Tivoli Gardens

The Tivoli Gardens in Denmark

Tiovoli Gardens is the most visited theme park in Scandinavia and the second oldest amusement park still in use in the world. The amusement park features beautiful scenery, a lake and flower gardens, and originally had rides like a merry-go-round, a scenic railway. Today, there are many more rides, like the wooden roller coaster, Rutschebanen, and Daemonen (the Demon). Tivoli Gardens is also home to the world’s tallest carousel, the Star Flyer.

Other attractions at Tivoli Gardens include the pantomime theater, an open-air theater for performances in the commedia dell’arte style, as well as ballet and modern dance. Live music is featured during the summer months, including some of the biggest names in music today. Laser and water shows over the lake occur many of the evenings.

Reims Cathedral

Notre-Dame de Reims (Our Lady of Reims) – The cathedral of Reims, France

Notre-Dame de Reims (Our Lady of Reims), is the cathedral of Reims, France. The seat of the town’s Archdiocese, and for a time a place of coronation of French kings, Reims Cathedral is a remarkable work of Gothic architecture and art. Visitors can climb the Cathedral’s towers to take in the artistic masterpiece from above for better views of the sculptures, gilding details, and architecture. The UNESCO World Heritage site includes the Palais of Tau and the Abbey of Saint Remi.

Before the current cathedral was built, a Carolingian basilica once stood on the grounds, though it burnt to the ground in a fire around 1210. That church was likely constructed over the ruins from ancient Roman baths.

The cathedral was reconstructed and drastically expanded during the 13th century,in order to better accommodate large crowds who attended royal coronations. A 1233 revolt over taxation and legal issues set the cathedral’s construction back a few years, resuming in 1236 after troubles were resolved with mediation through the King and the Pope. Construction continued in various phases over the cathedral, even into the 14th century.

The cathedral was designed in the classical Gothic style architecture, featuring a façade decorated with many intricate sculptural details. The statues on the façade include local bishops, prophets, apostles, and Jesus, and a scene of Crowning of the Virgin. The scene of the Visitation includes the figure of Elizabeth.

Inside, the cathedral was adorned with tapestries, including a special one representing the life of Mary. This and other works of art, are housed in the Palace of Tau, along with the treasury with rare and unique objects, like Sainte Ampoule, the holy flask. The traditional Gothic style is lightened using structural changes, such as more wall openings and more natural light, which shines through the detailed stained glass, created by Marc Chagall.

The neighboring abbey features a 9th century nave, containing the remains of Archbishop St. Remi, who died in 533. Reims was once an important Christian city, home to many important archbishops including Remi, the most famous of them who was known for the baptism of Clovis.

Admission charges are 7.50 € for adults. Minors and people within the 18-25 age group are freely admitted.

Dinosaur National Monument

Dinosaur National Monument

Designated a National Monument in 1915, Dinosaur National Monument contains dinosaur fossils like the Allosaurus and Stegosaurus that were found there at the park. The dinosaurs were buried in the area, brought by a flood millions of years ago. Over time, the dinosaurs were covered with sandstone and sediments, which eventually formed rock. Many years later, the rock was eroded and in 1909, paleontologists discovered the fossilized remains of the dinosaurs and other animals.

Today, more than 1,500 dinosaur bones can be viewed in the rock wall of Carnegie Quarry at Dinosaur National Monument. In addition to the dinosaur fossils, there are petroglyphs and pictographs from the Native Americans who once called the region home.

Visitors to the monument can go hiking at the Gates of Lodore, go rafting down the rapids of the Green River, and go backcountry camping.

Aachen Cathedral, Germany

Aachen Cathedral, Germany – Also known as ‘Imperial Cathedral’ or Kaiserdom is Oldest Roman Catholic Church in Northern Europe.

Aachen Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church, known as the Imperial Cathedral or the Royal Church of St. Mary at Aachen . Built in the Middle Ages, it is the oldest cathedral in northern Europe. Constructed by Charles the Great, known also as Charlemagne, the cathedral was built beginning around 792, and was later was consecrated by Pope Leo III. The cathedral was renovated and expanded at a few points during the Middle Ages to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. The remains of Charlemagne rest inside a vault within the cathedral.

 The cathedral is noted for its ornate mosaic ceilings and décor, stained glass windows, and architecturally complex exterior with various architectural styles from different periods. The palatine chapel has an octagonal basilica, a cupola, and vaulted ceilings, inspired by the style of the eastern Holy Roman Empire.

 Inside the cathedral is the golden shrine of the Virgin Mary, which contains the relics of Mary’s cloak, baby Jesus’ swaddling clothes, St. John the Baptists beheading cloth, and Christ’s loincloth. Every seven years, these relics are displayed during the Great Aachen Pilgrimage.

 The massive door to the Aachen Cathedral is called Wolf’s Door. Legend has it that the people of Aachen tricked the devil by giving the soul of a wolf instead of a human as repayment for the funds to build the cathedral. The angered devil then slammed the door so hard that his thumb got caught and ripped off.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Home to one of the  most active volcanoes on Earth, the Kilauea volcano,and one of the world’s most massive volcanic mass, Mauna Loa, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the most popular attractions of the state and a sacred place for the native Hawaiians. The volcanoes are highly active and the volcanic activity is constantly expanding the island. Kilauea is called “the world’s only drive-in volcano”. In its current level of activity it generates 250,000-650,000 cubic yards of lava each day. The natives worship Pele, the volcano goddess, who lives here.

Spanning over 333,000 acres from the summit of Maunaloa to the sea, the park offers visitors about 150 miles of hiking trails. The part showcases extraordinary natural diversity and visitors can find volcanic craters, deserts and rainforests within the park precincts. Apart from the unique experience of watching the lava from Kilauea as it flows into the sea, the Kilauea Visitor Center, the Crater Rim Drive, the Halemaumau Crater, the Thurston Lava Tube, and the Thomas A. Jaggar Museum form the key attractions of the national park.

Windsor Castle, England

Windsor Castle, England – The official residence of the Queen of England

The magnificent 900-year-old Windsor Castle is the official residence of the Queen and the world’s largest working castle. It was built by William the Conqueror.

The state apartments in particular house some of the rarest collections of art and paintings in the world. The works of legends of the stature of Rembrandt, Rubens, Holbein and Dyck adorn the parapets, and are nicely complimented by stunning British furniture and chinaware.

The St. George’s Chapel built by Edward IV is a great piece of Gothic architecture. The St. George’s Hall too is a wonderful place to visit, which has been fully restored post the 1992 fire. Every year, the Queen resides at Windsor Castle for a month during the month of Easter. The Queen also resides here during the month of June for a week to attend the Order to the Garter as well as the prestigious Royal Ascot Race.

As far as state visits are concerned, the Windsor Place is the ultimate venue where the Queen hosts the traditional State Banquet at the grandiose St. George’s Hall. It is a scene to behold. The manner is which foreign Heads of State are driven to this magnificent Castle in regal horse drawn carriages where a spectacular military guard of honor awaits the dignitary. The majestic St. George’s Chapel does not owe allegiance to the archbishop though prayers and services are conducted.. Instead, the chapel is directly under the sovereign.

Being a working castle, there are quite a few people belonging to the exclusive Castle Community who reside within the castle’s premises. For instance, the titular head of the castle community, the castle constable, Governor and Dean of the Castle to name just a few are residents of the castle.

Apart from witnessing the magnificent royal décor in the interiors of the castle, visitors can also see the grand spectacle of “changing of the guards” that takes place every day from April to June and every alternate day from July to March.

Most visitors to the castle are intrigued by the riveting Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. It is an amazing doll’s house which is all of six feet high and the interiors are stacked with chinaware, glassware, skillfully embroidered linen, mini furniture, etc.

Doñana National Park in Spain

Wetlands at Doñana National Park in Spain

Doñana National Park is situated along the banks of the Guadalquivir River and the delta where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. Consisting of various areas of marshland and swamps, lagoons, sand dunes, streams, scrub woodland, and maquis, the park is a habitat to diverse plant and animal life, including several threatened and endangered species. Spanish lynx, Adalbert’s eagle, marbled teal, and white-headed duck are among the threatened species residing within the park.

Doñana serves as one of the largest habitats for herons in the Mediterranean, and serves as a winter migration destination for over 500,000 waterfowl. The park also serves as a breeding ground for various animals including egrets and waders.

As such an important wildlife habitat, there have been many conservation efforts put into effect at the park. The World Wildlife Fund works to protect parts of the park, including the ecosystem of the marshes, which is threatened by irrigation for agricultural use as well as tourism. There has also been a suggestion that the lost city of Atlantis was located around the swamps of Doñana.

Bryce Canyon National Park in USA

Bryce Canyon National Park at Utah in United States

Bryce Canyon National Park in southwestern Utah is one of the best places to understand the tremendous force Nature is. At the heart of the national park is the Bryce Canyon, a collection of huge domes or amphitheaters dug out by the multitude of short-lived streams that crisscross the region. The largest and most striking among these is the Bryce Amphitheater which spans over six square miles.

The rock spires that have been formed by the erosive effects of water and wind on the sedimentary rocks of this region are called the hoodoos. Over a million visitors head to the Bryce Canyon Park each year. While most of them come here to take a hike down the rugged trails, there are also the daring sorts who take a horseback rides down the canyon and commune with the wilderness.

The national park is located at the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, the peaks tower at a height of about 8,000 to 9,000 feet from the base of the canyon. The western tableland is thickly forested while the eastern ridges feature a sharp bare drop straight to Paria Valley, 2,000 feet below.

Covering an area of over 35,835 acres, the Bryce Canyon National Park provides visitors spectacular views of the red, orange and white stone formations and of the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets that can be witnessed here. For millions of years, the rocks of the canyon have expanded and contracted to the frost and the steam giving birth to a stunning landscape and a coveted tourist destination in Utah.

The Pillars of the Weathering in Russia

The Pillars of Weathering at Komi Republic, Russia

The Pillars of the Weathering are a breathtaking natural attraction located in the Komi Republic region of Russia. The seven towering pillars approximately 98 feet to 137 feet (30 – 42 meters) in height are some of the most spectacular geographic formations known to mankind. Though, designated one of the Seven Wonders of Russia, the Pillars of Weathering are relatively little known outside the country and hence largely untainted by teeming tourists. The Manpupuner rock formations pose one of the toughest challenges to rock climbers across the world due to their massive height and unique shapes.

According to an ancient Russian legend, the Pillars of Weathering were once a group of Samoyeds giants heading towards Siberia with the intent of calling to war the Vogulsky people. The sight of the holy Vogulsky Mountains made their leader drop his drum and turned them into these giant monoliths exuding massive power and a stern deportment.

It is often suspected that the Pillars of Weathering were built by the Mansi community which inhabited the Troitsko-Pechersk district of Russia, north of the Ural mountains, but it seems more likely that they are the result of frost and weathering on what may have been huge boulders or mounds.

The existence of many legends among the Mansi, the Kopi, and the Russians is proof enough that these stone giants have captured the imaginations of people since ancient times. The Pillars of Weathering have come a long way from being a sacred place of worship to become a great tourist destination.

Shedd Aquarium in Chicago

Shedd Aquarium in Chicago

Shedd Aquarium is home to more than 25,000 fish and over 32,000 creatures in total, from about 1500 species including fish, marine mammals, birds, snakes, amphibians, and insects. With about 2 million visitors annually, Shedd has been the most visited aquarium in the country multiple years, and is a major attraction in Chicago. Shedd became the first inland aquarium with a permanent saltwater fish collection after shipping millions of gallons of salt water from the Atlantic waters of Florida.

Major exhibits at Shedd Aquarium include a miniature version of the Amazon River and its jungles. Animals that are part of this exhibit include anacondas, rays, and crocodiles, which are found in the wilderness of the Amazon.

The Caribbean Reef is represented in its own exhibit, which houses a green sea turtle, a moray eel, rays, and sharks. The oceanarium features an aquatic show, starring Pacific White-sided dolphins and Beluga whales, with sea otters and sea lions.