Summer Palace Beijing

The Summer Palace landscape, dominated mainly by Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, covers an area of 2.9 square kilometers, three quarters of which is under water. Its 70,000 square meters of building space features a variety of palaces, gardens and other ancient-style architectural structures. Well known for its large and priceless collection of cultural relics, it was among the first group of historical and cultural heritage sites in China to be placed under special state protection. If you take Beijing travel, the Summer Palace is absolute a must!

The Summer Palace, originally named Qingyi Yuan or the Garden of Clear Ripples, was first constructed in 1750. It was razed to the ground by the Anglo-French Allied Forces in 1860. The Government of the Qing Dynasty started to rebuild it in 1886 with funds that it had misappropriated from the Imperial Navy and other sources. Renamed two years later as Yihe Yuan or the Garden of Health and Harmony, it was supposed to serve as a summer resort for the Empress Dowager Cixi. Known also as the Summer Palace, it was ravaged by the Allied Forces of the Eight Powers that invaded China in 1900. The damage was repaired in 1902. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Summer Palace has undergone several major renovations. Its major attractions such as the Four Great Regions, Suzhou Street, the Pavilion of Bright Scenery, the Hall of Serenity, the Wenchang Galleries and the Plowing and Weaving Scenery Area have been successively restored. A well-planned Beijing tour will be memorable.

The Summer Palace is a monument to classical Chinese architecture, in terms of both garden design and construction. Borrowing scenes from surrounding landscapes, it radiates not only the grandeur of an imperial garden but also the beauty of nature in a seamless combination that best illustrates the guiding principle of traditional Chinese garden design: ?°The works of men should match the works of Heaven.

Are you considering a visit to Germany? Why not visit the city of Cologne. It has a history which goes back to the Roman era. Located next to river Rhine and the fourth largest city in Germany it offers good a connection to the nearby cities of D?sseldorf and Bonn. Cologne is also linked with Amsterdam, Brussels, London and Paris by Thalys, ICE and Eurostar High Speed trains. The Frankfurt airport has a direct service to Cologne and is within one hour by ICE trains.

Cologne has plenty to offer in terms of entertainment and culture. The following places are certainly worth seeing:

The Gothic Cathedral, also known as the Dom, is the city’s most famous landmark and also a well known architectural monument in Germany. It is 144 metres long and 86 meters wide and has two spires that are 157 metres in height. Construction began in 1248 to house the relics of the Magi, the Dom was not completed until 1880. The completion of the cathedral was celebrated as a national event. Despite changing architectural styles through the centuries, the result is essentially Gothic. Situated in the centre of Cologne, from the top of the Dom’s south tower there are panoramic views across the city and surrounding area. Open daily from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, except during religious services.

The most impressive attraction in the Roman-Germanic Museum is the 70 square metre Dionysos-Mosaik. The mosaic, once the floor of the main room of a large Roman villa dating from the third century, was discovered in 1941 during excavation work for an air-raid shelter. The Museum, which was opened in 1974 and is situated near the K?lner Dom, boasts a collection of prehistoric, ancient and medieval finds. The exhibitions give an insight into the daily life, beliefs and customs of long-forgotten cultures. An unusual feature is the collection of Roman glassware.

Cologne is the city of live music and concerts, with music from all periods from all over the world and in the most diverse stylistic schools and movements performed here every day. The powerfully pulsating heart of this Cologne music culture, is the philharmonic hall built in the cathedral mound, which seats 2000 people. Since its opening in 1986, it has become one of the leading international concert halls. The ‘Philharmonie’ concert hall has at least one performance scheduled for virtually every day of the year. Recitals range from chamber music to jazz, folk and pop, with a house policy of encouraging lesser-known, new and unusual music.

The city hall in Alter Markt (Old Square) dates from 1330 but has a tower from the 15th century and a Renaissance facade from the 16th century. Having been damaged during the Second World War, part of the 14th-century Renaissance building was rebuilt. Cologne artisans concentrated particularly on restoring the City Hall tower, and thanks to their donations the City Hall got restored properly. Statues of emperors, popes, poets and academics – and also of women’s rights campaigners – look down from the tower on the busy square below.

The Old Market lies in the heart of the old town. Surrounded by bars and restaurants, it hosts a variety of events all year round: home to the Christmas market during the festive season and the Medienburgerfestival in the summer, the Old Market is perhaps best known for the Carnival which begins here at 11.11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month. This is when Cologne goes completely crazy. During the Middle Ages, the Old Market was Cologne’s commercial centre, and the nearby butter market, fish market and hay market were some of its subsidiaries. Nowadays, it is simply a focal point for tourists who flock here to witness the comings and goings around the market fountain.

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This means that there are a large number of world-class and cheap Seoul hotels to choose from, as well as a broad spectrum of interesting and unusual attractions. While trying to decide what to see first can be a challenge, the follow list features 10 of the most famous attractions in the city.

Outdoor attractions:

Memorial Cemetery

Established in 1995 to honour 224 people who gave their lives for Korea in various wars, Memorial Cemetery is located in the Dongjak-dong are of Seoul. People travel from all over Korea to visit the graves of friends and loved ones here as well as visiting the on-site museum.

Namsan Park

Centrally, located near many visitors’ cheap Seoul hotel, Namsan Park is the perfect place to relax and unwind for a while. Containing more than 60 species of trees, plants and animals, this is a popular attraction with natural lovers and the park also contains the magnificent N Seoul Tower.

Mount Pukhansan

In the summer months many of Seoul’s citizens climb this mighty mountain in order to witness panoramic views of the city and surrounding area. After taking the time to soak up the scenery, visitors can also explore the Pukhan Fortress, which is situated on the side of Mount Pukhansan.

Indoor Attractions:

Changyong Palace

One of Seoul’ five grand palaces hailing from the Joseon era, Changyong Palace is the oldest palace in the whole of Korea to still be standing. The palace was extensively renovated in 1986 and offers visitors an insight into what it would have looked like when King Sejong resided here.

N Seoul Tower

A great way to get a feel for the size and magnificence of Seoul is by climbing to the top of the N Seoul tower, which can be found at the summit of Mount Namsan. Offering stunning city views, the tower was built in 1969 and measures 236.7 meters from the base to the very top.

The National Museum of Korea

Opening its doors to the public in 2005, the National Museum is not only one of the newest information centres in the country but also one of the best as it contains a rare collection of artefacts from all over Korea.

Bongeusna Temple

Open from dawn until dusk, this important temple is a popular place to unwind from the stresses of modern life for a while. This is a good place to explore at leisure, taking the time to appreciate features such as the woodblocks, which have been painstakingly carved with Buddhist scriptures as well as artwork.

Chongdong Theater

This is a great play to gather to watch Korean plays and musical performances. All the performances take place in the basement and include both traditional and modern styles as well as a fusion of the two, making the Chongdong Theater a popular place for culture vultures to hang out.

Lotte World

Open 365 days a year, Lotte World is open until late in the evening, making this a popular activity after spending the day seeing the main sights of Seoul. First open in 1989, this is already one of the largest and most popular theme parks in all of Asia and the doors stay open until 23:00.

63-Building

Featuring an observation deck on the 63rd floor, this enchanting tower is within walking distance of many visitors’ Seoul hotel. Opened to the public in 1985, the building features a large number of entertainment options such as cinemas, restaurants and shops as well as simply stunning city views.

As many travelers know, Italy is embellished with numerous fascinating and amazing cities. One among the most attractive and charming cities is Milan. The city of Milan is so lively and in high spirits that it remains one of the topmost must-visit destinations for an exuberant traveler. This Milan travel guide will help you explore the fantastic city of Milan better.
A travel to this city will certainly amaze you with its fast-pace lifestyle, flourishing culture, and its beautiful artistic centers. The cultural and artistic centers here hold numerous magnificent sculptures and statues. For instance, the Duomo, the second largest cathedral in the world, the one that contains the world’s largest collection of marble statues is one of the principle artistic centers in Milan. Apart from the many artistic centers, Milan also houses the world renowned opera house – the Teatro alla Scala (La Scala).
Besides being a cardinal icon for fashion and business, the city of Milan also makes place for exciting nightlife. Visitors to this city who have a passion for night-outs are left with a lot of options. The bars, pubs, caf?s, bistros, live music bars, wine cellars, and many such options are so lively and set up in such extremely convincing styles that you will be tempted to spend most of your time there. With such happening places in this lively city you’ll for sure not have a dull moment.
Another very appealing fact about Milan is what they call the happy hour. From 6 pm to 9.30 am you can relax and reach great levels of tranquility while drinking cocktails accompanied by buffets in all the clubs for only about 5-7 Euro per cocktail. When it comes to food in Milan you can expect to find food to satisfy every taste bud and fit every pocket.
While planning on a trip to Milan, you might need the guidance of a professional tour company. In that case, Perillo Tours, an eminent tour company that organizes worthy tours to Italy would definitely meet your requirements.

Luxury Tour

Car rental is the most prevalent mode of travel in India. India is best explored by cars on hire and car rental in India is not a tedious task. Every travel company provides car and coach rentals in India. Luxury car rentals in India are the most safest and easiest method of enjoying your trip apart from being in the lap of luxury.. The business of Car rentals in India is on a boom and majority of car and coach rental India’s service providers’ provide much required basic guidance to the tourist and also take care to provide much desired privacy to their clients.

The cars on hire in India are apt for you if you are coming to India for the first time. One should Rent cars in India if want to explore the local community. While driving towards your destination you can enjoy the stunning sight seeing of India. Travel by cars in India and you will not miss a single place along with.

The main benefit of hiring cars in India is that you can visit many other places, which are difficult to be accessed through various other modes of transport. The car and coach rental in India eases up your task and journey.

The cars on hire in India are popular for their excursions, like on excursion to Rajasthan, one can enjoy the drive with car rental in Rajasthan. For the purpose of enjoying Rajathan to the fullest you can avail the service of car hire in Delhi and drive straight to Jaipur. On Delhi- Jaipur highway you can pamper their taste buds by feasting on the mouthwatering food at the roadside cafes. Many travel agents in Jaipur also provide car rental in Jaipur as well as to other places in Rajasthan. One can drive to Jodhpur from Jaipur which is a short 5 hours drive away and Indian cars on hire provide the perfect getaway vehicle what with so many luxury car makers in India likePalace on wheels train luxury train its also called by MAHARAJA TRAIN. These are some Car for Rent Toyota, Mercedes Benz, Fiat etc setting up their base here.

On reaching Jodhpur, one can either stay and enjoy the forts and palaces in India and also see the Luxury car collection of the Kings of yesteryears or drive to Osian- a small village on the border with amazing sand dunes. In fact, with luxury car rental in India the drive to desert doesn’t hurts and is in fact enjoyable.

While driving from Jodhpur to Udaipur or Jaisalmer the car & coach rental companies in India provide best drivers and guide services to ensure that the drive remains a memorable affair.

You can rent cars in India and visit the enchanting places like Khajuraho, which is the most popular tourist destination in India. Car hire in Khajuraho is a good option because one can easily explore the exotic Khajuraho temples. The temples of khajuraho are world famous.

Cars in India are provided for all the tourist as well as pilgrimage places. Metropolitan cities like Mumbai also provide cars on hire. Car rental in Mumbai is a very good option if you want to view the beautiful places within Mumbai as well on the out skirts of Mumbai, like the beautiful hill station of Khandala.

Renting cars in India or even abroad can be a nightmare if the vendor is not chosen properly hence we recommend that to rent car in India one should really check the vendors past records and ask for recommendations, if any.

visit us our website for more details on INDIA

Los Cabos is the quickly becoming a top destination for tourists. Its location is unbelievable, where you would be able to find the desert and mountains combine with the azure waves of the Sea of Cortez. When you are in Mexico, you never have to worry about accommodation because there are numerous Grupo Mayan hotels in the country. The people working in the Grupo Mayan hotels and resorts are friendly and highly skilled. Listed below are the places that you should not dare miss while you are in Los Cabos:

1. Beaches. Beach enthusiasts would find this place a paradise. There are around 20 distinct beaches here, each having exceptional character of their own. The area’s major beaches are: El Medano, which is Los Cabos’ most famous beach; Palmilla, which is perfect for swimming; Costa Azul, which is a surfer’s haven; El Chileno, which is best for families; Santa Maria, which is a snorkeler’s delight; and Lovers Beach, which is the ideal place for romance.

2. Land’s End Arch. This is the world’s only genuine land’s end. The waters of both the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean merge under the shade of the arch. You would be able to see some adorable seals as well as sea lions because these animals live on the arch’s rugged surface filled with rocks. You could even go on tour on a glass bottom boat, which would let you see the colorful species of fish existing in the waters.

3. San Jose del Cabo Estuary. This estuary is a tropical refuge for birds and it is a sheltered natural site. The estuary houses approximately 150 bird species. Some of the birds that you would see here are brown pelicans and frigate birds. Other animals that you could also watch here are various species of turtles, fish and other marine life.

4. Cacti Mundo. This is an exotic botanical garden that boasts of the most fascinating cacti variety as well as other flora that cannot be found any place else. Cacti Mundo is home to plenty of endangered species, which were saved from their original environment. This garden has been able to effectively breed as well as preserve the most significant cacti collection in the country. In fact, they have a display of around 5,000 incredibly lovely plants, which all nature lovers should see.

5. Cabo Pulmo. This is a special place where you would be able to spot the Sea of Cortez’ sole hard coral reef and a living reef, where you could observe over 350 marine species exist in harmony. Some animals that you could see here are large manta rays, some colonies of sea lions, and whale sharks, among others. It is an unspoiled site that lures plenty of snorkelers, divers, and travelers due to its outstanding beauty and diversity of fauna.

Los Cabos is a place full of lively and friendly locals. It also presents endless activities for tourists who want some excitement. When you find yourself in Mexico, do not hesitate to find accommodation in the Grupo Mayan hotels and resorts. The service in the Grupo Mayan hotels and resorts is unparalleled in the country. For a truly relaxing vacation, head off to Los Cabos and experience its unique wonders.

This volcanic field surrounded by 38 volcanic mountains is located in the Catalonia province of Spain. The city has a rich cultural heritage dating to the renaissance era. It is said that in the year 1474 the city was completely destroyed due to volcanic eruptions. Thereafter these volcanoes have become dormant. However, the Government of Catalonia recognizing the importance of these volcanic mountains and its surrounding area as protected area has declared it as a national park.
This covers an area of about 119 sq. kms. Adjoining this area is the beach forest called the La Fageda d’en Jorda. In the 18th century, the city became a hub of textile and other industries. The Christian Art Workshop is the leading supplier of stationery for the churches. This volcanic city has many places of attraction.
Church Esglesia de Sant Esteve:
This church is believed to have been built in the 10th century. The church was renovated and the most beautiful altar piece was added. This is a very impressive work of architecture and an important place of worship for the locals and for every tourist visiting Olot.  
Museu Comarcial de la Garrotxa museum:
This museum has collection of works of sculpture produced by the great artists Casas Clara and Blay. The museum is also famous for the beautiful landscape. Apart from this, the museum also has several painting works from some of the most renowned artists of Spain. This is yet another place which no tourist should miss.
Garrotaxa Volcanic Reserve:
This is considered to be the largest volcano covering an area of about 30000 acres. The immaculately beautiful beech wood presents a ‘carpet of leaves’ during the autumn season. The leaves on the trees present stunningly beautiful scenery. In fact this is one of the places which receive highest number of tourists every year. The reserve has all the avenues required for a tourist. This is yet another reason why this reserve has become so popular amongst tourists.
Neighboring places:
The 57 kms distance from Olot to Girona is full of many places of interest. These two places are connected by road and railway as well. There are many castles and churches along this route. These monuments are of historical importance also. The Hostoles castle, Garrotxa Volcanic are some of the places of interest which the tourist would come across on this route.
Board and lodge:
Olot has many apartments, villas and hotels which offer a luxurious stay at the most economical rate. There are enough restaurants which serve the most delicious recipes to the tourist.

There is a reason Destin, Florida is one of the top destinations for families. With its warm weather, sandy beaches, reasonably priced restaurants, multiple attractions, and comfortably-sized condos along the coast, Destin is one of the top vacation spots. Located in the northwestern tip of Florida, Destin offers an ideal travel destination for Florida and Georgian residents, as well as vacation travelers throughout the United States.
Want to know the best places to visit and eat in Destin, Florida? Feel free to lie in the sun on Destin’s clean, sandy beaches, but if you want places to visit when you are done absorbing the sun’s rays, consider visiting the places listed below.
Tours and Activities for the Adventuresome: Below are suggestions regarding activities to do in Destin, Florida.  
Southern Star Dolphin & Sunset Cruises
Southern Star offers a two hour tour on its 76 foot glass bottom boat. If you want to see dolphins up close, this is the tour for you. The tour is also great for families with kids–allowing them to drive the boat for a while.
Just Chute Me Parasail
If you’ve never gone parasailing, give it a try at Just Chute My Parasail. The view is fantastic, and the adventuresome go all the way–going up 800 feet. People have described parasailing with Just Chute Me Parasail as an incredible experience with a friendly crew. Parasailing also makes a great, memorable date, especially if you are on a romantic vacation in Destin, FL.
Suggested Places to Eat: The following are restaurants to check out during your stay in Destin.
The Luck Snapper Restaurant
The Lucky Snapper overlooks the Destin Harbor, offering a unique dining experience that overlooks the harbor. This grill and bar restaurant serves crab cakes, popcorn shrimp, catfish, calamari, gator tail and crab legs for the seafood lovers as well as pastas, salads, smoothies and a wide selection or Martinis and Specialty drinks.
McGuire’s Irish Pub & Brewery
People describe McGuire’s as a fun restaurant with huge burgers, generous portions, tasty beer, and a fun atmosphere–all for a reasonable price. When you enter the restaurant, be sure to check out the ceiling, which is covered with over 170,000 dollar bills. The menu includes Martinis, Irish potato skins, Yellow Fin Tuna Steak, Peppercorn Steak, $9.99 steak burgers and Irish ale.
Callahan’s Restaurant & Deli
This family-run restaurant offers huge portions and excellent service. Consider ordering their made-to-order sandwiches and taking them on a picnic for lunch. Callahan’s also serves hamburgers, salads and desserts. It’s where all of the locals go for lunch, so go early to avoid the lunch crowd.
Places to Spend the Afternoon: The following are places to spend an afternoon in Destin.
Silver Sands Factory Stores
If you enjoy shopping, check out the Silver Sands Factory Stores. They have the stores you would find in your average mall, such as Gap, as well as higher end retailers like Saks, Kenneth Cole, Coach and BCBG. There is also a playground at the Factory Stores for kids to play at.
Emerald Bay Golf Club
This championship level, 18-hole course is one of the best in Florida. If you are a golfer looking for a nice course at a good price, check out the Emerald Bay Golf Club. Also, consider staying at a Destin, FL golf resort.
Destin History & Fishing Museum
If the weather outside is less than desirable, check out the Destin History & Fishing Museum. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday and is only $5 for adults and $3 for children. This museum includes a large collection of antique fishing rods and reels, the oldest seine fishing boat still in existence, photographs of early Destin boat captains and exhibits that feature what life was like before electricity in the 1930s.  
Gator Beach
This is one of the best attractions in Destin, and best of all–it’s free. This educational site is great for families with kids. At Gator Beach, you can learn about alligators and snakes and see the rare alligator, “Mellow Yellow.” You can even feed the alligators and get a picture holding an alligator at Gator Beach.
If you are staying in Destin for more than a week, consider research Gulf Coast vacation rentals online. You may also be able to find a Destin Bed and Breakfast.

Discover more about the wonders that created the Motorshow Bologna

There are many exciting events that are worth taking part of during your stay in lively Bologna. If you plan on spending the onset of the winter holidays in Bologna, you can complete your vacation with a visit to the Motorshow Bologna and to the museums that showcase the automobile masterpieces of Italy.

The Motorshow Bologna is an international auto show held in Bologna in December of every year. The Motorshow Bologna is held at the Bologna Fiere and is considered as the most important event of the Italian automobile industry. All new and updated automobiles and motorcycles of Italian make will take center stage at the show.

If you can spend your holiday weekend in Bologna in time for the show, you will experience a full five-day event that showcases and celebrates Bologna’s significant role in the luxury car and motorcycle market.

Bologna is the home of several luxury cars and motorcycles, which reflects even more the city’s lavish and extraordinary lifestyle. Famous luxury vehicle brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Ducati can all be traced back to Bologna. So if you get a chance to visit the city, you should take time to explore its luxuriant side by paying a visit to the museums that flaunt these remarkable vehicles. There you will see the automobiles that commanded the kind of attention the Motorshow Bologna affords. Car enthusiast or not, you will certainly find your visits memorable.

If you are planning your Bologna vacation and would like to add these museums to your itinerary, be sure to find a hotel that gives you the relaxing vacation you need as well as good access to these top destinations. One such hotel is the Relais Valfiore, which is strategically located in a slightly out-of-the-way area just outside downtown Bologna to give guests the peace and respite they long for without taking them too far away from the center of the action.

Despite its seemingly secluded ambience and surrounding parks, the Relais Valfiore is, in fact, only 12 kilometers away from the city center where the Bologna Fiere or Bologna Fair is located. But before you will fully appreciate the modern offers of the Motorshow Bologna, you should explore the foundations of the city’s luxury automobile industry. And just nearby lies the three museums you must visit in order to do this. These are the Ducati Museum, the Lamborghini Museum, and the Ferrari Museum or Galleria Ferrari.

From Relais Valfiore, you can set out to visit the Ducati Museum first, which is located in Via Cavalieri Ducati in Bologna. The large 1,000 sq/m Ducati Museum is nestled within the Ducati factory headquarters. It was opened only in 1998 during the first World Ducati Week, but it tells of the history of the Ducati company, from its conception in 1926, and showcases Ducati’s past products. You will find antique Ducati motorcycles and the billboards that hailed them during their heydays.

To fully appreciate the museum, you can join guided tours by obtaining advanced reservations. The museum is open daily except on Sundays and holidays. But if you wish to join a tour, you can choose from the 11 am or the 4 pm schedule. You can also explore the museum at leisure since visits are entirely free.

Next, you can make your way to the Lamborghini Museum, which is located in the area that connects Bologna with neighboring city Modena. It lies at about 21 miles from Bologna and can be easily driven to. The museum was established in 2001 and aims to celebrate one of the most expensive Italian cars in the world.

You can freely visit the museum and spend hours gazing admirably at its extensive collection of Lamborghini luxury vehicles that fill up two levels of the museum, with the second level showcasing the even more impressive race cars of Lamborghini’s 80s days as well as some its concept cars. You even get a glimpse of the company’s factory floor, so you can get an inkling of just how these masterpieces are carefully made.

And to complete your unique museum-hopping, head over to Ferrari Museum or Galleria Ferrari. The museum is situated in Maranello, a town just outside Modena and located around 34 miles from Bologna. Although the museum is part of Ferrari’s headquarters, it has its own building separate from the Ferrari factory. Of the three museums in your itinerary, the Ferrari Museum is the oldest, dating back to 1990. The museum spans an amazing 2,500 sq/m and is divided into four sections, namely the Formula One collection, the special exhibits, the technological innovation exhibit, and the photo exhibits.

The Formula One collection displays the extraordinary race cars that have played a monumental role in making Ferrari the most famous automobile maker in the world. One of the most remarkable cars is the first Ferrari 125 S that was built in 1947 and won a race in the same year. And to give you a glimpse of what F1 racing is all about, you can check out the Fiorano test track next to the museum where you might even see a Ferrari racing past.

Once you’ve completed your visits to the three museums showcasing Bologna’s automobile industry, you can drive leisurely back to your peaceful and relaxing room at the Relais Valfiore. Now you’re ready to fully appreciate the wonder that wraps around the major event that is the Motorshow Bologna.