LI RIVER CRUISE

LI RIVER CRUISE :

The Li River boat trip is one of our planet's most stunningly beautiful journeys. The smooth water exquisitely mirrors a fairy-tale landscape of conical peaks reaching for the sky (see photo). These limestone peaks are the vestiges of eroded ancient sea beds. There's something interesting to see from your Li River cruise boat along the banks of almost every bend of the river. You view graceful bamboo groves, farmers tending rice paddies, and lumbering water buffalos pulling carts or cooling off in the river.

Another interesting sidelight is seeing fishermen gliding on the Li River on narrow bamboo rafts. Some use tethered cormorant birds to catch fish. There are dozens of tour boats, each about the size of a medium sized tug boat. They head down the river from Guilin to Yangshou city in a conga line, one closely following the other.

Select a tour that gives you ample opportunity to explore on land the beautiful Yangshou countryside before heading back to Guilin. For a more comprehensive visit to the countryside, stay a night or two in Yangshou.Before or after your Li River cruise, visit Reed Flute Cave. This major Guilin-area attraction is lit with colored lights and has a cavern room that can hold a thousand people. Reed Flute Cave is a Hillman Wonder bronze medal winner.

SHWEDAGON PAGODA

SHWEDAGON PAGODA :
Its gleaming spire is thickly plated in gold and liberally crowned with diamonds, rubies and other precious gems. The Shwedagon Pagoda was built to house sacred hairs of Buddha.The pagoda stands nearly 100-meters (300-feet) high on top of a strategic hill. This allows it to command the skyline of Yangon (formerly Rangoon), the capital of Myanmar (formerly Burma).
An eye-catching complex of religious buildings closely surround the Shwedagon Pagoda, making the setting even more enthralling.No one knows for sure the age of the Shwedagon Pagoda. Experts give estimates ranging from 1000 to 2500 years, dating it back to the time of Buddha. What historians do know is that over the centuries the Shwedagon Pagoda was destroyed by earthquakes and quickly rebuilt, usually to higher heights.
Some people call this wonder the Shwedagon Pagoda. Some call it the Shwedagon Stupa. Both names are correct (it's a matter of cultural semantics). I use the more widely used version.

SAHARA DESERT

SAHARA DESERT :

The Sahara Desert is now about 5,000 kilometers (3,000 miles) wide and up to 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) from head to foot, making it roughly as big as the United States.Green vegetation blanketed the Sahara terrain 10,000 years ago, a heartbeat in geological time. Unfavorable climactic changes gradually turned this North African land into a desert of astounding size. The Sahara Desert is still expanding along its southern border at an alarming rate. Some blame long-term climactic trends, others point the finger at ill-advised farming and herding techniques along the Sahara Desert fringes.

It seldom rains in most of the Sahara Desert. Some spots haven't seen a rain drop in years. But on those rare occasions when it rains, it can downpour.While most people envision the typical Sahara Desert landscape as rolling sand dunes (such as the landscape in the photo), in reality only 25% is sandy. The rest consists of geological features such as gravelly plains, parched plateaus and rocky mountains. The unifying attribute is extreme aridness, which predominantly defines the word "desert".

LEANING TOWER OF PISA

LEANING TOWER OF PISA :

Its tilt seems to defy gravity – you wonder why it doesn’t topple.Even if the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy didn't lean, visitors would come to marvel at its design (look at the photograph and imagine the tower upright).
And, the tower is part of a magnificent Romanesque architectural complex that includes the famous Baptistry and Cathedral of Pisa.The tilting of the structure is not new. Soon after this 800-year-old campanile (free-standing bell tower) was begun, workers noticed a risky inclination caused by soft subsoil. Partial remedies were applied and the architecturally flawed tower was completed about 70 years later.

Some experts predict an any-year-now collapse. Others believe that the current restoration project will save this world wonder.From 1990 to 2004, the internal steps of Leaning Tower of Pisa were closed to the public, out of concern for both structure and visitors. You can now climb the 294-step spiral staircase to the belfry - as a million people did prior to 1990.

The tilt angle of the 56-meter (182-feet) tall Leaning Tower of Pisa continued to increase.The top edge lists about 5 meters (16 feet) from the perpendicular, creating a gravity-defying appearance.

BAALBEK

BAALBEK :

Baalbek in Lebanon is one of the world's grandest archaeological sites. It's hard to imagine the enormity and greatness of the Roman-built Baalbek temples without actually being there.It was once twice the size of Athens' Parthenon. Another indicator is the size of several of the temple's brick-shaped cut stones - they measure 20 meters (63 feet) in length.
The Corinthian pillars that supported the Temple of Jupiter roof were massive, too.
Six still stand (see photo).Baalbek means "Baal City" in Phoenician. It was named after the sun god Baal, the one now associated with pagan rituals.

It is one of the largest and best preserved ancient Roman sanctuaries despite having been severely damaged relatively recently (mid-18th century) by a fierce earthquake. However, today, it’s in better shape than its neighbors, which were also earthquake damaged.

MONT-ST MICHEL

MONT-ST-MICHEL :

This medieval abbey in France sits dramatically atop a large conical outcropping that rises conspicuously above the surrounding sea and coastal flatlands.Mont-St-Michel used to become an island on a twice-daily basis when the high tide encircled it.To go to and from Mont-St-Michel, pilgrims took a boat. Or, more often, they waited for the region's high and swift tides to recede sufficiently to "safely" walk across the freshly exposed sands. Many miscalculated the tidal cycles and drowned. Some were swallowed by the area's perilous quicksand.

Mont-St-Michel seldom becomes an island. The causeway that was built about a century ago contributed to the silting up of the bay, damming the incoming water.Mont-St-Michel experienced other distressing times over its nearly 1,000-year lifespan. For example, portions of its aging sheer walls collapsed on several occasions.

During the French Revolution, Mont-St-Michel was converted into a prison, giving it a "dreary dungeon" image.A well-preserved medieval village is nestled at the bottom of the Mont-St-Michel geological mount.You walk up its steep and narrow cobble-stoned street to reach the monastic compound perched on the mount.

TOPKAPI PALACE

TOPKAPI PALACE :

The sprawling Topkapi Palace in Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) is today a world-class museum displaying accumulated treasures of the sultans.In the 15th to 19th Centuries, the Sultans lived in and ruled the vast Ottoman Empire from the Topkapi Palace. Thousands of bureaucrats teemed within its walls.The Topkapi Palace site was militarily strategic – it stands on a formidable bluff overlooking the vital shipping lanes on the Bosphorus, Golden Horn and Sea of Marmara.

You can see the continents of both Asia and Europe. The treasures of the Sultan are still mostly intact because Topkapi Palace was never plundered by enemy armies.It displays up-close one of the world's largest diamonds, the 86-carat Spoon Maker.

CARNIVAL IN RIO

CARNIVAL IN RIO :

Carnival in Rio has been called the world's most famous party. A million tourists join millions of Rio de Janeiro citizens ("cariocas") in enthusiastic revelry spanning several days.The Sambodromo parade is number one. Close runners-up are the street processions and masquerade balls.

The Sambodromo is a 700-meter (half-mile) long parade strip flanked by spectator stands and luxury boxes. On the last Sunday and Monday nights before Lent, the seats are filled with over 60,000 eager on-lookers. Tickets cost up to hundreds of dollars each and sell out quickly.It's the sounds and sights of the parading samba schools that goes on from dusk to day break.A samba school has nothing to do with education. It is typically a group from a poor neighborhood organized to produce a lavish Carnival of Rio procession - for the fun of it.Only the best 14 samba schools parade through the big-time Sambodromo (the rest conduct street processions).It can take over an hour for a single samba school to pass a given point along the parade route. The floats are accompanied by marching samba bands numbering up to 300 musicians - their drummers ceaselessly pound the contagious samba beat. All are escorted by a sea of flamboyantly or scantily clad singer-dancers.

A school can have up to 4,000 participants, so melding the ensemble into an organic whole is no easy task. The preparation requires nearly a year of sewing, building, composing, choreographing and rehearsing.Samba school participants pay for their own costumes, which costs some of them a sizable slice of their income. They willingly do this because Carnival in Rio is a fantasy escape, which helps them forget their hardscrabble lives.

Carnival in Rio takes place during the days preceding Ash Wednesday, the first of 40 meatless fasting days preceding Easter (Carnival derives from "carne vale" meaning "farewell to meat").
Although the official Carnival in Rio starting day is Saturday, the partying begins in earnest the night before and continues through Tuesday (Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday").
Here are the official Carnival in Rio schedules for the next two years:
2009 Feb 21 to 24
2010 Feb 13 to 16

STONEHENGE

STONEHEDGE :

Stonehenge in England is a prehistoric site of megaliths arranged in concentric circles and horseshoe patterns.These standing Stonehenge megaliths are up to 6 meters (21 feet) high and 45,000 kilograms (100,000 pounds) heavy.

Some of the large stones were brought from a mountain quarry 30 kilometers (18 miles) away using crude ancient means.Stonehenge is shrouded in mystery, which is part of its appeal to tourists and sleuthing archaeologists.
Many questions remain open to debate, including these three:

When was Stonehenge built?Latest scientific estimates say it was erected in stages between 3000 BC and 1500 BC.
Why was Stonehenge built?The best speculation is it was an astronomical calendar (a headstone is oriented toward the summer solstice). Another sound theory is Stonehenge was used for religious ceremonies.
Who built Stonehenge?No one will probably ever know for certain. The once popular theory that the Druids (Celtic priesthood) erected it was shot down when modern science proved that Stonehenge was constructed at least a thousand years before their time.

Just 17 of the site's estimated 80 original megaliths stand.

YELLOWSTONE PARK

YELLOESTONE PARK :

Yellowstone has hundreds of gushing geysers. The most famous one is Old Faithful (named for its regularity). It erupts approximately every hour (though not as reliably as it did when I first saw it decades ago).They include bubbling mud pools, hot springs, colorful limestone terraces, and steam spouting fumaroles.

Though not as grand as the celebrated Grand Canyon of Arizona, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is spectacular in its own right. The main canyon is stunning. It is several hundred meters (about 1200 feet) deep and its mighty Lower Falls (see photo) plummets 94 meters (308 feet). The best viewing and photo taking month is May, when the water flow is strongest.

The National Park is a protected habitat for bears, bison (American buffalo), wolves, elk, to name but four of many types of wild beasts. You see them along the roadside from your car. Yellowstone is bliss for backpackers. It offers 1500 kilometers (almost a 1000 miles) of trails and several hundred campsites, many in spectacular backcountry settings.

The subterranean part of the volcano still exists. It manifests itself by generating the heat responsible for creating the park's many geysers and other geothermal features. It also produces Yellowstone's many earthquakes.

SANTORINI

SANTORINI :

Santorini swarms with summer tourists, but the setting of this Greek Isle is so picturesque and geologically striking that you should visit Santorini on your first trip to Greece.
The white-washed villages are perched on Santorini’s high steep volcano rims and the views of the sheer cliffs and deep-blue bay are breathtaking. Together, they make Santorini a jewel of Greece.Santorini" defines the group name of all the islands you see on the map below. It is also the name used to identify the largest of those islands. This creates confusion among travelers.

Many visitors are cruise passengers.Deep harborTheir giant ships can sail into the caldera bay because it's quite deep.LandingCruise tourists land at a wharf at the base of the caldera's cliff. Fira is directly above, but a long way up the cliff. Reaching FiraYou can walk up a zigzagging pathway, but it's exhaustingly steep and long. On my first visit to Santorini, the only other option was to ride a donkey up that footpath. It was fun, but is not for everyone. There is now a new option: modern cablecars. For those who want to make the ascent the old way, the donkeys are still around. They have been unofficially dubbed the taxi of Greece.

Santorini has many interesting restaurants. Some have outdoor terraces overlooking the caldera bay. They are great spots for viewing the celebrated Santorini sunsets. The experience will be one of your most treasured memories of Greece.It's lively in Santorini, especially in the village of Fira. For the young, the clubbing-till-dawn culture is well entrenched.

PETRONAS TWINTOWERS

PETRONAS TWINTOWERS :

The Petronas Twin Towers are 452 meters (1483 feet) high. They were, until 2004, the world's tallest buildings. Though no longer the title holder, they still have their visually dramatic design. And, unlike most other high skyscrapers, there are no other super skyscrapers in their city blocking or competing for the visitor's eye. They can easily be appreciated from all compass points.The sight of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is made even more spectacular by a 58-meter (192-foot) twin-tier skybridge that connects the structures about halfway up, on the 41st and 42nd floors.

The Taipei 101 building in Taiwan took away the tallest title from the Petronas Twin Towers in 2004. It has 101 stories and stands 507 meters (1667 feet) high, which is about 12% higher than the Petronas Twin Towers. This fact lowered the Petronas Twin Towers' ranking in the top 100 list from #70 to #81, but it didn't knock them off my Top 100 list because of their striking architectural motif. The Taipei 101 building didn't quite make my Top 100 Wonder list because of its awkward pagoda architectural design.

MATTERHORN

MATTERHORN :
It is the most distinctive peak in the world, thanks to its dramatic pyramidal shape.
The Matterhorn peak was finally scaled in 1865, but at a cost of four lives. Today, the mountain is easier and safer to climb, thanks to permanently embedded pitons. Thousands of climbers challenge the Matterhorn each year and many make it to the top. Still, tragically, deaths continue to occur.It's seasonal:
SummerMost people come not to climb the Matterhorn but to see and photograph it in the summer months.
WinterThe cold months bring the skiers, especially those who relish the lively international après-ski life in the nearby picturesque village of Zermatt.
The Matterhorn is shared by Italy and Switzerland. However, it’s the Swiss side that has the famous face (see photo) and wins the Hillman medal.The summit towers 4,478 meters (14,692 feet) high.

NEWYORK SKYLINE

NEWYORK SKYLINE :

New York City has the world's most recognized and inspiring skyline. Its buildings soar upward, as if sprouting. This occurs in two Manhattan clusters, midtown and downtown, with a "valley" of low buildings in between.To enjoy the New York skyline view at its spine-tingling best, you must know both the best times and vantage points.

However, the best evening viewing time is not so obvious. It's incredibly romantic on workday nights but rather humdrum on Saturday, Sunday and holiday nights. Reason: When the New York office workers go home, the lights are kept on for the evening cleaning crews. On non-work nights, the crews stay home and you cannot see the fabled New York curtain of diamonds.

They are on top of the 102-story Empire State Building and aboard the Circle Line excursion boats, Staten Island Ferry and sightseeing helicopters. The view from the Brooklyn Heights' Promenade (also called the Esplanade) is a close runner-up.

The New York skyline drastically changed that day as the twin 110-floor towers of the World Trade Center collapsed as a result of terrorist attacks. Loss of life was staggering.A new, higher, and more dramatic structure for the World Trade Center site is in the beginning construction stage.

MARRAKESH

MARRAKESH :

Few travel destinations beguile visitors more than remote Marrakesh, a fascinating desert city with a throbbing heartbeat.What defines Marrakesh in essence is Djamaa el Fna, the large main square. It's been called the world's most exciting and energetic gathering place.It's crowded and pulses. Local shoppers bargain for spices, fruits, vegetables and other staples while zealous tourists hunt for take-home Marrakesh gifts and souvenirs.

Stall lights begin twinkling and Djamaa becomes the world's largest public party. The atmosphere becomes electric. Roaming musicians, acrobats, jugglers, fire-eaters and other entertainers troll the appreciative crowds for coins. And the sweet-spicy scents of local Marrakesh dishes cooking in carts and nearby eateries beckon the hungry.The city's famous souq (marketplace) abuts Djamaa square. Stalls lining its narrow alleys offer carpets, leather goods and other local Marrakesh craft specialties.

The elegant 70-meter (230-foot) high Koutoubia minaret (see photo) is also close by. It is Marrakesh's primary landmark and is over 800 years young.

EIFFEL TOWER

EIFFEL TOWER :

The Eiffel Tower is the icon of Paris and France - and one of the most recognizable structures on earth.The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 for an international exhibition in Paris, France and named for its builder, Gustave Eiffel.Some people back then thought it was hedious. One sarcastic critic famously said he liked being on the Eiffel Tower because "it's the only place in Paris where I cannot see it".

The Eiffel Tower instantly became the world's tallest man-made structure. It broke the record held for over 4400 years by the Khufu Pyramid in Egypt (only to lose it 41 years later to the Chrysler Building in Manhattan).The monument came close to being razed in 1909 when its city permit expired. It was saved because the radio antennae on top of the structure was deemed essential.

You can reach the first and second observation level by stairs or elevator. The third level is accessible only by elevator.Elevator wait lines (especially for the third level) can be excruciatingly long during the summer tourist season. Be the first in line when the gates open in the morning or arrive after 6 pm. It also helps to avoid weekends.The best photo location for a full-view shot of the Eiffel Tower is from the Place du Trocadero terrace across the Seine River.

LADAKH

LADAKH :

Ladakh's remoteness and awesome high-altitude landscape appeal to adventure travelers. So does the fact that Ladakh's Tibetan-style traditions and lifestyles remain firmly entrenched, largely untouched by the western world.It had minimum contact with the rest of the world until the 20th century.Land vehicles and, to some extent, the roads themselves have improved in the last several decades. And, you can fly to Leh (Ladakh's capital) from Delhi in 60 minutes.

For an exhilarating adventure, try the Manali to Leh (Ladakh's capital) land route. This torturous, 500-kilometer (300-mile) road passes through remote villages and high, rugged mountain passes. Usually, July and August are the best months weather-wise for making this heady two-day trip.Ladakh was a critical link in the ancient Central Asian trade route network.

NIAGARA FALLS

NIAGARA FALLS :
It is one of the mightiest falls on earth. Although Niagara Falls is smaller and less breathtaking than Iguazu Falls in South America and Victoria Falls in Africa, it is awe-inspiring in its own right.It is by far the most spectacular of the three falls. Its shape gives it its name (see photo). Horseshoe Falls is also known as Canadian Falls because it is situated entirely on the Canadian side.It's less grand than Horseshoe Falls because nine times less water flows over it. Also, its brink is linear, not curved, thus not as visually striking.
There is no shortage of organized Niagara Falls tourist attractions. Many are not worth the time or money. These are some of the worthy attractions:
Maid of the MistFor a close look at the falls, take the 15 minute Maid of the Mist tour boat ride. If you look hard, you will see the boat in the photo above. Boats leave frequently from both the Canadian and American sides. You disembark where you embarked.
Journey Behind the FallsThis walking tour takes you behind the plunging Horseshoe Falls. It literally gives you an insider's perspective.
Illumination of the FallsNiagara Falls on both sides of the border are lit at night. The colors change during the presentation.
Observation toursBoth the Canadian and American sides have tall observation towers that provide bird's eye views of the Niagara Falls.
The IMAX theatre presents an awesome yet educational cinematic perspective of Niagara Falls on a super-sized screen.
Niagara Falls was once grander. Since the middle of the last century, about half of the upstream Niagara River water is diverted for use by two hydroelectric plants. That water bypasses Niagara Falls by being channeled underground directly into the Niagara River downstream of Niagara Falls.

BRITISH MUSEUM

BRITISH MUSEUM :

The British Museum in London, England exhibits a wealth of cultural masterpieces including famous antiquities and historic documents.The 2200-year-old Rosetta Stone (see photo) stands only one meter high but is of towering significance. Its discovery in 1799 enabled archaeologists to decipher the hieroglyphics chiseled on ancient Egyptian temples. This was possible because an identical message is repeated on the Rosetta Stone using three different written languages. One of them is hieroglyphics. Because the archaeologists knew the other two, they learned how to interpret hieroglyphics.

These ancient Greek sculptures once adorned the Parthenon in Athens. In the nineteenth century, Lord Elgin shipped them to England.The Elgin Marbles have embroiled the British Museum in a growing controversy. A number of individuals and cultural organizations argue that the museum should return these artistic masterpieces to Greece because Lord Elgin "stole" them (that is, he took them without obtaining proper approvals from the Greek government and people).

This renowned 13th century document of freedom had long been one of the top draws of the British Museum. The Magna Carta was recently relocated permanently to the British Library.

BURZ AL ARAB

BURZ AL ARAB :
The Burj Al Arab is shaped like a billowing spinnaker sail (see photo). The Burj Al Arab (means "The Arabian Tower" in Arabic) is built on a tiny man-made sea island, a mere football kick from the Dubai mainland. A short causeway (see photo) links the hotel to the Dubai mainland. The structure is firmly rooted. The foundation pillars reach 40 meters (120 feet) underneath the seabed.

The hotel is significantly taller than it appears to the eye. It rises measures 332 meters (1053 feet), making it one of the world's highest buildings. To grasp the Burj Al Arab's height, imagine the 102 floor Empire State Building standing next to the the Burj Al Arab, which is just 16% shorter.The building is an all-suite hotel. There are 202 double-floor suites. Each is sumptuously decorated and equipped with high-tech devices. The Burj Al Arab suite windows stretch floor to ceiling, offering grand sea and land views. Each suite has its own private butler.

Guests take a short submarine ride from the Burj Al Arab hotel lobby to reach the hotel's undersea Al Manhara seafood restaurant. Seated diners view teeming Gulf ocean life in a hangar size aquarium tank through a long curving wall of sizable picture windows.A helipad dramatically juts out from one of the upper Burj Al Arab's floors. Helicopters ferry guests to and from Dubai's modern international airport. "Budget-minded" guests take the hotel's Silver Cloud Rolls Royce limousines.

The Emirate of Dubai - the home of the Burj Al Arab hotel - is itself a Hillman Wonder. It ranks in the 101 to 200 class, thereby winning the Hillman Wonder Silver Medal. According to the United Nations, Dubai is now the world's fastest-growing travel destination.

YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE :

The Yangtze River cruise passes through three spectacular river gorges in the middle of China.

How the Three Gorges differ Listings are in downstream order:
Qutang Gorge : It is 8 kilometers (5 miles) long, making it the shortest of the three gorges. It is also the narrowest and has the highest peaks.
Wu Gorge : This one measures 44 kilometers (28 miles). It is the widest gorge, and has the most tranquil surrounding setting.
Xiling Gorge : It's the longest (66 kilometers or 40 miles in length). Before the nearby Three Rivers Gorge dam was built, Xiling Gorge had treacherous rapids, whirlpools, rocks, and shoals that trashed small boats and, occasionally, large ships.

The dam is by far the biggest in both size and hydroelectric power generation. It's an astonishing engineering feat.You pass through its incredibly large locks in your ship. The Three Gorges Dam is a Hillman Wonder Bronze Medal winner.Unfortunately, from the tourist's perspective, it is raising the river water level behind it so high that formerly breathtaking rapid currents of the Yangtze River are all but disappearing. And, the water is permanently inundating some scenic and cultural riverside attractions (and forced over a million people to relocate).

Much of the stunning natural beauty of the sheer gorges remains. And, the visit to the new dam and its locks have substantially added to the cruise's appeal.The Yangtze River cruise is still so exceptional that the sightseeing losses the dam caused should definitely not discourage travelers from making the voyage. Think of the marble statue Venus de Milo. She lost her arms but still is an object of beauty.Those on the Yangtze are tinier (normally about 100 cabins) than those on the vast majority of sea-going cruise vessels. The experience is more personal, which makes it easier to get to know fellow passengers.

YOSEMITE

YOSEMITE :

Its valley is bounded by sheer mountain cliffs, towering falls, and a forested valley floor. The combined scene is one of nature's most inspired creations.The icon of Yosemite (see photo). Tip: It's best photographed in the afternoon sun.This steep-sided peak soars almost 1,100 meters (nearly 3,600 feet) above the valley floor.

The park has a number of lofty falls, the two most famous are:
Bridalveil FallsThe 188-meter (620-foot) high Bridalveil Falls gained its name because winds push its falling water around, creating a plunging gossamer spray.
Yosemite FallsIt is one of the world's highest falls, the equivalent of a modern 240-story building. Although it appears to be a single entity, it is a combination of three sequential falls.This the home of Giant Sequoias, the world's biggest and oldest botanical life form. One sequoia tree is 2,700 years old, dating back to the seedling days of the Roman Empire.

The light-faced canyon walls are beautifully lit during full moons. And, stars are brilliant on moonless nights because Yosemite is not near a city or large town. Another factor: You're in a very deep valley. This further helps shield the invasive, defused sky glow emanating from distant cities.There is a variety of hiking trails to please nearly everyone. They range from challenging backpacker paths to short easy loops.The national park is open 24 hours a day every day. However, entry can be delayed on high-traffic days.

Yosemite is about 300 kilometers (200 miles) east of that city.

AYERS ROCK

AYERS ROCK :

The icon of Australia is the world's second largest free standing monolith. Ayers Rock rises solitarily 348 meters (1141 feet) above the desert plain and is over 9 kilometers (5 miles) in circumference. It's also known for its sacredness and changing colors.

Ayers Rock is the popular English designation (named after Sir Henry Ayers, a 19th century Australian governor). However, the rock's official appellation is Uluru, the one given by the Anunga Aborigines of Australia.Although Ayers Rock is less than half the size of the world's largest monolith (Mt. Augustus in Western Australia), it has a more dramatic shape and overall appearance.Ayers Rock is like an iceberg because only its tip is visible - the rest extends deep into the ground.

The Anungas discourage (but do not prohibit) visitors from climbing their sacred mountain. Roughly 1 out of 10 visitors climb the rock, using an ancient Aborigine trail. A few slip and lose their lives each year. Once on top, the view is staggering. Note: The trail is closed when it is windy, rainy or excessively hot.Ayers Rock is in the middle of Australia in the middle of nowhere. The nearest modest-sized city (Alice Springs) is nearly 500 kilometers (300 miles) away.If you base yourself in Alice Springs, you can make sort of a loop visiting three of my Hillman Wonder medal winners in Australia: Ayers Rock (gold), the Olgas (bronze), and Kings Canyon (bronze). This proximity enhances your Ayers Rock trip.

That's mid-December to mid-March in the southern hemisphere. Average midday temperatures are close to 38°C (100°F) and have soared as high as 45°C (113°F). Remember, you're in a desert.

HERMITAGE MUSEUM

HERMITAGE MUSEUM :

The Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia, is one of the world's four greatest museums (the other three being the Louvre, Metropolitan, and British).The institution consists of a complex of connecting buildings along the River Neva in St. Petersburg. The grandest and most significant one is the Winter Palace, the formal royal residence of Russian Tzars from the 18th to early 20th centuries.

The Hermitage Museum has three million works of art and and other treasures, dating from the Stone Age to modern times. Only a tiny fraction are on public view in its several hundred halls.The works were collected over two centuries, beginning in 1764 when Catherine the Great purchased over 200 exceptional paintings in Western Europe.The Hermitage Museum has many other types of artistic treasures. For example, there are the Fabergé jewelry collection and the royal carriages (see photo).The Hermitage's Baroque-style building architecture is itself a tour de force, a treasure of Russia.

Wait lines can be long, both inside and outside. I strongly recommend to come weekdays, not weekends - and to be among the first to arrive. The Hermitage Museum has expanded beyond St. Petersburg, Russia. It has launched small branches in London, Amsterdam and (this may surprise you) Las Vegas.

CHAMBORD CHATEAU

CHAMBORD CHATEAU :

Chambord Chateau is the largest and most dramatic of the numerous chateaus in France's Loire Valley. It has 440 rooms and hundreds of fireplaces and chimneys (some are visible in the photo).The building costs nearly bankrupted King Francis I.

The main Chambord Chateau interior attraction is the twin, spiraling staircases, which are intertwined, double-helix style. People ascending do not encounter those descending.Chateau Chambord fell into disrepair through neglect and lack of funds for much of the 17th and 18th centuries - and was ransacked of its furnishings during the French Revolution.

Gradually, the French restored Chambord Chateau. Today it is in fine condition for a nearly 500-year-old building.

LIJIANG AND SHANGRI - LA

LIJIANG AND SHANGRI - LA :
Lijiang and Shangri-La are located in Yunnan, which will someday become one of the world's travel hot spots. Lijiang and Shangri-La are clearly the prime Yunnan stars. Because they have different personalities.
The reconstruction efforts were designed with tourists in mind. Today, Lijiang old town teems with handicraft shops, restaurants and other enterprises geared for visitors.
Streams and canals gently pass through Lijiang old town, as they have for over six centuries. These narrow waterways are shaded by graceful willow trees and crossed by small bridges.
Some romantics would prefer to have the town reconstructed exactly as it was in 1995. Apparently they never saw it then. It had become somewhat grungy and run down - and hardly like it was in its heyday.
The natural beauty of China's remote Shangri-La is stunning. You are surrounded by scenic snow-capped peaks, forested mountain slopes, mirror-like lakes, rustic farms, and green pastures where shaggy yaks and fleecy sheep graze. The landscape is timeless, the air fresh and exhilarating.

NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE

NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE :
Neuschwanstein Castle is one ofworld's most fanciful, recognizable and controversial buildings.When you look at the photo of Neuschwanstein Castle, it's easy to surmise that Walt Disney's theme-park castles were inspired by Ludwig's fairy-tale design.

Neuschwanstein Castle is a bizarre castle conceived by the "Mad King" Ludwig II of Bavaria, Germany. It was built in the 19th century but was designed as a fanciful recreation of medieval castles dating back to the 12th century (when bows and arrows rather than wall-smashing canon shells ruled).

The interior of Neuschwanstein Castle is just as whimsical as the exterior. Highly skilled craftsmen fashioned ornate rooms influenced by scenes from operas by Richard Wagner (Ludwig was his patron).Decorative work on many unfinished rooms in Neuschwanstein Castle was abruptly and permanently halted in 1886 when Ludwig drowned in a nearby lake. Some historians say Ludwig committed suicide, others that he was assassinated by political foes.

Neuschwanstein Castle is a museum and popular tourist destination.

BANFF NATIONAL PARK

BANFF NATIONAL PARK :

Banff National Park in Canada has a stunningly beautiful landscape. It has snow-capped jagged mountains, impressive glaciers, evergreen forested mountain slopes, serene alpine meadows, surging streams, therapeutic hot springs, emerald-hued lakes, and scenic drives, all set in the Canadian Rockies. Banff National Park also boasts interesting wildlife including grizzly and black bears plus wolves, cougars, coyotes, caribou elks, and bighorn sheep.

They are Lake Louise (see photo) and Lake Moraine. These lovely blue-green lakes have mountain backdrops.Summer tourist activities include hiking, climbing, camping, fishing, boating and windshield sightseeing.

The average summer high temperature is around 24°C (80°F). Mid-winter average highs are just below or above the freezing point. Those temperatures are for Banff town in the valley. Temperatures noticeably drop as the elevation rises.

SAN FRANCISCO

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE :
San Francisco's most famous landmark. It's 60-stories high. Its main span stretches 1300 meters (4200 feet) over water. Though some new bridges in the world have eclipsed its engineering feats, it will always be stunningly attractive.Its over 1,000 verdant acres were nothing but sand dunes 100 years ago. Showplaces are the Conservatory and the Japanese Garden.
Beautiful San Francisco Bay is the world's largest deep-water harbor. It frames the lovely San Francisco city, which was built on 46 hills. This helps create the charming undulating cityscape adorned with mostly small buildings. Skyscrapers have been kept to a reasonable number.
Outstanding panoramas can be enjoyed from these lounges and restaurants: Carnelian Room, Top of the Mark, and Sky Deck. Other popular vantage points include Alcatraz Island, Fisherman's Wharf, and Marin Headlands (just north of the Golden Gate Bridge). And, you get memorable glimpses of the San Francisco Bay and cityscape as you walk the hill-steep streets or ride the endearing cable cars.

PORTOFINO

PORTOFINO :

It's heaven's gift to the postcard industry. Even back in Roman Times Portofino was called the world's most charming port. And, 19th century sweethearts called it the perfect romantic hideaway.

Through the centuries the settlement functioned primarily as a fishing village and, occasionally, as a small naval port.
Today, Portofino is a classy and world-famous resort-village. It is blessed with the Italian Riviera's sunny summer climate.

Tiny Portofino is cozily tucked into the side of a small wooded promontory on the blue Mediterranean Sea. Visual highlights include:

Boats : P ortofino's miniscule bay is neatly packed with pricey yachts, common pleasure boats and, as a vestige of its past, some fishing boats.
Waterfront :It's lined with multicolored pastel buildings, canopied outdoor cafes and a quay fit for strolling lovers.
Villas : Portofino's surrounding hills host bougainvillea-garnished villas owned by the rich and famous.