Winter in Vienna

Trees are in the midst of almost skeletal stature again for seven months or so... yet the beginning of winter season. The cool morning breeze greets on your window. It is exactly four in the afternoon when the sun set in and six-half in the morning when the sun will rise again. Fifteen or sixteen hours of darkness.

I remember two years ago when I arrived here where all trees have no leaves at all... strange to a new comer like me. Although, I definitely saw in the movie but its totally different if you saw and experienced the four seasons in Europe. I am proud that hundreds of my fellow town mates were abroad right now. Being one of them is a great feeling to express how to live in a freezing place like where I am right now.

Winter in Vienna is similar to the other place in Europe. Sometimes below the average freezing point and sometimes above the average freezing point. Temperature have change day by day. The difference is how the tourist manage to come at this point in time wherein they don't see and go around that much during this season. Well, maybe because of its history, culture and foods... Museums maybe the last place to go during winter. Restaurants and shopping boutiques where all  branded names scattered in the business district. People in all walks of life took the cup of tea and past to others how this rich country evolved in the past 300 years. Luckily, I am one who embrace their traits, culture and way of life. 

I found out that Austria is 3rd most visiting country in Europe. UK is on the top of the list and second is France. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall... Naturally, I am most in favor of winter.

Chang Kai Shek, Taiwan

I visited this Fantasitc monument several times during my stay in this beautiful country... its gonna be a good sense to understand the history about Chang Kai Shek. How powerful his legacy in this country during his time. It is located at the heart of Taipei City, Taiwan.

                                                     In this Photo (H.R. Bolando)

Apulit Island, Palawan

 An eco-tourism island sanctuary in north Palawan near the major town of Taytay and El Nido... Resort around the island like the Club Noah Isabelle were all superb. Famed for its beaches and diving. Although scuba diving in Apulit Island resort is a bit expensive comparing to its neighboring resorts. The like of El Nido are great too for scuba diving and snorkeling. The best month to go and hop is May. The transportation may as usual jeepney or taxis. Then by boat to the island will consume about an hour.

Taal Volcano, Philippines

                                        Space Shuttle photo taken last March 1992

This is an image of Taal volcano, near Manila on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. The black area in the center is Taal Lake, which nearly fills the 30-kilometer-diameter (18-mile) caldera. The caldera rim consists of deeply eroded hills and cliffs. The large island in Taal Lake, which itself contains a crater lake, is known as Volcano Island.

                                       An overlooking view from inside the crater...

                                            Horseback riding going near the crater...

Hanging Garden of Babylon

Accounts indicate that the garden was built by King Nebuchadnezzar, who ruled the city for 43 years starting in 605 BC (There is a less-reliable, alternative story that the gardens were built by the Assyrian Queen Semiramis during her five year reign starting in 810 BC). This was the height of the city's power and influence and King Nebuchadnezzar constructed an astonishing array of temples, streets, palaces and walls.
According to accounts, the gardens were built to cheer up Nebuchadnezzar's homesick wife, Amyitis. Amyitis, daughter of the king of the Medes, was married to Nebuchadnezzar to create an alliance between the nations. The land she came from, though, was green, rugged and mountainous, and she found the flat, sun-baked terrain of Mesopotamia depressing. The king decided to recreate her homeland by building an artificial mountain with rooftop gardens.
 
The Hanging Gardens probably did not really "hang" in the sense of being suspended from cables or ropes. The name comes from an inexact translation of the Greek word kremastos or the Latin word pensilis, which mean not just "hanging", but "overhanging" as in the case of a terrace or balcony.
 

Boracay: White Sand Beach of the South

Boracay is a paradise island known overseas 20 years ago. Located in the province of Aklan. It is a small island developed by the local authorities through the help of national government, foreign investors attracted to build an island hotels and beach resorts as well as good relationship among the local dwellers. Visitors from around the globe are most welcome, because tourism is the main priority of the local government. Tourists visit here for a vacation and relaxation. The well-organized community are ready to served and protect for their visitors local and foreign individuals. Boracay can be reached from Manila to Kalibo (capital of Aklan) by daily flights... when you are in Caticlan, it takes 15 minutes rides to the island; from Kalibo, it takes an hour and a half by bus  and another 15 minutes by boat to get there.

Once on the island, you will find out the getting around is simple and easy. Friendly people smile at you all the time and ready to serve you. By form of transportation, you can ride pedicabs, tricycle and shuttle to roam around. This island often called "the world's most beautiful tropical island". What else would you do than to eat, drink and spice up your life. Visit this wonderful island and see what I mean.

This happy family have their own interpretation of happiness. Expressing love and affection would worked. They set their honeymoon in this far away island. They have travel almost 2 thousand kilometers to build more bridges of their honey-sweetie relationship. It works because their vacation  have been  more solid as the rock they hold. Like a Pyramid.  (Photo: Carol J. Danao)

Manila Ocean Park

The ocean park along Parade Avenue was opened two and a half years ago (Feb 24, 2008). This were supposedly open on December 17, 2007, but due to weather conditions, and also material not delivered on time, the opening date was moved. It is a state of the art Oceanarium joint project by Malaysian and Singaporean investors cost 1 billion pesos. Close to 300 marine species indigenous to the Philippines and Southeast Asia will be showcased. Entrance fees to the Manila Ocean Park would be affordable to all — P250 for students, and P350 to P400 for regular patrons. The price though is reasonable. The funny thing was, I left Philippines (Feb 24, 2008) when it is opened.

Disneyland, Hong Kong

Don't forget your camera and video if you travel in this four themed land. It is the fifth Disneyland park around the world. They are Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. Adventureland in Hong Kong Disneyland is the biggest one among all the Disneyland parks. An hour and forty-five minutes from Manila. This easy access will be an advantage to enjoy your vacation for 3 days. Grand attractions have been built and some other extension. Millions of visitors have visited here annually. Hotels found inside the perimeter, inspired by 1930's-1940's Hollywood. 

The spectacular fireworks display you are about to witness at the finale... everyone gathered in one place in front of the castle and the light swiftly lit up. A must-see because of its colorful displays. 

With unique scenic spots and Disney Theme Hotels, you can go escape from the real world, and make your dreams come true. The availability of delicious Chinese and Asian food is also a lure for many visitors and Disney fans. 

 

Still a dream for many of us to go and see what's in store in this fantastic and magical journey. Hopefully, sooner --- a destination, a fulfillment and a journey of a lifetime.

Mountain Top Castle

 

(Not clear photo due to morning mist)

One foggy day when my uncle asked me to join him for a ride outside the city... Burgenland, Austria is our destination to look for antiques furniture -- one and a half drive from Vienna. Luckily, I have my camera so, fair enough to indulge myself taking photos on our way. While driving, my uncle told me that the castle(photo above) was his friends' property. His business partners' father inherited from his forefathers. I am amazed with that story because those views I've only seen from the fairytale movies, then with my naked eyes, it's actually existed. This castle basically made from roughed stones, mold and piled on top of the other, fortifications utilized the materials that were available on site. In general, timber was widely used as well as earth. To make a permanent stronghold, the castle had to be constructed of stone. The stone could be quarried locally. If the local area did not have the stone available on-site, the rich lord had to have the stone imported. The roofs of the castle were topped off with either clay tiles, slates or wooden shingles. 

P.S. ---Pardon me but I can't bring back to mind what exactly the name of the castle.

Borobudur Temple, Indonesia

Borobudur holds the honor of being the largest Buddhist monument that nowhere found anywhere on this earth. Located north west of Jogjakarta (Yogyakarta) 41 km from Central Java, a province of Indonesia. Though, there are no written historical records available to prove who actually constructed Borobudur and for what purpose, still the estimation of construction time suggests that it was built during the rule of Sailendra dynasty in the 9th-century (750-800 AD). 

This was constructed as a huge single stupa (a Buddhist shrine, temple, or pagoda that houses a relic or marks the location of an auspicious event), Borobudur gives an impression of a massive mandala (in Buddhism and Hinduism, a geometric or pictorial design usually enclosed in a circle, representing the entire universe and used in meditation and ritual) when seen from above. It extent over an area of 118 sqm and has nine platforms. Out of these nine platforms, the lower six are square in shape while the upper three are circular. A total of 72 small stupas encircling a large central stupa adorn the upper platform. These stupas are in shape of a bell and have a number of beautiful openings. Inside, statues of Buddha are seen.  

The largest Buddhist monument in the world, discovered by a Dutch archaeological expedition... it had been buried in volcanic ash (spewed by Mt. Merapi) for hundreds of years. Visitors to Borobudur walk clockwise around the structure with their right shoulders to 'Buddha'.

STAR Wow TV: Charice's 'Glee' songs enter iTunes Top 10

STAR Wow TV: Charice's 'Glee' songs enter iTunes Top 10: "Filipino singing sensation Charice is still on cloud nine as two of her songs on hit musical series 'Glee' entered iTunes Top 10 list in the..."

Forbidden City: Beijing, China

The universally acclaimed symbol for the length and quality of being great of Chinese civilization is undoubtedly the Great Wall, but the Forbidden City is more immediately majesty and artistically one of the most comprehensive in China. The palace was also named as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1987.

The Forbidden city begins in 1407 where over a million laborers began its construction. Thirteen years in the making of perfect and beautiful buildings, the interior is a sadistic yellow. Served as the seat of the Ming Dynasty, today it is a museum. The Forbidden city have 800 buildings that have in total about 9,999 rooms - and it is the world's largest palace complex of ancient time.

The digit 9 was seen as a special, magic number, especially for emperors, because it is the highest value ordinal. Also, the word for nine in Chinese, 'jiu', is a homonym for "long / lengthy". The length of the area is 961 meters from north to south and 753 meters from east to west, it covers 720,000 square meters.

The bricks of the wall are said to be made partly from white lime and glutinous rice while the cement is made partly from glutinous rice and egg whites. These incredible materials were said to make the wall extraordinarily strong.

                                                 

Nowadays, millions of tourist are visiting the palace, Including one of my Facebook friend who are really having fan of traveling around beautiful cities. 


Photo courtesy: Doc Junio ( In blue short)

Kayangan Lake - Coron, Palawan

Kayangan lake believed and declared so many times as the cleanest lake in the Philippines located in Coron Island, Northern Palawan. The locals sometimes called "The Blue Lagoon". A fresh water lagoon locked beyond towering limestone cliffs. It was nomadic experienced when you reach at the top of the hill, and a beautiful scenery of lake Kayangan awaits you. A place where you can take souvenirs, and or photos. You can also climb the steep trail of stairs made of limestone just to enjoy the beauty of the area around the other lake. The crystal clear water can see even at the bottom. Climbing at the top makes you profusely perspiring.

Visitors required to pay at least P200.00 ($5.00) for the maintenance and operation of the place. The Tagbanuas are the caretakers of this lake (the local ethnic group in central and northern Palawan). Upon arrival, you could spend hours snorkeling around. It is indeed a great experienced swimming on this lake. Although I have never been there before - photos speaks a thousand words to describe how this beauty of wonder tell us about. My colleagues went there so many times during my college days, and she witness all and keep telling us to go there too. Unfortunately, not until now but needless to say it was a real treat to a great paradise formed by nature for us.

Angel Falls, Venezuela

 A waterfall about 980 meter (3,212ft) high with uninterrupted drop of 2,648ft, in the western part of Canaima National Park, is the Auyentepuy better known as "Tepuy"  ( a flat top mountain ending with vertical wall). From this Tepuy is where the Angels falls are formed. It is the highest waterfall in the world. About 20 times higher than the Niagara falls, 2 times higher than the Empire state building and 3 times higher than the Eiffel tower. Believed it or not, Angel falls unknown to Venezuelan until early 1930's. It is only accessible by boat or plane because of the steep jungle surrounding it. Angel Falls was named after James Angel in 1935.  He was an American adventurer who crashed his plane is searched of gold near the falls 2 years after they were discovered.

 Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez today called for the Angel Falls - the world’s tallest waterfalls – to be renamed.
Instead of commemorating the American pilot who spotted it in 1933,  he said the 3,212ft-high landmark should be revert to its original indigenous name.
Mr Chavez, being a stern opponent of the U.S., said that thousands of Pemon Indians had seen the falls before Jimmy Angel ever ‘discovered’ them. He then proclaimed Kerepakupai-Meru should be the name. Because the Pemon Indians saw the falls first, so their name should be the one to use.  His idea is similar to aboriginal name Uluru, originally named Ayres rock in Australia. Renamed it in 2002 as Uluru.
 

One word of warning - to do justice to this trip it is essential that you are physically fit as there is quite a lot of climbing involved.

YouTube - Famous beautiful exotic places - aqua''around the World''

YouTube - Famous beautiful exotic places - aqua''around the World''

Statue: Liberty Enlightening the World

A dinner party event in 1865 which a gift from France to United States of America was conceived. Held in Glitigny, France(near Versailles), hosted by Edouard-Rene Lefebvre de Laboulaye (1811-1883). Laboulaye commented  "Wouldn't it be wonderful if people in France gave the United States a great monument as a lasting memorial to independence and thereby showed that the French government was also dedicated to the idea of human liberty?" Since then,
the Statue of Liberty, also known as “Liberty Enlightening the World,” was designed by French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and funded completely through donations from the French people as well as the US government by raising fund too.

The miniature design was finalized by Bartholdi, the statue itself was created using wooden molds, a copper shell, and an iron structure designed by Gustave Eiffel, who later built the Eiffel Tower.

It was delivered to the American ambassador in Paris on July 4, 1884, the 151-foot-tall, 225-ton Statue of Liberty. The statue was dismantled into 300 pieces and packed into 214 wooden crates, just to transport Lady Liberty to New York. The Statue is just over 305 feet high from the ground to the tip of her torch. Inside the statue, there are 354 steps and its pedestal and 25 viewing windows in the crown.

There are seven rays on Liberty's crown, symbolizing the seven seas and seven continents. Miss Liberty holds a tablet in her left hand that reads "July 4, 1776" (in Roman numerals).

The Statue of Liberty National Monument officially celebrated her 124th birthday on October 28, 2010. The people of France gave the Statue to the people of the United States over one hundred twenty-four years ago in recognition of the friendship established during the American Revolution. Over the years, the Statue of Liberty's symbolism has grown to include freedom and democracy as well as this international friendship.

Great Barrier Reef

About 500 million years ago, the world's first coral reef occurred and the first close relatives of modern corals developed in southern Europe about 230 million years ago. 



This series of small reefs formed underwater and can be made of corals, stone, or rock. Below sea level, the top of the reef are lying. This coral reefs are normally found in warm, shallow, clean water. Nowhere can be found as larger as The Great Barrier Reef in the world, stretching an amazing 1,250 miles, or 2,000 kilometers, rest across the blue of the ocean. Between the strong waves of the Pacific and the coast of Australia, it forms a natural break water. This was located in the Coral Sea, the area of the Pacific close to Australia's northeastern coast. The waters around it cover roughly 80,000 square miles, or 208,000 kilometers, an area slightly smaller than the state of Minnesota.

You can find reefs as deep as 250 feet below the surface. Below 150 feet, corals grew here don't make very good reef builders.
 Reefs are classified into three different groups. The first reef type is called a Fringing reef. This reef is formed as coral grows in the shallow waters along the shores of land. A barrier reef, such as the Great Barrier reef, grows some distance from the shore before coming close to the surface. A lagoon separates the barrier reef from the shore. An Atoll reef is a circular reef, usually with a lagoon in the center. The waves of the lagoon cover a submerged island. The reef grows in layers over the island.

Islands on the Great Barrier reef are considerable in number made of coral sand that has piled up to make islands. Coral sand is formed when waves constantly wash over the dead coral, breaking it in to sand. These islands have been given the name Coral Cays. This Coral Cays are impossible to reach by boat. They are hard to see, and the sharp coral can possibly tear out the bottom of a boat. You can still be found an ancient shipwreck among the coral!
Reefs as large as the Great Barrier Reef take thousands of years to develop. If you happen to visit a reef, any reef, be careful to not step on living coral. Most grow slowly, maybe less than two inches, or five centimeters a year. It would take years to replace it, and developed!

Taj Mahal: Integrated Complex of Structures

Taj Mahal is consodered as one of the eight wonders of the world, and its architectural beauty has never been surpassed as some Western historian have noted. The Taj by the Mughals is the most beautiful monument ever built, the Muslim rulers of India. It was built entirely of white domed marble and it's the most familiar component of the Taj Mahal. Its strikingly appearance architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. During the full moon, The Taj seems to glow in the light. On a foggy morning, the visitors experience the Taj as if suspended when viewed from across the Jamuna river. The Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. It is actually an integrated complex of structures. The construction began around 1632 and was completed around 1653 at a cost of 32 million Rupees, employing thousands of artisans and craftsmen. The construction of the Taj Mahal was entrusted to a board of architects under imperial supervision, including Abdul-Karim Ma'mur Khan, Makramat Khan, and Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. Lahaur is generally considered to be the principal designer.
The Taj rest on an elevation, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and a symmetry of architectural elements. Its central dome is fifty-eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of 213 feet.
The incredible beauty of the Taj Mahal has magnetized mankind with its charm for ages.

Sydney Opera House, Australia

A young Danish architect Joern Utzon dreaming of  Peter Hall Bennelong Point more than fifty years ago, he take part into a design competition that would put Sydney on the map of the world for endless time. The constructions begun in 1957.
Fourteen troubled years in the building, and AUD95 million over budget, the controversial sail-like roofs of Sydney's most recognizable icon glisten against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour. When Jorn resigned in 1966 due to political difficulties and construction delays - it was finally finished in 1973. The Sydney Opera House is on Circular Quay.

Hosts 4 auditoriums, showing music, ballet, theater and film performances. The Studio is a new venue, which offers contemporary performances. Sunday generally offers the cheapest tickets, although there are a range of prices offered all weekend as well as several free performances.

As I have read the story of this remarkable piece of art, I am very astonished.
From outside the Sydney Opera House looks remarkable and if you get up close you will be able to see several of the million or so ceramic tiles which cover the Sydney Opera House shells. Amazing isn't it? Planning to visit here requires you a lot of money to spend, surely worth it.

Pyramids of Egypt

The spectacular achievements of the ancient Egyptian civilization were possible because of its prosperity, and this largely depending on its thriving agrarian economy - the gift of the Nile. The central role of the Nile in the life of Egypt is as evident now as it was when the earliest agricultural communities settled beside its banks and the fertile black silt of the river's floodplain produced abundant crops in the midst of an inhospitable, desert land. The Nile was also the country's main highway, and boat building was already of a high standard by the beginning of the Pharaonic Period.

The Great Pyramid of Khufu, largest of all the pyramids, was stripped of its casing of white limestone in antiquity and during the 9th century.It is estimated that about 2,300,000 blocks, each weighing an average 2.3 tons (although some weigh much more) went into the building of the pyramid.

The Pyrymid of Khafre, is the most complete of all the Giza pyramids. Because it was built on slight higher ground and rises at a sharper angle, the pyramids itself  appear to be larger than the Khufu's, although it is actually second in size. Near the top it still retains some of its original casing stones.

 The Pyramid of Menkaure, built by the Fourth Dynasty king Menkaure (c.2532-c.2503 BC) at Giza is only about half the size of those of his predecessors, Khufu and Khafre. The reason for this is unclear. Perhaps their building projects may have been running out of suitable sites on the Giza Plateau.

 The Step Pyramid of King Djoser, have two different types: some designed for practical use, while the majority are dummy buildings. According to their excavator Jean-Philippe  Lauer, the latter appear to be primarily symbolic and represent the  ancient city of Memphis, so that, just as the subterranean chambers of the pyramid were stocked with food and drinks to supply the king's supposed physical needs, he was also provided with the capital city of afterlife. The functional buildings may have been used during the king's funeral and for subsequent daily ritual of his mortuary cult.

The Pyramid of King Unas, the last king of the Fifth Dynasty, is located near the south-western corner of the Step Pyramid complex. Most of the outer casing has disappeared from this pyramid. revealing it inner core of loose blocks and rubble. It is the smallest of all the Old King pyramids, but it has one of the most interesting as it has several unusual features.

Palawan Underground River

Palawan, Philippines also known as the last frontier. Tourist arrived mostly from Manila by plane, other option is by sea. You have to ride a jeepney (local transportation vehicle) to Sabang.




Underground river, also known as St. Paul Subterranean River.  A protected national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. At 8.2 km under the mountain, it's the second largest in the world, home of approximately 50,000 bats and its water drains into the south China sea. It would take you by pump boat from Sabang beach that would cost P700.00 of 30 minutes ride. Once you get inside, an eerie yet amazing bats sound will welcome you. A breathtaking objects like stalactites and stalagmites are formed in different angle. Travellers can only allowed to traverse 3 km inside the cave. And it worth your money and your time.


After enjoying the landscape inside, you can go anywhere of the island to see more attractions. Palawan Philippines also known as the last frontier. A place you can spend time with your family and friends.

Hundred Islands, Pangasinan

Am going to feature the hidden paradise of Pangasinan situated in northern Philippines. Lingayen is the capital of this province. It is
located on the west central area of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf. The name Pangasinan means "land of salt" or "place of salt-making"; it is derived from Pang/Bang (meaning place) and asin, (meaning salt in the Pangasinan language and many other related languages).
Since I'm away for several days, its time to refresh my mind again what is this paradise hidden beauty. Now let me take you to one of my favorite place, the famous Hundred Islands National Park. This is a marine park located off the coast of Alaminos City in the Lingayen Gulf and is composed of some 123 islands, most of which are quite small and uninhabited.

During the summer, several feasts and festivals are celebrated in Pangasinan, including the Fiestay Dayat or Bagat ed Dayat (Sea Feast), the Bangus (Milkfish), and the Mangga tan Kawayan (Mango and Bamboo) festivals. Students come here at year end of school for Hundred Island escapade. One of the tourists most favorite is the snorkeling. They can hopped from one island to another.

Villagers are using motorized boat (Banca) to transfer the tourist from the neighboring islands. You can select an island and the boatmen will drop you off and return back to pick you up according to your time arrangement. An hour or two ranges from P200-P300 of the local currency but not so sure how much would it cost this days. Here's the islands you can choose:

1.  Governor's Island
2.  Childrens Island
3.  Turtle's Island
4.  Quinco island
5.  Panacan Island
6.  Scout Island
7.  Romulo Island
8.  Quezon Island
9.  Clave Island
10. Primicias Island
11. Urdujasas' Island
12. Shell Island and so many small islet to name a few.

The uniqueness and high scenic value you will surely enjoy. I was so amazed with its beauty when I first went to Alaminos 100 islands 4 year ago. Plainly, I said the words "WOW" on the Islands itself. It's easy to amuse me especially if its about natures beauty. Its unimaginable that a pile of islands like these exists especially to my country! As a Pinoy, am super delighted that we have Hundred Islands- World Class!!!

Paris: The Cosmopolitan Capital of France

Attraction

There is no structure better symbolises Paris than the Tour Eiffel. Maupassant declared he left Paris because of it, William Morris visited daily to avoid having to see it from afar - and it was originally meant to be a temporary structure. The radical cast-iron tower was built for the 1889 World Fair and the centenary of the 1789 Revolution by engineer Gustave Eiffel. Eiffel made use of new technology that was already popular in iron-framed buildings. Construction took more than two years and used some 18,000 pieces of metal and 2,500,000 rivets. The 300m (984ft) tower stands on four massive concrete piles; it was the tallest structure in the world until overtaken by New York's Empire State Building in the 1930s.

Vintage double-decker lifts strand their way up and down; you can walk as far as the second level. There are souvenir shops, an exhibition space, a café and even a post office on the first and second levels. The smart Jules Verne restaurant, on the second level, has its own lift in the north tower. At the top (third level), there's Eiffel's cosy salon and a viewing platform with panels pointing out what to see. Views can reach 65km (40 miles) on a good day, although the most fascinating perspectives are of the ironwork itself. At night, for ten minutes on the hour, 20,000 flashbulbs attached to the tower provide a beautiful effect. To avoid the queues, come late at night.

 Experience the grandeur of Versailles Palace and Gardens on a small group tour from Paris. With a maximum of only eight per group, this small group trip to Versailles ensures a more intimate experience. Hotel pickup from centrally located Paris hotels is included, taking all the guess work out of your trip. You can choose from a half-day tour (independent tour), either in the morning or afternoon, or a full-day tour (guided tour). On both the half-day and full-day tours you'll also be able to wander around the garden's groves and pools. If you visit Versailles on a Saturday or Sunday during April to October, you can see the famous fountain show in the gardens. The display is accompanied by music composed at the time of Louis XIV's court.

The most beautiful views of Paris: take in the very best view of the Eiffel Tower and everything else Paris has to offer on the amazing 56th floor of the Montparnasse Tower. You can enjoy a romantic drink strolling around gazing at the 360 degree view or relax and learn in this safe environment. If you do just one thing when you are in Paris, this has to be it!

Europe's top destination, Disneyland Paris, features two theme parks (Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park), Disney Village, seven themed hotels and Golf Disneyland. About 32 kilometers or 20 miles outside of Paris, it is about one-fifth the size of Paris itself. Millions have visited since it opened (amidst much anti-Mickey controversy) in 1990.
While this isn't exactly the most tres chic destination in France, it provides a great opportunity to make the kids and the parents happy. Not only is it close to Paris, but Paris is 2 hours, 40 minutes from London via Eurostar.

Las Vegas: The City That Never Sleep

Gleaming from the desert mist of Nevada like a latter-day El Dorado, Las Vegas is the most dynamic, spectacular city on earth. At the start of the twentieth century, it didn't even exist; now it's home to two million people, and boasts nineteen of the world's twenty-five largest hotels, whose colorful, no-expense-spared casinos temptations in thirty-seven million tourists each year.

Las Vegas has been amass superlatives since the 1950s, but never rests on its glory for a moment. Many first-time visitors expect the city to be tasteless, but the casino owners are far too canny to be sentimental. Yes, there are a few Elvis impersonators around, but what characterizes the city far more is its endless quest for novelty. Long before they lose their sparkle, yesterday's showpieces are blasted into rubble, to make way for ever more extravagant replacements. 

A few years ago, when the fashion was for fantasy, Arthurian castles and Egyptian pyramids mushroomed along the legendary Strip; next came a craze for constructing entire replica cities, like New York, Paris, Monte Carlo, and Venice; and the current trend is for high-end properties that attempt to straddle the line between screaming display and "elegant" sophistication.

While the city has cleaned up its act since the early days of Mob domination, it certainly hasn't become a family destination. Neither is Vegas as cheap as it used to be. It's still possible to find good, inexpensive rooms, and the all-you-care-to-eat buffets offer great value, but the casino owners have finally discovered that high-rollers happy to lose hundreds of dollars per night don't mind paying premium prices to eat at top-quality restaurants, while the latest developments are charging room rates of more like $300 than $30 per night.

Although, Las Vegas is an unmissable destination, it's one that palls for most visitors after a couple of (hectic) days. If you've come solely to gamble, there's not much to say beyond the fact that all the casinos are free, and open 24 hours per day, with acres of floor space packed with ways to lose money: million-dollar slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette wheels, and much, much more.

Get a fingers cross for this place to visit someday somehow...

Siargao: Surfing Paradise

Like a tear-drop shaped island is a Siargao Island in the Philippine Sea situated 800 kilometers southeast of Manila in the province of Surigao del Norte. It has a land area of approximately 437 square kilometers. Port Pilar, the east coast is relatively straight with one deep inlet. The coastline is marked by a succession of reefs, small points and white, sandy beaches. The neighboring islands and islets have similar landforms.

One of the best known surfing waves on Siargao and the Philippines as I've heard so many times, with a worldwide reputation for thick, hollow tubes is "Cloud 9". This right-breaking reef wave is the site of the annual Siargao Cup, a domestic and international surfing competition sponsored by the provincial government of Surigao del Norte.

The island maintains a simple and laid-back economy, lifestyle and culture. The locals rely mostly on copra farming, seaweed propagation and tourism as their sources income. They speak Surigaonon, just as the rest of the province, but English and Filipino are very well understood. Being a haven for surf-loving tourists, the locals are very friendly and hospitable, and have remained loyal and pious in their local traditions and belief systems. With the development of its road network, jeepneys can now take locals, tourists and goods around the island, but the ingenious invention called habal-habal (a motorcycle fitted with iron grills at the sides) still continues to carry passengers between towns. For those who want to hop on the island’s assortment of islets, boats are available to take you one island at a time.

The best time to go surfing in Siargao is from July to November, when the easterly Mindanao current feeds the islands with waves that come from one of the deepest parts of the Pacific. This is the height of the surfing season in the island. If you want to get a glimpse of the other islands around Siargao, then extend up to March or May to get the perfect conditions for island hopping. For game fishers, game fishing season is on August. An annual game fishing competition is sponsored by the provincial government during this month.