UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Jordan (PHOTOS)

Jordan is a country in the Middle East. Almost completely land-locked (save for a small outlet on the Red Sea in the Gulf of Aqaba and a frontage on the Dead Sea), Jordan is bordered by Israel and the West Bank (Palestinian Territories) to the west, by Syria to the north, by Iraq to the east and by Saudi Arabia to the south.

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

Petra in Ma'an Governorate, Jordan

Inhabited since prehistoric times, this Nabataean caravan-city, situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, was an important crossroads between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia. Petra is half-built, half-carved into the rock, and is surrounded by mountains riddled with passages and gorges.

Qasr Amra in Zarqa Governorate, Jordan

Built in the early 8th century, this exceptionally well-preserved desert castle was both a fortress with a garrison and a residence of the Umayyad caliphs.

Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a) in Madaba Governorate, Jordan

Most of this archaeological site, which started as a Roman military camp and grew to become a town from the 5th century, has not been excavated. It contains remains from the Roman, Byzantine and Early Muslim periods (end of 3rd to 9th centuries AD) and a fortified Roman military camp.

Wadi Rum Protected Area in Aqaba Governorate, Jordan

The 74,000-hectare property, inscribed as a mixed natural and cultural site, is situated in southern Jordan, near the border with Saudi Arabia. It features a varied desert landscape, as well as 25,000 rock carvings with 20,000 inscriptions trace the evolution of human thought and the early development of the alphabet.

Source: Wikipedia

Read More

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Jerusalem, Israel (PHOTOS)

Jerusalem has been designated as a capital city both by Israel, as well as Palestine. It is the largest city in Israel. A holy city to three religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world. The City of Gold, as it has come to be known in Hebrew, is a fascinatingly unique place where the first century rubs shoulders with the twenty-first century, each jostling for legitimacy and space, and where picturesque "old" neighborhoods nestle against glistening office towers and high-rise apartments. It is one of those places which has to be seen to be believed.

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

The Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls in Jerusalem, Israel

As a holy city for Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Jerusalem has always been of great symbolic importance. It is recognized by all three religions as the site of Abraham's sacrifice. The Wailing Wall delimits the quarters of the different religious communities, while the Resurrection rotunda in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre houses Christ's tomb.

Source: Wikipedia

Read More

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Egypt (PHOTOS)

Egypt is in north-eastern Africa with its capital located in its largest city, Cairo. Egypt also extends into Asia by virtue of holding the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt is bordered by Israel and the Gaza Strip to the north-east, by Sudan to the south and by Libya to the west. The country is bounded by the Mediterranean and Red Seas (to the north and east respectively) and geographically dominated both by the Nile River and its fertile well-watered valley, and by the Eastern and Western deserts.

Egypt is perhaps best known as the home of the ancient Egyptian civilization, with its temples, hieroglyphs, mummies, and - visible above all - its pyramids. Less well-known is Egypt's medieval heritage, courtesy of Coptic Christianity and Islam - ancient churches, monasteries and mosques punctuate the Egyptian landscape. Egypt stimulates the imagination of western tourists like few other countries and is probably one of the most popular tourist destinations world-wide.

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

Abu Mena in Alexandria Governorate, Egypt

The church, baptistry, basilicas, public buildings, streets, monasteries, houses and workshops in this early Christian holy city were built over the tomb of the martyr Menas of Alexandria, who died in A.D. 296.

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis in Luxor Governorate, Egypt

Thebes, the city of the god Amon, was the capital of Egypt during the period of the Middle and New Kingdoms.

Historic Cairo in Cairo Governorate, Egypt

Tucked away amid the modern urban area of Cairo lies one of the world's oldest Islamic cities, with its famous mosques, madrasas, hammams and fountains. Founded in the 10th century, it became the new centre of the Islamic world, reaching its golden age in the 14th century.

Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur in Giza Governorate, Egypt

The capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt has some extraordinary funerary monuments, including rock tombs, ornate mastabas, temples and pyramids. In ancient times, the site was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae in Aswan Governorate, Egypt

This outstanding archaeological area contains such magnificent monuments as the Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel and the Sanctuary of Isis at Philae, which were saved from the rising waters of the Nile thanks to the International Campaign launched by UNESCO, in 1960 to 1980.

Saint Catherine Area in South Sinai Governorate, Egypt

The Orthodox Monastery of St Catherine stands at the foot of Mount Horeb where, the Old Testament records, Moses received the Tablets of the Law. The mountain is known and revered by Muslims as Jebel Musa. The entire area is sacred to three world religions: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) in Faiyum Governorate, Egypt

Located in a desert, the site contains fossil remains of the now extinct Archaeoceti, a suborder of whales, showing the evolution of the whales from a land-based to an aquatic mammal.

Source: Wikipedia

Read More

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

Read More

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!

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

Welcome to Pisa - Italy

Although Pisa is abundant in churches, monuments, and different sights, travelling to Pisa is not just about all of these. There are so many activities that you can do here where you, your special someone, and the whole family can definitely enjoy.
One of the activities in the city that is usually done when tourists travel to Pisa is sightseeing. There are different places to go to that you can boast to your officemates and prove that you really went on a vacation on Pisa. One of which is the famous Pisa Tower located in Campo dei Miracoli.

Read More

10 Fun and Free Things to Do in San Diego

You Don't Have to Spend a Penny to Enjoy Beautiful San Diego.

There is no place quite like San Diego, California. Blessed with wonderful year-round weather, visitors can enjoy many of the same favorite free attractions that are well-known to the Locals. While you should probably take your wallet with you because it contains your Driver's License and you may want to grab some lunch, for most of the day, you can keep your wallet in your pocket.

Read More

5 Romantic Experiences To Enjoy In London

As someone who was born and bred in London and consider myself a Londoner no matter where I am living in the world, I firmly believe that London lends itself to one of the most romantic and lovely places in the world to spend time with your loved ones. London can rival any other major city for the amount of fun and romance it can offer and more. One of the biggest and vibrant cities in the world with a wide variety of nice places to go to, it truly is a magnificent place for couples to enjoy. In this article I will list 5 of the most romantic things to do when spending time in London.

Read More

Some Things to Do in Liverpool

 If you've never visited Liverpool before, you'll find yourself spoiled for choice in this north-western city and cultural hub, and even if you're a regular visitor here you're still bound to find new experiences to enjoy in Liverpool's dynamic and ever-changing arts scene.

Read More

How to Save Money in Venice, Italy

If you're going to be visiting Venice, you'll quickly notice that it's a very expensive city, even by European standards. However, there are some tips and tricks you can learn in order to save money in Venice.
One of the best ways to keep your Venice travel costs down is to make use of public transportation rather than private water taxi rides. The Venetian form of public transit is called a vaporetto, or water bus.

Read More