St Andrews Golf Course
Photo by: Cactus.man, Creative Commons

Scotland is the birthplace of golf. For most golf players and enthusiasts, visiting the St. Andrews Golf Course in Fife, Scotland is a lifelong dream come true. Here is where the game of golf initially developed. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club was founded here, in year 1754. Up to now, it continues to oversee the administration of the game all over the world except in the United States and Mexico. The golf course frequently hosts the British Open, a major golf championship watched by people around the world.
St. Andrews have five 18 hole golf courses: the Old Course, the New Course, Eden, Jubilee, Strathtyrum and the 9-hole Balgove. Recently, a new Dukes course has been developed for the general public use.

Huge fans of golf should know about the ‘Old Course at St. Andrews’, the oldest golf courses in the world, dating back to year 1552. The Old Course is of public use over common land where any golfer is allowed to play. The golf courses are natural and wild, with deep bunkers and plant growth here and there. Its untamed terrain will test your golfing skills, for you have to try your hardest to stay out of bunkers. Despite this, many golf players and enthusiasts from around the world flock just to play in this world renowned course.

A small scale golf course called the ‘Himalayas’ is something golfers ought to try, as well. This golf course was originally developed for women since they weren’t permitted to play full courses before. It’s fun and offers a lot of challenge, so your whole family can enjoy a good, enjoyable game of golf.

Because the golf courses are the most desired golf courses of the world, visitors have to make their reservations in advance, even at least one year before their target visit.

View of St Moritz
Photo by: Solveig, Creative Commons

The Edinburgh Castle is visited by about one million people every year, making it the second most visited historical monument, taking its place after the Tower of London. For those who are taking a vacation to United Kingdom anytime soon, the Edinburgh Castle is a must see.

Perched on a now extinct volcano, the Edinburgh Castle is a powerful symbol of Scotland’s power and influence over the ages. Edinburgh is an ancient fortress located on top of the Royal Mile, west end of Old Town, Edinburgh. Human habitation of the place has been said to have been there since 9th century BC, although records of a royal castle is said to have been constructed by 1300s during the reign of David I.

The Edinburgh Castle was used as a place to house the royalties, as a military base, and now as a most visited tourist attraction of Scotland. Inside, there is so much to see and do. It has an interesting collection of weapons and artillery. There are plenty of rooms worth visiting for their historical importance. There is a tiny room in the Royal apartments wherein Mary the Queen of Scots gave birth to King James VI. There is also the famed Crown Room, wherein Scotland’s treasures like the Crown, Scepter, and Sword of State are being housed.

The Edinburgh Castle is also home to the famous One O’clock Gun. From Mondays to Saturdays, this gun is fired at exactly one o’clock in the afternoon. Make sure to cover your ears when you’re in Edinburgh Castle at this time! The castle also has the infamous “Witches’ well”. This place, as the name suggests, is famous for it was where women accused of witchcraft are put to death at the stake. The Edinburgh Castle also boasts a wonderful panoramic view of the city, too.

Front Entrance of the Holyrood Palace
Photo by: Matanya, Creative Commons

The Holyrood Palace is currently the official residence of the Monarch of the United Kingdom. It is located at the bottom of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, on the opposite end of the Edinburgh Castle. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Scotland, having more than 8,000 visitors every year.

Since the 15th century, it became the principal residence of the King and Queen of Scots. However, the Holyrood Palace has had a long history. It was built in 1128 by David I, the King of Scots, initially as a monastery. However, the Holyrood Palace is best known because of its close association with Queen Mary, the Queen of Scots. This is where all the dramatic action is during her reign.

What is there to see at Holyrood Palace? You can visit the Royal Apartments, where the successive monarchs spent most of their time. You can see the monarchs’ varying and changing tastes in design, and admire the decorated ceilings, splendid furnishings and their fine set of amazing Brussels tapestries. One room you wouldn’t want to miss is the Great Gallery, where you can see portraits of the monarchs of Scotland, all by Jacob de Wat.

You may also visit the Palace gardens, depending on the time of the year. Today, the gardens are usually used for garden parties. You are allowed to visit the gardens as long as you walk on the paths, and these paths extend to around 400 yards long.

A must try if you go to the Holyrood Palace is the Exclusive Evening Tour. You will be accompanied by an expert guide so that you can learn and explore the rich history and interiors of Holyrood Palace once the doors have closed to the public. These tours costs £30.00 and every penny is well worth it!

View of Stromness located on the Orkney Islands
Photo by: John, Creative Commons

The Orkney Islands is an archipelago located in northern Scotland, comprised of over 70 islands, of which only 16 are inhabited. The Orkney Islands can be divided into three regions: North Isles, Mainland, and South Isles. It is a fairly ancient human settlement: it has been inhabited for around 5,500 years, by Neolithic tribes. Now, the Orkney Islands hold one of the oldest and best conserved Neolithic sites in the world. The Orkney Islands is covered with ancient monuments! The Orkney Islands’ history and heritage are literally everywhere. They have Viking ruins, brochs, tombstones and cemeteries as old as 2,000 years old. It has medieval churches and magnificent Renaissance castles. The Heart of Neolithic Orkney is now an assigned UNESCO World Heritage site.

Apart from being a historical and heritage site, the Orkney Islands is the perfect place to travelers who crave for peace, relaxation and serenity. Your family can enjoy many various water sports and activities such as scuba diving and boating in the area. Fishing is a major industry and a great hobby to do while you are here in the islands. The waters are teeming with fish, and they have the best fishing spots in the world.

There is so much you can do in the islands explore, take a hike, and have a look around! However, when visiting the Orkney Islands, it is important to know the laws. Some islands forbid entry to tourists and people, so be careful not to break any rules!

How do you get to Orkney Islands? Transportation means are only by air and by sea. You can fly from the Scottish Highlands, and arrive to their only airport, the Kirkwall Airport. The primary airplane that takes you to the Orkney Islands is Loganair. You can also take a ferry that link Orkney to the rest of Scotland.

View of Loch Ness Lake
Photo by: ForsterFoto, Creative Commons

Loch Ness is purportedly the most famous lake in the world and one of the most visited locations in Scotland. The Loch Ness is a large, deep lake found in Scotland about 23 miles wide and 52 feet above sea level. The Loch Ness is allegedly the home of the famous Loch Ness Monster. The legendary animal is said to be 40 to 50 meters tall with a long, snake-like neck. Its first sightings date back to 565 AD and the sightings became more frequent during the 18th century. Numerous sightings and pictures have appeared to prove the existence of this monster, but all these supposed evidence are still inconclusive. If you love busting or proving myths and legends, go monster hunting and try spotting the Loch Ness Monster with the whole family!

Another interesting feature you can find here in the Loch Ness is the only known island around it, dubbed as Cherry Island. What makes this island peculiar is that it is a ‘crannog’, or man made islands built during the Iron Age. This can only be accessible through a canoe. These crannogs are a-plenty in Ireland and Scotland.

Aside from sight-seeing and monster hunting, there is so much to do here at Loch Ness. You can take short walks along paths to the ‘Trail of the Seven Lochs’. This trail is an amazing place for hiking, stretching about 50 miles of pathways with spectacular views. Aside from hiking you can also do varied activities: golfing, fishing, horseback riding, and more fun activities for the whole family. For those who are not big fans of the outdoors, there are many activities you can do indoors such as visiting the Loch Ness Centre, the Exhibition Experience and Caledonian Canal Visitor Center.

You can get to Loch Ness by bus and through the Inverness railway station.

View of Bjorkskar one of many Islands of Stockholm Archipelago

Photo by: E94flu, Creative Commons

The Stockholm Archipelago is Sweden’s largest archipelago and one of the largest in the Baltic Sea. In the past, the archipelago’s tiny population consisted mostly of fishermen. As it has morphed into a popular holiday destination at present, the Stockholm Archipelago Foundation was founded to spearhead efforts in preserving the environment and culture of the archipelago.

The archipelago consists of around 30,000 islands and islets. Whether be it summer or winter, masses of visitors take the boats and ferries to explore or just sail around.

The following are the islands and destinations most popular with the archipelago’s visitors:

Sandhamn

Located in the outer area of the archipelago, Sandhamn popular among sailors and yachting enthusiasts. The Royal Swedish Yacht Club is here as well as inns, hotels, restaurants and bars. During the summer, Sandhamn has a bustling party scene. Those who are peaceful and nature-inclined may visit during the off-season.

Vaxholm

Accessible all year by boat or bus, this town boasts of well-preserved wooden houses from the late 19th century. One can explore the town or just hang around at the Vaxholm Hotel or the town’s restaurants and cafes.

Fejan

This island used to be a quarantine station in the 1800s during the height of the cholera epidemic in Europe. Today, it is a popular stop for kayakers and rowboat enthusiasts. It is best visited during the summer.

Finnhamn

Lying near the outer part of the archipelago, this wooded island is perfect for hiking and swimming. One can stay here for a few days and just explore the island. Accomodations range from campgrounds to a tavern and hostel. Cafes and bike and boat rentals are available.

Nåttarö

The archipelago’s largest sand beach is in Nåttarö. One of the best places to swim in the entire archipelago, the island also provides for those who want to go biking and boating. Rentals are available in the vacation village.

Wherever one plans to go, it is recommended to depart from central Stockholm and ride the classic white ferries, where some are still in operation from the 19th and 20th centuries, for a truly magical experience.

View of Kalmar Castle
Photo by: Fastson, Creative Commons

Kalmar Castle is a legendary Swedish landmark whose history can be traced to as far as 800 years. It was originally built as protection against pirates and other enemies coming in from the sea. Tagged as “The Key to the Kingdom”, the castle played an essential part in Nordic politics. In 1397, it was the site of the signing of the Union of Kalmar wherein Sweden, Denmark, and Norway were united under one crown. In the 16th century, the fortress was transformed into a Renaissance Palace under the direction of the Wasa Kings Erik XIV and Johan III. Today, it stands as one of the best preserved renaissance castles in Europe. A visit to Kalmar is not complete without stopping by the castle.

For all those architecture buffs that are into castles, Kalmar Castle will not disappoint. The castle’s dungeon, secret passages, pepper pots, turrets, moat and drawbridge will surely transport one’s imagination to the times of knights and Vikings. Ancient warfare aficionados can reenact battles within and outside the walls, while those of a more romantic bent can imagine the daily life of past queens and princesses.

To complete the time travel experience, the castle regularly hosts dinners reminiscent of the 16th century. Authentic Renaissance style dishes are served. The plates and cutlery used are replicas of archeological finds originating from the said era. During the dinner, the matron of the house will guide participants throughout the meal on the time’s etiquette and customs and other historical information. This dinner is highly recommended as it satisfies both one’s curiosity and stomach. Kalmar Castle is also a very popular venue for weddings and wedding parties.

The well-preserved old world charm extends outside the Kalmar Castle into the city center. Cobblestone streets, stone buildings and ramparts are all over making walking or cycling around a very pleasant historical experience.

View of Gamla Stan

Photo by: Wigulf, Creative Commons

For those who fancy living in a museum, Gamla Stan in Stockholm, Sweden is the place to go to. Dating back to the 13th century, this is where Stockholm was founded. Literally meaning “The Old City”, Gamla Stan primarily consists of the island of Stadsholmen. Aside from being one of the largest, it also holds the distinction of being the best-preserved medieval city center in Europe.

Everywhere you turn, there are medieval alleyways, cobbled streets, and archaic architecture of North German influence. Majority of the buildings date back from the 17th and 18th centuries. At present, 3000 people live and work in this Old City.

In order to soak in the atmosphere of the place, it is best to just walk around and see what there is to discover. Walking through the cobblestone paths, you will chance upon wonderful restaurants, cafes, bars, studios, museums, churches, and shops. In the summer, you’d feel like you’re walking around in a giant museum. During the snowy winter, it transforms into some kind of fairy tale movie set.

Highlights of touring the old city that you shouldn’t miss are the Stockholm Cathedral, the Nobel Museum, and the Royal Castle and its museum. Other medieval churches of note are the Tyska Kyrkan (“the German church”) and the Riddarholmen Church. The latter is a royal burial church, originally built as a Franciscan monastery in the thirteenth century.

If you want to soak in more information and artifacts, other museums to visit are the Cornelis Vreeswijkmuseet, The Royal Mint agency, Livrustkammaren, Nobelmuseet, Postmuseum, and Stockholms Medeltidsmuseum. Exhibitions range from the lives of Swedish royalty thru the ages to world history as seen through the lives of Nobel Prize winners.

After all that walking and exploring, it is best to just hang out in Stor Torget (“the big square”), sitting in one of the outdoor cafes and sipping a cup of coffee.

Front View of Drottningholm Palace
Photo by: Kolossus, Creative Commons

The Royal Family of Sweden’s permanent residence, Drottningholm Palace, is one of the country’s top tourist destinations. Built in the late 16th century by Nicodemus Tessin, it is the most well preserved royal castle in Sweden today. Aside from this distinction, its architectural style is representative of European architecture for that period. Due to this, UNESCO added Drottningholm Palace to its prestigious World Heritage list.

Visitors flock to the palace for three things: the exotic Chinese Pavilion, the magnificent palace theatre, and the majestic palace gardens.

The Chinese Pavilion was a gift from King Adolf Fredrik to Queen Lovisa Ulrika on her birthday in 1753. It was a truly grand gesture as chinoiserie, especially lacquer work, was in demand among Europe’s elite and wealthy at that time. The old machine house by the pavilion has been converted into Evert Lundquist’s Studio and museum. Here you can view oil paintings, charcoal drawings and dry-point engravings of Evert Lundquist. Also in the studio are art works of his wife Ebba Routercrona and sons Manne and Hymme. Also called the Chinese Pleasure Palace, the pavilion is open from May to September.

The Drottningholm Palace Theatre remains the same as it was when completed in 1766. Still in active use, it is best visited in the summer when its popular opera festivals are being held.

The baroque garden is the oldest in the palace grounds. Situated right by the palace, it was inspired by the palace gardens of France. North of the baroque garden is the English garden. It has two ponds with canals, islets connected by bridges, and copies of ancient statues scattered along the winding walkways. Lastly, the Chinese Pavilion is itself surrounded by a garden highlighted by a mix of Swedish trees.

Eilean Donan Castle
Photo by: Eilandolan, Creative Commons

The Eilean Donan Castle is the romantic icon of Scotland and one of the most recognizable castles in the country. Because of its dreamy, beautiful and picturesque façade, the Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most photographed castles and is a popular venue for wedding shoots and film locations. It has been featured in many movies such as Highlander, Lochness, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, Elizabeth: The Golden Age and Made of Honor. Most of you are probably familiar just by seeing the silhouette of it.

The Eilean Donan Castle is said to have been named after Irish saint Bishop Donan, who came to Scotland around late 500 AD. Bishop Donan is said to have formed a small community in the area when he came into the island. Currently, there are several churches and chapels named after the saint around the island.

The Eilean Donan Castle has quite a story to tell. It had a long history, and it was initially built in the 1200s as a defense against the notorious Vikings. Afterwards, the castle housed the Mackenzies of Kintail (later called the Earls of Seaforth). In the 18th century, the castle was occupied by Spanish troops, only to be recaptured by the Royal Navy frigates. The castle is currently home to the Highland Scottish clan, the Macrae family.

This beautiful castle was able to withstand centuries of a long, tumultuous history. The castle is a product of incredible devotion and determination to the people who tried their best to protect it.

The Eilean Donan castle is open everyday from March 17 to November 17. It is open from 10 AM until 6 PM. Admission charges apply, which you can buy in the visitor center. Admission tickets are collected at the gate before the bridge. You can get meals and accommodations from the nearby village of Dornie.

View of Inverness, capital of the Highlands
Photo by: Josi, Creative Commons

The Scottish Highlands include the rugged and mountainous areas of Scotland. It is sparsely populated, and is home to a quarter of a million inhabitants spread throughout the area. The Scottish Highlands is an interesting place to visit because of its big cultural difference from other cultures. In fact, they are very different from their brothers of the Scottish Lowlands! The inhabitants in the Highlands are culturally distinct because of their long history, strong cultural legacy, and their Gaelic language.

Here are some of the top places you should visit while in the Scottish Highlands:
• The Loch Ness
The Loch Ness is among the most popular and most visited site thanks to its mythical dweller, the Loch Ness Monster. Here, thousands of people hope to spot the beloved Nessie.
The Loch Ness also have the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre where you can learn more about the monster and look at their handsome display of Loch Ness photos.
• Inverness
Inverness is the capital of the Scottish Highlands. Here, you can shop, watch a movie, or enjoy their shows and events. The Inverness also has the 14th century Cawdor Castle (where according to urban myth, a ghost in a blue velvet dress dwells) and the Tomatin Whiskey Distillery. You can take a dip at the beach at Narin, or maybe even do dolphin watching.
• Red Squirrels
These small, red squirrels are now on the brink of extinction. These red squirrels can be seen in the Highlands, particularly at Carrbridge’s Landmark Forest Theme Park. The theme park offers fun water rides and trails, perfect for the whole family.

• Ptarmigan

Ptarmigan is Great Britain’s highest elevated restaurant, rising around 3,600 feet above sea level. It is located at Cairngorm Mountain. To go here, you can travel by road from Aviemore, which is about 9 miles away.

Shetland Crofthouse Museum
Photo by: Dbachmann, Creative Commons

The moment you arrive at the Shetland Islands, you will feel as if you are in a different and archaic world. Every year, more and more visitors come to the Shetland Islands enchanted, because of the islands’ rugged beauty, rich colors, and breathtaking natural scenery.

The Shetland Islands is located northeast the coast off Scotland. Though the islands are part of Scotland, they seems alien to Scotland. Gaelic is not spoken in the islands, and they are never part of Scotland’s ‘tartan culture’. The islands are more influenced by the Viking culture, in fact. The Vikings have come to the islands one thousand years ago, but you can still see its strong influence towards the islanders in aspects of their culture and way of living.

The islands are inhabited by a mere 22,000 people and boast an impressive abundant wildlife, stunning coastline and dozens of ancient sites. The islands have been inhabited by people for more than 5,000 years and evidences of Neolithic settlement through the Bronze age and Iron age are found all over the Shetland Islands. They can be viewed in the islands’ many small museums and centres.

The Shetland Islands have one of the best and ideal waters for fishing, sailing, canoeing, sea angling, and diving. Every summer, thousands of visitors come from different parts of the world to the main port of Lerwick just to enjoy the islands’ waters. The islands have excellent sports and leisure complexes for the sports lovers and daredevils alike, where one can undertake bowling, golfing, cycling, climbing and pony trekking. If you love nature and trekking, you will love the Shetland Islands.

Visitors can reach the Shetland Islands by taking the ferry, or taking the plane, which they can take from Scotland, Ireland, Denmark and Faroe. Oh, and while you’re there, why not taste the world renowned Shetland Whisky?

The Lakshadweep Islands are located in the union territory of India, which is 200 to 300 km from the Kerala coast. Lakshadweep Islands is also known as the ‘Collection of Islands’.

Lakshadweep Islands contains 10 or more Islands where each island has different cultures and traditions. Coconuts are mainly cultivated in these islands and these coconuts are regarded as the world’s best.

People at Lakshadweep Islands used to be Hindus. In the 14th century, people at Lakshadweep Islands were changed to Islam. Ubaidullah, an Arab saint was the person who brought Islam to Lakshadweep Islands. Recent studies have proved the existence of Buddhism in the period 6th to 7th century.

Bitra Island

Bitra Island is one of the largest islands among Lakshadweep Islands. A shrine is located on the island which is devoted to Malik Mulla (an Arab saint). The burial of Malik Mulla was took place on Bitra Island. In the present day, the shrine is a great pilgrimage place.

Kiltan Island

The Kiltan Island is the smallest among the Lakshadweep Islands. The circumference of the Island is about 3 km. Kiltan Island serves as a sea route between Sri Lanka and the Persian Gulf.

Kadmat Island

The Kadmat Island is of 8 km length. The water bodies which are shallow in depth are an attraction here and a great spot to the water sports. The resort rooms display the scenic beauty of the Island and dolphins play during the sunrise.

Amini Island

The Amini Island is the first Island to be discovered among the other Lakshadweep Islands. The shape of the Amini Island is oval and the Amini Island is known to be the safest Island which has a depth of only 10 meters. Walking sticks made with tortoise and coconut shells is a special attraction here.

Kavaratti Islands

A major tourist destination spot, the water bodies are very shallow compared to the other islands. This island is the most favorable place for water sports. The main attraction of the Island is the aquarium, which displays a wide variety of aquatic life.

Kalpeni Island

Kalpeni Island has a great scenic beauty. The tides at Kalpeni Island are very low at some seasons, so that one can walk to the Cheriyam Island from the rock structures to the Kalpeni Island. The only accommodation in this Island is the Koomel Beach Resort, consuming alcohol is prohibited in the Island.

Traveling to Lakshadweep Islands:

By water: Traveling by water is a remarkable journey, the islands are operated by several passenger ships starting from Kochi and Calicut.

By Air: – Agatti is the only island which has an airport among all the islands. There are frequent flight services from Kochi city.t

Temple at Khajuraho
Photo by: Paul Mannix, Creative Commons

Khajuraho is a small village, which is located in the Madhya Pradesh state of India. Khajuraho is one of India’s most famous tourist destination spot and UNESCO listed the monuments of Khajuraho as a World Heritage Site. A large number of Jain and Hindu temples belonging to the medieval age are seen at Khajuraho. The temples here are famous for the sexual structures of couples, which are displayed in the temple.

Architecture

The Khajuraho temples are built in curved structures influenced by the north Indian style with a hint of Panchayatana (five methods) style. The major number of temples in Khajuraho is devoted to Jain idols and some are devoted to Hindu gods. The outside structure of the temple displays a large number of statues of couples making love.

The statues at Khajuraho

The temples inside does not contain any sexual structures close to the idol. The love making couple of structures can be seen only on the walls outside. The statues are not displayed inside the temple, because a person should leave their sexual thoughts outside.

Attractions

The architecture on the temple buildings of the Hindu idols in different positions is a highlight here. In addition, there is a show organized in the open area of the temple, which describes the architecture and history of the temple. The show is displayed twice, the first show in English and the second show in Hindi.

Traveling to Khajuraho:

By air

The Khajuraho airport is situated 5 km away from the Khajuraho city. Air India operates its services from Varanasi, Mumbai and Delhi. Jet Airways operate its services from Varanasi and Delhi. Kingfisher airways operate its services from Varanasi.

By train

Khajuraho, being a famous tourist destination is well connected with trains from all the major cities of India.

By bus

A frequent bus service is available between Jhansi and Satna cities connecting to Khajuraho, which takes about 5 to 6 hours journey. In addition, several other bus services are available from Jhansi, Harpalpur, Varanasi Agra, Gwalior, Allahabad, Bhopal, Indore Jabalpur, Satna and Mahoba.

The local transport is very easy where bikes are available on rent and Autos-Rickshaws are available in plenty which charges about 20Rs.

Peaceful Afternoon on the Kerala Backwaters
Photo by: Thursday Next, Creative Commons

Kerala Backwaters is situated in the state of Kerala, India. Kerala is a great tourist destination spot and the “National Geographic Society” listed Kerala among the “lifetime 50 destinations”.

Kerala Backwaters includes a wide variety of marine life, mostly mudskippers, crabs, and several other water birds like Kingfishers, Cormorants, and Darters. The highlight at the Backwaters is the palm trees which are grown at the side of the Backwaters. Kerala is rich in tourism, which includes a number of boathouses on the backwaters, resorts and mainly the Ayurvedic treatment which is a famous ancient health care treatment. In addition, there is a Christian chapel in between the Back waters surrounded by boathouses.

Kerala Backwaters is known to be a group of 38 rivers and canals which are naturally made. These backwaters are about 900 km and lie similar to the Arabian Sea .The Kerala Backwaters are similar to Bayou (a lake in America). The water here is pure saline and the waters are formed as a result of the wave’s actions and currents in the shore among the rivers. The Backwaters contain stunning landscapes across many cities. These landscapes act as halt places for the Backwater cruises.

Among the Backwater lakes, Vembanad kayal is the biggest lake and also the longest lake in India, which covers about 200 km. The Vembanad Kayal is known to be the network of many canals.

Attractions:

Kollam
The Kollam district is known to be the Backwaters starting point. The Ashtamudi Kayal (a lake in the Kollam district) is known to be the gateway to the Backwaters.

Alappuzha
The Alappuzha is located near to the Kuttanad area, the Backwaters at the Alappuzha has a great scenic beauty, which attracts a large number of tourists. The back waters here are well-known for snake boat races, which is a traditional boat race at this region.

Kasargod
Located in North Kerala, the Kasargod is an incredible destination. The Kasargod is well known for cultivation, gorgeous landscapes and different species of birds on the Backwaters.

Thiruvallam
Located near Thiruvananthapuram (the capital city of Kerala), Thiruvallam is a great tourist destination spot with a gorgeous scenic beauty. Thiruvallam is famous for the water sports and boat clubs.

Highlights
The resorts and the Ayurvedic treatment, the traditional boat races, a wide variety of marine life and birds from different parts of the world are the highlights at Kerala Backwaters.

Traveling
After reaching Thiruvananthapuram, a number of buses are frequently available. Thiruvananthapuram is well connected by all means of transport i.e., by air, road and railways.

People who are interested in scenic photography should visit Kerala Backwaters as it is the place where one can find natural beauty, ancient body treatments and ancient traditions.

Pilgrims circumambulating the Kaaba during the Hajj in Mecca
Photo by: aforero, Creative Commons

Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city and also the main cultural and commercial centers. Zurich is the world’s six most expensive cities, Europe’s wealthiest city and in addition it is also named as “best quality of life” in between the years of 2006-2009. It is also Switzerland’s second most expensive city and Europe’s third most expensive city.

Zurich covers an area of about 92 square kilometers and the population here is about 1.68 million. The city has its history from the 2nd century AD where a tombstone was discovered here at this period. The city is located close to the Lake Zurich on the North West end. The city is bounded by wooden hills such as Zurichberg, Kaferberg, Oettlisberg and Adlisberg.

The places to be seen here are:

Grossmunster Church
It was built in a Romanesque style in the year 820. It is also the burial place of St. Felix and St. Regula.

Fraumunster
This church was built in a Romanesque style in the year 853 by Louis the German. The choir features stained glasses where each of them describe a Christian story.

St. Peters Church
The St. Peters Church is the world’s largest clock face and the church bell belongs to the year 1880.

Museum of Designs Zurich
It houses the collection of handicrafts, architecture, and visual communication.

Swiss National Museum
It is one of Europe’s major museums that house the collections of cultural history.

The other places to be seen are the Botanical Gardens, Sihlcity, Chinese gardens and Sunrise tower. In addition the Street Parade and Sechselauyen, a spring festivals is one of the major attractions here.

View of St Moritz
Photo by: ForsterFoto, Creative Commons

St. Moritz is a major resort town located in Engadine Valley, Switzerland. The highest point here is the Eastern Alpsand, and the Piz Bernina is just a few kilometers from here. The town covers an area of about 178 square kilometers, and the population here is about 5,800.

St. Moritz is a famous and one of world’s oldest winter resorts. Every year there is about 300 days of sunshine here. It is also the place where the “White Turf”, a horse race, is held on the Lake St. Moritz every year and it also attracts the upper class people all over the world.

St. Moritz has also hosted the Winter Olympics in the years 1928 and 1948. The Alpine Skiing World Championships were also held here in the years 1934, 1974 and 2003. It also hosted FIBT Championships about 21 times which is a record.

The glacier scenery is one of the major attractions here. This can be seen by going down from Diavolezza. The Piz Corvatsch measures a height of 3,300 meters high and it consists of a massive ice cave. The major attractions here are Skiing and snowboarding. St. Moritz also features a Segantini Museum that houses the paintings of Giovanni Segantini, a local painter.

Overview of the Lake Palace Hotel
Photo by: mckaysavage, Creative Commons

Lake Palace hotel is situated in Udaipur, in the state of Rajasthan, India. Udaipur city is regarded as “Most romantic city in India” and “Venice of the East”.

The Lake Palace hotel is situated in between Lake Pichola. The hotel comprises an area of about 4 acres. The hotel contains 83 rooms which are made of white marble. The Lake Palace is also known as one of the best hotels in India. A boat operates in between the lake transporting the visitors to the Lake Palace Hotel. In James Bond film “Octopussy” the palace was the main attraction.

History

The Lake Palace was built by Maharana Jagat Singh II (Ruler of the Jaipur City) in the year 1743 to 1746. The palace was initially built as a majestic summer palace, also known as Jan Niwas or Jaginwas after its construction. There is a huge circle in the palace’s upper room which is about 6.4 meters; it is built with white and black marble stones, in addition the palace walls are built with colored stones which are also used in the construction of Taj Mahal (one of the seven wonders in the world).

Attractions

Traveling to the Lake Palace Hotel by boat, and the early morning Sunrise is a special attraction.

Traveling to Lake Palace Hotel

Udaipur being a major tourist destination spot is well connected by air, rail, and road.

By air:

Indian Airlines operates its services from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Jodhpur to Udaipur. Jet Airways operates daily services from Jaipur, Delhi and Mumbai to Udaipur.

By bus:

Buses from all the parts of Rajasthan state are frequently available; in addition bus services from the major cities in India are also available.

By train:

Daily train services are available in between Jaipur and New Delhi. If you are traveling from Mumbai catch the train no-2995 Udaipur-Bandra Express. If you are traveling from Delhi catch the train no-2963 Mewar Express. The trains traveling to Udaipur passes through forest areas and stunning mountains displaying a great scenic beauty.

The Shore Temple
Photo by: Navins, Creative Commons

The Mahabalipuram temples are located in the Mahabalipuram town, in the state of Tamilnadu, India. From Chennai (the capital city of the Tamilnadu State) Mahabalipuram is about 58 km.

The actual name of Mahabalipuram is “Mamallapuram” which was kept in the honor of the King Narasimha Varman I, king of the Pallava Dynasty, who has built the ancient monuments in Mahabalipuram. However, the place became popular as “Mahabalipuram” or the “Bali City”, which means sacrifice.

The Mahabalipuram has the history of about 2,000 years back, where almost forty monuments are inscribed. Mahabalipuram has become a great pilgrimage place since the 1st century attracting a large number of scholars and foreigners from all over the world.

Mahabalipuram is famous for its temples and its architecture; some of the major temples are listed below

Temples at the Shore
During the past, there are three major temples at the Bay of Bengal shore. The first temple is “Vaishnava”, which is devoted to Lord Anantasayi. The temple and the idol of Lord Anantasayi are made with a massive rock. The Saiva and Vimanas are the other temples, but these temples vanished over the years.

The Shore Temple
The Shore Temple is located to the edge of Bay of Bengal. The tides entered into the walls of the temple since 13th century. However, a single structure has not sunk in the water over the centuries.

Sthalasayana Perumal Temple
The Vijayanagar Dynasty emperors have built the Sthalasayana Perumal Temple. The Sthalasayana Perumal Temple lies on the edge of the sea. To the west of Sthalasayana Perumal Temple, five Rathas (chariots) are located, where the deity of the temple will be placed on the Rathas on festivals.

Events at the Temples
Every year the Tamilnadu government organizes the “Mahabalipuram Dance Festival”, which starts on 25th December and ends on first week of February. This festival describes about the ancient history of traditions of the Pallava Kings.
In addition, a number of dance festivals and music competitions are conducted, where musicians and dancers from all the country take part in it. Among the events Kuchipudi, Bharathanatyam, and folk dances are a special attraction.
Traveling to Mahabalipuram:

Mahabalipuram being a pilgrimage place, is connected with all means of transport.

Chennai International Airport is the nearby airport. Chennai being the capital city of the Tamilnadu state is well connected with all the parts of India and all regions of the world.

Chegalpattu is the nearby railway station, which is about 29 km, frequent train services are available from Chennai.

Frequent bus services are available from all the regions of Tamilnadu.

The Qutub complex with the Iron Pillar
Photo by: Alicia Nijdam, Creative Commons

The Qutb Minar is located in Delhi (the capital city of India).

The Qutb Minar is a famous historical spot in Delhi, which is listed by the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Qutb Minar is built with bricks and is the tallest minaret (Islamic mosques of great architecture) in the world. The Qutb Minar is also a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture and the earliest structure during the Indo-Islamic period.

The Qutb Minar stands at a height of 237.8 feet. The length of the foundation is about 14.3 meters; the top level is about 2.75 meters in length. There are about 379 steps between the ground level and the peak level of the Qutb Minar. In addition there are fine artworks close to the Qutb Minar.

History
Qutb Minar was built in different stages at different time periods. The construction was started in the year 1193 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak (Delhi’s first Muslim Emperor); he was able to finish only the foundation part of the building. However IItutmish (the third among the Delhi Sultanate Dynasty) has built three additional floors to the existing foundation. The last two floors were built by Firuz Shah Tughlug (Muslim emperor belonging to the Tughlug Dynasty) in the year 1368. The architecture of different rulers who are involved in Qutb Minar’s construction is clearly seen in the building.

Attractions
The Qutb Minar complex comprises several other structures which include the “Iron Pillar” which was built around the third century, the Iron Pillar stands at a height of seven meters and weighs almost six tons. In addition the tomb of IItutmish (emperor of the slave dynasty) is also situated at the Qutb complex.

Traveling to Qutb Minar

The Qutb Minar is located in the heart of the city Delhi. Delhi being the capital city of India is well equipped with all means of transport. People traveling there can choose according to their interest. The readers should visit Qutb Minar, as this is the place which displays the greatest architectural styles of different emperors of the ancient past.

The Red Fort in Old Delhi
Photo by: tracyhunter, Creative Commons

The Red Fort is located in Old Delhi (the capital city of India).

The Red Fort was built by Shah Jahan in the year 1639 A.D, and is a famous destination spot in Old Delhi. In 2007 UNESCO listed the Red Fort in the world heritage site. It is where the Indian prime minister delivers his speech on August 15th (India’s Independence Day). The Red Fort is also regarded as Old Delhi’s largest Monument. The Delhi city also served as the capital city for the Mughals until the Mughal dynasty ending.

History
In the year 1639 A.D the Red Fort was built by Shah Jahan (fifth ruler from the Mughal Dynasty), who also built the Tajmahal (one of the seven wonders in the world). The design of the fort truly depicts the Mughal style. The fort has undergone many changes even the after the completion of its construction, additional structures were added during Aurangzeb’s reign (the sixth ruler from the Mughal dynasty).

Architecture
The Red Fort is rich in ornamental work. Shah Jahan implemented different styles from Indian, Europe, and Persian to construct the Red Fort. It stands as a great example in terms of architecture displaying from various regions. There are massive gates in the fort known as Delhi Gate and Lahore Gate which are made by deep string courses.

Attractions at Red Fort:

Zenana
The second block of the fort is used as quarters for women. Today, it is a museum containing a marble pool and ornamented ceiling.

Khas Mahal
The third block of the fort is the Khas Mahal, which contains majestic chambers; the Khas Mahal includes prayer rooms and a corridor balcony.

Diwan-i -Aam
The Diwan-i Aam serves as a courtyard for the majestic people. The circle here is made with gold.

Moti Masjid
The Moti Masjid was built by Aurangzeb in the year 1659 which was used as a personal mosque. The Moti Masjid was built with marble; in addition there are steps which lead to the courtyard.

Hayat Bakhah Bagh
Hayat Bakhah Bagh is a garden which was built by Bahadur Shah Zafar in the year 1842. The garden lies north to the fort which has a great scenic beauty.

Traveling to Red fort
Delhi being the capital city of India is well equipped with all means of transport from all over the world and all parts of the country. People traveling to Delhi can choose according to their interest.

Overview of the Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim
Photo by: appaji, Creative Commons

Sikkim is located in the north-eastern part of India. Sikkim is considered as India’s smallest state and also the less populated state. Sikkim is located close to the Himalayas. Sikkim is famous for the tea plantations, and it has a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Places to visit in Sikkim:

Tsongmo Lake
The Tsongmo Lake is located 40 km away from Gangtok (the capital city of East Sikkim). The Tsongmo Lake is considered the largest lake and a holy lake by the people of East Sikkim. There is a huge natural cave at the lake known as Tseten Tashi Cave which is a great place to visit. The Tsongmo Lake is an oval shape covering an area of 1 km. The Brahminy ducks and a number of drifting birds is a special attraction. The Tsongmo Lake is a restricted place, and entry is allowed to Indians only, foreigners are allowed with special permission.

Rumtek Monastery
The Rumtek Monastery is located 24 km away from Gangtok, and it is the center school of the Sikkim Tibetan Buddhism, built in 1740 by 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje.

Achievements of Sikkim
• Sikkim was awarded four times by the government as the best state in India for tourism for the years 2000-2003.

• Sikkim state stood in the third spot as the greatest performing in Panchayatiraj, village local administration.

• In terms in education during the years 2004-2005 Sikkim was awarded the best performing state.

• Awarded Skoch Challenger award in the field of Information Technology.

• Sikkim was the third state in India to issue Human Development Report.

Biodiversity
There are more than 4,000 varieties of flowering plant life, about 550 orchids, about 300 ferns, and about 9 conifers.

There are about 144 mammals, 650 butterflies and 550 birds that inhabit the area.

Eating and Drinking
The food at Sikkim is purely in Tibetan style, noodles and Thupkasa (a local dish) is the best here. Alcohol in Sikkim is relatively cheap, which is served in a cup made of bamboo with a wooden straw. “Chhang” a locally made beer, and is the highlight here and relatively cheap.

Traveling to Sikkim

Sikkim doesn’t have railway stations and airports, but it can be reached from Bagdogra (a nearby airport located in North Bengal) 124 km from Sikkim. New Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati operate the flight services to Bagdogra. There is also a helicopter service in between Siliguri to Gangtok. Sikkim can also be reached from West Bengal through bus. Siliguri and Darjeeling operate daily bus services to Sikkim.

Hawa Mahal in gorgeous lighting
Photo by: The Wandering Angel, Creative Commons

The Hawa Mahal Palace is located in Jaipur city (capital of the Rajasthan state), India.

Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh built the Hawa Mahal Palace in the year 1799; Lal Chand Usta designed the palace in the form of Lord Krishna’s Crown. The Hawa Mahal Palace is a part of the Royal Palace including the women’s chambers. The Hawa Mahal palace was built to examine the day-to-day life of the royal women.

The Hawa Mahal Palace (Palace of the Winds) consists of five floors, which is built of pink and crimson sandstone and white lime. The Hawa Mahal palace has 953 windows, which faces towards the street outside the palace. A huge amount of breeze circulates through these windows even in summer, due to this reason the name was kept as Hawa (breeze) Mahal. The palace was painted with ochre-pink, also known as color of generosity.

The Palace contains a double-floored building on all the three sides and another three floors in the eastern division of the palace. There no are no steps to reach the palace, the only way the palace can be reached is through the ramps.

In the present day, the Hawa Mahal has become a famous tourist spot and one of the spectacular sights in Jaipur. From the palace, the entire Jaipur city can be seen. The palace has become a great spot for the shooting of several Indian and international films.

Traveling to the Hawa Mahal:
Jaipur being the capital city of Rajasthan and the second largest tourist spot in India is well connected by all means of transport.

The nearby airport is the Indira Gandhi international Airport.

Frequent train services are available from the major cities in India. The nearby railway station is the Jaipur station.

In addition, the Rajasthan state government provides several bus services.

The Glorious Arc De Triomphe in Paris
Photo by: roblisameehan, Creative Commons

Arc De Triomphe, one of the worlds largest triumph arc, is a great monument located in Paris which stands in the centre of “Charles De Gaulle”. The arc was built as the honor for those who fought for France especially during the Napoleonic wars. There are names of the generals and the wars fought engraved inside and at the top of the arch. Underneath the arch there is tomb of a soldier of World War I who is still unknown.

This great arch has a height of 50 meters, a width of 45 meters and a depth of 22 meters which makes it as a second largest triumph arc in the world. It is composed of three arcs, where two are small arcs and the other is a large arc. The large arc is 9 feet wide and 21 feet height. The design of the arc was inspired by the roman arch of Titus.

This great arc is compared as linchpin of the historic axis. It was commissioned in the year 1806 after the victory at Austerlitz by Napoleon. Laying the foundation of the arc took about 2 years. When Napoleon entered into Paris with his bride in the year 1810, he had a wooden mock-up of the completed arch constructed. The architect, Jean Chalgrin, died in the year 1811 and the construction was halted. Then it was succeeded by Jean Nicholas Huyot.

“An artist has no home in Europe except in Paris.”

Paris Famous Landmarks

Fontainebleau, a lovely historical town located to the south of Paris, France. It is renowned for its large and scenic forest of Fontainebleau, the largest state forest in France, covering an area of 50,000 acres. The town is enriched with a population of 17,000 people enclosed by an area of 175 square kilometers.

Fontainebleau is a favorite weekend getaway for Parisians. It is also famous for the historical palace Château de Fontainebleau and INSEAD, one of the world’s best business schools. Inhabitants of Fontainebleau are called Bellifontains. In spite of a large number of tourists visiting every day, the town retained its old world charm and ancient looks which makes it an attractive French town.

Panoramic shot of Château de Fontainebleau
Photo by: Eusebius, Creative Commons

As we enter into the Fontainebleau palace from the town, there is an attractive royal gate which leads to the palace grounds. Then comes the horse shoe shaped staircase which leads into the palace. The palace is the largest French royal building which is arranged around a series of courtyards and parks. It is also known as the dictionary of architecture. One of the several attractive buildings to be found in the centre of France is the Fontainebleau church which is located in the town’s main street.

The town of Fontainebleau can be easily reached from the centre of the Paris as there are number of trains from Gar De Lyon station.

Paris Famous Landmarks