Schönbrunn Zoo Austria is the world's oldest and only baroque zoo.

Schönbrunn Zoo is the world's oldest and only baroque zoo. The Schoenbrunn Zoo is situated in the south-eastern part of the Habsburgs' summer residence and was built in 1760.

What makes the zoo so special is the keeping of animals after their specific requirements and the simultaneous emphasis of the baroque heritage. The historical buildings are restored by experts of international reputation under the supervision of the conservation authorities and serve present-day purposes without any defeat of its fascination.

In Mai 2003 Schönbrunn zoo was greatly honored by being entrusted with the care of a pair of Chinese Great Pandas!
As a proof of the excellent care and the natural habitat many of the zoo's animals give birth. With a bit of luck you might just see an elephant baby, a young hippo or a teenage giraffe!
In summer 2007, the Vienna zoo experienced a very special baby boom: there was a newborn giraffe bull, an anteater and armadillo baby as well as a baby seal. And - what a sensation - a baby panda bear! It's the second panda baby to be born in a European zoo, ever!

Tropical Vienna: Schönbrunn zoo is proud of its tropical piece of Borneo and presents colourful orchids, mangrove woods, miniature rice plantations and even tropical storms complete with hard rain, lights, thunder and fog. Vienna's Imperial castle houses exotic butterflies in a marvellous art-deco glass house!

Source : aboutvienna

Belvedere Palace is a baroque palace complex in Vienna, Austria

The two magnificient palaces on the Belvedere grounds lie in the middle of a splendid park. They were constructed for Prince Eugene of Savoy by J.L. von Hildebrandt, a famous Baroque architect.

At this time the Belvedere Palaces were still located outside Vienna's defences, but today they are a part of Vienna`s third district which is not far away from the very centre of Vienna. The Palaces' architecture and interior design are typical for Rococo style.

Today, both palaces house museums featuring Austrian painting. In the lower palace the "Österreichisches Barockmuseum" (Austrian Museum of Baroque Art) displays Austrian Art of the 18th century. In the upper palace you can visit the Austrian gallery with a collection of 19th- and 20th-century Austrian paintings. There, you can find works of artist of the Secession movement such as Gustav Klimt (1867-1918), Egon Schiele (1890-1918) or Oskar Kokoschka (1886-1980).

In 1803, Europe's first alpine garden was created in the extensive park area of Belvedere castle following a suggestion of Archduke Johann. Today, more than 4000 plants represent the diverse flora of the alpine ecosystem. Spring and early summer are the best times to visit as many plants foliate and start to flower.

Belvedere Palace Prinz-Eugen-Strasse 27, A-1030 Vienna

Source : aboutvienna

Anchor Clock (Ankeruhr) Vienna Austria

The Anchor Clock was built between 1911 and 1917 after the plans of the painter Franz von Matsch. It is situated on the oldest square of Vienna 'Hoher Markt' and represents a typical Art Nouveau design.

The clock forms a bridge between two parts of the Anker Insurance Company's building. The clock itself is adorned with mosaic ornaments. In the course of 12 hours, twelve historical figures or pairs of figures move across the bridge among them Joseph Haydn, medieval lyricist Walther von der Vogelweide, Empress Maria Theresa and Prince Eugen of Savoya. Every day at noon, all figures parade accompanied by music from the various eras. This tourist spectacle is a special kind of Viennese High Noon.

'Ankeruhr' aims to commemorate Vienna's past and the transitory state of live and being.

Source : aboutvienna

Kruja, a tourist attraction in a spectacular mountainside location in Albania

The remains of the castle. The ottomans occupied Kruja in 1396 and 1415, but after Skanderbegs return Kruja became famous all over Europe for its resistance.

Kruja is also a tourist attraction in a spectacular mountainside location. The Skanderbeg museum is located inside the castle.

Kruja (32 km north to Tirana) is best known as the place Albania's national hero, Skanderbeg successfully resisted the Ottomans for nearly 25 years (1443 - 1468).

Berati, a city in south central Albania

Berati, a city in south central Albania. Located near the Osum River, Berat is the commercial center for the surrounding agriculturalBerati, Albania Torist Guide region in which tobacco, grapes, and fruits are grown. The town of Berat, overshadowed to the east by mount Tomorr (2400m), is built on an ancient Illyrian dwelling site, which goes back to the sixth century B.C. Its innumerable monuments and beautiful and characteristic architecture of its houses have proclaimed Berat, a museum town.

Much of the city is built on terraces in the steep hills overlooking the Osum. The city has many historical monuments, including mosques dating from the 15th to 19th centuries and an 18th-century seven-arched stone bridge. A 13th-century citadel built along a ridge high above the river gorge houses a museum and several old churches.

The castle and its fortified walls are interrelated just like a mosaic where various stages of buildings such as " Kala ", " Mangalem ", " Gorice " which are settled on hills units of the toun make up an impressive example of our genius creative people.
Gorica, on the far side of the river ; Mangalem, on the fortress side of the river; and the residential quarter within the fortress (known as Kalaja). The houses on the fortress side which date from the seventeenth century, have typically two stores, with the upper storey slightly overhanging and rich wood carving within. With their wide facades and large windows, they seem to be built almost on top of one another, giving Berat its name of : The town of a thousand windows.

Berati has a population of 37,000 inhabitants. The hills and the mountain slopes around Berat, are planted with fig trees olive trees and other fruits.
Cult buildings and important monuments are well-known for a prominent architecture. Their foundations belong to paleochristian buildings. Monuments that preserve a complete view are of XIV centuries . Berati
Within these monuments there are some masterpieces of our distinguished painters just like : Onufri, Nikolla , Qipriot , Cetir and many other nameless persons, whereas the institution fund of cultural monuments in Berat preserve abaut 400 religions objects and icons which in the greatest part of them as the result of the missing of financial sources are still unrestored.

Mosques and small mosques are brilliant examples in their rising skill of architecture execution, but in particular the iterior part of ceilings and stained glass windows too.
Institute affilation of cultural monuments in Berat is an institution that, restores and propogates all these inheritable values.

Museums such as Onufri, Ethnographic and Historic preserve and devote prior importance to this treasury placing the bases of a cultural tourism.
Being proposed as a world property, Berati is going to be sooner under protection. There is very developed home tourism in Berat where foreigner's preference is the characteristic native kitchen.
The distance of some main sea' beaches is about 80 km away. Taking in consideration the conditions of our country its difficult for a further preservation of monuments and art’s works so Berati needs a tecnichal assistence of developed countries.

Source : united-albania

Caldea is one of the biggest thermal spas in Europe

Facial vaporization

Indoor lagoon

The grapefruit bath

Caldea is one of Europe’s largest health spas, a futuristic architectural wonder situated in the heart of the Andorran mountains. There are over 6000 square meters of indoor and outdoor lagoons, saunas, jacuzzis, pools, Indo-Roman baths, cascades, bubble beds and much more. Fed by natural thermal springs, it is an essential part of any visit to Andorra, especially after a hard day’s fun in the snow.

Source : alltravelandorra

The Casa de la Vall (House of the Valley) is the seat of the General Council: Andorra’s parliament

Originally built as a family home in 1580, Casa de la Vall was bought by the General Council in 1702 and is now the seat of the Andorran Parliament. Situated in the old heart of Andorra la Vella, its architecture includes both civil and military elements. Inside there is an interesting cupboard with seven keys which once held the most important national documents. The cupboard could only be opened by the simultaneous presence of councillors from each of the seven constituencies in the country. There is also a dormitory and a kitchen with magnificent 16th century murals. The Sala de la Justicia is the only courtroom in the whole country and the Sala del Consell is where the parliament still assembles.

Source : alltravelandorra

Lake Towada-Hachimantai National Park Japan

Lake Towada is part of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park and is the largest caldera lake on Honshu, Japan's main island. Located on the border between Akita and Aomori Prefectures, the area is well known for its autumn colors especially around the Oirase Stream, one of Japan's most famous autumn color spots.

Source : japan-guide

Sapporo-The Beautiful Scenery of Hokkaido

Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido. The city itself is not really beautiful, but is an excellent base for exploring the rest of the island. It has more nightlife than any other city north of Tokyo. The Susukino district has countless bars, nightclubs and hostess bars. During winter the Sapporo snow festival attracts visitors from all over the country to see the huge (15 to 20 meters high) snowsculptures that are on display all over Odori Park. You can rent cross country skis for free in Nakajima park.

Zermatt is the most luxurious place for your vacation in Switzerland

Zermatt is full of colour and sparkles during the warm summer months, an extremely popular summer destination. Offering endless activites including summer skiing on the Matterhorn, hiking, climbing, golf, swimming, mounting biking, tennis, concerts, parapenting, walking and touring. It is alive with a series of events during the summer months, such as golf tournaments, music festivals, folklore shows, the Zermatt marathon. Zermatt is a unique place to visit as it is a car-free resort. Zermatt is situated in the canton of Valais in the Matter Valley. Zermatt offers wonderful vistas of 38 four-thousand-metre snow laden peaks to visitors and tourists.

Source : switzerlandtours

LUGANO SWISS : TRANQUILITY, PEACE and BEAUTY

Monte Bre as seen from old IDSIA

Parts of Lugano, Lake Lugano, and Monte Boglia

Blueberry bushes above alpine Lake Ritom

Lugano is one of the largest financial centres in Switzerland. Business and banking is very much a part of life in Lugano. But beauty and nature, architecture and heritage are also very much part of the city. Lugano a perfect blend of a world city and a small town, a place where business and pleasure, efficiency and work go hand in hand.

The city is considered as a cultural centre on account of the exhibitions organised here in the museums and the surrounding suburbs. The city presents a perfect blend of the Italian ambience and Swiss efficiency. The captivating features of the city include the sunny climate, towering mountains, shimmering lakes, tall buildings in the Lombardic style and the historic city centre.

Source : switzerlandtours

Carriacou - The Paradise for Water Lovers in Grenada

The first settlers, the Amerindians, appropriately referred to Carriacou as the "Land of Reefs". The surrounding waters teem with a variety of marine life, creating the perfect underwater experience.

Don't forget to visit the renowned Sandy Island just east of Carriacou. This tiny island serves as the symbol of the ideal tourism destination - pure white sand embraced by turquoise blue waters.

So, while in Carriacou whether you choose to explore, snorkel, swim, dive or simply stroll, you will experience the special lure of this gem and its islets.

Source : carriacouregatta

Stone Mountain Park - Stone Mountain, Georgia

Fun for Everyone at Stone Mountain Park in Georgia. One of the most popular places to visit in Georgia is the Stone Mountain Park. Visitors to the park will find a ton of wonderful attractions, shows, and activities. The Park has something for the whole family.
A trip to Georgia is simply incomplete without a stop at Stone Mountain Park near Atlanta. This park is over 3,200 acres and has a huge array of different activities for every age imaginable. You can explore a 4-story barn, take a train ride around the mountain, see the Confederate Memorial Carving up close, and even see the world's largest laser light show! It's open year-round with all sorts of adventures depending on the season.

Source : georgiabeautiful