World Travel guides to Munnar

One of the most Tourist Attractions in India is Munnar. It is one of the most popular hill-resort towns in Kerala and in southern India. Munnar is located on the Western Ghats, situated in the Idukki district. The name Munnar is believed to be derived from the Malayalam/Tamil words Munu (three) and aaru (river), referring to the town's strategic location at the confluence of the Muthirappuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers. The Munnar panchayat in the Devikulam block is the largest panchayat in the Idukki district having an area measuring nearly 557 km².

Eravikulam National Park Located about 15 km from Munnar, this park is famous for its endangered inhabitant - the Nilgiri Tahr. Spread over an area of 97 sq. km., this park is also home to several species of rare butterflies, animals and birds. A great place for trekking, the park offers a magnificent view of the tea plantations and also the rolling hills caressed by blankets of mists. The park becomes a hot destination when the hill slopes here get covered in a carpet of blue, resulting from the flowering of Neelakurinji. It is a plant endemic to this part of the Western Ghats which blooms once in twelve years. The last time it bloomed was in 2006.

Anamudi Peak Situated about 13 kilometers from Munnar town, Anamudi is Kerala's highest mountain and the highest Indian mountain south of the Himalayan range. Treks to the peak are allowed with permission from Forest and Wildlife authorities at Eravikulam. Mattupetty Another place of interest, located about 13 km from Munnar Town, is Mattupetty. Lying at a height of 1700 m above sea level, Mattupetty is known for its storage masonry dam and the beautiful lake, which offers pleasurable boat rides, enabling one to enjoy the surrounding hills and landscape. Mattupetty's fame is also attributed to the dairy farm run by the Indo-Swiss Livestock Project, where one would come across different high yielding breeds of cows. Mattupetty with its lush green tea plantations, rolling grasslands and the Shola forests is also ideal for trekking and is home to a variety of birds.

Top Station, which is about 27 km from Munnar, is at a height of 1700 m above sea level. It is the highest point on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road. Travelers to Munnar make it a point to visit Top Station to enjoy the panoramic view it offers of the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the spots in Munnar to enjoy the Neelakurunji flowers blooming over a vast area. Tea Museum in Munnar has a legacy of its own when to comes to the origins and evolution of tea plantations. Taking account of this legacy and to preserve and showcase some of the exquisite and interesting aspects on the genesis and growth of tea plantations in Kerala's high ranges, a museum exclusively for tea was opened some years ago by Tata Tea in Munnar.

Unbelievable Dubai Towers

Amazing Tourist Attractions for you and your eyes in the world for this summer to watch the Towers in Dubai, It is a four tower complex to be built in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The developer, Sama Dubai, intends this to form the centerpiece of The Lagoons, a mega project located on Dubai Creek which will consist of seven islands. The towers have between 57 to 94 stories and although the heights are not known, it is believed the tallest will top 400 meters (1,310 ft) while two others will rise beyond 300 meters (980 ft). Sama ECH was the Project Management Company in charge of the project. Due to downturn in Dubai the project has been put on hold.

Dubai Towers Istanbul contains a Twin-tower complex which was to contain extensive office space, residential apartments and penthouses, retail outlets and boutique hotels. Had it been completed, the towers would have become the two tallest buildings in Turkey. Tower 1 was expected to reach a height of more than 300m (103 floors) and Tower 2 over 250m (81 floors). The site for the project was the former IETT Bus Garage, on Büyükdere Avenue in the financial district of Levant. This prime plot of land is located amongst many of Istanbul's current crop of skyscrapers - across the road from the Sapphire of Istanbul (Turkey's current tallest building), and will reach 261m in height.

Dubai Towers - Doha is a Super-tall Skyscraper with a roof height of 400 m (1,300 ft) (Spire height 437 m (1,434 ft)) under construction in Doha, Qatar. The estimated cost of Dubai Towers - Doha is 2.3 billion Qatari Riyal (US$620 million). When completed, the structure will be the tallest building in Qatar. Located in the West Bay district of Doha, next to the Doha Corniche, the 84-story Multi-use tower is being developed by Sama Dubai, formerly known as Dubai International Properties, the international real estate investment and development arm of Dubai Holding.

When completed in 2011, the mixed use tower will include a 7,000 m² (75,000 sq ft) retail area, 13 floors comprising a 225-room five-star hotel, 29 floors of office space and 31 floors containing 226 luxury apartments and three Super Luxury Penthouses. The project is now severely delayed as a result of the financial crash in Dubai. Investors in the property have been advised that the building is 9 months behind schedule. However, in May 2010 only 29 of the proposed 84 stories had been built. At normal building rates this would suggest at least a 3 year delay until final completion.

The Wave Tower is a proposed 92 floor super tall skyscraper for the Madinat Al Arab district of Dubai Waterfront in Dubai, United Arab Emirates designed by the Spanish architecture firm A-cero. It is planned to be 370 meters (1,214 ft) tall and is designed to be a green energy building. It is planned to begin construction in late 2009. It tries to create a dynamic way while a geometric shape rises and twists, like a wave, like the use in the bottom of the form of the pointed arch that extends as evoking waves of the sea, hence its name. It is covered with a double glass skin to control sunlight and with a white silk screened glass facade.

Wonderful Tourist Locations in Thailand

The Phi Phi Islands is one of the most amazing tourist attractions in Thailand, between the large island of Phuket and the western Andaman Sea coast of the mainland. The islands are administratively part of Krabi province. Ko Phi Phi Don meaning island in the Thai language is the largest island of the group, and is the only island with permanent inhabitants, although the beaches of the second largest island, Ko Phi Phi Lee are visited by many people as well. The rest of the islands in the group, including Bida Nok, Bida Noi, and Bamboo Island (Ko Mai Pai), are not much more than large limestone rocks jutting out of the sea.

Phi Phi Don was initially populated by Muslim fishermen during the late 1940s, and later became a coconut plantation. The Thai population of Phi Phi Don remains more than 80% Muslim. The actual population however, if counting laborers, especially from the north-east, from the mainland is much more Buddhist these days. Phi Phi Leh also houses the Viking Cave, from which there is a thriving bird's nest soup industry. Ko Phi Phi was devastated by the Indian Ocean Tsunami of December 2004, when nearly the island’s entire infrastructure was destroyed.

Viking Cave

One of the most famous places to do a little Phi Phi Island sightseeing is on the island of Phi Phi Ley. It is here that is home to the striking Viking Cave. Other Phi Phi Island attractions do not draw half the crowd that Viking Cave can draw. The cave is 3.2 square kilometers in size. There are Viking ship cave drawings on the walls, which is how it got its name. Thousands of birds perch on top of the soaring cave ledges. Local demonstrators climb these ledges without any harnesses or safety devices to collect the nests. It draws a huge crowd.

Maya Bay & ViewPoint

Another important place for Phi Phi island sightseeing is the famous Maya Bay. This is also located on the island of Phi Phi Ley. It is here that the feature film, The Beach was made. When Phi Phi Island sightseeing on the island of Phi Phi Don, one place not to miss is the Phi Phi ViewPoint. Tourists can hike up the steep trail where they view the entire Phi Phi Town down below. This is one of the Phi Phi Island attractions one should never miss. If you have the stamina, the long hike is worth the effort.

Phi Phi island attractions are all striking by nature. Every part of a Phi Phi Island sightseeing trip includes elements of breathtaking beauty. Phi Phi Island is the epitome of relaxation, and beauty.

World tour places to Antwerp Zoo

Enjoy the Summer Tours in Antwerp Zoo. It’s a zoo located in the Centre of Antwerp, Belgium located right next to the Antwerpen-Central railway station. It is the oldest animal park in the country, and one of the oldest in the world, established on 21 July 1843. The Royal Society of Zoology was founded in 1843. It acquired 4 acres of land well outside the Spanish walls, next to the East Station. In 1904, the small East Station was replaced by the current Central Station. The new zoo kept expanding throughout the 19th century until it was about 26 acres large.

During the 19th century expansion several 'exotic style' buildings were constructed to house the animals. One of the most remarkable buildings is the 1856 Egyptian temple which currently houses the giraffes. Bird House, It was modeled after the 1854 Egyptian Court at the Crystal Palace in London. The hieroglyphs symbolize the relationship between the Royal Society of Zoology and the City of Antwerp.

The Antwerp Zoological garden holds the studbook for five animals, including the Okapi. Gardens If you're not interested in animals, the exceptionally well kept gardens are worth a visit in itself. Many of the gardens feature beautiful sculptures created with flowers and shrubbery. It is certainly the most beautiful garden in Antwerp. This animal was introduced in the zoo shortly after its discovery in Congo. There are still several of these strange animals with long tongues in the zoo. The Antwerp zoo used to have a Dolphinarium with several dolphins.

Elephant’s playground and some small animals that the children can touch, Also on the site are three different restaurants and a shop. Indian Lion When visiting the zoo makes sure you reserve at least half a day as there's a lot going on. The polar bear, Siberian tigers, Indian lions, Arabian oryxes, Indian elephants, gorillas, bisons, orangutans, crocodiles, small panda, koala, panthers, sharks, King Penguins and macaroni penguins, Sea lions. The entrance of the Zoo is located at the Astrid Square, right next to the Central Station.

Location :
Koningin Astridplein 26
2000 Antwerp
Tel: 03/202.45.40
Fax: 03/231.00.18

Admission :
Adults : 13 € (Euro); children aged from 3 to 11 inclusive, 60+ and handicapped: 8,50 € (Euro)

Opening times :
The ZOO is open every day of the year (Sundays and holidays included) from 10 am.
Closing times depend on the season: Summer: 6.15 pm / winter: 4.30 pm

World tour guides to India Darjeeling

Darjeeling a Himalayan town in the Indian state of West Bengal is internationally renowned as a tourist destination and also for its tea industry and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the headquarters of Darjeeling district. The town is located in the Mahabharat Range or Lesser Himalaya at an average elevation of 6,710 ft (2,050 m). Darjeeling can be reached by the 88 km (55 mi) long Darjeeling Himalayan Railway from New Jalpaiguri, or by National Highway 55, from Siliguri, 77 km (48 mi) away. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a 60 cm (24 in) narrow-gauge railway that was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999.

The development of the town dates back to the mid-19th century, when the British set up a sanatorium and a military depot. Subsequently, extensive tea plantation was done in the region, and tea growers developed distinctive hybrids of black tea and created new fermenting techniques. The resultant distinctive Darjeeling tea is internationally recognized and ranks among the most popular of the black teas. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway connects the town with the plains and has one of the few steam locomotives still in service in India. The present movement for a separate state of Gorkhaland is also centered in Darjeeling town.

Darjeeling is the main town of the Sadar subdivision and also the headquarters of the district. The range is Y-shaped with the base resting at Katapahar and Jalapahar and two arms diverging north of the Observatory Hill. The north-eastern arm dips suddenly and ends in the Lebong spur, while the north-western arm passes through North Point and ends in the valley near Tukver Tea Estate. The hills are nestled within higher peaks and the snow-clad Himalayan ranges tower over the town in the distance. Nepal's Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak, 8,598 m (28,209 ft) high, is the most prominent mountain visible. In days clear of clouds, Nepal's Mount Everest, 29,035 ft (8,850 m) high, can be seen.

Darjeeling is a part of the Eastern Himalayan zoo-geographic zone. Flora around Darjeeling comprises sal, oak, semi-evergreen, temperate and alpine forests. Dense evergreen forests of sal and oak lie around the town, where a wide variety of rare orchids are found. The Lloyd's Botanical Garden preserves common and rare species of plants, while the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park specializes in conserving and breeding endangered Himalayan species. Wildlife in the district is protected by the wildlife wing of the West Bengal Forest Department. The fauna found in Darjeeling includes several species of ducks, teals, plovers and gulls that pass Darjeeling while migrating to and from Tibet. Small mammals found in the region include civets, mongooses and badgers.

World tour location to Cologne

Cologne one of the beautiful tourist places in Germany and the fourth-largest city (after Berlin, Hamburg and Munich), and is the largest city both in the German Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants. It is one of the oldest cities in Germany, having been founded by the Ubii in the year 38 BC. The name is derived from that of the Roman settlement, Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium.

Cologne is located on both sides of the Rhine River. The city's famous Cologne Cathedral is the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Cologne. Cologne is a major cultural center of the Rhineland and has a vibrant arts scene. Cologne is home to more than 30 museums and hundreds of galleries. Exhibitions range from local ancient Roman archeological sites to contemporary graphics and sculpture. The Cologne Trade Fair hosts a number of trade shows such as Art Cologne, imm Cologne International Furniture Fair and the Photokina. Cologne is also well-known for its celebration of Cologne Carnival, the annual reggae summerjam, and Cologne Gay Pride.

Museums Marvel in Cologne Apart from this, there are around 12 Romanesque Church, which will take you back in the history. On your sightseeing tour across Cologne, don’t miss out on the many marvelous museums situated within the bounds of the city which preserve some of the precious vestiges of the past. Some of the worth-visiting museums include Chocolate Museum, containing a diverse collection of chocolate art creations. Gestapo Prison is an old Nazi prison, preserved in its innate state. Museum Ludwig is a sheer delight for the art lovers, as it houses one of the world’s largest Picasso’s collections. Sport lovers must pay a visit to the German Sports and Olympic Museum, which documents the history of Olympics and German Olympians.

Parks in Cologne if you are in search of some peace and tranquility, the Parks dotting the city are an ideal place to hang out. The Rheinpark, situated towards the west of the Rhine and the City Center, provides ample opportunities to the visitors to witness the serene waters of the river as well as the savor the marvels of the city life. The beautiful expanse of the park offers walking paths, lush flora and a small golf course at one of the end corners. Volksgarten is yet another lovely park located in the south region of the city. It offers some pleasing vistas in a lakeside setting, making it an ideal spot for picnics.