20 Places That Will Take Your Breath Away

Written by JP Chartier

WARNING: 
The following 20 places are so beautiful that just looking at pictures of them have been known to cause a quickened heartbeat, sweaty brow, drooling and a wanderlust that can be nearly impossible to contain! 

Consider yourself warned..

Chittorgarh Fort INDIA

Built in the 7th century A.D. the fort is dotted with a series of historical palaces, gates, temples and two prominent commemoration towers which have inspired the imagination of tourists and writers for centuries.

Chittorgarh Fort INDIA

Aogashima Volcano JAPAN 

Aogashima is a volcanic Japanese island in the Philippine Sea, and as of 2014 the island’s population was 170. The island is encircled by very steep rugged cliffs of layered volcanic deposits. The last eruption of Aogashima was during a four-year period from 1781-1785.

Aogashima Volcano JAPAN 

Riomaggiore ITALY

Riomaggiore is a village and comune in the province of La Spezia, situated in a small valley in the Liguria region of Italy. The village, dating from the early thirteenth century, is known for its historic character and its wine, produced by the town’s vineyards.

Riomaggiore ITALY

Santorini GREECE

Santorini is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 kilometres (120 miles) southeast of Greece’s mainland, it’s the remnants of an enormous volcanic eruption that destroyed the earliest settlements, and created the current geological caldera. A giant central, rectangular lagoon, which measures about 12 by 7 kilometres (7.5 by 4.3 miles), is surrounded by 300 metres (980 ft) high, steep cliffs on three sides.

Santorini GREECE

Neuschwanstein Castle GERMANY

It is a nineteenth-century Romanesque Revival palace on a rugged hill in southwest Bavaria, Germany. The palace was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and as a homage to Richard Wagner, it was intended as a personal refuge for the reclusive king, but was opened to the public immediately after his death in 1886.

Neuschwanstein Castle GERMANY

Ha Long Bay VIETNAM

Is a popular travel destination in Quảng Ninh Province, Vietnam. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes. The bay consists of a dense cluster of some 1,600 limestone monolithic islands each topped with thick jungle vegetation, rising spectacularly from the ocean. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves. A community of around 1,600 people live on Hạ Long Bay in four fishing villages, they live on floating houses and are sustained through fishing and marine aquaculture.

Ha Long Bay VIETNAM

Venice ITALY

A city in northeastern Italy sited on a group of 118 small islands separated by canals and linked by bridges. Venice is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. Venice is one of the most important tourist destinations in the world for its celebrated art and architecture. The city has an average of 50,000 tourists a day.

Venice ITALY

Yosemite Valley USA 

The valley is located in the western Sierra Nevada mountains of California and is a very popular tourist location. It is surrounded by high granite summits and is about 8 miles in length and up to a mile deep. 

Yosemite Valley USA

Machu Picchu PERU

The incredible Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca site and is situated on a mountain ridge high above the Sacred Valley. Popular belief is that the site was built around 1450 AD and was the estate of the Inca emperor Pachacuti. It was only inhabited for about a hundred years before the Spanish Conquest began. There is an urban section and an agriculture section at the site as well as the upper town and the lower town.

Machu Picchu PERU

Montana Magica Lodge, Los Rios CHILE

A strange volcano-shaped building spews water instead of lava everyday in southern Chile. If you stay here at this extraordinary hotel I must warn you, the only way in is by balancing on a swinging rope bridge! The lodge has 13-rooms and is hidden away deep within a 300,000 acre private nature preserve. 

Montana Magica Lodge, Los Rios CHILE

Tuscany ITALY

Tuscany is the birthplace of the Renaissance, and is known for its dreamy landscapes, unique traditions, rich history, artistic legacy and its influence on high culture. It has been home to many influential figures and is loved for its natural beauty.

Tuscany ITALY

Bagan MYANMAR

Located in the Mandalay Region of Burma (Myanmar), Bagan has over 2200 temples and pagodas. Back in the 13th century, during the Kingdom’s hey day, there were over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries located here.

Bagan MYANMAR

Zhangye Danxia Landform in Gansu CHINA

The Danxia Landform refers to the various landscapes found in southeast, southwest and northwest China characterized by their multi-coloured sandstones and conglomerates. It is in fact a unique type of petrographic geomorphology found only in China. What an unreal scene.

Zhangye Danxia Landform in Gansu CHINA

Li River CHINA

Li is a river in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China, and takes a 52-mile scenic route through the majestic karst mountains. Tourists can take a cruise through this area on everything from a bamboo raft to an air-conditioned ship.

Li River CHINA

Meteora GREECE

The largest and most important complex of Greek Orthodox monasteries in all of Greece. There are six monasteries built on the natural sandstone rock pillars and are located in central Greece. The first people to inhabit Metéora was an ascetic group of hermit monks in the 9th century, they lived in the hollows and fissures of the rock towers.

Meteora GREECE

Mu Cang Chai VIETNAM

A district of Yen Bai province, Mu Cang Chai is located in the northwestern region of Vietnam. Rice fields are layered on the steep hills and are most beautiful during harvesting time when they turn a golden hue (September & October).

Mu Cang Chai VIETNAM

The swing at the “End of the World” in Baños ECUADOR

The swing is actually at a seismic monitoring station located deep in the Ecuadorian wilderness. There is a small treehouse built on the side of the mountain with a perfect view of the nearby active volcano, Mt. Tungurahua. There’s no doubt that the treehouse is a site to be seen, but the real attraction is the swing hanging from one of the tree’s skinny branches that takes riders out over the void of the canyon.

The swing at the “End of the World” in Baños ECUADOR

Reine NORWAY

Reine is a fishing village and the administrative centre of the municipality of Moskenes in Nordland county, Norway, it is located on the island of Moskenesøya in the Lofoten archipelago, above the Arctic Circle. The 72-acre village has a population of only 307 as of 2013 and is a very popular tourist location despite its remote location.

Reine NORWAY

Colmar FRANCE

The town was founded in the 9th century and is situated along the Alsatian Wine Route and considers itself to be the “capital of Alsatian wine.” The city is renowned for its well preserved old town, its numerous architectural landmarks and its museums.

Colmar FRANCE

Bled SLOVENIA

Bled is an Alpine town alongside glacial Lake Bled in northwestern Slovenia and is most notable as a popular tourist destination. A small island in the middle of the lake is home to Assumption of Mary Pilgrimage Church; visitors frequently ring its bell for good luck.

Bled SLOVENIA

Author Bio:

JP Chartier is my name and I write for Gutter Pup Adventures.com where you can expect to read well-written and entertaining articles about the people and places that often get overlooked at many popular vacation destinations around the world.

A Piece of Paradise

Written by Donna Cederstrand

As I enter Elysium Garden, it is like being transported into a different world-a-land that you only hear about in fairy tales.

I meet Jacquie Cherot (owner), a demure woman dressed in a beige nursery workers uniform, hat upon her head and a friendly smile upon her face. She is warm and inviting and walks me around the grounds, explaining that the lush grass under our feet is the old floor of the orchard that sat here many years ago.  As I enjoy the sun shining, I can hear the robins singing their songs as they perch on apple tree branches; some of the original trees still speckle the four acres. The bees buzz about happily from rose to rose and the butterflies dance from lily to lily.

The Alligator Farm & Zoological Park ~ St. Augustine

Written by JP Chartier

Just off the North Eastern coast of Florida, lurking in the green murky waters of Anastasia Island, are terrifying creatures with sharp teeth, armoured skin and nasty attitudes.

The Zoological Park : Photo Credit: JP Chartier

The terrifying creatures I'm talking about are crocodilians (crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharial) of course, and they can be found in abundance at the Alligator Farm & Zoological Park on Anastasia Island just a hop, skip and a jump from St. Augustine.

There are 7-acres of lush tropical wilderness at the Alligator Farm, a wooden bridge snakes its way over the network of waterways and swamp-like ponds allowing visitors to experience these creatures up close and personal. This is the only park in the world that contains every living species of crocodilian on earth, so it goes without saying that you will be immersed in everything gator.

The Pride of Baler ~ Where All the Pain and Patience Pay Off

Written by Angel de la Flor

I have been in the Pacific Coast when we were in California in April.  I longed to stay there, the waters were all wild and beautiful ... and I very much expected Baler to be the same as it also fronts the Pacific Ocean.

Baler is a second-class municipality in the province of Aurora, in the Philippines. In 2009, it topped the list of beach destinations in the country. It was also described as one of the 'top surf spots' with hundreds of surfers during the surfing season from September to February.

The trip to Baler was extra special; it was the first beach destination in summer and it was also the first weekend I had since I started working.

But, Baler went beyond its wildest waves and farther than the stretch of its coast. It offered so much warmth from the locals, food flavours that remind you of home, and beauty that leaves you so grateful for being in your own country.

Are We Expecting Too Much from the Taste of Manila in Toronto?

Taste of Manila in Toronto is a test for the taste of the Filipinos!

The "Little Manila" in the Toronto streets of Bathurst and Wilson is a witness in approximately twenty five thousand in attendance, and maybe more. It is a big surprise ~ to the organizers and the people who are instrumental to its success.

Taste of Manila is the first street festival organized by the Philippine Cultural Community Centre headed by Rolando Mangante, in association with the Philippine Consulate Office of Toronto. It is a two-day festivities attended by the Filipino-Canadian community and their non-Filipino families and friends. A very festive weekend celebration on August 23 and 24. 

Filipino-Canadian crowd at the 1st Taste of Manila - First Day August 23, 2014 - 25,000 people

Bathurst and Wilson streets were partly closed, contrary to what was originally reported, to accommodate the influx of Pinoys coming from the neighbourhood and the neighbouring cities. 

And yes, for those who still don't know, the area of Wilson and Bathurst is home to many Filipino-Canadians and so with the many Filipino businesses mushrooming the two streets.

Enjoy the Best of Toronto ~ Dinner Cruise with Skyline Views

Enjoy the best of Toronto!

You can save more than 50% on a "wonderful evening" on the Toronto Harbour that Travelzoo users love for the "excellent" food and "magnificent" views.

Why we love this deal

Travelzoo guests rave about this scenic harbour dinner cruise; it's simply a "wonderful evening" Dine on food that "impresses" (Toronto Star), including a catch of the day and chocolate fondue Take in picturesque views of the city skyline or dance on deck to the music of a professional DJ Good through Dec. 14; buy now and plan a fall evening on the water with friends and family To save $5 more, download our iPhone or Android app and enter code GIVEME5 during purchase What's included

Michael Angelo Maleriado of Cavite PHILIPPINES

37. Featured Traveller 

Michael Angelo Maleriado

Teacher : Traveller 

(Cavite, PHILIPPINES)

                               

“To travel is a gift, do it while you can” 

Angelo has travelled extensively through the three island groups of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. "Philippines is beautiful that is why I fell in love with travelling," he says. It is in the Philippines where he spends his life and divides his time between teaching and exploring.

He has travelled to United Kingdom, South Africa, Malaysia, Thailand, Hongkong, Botswana, Ireland and Zimbabwe and his bucket list includes New Zealand, France, United States, Mongolia and N Korea for future explorations.

How important is budget and planning for a trip and how do you manage to cut cost of a trip?

"Budget controls almost everything when you travel. You don't want to mess up with the money, do you? What I do is put extra amount just in case more activities come along while I am already on the road. Travelling need not be costly. The best thing is to have fun and have memorable experience," he confesses.

Angelo is a busy body. Very energetic. He always prepare himself for invitations to 'run for a cause'. Yes, he is ready to run and explore at the same time to more than seven thousand islands of his beautiful country of the Philippines.

To document his journey, Angelo created a diary of his exploration. Something that he can share to his global readers and followers. He consider his experiences of being an explorer as the best job in the world!

Angelo and his diary, AngelotheExplorer is there waiting for you. Come and join him ~ explore!

Experience the Vibe at the "Asheville Drum Circle"

Written by JP Chartier

Every Friday evening, hundreds of people gather together, forming a large circle in the delightfully eccentric mountain-town of Asheville, North Carolina. Many bring along some sort of percussive instrument – what happens next is referred to as “The Asheville Drum Circle,” and it’s damned exciting!

I found myself meandering, lost in thought one Friday evening traversing the maze of streets that make up downtown Asheville. It was early autumn and I could feel the change in the air, the cool mountain breeze energized me, and put me in a celebratory mood.

It was about this time I remember, that I felt the ground beneath me begin to shake! I could feel a rhythmic thump pulse deep inside me, vibrating my guts and rattling my bones. It sounded as if the earth had opened wide and let loose an army of combat-boot wearing soldiers stomping in step and set on destruction!

6 Things You Can't Miss When Visiting Armenia

Written by Tomasz Lisowski

Most likely, you have never heard of Armenia, and if you have, you probably have no clue where it could be situated.

Armenia is a tiny country that lies in the Caucasus region. Its mighty mountains form the border between Europe and Asia.  Before I went to Armenia, many of my friends were asking "Why on earth are you going to Armenia?" I hadn't know much about this country myself, however, I really wanted to travel to some unknown, hidden destination that no one knows anything about. I wanted to be able to discover it myself. And it was the best decision I could have taken.

I will present the most interesting places to see in Armenia in the hope that it might inspire you to choose some different destinations for your next vacation, than, for example, overcrowded by tourists ~ France, Italy or Spain.

Things you can't miss in Armenia
1.  Khor Virap Monastery with the Mount Ararat in the background

Armenian land is a territory of great historical significance, it even predates the Roman Civilization ~ Caucasus region is the place where wine is believed to have originated from. You probably know the biblical Mount Ararat ~ the mountain on which Noah's Ark landed after the great flood. You can admire this most beautiful, unforgettable view in Armenia in front of Kvor Virap Monastery ~ where Gregory the Illuminator was kept as a prisoner in the dark dungeons for 13 years.

2. Yerevan - The Pink City

Of course, visiting Armenia, you will end up in the country's capital at some point of your journey. You will surely be enchanted, especially during the evenings when the Pink City (the nickname comes from the colour of stone used in construction) comes to life. Walk along the wide alleys, admire breath-taking dancing fountain and laser shows in the main square and climb the cascades to see another magnificent view of the city and Mount Ararat.

3. Garni Temple

Garni Temple, only 30 kilometres from Yerevan, surrounded by stunning gorges, canyons and ravines is the only Roman style temple in the region. It dates back to the 1st century AD. On the site, there are also ruins of the bath complex, royal palace and church. The location of the temple, among outstanding natural scenery will make you feel as if you travelled back in time to the Roman Empire.

4. Zvartnots Cathedral

Zvartnots Cathedral, also not far from Yerevan, is an astonishing example of architecture not seen anywhere else. It had been erected in the 4th century AD but unfortunately was destroyed three centuries later.  Now, the circular foundations are still excavated by archaeologists and the ruins can give you a glimpse of its grandeur.

5. Lake Sevan

Lake Sevan, the largest in Caucasus is also one of the highest ~ it lies at the altitude of 1900 metres. The climate is considerably cooler than anywhere else in Armenia and it's a nice relief from the scorching summer heat in Yerevan. At the lake, there is a beautiful Sevanavank Monastery ~ another Armenian's architectural gem.

6. Geghard Monastery

Geghard means "a spear" and it is believed that the real spear that had pierced Jesus' heart was held there. What is different about this monastery is the fact that only a small part of its was actually built. The rest was carved of the sandstone cliff wall. One of the most mysterious and magnificent sites in Armenia.

Author Bio:  

Tomasz Lisowski s a passionate traveller and blogger who explore mainly forgotten, hidden and unknown destinations in the world, usually omitted by bloggers and travellers. Visit his blog,  Adventurous Travels, and discover the unknown parts of our beautiful world.

What is Happening Jollibee ~ Chickenjoy no More? ~ An Update

Jollibee Update - August 25, 2014
Here is the latest on the famous Jollibee #chickensad story. 

We started this story in our blog and we want our readers (especially our biggest number of followers from the Philippines) to be aware on what is going on with their favourite Jollibee. 

We will now put an end to our #chickensad story.  The latest news indicate that #chickenjoy wins. Jollibee says all branches in Metro Manila are now open. The joy of

ChickenJoy, Jolly Spaghetti and Yumburger are back on the menu. Good news for my fellow kababayan.

I am a fan of Jollibee and I only get a chance to have a bite when I am back in the country. The good news is, this Filipino fast-food chain is taking off in Toronto.....in 2015. It's a long wait, don't you think, fellow Torontonians?

Jose Minana, the group president for Jollibee Foods Corporation, told the Toronto Star that it really is long overdue. "We should have entered Canada way before," he says.

Well folks, we have no choice but wait and see. If that happens, Jollibee will be a real reminder of what we've been missing. For sure, Jollibee will be a hit in Toronto because the city has the largest Filipino community in Canada. 

As soon as Jollibee in Toronto is in the making, you will read the news first in this blog. I promise!

What to Wear and What not to Wear when Travelling

Are You Getting Ready for the Trip? Here are some tips that you already know if you are a frequent traveller -  but still very helpful for some, especially to those who are just joining us in our passion - travelling! 

Yes, hello fellow travellers! 

We are creating tips that will be very helpful when you travel. This will serve as reference before, during, and after your journey. We are categorizing each one to make it easier for you. 

The same is true with the deals that we are posting as we get them. Deals and offers that will help you plan your trips, now and in the near future.....

If you want to share quality tips and deals with your fellow travellers, feel free to send an email to: fromatravellersdesk(at)gmail(dot)com.

This will be the fifth series of our Useful Travel Tips. Stay tuned!

Now that you have planned your trip, purchased a cheap airline ticket and have decided what to bring and what NOT to bring, know how you will pack your luggages, save space, prevent wrinkles and have a safe luggage, here are better ideas on what to wear and what not to wear when travelling.

What to Wear

•  Comfortable pants and shoes during the flight  
•  Black or brown colour for easy coordination of your wardrobe 
•  Disposable underwear for men and women

Street Hunt to Shop for Antique Beauty of Turkey

Written by Melody Cleo

There are several street hunts to do your shopping in Turkey. This Turkey’s Antique is likely to be narrower in the future due to increase of business owners in this trade who are closing up shop. The following are some of the remaining street hunt to shop in Turkey;

· Sofa

It is located on the Grand Bazaar. In fact it has all the qualities of antique shop with items showcasing beauty. Many people who have visited Istanbul and have seen this shop describe it as a museum rather than a shop. The only people who can purchase at this shop are those who are financially stable since the price of Russian and Greek pieces are high. The owner of this shop has built a collection of Islamic, Ottoman and Turkish arts that ranges from huge art books to Ottoman portraits and landscapes and to skilfully carved signet rings that contain maps of the area. No merchandise in this shop is cheap but the fact that it contains numerous collectors that venture to these parts pay a lot of reputation to this shop.

Sofa Antique Shop at Grand Bazaar in Istanbul TURKEY Photo Credit: The Guardian

· Art House

It is located proximal to numerous tourist traps in the Grand Bazaar. This shop was a secret place for those who were willing to purchase antique copper ware before the advent of tacky souvenir shops. It offers a range of antiquities. It consists goods like the water bowls that is used in the hamam and copper dishes.