Unmasking Ibiza – Dalt Vila and More
Ibiza was the first line of defence for mainland Spain against the seafarers! The original Acropolis had low and narrow walls. Suited for the mediaeval warfare of spears and swords. - Unmasking Ibiza - Dalt Vila and More - Travelure ©
Royal Observatory Greenwich London
Let’s travel to that landmark where our planet comes full circle. And, East meets West. Beyond establishing the relative location of places on our planet, it provides the basis of relative time across the globe. I talk of the Prime Meridian. - Royal Observatory Greenwich London - Travelure ©
Charles Bridge Prague Czech Republic
On this graceful epochal edifice of the Bridge Tower, it was a pity to see the terrible repair work. Despite regal decorations, the refurbishing seemed more an overhaul that a careful restoration. Still, UNESCO rightly lumped the bridge with the Old Town Centre of Prague to inscribe it on its World Heritage Sites List in 1992. - Charles Bridge Prague Czech Republic - Travelure ©
Skogskyrkogarden or Woodland Cemetery Stockholm
The clever use of the natural landscape created an extraordinary environment of tranquil beauty at Skogskyrkogarden. So much so it has had a profound influence on cemetery design throughout the world.
Proboscis Monkeys in Sabah Borneo
The joyous exclamations of successful captures punctuated the combined clickety-clack of our cameras. But the light was fading fast. The monkeys were slowing down... - Proboscis Monkeys in Sabah Borneo - Travelure ©
Auschwitz – Homage to the WW-II Holocaust Victims
‘The plunder of human beings was complete. They chose the healthy ones for a slow death through overwork, exhaustion, and starvation; while the others were straightaway shot, or gassed.’ - Auschwitz - Homage to the WW-II Holocaust Victims - Travelure ©
Galle Fort Galle Sri Lanka
A few metres inside the fort, I found myself on a crossroads. I realised I had to be my own guide. I spotted a lighthouse. Being a sea lover, I chose to go that way. - Galle Fort, Galle, Sri Lanka - Travelure ©
Simbel Wonder – Abu Simbel Egypt
In the 1960s, a team dismantled Abu Simbel into large stone blocks. Those blocks were then transported from their original location to a sandstone cliff - Simbel Wonder - Abu Simbel Egypt - Travelure ©
Ellora Caves Maharashtra India
It is one of the largest megalithic rock-cut Hindu temples in India. To excavate this temple, the artists removed 3 Million Cubic Feet of basalt. This rubble weighed a whopping 200,000 Tonnes. - Ellora Caves Maharashtra India - Travelure ©
Le Morne Brabant Mauritius
There are two recognisable natural tourist spots in Mauritius - Crystal Rock and Le Morne Brabant. While Crystal Rock is just a fossilised coral reef, Le Morne Brabant Mauritius is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for an unfortunate reason. Read on for details.
Chateau de Versailles Near Paris France
As we entered the palace, the first significant chamber we saw was the Royal Chapel. Corinthian columns, gold accents, and an intricate ceiling mural gave it grandeur... Château de Versailles Near Paris France - Travelure ©
Humayun Tomb New Delhi India
If Humayun Tomb were a man, he would be a 449-year old trendsetter. Affluent, disciplined, able-bodied, mature, suave, big-hearted, and attractive. Let us see why. - Humayun Tomb New Delhi India - Travelure ©
Central Park New York City
It may now be a back-up water source, but it remains the crown jewel of the park’s expansive layout. Out of Central Park’s 315 hectares, it covers 43 hectares. Its perimeter is 2.5 kilometres. - Central Park New York City - Travelure ©
Canals of Amsterdam Netherlands
Amsterdam is regarded as the Venice of the North. It is hardly surprising as the city has 165 canals. With a combined length of more than 100 km. Plus 90 islands. And, 1280 bridges! That is three times more bridges than Venice!
Cellular Jail Port Blair Andamans India
The jail was named 'Cellular Jail' since it did not have any dormitory, only solitary confinement cells - 693 of them. This was a deliberate move by the British. They did not want the freedom fighters to interact and plan their moves to gain freedom -
The Great Wall of China
Snake-like, it slithered along the undulating mountain ridge. Between relentless long stretches, watchtowers provided relief. But, only to the eyes. Not an easy stroll. - The Great Wall of China - Travelure ©
Schonbrunn Palace Vienna Austria
As one of the more popular tourist attractions of Vienna (over 3,800,000 tourists visited it in 2017), its sprawling gardens offer a healthy competition to the brilliantly manicured gardens in Chateau Versailles near Paris.
Varanasi – The Grand Dame of India
For Hindus, Varanasi is a teleport to heaven. The belief is when you travel from here, you carry no baggage of Karma. You also achieve Moksha or freedom from the cycle of life and death. Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats are the portkeys. From here, the cremated rise to the heavens to join their ancestors... Varanasi - The Grand Dame of India - Travelure ©
The Bahá’í Gardens Haifa Israel
Beginning at Mount Carmel’s base, the gardens extend almost one kilometre (0.6 miles) up the side of the mountain. These beautifully-landscaped gardens cover around 200,000 sq mt (or about 2 million sq ft) of land. - The Bahá'í Gardens Haifa Israel
Red Fort or Lal Qila Delhi India
48,000 people once lived within these walls. Shah Jahan built Lal Qila as a city unto itself — palaces, mosques, markets, and a stream of paradise running through it all.
Eiffel Tower Paris France
You are born a deer with a lifespan of a mere 20 years. Along the way, you turn into a tortoise with a lifespan of 130 years and counting. Pray, you can only be Eiffel Tower! - Eiffel Tower Paris France - Travelure ©
The Taj Mahal Agra India
A water channel with fountains that opens out into an enormous reflecting pool, leads you from Darwaza-i-rauza to the Taj. This pool does what humans couldn’t - duplicate the beauty of Taj in its reflection. - The Taj Mahal Agra India - Travelure ©
Long Glacier Langjokull Iceland
Soon, we were in the middle of never-ending whiteness. The glacier had begun. The flat white expanse mesmerised us. The snaking tarred road we drove on seemed to be a fine black line. Drawn by an artist on a huge blank canvas. - Long Glacier Langjökull Iceland - Travelure ©
Gobekli Tepe Turkey – World’s oldest temple?
Göbekli Tepe is the most ancient site of humans practising religion. Schmidt called it the first human-built holy place. The religion originated here. - Göbekli Tepe Turkey - World’s oldest temple? - Travelure ©
