World Travel

1.) The Prague Castle

This is recognized by the Guinness World of Records as the largest and oldest castle in the whole wide world. This is a very impressive castle that seems to be guarding the city below. You can also see here the St. Vitus Cathedral as well as other smaller palaces.

2.) Charles Bridge

This is only one of the many bridges in Vltava. It was constructed during the 14th century and is considered as oe of the most stunning bridges in Prague. During the day, it is nice to stroll along the Charles Bridge and get to enjoy the many stores and restaurants and bars that are located here.

3.) The Old Town

If you want to see what an ancient town looks like, then visit The Old Town. This is also considered as Prague’s historical center as it houses a lot of historical buildings as well as monuments, the most popular of which is the Astronomical Clock or the Orloj. There are also a lot of historical churches that you can visit here.

3.) Josefov

This historical Jewish ghetto is a must-visit place. Here, you will get to see old synagogues that are well maintained, and you will also see here the Jewish Cemetery, thought of as the oldest cemetery in Europe. There is also a burial site that you can visit which is said to be Prague Golem’s.

4.) New Town of Prague

Its main tourist spot is the Wenceslas Square where you will get to enjoy shops and restaurants as well as little stalls. You can also visit the National Museum. Along the Boulevard, you will also see parks as well as arcades and modern discos as well as new buildings.

5.) The Lesser Town

What this offers is picturesque views of streets and old churches. The most popular church is the St. Nicholas Church. You can also see the famous Lennon Wall here.

6.) City Center of Brno

If you want to see more historical buildings, then go on to the City Center of Brno. Here, you will surely enjoy the sights of its old churches as well as theaters. You are also going to see here numerous sculptures as well as fountains as you walk along its streets.

7.) Spilberk Castle

This castle/fortress is located in Brno and used to be a famous notorious prison where a lot of people were tormented and tortured during the Austro-Hungarian Empire era. Now, it houses a museum as well as a restaurant to dine in. There is also a park that offers wonderful sights which you can visit.

8.) Vankovka Gallery

If you are fond of shopping, then go on to the Vankovka Gallery. This used to be an industrial center but was later converted to a big shopping center. You can still see some historical industrial buildings here and, at the same time, shop till you drop.

9.) Cesky Krumlov State Castle and Chateau

This is one of the famous tourist destinations in Krumlov. Here, you will see the castle complex and even explore it for free. If you want to see its interiors, then there is the paid guided tour for you to choose.

10.) Namesti Svobody

This is also called the Freedom Square. This is the place where most cultural events are held. So if you want to see a cultural event, then head on to Namesti Svobody.

1.) Red Square of Moscow

A visit to Russia deserves a visit to the Red Square. This is a popular tourist destination in this country. Here, you will find the famous St. Basil’s Cathedral as well as the State History Museum, and if these are not enough, you will also see here the Mausoleum of Lenin.

2.) Lenin Mausoleum

Of course, you should always visit the Lenin Mausoleum. In this great place, you will see the embalmed body of the great Lenin. Word of caution though, photo taking as well as cell phones are not allowed inside the mausoleum, and also, you have to leave your bags in the mausoleum’s baggage office.

3.) The Kremlin

A visit to Russia is never complete without a visit to the Kremlin. Do not forget to see here the Diamond collection. It will also be a great experience to get to see a performance like a ballet in the Conference Center.

4.) Old Arbat Street

If you are looking for souvenirs, then the Old Arbat Street is a must-go-to place. You will see here lots of shops where you can buy your souvenirs. There are also many restaurants here and cafes if you get hungry strolling along the old street.

5.) Tretyakov Gallery

This gallery houses mostly Russian artworks. It is also recognized as one of the world’s best museums. The gallery boasts of its collections of artworks made by famous Russian artists.

6.) New Arbat Street

A walking distance from the Old Arbat Street, this is more modern and trendier than the former street. This is also the place where well-off Russians go to shop and eat since it contains expensive stores and expensive restaurants as well. The nightlife here is also very lively, so partying in one of its nightclubs is a must.

7.) Tverskaya Street

Considered as the fashionable street of Russia, you will also find here expensive boutiques as well as restaurants and cafes that are frequented by locals as well as foreigners alike. You will also find here expensive hotels as well as theaters. This is a nice place if you want to spend a leisurely walk in the streets of Russia as you get to see some beautiful buildings as well as experience firsthand the busy lives of Russians.

8.) Gorky Park

This is obviously the most famous park in all of Moscow. Here, you will definitely enjoy the rides in the theme park as well as take a leisurely walk along the park’s charming pond. During wintertime, you will see here competitions in ice sculpting as well as people skiing across the frozen pond.

9.) The Hermitage Museum

This is a popular tourist destination that is located in Saint Petersburg and is also the main attraction of this city. If you are an art lover, then this is definitely a place that you must visit as it is home to some of the world-famous artists’ paintings - artists like Da Vinci and Rembrandt as well as Michelangelo and a lot more. Here, you have the option of getting a guided tour (where you will get to listen more about the history of the artworks as well as the artists themselves) or not.

10.) Peter and Paul Fortress

If you know the history of the Romanovs, then you will surely love this place. This is the resting place of the Romanov Czars. You should also see the church, which is also a tourist attraction.

Have you ever wondered if there’s a garden paradise on the face of this earth? Well, you’ll be glad to know that there is such a place in Singapore!

Singapore is a garden city and if you come here, I can guarantee that you will find it a home away from home, a city of lush beautiful greenery amid modern skyscrapers. I’m constantly amazed by the beauty of this little island city and I’m sure you will too.

This article will show you the top 5 beautiful places in Singapore which you should visit the next time you’re in Singapore. Remember, no visit is complete if you don’t check out the places mentioned here.

1. Sentosa
The first beautiful place I have in mind is Sentosa. If you like the sun, sand and beach and perhaps theme parks and good food, then Sentosa is a dream place for you.

I know you sometimes might love to let the kids or young ones frolick in the sand – there’s no better place than Sentosa. Go to Siloso beach for the best beach experience in Singapore.

2. Boat Quay
The next thing I’d like to mention to you is Boat Quay. Now, I know that sometimes you might want to get a drink or two late at night – well, Boat Quay is right up your alley. Boasting some of the most popular pubs and clubs in the island nation, Boat is definitely one of the top 5 beautiful places in Singapore – particularly at night.

3. Botanic Gardens
Ok, what’s the next place you ask? Have you ever wanted a stroll through beautiful Southeast Asian flora? Well, the Botanic Gardens, next in our list of beautiful places in Singapore, is a perfect match for you.

Inside, you will see all manner of trees, shrubs and flowers known to Singapore and the region. I know that if you love flowers, the Botanic Gardens is a must-visit.

4. Marina Bay
I’ve always known people who love to stay near the bay area. Well, Singapore has its own bay – Marina Bay - all set to be world famous in 2010 when the Integrated Resorts open.

If you are thinking of settling down in Singapore and buying a place, then check out the properties along the Marina Bay. They are, of course, the most expensive parcels of land in Singapore – so bring like, two million Singapore dollars before you choose a unit, ok?

5. Orchard Road
If you love shopping (and heck I know you do), the Orchard Road shopping district will be a ‘beautiful place’ in Singapore. All manner of shopping centres (e.g. Takashimaya, The Paragon, The Heeren, Centrepoint) exist along Orchard Road and is a definite haven for shopping addicts. Now don’t overspend here ok? You still need some money for the plane home

Well, for starters, you go about it very boldly. You solicit opinions from travel writers and photographers, poll your colleagues, and talk to outdoor enthusiasts, historic preservationists and relatives who, every time you see them, seem to have just returned from another fabulous trip. In putting together USA WEEKEND Magazine’s annual summer travel story, our editors did all that. To help frame the unenviable — all right, nearly impossible — task of limiting America’s most beautiful attractions to a mere 10, we also offered a few guidelines. Nominees had to be publicly accessible and reasonably well-known. Iconic stature wouldn’t hurt a place’s chances, and, given the want of any objective way to measure beauty, sentimental favoritism was an acceptable tiebreaker. In other words, we instructed our experts to follow their hearts. After reading the top 10 list they produced, we hope you’ll do the same.

1. Red Rock Country (Sedona, Ariz.)
Ever since the early days of movies, when Hollywood has wanted to show the unique beauty of the West, it has gone to Sedona, a place that looks like nowhere else. Beginning with The Call of the Canyon in 1923, some hundred movies and TV shows have been filmed in and around town. We fell under Sedona’s spell, too, and while debating our No. 1 spot kept returning to it for the same reasons Hollywood does: The area’s telegenic canyons, wind-shaped buttes and dramatic sandstone towers embody the rugged character of the West — and the central place that character holds in our national identity. There’s a timelessness about these ancient rocks that fires the imagination of all who encounter them. Some 11,000 years before film cameras discovered Sedona, American Indians settled the area. Homesteaders, artists and, most recently, New Age spiritualists have followed. Many cultures and agendas abound, but there’s really only one attraction: the sheer, exuberant beauty of the place. People come for inspiration and renewal, tawny cliffs rising from the buff desert floor, wind singing through box canyons, and sunsets that seem to cause the ancient buttes and spires to glow from within. We hear the canyon’s call and cannot resist. For more, go to www.sedona.net.
2. Nighttime view from Mount Washington in Pittsburgh
In a nation with a wealth of stunning cities full of compelling stories, ranking Pittsburgh as the No. 2 beauty spot is perhaps our most surprising choice. But the Steel City’s aesthetic appeal is undeniable, as is its very American capacity for renewal. Standing atop Mount Washington, the steep hill that rises giddily on the city’s south side, sightseers enjoy the unforgettable panorama of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers flowing together to create the mighty Ohio, that waterway so essential in the nation’s settlement. The rivers cup downtown’s lustrous Golden Triangle, where landmark skyscrapers thrust upward like rockets. At night, lights twinkle on no fewer than 15 bridges. Almost as breathtaking as the vista itself is the urban renewal that made it possible. A century ago, a pall of smoke lay so thick over town that streetlights burned all day. As Pittsburgh continues an evolutionary course that has taken it from trading post to transportation hub to industrial goliath, we salute its reinvention into one of America’s most scenic and livable communities. In the life of a city, there’s nothing more beautiful, or inspiring, than a renaissance. For more, go to pittsburgh.net.
3. The upper Mississippi River
For third-place honors, we turn to an area less celebrated than others, but nonetheless packed with the unique beauty our nation abounds in. Its low profile makes it all the more charming. To truly appreciate the Mississippi, we leave the familiar territory of Huck and Tom and take a spin on the Great River Road as it runs alongside Old Muddy’s upper reaches through Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. One of the nation’s most scenic routes, it winds over hills, atop towering bluffs and through one 19th-century river town after another. The sites along the way read like chapters in American history. Ancient Indian burial mounds punctuate rolling parkland, sidewheelers ply the river, and villages on either bank present fine examples of Steamboat Gothic, the ornate architectural style born in the heyday of river travel. In Galena, Ill., 85% of the buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. At Trempealeau, Wis., the Trempealeau Hotel has offered haven to watermen since 1888. The whole laid-back region’s real draw is the river itself. Steady and timeless, it makes one fine traveling companion as it rolls toward the Gulf.
4. Hawaii’s Na Pali Coast
At the country’s extreme western edge, half a world away from the cradle of the American Revolution, we gain a flash of insight into the restlessness that drove our forebears from New England to the Pacific Ocean and beyond. They pushed west in search of paradise. Amid the coral reefs, beaches and mist-shrouded volcanic peaks of Hawaii’s oldest island, they surely found it. Along the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali coast of Kauai, verdant mountains plunge 4,000 feet into the sparkling Pacific. A short hike inland, where Hanakapi’ai Falls pours into a crystal pool and tropical flowers dapple the lush hillsides, the play of color and light creates the effect of an Impressionist painting gone native. Experience the splendor at your own risk: The hardest thing about a trip to Kauai is boarding the plane to go back home. For more, go to kauaivisitorsbureau.org.
5. Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
Engineering marvel, art deco icon, monument to progress: The Golden Gate Bridge does much more than connect San Francisco to Marin County. Named for the strait it spans — the 3-mile passage between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific — the bridge is a grand symbol of one of the world’s most striking cities. Completed in 1937, the $35 million structure of concrete and steel embodied a city’s unquenchable spirit — and, by extension, the nation’s. Set off by its signature orange paint job, twin 750-foot towers that seem to disappear into the heavens and spidery cables that stretch like harp strings, the Golden Gate was unlike anything else ever built. At 4,200 feet, the main suspension span was easily the world’s longest. (Almost 70 years later, it ranks seventh.) Facts and figures tell only a partial story: Admired as a practical feat, the bridge is beloved as a work of art, one of the greatest the 20th century produced in any medium. For more, go to sfvisitor.org.
6. Grafton, Vt.
Had the French explorer Samuel de Champlain arrived in Vermont in the autumn of 1609 instead of summer, he never would have dubbed the land “Vert Mont.” In fall, the foothills of the state’s namesake Green Mountains blaze red, yellow and orange. Among the choicest spots to take in nature’s annual art show is Grafton, right, one of the state’s prettiest hamlets and, thanks to the efforts of the non-profit Windham Foundation, arguably its best preserved. The foundation has rehabilitated more than 50 historic buildings, including the Old Tavern at Grafton, a one-time stagecoach stop. Other man-made attractions include the award-winning Grafton Village Cheese factory, a pair of graceful New England churches, a nature museum, a smattering of art galleries and the almost obligatory covered bridge. But the compact village of 600 isn’t really about picturesque buildings. It’s about the Yankee virtues of simplicity, modesty and saving things that matter. Past and present harmonize sweetly in this vital community. Come fall, you’d swear you can hear the brilliant hillsides singing. For more, go to www.graftonvermont.org.

7. Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
America has older mountains than the Tetons, and higher ones. But it has none more dramatic. The jagged range was formed 6 million to 9 million years ago, when grinding pressure along the Teton Fault caused two massive sections of the Earth’s crust to come unhinged. On the rift’s west side, a block reared up to form the Teton range. On the east, a separate block buckled under, creating the valley known as Jackson Hole. This geologic violence is what makes the Tetons so spectacular: Forgoing the nicety of foothills, a dozen 12,000-foot peaks shoot abruptly from the valley floor, literally an eruption of granite. Amid the grandeur lies glittering Jenny Lake, left. Named for the Shoshone bride of a 19th-century trapper, the pristine, 2.5-mile-long body of water mirrors the mountains’ glory. Beloved by canoeists, hikers and honeymooners, lovely Jenny is also popular with elk, moose and trumpeter swans. Small and dazzling, she is one of the true jewels of our glorious national park system. For more, go to nps.gov/grte/.
8. From Key Largo to Key West in Florida
So little actual land, so many associations: coral reefs, Key deer, manatees, pirates, Key lime pie, silver palms, Bogart and Bacall downing gangsters in Key Largo, Hemingway downing mojitos at Sloppy Joe’s in Key West. Florida’s freewheeling Keys, it has been said, is where things settle when you pick up the continent and shake it. This much is certain: In the Conch Republic, as Key West is sometimes called, a spirited sense of American individualism prevails. Skipping down the fragile, ribbon-thin 110-mile archipelago on U.S. 1, visitors see things that exist nowhere else in the country. With a peak elevation of 18 feet, the land mass can seem but an afterthought to the shimmering Atlantic on one side and the blue-green Gulf on the other. In places the only thing separating them is the roadway itself, panoptic water enchanting travelers with the deliciously disorienting sensation that they’ve become one with the sea. Along with famously colorful residents and fauvist sunsets, it’s one more Key reason to visit this beguiling place. For more, go to fla-keys.com.
9. Clingmans Dome along the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Winding through 14 states as it makes its rugged way from Georgia to Maine, the entire Appalachian Trail ranks high on any list of scenic gems. First proposed in 1921 by hiking enthusiast Benton MacKaye, the trail came into service as a continuous footpath across the Eastern states in 1937. A monumental achievement, and one that has given countless Americans fresh appreciation for the vastness of the land, it rewards exploration of every well-trod mile. Clingmans Dome, at Tennessee’s eastern edge, rises to 6,643 feet, the highest point along the 2,172-mile trail. The surrounding Smokies support more than 4,000 species of plants, 230 types of birds and some 65 mammal species. From a lookout at the summit, hikers gaze upon a fog-streaked wilderness and see the East as it existed hundreds of years ago, lush forest stretching unbroken in every direction. Among the clouds, one feels doubly awed: by our county’s magnificent nature, and by our duty to steward it. For more, go to nps.gov/appa/.
10. The squares of Savannah, Ga.
In this charmed city, the urban and the pastoral gracefully mingle in a uniquely Southern way — that is, with gentility and a generous dollop of mystery. Shaded by live oaks, perfumed by magnolias and surrounded by historic buildings, 22 enchanting public squares (including Columbia Square, above) beckon like secret gardens. Feasts for the eyes, balm for the soul, the vest-pocket parks serve as gathering places, serene retreats and tourist attractions all rolled into one. Spanish moss romantically drapes Pulaski Square, named for Revolutionary War hero Gen. Casimir Pulaski. At Chippewa Square, lorded over by a statue of Georgia’s founder, James Oglethorpe, pay respects to the man who drew up Savannah’s triumphant 18th-century street plan. Forrest Gump had the right idea: He contemplated life from a bench in Chippewa Square. For more, go to savannah-visit.com.

If you are looking for a European tourist destination, consider Lake Garda located mostly in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. Depending on your interests, this beautiful area might be an ideal vacation spot. You can get classic Italian food, and wash it down with fine local wine. It is hardly an undiscovered area, but that shouldn’t stop you from going. With a little effort you should be able to find some relatively untouched spots. Be sure to read the companion articles in this series that present Milan, small town Lombardy outside of its capital Milan, and the Lake Como district. While people often think of Lake Garda as being part of Lombardy that is not entirely true. This beautiful lake spills over into the neighboring regions of Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto as indicated below.

Lake Garda is an alpine lake, formed by glaciers at the end of the last Ice Age roughly ten thousand years ago. It is Italy’s largest lake measuring about 30 miles (52 kilometers) long and at most 10 miles (17 kilometers) wide. Near the lake the terrain tends to be mountainous in the north and flat in the south. The lake is relatively clean, but as tourism continues to expand…

We start our Lake Garda tour at its northern tip, Riva del Garda, situated just inside the region of Trentino-Alto Adige. We will travel counterclockwise around the lake, crossing the border into Lombardy and stopping first at Tignale, then at Gargnano, and next at Gardone Riviera with its historic neighbor Salo, and finally at Sirmione near the lake’s southern tip. We then enter the Veneto region stopping at Bardolino, Punta di San Virgilio, and finally Macesine, not far from our starting point.

Riva del Garda is probably the best-known resort on Lake Garda. It’s also one of the less expensive areas around the lake. You’ll find a castle with a moat. The Museo Civico (Civic Museum) is part of the Rocca, a medieval fortress on the lake. If you don’t know how to sail or windsurf don’t despair, local schools can teach you. The Thirteenth Century Torre Apponale defended the city from invaders and held prisoners. Look for Riva del Garda’s symbol, Anzolin, the little angel on the top of the tower who welcomes all who enter the town as she spins in the wind.

Tignale, our first stop in Lombardy, is actually on the panoramic road off the main road. It consists of six hamlets each about sixteen hundred feet (five hundred meters) above sea level. This setting is great with its hills, mountains, ravines, olive trees, and luxuriant vegetation. Early in the First Millenium Tignale was evangelized and subsequently became the site of the Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Star, or the Madonna of Montecastello, probably built upon a temple to a pagan god. Later this area was fortified. Be sure to see the painting of the pursuit and killing of a famous local bandit, Giovanni Beatrici of Gargnano. Given the difficult terrain and the independent nature of the local residents Tignale has been active during numerous wars. Some military installations can still be seen in the area. Tignale is home to the Visitor’s Center of the Parco Alto Garda Bresciano (Upper Brescian Garda Park) an Alpine landscape that covers almost 150 square miles (380 square kilometers) and nine local municipalities on Lake Garda’s western shore.

Gargnano, population about three thousand, is a great place for fishing, snorkeling, and sailing. In fact it is one of the best places to sail on the western shore of Lake Garda. The town’s major attraction is the Chiesa di San Francesco (Cloister of Saint Francis) and its campanile (bell tower). The church graveyard contains Roman gravestones. As you walk around town you may see some houses that still show the traces of cannon balls fired during the Third War of Italian Independence in 1866.

In 1943 Mussolini founded his short lived Repubblica Sociale Italia (Italian Social Republic) here. He installed himself in a late Nineteenth Century art nouveau villa called Villa Feltrinelli about two miles (three kilometers) north of town. You can get your revenge by staying in Villa Feltrinelli, which is now an upscale hotel, but you’ll have to shell out big bucks to do so. I’m told that you won’t be disappointed with its beauty and luxury including magnificent gardens and a fine library. So we see that even towards the end of his days, Benito was able to live well. Shortly thereafter…

Gardone Riviera, population twenty-five hundred, is best known for the mansion Vittoriale degli Italiani (The shrine of Italian victories) and the major Italian writer Gabriele d’Annunzio who lived there from 1922 until his death in 1938. This building has been called a Fascist Luna Park so you probably can guess d’Annunzio’s politics. He was both Mussolini’s mentor and major competitor. Mussolini purportedly stated: “When you are saddled with a rotten tooth you have two possibilities open to you: either you pull the tooth or you fill it with gold. With d’Annunzio I have chosen for the latter treatment.”

So d’Annunzio enjoyed extensive huge funds to expand the property, construct and/or modify the buildings and to create its impressive art and literature collection. The Vittoriale degli Italiani complex includes the plane which he flew over Vienna in World War I and a light cruiser. In the interest of full disclosure d’Annunzio did attempt to influence Italian politics almost until his death. In 1933 he wrote Mussolini trying to convince him to avoid making a pact with Hitler. In 1934 he wrote a satirical pamphlet about Hitler. And in a 1937 meeting in the Verona train station he tried to convince Mussolin to leave the Axis alliance.

Can you guess who also lived in Vittoriale degli Italiani? Mussolini’s mistress, Clara Petacci, conveniently resided here to be close to her heart throb Benito when he was not exactly roughing it in nearby Gargnano’s Villa Feltrinelli as described above.

Be sure to visit the two acre (one hectare) Giardino Botanico (Botanical Garden) Andre Heller formerly known as Giardino Botanico (Botanical Garden) Hruska. You’ll see thousands of exotic Alpine, Mediterranean, and subtropical plants. Not bad for such a small site.

The little town of Salo, population ten thousand, once had big ambitions. It was the capital of Mussolini’s Nazi-backed puppet state, the Italian Social Republic, also known as the Republic of Salò. Its main sights include a Fifteenth Century Duomo (Cathedral), the Sixteenth Century Palazzo della Magnifica Patria (Palace of the Magnificent Fatherland) with a historical museum covering among other subjects, the Resistance against Fascism, and a Palace hosting an archaeological museum. Every Saturday morning there is a great outdoor market where you can forget about politics, but frankly this part of Italy has not been a major political center for more than sixty years.

Sirmione, population about seven thousand, is our last stop in Lombardy. This area was definitely settled by people more than two thousand years ago; some may have lived in houses on stilts. Its number one tourist attraction is the Grotte di Catullo (Grotto of Catullus) a large rectangular structure said to have been the site of the fun-loving Roman poet Catullus. The truth is that his villa was most likely nearby. Some say this was once the finest private villa in Northern Italy, others say it was a public bath with water piped in from a nearby hot spring. Go visit the ruins and the museum anyway.

Stop by the Castello Scaligero (Scaliger Castle) which dates back to the Thirteenth Century. You can climb a tower to get a different perspective of Lake Garda. Churches to see include the Lombard San Pietro in Mavino already renovated in the Fourteenth Century with its collection of frescoes and a Romanesque bell tower dating from the turn of the Millennium, and the Fifteenth Century Santa Maria Maggiore. In 1889 a diver from Venice was laying pipes on Lake Garda’s cracked, clayish base when out gushed a sulfur spring from the bottom of the lake. To make a long story short, Sirmione is now a spa town. Of more interest to the kids is Italy’s largest theme park, the Gardaland Theme Park with dolphins, state-of-the-art roller coasters, and lots more. It’s about 8 miles (12 kilometers) east of Sirmione on the Veneto side of the border. Kids measuring less than one meter tall get in free. (Usually we give dimensions in feet, miles, etc. with the approximate metric equivalent in parentheses. In this case, it’s the metric measurement that counts, period.)

Bardolino, population somewhat exceeding six thousand, is situated on the eastern shore of Lake Garda. It’s the biggest resort on the lake with numerous shops and historical remains. Bardolino’s main claim to fame is its wine, discussed at the end of this article. In the fall it hosts an annual Cura dell’Uva (Grape Cure) Festival. Some of the participants put crushed grapes on their skin, others drink grape juice, and still others drink the local wine. I think they all have fun, even if they aren’t cured.

The Romanesque San Severo Church and San Zeno Church both date from around the turn of the Millennium. San Severo is the most important church in the region and features huge frescoes. San Zeno’s chapel is considerably older than the church itself. For a change of pace visit the local Oil Museum, devoted to olive oil, not to petroleum products.

Stop to admire the Punta San Virgilio (Saint Virgil’s Promonotory), perhaps the most romantic spot along the lake. Nearby is the Fifteenth Century Villa Guarienti di Bronzane but you can only see it from the outside. The Parco Baia di Sirene (Mermaid’s Bay Park) for kids and adults is open to the public.

Malcesine, population thirty-five hundred, also claims to be the most popular resort on the lake. It’s near the mountains and provides several ski lifts. A cable car takes you to the summit of Monte Baldo. If you’re ambitious head back down by mountain bike. Be sure to see Castello Scaligero (Scaligero Castle). There are several Italian castles carrying that name including one in Sirmione, but the Malcesine version is said to be the best. You can even climb the tower and see the town and its surroundings from above. But to my knowledge, you are not allowed to descend by mountain bike.

What about food? When you talk lake, fish forms a major part of the local cuisine. Indigenous fish include the rare Lake Garda carp, whitefish, lake trout, eel, pike, tench, and perch. Citrus fruits, cheese, and wine also form a major part of the diet. Lake Garda’s olive trees are quite special. To conserve land they are trained to grow high, so high that scali, special long poles originally invented for lemon trees are needed to harvest the olives. Their olive oil is exceptional, even by Italian standards.

Let’s suggest a sample menu, one of many. Start with Bigoi con le Agule (Spaghetti with Sardines.) Then try Luccio in Salsa (Pike with Sauce, eaten cold). For dessert indulge yourself with Torte di Mele (Apple Cake.) Be sure to increase your dining pleasure by including local wines with your meal.

We conclude with a quick look at Lombardy wine. Lombardy ranks 11th among the 20 Italian regions in acreage devoted to wine grapes and in total annual wine production. The region produces about 62% red and rosé and 38% white wine, but there is little rosé. There are 15 DOC wines. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine. The G in DOCG stands for Garantita, but there is in fact no guarantee that such wines are truly superior. Over 47% of Lombardy wine carries the DOC or DOCG designation. There are three DOCG wines: the sparkling Franciacorta said to compete with French Champagne and priced accordingly, the red Sforzato di Valtellina, and the red Valtellina Superiore.

Remember, Lake Garda is shared by three regions of Italy, Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto. The best-known local wine comes from east of the lake near Bardolino, part of Veneto. Bardolino DOC is produced in a variety of styles from a specified variety of local grapes. Bardolino Superiore DOCG is a dry red wine also produced from local grapes but to more stringent specifications. This wine must be aged for a minimum of one year prior to sale. Notice, when introducing Bardolino wines I said the best-known local wine, not the best local wine. Wines are produced all along Lake Garda. Determine for yourself which one is the best.

Tiger safari in India is conducted by travel agents who specialize in ecotourism. These travel agencies are in contact with wild life safari camps, resort, lodges and hotels that are situated in Indian tiger reserves. They offer best travel packages to the eco-tourist interested in visiting National Parks and sanctuaries for tiger sighting and bird watching.

The online booking for accommodation and rail, air and road transport reservations are booked by these tour operators in Indian most of whom have offices in New Delhi and Mumbai. Many travel agency operate on the Internet and provide online booking to the foreign tourist visiting a tiger sanctuary.

The wild life travel package includes historical places and monuments as part of the itinerary. Many Indian travel agents offer cultural tours which includes heritage sites in India. The visit to Taj Mahal at Agra is often a part of the itinerary.

The eco tour operator also offers bird watching tour for Indian birds at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan. The best time for inbound tourist to visit Indian tiger reserves and birding destinations is winters. There are two reasons one the weather suits tourists from Europe, Japan and America. Second reason is ornithologist who arrives for birding find lot of winter migrants to study and observe. Ornithologists visit other birding destinations in India. The tiger preserves as Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench offer excellent bird watching as well as tiger sighting hence tourist prefer these National Parks to visit. They offer the best chance to see the tiger in wildlife heavens which are very popular with large number of tiger population.

The resorts have to be booked much in advance since winters are full of eco tourists and accommodation is hard to come. The wildlife camps and lodges offer different packages for the tourists as per different budgets. There are hotels in Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench tiger reserves that offer star facilities and amenities for the rich tourists.

The elegant, tapering signature of the Eiffel Tower is to be reshaped, altering the skyline of Paris, in time for the structure’s 120th anniversary next year, the Société d’exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (Sete) has just announced.

Serero Architects of Paris has won the competition to redesign the structure’s public viewing platform and reception areas. The winning design (above), which will be 276 meters (905ft) above the ground, will not require any permanent modification of the existing structure. It will double the capacity of the public viewing area on the tower’s top floor.

The new platform will be bolted onto the tower using a web of Kevlar, an extremely strong and lightweight carbon fiber used in the construction of racing cars and body armor. The new platform will use a cantilevered design similar to the way that an aircraft’s wings are attached to the fuselage.

The design is already causing controversy, with critics questioning the wisdom of tinkering with the famous silhouette and spending money on upgrading a tourist attraction which attracts 6.9 million visitors a year.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Sete explained that the plan to restructure the top of the tower aims to increase the quality of access. Average waiting times for the tower’s elevators currently run at more than an hour at peak times.

Gustave Eiffel designed the tower as a temporary structure for the 1889 World’s Fair. Initially rejected by the French public, it is now the most visited fee-charging monument in the world.

Iceland is the lead understood European country. Iceland is not a land of ice as the name implies. It is the second largest country in the European continent. It is also the youngest and the last settled country in Europe. Iceland is a land of contraries. You can find glaciers and volcanoes, hot springs and extensive lava, sandy desert and sumptuous vegetation. Many parts of the land are not habitable. The entire landscape is rugged and wild.

Country statistics
Iceland covers 103,300 km2 with glaciers for 11,000 km2 and lake streams for 2,700 km2. The country has forests spreading in the area of 1,511 km2. The largest lake in the country is Dingvallavatn and the highest peak is Hvannadalshnukur. The capital of the country is Reykjavík.

Population
The country has more than 300,000 people and about 150,000 people live in the capital. The other percentage of people are scattered along the coastal areas. Many interior parts of the country are not suitable for living. The average life span of Icelanders is 80 years.

Climate
The climate is moderate around the year and the Gulf Stream keeps the country warm. The summer has endless days and nights of sunlight and winter has endless days and night so darkness.

Power
Since Iceland has many volcanoes out of which 30 have erupted in the past two centuries. These provide geothermal power for the country. The rivers flowing in the country provide hydroelectric power. As there are many hot water rivers, the country gets pollution free heating.

Language
Iceland is the place where the Nordic people settled in the early 9th century. Ingólfur Arnarson, a Norwegian Viking is the first person to settle in the capital. So the people follow the Vikings language and the language has been improved by many civilizations. The people of island use patronymics instead of surnames. Hence members of the same family have different surnames which are confusing for the foreigners.

Culture and heritage
The people of Iceland follow ancient heritage along with modern innovations. They live in perfect harmony. The country has many artists who are experts in singing and music compositions. Many colorful festivals are celebrated at different times and theme exhibitions are conducted often. The country hosts supreme cuisines that provide sea food delicacies.

Government
Iceland is the country which has one of the world’s first republican governments. Now the country is ruled by parliament called as Althing which has 63 members. These members are elected every four years. The head of state in the country has no influence on the day top day politics.

Economy
The country’s economy greatly depends on fishing. Most of the people in the country are related in fishing and other related jobs. The government now concentrates more on travel industry and the export industry is the second largest industry that is next to fishing industry. The country finds most of its money by exporting sea foods. Iceland is a recognized member of the European Economic Area (EEC) and European Fee Trade Association (EFTA).

Health care
Travel insurance is not provided by the tourism department. Apart from that the medical assistance and the health care facilities are very good in the country.

Tourist attractions
Many activities in the island attract more and more tourist. Some of them include whale watching, bird watching, hiking, horse riding, skiing, cycling, fishing, kayaking and glacier tours. The people of Iceland are hospitable in nature and you can have a great vacation when you visit Iceland. The country has anything and everything the nature can provide. Since the climate is always warm you can visit the country in any season.

The white sandy beaches and the clear, blue waters are just a few of the things that are in store for you at Cancun beaches. Cancun beaches can prove to be a paradise for any beach lover! Cancun is a beautiful coastal city that is located in Mexico’s easternmost state, which is the Quintana Roo. Cancun boasts of about 140 tourist hotels with over 4 million tourists that flock to the Cancun beaches every year. Cancun beaches have loads in store for you apart from the sandy beaches and the beautiful azure waters; you can find many activities and even places of interest in this beautiful place. Cancun can offer you a lifestyle, which can be chosen by you as per your individual tastes and requirements. This place is blessed with beautiful beaches and provides a great picturesque backdrop for your vacation. Here’s a look at some well-known Cancun beaches.

Cancun Beaches:
Cancun beaches offer near to perfect conditions for water sports and beautiful scenes as well. Here’s a look at some of the popular Cancun beaches.

Bahia de Mujeres:
This beach has beautiful white sands, which are complimented with blue green waters. The water is quite shallow till a certain distance; this makes it a great option for swimming and even snorkeling.

Playa Linda:
This beach is also an excellent spot for swimming. It also has some good restaurants and eat-outs close to this area.

Playa Delfines:
This beach is perfect for sunbathing but you must always be careful while swimming out here due to the strong currents.

Playa Caracol:
A beautiful beach with sandy bottoms, it has always been one of the most popular of all Cancun beaches. The water is also relatively shallow in this area and therefore popular with most families as well.

Playa Ballenas:
Family activities are more predominant out here. You can have loads of fun trying out the water sport activities.

San Miguelito:
Here, you can have a great time exploring the Mayan ruins that are located in this area. This Cancun beach has historical significance as well as beautiful settings.

Playa Langosta:
This is an ideal location for those who are on the lookout for clean and white sands accompanied by a peaceful and quiet atmosphere. This Cancun beach is also an ideal point for water sports.

Playa Marlin:
Gorgeous views and energetic waves, this beach has it all. It is also famous as a sunbathers beach.

Playa Del Rey:
This beach is one of the Southern most beaches of Cancun. It is also one of the relatively less crowded beaches out here.

Cancun Beaches: Things to do
Scuba Diving
Snorkeling
Swimming (only after you gauge the tide)
Water Rides (Banana boat, waverunner)
Sport Fishing
Parasailing
Apart from this, Cancun also offers you loads of other activities such as an undersea boat tour, shopping, rocking nightlife and some places of historical significance as well. This may not be your conventional place and it may not have all the state-of-the art facilities, but Cancun beaches can definitely keep you on your toes always with the number of things you can do! So, simply pack your sunscreen lotion and head out to any of the Cancun beaches to enjoy a great holiday!

Beautiful whites sands and cool turquoise bluish green waters are not the only factors that makes Brazilian beaches the most loved all over the world. Brazilian beaches have a lot more in store for you than well…just a beach! At any time of the year, you can find yourself getting a gorgeous suntan or partying the night away. Brazil has a plethora of beaches that can turn anyone into a beach bum! Long coastlines dotted with pretty café’s and long hours spent trying out water sports makes the Brazilian beaches a most sought after destination amongst all beach lovers. Read on to know more about Brazilian beaches and the different kinds of things each coastline has to offer.

Brazilian Beaches: Beach Lover’s Paradise

Copacabana Beach:
This Brazilian beach is a hot spot especially for the New Years evening. Copacabana is located in the southern area of Rio de Janeiro. The beauty of the Copacabana beach is enhanced with the historic forts that are seen at this Brazilian beach. Copacabana also draws a reputation for being known as one of the best beaches in the world. A fun time at Copacabana beach would mean loads of fun in the sun with fun games such as volleyball. This beach volleyball has made its mark since the year 1930. Besides, it is not only the beaches; Brazilian bikinis are a permanent feature at the Copacabana beach.

New year celebrations at this beach bring together people of various nationalities at one point. This is the time when fireworks, music and dance go on till the wee hours in the morning. This beach is also the official place for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Copacabana beach also has plenty of restaurants and diners for all the foodies out here.

Ipanema Beach:
Located in the Southern area of Rio de Janeiro, Ipanema beach has a curious mixture of different cultures. This beach like all Brazilian beaches offers white sands and loads of games and fun! A walk down the sandy shores would reveal people playing games such as beach volleyball, football etc. Swimming is also one of the popular activities at this Brazilian beach. Although the Ipanema beach is also known as the family beach, one interesting factor you can note here is one particular stretch that is known as the Gay Beach and also has a flag to denote the same. At this beach, you can find the traditional drinks such as cachaca and the Caipirinha along with beer that is sold almost everywhere.

Pipa Beach:
The Pipa beach is located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil. Pipa attracts people because of its fine white sand and cliffs that offer a gorgeous view of the place. Pipa has a vast number of fine restaurants nightclubs that are run mostly by foreigners. This beach offers a more cosmopolitan crowd.

Ponta Verde Beach:
This beach is located in Maceió in the city of Alagoas. Ponta Verde also remains to be the most frequented beach of Brazil. This beach remains to be a popular spot because of the reefs, which contain tiny ponds that form during low tides. This is also most frequented because of a certain part of land that projects out of the sea. This land is covered entirely with a green cover.

Toque Toque Grande:
The Toque Toque Grande beach is located in the city of Sao Sebastiao in Brazil. Although Grande means big in Portuguese, this beach is barely 300m long. The Toque Toque Grande island is quite uninhabited by people. This can prove to be an ideal location for those wanting some isolation and have a love for scuba diving.

Jericoacoara Beach:
This beach is known for offering some of the most spectacular views in Brazil. It is located around 300 kms from Fortaleza. This Brazilian beach is ideal for those who are looking for something different out here. It also proves to be an ideal spot for surfing.

These are just a few Brazil beaches mentioned out here! One thing is for sure, Brazilian beaches are one the most beautiful and hippest spots across the globe!