Works of Art in Berlin, Germany

"The King's Favourite and Master of Works, the Sculptor Thutmose" (also spelled Djhutmose and Thutmosis) is thought to have been the official court sculptor of the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten in the latter part of his reign. A German archaeological expedition digging in Akhenaten's deserted city of Akhetaton, at Amarna, found a ruined house and studio complex (labeled P47.1-3) during its 1912 excavations; the building was identified as that of Thutmose based on an ivory horse blinker found in a rubbish pit in the courtyard inscribed with his name and job title...Among many other sculptural items recovered at the same time was the polychrome bust of Nefertiti, apparently a master study for others to copy, which was found on the floor of a storeroom.' Wikipedia Created around 1340 BC.

Review by: katie_f

Photo by flickr user *hoodrat*

Paranormal in Poland

More commonly referred to in English as 'Auschwitz', the Polish city of Oswiecim is recorded as existing as far back as 1117. Its history is closely tied to both the German and Polish cultures, and its population was largely Jewish from the mid-1400s until the advent of World War II and the beginning of the Holocaust.

Once Poland had been occupied by German forces, Adolf Hitler set about preparations for the building of the Auschwitz concentration camp by employing slave labour to construct an army base for German guards. Three camps were then constructed: the administrative division was housed in Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II was designed specifically for the imprisonment and extermination of Jews, and Auschwitz III as a work camp.

Between 1940 and 1945, somewhere between 1,100,000 and 1,500,000 people are believed to have died in the camps, mainly in gas chambers, which were used to exterminate any prisoners (the elderly, women and children) who were not deemed fit for work. 400,000 people were registered at the camp instead of being sent to their deaths immediately, and over 50% of them died from starvation, disease, extreme enforced physical labour, the torture and executions used as punishment, or illegal medical experimentation.

It is more than understandable that those who visit a site which harboured such misery and evil should feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of emotion attached to it, especially since its significance is imprinted on most of our minds by the time we are teenagers. Auschwitz I and II (Birkenau) are open to the public, and emotional breakdown and even panic are common occurrences among visitors.

However, a huge number of people (both staff and visitors) have described being touched, grabbed or spoken to by unseen beings, and hovering mists, cold patches, moving shadows and light anomalies have often been attributed to paranormal activity when other explanations could not be found for them. It may well be assumed that if any place is home to unhappy spirits, it is this one.

Review by: larapiegeler

Photo by flickr user Aloriel

Spiritual Retreats in Haridwar, India

One of the most renowned temple and ashram complexes in India, known for its substantial work on Hinduism, it is a school in the breathtaking valleys of Rishikesh laden with stone and golden Hindi statues. Once the most active yoga school, it has little to offer the Western visitor today, except for those keen to immerse themselves in Hindu culture and introspection. “When global orange sun suspended, waits low amid the red/yellow streaked horizon, then all these combine to give this town a very special evening. The temple bells roar, priests enchant mantras. Immersed in sublimation stand the pilgrims. Cupped leaves, with saffron marigold petals and a small candle flame, flickering ride the current of water of wisdom. Suddenly the sky darkens, spreading a blanket of stillness. Everything stops, except the sound of current, which has just sunk the tiny flames of cupped leaves, few minutes back”.

Review by: George Monkhouse

Photo by flickr user J I G I S H A a.k.a Nitin

Kayaking in Ionian Islands, Greece

The Greek Islands are a great place to plan a seakayaking trip. You can paddle here most of the year, in fact out of the peak tourist season of July and August is better than in because you'll find it easier to book accommodation and it won't be as desperately hot or as busy (in season the water is also dominated by the yachting crowds.). The hotel season here begins and ends on set days so you'll know if you arrive out of season. If you are visiting out of season you may also benefit more from the great Greek hospitality: expect to be welcomed warmly, and possibly even have hotels part opened for you and special meals cooked, which will bring that additional local colour and flavour to your experience. Another benefit of having friendly locals is that you're able to leave your kayak filled with gear on the beach overnight without having to worry about it. You can also camp where ever you like and there are plenty of secluded beaches to choose from.

The Ionian Islands on the western edge of Greece are a good place for those who are looking for less wind. Green mountains protect from the winds leaving calmer seas on the east side of the islands most of the time but the west side will show more expose coast lines with more cliffs & caves and rock gardens to play with as well as pretty views. These islands aren't too touristy and you can get a sense of life lived in a more traditional way here. If you are travelling by car- you can drive to the Isle of LEFKADE which is connected to the main land by bridge, and start paddling from there south east to the smaller islands, the most important one to visit is MEGANISI with its big blue cave and south to KEFALONIA & ITHAKA (the island of Odysseus)

If you are coming by air with a folding Kayak then you could fly to ZAKYNTOS which is only 8 nautical miles south from KAFALONIA.

Review by: Omer Singer

Photo by flickr user schlongfield

Contemporary Architecture in Barcelona, Spain

'Seven properties built by the architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926) in or near Barcelona testify to Gaudí’s exceptional creative contribution to the development of architecture and building technology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These monuments represent an eclectic, as well as a very personal, style which was given free reign in the design of gardens, sculpture and all decorative arts, as well as architecture. The seven buildings are: Casa Vicens; Gaudí’s work on the Nativity façade and Crypt of La Sagrada Familia; Casa Batlló; Crypt in Colonia Güell.'

Copyright © UNESCO/World Heritage Centre. All rights reserved.

Review by: press

Photo by flickr user Jaume Meneses

Diving in Hawaii, United States

Off Maui’s coast, Molokini is a tiny sunken volcano island with what must be some of Hawaii’s best diving and snorkeling. The best spots are in the channel and in the caved in section of the volcano which creates a protected area for marine life. No fishing except by birds who have a sanctuary on the island as well and you can only get here by boat which conserves the coral health as well as the fish numbers and means the water is some of the clearest you will come across - visibility is up to 200 feet. The arc of the volcano rim stops the ocean crashing in. Best snorkeling is around the shoreline which is where the best feeding is. I’ve seen jacks, eels, snapper, goatfish, emperor fish, wrasse, tang, butterfly fish, parrot fish, scad, hawk fish and manta rays, humpbacks and seals. You have to go as part of a boat tour so take some time considering which provider to go with…

Review by: Keraili Grant

Photo by flickr user fallingrock

Volcanoes in Naples, Italy

This is one of history's most infamous volcanoes, thanks to the eruption in AD 79 that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum and shook the Roman Empire. It is a volcano best visited in its dormant state, though not all eruptions are as destructive as its most famous event. You should not only visit the volcano (you can drive and then walk to view the summit crater) but also the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Near Naples is the Campi Flegrei, a large caldera with fumaroles fields, also worth visiting. Best times to visit are Spring and Fall. The Naples area is very hot and crowded during the summer. Winter can bring snow to Vesuvius and turn the area cold and bleak. The most pleasant city near Vesuvius is Sorrento. Avoid staying in Naples, a crowded city with a high crime rate, though its museums are worth seeing

Review by: Rosaly Lopes

Photo by flickr user fachxx00

Churches & Abbeys in Ravenna, Italy

Ravenna was the seat of the Roman Empire in the 5th century and then of Byzantine Italy until the 8th century. It has a unique collection of early Christian mosaics and monuments. All eight buildings – the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Neonian Baptistery, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the Arian Baptistery, the Archiepiscopal Chapel, the Mausoleum of Theodoric, the Church of San Vitale and the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe – were constructed in the 5th and 6th centuries. They show great artistic skill, including a wonderful blend of Graeco-Roman tradition, Christian iconography and oriental and Western styles.

Copyright © UNESCO/World Heritage Centre. All rights reserved.

Review by: World Reviewer Staff

Photo by flickr user rdesai

History in Hospet, India

Between the 14th and 17th centuries, the Vijayanagara Empire dominated southern India and is known chiefly for its extreme strength and wealth, which were expressed magnificently in its distinctive, complex, highly symbolic art and architecture. The empire’s capital was the economically flourishing riverside ‘city of victory’ – Vijayanagara City itself – and people travelled from far and wide to admire it.

It once covered around 540 square kilometres of land but today it lies in ruins, only a fraction of its former size, next to the village of Hampi. As first glance, it seems that time has washed away its colour and glory and left it barren and empty, but closer inspection reveals a wealth of temples, burial grounds, rock carvings, monuments, water-courses, a palace and many houses, all enclosed within a huge city wall.

The Virupaksha temple dominates this field of archaeological treasures, its ten-level entrance tower still standing tall above the column-lined walkway that draws the visitors (which include local worshippers) from a massive Nandi bull sculpture towards the peaceful, shadowy centre.

Review by: larapiegeler

Photo by flickr user Wm Jas

Rafting in Black Sea Region, Turkey

In high water this roller coaster of a river is one of the worlds top three paddling trips: 120 kilometres of rapids with no flat water to let your stomach catch up in between. People don’t imagine north eastern Turkey’s terrain will look like it does, but set into the spectacular reds and oranges of the Kackar Mountain Range, the Coruh’s backdrop is more like Arizona (with the addition of snow capped mountains at the beginning of the season ) than Europe. As well as a snapshot worthy setting this is a region heavy with history and culture. Local life is more traditional in these remote areas amongst the Georgian and Byzantine architecture with few cars and generally friendly faces.

An ideal trip in this region would take you first along the ever bumpier Coruh between Erzurum and Tekkale conquering rapids with names like ‘The Bitch’, ‘Alexis’, ‘Dynasty’ and ‘The Stud’ then switch rivers to the big volume Barhal with highlight the Yusufeli Gorge, 12kms of massive roller coaster rapids and one of the best days rafting on the planet.

High water is between mid May and Mid June - but there are plans to dam the Coruh so it’s a good idea to shunt this trip up to the top of your list.

Review by: Hamish McMaster

Photo by flickr user Jean & Nathalie