretch of the lake is a holiday resort and to the eastern bank of the lake lies a large public bathing area.

Shanghai Museum

Shanghai Museum
Located in the midst of people's square of Shanghai is another popularly visited tourist destination called the Shanghai Museum. The exterior of the museum features a round shaped dome with a square base, thereby indicating the traditional Chinese idea of a square land and a circular heaven. The museum houses several artifacts such as ancient sculpture, ancient ceramics, ancient bronze paintings, calligraphy and so on. They are distributed across 11 galleries and the museum serves as the best means to have a look at the various types of Chinese art and architecture. The museum is the door to learning all about ancient China.

Best places to visit in Frankfurt

2011-07-27T00:49:00.000-07:00

There are enormous places of tourist interest in Frankfurt, a famous tourist destination in Germany. Some of the most important places among them are discussed in the article.

1. Hauptwache: This is a public area that is considered as the center of the most modern town area of Frankfurt. This importance comes due to the use of this particular area as public transport station. This also comes in between the main shopping street, Rossmarkt and the Eschenheimer Tor. This place was named after the Baroque building.

Hauptwache

2. Alte Oper: The renaissance Opera building is located in the central part of the city. In front portion of the street we can find a busy square that is filled up with fountains. This was originally inaugurated in the year 1880. After the destruction during the Second World War it was successfully reconstructed and used for concerts, congresses and other fancy items.

Alte Oper

3. Borse: This has a bull and bear statues outside the building. This is the Frankfurt stock exchange building that is still used for the purpose. Unless otherwise registered for a Frankfurt tour in advance you cannot even enter the premises of the building.

4. Paulskirche: First democratically elected government was seated in this company. This happened in the year 1848.

5. Sachsenhausen: This is the part of the city that is south of the Main river. The old part of the city is famous for the cider bars.

Best places to visit in Frankfurt

2011-07-24T18:18:00.000-07:00

There are enormous places of tourist interest in Frankfurt, a famous tourist destination in Germany. Some of the most important places among them are discussed in the article.

1.Bethmann Park: This is the most beautiful landscape in Frankfurt. The structure of the park symbolizes a perfect refuge which is hidden behind some stone walls and that too in the busiest part of the city. Away from the noisy and busy environment of the city, this is a calm and peace giving atmosphere full of beautiful flowers and oases which gives us a breathe of pollution free refreshing air.

Kaiserdom - Frankfurt

2.Kaiserdom: This is also known as St.Bartholomew Cathedral of the Emperors. This was built in the 13th century. This cathedral which is in the city of Frankfurt symbolizes a treasured artwork. This is considered as the most valuable and noticed building in the whole region of Frankfurt. This has been attracting people for more than hundred years during Germany tour.

3.Romerberg: Romerberg is the most fascinating and impressive old square in the city of Frankfurt. This center features many old buildings and churches from the early 14th and 15th centuries. These buildings were all destroyed during the 2nd world war but were completely rebuilt after that.

4.Dom: This is the main cathedral in Frankfurt that was built in Gothic style mainly during the 14th century. From the period 1562 to 1792, the major emperors of the Roman Empire were crowned in this cathedral.

5.Eiserner Steg: This is a well known foot bridge built in 1869 for the pedestrians. By crossing the bridge you can reach Sachsenhausen and we can get a beautiful view of the skyline. It is only a minute walk from the Rome.