Amalfi – the Center of the Iconic Coast in Italy

Amalfi, Campania, Italy. The main gem of the precious Amalfi Coast – the town of Amalfi is the largest resort here. Its history dates back to the 6th century, but is present in a variety of ancient buildings, that also remind about the glorious past of the town, which used to be an important port that later grew to the Duchy of Amalfi.

Besides the historic town center and buildings, visitors also love sampling various lemon products – the local specialty. The most famous one is limoncello – Italian lemon liqueur. Sandy beaches provide sites for bathing and enjoying the sun. Amalfi is also comfortably posited between other cities like Naples, Pompei, Herculaneum and Positano, that attract day trippers for an adventure.

Why to go there?
The town offers various outdoor activities – from exploring the history and ancient architecture to lying on the beach or taking a trip to the neighboring towns. Various cultural events and concerts take place in summer. It is a must visit once on the glorious Amalfi Coast.

When to go there?
The peak season is from June to September or October. However, the mild climate allows visitors to come here all year round. Except that some attractions can be closed during other seasons.

How to get there?
There is an easy access to Amalfi since it is a popular tourist destination. Get there by bus or boat from Rome, Sorrento, Naples and other Italian cities.

Historic Ward Charcoal Ovens in Nevada, USA

Ward Charcoal Ovens Historic Park, Nevada, USA. Six large ovens were built outside of Ward, established by the silver miners. Today it is a ghost town, while these ovens are the best preserved heritage. Built in 1876 by Italian masons, they were used for producing charcoal: this kind of construction appeared to be much more efficient then the previously used beehive shape ovens.

The park is part of the Great Basin, which results in a desert and arid environment. There are creeks and springs, pinyon and juniper forests, and a diverse wildlife, that includes mountain lion, deer, coyote, fox, rabbit and more. Tourists can have a nice hike and go camping – various facilities here enable to enjoy a day or two of outdoor activities.

Why to go there?
In the park visitors can admire unspoiled nature, have a nice hike and spend a night at a camp. Moreover these ovens and the ghost town of Ward provide a valuable insight into the history of the USA.

When to go there?
The park is open all year round. Most visitors come between May and August. In winter there can be snow, which provides skiing opportunities.

How to get there?
The site is found only 32 km (20 mi) from the town of Ely. The best way to get there is via road U.S. 93.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress- Sri Lanka

Sigiriya is an ancient palace located in the central Mathale District  near the town of Dhambulla   in the Central Province,Sri lanka. The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres (660 ft) high. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Culavamsa, this site was selected by King KKasyapa (477 – 495 CE) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. 

The name of this place is derived from this structure —Sīhāgiri, the Lion Rock. The capital and the royal palace was abandoned after the king's death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century.

Sigiriya was the largest and most sophisticated single construction project ever undertaken in ancient Sri Lanka. The ruins of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress seen today are less than twenty percent of the structures that once graced the area. Most buildings were made of wood. Consequently, there is very little evidence of these structures. Those built with stone and brick have survived the ravages of time and provide us a rare glimpse of the opulence and grandeur of an ancient era. Many ruins still lay hidden in the forest and are yet to be discovered. Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

                                         Sigiriya Rock, Sri Lanka

Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park- Gansu, China

The Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, also known as Zhangye Danxia( Land form) Geopark, is located near the city of Zhangye in China's nothernwestern Gansu province. It covers an area of 510 square kilometres (200 sq mi).  And it's one of the most colorful places on earth.

Formerly a provincial park and scenic area, it became a national geopark in November 2011.Known for its colorful rock formations, it has been voted by Chinese media outlets as one of the most beautiful landforms in China.

The unusual colours of the rocks are the result of red sandstone and mineral deposits being laid down over 24 million years.The resulting 'layer cake' was then buckled by the same tectonic plates responsible for parts of the Himalayan mountains. Wind and rain finished the job by carving weird and wonderful shapes including natural pillars, towers, ravines, valleys and waterfalls - that differ in colour, texture, shape, size and pattern.

 

The area is fast becoming a popular tourist attraction for the sleepy town of Zhangye. A number of boardwalks and roads have been built to encourage visitors to explore the amazing rock formations.

When to Go: The best time to visit it is from June to September due to the easeful weather condition.

 See the fantastically-coloured mountains and cliffs in an all-but unexplored area of Gansu; visit Horse Hoofprint Temple, Jiayuguan Fortress, and more.

                                            Zhangye, Danxia Geopark ,Chnina 

Aurora - Arctic and Antarctic regions

Aurora is one of the greatest natural wonders, Aurora or the Auroras, also known as the Northern Lights,are naturally occurring lights that create intriguing and spectacular displays in sky.the aurora lights frequently appear as diffused glow lighting up the horizon.  The most amazing sight is when the northern lights appears as waves across the sky; it is almost as if the lights are dancing.
Aurora are produced when the Magnetosphere is sufficient distributed by the solar wind that trajectories of charged particles in both solar wind and mangetosphere plasma, mainlt in the form of electrons and protons, precipitate them into the upper atmophere, where their energy is lost. The resulting ionization and excication of atmospheric constituents emits light of varying color and complexity.  

Underwater Forest in Kaindy Lake - Kazakhstan

Kaindy Lake is a 400 meter long lake in Kazakhstan’s portion of the Tian Shan Mountains located 129 km from the city of Almaty. The lake was created after an earthquake in 1911 that triggered a large landslide blocking the gorge and forming a natural dam. Subsequently, rainwater filled the valley and created the lake.


The lake is famous for its scenic beauty particularly the submerged forest and the imposing trunks of spruce trees that rises out of the lake water. Above water, the sunken trees appear as large masts from lost ghost ships, or perhaps the spears of a mysterious army hiding and waiting for the right time to emerge. The water is so cold (even in summer the temperature does not exceed 6 degrees) that the great pines still remain on the trees, even 100 years later. Because of the clear mountain water, you can see deep into the depths of the lake. In winter, the surface of the lake freezes over and during this time, Lake Kaindy becomes a great spot for trout fishing and ice diving.