Beautiful Places On Earth

Kerala is an India southwestern state, on the lush and tropical Malabar Coast. Kerala state is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. In fact, Kerala was named one of the “10 Paradises of the World” and “50 Destinations of a Lifetime” by the National Geographic Traveler magazine.

The Backwaters of Kerala is a network of 1,500 kilometers of canals, linking 5 large lakes and fed by 38 rivers that extends from one end of Kerala to the other. The Backwaters lies in parallel with the Malabar Coast and extending virtually half the length of Kerala state. Backwater cruises on the Kettuvallams or Kerala houseboats is a favorite item for travelers. There are more than 400 Kerala houseboats ply the backwaters, with 120 of them in Alleppey alone. During the backwater cruise, one can see many unique species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs, mudskippers, otters and turtles as well as water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants alongside the backwaters.

Alleppey is among the major backwater destination in Kerala. Alleppey was long known as “Venice of the East” due to the crisscrossing and picturesque canals in the town. Besides, one should also not miss out on Kochi (formerly known as Cochin), a beautiful harbor city located in the Ernakulam section of the backwaters. This one-thousand-year history of harbor is made up of a number of small islands, rivers, lakes and bays.

Kerala Backwaters holidays

One can fly to Kochi from Mumbai. From Kochi, there is land transport to bring tourists to Lake Vembanad. You can start your backwater cruise on one of many houseboats there.

Los Glaciares National Park is a national park located in the Santa Cruz Province, Patagonia, Argentina. All of the 48 glaciers inside the national park are fed by Southern Patagonia Ice Field, the third largest ice cap in the world after Antarctica and Greenland. The Los Glaciares National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.

Covered 30% by ice, the national park can be divided into 2 parts, each containing 1 big lake. They are Lake Argentino in the south and Lake Viedma in the north. The Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the most visited places in Argentine Patagonia, is located in the southern part of the national park. The terminus of Perito Moreno Glacier is 5 kilometers wide, with an average height of 60 meters above the surface of the water and 170 meters in total ice depth. One of the most spectacular views here is to watch the rupture of the Perito Moreno Glacier. As Perito Moreno Glacier separates the 2 halves of the Lake Argentino, it actually blocks the path of water from 1 lake to another. Thus, water level in 1 lake rises. The water pressure of that lake causes the Perito Moreno Glacier to collapse. The Perito Moreno Glacier ruptures about every 4 to 5 years and after that it grows back.

The Perito Moreno Glacier

There are flights each day from Buenos Aires to Rio Negro which takes 3 hours. From Rio Negro, one can take another flight to El Calatafe. El Calatafe is an important hub to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier, which can be reached in 2 hours by bus. The best time in the year to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier is from October to April. One can join one of the many trekking tours, walking on the surface of the glacier!

Beijing is the capital and also the second largest city of the People’s Republic of China. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, Beijing has undergone gigantic waves of modernization, with railways and motorways passing through the city as well as big shopping complexes and high rise buildings at every corner of the city. If you want to have a taste on the other side of Beijing, you should really visit one of the Hutongs.

The term “hutong” first appeared during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). It is believed to be a Mongolian term which means “water wells”. Hutongs are actually alleys formed by lines of Siheyuan, a traditional Chinese courtyard surrounded on 4 sides by buildings. It is the cultural and historical centre of grassroots Beijing people over 6 dynasties. However, the number of Hutongs has declined over the years. Many of these Hutongs are demolished and replaced with modern buildings. If you are to experience a traditional Beijing, quickly visit the Hutongs in Beijing before all of them disappearing in the midst of modernization over the next few decades.

Hutong – bystreet in Beijing

Essaouira means “the beautifully designed”. It is a small seaport city in the western of Morocco, facing the Atlantic Ocean. The present city of Essaouira was designed by a captured and enslaved French architect for Sultan Sidi Mohammed during the late 18th century.

The Medina of Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. It is a well preserved example of an 18th century European fortified seaport town translated to a North African context. The medina is walled and contains many narrow streets. It contains historical buildings such as mosques and palaces. It is a suitable place to recuperate after you had just visited Marrakech, Fez and Tangier.

Essaouira today has become a famous kitesurfing and windsurfing spot. Surfers from all over the world flock here because there is powerful wind from Atlantic Ocean blowing onto the protected and waveless bay of Essaouira, suitable for surfing. Besides, camel excursions are also available on the beach and into the interior desert area.

Essaouira – the best city in Morocco

Two third of Egypt is covered with desert. Green pastures only exist along the narrow Nile valley and delta. But Siwa Oasis is an exception. The Siwa Oasis is located in the western of Egypt, away from the Nile. It is 50 kilometers from the Libyan border and is 560 kilometers from Cairo.

About 80 kilometers in length and 20 kilometers wide, Siwa Oasis is a mass producer of dates and olives in Egypt. In recent decades, it has become a popular tourist destination. Tourists are lured by its rich history as well as nature beauty. One should visit the Temple of the Oracle, famous because it was visited by Alexander the Great back in 331 BC. The temple is located on the hill of Aghurmi, about 4 kilometers east of Siwa Town. Other historical sites include the Temple of Amun and Gebel el-Mawta (the Mountain of the Dead). Mountain of the Dead is a tomb complex containing some very well preserved mummies. Besides, you can also take a dip in the hot spring at Cleopatra’s Bath.

Siwa Oasis Egypt, sea of dunes

Siwa Oasis could be reached by bus from Cairo. You could also board a bus departing from Alexandria, passing through Siwa to Marsah Matruh. The best time of the year to visit Siwa is from October to April, which temperature is more moderate and bearable.