Plitvice Lakes National Park,Croatia

I have always wondered how nature can be so perfect in its beauty. Its really a visual treat to our eyes. For sure each and everyone here will be a nature lover. There are many places that is defined for its natural beauty. Among them Plitvice National Park which is located in the Southeast Europe is famous for its fantabulous scenery. Plitvice is one of the oldest and largest national park in Croatia. The national park was founded in 1949. The protected area extends over 296.85 square kilometers. This is a UNESCO world heritage.

                                       
                                                      The national park is famous for its lakes arranged in cascades. The lakes are all interconnected and follow the water flow. They are separated by natural dams of travertine, which is deposited by the action of moss , algae and bacteria. The particularly sensitive travertine barriers are the result of an interplay between water, air and plants. The encrusted plants and bacteria accumulate on top of each other, forming travertine barriers which grow at the rate of about 1 cm (0.4 in) per year. It has a chain of 16 terraced lakes joined by waterfalls that extend into a limestone canyon.


Map of Plitvice Lakes National Park:


                                                         
It takes about six hours to explore the lakes by foot. Use park's free boats and buses to visit all the lakes in just two hours.


                                                                  With regard to plant and animal diversity, this park is heavily forested, mainly with spruce, beech and fir trees. There are about 1267 different plants here. 55 different species of orchids are found here. Rare fauna such as European brown bear, wolf, eagle, owl, lynx, wild cat, and capercaillie can be found there, along with many more common species.  Clouds of butterflies drift above the 18km of wooden footbridges and pathways which snake around the edges and under and across the rumbling water. Scientists have discovered 321 different kinds of butterflies here.



                                                   Plitvice Lakes National Park is still a favourite place for all nature lovers because it is located away from the polluted areas.
Here are some mesmerizing pictures of the Park:



          Note : Swimming is not allowed in any of the lakes.
                                                      
                                                       After reading about this place, I have added this to my travel list. When are you going to visit this place??

Hitachi Seaside Park in Hitachinaka,Japan

A colourful, beautiful, tranquil destination to be added to your to visit list-Hitachi Seaside Park in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki, Japan.

Less than two hours from Tokyo, the Hitachi Seaside Park is a palette of colors, changing from one season to another, making it an all-year-round paradise.

Covering an area of 190 hectares, the park features blooming flowers around the year.The park has become known for its baby blue-eyes flowers, with the blooming of 4.5 million of the translucent-petaled blue flowers in the spring drawing tourists.

In the spring,baby-blue flowers, called nemophilas, bloom all over the park. It's as if you’re standing in the middle of powdery blue goodness. 

 In addition to the annual "Nemophila Harmony", the park features a million daffodils, 170 varieties of tulips, and many other flowers. The park includes cycling trails and a small amusement park with a Ferris wheel.

Hitachi Seaside Park hosts the Rock in Japan Festival in August every year.   Click HERE for more info about the park.

Shopping destinations

''SHOPPING'' it is one of the most favourite word for all age groups but especially teenagers.

Everyone gets excited when they hear the word shopping. It brings a smile on their face. 

So here are a few places which is considered as a place for a good and heavy shopping.

1. Hong Kong

The best shopping destination in Asia is also one of the world’s cheapest. Hong Kong offers a world-class bargain unlike any other. Many tourists who have come to shop in Hong Kong left with a handful of items—at every cent’s worth, giving the shopping region an above satisfaction rate.

2. Tokyo, Japan

Japan’s capital has every place for your every need: clothing, footwear, and of course, cutting-edge electronic gadgets without having to be pricey. So worry not when shopping in Japan, the Globe Shopper City Index reported Tokyo to be Asia’s fourth cheapest city and an affordable shopping destination.

3. Mexico

From around the world, shoppers seeking for a good bargain travel and flock in Mexico. Although not a manufacturing giant as China is, Mexico is just as great as a place to find designer goods that are manufactured locally and available in wholesale prices. In addition, the quality of their handmade products can’t be found anywhere in America. Cheap and you get your money’s worth; now that, is smart shopping.

4. Vietnam

Challenging the bargain-seeking adventurer in you? Go to Vietnam. The possibilities of finding anything (and that means everything) you are looking for are endless. Many travellers on a tight budget must have considered Vietnam heaven-sent because in many shopping situations, they can bargain the prices as low as one-third of the items’ original cost. Yet, you can be sure that you get the best quality, as many popular brands are manufactured in Vietnam.

5. Spain: Spain provides its tourists a plethora of shopping options. With a perfect blend of flea markets like El Rastro along with flagship stores of fashion chains like Zara and Mango, the city of Barcelona is a shoppers' paradise where you can bargain and shop away to glory.

6. Bangkok: Thailand's largest city Bangkok is nothing short of a dream come true for people who seek solace in shopping bags overflowing with everything from clothing, handicrafts to electronic gadgets. The key is to go for the local stuff and never forget to bargain.

7. Bali: The beautiful Bali has for years been a favourite destination for budget shopping. Everything from clothes, shoes, furniture, jewellery, housewares, to works of art, is available at inexpensive prices. With shopping hubs like Legens and Kurta, Bali is soon catching up in the race for being one of the most sought after shopping destinations of the world.

8. Florence: It might be tough to believe but if planned properly, shopping in Florence can be extremely affordable. Streets like Via del Corso, Via Borgo San Lorenzo, Piazza del Duomo will let you shop without giving you sleepless nights. Often referred to as the handbag capital of Europe, Florence provides its shoppers a variety of items to choose from.

I hope this blog enlightens and stimulates you to visit these places and go on a shopping spree.

Male' city, Maldives

                            Male' city is one of the  place to visit in my bucket list. Male', The capital of Maldives is the extraordinary, fascinating place with narrow street and densely crowded areas. Male provides the best offer to see the ‘real’ Maldives away from the resort buffet and infinity pool. The colored buildings, alcohol free bars, shops, lively markets really tempts you  to visit the place again.

 Male' is the capital city of the Maldives . Male’ is also the financial and commercial capital of the country. Accordingly major government offices, banks and businesses are based on Male’.Male’ city is one of the most densely populated cities of the world. 

Climate

             Malé has a tropical monsoon climate . The city features a mix of both wet and dry seasons, with the wet season lasting from May through December and the dry season covering the remaining four months. Unlike a number of cities with this climate, Malé experiences relatively consistent temperatures throughout the course of the year, with an average high of 30 degrees Celsius.

Attractions

Republic Square

Once you reach Male’ you will be greeted by a giant flag located in the Republic Square proudly displaying the national colors of the Maldives. This square has a small park where locals and visitors hang-out. The Republic Square is found close to the north shore of Male’.

Right next to the Republic Square you will find the Headquarters of the Maldivian National Defense Force and Maldivian Police Service. The Islamic Center is also found next to the square.

Islamic Center

The Islamic Center opened in 1984, is a popular attraction for tourists. The Islamic Centre is known for excellent architecture fused with traditional Maldivian and Islamic concepts. The magnificent golden domes of the Center ornament the skyline of Male’.  The interior of the mosque is adorned with intricate wood carvings and Arabic calligraphy.

The building houses the largest mosque in the Maldives named after the national hero of the country Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam. It also has a large conference hall, numerous offices and an Islamic library.

Friday Mosque

The Friday Mosque is a testament to Maldivian craftsmanship. The mosque was originally built in 1658. The Friday Mosque was mainly built using coral stones. These coral stones display elaborate stone carvings. This historic building preserves to this day traditional Maldivian art forms like wood carvings and lacquer works.

A coral stone minaret is located next to the mosque building. This minaret was previously the tallest minaret in the Maldives. A 17th century cemetery surrounds the Friday Mosque. Gravestones in this cemetery display intricate stone carving. The Friday Mosque is included in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sultan Park

Sultan Park is located in front of the Republican Monument unveiled to mark 30 years of independence. The Sultan Park is the best public spot in Male’. Large trees and colorful flowers create a welcoming feel. Previously the Sultan Park site housed Maldivian Royal Palaces.

National Museum

The National Museum was first opened in 1952. However, the place underwent a major revamping process and a brand new National Museum was opened in 2010. The museum preserves a wealthy collection of items.

Artifacts and relics from pre- Islamic period to post Islamic period are displayed here. Regal dresses and items associated with Maldivian royalty can be explored. A rich collection depicting Maldivian craftsmanship and artistry is also displayed. You will even have the chance to discover moon rocks in the museum.

Food

Traditional Maldivian food consists of three main items and their derivatives: coconuts, fish and starches.

The most important curry in the cuisine of the Maldives is cooked with diced fresh tuna and is known as mas riha. .

Try at least one local delicacy before you conclude your visit to the Maldives. Savour foods prepared by international chefs, for international visitors in international restaurants. You will never feel homesick for food, during your stay in the Maldives. 

Shopping

Products of internationally acclaimed brands are available in boutique shops operated in the major resorts. All most all the resort islands have shops that sell basic items like food, clothing, medicine, cosmetics and stationeries.

There are amazing collections of sapphires and jewels available in the jewelry shops of the major resorts. Explore varieties of accessories available at these shops. In the markets, they sell authentic lacquer works, dhoni crafts (miniatures of traditional boats), wood carvings, mat weavings, coconut shell products, coir ropes and clothes. 

A visit to the Maldives is not complete without visiting the epicenter of the country. Indulge in shopping in various markets and shops . Enjoy feast from excellent restaurants and cafes offering international and local cuisine. Make memories there!!!!!!
For more information, visit www.visitmaldives.com/

Santorini, Greece

Santorini is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast of Greece's mainland. Crescent-shaped Santorini (or Thíra), the precious gem of the Aegean. The whole island is actually a huge natural geological/volcano-logical museum where you can observe a wide range of geological structures and forms. 

Wedding Destination

Santorini is considered to be the most beautiful place for a romantic getaway in Greece, since there are not many places in the world where you can enjoy exquisitely clear waters while perched on the rim of a massive active volcano in the middle of the sea! The island has a growing reputation as a “wedding destination” for couples not only from Greece but from all over the world. A trip to Santorini with the other half is a dream for anyone who has seen at least one photo of the island’s famous Caldera and exchanging kisses beneath Santorini’s famous sunset is the ultimate romantic experience!

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Culinary Paradise

A visit to Santorini is the ultimate gastronomic experience, as the island is a true culinary paradise! Treat your taste buds to some famous traditional products like cherry tomatoes, white egg plants, or why not try some of the exceptional wines produced from grapes grown in the volcanic soil of the island! you can taste at the island’s famous wineries (some of them operate as a museum as well) or at restaurants.

Venture into Santorini’s seaside treasures and enjoy deep blue waters and beaches with white, red or black sand or volcanic pebbles, spectacular rock formations and impressive lunar landscapes.

Santorini is the the youngest volcanic land in the Eastern Mediterranean which welcomes you warmly to make your memorable moments in a memorable place.

For more information, visit http://www.visitgreece.gr/

“End of the World” in Baños, Ecuador

For those seeking an adventurous and thrillin getaway, I suggest that “End of the World” in Baños, Ecuador should be added to your bucket list.

Hiking up the path to Bellavista from the edge of Baños, Ecuador, you reach a viewpoint and a seismic monitoring station named La Casa del Árbol (The Treehouse). As the name suggests it’s a small house built in a tree, at the edge of a canyon. 

The view from up here alone is worth the trip, but for adrenalin junkies, La Casa del Árbol offers a unique bonus – a swing hanging over the precipice. 

 While the simple wooden room is a sight to behold, the real attraction is the crude swing hanging from one of the tree's skinny branches. 
With no harness, net, or any other safety feature the swing (itself nothing more than a thick stick suspended by two ropes) arcs riders out into the void over the canyon.

Adventurous visitors are welcome to take a ride on the swinging seat, which may have been updated recently, adding a small, fabric belt to hold you in a bit. You're not actually swinging out over a void, but over a steepish hill, about 100 feet up. So no pressure.

Believe it or not many of the people who come here actually use it just to see what it’s like to swing into the void, and the internet is full of scary photos of them hanging over the abyss.
 It’s reportedly a great way to keep yourself entertained when the clouds block the view of Ecuador’s rumbling Tungurahua volcano, but just I can’t stop thinking about the possibility of one of the lines, or the thin metal beam supporting it breaking which would most likely cause the rider to fall to his death.

Tarifa,spain

Are you bored of visiting the same old places and doing the boring stuffs? Here is the most adventurous place apt for you . Tarifa is a sunny beach town in the southern part of spain that's known for one thing : wind. In addition it offers golden beaches and dolphin-filled turquoise waters, it is also an international destination for wind and kite surfers.


The famous surf beach Los Lances.
Wide and white sand. The immense beach Los lances is world-famous for being the best kite and windsurf beach in Europe.


Famous sight- seeing places:
1.Puerta de Jerez: This has an interesting architecture whish is the main entrance to the old town of Tarifa
.
2.Castle El Guzman el Bueno: The best maintained medieval building in spain.



3.Church San Mateo:


4.El camino de la isla de las Palomas : The road that leads to the island dividing the Mediterranea sea and the Atlantic ocean. Beautiful and inspirating views over the strait and to Africa .
5.Whales and dolphin watching:


Things to do here:
1.Golf
2.Spanish lessons and sports: This is a summer camp.
3.windsurfing classes
4.swimming
5.Scuba diving.
6.surf
7.surf ski
8.horseback riding
9.mountain bike
10.stand up paddle board
11.kitesurf
12.windsurf


                                             
       
 Hotels:
1.Misiana Boutique Hotel
2.Beach Hotel Dos Mares
3.Melia Atlantara


                      Overall Tarifa is the perfect adventurous destination. Are you ready to go on a exciting trip? For more information pop into the below website
www.spain-holiday.com/Tarifa