The natural wonders in Africa and the Caribbean under threat

With the treat of global warming and over development destroying natural habitats, there are many stunning areas of the world which may be ruined or disappear totally in the next few decades. Throughout Africa and the Caribbean lie some of the world’s most fascinating cultural, historical and natural treasures; however, many of these sites are sadly struggling to survive.

According to a new book 500 Places to See Before They Disappear, we only have in some cases a couple of decades to visit some of the world’s wonder before they vanish. So where are the greatest gems in Africa and the Caribbean we should visit now? Here are the top five locations to see.

1. Tanzania, East Africa: Tanzania is home to the incredible, 610m deep, Ngorongoro Crater. The 30,000 animals that live there are unable to climb its steep slopes so, amazingly, have evolved to co-exist within the natural ‘enclosure’ of the crater. This is one of the rare locations that the critically endangered black rhinos dwell, of which less than 3,800 remain in the world.

2. Bonaire, Caribbean: Located near Venezuela, Bonaire is the Caribbean’s most Southwesterly island, and it is due to its remote nature, that Bonaire boasts one of the most pristine coral reefs in the world. Teeming with lustrous marine plant-life and rainbow-coloured fish, Bonaire's coast has been legally protected since 1979, enabling it to maintain this unblemished aquatic habitat. But with over 80 diving sites, around the 111 square miles of land, concerns are that its increasing popularity could lead to irrevocable damage to the fragile reef structure.

3. Namibia, Southwest Africa: Situated on the Southwest coast of Africa , Namibia with its burnished-red desert plains is a stunning natural landscape.

4. Negril, Jamaica, Caribbean: Considered one of the world’s most dazzling stretches of sand, Negril beach was originally targeted for the formation of tourist resorts, back in the 1950s
These developments, involving the dredging of sea-grass beds and the relentless destruction of coral reefs, have left the coastline susceptible to wave erosion, with the beach declining at an alarming pace.

5. Madagascar, off the south east coast of Africa: Madagascar is a country in a league of its own. This enchanted isle lies in the Indian Ocean, off the Southeast coast of Africa and is the world’s fourth largest island.The unrivaled biodiversity of Madagascar is extremely precious, but since the arrival of humans on the island, 15 species –including the pygmy hippo– have already been wiped out. Slash and burn agriculture is the fundamental cause for this crime against nature; and with the continuation of deforestation, many of these extraordinary creations are in severe danger of falling victim to the same catastrophic fate.

A South African adventure by rail

Recapture the golden age of rail travel on an epic 1000 mile journey through the heart of South Africa on board one of the world’s most elegant trains - ‘Highlights of South Africa’ is a classic new 16-day itinerary which has been introduced into the 2009 worldwide programme of Great Rail Journeys, the UK’s market leader for escorted holidays by rail.

The epitome of luxury, the Pride of Africa sleeper train provides five-star comfort, fine cuisine and first-class service on a journey through the African wilderness.

The tour commences in Cape Town with four nights at the five-star Cape Grace Hotel – regarded as one of the finest in Africa – which is located on its own private quay on the Victoria and Alfred waterfront with views of the ocean and Table Top Mountain.

Highlights here include a city tour, a cable car ascent of Table Mountain, a tour of Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, a visit to the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch valleys – two of South Africa’s finest wine producing areas – plus an excursion to Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope and the Kirstenbosch botanical gardens.

The holiday continues with eight nights – in luxurious air-conditioned Pullman Suites - on the restored private Pride of Africa train as it journeys through the African bush to Pretoria and Johannesburg, where guests enjoy city tours and an excursion to the Brenthurst Gardens, the private estate of the Oppenheimer family featured in Monty Don’s Great Gardens of the World series on the BBC.

Included en route are game drives in the Addo Elephant Park, the Mkhaya Game Reserve and the Kruger National Park – three of the best locations to experience South Africa’s abundance of wildlife. There are also visits to many landmark towns and cities including Oudtshoorn – home to the world’s largest population of ostriches - Bloemfontein (the ‘City of Roses’), Ladysmith and Durban, before ending with a night at the five-star Michelangelo Hotel in Johannesburg.
source:http://www.easier.com/view/Travel/Holidays/article-187859.html

Red Fort - Lal Quila - Tourist Places in Capital of India

Shah Jahan shifted his capital from Agra to Shahjahanabad and laid the foundation of Red Fort, or the Lal Quila, on 16th April 1639. It took nine years to build this mighty citadel and it got completed on 16th April 1648. It is said that about one crore rupees, an astronomical sum in those days, was spent on its construction. Half of this sum was spent to build the exotic palaces within the fort. Built of red sandstone, it is octagonal in shape, with two longer sides on the east and west.

The perimeter of its strong ramparts is about 2.41 km. Red Fort rises to a height of 33.5 m on the town side and 18 m along the river. A wide moat surrounds the fort, which was originally connected with the river and was always filled with water. The two main gateways, known as Lahori Gate and Delhi Gate (named so, as they face Lahore and Delhi respectively), are three storeys high and are flanked by semi-octagonal towers. They are situated on the centre of the western and southern sides respectively.

The main entrance to the Lal Quila is through the Lahori Gate. Beyond the gate, there is a roofed passage, flanked by arcaded apartments leading to the palaces, known as Chhatta Chowk. These apartments are now used as shops. Besides these, there are three more gates on other sides, which are kept closed now. The master builders of the Red Fort were Hamid and Ahmad. Visitors are allowed only in a part of Red Fort, as the army occupies the rest of it.

Tousist Places in Delhi, India

Qutub Minar: Qutab Minar is among the tallest and famous towers in the world. The minaret is 234 feet high and the highest individual tower in the world. Other towers in the world are the Great Pagoda in Pekin, China and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy but these towers are not as high as the Qutab Minar in Delhi.Qutab Minar is another great masterpiece of Mughal architecture. It has a number of floors or storeys which has beautiful carvings like the one on the tomb of Iltutmish. There are inscriptions all round the tower and these inscriptions reveal that Iltutmish finised the tower. The structure of the wall is made as such that it widens from top to bottom, just to make the minar stronger.The architectural wonder is surrounded by a lush green manicured garden, which is a much favoured leisure pad for Delhites, and you can see people lazing out their afternoons here and there.

Nainital - The hill station of Lakes

A rejuvenating place dotted with beautiful lakes. You would love this place for its pure scenic beauty.

Nainital is a small town located in the Hills of Kumaon flanked by hills in three sides.

Once this place used to boast of 60 lakes. But the few that remain today have a magical charm around them that hold the admirers hostage to their divine beauty.

The town of Nainital grows around the lake of Naini named after the revered goddess.

Nainital was discovered in 1841 by a Britisher called Lord Barron. The weather, the surrounding and the mesmerizing beauty of this area attracted the British administrator who turned this place into the summer capital of the United Province. Being a major tourist place Nainital is always bustling with visitors and it is always better if accommodation and other facilities are prearranged.

If you are in Nainital and have some horse riding experience then hire a horse and feel free to roam the town and explore the beauty of the adjoining area. It will give you a view that can seldom be matched by any other mode of transport. If you are a trekking enthusiast then you are in for a treat. choose from among the various trekking routes, pack a small bag and get going. I would advice not to go in a crowd. Split into smaller groups and then feel the peace and beauty of Nainital trickle into your veins. Honeymoon tour packages for Nainital are very popular among young couples in India and the Indian Subcontinent.

Ooty - The Sapphire in Blue Mountains Range

Ooty is known for its unique picturesque landscapes, plesant climate, tea estates and the abhoriginal Todas tribe.

Ooty is located in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. Its the most popular hill station in south and the top choice destination for honeymooners and trekkers. A very suitable place to enjoy with your family and friends. If you are interested in Trekking then Ooty provides some very trekking tracks that are so serene and beautiful that you would like to trap every moment of your trek in your lens. The nilgiri bison, black monkeys, flying squirrels are really interesting creatures and you can see them if you are lucky. If you are in Ooty do not miss a ride on the Ooty toy train. It is a world heritage.

Places to visit in and around Ooty:
Botanical Garden: Great location and nice collection of exotic flowers and plants from around the world.

Ooty Lake: Good place to hang out on the lawn or take a boat ride in the lake. Entertainment for children with some joy rides 3d theaters etc.

Rose Garden: Laid on a terraced slope it blooms 2500 plus varieties of roses.

Dodabetta Peak: The highest peak in south India and is a cool view point.

Tea Museum: This place will catch your eye where ever you are in the Ooty town. It tells you about tea museum about history of Tea and a real time display of tea production. A free tea too.

Other places to visit around ooty: Pykara lake and falls, 9th Mile, Avalanche grass lands, Coonor, Catherine Falls, Dolphin Nose View point etc.

Munnar - Little London of India

Situated at the confluence of three mountain chains, Munnar is known for its climate and tea estates. The green hill station also boats of the highest mountain in south India - Anaimudi. Because of the likeness with the climate of London the erst while British officers made it their summer resort and affectionately labeled it "little London".

Hills all around Munnar are laid with tea estates since 1870 when A.H Sharp planted the first tea sapling. Munnar is also know for the exotic flower "NeelaKurinji" that blooms once in 12 years and bathes the whole landscape in blues color. Nature lovers and trekking enthusiasts will be in for a treat here. The wildlife sanctuary of Eravikulam is an ideal trekking zone. Just after the monsoon season in first half of August the world famous Kerala Snake Race is held in Alleyppy near Munnar.

Other places to visit in and around Munnar: Idukki, Kuthumkal Waterfalls, Observatory Hills, kundala, Pallivasal, Nyayamakkad, Echo Point, madupetty, Devikulam, Pothamedu

Tourist Attraction at Auli in Uttrakhand

Auli is a comparatively recent addition to the tourist map of India. Located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand among snow capped mountains, this small town is fast becoming one of the major tourist attractions of Uttarakhand. The main attraction of Auli is skiing. It is considered by many to be the best skiing slope found in Asia. Skiing in India is catching up as a popular winter sport. The vast snow-capped landscape and the perfect slopes flanked by oak and coniferous forests make Auli an ideal destination for skiing enthusiasts. November to March is usually the skiing season in Auli.

Auli is a comparatively recent addition to the tourist map of India. Located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand among snow capped mountains, this small town is fast becoming one of the major tourist attractions of Uttarakhand. The main attraction of Auli is skiing. It is considered by many to be the best skiing slope found in Asia. Skiing in India is catching up as a popular winter sport. The vast snow-capped landscape and the perfect slopes flanked by oak and coniferous forests make Auli an ideal destination for skiing enthusiasts. November to March is usually the skiing season in Auli.

The landscape of Auli is a visual treat with the Nanda Devi peak standing tall amongst the mountains facing the snowy slopes. The Hathigauri, Neelkanth, Comet and Eravath mountains present a spectacular panoramic view from Auli. The area offers splendid trekking routes to adventure lovers. A ropeway from Joshimath to Auli is one of the longest in India, extending to 4.15 kilometers. Auli is also the venue for the National Winter games in the months of February and March. Among the other interesting aspects of Auli is the grazing land spread over 6 kilomteres, known as Byugal in the local language. A large number of colorful flowers blossom during the monsoonl.

The population of Auli in Uttarakhand is composed of Tibetans belonging to the Bhotiya ethnic group. Hinduism is the chief religion practiced here.

There are many scenic and interesting spots around Auli. Joshimath, also called Jyotirmath is the site of one of the four religious centers established by the Hindu religious saint Adi Shankara. Badrinath, and Hemkunda sahib are among the famous religious centers located close to Auli. The valley of flowers is known for the colorful flowers that blossom there.

Pithoragarh is another important tourist destination near Auli. Pilgrims to Kailash Manasarovar trek through this scenic town. The town of Bageshwar has many historic temples including the Baijnath temple, believed to have been built by the Pandavas. Almora is another important district near Auli. It is famous for many old temples.

Auli is attracting an increasing number of adventure lovers and vacationers each year. Thanks to the promotional efforts of the state Government, this little hill station is already a major contributor to tourism in Uttarakhand.

Madagascar - The Land of The White Pygmies

One of the fourth largest islands in the world, Madagascar is surrounded by beautiful beaches and palm trees filled with natural reserves, grassy plateaus and dense forests. The Republic of Madagascar lies in the Indian Ocean separated from the African mainland by the 248 mile wide Mozambique Channel. The eco tourist friendly place is fun to enjoy amidst beautiful flowering plants natural history and a great place to explore and have an adventure of a lifetime.

Antananarivo: The place retains most of its French flavor with French being the main language spoken here. Even the road and shop signs are in French.

This is the best place to not only enjoy the natural habitat but also the natural history of the place. It is a nicely preserved habitat of dry deciduous forest with a lot of mouse lemurs, Coquerel’s sifaka, chameleons and the Madagascan fish eagle and of course the lovely beaches.

Ankarana Reserve: Situated 65 km south of Diego Suarez, it has a plateau made of limestone in the shape of a fortress decorated with fields of pinnacles. You can find subterranean rivers, caves and passages underneath the plateau.

Mahajanga: Mahajanga, situated at the mouth of the Betsiboka River is a wonderful place to be in surrounded by shaded arcades, flowering bougainvillea shrubs and pre-colonial architecture. The place also has many churches and mosques.

Ambohimanga: Ambohimanga is the birthplace of Malagasy state and is a significant Merina stronghold. The citadel’s main gate is a huge stone disc.

Markets of Madagascar: The markets here are full of life with the various colors and scents. In fact, the daily Zoma Market is stated to be the second largest in the world. Other busy and interesting markets are the Bazary Be and the Toamasina Market which is the country’s main port.

Things to do
Visit the country’s national monument in Antananarivo which is the Queen’s Palace and the Royal Palace or Rova said to be occupied by the Merina Dynasty in the 19th century.

Don’t miss out on Ampefy which is a volcanic region with beautiful waterfalls and a natural reserve, Perinet that has innumerable species of orchid and the indri or the tailless lemur.

For those interested in water sports, try water skiing or sailing at Lake Mantasoa, Andraikiba Lake and Ramona. You can also do some river rafting in the Highlands and on the East Coast.

Relax on the innumerable beaches like for instance the one in Antseranana which is a cosmopolitan seaport overlooking lakes, waterfalls and grottoes.

Top 5 Switzerland Tourist Attractions

Switzerland is known as The Land of the Alps, and rightfully so. Bordered by France, Germany, Italy and Austria, Switzerland offers the most breathtaking views of the panoramic Alps. Though small, it is also one of the richest countries in the world, which is why there is no wonder many tourists dream of a Swiss vacation. There are plenty of Switzerland tourist attractions, too, although there are five you should definitely stop to see.

1. The Chillon Castle - Located on the shore of Lake Geneva, the Chillon Castle is one of the most famous castles in Switzerland. Consisting of 100 buildings, it dates back to the 11th century and is the former residence of the Savoy nobility. It also has three courtyards and four great halls which offer magnificent views of the lake beyond.

2. Zermatt - Although there are many beautiful ski resorts in Switzerland, Zermatt stands out as one of the top Switzerland tourist attractions because it is located at the foot of the Matterhorn, the most famous peak of the Swiss Alps. Even if you're not into skiing, you can still enjoy the view while dining at a gourmet restaurant or shopping around the town.

3. Geneva Jet D'eau - This fountain in the heart of one of Switzerland's major cities is one of the tallest fountains in the world, projecting water up to 140 meters high. Built in 1891, it is also considered one of the symbols of the city of Geneva.While in Geneva, you might want to see other tourist spots, too, particularly the museums. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum is one of the most popular museums in Switzerland, and is definitely worth a visit, along with the Cathedral de St. Pierre and other historical buildings.

4. Swiss National Park - Although you cannot pitch a tent and spend the night at Swiss National Park, you can certainly appreciate the different views of the Alps as you go hiking, which is why it is one of the Switzerland tourist attractions worth seeing. It is also Switzerland's only national park, covering almost half the area of the entire country. It is a sanctuary for various wildlife such as elks, marmots and eagles, as well.

5. Swiss Transport Museum - Located in Lucerne, the Swiss Transport Museum is home to an exhibit of locomotives, ships, aircraft, automobile and other modes of transport and communication. It also houses an extensive collection of the works of Hans Erni, a Swiss painter and sculptor. You're sure to enjoy the Planetarium and the IMAX theatre, too.

Indeed, Switzerland has many sights waiting to be discovered. Aside from visiting Switzerland tourist attractions, don't forget to immerse yourself in the country's rich culture, too by participating in festivals or simply mingling with the Swiss. You're sure to have a wonderful time and many golden memories to take home with you.

Enticing Summer Vacation--Places To Visit In India

India is a globally famous tourism destination. It attracts tourists through out the entire globe with its great tourism potential, picturesque tourist places and excellent tourist facilities. It is the country of diversity and many seasons. The beauty of this country can be enjoyed on every season in different ways and styles. Even during the scorching summer season, India attracts tourists with some of cool summer tourist places. Have a look at some of cool and enticing tourist destinations which are very popular in summer season.

Almost all regions of India have some of fascinating places which are worth visit on summer and ideal for summer vacations.

The western region of this country has picturesque destinations like Goa, Mahabaleshwar, Matheran, Alibaug, Lonavala, Khandala, Ganapatipule, etc. Goa is a beautiful tourist state noted for its beautiful beaches, exotic wildlife, lush hills and many magnificent churches & convents. Traveler from all over the world head for Goa beaches in summer to spend their vacation. Mahabaleshwar, Matheran, Lonavala and Khandala are picturesque hill towns in western India noted for cool and cheerful ambiance. These destinations are ideal for summer holidays in India.

The southern region has beautiful holiday spots and destinations like Coorg, Ooty, Kodaikanal, Munnar, Ponmudi, Nagarhole, Mysore and Bangalore. These fascinating destinations are known summer holiday destinations in country known for cool and cheerful climate. Bangalore and Mysore are among top cities of India with lots of tourist attractions. Coorg, Ooty, Kodaikanal and Ponmudi are picturesque hill stations known for cool and healthy climate. Nagarhole is wonderful destination of wildlife tourism in southern India. These destinations are among top tourist places in India you will love to visit on your summer holidays in this country.

The northern region has picturesque hill stations like Srinagar, Gulmarg, Kashmir, Manali, Mussoorie, Shimla, Dalhousie, Ranikhet, Almora, etc. These hill stations are known for abundant nature beauty and cool & healthy climate. Jaipur, Corbett National Park, Rishikesh, and Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary are some other north Indian tourist places to visit in India. These fascinating destinations are very popular in summer.

The eastern region of India has beautiful tourist destination like Puri, Digha, Raichak, Shantiniketan, Kolkata, etc. Visiting these important places in eastern India would be a truly charming experience.

The northeastern region has fascination summer tourism destinations like Gangtok, Shillong, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Pelling, Guwahati, Kaziranga National Park, etc. Excellent time to visit these destinations is summer. Darjeeling is also a favored honeymoon destination in northeastern region of India. Kaziranga National Park is noted for one-horned rhinos.

If you want to visit India during summer, I hope this article will help to plan your summer holidays in India. I will reveal information about some other destinations which are especially known for monsoon tourism or monsoon holidays in India.

Places to Visit in Delhi: Akshardham Temple

Akshardham Temple in Delhi has an important place in Delhi's tourism. The structure depicts great Indian culture and its architecture is simply immaculate. The temple is located at NH 24, Noida Mor, New Delhi. This amazing structure comprises of 20,000 statues, floral motifs and exquisite carved pillars made of stones.

This beautiful structure and masterpiece architecture was built under the support and funding of the Bochasanvasi Aksharpurushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). The temple was inaugurated on November 7, 2005 by Pramukhswami Maharaj (Leader of BAPS).

It is built along the river Yamuna and lies over an area of around 100 acres with beautiful gardens, water fountains and carved pavilions. The temple took complete two years for completion and a hefty sum of rupees was invested in the construction. According to estimates, around 2 billion was spent in the construction of this masterpiece which indeed depicts the great Hindu religion.

The architecture of Akshardham temple is similar to the one at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. The main monument at the temple is about 141 feet high with a beautiful statue of Lord Swaminarayan. There are various structures within the temple which depicts the history and culture of Hindu Religion.

If you want to explore the whole temple then you should take your time off for the whole day as it takes at least five hours to visit each and every structure of the temple.

Location: NH 24, Noida Mor, New Delhi
State: Delhi
Year of Construction: 2005
Specialty: The structure is spread over 100 depicting Indian culture, history, art, values.
Open time for public: 9AM - 9PM from Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday
Nearest Hotels and Accommodation: There are hotels, lodge and guest houses in Delhi which providing tourism services
Entry Fee: There is no entry charges except for the special exhibitions and shows organized in the temple.

Major Tourist Attractions that Should be Visited in 2011

For those of you who are planning to travel overseas in the year 2011 and still confused to decide which countries you want to visit, maybe New York should be one of your choice. For those of you who want to return to nature, via the Peruvian Amazon jungle will be an attractive alternative.

Here are places of tourist destinations are:

1. New York
The Big Apple is a tourist destination throughout the year. Next year is the commemoration of 10 years the terrorist attacks on the twin towers in the heart of New York. The tourists will be able to see crowds of people who crowded into ground zero and appreciate the honor given by the visitors at the National Monument on September 11. New York is also the first city from the list of best cities in 2011 version of Lonely Planet.

2. New Zealand
Next year’s Rugby World Cup will be held in this country. Wellington, dubbed as the best small city in the world which will be filled with rugby fans from around the world. Also explore every corner of New Zealand with its natural beauty that is often used as background in a Hollywood movie. One of the famous film take scenery in New Zealand is the movie “Lord of The Ring.”

3. Peruvian Amazon
When speaking of Amazon, maybe people will immediately think about Brazil, but Peru is country that through by the largest river in the world is no less interesting to explore. Explore the Amazon through Peru’s, best to use a boat from Iquitos in the Delfin or use the services of water expedition.

4. Barcelona, Spain
Visitors to this city should visit the basilica of the Catholic “La Sagrada Familia.” Incredible majestic building was built by the architect Antoni Gaudi in the 18th century. Although not yet completed, but the church was granted the title of world heritage sites by UNESCO. A variety of diverse foods in Barcelona, Frommer called Barcelona culinary as “extraordinary.”

5. Norway
For the lovers of outdoor activities, Norway offers an unforgettable experience. The visitors can do air heli-skiing, paragliding, and bungee jumping. Analysts suggest to go to rural tourism Norway to feel the sensation of being in the interior of Scandinavia.

6. Albania
It is achieved the best country to be visited in 2011 version of Lonely Planet, Albania offers Mediterranean cuisine with a classy but low prices and not too many people. The main objective is the city of Gjirokastra, which is one version of the UNESCO world heritage site.

7. Japan
Many who think Japan is too expensive to visit, but apparently Japan is cheaper than New York. Analysts suggest staying tourism in a traditional Japanese house is clean and inexpensive way to experience the life of the Japanese originally.

8. Guatemala
Almost 10 years since the end of civil war, Guatemala became one of the main tourist destination. Costa Rica is one province that must be visited for its beauty but cheap. Lake Atitlan was mentioned as one of the most beautiful lake in the world, even more beautiful than Komo lake in Italy.

9. Bulgaria
Year 2011 is a celebration of 20 years, warning the collapse of the Soviet Union, a collection of people who celebrate it will be an interesting spectacle. The most interesting place according to the choice of the observer is a beautiful Black Sea coast, as well as the ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo. Plus, Bulgaria does not know traffic jam.