Varanasi and Ganges River India

Varanasi, also known locally as Banaras is situated on the banks of the river Ganges in utter Pradesh, India. It is also called as the city of lights and is known to be one of the most sacred places for many Hindus. It is also said that this city is one of the oldest in the entire world.

The river Ganges is known for its outing and the city has also chosen its culture based on the rivers purity and religious belief. Most of the prominent poets, writers and philosophers have been born in this part of the city. It is said that the entire city is blessed by gods, making it all the more popular for the common man of India. In fact, the origin of Ayurveda has also been associated with Varanasi. Followers of the Hindu community call this place the religious capitol of India. One can find thousands and thousands of temples in this city.

According to legend, the city was found some 5000 years ago by lord Shiva and thus is one of seven pilgrim destinations for Hindus. The city of Varanasi is known for its Ghats. It is said that the city owns almost 100 Ghats, some of them being owned privately. Some of the famous ghats of Varanasi are the Dashawamedh Ghat, the Manikarnik Ghat, Harishchandra Ghat and the Mana Mandir Ghat.It is estimated that more the 1,000,000 pilgims visit the city on a yearly basis. It is a belief that bathing the river Ganges will wash away all your sins.

Varanasi and Ganges

Varanasi and Ganges

Varanasi and Ganges

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Bogota Travel Guide

The capital of Columbia is Bogota and it is located at an elevation of about nine thousand feet on a mountain rimmed plateau near the Andes Mountains. Bogata has a temperate climate with average temperatures of about fifty-seven degrees all year long. Bogota is currently one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in South America. Some of the industries found in Bogota include printing and publishing, motor-vehicle assembly, food processing and manufacturing of products such as textiles, metals, machinery and electrical equipment. Bogota is also headquarters to many banks and corporations. As of 2005 the population of Bogota was over six million.
Getting Around Bogota

The roads and highways in Bogota have experienced a strain due to the rapid growth, but efforts have been made to upgrade the infrastructure. Currently there is the TransMilenio which is a rapid transit system that helps to fill in the gaps and to compensate for the lack of a metro system.

The main method of traveling around Bogota is the buy. The city has two bus systems: a traditional system and the Trasmilenio. The traditional system features a number of bus types that are operated by a variety of companies. There is the bus which is a large bus, buseta is a medium sized bus and colectivo is a van or minivan.

The buses are further divided into two categories. There is ejecutivo which is more of a deluxe service and not supposed to carry standing passengers. Then there is corriente which is normal bus service. For the bus you can expect a fare between sixty and seven cents.

For visitors there is a tourist train which operates on the weekends as a sightseeing tour. It is even popular with Bogota residents since it runs to the outlying towns. The route for this train is about fifty-three km long and then a second route goes further north by forty-seven km.
Catedral Primada Bogota, Columbia Catedral Primada Bogota, Bogota Travel, Bogota Tours
What to Do in Bogota

There is plenty to do is Bogota since it features a number of parks and facilities that put on concerts, plays, movies, storytelling and other activities. First there is Simon Bolivar Metropolitan Park which is used to stage free concerts and kites can be flown there. Then there is the Parque Nacional or the National Park which has a lot of open green space for games, foot and bicycle paths to wander along and entertainment venues such as movie screenings, concerts and other events.
When to Go in Bogota

Travel to Bogota can happen at any month out of the year no matter what the weather since there is plenty to do in Bogota. All year long there are a variety of events and major international events such as the Iberoamerican Theater Festival which happens in March. During the dry season there are plenty of outdoor activities and during the wet season there is plenty to do indoors to keep you busy for the entire length of your trip.

Easter is a time of the year reserved for reflection and many come to visit the various monuments arranged throughout the city for the celebration, but the largest number can be found in the downtown area. Another good time to come is during Christmas when the main park, shopping malls and other main points throughout the city are illuminated and provide quite a spectacle.
Where to Stay and Eat in Bogota

There are many options when it comes to staying in Bogota. You can find everything from a simple room with just the basic amenities up to vast elegant hotels that have everything you need to make your stay in the beautiful city of Bogota unforgettable. It is a good idea to first consider hotels near your place of interest. If you are going to be there for business then you may want to stay near the downtown corporate center. On the other hand if you are going only for tourism and to enjoy your vacation then you may want hotels on the outskirts of the city or even in the outlying suburbs. There are many excellent hotels in the countryside which provide a warm and familiar environment. Perfect for a romantic retreat or a place to gather with family and friends for a relaxing vacation.
Palacio De Justicia Bogota, Columbia Palacio De Justicia Bogota, Bogota Travel, Bogota Restaurants

Bogota is a large cosmopolitan city that has plenty for all types of people. Whether you are an inhabitant or a foreigner there are a wide variety of foods to choose from that come from the different regions of Columbia and even from all over the world. No matter what your taste or budget you can find a restaurant you will love in Bogota.

There is everything from small down home restaurants to elegant and exclusive restaurants for the upper class. You can also have an easily time located a wide variety of fruits from the local fields of Columbia. In fact, you will find many exotic fruits and vegetables that you won't be able to find in a typical supermarket in Bogota or anywhere else for that matter. Consider some of the top restaurants you can visit while traveling in Bogota.

First if you are in the La Zona Rosa section of the city you will find an endless choice of cafes, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Many of the restaurants in this section of the city are fine place to eat during the day then at night they become a popular place to dance the night away and enjoy a few drinks.

North of the capital there is an exclusive park on 93rd which is surrounded by many cafes, bars, nightclubs, hotels and foreign food restaurants. Many of these restaurants have terraces that overlook the park or the city so you can enjoy gorgeous views along with your meal. If you are looking for unique cuisine from anywhere around the world you will likely find it at a restaurant in this area.

Then near the hills there is the Usaquen neighborhood which features many architecturally unique buildings to help preserve the appearance of the old neighborhood. There are a number of historic restaurants and bars in this area. They are also near plenty of serene walking areas should you want to take a stroll after your meal.

On the outskirts of the city there is the La Calera neighborhood which features a few wonderful restaurants which also offer you views of the city of Bogota. Most city inhabitants go out to these restaurants and nightclubs so be sure to call ahead for seating or reservations to be sure you get a table.

Lastly there is the North Zone neighborhood which is also located on the outskirts of the city. In fact this neighborhood is located close to the nearby towns of Chia and Cajica. This is the place to go if you want to find a restaurant that offers the typical, traditional Columbian food. Most restaurants feature Columbian grilled meats done on the grill the old fashioned way.

No matter what your taste you will find a restaurant in Bogota. Or just go out and try something new. If you are unsure where to go then consider asking the hotel staff or a local citizen. They can point you in the direction of an excellent restaurant favored by locals and tourists alike. You likely won't be disappointed.

Bogota Tourism

Bogota Tourism

Bogota Tourism

Bogota Tourism

Bogota Tourism

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Moscow Kremlin Russia

Moscow Kremlin is also called the Kremlin and is a castle that is situated at the heart of Moscow. It has four palaces and four cathedrals. The site is the official residence of the president of Russia.
The great Kremlin Palace is one of the biggest castle in the entire Russia. The palace has a very stunning looking combination of yellow and white with a green roof top. The golden color adds a touch of wealth to the entire palace. The palace was made in the year 1837 by King Nicholas I. The palace was initially built in the year 1462 during the rule of Ivan the Terrible. However, it was rebuilt because a lot of damage was done to the place during war times. During the 18th century, the construction came to a halt as the entire Russian capital moved it the north city. It was in 1740’s when an Italian architecture was hired by queen Elizabeth and once again the construction began.

The Palace was built to extend the Russian autocracy. The best architects were hired to perform the splendid job and finally they did come up with a fine piece of art. The dimensions of the palace are massive. The total length of the palace is 125 meters and the width is 47 meters and thus covers a total of 25,000 sq. meters. The whole building has almost 9 churches from the 14th, 15th and 16th century and has more than 700 rooms in it. The west side of the palace was for the Royal family. Just like many other palaces, this one is also off limits to public viewing.

Moscow Kremlin Russia
Moscow Kremlin Russia
Moscow Kremlin Russia
Moscow Kremlin Russia
Moscow Kremlin Russia
Moscow Kremlin Russia

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Florence and Its Cityscape

The city of Florence is the capital of the Italy. The city is situated on the top of a river called Arno and is known for its interesting past, art and architecture. For a period of 5 years i.e. from 1865 to 1870 it was also declared the capital of Italy. The City of Florence is a part of the World Heritage Site which was registered in 1982.
Florence is one of the mot attractive tourist spot in the entire Italy due to is cityscape. The reason why Florence Cityscape is so special is because since the sixteenth century, it has fascinated big masters like Leonardo da Vinci and till the 21st century, mesmerizes every tourist that visits this place.
Some of the major attractions of the city are the Duomo, Sky line Icons, Best Vantage etc. The Duomo is a huge cathedral in the Florence’s city. The Palazzo Vecchio Tower is yet another skyline Icon or a bell tower that has an outstanding appeal to it. The Ponte Vecchio, of the14th century is also another landmark in the cityscape of Florence Italy. The Floreence Cityscape is also known for its artistic past. Almost all great Italian artists belonged to this part of the city. It seems that the entire city lit up beautifully during the evening as if is a beautiful painting made on canvas. Most of the tourists who visit this place come mainly to see the colorful city of Florence.

Florence Cityscape
Florence Cityscape
Florence Cityscape
Florence Cityscape
Florence Cityscape

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St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice Italy

Saint Mark’s Basilica is a cathedral located in the city of Venice, Italy. It is one of the most beautiful cathedrals of the city and is famous because of its uniqueness in terms of the wealth and the magnificent interior. This cathedral is a living example of the Byzantine Architecture. The cathedral is situated on the St. Marks Square. Long time back, it did not serve as a cathedral, in fact it was a Chapel for the Venetian City and its rulers. Since eleventh century onwards, the cathedral was known by the nick name Church of God an in Italian “Chiesa d’Oro.”

The entire cathedral of St. Mark has had arts men like the Europeans and the Italian, that is the reason it displays the beauty and design of both cultures. St. Mark’s Basilica is known for its artistic, iconographic as well as religious content. It has had a lot of interesting historical facts to it.

The current Basilica was the third cathedral that was built on the place so that Saint Mark’s body could be placed here. The entire Basilica is divided into 3 main segments, the lower, upper segment and the domes. The interior of the cathedral depicts the Greek cross and every arm is divided into 3 naves. The cathedrals is said to be a masterpiece of the Gothic sculpture and art. The entire top ceiling is covered with beautiful mosaic colors of gold and bronze, giving it a very bright and lit effect.

St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice
St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice
St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice
St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice

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Abu Simbel Archaeological Site Egypt

Abu Simble are two huge rock temples in south Egypt about 290 km south west of Aswan. This is an archeological site and now registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are also called the Nubian Monuments. The history of these temples takes us back to the 13th century when they were carved out of a mountain side. The entire monument was relocated in 1960 on an artificial hill.

The reason the monuments were shifted because they were gradually drowning in the Lake Nasser. This lake was a huge artificial reservoir that was made by the river Nile and Aswan Dam. The Abu Simbel attracts a lot of tourists every year as it is the top most visited spot in Egypt.

The temple almost took 2o years to complete. The temple is a dedication to three different gods, namely the Ra-horakhty, Ptah and Rameses. The Abu Simble is considered one of the most beautiful and the sacred temple in the entire Egypt. Each and every statue in the temple is throne and is wearing double crown of both the Upper and the Lower Egypt. The statue that you can see toward the left once got damaged due to earthquake.

The entire temple is marked as a courtyard and enclosed on the north and south side by walls. The Abu Simbel is known for its beauty, mystery and architectural knowledge. Most of the visitors who are on the expedition to explore Egypt come to visit the Temple.

Abu Simbel Archaeological Site
Abu Simbel Archaeological Site
Abu Simbel Archaeological Site
Abu Simbel Archaeological Site
Abu Simbel Archaeological Site

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Alaska Tourism USA

Alaska had in the past its fair share of setbacks in the tourism industry. There were the 1967 floods, which virtually put tourism on a standstill, and the infamous terrorist attacks of 2001, leading to a general collapse in confidence of the American tourism industry and security measures as a whole.
However, this year and next year are expected to be even more brutal and some have even mentioned the potential decline of 30%. Others have suggested less but a minimum of 10% has been generally agreed on.
The main problem is, of course, the worrying economic cloud, which is circling above the planet. Americans, especially, are extra concerned about parting with their dollars and are exercising an extra degree of caution. Meanwhile, cuts in the industry, cruise lines stopping their services around Alaska and a shortage of government funding for marketing campaigns are all factors, which are making the situation a lot worse. The government has been blamed for giving a lot more money for marketing to Hawaii, as an example, and not to Alaska where the funds are desperately needed.
The tourism industry in Alaska provides around 40.000 jobs and was worth $1.7 billion to the state economy in 2008. The average visitor used to spend around $1.000. However, they are far more likely to now buy a t-shirt with ‘I have been to Alaska’ written on it than take a more expensive helicopter flight through the Alaskan wilderness. This attitude has dire consequences for the economy. Advance bookings for next year are already down for many tour operators and the Royal Caribbean Cruise company recently announced to take away one of its ships in 2010. The outlook, so far, for Alaska, is as bleak as its winters can be.

Alaska Tourism
Alaska Tourism
Alaska Tourism
Alaska Tourism

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St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow Russia

St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, Russia was built by Ivan the Terrible between 1555 and 1561. According to legends, the builder of this Cathedral was blinded so that such a beautiful structure could never be built again. The Cathedral is vividly colorful and contains redbrick towers that add to its beauty. The church’s design consists of nine chapels, each mounted with its individual dome that marks the assault on the city of Kazan.

The Cathedral provides a strong religious symbolism and is based on architectural designs found in Jerusalem. Eight of the domes make a circular form around the ninth dome, forming a star (if viewed from the top). The number eight is considered an auspicious number according to Jewish calendar. There is a deep contrast between the interior and the exterior of the Cathedral. The interior contains modest decorations and is not that spectacular. The corridors inside are narrow and don’t have adequate space for worshippers seating.

Many times in history, the Cathedral has suffered damage due to violent communal incidents. If stories are to be true, the French ruler Napoleon wanted to take St. Basil back to France with him, but due to the lack of such technology, he ordered his army to destroy it so that no one else could occupy the church. His army had prepared to attack the church and had also lit up the gunpowder, but a mysterious rain shower prevented the explosions. These are legends, but people really believe in St. Basil’s mysterious powers and there are a lot of committed worshipers.

St. Basil’s Cathedral

St. Basil’s Cathedral

St. Basil’s Cathedral

St. Basil’s Cathedral

St. Basil’s Cathedral

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Delphi, an Archaeological Site in Greece

Delphi, a modern town in Greece is a famous archaeological site in the valley of Phocis. Delphi is located in the center of Greece, on the terraces that border the slope of Mount Parnassus. It also includes the Sanctuary of Apollo, a place where the ancient Oracle once lived. It was the place of the Delphic Oracle in Greek mythology when the main god of worship was Apollo. It is a site that is a must view for those who have always been influenced by the charm of the Oracle. The history shows that Delphi was populated during the Neolithic era. During 100 B.C., it became an important center for religious and political activities. It is interesting to know that the exact function of the Oracle cannot be found in any of the prehistoric documents; it is only the importance of Delphi that is documented well.

Delphi of Greece was considered to be the center of the world and the Oracle was a religious naval that was famous for predicting the future. Since the Oracle could predict the future, most of the kings and common people used to consult the Oracle on matters that were of great importance. These matters would include things like small house hold disputes to big war conditions. Because of its future telling capabilities, it created a name and a reputation of its own not just in Greece but in the entire world. Some of the common sites to visit in Delphi is the famous temple of Apollo, The Tholos, the Delphi Museum and the Charioteer of Delphi. The drive to Delphi from Athens is almost one and a half hour. One can reach Delphi by air or road.Delphi
Delphi
Delphi

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Golden Pavilion Info & Photos

The Golden Pavilion Temple, also called Kinkaku-ji in Japanese, was built in 1397 and it is located in Kyoto, Japan. It was initially made to serve as a villa for retirement for Shogun Ashikaga. It was quite later that his son converted the building into a Zen temple. The Golden Pavilion was burned twice and was reconstructed after five years. In the year 1950, a monk burned the entire temple into ashes and finally planned to take his own life by jumping behind the hill. The monk survived the attempt to die. However, his mother due to the shame that her son had brought, jumped from the train into the river. The monk was sent to jail for 7 years where he died due to illness.

The Golden Temple is a building with three stories. The upper two stories are covered with a pure gold sheet. The main purpose of the pavilion is to work as shariden, storing the remains of the Buddha’s ashes. One can see a typical Chinese style built on the top floor. The middle section looks like the Zen style and the last, the ground floor is made similar to the shinden-zukuri-style and does not have the gold sheet on it.

The entire temple is covered by a beautiful garden with a pond in the front called the Mirror Pond. A lot of stones in the pond give a representation of the Buddhist’s era. In the year 1987, some parts of the temple were recoated in thicker gold and some interiors of the temple were worked upon during the year 2003.Golden Pavilion
Golden Pavilion
Golden Pavilion
Golden Pavilion
Golden Pavilion

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