Berlin is not only Germany’s capital and largest city with a population of around three and a half million, it’s also one of Europe’s most exciting and sophisticated capitals. The city is constantly reinventing itself – during the 1920s and ‘30s it was well known for its bohemian and decadent atmosphere; during the 1960s it was synonymous with the ‘cold war’ feel of the time and featured in countless spy movies. Today, Berlin is one of the most visited cities in Europe.
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Stonehenge is one of the most recognizable sites in the world. Its image has been reproduced in countless places, its design has been analyzed, and its purpose has been the source of endless speculation. Unfortunately, this speculation will probably go on forever. Since there are no written records from the remote period when Stonehenge was built, the place is really just a big blank that can be filled in with whatever the observer imagines. Presented with this blank, different people have filled it in with different things, and Stonehenge has become the home of some of our fondest fantasies. Just where the fantasy ends and the fact begins will always be in the opinion of the individual.
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Described by Lonely Planet as the new Greece, Turkey is the place to be if you are interested in exploring an exotic culture with turquoise seas around. Home to the Anatolians, Assyrians, Phrygians, Greeks, and finally the Turkish Ottoman empire, and to places like Troy, Babylon, and Byzantium, whose famous capital city of Constantinople was eventually renamed Istanbul, the country has a rich history and even richer blend of cultural heritage. Turkish, Arabic, Kurdish, and Bosnian are among the languages spoken.
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Peru lies in northwestern South America with a history of the Norte Chico and Inca civilizations, and Spanish conquest in the 16th century. With the Pacific Ocean on the west, the state of Peru has three distinct regions as you move eastward. Next to the Ocean is the costa region with sandy beaches and arid land; as you move further east, you will encounter the sierra Andean highlands. The highest peak in the Peruvian Andes is the Huascaran at 6,768 meters (22,205 feet). The most expansive region lying east of the sierra is the selva, the Amazon rainforests. The climate in Peru differs according to the region you are in.
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Bounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Lebanon shines as “The Pearl of the Middle East.” Designated by the New York Times as number one out of 44 tourist destinations, this beautiful country — most famously exemplified by the symbol on its flag, the Cedars of Lebanon — is an ideal vacation spot and gateway to the Middle East. It is particularly noted for its excellent food and mild climate.
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Many people with free time on their hands are deciding to travel these days. A host of new companies, websites, and offers have sprung up suddenly with the boost in the travel industry. Cruises are one of the options available, with quite a few cruise sale offers with discounts and bookings. No one should have to tell you what a luxury it is to be on a cruise, and what pleasure it can give you. The feel of the open sea, day and night, the sunrise and the sunset, the ports, the thrill of seeing new places — if you like water and like to travel, there is absolutely no way you should miss an opportunity to be on a cruise.
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The North Sea and the Baltic Sea areas are popular destinations for many tourists around the world. However, taking a cruise to the Norwegian fjords, the open fields and liberal environs of the Netherlands, the island of Bornholm, and the beauty of Iceland, Sweden, or Estonia enthralls one beyond words. Depending on your location and tastes, exploring Northern Europe, Russia, the Baltic States, and Scandinavia via cruise can be an exotic and pleasant experience, especially during the warmer months of the year. Many companies offer cruise sales with varying lengths and prices for those who might want to try them.
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The ancient city of Tiwanaku (also spelled Tiajuanaco), located near Lake Titicaca in western Bolivia, is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Americas. It was the center of an empire which predated that of the Inca, dominating the cultural and political life of the region, and at its height was home to some 20,000 inhabitants. Today the ruins of Tiwanaku are a magnet for travelers from all over the world, and a source of endless mystery and speculation.
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Bellingham, Washington is a city in the northwest corner of the state on Bellingham Bay. The city is a great jumping off point to many areas of the Pacific Northwest or a relaxing travel destination in its own right. Bellingham International Airport has regional flights to destinations on the west coast of the United States, plus Las Vegas, Nevada and Vancouver, Canada. Since most domestic flights from other parts of the country into Bellingham connect through Seattle, it is usually easier and less expensive to fly to Seattle and rent a car for the drive up Interstate 5 to Bellingham. There are many locally owned hotels and bed and breakfasts in the Bellingham area, but not so many national chains.
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Adventure sports in India are very popular and contribute hugely to travel and tourism bringing in enthusiasts from all over the world. From the great Himalayas to sea coasts, India has the perfect topography for all kinds of adrenaline-rush sports. Paragliding, hang gliding, trekking, river rafting, scuba diving, parasailing, bungee jumping, snow boarding, safaris – you name it and it is there. A number of trainers and agents organize individual and group tours for these sports.
One of the most popular adventure sports in India is river rafting and kayaking. There are quite a few places in the country where these tours are organized, the most popular of which are near major rivers such as the Ganges (or ‘Ganga’ as it is locally known) at Rishikesh, the Indus at Leh, the Beas at Kullu, and the Teesta at Sikkim. The challenge of fighting against and simultaneously working with the strongest rush of water gives you an adrenaline rush that has to be experienced to be known. You will bump over innumerable rapids and pass by villages, pastures, and fields nestled in the lap of the Himalayas. GoAdventureSports.com is a good site to look up river rafting in India.
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No visit to New Zealand is complete without a look at Rotorua. Famously the town of boiling mud and spouting geysers, Rotorua is also the place to learn something about Maori culture and art. Those who choose to spend a week or more in Rotorua will be rewarded not only by the local fascinations, but a number of other secrets in the surrounding land will be revealed.
One secret worth knowing is that within a half-hour drive on the main road to Taupo is the turn for the Waikite Valley thermal pools. The Ngati Kahu, Upoko and Tuhorangi peoples were familiar with the boiling river and pools, utilising the healing properties of the mineral pools for centuries. In 1969 the local community gained planning permission from Rotorua to develop the pools for the use of the community and visitors, opening the complex in 1972.
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