Posts tagged: botanical gardens

Vacation Idea-Nile River Cruise

A Nile river cruise is the perfect way for tourists to enjoy their holidays in Egypt. The well preserved history of ancient Egypt has some excellent sites along the banks of the river Nile, so many in fact that it can be difficult to see them all in one visit. Lovers of culture and history that want to see as much as possible in a short stay should consider a cruise, as it would allow enough stop offs to see the best monuments without having to book excursions individually.

Visits to Egypt are never complete without seeing the treasures around Thebes and Luxor. Thebes is home to a number of temples and burial chambers including the Valley of the Kings, which yielded the discovery of Tutankhamen in 1922. Not far is the spectacular Hatsheput temple and its central grand stairway. The building merges with the huge limestone cliffs in the background, making it one of the most spectacular sites for visitors on their holidays in Egypt.

Across the water in Luxor is the Karnak temple, rediscovered in the 19th century the building has the mark of many dynasties that contributed to its current form before it was lost to the elements. Further down the bank the Luxor museum houses many treasures discovered in Luxor and Thebes over the last couple of centuries, and even as recently as the last twenty years. A short walk further up the riverbank is the Luxor temple, always lit at night the temple is one of the most beautiful of the ancient Egyptian monuments.

Visitors enjoying their cruises will generally have more than enough on board the boat to keep them busy; jacuzzis sundecks and swimming pools make the Nile’s floating hotels a more than attractive proposition. The fact that holidaymakers are dropped off near some of the best sites in Egypt make the cruise a convenient option, and for those taking all inclusive holidays in Egypt, a good bargain. When guests have finished topping up their tan on the journey south they can disembark in Aswan and visit some great sites.

In Aswan there is a busy street market where reasonably priced original gifts can be bought and there are Aswan and Nubian museums that house collections that have come from discoveries in the areas surrounding the city. Other attractions include the mausoleum of the Aga Khan, built after his death in 1957, and the Botanical Gardens on Kitcheners Island. Visitors can also take an Excursion to the Temple of Abu Simbel to see the facade of the temple built in honour of Ramses II.

Lille, the City’s Citadel, the Fine Arts and Boutiques

Lille is a city in northern France. The city is considered a good destination for shoppers tired of big cities, and is the ideal destination to relax in a typically French and enjoy the many boutiques.

Lille stands out as a city dedicated to science, culture and art. In this city was born the famous scientist Louis Pasteur, who invented the pasteurization process and was one of the pioneers of the vaccines. In Lille is the scientific research institute that bears his name, the Institut Pasteur. In this scientific institute found the first vaccine against tuberculosis, known as the Bacille Calmette et Guérin.

The city is full of interesting cultural buildings. Some of the many Citadelle, or citadels, were designed by Vauban dating from the seventeenth century. La Citadelle de Lille, is a citadel that is shaped like a pentagon. The citadel dates back to 1668 and is known as the queen of citadels. The Opéra de Lille was built in 1923. Many buildings have curious architectural style flamenco; including residential buildings are closer to the architecture of the Netherlands to the French architecture.

Other places of interest are highlighted in this city the palace of General Charles de Gaulle, also known as the Grand Place. The building is known for its impressive facade, and its proximity to the Vieille Bourse. Column of the Goddess, also known as The Memorial to the Siege of Lille, is a column that is in the center of the city. The statue was built in 1842 to commemorate the resistance during the French Revolution and the siege of Lille. The column is located near the Grand Place and since 1990 a fountain decorates the base of the spine.

With the opening of Eurostar and the extension of the TGV, the city became the heart of the triangle that connects three of the major cities of Europe, Paris, London and Brussels. The city center has become a much visited because of its geographical and economic situation. There are Notable buildings and Tower Euratechnologies Lille Europe. The Port of Lille is also an important center in the city.

One of the most important monuments of the city is the Cathedral of Lille, known as the Basilique-cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille de Lille. This cathedral is one of the largest in the country, which was begun in the nineteenth century and takes its name from a statue of the Virgin Mary XII century. Also, here is the Bishop of Lille.

The city is noted for his love of nature, as it has several botanical gardens, such as El Jardin Botanique of the Faculté de Pharmacie part of the Faculty of Pharmacy of Lille 2 Universided. This botanical garden has many trees and plants that come from all over the world. There are thousands of species of plants, and the territory of the garden there is also a tropical greenhouse. This garden dates from the 1970s.

According to historical records, the city had botanical gardens since 1596. The Jardin des Plantes de Lille, 11 acres, and the Jardin Botanique Nicolas Boulay, are two extremely important botanical gardens. The Jardin des Plantes de Lille is a park full of different plants, many of them coming from the Mediterranean.

The Palais des Beaux Arts de Lille, the Palacio de Bellas Artes de Lille is without doubt one of the most important museums throughout France and one of the jewels of the city and built according to the current architecture of the Belle Époque. The palace began to be built under Napoleon I in the early nineteenth century. During that time, thousands of works of art were confiscated from the churches and some territories occupied by French troops. All these works ended up in major museums in the country and confiscated works continue to attract thousands to the palace devoted to art. Highlight many of the works of such influential artists and painters such as Raphael, Donatello, Van Dyck, Rembrandt, Goya and Delacroix. The museum also has a large collection of statues and sculptures.

Lille is full of small markets and shopping streets such as Notable former Place du Concert markets and the Vieille Bourse. In the oldest part of the city, recognizable by its stone streets, numerous boutiques hidden in the houses traditional flamenco style. The Grand Chaussée is one of the most important streets of the city center. This city is one of the best cheese shops in the country, among many other delightful gourmet shops.

Gambia, Arc, Music and Ecotourism

Gambia is a country in western Africa. The country is the smallest continent of Africa and is bordered by the Gambia River, which divides the country into two, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Gambia was part of the British Empire until 1965. Most of the country’s economy depends on agriculture, fisheries and tourism. One of the most interesting routes and walks in the river is usually from bridges Lamin Lodge and Denton Bridge.

The predominant religions are Islam and Christian religions. Therefore, there are a variety of mosques and cathedrals in major cities, such as the main mosques and the King Fahad Mosque and the Anglican Cathedral of Santa Maria in Banjul. There is also increasing influence of Rastafarian culture in the country.

Gambia is also notable for the wide variety of different ethnic groups living in the country. There is relatively little friction between the different groups. Highlight the larger tribes, and tribes Mandinka, Fula and Wolof. All the tribes maintain their own dialects and customs, but also celebrate the holidays in the country.

The Mandinka attach great importance to the music and the tradition of storytelling through song. The instrument that usually accompanies the stories is usually the drums and the kora. The kora is a 22-string musical instrument resembling a guitar.

Gambia is a country known for its music and his love of dance. Several new trends have emerged due to the influence of different tribes. The vast majority of the population lives in rural villages, and although the younger generations are increasingly globalized, it continues to maintain a balance between traditional customs and modern aspects of the country.

Gambia is a popular tourist destination due to its more than 80 miles of beaches. The country has a warm tropical climate, with periods of rain. Gambia is known for its many golden beaches fringed with palm trees, and are usually found near the best hotels and resorts in the country. The beaches of Cape Point are the most visited of the country.

The country attaches great importance to nature conservation. Ecotourism has become more important in recent years, and are encouraged safari tours. In Gambia there are six parks and reserves natural, filled with all kinds of birds and mammals. The forest Makasutu, which translates as Holy Forest is a spectacular forest where, according to legends, tribal wars took place several hundred years ago, but now has become one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.

The City of Banjul is the capital of the country. The city is located on the island of St. Mary’s, sometimes known as the Banjul Island. In this city are the historical and cultural monuments more important, like the Gambia National Museum, which houses the largest collection of historical documents and archives in the country. It also highlights the Albert Market, located near the Avenue of Liberation and the nineteenth century. Other attractions include the Museum of African Heritage, a center full of art galleries with a large collection of African statues, and several mosques and cathedrals.

Among the most important monuments of the country highlights the Ark 22, an arc of 35 meters high built in 1996 to commemorate the coup that took place on July 22, 1994. At the base of the arch, eight columns, the statue of the unknown soldier with a baby and the symbol of victory, with a rifle in the back. The arch is one of the country’s major roads, the road between the two most prominent cities, Banjul and Serrekunda. The arch has three floors and an observatory with stunning views of the city and the forest on the second floor and the Textile Museum on the third floor.

The largest city is Serrekunda. Highlights of town market, like their guilds engaged in the silk and textile industry.

Gambia also has several places which are considered World Heritage by UNESCO. Stresses James Island, where once a fortress and was one of the most prominent on the sale of slaves. Other World Heritage Sites are the Stone Circles of Senegambia, a place shared with neighboring Senegal.

The Stone Circles of Senegambia are north of the country. The circles are formed by huge stones and were trained in the eighth century. Apparently more than a thousand circles are above some old graves. One of the best known formations is near the town of Wassu.

Beside Wassu Janjangbureh can find a place that holds the remains and the influences of the colonial era. It also highlights Bakau, a region known for its botanical gardens, like Kachikali, notable for its ponds full of crocodiles. There are a variety of traditional villages, among which we highlight Brikama, a town dedicated to handicrafts.