Ladakh, India

Ladakh, one of the highest and nice regions in the world

Ladakh is a large area of the northern and eastern Kashmir region and is divided between India and Pakistan. It is one of the highest regions in the world and consists of high plains and deep valleys. This place opened to tourists in the 1970s and since then it has been one of the most favorite places of mountaineers and of those who like to trek. The main tourist attraction in Ladakh is still the nine-storey structure that was built in the 16th century and was once the tallest building in the world. This palace is being restored by the Archeological Survey of India but is open to the public. Nubra Valley is another place that is essential to pay a visit to if you’re vacationing in Ladakh. It is the only place in India where tourists can see double humped Bactrian Camels in a desert at over 10,000 feet. The Valley is about 150 kilometers from the capital town of Ladakh (Leh) but the ride could take longer depending on the snow and other factors such as army movements. Nubra Valley is an extremely peaceful place full of friendly people. The Nubra River also has excellent sites for picnic.

Tourists should remember to visit the monasteries of Ladakh while sightseeing. Hemis Gompa is one of the largest ones in the region and houses around 150 monks.

The most amazing fact about Ladakh is that the region is barren but still beautiful. Simplicity is a way of life in this region because modernity hasn’t touched Ladakh as much as it has in the other cities of India. People in Ladakh are without a doubt extremely fit considering the weather conditions in the region.

Ladakh is the highest inhabited region in India and has the River Indus flowing through the ranges. It is advisable for all travelers to make sure that they are physically fit before they visit Ladakh and its also important to take complete rest for the first 24 hours after getting there as it is common for people traveling to very high altitudes to suffer from mountain sickness

Westminster Abbey, London

Westminster Abbey, London at the time of Sunrise

Westminster Abbey is basically a Gothic Church and its profile is more of a Cathedral located in Westminster, towards the west side of the Palace of Westminster. It serves as the venue of coronation as well as burial of the British monarchy.

Westminster Abbey is a stunning architectural marvel, which dots the London city landscape. The Abbey has been the venue for every Coronation that has taken place since 1066 in Britain. Today it still serves as a church and is one of the most preferred places of Christian congregation in London. However, one has to bear in mind that the Abbey is neither a parish church nor a cathedral, but somewhere in between.

A staggering 3,000 people are buried here and one the most revered monuments is the one which has the engraving written as – “The Unknown Warrior”. The Lady Chapel in particular is splendid and has a stunning fan vaulted roof. The superb craftsmanship of renowned Italian sculptor Pietro Torrigiano is amply evident in the grave of Henry VII.

The year 1540 saw the culmination of the medieval monastery. Of course, during its 900-year-old history, the Abbey has witnessed lot of renovation and even extension, but the core area has remained unchanged.

The transepts which are located to the north and south are a virtual treasure trove. The southern transepts which is popularly called as Statesman’s Aisle has the graves of renowned personalities like William Pitt, Charles Fox, William Gladstone, Benjamin Disraeli to name just a few.

The south transept, on the other hand, is known for its beautiful rose windows, the glasses of which dates back to 1902. You will marvel at the two exquisite 13th century wall paintings that adorn the door to St. Faith’s Chapel.

One of the most popular facade of the Abbey is the Poet’s Corner. The first poet to be buried at Poet’s Corner was Geoffrey Chaucer. Even the great Edmund Spencer was buried here. William Shakespeare who was originally buried at Stratford-upon-Avon was moved here in 1740, when a monument designed by William Kent in honor of the great poet appeared in Poet’s Corner.

The Chapter House is one of the must-see places at the Abbey. It was from here that the monastery functioned and it also used to be the venue where the parliament met in the 14th century.

No visit to Westminster Abbey is complete without a visit to the library, which has an impressive collection of historical books, manuscripts and archived materials

Ajanta Caves in India

 Ajanta Caves in India

The Ajanta caves were once used as a Buddhist monastery, with hundreds of teachers and students. The caves were constructed in two phases, the first beginning around the second century BC. The second phase took place in the fifth century AD, and saw some modernization of the existing caves as well as the creation of temples and many of the paintings and carvings, as decoration became more popular. After this, the caves were abandoned and mostly forgotten until in 1819, when British hunters found them.

Tourists visit these thirty remaining caves and the nearby Ellora caves to view the religious art and wall murals inside the caves. The caves house living areas, stupas, carvings and paintings.

Times Square in New York

Times Square in New York, USA 

One of the most iconic attractions in the world, Times Square has become a symbol of the bustling city and thriving culture of New York. Named for the newspaper The New York Timesafter it moved its headquarters to the square in 1904, Times Square is now a major entertainment center, home to television studios, businesses, and hundreds of bright flashing billboards.

Times Square is the most visited tourist attraction in the world, with about 40 million annual visitors. Every year since 1907, hundreds of thousands of people have gathered in Times Square on New Years Eve to watch the crystal ball drop at the strike of midnight, ushering in the new year. Today, millions of people flock to the square, and many more watch the celebrations on the annual New Year’s Eve television special.

Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Italy

Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Italy

The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi (Basilica di San Francesco in Italian) is an Italian cathedral located in the city of Assisi. This cathedral is the head, or mother church, of the Franciscan Order (the Roman Catholic Order of the Friars Minor). The Basilica was constructed after the canonization of Francis on July 16, 1228, by Pope Gregory IX.

The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi is a popular pilgrimage destination. This is since Saint Francis was known for his lifestyle of non-materialism and his treatment of all creatures as equals, including animals and the poor. The current Pope of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, chose his name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.

The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi consists of the Upper Church and the Lower Church, as well as a third level below, the Saint’s tomb, where the remains of Saint Francis are kept. The Upper Church interior is decorated in the Gothic style. Interior features include many frescoes from contemporary medieval painters such as Giotto di Bondone, Pietro Cavallini, Pietro Lorenzetti, and Cimabue, displaying a variety of Italian art from this period. Other decorative features include the Gothic doorway and ornate rose window, which has been called “the eye of the most beautiful church in the world.”