Hawa Mahal, Jaipur (India)

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur (India)

Jaipur is all known for its rich culture and history. Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds/ Breeze) is a well known five storey landmark in the city of Jaipur, India. It is considered to be as one of the most ravishing monument in the city of Jaipur made by Rajput rulers. It was made by the Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the King of a royal family of Jaipur of that time built in the year 1799 and the architect was Mr. Lal Chand Usta. The structure of this monument is similar to the crown of Lord Krishna (the Hindu God). To reach to the top floor of building from its ground floor there are no stairs, you have to go through the ramps. It has more than 950 small sized windows carved beautifully to let the air goes in.

The reason behind its construction was Rajputs were strictly traditional so they didn't want their women to go outside and meet ordinary people. Even their women didn't wish to meet strangers outside. However this didn't didn't deter them by taking interest from the outside world that is why they made this, from where women can take a look of the outside world whenever they want through window and special chambers made for them. Cool breeze comes inside through the window and makes the inner environment pleasant and cool for the visitors.

• Best Time to visit :

During Winter season : October - February

• Entry Fee :

Rs. 10 for Indians
Rs. 50 for foreigners

• Opening Hours :

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

• 10 other things you wouldn't like to miss :

1. Amer Fort
2. Jaigarh Fort
3. Birla Mandir
4. Jal Mahal
5. City Palace
6. Jantar Mantar
7. Nahargarh Fort
8. Albert Hall
9. Vidyadhar Garden
10. Ramgarh Lake, 32 km north east of Jaipur is a good picnic spot.

• You can book cheap flights to Jaipur by Clicking here

Tower Bridge, London

Tower Bridge, London

London's Tower Bridge is a most popular landmark near to the Tower of London after which its name is derived as Tower Bridge. This bridge is made over River Thames. It took 8 years, 5 contractors and more than 425 workers to get it complete and on 30th June, 1894 it was opened by King Edward VII. The bridge was designed by Horace Jones and Wolfe Barry. It is built 42 meters above the Thames River. 11,000 tons of steel is been used in creating the framework and its walkways. Before it was the only bridge over the Thames river but as time passed many more bridges were made.

Two enormous piers are linked by two walkways. The central can of the bridge can be raised up to allow ships to pass. It is 244 meters long along with each pier 65 m high.Over 50,000 people visit it everyday. people also enjoy the Tower bridge exhibition there where you can learnt about the design, construction of the bridge. Initially there were more than 50 designs of the bridge offered  to the UK government and after many discussions they chose the design of Horace Jones and Wolfe Berry. Since 1994 , the bridge is available on hire for parties. It was painted red, white and blue in the year 1977 in the celebration of Queen's Silver Jubilee.

• Best Time to visit :

May- September as the temperature goes up during these days. But if you are planning to save your money then you have to bear some real cold days during November- February as this is the off-season and you might get some discount on hotel prices and other things.

• Opening Hours :

April - September : 10:00 - 17:30 (last admission)
October - March : 09:30 - 17:00 (last admission)

• Entry Fee :

Adults	£9.00
Children (aged 5-15)	£3.90
Students (with identification)	£6.30
Seniors (aged 60 +)	£6.30
1 Adult & 2 Children	£14.10
2 Adults & 1 Child	£18.00
2 Adults & 2 Children	£20.30
2 Adults & 4 Children	£22.50
Under 5	Free
Disabled/Carer	Free

• 10 other places you wouldn't like to miss :

1. London Eye
2. Buckingham Palace
3. Big Ben
4. National Gallery
5. Regent's Park
6. London county hall
7. Monument to the Great Fire of London
8. London Bridge
9. St. Paul's Cathedral
10. London zoo

• You can book cheap flights to London by Clicking here

• Get Discount on Booking Online by Clicking here

Statue of Liberty, New York

Statue of Liberty, New York

The "Statue of Liberty" was a gift given by French peoples to the Americans on 28th October, 1886 and is a symbol of freedom & democracy. It is located in the Liberty Island, Manhattan, New York (United States). The statue is a colossal sculpture of a female representing Libertas (the Roman Goddess). The statue was designed by a famous French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi. On the left hand, the statue has captured a book representing about the American Independence and on the right hand she holds a torch representing Enlightenment.

The construction was started in the year 1875 and it took nine years to get it complete. After its completion, Bartholdi himself visited United states to discuss about the location of statue (where to put up) with the president of America. The statue is around 150 ft. tall (46 meters) but together with the pedestal its height becomes around 305 ft. (93 meters). To go to the top of statue you have to climb 354 stairs from where you can have a look of entire New York city. It was designated as a national museum in the year 1924.

• Some Facts :

1. There are 25 windows are in the crown.
2. Over 4 million people visits the statue every year.
3. The seven spikes on the crown represents the seven oceans and seven continents of the world.
4. In year 1984, the statue was declared as a UNESCO world heritage site.
5. Two people have committed suicide from there by jumping off the statue. Many others have tried but survived.

• Best Time to visit :

From April - June and September - November
But NYC is a bit costly during their peak seasons so bargain hunters would like to go on winters when there is a off-season time. Although you will have to bear some cold days but you will pay less in hotels.

• Entry Fee :

Entry fee may vary from US$ 28 to US$ 39.95 according to the type of services you want.

• 10 other places you wouldn't like to miss :

1. Empire state building
2. Brooklyn bridge
3. World Trade Center site
4. Little Italy
5. Flatiron building
6. New York harbor
7. Central park zoo
8. Ellis Island
9. Rockefeller Center
10. Battery Park

• You can book cheap flights to New York by Clicking here

Red Fort, Delhi (India)

Red Fort, Delhi (India)

The Red Fort (Usually known as Lal Quila in Hindi) is a fort complex built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in 17th century in Delhi, India. The use of large amount of Red stones in the fort is what makes its name red fort. It was made under the supervision of Ustad Ahmad and Ustad humid. Its construction got completed in the year 1648. It was the residence of royal family. No travel is complete without seeing the Red fort. If you will ask the locals about the well known tourist spots where you should go then they will surely tell you about this place as it is among the top tourist destination in India.

On the day of Indian Independence i.e 15th August 1947, the first Prime Minister of India Jawahar lal Nehru hoist the flag there. So from that day every Prime Minister do it every year and give a speech which is broadcast nationally. Red fort was previously white, Britisher during their rule painted it red. They also made some changes inside and outside the fort. They destroyed some buildings inside the fort and make it as per Britishers Military camp. It was previously known aas Qila-i-mubarak (the blessed fort). The fort is located beside Yamuna river and a massive wall was built to make it safe from external attacks. There are 2 main entrance gates to enter i.e Lahore gate and Delhi gate. The nearest metro station is Chandni chowk.

• Best time to visit :

October to March

• Entry Fee :

Rs. 10 for Indians and Rs. 250 for foreigners

• 10 other things you wouldn't like to miss :

1. Qutub Minar
2. Lotus Temple
3. India Gate
4. Garden of Five Senses
5. Red Fort
6. Jantar Mantar
7. National rail Museum
8. Lodi Garden
9. Humayun's Tomb
10. Jama Masjid

• You can book cheap flights to Delhi by Clicking here

Scărișoara Cave, Romania

Scărișoara Cave, Romania

Scărișoara Cave is the biggest Ice cave in Romania and is situated in the Apuseni Mountains almost 40km away from the town of Campeni, Alba. It is more than 3000 years old cave and is at the height of 1165 meters above sea level. It was discovered by Arnold Schmididi in year 1863 (dates are not exactly sure). So be ready to get freeze if you are planning to go there in winters as temperature falls down to -7⁰C , in summers also the climate remains cold as temperature retains at 1⁰c though it is 35 degree outside. It is one of the kind natural attraction in Romania.

At the entrance of Scarisoara cave, locals are selling jam, traditional pie, syrups, palacinkas with jam inside and other local products. The cave has a length of around 700 m and a depth of around 100 m. The paths are not easy to go and it is chilled inside so a kind suggestion for you all to bring your warm clothes, good shoes, cap etc. People with health issues shouldn't go. As there is non existence of light and warden will show you the path with the help of his oil/ carbon lamps so i would suggest you to bring a good quality flash light.

Note : Safety precautions are not up to the mark. So if you could bring few basic medicines related to mild fever or cold would be great.

• Best Time to visit :

June - August

• Entry Fee :

7 Romanian Leu

• 10 other things you wouldn't like to miss :

1. Council tower of sibiu
2. Babele
3. Rock sculpture of Decebalus
4. Arcul de Triumf
5. Sinaia Monastery
6. The Endless column
7. Morii Lake
8. Sphinx
9. Bran Castle
10. Museum of Romanian Peasant

• You can book cheap flights to Romania by Clicking here

Montreal Biodome, Montreal (Canada)

Montreal Biodome, Montreal (Canada)

The Montreal Biodome include an Indoor zoo, Botanical garden and an aquarium showcasing animals species and plants life. It was designed by a French architect Roger Taillibert for the Olympic Games held in Montreal , Canada in year 1976. The construction was started in August, 1973 and it was officially opened on April, 1976. It included the Montreal Olympic stadium and Olympic pool, Olympic stadium was mainly for cycle tracking and judo events but later on it is been converted from Velodrome to biodome.

Construction of Biodome was started in year 1989 and completed in the year 1992 and was opened for the public on 18th June, 1992. It is the Canadian largest natural science Museum complex. Nearly around 4,50o animals of 250 different species and more than 1500 plants of 500 different species have been fed every day inside the zoo. The point of attraction of the zoo is Bouton, the scarlet Macaw (an american parrot species) which only speaks in English with peoples.

It covers a large space and has many things to see. You can spend a quality time with your family and friends. You may find the entry fee high, so to overcome this problem you can go for a holiday package which may cost you a little less and they will also show you the botanical garden along with zoo.

• Best Time to visit :

March - May : As the temperature of Montreal begin to rise up, the cost of hotels begin to fall
September - November

Note : Closed on Mondays
Timings : 9.00 am to 6.00 pm

• Entry Fee :

	Regular Price	Québec Resident	Acces Montreal cardholder
Adults	$ 18.75	$ 15.00	$ 11.00
Ages 65 & up	$ 17.50	$ 14.00	$ 10.00
Students (18+ with ID card)	$ 14.00	$ 11.25	$ 8.25
Ages 5 to 17	$ 9.50	$ 7.50	$ 5.50
Family**	$ 52.50	$ 42.00	$ 28.00

* Rates granted on showing student ID card
** Family (max. of 2 adults and 3 children of 5-17 years)

Note : Free for children under age 5

• 10 other places you wouldn't like to miss :

1. Dominion square building
2. Mount Royal chalet
3. Royal Montreal golf club
4. 1000 de la gauchetiere
5. Montreal city hall
6. ile notre dame
7. Place des Arts
8. Montreal science center
9. La Ronde
10. Old Montreal

• You can book cheap flights to Montreal by Clicking here

St. Peter's Square, Vatican City

St. Peter's Square, Vatican City

St. Peter's Square is a beautiful and colorful place situated in Vatican city. Vatican city is the world's smallest country having population of nearly around one thousand which literally amazed me when i first read about this country in the internet. So i thought let the world know about this beautiful place by posting it in blog. The country has a total area of 110 acres (44 hectares). Comparing to my city where i'm living "New Delhi" whose area is 148400 hectares, it is way too smaller.

So if you are planning to visit there then its good but if you are planning to get a citizenship of there then it is impossible to get because it is completely restricted to those employed by Vatican. There are no highways, rail roads, Airports in the Vatican city, it has only streets. This country is totally dependent on its neighboring country Italy like for telephone, electricity as well as for external defense from terrorists. The square is beautifully decorated and gigantic. The center of attraction of square is its church St. Peter's Basilica. Entering inside the Basilica is free of cost but you have to pay to go up to the dome. You can wander around the square and as well as inside the Museum.

• Best Time to visit :

November- February when the days are colder.

• Entry Fee :

Wandering around the square is obviously free and entry to church is also free of cost. But to go up to see dome you have to spend a bit.

• 10 other places you wouldn't like to miss :

1. St. Peter's Basilica
2. Sistine Chapel
3. Apostolic Palace
4. Vatican Library
5. La pieta
6. Vaticano Egyptian Obelisk
7. Vatican Museums
8. Roman curia
9. Castel Sant'Angelo
10. Monument to Alexander VII

• You can book cheap flights to Vatican city (Rome) by Clicking here

Turning Torso, Malmö (Sweden)

Turning Torso, Malmö (Sweden)

HSB Turning Torso is the tallest skyscrapper made in Sweden. It is located in Malmö (Sweden) and is the tallest builing situated in Scandinavia. Before Turning Torso was made, Kronprinsen was the tallest buiding in the country. It is a residential building with 147 apartments, 10 floor of offices. The thing which gonna amaze you is its twisted structure. A similar building featuring 90 degree twist is in Dubai, UAE. Its heigh is 190 meters (around 645 ft.)

It has 9 cubes (5 floors in each cube). There is also a floor in between every cube which are used for different purposes i.e. for conference, gym etc. The building have flats and offices. It has 3 lifts for inhabitants and 2 elevators for offices. The construction of it was started in the year 2001 and took around 4 years to get it complete. But the demerit is you can't go inside the building as it is an official and residential building. You can have a look of it from outside, i can understand that it is frustrating atleast for tourist who came from other far places  to Malmö and can't get a chance to see building from inside.

• Best Time to visit :

May- July. However June month can be a bit rainy

If you are a budget traveller then for you July and september are the good months to travel there because on those times heaps of tourist go there and is also a peak season so you might get higher flight rates and hotel rates.

• Entry Fee :

Entry is prohibited for outsiders.

• 10 other things you wouldn't like to miss :

1. Liseberg
2. Stockholm Palace
3. Abisko National Park
4. Gripsholm Castle
5. Skeppsholmen
6. Gothenburg Botanical Garden
7. Vasa Museum
8. Swedish history Museum
9. Sankt Petri church
10. Chinese Pavilion at Drottningholm

• You can book cheap flights to Sweden by Clicking here

Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo (Japan)

Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo (Japan)

Tokyo Skytree is a broadcasting, restaurant and observation tower in Tokyo, Japan. Its main role is the transmission of digital terrestrial broadcasting. From 2003 onwards, digital terrestrial broadcasting is  in use in Kanto region but because of many other tall buildings (height more than 200 m) it was necessary to make a tower higher than 600 m for transmission purpose. So on 14th July, 2008 the construction of Tokyo Skytree started and after nearly around three and a half years it gets completed on 29 Feb, 2012.

It is the tallest structure made in Japan of height 634 m and the second tallest structure in the world after Burj Khalifa, Dubai. It is also the tallest TOWER in the world (not the tallest structure). According to the designer, it can absorb upto 50% of the energy generated from earthquake. The highlight of this tower is its two decks, the lower one is at the height of 350 m from the ground and the higher one is at the height of 450 m. On 350 m  high deck, there is a Skytree deck from where you can have a look of the whole Tokyo city.

• Best Time to visit :

Spring Season : March - May
Autumn Season : September - November

On the first week of May is the famous Japanese vacation season "Golden Week" held.

• Entry Fee :

	Adult	Juniors	Child	Child Pre-school
Lower deck (350 m)	¥2,060 ¥2,570 (Advance booking)	¥1,540 ¥2,060 (Advance booking)	¥930 ¥1,440 (Advance booking)	¥620 ¥1,130 (Advance booking)
Higher deck (450 m)	¥1,030	¥820	¥510	¥310

•  10 other places you wouldn't like to miss :

1. Shinjuku Park Tower
2. Tokyo opera city tower
3. Komazawa Olympic park stadium
4. Ueno Zoo
5. The National Art center, Tokyo
6. Takeshita Street
7. Roppongi Minato
8. Tokyo Disneyland
9. Tokyo Imperial Palace
10. Meiji Shrine

• You can book cheap flights to Tokyo by Clicking here

Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain

Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain

Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio real de Madrid, in spanish) was built in 19th Century  for the Royal Spanish family but they do not live there. Instead they live in Palacio de la Zarzuela. King of the Spanish royal family who constructed this was Philip V. As no one live in the Palacio Real, it is been mostly used for state ceremonies and is also open for locals and tourists. It has around 2000 luxurious suites, 50 of which can be visited. It is the largest Royal palace in Europe. You can't take photos inside the palace. The only option you have to buy postcards.

After all done with buying tickets and security checks, you can go in. The first thing you will see is the huge courtyard and after walking across the courtyard you will reach to the main door of Palace. After you will enter the palace you will see a staircase and after climbing stairs you will get on the first floor where you can take as many photos as you want but after it you have to keep your camera away. You can wander around and take your time as much you want and see the huge rooms of the palace. The information about the palace is also written in Spanish and English.

• Best Time to visit :

Between March-May and September-November

Timings : October - March: 10:30 am - 18:00 pm;
Sundays and holidays 10:00 am - 16:00 pm;
April - September:  10:00 am- 20:00 pm;

• Entry Fee :

Adults : € 8.00 (without guide)
€ 10.00 (with guide)

Children below 5 can go free.

• 10 other places you wouldn't like to miss :

1. Buen Retiro Park
2. Monument to Alfonso XII
3. Gate of Europe
4. Metropolis Building
5. Casa de Campo
6. Temple off Debod
7. Gran Via
8. Railway Museum
9. Sabatini Gardens
10. Circulo de bellas artes

• You can book cheap flights to Madrid by Clicking here

Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration, Dominican Republic

Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration, Dominican Republic

The Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración (meaning Monument to the Heroes of Restoration) is a popular landmark/ monument of the city Santiago in Dominican Republic. It was built in year 1944 by Rafael Leónidas Trujillo in his own honor. It was built as a sign of "Trujillo's Peace Monument". In May 1961, after the assassination of Trujillo the name of monument was changed to "Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración". Previously it was Monumento de Santiago (meaning Monument of Santiago).

It is located on a hill with a great view of the Santiago city and nearby mountains. On the weekends, the park around the monument is always full with the locals and tourists. It is around 70 meters high and you have to climb up some stairs to reach at the top.

• Best Time to visit :

Depends on your reason for travelling :

Spring Time (September- November)
Summer (December- February)
Autumn (March- May)
Winters (June- September)
Rainy (April, June, July)

• Entry Fee :

Entry fee is something around 80 peso (US$ 1.83) for foreigners and 20 peso for locals

• 10 other places you wouldn't like to miss :

1. San Cristóbal Hill
2. Laguna del Diamante
3. Titanium la Portada
4. El Morado Natural Monument
5. Chilean National Zoo
6. Costanera Center
7. Santa Lucia Hill
8. Chilean National History Museum
9. Fantasilandia
10. El Yeso Dam

• You can book cheap flights to Santiago by Clicking here

Gateway of India, Mumbai (India)

Gateway of India, Mumbai (India)

Gateway of India is one of the most visited landmark situated in Mumbai built at the time of British rule in India designed by Wittet. Formerly Mumbai was known as Bombay. It was built to commemorate the visit of their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary when they visited India in year 1911. There are many other places as well to see nearby Gateway of India. Some of them are Rajabai clock tower, Hotel taj Palace, Marine Drive, Regal cinema, Elephanta caves.

The monument is around 26 meters high joined with four Turrets and intricate latticework carved on stones. It is been attacked thrice by Pakistani Terrorists (twice in year 2003 & then in 2008) as they came through the way of Arabian sea. Arabian Sea connects India to many countries like Pakistan, Iran, Somalia. The most terrifying attack was on 26/11/2008 when some Pakistani Terrorists came through sea and attack Taj Mahal Palace, Oberoi Trident, Nariman house along with 5 more places in India. There was only 1 attacker who was captured alive named Ajmal Kasab member of Lashkar-e-taiba. He further accepted that he is a citizen of Pakistan and the plan was made in  Pakistan itself.

• Best Time to visit :

Between October and March.

• Entry Fee :

Entry is free. Opens on all days.

Opening Time : 12 noon

closing time : 12 midnight

• 10 other places you wouldn't like to miss :

1.Salsette Island
2. Horniman circle gardens
3. Worli Fort
4. Rajabai clock tower
5. Esselworld
6. Sanjay Gandhi National Park
7. Siddhivinayak Temple
8. Mahalakshmi Temple
9. Elephanta caves
10.Prince of Wales Museum

• You can book cheap flights to Mumbai by Clicking here

Kadifekale, Izmir (Turkey)

Kadifekale, Izmir (Turkey)

Kadifekale (another name the Velvet Castle) is situated over the Pagos hill just 2 km away from the coastline and offers a beautiful view of the Izmir city. It was built was by the successor of Alexandra the Great whose name is General Lysimachos. After Istanbul & Ankara, Izmir is the third most populous city of Turkey. From any point of Izmir you can see the Velvet castle standing over the hill.

You can took a bus from Konak station or else you can also ask locals how to reach there. You can see the history of that castle been written on some information boards. You may also go to the market downtown. There are many restaurants as well so no need to worry about food.If you got time and have passport you can go to Greek oslanda for a day and come back by boat. You need to climb some some stairs to get to the castle.

• Best Time to visit :

April- September

• Entry Fee :

Free of cost.

• 10 other things you wouldn't like to miss :

1. Izmir Clock Tower
2. Kemeralti market
3. Saat kulesi
4. Asansor
5. Mount Sipylus
6. Agora Open Air Museum
7. Escape Beach Club
8. Trajan Fountain
9. Buca Golet
10. Yamanlar

• You can book cheap flights to Izmir by Clicking here

Mano de Punta del Este, Uruguay

Mano de Punta del Este, Uruguay

Mano de Punta del Este is a fine example of a beautiful Man-made art. It is a sculpture made by Chilean artist named "Mario Irarrázabal" which shows five human fingers emerging from the sand. It is located on Parada 1 at Brava beach in Punta del este. It was built in February, 1982 and becomes one of the popular landmark of Uruguay. The sculpture depicts a human drowning in the water while swimming asking for help, which is itself a warning for swimmers depicting that these are not the ideal conditions to swim on because the water level on that beach rises up any time.

It is one of the most famous tourist attraction in Uruguay. Mainly tourist visits there in summer when sun-rays hit the beaches. La Mano is its another name which means "The Hand". Even though the conditions are not good to swim on but it is ideal for surfing. So those who are interested in Surfing can do, others can relax by having sunbath.

• Best Time to visit :

December- February is the best time when you could enjoy at most. But if you prefer peace then i would suggest you to go on March- May.

• Entry Fee :

Free of cost.

• 10 other places you wouldn't like to miss :

1. Palacio Salvo
2. Pocitos
3. Solis Theatre
4. Casapueblo
5. Isla de lobos
6. Montevideo
7. The Rocha coast
8. Piriapolis
9. Rio Negro
10. Punta Brava lighthouse

• You can book cheap flights to Punta del Este by Clicking here