The Roman Colosseum

Also known as the Flavius Amphitheatre, The Colosseum of Rome is one of the most imposing structures that stand witness to the innumerable bloody fights that were fought on its opening ceremony and the gladiatorial combats which the people thronged to see, a major form of entertainment those times. The arena has a capacity of 70,000 spectators. Built out of slabs of travertine stone, the original structure consisted of 4 storeys. What stands today is a skeletal remains of the original splendor. The tiers are angled in such a way that a spectator, wherever he’s seated gets a clear view.

The Pantheon

Coming from two Greek words, “pan” and “teon” meaning everything divine, it is one of the oldest works of art existing. It is the best preserved monument having the biggest brick dome in the history of architecture. It was built between 25 and 27 BC and later rebuilt in 80 AD, after a fire. The present day structure was built by Emperor Hadrian after the original was hit by lightening and caught fire again, after lot of modifications and restructuring. As Michelangelo put it, the Pantheon is indeed a work of angels, not men.

St Peter’s Square – The Colonnades

The ornately decorated Basilica beneath the dome architectured by Michelangelo attracts many pilgrims of the Roman Catholic faith. It has taken more than 100 years to build and all the great designers of yore had a part to play.

The Roman Forum

It is situated between the Colosseum and the Piazza Venezia. A magnificent view of the Forum can be obtained from the terrace of Campidoglio. The imposing ruins of Basilica Emelia, the Cura, which was once upon a time the seat of the senate is also visible from the terrace. The forum was a place of celebrations during Caesar’s time and a symbol of The Empire in the imperial times.

Here’s the place for all you travel enthusiasts to come, visit Rome and experience and enjoy the enriching flavor of one of the oldest cities in the world.

Cyprus pics and information

About Cyprus

Cyprus is a magnificent island on the Mediterranean Sea that successfully combines glory of days past with modern culture from Europe. This exotic land is characterized by beautiful sun-kissed beaches, towering mountain peaks covered with lush forests, magnificent vineyards dotted with olive trees and historical ruins that bring back glimpses of the land’s glorious past. The charm of the land is further multiplied by the hospitality of its inhabitants.

Cyprus – A Paradise of Love!

According to Greek mythology, Cyprus is the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Love. The island represents the successful marriage of history and hedonism. The Temple of Aphrodite, located in Paphos, attracts tourists from all over the world. The excellence of the artworks featured on the walls of this magnificent temple has to be seen to be believed. The land, owing to its enchanting beauty, has faced many invasions in the past, from Mycenaeans, Assyrians, Egyptians and also Persians. In relatively recent time, the British, followed by the Greeks and the Turks battled over the possession of this exotic island. One good thing that has come out this series of invasions is an intermixing of various cultures. Cyprus today boasts of an impressive array of cultural masterpieces, ranging from centuries old Crusader castles to the Tomb of Mohammed’s Aunt. Each civilization that has claimed domination over the land has left some mark on the culture, history and general lifestyle.

The Vibrant Cyprus Nightlife

The Aiya Napa resort is located on the far eastern end of the south coast of Cyprus. This luxurious resort presents tourists with a true taste of the Cyprus nightlife. The best nightclubs in Cyprus are located here, and regular performances from famous DJ-s and vocalists keep the dance floors alive every night. Kids are not kept away either, the Bedrock Inn was established especially for them. Here the Flintstones cartoon series has been used as the theme, and waiters dressed as cavemen serve the customers. The place, however, is off limits for kids after 11 p.m. The largest club in the mile long chain of pubs and clubs is the Castle Club, famous for having three rooms in it with three different types of music playing in those at all times. A relaxation room is also available, where customers can put up their weary feet for some time.

Picnic for a day

Most national parks located all over Cyprus have picnic spots for visitors. These areas are well-equipped with barbecue facilities, car parking, toilets and drinking water and even play areas for children. It is a perfect opportunity for spending a lazy day relaxing with the family or friends.

Wine Tasting in Cyprus

Wine enthusiast tourists can join local wine tasting groups for short time periods. The Chrysoroyiatissa Monastery, dedicated to The Lady of the Golden Pomegranate, produces some of the finest wine in the world. Tourists are allowed to sample various flavors of wine and cheese here. The wine is exported to many countries. King Richard the Lionheart was so fond of the wine produced here that he called it “The wine of Kings” and also the “King of Wines”.

Shopping in Cyprus

The large cities have many shopping centers and just like major cities in any other country; they offer a host of commodities for buyers. The island has its own wonders for shoppers too, like the hand made Lefkaritica lace, created especially by women in the Lefkara village, which is a source of attraction for tourists from all over the world. The lace can be purchased at bargain prices if tourists decide to obtain those from the creators themselves. The local wine Ouzo can also be bought from various shops at reasonable prices. Further bargaining is possible if one decides to purchase commodities in large quantities.

best vacation in mexico

If you are planning on a vacation in mexico, here are the best places to visit there:

Our first destination is Acapulco. Acapulco is an original party town. So, if you are in a vacation where you want to party 24/7, you go to Acapulco. They have stunning yellow beaches with 24 hour party nightlife.

Next destination is Bahia de Kino. The place is pure natural paradize if you want some peace, serene, and natural beautiful view. This is the paradise that you see in moves but does not know where to locate it in real life. It is the most laid back waterfront town and encourages packing it all in an dliving out your days soaking in the sun and sipping on Sols.

The Lake Baikal Russia Pictures and Information

Wonder: The Lake Baikal
Country: Russia
Region: Irkutsk
Visitable: Yes
About:

The Lake Baikal is the deepest lake of the world and the largest reservoir of fresh surface water of the planet and host a great variety of endemic species of flora and fauna.

Wonder type: Underwater Wonder National Wonder
The Lake Baikal location

The Lake Baikal is the deepest freshwater lake of the planet and the largest reservoir of fresh surface water. Its famous clear waters host a great diversity of flora and fauna. This lake is located in Asia and is part of the territory of Siberia in Russia in the boundary of the Russian provinces of Buryat Republic and Irkutskaya, near Irkutsk city. The Baikal Lake is considered by CEDAM one of the seven underwater Wonders of the World. The name Baikal, derives from two words of the Turk language, “bai” that means “wealthy” and “kul” that means “lake”.

The maximum width of the lake is 79.5 kilometers, its width minimum is 25 kilometers and it width medium is 47.8 kilometers. The lake lies along a tectonic break, which explains its great depth. The maximum deep of the lake is 1637 meters, which make this lake the deepest of the world, nevertheless its average deep is 758 meters. The Lake covers an area of 31722 square kilometers. Around 330 rivers flow their waters into this lake, being the most important the Selenga, Upper Angara and Barguzin rivers. Inside the lake there are also 22 islands, the largest island is Olkhon. It calculates that the lake contains around 23 615.390 cubical kilometers of fresh water almost 20% of the world surface fresh water reserves. It contains more water than all the North American Great Lakes combined. It is also the oldest lake of the world; since, this lake has existed since 25 million years ago.

One of the main features of the Baikal Lake is the clearness of its waters; the water is so clear that any object can be seen well at the depth of 40 meters. Besides, Baikal Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes of the planet and it is one of the few lakes that is still growing; the lake grows with an average speed of 2 cm per year (0.8 inches).


The Lake Baikal, Russia
The Lake Baikal, Russia

The lake hosts an impressive unique flora and fauna. Scientists have identified about 2600 species of animals and plants and almost 70 per cent of them are endemic that means, they only can be found in this lake. One of the most representative inhabitants of the Baikal’s ecosystem is the Nerpa (Phoca sibirica), a unique freshwater seal which lives in the northern zone of Baikal and in the Ushkanye islands. Another symbol of the Baikal’s fauna is the Omul, the most popular salmonid fish of the lake. Other representative specie of the lake is the Golomyanka also known as Baikal oil fish, an unusual beautiful fish, which is a translucent fish that live in depths between 200 and 500 meters, this kind of fish is famous for disintegrating and become a mass of oil and bones when they are exposed to sunlight. The region is inhabited also by foxes, eagles, deer, bears, and many others animals and plants.

The lake itself is a true wonder; but, besides it is surrounded by a marvelous landscape composed by rocky mountains and beautiful forests; therefore is one of the favorite places in Russia to do activities such as trekking, camping, kayaking, biking, fishing, etc.

About the Lake Baikal, the famous Russian writer Anton Chekhov said: "Baikal is amazing, and it is not without reason that Siberians refer to it not as a lake, but as a sea. Its water is unusually transparent, so that one can look though it as through air; its color is a soft-turquoise, pleasant to the eye. Its shores are mountainous and forest-covered; impenetrable wilderness all around. A profusion of bears, sable, wild goat and all sorts of wild thing".
History

Since ancient times many people had been living near Lake Baikal. There are vestiges of human presence in the region that date from the Stone Age, the first inhabitants of the region, considered the lake a sacred place, therefore Lake Baikal was known as Sacred Water or Sacred Sea and the people prayed and believed in the lake’s power. But, the major migration of people to the Lake Baikal’s region occurred after the Russian discovery of the lake in the XVII century. In 1643, the Cossack Kurbat Ivanov was the first Russian that arrived to the eastern Siberian. In 1647 Vasily Kolesnikov led an expedition that reached the Baikal’s northern coast.
View of the Lake Baikal
View of the Lake Baikal

Since the beginning, the Russian people developed an economy integrated to the lake, which was based in the fishing, nut gathering and hunting that means Lake Baikal has been the base of the region’s economy.

Since its discovery, many expeditions explored the Baikal Lake, one of the first was the scientific expedition sent by Peter I in 1723. In that time most scientific works about the lake were published by the Saint Petersburg Academy. However, only in the XIX century because of the construction of the Trans- Siberian Railway; systematic geographical and geological explorations were realized in the Baikal Lake. During the XX century, many other researches were done in the lake including a complete exploration organized by the Academy of Sciences. In 1976, the first satellite photography of Baikal Lake was taken. Nevertheless, despite all the expeditions and the long time that the lake has been explored, many questions and mysteries about Baikal Lake still keep.

The Baikal Lake was declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1996. Unfortunately in the 50 last years, the creation of many civil and industrial settlements has generated devastating pollution in the “Sacred Water”, generating a terrible impact in the delicate ecosystem of the Baikal Lake. The garbage, chemical waste derived from the agriculture and the growing of stream of tourists as well as the creation of pulp and paper plants are damaging the largest fresh water reservoir of the Earth.

Because of the growing contamination, authorities are taken some measures to protect the lake; such as, forbidden the logging of timber and the timber’s transportation over the Baikal Lake. Several industries in the Buryat Republic have been converted to close cycle water system to stop the contamination and the population around the lake is educated in order to protect the natural environment. But, these politics are insufficient to combat against the threat over the Baikal Lake. Currently the two main pollution menaces are the Ulan- Ude town and the Baikal’s Pulp and Paper Factory.

The future of this wonder of the nature depends now of the decisions of our generation. It is our responsibility fighting for the preservation of places like the wonderful Lake Baikal.

The Lake Baikal, Russia

The Lake Baikal, Russia

York Minster England City

Wonder: York Minster
Country: England
Region: York
Visitable: Yes
About:

York Minster is the greater Gothic Cathedral to the north of Europe, built on a cult place that combines Roman, Vikings and Medieval reminiscences.

Wonder type: National Wonder
York Minster location

York Minster is the biggest Gothic Cathedral in York, Northern Europe with 160m long and 76m wide. It is the seat of the Archbishop of York and Cathedral for the Diocese of York. It is formally title as The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St. Peter in York.

The cathedral was built between the 12th and the 15th century, the Foundations Museum under the Minster shows how the present building was constructed on the site of a Norman Cathedral which was it built on a Roman Fort. Two million people visit York Minster every year, tourists or pilgrims.

The stained glass window on the East Front is as big as a tennis court – the biggest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world. In the north transept is the Five SistersWindow, each lancet being over 16m high. The south transept contains the famous Rose window.
History

Since 300s, York has had a Christian presence. The first church was a wooden structure, built in 627 to provide a place to baptism Edwin, King of Northumbria. Around 637 a stone structure was completed by Oswald and dedicated to Saint Peter, but soon fell into disrepair and was dilapidated by 670.
Panorama vertical, York Minster
Panorama vertical, York Minster

In 741, the church was destroyed in a fire, but rebuilt with a more impressive structure containing thirty altars. After that the church and the entire area passed through the hands of numerous invaders, thus its history is unknown until the 10th century.






Between 1069 circa 1154, the church was damaged by a fire, destroyed by the Danes, to finally be repaired and remodeled with a Norman style. The archbishop, Walter de Gray ordered the construction of a Gothic structure to compare to Canterbury. The north and south transepts were built in the Early English Gothic style.

The Chapter House was completed before 1296, the outer roof in the 1330s, and the vaulting was finished in 1360. In 1407 the central tower collapsed and a new tower was built from 1420. The western towers were added between 1433 and 1472. The cathedral was declared complete and consecrated in 1472.

From 1730 to 1736 the whole floor of the Minster was relaid in patterned marble, However an accidental fire in 1840 left the nave, south west tower, and south aisle roofless, blackened shells. Another fire in 1984 destroyed the roof in the south transept, and restoration work was completed in 1988, and included new roof bosses. In 2007 renovation began on the east front, including the Great East Window, at an estimated cost of £23 million.

The present building was begun in about 1230 and completed in 1472, with a cruciform plan and an octagonal chapter house attached to the north transept, a central tower and two towers at the west front. The stone used for the building is magnesian limestone. The Minster is 158 metres long and each of its three towers are 60 metres high. The choir has an interior height of 31 metres. The North and South transepts have simple lancet windows, the most famous being the Five Sisters and the Rose Window commemorates the union of the royal houses of York and Lancaster.

The astronomical clock was installed in the North Transept in 1955. The clock is a memorial to the airmen operating from bases in Yorkshire, Durham, and Northumberland who were killed in action during World War II.

Nepal

nepal
nepal
nepal
nepal
nepal

Dubai Mall

dubai mall
dubai mall pics
dubai mall
dubai mall photos
dubai mall