Rabu, 23 Maret 2011

ten of the most beautiful places of the world

Update: We will be updating this page with more beautiful places soon. Meanwhile check this wonderful page with a huge collection of most beautiful places in the worlds. 
Update: Please check part 2 of the most beautiful places in the world Series.
We live in a world blessed with sights that are beautiful beyond words. Every human being probably dreams of visiting at least one of those places in their lifetime. Living in modern cities with high-rise buildings, we tend to miss out on what Mother Nature has to offer as well as some of the most incredible man-made structures built throughout the course of history.
Look at the places below, and you will see beauty that fills the eye and warms the heart. It wouldn’t be appropriate or humanly possible to just pick a few places from the huge collection of amazing sights around the world and call them the “best.”
They say that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” and there are perhaps other places that have touched your heart. For this reason, we do not claim the places included in our list are the best, but rather among the vast collection of the most beautiful places of the world.


Skardu Valley – Pakistan
Photo by bogavanterojo






Skardu Valley is part of the Baltistan. Baltistan is spread over an area of 26,000 square kilometres – just right below the jagged and glaciated ramparts of the Karakoram. Once part of Laddakh, it was known as Tibet-i-Khurd – Little Tibet. Archaeological exploration has proven that it was encompassed by the Silk Trade Route.

Shangrila – Pakistan



Shangrila Resort Skardu, also known as “Heaven on Earth”, is nestled amongst some of the world’s highest peaks. It encircles the heart shaped “Kachura Lake” and is surrounded by fruit laden orchards and flower filled gardens.
Lake Saiful Muluk – Pakistan



Lake Saiful Muluk is a lake located at the northern end of the Kaghan Valley near Naran. A fairy tale called Saiful Muluk, written by the famous sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, is associated with the lake. It is the story of prince of Persia who fell in love with a fairy princess at the lake. The impact of the lake beauty is of such extent that people believe that fairies come down to lake in full moon.


The Grand Canyon, United States




The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon
A steep gorge by the Colorado River, Arizona in the United States, the Grand Canyon has some truly enjoyable scenery. It is 277 miles in length, 4 to 18 miles in width, and about a mile deep. Scientists believe that the canyon was created by the Colorado River over a six million year period.
The Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon Overlook
canyon_viewpoint
Native Americans built settlements in the caves within the canyon before the emigration of Europeans. It was also considered to be a site of pilgrimage by the Pueblo people. The first recorded visit to the Grand Canyon by the Europeans was in 1869. Although it is not the deepest canyon in the world, it is known for its extremely large size and beautifully intricate landscape. The Grand Canyon National Park is said to be one of the first national parks in the United States and it attracts more than five million visitors a year. Weather conditions in the Grand Canyon vary greatly between seasons as well as varying at different elevations. While winter snow is experienced by the higher forested rims, the inner gorge has a desert temperature because of the low elevation.




The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
One of the natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef off the east coast of Australia is the world’s largest coral reef. It has the distinction of being placed in the World Heritage as well as the National Heritage lists.
Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef
With more than 600 islands and coral cays, the reef covers more than 300,000 sq. km. Corals make up the reefs and cays and are responsible for a huge variety of sea life in the reef — green turtles, several varieties of whales and dolphins, the dugong, about 4000 types of mollusks, 1500 different species of fish, as well as beautifully colored bird life encompassing at least 200 species. The Great Reef Marine Park is a huge tourist attraction with millions of tourists visiting the area each year. Sporting activities include reef sailing, scuba diving, and snorkeling, amongst others.


Cape Town, South Africa
Aptly called “Heaven on earth,” this beautiful town at the tip of the African continent, with small roads surrounded by huge mountains, makes a person feel small; showing how marvelous and dominating nature can actually be.
Cape Town at Night
Cape Town
Cape Town
The Cape Dutch style buildings depict the architectural heritage of the place. Beauty abounds in the black clouds that seem to pay homage to Table Mountain at all times. Cape Point, Signal Hill, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Robben Island, Rhodes Memorial, and the beaches are some of the famous tourist attractions. Located on the shore of Table Bay, Cape Town is famous for its natural floral kingdom as well as its harbor. This town is one of the most popular tourist attractions of South Africa with its wine tasting day trips, whale watching, and dolphin watching.


Taj Mahal, India
The Taj Mahal in India is one of the wonders of the world and is one of the most beautiful mausoleums constructed by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, in memory of his favorite queen, Mumtaz Mahal. Located in Agra, white marble was used in the construction of this symbol of love, and the Taj Mahal is considered to be the pinnacle of Mughal architecture.
Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal
As the story goes, the emperor was grief-stricken when he lost his beloved third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It took thousands of craftsmen and artisans, and about twenty years to construct it. The masons, stone cutters, carvers, inlayers, calligraphers, painters, and others were brought from throughout the entire empire as well as from Iran and Central Asia. Semi-precious stones were used for inlay ornamentation. It later became the mausoleum of Shah Jahan too. This is a huge tourist attraction with one to two million tourists visiting it every year.


Canadian Rockies, Canada
The majestic Canadian Rockies are the Canadian segment of the North American Rocky Mountains. They are a visitor’s wonderland and the playground for western Canada. They are older than the American Rockies and are formed from over thrusting.
Canadian Rockies
Canadian Rockies to Moraine Lake
Glacier at Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies house five national parks, and four of those national parks (along with other provincial parks) combine to form a single UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of beautiful mountain landscapes, lakes, canyons, waterfalls, glaciers, peaks, limestone caves, and fossils. Mount Robson is the highest peak of the Canadian Rockies and climbing it is considered a challenge. These beautiful mountains are a haven for hikers and walkers alike.


Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu in Peru, which means ‘Old Peak,” is one of the most enigmatic ancient sites in the world. According to legend, Machu Picchu was long ago considered to be a sacred place. The credit for the creation of the extraordinary city goes to the Inca people who have erected many stone structures and turned the place into a work of art.
Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu
Two thousand feet above the Urubamba river, these ruins consist of baths, temples, palaces, and about 150 houses, all very well preserved. These gray granite structures, some of which weigh more than 50 tons, are so perfectly sculpted that they are nothing less than works of architectural genius. They were rediscovered by a Yale archaeologist in 1911. The ethereal beauty, workmanship, and history of the place attracts millions of tourists each year.


The Pyramids, Egypt
The Egyptian pyramids are massive monuments with a square base and four triangular sides rising up to a point. There is still a lot of curiosity (and many theories) as to how the pyramids were actually constructed.
Egypt
Egyptian Pyramids
Pyramids of Egypt
sphinx_and_pyramids
It is generally believed that the Egyptians began constructing them after 2700 B.C. and that they were built as tombs for the pharaohs. The most well-known (and the largest) pyramids of Egypt are the Pyramids at Giza which are said to be the largest ever built. It’s said that the Great Pyramid at Giza took 23 years to complete, using a work force of around 30,000 people. About 118 pyramids have been identified, and they are popular and intriguing to tourists and home researchers alike.


Petra, Jordan
Described by the UNESCO as “one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage”, Petra is an archeological site on the slope of Mount Hor. It is one of the new wonders of the world and is famous for its rock-cut architecture.
Petra
Petra
Petra Attraction
Ed Deir Petra
This site was kept hidden until 1812 when it was discovered by a Swiss explorer. It was said to have been prepared by God for the Jewish people. Petra once flourished under the Roman empire but a rapid decline began with the Arabian trade being taken elsewhere. Then an earthquake caused a great deal of destruction. Tourists frequent the place to get a glimpse of the ruins of this beautiful city.


Great Wall of China, China
One of the seven wonders of the world, the Great Wall of China is a man-made structure that was constructed over two thousand years ago and took about 100 years to complete. The vastness of this project brings to light the immense capabilities of man.
Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China
The constructions started in the 5th Century B.C. It is actually not a single wall, but rather many walls put together, and it stretches over 4,000 miles. It was constructed to protect the Chinese Empire from the Xiongnu people in the north. The wall was initially built of stone, grass, earth, and wood, but bricks were used once the production started. It is believed that about 2-3 million Chinese died during the construction project.


The Iguazu Waterfalls, Argentina-Brazil Border

Heralded as the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, the Iguazu Waterfalls are a true wonder of nature. They are located at the border of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. While the Argentinean side allows visitors to walk right around the water or explore the National Park, the Brazilian side is known for its panoramic views and splendor.
The Iguazu Waterfalls
The Iguazu Waterfalls
The Iguazu Waterfalls
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt is believed to have exclaimed upon seeing these falls, “poor Niagara.” The area surrounding the falls provides ample opportunities for rock climbing as well as water sports. Iguazu has the distinction of having a greater annual flow than any other waterfall in the world.
With all of these, and many more beautiful places that exist in our world, we surrounded by choices. The only way to decide on the places to visit is to follow your heart. While some may love the tranquility of water, others may bury themselves deep in architectural miracles, ancient sites, or the serenity of a small town.
»»  READMORE...

Senin, 21 Maret 2011

top-ten-waterfalls

Waterfalls are one of the most beautiful natural formations and for this reason, they are often visited by tourists. Most waterfalls are surrounded in lush green forests and a healthy thriving flora and fauna still preserved from man made destruction. Waterfalls are so pleasing to the eye that these days, people are creating their own backyard or indoor waterfalls!
From the tallest waterfall to the widest, this list even has one which is famous for an upward water flow. Not only this but in several countries, waterfalls are responsible for running large hydroelectric power projects, thus supporting their economies. For this reason, man made waterfalls are also a common sight in many places. However, none of the waterfalls in this list are artificial, all of them have been created by Mother Nature and waterfalls are one of her best creations. Some of those included in this list are the famous Angel Falls in Venezuela, the Niagara Falls and the popular Victoria Falls of Africa.
Niagara Falls1.    Niagara Falls – Canada/USA
Located on the Canada/USA border, Niagara Falls isn’t the tallest or broadest waterfall. But it is widely considered as the most stunning natural fall on Earth and this has made it the most popular tourist destination. In fact, Niagara Falls is also known as the “Honeymoon Capital of the World”.
Angel Falls Venezuela2.    Angel Falls – Venezuela
At a height of 979 m, Angel Falls is world’s tallest permanent waterfall. It offers an out-of-the-world viewing experience to those who have seen it. Reaching the waterfall is difficult because it is unapproachable via road. One can only visit it on a boating or walking expedition.
Iguazu Falls3.    Iguazu Falls – Argentina/Brazil
One of the most beautiful and majestic waterfalls, Iguazu Falls is located on the Argentinean and Brazilian border. Consisting on about 275 disconnected cascades and waterfalls, these cover almost 2.5 miles in width and 269 feet in height. The natural forests surrounding the falls make it an even better sight.

Victoria Falls4.    Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe/Zambia

Easily Africa’s leading tourist attraction, Victoria Falls is truly the most beautiful waterfall on Earth. Not only are the water soaked green rain forests and lively African wildlife pleasing to the eye, but one can choose to participate in several adventure sports as well.

Gullfoss  Iceland5.    Gullfoss – Iceland

Europe’s largest waterfall and Iceland’s most beautiful, Gullfoss has been the center of several local folk tales and mysteries. The waterfalls also make up a part of the ‘Golden Circle’ – a group of geysers and hot water springs which is the most popular tourist attraction in the country.

Oahu upside Down Falls6.    Upside Down Falls – Oahu, Hawaii

Quite suggestive of the name,  Upside Down Falls starts normally from the top of Mount Konahuanui  in Hawaii but midway, strong winds force the mist backwards. This is one sight which no travel junkie would want to miss.

Nachi Falls7.    Nachi Falls – Japan

Perhaps Asia’s most visited and indeed, most beautiful waterfall falling from Mount Nachi in Japan, the Nachi Falls are part of 48 other cascades. At 400 feet, Nachi Falls is also Japan’s largest waterfall.
Giessbach Waterfalls8.     Giessbach Waterfalls – Switzerland
Usually one can see the Giessbach Falls on European travel postcards as all the natural elements that Swiss beauty is known for are present here – crystal-clear lakes and snowy white mountain peaks surrounded in serene greenery.
Lower Falls9.    Lower Falls (Yellowstone River, USA)
The Lower Falls are at the edge of the Yellowstone river in the famed Grand Canyon of America. Known for offering a truly majestic view due to the size and volume of water that flows, Lower Falls is surrounded with Volcanic rocks and mountains.
Apsat River Water Falls10.    Apsat River – Russia
The Aspat River Falls are located in the frigid Kodar area of Russia. Travellers are often left wide-eyed and open jawed simply because these waterfalls have an unmatchable natural beauty. Due to a rough terrain, Stalin once had prison camps around this area.
»»  READMORE...

top-10-whitewater-rafting-places-in-the-world

Daniel Roy Wiarda describes adventure as, “pursuit of life”. This thirst for adventure is no more the feed meant for few daring spirits. And there is no better way to celebrate life than going on an adventure holiday. Among all other adventure rides, white water rafting undoubtedly ranks ahead, because of the degree of thrill and excitement associated with it. For those braves who are ready to accept the challenge to ride the untamed waves, here’s a list of top 10 white water rafting places all around the world.

1. Zambezi River (Zimbabwe)
Topping the list is the Zambezi River in the Victoria Falls with the brute and splashing waves, making your rafting experience wild and aggressive. The long rapid, obstinate gradients and highly build-up pressure is sure to send a chill down your spine. Only an experienced rafter with ability to raft at grade 5 is advised to dare to test the waters.

2. Colorado
Rafting in the Colorado River would be an experience hard to forget. And makes it more exclusive is the sight of the natural flora and fauna offered by this river. There are numerous rafting tours offered in Colorado. There are a plethora of options available with rivers like the Arkansas River, the Colorado River and the Dolores River.

3. Costa Rica
The cherished destination of Costa Rica has many whitewater rafting prospects. The excitement which this place has to offer surrounds everything while you raft on the dashing waves of the river; from cool waters to wildlife expedition. Few of these opportune water bodies in this area would be Reventazon, Sarapiqui, Savegre and Pacuare.

4. Nepal
Nepal, the country of mountains with the highest mountain peak in the world has a lot more excitement to offer when it comes to white water rafting. With the feral waves of the river Kosi and river Marshyandgdi, the rafting experience offered here is not for the weak hearted. But once you accept the challenge, you can bet upon the fun of adventure.

5. Australia
Here you get a chance to explore the ancient rainforests making your way through the foamy waters. This country has rivers like North Johnstone River and Nymbodia River which provide the ultimate water rafting experiences. For all the whitewater rafting enthusiasts a visit to these places in Australia is a must.

6. Futaleufu River (Chile)
Chile offers a lot of plethora of options for the adventure enthusiasts like horse riding, mountain biking and kayaking, but with the gigantic waves of growling rivers whitewater rafting becomes the most exhilarating adventure of all. The Bio Bio rafting has gained a lot of popularity with the rafter exploring the hidden fun and thrill.

7. Idaho River
The most marvelous rafting destinations offered in Idaho are by the rivers like Snake River and the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. With the surrounding sceneries of mountains and greenery you might be further tempted to enjoy other adventures like hiking and camping as well.

8. Yangtze River (China)
The most favorable rafting destination in the Yangtze River in China is The Great Bend. The progressing waters are sure to kick your passion and let you grab the precious moments of your life. The scenic landscapes are another delight on this adventurous journey.

9. Magpie River (Canada)
The Magpie River in Canada offers you a chance to pack your vacations with action satisfying your thirst for adventure beyond expectation. The Magpie Falls are of a height nearly 80 foot and provides a splendid river rafting experience.

10. Victoria Nile (Uganda)
The Victoria Nile River on the Victoria Falls presents astounding whitewater rafting destinations in Uganda, not only from tourists but also from the local residents. This is one of those places which offer the true essence of the term rafting.
»»  READMORE...

Best Entry