Road to Gaspe
Photo by: abdallahh, Creative Commons

Gaspe Peninsula lies in the Eastern part of Quebec, Canada. It is a small Island surrounded by the St. Laurence River and Bay of Chaleur. The name Gaspe comes from a word that means land’s end. The people here are regarded as Indians of the sea because they are good in fishing cods, shellfish and salmon. These people are the Mikmaqs or the Native Americans recognized as the first people in the Island to encounter Europeans.

The most talked about regions in Gaspe Peninsula are the Bay of Chaleur, the Matapedia Valley, the Forillon National Park, and the Saint-Georges-de-Malbaie. The Bay of Challeur, the warmest region in Gaspe offers a lot of attractions like the Miguasha Park and Carlton. Bars, lodges, inns, mountain ranges, and beaches are common to that part. Another region in Gaspe is the Matapedia Valley, legendary for the fishing spots and agriculture Industry.

Another is the Forillon National Park trail that is known for its spectacular seascapes. The path to a lighthouse is breathtaking. There are other trails in the region, but the trails of the Forillon is the best so far. Saint-Georges-de-Malbaie is the region where one can find the Indian Rock, it shows a profile of a Native American Indian facing a cliff.

If you are planning to visit, you should consider staying there for a few days to savor the beauty of Gaspe Peninsula. It is ideal to go there during the summer and spring season which is ideal for hiking and climbing. The winter months will not allow you to do, but, then of course, there is skiing. Whatever season, you’ll enjoy the friendly confines of Gaspe.

Rocher Percé, in French means “pierced rock.”
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When you plan a visit to Canada, make sure that on top of your list is Perce Rock, located off the tip of the Gaspe Peninsula. Rocher Percé, in French means “pierced rock.” It is across the Gulf of Saint Laurence in the province of Quebec. It is a massive formation of rocks layered with lime stones, it is 1,300 feet long and 296 feet wide; it is called pierced rock because it has a hole in its structure which forms an arch like figure. It actually has two holes, today, it only has one because the other has collapsed over time.

It is captivating and inspiring to look at, a unique rock structure close to the shoreline. It is not just a barrier for high waves but also a home for various species of birds, the seagulls, razorbills, guillemots and other seabirds.

The rock island can be reached by means of a boat. The best way so far is by taking the boat to really go around the rock. Many people are drawn to the beauty of the rock especially during the break of dawn where different colors radiate from the rock. Even during twilight its beauty glows. That is the natural splendor of the rock.

Very near to Perce Rock is Bonaventure Island, the best place to view thousands of seabirds. Because of the proximity of Bonaventure Island to the rock, it has become a major tourist destination. Both Islands are great for sightseeing; at the same time an ideal destination for camping, hiking, and rock climbing. The best description for Perce Rock is, magnificent.

On the boardwalk in the old town of Quebec
Photo by: Rene Ehrhardt, Creative Commons

Quebec is the capital city of Quebec, Canada’s largest province. Its name comes from a native word which means “where the river narrows.” It refers to a river in Quebec that narrows as it reaches a specific point. Old Quebec City on the other hand is a neighborhood within Quebec. This is known to be one of the heavily populated provinces of Canada and the first settlers are the Inuit, Algonquians and other native European migrants.

This is UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, voted as significant for its outstanding history. The Old town is Quebec’s favorite destination. It is surrounded by a wall made up of stones built by British and European Armies. It is the only city in Canada that is still protected by walls.

There are actually hundreds of Attractions in the old city, these include the Chateau Frontenac, Dufferin Terrace, The Citadel, Plains of Abraham Battlefield Park, Musée national des Beaux-arts du Québec, and hundreds more.

As you plan to visit the old city, you will never get bored with the many events, shows and many shopping boutiques. One can choose to shop in the popular Quartier Petit Champlain, a district for shopping and relaxation, named after Samuel de Champlain.

Within the area are shopping stalls and cafeterias. There are other activities to be busy about in the Old City, ride a cable car called Funicular, or Climb the Breakneck Stairs (Casse-Cou), wooden steps that links the upper old city to the lower old city. The staircase was made during the 17th century. Undeniably, the Old Quebec City has a lot to offer its visitors, from attractions to the shopping experience.

Streets of Lunenburg
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One of Canada’s pride is the Old Town Lunenburg in Nova Scotia. It has been designated as Canada’s National Historic District. It is a port town established in 1753 by the first settlers, the Acadian and the Mikmaqs, which was later made into a British Colonial Settlement. Many migrants from Italy, Germany, Switzerland and other European folks followed the first settlers.

During those days, it was considered as one of the best places to live because of its rising economy. A lot of people were drawn to the place because the potential it displayed to start a livelihood like ship-building, fishing, and small scale businesses.

Today, the town is still has a thriving economy, only it is now more of a tourist destination. Tourism is the number one industry in the old city. It is also acknowledged of having one of the largest fishing plants in North America.

What brings people back is how maintained and how the town is planned and constructed. By looking at their houses, churches and other buildings, one can quickly notice how creative the settlers were. Most of the construction were planned and included great structural design. Visitors always notice the wooden architecture of the houses, which shows that the place is well maintained.

The town shares its popularity, Bluenose and Bluenose II both were born there. Do not be confused, these aren’t people rather, these are the world’s famous schooner. These are the world renowned ships and fishing vessels during the 18th Century. Lunenburg Old Town is one example of a well-preserved British Colony that is worth a visit.

Fortress of Louisbourg
Photo by: Joe Shlabotnik, Creative Commons

Fortress of Louisbourg or Forteresse de Louisbourg in French is a National Historic site of Canada. Located in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, it is the largest historical society reconstructed in Canada –an 18th century like fortress. It was mainly built to support the Fishing Industry and protect France’s interests in the new world. The construction of this community was started in 1719 by French investors who later became very successful in Fisheries and made the community a thriving settlement.

The Fortress of Louisbourg gives a visitor a nostalgic sense of how things were. The houses, the streets, and ramparts give visitors an idea of how the early Canadians lived. It’s a window to Canada’s History. The main attractions in the place are the Theme Centers and Parks like the DeLa Plagne House, the Ordonnateur’s Residence, De la Perelle House, and Carrerot House. These are theme centers named after family residences. The De la Plagne House is where one can watch a film about the fortress’ history. The Ordannateur’s Residence displays paintings of the seaport made in 1744. While in De la Perelle House, visitors can take photos of themselves dressed in an 18th century garb.

The Fortress of Louisbourg is both a popular tourist destination and an excellent place to retreat to, no pun intended. After a well rested vacation at the Fortress, you will feel rejuvenated.

CN or Canadian National Tower
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The Canadian National Tower, also known as the CN Tower, is North America’s tallest structure with a height of 1,815 feet and 5 inches (553.3 meters). It is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and it has been Canada’s icon for many years and for that reason many people are drawn to visit the place. The tower looks like a telecommunication structure built originally as a TV and Radio communication platform for the whole area of Toronto before a revolving restaurant was built on at the first level and moves its way to the top.

The restaurant revolves every 72 minutes taking the café aloft. The tower has six high-speed elevators with glass fronts that are sturdy, these can take guests up to the peak. The speed of the elevator is fast because you can reach the top, which is the Skypod (Look-out Level) in just a matter of 58 seconds. From the top, visitors can actually see the whole of Toronto, the best sceneries in the area, and even the Niagara Falls. On an observation deck, more people visit the tower.

Today, it is the center of entertainment. Surrounding the freestanding tower is the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, a venue for events, meetings, and conventions. Another is the Rogers Centre also known as the Skydome. The tower makes it possible for everyone to experience a one of a kind sky adventure.

Cabot Trail
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Cabot trail named after John Cabot, an explorer, is in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia a province of Canada. This is a 185 miles or a 298-kilometer long highway. The trail passes through beautiful places, attractions, landscapes, parks, beaches and a wonderful community. Most people hike instead of driving through the trail wanting to take pleasure in the beauty of Cape Breton Island. In fact the trail will only consume few hours of driving but more often than not visitors stop and stay there for a night and usually for few days more.

Cape Breton Island has a lot of breathtaking sceneries; it has also a lot of trails like Pollett’s Cove and the Skyline trail. However, Cabot trail is the most talked about. The views alongside the road are charming and the people as well are very charismatic which made it even more pleasant.

The place is truly amazing, it does not change through to the seasons, and instead it becomes more pleasing. If it’s winter, the place becomes a good destination for skiing and when it’s fall, the surrounding become all the more fantastic.

There is no such thing as boredom in the Cabot trail because nobody will run out of activity. And even if there is no activity at all, by simply looking at the sceneries alongside the trail is already a great experience.

Bay of Fundy
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This is one of Canada’s best destinations. In fact it is contested to be part of the Seven Wonders of the World. This Island is known as the largest Island of the Arctic Archipelago which lies directly in between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia which is in the East Coast of Canada. Bay of Fundy or Baie Francaise in French was discovered in 1604 by a voyager by the name of Samuel de Champlain. The bay has a funnel like shape to it.

This bay is known for their rocks that are as high as a four storey building. One of the bays residents is the second largest whale in the world, the finback whale. Bay of Funday gives the visitor many to see, add to that the food, they are abundant in fresh sea foods like fish, lobster, and mussels just to name a few. Fundy is also renowned for its wines –extraordinary in taste.

Baffin Island Perspective
Photo by: L. Lew, Creative Commons

The name comes from an explorer in 1616, William Baffin. Baffin Island lies in the East of Nunavut which is the largest federal territory of Canada. When one looks at the map, the Island is positioned at the North West of Mainland Canada and West of Greenland. It covers about 183,810 square miles which make it as the fifth biggest Island in the world that is part of the Arctic Archipelago.

The majority of the people living on this island are the Inuit. The most common languages they use in the place are English, French and Inuktikut. Although there are areas where people speak English and French, the vast majority still speaks in Inuktikut which is their native language.

Baffin Island is very enticing most especially to visitors because there are lots of things they can do there such as wall climbing, skiing, mountain climbing and touring. Also, it offers kayaking and viewing of the polar bears which make it even more interesting to visit. The Islands attractions include the Cumberland Peninsula where the Mount Asgard and Thor Peak is located. It is also the region in the Island where one can find the well known Akshayuk Pass where one can ride a boat to see the parks. Clyde River is another region of the Island where one can find Granite Mountains. Another region is the Bylot that is in the North of Baffin, this is where the popular Sirmilik National Park can be found. This park is where most seabirds migrate and where attractive fiords are to be found.

Canadian Rockies – Banff
Photo by: Satoru Kikuchi, Creative Commons

The collection of mountains that extend to the parts of British Columbia and Alberta is the Canadian Rockies. These mountains are layered by sedimentary rocks. Its peaks are spiky because of glaciers on it. These glaciers obviously make the mountains cooler and moist.

There are five major parks that are part of the Canadian Rockies, they areYoho, Jasper, Kootenay, Banff and Waterton.

The oldest park of Canada and one of the most visited parks around the territory is Banff. Some of Banff’s residents include Grizzly bears, lynx, deer, weasel and a many others. Next is Jasper, the largest of the five. It is also in Alberta and at the West of Edmonton. The park is alluring because of glaciers, lakes, hot springs and many more.

The Kootenay National Park’s main attractions are the Hot Springs, the Olive Lake, the Marble Canyon, Sinclair Canyon, Floe Lake, Fay Hut, and also to mention the Paint Pots –a spring rich in minerals. Yoho National Park lies in the South of British Columbia. Limestone caves are found here.

Obviously, there are a lot of places to explore in the Canadian Rockies.

Yuanyang Rice Terraces in China
Photo by: Pratyeka, Creative Commons

For tourists who want to bring back breathtaking photos as souvenirs from their China vacation, the scenic and spectacular Yuanyang Rice Terraces is the perfect travel spot to go. Professional photographers are among the main visitors to this site. Oftentimes, day-trippers who visit the area will see tripods abound, along with other photography equipment, ready to shoot the magnificent landscape of cascading rice fields.

Yuanyang Rice Terraces is located south of Kunming with a distance of 300 kilometers. You can reach the site by renting any vehicle. There are no railroads near the location so visitors are recommended to rent vans and cars for your convenience and safety. You can also wait for the bus near Beijing train station if you prefer a cheaper transportation means.

Yuanyang Rice Terraces may not be as popular as the Great Wall of China, but people who appreciate privacy, solitude, and contemplation can definitely enjoy its picturesque landscape. The location’s high mountains and rolling hillside is a perfect combination of balance and beauty that can leave you in meditative silence. If you want a travel spot that’s not too crowded, then you should definitely check out Yuanyang Rice Terraces.

Yuanyang Rice Terraces is a man-made rice field landscape completed by the Hani ethnic tribe 1,000 years ago. The hard work and perseverance of the Hani people long ago is being preserved by the new batch of rice farmers through practicing farming concepts such as ecology, land preservation, and irrigation.

The best time to go to Yuanyang Rice Terraces is either at sunrise or sunset. There is magic when you see the sun’s rays hitting the surface of water on every rice field. In case you’re too late for either a sunset or a sunrise, just look at the sky’s reflection. Both scenarios will leave you breathless no matter what location you’re located and what time you’ve arrived to witness the terraces’ natural beauty.

Corniche Boardwalk
Photo by: lucianaluciana, Creative Commons

Corniche Beirut is a seashore esplanade located in the Beirut, Lebanon. The area here features of palm trees in a sequence and offers stunning views of the Mediterranean, in addition, the highest point of the Mount Lebanon can be seen from here.

The Corniche is a favorite spot for bikers, walkers, and joggers. The area features a number of restaurants. It is also one of the best holiday locations to hang out with friends.

The sunny days here is a major attraction where one can find a number of people jogging. Also it offers stunning views of the water and the local food at the nearby restaurants is a highlight here.

In addition a number of public events and local festivals are held at the Corniche which is one of the major attractions.

Jeita Grotto Entrance
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Jeita Grotto is a series of Karstic limestone caves located 18 kilometers from the Beirut, Lebanon. The grotto has a series of chambers known as lower caves and upper caves. These caves provide a major route for the underground rivers and fresh water to the city of Beirut.

The Jeita caves are found between the western mountains and is 330 feet above sea level. These caves formation is a result of limestone dissolution.

Lower caves
The lower caves were discovered by William Thomson in the year 1836. These caves reached only by boat. There are number of underground rivers and the water here is fresh which is mainly used by the people of Beirut.

These caves are located 60 meters below the upper caves and it features a number of cave formations. The distance of the caves is about 500 meters; visitors can be transported using electric boats. During the winters the caves remains closed as a result of high water levels.

Upper caves
The upper caves were discovered in 1958. These caves are situated about 60 meters above the lower caves. The upper caves is a major tourist spot and it features a sequence of chambers where the largest chamber here measures about 120 meters high.

The upper caves can be reached through a concrete tunnel that measure about 117 meters long. These caves feature three chambers where the first one is White Chamber and the second one is Red Chamber that measures 106 meters high. Among all the chambers the Third Chamber is the largest of all that measures 120 meters high.

These caves are a major attraction in the present days. It also features an air conditioned theatre, train and cable cars. In addition there are a number of restrooms, bars, restaurants and shops for the visitors. The caves opens at 9 am in the morning and closes at 6 pm in the evening and Mondays is a holiday here.

Yungang Grottoe in China
Photo by: Patrick Streule, Creative Commons

The colossal statues and remarkable sculptures of Yungang Grottoes match China’s large surface area, making it a must-see tourist spot. Located at the foot of Wuzhou Mountain, Yungang entices visitors from around the globe with its gigantic grottoes that were carved out from the stony and earthy mountain’s side.

A monk named Tan Yao is believed to have had the grottoes built around 453 AD. Given the superb artistic forms of the grottoes today, it’s quite amazing that the whole place took 50 years to be finished. There were about 40,000 Buddhists who helped build the place.

There are 53 caves in Yungang Grottoes, which contains 51,000 statues and 1,000 nooks. Tourists are left in awe upon seeing the grandeur that only comes from the hard work and determination of those who had it built. The huge statues showcases traditional Chinese artistry and design with just the right amount of Greek and Indian influence. One example of China’s impeccable taste for art is the 17-meter high Buddha located in Grotto No. 5

Yungang Grottoes has three areas: the east, west, and middle part. In the east are Grottoes No. 1 and 2. Sculptures on this side have sustained minor damages due to different weather conditions it has endured during its lifetime. In the west are grottoes that include one of the TanYao’s earliest caves. Here, rests the statue of Sakyamuni, a figure similar to Buddha sculptures complete with a smiling face and big body. The artforms in the western portion are more intricate, a mastery in sculpting. The middle grotto part is considered to have highest value for it was made earlier than the two other sections. Here, Buddhist carvings are predominantly displayed.

Yungang Grottoes was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. It is located in Shanxi Province, Datong City, Western Suburbs, south of Wu Zhou Mountain.

Sidon viewed from Sea Castle
Photo by: upyernoz, Creative Commons

Sidon is Lebanon’s third largest city located about 48 kilometers from the Beirut. The word Sidon means fishery. The city has a population of 200,000 and the people here are mainly Greek Catholic, Maronite, and Muslim Sunni and Shiite.

The city was has a history that dates back to 4000 BC and was an important Phoenician city at the time. Glass manufacturing was the main occupation of the Phoenician era. During the Roman era, a number of monuments and theatres were built. At the time of the Byzantine period a massive earthquake hit the town in 551 AD and the majority of the constructions were destroyed leaving the town in ruins.

The major ruins are:

The Sea Castle
The Sea Castle is a fort built in the 13th century. Located on a small island, it offers a great view of the city. The castle consists of two chambers, among them the west tower which is the best preserved tower.

The Souks (Market)
It is located in the middle of St. Louis Castle and Sea Castle. It extends to the old town and the massive fishing markets are one of the main attractions here.

Khan El Franj
It was built in the 17th century for accommodating goods and merchants. It features a massive courtyard and a central fountain bounded by a number of galleries.

The Great Mosque
The Great Mosque was built in the 13th century and previously it was the Church of St. John.

The Castle of St. Louis
It is situated to the south of Old Souks and it was built in the 13th century on the site of ruined fort.

Eshmun Temple
The Eshmun Temple was constructed in the 7th century and it was devoted to the Phoenician God.

Debbane Palace
This palace was built in the year 1721 AD in Arab-Ottoman architecture. In the present day, it is a major tourist attraction, and will soon be converted to Sidon’s History Museum.

In the year 2000, the Asian Football Confederation’s Cup was held in Sidon.

Gobi Desert “transport”
Photo by: Honza Soukup, Creative Commons

The Gobi Desert is Asia’s largest desert area and it also covers some parts of Southern Mongolia and northwestern China. The desert areas here are surrounded by Altai Mountains to the north, North China Plain on the south east and Hexi corridor to the southwest.

The Gobi Desert is the world’s fifth largest desert and it is a combination of different geographic regions. The Gobi Desert covers an area of about 1,295,000 square kilometers and the major part of the desert is covered with bare rock. The desert has an elevation of 1520 meters above the sea level.

The Gobi Desert is famous for the explorations the first traveler to explore this desert was Jean-Francois Gerbillon in the year 1688. Most Nomads and early europeans explored the major areas which include

The Eastern Gobi Desert Steppe
It is the easternmost eco region that covers an area of about 281,800 square kilometers. It features the Yin Mountains and a number of low lying areas that includes ponds and salt pans.

The Alashan Plateau Semi-Desert
It lies to the southeast of the eastern Gobi Desert. It features low lying mountains and desert basins.

The Gobi Lakes Valley Desert Steppe
It lies to the north of Alashan Plateau and in between the Khangai mountains on the north.

The Tian Shan Range
It divides the Junggar Basin from Taklamakan Desert. The area here is low and it is bounded by high mountains.

Ruins at Nan Madol
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Nan Madol is in Pohnpei Island, a member of the Federated States of Micronesia. It is a ruined city and it also served as the capital city for the Saudeleur Dynasty. The city is also called as “Venice of the Pacific” and it is also a chain of artificial islands with a group of canals.

Nan Madol has a population of about 1000 and it is a special place for the mortuary activities performed by priests. The mortuary block features 58 islands located to the northeast of Nan Madol. A major part of the islands are occupied by the priests and some islands are used for preparing food and oil.

The city is bounded with high walls that measures 7.6 meters high, in addition there are a number of tombs located in the city belonging to the 15th century. The city has no fresh water and food source and one must go to the other island to gather food and water.

Nan Madol features an archaeological site that includes the ruins of stone architecture on the Coast of Temwen Island. The site measures 18 square kilometers and the early constructions dates here to 200 BC. These ruins were also named as Micronesia’s National Historic Landmark in the year 1985.

Road to Chinguetti through Mauritanian Sahara
Photo by: John Spooner, Creative Commons

Chinguetti is a medieval trading centre located to the north of Mauritania. It was established in the 13th century as a trans-Saharan trade route. The city is well known for its scenic beauty, stunning architecture and ancient libraries. A major part of the city is abandoned as the sand from the desert invade the city.

The buildings and houses in the city are built of mud bricks and dry reddish stone. Most of the houses feature hand made doors that are taken from the acacia trees. Also these houses feature a courtyard and narrow streets that leads to the nearby central mosque.

The Chinguetti city was founded around 777, and in the 11th century it was the major trading route for the Berber tribes. The city prospered at the time of the Almoravids, who ruled here between 1040 and 1147. During this time a number of buildings were constructed that can be seen to the present day. The city was was deserted for two centuries, but in the 13th century the city once again prospered, a fort was constructed and it became a major trading center.

The Chinguetti city is also the main place for the pilgrims visiting Mecca. It is one of the major religious sites; in addition it is Islam’s seventh holiest city. The city features a number of historical and religious ruins which can be seen to the present days. For its historical and religious importance Chinguetti city was also included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The major sites in the city are

The Friday Mosque
The Friday Mosque was built in between 13th and 14th centuries. The minaret in the mosque is also the second oldest minaret in the Muslim world. This mosque is also considered as the national emblem of the Mauritania Islamic Republic.

French Foreign Legion Fortress
This fort was built in the 19th century for the foreign nationals who served jointly with the French Armed Forces.

Steps to Maldives
Photo by: Chi King, Creative Commons

Tourism is the major industry of the Maldives Islands. Tourism plays a key role for the countries service sector as well as creating a wide range of employment here. Maldives features sandy beaches with clear waters and a number of hotels and resorts are located nearby. The beaches feature outstanding natural scenery with clear waters, in addition Maldives is also ranked as the worlds best recreational diving destination.

Every year Maldives attracts people worldwide and provides the best services. The tourism in the Maldives began in the 1960s as a part of United Nations mission. The first resort was built here in the year 1972 and the fist tourist group arrived here was in the same year.

At the beginning there were two resorts with 280 beds. In the present day, there are about 80 resorts and every year Maldives is being visited by 600,000 tourists.

The natural beauty in the Maldives is the major attractions that include the white beaches with clear waters. The underwater scenery is a highlight and the beaches are the best spots for water sports such as snorkeling, windsurfing, scuba diving, water-skiing, fishing and swimming.

Maldives features one of the best hotels in the world and unique resorts. In addition Maldives, feature coffee shops, restaurants, driving schools, pubs and bars. Most of the resorts display local artifacts and promote other activities such as table tennis, volley ball and aerobics.

Fishing in Lake Malawi
Photo by: SarahDepper, Creative Commons

The Lake Malawi is situated in the East African Rift Valley. It is the world’s eighth largest lake and Africa’s third largest and deepest. The lake features fresh water inhabited by a good number of fish species compared to other lakes in the world.

The Lake Malawi covers an area of about 29,600 square kilometers and it measures 580 kilometers long with 75 kilometers wide. The lake also shares its borders with Southern Tanzania, Eastern Malawi and Western Mozambique. Lake Malawi is 350 km from the Lake Tanganyika.

Malawi features the largest part of the lake, where a quarter part of the lake is situated in Mozambique bounded by the Chizumulu and Likoma Islands. There are a number of disputes about the lakes name where the common name is Lake Malawi and in the international maps the Lake Malawi is mentioned as “Lake Nyasa”.

The Lake Malawi features immense wildlife that includes monkeys, hippopotamuses, crocodiles and large population of African Fish Eagles that feed on the fishes here. Lake Malawi is also well known for its cichlids that are famous in the fish trade. In addition it is also famous for its unique snails that causes bilharzia, a parasitic disease.

Also there are certain holiday spots close to the lake. The major attractions here are swimming, scuba diving, boat rides and the local food.

Lake Ohrid, Macedonia
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Ohrid city is located east of Lake Ohrid, in Macedonia. Ohrid is Macedonia’s seventh largest city and features about 365 churches. Ohrid is considered as the Macedonian Jerusalem.

The city covers an area of about 143 square kilometers and the population here is about 42,000. Ohrid is a major tourist destination whose landscape is dominated by attractive monuments and houses. The city along with Lake Ohrid was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1980.

According to the archaeological surveys, Ohrid is one of Europe’s oldest human settlements. Lake Ohrid was first mentioned from 353 BC in Greek documents. Ohrid, the city, was first called as “the city of light” and was renamed as Ohrid in the year 879. The city prospered during the Byzantine period that a number of churches were built that can still be seen to the present day. The major structures of the city are:

St. Sophia Church
Built in the year 1035 by Lav the archbishop, the terrace of the church was converted into a mosque. The church features an open gallery and a number of paintings belonging to the 11th century. There are several altars on display with scenes from the Old Testament.

St. Bogorodica Perivlepta
This church was built in the year 1295 and it was devoted to the Virgin Mary. The church features a number of paintings and the most important painting here is the “Lamentation of Christ” that shows various emotions such as Mary about to faint and being handled by another woman, women pulling their hair and crying angels.

St. John Kaneo Church
This church was built close to the Lake Ohrid in the 10th century. In the 13th century the church was expanded and a bell tower was added.

King Samoil Fortress
This fortress was built in the 4th century BC by the Emperor Philip II of Macedon. The courtyard features ancient graves and ruins of a cistern and a round tower.

Antique Theatre
Build in the Roman period, it is the only ancient monument in the city that still stands.

Icon Gallery
The Icon Gallery features Macedonia’s art collection and ranks second to Moscow in Icon collection.

Lake Khovsgol – Mongolia
Photo by: Zoharby, Creative Commons

The Lake Khovsgol is to the northwest of Mongolia and shares its borders with Russia. It is Mongolia’s second largest lake and it is located 1645 meters above the sea level and it measures about 136 km long.

The lake features about 70% of fresh water and it is also Asia’s second largest freshwater lake. The lake combines with Egiin Gol River in the south that links with Lake Baikal and Selenge River. At this place the water travels about 1000 meters and it is about 1169 meters above the sea level.

The lake is bounded by mountains, among them is the Burenkhaan Mountain that measures 3492 meters high. Winters are very cold and as a result the lake freezes. At this time ice covers the lake and become very solid that it serves as shortcuts for the heavy vehicles. In the present day this route is closed during the winters in order to save the lake from pollution such as oil leaks from the vehicles.

The water here is in blue color and it is said that the Lake Khovsgol is very old. It is the major water source for Mongolia because of its freshwater and the wide variety of fish seen in the lake. The lake area also features a national park which is home to wildlife such as wolverine, brown bear, musk deer, sable, Siberian moose, wolf, elk and ibex.

1996 Monaco Grand Prix warm-up laps
Photo by: Arrr!, Creative Commons

The Grand Prix of Monaco is a world famous Formula One race held at the Circuit de Monaco every year. The first race was held in 1929, the Grand Prix has become one of the most celebrated motorsport races much like the 24 Hours of Le Mans Race and the Indianapolis 500.

The race is conducted in the Monaco streets that feature a tunnel and tight corners. It is one of the major race tracks and a dangerous place for racing. The first race was won by William Grover-Williams in the year 1929. In the 1960s Graham Hill recorded five Monaco wins. The highest number of wins here was Ayrton Senna from Brazil who recorded six victories in between the years 1989-1993.

The Circuit de Monaco features the streets of La Condamine and Monte Carlo. The circuit features tight corners, tunnels and also two drivers had crashed into the harbor which is located close to the circuit. Every year the Monaco Grand Prix is organized by Automobile Club de Monaco. It also differs from other races where the practice session is held here on Thursday whereas the practice sessions for the other races are held on Fridays. In addition the race starts at 3:30 pm whereas the European races starts at 3:00 pm.

The race circuit is erected six months before the start of the race. At the end of the race, because of the absence of a stage a portion of the track is cordoned off. The first three drivers leave their cars and proceed the royal box while their cars are inspected. At this place the podium, the ceremony is conducted which allows for the people a closer proximity to the winner compared to the other races.

Graham Hill from Britain was victorious here for five times and in the 1960’s he was also called “Mr. Monaco” and “King of Monaco”. Michael Schumacher recorded five victories, the current winner is Jenson Button who drove a Brawn-Mercedes car. Team McLaren recorded highest number of victories with 15 starting from 1984 and the last victory was in 2008.

Nam Khan River at Luang Prabang
Photo by: Allie Caulfield, Creative Commons

Luang Prabang is located to the north of Central Laos on the banks of Mekong River. It is the capital city of Louangphrabang province with a population of about 106,374. Luang Prabang also serves as the capital city for the Kingdom of Laos till the time of communist takeover in the year 1975.

The city was founded in the year 698 AD by Khun Lo. He established an empire here which lasted with 15 rulers. It it is one of the major tourist spots in the world. It is a peaceful city and Buddhism here is seen in every aspect of life.

The places to be seen here are:

Haw Kham
A former royal palace, it is being converted into a theatre and a number of dance shows and local dramas entertain the people here.

Phou Si
A massive hill that offers stunning views of the city, experiencing sunrise and sunset is a highlight of any visit here.

Kaung Si Falls
The Kaung Si Falls are located about 29 km from the Luang Prabang city. It features a multi-stage waterfall and it can be easily reached by boat.

The Alms ceremony
At this ceremony the monks gather rice from the villagers and distribute food items to the locals and tourists. In addition everyone can take part in the festival and can distribute food items to the people on the ceremony.

Night Market
The night market features a number of shops along the streets. These shops sell the Lao crafts and local food at nearby shops is one of the highlights here.

Pak Ou Caves
These Buddhist caves are located to the north of Luang Prabang city and it can be easily accessed by a one hour boat ride.

Chateau de Chillon from above
Photo by: Bolla Ugo Creative Commons

The Chateau de Chillon or Chillon Castle can be found on the eastern fringe of Lake Geneva in Montreux, Switzerland. Chateau de Chillon is an enourmous castle consisting of 100 independent buildings linked together.

The construction date of the castle are not known, but the first recorded entry dates back to either 1005 or 1160. In the 12th century the castle served as the home to the Counts of Savoy, and in the 13th century, the Chateau was further expanded by Pietro II.

The castle was made famous by the 19th century poet Lord Byron in his much acclaimed poem, The Prisoner of Chillon.

Chillon Castle is a major attraction along Lake Geneva. It features a museum, which is open to the public, the museum houses a collection of historical objects safeguarded through the years.