Suez Canal , Egypt

Suez Canal , Egypt

The Suez Canal, sometimes called the Highway to India, is the link between Europe, Africa, and Asia, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. A man-made waterway, the Suez Canal is a work of impressive engineering that has facilitated international commerce since first opening in 1869. Before the canal was constructed, cargo ships traveled around the southern tip of Africa to travel from Europe to Asia, or overland.

Today (after expansion projects), the Suez Canal measures 193.3 kilometers (120.11 miles) long and 205 meters (674 feet) wide, and about 24 meters (79 feet) deep. The waterway is controlled by Egypt but is under and international treaty so that its usage is shared. The Suez Canal takes on more traffic and larger ships than the Panama Canal.

Benedictine Convent of Saint John

Benedictine Convent of Saint John at Müstair, Switzerland

The Benedictine Convent of Saint John, also called the Abbey of Saint John, is located in Müstair, Switzerland. This quaint Swiss village is a unique destination in itself and home to a majority of speakers of the Romansh language. The Convent was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, offering examples of Carolingian art, well-preserved heritage of the Carolingian  (from the reign of Charlemagne and his heirs). This art includes Early Middle Ages frescoes, Romanesque frescoes, murals, and other historical architecture.

The frescoes include Biblical scenes from both the Old and New Testament, and are fine and rare examples of art from the important Carolingian period from around the year 800. These frescoes are created in varies hues of reds and browns.

Other significant art in the Benedictine Convent of Saint John includes the stucco statue of Charlemagne, and a relief of the Baptism of Christ in the Romanesque style, created in 1087.

Palace of Fontainebleau

Palace of Fontainebleau – The royal residence used by French kings and royal families

The Palace of Fontainebleau, or Chateau de Fontainebleau, is a royal residence used by French kings and royal families. Beginning in the 12th century, the chateau was used as a medieval hunting lodge by King Louis VII. Located in the forests of the Île-de-France, Fontainebleau was the perfect choice for a residence not far from the capital in Paris.

In the 16th century, François I recreated the lodge, transforming it into the Renaissance palace it is today. Beginning in 1528, the project of embellishing the royal residence began with the earliest builder, Gilles le Breton, including his work on the Cour Ovale in the eastern part of the complex.

The architecture and art of the Palace of Fontainebleau inspired artistic evolution. François I brought artists from Italy, who spread the Renaissance to France. Rosso Fiorentino was the artist who created many of the palace’s frescoes and stuccos from 1533 to 1540. Fiorentino worked in the Mannerist style and his work incorporated themes from Greco-Roman mythology. Francesco Primaticcio also created frescoes, along with Romantic bronzes, the Cortile of the Belvedere and the Palazzo della Valle.

After François I, construction on the palace was continued by successors, even through the 19th century. Today, the palace is made up of five courtyards surrounded by buildings and filled with gardens. The grounds feature the Forest of Fontainebleau and many gardens, like the Grand Jardin on the east side. Originally consisting of flower beds and a canal, the gardens later became Parterre du Tibre, and today are primarily lawns with flowers along the borders.

The Palace of Fontainebleau now houses the Ecoles d’Art Americaines, an art school for American students. Tours are available of certain parts of the palace, like the Grands Appartements (including the Papal Apartment), the chapels, museums, and galleries.

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.

Salisbury Cathedral, London

Salisbury Cathedral, London – one of Britain’s most famous Gothic Cathedral

Salisbury Cathedral, London is undoubtedly Britain’s most famous 13th century Gothic cathedral. The enormous and lofty spire grabs your attention. Once you reach the Cathedral, viewing the stonework that has gone towards creating such an architecturally evolved church in Salisbury, is in itself a wonderful experience.

The Cathedral is situated in the midst of a cluster of monumental buildings and edifices. It is enclosed by eight acres of busy green lawns and you can’t differentiate much between walking on a carpet or walking on grass.

Of the four surviving Magna Carta, the one at Salisbury Cathedral is the best preserved. Apart from this, the Cathedral’s clock, which dates back to 1386 AD and now located in the magnificent Bell is the oldest working clock. Being a pioneering church in Britain, the Salisbury Cathedral was the first to introduce the Cathedral School. The Salisbury Cathedral was also the first to introduce an exclusive girl’s choir.

The Cathedral maintains records of people who have been married, baptized or buried in the Cathedral and the records are provided to any body from the general public who might want to know more about their ancestors/ family members or friends.

Guided tours of the Cathedral are provided everyday. Each and every aspect of the Cathedral’s rich past and its’ many historical artifacts and relics are highlighted in the most interesting manner. If you are energetic, just climb upstairs, 332 steps in all, to the pinnacle of the tower. The experience from the top is breathtaking.

Singapore Zoo

Orangutans at the Singapore Zoo

Recently awarded with the ‘Best Leisure Attraction Experience Award’ in the 20th Singapore Tourism Awards, Singapore Zoo is undoubtedly one of the prime tourist attractions of Singapore. One of the most beautiful zoos in the world, Singapore Zoo was formerly known as Singapore Zoological Gardens. Spread over an area of 28 hectares, Singapore Zoo is a one-stop platform where you can observe the great wildlife of Singapore.

Singapore Zoo is not just about watching different animals and birds. With a variety of interactive shows giving all the details about the animals of the zoo, a visit to the Singapore Zoo is an altogether educational experience. These shows are held in the amphitheaters of Singapore Zoo and serve as an effective way to spread the message of wildlife conservation. The “Wonders of the Wild” show is the latest addition to the series of shows that are conducted in Singapore Zoo.

Singapore Zoo is an abode to a variety of monkeys and apes. You are sure to have a rendezvous with some of the rarest monkeys in the world at the well-maintained Singapore Zoo. Peacocks, Spider Monkeys, Langurs, Lemurs and Guinea Fowl are some of the free-ranging animals and birds that you will get to see in Singapore Zoo. Singapore Zoo is a great place for kids as it allows them to touch and feed different farm animals.

For the convenience of tourists from Japan and China, there are different languages like Japanese and Chinese incorporated on the signboards at the zoo. The facility of having breakfast and a cup of tea sitting next to an Orang Utan makes a trip to the Singapore Zoo an experience of a lifetime! Not only this, you can even take snaps with the grinning chimps at the zoo. Feel free to capture those Kodak moments in your camera during your tour to Singapore Zoo.

Entry fee for an adult is $20, for a child is $13, and for senior citizens is $11. Children below 3 years of age are freely admitted. Boat and tram rides cost extra.

Jurong Bird Park

Macaws at Jurong Bird Park, Singapore

Dr. Goh Keng Swee, the then Minister for Defence of Singapore, was the first one to conceive the idea of what is now known as the Jurong Bird Park. After a series of efforts and plannings, the Jurong Bird Show was finally inaugurated on 3rd January 1971. Owing to the fact that the Jurong Bird Show houses more than 380 bird species, it is considered as the world’s largest bird park. Have the pleasure of watching birds like Flamingos, Hornbills, Cocktails, Hawks, Macaws and Parrots under the guidance of well-trained guides at the Jurong Bird Show.

The main highlights of the Jurong Bird Show includes Penguin Chitchat, All Star Birdshow, World of Darkness, Bee-Eater & Starling Chitchat, Pelican Chitchat, Birds of Prey Show, Lunch with the Birds, Lory Loft, Parrot Paradise, Jungle Jewels, Southeast Asia Bird Aviary, the Riverine and so on.

The Penguin chitchat houses more than 200 penguins, Penguin Parade allows you to watch 5 species of Penguins, namely Macaroni, Fairy, King Penguin, Humboldt and Rockhopper.

Showcasing a large number of performing birds in a single act, the All Star Birdshow is one of the hit birdshows of Jurong Bird Park. Flamingos, Hornbills and Pelicans are the star attractions of this birdshow.

The Birds of Prey Show, as the name suggests, offers you to watch birds of prey like eagles, vultures, hawks and falcons. All those frightening birds can be seen here without any risk.

Performed at the Waterfall Aviary, Bee-Eater & Starling Chitchat show is another major hit among tourists visiting the Jurong Bird Park. Having the world’s only monorail running on an aviary, waterfall aviary offers you to see about 1,500 free-flying birds.

The specialty of Pelican Chitchat, on the other hand, is that it takes place at the world’s first underwater viewing gallery. Have fun watching some of the endangered species of pelicans at Pelican Chitchat Birdshow.

Lastly, don’t miss the golden opportunity of having a lunch while watching the beautiful Flamingos Lake at the Jurong Bird Park during your tours to Singapore.

The entry ticket for an adult costs SGD 20, whereas, it costs only SGD 13 for children between 3 to 12 years.