Suoi Tien Park, Vietnam

Do you have any plans to visit heaven? For this reason it is not necessarily to fly into the space, you can go to Vietnam. Huge colorful park can be simply regarded as heaven, as this is the way it is seen by Buddhists. There are all miracles, you will not find anywhere else! There is an abundance of giant sacred statues of various creatures. Just imagine that one of the fantastic dragon’s head weighs no less than 300 tons! An aquarium with one and a half thousand crocodiles, Unicorn des with mythical creatures, and the gatekeepers of hell – you will find a full immersion into the world of Buddhist mythology.
The park is a simple way of getting acquainted with the Buddhism culture and the ways they perceive the world.

Crocosaurus Cove, Australia

What an excellent proposal for a family vacation – a trip into the world of crocodiles! Surely, nobody’s going to give your family members to be devoured by the bloodthirsty reptiles. The fans of the extreme sceneries are getting thrilled watching scary creatures from inside the huge crowded crocodile tank, but being protected from them with the help of a solid transparent acrylic wall. The program includes good old-fashioned fishing, during which children and the adults tease reptiles to put on hook bait.
Do not forget to go to the store to buy souvenirs made of crocodile skin! Here this kind of souvenirs can be purchased for quite a reasonable price.

Dwarf Empire, China

In the southern part of the Celestial Empire in the town of Kunming there’s a hill open for the tourist. Right on the top of the hill there is a small and very strange park. All of people working for it – from the show artists up to the cleaners are shorter than 130 centimeters. In fact, this mini-community can be described with its own emperor, empress, and even Parliament. About a hundred young people live here, in small houses. For the life of the inhabitants of Lilliput there are multiple costume plays, dances and other shows.
The place host hundreds of tourists daily and its popularity is rising with each year.

Harmony Land, Japan

All the princesses, as well as all the Hello Kitty admirers of all ages should definitely visit this amazing Japanese theme park. The list of the possible activities is enormous: a walk in the castle of friendly cats,  a boat ride through the underground homes of her friends, soaring into the sky on the Ferris wheel, watching a movie with 3D-effect and of course, buying  tons of cute pink souvenirs. The girlish excitement is guaranteed here.
Be sure to stay on Fantasy Night Show – a beautiful musical laser show.

BonBon-Land, Denmark

Though this park, located in the southern part of Denmark, is named in honor of the popular candy inside of it there’s not to much that can awaken the appetite. The park is crowded with images of suffering from vomiting rats, urine and other ants are not the most beloved forms of living organisms. For the lovers of sweets in the park there are a few very naturalistic candies and thus it is appropriate to note their names of  “bird droppings” or “dead flies”.

However, unlike some of the disappointed parents, six years old children are just too much satisfied with such a “toilet” humor.

Dickens World, United Kingdom

Even if you’re not whiling away the winter evenings of leisurely reading the novels of Dickens, you may be interested to move to a couple of centuries ago and briefly immers in a world of hunger and poverty, to be among the beggars and fugitives. In 2007, the British opened a huge theme park, meticulously reproducing the atmosphere of the city in early XIX century.

The most popular attraction of the park is the boat trip based on the novel “Great Expectations”, while repeating Magwitch escape from the prison.

Love Land, South Korea

Situated on the southern coast of the island Haeju, this sex themed park was created in 2004 specifically to help the Korean newlyweds to explore the life of the married couples. This place was chosen not by chance: it was on this island where the locals love to spend their honeymoon. And now they are required to drive into the park to wander among the 140 sculptures and watch films about sex.
Isn’t this the best way to get the tutorials?

Ferrari World, UAE

The wonderful city of Abu Dhabi is hosting the world’s first theme park dedicated to the “Ferrari”. This is also the largest indoor park in the world: its territory is about 64 square kilometers. Inside there are 20 rides, race promoters and even the world’s fastest roller coaster, and the roof of this huge hall, of course, is decorated with the mark with a black horse on a yellow background,  largest in the world. It is assumed that the grand building will open up already in late 2010.

Holy Land Experience, USA

Not far from Disneyland in Orlando, Florida is a park that can impress any ordinary person, believer and unbeliever. The entire space of the park is like a great theater, which unfolds scenes from biblical history. You can stroll through the streets of ancient Jerusalem,  join the disciples for  the Last Supper.
No matter how you feel about the religion, but this place will give you a desire of getting peace in the world.

Dubailand, UAE

Emirates is known for thegrandiose projects. That’ also true about Dubailand – a huge, 278 square kilometer oasis consisting of several skyscrapers, modern resorts and the world’s largest water park with luxurious beaches and unique artificial reefs. In Falcon city of Wonders you can see a very realistic reconstruction of the Seven Wonders of the World (well, at least according to the creators of Dubailand) of the Egyptian pyramids and the gardens of Babylon to Pisa and the Eiffel tower.

New York, USA

Interior institution created by the New York studio of “Gaia” was designed under the theme “City Life”. Equipped with luxury bar stools, deck chairs and banquettes, the restaurant seems to lure its midday visitors to leave the office for a short lunch, sit on them and spend time in luxury and comfort. However, time can not be called lost as the free Wi-Fi access allows you to open your laptop and not to miss a single e-mail or stock quotes on stock changes. Hanging chains, huge lights, wooden ceilings and black-and-white cityscapes on the walls, add rigor and comfort to the interior.

Porto, Portugal

Creating a design space in a building which itself is an architectural gem, is difficult. But those who led the transformation of the famous Porto Café Imperial into McDonald’s restaurant did an excellent job. Intervention design was minimal, but the interior has turned out to be quite modern and attractive. Last but not least thanks to a chic stained glass from floor to ceiling and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling in the baroque style.

London, UK

Even in 2006, the European branch of McDonald’s has hired a French interior designer, Philip Avantsi to create a new fashion concept of continental institutions. One of his best creations is the restaurant in the Holborn area, fully consistent with the concept “better fewer, but better.” Its stylish interiors surprisingly intertwine with recent high-tech refinements and luxurious natural materials. The stop seems to be attractive even for the well-paid judges as the place is a popular residence spot for the law supporters.

Savannah, Ga., USA

Fighters for a healthy lifestyle and a cleaner environment can fight against McDonald’s junk food, and polluting technologies and production methods of delivering products as much as they want. Now most popular global network of fast food is what they are actually opposing. In the state of Georgia  there is a restaurant based solely on “green” technologies. Huge windows in the floor passed 75% more solar radiation, which contributes to energy savings on lighting and heating facilities. Roof, in turn, is made of white retro-reflective material to reduce the cost of air conditioning. In the parking lot next to the entrance of the restaurant is reserved for bicycles and hybrid cars. Rainwater is collected in tanks and then used for watering lawns surrounding the restaurant. Through all this, the institution has received a gold certificate for environmental and energy efficiency, which are awarded only to favorites.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Looking at this restaurant, located on Princess Street, with its comfortable leather seats, wall panels, dark wood and neon stripes, you will surely decide that you got into a wrong door and ended up not at McDonald’s, but  in the fashionable internet cafe or stylish cafe. However, the high-end interior is designed to make it comfortable and be happy to get fat in them, eating one after another, hamburgers and drank their milkshake. In fairness it is worth noting that for those who follow their waistline there are two or three salads in the menu.

Los Angeles, USA

Located in the Echo Park restaurant, perhaps, this one must be called the most popular all over the huge Los Angeles. And not only because of the stylish interior, decorated in light wood, huge windows, floor to ceiling and silver arches, replacing the usual gold. They love it more for the fact that there are all conditions for a good way of spending a large company. The most popular place is a huge table for ten people, surrounded by fourteen LCDs, which are broadcast on various TV channels. Lamps made in the style of hi-tech, sometimes flicker in the rhythm flowing from the speakers popular tunes.

Paris, France

France is proud of its haute cuisine, but this does not mean that on the streets of Paris you will not find McDonald’s. The truth is that their concentration is no less than in London, which is the third city in the world by number of points of this worldwide network. And the most obvious evidence of a “forbidden love” Parisians to fast-Fudu is a restaurant located on the Rue de Rivoli. Its interior is decorated with prints of high quality fresh fruits and vegetables, its refined, almost futuristic design – all of this is very attractive. Encamped on the curved leather sofas and gentlemen, dressed from Armani and Louis Vuitton are coming for a lunch from various popular French companies. But what else to expect from McDonald’s, which opened in the capital of fashion and style?

Hacienda Heights, Los Angeles, USA

This McDonald’s in Japanese style stood in the heart of the Asian district of Los Angeles. Everything here is made in accordance with the requirements of Feng Shui. Visitors will find a host body shape leather seats, interior in natural colors, placed around the living branches of bamboo and flowing babbling waterfalls. If you are not eating vegetarian food you will want to go to the temple to atone for sins, the nearest Buddhist is in two steps.

Budapest

Abandoned railway station does not seem an obvious place where it would make sense to create a restaurant queuing. Nevertheless, the owners of the network dared to dream and opened here a restaurant which quickly became a popular institution. Seated here one should expect to hear the roar of the approaching train. But the huge panoramic windows can be seen only from the empty platform. Here you can continue admiring the antique chandeliers and painted ceilings in the blue range. Entrances of the lovely red-brick building are the massive wrought-iron gates.

London, Oxford Street, United Kingdom

The flagship restaurant is McDonald’s in Britain is decorated with the utmost delicacy and care. In developing its concept the best designers from London were involved. Its interior facilities can easily confound the many prestigious bars of London. The color palette is based on a combination of white, red and yellow, and to supplement the light, playing highlights. Chairs and tables in a retro-style mosaics and works of modern schedules, only underscore the delicacy of the atmosphere. The bar can also detect large flat panel televisions, which broadcast the latest news, and get to the Internet using free Wi-Fi.

Don’t you ever dreamed of having a luxurious vacation? But here comes the next question of affordability. Well, I think this was taken into account when creating this list of luxurious places, as none of them will threaten four financial status giving you truly unforgettable memories.

So it feels like you’ll get a chance to stay in an exclusive place paying less than $150.

1. Oops! Paris, France

Some of the tourists think that this place is designated for the pack backers. Well, they got it wrong. This budget hotel Oops! is a designer masterpiece. The creators made a color-game to recharge the energy of the tourists. Everything starts with an introduction to the red-white lobby, and followed with 46 rooms of pink or green walls. Even the bathrooms which are located in 12 of them have a quite impressive décor of mood-raising tiles. However, it’s better to get this kind of recharging at night and spend the rest of the day scrolling in the Latin Harlem, only few minutes walk.
Pricing: From $ 72 per double room

2.Mama Shelter, Paris, France

Can you imagine a typical garage turned into a hostel? No, well, the French designers did creating a unique hostel with over 170 rooms. It makes no sense to prove that this hostel is simply unique. And thing is that it’s not only hosting a hostel, but also a cool youth concert hall, so you definitely won’t be left without music. As if you pay more attention to the walls, you’ll find a lot of interesting things to discuss. So the evening in a room with strange light bedside lamps, made of masks for Halloween or a cup of tea in the cozy dining room with chairs, painted with exotic animal images.
Pricing: From $ 128 per double room

3. Hard Days Night Hotel, Liverpool, United Kingdom

I bet you’ve heard of “The Beatles». One could assume that a thematic hotel, dedicated to the Beatles, appeared in the hometown of the famous group of long time ago. However, the Hard Days Night Hotel opened only last year but got a chance to earn the interest of a huge number of tourists and locals. The walls of the hotel are decorated with huge photos of singers, everything connected to their musical life- all this will be surrounding the person who dwells in one of its 110 rooms. The hotel is designed for those funs that are rather energetic and young and plan to have a “rest” from the everyday routine.
Pricing: From 141 USD per double room

4. Fronlas, Wales, United Kingdom

Being in the UK, you better leave the capital for some time and spend the weekend in a small town located in the heart of ancient Wales. Well, Wales is Wales, but the hotel itself is only for 4 hours away from the capital if you take a classical British train. The place is typical environmental place. The cozy hotel occupies a small house of three rooms. Each of them has its own design and framed with environmental materials. And the best thing about this “organic hotel” is the fact that the windows of it are straightly overlooking the Valley National Park. The hotel serves organic dishes and refreshments such as a pure red wine.
Pricing: From $ 138 per double room

5. LÁNCHíD 19, Budapest, Hungary

When people say that the glass is nothing if compared with diamonds they don’t take the fact that sometimes the glass can turn into a real diamond. This is the case with this awesome Hungarian hotel. It is built entirely of glass. Judge for yourself: the huge windows of its rooms offer a panoramic view of the Danube. The transparent floor lobby allows you to see the excavated ruins of medieval towers. But the most impressive time of the day is night as the colorful lights installed all over the hotel make it simply a masterpiece. The interiors of all 48 rooms surprise guests with designer findings, whether it is magnetic chess board on the wall or bath, separated from the room with transparent sliding partitions.
Pricing: From $ 101 for a double room

6.Viroth ’s Hotel, Siem Reap, Cambodia

I guess no one will leave Cambodia without visiting the fabled Angkor, but some of them also come her to  stay in the Viroth’s Hotel, located only 4 kilometers from the ancient city. It can also be considered to be a part of the ancient history of the place. It is located in one of the few surviving buildings built in the style of Khmer Art Nouveau so popular in 1960s. Two years ago the owners of the hotel turned this two-storey villa into a comfortable boutique hotel with a swimming pool of  sea water on the roof, outdoor Jacuzzi and spa.
Pricing: From $ 90 per double room

7.Blue Lime, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Blue Lime can be easily confused with an ordinary dwelling house. And only a small golden plaque with sliding wooden doors will tell you that you are going to enter  an unusual 14-room hotel  which was opened by French only last year. Everything inside – from the bookshelves up  to tables and seats – made of concrete. The green silk curtains and pillows of  fuchsia and tangerine are intended to smooth up such an urban interior. Another cool thing is that the windows overlook pleasant banana and mango orchards and a swimming pool with sea water.
Pricing: From $ 40 per double room

8.Seven, Bangkok, Thailand

The owner of “Seven” grew up in a family, which for decades sold paint, that’s why it is not surprising that his hotel is distinguished by bold color combinations. Each room is dedicated to one of six colors which were originally used by the familiar painters.  Everything in each of them – the paintings on the walls, bed linens, curtains – done in yellow, pink, green, orange, blue or purple tones. So when being asked about the hotel room you better make your choice based on your favorite color scheme. The seventh room – lobby (and also a bar with a gallery) is devoted to red.
Pricing: From $ 100 per double room

9.Maison d’Hanoi Hanova Hotel, Hanoi, Vietnam

The ancient quarter of the city where the hotel is located, dictates its own rules to most of the buildings. This new hotel with its 55 rooms is well blended into the surrounding landscape, although it is not entirely consistent with the canons of traditional architecture. Skylights and the silk  used in the interior of the rooms gives lightness, airiness to the overall appearance of the hotel  and the reliable double-glazed windows help to keep guests from the street noise which might be annoying especially for those who are planning to have a quiet rest at the hotel.
Pricing: From $ 148 per double room

10.Airstream Penthouse Trailer Park, Cape Town, South Africa

This hotel is designed for those who are truly dreamers as most likely they will be the one to better understand and appreciate this hotel. Its roof has seven trailers- turned into exclusive hotel rooms. Each of them has a topic to be based on: one is just like Barbie’s little house with a bright pink interior walls,  while the floor and ceiling of another one are painted with resembling sunbeams, large white peas in a pale blue background . It is left to say that all of the rooms are decorated by various famous designers.
Pricing: From $ 120 per double room.

The British edition of Wanderlust Travel made a list of  tourist sites, virtually destroyed by the tourists, so take a glance and you’ll realize how the human invasion may effect the sites.

1. Wadi Rum, Jordan

In recent decades tourism development of in Jordan was increasing rapidly, and almost everyone who came or comes into this charming country, feels compelled to see the spectacular lunar landscapes of Wadi Rum, swept across the desert in a jeep. The attraction of the desert is not limited to the bright color sand and the sun but also the opportunity of feeling yourself the main character of Sting’s song “Desert Rose”. Now the worldly-wise-wheel drive vehicles are improved to such a degree so that they sweep sand dunes making untouched place to become possible for visit.

The main problem here lies in the fact that the desert is shared between three Bedouin tribes and each of them is viewing it as a source for money-earning without caring about the construction of decent housing for travelers, or the purchase of new SUVs. As a result, unique landscapes are gradually losing their appeal, and the received money from tourists  are not being wisely used by the  urban merchants, as it is not doing any good to the desert, nor its inhabitants, it doesn’t give even slightest benefit to both sides. Although, due to its main characteristics Wadi Rum could’ve been easily turned into a center of ecological desert tourism.

2. Yangshuo, China

Until  recently Yangshuo was a real paradise for those  travelers who were getting  tired of the hustle and bustle of large tourist groups and needed a quite and nice place to rest. Alas, the Chinese tourism is growing and this town is now being included into the list of bus stops for the tourists.

Currently, Yangshuo takes more than three million people a year to view the Chinese beauty, which now influences  the nature  here-  once a crystal clear river is now practically turned into a sewage system, and the houses of local residents are now being turned into tiny motels, which kind of increases the unwanted interest to this place. Selling  their homes to foreigners, wishing to do business here, the natives are fleeing the city in search of the lost beauty and solitude. Fortunately, in this there are still some areas that can be called a true quiet spots. This can be easily felt while  renting  a bike and leisurely strolling , enjoying the endless rice fields and picturesque mountain scenery.

3. Tulum, Mexico

Just 30 years ago, beaches of Cancun, surrounded by coral reefs vast, were nearly deserted as  this was the spot where the residents were earning  for a living – by catching fish. Currently, the line of the coast is  overfilled with various  huge hotels and amusement parks, and the natives, the descendants of the Maya,  are slowly forgetting their mother tongue, which is no longer even taught in schools. It feels like the modernity and its processed got to the last stronghold of the Maya in this  region – the city of Tulum. Thousands of tourists daily visit the pyramids and temples of the Indian civilization, filling the city  with their noise and bustle.

Currently, the government plans to build an international airport and a large recreation center on the more pristine parts of the coast, which will at last transform the region into an ordinary, unremarkable “tourist paradise” with the fliers.

4. Stonehenge, United Kingdom

Until recently, the guides were carefully  hiding that during the entire XX century, the  ancient monument was subject to various restorations. Moreover,  while placing and moving the stones, the builders were guided by no means  of historical authenticity but rather how it will look at the photos. It feels like a rather interesting approach for the scene PR.

As a result, the original location of the stones is  completely disrupted, and the majority of tourists come here only to  have a walk from  the car park to the nearest stone,  to take photographs and go back. Anyways this is not impressive for such a  great scientific place. Except this, there are also two major highways crossing the historical monument which slightly said “doesn’t add any beauty to the landscape”. Currently, activists  are launching a new propaganda campaign to remove the highway tunnels and make the space more open. Hopefully it will help to save this land from the disaster.

5. Machu Picchu, Peru

Monument which was originally built for the great Inca Empire and became the survivor of many wars and earthquakes, seem to be  unprepared for the invasion of  the tourists. Two and a half thousand people who are annually visiting the city, contributed to the fact that last year the monument was listed among the  endangered architectural sites.

The bridge which was built in 2007, in the area of Santa Teresa, has compounded the problem  as it opened a road for tourists, and now getting  to the ancient monuments can be done almost effortless.

6. Jaisalmer, India

2008 was a great year for this awesome place as it hosted over 300 thousand people , who came to have a look at yellow walls of the  lost monument. In just 10 years the flow of tourists to Jaisalmer increased 3 times, and  the worst thing is that the local infrastructures  are absolutely unable to cope with the flows of people.

The main problem is the outdated sewage system: water seeps into the sand through the cracks in the old pipes which lead to the formation of cracks in the soil. The only way to solve the problem is the complete replacement of the outdated system, but the funding is not enough. The situation is compounded by the fact that every third family in Jaisalmer is living earning in the tourism, and therefore attempts to limit the number of visitors will instantly affect the general welfare of urban residents.

7. Timbuktu, Mali

Even though  the festival of the Tuareg will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2010 in the desert near Timbuktu to, international organizations are strongly recommended to get rid of the idea of visiting  Mali. It is believed that the region is hosting the Al-Qaeda and has a great threat of terrorism.

According to the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the terrorists are going to expand their sphere of influence at the expense of those regions, where the police are too weak and there are only few inhabitants. There are a lot of places like this around the Sahara. Previously the number of the visitors of Timbuktu was no less than ten thousand a year, but now their number decreased dramatically.

8. Lonely Planet, Tasmania

Once in 2008, when Lonely Planet got included in the list of the best beach facilities, the tourists who came here found that there is nowhere to sit. Almost the entire 30-kilometer coastline is filled with tents and camping sites, and it is simply not that easy to find a place to fit in.

Luckily, Lonely Planet mentioned only the southern part of the beach, so if you shift a little to the north, it is still a chance to find a quiet place, even though privacy is not guaranteed as you might be not the only victim of the public ad.

But wait a minute! After getting acquainted with our list of the best stations in the world, you’ll get the idea why some of the tourists don’t even want to get home but rather spent hours in the stations waiting for their trip to get delayed.

1.Atocha, Madrid, Spain

What is it? Mini-jungle or a botanical garden? This question is being asked by every traveler, who is having his first visit to the main railway station in Madrid. So it’s simply a station under a huge glass which makes it possible to stretch this green oasis of exotic plants and palm trees. So for some of the tourists it’s a great pleasure to have few cups of coffee waiting for a train in this tropical paradise.

2. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai, India

The historic building, listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List is now being used as the main railway station of the city of Mumbai. Originally it was called Victoria Terminus during the England ruling the country, and then was renamed in honor of national hero in India. The impressive dome, complex towers and arches make an unusual appearance from the outside, and the inside is built in the spirit of the Victorian era: the interior is decorated with wood carvings, framed by beautiful iron staircase railings. All of this reminds of the fairly-tale stories.

3. Union Station, Chicago, USA

Chicago Station is not just a place to change trains and killing time between the trains. The building, which is constructed in the style of the American Renaissance, with strict and noble classical contours is often being used as a ceremonial hall for various events. So do not be afraid if your train is delayed and you have to spend a little more time here, looking at the marble floors and brass fixtures.

4. Pickering Station, Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Not so long ago, this station in North Yorkshire has been restored, and now any traveler who stopped here can feel the charm of an old British railway station. You will see the interior of the last century with all of its antique equipments. If that is you will not be enough to move you back to the half-century back to the Yorkshire, in October it will host the annual “Military Weekend” and the locals will come to the station, dressed in the fashion of 1940’s.

5. Ushuaia Station, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

“Station on the edge of the world” – can be read at the poster placed in front of this delicate wooden structure. Railhead Ushuaia actually located on the outskirts of the national park of Tierra del Fuego is at the extreme end of the Latin American continent. It is understandable why this place seems to be the end of the world for the prisoners who were brought here to labor camps in the beginning of the XX century.

6. Choum Station, Mauritania

Probably, at the first glance Choum seems not the most pleasant place, where you will need to pass the time while waiting. A small hut, which is the actual railway station is surrounded by others alike – ugly huts which sell tea and various foods. But look around. Compensation for such conditions will be breathtaking vision of the surrounding desert. At the same time friendly locals are always ready to entertain the tired travelers with their local tricks.

7. Tanggula Mountain, Tibet

This is the most high-altitude railway station – it is at an altitude of 5 058 meters above the sea level. In such circumstances, it is hard to breathe for those who are not familiar with this kind of heights, and that’s why the Sino-Tibetan railway carries passengers in special cars equipped with systems of oxygen supply. After leaving the train, most likely you will not meet people: it is cold and desolate terrain not like other stations in the world. But if you’re not afraid of frost, visiting the Tanggula Mountain is first of all, for the incredibly beautiful lakes and glaciers.

8. Broken Hill, Australia

As if for some of you Australia is the best place for the airports, then you should visit its railways stations to change your opinion. Old railway station in New South Wales was built in 1888 to serve as a small mining town. Today it is used mostly by tourists who want to see the picturesque region, which is mostly popular due to its huge wall paintings: the two images seem to be very realistic as if destroying the wall and enter the building from the both sides.

9. Haydarpasa, Istanbul, Turkey

East Station of Istanbul is remarkable in the way that it is surrounded by water on three of its sides and built on almost 1100 wooden piles, reinforced at the bottom of the sea. The station was built as a gift to Sultan Abdulhamidu II from the German Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1908. The building resembles Teutonic castle and looks just gorgeous. Marble steps lead to the monumental facade with a large baroque clock. If you have enough time, be sure to look in a restaurant in the east wing and admire the unusual tile decoration.

10. Divisadero Barrancas, Mexico

Probably, no other station in the world opens such a wonderful view as does this small Hispanic Station. It is the hosting place for the people traveling through the deepest canyon on the planet. Yet none of the visitors of this station make any complains about the delay in train: usually you witness the opposite scene -when the tourists are ready to watch beautiful pictures on the edge of the canyon, at an altitude from which the head is spinning for long hours. And while waiting for a train, you can refresh  yourself eating cakes  immediately sold by the locals – and even choose some of them to bring home as  gifts.

Here we will introduce you the top 6 places where you can organize both deserved and desired holiday.

1. Musical Concerts in Budapest, Hungary

The Hungarian capital is going to extraordinary pomp as well as Hungarians are doing their best to make the proper spirit for the royal festivities to celebrate the New Year.  This year on the last day of 2009, December 31 at the Budapest Opera House will be a concert of music by Johann Strauss performed by the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra. The musician were preparing for the concert for almost a half year, so the impressions are guaranteed. If looking for a place to have a luxurious dinner with your beloved you might like the option of the famous restaurant “Gyundel”, where the chic awaits you, served in a box dinner starting from 80 and going up to 363 euros. The day before the grandiose celebration the Convention Center will be introducing a spectacular concert of 100 gypsy violins. For those who consider themselves to be religious on Jan. 3 in the Church of St. Matthias on the Buda hills you can enjoy New Year’s Mass with hymns. Another interesting fact about this awesome country is that the hotels cost here not that expensive so you don’t need to worry about the money-savings.

2. Chocolate Museum in Cologne, Germany

In addition to the popular art place of  Ludwig Museum which is introducing a collection of  one of the most beautiful expanse  of contemporary art in Europe, in Cologne, you can visit … Schokoladenmuseum – the museum of chocolate, and it is worthy to visit especially for those who like the movie “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” The programme of the visit: the fountain with a hot liquid chocolate, with jets, which rise up to three-meter height. You’re even allowed to have a try! All of this sounds so good that it seems almost irresistible to avoid.
In Cologne, it is just pleasant to wander through the ordinary streets, where there are no annoying machines as they are not noisy and disturbing. The main hint here is the fact that you don’t need to pay too much of money to stay in the hotel right in the middle of the city, as there are a lot of more interesting hotels with nicer views and with a cheaper prices.

3. London sales, United Kingdom

They start on the next day after Christmas and last until 31 January- feels like one of the gorgeous deals for a whole month. It’s so interesting that the sales raise day by day and for the past two weeks they get up to 80%, particularly at the Regent Street or Oxford Street! In the same spirit and luxury hotels are: lower prices which make them more affordable for those who are planning to spend their European trip visiting UK. If the plan is not about money-saving, then you can try choosing through the range of expensive hotels, which become available with lower prices.

4.Silence and bliss in Mont-Royal, France

Those who are looking for relaxation and quiet time not far from the capital of the lovers, then we recommend Tiara Château Hotel Mont-Royal, which is only 30 minutes from Paris, near Chantilly. This small rural hotel is nothing like a former house for hunting dogs of a French baron of the Renaissance period. The former library which is now turned into a lounge bar will have a special celebration on the day of St. Sylvester (i.e.31 December) which will last for 22 hours. During the party the guests will be served a festive dinner with a special French champagne (199 euros per person, including a stay in a room on the top floor and breakfast).
The hotel has an indoor heated swimming pool, playground for a game of squash. In the woods nearby you can a walk or ride a bicycle if you want, so that the New Year you will meet with a proper exercising.

5.Music  Year in Warsaw, Poland

All 2010 in Poland will be held under the patronage of the bicentennial of the birth of Frederic Chopin, with a rather extensive program of various musical concerts and competitions. 7 January is going to be the starting day of the festivities in Warsaw, where Chopin’s heart is stored. And all of this will start with a concert at the Philharmonic House.
The Polish capital is an extraordinary place due to all of its pleasant scenes and spots to visit. The old quarters of the city were rebuilt after the Second World War and they were given their initial appearance and all of this looks simply charming.  One of the best places to stay in the hotel “Victoria” which is right the middle of the oldest and newest parts of the city, serving as a connecting chain for those parts and having details of both.

6. Relaxing Spa in Abano, Italy

Abano, an Italian thermal resort, which is known since the Roman times for the healing properties of local water, is located near the town of Padua.  Here the main treasure is not the five star hotel with all of equipments but rather a thermal spa. In an atmosphere worthy of the Visconti, thermal establishments offer a variety of Christmas programs, acting in the first week of January, it might sound a little bit weird but it’s true. The most intensive program combines both the cultural elements and physical procedures. If you still consider yourself not satisfied then you better also visit Verona, which not far away from here. One of the main reasons can serve the fact that here is now a fashionable exhibition: a collection of 400 creches, brought from all over the world, are being presented in the magnificent scenery of the Roman arenas.

Well, this is something beautiful to get thought about but there are a lot more interesting things that  need to be taken into account while talking about the Thanksgiving Day or Harvest Festival celebration, such as how do we celebrate them in our countries and how do they do it around the rest of the world?

We do offer you to have a look at Top 7 Thanksgiving Day and Harvest Festival celebrations around the world.

1. Mid-Fall Festival in China

The Mid-Fall Festival is the Chinese version of the Thanksgiving Day, which is also known as Moon Festival. The usual timing for this holiday celebration in made upon the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, as it is believed that the moon is the fullest and roundest by that time. Connected with that comes the traditional food of mooncakes baked and served in a variety of ways. Traditionally on this day, Chinese family members and friends will reunion for having a look at the bright mid-fall harvest moon. Other celebrations include planting mid-fall trees, carrying lit lanterns and having them hang around the tallest buildings and towers and collecting dandelion leaves and distributing them among family members and friends. The Mid-Fall Festival is the only holiday except Chinese New Year which is held in all the Chinese communities around the world.

2. Thanksgiving Day Celebration in United States

Thanksgiving Day is announced to be a time family reunions in America and the official beginning day of the Christmas season. Most of the common symbols of the Thanksgiving Day are associated with food such as carved turkeys, pumpkin and apple pies, cranberry sauce and corn. These dishes might be included in almost every house Thanksgiving meals Thanksgiving is  also the holiday of gift-giving to your family members and friends while showing your gratitude and respect to your elders and siblings. Popular Thanksgiving gift-list includes flowers, jewelry, chocolate gift baskets, wine and etc.

3.’Harvest Festival’ in United Kingdom
‘Harvest Festival’ is one of the most popular and oldest festivals held in United Kingdom. Its history roots go deep into the year of 1843, when Robert Hawker invited local parishioners for a special thanksgiving service at a church in Cornwall. Soon it turned into a custom of decorating churches with home-grown plants, fruits and vegetables as a showing of gratitude. The ritual of offering an animal sacrifice, generally a hare, is accompanied with the cutting of last sheaf of corn.
The celebration is accompanied with songs and fruit and vegetable giveaway.

4. Thanksgiving Day Celebration in Canada
Canadian celebration of the holiday takes place on the second Monday in the month of October every year. The timing difference between the American and Canadian versions of the holiday varies because of the earlier start of the fall timing. The first Canadian holiday celebration was symbolizing the gratitude to god for the recovery of King Edward VII from serious illness but the official announcement of the holiday by the Canadian government was only made in 1957. The thanksgiving celebrations include most of the typical American customs such as parades, ‘family feasts’ and ‘turkey’.

5. “Kadazan Harvest “ Celebration in Malaysia
While being a country based on a large number of islands -Malaysia has a local traditional celebration of the holiday. The Kadazan Harvest festival of Malaysia is celebrated by Sabah every year. This traditional religious holiday is held in May in favor to the local Rice God. The rice-associated holiday is accompanied with the homemade rice wine distribution among localities who wear their traditional costumes Carnivals are also considered to play an important role while celebrating the festival.
The celebration also takes into account lots of varying activities, cultural programs and agricultural shows, buffalo races and traditional games.

6. Homowo Festival in Africa
African Harvest Festivals as not a surprise have a lot of religious connotations and can be characterized by a variety of religious dancing and singing. Dancers usually wear national masks and clothes made of natural materials.  Homowo- which translated will be like ‘hooting at hunger’, is a popular festival in Africa. It is the largest cultural festival of its unique kind. The Homowo festival here is associated with the gratitude showing towards kings and queens.

7.’Ladainha’ Celebration in India
The State of Goa which is known as a most-Christian populated part of India has its unique tradition of Thanksgiving celebration, which is known here as ‘Ladin’ or ‘Ladainha’. ‘Ladin’ literally means a litany to the Virgin Mary. During the Thanksgiving ritual, people thank God not only for the material benefits gained but also spiritual. The preparation for the festival includes purchasing wheat and gram, candles, wine and colored tinsel paper.

Sirocco
Bangkok, Thailand
There is no single night in Bangkok that passes by without full house at the famous bar-restaurant called Sirocco. One of the most prestigious and expensive bars in the capital of Thailand is located on the 64th floor of State Tower skyscraper. The hotel that can truly be called a skyscraper was built originally as a complex of luxury apartments for long stay guests earlier.

Sirocco is open for its visitors not only at night, so those who wish to dine in a picturesque place will hardly find a better alternative. Lunch or dinner at Sirocco can cost a pretty penny, but at the entrance you will have to pass the dress code, so you might choose an appropriate attire to be able to get in.

But it’s worth to visit this place at least once to go up to the top of the glass bar, to touch the sky and breathe the warm air of Asia. These are the memories that last a lifetime for sure.

The Penthouse
Madrid, Spain

The luxury hotel Me by Melia, which is considered to be the pride of Madrid is located in the heart of the city. The Me by Melia, in turn, has a separate “zest” – bar called The Penthouse, located on the roof became a favorite place for all tourists. Climbing up to the bar, you can see all the beauty of central Madrid. It seems impossible to think of a better location to see the area of Santa Ana.

The bar owner, Ranger Gerber, is a famous entrepreneur in the area of nightlife and the husband of Cindy Crawford. Exclusively star guests are visiting the bar. Mere mortals will be able to visit the place during the “happy hour”. The bar is, of course, working until three o’clock in the morning, but getting there after midnight is an extremely difficult task to do. The large crowds wishing to visit this place speaks for itself.

Luna Bar
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Luna Bar is one of the most interesting bars of this famous city, located on the roof of a skyscraper, with views of the twin towers and the night lights of Kuala Lumpur. Visitors to the bar at any time can plunge into the pool and in an atmosphere of 1920-30’s, which reigns in the Luna Bar decor and accessories.

Rooftop Bar
Melbourne, Australia
The British Daily Telegraph newspaper has recently published five of the most fashionable bars and nightclubs in the world. The Rooftop Bar, located at the 16th floor of Curtin House was named as one of the best one. Its doors are open to all visitors daily  starting from 8pm. Rooftop Bar will especially be a good place for movie lovers. In addition to drink and delicious food, the evening program includes watching various films in the hall with a capacity of 200 people. So try to get into the top 100!

Gravity
Dublin, Ireland
In December 2000, 50 million dollars was invested in the project to restore the Guinness Storehouse. Since the architect Robinson Keefe Devane converted this room into a museum, the cradle of brand dark beer, which became one of the most recognizable brands, began to attract many more tourists from all over the world.

Founded in 1904, the seven-storey building was designed primarily for storage of ingredients for the neighborhood brewery called St.James’ Gate. But now a Gravity Bar is located on its roof. It is an indispensable para stop of visitors to the museum, where everyone can enjoy a panoramic view of Dublin. It is believed that the bar can be visited only by paying an entrance fee to the museum. But if you want to drink a mug of Guinness beer, then you can get into the bar absolutely free of charge, finding the path to a hotel elevator. Statistics show that annually Gravity bar is visited by about 570 thousand tourists.

Top Floor Bar
London, United Kingdom
Looking for a convenient place where you can avoid the whole pathos of London?  Well as a solution of the problem can be suggested this -Top Floor Bar  situated on the top floor of a skyscraper Swiss Re Tower. Its visitors can spend an unforgettable evening under the glass roof in the form of a cone, admiring the stunning views of the night in London.

Moon
Las Vegas, Nevada
A couple of years ago at the top of a huge entertainment center Palms in Las Vegas was opened Playboy Club, situated on the 53th floor of Palms. The sound system in the club is extremely strong, so at first some visitors don’t even feel comfortable because of the strong sound. But the charming atmosphere will make you relax afterwards for sure.

Captain Bar
Shanghai, China
This is a cool place that offers a huge selection of cocktails and offers its visitors beautiful views of the The Bund skyscraper. Located on the roof of the Captain Hostel the bar is pretty simple, but the prices do not delight the eye but do rather impress. The Captain Bar is always ready to welcome its visitors with a quiet relaxing music.

Hudson Sky Terrace
New York, New York
On the hot New York day people want to plunge into the cool, drink a few glasses of amazing Sangria. All this can be done on the roof of the Hudson Sky Terrace. However, the only way to be on the beautiful air-conditioned section of the roof is to register in The Hudson hotel. If this option sounds good to you then go on with it.

Condesa DF Rooftop Bar
Mexico City, Mexico
Condesa DF Rooftop Bar is the most luxurious place, also located on the roof of the hotel. Condesa DF, from tablecloths and finishing furniture, has its own unique extraordinary style. Hotel is designed exclusively for quality, so only 40 people can enter the hotel at a time. And only in these selected individuals will be able to properly enjoy the Rooftop Bar. But for those who want to enjoy the uniqueness of Mexico it might be a price to pay.

Surf N ‘Sun, Gold Coast, Australia
Outdoor courtyard with swimming pool offers a relaxing outdoors. Here young people who are not bothered with complexes are gathered, who love to drink and just have fun. The entrance for the parties is free, and a number of punches are provided by institutions. Parties are held every evening, regardless of the day of the week.

The Clown and Bard, Prague, Czech Republic
In the common room of the hostel, which accommodates 36 people is always full of life and joy.  Going downstairs you will find a bar, where every day from seven in the evening there is a special offer of “buying two, getting the third one for free”. Here you can listen to live music performed by local bands. Four tables for a game of King are always busy and they say people often go into the cards in a way that they forget that there is quite an interesting city behind the windows. If you are thinking to live in this dorm, be sure to grab the ear plugs, because otherwise you will have to enjoy the groans of couples in neighboring beds all night, because No  societal rules  are enforced here.

The Flying Pig, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Hostel is famous for its excellent bar and a comfortable recreation room, and those who identify themselves with Bob Marley are the main guests of the place. The smoke of tobacco gathering  all day and night  is slowly getting spread through the open windows to the streets. However, if you have to leave the institution, do not worry – there are two coffee-shops on the same street.

Base, Melbourne, Australia
The most interesting place in this hostel is located at the bottom part of the hostel. It is here, where music is booming all night that does not let the guests of the bar to sleep and makes them go down and dance till they drop. The one night stand is soon turning into all night stand The owners of the hostel  themselves often arrange theme parties and karaoke to entertain  which results into a growing number of guests.

Loki, Cusco, Peru
The glory of the hostel, housed in a building built 450 years ago, has spread throughout South America. The sleepless nights are  getting  accompanied with various band concerts, karaokes and thematic parties. It is good that there is an open market, as the bar restaurant is often packed so tightly that it is simply impossible to take a turn.

Happy Guesthouse, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Located on the shores of the lake in Phnom Penh, this hostel boasts a huge yard, where two large TV screens hang, a table for a game, a pool and beer for a dollar per cup. This place is always full of people. These are mainly those who prefer to climb to the sights at day time, and to drink beer, discussing it at night while enjoying their pool or watching a movie.

St. Christopher’s Inn, London, United Kingdom
Bar, karaoke, cheap drinks, and most importantly, a license for its sale to 4 am, make this hostel very popular with the club audience. If you desire, the party may continue  in your room which is not forbidden. Recently, Wi-Fi has appeared in the hostel free for all guests which did its job by attracting more visitors.

Kabul, Barcelona, Spain
Located on La Rambla, the hostel is rather famous among regulars of nightclubs. “Happy Hour” at a local bar begins at 7 pm; just a few hours after all are awake. The audience here would prefer to start their “day” at two o’clock in the morning and then sleep until evening. If you go to bed before 5 am you definitely do not fit the atmosphere and most likely you will be called sleepy and lazy.

The Rising Cock, Lagos, Portugal
Hostel is known for the predilection of its inhabitants to drink. The day begins with a pair of glasses of beer and ends with stronger drinks. People here prefer not to waste time even to dress. If you are not ready to drink 24 hours a day, better choose another shelter for your rest.

The Pink Palace, Corfu, Greece
This is one of the most famous rave hostels of the world which is popular to the audience for its excellent theme parties and cheap ouzo at the bar. The beach is just a few minutes’ walk and you can combine excellent day vacation at sea with the night dancing at a local club “Palladium”. Hostel accommodates 300 guests and there is almost always possible to find a free bed.

When traveling, tourists often appear in foreign prisons. For example, according to the report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UK, almost 7000 people from thousand Britons were arrested and detained while traveling in the past year. And the fifth of the trials was related to drugs.

As it turned out 2290 British also came under scrutiny of Spanish guardians of the peace for the past year. Even 1534 British were arrested in the United States, 249 – in the United Arab Emirates and 202 in Thailand.

To avoid exposing yourself to temptation to check what it is to be in a foreign prison, you may need to make a purely sightseeing tour of the former correctional institutions, and thus satisfy your curiosity. Publication Sky scanner prepared the list of the world’s best tours to such institutions.

1. Alcatraz Prison, San Francisco, USA
I think this is the most famous prison in the world, located in the heart of California San Francisco Bay. It is mostly famous because for 29 years of its existence, no prisoner could make a successful escape from its walls. However, the Chancery of the prison stores the names of five persons to be dead in the sea during the flight, whose bodies were never found. Strolling through the corridors of the disbanded prison, now converted into a museum, you can see this place with the eyes of its former prisoners, through the story of their escape attempts, food riots, and solitary confinement.

2. Robben Island, South Africa
Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 27 years of his life, now is a World Heritage site and the museum, reminding the cost at which freedom and democracy in South Africa was achieved. From XVII to XX century, this rocky island was a place of exile, isolation and deprivation of freedom for hundreds of Africans. Currently, tours are held in the island. They show the tourists the security systems applied earlier, provide an opportunity to talk with former detainees and boating around the island.

3. San Pedro, La Paz, Bolivia
In 2003, after the publication of the book Marching Powder, covering the adventure of British drug courier who got in a Bolivian prison, interest in the correctional institution expanded enormously. However, the prison is really interesting and is a rather small town, where prisoners work and earn their tolerable existence. On the territory there are kindergartens, restaurants, barbershops. Typically, those people who have been charged with drug trafficking are kept here. Prison administration concludes a separate contract with each offender, under which the prisoner must pay for his own accommodation, food and clothing. Until recently, there were taken unofficial trips, but about two months ago, the Bolivian authorities took this matter seriously and banned recreational trips. The main reason was the fact that in this prison you can buy the purest and the best cocaine in Bolivia, for which many arrived here.

4. Hostel Celica, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Celica word means “prison” and in this case the name of the institution fully reflects its essence. Former Yugoslav penal institution through the efforts of the current owners of the building was converted into a hotel and a small art gallery. 12 prison rooms are individually decorated. Rooms for loving couples and rooms for several people will be found here. But it is true, the place in the hostel will have to be booked in advance. There Are a lot of people who want to sleep on the hard prison mattress.

5. Prison Backpackers, Mount Gambier, Australia
Another place where you can feel yourself as a caught violator is the Australian prison, now converted either into a museum, or a hotel. You will have to sleep behind thick, rusty bars on the rough wooden beds, which the owner of the restaurant makes himself, using nearby growing pine as raw material. The guests will feed themselves either in the prison canteen or go for “a vacation” in a nearby village. In addition, around the restaurant there are enough places where you can “escape” starting from the Blue Lakes and ending with extinct volcanoes and caves.

6. Karosta, Liepaja, Latvia
The advertising slogan of the former KGB prison reads: “unfriendly, unheated and uncomfortable”. The standard prison procedure for admission is waiting For those who are succumbed to the charm of these words: a long queue in the study, a medical examination (fortunately, only in words), photographed in profile and full face, card print of a prisoner. Improper conduct is punished here by a reprimand to the Chief’s office and the forced march along the perimeter of the prison courtyard. They say, here excursions are especially popular in men’s company and those who suffer at times of the former USSR. Especially, advanced companies sometimes organize corporate parties in a correctional establishment for their employees.

7. Liberty Hotel, Boston, USA
It will be costly to live in this former prison. Millions of dollars were invested in the repair of the building that once belonged to the city correctional system, and now there are high-quality hotel rooms where the price starts from $450 per night. The only thing that somehow reminds the history of the house is the track and architecture of the central courtyard preserved somewhere in the old days where the prison spirit still haunts.

8. Seodaemun Prison Museum, South Korea
Occupying Korea, the Japanese have built this prison, to imprison scientists, writers and teachers who were trying to preserve Korean culture. Now here is the prison museum, reminiscent of the many descendants of Koreans who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Resistance against Japanese aggressors. Here, tours of schoolchildren are organized to remind them of the price of Korean independence.

9. Tower of London, London, United Kingdom
Tower of London is not only a fortress and royal palace, it was once a prison where political prisoners, who have especially strongly spited the British monarchy were kept. After visiting the Prisoners Exhibition, you can see the real experience while in prison, as well as make a tour of the tower, which held prisoners awaiting sentencing, usually brought to death.

10. Devil’s Island, French Guiana
A paradise island in an idyllic part of French Guiana was transformed into a terrible colony by Napoleon where political prisoners, together with notorious murderers and thugs have been sent. For almost two hundred years of existence of the prison over 80 thousand people were sent here, most of them disappeared without a trace. The few tourists, who come here now, can see the remains of huts, solitary confinement and other prison paraphernalia. But for the most part, the island is now again the paradise of the earth, which it was before it was captured by the colonialists.