World Travel: 2011

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Beautiful View of Taj Mahal at Night

Taj mahal at night

taj mahal at night

Taj Mahal in Agra, India History, Images & Facts

INDIAN MINIATURE ART PAINTING – Indian historical places painting Style

DESCRIPTION: This beautiful Indian Monument Painting "Taj Mahal of Agra" of Indian historical places painting style, depicts

In this Indian historical building painting On June 17, 1631 Mumtaz Mahal died, after delivering her fourteenth child "Gauharar". Shahjahan stood dazed, unable to comprehend the situation. She had died leaving all her children, mother, and relations to his care. But he had promised her never to remarry and to build the grandest mausoleum over her grave.

Her body received a temporary burial in the Zainabadi Garden in Burhanpur and in six months time removed to Agra. Shahjahan had already acquired from Raja Jai Singh a plot of land on the riverside. Here was to be built the Taj Mahal. Work on the tomb started in frenzy with thousands of artisans and laborers toiling ceaselessly.Shahjahan issued Farmans to Raja Jai Singh ordering immediate and constant supply of the Makrana marble for the tomb. The mausoleum rose higher with every sunset. In nearly six years time the main edifice of the tomb was complete.

In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the white domed marble mausoleum is the most familiar component of the Taj Mahal, it is actually an integrated complex of structures. The construction began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, employing thousands of artisans and craftsmen.The construction of the Taj Mahal was entrusted to a board of architects under imperial supervision, including Abd ul-Karim Ma'mur Khan, Makramat Khan, and Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.Lahauri is generally considered to be the principal designer.

In 1631, Shah Jahan, emperor during the Mughal empire's period of greatest prosperity, was grief-stricken when his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died during the birth of their 14th child, Gauhara Begum. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632. The court chronicles of Shah Jahan's grief illustrate the love story traditionally held as an inspiration for Taj Mahal. The principal mausoleum was completed in 1648 and the surrounding buildings and garden were finished five years later. Emperor Shah Jahan himself described the Taj in these words.
Should guilty seek asylum here,
Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin.
Should a sinner make his way to this mansion,
All his past sins are to be washed away.
The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs;
And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.
In this world this edifice has been made;
To display thereby the creator's glory.

The Taj Mahal incorporates and expands on design traditions of Persian architecture and earlier Mughal architecture. Specific inspiration came from successful Timurid and Mughal buildings including; the Gur-e Amir (the tomb of Timur, progenitor of the Mughal dynasty, in Samarkand), Humayun's Tomb, Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb (sometimes called the Baby Taj), and Shah Jahan's own Jama Masjid in Delhi. While earlier Mughal buildings were primarily constructed of red sandstone, Shah Jahan promoted the use of white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones, and buildings under his patronage reached new levels of refinement.

Soon after the Taj Mahal's completion, Shah Jahan was deposed by his son Aurangzeb and put under house arrest at nearby Agra Fort. Upon Shah Jahan's death, Aurangzeb buried him in the mausoleum next to his wife.

By the late 19th century, parts of the buildings had fallen badly into disrepair. During the time of the Indian rebellion of 1857, the Taj Mahal was defaced by British soldiers and government officials, who chiselled out precious stones and lapis lazuli from its walls. At the end of the 19th century, British viceroy Lord Curzon ordered a sweeping restoration project, which was completed in 1908. He also commissioned the large lamp in the interior chamber, modelled after one in a Cairo mosque. During this time the garden was remodelled with British-style lawns that are still in place today

Thursday, December 8, 2011

denmark top castles pictures

denmark castle images

denmark castle

travel to denmark europe

Denmark is usually not in the list of the most frequently touristed countries in Europe, however, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting. In true, Denmark is a group of islands situated in the Baltic Sea north of Germany.
This country will attract both tourists searching for antique places and those who seek modern European megalopolis. Denmark is widely known to play a sufficient role in ancient Europe history, especially in the era of the Vikings. You can find here multiple early Christianity and gothic churches, castles or the royal family and other stunning palaces. However, tourists can find in Denmark modern towns and conceptual architecture. Also don’t forget about one of the most popular fairytale writer ever - Hans Christian Anderson. He lived in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark and this is the place where he wrote his magnificent stories. You just need to visit this place to feel local atmosphere and you will definitely get the feeling that fairies can live only in the place like this. By the way, modern Denmark doesn’t forget to make our children happy as this country is as well a home of widely known Lego toy construction sets.

If you want to make your trip to Copenhagen, you may have heard this place is a pricey one. Well, that is true; you can see it in the list of most expensive travel destinations. The truth is, Northern Europe has never been cheap for travelers, but budget tourists shouldn’t avoid it as even a short search will show you hotels with rooms around $100-120 a night. What’s really expensive is alcohol. The center of the city is full of tiny and lovely cafes, but be ready to pay up to $12-15 for just a cup of coffee and a croissant. In general, it’s better to take your credit cards with you, if you want to have a real holiday and don’t think about money.

When you visit Copenhagen, don’t miss just to wonder around and get a feel for the city. Believe me, there are lots of things you should see. Include in your tour list worldwide famous the Little Mermaid statue, multiple beautiful parks and real architecture masterpieces like Henning Larsen’s Opera House. This building is a real piece of modernistic culture of tomorrow and a must visit stop in Copenhagen. By the way, it’s free to visit.

Usually tourists have a diverse attitude towards museum visiting. On the one hand, it’s a useful thing and a usual way to explore the country. Most travel agencies even offer museum tours in addition to your travel program. On the other hand, museums quite often are boring and costly. Museum of Danish Resistance is not in this list. Take a visit to this place and enjoy truly fantastic tour.

Food is an essential part of any vacation as every tourist wants to know where he or she can try local cuisine at reasonable price. I can say for sure, feel free to eat whenever you want in this city. It doesn’t matter, will this be a costly restaurant in Copenhagen’s center, or a student union bar - you can enjoy quality meat dishes and fresh salads in both places. Small bars quite often have a hippy inspired atmosphere, but the cheapest beer can also be found here.
In general, Copenhagen is a great place to visit if you want to know what “old Europe” means.

denmark europe images

denmark europe wallpaper

denmark europe photo

denmark europe streets

denmark europe city

denmark europe castle

denmark europe pic

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Visit turkey istanbul beaches :)

Looking for a nice, uncrowded beach with clean, warm water and good facilities within a short ride of Istanbul?

So are most of the city's other 12 million residents, so beaches near Istanbul are apt to be crowded on any warm summer day.

Here's are Istanbul's beaches, from nearest to farthest:

Florya & Ataköy
Florya and Ataköy, on the European shore of the Sea of Marmara not far from Atatürk Airport, are the city's traditional summer getaway spots, accessible by banliyö (suburban) train on the Halkalı line from Sirkeci Station. Unfortunately, neither the beaches nor the land facilities are in good condition these days.

Başakşehir Aquapark
Here's a way to cool off and have fun easily: Backpackers Travel operates reasonably-priced full-day tours to the Aquapark. You are picked up at your hotel after breakfast, driven in an air-conditioned vehicle to the Aquapark (a one-hour ride), and returned to your hotel in time for dinner. Admission to the Aquapark, lunch, and a dolphin show are included in the tour fee. More...

Princes' Islands
There are a few tiny beaches on the Princes' Islands, and people with boats row away from the shore and swim there, but these places are really mostly for people who know how and when to go to them. Still, if you're going to the islands—especially for overnight—take your swim things. More...

Kilyos
Kilyos on the Black Sea is accessible by city bus, minibus, fast ferry or traditional ferry and minibus. The water can be chilly, but it's refreshing on a hot day. Facilities are adequate. More...

Şile & Ağva
Şile (that's SHEE-leh) and Ağva (AH-vah) are nice long, wide beaches on the Black Sea coast 72 km (45 miles) northeast of Üsküdar. Take Bus 139 (Şile) or 139A (Şile & Ağva) from the Harem Otogar.

In summer there are about 27 buses per day in each direction (Harem-Şile and Şile-Harem) on the 139 route starting at 06:30 am, with the last bus returning from Şile to Istanbul at 24:00 (12 midnight).

Bus 139A, Harem-Şile-Ağva, has 15 trips daily in each direction, from 06:00 am to 20:30 (8:30 pm).

Farther Beaches
Other beaches, such as those near Tekirdağ west of Istanbul, the islands such as Marmara and Avşa in the Sea of Marmara, the Gallipoli peninsula and the northern Aegean coast, are really beyond a day-trip from Istanbul.

turkey istanbul beaches

Turkey Istanbul News

East meets west in vibrant Istanbul Turkey. Historically known as Constantinople after the Roman Emperor Constantine I, Istanbul was for years the centre of the Roman Byzantium and Ottoman Empires.

Istanbul Turkey today marks the fringes of Europe and is very much a modern cosmopolitan city. It acts as Turkey’s heart with throbbing streets and pumping nightclubs. This good time capital city has evolved a counter culture to the more traditional conservative monuments that dot the city landscape. There is a hip nightlife with fashionable bars and clubs plying their patrons with western exuberance until the very early hours. The street of Istiklal Caddesi in the quarter of Beyoglu acts as the main hub of weekend activity. There is also a burgeoning live music scene at various small venues and pubs all over the city.

The historical heart and centre of Istanbul tourism is Sultanahmet. An Istanbul vacation will inevitably include taking in the sights of the oldest quarter of Istanbul Turkey with its Byzantine Hippodrome and relaxing tea gardens. The quarter is full of towering minarets, golden domes, cobbled streets and bustling markets. Prayer calls often ring out over the hub at various points of the day reminding the dutiful locals of the time to worship.

Present in the old quarter is the inescapable and uniquely Turkish experience of steam bath houses. A number of private wash houses (Hamam’s) provide an opportunity to leave the throng of busy shoppers or get over your Istanbul travel tiredness and emerge rosy and fresh from a Turkish bath.

Three major Istanbul tourism sites are situated within the old quarter of Sultanahmet and should not be missed. Most Istanbul travel tours will incorporate a visit to all of these sites and can be arranged through your hotel or local tourist office. The Hagia Sophia is a converted Byzantine cathedral which has served as a mosque since the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453. While the exterior is not impressive, inside, the building is adorned by mosaics and intricate Arabic inscriptions. Visitors should not miss the impressive 17th century blue tinged Sultanahmet Mosque characterized by cloud piercing minarets and grey domed roofs. While Istanbul tours to the depths of the Basilica Cistern offer an incredible insight into the vast underground world of a Roman water storage works. The feat of bringing water to the city via a 12 mile aqueduct to this storage facility is a remarkable engineering achievement. The cistern is no longer used but visitors can explore the superbly renovated site.

Epitomizing the many colorful markets of the city is the Spice Bazaar. Next to the Yenicami complex, this old covered market is packed with merchants selling herbs, dried fruit and medicinal medicines from wooden barrels and baskets. The biggest of city markets and an Istanbul tourism attraction in its own right, is the Grand Bazaar which consists of around 4,000 shops on a number of streets leading to a central courtyard. All the streets are named according to the trades found there. A range of goods can be bought from gold and silver traders, booksellers, carpet sellers, purse makers and slipper sellers. Two of the markets oldest sections contain cloth and jewelery stalls. The bazaar provides a great opportunity to search for bargains to take home from your Istanbul vacation. At the back of the Grand Bazaar is the Suleymaniye mosque. The mosque is open to visitors and headscarves are provided to women at the entrance.

Taking a break from the often frantic city streets, an Istanbul vacation can still take in the historic city landscape with a cruise along the Bosphorus strait. Half day Istanbul tours of the river Bosphorus offer a picturesque view of the city as you sail through former fishing villages past ancient city walls and fortresses and bobbing fishing boats. Hotels and Istanbul travel agencies offer day and night cruises providing a romantic and enjoyable way to view the city skyline from the river. A good place to catch your boat is from Karakoy. Nearby is one of the cities liveliest areas Ortakoy where you can find good sea food restaurants and a majestically lit neoclassical mosque.

Istanbul tours to Princess Island are also popular one day excursions. Boats depart from the areas of Sirkeci and Bostanci. On reaching the island tourists can explore the rich pine forests on donkey back or horse carriage. The island boasts great views of the city and good swimming areas along the shoreline.

With much to see and do, Istanbul captures the best of Eastern and Western influences in one buzzing capital city. Its proximity to the rest of Europe and the Middle East make it an accessable destination for tourists the world over.
destination360

Monday, December 5, 2011

the great wall of china from space pictures

the great wall of china from space

The Great Wall Of China Views

The Great Wall of China, a memorable landmark, is the most popular tourist attraction in China. The Wall has fascinated the minds of many in the world and it is part of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Great Wall is the ultimate tourist destination for sightseeing. People from all over the world visit China to see this exotic architecture because it is one of the most appealing attractions of China. It has its share of fans including those who spread speculations about it being seen from the moon.

Why, When, and Who Built The Great Wall?

Looking down at the Great Wall from the sky is truly amazing, the Wall resembles a Chinese dragon circling the mountains. There is a common term use by The Chinese call “Wan Li Chang Cheng” which defines as “Wall of 10,000 Li” (10,000 Li = 5,000 km). There were three main Chinese dynasties that contributed to the construction of the Great Wall: first, the Qin from 221-207 B.C., then the Han from 206 B.C – 220 A.D and the Ming from 1368-1644 A.D. Their common purpose was to stop the “barbaric” Huns in the North from invading the Chinese borders. Millions of people labored on the Great Wall and many died while working.

How Long is The Great Wall?

After the Qin emperor unified China, he connected the walls across the country into one, The Wall extended up to 10,000 Li (5000 km) and it helps keep out intruders from the north. What seems to be a Chinese zigzag dragon, the Great Wall of China spreads across deserts, rivers, mountains, grasslands and plateaus expanding nearly 6,700 kilometers. It has been built for over 2 millenniums and it stretches from the east side to the west side of China. Due to modern technologies and lack of usefulness, pieces of the structure are left in ruins and the Chinese leaders do not care to fix it. This marvelous segment of Chinese heritage swept through Shanhaiguan Pass, then to Liaoning, then Hebei, continuing onto Tianjin, expanding to Beijing, reaching Shanxi, and into Inner Mongolia, next to Ningxia, arriving at Gansu and finally ends in Jiayuguan Pass. The Great Wall length measures about 6,700 km long. Height wise, it is 4.5m to 9m. Depth wise, it is 4.5m to 8m. The entire structure was built by hand using stone, bricks, soil, sand, straw, wood, clay or whatever was available depending on the territory and time period.

The Great Wall Today

The existing Wall today was constructed by the Ming Dynasty over 600 years ago. During that time, the original wall was in ruins. Ming emperors order to rebuilt the wall over the course of 200 years. The reason the wall still stand today is because there was an invention during that time, mixing rice flour to create extremely tough bricks and mortar. Today, few parts of the Great Wall are in great condition because it was restored to attract tourists. To get a good deal on a tour to The Great Wall visit China Great Wall Tours. Famous Wonders

Wall Of China