ABU SIMBEL

ABU SIMBEL :

Abu Simbel is famous for its four imposing statues of the seated Pharaoh Rameses.Those sculptures guard his temple's entrance. They and the temple behind them were originally carved out of the same sandstone cliff, over three millennia ago.Pharaoh Rameses II wanted to impress his Egyptian subjects of his grandeur -- and to set fear in the hearts of his formidable Nubian enemies who threatened Egypt's southern border.

Each of the seated Abu Simbel statues is as high as a five-story building. For scale, notice the statues standing between the pharaoh's legs -- they are life size.The construction of Egypt's vast Aswan High Dam across the Nile River in the 1960s possed a problem. It would have submerged Abu Simbel and therefore lost to future scholars and tourists .

Abu Simbel was moved it to higher ground.This required cutting Abu Simbel into large blocks and reassembling them on top of the cliff, safely above the rising waters.This remarkable engineering feat was accomplished by a joint Egyptian and international effort, finishing in the nick of time.The nearby temple of the wife of Rameses is also a part of the Abu Simbel complex. That temple is an archaeological must-visit.

His 3200 year old mummy is dramatically displayed (head and hand are unwrapped) in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.The man who commissioned Abu Simbel is considered the greatest Pharaoh ever. He reigned for a long time - 67 years (1279 to 1213 BC).

ST. MARK`S BASILICA AND CAMPANILE

ST. MARK`S BASILICA AND CAMPANILE :

St. Mark's in Venice consists of two magnificent structures: The Basilica and its sidekick, the Campanile.The Basilica is renowned for its medieval mosaics, its exquisite golden altar screens embellished with precious gems, and its gilded facade (see photo).A lavish amount of decorative gold was used on both the building's interior and exterior surfaces.

The present-day church is the third to be erected on the plot in Venice. The original St. Mark's, a modest edifice, was built to house the stolen remains of the eponymous St. Mark.

The Campanile is a freestanding bell tower rising next to the Basilica.Its 95-meter (315-feet) high profile dominated the Venice skyline for centuries.In 1902, without warning, the St. Mark's Campanile collapsed. It has since been reconstructed, faithful to the earlier design.

You can take an elevator up to the top of St. Mark's Campanile for a magnificent view of Venice

FLORENCE CITYSCAPE

FLORENCE CITYSCAPE :

This cityscape in Italy captivated 16th century Renaissance masters like Leonardo da Vinci - and continues to do the same to 21st century travelers.The massive yet refined 15th century Gothic cathedral dome (center of photo). dominates the Florentine cityscape. The Duomo was designed by Fillipo Brunelleschi and intensely admired over a century later by Michelangelo.

The Palazzo Vecchio tower (right side of photo) is another cityscape standout, as is Giotti's Campanile (the bell tower on left side of photo).
The 14th century shop-lined covered Ponte Vecchio (not in photo) is another famous cityscape-defining structure.By far the best perspective view of Florence is from across the Arno River at the hillside Piazzale Michelangelo lookout.
For another fine viewpoint, climb to the top of the Duomo (via inside stairs). You'll be rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree (though Duomo-less) view of the Florence cityscape.

KREMLIN

KREMLIN :

The czars ruled the expanse of Russia from within the Kremlin ("citadel") walls. This historic fortress-palace is matched in size only by the Forbidden City in China.The Kremlin is completely enclosed by high defensive walls punctuated with a series of 17 strategic towers.

One of those towers is the 70-meter (230-foot) Savior Tower. It dominates the Kremlin skyline (see left spire in photo).

The rulers built ornate buildings that collectively make the Kremlin an architectural buffet. These structures include palaces and government centers. There are even three full-sized cathedrals clustered in the Kremlin's main square.One of those cathedrals has the tall Ivan the Great Bell Tower. At its foot rests the Czar Bell, the world's largest. Unfortunately, during its casting days, a huge chunk broke off. The bell was never rung or placed in its intended belfry.

Not to be missed is the Kremlin Armory (now a museum). It hosts many treasures including czarist crown jewels and opulent carriages dating back to the 16th century. The famous Faberge eggs are also on display.

VARNASI AND THE GANGES

VARNASI AND GANGES :

India's Ganges River is sacred to Hindus and flows by their holiest city, Varanasi (formerly Banaras). Varanasi is principally known to travelers for its ghats (stone steps leading directly into the water). It has about 100 of these riverbank stairways.Most ghats are used for ritual bathing. Hindu pilgrims, while standing waist high in the water, pray to cleanse their souls as they face the rising sun.It is the tourist's favorite ritual bathing ghat because of its picturesque backdrop of old temples, palaces and pavilions (see photo).

Varanasi also has cremation ghats because Hindus believe that those who die and are cremated in Varanasi go directly to heaven, bypassing the lengthy reincarnation process. First the dead are burned on riverside pyres, then their ashes are scattered on the sacred Ganges River.Being at the ghats (especially the ritual bathing variety) is glorious at the crack of dawn. Most worshipers prefer that time because the surroundings mystically glow with the reflected golden-red hues of the low-lying sun. Photographers do, too, for the same reason.