DESTINATION IN ITALY

Italy is home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. High art and monuments are to be found everywhere around the country. Its great cities of art, like Rome, Venice and Florence are world famous and have been attracting visitors for centuries. Besides its art treasures Italy also features beautiful coasts, alpine lakes and mountains. No wonder it is often nicknamed the Bel Paese (beautiful country).

With so many amazing sights, putting together a top 10 list of tourist attractions in Italy is no easy task. The following list however should give a good indication of why over 40 million foreign tourists visit Italy ever year.

                                    Map of tourist attraction in ITALY

SAN GIMIGNANO

flickr/lessi2306

Nicknamed the medieval Manhatten, San Gimignano is a village in Tuscany famous for its 14 stone towers. At the height of San Gimignano’s wealth and power, more than 70 towers were built to defend the town against enemy attacks. After the plague devastated the city in 1348, San Gimignano’s power faded, which kept enemies away and preserved many of the city’s medieval towers.

MANAROLA (CINQUE TERRE)

flickr/Robert Crum

Mestled in the Italian Riviera, Manarola is one of the oldest towns in Cinque Terre. The “Five Lands” comprises of five villages noted for their beauty. Part of Cinque Terre charm is the lack of visible modern development. Paths, trains and boats connect the villages, and cars cannot reach it from the outside. The towns sprout out of the mountainside to provide a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean sea.

LEANING TOWER OF PISA

flickr/echiner1

The world famous Pisa Tower was built over a period of about 177 years. Soon after the construction started in 1173 the tower began to sink due to a poorly laid foundation and was left alone for almost a century. When the construction resumed the engineers built higher floors with one side taller than the other to compensate for the tilt and the tower was finally finished in the 2nd half of the 14th century. Since 2001, the famous tower inPisa is again open to those wishing to climb it’s 296 steps.

LAKE COMO (ITALIAN LAKE DISTRICT)

flickr/scarriedo

Lake Como is part of the Italian Lake District an area popular with visitors for well over 100 years for its combination of fresh air, water, mountains and good weather. The lake is shaped much like an inverted ‘Y’, with two branches starting at Como in the south-west and Lecco in the south-east, which join together half way up and the lake continues up to Colico in the north. The lake is famous for the attractive villas which have been built here since Roman times. Many have admirable gardens which benefit from the mild climate and are able to include tropical as well as temperate plants.

POSITANO (AMALFI COAST)

flickr/Abdulsalam Haykal

Positano is a small town located on the Amalfi Coast, a stretch of coastline renowned for its rugged terrain, scenic beauty, picturesque towns and diversity. The city seems to be scattered from top to bottom down a hillside leading to the coast. Though Positano grew and prospered in medieval times, by the mid 19th more than half of the population was gone. In the 20th century it went from being a poor fishing village to a very popular tourist attraction with the help of author John Steinbeck who wrote about its beauty.

POMPEII

flickr/Carlo Mirante

On August 24, 79 AD, the volcano Vesuvius erupted, covering the nearby town Pompeii with ash and soil, and subsequently preserving the city in its state from that fateful day. Everything from jars and tables to paintings and people were frozen in time. Its excavation has provided an extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of people living two thousand years ago. Today Pompeii is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Italy, with approximately 2,500,000 visitors every year.

PIAZZA DEL CAMPO

flickr/PhillipC

One of Europe’s greatest medieval squares, the Piazza del Campo is the principal public space of the historic center of Siena, Tuscany. It is renowned worldwide for its beauty and architectural integrity. The Palazzo Pubblico and its famous tower, as well as various palazzi signorili belonging to the wealthiest of Siena families surround the shell-shaped piazza. The twice-per-year horse-race, Palio di Siena, involves circling the Piazza del Campo, on which a thick layer of dirt has been laid, three times and usually lasts no more than 90 seconds.

SANTA MARIA DEL FIORE

flickr/Sbaush

Begun in 1296 in the Gothic style and completed in 1436, The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is Florence’s beautiful cathedral and symbol of the city. The exterior of the basilica is faced with polychrome marble panels in various shades of green and pink bordered by white. The basilica is one of Italy’s largest churches, and until the modern era, the dome was the largest in the world. It remains the largest brick dome ever constructed.

COLESSEUM

flickr/Brunswickian

The Colosseum in Rome is the largest and most famous amphitheater in the Roman world. Its construction was started by emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty in 72 AD and was finished by his son Titus in 80 AD. The Colosseum was capable of holding some 50,000 spectators who could enter the building through no less than 80 entrances. Spectators were protected from the rain and heat of the sun by sails called the “velarium”, that was attached around the top of the attic.

CANALS OF VENICE

flickr/Tambako The Jaguar

Referred to as “The City of Water”, Venice is the crown jewel of water cities. Romantic gondolas, and Italian architecture along the Grand Canal helped earn this status. Stitched together with over 150 canals that have become central to its character, Venice has decayed since its heyday and has more tourists than residents, but with its romantic charm it remains one of the top tourist attractions in Italy.

CHENGDU city in CHINA..

Top Parks of Chengdu

Parks in Chengdu have quite a lot in common. At most parks we’ll be able to find people singing, dancing, practicing Chinese calligraphy and exercising. And we’ll find most parks are supplied with teahouses, gardens, historical/cultural items on display, paddleboats, and mini-amusement parks. Here is a list of the top seven parks and each park’s specialty.

Huanhuaxi Park

This park is much bigger than it seems. Located just behind Dufu’s Thatched Cottage and connected to the Sichuan Museum at Huanhuaxi you can journey into a kind of wilderness. This small forest attracts many birds for those of you who enjoy bird watching. Let’s not forget that this park also offers a lot as far as scenery, culture and history.
Location: 9 Qinghua Road, Qingyang District

Baihuatan Park

Somehow most parks find their way next to a river. Baihuatan is no exception. Located just at the end of the ancient-esk Qintai Road, the specialty of this park is its award winning Bonsai garden. Sichuan has a long history of creating these potted landscapes, so come here to learn more.
Location: 175 First Ring Road Second Section West, Qingyang District

Culture Park

As the name suggests this park specializes in displaying Chinese culture. Located just next to Qingyang Palace you can come here to watch the Sichuan Opera or take part in whatever special event is going on at the time.  These special events include the Lantern Festival carnival, the flower festival, art displays and photography displays.
Location: 23 Qingtai Road, Qingyang District 

River-viewing Pavilion Park

Also known as the Wangjiang Pavilion Park, the unique thing about this park is its wide variety of species of bamboo. There are two parts to this park; one is the Cultural Relic Protection Zone and the other part is the normal park. And of course go into the tower to get a great view of the river.
Location: 300 Wangjiang Street, Wuhou District

People’s Park

People’s Park is the main park in the eyes of most Chengduites. As such come here to find a good number of people enjoying the park in a number of ways. Although it may seem strange, the people are the real specialty of this park, because no matter which day you go you’re likely to find lots of people often doing interesting things.
Location: 12 Shaocheng Road, Qingyang District

International Intangible Cultural Heritage Park

Although you need to travel a little bit outside of the third ring road the International ICH Park has everything Chinese; not just Sichuanese. Here you can find handicraft artwork, learn more about Chinese festivals, take a bike ride through China’s agricultural history, and taste Chinese food. They also hold many special events throughout the year.
Location: 601 Guanghua Avenue Second Section, Qingyang District

Hua Wu Ren Jian

Hua Wu Ren Jian is a large scenic area that focuses on agriculture, ecology, environmental protection, health and business. The concept of this park is to create a working vision of a scientifically designed low-carbon sustainable future. The park attempts to give the visitors a profound understanding of the environment and agriculture. Also, keep in mind that this park is huge.

CHINA.. Here we go.. :D

Top 10 Attractions in China

With a vast territory and a long history, China offers so much to see and explore. China Highlights has listed for you the top 10 attractions or must-visit attractions in China.

1. The Great Wall

The Great Wall of China

• Location: Across North China, near Beijing
• Tours: Great Wall Tours

The Great Wall of China is one of the greatest sights in the world. The longest wall in the world, it is an awe-inspiring feat of ancient defensive architecture. Its winding path over rugged country and steep mountains takes in some great scenery. It deserves its place among "the New Seven Wonders of the World" and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in China.

2. The Yangtze River

The Yangtze River Cruise

• Location: Across South China
• Tour: Three Gorges with classic China Tour

The Yangtze is the third longest river in the World, but the longest river within a single country. The Yangtze River has a good case for being the most interesting and popular river in the world. It has the widest variety of outstanding tourist attractions, scenery and culture along its length, all contained within China, and holds several world records.

3. Terracotta Army

The Terracotta Warriors, Xi'an

• Location: Xi'an, Central China
• Tours: Terracotta Warriors Tours

The Terracotta Army has laid underground for more than 2000 years. However, in 1974, farmers digging a well uncovered one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world. In December 1987, UNESCO enrolled it as a World Cultural Heritage Site. It is significant because the hundreds of detailed lifesize models represent the army that triumphed over all other Chinese armies and who were the decisive factor in forming a united China.

4. The Bund

The Bund, Shanghai

• Location: Shanghai, East China
• Tour: Shanghai and Suzhou Memories Tour

The Bund is one of the most recognizable architectural symbols of Shanghai. Looking out on the river, various cargo vessels, speedier tourist ferries and other locally owned boats navigate. Towering skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower line the river, and the neon lights indicating the offices of top world brands and European architecture surrounding them.

5. Li River

The Li River, Guilin

• Location: Guilin, Southwest China
• Tour: Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Combo Tour

The 83-kilometer-long section between Guilin and Yangshuo is the most beautiful part. The landscape is decorated with startling hills, steep cliffs, fantastic caves and farming villages, and is lined with bamboo groves. As one of the most popular and picturesque scenic spots in China, the Li River was listed as one of the World’s Top Ten Watery Wonders by America’s National Geographic Magazine. Some world famous figures have visited the Li River, including former US President Bill Clinton, former US President George Bush, and Bill Gates.

6. Victoria Harbor

The Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong

• Location: Hong Kong, South China
• Tour: Hong Kong Essence Tour

It is among the world's most beautiful skylines with a backdrop of Victoria Peak. Wonderful and stunning views of the city and harbor area can be had in the observation decks of the tallest buildings and from Victoria Peak. During the day or evening, and perhaps especially during the Symphony of Lights most evenings, the view is beautiful and memorable.

7. The Yellow Mountains

The Yellow Mountains, Huangshan

• Location: Huangshan, East China
• Tours: Huangshan Tours

The Yellow Mountains is one of the most famous and beautiful mountains in China. It was enlisted as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1990. Outstanding natural beauty is Huangshan's number one feature. Yellow Mountain’s classic attractions could be counted as five natural wonders in the winter: the imaginatively named pines, oddly-shaped rocks, the sea of clouds, hot springs and winter snowscapes.

8. West Lake

The West Lake, Hangzhou

• Location: Hangzhou, East China
• Tours: Hangzhou Tours

West Lake is man-made and created after the Chinese love for garden style parks for recreation. West Lake is a place of tranquility where urbanity becomes a silhouette on the northeast horizon and mountains near and far surround it on the other three sides. The occasional pagoda and Chinese-style arched bridge add atmosphere to the tree-lined walkways, verdant islands and hills.

9. The Potala Palace

The Potala Palace, Lhasa

• Location: Lhasa, Tibet, Southwest China
• Tour: Lhasa Essence Tour

In 1994, the Potala Palace was declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. It is a huge treasure house of materials and articles from Tibetan history, religion, culture and art. The palace is widely known for the precious sculptures, murals, scriptures, Buddha statues, murals, antiques, and religious jewelry housed within.

10. Yungang Grottoes

Yungang Grottoes, Datong

• Location: Datong, North China
• Tours: Datong Tours

Enrolled as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 2001, Yungang Grottoes represent the excellent achievement of Buddhist sculptural art of ancient China, and it is the largest among the four most famous ancient grotto complexes in China. Yungang Grottoes with 252 caves and 51,000 Buddhist statues are the classical masterpieces of of Chinese Buddhist art in the 5th and 6th centuries. The whole grotto complex is magnificent with delicate carvings. All the statues are precious and vivid, representing the development of art, architecture, music and religion at that time.

flying to BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES.. :D

   Settled by Puritans in the 1600s, Boston has been defined and shaped by its history for nearly 400 years. The spirit of American independence was born in the city, and the sights that commemorate the vital role that the Sons of Liberty played in the Revolutionary War attract visitors from around the world. Whether taking in a game at Fenway Park, strolling along the new Harborwalk or enjoying a clambake on an island beach, Boston is an attractive travel destination for travelers looking for fun and relaxation too. With the city’s massive 15-year renovation known as the “Big Dig” at last completed, the tourist attractions in Boston are more accessible and appealing than ever before.

                                             Map of tourist attraction in BOSTON

NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM 

Located on the Central Wharf within walking distance of the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the New England Aquarium showcases numerous exhibits of sea life, from exotic jellyfish and stingrays to playful seals and penguins. Opened in 1969, the aquarium’s standout feature is a 200,000-gallon Giant Ocean Tank situated in the main building’s atrium that replicates a coral reef environment. A spiral walkway around the tank gives onlookers a close-up view of sharks, barracuda, sea turtles and schools of small fish. The facility is also home to an IMAX theater that shows movies with aquatic themes. Whale-watching tours are available too, and visitors can combine a cruise ticket with the aquarium’s price of admission.

 

BOSTON HARBOR ISLANDS

The 34 islands that lie off the coast of Boston offer visitors endless opportunities for fun in the sun and sea. Thirteen of the islands are included in the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. Must-see attractions include the Civil War Fort Warren on Georges Island and the public beach on Spectacle Island, which is only a 15-minute ferry ride away from the city’s Long Wharf. Georges Island is home to the nation’s oldest lighthouse as well. With trails that wander past dunes and forested areas as well as a swimming beach, Lovells Island is a popular spot for camping.

BOSTON COMMON

  America’s oldest public park, Boston Common was acquired by the city’s Puritan founders in 1634. First used as a cow pasture, the park is also the site of many historic events. The British used the area as a camp at the start of the Revolutionary War. A plaque in the park marks the spot where public hangings were held. A kiosk hosted by Boston’s Freedom Trail Foundation offers visitors information about the park’s monuments. Landscaped with shady trees, fountains and a pond, Boston Common is a pleasant place to take a break from sightseeing excursions as well.

QUINCY MARKET

 

Designed by architect Alexander Parris and completed in 1826, Quincy Market is as well known for its architectural style as it is for the food that offered inside its more than 20 restaurants and 40 stalls. Named after Boston mayor Josiah Quincy, the rectangular-shaped edifice was built in the Greek Revival style that Thomas Jefferson introduced to America as break from the Georgian architecture. Constructed with granite, the building’s heavy materials provide a striking contrast to its delicate design, which includes a grand and ornate domed pavilion. 

bonjour ... PARIS !!

    

      As the capital city of France, Paris has endured as an important city for more than 2,000 years. Often called by nicknames like the “city of love” and “city of lights,” Paris is today one of the world’s leading centers for business, fashion, entertainment, art and culture. Just the mere mention of Paris conjures up images of the city’s world famous landmarks, museums and cathedrals. An overview of the top tourist attractions in Paris:

                          Map of tourist attraction in PARIS

PLACE DE LA CONCORDE

 At the east end of the Champs-Elysées is Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris with fantastic vistas in every direction. It was in this square that the French King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and many others were guillotined during the French revolution. The large 3200 years old Egyptian obelisk in the center of the Place de la Concorde was brought from the Temple of Luxor in the 19th century.

 

MUSEE D'ORSAY

 

A must-do for art lovers, the Musee d’Orsay is known for housing the world’s premier collection of impressionist paintings. Located in a former railway station, this grand museum showcases thousands of art works and objects that cover a period between the mid-1800s and the early 1900s. Visitors can walk through several rooms to view amazing art works by many famous artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, Cezane, Degas, Pissarro, Renoir and Jean-Francois Millet.

JARDIN DU LUXEMBOURG

Known in English as the Luxembourg Gardens, this public park is the second largest in Paris. Visitors here can picnic or stroll leisurely among beautiful lawns, formal gardens and fruit orchards that feature many artistic statues and fountains. For fun and sport, there are jogging paths, tennis courts and fitness equipment. Children can play in the huge playground, ride ponies, watch a puppet show and sail model boats in a pond.

LOUVRE 

Topping the list of the world’s most visited museums, the Louvre Museum is located in the Louvre Palace with its signature glass pyramid marking its entrance. Housing a collection of more than 1 million objects, the Louvre boasts some of the world’s most famous art works such as Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” Michelangelo’s “Dying Slave” and the Greek statue, “Venus of Milo.” Other popular exhibits include the extravagant apartments of Napoleon III, the ancient Code of Hammurabi, Egyptian antiquities and paintings by masters like Rembrandt and Rubens.

EIFFEL TOWER 

Visiting the iconic symbol of Paris usually ranks as the number one thing to do for most tourists. Towering more than 1,000 feet (300 meters) high in the Champ de Mars park, this iron structure was constructed for the 1889 World Exposition. One of the world’s most photographed tourist attractions, the Eiffel Tower presents an excellent photography opportunity for both day and night times. Visitors can ride the elevator to see incredible views of the city or dine in one of the two fine restaurants that are situated within the tower.