UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bahrain (PHOTOS)

The Kingdom of Bahrain is a Middle Eastern archipelago in the Persian Gulf, tucked into a pocket of the sea flanked by Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It's an oasis of social liberalism – or at least Western-friendly moderation – among the Muslim countries of the region. It's popular with travelers for its authentic "Arabness" but without the strict application of Islamic law upon its non-Muslim minority. Case in point: alcohol is legal here. Although it has a heavily petroleum-based economy, its more relaxed culture has also made it a social and shopping mecca (so to speak), which has helped it develop a fairly cosmopolitan middle class not found in neighboring countries with just a rich elite and subsistence-level masses.

Here is a list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bahrain:

Qal'at al-Bahrain – Ancient Harbour and Capital of Dilmun in Northern Governorate, Bahrain

The site was the capital of the Dilmun, one of the most important ancient civilizations of the region. It contains the richest remains inventoried of this civilization, which was hitherto only known from written Sumerian references.

Source: Wikipedia

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The Most Beautiful Pictures of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Here are some beautiful photos of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA:

St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, Louisiana by Kevin Labianco

Saint Louis Cathedral (French: Cathédrale Saint-Louis), also known as the Basilica of St. Louis, King of France, has the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating cathedral in the United States. First established in 1718, it is the cathedral Basilica in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. It is located on the Place John Paul II (French: Place Jean-Paul II), a promenaded section of Chartres Street (rue de Chartres) that stretches one block between St. Peter Street (rue Saint-Pierre) on the upriver boundary and St. Ann Street (rue Sainte-Anne) on the downriver boundary.

Lights are Up by Justin in SD

The Christmas lights are up in New Orleans Square. Too bad the Blue Bayou is still closed. Either way, this is the start of the Christmas season at Disneyland, which without a doubt is my favorite time of year at Disneyland.

Haunted Mansion Holiday by Brett Kiger

Season's Screamings! From Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jack Skellington and his crew give the Haunted Mansion a Christmas makeover. Don't miss the ginger-dread house as the Oogie Boogie Man and others scare up festive fun. Beware!
-Disneyland
Alight, so before leaving for DIsneyland, Carrie and I had never seen The Nightmare Before Christmas. We had a vague idea what it was about from seeing all of the merchandise in the parks, but we didn't know the whole story. Since we knew the DIsneyland Haunted Mansion undergoes a transformation this time of year, we rented it on iTunes and watched it on the plane.
Wow, are we glad we rented it! First, we had no idea that the entire attraction would be re-themed. We figured they decorated the facade and maybe added a few things to the ride, but boy were we wrong! It was very cool to see the complete transformation and it would have made no sense had we not seen the movie.
It's worth the trek to Disneyland during the holidays to check this out for sure!

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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Algeria (PHOTOS)

Algeria is an Arab and Berber country in North Africa. It has a Mediterranean Sea coastline in the north. It is surrounded by Morocco to the northwest, Tunisia to the northeast, Libya to the east, Niger to the southeast, Mali to the southwest, Mauritania and Western Sahara to the west. After the secession of South Sudan from Sudan, Algeria became the largest country in Africa.

Here is a list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Algeria:

Al Qal'a of Beni Hammad in M'Sila Province, Algeria

In a mountainous site of extraordinary beauty, the ruins of the first capital of the Hammadid emirs, founded in 1007 and demolished in 1152, provide an authentic picture of a fortified Muslim city.

Djémila in Sétif Province, Algeria

Situated 900 m above sea-level, Djémila, or Cuicul, with its forum, temples, basilicas, triumphal arches and houses, is an interesting example of Roman town planning adapted to a mountain location.

Kasbah of Algiers in Algiers Province, Algeria

The Kasbah is a unique kind of medina, or Islamic city. It stands in one of the finest coastal sites on the Mediterranean, overlooking the islands where a Carthaginian trading-post was established in the 4th century BC.

M'zab Valley in Ghardaïa Province, Algeria

A traditional human habitat, created in the 10th century by the Ibadites around their five ksour (fortified cities), has been preserved intact in the M’Zab valley.

Tassili n'Ajjer in Illizi Province and Tamanrasset Province, Algeria

This site has one of the most important groupings of prehistoric cave art in the world. More than 15,000 drawings and engravings record the climatic changes, the animal migrations and the evolution of human life on the edge of the Sahara from 6000 BC to the first centuries of the present era.

Timgad in Batna Province, Algeria

Timgad lies on the northern slopes of the Aurès mountains and was created ex nihilo as a military colony by the Emperor Trajan in AD 100.

Tipaza in Tipaza Province, Algeria

Tipasa was an ancient Punic trading-post conquered by Rome and turned into a strategic base for the conquest of the kingdoms of Mauritania. It comprises a unique group of Phoenician, Roman, palaeochristian and Byzantine ruins alongside indigenous monuments such as the Kbor er Roumia, the great royal mausoleum of Mauritania.

Source: Wikipedia

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The Most Beautiful Pictures of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Here are some beautiful photos of Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada:


The Rocks At Niagara Falls by Ronaldo F Cabuhat


golden afternoon by Wolfgang Staudt


Niagara Falls, Canada - American Falls by GlobeTrotter 2000

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The Most Beautiful Pictures of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Here are some beautiful photos of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil:


Pão de Açúcar by Rodrigo_Soldon


Rio de Janeiro; Favela Morro da Providencia by Quasebart


I want to be where the Sun warms the sky by neloqua

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The Most Beautiful Pictures of Exmouth, England, United Kingdom

Here are some beautiful photos of Exmouth in England, the United Kingdom :


Sunset (2) - Exmouth, Devon (DSC08784a) by nick_scotcher


Sunset - Exmouth, Devon (DSC08569a) by nick_scotcher


Sunset (3) - Exmouth, Devon (DSC08582a) (Explo ... by nick_scotcher

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The Most Beautiful Pictures of Krabi, Thailand

Here are some beautiful photos of Krabi in Thailand:


Land bridges of Rai Lay, Krabi by DEM ROMERO


Welcome To Paradise by sudipsaha


by Carla & Bruno

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The Most Beautiful Pictures of Palos Verdes Peninsula, California, United States

Here are some beautiful photos of the Palos Verde Peninsula in the USA:


Wispy Clouds - Redondo Beach, CA by D Breezy - now on Google


Last Ray by Ultima Gaina


The Fisherman by Neil Kremer

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Top Budget Attractions In Bristol For All The Family

Source: flickr.com via Irina on Pinterest

Staycations are on the rise here in the UK, and there's more than just the economy to thank. Everyone has finally realised that there are a lot of interesting and fun attractions that can cover almost every age group on their door step. With museums, Zoo's and many other heritage sights, why not discover your very own local history today.

One of the main locations seeing a large surge in visits has to be Bristol, located in the South West of England. Not all vacations have to be expensive and especially when it's a family trip that is a regular occurrence towards promoting family time and towards escaping the daily stress and strains. Low cost getaways are always a great option.

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Park Attractions in London: Chill Out and Relax in England's Capital

Source: europe-autos.com via Irina on Pinterest

London may come across as a huge, noisy, concrete city, but when you start to explore it you will realise that some of its greatest charms lie in its natural parks.

If you decide to book a stay in a Hyde Park hotel, London is ripe for exploring. You don't just have one park to explore, but a number of others which are just as interesting. Here are a few of the top ones to make sure you visit during your stay.

1. Richmond Park

Richmond Park is one of the royal parks in London which is famous for its wild deer. It used to be a deer-hunting area when it was first established, and now it has over 600 deer roaming wild which you can see when you visit. It is not located in the centre of the city, so it requires a train or tube ride, but it is well worth it. When you get there you will find 2,000 acres of open space to enjoy, making it a great way to escape the city for a break.

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Why Egypt Is Still a Hot Family Destination

Source: google.com via Irina on Pinterest

If you haven't heard about the political crisis currently affecting Egypt you must have been living under a rock. The transition from dictatorship to democracy has been anything but smooth for the Egyptian population and even worse for tourism. Egypt holidays were once a must for most holiday makers with a visit to the ancient pyramids number one on the to do list. The political unrest has slowed trade dramatically though as holidaymakers seek to avoid any chance of holiday hell. This lack of confidence however, is fairly unfounded in 2012. Despite the military closing the pyramids back in 2011 and mass cancellation of tours, the pyramids are now very much open and political demonstrations are few and far between. Those holidaymakers who have visited Egypt since the unrest began haven't, for the most part, been unaffected. In fact with the negative turn in tourism, tour operators have been pushing Egypt with huge discounts and fantastic deals to recoup their losses from 2011. This could perhaps be one of the best times to go while prices are low and tour operators are most on their guard. With the unstable situation, security is even tighter and local guides have been striving to ensure their guests are protected. It goes without saying that the local people rely heavily on tourism and so it is in their interest to look after you as much as possible.

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Exploring the Treasures and Culture of Poland

Source: behance.net via Irina on Pinterest

When it comes to traveling and sightseeing in and around Poland, luxury train holidays present a more leisurely option. If you want to avoid the stress and hassle of flying, the high-speed rail network is increasingly becoming a popular option. So if you want to slow down and smell the roses so to speak, take a more sedate route and you will be able to enjoy the scenery which you may otherwise bypass when travelling by air.

By choosing train holidays, you are forced to slow down, simply relax and enjoy the company of your loved ones and friends. Train holidays also present a great alternative for people who have a fear of flying and those who love to see the majestic beauty of the countryside without the stress of overly long check-ins and the possibility of lost luggage.

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Enjoy The Unique Charms and Attractions of Warsaw in Poland

Explore Europe under your own steam through luxury holidays by train. If you want to enjoy sightseeing and discovering key destinations without the stress of airport transfers, holidays by train offer first class travel across different destinations. Now you can enjoy the very best sightseeing experience in a more leisurely manner.
European holidays by train guarantee a unique experience, travelling to vibrant cities such as Budapest, Istanbul and Warsaw, among others. Every stop is carefully handpicked to showcase key attractions to regale tourists.

Visiting Warsaw

Holidays by train are especially ideal for people who are paying their first visit to Europe. When planning a trip, one of the highlights is Warsaw, which offers many exceptional must-see attractions and must-try activities.

As the capital city of Poland, Warsaw is known as a major business hub for serious shoppers and tourists. What sets it apart is the fact that while it features the usual hustle and bustle of a modern city, it is also teeming with scenic old town charm that has been fully re-built following the World War II. This means apart from enjoying the sight of skyscrapers, it is also a wonderful destination for wandering around its old relics.

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Halong Bay: A Natural Wonder

Some have called this unique UNESCO World Heritage site one of the wonders of the world, and for good reason. At first glance, the area reminds one of a scene from a pirate movie. Unsurprisingly, each year, thousands of photographers come to Halong Bay simply to capture images of this marine paradise. Halong Bay is situated in Quáng Ninh Province, Vietnam. Walk along its more than 120 km coastline and you'll see hundreds of towering limestone cliffs and unbelievably green islets (1969 in all) of various sizes and shapes nestled in the bluest of ocean waters. Halong Bay has often been described as a 'magical' place due to its unearthly beauty and untouched and mysterious ambiance.
Listed below are some activities and sites you may consider during your trip to Halong Bay.

Ride a wooden junk and explore the islands.

The best way to see the beauty of Halong Bay is to cruise around the islands in a wooden junk. Depending on the service you engage, these junks generally stop at specific islands and offer guided tours, similar to many other places in Vietnam. Walk around these islands you'll truly be in awe of nature's majesty. A number of the islands are hollow and hold enormous caves, others house floating fishing villages, and still others boast scenic lakes within.

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The Mesmerizing Sunrise Over Majestic Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is the largest and also the best-preserved Hindu temple in the world, which is located in Angkor, Cambodia. It is widely considered one of the wonders of the world due to its role as a significant religious center, its exquisite towers as the home of the gods and also its being a national identity as a symbol on Cambodian national flag. It was built using mostly sandstone blocks, based on Khmer classical style, to which has given its name.

At first glance, it is a luxurious blend of tower and sky, a magnificent spellbinding shrine to Vishnu with its enchanting image replicated in the reflective lake below, which is worth feast your eyes on. It is surrounded by a wide moat and enclosed by a laterite wall. There are five surpassing towers representing the heavenly peaks of Mount Meru, the tallest of which was the home of Vishnu. The third gallery is famous for its superb bas-relief of scenes extracted from the Hindu epics. Among them in the eastern section is the Churning of the Ocean of Milk theme. Carved to dramatic glory, it shows the demons and the gods, churning the ocean to produce an elixir of immortality. Those stunning architectures make Angkor Wat one of the most inspired and spectacular monuments ever conceived by the human mind.

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