The Pantheon

The Pantheon is one of the most well-known places in Rome. The Pantheon is a popular and interesting historical structure which is of most interest for the visitors of the city. This beautiful and amazing structure has been in Rome for centuries and it has amazed the visitors with its remarkable beauty and brilliant architecture. The interior of the structure is very appealing as well, since it offers a glimpse of the unique Italian history.

The Coliseum

Another must-see attraction is the Coliseum. You cannot have a complete visit to Rome unless you visit this signature landmark. The coliseum is a beautiful and remarkable architectural work that has been built nearly 200 years ago. Originally the structure has had the purpose to host gladiator fights. The Coliseum is one of the most famous structures in entire Italy; therefore a visit there is a must during your vacation in Rome. There are many tours which are available, so you will be able to explore this amazing architectural work.

The Spanish Steps

In 1720, the Spanish Steps were constructed in Rome; the purpose of these steps was to link the Vatican and the Spanish Embassy. The Steps also link the two main squares of Rome. Today, the Spanish Steps are among the must-see attractions in Rome. There is an excellent view for the visitors of the steps; therefore they are perfect for tourists.

The Forum Romanum

Forum Romanum is among the most popular and the most important historical structures of the city. This structure played an important role in the political development of Italy. And though the structure is in ruins today, it is still an amazing and intruding tourist attraction. The Forum Romanum is a place with a rich cultural heritage and it is definitely a must-see.

The Trevi Fountain

The final of the five, must-see attractions in Rome is the Trevi Fountain. This place is very romantic and remarkably beautiful as well. There are millions of tourists who visit this fountain; one of the most popular reasons is because there is a legend that when you make a wish and throw a coin in the fountain, the wish will come true

Norway is a one of the most preferred places in Europe for cheap trips or as the Norwegian term is billige reiser. If you are looking for a place to read about the interesting and exotic destinations - Channel Voyager.

Of all the countries I have visited, Scotland is the most diverse and fascinating. It is the land of malt whisky, haggis and landscapes and cityscapes of breath-taking beauty. No one city embodies this as much as the capital city of Edinburgh. Running the gamut from ancient history and culture to buzzing nightlife and everything in between, there is no place quite like Edinburgh. With so much happening it can be hard to choose what to do while visiting this fair city, but here are some personal favourites as a starting point.

Edinburgh festival

If it is at all possible, I always try to visit Edinburgh during the Festival because it is a wonderful experience. A cultural jamboree taking place in August, the Festival is actually a combination of a number of separate film, jazz, art, politics and book festivals, not to mention the Fringe, starting a week before the main event. Do not miss Fringe hotspots the Hub and the Traverse, or free performances at the garden party in the Meadows on Fringe Sunday. If more highbrow shows are your thing then opera, dance and theatre can be found at the Edinburgh Festival Theater.

Volcano

Not many people realise that the city of Edinburgh encompasses within its boundaries an extinct volcano. Arthur’s Seat is the tallest of the city’s seven hills and a climb to the top is something I always recommend when visiting Edinburgh to drink in the wonderful views. Combine your stroll up the hillside with a visit to ‘Our Dynamic Earth’, a science museum that provides an explanation of how this amazing landmark was formed, as well as an illuminating geological education. The museum is interactive and great for the kids. After your jaunt up Arthur’s Seat, if you have energy left, then spend the evening taking in a walking tour of the city – with a twist. Cobbly, windy, hilly and twisty, Edinburgh is a city made for walkers and the spooky after-dark walks are something of a speciality here. Try City of the Dead or Mercat Walking, tour companies with a good reputation for providing eerie and often historically accurate walking tours that are often conveniently located around the hotels in Edinburgh city centre.

Whisky

Whisky is famous as the national drink of Scotland and there are certainly many distilleries for you to visit. As I’m an aficionado of malt whisky, I always enjoy The Scotch Whisky Experience, a liquid tour of the history of this drink as well as a very pleasant entrée into the world of the connoisseur. After this incredibly entertaining tour, you may not be prepared to accept supermarket blends again! Since whisky is the national drink, you might as well use it to wash down the equally famous but maybe less appreciated dish of haggis. Macsween of Edinburgh is a renowned haggis manufacturer and you cannot go wrong choosing one of their delicacies, which are also available in delis across the city. Less intrepid culinary adventurers can always try the shortbread.

Weaving company

Finally, if you want a touch of the traditional and can picture yourself wearing a kilt, then pay a visit to the Edinburgh Old Town Weaving Company. A working mill, the noisy looms produce the extensively stocked store’s products. Check the guide to investigate your clan history, as I did and then stock up on all the relevant kit from the store.

This guest post was brought to you by Saul Malpass- He is a keen blogger who particularly enjoys finding little gems of things to do within UK cities. He is currently writing on behalf of Lodging World who provide information on booking hotels around the U.K;

Take the tram

The historic Melbourne tram is a great way to get around and see the city. There are a number of districts that you can visit using the tram. South Yarra, Fitzroy, and St Kilda can all be reached by tram, as can Richmond and Carlton, so it is ideal for exploring. If you just want to go for a ride why not take the city loop, which takes you all the way round the town.

Get higher

Seeing a place from ground level is OK, but really you want to find a high up vantage point. Fortunately there is just such a spot that is ideal for looking out over Melbourne. The Rialto Towers Building dominates the Melbourne skyline. The fifty fifth floor boasts an observation deck that provides the ideal perch to look down over the city from. Not recommended if hights make you dizzy!

Cruise up the Yarra River

The Yarra River snakes through Melbourne and inland. A river cruise is the perfect opportunity to get a fresh perspective on this amazing city. There is even a cruising restaurant so that you can dine in style while you travel.  The river is also used as a practical way to get around the city with ferries being popular with locals on the go as well as tourists. If ferry travel is your kind of thing, then Melbourne is where the ferry for Tasmania departs from.

Travel back in time on ‘Puffing Billy’

Puffing Billy was the first steam train in Australia. The train along with the route that it takes has been meticulously restored and now takes thousands of visitors travelling through the Victorian countryside in a style that would have been familiar to the other kind of Victorians. The route takes in the breathtaking rainforest vistas that surround Melbourne, with the open sided carriages providing no barrier to the immediacy of the experience. There are special trains for wine lovers looking to explore vineyards, as well as excursions designed to appeal to children.

Take a walking tour

Walking tours provide an excellent way to learn about how the city has evolved and changed over the years. The history of the city is all on show for those who know where to look, and the ever friendly and chatty tour guides who ply their trade here are the ones who do. There are all kinds of tours that will appeal to different interests. The nightlife connoisseur will love finding the ‘Hidden Bars of Melbourne’ for instance.

This article was produced by Time To Wander‘s Simon Grant on behalf of Etihad Airways who operate regular flights to Melbourne.

Beaches

There is something for everyone in Sydney . This city boasts some of the best beaches, memorable entertainment and unforgettable history. If you are planning a trip to Sydney then you will have to hit the beach. There are many to pick from such as Palm Beach and Bondi Beach . Depending on what you are looking for will most likely determine which beach you go to. For example, if you are not a fan of crowds, stay away from Bondi Beach . The water at Bondi is like bath water, but the beach is usually covered with people and trash by midday. Other beaches to consider are Bronte Beach , Balmoral Beach and Avalon Beach . All of which have upsides and downsides.

However, there is more to Sydney than beautiful, popular beaches. When in Australia you must visit the Sydney Opera House for a most memorable experience. Be prepared for a fabulous sunset view, fine dining and music. Taking a tour of this beautiful landmark is also recommended.

Wildlife

It is also a must to explore Australian nature and wildlife while visiting Sydney . A trip to the Royal Botanic Gardens is always a good place to start. You will experience incredible views of Sydney Harbor and luscious greenery. The Royal Botanic Gardens include the Sydney Tropical Centre including the Pyramid Glasshouse, the Herb Garden , the Fernery, the Rose Garden, Succulent Garden , and the Oriental Garden . While you might see a cockatoo at the gardens, you can see a lot more animals at the Taronga Zoo, which was built in 1984. The zoo continues to make improvements and updates, and now features an Asian Rainforest. This is a great visit for anyone, but will be especially memorable if you bring the whole family. However, if it is native animals you want to see, be sure to visit Featherdale Wildlife Park , which has the largest number of native Australian animals. Once you enter the bush you will see koalas, wombats, kangaroos, wallabies, emus, dingoes, crocodiles, Tasmanian devils, and fairy penguins. The kids will be sure to love this as much as they would the zoo.

No matter what you do when in Sydney you will be sure to have a great and memorable time. You will probably like it enough to want to return despite the long flight

The Temples

This city is most popularly known for its Temple of Luxor, which has been dedicated to Khons, Muts, and the King of Gods Amon. This temple was constructed over the original temple’s ruins, which was constructed more than one hundred years before. The temple is situated in downtown Luxor, Egypt, and if you are staying in a hotel in that area, you can easily walk to the temple. The Dromos, which is a long processional street constructed using stone, was once used to connect the Karnak Temple and the Temple of Luxor.
Another one of the popular tourist destinations in Luxor, Egypt is the Karnak main temple. You will be able to get to this temple via a road that is built alongside the canal that was once used to connect the temple and the River Nile. Located at the temple’s main entrance is a statue of Ramses II and his son sitting at his feet.
If you are interested in seeing more temples in the area, you can hop on over to Thebes and visit the large temple complex known as Medinet Habu, which has square towers located at the gates. The Medinet Habu is considered to be one of the primary attractions of the region.

Shopping

You cannot visit Luxor, Egypt without going shopping. One of the best places to shop in the area is at Sharia al-Karnak, which has a very wide range of items that you can purchase. Additionally, there are several colorful bazaars and stores that sell a myriad of souvenirs and crafts that you can take back home. Two of the most popular items that are often purchased by tourists visiting the area are clay pots and alabaster.
You also need to think about accommodation when visiting Luxor, Egypt, and some of the best hotels to stay include: Hotel Sheherazade, Iberotel Luxor, Hilton Luxor, Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor, Nefertiti Hotel, El Nakhil and Mara House.

image sources: 1 & 2

Gu Gong

The City got its name from the fact that the emperor had to give permission to all who entered and left the city; as such, it was called forbidden. The Forbidden City is also known by the popular Chinese name ‘Gu Gong,’ which actually means ‘old palace.’

Zhi Di, the Ming Dynasty emperor, moved quite a few times during his reign; however, he finally decided to settle in Beijing, as he needed a suitable residence. As such, the construction of the Forbidden City started in 1406 and ended in 1420. This palace was home to the royal family up until 1912, when Puyi gave up the throne to the new Republic of China and Sun Yat Sen.
The Forbidden City is currently the largest palace complex in the world, having more than 8,500 rooms that stretch out on 74 hectares of land. The wall that surrounds the palace is more than six meters wide at the top, more than eight meters wide at the bottom, and has a total circumference of more than 3,400 meters.

the Courts

There are two primary parts that this city is divided into; there is the inner court and there is also the outer court. The inner court not only served as the offices for the emperors, but it had the living quarters for the emperor and his family as well. On the other hand, the primary use of the outer court was for ceremonial events that were used to impress the guests.

Here are some interesting facts about the Forbidden City:

• All the roofs (except for two) are made using glazed yellow tiles, as the color of the emperor was yellow.
• The north south central axis that runs from the Gate or Dine Might to the Meridian Gat is actually Beijing’s central axis.
• There was a Starbucks that was opened in the city in 2000; however, it closed in 2007.

Visiting

If you are visiting China and wish to see the Forbidden City, you should expect to spend approximately half a day, if you expect to explore the city properly. You should start your tour at the Beijing Train Station early in the morning, and make your way through the city.

image source: namealus and jacobmee

Lhasa, the regional capital of Tibet is symbolized by the Potala Palace. It has its locale in the northwest of the city on Red Hill. Initially, the Potala Palace was built for the Emperor Songsten Gampo and Princess Wenchang in Tang Dynasty to live after they became married. It was destroyed two times and was rebuilt and extended by Dalai Lama V, with the complete project taking almost fifty years to finish.

Dalai Lama

There are two parts to the major architecture of the Potala Palace. One part consists of the places that are used for living quarters by the Dalai Lama as well as for his activities having to do with politics. The other part is the holy stupas of the succeeding generations of Dalai Lamas as well as a number of Buddhist halls.

White Palace

The White Palace is the first part that was built in 1645-1653 and has 7 stories. The fourth story is the Coqenxag or the Eastern Hall; covering seven hundred and seventeen meters and has thirty eight pillars. The Prince Regent utilized both the 5th as well as the 6th stories his offices and residence. The Dalai Lama used the 7th story as his Winter Palace. The status of the occupant is evident in the furnishings in the hall; gold basins, bowls of jade, Buddhist paintings and a significant number of additional treasures. A bird eye’s view of all of Lhasa is offered via the roomy balcony outside the Sunlight Hall. You can see the rolling mountain ranges, the gorgeous Lhasa River, villages that are very shaded by trees as well as the gleaming Monastery of Jokhang.

Red Palace

The Red Palace is the second part. It takes up ten thousand square meters and is the place where the statues of Princess Wencheng, Songstan Gambor as well as countless Buddhist figures placed there for worship. There were one hundred artisans that were hired by the Qing Dynasty Emperor Kangxi to work on the construction of the Red Palace when it was being built in 1690. These artisans were Mongolian, Manchu and Han in nationalities. Most of the Red Palace is comprised of a variety of Buddhist halls as well as 8 holy stupas that contain the Dalai Lamas’ remains.

The Western hall or the Sixipuncog is the Red Palace’s largest hall; covering seven hundred and twenty five square meters and holding a plague that bears an inscription done by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. The holy throne of the Dalai Lama and a pair of silk curtains that are colored that were given by the Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty are inside the hall.

Popular since 1812

Petra was not a really popularly known site to those in the West, at least not until about 1812 after the Johann Ludwig Burckhardt the explorer from Switzerland introduced it. A poem by John William Burgon is very descriptive about the city of Petra. It was passionately described by UNESCO as being a precious aspect of Jordan’s culture. Petra has been deemed to be one of those forty places you will need to see before dying by the BBC.

800 carved Tombs

There are eight hundred carved tombs in Petra, and the Kazneh is the one that is most popular. The name Kazneh means treasure and is derived from the belief of the Bedouin that the Pharaoh that was chasing the Israelites had used the urn at the top of the Kazneh to hide his treasure. In building this tomb, the facades were built from the top and then came all the way down. Then there was the building of the scaffolding and the carving of the grooves into the rock. Pieces of wood were then inserted inside these grooves and they expanded and cracked the rock when they become wet.
There is a fallacy that Petra was a city that was solely for the dead, since there were approximately thirty thousand persons who lived there in the period of the first century A.D. However, in 363 A.D., a big earthquake shattered almost half of the city and Petra has not been able to recover from it ever since.

Monastery

The biggest tomb façade in Petra is the Monastery. It measures fifty meters wide and forty five meters in height. This was built as monument of a tomb and could have been named from the inscription of crosses that are on the inside. The structure is comprised of 2 stories as is the Kazneh and has a splendid urn.

Debate

There is a debate by a number of scholars as to who designed and built the tombs of Petra. Some have decided that maybe they were created by local craftsmen and workers that were taken in Petra from Rome and Alexandria. Albeit there are classical, Mesopotamian and Egyptian elements that have been incorporated, the style of the monuments is Nabatean.

We all know that the Chinese are famous for copying products (check out the funny top 10 chinese rip-offs here), but now they are really pushing the limits. They are planning to copy an entire Austrian village!

The village the Chinese want to duplicate is the Austrian village “Hallstat” which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Chinese want to rebuild the city in a luxury neighborhood in Guangdong. For months Chinese architects have been measuring every stone in Hallstat.
Everybody thought they were just silly Chinese tourist, until Monika Wenger found these building plans by exident, and found out they were making plans to copy everything. The residents of the village are afraid that tourist will stay away once the village is copied. We actually believe that the opposite will happen, who doesn’t want to see the village that has a copy in China? And what about all the free marketing for the small Austrian town? Priceless!

Photos

Here are the photos of the original village; we will post the photos of the fake village as soon as they are available!

Guess what, they also tried to copy disneyland However they were out of money so it never finished, looks more like a scene from a spooky movie now.

History of Los Angeles

Los Angeles

Los Angeles was founded in September 4, 1781, by Spanish governor Felipe de Neve as “The Village of Our Lady, the Queen of the Angels of Porziuncola”. Following its independence from Spain it became a part of Mexico in 1821, in 1848, the Mexican-American War ended and as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Los Angeles and California were purchased by the americans and thereby became part of the United States. Baja California is the part of Californian territory that was retained by Mexico. Los Angeles is one among the world’s centers for science, technology, global trade, entertainment, culture, fashion, business, education and media. Within the United States it is one of the most significant economic engines covering a broad range of renowned institutions and industries. It is also the home base of Hollywood, also famous as the Entertainment Capital of the World with the world’s leading television, music and motion picture recording studios. Therefore L.A. and its surrounding suburbs are home to many world famous celebrities.

Los Angeles Sights

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Walt Disney Concert Hall by Frank Gehry

The Walt Disney Concert Hall is the home of the Los Angeles South Philharmonic Orchestra and the Los Angeles Master Chorale located at #111 South Grand Avenue. Designed by the famous Frank Gehry, while the architecture evoked polarized opinions as other Gehry works. In downtown Los Angeles, California is the fourth hall of the Los Angeles Music Center. Bounded by Grand Avenue Hope Street and designed by Yasuhisa Toyota, it seats 2,265 people in the 1st and 2nd Streets, and serves building were widely praised in contrast the acoustics of the concert hall opened on October 23 2003 to its predecessor, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Hollywood Sign

Hollywood Sign in the Hollywood Hills

The world famous landmark Hollywood Sign is located in the Hollywood Hills area of Los angeles, California, and was built in 1923  spelling out the name of the area in 50 feet high white letters. It was produced as an advertisement, but garnered a growing appreciation after its initial intention had been fulfilled. It has since been the frequent target of pranks and vandalism and the sign was undergone restoration, including a security system to detect any sabotage. For this purpose The Hollywood Sign Trust was initiated, a nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to educate the world about its historical, cultural importance and physically maintaining, repairing and securing the sign and to raise the funds necessary to accomplish these projects.

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre

Grauman's Chinese Theatre

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is a movie theater, the Chinese Theatre was commissioned following the success of Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre which opened its doors in 1922, located in Hollywood at #6925 Hollywood Boulevard. The Grauman’s Chinese Theater was opened in May 18, 1927 with the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille’s film The King of Kings and it is located along the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame. Built over a period of 18 months, beginning in January 1926 by a partnership headed by Sid Grauman, has since been quarters to many premieres, birthday parties, corporate junkets and three Academy Award ceremonies. Among the theater’s most characteristic features are the solid blocks set in the square, which bear the signature, footprints, and handprints of admired motion picture personality from the 1920s to the present day.