Top World Attractions

Angkor Wat, which means “temple of the city", is an ancient Cambodian complex of temples and ruins. This popular tourist attraction is located in Angkor, just 5.5 Kilometers north of the capital city Siem Reap in Cambodia. 

History

The temple was built for King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century. It began as the king’s state temple close to the capital city...

Thanks to its canals, Venice is known to be one of the most magical places on earth. The city is a testament to the ingenuity of the human spirit and man-made invention. Stone buildings of great beauty sit on the water; boats of varying sizes traverse the canals the way cars, trucks, and buses crowd the streets of more conventional cities; crowds throng the bridges and narrow pedestrian streets...

Greece is the home to several acropolises or 'high cities', yet no visit to Greece would be complete without visiting the ancient splendor of the Acropolis of Athens. The Acropolis was first settled around 600 BCE and was inhabited continuously for centuries afterward. It is still the 'must-see' attraction for all of Greece.

The Propylaea

The Propylaea, built between 437 and 432 BCE, is the monumental gateway to the Acropolis...

Petra is a top tourist attraction in Jordan. It is tucked behind a wall of rugged mountains, a well-kept secret that continues to beckon to tourists because of its unrivaled views of the ancient world. This city is amazingly carved out of rose-red rock. It is imposing, majestic as it is historical.

A world heritage site and wonder

Situated in Jordan 133 kilometers north of Aqaba and 262 kilometers south of Amman, the Petra is the Nabataeans' gift to the world...

Stretching well over 3,948 miles in length, the Great Wall of China is one of the few man-made structures visible from space. The wall follows from east to west, and its history goes back for over 2000 years. While much of the wall has come to ruin, it is one of the most historical pieces of architectural design globally and is a must-see when visiting China.

History

Somewhere around the 7th century B...

As you approach the famous Taj Mahal of India, your eyes will be drawn up to the incredible white dome, which rises in the center, flanked on each side by more white domes and surrounded by incredible white towers. The construction of this splendid building was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jana as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Taj Mahal architecture

The Taj Mahal is an early example, perhaps the first, of Mughal architecture and is a masterpiece combination of Turkish, Indian, Persian, and Islamic architectural styles...

About 60 million years ago (give or take a few million years), Mount Everest was formed, giving Earth one of its most spectacular natural landmarks. The mountain, the highest in the world, is located on the border of Nepal and Tibet, China. These two countries, especially Nepal, make a significant amount of money every year due to Mount Everest tourism. With more and more people interested in eco-tourism (tourism which focuses on the environment and local culture), Everest and the surrounding areas are even more of a draw...

The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular National Parks in the United States of America. Like all National Parks, the Grand Canyon was not always the well-known national treasure today. It was not a protected area right after its initial discovery a few hundred years ago. The Grand Canyon received a to-be-protected status in 1893 by the government and was named a Forest Reserve...

Traveling around the world, in search of the most famous, exciting, and downright fun places to visit, Rio de Janeiro's Carnival would be one of the finest and most important stops in Brazil. 

The Rio Carnival coincides with the 40 days before Lent. Because during Lent, Roman Catholics are supposed to abstain from all bodily pleasures, the Carnival is held as a lead up to this season. The Carnival is celebrated during the days before Lent and is celebrated as a profane event...

Located high above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, the Incan city of Machu Picchu is the most popular tourist attraction in the country. This ancient city dates back to the fifteenth century and was built on the order of the first ruler of the Incan empire, known as the Sapa Inca Pachacuti. The city was inhabited for over one hundred years until Peru was conquered by the Spanish in 1532. The city was then lost for several hundred years, and subsequently re-discovered by Western civilization in 1911, when an American historian named Hiram Bingham was shown the site by locals...

Giza's great pyramids are the most famous pyramids in the world and its site attracts millions of tourists every year. They offer a mix of ancient history and grandeur that is unparalleled on earth. Some of these constructions date back as far as around 3,000 B.C. The Giza pyramids plateau, which is also home to the prestigious Sphinx, is a protected World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Why they were built

The entire pyramids complex was meant to be a fabulous cemetery for ancient Egyptian royalty and pharaohs...

Intramuros, located along Pasig River's southern bank, refers to the inner part of the walls of Manila, Philippines.

When the Spanish came to Manila, they built the walls of Manila and the authorities themselves were responsible for defining the importance of the interior of the walls. Only the Spanish and mestizos, or people with Spanish blood running in their veins, are allowed to live inside the walls...

The spectacular South American Iguazu Falls, which are located along the border of Brazil and Argentina, are considered a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. These falls are much taller (or longer, however you want to look at it) than Niagara Falls, and are nearly four times as wide, with an impressive 275 different cascades and individual waterfalls plunging down about 270 feet into the gorge below. The falls stretch out along a vast, crescent-shaped cliff for two and a half miles along the Iguazu River...

Stretching around 2,300 kilometers along the northeastern coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is the Earth’s largest living organism. It’s home to more than 600 types of hard and soft corals, together with a staggering array of tropical fish, mollusks, turtles, and sharks.

Responsible travel issues

To go or not to go, that is the question

One of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, the Great Barrier Reef is Queensland’s most visited destination, with everything from boat excursions to scuba diving trips and helicopter tours available...

Niagara Falls is a gigantic waterfall straddling the US-Canadian border between the Ontario Province and New York State. While they are neither the steepest nor the largest waterfalls in the world, Niagara Falls may arguably be the most famous, attracting nearly 20 million visitors each year. They have been variously described as enchanting and awe-inspiring, and since the 1850s, have been among the most visited tourist attractions in the world...

A Galapagos Island tour, about 1,000 km off the western coast of Ecuador, offers a thoroughly unique experience. The only water park is the ocean, and the only rides have sails or two wheels. There is no place like them anywhere else on Earth. The Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador could be among the last truly unexplored frontiers on the planet. The forbidding volcanic islands are part of Ecuador's national park system, and much of their land area is completely off-limits to tourists and explorers...

The word "Serengeti" comes from a Masai word meaning "the place where the land runs on forever", and a Serengeti safari will reveal to you exactly the meaning behind this turn of phrase. The Serengeti plains seem to go on forever, and you will experience a sense of eternity and space as you travel through the plains in search of some of the incredible wild animals that still grace these beautiful plains.

A Serengeti safari is a wonderful idea for any time of the year, but the period of time from May until October is when the plains are positively teeming with life...

"Corcovado" means hunchback and that is how this granite hill looks like. Its original name is Pinaculo da Tentacao or Pinnacle of Temptation. Corcovado with the Redemptor statue and a set of equally enchanting attractions are to be found in central Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. This peak towers over the city with its 710 meters in height. You can see Corcovado, even from a distance...

Spilling out from its lofty height of some 980 meters, the water at Angel Falls provides much of the beauty of this, the tallest waterfall in the world. It shows you a fascinating example of the powerful force of nature, which is now considered among the eight natural wonders of the world.

Its height makes it 15 times higher than Niagara Falls. What's more, it has an uninterrupted drop of 807 meters. The mere fact that the water is falling at such a lofty height and that strong winds buffet the water as it falls, turns the water into mist even before it gets into the ground...

Australia’s most iconic building is the Sydney Opera House which nestles on the shores of Sydney Harbour at Bennelong Point. This multi-venue performing arts center was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and completed in 1973, before being added as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

The Sydney Opera House is home to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Theatre Company, The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia, with shows scheduled throughout the year for visitors to experience its interior...

Forbidden to outsiders no longer, enter the Forbidden City, the most famous attraction in the heart of Beijing, China, and see the former imperial palace, which now houses the Palace Museum. For almost five hundred years, from the mid-Ming Dynasty until the end of the Qing Dynasty, the Forbidden City was the home of the Emperor and the Emperor's household and was the political and ceremonial center of the Chinese government. 

The Forbidden City of China took 15 years to build and was constructed between 1406 and 1420...

The increasing attention given to the state of the world's environment has sparked interest in ecotourism – tours that serve people who want to see the wild places of the earth while reducing the environmental impact of their visits. The development of a tourist destination usually involves the construction of hotels, restaurants, and roads and services' corresponding infrastructure to maintain them. These can leave a heavy imprint on the local environment, including on the indigenous population. Responsible ecotourism intends to reduce that impact to the minimum possible and give travelers a true sense of what the natural environment of the area they've chosen to visit is like...

When you say Timbuktu, what comes to mind is a place that is in the far reaches of the world. Some even think that Timbuktu is somewhat of a legend and not an actual, historical place. True enough, it has remained a mystery to the western world until the early 1800s. Timbuktu, if you still do not know, is in Mali in Western Africa. It is located at the edge of the Sahara Desert, right by the Niger River...

The jewel of Moorish Spain and still one of the country's national treasures and major attractions. The palace of Alhambra is the reason that most visitors come to Granada. Built during the Moorish occupation of Spain, the palace's stunning beauty is a reminder that while Christian Europe stumbled through the Dark Ages, the Moors of Andalusia reached unrivaled pinnacles of beauty and culture...

Lake Titicaca is one of the most spectacular, high altitude, Lake in the world.

Where is Lake Titicaca?

This famous natural attraction straddles and is shared by two countries – the borders of both Peru and Bolivia. It is located at the very southeastern border of Peru and just 50 km west of Bolivia's capital city LaPaz. From a geographical land perspective, it lays mid-way, from north to south, in the impressively long South American Andes Mountain Range ("Cordillera de Los Andes"), and at about 200 km from the Pacific Ocean...

The Big Sur region is located in the central region of California in the United States. 

Considered one of the most sparsely populated coastal regions in this part of California, the Big Sur region is located 193 kilometers, or 120 miles south of San Francisco and 394 kilometers, or 245 miles, northwest from the city of Los Angeles. 

The name of the region has been said to have been derived from the Spanish term El Sur Grande, which is literally translated as "The Big South"...

Shimmering, luminous days on an island thousands of miles from anywhere…
Unspoiled natural beauty in a tropical island setting – without the bright lights and frenetic pace of a typical resort…
Mysterious statues that walked to their resting places and a more mysterious culture that erected them…

These are just a few of the attractions of the beautiful, mysterious island of Rapa Nui, better known to most of us as Easter Island. Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Rapa Nui is over 3,000 km from the central coast of Chile and 1900 km from the closest inhabited island, making it one of the world's most remote places. The small island – only about 46 square miles in area – is nearly a perfect triangle whose longest side is 24 km and is only 12 km wide at its widest...

Also known as the Houses of Parliament, the Palace of Westminster is one of London’s most iconic architectural landmarks and tourist attraction. It serves as the meeting place of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords and lies on the northern bank of the River Thames, with three towers rising above. 

It was in the 11th century that the first royal palace was built on the site but this was destroyed in 1512 and again in 1834, with Westminster Hall, the Cloisters of St Stephen's, the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft and the Jewel Tower the only medieval structures to have survived...

Historic Quebec, now a neighbourhood of larger Quebec City, was the complete main city in the 17th century. Centuries-old fortifications surround the old city. Many attractions and mostly all buildings within these walls are of historical nature. This is why the complete neighbourhood itself is one of the top attractions in Quebec, Canada and even North America and declared an World Heritage Site by UNESCO...

The Arlington National Cemetery, located in Arlington, Virginia, is the final resting place of thousands of American military personnel, Native Americans, and former slaves. Over one hundred graveside services are performed in the cemetery each week. The cemetery attracts over four million visitors each year. The Arlington National Cemetery covers two hundred sprawling acres of the city and includes famous landmarks like the Arlington Mansion and the Tomb of The Unknown Soldiers...

The United States is home to many different icons that represent the country and have become some of the trademarks that many foreign countries use to identify the United States. The Statue of Liberty is one of these icons. If you ask anyone that lives in the United States what one thing that they associate with the United States and the freedom that the country represents, a majority of those people will likely answer the Statue of Liberty. She is one of the national treasures that every American citizen should visit at some point in their life...

Santiago de Compostela is located in northwest Spain. It has its own airport, approximately 11km southeast of the town. It is also accessible by walking the Camino de Santiago, the old pilgrimage route to the tomb of St. James. Santiago has been second only to Rome for European pilgrims for over 1000 years. Its Old Town, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflects in its architecture the important history of Santiago de Compostela...

Lake Atitlan… "Atitlan" in Mayan means a world of beauty and grandeur. It actually means "where the rainbow gets its colors". This magical place has inspired writer and philosopher Aldous Huxley to say "…Atitlan is Como with additional embellishments of several immense volcanoes. It really is too much of a good thing."

This jewel is undoubtedly one of the most gorgeous lakes in the world...

La Mitad del Mundo in Ecuador features a curious attraction – it lies smack in the middle of the world, which is exactly what La Mitad del Mundo means. La Mitad is to be found beyond the Pomasqui village, near the village of San Antonio del Pichincha. A long avenue there that features a monument that they say lies on the equator or near it. This is where you go if you want to see the earth's waistline. Now, this is your chance to be in two places at the same time – to straddle to hemispheres...

Man has made many wonders in the world. It takes determination to change the face of the world and create history through revolutionary steps. The Golden Gate Bridge, a suspension bridge, built from the San Francisco Peninsula all the way to Marin County is no exception to this. The second longest bridge of the United State and the seventh longest in the world, this bridge was completed in 1937 and became the symbol of pride for the people of San Francisco and the United States...

In Rome, the Sistine Chapel is named for Sixtus IV della Rovere, who was Pope from 1471 to 1484. The chapel's interior walls are covered in exquisite frescoes painted by some of the greatest Italian artists in history, including Perugino, Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Rosselli, and of course Michelangelo, who painted the stunning frescoes which adorn the ceiling. The chapel is not only a work of art; it is, in fact, still used as a site of papal religious activity—the election of a new Pope takes place in the chapel, at an event called a conclave...

Many places in this world receive many visitors and are considered important tourist attractions. Some places are popular due to their natural beauty, while others are popular as they have some unique man-made features in them. There are still other places that are a combination of both these qualities. Stonehenge is a monument that belongs to the prehistoric era.

The word Stonehenge actually comes from the old English words...

Another one of Shah Jahan's architectural masterpieces is the Red Fort (Lal Qila). "If there is paradise on the face of this earth, this is it." The emperor had these words inscribed on the white marble pavilion, Diwan E-Khas, of the Red Fort. Though this ornately decorated hall, which was meant for a private audience, is one of the more celebrated areas in the fort, having housed the famed Peacock Throne till Nadir Shah plundered it in 1739, it is the magnificent palace, the Red Fort itself, which is absolutely breathtaking...

Tenochtitlan is located in the Federal District in Mexico and was built on an island in Lake Texcoco. The capital of Mexico is built on top of the ruins of Tenochtitlan, but many ancient structures from the original city still exist. The city of Tenochtitlan was founded in 1325. According to Aztec legend, this region was chosen based on an ancient prophecy that stated that the Aztec capital would be built where the people saw an eagle eating a snake while sitting on a cactus...

You are standing in a courtyard, surrounded by hundreds of other people who are equally awed by the majesty of the sights that you are all seeing. Before you, over 400 feet tall and almost 400 years old, rises the magnificent Saint Peter's Cathedral. As you turn to glance about the elliptical colonnade in wonder, you are greeted with the sight of hundreds of pillars holding up the ancient Baroque architecture. When your eyes reach the center of the square, you are greeted by the sight of an ancient Egyptian obelisk, dating back to the 13th century BC...

Located in Italy's Liguria region, the predominant portion of the Cinque Terre is located on the coast of the Italian Riviera. It also comprises five villages: Riomaggiore, Monterosso al Mare, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Manarola.

The low-leveled hills note cinque Terre by the name La Spezia. Owing to its fascinating location, Cinque Terre is counted amongst the World Heritage Site, UNESCO.

Owing to its establishment on the riverbank, Cinque Terre predominantly enjoys a mild climate...

The Puerta Del Sol surrounds the city since the 15th century and is one of the most popular and busiest locations, not just amongst tourists but also with the local Madrilènos. Translating in Spanish as the Gate of the Sun, it is the center from where Madrid Roads are measured and is facing the East direction. Hence this is point zero or kilometer zero for road measurements in the city.

The Puerta Del Sol is a square that houses the renowned clock of which the bells depict the traditional eating of twelve grapes and the start of a new year...

Another landmark of Lutyen's Delhi is the majestic stone archway set on the eastern end of Rajpath – India Gate. Everything about and around India Gate is grand. From the enormous road that circles it, the lovely lawns flanking it, and the 42 meter high archway itself, made of red stone with 'India' written on both sides. This stunning war memorial was built to commemorate the soldiers who died during World War I and the Afghan wars...

Untamed Adventure Awaits You

Are you looking for a vacation that doesn't involve standing in long lines under the heat of a blazing sun, waiting for your chance to experience what the sign claims is a ride of a lifetime? You can by choosing to visit Yellowstone National Park, instead of those crowded, you seen one you've seen them all amusement parks!

Let your sense for adventure out with a visit to this wondeful nature's Park. It has nearly 3,500 square miles of unspoiled land and scores of animals roaming free, and spreads through three states of the United States of America, just like nature intended it to be.  Those 3 gloriously natural states are Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.

Yellowstone National Park was the world's first national park and is a proud and treasured landmark of the United States...

The Gothic Medieval Quarter of Barcelona is part of the larger Old Barcelona, or Casc Antic district. Locally, the Gothic Medieval Quarter is called Barri Gòtic. You can easily reach the area by taking the L3 metro line to the Liceu stop. After that is best to rely on your feet to get you from place to place.

There are many things to see in Barri Gòtic. It is one of the best preserved and integrated medieval cities in Europe...

The White House is the official residence and workplace of the United States of America's Presidents, except for George Washington, who lived in Philadelphia, at the President's House. It is near the US Capitol House and the Mall, with the widely known address, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington D.C. The very sight of the White House evokes the power and strength held by this great country. A visit to Washington D.C. will never be complete without a trip to the White House...

Puento Nuevo, also meaning the New Bridge in Spanish, runs across the Guadalevin River and the El Tajo gorge in the town of Ronda in Andalusia, Spain. Though the views from the bridge are spectacular and there is something intimidating about this 120 metres deep gorge, in terms of engineering, there is nothing great about the bridge.

In fact, the supposedly "new" bridge is not so new – it was completed in 1793 when it could have been called an engineering feat...

Towering high over an assortment of Afghan architectural marvels is the iconic Qutub Minar. Built by Qutub-Ud-Din-Aibak in 1199, with three more storeys added later by his son-in-law, as a monument to give calls for prayer, the Qutub Minar is a 72.5 meter high tribute to Islamic architecture. It's a striking structure of red and buff sandstone, with intricate carvings and inscribed verses from the Koran...

Located partway between Alice Springs and Uluru in Watarrka National Park is magnificent Kings Canyon, which boasts the Red Center's deepest gorge. Sandstone walls tower more than 100 meters above Kings Creek that meanders below, with sections of the gorge forming part of a sacred Aboriginal site to the Luritja people.

Perennial waterholes lie at the canyon's bottom, while lush ferns and palm forests comprise the Garden of Eden in the upper part of the gorge...

The "City of light" is undoubtedly one of the world's most beautiful and fascinating cities - you could spend a lifetime here and not see everything that Paris has to offer. An easy day trip from Paris is to the Palace of Versailles, one of Europe's most spectacular and largest royal homes. Versailles is about a 30 minute train ride from the center of the city.

King Louis XIV – the "Sun King" - commissioned the palace in 1668 as well as the spacious and beautiful gardens...

Like a king resplendent in all his glory, Mount Fuji stands majestically and proudly covered in a robe of snow. And like courtiers of old, artists, mountain climbers, and nature lovers from Japan and the whole world come and pay homage to its stately beauty and grace. So much so that it is hailed as one of Japan's best attractions. No visit to Japan is ever the same without a visit to Mount Fuji...

In Ullungdo Island, South Korea, wonder and beauty awaits. Here, you can get plenty of sun, sea, sumptuous food and beautiful scenery for you to feast on and enjoy. It is one great place to relax with family and friends. Because of its picturesque scenery, Ullungdo Island is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

The island is blessed with unique topographical features due to violent volcano eruptions and spans 73 kilometers...

The Villa Borghese is a large natural park in Rome. It contains a few buildings, attractions and hosts the Galleria Borghese museum. Its main entrance is through the upward leading path of the Spanish Steps.

The area was a vineyard up until the 17th century...

The Pisa Tower, otherwise known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, really was a labor of love, taking well over a hundred and fifty years to build. This tower is the campanile of Italy's cathedral, which means that it is a freestanding bell tower. The tower is located in what is known as the Field of Miracles (Campo dei Miracles), which is behind the actual cathedral's main building. The tower's most distinctive feature is that although it was designed to stand vertically, its poorly laid foundation causes it to lean significantly toward the southeast...

The Napa Valley is part of Napa County, situated north of the San Francisco Bay area. Considered as one of the original counties that comprised California in the United States, Napa County was established in the year 1850, about the same time that the state of California joined the other states to form what is now the United States of America.

Napa Valley has been considered as one of the Viticultural areas in the entire United States...

The Roman Forum, the heart of Rome. The citizens of ancient Rome spent a good part of their days there. The great place was surrounded with temples and legal buildings and filled with statues, bridges, arcs and columns. So the "Forum Romanum" was a remarkable marketplace center point for all business and shopping made by the ancient citizens of Rome...

Plaza Mayor reflecting monumental Madrid, Spain, is the center of the city. Originally known as Plaza Del Arabal, was redesigned after a series of fires. Juan De Villanueva was the architect responsible for reconstructing the building in 1790. Following this episode, the Plaza has undergone several names - Plaza Real, Plaza De La Constitucion, and Plaza De La Republica until it was finally named as Plaza Mayor...

Glide along the city of Rio de Janeiro aboard one of the cable cars from Sugar Loaf Mountain. Pao de Acucar (or Sugar Loaf Mountain) is one of the popular attractions to be found in Rio de Janiero. Through the years, it has served as an important landmark, guiding the first Portuguese safely into Guanabara Bay. Even now, it beckons, inviting visitors to climb the top and enjoy the exhilarating mountain air, as well as the spectacular vistas of surrounding mountains and the cityscapes below...

Musee d'Orsay in Paris, France, is a museum located in what used to be a railway station, the Gare d'Orsay. This museum boasts of a huge collection of paintings by Renoir, Monet, Delacroix, Degas, Gaugin, Van Gogh and other impressionist artists. It also focuses on the art scene between 1848 and 1915, which is said to be the early modern era for art in France. The collection also includes not just paintings but furniture, photographs and sculptures...

The Seoul Festival of Lights, organized by The Seoul foundation for Arts and Culture, is the biggest winter festival in Seoul, South Korea.

Title: 2009 Seoul Festival of Lights
Theme: De:Light of Seoul
Slogan: "Seoul, Delightful City"
Period: 12. 19(Sat)2009 ~1. 24(Sun)2010, 37days
Venue: Gwanghwamun Square
Organization: Seoul Metropolitan Government/ Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture
Events: Exbibition of Nam June Paik's "Fractal Turtleship", Large-scale Media Facade and Interactive Media Experience
Details: Site-specific programs that represent the history and significance of Gwanghwamun Square and neighboring major buildings(Storytelling of five-theme zones: History/Culture/Communication/Creation/Repose)


"Seoul, Delightful City"

In December 2009, Gwanghwamun Square transforms itself into the 'Square of Lights'...

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
The skyline of Florence (Firenze), Italy wouldn't be the same without the stunning Cathedral or Duomo that so personifies the grandeur and elegance of the city. The Duomo, which translates to "the Cathedral" or "Dome Cathedral", has a long and regal history dating back to the end of the 13th century.

The Duomo's Architecture
Near the end of the thirteenth century, the government that oversaw the Republic of Florence decided to replace their under-sized, rather plain Santa Reparata with a more majestic worshipping house...

The Museo del Prado, or Prado Museum, is located on the Calle Ruiz de Alarcón in Madrid. It is arguably Spain's most famous art museum. To reach Museo del Prado take the light blue line metro to the Atocha stop or the red line metro to the Banco de España stop. It is open from 9am to 8pm Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is 8€ ($11) for adults, with discounts for students and seniors...

Taipei 101 (臺北 101) now takes the 3rd place of world's top building but it has been at the 1st place during 2004 -2010. It is also known by its green design and construction techniques which make itself a tallest Green building in the world. You are highly suggested to go to the observatory at 89th floor by taking the 2nd speedy elevator to have a magnificent bird's-eye view of Taipei City. You can have both daytime and nighttime view if you go nearly the time when sky turns dark, and you have another option to go 91st floor to experience outdoor height with your courage...

Situated in the heart of the Red Centre is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. It includes one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock), and the dome-shaped rock formations of Kata Tjuta, or the Olgas, which lie around 40 kilometers away.

Uluru is a massive sandstone monolith that rises 348 meters in the middle of the surrounding desert...

Cocos Island, Costa Rica, is located over 300 miles off the Costa Rican shore and is a part of the Puntarenas Canton.

The island itself is uninhabited; you can also get to the area by boat. If you want to stay for more than a day, you will have to live in the many boats that offer board and lodging and are anchored around the island. Cocos Island's warm waters provide a home to hammerhead sharks, rare frogfish, turtles, moray eels, trumpet fish, blue-striped snappers, lobsters and a treasure trove of colored fish...

The Trevi Fountain is one of the most popular and photographed fountain in the world. This grand fountain, most likely the most beautiful one in Rome, is located in the Quirinale district and is clearly the masterpiece of the small Trevi square. "Trevi" is derived from the word "Trivium", meaning "where three streets meet". This monumental baroque Trevi Fountain is within walking distance of the Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps...

Parque del Buen Retiro is located in the heart of Madrid, Spain. It is best accessed through the Alcala Gate. You can reach it by taking the metro to the Retiro or Ibiza stops. This scenic park is open all year round, but the weather is best in the spring and fall. Sundays are especially crowded with families enjoying the greenery and weather...

Montjuïc is a large hill and wooded area located southeast of the center of Barcelona in Spain. Parts of Montjuïc overlook the Mediterranean Sea. Montjuïc is a big place, but the best metro access comes on lines 1 and 3 at the Espanya stop. No matter from where you leave the park, you should be able to find bus service. The Montjuïc area is open all the time, but timings vary for its different attractions...

The Museum of Sydney explores the people and events that have shaped the city, built on the ruins of the house of New South Wales' first Governor, Arthur Phillip. Remnants of the original 1788 building, such as drains and privies, can still be glimpsed today through glass openings in the museum’s forecourt and foyer, retaining what is a significant and symbolic site for the city.

Australia’s first Government House served as the social, ceremonial and political heart of the New South Wales colony during its initial years and the focal point of the first contact between the indigenous Gadigal people and the colonizing British...

Located around 45 minutes’ drive west of Sydney’s city center is the Featherdale Wildlife Park, set across seven acres of land in the suburb of Doonside. It was established in 1972, primarily as a nursery for Australian native trees and plants, while also providing a refuge for native animals.

Today the Featherdale Wildlife Park is dedicated to educating the public about conservation and is home to Australia’s largest native animal collection...

Home to more than 700 different marine species, the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium is one of Australia’s largest and most impressive aquariums. It’s set across 14 themed zones, including Jurassic Seas, the Shark Walk, Dugong Island, the Southern Ocean and the Discovery Rockpool, as well as the world’s largest display on the Great Barrier Reef.

The exhibits cover both fresh and saltwater environments, including Australia’s riverine species and the fragile nature of these ecosystems...

A jewelry box. A light show. A diamond reflecting the light with its many facets.

This is La Sainte Chapelle in Paris and more. It is best to visit this gem of a chapel during the day, when there is plenty of sunlight. La Sainte Chapelle may be small, but oh, the wonder and excitement when you see how natural light plays with it!

La Sainte Chapelle (or Holy Chapel) harks back to 1246, when it was built as a home to the relics of the True Cross...

The Laguna Colorada is located in the Andean plateaus of Bolivia, just southwest of it. It is within Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve near the Chilean border. It is a 60-square kilometer shallow salt lake that has white borax islands that provide good contrast to all that red water. The shoreline is also bordered by white deposits composed of gypsum, sodium, borax and magnesium...

Tucked away in the mountains of the northern part of the Sichuan Province of China is the Jiuzhai Valley (or Jiuzhaigou National Park). It is a haven for nature lovers and birdwatchers. With its 72,000 square kilometers of forests, lakes, waterfalls and springs, it is home to rare animals and birds, such as the panda and the Sichuan takin. It is dubbed as the "Wonderland on Earth" because of its natural beauty and the diversity of its flora and fauna...

Alpamayo Mountain Peak in Peru is a place of ethereal beauty and splendor. At its peak, you may just reach the "roof of the world". It has the distinction of being voted as "the most beautiful peak in the world". And UNESCO concurs with this vote. This moniker is well earned, as it has an extraordinary pyramidal shape. Many a mountaineer come here yearly in an attempt to scale its picturesque and yet difficult peak...

The Centre Georges Pompidou is to be found at the Beaubourg area of Paris, France. It is near Marais and Les Halles at the IVe arrondissement. This controversial building was constructed in the 1970s and now houses a variety of institutions. These include the National Museum of Modern Art, a library (Bibliothèque publique d'information) and others.

Ever since it opened its doors in 1977, it has been the subject of many an argument, because of its bold "exo-skeletal" design made of glass and metal and the use of brightly colored pipes that are visible to all...

The CN Tower is the tallest free-standing infrastructure in all of Canada. Resembling the Space Needle in Seattle, the CN Tower is considered as one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. Visited by millions of locals and tourists from all parts of the world, the CN Tower is situated right in the heart of the beautiful and multi-cultural cities of Toronto in the province of Ontario, Canada, the CN holds the Guinness Book of World Record title of being the most visited landmark in Canada today...

Get ready for Alcatraz. Alcatraz is one of San Francisco's main tourist draws and favorite landmarks for all its checkered history and infamy. What attracts people to this bleak island with its sheer cliffs, swift currents, and frigid waters? Well, for one thing, this has been home to some of the world's most notorious criminals...

With a magnificent setting at Circular Quay near the ferry wharf, the Customs House Library is set within one of Sydney’s finest historical landmarks. It was constructed from 1844 to 1845 to serve as the headquarters of the Customs Service before becoming a venue for exhibitions and functions in 1990. Since 2003, it has been home to the City of Sydney Library, which is set across three levels in the heritage-listed building.

Step inside the entrance to see a 4...

Just a short ferry ride from Circular Quay across beautiful Sydney Harbour will take you to the world-famous Taronga Zoo. It boasts magnificent water views across its 69 acres (“Taronga” is an indigenous Aboriginal word meaning “beautiful view”) and is home to more than 4,000 animals from 350 different species. Not only is there native Australian wildlife, but animals from across the globe, with the grounds divided into eight zoogeographic regions...

Just to the south of Sydney lies the magnificent coastal cliffs, untouched beaches and native bushland of the Royal National Park. It stretches across 151 square kilometers and was the second national park to be established in the world, after Yellowstone in the United States.

Tall limestone cliffs back idyllic and secluded beaches, while hardy, salt-tolerant species dominate the coastal heathland that stretches inland...

On the doorstep of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and immediately adjacent to Circular Quay lies The Rocks, a historic neighborhood of charismatic sandstone architecture and cobblestone streets. It was established as Australia's first European settlement in 1788 and is today packed with fascinating museums, boutique shops and iconic pubs, making it worthy of an entire day’s exploration.

Admire one of the colony’s original buildings at Cadman’s Cottage that dates to 1816 or tour the terrace houses of the Susannah Place Museum that were built in 1844 by Irish immigrants...

Australia’s oldest scientific institution, the Royal Botanic Gardens sprawl across 30 acres on the edge of Sydney Harbour. It was opened in 1816 and remains one of the most important botanical institutions in the world, home to an impressive collection of plants from Australia and around the globe.

A historic hand-hewn sandstone seawall wraps around Farm Cove all the way to the Sydney Opera House, with the gardens gradually sloping up from here...

Sydney’s hub for entertainment is Darling Harbour, which lies a ten-minute walk from the CBD or a short ferry ride from Circular Quay. It’s home to the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo for up-close animal encounters, as well as great cafes and restaurants overlooking the water. Soak up the comings and goings at its historic wharf area, watch live street performers and musicians or get some retail therapy at its numerous shopping destinations...

Soaring above the city skyline as Sydney’s tallest structure, the Sydney Tower Eye measures in at 309 meters. It features a 360-degree observation deck that offers unparalleled panoramas across the city, making it one of Sydney’s most popular tourist attractions.

Look out across the iconic beaches of Sydney through high powered binoculars, with views stretching all the way to the Blue Mountains in the distance...

Located in the heart of Darling Harbour, adjacent to the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and Madame Tussauds, is WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo. This award-winning, native wildlife park is designed like a rainbow serpent from the Aboriginal Dreamtime stories, with open-air exhibits enclosed by a stainless steel mesh roof that resembles the serpent’s ribs. The exhibits feature native trees and plants in their landscaping to provide a natural home for koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, platypus and even Tasmanian devils...

Entertaining Sydneysiders since the early 19th century, the beautiful Capitol Theatre is located in Haymarket. It hosts world class musicals, theatrical plays, ballets and concerts within its magnificent historic setting.

The site was used by Sydney’s early settlers as a market for produce and hay (hence the name “Haymarket”), with the building designed by architect George McRae and structural engineer Norman Selfe...

Home of the Sydney Theatre Company, who perform both here and at the nearby Roslyn Packer Theatre. The company was formed in 1978 and initially worked out of numerous rented premises throughout the city, with actors such as Geoffrey Rush, Hugo Weaving and Cate Blanchett having developed their careers here.

Walsh Bay’s Wharf 4/5 was at the time a derelict space, with its ironbark timber warehouse having been built to load cargo onto ships...

The Powerhouse Museum is situated in the old Ultimo Power Station building, just a short walk from Darling Harbour. It’s the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences’ main venue (aside from the historic Sydney Observatory), with outstanding collections that span science, technology, communication, transport, furniture, media, fashion and contemporary culture.

While the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences has been in existence for more than 125 years, its Powerhouse Museum opened its doors in 1988...

Located in the beachside suburb of Manly on Sydney’s northern shores, the Manly Sea Life Sanctuary is a much-loved aquarium, dedicated to the conservation of marine species. It first opened its doors in 1965 as Marineland and has undergone numerous name changes and revamps since, eventually being launched as Manly Sea Life Sanctuary in 2012.

The aquarium is divided into three sections - Penguin Cove, Shark Harbour and Underwater Sydney - with everything from octopuses to lion fish, seahorses and baby sharks on display...

The Sydney Harbor Bridge is an iconic image, along with the Opera House, of the city of Sydney in Australia.

Climb the Harbour Bridge

Experience the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the most thrilling way possible with BridgeClimb, an adrenalin sports company that will take you up and over the southern half of the bridge. You can opt to climb at dawn, during the day, at twilight or at night, with the full experience taking just over three hours...

Undoubtedly the most famous avenue in the world, Champs-Elysees in Paris, France, is blessed with a unique elegance and charm. That is also why it is considered the world's most beautiful avenue. Even with traffic surging along it, there really is something special in the experience of ambling along Champs-Elysees. The streetlamps at dusk provide an exceptional atmosphere to the length that spans from the Place Charles de Gaulle (where you can find the Arc de Triomphe) to Place de la Concorde...