Borobudur Temple, is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist monument in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. The monument comprises six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. A main dome, located at the center of the top platform, is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside perforated stupa.

The monument is both a shrine to the Lord Buddha and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage. The journey for pilgrims begins at the base of the monument and follows a path circumambulating the monument while ascending to the top through the three levels of Buddhist cosmology, namely Kāmadhātu (the world of desire), Rupadhatu (the world of forms) and Arupadhatu (the world of formlessness). During the journey, the monument guides the pilgrims through a system of stairways and corridors with 1,460 narrative relief panels on the walls and thebalustrades.

Evidence suggests Borobudur was constructed in the 9th century and abandoned following the 14th century decline of Buddhist and Hindukingdoms in Java, and the Javanese conversion to Islam.^[2] Worldwide knowledge of its existence was sparked in 1814 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, then the British ruler of Java, who was advised of its location by native Indonesians. Borobudur has since been preserved through several restorations. The largest restoration project was undertaken between 1975 and 1982 by the Indonesian government andUNESCO, following which the monument was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.^[3] Borobudur is still used for pilgrimage; once a year Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the monument, and Borobudur is Indonesia’s single most visited tourist attraction.

The Great Wall of China, one of the greatest wonders of the world, was listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. Just like a gigantic dragon, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching approximately 8,851.8 kilometers (5,500 miles) from east to west of China. With a history of more than 2000 years, some of the sections are now in ruins or have disappeared. However, it is still one of the most appealing attractions all around the world owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance.

The Great Wall of China Facts

• The Great Wall of China is 1000 times longer than any monument ever built in history of mankind.
• The fear of other nations invasion made the Chinese build the longest wall in the world
• The Great Wall of China  also known as the ‘longest cemetery ever built‘. This is because millions of poor Chinese peasants who worked to build the wall were buried in it when they died from exhaustion & pain.
• The Great Wall of China is the only building in the world that can see  from space

Pattaya Beach is a beach in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located within but not part of Amphoe Bang Lamung (Banglamung) in the province of Chonburi.
The City of Pattaya  is a self governing municipal area which covers the whole tambon Nong Prue and Na Kluea and parts of Huai Yai and Nong Pla Lai. The City is situated in the heavily industrial Eastern Seaboard zone, along with Si Racha, Laem Chabang, and Chonburi. It has a population exceeding 100,000 (2007). Pattaya is also the center of the Pattaya-Chonburi Metropolitan Area, the conurbation in Chonburi Province, with a total population exceeding 1,000,000 (2010).

There are some LOVELY beaches along the eastern seaboard of Thailand – but to find the best beaches, you’ll need to do a bit of travelling. In my opinion, you’ll find the best beaches on Ko Samet, the single beach of Ko Si Chang, and Hat Nang Ram in Sattahip. All these places are between 60 to 90 minutes drive from Pattaya.

The most famous pyramids are the Egyptian pyramids — huge structures built of brick or stone, some of which are among the world’s largest constructions. The age of the pyramids reached its zenith at Giza in 2575-2150 B.C. As of 2008, some 135 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest in Egypt and one of the largest in the world. Until Lincoln Cathedral was finished in AD 1311, it was the tallest building in the world. The base is over 52,600 square metres in area. While pyramids are associated with Egypt, the nation of Sudan has 220 extant pyramids, the most numerous in the world.

The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It is the only one to survive into modern times. The Ancient Egyptians covered the faces of pyramids with polished white limestone, containing great quantities of fossilized seashells. Many of the facing stones have fallen or have been removed and used to build the mosques of Cairo.

Travel to Egypt offers you the nature and desert treks, fishing, golfing, scuba diving and birding groups. You can choose the places like Sinai coasts or red sea to relax. The capital of the old capital of Egypt is home to some extraordinary funerary monuments which include rock toms, ornate mastabas, temples and pyramids. Listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, these monuments definitely qualify for the top destinations in world to visit before you die.

The first flowers of spring are already carpeting the North Norfolk countryside. Walsingham Abbey opens its grounds from early February and you can follow the snowdrop walking-trail along the banks of the River Stiffkey to the sea. The windswept tidelines and sand dunes of Holkham Nature Reserve are right on the doorstep – the marshy flats will be teeming with waders, geese, hawks and harriers.
Getting there: Drive along the A148, 3o miles from King’s Lynn

Slovenia For Culture, culture and culture!

Maribor is this year’s European Capital of Culture and it’s easy to see why on a walk around the old city walls, past red Slovenian rooftops, baroque towers and large squares. For culture try the 15th century Maribor Castle, fortified ruins on Piramida Hill or the gothic-style cathedral. Poll orje Mountain dominates the skyline: you can sit in a cafe and watch the skiers swish down the slopes!

Getting there: Ryanair flies daily to Graz, Austria (E42 return). From there it’s a 3o-min drive or train (six a day; €28) to Maribor.

Tunisia For Sun and souks

It’s a year since the revolution that changed the face of North Africa and capital Tunis is welcoming tourists with open arms. Roam around the archaeological ruins of Carthage on the turquoise coast, thread through the narrow streets of the UNESCO-listed Medina and let the smell of spices wash over you in the bustling souks. A 20-min bus will transport you to the blue-and-white village of Sidi Bou Said, an age-old hilltop Mecca for artists and boho travellers.
Getting there: Tunis Air flies once daily from Heathrow to Tunis.

Canada For Quebec Carnival capers

Ever fancied dog- sledding through the local streets? The world’s largest winter carnival, the Quebec Winter Festival runs from Jan 27-Feb 12 so warm yourself up with a flapjack before taking part in some of the huge range of activities on offer: skating, snow rafting, sleigh rides, snow sculpting and night parades – a demi-French, demi-Canadian winter wonder! Getting there: Return flights operate daily with United Airlines via New York from £547.

Orlando for Family Retreat.

Orlando rental vacations have many tips and guide for vacations in Disneyland. There are many top 10’s recommendation you shouldn’t miss.

For more information on other attractions in other countries check out world travel and hotels guide

Sentosa is Singapore’s pleasure island – a local getaway dedicated to recreation. Although mocked as “Disneyesque,” it is a well planned resort with varied attractions that should appeal to everyone. The beaches may be man-made, but they are clean and pleasant, with plenty of bars, restaurants, and facilities nearby. The island was originally called Pulau Blakang Mati,meaning “death from behind,” possibly because of the pirates that once attacked its shores. It was later renamed Sentosa, which means “peace and tranquility”

If you happened to go to Singapore, don’t forget to visit sentosa island and do these top 5 my recommendation activities:

Images of Singapore – This museum pays homage to Singapore’s history and diversity. Kids will love the cleverly designed special effects, which give a sense of the values shaping Singapore

Underwater World – Visit early to enjoy the walk-through shark tank and marine displays here. The spa offers “fish reflexology,” where fish nibble at your toes before their human counterpart takes over for a therapeutic

Sentosa Luge & Skyride – A cross between a toboggan and a go-cart, the luge is great fun for all ages. Take the Skyride chairlift to the top of the hill and meander your way back down again. Each cart has sophisticated speed controls for safety

Sentosa 4D Magix – Billed as Southeast Asia’s first 4D theater, Magix features a state-of-the-art digital projection system, surround-sound, and seats that move with the on-screen action. The effects include mist spray in water scenes.

Siloso Beach – This beach is where the young and beautiful hang out, sunbathing and playing volleyball. Several beach bars and stores operate during the day, although the pace – and volume – picks up at sunset.

If you want to do all these activities, don’t forget to buy Sentosa Play Pass. A pass which you can save more and play more. Get all the 13 attractions with just 1 price.

Lake Toba (Danau Toba), is the largest volcanic lake in the world and is in Sumatra, Indonesia. Samosir island within the lake is the island within the island of Sumatra.

Lake Toba is an immense volcanic lake covering an area of 1,707 sq km (1,000 sq km bigger than Singapore) with an island in the center. Formed by a gigantic volcanic eruption some 70,000 years ago, it is probably the largest resurgent caldera on Earth. Some studies say it might have been associated with causing previous ice age/climate change and the largest human population bottleneck ever. Genetic estimates suggests that there were only a few thousand individuals that survived the catastrophe. The island in the middle – Pulau Samosir – was joined to the caldera wall by a narrow isthmus, which was cut through to enable boats to pass; a road bridge crosses the cutting. Samosir island is the cultural centre of Batak tribe who are mostly Christians in the modern days.

Lake Toba was perhaps once more popular than it is nowadays, but for many it remains a firm fixture on the Banana Pancake Trail. It is a great laid back place to chill out for a few days after jungle trekking etc. The location is very popular with Chinese tourists around Chinese New Year, when availability drops dramatically and accommodation costs sky rocket.

Lake Toba Source

Although it’s known to everyone as St. Basil’s, this legendary building is officially called “The Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin by the Moat”. The popular alternative refers to Basil the Blessed, a Muscovite ‘holy fool’ who was buried on the site (in the Trinity Cathedral that once stood here) a few years before the present building was erected.

The Cathedral was ordered by Ivan the Terrible to mark the 1552 capture of Kazan from Mongol forces. It was completed in 1560. That’s pretty much all the genuine history that’s known about this celebrated landmark. There, however, scores of legends. Nothing is known about the builders, Barma and Postnik Yakovlev, except their names and the dubious legend that Ivan had them blinded so that they could not create anything to compare. Historians unanimously state that this is nothing but urban folklore.

Architectural specialists are to this day unable to agree about the governing idea behind the structure. Either the creators were paying homage to the churches of Jerusalem, or, by building eight churches around a central ninth, they were representing the medieval symbol of the eight-pointed star. The original concept of the Cathedral of the Intercession has been hidden from us beneath layers of stylistic additions and new churches added to the main building. In fact, when built, the Cathedral was all white to match the white-stone Kremlin, and the onion domes were gold rather than multi-colored and patterned as they are today.

In the 17^th century a hip-roofed bell tower was added, the gallery and staircases were covered with vaulted roofing, and the helmeted domes were replaced with decorated ones. In 1860 during rebuilding, the Cathedral was painted with a more complex and integrated design, and has remained unchanged since.

For a time in the Soviet Union, there was talk of demolishing St. Basil’s – mainly because it hindered Stalin’s plans for massed parades on Red Square. It was only saved thanks to the courage of the architect Pyotr Baranovsky. When ordered to prepare the building for demolition, he refused categorically, and sent the Kremlin an extremely blunt telegram. The Cathedral remained standing, and Baranovsky’s conservation efforts earned him five years in prison.

The Cathedral is now a museum. During restoration work in the seventies a wooden spiral staircase was discovered within one of the walls. Visitors now take this route into the central church, with its extraordinary, soaring tented roof and a fine 16^th Century iconostasis. You can also walk along the narrow, winding gallery, covered in beautiful patterned paintwork.

One service a year is held in the Cathedral, on the Day of Intercession in October.

Opening hours: Daily from 11.00 to 17.00, closed on Tuesdays.

Oceanic currents may explain, in part, why Bunaken National Marine Park is such a treasure trove of biodiversity. Northeasternly currents generally sweep through the park but abundant counter currents and gyros related to lunar cycles are believed to be a trap for free swimming larvae. This is particularly true on the south side of the crescent-shaped Bunaken Island, lying in the heart of the park. A snorkler or diver in the vicinity of Lekuan or Fukui may spot over 33 species of butterfly fish and numerous types of groupers, damsels, wrasses and gobies. The gobies, smallish fish with bulging eyes and modified fins that allow them to attach to hard surfaces, are the most diverse but least known group of fish in the park.

The waters of Bunaken National Marine Park are extremely deep (1566 m in Manado Bay), clear (up to 35-40 m visibility), refreshing in temperature (27-29 C) and harbor some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. Pick any of group of interest – corals, fish, echinoderms or sponges – and the number of families, genera or species is bound to be astonishingly high. For example, 7 of the 8 species of giant clams that occur in the world, occur in Bunaken. The park has around 70 genera of corals; compare this to a mere 10 in Hawaii. Although the exact number of fish species is unknown, it may be slightly higher than in the Philippines, where 2,500 species, or nearly 70% of all fish species known to the Indo-western Pacific, are found.