The forbidden city

Have you ever heard of a forbidden city??? Although it is named so, its beauty is world famous. Beijing is completed by the grandeur of the Forbidden city palace which is a must visit and also the most ancient palace in the world. It was home for 24 Chinese emperors of two dynasties the Ming and the Qing. Palace was supposed to be a replica of the Purple Palace in heaven as the constructor, Emperor Yongle was regarded as the son of heaven. Because of its divinity and godliness perhaps that was why it was forbidden for normal people. 

The City covers 178 acres with 90 palaces, 980 buildings and 8704 rooms. There is also a 10m high wall enclosing the city. For security purposes there are watchtowers at each corner. Here are the places you will find attractive inside the city- Meridian Gate, Hall of Literary Glory, Hall of Martial Valor, Gate of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Central Harmony, Hall of Preserved Harmony, Gate of Heavenly Purity, Palace of Heavenly Purity, Hall of Celestial & Terrestrial Union, Palace of Earthly Tranquility, Hall of Mental Cultivation, Six Western Palaces, Hall for Ancestry Worship, Six Eastern Palaces, Palace of Tranquil Longevity, Treasure Gallery, Qianlong Garden, Pavilion of Pleasant Sounds, Imperial Garden, Moat, Corner Towers and Gates.

Meridian Gate is the only entrance to the city now which is located at the southern part. It has 5 gates. When you enter through the Meridian Gate you get the Inner Golden River Bridges. To the east of the bridges is the Hall of Literary Glory and to the west is the Hall of Martial Valor. Behind the Meridian Gate you will find a courtyard and to the northern side of it is the Gate of Supreme Harmony which was the place that held emperor's weddings. Gate of Supreme Harmony paves the way to enter the Hall of Supreme Harmony. It was used as a ceremonial hall that hold festivities when a new emperor is elected. In between the Hall of Supreme Harmony and Hall of Preserved Harmony, is the Hall of Central Harmony. Altogether they are known as Three Great Halls of the Outer Court and they are found on the central axis of the city. 

Gate of Heavenly Purity serves as a divider for the city as Inner Court and Outer Court. And inside the Gate of Heavenly Purity is the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Also the Palace of Heavenly Purity is one of the three  main palaces inside the Inner Court. The other two are the Palace of Earthly Tranquility and the Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union. 

The six western palaces consist of Palace of Eternal Longevity, Palace of the Queen Consort, Palace for Gathering Elegance, Hall of the Supreme Pole, Palace of Eternal Spring and Palace of Universal Happiness which were for the emperor's wives.  Hall for Ancestry Worship is the place where the emperors used to worship their ancestors. The six eastern palaces consist of Palace of Great Benevolence, Palace of Celestial Favour, Palace of Eternal Harmony, Palace of Great Brilliance, Palace of Purity and Palace of Lasting Happiness. These were the living quarters of imperial concubines. The treasure gallery lies northeast of the palace museum. 

Travellers' Guide

If you are planning to visit the Forbidden City, check in with these tours which include Forbidden City travelling. 

Beijing Highlights Tour
Beijing Hutong Tour

If you get the chance don't forget to visit the following hotels too.

Days Inn Forbidden City, Beijing
No. 1, Nanwanzi Hutong, Nanheyan street, Dongcheng District,Beijing, China,100006
King Parkview Hotel
No. 55, Shatan Houjie, Dongcheng District,Beijing, China,100009
Red wall Garden Hote
No.41 Shijia Hutong, Dongcheng District,Beijing, China,100010

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Shwedagon Pagoda

Rising up to a height above 100m, bounded by the Singuttara Hill in Yangon is the most sacred place of Myanmar. Shwedagon Pagoda is a stupa which is covered by golden plates from top to bottom with diamonds encrusted at the top. This 2500 years old Pagoda was a creation by the king Okkalapa and the story behind the Pagoda is also a very interesting one. When Prince Siddhartha became the enlightened one and was meditating at the Rajayathana tree in the seventh week, two merchants named Thapassu and Balluka came across. They offered honey and corn. They were the first two people to follow lord Buddha and Buddhism. So in return Lord Buddha gave them 8 hair strands which they placed in a ruby casket and brought back to Asithanjana near Singuttara Hill. Back there, with the help of King Okkalapa, they built a pagoda placing inside the ruby casket with sacred hair strands as well as other relics from three other previous Buddhas, staff of Kakusandha Buddha, a piece of the robe of Kassapa Buddha and the water filter of Koṇāgamana Buddha. 

Covering the sacred relics, a golden pagoda was built and covering that a silver pagoda and a gold and copper alloy pagoda and bronze pagoda were built respectively. Encasing those and iron pagoda and finally a brick pagoda were built. It is also said that the innermost Shwedagon Pagoda was filled half with jewelry and on top of it was a ship full of jewelry and on top of it were the relics. 

Since its first construction, Pagoda was renovated and restored with several additions by many kings and queens. In 308 BC King Srimasoka built a enclosing pavilion while around 1360, King Banya-U enlarged the pagoda. Queen Shinsawbu made a retaining embankment with brick along with an enclosure wall. King Dhammazedi gifted gold that matched the weight of himself and his wife for the gliding of the pagoda and placed a huge bell on it. Anaukpetlun donated an umbrella and a bell and he reconstructed the pagoda which was damaged due to an earthquake. Hsinbyushin restored the pagoda to present day height and gave away an umbrella and 77kg of gold for the gliding. 

If we look at the basic plan of the site, making Shwedagon Pagoda the center piece, there are 4 smaller stupas at the four cardinal directions. Encircling the main stupa, there are 64 small stupas inline with the cardinal stupas. Main stupa can again be divied into 3 parts as the base, dome and the spire. The base of the stupa consists of a square plinth of 6.4m high, octagonal terraces and an octagonal dais called "eight edges". Dome consists of circular bolts, the bell, the girdle, the inverted alms bowl and the festoon. The spire is again divided into four parts. The lowest part has 7 concentric rings. Above them are the upturned lotus and the inverted lotus. Above them is a tear drop shaped structure. Finally at the top it the umbrella. 

Travellers' Guide

If you are planning to visit Shwedagon Pagoda, there are several formalities you should follow. Make sure you wear your bottoms covering your knees and your tops should have sleeves at least up to elbow length. You must remove your shoes and slippers at the entrance. An entrance fee of $5 will be charged. There are food and concession services if you want. Usually the Pagoda is open daily from 4 am to 10 pm and on the waxing day of Tabaung around March and waxing day of Wakhaung around June the pagoda is open 24 hours. 

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Petronas Towers

Once it was the world’s tallest building and today it’s a skyscraper twin building visited by many from all over the world. However it still holds the record for being the world’s tallest twin towers. One is better than two it seems. It took six years to complete the towers since the beginning of construction in 1992 costing around 1.6 US$ Billion. Petronas towers are located at Jalan Ampang in Kuala Lumpur and basically they can be identified as the center piece of Kuala Lumpur. 

Willis Tower was the highest before Petronas but even Petronas could only hold the title of world’s tallest tower for six years until Taipei 101. Record breaking height of the Petronas is 451.9m with the spires included. The top most floor or the 88th floor is 375m above the ground. Twins are a design by architect César Pelli and a creation by the structural engineer Thornton Tomasetti. 

Kuala Lumpur dedicated its race track as the site for the towers. The towers has one of the world’s deepest foundations numerically around 120m because of that. The most thrilling experience you can get by going up the towers is the sky bridge. Imagine being on it. Scary right??? This is also the world’s highest 2 storey bridge that stands between the 41st and 42nd floors of the two buildings. It is 58m long and stands 170m above the ground.

Travellers’ Guide

If you are planning to visit Petronas towers, they are open on all days except Monday. The visiting hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. except prayer hours- 1 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. on Friday. Tickets are limited and issued on “First come, First served” basis so you better be at the counter as earlier as possible as they start issuing tickets from 8 a.m. from Concourse Level of Petronas Towers. There is a 360 degree revolving dining area in the towers known as KL (Menara) Tower Restaurant, Kuala Lumpur.

Hotels near Petronas Towers 

Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur

+65 6226 3310

Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur

+65 6226 3310

Impiana KLCC Hotel

+65 6226 3310

Corus Hotel Kuala Lumpur

+65 6226 3310

Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur

+65 6226 3310

D'Oriental Inn, Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur

+65 6226 3310

Ascott Kuala Lumpur

+65 6226 3310

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El Tajin

One of the proud beauties of Mexico, El Tajin in Veracruz can be recognized as an ancient city from 600 to 1230 CE, believed to existed in the Mesoamerica. The city today shows only remains of once well advanced civilization which must have been completed with temples, palaces, pyramids etc. El Tajin gives the meaning lightening and thundering ad perhaps that is why they still believe that their deities of twelve old thunderstorm still inhabits the ruins. Also there is archaeological evidence that long before its rediscovery in 1785, the city was called Mictlan meaning the place of the dead.

The peak time of the city must have been since 600 CE basically after the fall of Teotihuacan. It was abolished by a fire believed to be the work of the invading force known as Chichimecas. Then it was left to be in ruins covered by the forest until it was rediscovered by Diego Ruiz, who was in search of clandestine tobacco plantations. He accidentally walked across the ruins of Pyramid of niches. He drew it and when he came back sent it to publication which took by surprise as well as appreciation. They believed the indigenous people of the area must have kept the ruins as a secret in order to protect it.

Besides being ruins at large, the ancient city has great architectural values. Ever since its discovery, many including German architect Charles Nebel, archaeologists Teobert Maler, Edward Seler, Francisco del Paso y Troncoso and Herbert and Ellen Spinden visited the site.

Now a days, El Tajin has become a major money spinner as it attracts more and more tourists each and every year. There have been some modifications done in order to facilitate the large crowd including the cafeteria and info centre. One has to enter the ruins from its southern end entrance. The site contains a park named as Parque Takilhsukut where it is used to hold festivals, workshops etc. Another new addition is the museum. The places you will be able to see in the site are Arroyo Group, The Pyramid of the Niches, Tajin Chico, Great Xicalcoluihqui, Blue Temple, the North and South Ball Courts etc.

Travellers' Guide
If you are planning to visit El Tajin, the site can be located near the cities Poza Rica and Papantla in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. You can find accommodation in Veracruz.

Hotel Lois
Calzada Ruiz Cortines 10, 94294 Veracruz
City Junior Veracruz
Calzada Manuel de Jesús Clouthier No 2641, 91725 Veracruz
Gran Hotel Diligencias
1115 Independence Avenue, Zona Centro, 91700 Veracruz
Holiday Inn Veracruz-Centro Historico
Calle Morelos 225, Colonia Centro, 91700 Veracruz
Camino Real Veracruz
Boulevard Manuel Avila Camacho, 3650 , 94299 Veracruz
Emporio Veracruz
Paseo del Malecón 244, 91700 Veracruz
Hotel Gran Via
Salvador Diaz Miron, 1572, 91910 Veracruz

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Giant Sequoias

It not an easy task to be in the list of world's biggest things. But it is very natural for Giant Sequoias aka Sequoiadendron giganteum. They are the world's largest trees found in Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, USA. They are pretty amazing because they can actually grow to a height of about 80m. Their diameters would be around 6-8m. Just like their largeness, their ages are about 2000-3500 years. The first European who must have seen these is  J. K. Leonard who was an explorer. In 1852, Augustus T. Dowd discovered these again and that discovery was given much more publicity that any. 

If we look through the scientific classification of this giant, it goes as Kingdom-Plantae, Division-Pinophyta, Class-Pinopsida, Order-Pinales, Family-Cupressaceae, Subfamily-Sequoioideae, Genus-Sequoiadendron, Species-S. giganteum. Giant Sequoias spread over an area of 144km2 some of which are protected by the Sequoia National Park, Giant Sequoia National Monument and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Apart from being so large, Giant Sequoias has many other specific features too. Young Sequoias are less brittle while mature Sequoias are highly resistant to decay. Sequoias are also very popular among many European countries as an ornamental tree. Here are some of the interesting facts about Sequoias. 

Tallest of all is an unnamed tree found in Redwood Mountain Grove with a height of 95 m. Oldest tree is known as Muir Snag with an age of over 3500 years. Tree with the greatest girth are Waterfall Tree of Alder Creek Grove with 47 m. Greatest base diameter also belongs to Waterfall Tree of Alder Creek Grove which is 17 m. Tunnel Tree is from Atwell Mill Grove which has a huge flared base that has burned all the way through. Greatest mean diameter at breast height belongs to General Grant in General Grant Grove. Largest limb is from Arm Tree in Atwell Mill, East Fork Grove with 3.9 m in diameter. Thickest bark ever recorded is 0.91m. 

Travellers' Guide

If you are planning to visit these giants, you can visit Sequoia National Park, Giant Sequoia National Monument and Kings Canyon National Parks. Not only the Sequoias but you can also visit Tunnel Log, Moro Rock, Sherman Tree, Crystal Cave Trail, Hospital Rock, Congress Trail and many more inside these parks. 

Hotel available: 

Wuksachi Lodge & Village

64740 Wuksachi Way, California, 93262, United States

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Golden Gate Bridge

The link that bounds San Francisco and Marin County is the Golden Gate Bridge. It is the most famous places of all you can find in San Francisco and for many architects and civil engineers, Golden Gate has become a moral support and a dream.  Joseph Strauss, Irving Morrow and Charles Ellis are the designers of this beautiful one of a kind made of steel which was open for public since 27th May, 1937. The bridge supports six lanes including lanes for bicycles and pedestrians. Golden Gate spans over 2.7km with a width of 27.4m and rises to a height of 227.4m. 

Before the Golden Gate Bridge, the transportation between San Francisco and Marin County was done by ferry services. But with the increase in demand to travel between the cities, many thought of the idea of a bridge which was simply an impossible one in every way because of the long distance and the constant tides and currents of the bay. It was in 1916 that stabilized the idea of a bridge but still with lot of negative ideas. Some wanted to built the bridge as proposed by the former engineering student James Wilkins but  with less cost. Joseph Strauss in return agreed but local authorities agreed to built a suspension bridge. After facing many hits and blows from different companies, enemies, it finally began its construction in 1933. 

While the  bridge design was handled by Strauss, the suspension design and technique were handled by Manhattan Bridge designer Leon Moisseiff. Architect Irving Morrow deigned the bridge towers, the lighting scheme with the streetlights, railing, and walkways. Head of engineers was  Charles Alton Ellis. 

An interesting fact about the Bridge is its colour. The colour of the bridge, Orange Vermilion as chosen by Irving Morrow is famously known as the international orange. Orange stands in contrast to the nature so that the far way ships can see it even on a foggy day. Another is the fact that the bridge is made of steel but yet to avoid the natural process of corrosion, the bridge is now coated with acrylic top coats and maintained by 38 painters. How cool is that????

Unfortunately Golden Gate Bridge has become an ideal place for many to commit suicide too. Although there have been numerous implications placed to detect and avoid suicides. 

Travellers' Guide

If you are planning to visit Golden Gate Bridge, don't forget to check in with these fabulous restaurants and hotels.

The Cliff House
Fresh Seafood and Stunning Views
1090 Point Lobos Ave., San Francisco CA 94121
T.P. 1.877.485.2032
Franciscan Crab Restaurant
Offering Superb Panoramic Seafood Dining
Pier 43 1/2, San Francisco CA 94133
T.P. 1.888.698.6782
John's Grill
A San Francisco Tradition for Steak, Seafood & Pasta
63 Ellis St., San Francisco CA 94102
T.P. 1.866.981.6211
Opaque – dining in the dark
A Journey for the Senses
689 McAllister St., San Francisco CA 94102
T.P. 1.888.310.8321

DoubleTree by Hilton San Francisco Airport
Burlingame, CA
Hilton San Francisco Airport Bayfront
Burlingame, CA
Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco Airport North
South San Francisco, CA
Best Western Plus El Rancho Inn & Suites
Millbrae, CA

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Temple of Tooth Relic Kandy

You may want to recall your memories about the famous Esala Perahera. Esala Perahera is held in order to show case the famous and sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. Located at the popular city Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, Temple of Tooth Relic is visited by thousands of travelers, visitors, devotees and explorers everyday. The Temple complex includes Temple of the Tooth building complex, Mahawahalkada (The main entrance), Moat, Pattirippuwa (Octagon), Handun kunama, Golden canopy, New Palace, Royal Palace of Kandy, National Museum of Kandy, Old courts building, Kandy Lake, Biso ulpen ge (Queens bath), Diyathilaka mandapaya and Udawatta Kele Sanctuary. 

The tooth relic is important in many ways to the Sri Lankans. Temple of the Tooth Relic is the major Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. Since the very ancient times, it has been a tradition that to become the ruler of the country, the candidate has to have the tooth relic. This shows that tooth relic is important not only religious wise but also politically too. 

What is this Tooth relic actually??? When Lord Buddha was cremated, his four canine teeth were taken from the ashes and distributed all over the world to the countries who sought them. It is famously said that one of the tooth relics is located in Gandhara or modern-day Pakistan, another is with king of the gods; Sakra and another is with Nagas and the last one, the left canine was with the King of Kalinga in India. This tooth relic was worshipedby many and shown great respect earned many enemies from other religions and other countries and finally Guhasiva, the Kalinga king who ruled in 4th century AD  had to sent it to a safer place in order to protect it. 

Sri Lanka was chosen as the next home for the tooth relic because Sri Lanka was a Buddhist country at that time and many Sri Lankan rulers maintained connections with the Indian rulers. So the king sent the tooth relic with two guardians Princess Hema Mala and Price Dhantha. They handed over the tooth relic to King Kirti Sri Meghavanna who was the ruler of Anuradhapura kingdom at that time and he placed it in a special palace. After his reign, the tooth relic was kept at Abhayagiri Vihara in northern Anuradhapura and then in Atadage in the Sacred Quadrangle in Polonnaruwa. During king Nissankamalla's reign, he built the Relic Shrine Hatadage and at times of great miseries, the tooth relic was safe kept in Kotmale. 

King Vijayabahu II enshrined the relic on the hill top of Beligala and after that King Parakramabahu II placed it near his palace at Damabadeniya. King Bhuvanekabahu also built a shrine for the tooth relic in Yapahuwa  and Mulgirigala Vihara, Ridivihara in the Kurunegala and  Delgamuva Vihara are last temples where the tooth relic was safe kept before bringing it to Kandy. 

King Vimaladharmasuriya I was the ruler in Kandy who built the present day complex in 1595 to place the tooth relic. During and after his time, the Portuguese who came to Sri Lanka became such a menace that they disturbed the rituals and festivities held to honour the tooth relic. 

The tooth relic is regarded as royalty and there are Buddhist monks responsible for the Temple of the tooth relic. They are Mahanayaka Thera of Asgiriya and Mahanayaka Thera of Malwatta and also Diyawadana Nilame is the safe keeper of the tooth relic. In 1987, a golden canopy was built over the main shrine. The tooth relic rests in a golden casket of the shape of a stupa in this main shrine. 

Travellers' Guide

If you are planning to visit the temple of the tooth relic, you can reach Kandy straight away from Bandaranayake International Air Port by Tour buses, Taxies, or even trains from Fort Station. Kandy city has many other temples and beautiful scenic views you can enjoy such as the Bogambara Lake drive. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants in the city too like the Queen's Hotel, Dalada Mw, Kandy View Hotel and Chaaya Citadel. You can do some festival shopping at Kandy City Centre. 

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Tasmania Island

Have you ever wondered what is the small island hanging down at the right corner of Australia? Well that small island is the Tasmania which is also the 26th among the largest of islands in the world and a state of Australia. 68,401 square kilometers in area, Tasmania is 364km long North/South wise and 306km broad East/ West wise. Hobart is the capital city. Abel Tasman a Dutchman is the discoverer of this beautiful lone island. That was in November 1642.  Geologists believe that once this island was a part of Australia even though now it is separated by the Bass Strait from mainland. Another geologically interesting fact is that Tasmania is the place that has the world's largest areas of dolerite. Amazing, huh???

Most famous destinations one can find in Tasmania are Hobart, Cradle Mountains, Launceston, Strahan, Port Arthur, Freycinet and Wineglass Bay, Bruny Island etc. The highest peak of Tasmania is the Mount Ossa which is 1,617 metres found in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. There are many famous rivers flowing through out the island. Some of them are Derwent River, Tamar River, Mersey River, Franklin and Gordon Rivers, South Esk River; longest river in Tasmania. 

One of the few advantages of being an isolated island is that you get lots of genetically unique flora and fauna. With less population and more land for natural vegetation, Tasmania has extremely diverse vegetation with alpine heathlands, dry Midlands, tall evergreen eucalypt forest, temperate rainforests and moorlands. Tasmania is also home for the Thylacine aka the Tasmanian Tiger and the Tasmanian devil. Tasmanians faces four distinct seasons with cool temperature. 

Apart from the natural liabilities, there are many cultural experiences one can have when visiting Tasmania. Such events include the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, Taste of Tasmania food and wine festival, road rally Targa Tasmania, Agfest; a three-day agricultural show, Royal Hobart Show and Royal Launceston Show, Falls Festival at Marion Bay and Southern Roots Festival. 

Travellers Guide

Tasmania is a famous travel destination for honeymoon couples, sightseers and adventure sports. If you are planning to visit Tasmania, main Tasmanian hot spots include Hobart, Cradle Mountain, Port Arthur, Bruny Island, Freycinet and Wineglass Bay, Launceston, Strahan. Accommodation in Tasmania is equipped with 110 Hobart hotels, 4 Cradle Mountain hotels, 58 Launceston hotels, 25 Strahan hotels and Stanley hotels, Freycinet hotels and Port Arthur hotels. Some of the famous ones are,

Cradle Mountain Highlanders Cottages 

3876 Cradle Mountain Road

Country Club Villas 

Casino Rise Prospect Vale

City Park Grand Hotel 

22 Tamar Street

Grand Chancellor Hotel Hobart 

1 Davey Street

Aldermere Estate Luxury Accommodation 

27 Harvey Street

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Sydney Opera House

Perhaps Sydney's most wonderful place is its Opera House. World renowned for its importance as a place of performing arts, Opera House's modern architecture and roofing are few among many that attract visitors to it everyday. Opera House which is located at the Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, is a creation by the Danish architect Jørn Utzon for which he received the Pritzker Prize; the highest honour awarded for an architect. On 20th October, 1973 this master piece was open for public and today it is a world heritage site. The structure rises up to a height of 65m, it is 183m long, 120m wide and it covers an area of 4.4 acres. 

Sydney Opera House falls into the design category Expressionist design and it depicts qualities of late modern architecture. What amazes us most it the distinct roofing with sets of interlocking vaulted shells upon a vast terraced platform and surrounded by terrace areas that function as pedestrian concourses. Towards the western end of the complex is the Concert Hall and in vice versa is the Opera Theatre. There are also the Drama Theatre, the Playhouse, and The Studio which are actually found beneath the Concert Hall. Towards the western part of the Monumental Steps is the Bennelong Restaurant. 

The House has an immense capacity. Its Concert Hall has 2679 seats and is home for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Another importance we find here is the Sydney Opera House Grand Organ which can be recognized as the world's largest mechanical tracker action organ. On the other hand, the Opera Theatre has 1507 seats and houses the Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet. The Drama Theatre has 544 seats, the Playhouse has an end stage with 398 seats and the Studio has a max. capacity of 400. There is also a small multipurpose room named the Utzon Room which can accommodate up to 210. The Forecourt is used as a open air performing space. So in total it has about 5738 seats in the place.

The first ever piano recital was by Romola Costantino in the Concert Hall in 1973. Sergei Prokofiev's War and Peace is the first Opera in the theatre. Sydney Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Charles Mackerras performed the first public concert of the Opera House on 28th September, 1973. 

Travellers' Guide

If you are planning to visit the Sydney Opera House, there are various tours arranged by the Opera House. Each tour will last about one hour,  you can select the language guide you want from English, German, French, Japanese etc. The package touring may include dining experiences and accommodation. For more details on tour plans you can visit the official website.

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Statue Of Liberty

You cannot find a single person who doesn't know about the Statue of Liberty in Liberty Island and the Ellis Island. Well for obvious reasons the Lady Liberty can be one of the most famous women in this world. Marking the friendship between two important countries of the world, Statue of Liberty was gifted to USA by France to universalize the idea of freedom and democracy during the American Revolution. The statue is a lady with a high held torch because she represents the Goddess Libertas who is the Roman goddess for freedom. This National Monument which is also a UNESCO World heritage site can be reached by a ferry from Battery Park. The Statue is a creation by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and the pedestal by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel. On October 28, 1886, the statue was given for the people. It was named a National Monument in 1924 and was restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986. 

As it was gifted to USA from France, most of the construction was from France. The statue rises to a height of 46 meters and from the ground around to torch up to 93 meters. The statue's head after completion was exhibited at the Paris World Fair, 1878. This statue cannot be considered just standing still because one out of many features that normally people cannot see which is the broken chain wrapped around the feet protruding from the robes of the statue. This feature depicts that the statue's freedom to move forward enlightening the world with the torch free from oppression and servitude. Visitors are allowed to climb the Statue from inside covering up 354 steps until the crown. At the top of the Statue is one of the few places in NY, Manhattan to experience the true beauty of the city. 

The Statue's face is more than 8 feet tall. The tablet in the hand of the statue is 23' 7" tall and 13' 7" wide inscribed with the date JULY IV MDCCLXXVI (July 4, 1776). It's waistline is almost about 35 feet. The lady Liberty wears a crown which has seven rays, one for each of the seven continents, each measuring up to 9 feet in length and weighing as much as 150 pounds. Total weight of the Statue of Liberty is 225 tons. After 1986 restoration, the statue's torch was covered with 24k gold. As the statue's exterior is built from Copper which is 3/32 of an inch thick, the natural weathering of Copper has given the statue its light green colour. 

Climatic conditions near the Statue area is not severe but weather can vary greatly in New York City area, including NY Harbor.Temperature ranges from 0 degrees in winter to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer with high levels of humidity.

Travellers' Guide

If you are planning to visit Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, it is open daily from 9:30am to 4:30pm and extended summer hours. And it is closed Christmas Day. Schedule subject to change. 

Ferry boat sailings: Daily: 9:00am - 3:30pm. Ferry schedules subject to change.

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Sagrada Família

Sagrada Família is a Roman Catholic church found in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and still unfinished. The original inspiration for the church is by the Catalan bookseller, Josep Maria Bocabella. After that architect Antoni Gaudí began working on the project in 1883. On 18 March 1883, Villar retired from the project, and Gaudí took over the design adding so many changes to it. The construction period was so long and it could not be finished fully when Gaudi died in 1926. After his death, responsibility for the church construction came under Domènec Sugrañes i Gras until interrupted by the Spanish Civil War in 1936.Some parts were destroyed by Catalan anarchists and the present design is a mixture of modern and old. Modern technology was involved to accelerate the construction process.

Sagrada Familia shows the design mixture of Spanish Late Gothic, Catalan Modernism and Art Nouveau or Catalan Noucentisme. Although initially it was planned to be a cathedral sized building, later it became one as it depicts various parts of usual cathedrals with vast modifications, for example like the ground plan, double isles, an ambulatory with a chevet of seven apsidal chapels, a multitude of towers and three portals. The building consists of three grand façades: the Nativity façade to the East, the Passion façade to the West, and the Glory façade to the South which is yet to be finished. 

Nativity façade was the first façade to be completed which was built between 1894 and 1930. It is also decorated with scenes reminiscent of elements of life. Passion Façade is seen as a contrast to the earlier in other words more simple and plain. This is dedicated to the passion of Christ, suffering of Jesus during his crucifixion, and the façade was to portray the sins of man. The largest and most beautiful of all is the Glory Façade whose construction began in 2002. This is dedicated to the Celestial Glory of Jesus; it represents the road to God: Death, Final Judgment, and Glory, while Hell is left for those who deviate from God's will.

 As earlier mentioned, Gaudi made drastic changes in the original plan so that basically the church will be able to accommodate 13,000 people and the completed structure will have 18 towers. Four on each three facades is to represent the 12 apostles while another four is to represent the the 4 evangelists. They will surround the largest which will be dedicated to Jesus Christ and the last tower is for Virgin Mary, which will be built over the apse. 

Travellers’ Guide

If you are planning to visit Sagrada Familia, don’t hesitate thinking that it’s yet to be finished. Sagrada Familia is full of fascination. You can visit the crypt where Gaudí is buried and the towers.

Hotels near Sagrada Familia

Castro Exclusive Residences

Provenza, 414, Eixample, Barcelona (0.1 km from Sagrada Familia)

Apartaments Restaurant Hispanos 7 Suiza

Sicilia, 255, Eixample, Barcelona (0.2 km from Sagrada Familia)

Apartments Hostemplo Suites

Mallorca, 362, Eixample, Barcelona(0.2 km from Sagrada Familia)

Dailyflats Rosselló

Rosselló, 380-382, Eixample, Barcelona(0.3 km from Sagrada Familia)

Ayre Hotel Rosellón 

Roselló, 390, Eixample, Barcelona (0.3 km from Sagrada Familia)

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Neuschwanstein Castle

Situated above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria of Germany is this beautiful castle. Originally twin in ruins though, the new palace was built as a commission for Richard Wagner by Ludwig II of Bavaria.  Ludwig used to call the new palace he built as New Hohenschwangau Castle but after his death it was named as Neuschwanstein. Inspiration for the construction of this castle was found from Wartburg near Eisenach and Château de Pierrefonds. However the design of the building was by the stage designer Christian Jank and realized by the architect Eduard Riedel. As typical the palace may seem for the 19th century architecture, shapes of Romanesque, Gothic and the Throne Hall décor were mingled with 19th century technical achievements. 

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