Monday, February 28, 2011

Top 5 Switzerland Tourist Attractions to See

Switzerland is known as The Land of the Alps, and rightfully so. Bordered by France, Germany, Italy and Austria, Switzerland offers the most breathtaking views of the panoramic Alps. Though small, it is also one of the richest countries in the world, which is why there is no wonder many tourists dream of a Swiss vacation. There are plenty of Switzerland tourist attractions, too, although there are five you should definitely stop to see.

1. The Chillon Castle - Located on the shore of Lake Geneva, the Chillon Castle is one of the most famous castles in Switzerland. Consisting of 100 buildings, it dates back to the 11th century and is the former residence of the Savoy nobility. It also has three courtyards and four great halls which offer magnificent views of the lake beyond.

2. Zermatt - Although there are many beautiful ski resorts in Switzerland, Zermatt stands out as one of the top Switzerland tourist attractions because it is located at the foot of the Matterhorn, the most famous peak of the Swiss Alps. Even if you're not into skiing, you can still enjoy the view while dining at a gourmet restaurant or shopping around the town.

3. Geneva Jet D'eau - This fountain in the heart of one of Switzerland's major cities is one of the tallest fountains in the world, projecting water up to 140 meters high. Built in 1891, it is also considered one of the symbols of the city of Geneva. While in Geneva, you might want to see other tourist spots, too, particularly the museums. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum is one of the most popular museums in Switzerland, and is definitely worth a visit, along with the Cathedral de St. Pierre and other historical buildings.

4. Swiss National Park - Although you cannot pitch a tent and spend the night at Swiss National Park, you can certainly appreciate the different views of the Alps as you go hiking, which is why it is one of the Switzerland tourist attractions worth seeing. It is also Switzerland's only national park, covering almost half the area of the entire country. It is a sanctuary for various wildlife such as elks, marmots and eagles, as well.

5. Swiss Transport Museum - Located in Lucerne, the Swiss Transport Museum is home to an exhibit of locomotives, ships, aircraft, automobile and other modes of transport and communication. It also houses an extensive collection of the works of Hans Erni, a Swiss painter and sculptor. You're sure to enjoy the Planetarium and the IMAX theatre, too.

Indeed, Switzerland has many sights waiting to be discovered. Aside from visiting Switzerland tourist attractions, don't forget to immerse yourself in the country's rich culture, too by participating in festivals or simply mingling with the Swiss. You're sure to have a wonderful time and many golden memories to take home with you.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Kanha National Park - The Major Wildlife Sanctuary In Asia

The major wildlife sanctuary in Asia, Kanha National Park, which is one of the most famous tiger reserves worldwide, is situated among the Banjar and Halon valleys in the Mandla / Balaghat districts of the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is supposed that this park shaped the basis and gave the motivation to Rudyard Kipling for his famous Jungle Book. The park is the abode to the uncrowned king of the Kanha jungle: The Royal Bengal Tiger.

A walk In the Wild:
Kanha boasts of about 22 classes of mammals. Some of the populations of this park are the gaur, the largest of the world's cattle; the sambar, the major Indian deer; and the chausingha, the only four-horned antelope in the world. Other regular visitors comprise the Nilgai antelope, the sloth bear, the dhole, or Indian wild dog, and an infrequent panther.

The jewel of Kanha would undoubtedly be the Barasingha or the swamp deer. The open meadows during the cold winter months are usually teeming with barasinghas and there is plenty of tiger activity around the fringes. Other wildlife attractions in the park are chital (spotted deer), chousingha, nilgai, the majestic gaur (Indian bison) and wild pig, is 'tiger country'. It is ideal for viewing both the predator and the prey.

The park comprises of varied bird species in abundance. Over 200 species of birds live in the park and these include egrets, flycatchers, jungle fowl, herons, kingfishers, partridges, teals, warblers, woodpeckers and quail. The Park makes an excellent spot for wildlife viewing and photography. To view the activities of the park and tribal culture one can visit the museum at Kanha. It is closed every Wednesday.

Climate:
The climate of this region is tropical. Summers are hot and humid with a maximum and minimum temperature of 40.6°C and 23.9°C. Winters are pleasant with an average maximum and minimum temperature of 23.9°C and 11.1°C, respectively. The annual average rainfall is 152 cm. The park is closed from July to mid-November during monsoon. The ideal time to visit Kanha would be the period between February and June. A stay of at least 3 nights is recommended, in order, to get a really good sighting of Kanha's more elusive animals.


Transport & Communication:
By Air: Nagpur (266 kms) is the nearest Airport to visit Kanha National Park connected by Indian Airlines flights with Bombay.

By Rail: Jabalpur (169 km) is the convenient rail head to visit Kanha.

By Road: Kanha National Park is linked by road with Jabalpur 175 km, Khajuraho 445 km, Nagpur 266 km, Mukki 25 km, Raipur 219 km.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN INDIA

1- Taj Mahal is one of the world’s greatest buildings. You shouldn’t miss it.

Taj Mahal
2- Madurai is one of the oldest cities in South Asia. It is also known as the temple city because of its many temple complexes. You should see Madurai.

3- If you like beach, Goa is a must. Stay at Bagha beach and drink, eat and enjoy your day!.

4- If you're visiting around in winter time visit Gangtok, check out the frozen lake, and travel up to the China Border too. The place has great monasteries also.

5- India is famous with its festivals and you can catch a festival during your stay no matter which season you visit.

6- Ruins of the city of victory “Vijayanagar” better known as “Hampi” is worth to visit.

Golden Tample
7- You can enjoy boating on the backwaters of Kerala through the lush tropical waterways of India’s Deep South.

8- If you like to see magnificent boulder friezes, shrines and the sea battered Shore Temple, Mamallapuram is the best fishing and stone carving village to visit.

9- Camel trekking at the Great Indian Desert can be very romantic touristic experience or ride an elephant bareback, Jaipur has plenty.

10- Amritsar is a city in the Punjab, in northwest India. It is a holy place for members of the Sikh religion, and worth visiting for its famous Golden Temple.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Global Tourist Places - The Coastline With Everything

The Costa Blanca on the eastern coast of Spain attracts thousands of visitors each year to enjoy the miles of white sand beaches and clear turquoise waters. There is so much on offer in this varied area of Spain, from beautiful beaches to rugged mountains, and travellers will not be disappointed by the range of activities and sites in the region.

For many travellers; a trip to Costa Blanca entails sunbathing and swimming in the warm Mediterranean waters. Boating, surfing, jet skiing and a range of other water sports are popular in this beach resort area where the sun shines more often than not. Restaurants and cafes serving traditional and international fare are aplenty along the coastline as well as in the towns, with unbeatable views of the surrounding landscape.

There are many old buildings and museums in the Costa Blanca which are worth visiting, including castles built by the Carthaginians in 400 BC. Architectural sites are abound in the region, with medieval towns and fortified villages untouched by development.

Nature lovers can enjoy several hiking and riding trails in the vicinity, and bird watching is a favorite for many visitors. Costa Blanca offers such a varied range of topography and activities, making it such a popular place for a range of different kinds of people. Whether looking for a relaxing holiday, or an adventure break; Costa Blanca will have something to entice everyone.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Global Tourist Places - The Bay Of Islands

The Bay Of Islands in New Zealand boasts a only one of its kind coastline sheltering over 150 small islands in its arms. Once a maritime and whaling town; the Bay of Islands is today a popular area for visitors who travel from far and wide to enjoy the artistic heritage of this gorgeous place.

Small towns are spotted along the coastline all contribution exceptional and individual traits, and visitors could spend weeks enjoying what the bay has to offer.

The Bay of Islands is a haven for water sport enthusiasts who can enjoy the calm blue waters of the bay. There are a lot of water-based activities on offer, including kayaking, swimming with dolphins, game fishing and boating.

Several coastal paths line the bay, and visitors can enjoy the calm of the area and the spectacular views. Often whales and dolphins can be seen in the bay, so cameras are a suggestion.

There are many pictorial opportunities in the Bay of Islands, counting the nearby Haruru waterfalls and the Cape Brett Lighthouse.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Global Tourist Places - The Falkland Islands

The Falklands are an archipelago of islands situated in the South Atlantic Ocean. a lot of visitors decide to integrate these islands in a tour of the Antarctic, even though they are becoming more and more popular as separate destination.

The Falklands consist of two major islands; the East and the West Falklands, as well as over seven hundred extra islands. They boast a stunning array of wildlife, including albatross, penguins and seals which be a magnet for visitors every year.

Tourism has grown-up in recent years, and the Falklands have become a regular stop-over for the many cruise ships heading to the Antarctic. Many visitors opt to stay in the Falklands and enjoy the beautiful nature and scenery consisting of green pastures and majestic mountains. 

The Falkland Islands show off a great assortment of wildlife and protection projects, and many tourists come to see the large numbers of penguins, seals and sea lions which live in the area. Others visit the islands to enjoy the historical heritage, as well as to do some destroy diving or play some rounds of golf.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Global Tourist Places - Taj Mahal

The perpetual monument of love, Taj Mahal is one of the most famous medieval constructions of the world. Such is the importance of this eternal monument that it has almost become a symbol of India. Most foreigners who visit India are lured by the Taj and it is one of the first things that they want to visit in the country. The Taj Mahal tours take tourists on the fascinating journeys of the city of Agra and its surrounding locates, all of which still smell of history. With the numerous historic monuments that a tour of Agra promises, the erstwhile capital of the mighty Mughuls is one of the highlights of tourism in North India.

The star attraction of the Taj Mahal tours is of course, the Taj itself. Built by the fifth Mughul emperor Shahjahan (1628 – 1658), this monument has immortalized the name of Mumtaz Mahal, the beloved wife of Shahjahan, in whose memory he built this marvelous tomb. The Taj is characterized by highly stylized calligraphy, intricate carvings in marble, delicate arrangement of precious stones, and the famous pietra dura inlay work. The sheer size of the Taj is enough to mesmerize the observer, and indeed, many distinguished visitors from all over the world have been captivated by its ethereal beauty.

Agra is known as the city of Mughuls, and rightly so. Before the Mughuls, there were rulers here, but it is the Mughuls who gave Agra worldwide fame as one of the most magnificent cities of its times. The other Mughul monuments have given Agra the status of one of the premier tourist destinations in India. The Taj Mahal tours also cover these amazing medieval monuments that have witnessed dramatic moments in the history of India.


The chief among these is the Agra fort, which remained the center of Mughul power till the capital was shifted to Delhi. Fatehpur Sikri is yet another famous place, known for the lavish fortified palace of Emperor Akbar. It is located 37 kms west of Agra, and is among the most important destinations to be visited on an excursion from Agra.

The massive gate called Buland Darwaza and the revered tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti are the chief attractions of this place, apart from the magnificent red sandstone palace itself. Both the Agra fort and the palace complex at Fatehpur Sikri are among the best known Indian monuments. They also signify a great blend of Indian, Islamic and European architectural traditions that were allowed to fuse together under the patronage of the Mughuls.

Besides the above, the Taj Mahal tours also cover some other monuments which have been outfamed by the Taj and the imposing Agra fort. These include the tomb of Nurjahan’s father, given the title Itmad-ud-daulat, Chini ka Rauza, which is a tomb of one of Shahjahan’s ministers, and is known for its brilliant glazed tiles. The city also has a few beautifully laid out gardens, whose origins date back to the times of Babur, the founder of the Mughul dynasty. The tomb of Akbar at Sikandara is located about 5 kms from Agra and is among the city’s major attractions.

Last but not the least, the Taj Mahal tours let you visit the nooks and corners of the city that are still deep rooted in its history. The bazaars, the handicrafts, the fabrics, and even the sights and sounds, all make up the city of Agra.8X2CG3HKMUHX