The Great Ocean Road in Australia

The Great Ocean Road is in Victoria’s south west region. It starts at the coastal township of Torquay which is home to the famous surfing beach of Bells Beach and finishes at the world renowned 12 Apostles; a distance of just over 100 kilometres. If you are travelling to Australia you really should put this destination in your bucket list. It is simply spectacular.

The Great Ocean Road began it’s life as a war memorial for the fallen soldiers of World War One. There is now a large gate near the beginning of the road which dedicates its construction to those who lost their lives in the Great War. Those diggers must have had a very hard time carving a road out of sheer cliff face!

The road today is still only comprised of two lanes which can make for slow driving, especially during peak times but this is not all that much of a problem because the slower you drive the more you can see and boy is there a lot to see!

As I stated earlier the Great Ocean Road begins at Torquay and this small town is definitely worthy of a visit. Australia is a nation of surfers and Torquay is the surfing capital of Australia and home to the world famous Bells Beach. If there is a big swell running when you visit this area you are in for a real treat. Do not miss going to Bells Beach! You might see surfers surfing some of the biggest rideable waves in the world and it is a sight you will never forget.

From Torquay on the road really begins. You’ll pass beach after beach after beach and more often than not there will be no-one on them. Stop if you like, have a swim and create the only footprints in the sand.

You will pass through a few small towns before you arrive at Lorne which is Victoria’s premier seaside resort. This is home to one of the most beautiful bays along the entire road. This is a great place to learn to surf and is one of the safest swimming beaches on the coast. My advice is to stay here for a few days. You’ll love it.

Once past Lorne the coastal road rises towards Cape Paton and rewards drivers with spectacular views in all directions. There are a few pullovers in this section of the road where you can get out of the car and have a good look around. Make sure you take advantage of these. They are worth it.

From here the road meanders down again to sea level and arrives at Apollo Bay. This is a lovely small fishing village and well worth staying for a few days. Best crayfish ( lobster) along the Great Ocean Road can be found here.

HOW TO SPEAK AUSSIE!

The road will now take you inland through some beautiful forest regions before it again draws near to the coast at Johanna – which is probably the prettiest part of the entire Great Ocean Road region. Make sure you turn off and head down to Johanna Beach – this will be a highlight of your trip. Great fishing here!

From Johanna the road again veers inland and after about one hour you will find yourself at the 12 Apostles. This is one of the most visited places in Australia and for very good reason. Try and get here around sunset to watch the sun sink behind these marvellous icons and allows the sky to turn blood red. Be prepared though for lots of tourists. It can get very busy.

 

Well, this is where the Great Ocean Road officially ends but don’t let that disappoint you. There are more exceptional coastal sights past here. Namely the Bay of Islands and the Bay of Martyrs which aren’t all that far away and many locals believe these rival the 12 Apostles – and you can get onto the beach at these places as well.

Enjoy your travels along this sensational road and don’t forget to keep left – you have to drive on the left in Australia.

You’ll need some accommodation while you are visiting this area. The following website lists accommodation for your entire journey.
Great Ocean Road Accommodation

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The Great Ocean Road in Australia

Botswana is a landlocked nation located in Southern Africa. Around 70 percent of this flat country is covered by the Kalahari Desert. Gaborone is the capital of Botswana. The country has diverse areas of wildlife habitat. Christianity is the main religion in Botswana. Around 70 percent of the population is Christians.

Botswana attracted 2.15 million tourists in 2011. Here is a brief overview of some popular tourist attractions of Botswana.

Gaborone

It is the capital and the largest city in Botswana. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. The National Museum and Art Gallery, Gaborone Dam, Kgale Hill, Goborone Yacht Club and Gaborone Game Reserve are some tourist attractions of Gaborone.

Chobe National Park

Located in the Chobe district, the national park has the world’s largest concentration of African elephants. It supports about 350 species of birds. It is the country’s first national park.

Male African Elephant

Male African Elephant

Moremi Game Reserve

This game reserve is located in the Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta. It covers much of the eastern side of the delta. You can enjoy excellent views of Savannah here. The game reserve houses around 500 species of birds and other species of wildlife like giraffe, lion, hyena, cheetah, impala, etc.

Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Botswana: Tourist Attractions

 

Located in the Kalahari Desert (Ghanzi District), this game reserve covers an area of 52,800 sq km. It is the second largest game reserve in the world. Here you can find wildlife like giraffe, lion, brown hyena, warthog, cheetah, wild dog, leopard and many more.

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

This large salt pan is located in the middle of the dry savanna. It is one of the largest salt flats in the world. It is surrounded by the Kalahari Desert. After rains, you can find great white pelicans, greater flamingos and zebras in this national park.

Nxai Pan National Park

Located in northeastern Botswana, this national park consists Nxai Pan, one of the Makgadikgadi Pan salt flats. It is mainly forest and savanna woodland. It is advisable to visit this national part between November and April.

Khama Rhino Sanctuary

This sanctuary is located 25 km north of the historic Serowe on the Serowe-OrapaRoad. This sanctuary is well-known for its varieties of rhinos. It also houses other species like zebra, blue wildebeest, giraffe, eland, springbok, impala, gemsbok, kudu and many more.

If you love wildlife, you should visit Botswana. Your trip to the above mentioned tourist attractions of Botswana is sure to be a memorable one.

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Tourist attractions of Botswana

Travel to amazing places is a great way to recoup our energies and to enrich ourselves. We learn more by visiting places and interacting with people than by reading or seeing them on the television. Of course it is fun to travel to amazing places around the world.

Here is a brief overview of some really amazing places worldwide that you must see during your lifetime. While some of these tourist destinations beckon year-round, some need to be visited at appropriate months during the year.

If you are interested in the history of our world, you need to visit Mesa Varde National Parkin the US, in Italy, Tikal in Guatemala and Petra in Jordan. A walk in the streets of these ancient cities is an enriching and a memorable experience.

Human mind has amazing capacities. It has created many engineering marvels in the past. The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, Taj Mahal in India, Easter Island (part of Chile) and The Great Wall of China are some surviving architectural wonders hewed from stone and mortar.

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal

The most Beautiful Places in the World!

Choosing the right time can make plenty of difference when you intend to enjoy Aurora Borealis, Serengeti in Tanzania, Iguazu Falls in Brazil-Argentina border and Machu Picchu in Peru. Tourists visit northern Canada to view Aurora Borealis.

The Louvre Museum (Musee du Louvre) in France, Zen Garden of Kyoto, Uffizi Gallery in Italy and Fallingwater in the US are some fine works of art and design. Louvre is one of the largest museums in the world. It is also a historical monument.

If you are a lover of nature, you need to visit Grand Canyon in the US, Antarctica, Yangtze River in China, Himalayas in Asia, Great Barrier Reef in Australia and Amazon Rainforests in the South American continent. Visit to these places makes it possible to experience nature and its wonders.

Great places of worship like the Vatican, Golden Temple in India, Pagan, Mount Fijiin Japan, Tirupati in India, Parthenon in Greece, Medina in Saudi Arabia, Jerusalem in Israel, Mecca in Saudi Arabia, Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Ephesus in Turkey stand as symbols of human being’s relationship with God. Visit to these places is sure to be an ennobling experience.

Travel to the above-mentioned amazing places on our planet is sure to be an enriching, entertaining, engaging, amazing, memorable, ennobling and wonderful experience.

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Travel guide: Amazing places you that must see during your lifetime

Located on the west coast of the US, San Francisco is the leading cultural and financial center of Northern California. Founded in 1776, this beautiful city is the most densely settled large city in California. San Francisco is famous for its hills. There are more than 50 hills within city limits.

San Francisco is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Here is a brief overview of some popular tourist attractions in San Francisco.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Administered by the National Park Service, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is one of the most visited units of the National Park system in the US. It contains many popular tourist attractions like Alcatraz, Muir Woods National Monument, etc.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Also known as the SFMOMA, it was the first museum on the west coast devoted to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 1935, this museum exhibits the works of both modern masters and younger, less established artists.

Golden Gate Bridge

This engineering marvel is one of the world’s most beautiful bridges. It is well-known for its signature orange color, tremendous towers, sweeping main cables and Art Deco styling.

Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge

Alcatraz Island

Located in the San Francisco Bay, it is also referred to as “The Rock.” Visitors can reach the island by ferry ride from Pier 33. Abandoned prison, seabird colony, rock pools, early military fortifications and the oldest operating light house on the west coast of the US are some tourist attractions of Alcatraz Island.

China Town

It is the largest ChinaTown outside Asia. Established in 1848, it is also the oldest ChinaTown in North America. The restaurants here are considered to be the birthplace of westernized Chinese cuisine. China Town has served as a backdrop for many popular movies like “In Pursuit of Happiness”.

Cable Cars

The San Francisco cable car system is the world’s last manually operated cable car system. It is considered to be an icon of San Francisco and is a popular tourist attraction.

Marrakech Magic Theater

Here you can be assured of a night full of laughter and sensational entertainment. Owner magician Peter Morrison blends magic and comedy in his shows.

San Franciscois a wonderful city. Visit to the above-mentioned tourist attractions inSan Franciscois sure to be a memorable one.

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Bangkok is the capital of Thailand. With population of more than eight million, it is also the most populous city in the country. The city is located in the Chao Phraya River delta in Thailand’s central plains. It has a tropical wet and dry climate.

Bangkok is one of the world’s top tourist destinations. Bangkok tourism attractions are many. Here is a brief overview of some popular tourist attractions in Bangkok.

Wat Phra Kaew

Known in English as the “Temple of the Emerald Buddha”, this Buddhist temple is located within the precincts of the Grand Palace. The main building houses the statue of Emerald Buddha. Wat Pho and Wat Arun are other popular temples in Thailand.

Grand Palace, Bangkok

Grand Palace, Bangkok

(By D.Alyoshin (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)

Sanam Luang

This public square is in front of the Grand Palace. This open field has been used as a site for the cremation of kings, queens and high-ranking princes. The area of Sanam Luang is about 30 acres.

Siam Niramit

This state-of-the-art cultural performances center uses modern technology and old fashioned drama to depict the history of various regions of Thailand. The show is staged by around 150 performers.

Giant Swing

This religious structure is located in front of Wat Suthat temple. Constructed in 1784, is likely to be included among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Top 10 Travel Attractions, Bangkok, Thailand

National Museum

This large museum is located near the Grand Palace. It is one of the most comprehensive museums in Southeast Asia. The complex comprises several old but beautiful buildings that reflect Thai architecture. You will find many artifacts in the museum.

River Kwai

If you want to enjoy natural beauty, you need to sail in the River Kwai. You will also find a bridge and a small museum near the river. Elephant rides and trekking are popular activities in the region.

Vimanmek Mansion

This mansion is located in the Dusit Palace complex. Constructed in 1900, this structure is the world’s tallest teak building. For you to be allowed inside the mansion, you need to wear a collared shirt and trousers. Cameras, phones and shoes are not allowed inside.

Grand Pearl Cruise

If you are in Bangkok with your loved one, you need to experience the Chao  Phraya River under the candlelight with this dinner cruise on the luxurious Grand Pearl. It is a totally out of the world experience.

These are a few of the many tourist attractions in Bangkok. Visit to these locations is sure to be a memorable experience.

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Kuala Lumpur is the federal capital of Malaysia. It is also the seat of the Parliament of Malaysia. Rated as an alpha world city, Kuala Lumpur is the financial and cultural center of Malaysia. You will find many world-class hotels in Kuala Lumpur. The city attracts millions of tourists every year.

Kuala Lumpur has a tropical rainforest climate. Flooding is a frequent occurrence in the city. Kuala Lumpur is highly humid throughout the year with the annual average of more than 80 percent.

Top 5 Travel Attractions, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) – Travel Guide

Top 5 Travel Attractions, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) – Travel Guide

There are many things to do in Kuala Lumpur. Here is a brief overview of some popular tourist attractions of Kuala Lumpur.

National Monument

This famous sculpture (15 meters high) commemorates those who sacrificed their lives to gain independence for Malaysia. The Parliament of Malaysia is located near this sculpture.

Gombak/Klang river confluence

The Gombak River merges with the Klang River in Kuala Lumpur. The point where the Gombak River meets the Klang River is the origin of Kuala Lumpur’s name. Gombak River was known as Sungai Lumpur. Since the Sungai Lumpur happened here, the place was named Kuala Lumpur. The Jamek Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Kuala Lumpur, is located here.

National Mosque

Built with reinforced concrete, this famous mosque can accommodate 15,000 people. Built in 1965, this mosque is situated among 13 acres of beautiful gardens. The 73-meter high minaret and the 16-pointed star concrete main roof are the key features of this mosque.

National Palace

Known as Istana Negara in Malay, this palace was the official residence of the king of Malaysia. It stands on a 13 acre site, which is located on the slope of a hill of Bukit Petaling.

Petronas Twin Towers

Also known as Petronas Towers, these twin skyscrapers are visible from most parts of the city. These towers stand as a symbol of modern Malaysia. They have 88 floors (plus 5 basement floors).

Petronas Towers

Petronas Towers

Mardeka Square

The Union Flag was lowered and the Malaysian Flag was hoisted in this square on August 31, 1957. It is located in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Mardeka Parade is held here annually.

Petaling Street

Petaling Street is a Chinatown located in Kuala Lumpur. You will many food stalls and restaurants here. They sell favorites like ikan bakar, hokkein mee, curry noodles and asam laksa.

Kuala Lumpur is a beautiful city. Visit to the above-mentioned tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur is sure to be a memorable one.

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Antalya is a beautiful city which is located on the Mediterranean coast of southwestern Turkey. This city attracted 10.5 million tourists in the year 2011. More number of tourists visited Antalya than New York City in 2011.

Antalya is Turkey’s biggest international sea resort. The metropolis of Greater Antalya comprises five boroughs. They are: Muratpasa, Kepez, Konyaalti, Aksu and Dosemealti. Antalya has a Mediterranean climate, with hot and dry summers and mild and rainy winters.

Here is a brief overview of some popular tourist attractions of Antalya.

Konyaalti beach

This picturesque beach is attracts tourists from all parts of the globe. The water here is cooler than that in other beaches in Antalya. This is due to an underground creek flowing into the sea.

Hadrian’s Gate

Also known as Hadrianus Gate, this triumphal arch was built in the name of Roman emperor Hadrian. He is believed to have visited Antalya in the year 130. It is considered as the most beautiful gate in Pamphylia.

Hadrian's Gate, Antalya

Hadrian’s Gate, Antalya

Kaleici

This historic city center of Antalya has buildings belonging to Ottoman, modern Turkish republican, Byzantine, Roman and Stljuk eras. Clock tower, Yacht harbor, Hadrian’s Gate and Mermerli Park are some popular landmarks in Kaleici.

Perga

Located 18 kilometers east of Antalya, Perga is a large site of ancient ruins. Here you can find an acropolis dating back to the Bronze Age. It is a major archeological site. You will also find a theater, a temple of Artemis and two churches.

Antalya Museum

This large museum is located in Konyaalti. It comprises an open air gallery and 13 exhibition halls. You will find more than 5000 works of art in this beautiful museum. You will love this museum if you are interested in the history of the Pamphylia and the Mediterranean regions in Antalya.

Tunek Tepe

This hill (618 meters) is located towards the west of the city of Antalya. It is well-known for its rotating night club, Doner Gazino. The club usually serves private parties. You can enjoy a stunning view of the Gulf of Antalya from here.

Chimaera and Olympos

Located towards the west of Antalya, the Olimpos Beydaglari Milli Park is a site of one of nature’s wonders, the eternal flame of Chimaera. This flame is fed by natural gas escaping from some holes and crevices in the rocks.

Antalya is a beautiful city. Visit to the above-mentioned tourist attractions in Antalya is sure to be an enriching and a refreshing experience.

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Puerto Rico (literally means rich port) is a beautiful country located in the northeastern Caribbean. It is an unincorporated territory of the United States of America. Around 3.68 million tourists visited Puerto Rico in the year 2011.

There are many reasons why you should visit Puerto Rico. Here is a brief overview of some popular Puerto Rico Attractions.

Veiques

This island is located around 13 km east of the Puerto Rican mainland. This sleepy, unspoiled island is well-known for its beautiful beaches. It is an ideal vacation destination for people who are fed up with city life. Snorkeling (especially at the Blue Beach) is a popular activity in the region. You may also consider visiting La Hueca, an archaeological site.

Castillo de San Felipe del Morro

Also known as El Morro, this 16th century citadel is located in San Juan. It protected San Juan for more than 400 years. This six-level citadel is named in honor of King Philip the Second of Spain.

Castillo de San Felipe del Morro

Castillo de San Felipe del Morro

El Yunque

Located in northeastern Puerto Rico, this forest is the only tropical rain forest in the United States National Forest System. It encompassed 28,000 acres of land. El Toro is the highest mountain peak in the region. This forest houses many species of flora and fauna.

Rio Camuy Caves

This cave system attracts many adventure lovers from all over the world. The caverns are part of a large network of natural limestone caves. It was discovered in the year 1958. It is one of the popular natural attractions of Puerto Rico.

Isla Culebrita

This small uninhabited island is located off the eastern coast of Culebra. It is a natural reserve and houses one of the oldest lighthouses in the region. The island is accessible only by private boat.

Museo de Arte de Ponce

This popular art museum is located in Ponce. It is well-known for its European arts collection. Works of local artists are also displayed. It is the largest art museum in the Caribbean.

Arecibo Observatory

Also known as the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center, this radio telescope is located in the mailing area of the city of Arecibo. This 1000 feet radio telescope is the largest single aperture telescope in the world.

Puerto Rico is a wonderful vacation destination. Visit to the above-mentioned Puerto Rico attractions is sure to be a memorable experience.

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Vacations offer an opportunity to recoup your energies. You will many vacation destinations that enable you to do so. Zimbabwe is one such destination. If you are thinking where is Zimbabwe, it is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa.

Zimbabwe has a tropical climate. Most of the country elevated in the central plateau. Zimbabwe is home to many species of flora and fauna. You will find around 350 species of mammals, more than 500 species of birds and 131 species of fish. Harare is the capital of Zimbabwe.

Here is a brief overview about Zimbabwe tourist attractions

Victoria Falls

Also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, the Victoria Falls is a wonder of nature. Located between Zimbabwe and Zambia, this waterfall is the largest in the world (1708 meters wide).

Great Zimbabwe

This ruined city was the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe during the late iron age. This area was settled by the fourth century. The ruins form three distinct architectural groups: Hill Complex, Valley Complex and Great Enclosure.

Chapungu Sculpture Park

This sculpture park is located in Msasa, Harare, Zimbabwe. Founded in 1970 by Roy Guthrie, this park displays the works of Zimbabwean stones sculptors here.

Hwange National Park

It is the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe. Founded in 1928, this beautiful national park is close to the edge of the Kalahari desert. It support many species of flora and fauna. You will find many African elephants and African lions here.

African lion

African lion

Harare Gardens

Harare Gardens is the largest park in the city of Harare. It is located in the center of the city. Admission to the park is free. You will find a miniature of Victoria Falls here. Unfortunately this beautiful park is notorious for crime.

National Heroes Acre

This burial ground is a national monument. Located sever kilometers from Harare, this monument is created to commemorate those who lost their lives in the struggle for national liberation.

National Gallery of  Zimbabwe

If you want experience the essence of Zimbabwean identity, you should visit this gallery. Located in Harare, this gallery is dedicated to the presentation and conservation of Zimbabwe’s contemporary art and visual heritage.

Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences

Inaugurated in 1902, this museum is well-known for its 700 year old Lemba artifact ngoma lungudu. Some experts believe that it is a replica of the Ark of the Covenant. It is the oldest wooden object ever found in the region.

Zimbabwe is a beautiful country which attracted 2.24 million visitors in the year 2011. However, there have been disturbances in the country recently. It is recommended that you check the latest information before visiting Zimbabwe.

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When people listen to the popular song “We’re going to Ibiza” by Vengaboys, the question that comes to their mind is: Where is Ibiza? Ibiza is beautiful island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located 79 km off the coast of the city of Valencia in Spain.

Ibiza landschaft

Ibiza landschaft

This small island and its cities are well-known for their rustic beauty, night life and electronic music. This island is a major tourist attraction in the region. Ibiza’s summer club parties attract tourists from all parts of the globe.

Amnesia, Space, DC10, Privilege, Es Paradis and Eden are some noted clubs in the island. During the summer months many DJs come to the island and play at various clubs. The season begins in June. Some famous DJs also run their own weekly nights around the island.

Many DJs use Ibiza as an outlet for presenting new songs within the house, trance and techno genres of electronic dance music. The legendary Ibiza town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is world famous as a cultural center for house and trance. You must visit the Dalt Vila Castle in the Ibiza town.

Ibiza is surrounded by beautiful seas. You will find many beautiful beaches, mountains and valleys in the region. The weather here is good. These islands attract many adventure lovers from all over the world.

Diving is a popular activity in Ibiza. It attracts many amateur and professional divers from all over the world. You will find certified diving schools here. Ibiza is well-known for water sports and mountain bike tours. You will also find many spas here.

You can enjoy breath taking sea views from the Can Marca Caves.Ibiza’s countryside is enchanting. Each white washed village has its own church. You will find many Hippy Markets. You need to visit on of those. These markets offer exotic batik wraps, silver jewelry, trinkets and clothing to tailor-made leather moccasins.

Las Salinas Salt Flats are located in the southern part of Ibiza. These salt fields have been in use for more than 2000 years. Sunsets are beautiful here. It is a good idea to hire a boat when you visit Ibiza. Many boat charter companies offer excursions. You can also rent motor boats or yachts.

Ibiza is beautiful. Visit to Ibiza is bound to be a refreshing, enriching, entertaining and memorable experience.

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