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Travel Destinations Around the World

17 février 2010

TRAVEL INFORMATION



Must See Places all over the World as never before!

Youmustsee.canalblog.com is a comprehensive and interactive travel site for serious travelers from all over the globe. It is your reliable guide through every stage of your travel, from selecting your destination to planning your tour and executing it in the best possible way. It provides quality and comprehensive information on a large number of major tourist spots and must see places from all over the world. You will find a wealth of travel information including overview of must see travel places and destinations, local histories, lists of things to do and sites to explore, as well as necessary hotel and dining related tips. Information on top travel destinations, Islands, must see world travel places and destinations for Europe, Asia, America and Africa travelers. Presently, the travel portal enlists over a thousand most interesting must see places and travel destinations in the world.

Must See Places in Africa

This is the land that heard the first footfalls of humankind. Even now, millennia after it witnessed the development of the first human civilization by the banks of the mighty Nile, Africa continues to allure, excite and charm visitors like no other place on the earth. This is where unspoiled wilderness reveling in primal freedom share space with the ruins of ancient centers of a thriving urban culture. This is where the most modern adventure activities vie for space with rituals that date back to thousands of years.

Africa, the second largest continent after Asia, covers about 6% of the world's total land area: about 30.2 million sq. km. It is surrounded by Atlantic Ocean to the west, Indian Ocean to the Southeast, the Red Sea to the northeast and the Mediterranean Sea to the North. Africa comprises of 53 countries, including all the island groups and archipelagos. Sudan is the largest and Seychelles the smallest nation in Africa. Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the highest and Lake Asal in Dijbouti is the lowest point of the continent.

Variety is what defines the tourist attractions of Africa. While the wild savannahs of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda are great attractions, the Namib and Kalahari desert regions have a charm of their own. The glamorous South African beaches are a study in contrast to the ruins of sub-Saharan civilizations. Heritage tourism is also big in Africa.

Not only Egypt, which has always been, and still is, one of the biggest tourist attractions of the world, but also countries like Ethiopia and Mali preserve plenty of historical treasures. The great musical and artistic culture of Africa, which are exhibited at their best in the various folk festivals and events held at different times of the year, are also great attractions for tourists from all parts of the world.

                   The Great Pyramid of Giza


Fast Facts

  • Location: Giza Necropolis, Cairo, Egypt
  • Best Time to Visit: Visit Egypt in winter, since the summers are extremely hot and you will have lots of walking to do.
  • Best Time to visit the Pyramids in Giza: Between 8:00 – 12:00 in the morning Between 15:00 – 17:00 in the afternoon
  • How To Reach: Take a taxi from Cairo. You can also use the public transport in the form of a micro or mini bus. Air condition buses are also available. Walk around Giza, or ride a horse or a camel.
  • Entry Tickets (all rates in Egyptian pounds):
    • Giza Plateau: 50.00
    • Pyramid of Khufu: 100.00
    • Pyramid of Khafre: 25.00
    • Pyramid of Menkaure: 40.00
    • Sound and Light Show: 60.00
  • Nearest International Airport: Cairo International Airport

It is not just about dimensions! It is something much more profound! It is the mystery, the sublime sadness and a strange unexplained yearning for a past that make the Great Pyramid of Giza such a popular tourist destination. As you stand on the edge of the Giza Necropolis, the Great Pyramid looming up to the horizon, substantially dwarfing other similar constructions at a short distance, you are bound to be taken by a strange sensation. You understand that probably the earliest consciousness of human being was of his own transience – nothing lasts forever. Even the mightiest of monarchs, incarnate gods to their subjects, worshipped, revered, feared, had an impending sense of transience that haunted them. What else could have prompted them to construct such unbelievable monuments, and what else could justify such ambition. Within minutes, this thought makes way for something else. You are struck by awe at the very excellence of the mathematical, engineering, geometric, architectural, and with a little background study, the astronomical knowledge of the ancient Egypt. It was, in a sense, the cradle of human civilization and had a lasting impact on all subsequent developments.


Must See Places in Asia

Asia, the planet's largest and most populated continent is home to many beautiful countries in the map like Russia, India, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Korea, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Thailand, Philippines and Singapore follow the league. The colossal continent is blessed with natural wonders scattered in its countries. Majestic rivers, towering mountains, arid deserts, seas, ocean, beaches and islands make Asia an exotic tourist destination of the world.

Find must see places in Asia like Taj mahal, Mekong River Cruise, Pushkar Fair, Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Komodo Naitonal Park Gili Islands, Plain of Jars, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Dead Sea and much more.

Asia is home to ancient civilizations of the world. Till date Asia carries the traditional legacy left behind by Mesopotamian, Chinese and Indus Valley civilization. Myths, beliefs and religious practices lend exoticism to the continent. It is a land of religious places and sites. It is home to many famous men and women. Taj Mahal in India and Great Wall of China has catapulted Asia's fame; these splendid architectural specimens have been crowned as 'Seven Wonders of the World'. Ayurveda, a stream of medicine is Asia's gift to the world. Asia is culturally and historically rich which draws travelers in hordes to feel the essence of Asia.

The continent is diverse when it comes to top tourist destinations in Asia. Mighty Himalayas, the majestic River Ganges, Indian Ocean, Tibetan Plateau and other mountain, rivers, plains, forests and deserts account for Asia's popularity in the tourism map of the world. Exotic flora and fauna is the added attraction.

                       Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda

Fast Facts

  • Location:20 km from Kyaikhtiyo town
  • Time to visit: October to March
  • Preferred timings: Day time
  • How to reach: By train or car to Kyaikhtiyo town from Yangon, the capital of Myanmar. Yangon International Airport is connected to a number of major Indian destinations as well as Jakarta and Bangkok by flights of Indian Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airlines. From Kyaikhtiyo, it is another 12 km by road to  Kimmunsakhan at the base of the hill
  • Nearest railway station: Kyaikhtiyo
  • Nearest International Airport: Yangon International Airport
  • Time required for sightseeing: 1 day

Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda Myanmar is an unsolved mystery. The Pagoda of Kyaikhtiyo is constructed around a massive boulder balanced precariously on a tabular rock. It is bewildering that how such an immense boulder can rest on another rock and that too at such a precarious angle. According to legend the balance of the boulder is maintained by a hair strand of Lord Buddha inside the pagoda. You have to see this Golden rock in Kyaikhtiyo to believe your eyes.

This pagoda or 'Golden rock' Myanmar is located at an approximate distance of 20 kilometers from Kyaikhtiyo town which in turn is about 160 km from Yangon the capital of Myanmar. The term Kyaikhtiyo may intrigue you. As per local Mon tradition it is morphed from Kyaik-ithi-yo where 'Kyaik' stands for pagoda, 'ithi' is hermit, and 'yo' represents 'to carry on head'. Hence 'Kyaikhtiyo' literally means 'the pagoda carried on the hermit's head'. This Pagoda is 50 feet in circumference and 18 feet in height is located on a 1100 meter hill between Thanlwin and Sittaung. The egg-shaped granite boulder perched on another tabular rock is gilded in gold.

History of the Golden Rock

A hermit after receiving a sermon from Gautam Buddha obtained a hair strand from Buddha himself and placed it within his hair. While returning he discovered this granite rock which resembled his head. He subsequently built a pagoda on this 30 feet high rock to protect and preserve this relic. This egg-shaped boulder can be rocked by gentle pushing and a thread passed underneath. You can have the impression that this delicately balanced rock will topple by a strong wind or by adding a few kilogram weights. However, that is not to happen and therein lays the mystery of Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda.

This pagoda is supposedly 2500 years old and visited by devotees and enthusiasts throughout the year. From the base of the hill you can either trek up to the Pagoda along an 11 km path or drive up within 30 minutes walking distance from the Golden Rock. Kids, the aged, and the physically underprivileged can take the help of bamboo carrier chairs.

Festival at Kyaikhtiyo

Visit Kyaikhtiyo between October and March. During this time pilgrims and Buddhist devotees throng this pagoda. On March full moon day (Tabaung), ninety thousand candles are lit at the platform pagoda and worshippers in thousand offer fruits, and sweets to Lord Buddha. Be a participant in this festival and watch the glory of Buddha at the Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda Myanmar.  Accommodation is available at Kyaikhtiyo town.

Accommodation and Diving at Kyaikhtiyo

There are quite a few popular accommodation facilities available at Kyaikhtiyo, from where the pagoda is around a half-an-hour journey. Kyaikhto Hotel, Mountain View Hotel, Mountain Top Hotel and Golden Rock Hotel are some of the most popular ones. Keeping in mind the needs and requirements of international tourists, the hotels has an updated range of amenities and facilities. The restaurants and bars in the hotels take care of you culinary requirements.


Must See Places In Europe

The rather moderate size of the continent of Europe is in no way indicative of the great influence it had on human civilization. It is where renaissance, modernity and democracy was born in the forms we know them today. With 11% of the world's entire populating inhabiting it, Europe is more of a racial entity than a geographical one, as it is connected to Asia forming the great Eurasian landmass. Europe is the cradle of Western civilization, world leaders in art, culture, politics and economy for most parts of human history.

For more than three centuries, from around 16th century, Europe ruled over the world in a fashion that is generally referred to as colonization. It was a time of unprecedented developments in navigations, discoveries of new trade routes and previously unknown lands, and dissemination of various aspects of European culture to the remotest corners of the world. It was the period of Europe's absolute rise to prominence, and it continues to maintain a central position in world economy and politics even now.

Europe has great racial and cultural diversity. However, there is something about the customs, architecture and culture of Europe that make them immediately recognizable as European. The racial diversity is matched by the geographical diversity of the continent. The snowy Alps of Switzerland are matched by the pristine beaches along the Aegean Sea and Mediterranean Sea. Most European countries, because of their wonderful scenic beauty and rich heritage are some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Europe is also known for its thriving urban culture. Home to some of the earliest big cities in the world that date back to antiquity and the Middle Ages, the urban culture of Europe has been the virtual model for the formation of urban civilizations all across the world.

The breathtaking natural beauty, rich history and vibrant urban culture make Europe one of the must see travel destinations in the world. Great tourism infrastructure makes traveling to Europe both convenient and exciting.

                    Alhambra Palace Spain

Fast Facts

Location: Alhambra Palace overlooks the city of Granada in Spain.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and Autumn.
Preferred Timing: 08.30 a.m. to 06.00 p.m.
Time Required to Visit: Around 3 hours.
Entry Fee: Euro 13 (Though rate may change from time to time)
Getting there:
By Foot:
If you are physically fit, this is best way to approach the palace, as it gives you the best opportunity to enjoy the scenic beauty surrounding region. There are two popular paths to reach Alhambra Palace Spain from Granada city center. The most beautiful is the one that takes from Plaza Nueva into the street Cuesta de Gomérez. You can also reach there via the street Cuesta del Rey Chico.

By Public Transport:
There are two buses that will take you to Alhambra Places from Granada. Route 30 and 32 start from Plaza Nueva and drive up the Cuesta de Gomérez. You can also hire taxis in order to reach there.
By Car:
If you are going there by car, you need to take the ring road of the city, called Ronda Sur, and then follow the direction of Sierra Nevada. You can park your car at any one of the two car parking areas in Generalife.
Nearest airport: Granada Airport (GRX)
Nearest rail station: Avenida de Andaluces

How many legends and traditions, true and fabulous; how many songs and ballads, Arabian and Spanish of love and war and chivalry, are associated with this oriental pile!' wrote Washington Irving about the Alhambra Palace way back 1861. Even now, the palace continues to enchant, intrigue and bewilder visitors with its singular magnificence and enduring charm. It is not difficult to understand why this palace in Spain, overlooking the ancient city of Granada, fired the imagination of poets, artists, thinkers and travelers with a taste of history and the mystique, for so many centuries.

               
Alhambra Palace, Spain

Alhambra Palace Spain, also known as the 'Red Fortress', is a famous palace and fortress located on the hilly terrace on the southeastern edge of the city of Granada in Spain. One of the most famous examples of Moorish architecture, Alhambra Palace was primarily the home of Nasrid Sultans and their court. It is the same place where artists and intellectuals took shelter when Christian Spain won over Al Andalus. Currently Alhambra Palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Spain which attracts a huge number of tourists from all the parts of the world.

The construction of Alhambra Palace in Spain started in the mid-1300s and was completed by Yusuf I and Muhammed V, Sultan of Granada towards the end of Muslim rule in the country. It is located on a terrace measuring about 740 m in length and 205 m in width, covering an area of about 142,000 square meters. The palace can not be described as a single construction; rather it is a combination of evolution, successive reforms and extensions.

Alcazaba: Alcazaba, the fortress and the military headquarters for the Nasrid dynasty, was built on the highest point of the hill. Hence, it got the positional advantage to defend the royal family. Though originally, the construction had 24 towers, but currently only a few remain.

Palacios Nazaríes: Time spent at the Palacios Nazaríes or the Nasrid Palaces will be some of the memorable moments of your visit to Alhambra Palace. Exquisitely decorated function rooms and courtyards that were used by the Muslim rulers for different purposes are the highlights of Palacios Nazaríes.

The palaces can be divided into three distinct parts, namely the Mexuar, the Serallo and the Harem. Mexuar is the place where the Sultan used to meet his ministers. Next to it, there is the Cuarto Dorado or the Golden Room where Sultan took his most important decisions as military commander-in-chief. The entrance of Serallo is just opposite of Cuarto Dorado. Serallo was the official residence of the Sultan. The famous Patio de los Leones lies at the center of Harem, which was built for Sultan Muhammad V in 1378. Also visit Sala de los Abencerrajes, located at the south of it. On the north of Patio is the brilliant Sala de dos Hermanas. Sala de los Ajimeces, the dressing room of the favored lady, lies at the far end of Patio. Whereas, on the east end of Patio, lies the Sala de los Reyes or the Hall of the Kings.

Alhambra Palace, Spain

Generalife Gardens: As the name suggests, this area consists of beautiful gardens and fountains.

Medina: Medina, occupies the largest area, was built to house craftsmen.

Alhambra Palace Spain Tickets

For a visit to Alhambra Palace, there can be several types of tickets for the tourists, namely Morning Tickets, Afternoon Tickets, and Evening Tickets. The price of each ticket is Euro 13, though it may change from time to time.

Morning Tickets:

Timing: Monday to Sunday from 08.30 a.m. to 02.00 p.m.
Access: Alcazaba, Nasrid Palaces, and Generalife Gardens.

Afternoon Tickets:

Timing: Monday to Sunday from 02.30 p.m. to 06.00 p.m. (November-February)
Monday to Sunday from 02.00 p.m. to 08.00 p.m. (March-October)
Access: Alcazaba, Nasrid Palaces, and Generalife Gardens.

Evening Tickets:

Timing: Friday and Saturday from 08.00 p.m. to 09.30 p.m. (November-February)
Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. (March-October)
Access: Nasrid Palaces.

Buying Alhambra Palace Tickets:

Booking Hours: 08.30 a.m. to 08.00 p.m. (March-October)
08.30 a.m. to 06.00 p.m. (November-February)

Place: Alhambra Palace ticket counter is located at the entrance pavilion near the parking arena. Though the counter opens at 08.30 a.m. but it is a common scene to develop long queues. So, reach there early in order to avoid rush.

Advance Booking: You can also purchase your ticket to Alhambra Palace up to three months in advance through the website of the La Caixa Bank. You can also buy your ticket over the telephone through the telephone service of La Caixa Bank.

Visiting Alhambra Palace

Most of the time a traveler spends in visiting Alhambra Palace is in the Nasrid Palaces. There are three popular routes that a traveler can take to visit Alhambra Palace:

Alcazaba – Palacios Nazaríes – Generalife Garden

Palacios Nazaríes – Alcazaba – Generalife Garden

Generalife Garden – Alcazaba – Palacios Nazaríes

It takes almost 3 hour to visit Alhambra Palace Spain. But you need to chalk out your sightseeing plan meticulously before you visit, especially the Nasrid Palaces: do not forget that you will be assigned a stipulated time for admission to Nasrid Palaces when you buy tickets. You have to enter the Nasrid Palaces within half an hour of the time printed on your ticket. Only 350 people in each half an hour are permitted to enter the Nasrid Palaces.

The beauty of Alhambra palace defies photographic representation. Still, there are quite a few beautiful videos of the palace, which will give you an idea of the splendor of this ancient Moorish palace.



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