Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Szechenyi Baths (Széchenyi Strandfürdő), Budapest

This spa has the hottest thermal baths in Budapest and the added attraction of magnificent Neo-Baroque architecture. The warmth of the water is such that these baths are popular even during the winter season.

A statue stands at the main entrance to the Széchenyi Baths depicting geologist Vilmos Zsigmond, who discovered a hot spring here while drilling a well in 1879. The Széchenyi Baths are the deepest and hottest baths in Budapest – the water reaches the surface at a temperature of 74–5° C (180° F).

Szechenyi Baths Budapest

Dam Square Amsterdam

The very heart of Amsterdam, Dam Square, or "The Dam", as the locals call it – marks the site of the original 13th-century dam on the Amstel river. An architectural parade spanning six centuries includes the glorious Nieuwe Kerk and the Koninklijke Paleis. By the 17th century, with the town hall here and the Exchange nearby, the Dam had become the focus of Amsterdam’s political and commercial life. The passage of years may have eroded some of its grandeur – but certainly none of its colour or its vitality.

Top  10 Sights
  1.  Koninklijk Paleis
  2.  Nieuwe Kerk
  3.  Nationaal Monument
  4.  Madame Tussaud’sScenerama
  5.  Damrak
  6.  De Bijenkorf
  7.  Rokin
  8.  Kalverstraat
  9.  Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky
  10.  Street Performances and Events

Dam Square Amsterdam

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Dome of the rock Jerusalem Israel

The Dome of the Rock is the earliest Islamic building to have survived in its original form to the present day. Intended as a shrine for pilgrims, it was completed under the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik, and stands near the center of the Haram al-Sharif ("The Noble Sanctuary"), or Temple Mount, a site important to both Muslim and Jewish faiths. Its octagonal form is derived from local Christian church architecture, and the interior is decorated with glittering mosaics that reveal Byzantine influence. It has undergone several restorations, notably in the 1540s by Süleyman the Magnificent, who replaced the colorful tiles on the exterior. The central dome was originally covered in pure gold, but this has now been replaced by anodized aluminium, coated in gold leaf.


Dome of the rock Jerusalem

Santa Maria del Fiore - Florence Duomo

Rising above the heart of the city, the richly decorated Duomo - Santa Maria del Fiore and its orange-tiled dome have become Florence's most famous symbols. Typical of the Florentine determination to lead in all things, the cathedral is Europe's fourth largest church, and to this day it still remains the city's tallest building.

Tourists in Duomo Florence

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Olympiapark munich Germany

In preparation for the 1972 Olympic Games, a former airfield and parade ground were transformed into an Olympic park. The park features landscaped hills, an artificial lake, a communications tower, and sports facilities. Designed by the firm of Behnisch & Partners, the elegant, airy ensemble derives its character chiefly from the transparent tensile roof designed by Frei Otto. Tent-shaped, it covers part of the stadium, the hall, and the pool, and is considered a masterpiece of modern architecture.

Olympiapark munich Germany


Top  Sights :
  1. Olympic Tower
  2. BMW Welt
  3. Olympic Stadium
  4. Olympic Hall
  5. Lake & Park
  6. Olympic Skating Rink
  7. Sea Life
  8. Olympic Aquatic Centre
  9. Father Timofej’s Chapel
  10. Theatron & Other Facilities

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Guangzhou - Canton, China

Formerly known as Canton, the capital of China's southern manufacturing heartland attracts plenty of business travelers, but is largely overlooked by tourists. While less dramatic than Beijing and Shanghai in an aesthetic sense, Guangzhou is nonetheless an intriguing city. Conscious of its forthcoming star turn as host of the Asian Games in 2010, it is undergoing a massive urban facelift. New structures include China's tallest building, the 2,000-ft (610-m) Guangzhou New Television Tower, a futuristic opera house designed by Zaha Hadid and a Beijing Olympics-style "Water Cube" aquatics arena.

Guangzhou China


Thursday, June 6, 2013

East Coast of Zanzibar, Tanzania

The east coast of Zanzibar isn’t the place to go for bland, international beach-resort luxury. Although its sandy palm-lined beaches are as idyllic as they come, the east coast offers visitors much more than just pretty beaches. The seafront is studded with traditional Swahili villages, including Bwejuu, Paje, and Jambiani, each one smaller and more rustically somnambulant than the one before, making it a great place to experience rural Africa on its own terms. In keeping with this, accommodations tend to be low rise, low key, low impact, and low cost – it’s the ideal place to relax after a costly safari. Look out for the endangered Kirk’s red colobus, a fringed monkey endemic to Zanzibar.

Zanzibar Beach, Tanzania


Sunday, June 2, 2013

Old San Juan Puerto Rico

Old San Juan (Viejo San Juan) is the historic heart of Puerto Rico's capital city. This intimate quarter boasts an astonishing wealth of well-preserved forts, cathedrals, and convents, as well as colorful mansions and other important buildings spanning five centuries. The footsteps of friars and conquistadores seem to echo down cobbled streets and plazas that exude plenty of colonial charm. Easily walkable, the narrow, shaded streets of Old San Juan are lined with museums, hotels, restaurants, boutiques, and trendy bars. No museum piece, this lively quarter is a thriving community where families gather to enjoy the irresistible ambience.

Old San Juan Puerto Rico


Top 10 Features :
  1.  Casa Blanca
  2.  Fortaleza San Felipe del Morro
  3.  Castillo de San Cristóbal
  4.  Plaza de San José
  5.  Plaza del Inmigrante
  6.  Paseo de la Princesa
  7.  Catedral de San Juan Baútista
  8.  Plaza de Armas
  9.  Parque de las Palomas
  10.  Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña