Bangladesh Palm Riviera 3 stars Cox's Bazar

Featuring free WiFi, Palm Riviera offers accommodation in Cox's Bazar. There is a water park on site and guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. Free private parking is available on site. All units feature a seating area. Some units include a terrace and/or balcony with mountain or lake views. There is also a kitchen in some of the units, equipped with a microwave and toaster. Palm Riviera also includes a fitness centre. Guests can enjoy a drink at the on-site bar. The property also offers grocery delivery and packed lunches. The property has water sports facilities and car hire is available. The area is popular for diving and fishing. The property offers a free airport shuttle service. We speak your language! Bangladesh Lalbagh Fort, Dhaka Location Bangladesh in its region.svg Flag Flag of Bangladesh.svg Quick Facts Capital Dhaka (Dacca) Government Parliamentary democracy Currency taka (BDT) Area 147,570 km2 Population 156,118,464 (July 2010 est.) Language Bengali (official) English (recognised, has some national status) Religion Muslim 89%, Hindu 10%, other 1% Electricity 220V/50Hz(US Type A, Europlug, Type D, Type G, and Danish Plug) Country code +880 Internet TLD .bd Time Zone UTC +6 Emergencies dial 999 in Dhaka, Chittagong only Bangladesh is a country in South Asia (sometimes converging with Southeast Asia), bordering the Bay of Bengal to the South, India to the West and North, and Myanmar to the Southeast. Although off the beaten path by virtually any measurement, Bangladesh is populated by friendly locals. Contents 1 Etymology 2 Understand 2.1 Climate 2.2 Landscape 2.3 Holidays 3 Regions 4 Cities 5 Other destinations 6 Get in 6.1 Visas 6.1.1 Visa extensions 6.2 By plane 6.3 By bus 6.3.1 From Kolkata 6.3.2 From Siliguri 6.3.3 From Agartala 6.4 By train 7 Get around 7.1 By plane 7.2 By helicopter 7.3 By bus 7.4 By car 7.5 By train 7.6 By boat 8 Talk 9 See 10 Buy 11 Eat 12 Drink 13 Do 14 Sleep 15 Visit 16 Work 17 Stay safe 18 Stay healthy 19 Respect 20 Cope 20.1 Electricity 20.2 Clothing 20.3 Shaving 20.4 Tipping 20.5 News 20.6 FM Radio Stations 20.7 Overseas Embassies 21 Contact 21.1 Telephone 21.2 Internet Etymology Bangladesh is a new state in an ancient land. Like the rest of South Asia, it has been described as continually challenged by contradictions, marred by inconsistencies to say the least. It is neither a distinct geographical entity, nor a well-defined historical unit. Nevertheless, it is among the 10 most populous nations; a place whose search for a political identity has been protracted, intense and agonizing. The word Bangladesh is derived from the word “Vanga” which was first mentioned in the Hindu scripture Aitareya Aranyaka (composed between 500 BC and 500 AD). Bengal was reputedly first colonized by Prince Vanga, the son of King Bali and Queen Sudeshna of the Lunar dynasty. The roots of the term Vanga may be traced to languages in the neighbouring areas. One school of linguists maintain that the word “Vanga” is derived from the Tibetan word “Bans” which implies “wet and moist”. According to this interpretation, Bangladesh literally refers to a wetland. Another school is of the opinion that the term “Vangla” is derived from Bodo (aborigines of Assam) words “Bang” and “la” which connote “wide plains.” The exact origin of the word Bangla or Bengal is unknown, though it is believed to be derived from the Dravidian-speaking tribe Bang/Banga that settled in the area around the year 1000 BCE. Other accounts speculate that the name is derived from Vanga (bôngo), which came from the Austric word "Bonga" meaning the Sun-god. According to Mahabharata, Purana, Harivamsha Vanga was one of the adopted sons of king Vali who founded the Vanga kingdom. The Muslim Accounts refer that "Bong", a son of Hind (son of Hām who was a son of Prophet Noah/Nooh) colonized the area for the first time. The earliest reference to "Vangala"(bôngal) has been traced in the Nesari plates (805 AD) of Rashtrakuta Govinda III which speak of Dharmapala as the king of Vangala. Shams-ud-din Ilyas Shah took the title "Shah-e-Bangalah" and united the whole region under one government for the first time. The West Bengal assembly has passed a resolution saying the Indian state of West Bengal will, henceforth, be called Pashchim Banga. Will Bangladesh follow too? No one will tell you what ‘Bang’ in Bangladesh means, except some bold joiners of the dots in ancient history. Bangladesh is old Banga or Bangla with a history as old as 1,000 BC. Does it originate in the Tibetan word ‘bans’ which means wet or moist? Banga (Bengal) is a wet country, crisscrossed by a thousand rivers and washed by monsoons and floods from the Himalayas. The Chinese text Wei-lueh (3rd century AD) referred to Pan-yueh (ie Vanga) as the country of Han-yueh (Xan-gywat) or the Ganga. Some others believe that the name originated in the Bodo (original Assamese in North Eastern India) ‘Bang La’, which means wide plains. One of the tribes which emerged from the Indus Civilizations after its demise had entered the plains of Bengal, while others went elsewhere. They were called the Bong tribe and spoke Dravidian. We know from many ancient Aryan texts of a tribe called Banga. Anciently, Sri Lanka was Singhal, home of lions, which changed to Sihala (sic!) in 543 BC. The Portuguese called it Cilaon probably from Sanskrit Sri Lanka, which the Sri Lankans prefer today. The Portuguese are funny. They changed Arabic ‘mausim’ to ‘monsaon’, which has given us the word ‘monsoon’. In Punjabi, the word ‘aal’ is found in two words: ‘aalna’ (diminutive) for nest and ‘aalay-dawalay’ for ‘that which surrounds’. ‘Him’ in Sanskrit means ‘frozen’, from where we have the word Himal or Himala. ‘Shivala’, used by Allama Iqbal in Urdu, means home of Shiva. From the sense of ‘surrounding’ we get the Hindi word ‘aali’ which is the root of our Urdu word ‘sahaili’ meaning ‘friend of the bride’ because girlfriends sit ‘around’ the bride. ‘Sa’ is the prefix for ‘good’. This could be cognate with ‘saali’ (sister-in-law) and ‘saala’. The home of the father-in-law (sassur) is called ‘sassur-aal’. Lovers too are included, as in the bhajan ‘angana main ayay aali’. Here ‘aali’ is master (of home). In Sanskrit there are dozens of words for home, many of them indirect like ‘aal’. In the Urdu word ‘ghonsala’ (nest) there is ‘ghun’ (concealed) and ‘shala’ (home). A whole lot of them come from the sense of being ‘cut off’. Of that next time. Remnants of civilisation in the greater Bengal region date back four thousand years, when the region was settled by Dravidian, Tibeto-Burman, and Austro – Asiatic peoples. The exact origin of the word “Bangla” or “Bengal” is not known, though it is believed to be derived from Bang, the Dravidian-speaking tribe that settled in the area around the year 1000 BCE. The same is applies to the naming of Bangala desh or Bangadesh. There are various logic presented by various people of various disciplines. The Banga-desh is a land of the two mighty rivers of India, one flows from east and other one from west. The area covered jointly by these two rivers were probably known as “Ganga Lohit Desha”, which gradually became Gangalo Desh and Gangal Desh and then to Bangal Desh or Bangla desh or Bangadesha. Bangalo in place of Gangal is probably used to differentiate from the land of Ganga, i.e, from Hardwar onwards along the route of Ganga. ”Banga” means a place located near to river in Sanskrit, which fits with both the parts of Bengal. “Alaya” (As in Himalaya) in Sanskrit means “house” Bangla is also known as Vanga. The movement against break up of Bagladesh by British was famously known as “Vang Bhang” movement. Bhang in Hindi means -to break. You are right about “aal” as home. Actually, “aalay” means home itself. “Devalay” home of Gods, that is Temple, Mrigalay is home of animals (mrig), that is Zoe. Vanga has thus been a distinct geographical identity and the restoration of the old name can be one option. And Bengal is nothing but the Vanga, and the easiest way to maintain the legacy is to drop the 'West' from West Bengal. Vanga is synonymous with Banga because the alphabets V and B are interchangeable in Sanskrit. Banga in its etymological sense means Vanga or Vanka — marshy land. It denotes the entire stretch of lower Bengal when the sea receded and the landmass became fit for human habitation. One more thought BANGA – BA stands for river Brahmaputra and NGA for Ganga, as both the river meets here. Sanskrit had few words to describe a place – PUR, STHAN, AALAY. So Singapore – SINGH+PORE (SINGH = LION, PORE/PUR = City). Even Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan have derived the name from Sanskrit. (STAN = STHAN). Places which use AALAY – Himalay or Meghalay. Nepal: Naya-pal Kingdom of Naya, Bengal: Vaang desh Understand British India was partitioned by joint leaders of the Congress, All India-Muslim League and Britain in the summer of 1947, creating the commonwealth realms of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and a Republic of India. Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 when Bengali-speaking East Pakistan seceded from its union with Punjabi dominated West Pakistan after a 9 month bloody war. Although Bangladesh emerged as an independent country only in 1971, its history stretches back thousands of years and it has long been known as a crossroads of history and culture. Here you will find the world's longest beach, countless mosques, the largest mangrove forest in the world, interesting tribal villages and a wealth of elusive wild life. Although relatively impoverished compared to its burgeoning South Asian neighbour India, Bangladeshis are very friendly and hospitable people, putting personal hospitality before personal finances. Ready-made garments, textiles, pharmaceuticals, agricultural goods, ship building and fishing are some of the largest industries. The gap between rich and poor is increasingly obvious and the middle-class is fast-shrinking, as in the rest of Asia, especially in cities such as Dhaka and Chittagong as you move around between the working class old city and affluent neighborhoods like Gulshan and Baridhara. Climate Bangladesh has a sub tropical monsoon climate. There are six seasons in a year: Winter (Dec-Jan), Spring (Feb-Mar), Summer (Apr-May), Monsoon (June-July), Autumn (Aug-Sep), and Late Autumn (Oct-Nov). The average temperature across the country usually ranges between 9C - 29C in winter months and between 21C - 34C during summer months. Annual rainfall varies from 160cm to 200cm in the West, 200cm to 400cm in the Southeast and 250cm to 400cm in the Northeast. Cyclones above category three/four are uncommon (especially in the deep winter January through March)-- but while rare, can still bring widespread disruption as expected to infrastructure and power outages, especially in the coastal areas. The weather pattern is akin to the Gulf Coast in the United States (Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana). The current weather can be seen by hitting the 'play' button on the following interactive map, Current Bangladesh Satellite Weather Radar [1] Landscape The country is primarily a low-lying plain of about 144,000 km2, situated on deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal. The country is primarily flat fertile farmland and, with the exception of Chittagong Hill Tracts, rarely exceeds 10 meters above sea level, making it dangerously susceptible to changes in sea level. Highest point: Bijoy (1,231 meters). Holidays Ramadan dates 28 Jun–27 Jul 2014 (1435 AH) 18 Jun–16 Jul 2015 (1436 AH) 6 Jun–5 July 2016 (1437 AH) Exact dates depend on local astronomical observations and vary from one country to another. Ramadan ends with the Eid ul-Fitr festival extendign over several days. Pohela Boishakh - The most widely celebrated secular national festival of the country. Here people from all walks of life participate in various cultural shows called Boishakhi Mela, wearing national dress (kurta or Shari), eating sweets and wishing every one happy new year. Ekushey - National Mother Language Day - February 21. This day marks the anniversary of the martyrs that died in 1952 while protesting against the imposition of Urdu, in the name of Islam, as the mother-tongue. The uprisings to support Bangla as the mother language fueled the movement towards secular nationalism that culminated in independence in 1971. The holiday is marked by (one of the most colourful events in Asia) tributes to the martyrs by political leaders, intellectuals, poets, writers, artisans and singing beginning at one minute after midnight on the 21st. Government offices are closed, and expect traffic disruption from February 20. Independence day - 26 March - On this day 'Father of the Nation' Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proclaimed Bangladesh's independence. Victory day - 16 December - On this day Pakistani occupied forces surrendered to joint Bangladeshi & Indian forces. Eid-ul-Fitr - the largest Muslim holiday of the year, it celebrates the end of the holy month of Ramazan. Food is the highlight, and if you're lucky you'll be invited into a private home for a feast. Businesses close for at least a couple days if not a week. Eid-ul-Azha - is the second largest Muslim festival. Durga Puja - Four days around October. The largest Hindu festival in the country, it goes on for several days with festivities varying each day. Christmas - December 25th, This is the largest Festival of Christian Community in the country which is declared as a government holiday. A prayer is held at Tejgaon Church at 23:00 (Local Time) on 24 December. Also some other churches in Dhaka also arrange prayers. Regions Bangladesh is a very small country, broken into 7 administrative divisions: Regions of Bangladesh Dhaka Division home to the capital city along with jute and rice paddies. Chittagong Division a picturesque hinterland of large hills, forests and beaches. Rajshahi Division known for its silk and mangoes. Khulna Division a relaxing, slow paced area; home of the incredible Sundarbans. Sylhet Division home to endless rolling tea estates and beautiful natural scenery. Barisal Division the land of rivers, rice paddies, and lush vegetation. Rangpur Division Indian influence and orange-colored limes. Cities The National Parliament Most of these cities are also the capital of the division of the same name: Dhaka - The hectic capital city, an intense and thriving metropolis of some 12 million people that's growing by the day. Chittagong - a bustling commercial center and the largest international seaport in the country. Mymensingh - a historic city located by the side of river Brahmaputa with a rich cultural and political history dating back more than 200 years. Khulna - located on the Rupsha River, famous for shrimp and a starting point for journeys into the Sundarbans. Rajshahi - the silk city. Rangpur - important city in the north-west, with extensive agriculture and trade. Barisal - Southern city famous for Paddy growing and its many rivers, best reached by a slow-paced and relaxing boat ride on the Rocket Steamer. Sylhet - the largest city in the northeast, known for the shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Shahjalal, one of the holiest sites in the country. Jessore - a bustling district town, and convenient transit point to or from Kolkata; famous for Gur, a form of cake-like molasses produced from the extract of the date tree. Comilla - (Bengali: কুমিল্লা) is a city in eastern Bangladesh, located along the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway. It is the administrative center of the Comilla District, part of the Chittagong Division. Comilla is the second-largest city of eastern Bangladesh after Chittagong and is one of the three oldest cities in Bangladesh. Other destinations Cox's Bazar - the longest beach in the world. Bagerhat - an important historical centre and site of several mosques including the famous Shait Gambuj Masjid (60 Dome Mosque). Bogra- a culturally Buddhist area. Char Atra - a low lying island located in the Ganges. Paharpur - ruins of an ancient Buddhist vihara. Rangamati- the colourful tribal experience of Bangladesh. Lobster on St Martin's Island St Martin's Island - the country's only coral island with friendly locals, a laid back vibe, and coconuts to spare. Sundarbans - the largest mangrove forest in the world, with lots of bird life and home to the very elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. Vola - The island of beauty Bandarban - The land of highest peak Kushtia - The akhra of famous baul singer Lalan Fakir Get in Visas Nationals of Barbados, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Jamaica, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Tonga and Zambia do not require visas for stays of up to 90 days. Nationals of all European Union/European Economic Area member states, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, China (PRC), Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and the United States may obtain a visa on arrival for stays of up to 30 days. Citizens of all other countries without a Bangladeshi mission, or arriving from such countries, may obtain a visa on arrival for the maximum stay of 30 days. However, nationals of Brazil, Brunei, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Libya, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Vietnam must apply for a visa before travel, unless they are residing in a country without a Bangladeshi representation. Transit passengers continuing their journey on the first connecting aircraft also do not require visas, provided they hold valid onward or return documentation and do not leave the airport. On occasion, tourists and business travellers arriving at airports in Dhaka and Chittagong may be granted 'landing permission' by the Chief Immigration Officer for stays of up to 15 days, as long as they hold return air tickets. However, this method is fairly unorthodox and is not available for the average traveller[2]. There is a flat visa fee of US $50, plus VAT of BDT 7 (approx. $0.08). In reality they take $51 and somewhere along the line $0.92 gets pocketed. You must pay in USD. That means withdrawing money in BDT from an ATM, at the airport, then paying at the VOA booth, or changing FOREX into USD/Bangladesh Taka at one of the exchange places just behind immigration. From the VOA desk near immigration you will be escorted to the currency exchange to pay for your visa. You can pay in most currencies. You will be given a receipt, which you hand back to the VOA officials. Your details will be written into a big book, and then you will be escorted to a special VOA immigration desk. No documentation or photos are required, although it is a good idea to have details of your accommodation printed out. Duration of the visa is decided by the VOA officials – it would seem that they give you as long as you ask for, but probably with a 30 day maximum. Whoever escorts you from desk to desk will probably harass you (gently) for a tip. Be ready to show paperwork indicating invitations from the said government organisations. Since most passengers are either Bangladeshi or already have visas there is rarely a queue for VOA. Combined with a special VOA immigration lane, applying for a VOA might be quicker than arriving with a visa (for tourists only). If you were a Bangladeshi citizen at some point in time and now hold a passport from a different country, you can contact your nearest Bangladesh High Commission for your "No Visa Required" stamp, which works as a permanent visa as long as your passport containing the stamp doesn't expire. This option is also available to the children and grandchildren Bangladeshi citizens. If you apply in your home country you can usually obtain a 3 month visa if arriving by air, or 30 days if arriving at a land border crossing. Fees vary depending on nationality and length of visa requested. As-flag.png Australian citizens - All visas cost AU$150 from the Bangladesh High Commission in Canberra. For further information, visit the High Commission's official website here: [3]. See note above where apparently visa can be purchased on arrival. Ca-flag.png Canadian citizens - A single-entry visa for 3 months is C$80 and a multiple-entry visa is C$158. The visa form for Canada is here: [4]. Tourist visas are now issued upon arrival for 30 days at the airport, and may be extended for stays up to 60 days. Uk-flag.png UK citizens - A single or double entry visa is £78. A multiple entry for 6 months is £78 and multiple entries for 12 months is £270. The London High Commission is hectic. A visa of arrival is preferable to dealing with the "queues" here. The UK visa form is here: [5]. The UK also boasts a large number of Bangladeshi consular offices: [6]. Us-flag.png US citizens - The embassy is in is in Washington D.C.: [7]. The visa fee is currently $160 if obtained from within the USA, and can be applied for by mail. There are also consulates in Los Angeles [8] and New York [9] who will answer most questions; ensure you read the 'visa requirements' sections carefully. A U.S. cashier's check, money order or bank draft should be made payable to "Consulate General of Bangladesh". International money orders, personal checks and cash are not acceptable. Visas on Arrival are available to US tourists for up to 30 days (length may differ at some land borders), provided they have at least $500 in cash or travellers checks. The fee of $51 must be paid in cash (USD, EUR or GBP). For all other countries, there is a visa fee list here: [10]. The Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata, Circus Ave (Just east of AJC Bose Rd), +91 033 4012 7500, issues only 15 day visas, ranging from free for Indians to a hefty Rs 5000 (~US$110) for American citizens. Applications are received at window #4 weekdays from 9-11AM, and visas are generally ready the next afternoon. Bring 3 passport photos and copies of passport and Indian visa. Visa extensions Visa extensions are possible in Dhaka at the Immigration and Passport Office on Agargaon Rd. Fees are the same as a single-entry visa, even if just trying to expand your 15 day pittance into a full-fledged 30-90 day visa, making a sidetrip from India for longer than 15 days an expensive endeavor. If you want to stay only a little longer, it's better to just pay the overstay fee of Tk 200/day for up to 15 days, which grows substantially to Tk 500/day thereafter. Some of the smaller backwater crossings such as Tamabil may not even notice that you've overstayed if you don't point it out yourself. By plane Shahjalal International Airport (formerly Zia International Airport) (IATA: DAC, ICAO: VGZR) (Bengali: শাহজালাল আন্তর্জাতিক বিমানবন্দর), in Dhaka is the main gateway to the country, though Chittagong and Sylhet also receive international flights. Be wary of the mosquitos which terrorize the entire airport. The national carrier is Bangladesh Biman [11], connecting with a few flights tothe Middle East, Asia and Europe. It has a less-than-stellar reputation for punctuality, cleanliness and safety. It is now under re-organization and many international routes have been curtailed. Currently, routes to the UK (London & Manchester), Italy (Rome & Milan) exist in Europe, as well as a number of Middle Eastern destinations, Kolkata, Kathmandu, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The private carrier United Airways (BD) Ltd [12] operates domestic and regional flights to Dhaka from Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Karachi, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Muscat,Jeddah, Riyadh, London, and Kuala Lumpur, and is far better managed than Biman. It is the best local/regional carrier currently based in . The Bangladesh's first private carrier, GMG Airlines, has cancelled their entire operation until further notice. Connecting from the Middle East: There are direct flights to Dhaka from Qatar (Qatar Airways), Oman (Oman Air), Bahrain (Gulf Air), Saudi Arabia (Saudia) and the United Arab Emirates on Emirates to Dubai [13] or Etihad Airways to Abu Dhabi [14]) through which you can connect to most Asian and European capitals and several North American hubs. Emirates, for instance, serves New York, Toronto and Houston from their Dubai (DXB) hub non-stop -- and then connects to Dhaka via a short four-hour hop. Connecting from East Asia: Hong Kong (Chek Lap Kok) and Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) are the most convenient nearby hubs to reach Bangladesh from Eastern Asia (Beijing, Tokyo) and points further East (Western United States). China Eastern Airlines flies frequently to Kunming, and China Southern to their hub in Guangzhou. Both these airlines offer a plethora of Chinese and regional connections, as well as longhual flights to the USA and Australia. Dragonair [15] flies non-stop from Hong Kong to Dhaka (4~5 hours). Hong Kong as a major international hub has very good connections to the rest of the world. Connecting from South East Asia: Tiger Airways [16] flies direct to Dhaka from Singapore, offering the cheapest links if booked early. Singapore Airlines [17] also fly the route, in much more comfort, and at considerable cost. Malaysia Airlines [18] often has cheap rates to Kuala Lumpur. Thai Airways [19] fly daily from Bangkok, with nice daytime schedules. Connecting from North America (East Coast): No direct flights to Dhaka yet. Cathay Pacific [20] has a non-stop route from New York (JFK) to Hong Kong over the North Pole (CX830/831). Then you take a short Dragonair flight to Dhaka. Continental [21] flies to Hong Kong non-stop using the same 16-hour polar route, flying from Newark Liberty (New Jersey). Again - the connection is by Dragonair. Connecting from North America (West Coast): Cathay Pacific, Thai & Singapore Airlines now have non-stop flights from Hong Kong, Bangkok & Singapore (their respective hub cities) to Los Angeles. Singapore Airlines may also have a direct flight to San Francisco as well. China Southern fly to Los Angeles via Guangzhou. These airlines all have direct connecting flights to Dhaka from their respective hubs. Connecting from Australia or South Africa: You're better off connecting via the Guangzhou, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore hubs (which are served by almost every airline -- it seems). Connecting from Western Europe: British Airways [22] no longer serves Dhaka non-stop from London. Other than Biman (whom offer the only direct flights), you can connect through most Middle Eastern hubs (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Riyadh, Jeddah) from Europe. Jet Airways also fly from Europe/America to Dhaka via both Delhi and Mumbai. Connecting from the region (Indian subcontinent): Currently, Jet Airways[23] is the only Indian airline flying to Bangladesh, via it’s hubs (Kolkata, Delhi or Mumbai). The Dhaka-Kolkata flight is also flown by Biman and United Airways. United also fly Kolkata-Chittagong. Air India does not fly to Bangladesh. There are connections on Pakistan International Airlines to Pakistan, and on Mihin Lanka Airlines to Colombo in Sri Lanka. Some regional flights like those operated by Thai Airways [24] stop in Chittagong or Sylhet en route to/from Dhaka. Nearby regional destinations like Kathmandu (Nepal), Paro (Bhutan), Kunming (China) and all Indian cities are readily accessible from Dhaka in under three hours and are served by a great number of private airlines. The most exotic destination from Dhaka is to Paro (Bhutan's Capital) and is served by Druk-Air [25], the national Bhutanese airline on Sundays (9:00 AM flight taking an hour). The approach to Paro Airport (PBH) is an adventure in itself. By bus The only open land borders are those with India. No land crossing is possible to Myanmar (occasionally Bangladesh passport holders are allowed to cross from Teknaf, though this changes regularly). From Kolkata From India there are a number of land entry points. The most common way is the regular comfortable a/c buses from Kolkata to Dhaka via the Haridaspur / Benapole border post. Private Bangladeshi bus companies Shohagh [26], Green Line [27], Shyamoli [28] among others operate daily Kolkata-Dhaka-Kolkata bus services. Govt. buses run under the label of the state owned West Bengal Surface Transport Service Corporation (WBSTSC) and the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation [29] (BRTC). WBSTSC and BRTC both operate buses from Kolkata (Karunamoyee international bus terminus in the Salt Lake neighborhood) every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 5:30AM and 8:30AM, and 12:30PM while from Dhaka they leave on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:00AM and 7:30AM. The normal journey time is around 12 hours with a one-way fare of Rs550 or BDT600-800, roughly $8-12. If you're headed only to Haridaspur the fare is Rs86 (2.5 hours). FROM SHILLONG MEGHALYA from shillong you can take early morning taxi/shared sumo/bus to reach indian border village dawki.It takes around 2 to 3 hours depending on conditions.Border post is at dawki/tamabil. The indian lone immigration officer reaches at the immigration post at around 10:30 am though the timing is 6 am to 6 pm for human crossing.Crossing is hassle free since there is no rush on the indian side and the formalities hardly take 5 minutes or so.on the bangladeshi side the situation is almost the same but keed in mind that bangladeshi immigration officials are a bit poor in spoken english.Bear in mind that on your way back you have to pay 500 taka as departure tax.tax can only be paid in sonali bank & only a few branches are autorised to collect this tax.They dont take departure tax in cash at land border. Timings will vary, please confirm after arrival in Kolkata (Calcutta). From Siliguri "Shayamoli Paribhahan" has a bus service from Siliguri to Dhaka.Phone# +8802-8360241, +8801716942154. It cost around 1000/=(may increase later) Taka for one way ticket. From Agartala There is a regular bus service between Dhaka and Agartala, capital of India's Tripura state. Two BRTC buses leave daily from Dhaka and connect with the Tripura Road Transport Corporation vehicles, running six days a week with a roundtrip fare of BDT600 ($10). There is only one halt at Ashuganj in Bangladesh during the journey. Call +880 2 8360241 for schedule. Other entry points from India are Hili, Chilahati / Haldibari and Banglaband border posts for entry from West Bengal; Tamabil / Dawki border post for a route between Shillong (Meghalaya) and Sylhet in Bangladesh, and some others with lesser known routes from north-eastern Indian regions. By train Train services from India were suspended for 42 years, but the Maitree Express started running again between Dhaka to Kolkata in April 2008. The service is biweekly: A Bangledeshi train leaves Dhaka every Saturday, returning on Sunday, while an Indian train leaves Kolkata on Saturdays and returns the next day. Get around By plane Air travel in Bangladesh is very affordable and convenient. As with most flights, the earlier you book, the better your fare. Flight time is nearly always less than 1 hour, but can save many hours of tedious and dangerous road travel. Dhaka’s domestic terminal lies next to the International Terminals, within easy walking distance. Check in normally is open from 60 until 30 minutes before departure. The terminal is small, and with few diversions, so don’t arrive too early. There are airports in all of the division capitals and in Jessore, Cox's Bazar and some other small cities. United Airways (BD) Ltd [30] operate the most flights, with smaller private operater Regent Airways [31] also competing. National airline Biman [32] also fly domestic routes, although with the retiring of their sole small jet, frequency and range of destinations has dropped significantly. Chittagong is often served with wide body aircraft enroute to the Middle East. Currently, all air routes in the country operate via Dhaka. All three airlines offer online booking and e-tickets. Despite the short distances, on board service is generally good, with water and juices, as well as small snacks handed out. Aircraft used on domestic routes are mainly Western built ATR and Dash prop aircraft. By helicopter There are quite a few rotor-wing craft services available for hire in Bangladesh for tourism, MEDEVAC or Film-footage services. Any reputable travel agent will know full details. As of now - one service "ATL" is at, ATL [33] or at ATL [34]. By bus Local Bangladeshi buses are generally crowded, often to the extent of people riding on the bus steps (entrance) and sometimes even the roof. The state run Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation [35] (BRTC) buses usually fall into this category. Avoid all of the low cost buses - they are easy to spot by their poor condition. There are daily fatal accidents involving them. If you do use them, it is worth noting that they do not usually stop, but rather slow down slightly to let passengers on or off. Additionally, fare collectors, disconcertingly, do not wear uniform making them difficult to identify. If you do not speak the language you may have to simply jump on the bus (literally) and give money to the first person who asks you. However, there are luxurious air conditioned bus services connecting major cities and popular tourist destinations. Green Line [36], Shyamoli [37], SilkLine [38] and Shohagh [39] usually have a couple different offices dotted around the cities they serve. Greenline has a few Scania buses running between Dhaka, Chittagong and Cox's Bazar that offer a level of comfort you've probably never seen in a bus before - they cost about 1/3 more than their Volvo buses, but are comparable to business class on an airplane, at least. More comfortable and expensive buses use the same over crowded roads, and have the same suicidal drivers as the cheaper buses. Bus stations are often very busy and disorganised. The main Sydabad station in Dhaka is extremely chaotic. The approach to the “station” can take many hours due to the lack of paved roads, street lights, traffic lights and decorum. You should take care when hainvg luggage stored in the hold of buses, even on the better carrier that will tag your bag. Things do go missing (taken off early, or even, not loaded in the first place. Make sure you out your suitcase in yourself, ideally first, so other luggage is in a thieves firing line. By car Driving in Bangladesh is not for the faint hearted - the road network is fairly good, but dodging irrational bus drivers and weaving in and out of rickshaws isn't easy on the nerves. Driving standards are some of the worst in the world, as notable by the many cars which have bumper bars that encircle the whole car. Traffic in Dhaka has reached unimaginable proportions, and self-driving is definitely not advised. Parking places are non-existent. It is highly advised to hire a local driver. Night time driving is substantially more dangerous as trucks/buses often ignore smaller cars; road travel at night should be avoided, regardless of who's driving. Officially, cars drive on the left; in reality, cars drive on any side of the road. The speed limit is 25 km/h on all urban roads, though it is highly unlikely a vehicle will even reach this speed with the traffic. Many traffic lights have been installed in recent times, but these are often disregarded by both drivers and traffic police. Traffic police direct cars on all major intersections in urban areas. On many country roads, it is illegal to overtake; but again, this is completely ignored, with locals employing extremely dangerous manoeuvres when passing the vehicle in front of them. The cities are well lit, but country roads often lack street lighting. Some new inter-city roads have tolls, especially new bridges; these are fairly cheap. By train Bangladesh Railways [40] is the state and only train operator. The ticket prices are reasonable and usually similar to bus ticket prices and sometimes even cheaper. However, due to the roundabout routes and tricky river crossings, the journey durations are usually much longer. Tickets can be booked over the phone, though unless you speak Bengali you're likely to get better results at one of the computerized station booking offices. Trains are generally comfortable, with more leg room than buses. Though the carriages are generally not very clean, the AC and 1st class seats are manageable. Sulob class is the highest 2nd class ticket, with reserved seating and not much different from 1st class (except in price). Kamlapur Rail Station in Dhaka is large and modern. It serves all major cities but due to the existence of broad gauge and meter gauge tracks around the country it may be required to change trains en route. By boat There are over 230 mighty and small rivers throughout the country, and boats and ferries are an integral part of travel for locals and tourists alike. A journey along the river in any mode is probably the best way to see Bangladesh. There are a number of private tour operators offering river sightseeing trips of various lengths, or using the ferries to get between cities is a great way to see the country at a moderate pace. The Rocket Steamer service connects Dhaka and Khulna via Barisal, and is a fantastic way to enjoy riverine Bangladesh, for those who prefer the scenic route. The 4 ferries are operated by BIWTC [41] and run several times per week in each direction. It's advisable to book several days in advance if possible. While there are several different classes it's unlikely that you will end up in anything but 1st or 2nd class. Both of these consist of around 10 small berths on the upper deck of the boat with 2 beds each and a sink (no doubt doubling as a urinal), and fairly clean shared bathrooms. There's a central dining/sitting room in each class with a chef cooking Bengali meals and the odd fish-and-chips or an omelette for around Tk 50-150. Cheaper food can be bought at the vendors in the lower classes on the bottom level. First class is at the front of the boat, with the bow made into a nice sitting area. If you're traveling single you must book 2 beds if you want a berth guaranteed to yourself in either class, though unless the boat is completely full it's unlikely they'll put someone in a foreigner's room even if you just pay for one. The full journey takes anywhere from 26-30 hours and costs Tk 1010/610 in first/second class. It's best avoided during the rainy seasons and during holidays when the launches get over crowded with home-returning city dwellers. The more eco-friendly may prefer to take their trash off with them: otherwise, it's likely to end up in the river at the end of the journey. BIWTC also operates many other more basic ferries that may be useful for smaller distances. Talk The national language is Bengali (Bangla) and is spoken everywhere. It's an Indo-Aryan language derived from Prakit, Pali and Sanskrit and written in its own script. Many Bangladeshis understand only limited English such as basic affirmatives, negatives, and some numbers. This is especially so in rural areas and among the lower socio-economic classes. Learning a few Bengali words ahead of your trip will prove very useful. Two centuries of British colonisation lead people to identify most white foreigners as either British or Americans, and to view them with curiosity. The first question you will probably be asked is "What is your country?" ("Desh kothay?" in Bangla). If hawkers or rickshaw-wallahs are over-zealous in selling you their products or services, simply say "Amar dorkar nai" ("I don't need [this item]") or "Lagbey nah" ("No need") as a colloquial way of saying "No, thanks." If you don't wish to give money to beggars and other unfortunates, simply tell them "Maaf koro" (with informal you) or "Maaf koren" (with polite/formal you), which means "Pardon me"; or you can apply a tricky concept by saying "Amar bangthi poisha nai", meaning "I have no change." Above all, if you're refusing a service or product, don't linger. Walk on as you say these phrases. Otherwise, your lingering may be misinterpreted by peddlers as your uncertainty about refusal. If you plan to travel beyond the cities it is best to engage a travel guide or an interpreter or buy a tour package that offers you both. See Bangladesh as a vacation land has many facets. Her tourist attractions include archaeological sites, historic mosques and monuments, resorts, beaches, picnic spots, forest and wildlife. Bangladesh offers opportunities for angling, water-skiing, river cruising, hiking, rowing, surfing, yachting and sea bathing as well as bringing one in close touch with Mother Nature. She is also rich in wildlife and game birds. Ham-Ham Waterfall]- One of the biggest waterfall of the country Sundarbans — UNESCO world heritage site, largest Mangrove forest of the earth Cox's Bazar — world’s longest uninterrupted natural sandy sea beach St. Martins Island — Bangladesh’s only coral island Keokradong peak - One of The highest peak of the country Nafa-khum Waterfall - The largest waterfall of Bangladesh also a place to enjoy rafting on local boats Lawachara National Park- IUCN category V protected landscape, a tropical forest of Bangladesh Darjilling Para - Most cleanest village of Bangladesh Bisana Kandi - A beautiful landscape beside Meghaloy Jaflong - The heaven of Bangladesh Nijhum Dip - The Island of beauty Puran Dhaka - The city of Mughal Emperor Sonargaon - The city of Mughal Architecture Mohasthangor - 1000 years old buddhist architecture Ratargul Jolabon - The Amazon Of The Bangladesh If you arrive at a historic monument after it has already closed for the day, it may be possible to "pay" a security guard an "after hours tour fee" to be quickly taken around a site. Nationalized symbols of Bangladesh National flag Flag of Bangladesh Flag of Bangladesh.svg Nationall seal Seal of Bangladesh National emblem of Bangladesh.svg National animal Royal Bengal tiger Provincial animal of East Bengal.jpg National bird Copsychus saularis Provincial bird of East Bengal.jpg National tree Ficus benghalensis Provincial tree of East Bengal.jpg National flower Nymphaea pubescens Provincial flower of East Bengal.jpg Buy What will it cost? 2 L bottled water: Tk 23 Cup of tea: Tk 5 Newspaper: Tk 8 Candy bar: Tk 15 Coke/Pepsi: Tk 15 Pair of readymade trousers: c. Tk 250 The currency of Bangladesh is the Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) with two symbols commonly see locally: Tk and ৳. As of February 2014, US$1 = Tk 77.42. Bangladesh is one of the largest ready-made garment manufacturers in the world, exporting clothing for famous brands such as Nike, Adidas and Levis. Though these products are usually not meant for sale in the local markets, they can be found in abundance in famous shopping areas such as Banga Bazaar and Dhaka College. In most stores, prices are not fixed. Even most stores that display 'fixed-price' label tolerate bargaining. Prices can thus be lowered quite considerably. If bargaining is not your strong point ask a local in the vicinity politely what they think you should pay. Besides there are loads of handicraft, boutique shops. There are lots of shopping malls in and around Dhaka and Chittagong. Foreigners will usually be changed a higher cost, however you will not usually be priced gouged, with what you are changed usually being only slightly more than what the locals would pay, with the difference for small items often being only a matter of a few US cents. Aarong is one of the largest and most popular handicraft and clothing outlets with stores in Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and Khulna. It's a great place for souvenirs or to pick up a stylish kurta or salwar kameez at fixed prices. Women can find a cotton shalwar kameez for around Tk 400 in a market or Tk 800-1500 in a shop. Silk is more expensive. ATMs can be found in most metropolitan areas. Dutch Bangla Bank has the largest ATM network in Bangladesh and finding one isn't hard (there is one at the airports of both Dhaka and Chittagong). These ATMs accept all Mastercard and Visa credit/debit cards. Most international banks in the country such as Standard Chartered and Citibank also rely on the Dutch-Bangla Bank Nexus™ ATM network for their own clients. HSBC ATMs are located at most hotels but accept only Visa debit/credit cards and HSBC GlobalAccess™ cards (no MasterCard). Most ATM's are usually quite safe to use as most will be set inside a building with a security guard standing (or more likely sitting) guard at the door. Eat Bangladesh is a fish lover's paradise. Traditionally most of the country lives off of the once-bountiful fresh-water river fish, especially the officially designated "national fish" Hilsa. The Hilsa has a nice flavour but some may find the many fine bones difficult to manage; if you can master eating this fish, consider yourself on par with the locals in fish-eating and deboning expertise. Various recipes exist for cooking Hilsa, suitable for all seasons and all regions of the country. Mutton is also popular, as in most Muslim countries, as is decidedly lean or hard chicken. Rice is almost always the staple side dish. Mixed vegetable curries are plentiful - potato, eggplant, squash and tomatoes are the staple ingredients. Gourds, tubers and certain root vegetables are common. In the major cities (Dhaka, Chittagong, etc.), you will find a larger variety of vegetables than in rural areas. The idea of salad varies from the international standard. In Bangladesh, salad has not been extensively developed, and "kacha" (raw) vegetables are generally not deemed very appetizing or palatable (with the exception of cucumbers), especially in more rural or suburban areas and in less Westernized households. Traditionally, most salad vegetables (carrots, celery, lettuce, paprika, etc.) were not even grown in most agrarian households, so the use of these vegetables was extremely rare. Hence, borrowing from the Mughal traditions, a few round slices of onions and cucumbers, spiced with salt, chilies, etc., is often treated as a full plate of salad. Dal is usually a given side dish or meal course for all households, even the poorest or most rural (who often cannot afford any other daily meal courses). Most Bangladeshi dal varies from its West Bengali counterpart, and even more so from its other Indian counterparts, primarily because it is more watery and less concentrated or spiced. An easy analogy would be that whereas most Indian dal is more like thick stew, most Bangladeshi dal is more like light soup or broth. The Hindus of Bangladesh have greater varieties of Dal recipes, just as they have greater varieties of vegetarian dishes. The Muslims have thicker and more spiced varieties of dal. Dal recipes vary regionally in Bangladesh, so be careful not to over-generalize after a brief experience. Boiled eggs (dhim) are a popular snack (Tk 3-5), and fresh fruit is abundant, such as bananas (Tk 2/ea), apples (Chinese, Tk 80-100/kg), oranges, grapes, pomegranates and papayas. Delicious and diverse, mangos (Tk 50-150/kg) are a very popular fruit throughout Bangladesh. Fast food restaurants and bakeries serving burgers, kababs, spring rolls, vegetable patties and just about anything else you can throw in a deep fryer are dotted around most cities. Most items will run around Tk 10/each.Bangladesh also has international fast food chains like Pizza Hut, KFC, A&W, Nando's, Tekiya. To enjoy the tastes of Dhaka one needs to go to old Dhaka. The Haji biriyani, Nanna biriyani are a must. Also Al Razzak restaurant is famous for its Shahi food. To savour local food one must go to Korai Gost at Dhanmondi Satmosjid road, Kasturi restaurant at Gulshan & Purana Paltan area. No one should leave Bangladesh without tasting the Phuchka and Chatpati available in the streets of Dhaka,Chittagong. Also there are loads of Chinese and Thai restaurants in Bangladesh which serve localized chinese and thai dishes.Bailey road in Dhaka is the unofficial food street of the nation followed by Satmoshjid Road.Dhaka also has Japanese, Korean and Indian restaurants located mostly in Gulshan area. For world class Ice creams do visit Moven pick, Club gelato in Gulshan. To taste Kebab, Babecue tonight in Dhanmondi is the best followed by Koyla in Gulshan. Most Bangladeshis eat with their right hand as in neighboring countries. Never use your left hand to bring food to your mouth, though it's ok to use it for bringing a glass to your mouth or to serve food from a common dish with a spoon. Every restaurant will have a handwashing station (sometimes just a pitcher of water and a bowl if they don't have running water), and you should use this before and after the meal. To eat with your hand, rake in a little portion of the rice and a bit of the curry to an open space on your plate (usually create a bit of space on the side of the plate closest to you, sufficiently inward from the rim but NOT in the centre of the plate), and mix the rice and curry with your fingers. Then, create a little ball or mound (it should be compact and modestly sized, but does not need to be perfectly shaped or anything--function over form!) of the mixture and pick it up with all your fingers, and scoop in into your mouth. Your fingers should not enter your mouth in the process, and your upper fingers and palms should not get dirty either. Only toddlers and foreigners/tourists are exempted from these rules. It doesn't matter a whole lot if you don't get it all exactly right, but know that the entire restaurant is watching and waiting to see if you do. Attempting to eat with your hands and failing miserably will raise many a smile. The use of cutlery (except serving spoons for common dishes) is lacking in rural areas and poorer households, and only basic cutlery of spoons, or sometimes a fork is sometimes available in urban restaurants and more Westernised, urban households. However, the use of hands is a more humble and culturally respectful gesture, especially from a tourist. Table-sharing is acceptable and even expected in most establishments, with the exception of nicer urban restaurants. Many places have separate curtained-off booths for women and families, a nice reprieve from prying eyes. Drink Nightlife in Bangladesh is nearly non-existent. Being a Muslim country, alcohol is frowned upon and found mostly in the international clubs and pricier restaurants in Dhaka and in some restaurants in tourist centers like Cox's Bazar. In Teknaf and on Saint Martins Island you may stumble upon the occasional beer smuggled in from Myanmar. Some of the nicest hotels in the cities have fully equipped bars with exaggerated prices to match. However, lack of commercial availability of liquor should not always be confused with cultural aversion to alcohol in mainstream society. You'll likely find that Bengali Christians and many urbanized, upper-class Muslims privately have a more liberal, Westernized attitude toward social consumption of alcohol. However most 5 Star Hotels like Radisson, Ruposhi Bangla (Former Sheraton), Shonargoan, Regency and few clubs in Gulshan are arranging DJ / Dance parties on frequent basis. Foreigners may bump into one of those parties if they are lucky. Usual entrance fees of such parties are around BDT 2000/- (USD 30). Young people of upper class and higher upper class of the society are the main portion of the formed crowd. However in some places, western clothed hired companions are available. Foreigners looking for a clean vacation should stay away from them using common sense. Liquires does not flow freely in these parties most of the time. Purchasing alcohol is very hard (and expensive), so if you “need” a drink, or imagine you will do so, it is recommended to buy a bottle of duty free to take with you. There is a small duty free shop before immigration in Dhaka Airport, although the selection is poor. If you are visiting an expatriate in Bangladesh, ask if they would like some duty free….the answer will invariably be yes! Native homemade liquor such as Mohua or Choani can be bought from tribal people of the South-Eastern districts (Chittagong Hill Tracts) if you are visiting. Made from nectar, fruits or rice, these drinks are quite strong (Choani has two more varieties: Dochoani and Techoani, meaning they were distilled twice or thrice) and go well with the pork the natives cook. Coffee is -- like the rest of the world, a perennial middle-class 'Adda' (gossip) accompaniment in this city. In most places instant coffee will be the best you can find. Tea is everywhere. Ask for red tea if you do not want milk. Fruit juices are plentiful, varied and delicious, though be wary of watered down or icy drinks and dirty blenders. Raw sugarcane juice is widely available during the hot season, and usually a safe, sanitary bet. Other safe bets are coconuts, popular in the southeast tourists spots like Cox's Bazar and Saint Martins Island. Soft Drinks are widely available. Diet versions are limited to Coke or Pepsi, and are hard to find outside of supermarkets in Dhaka or Chittagong. Do Bangladesh is a large and densely populated country. However, the casual tourist may find it difficult to navigate this country, where tourism by Westerners is virtually unknown. Perhaps one of Bangladesh's greatest treasures are its people; the country is packed with friendly, honest, and amiable locals who are willing to spend time acquainting themselves with the passing tourist. Crowd of locals surrounding you to inquire about your home country, job, marital status, etc. may at first be disconcerting--but don't worry, the locals have good intentions. The people can be impressionable, so make sure to leave a positive impact. Sleep This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room: Budget Tk 50-500 Mid-range Tk 550-5000 Splurge Tk 5000+ There's a broad range of hotels in the country, from economy hotels costing $1 per night (sometimes filthy and sometimes reluctant to take foreigners) up to 5-star hotels in some of the major cities. Compared to nearby destinations (e.g. India and Thailand), the accommodation situation in Bangladesh is of a lower quality/standard, even if this is not reflected in the prices. This is particularly noticeable in the 5* bracket, where international chains and local boutique hotels have very high prices on what would be 4* (or even 3*) hotels across the border. Visit Bangladesh is a country with lots of places to visit, many of which offer unforgettable experiences but remain relatively unknown to the rest of the world. Dhaka (the Capital) is a pulsing, gritty conglomerate, one of the most densely populated cities in the world. It has a number of attractions for the tourists. They include, but are not limited to, the Lalbagh Quilla, Ahsan Manjil, Shaheed Minar, Boro Katra, Choto Katra, the National Museum, Jatiyo Songshad Bhaban(the Parliament Building) etc. The Suhrawardy Uddan and the Ramna Park are two parks that provide green respite to city dwellers. Other tourist attractions include places like Baitul Mukarram (National Mosque), the High Court Building, the Bangabandhu Museum, etc. If you're visiting only one thing, then the LalBagh Qilla fort is a must-see, in the older part of town. The older part of Dhaka, known as "Puran Dhaka", is literally a city of history, with hundred-year-old buildings crammed on each side of hundreds of narrow lanes. Each "Moholla" (city block) of Puran Dhaka is unique with its specialized shops and artisans and gives an authentic taste of what Dhaka is all about. The rest of Bangladesh is also ornamented with thousands of gems, most of which remain hidden and await exploration. The names are endless, but the prominent ones include, Moynamoti, Paharpur (Shompur Bihar), Mohasthangor, Kantajir Mondir, Ramshagor, Shatgombuj Mosque, Khanjahan Ali's Shrine, Shriti Shoudho etc. These sites offer architectures from various eras of the country's history, including Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim eras and date back thousand years. The natural beauty of Bangladesh can be explored away from the hustle and bustle of Dhaka, the Capital. ( Bangladesh has world longest unbroken Surfing beach in Cox's Bazaar ). Also, it has the largest mangrove forest in the world, the "Sundarbans" ("beautiful forests", named after the "Sundari" [beautiful] trees in it). The hill tracts of Rangamati, Khagrachori and "Bandarban" ("monkey forest") offer exciting trekking opportunities, while the Kaptai Lake (situated amongst the hills of Rangamati) can be considered a romantic getaway. The villages are the true countryside of Bangladesh and almost always have green paddy fields and yellow mustard fields with flowing rivers. Other natural wonders of Bangladesh include the Padma (Ganges) river, the Madhabkunda, Jaflong, the tea gardens of Sylhet/Sreemangal and Moulovibazar, etc. Recently Bangladesh Government has formed Tourist Police unit to better protect local and foreign tourists as well as look after the nature and wildlife in the tourist spots. Work Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, [42]. Board of Investment, [43]. Work permit in Bangladesh, [44]. Stay safe Bangladesh is a country full of friendly and open minded people. But being a poor country with a high poverty rate, there are some impoverished or bad-natured people who may find ways to exploit a foreigner/tourist. Please stick to common sense precautions, such as not walking around unnecessarily or alone after dark. Also, if you do find yourself in trouble, create some noise and draw the attention of others who are almost certain to come to your aid. Foreigners, particularly Caucasian, will for the most part will be safe when walking around city streets as you will undoubtedly be watched by multiple curious locals at any one time. When travelling by rickshaw, CNG (auto-rickshaw) or bus, be careful to keep valuables close at hand. Don't wear expensive jewellery without precaution; most middle-class locals now simply wear imitation gold/silver and rhinestones/clay and beaded pendants. Phone snatching is very common here. Don't exhibit your costly mobiles on the roads. Be careful in auto's also. Even the auto's are covered with iron grills, still many chances for cutting the side covers and pulling the valuables is common practice by the chain snatchers. The clothing of local women varies, according to religion and degree of religious conservatism, socio-political climate (varies from time to time), geographic region, and socio-economic status. In general, as a female tourist, it is wisest to wear at least the salwar kameez, which is both easy to wear and relatively versatile and functional, while being generally culturally respectful. However, most of Bangladesh is a relatively open-minded Muslim country, and the youth in major cities (e.g.: Dhaka, Chittagong, etc.) are quite Westernized. Nationwide strikes or “hartals” are widely employed as a means of political expression in Bangladesh. The political opposition over the past several years has called a number of these hartals, resulting in the virtual shutdown of transportation and commerce, and sometimes attacks on individuals who do not observe the hartals. Clashes between rival political groups during hartals have resulted in deaths and injuries. Visitors should avoid all political protests, demonstrations, and marches. During hartals, visitors should exercise caution in all areas and remain indoors whenever possible. Hartals, demonstrations, and other protests can occur at ANY time. It's best to not eat, drink or smoke anything offered to you by strangers - there's a growing problem in many Asian countries of drugging, and you're likely to see signs warning you against it on buses, trains, etc. That's not to say you shouldn't take someone up on their offer for a home cooked meal, but you may want to think twice about that piece of candy the person in the seat next to you just handed to you. Also, be careful about the sanitation procedures of local street food and snacks. Speeding bus/coaches/trucks cause many deaths. Road signs and traffic lights are often ignored by cars, and traffic jams are always a given, making it very difficult for pedestrians to travel. It is wisest NOT to drive yourself or to walk major roads alone. Consequently, road travel (if absolutely necessary) is best undertaken with an experienced local driver in a good vehicle with safety belts. Use rickshaws with precaution; although a very authentic local drive, it is also the most dangerous vehicle for transport, especially on major routes (now being banned). Be aware of the weather, especially during the spring and fall. Bangladesh has a similar climate to the Southeastern United States. This, unfortunately, includes severe thunderstorms and violent tornadoes that can appear suddenly and without warning. Stay healthy Bottled water is recommended, as the tap water is often unsafe for foreign stomachs, and some hand-drawn tube wells are contaminated with naturally occurring arsenic. This will easily pass through filters designed only to screen out bacteria. A more environmentally friendly option is to boil your own water, or use purifying tablets. However, nothing short of distillation will remove arsenic. It's also wise to use discretion when eating from street vendors - make sure it's freshly cooked and hot. Mosquitoes can be abundant in some areas and cities, especially during the rainy and humid seasons, and nets covering your bed at night are often provided, even in some of the cheapest hotels and in all households. Consult your travel doctor about precautions against malaria and typhoid fever. Get vaccinated and take preventive and curative medication with you before you go. Pollution can be a problem, and in some of the cities like Dhaka and Chittagong you may wish you'd brought along an oxygen tank. While some effort has been shown recently to clean up the country such as the banning of plastic bags, there's still a long way to go and most people use the many waterways as garbage dumps - it would be unwise to swim in most of the rivers and downright senseless in a lake. Respect Amar dike takaben na! Foreign tourists are still very much a novelty to many Bangladeshis: kids see you as a toy to play with, while others see you as their opportunity to practice their English with endless enthusiasm. Most however, are content to just look... and look... and look. If it becomes too much, Amar dike takaben na roughly means "please stop staring at me!"... but use the exclamation sparingly, since most Bangladeshis will think they are favouring you by admiring you so much publicly. Most Bangladeshis are religious but fairly liberal and secular points of view are not uncommon. The people are in general very hospitable, and a few precautions will keep it this way: As in most neighbouring countries, the left hand is considered unclean and is used for toilet duties, removing shoes, etc. Hence, always use your right hand to offer or receive anything, and to bring food to your mouth. Men, especially strangers and foreigners, should never attempt to shake hands with or touch local women — simply put your hand on your heart and bow slightly to greet. Women travelling without men may find it slightly harder to get an auto-rickshaw driver who will take them to their destination. Mosques are sometimes off-limits to non-Muslims and certain areas of them off-limits to women. Inquire with someone at the mosque before entering and before taking any pictures. Cover your head and arms and legs, and take off your shoes before entering. Standing from your seat and bowing slightly to greet elderly individuals will gain you respect and social approval. Do not refer to your elders or those in socially senior positions to you (i.e.: doctors, professors/teachers, religious leaders, etc.) by their first names; this is considered extremely rude and utmostly derogatory. Children do not call their parents by their first or last names, and in some regions of the country, wives do not call their husbands by their first names either. Keep in mind that Bangladesh sees only a tiny number of foreign visitors, and most locals will be genuinely curious about you, watching your every move and expression. Don't underestimate how impressionable some can be, make sure you're leaving good ones! Also keep in mind, that whenever you enter someone's home, open your shoes before you enter. Wearing shoes into someone's home is considered extremely rude and insulting. Cope Electricity Electricity is 220V 50Hz. There are three types of electrical outlets likely to be found in Bangladesh — the old British standard BS-546, the newer British standard BS-1363 and the European standard CEE-7/16 "Europlug". It's wise to pack adapters for all three. Clothing Most women wear either a sari or a salwar kameez [an easy/ready-to-wear, three-piece outfit, with a knee-length tunic ("kameez"), pants ("salwar") and a matching scarf ("urna")]. Foreign women may want to consider wearing at least the salwar kameez, out of general cultural respect. Having said this, rapid westernization has changed how modern city dwellers dress, especially the upper class. Jeans, shirts and t-shirts are common among the younger generation, although remember it's polite to keep your shoulders, chest and legs covered. This also goes for men – shorts are worn only by young boys, and undershirts are worn alone (without a shirt covering it) only by the lowest class in public. Shaving Men can easily leave their razors at home and rely on the ever-present barber shops where a basic shave will run around Tk 10-20. Make sure they use a new blade, though you won't usually have to ask. "Deluxe" shaves will run around double price and barbers will often assume foreign tourists want this, so be clear if you're just after a quick shave and don't want the dubious massage and forehead/nose shaving. Tipping In upscale restaurants around 7% is expected, but outside of these at informal food joints and with street food vendors, it's the exception not the rule. Consider tipping the driver and delivery men modestly. News Prothom Alo, [45]. The Daily Star, [46]. The Bangladesh Observer, [47]. The News Today, [48] The New Nation, [49] Bijoy Barta 24, [50] FM Radio Stations ABC Radio (Dhaka) - 89.2 MHz [51] Radio Foorti-88.0 MHz (Dhaka), 98.4 MHz (Chittagong), 89.8 MHz (Sylhet) [52] Radio Today- 89.6 MHz(Dhaka), 88.6MHz(Chittagong) [53] Radio Aamar 88.4 MHz(Dhaka) Bangladesh Betar (Relays BBC World Service) - 100.00 MHz Overseas Embassies Washington D.C., 3510 International Drive NW, [54]. Contact Telephone The country code for Bangladesh is 880. Add a 0 to make a call to any Bangladesh city or region outside the national capital. It is not possible to access international information (directory assistance) from within Bangladesh. If you need international directory assistance, check the Internet telephone directories. Landlines are a rarity in Bangladesh, and aren't reliable even when you can find them. Bangladesh Telephone Company Ltd. (BTCL or formerly BTTB, known generally as T&T) is the public sector phone company and the only landline service in the country. Mobile phones are a better bet and widely available. In most towns they'll be your only option, and many shop owners let theirs double as PCO's / ISD's. Banglalink [55] and Grameenphone [56] are the most widely available, followed by Citycell [57], Robi [58], Teletalk [59] and Airtel [60]. Except Citycell all work on the GSM network and offer prepaid packages at reasonable prices – usually about Tk 140 ($2) to get started. International calls are possible, and often more reasonably priced than you would expect if you're calling the US or major European countries although prices can rise drastically as you get more off the beaten path. E-ISD facility offered by different mobile phone service providers can reduce the cost significantly. For the E-ISD service dial 012 instead of 00/+. Internet Internet is available in most of the larger towns, with prices hovering around Tk 15-20/hour. Most are on broadband connections, but speed does not meet international standards. WiMAX service is now available from some internet service providers. You can also find Wi-Fi connectivity in some places around the big cities. Internet calls may be be possible, though the Information Ministry has outlawed them. Try Dialpad [61], Hotelphone [62], Mediaring [63] or Skype [64]. You'll likely need your own microphone/headphone. 100 Most Beautiful Places To Visit Before You Die 291 Shares Share on Facebook Share on Twitter How do you want to spend the rest of your life? Living your whole life in the same place, speaking with the same people and eating the same type of food or travel occasionally to new places to see unbelievable attractions, encounter with new experiences, meeting new people and experience different culture. The choice is yours. But remember, we only live once and won’t get a second chance to see this amazing world. So, make the bucket list of places to travel today itself. Here the list of 100 most beautiful places to visit before you die. 100 Meteora Monasteries, Thessaly, Greece meteora monasteries Reasons to visit Meteora monasteries Six amazing monasteries are built on giant rocks which are composed of conglomerate and sandstone. These rock pillars are aged over 60 million years and rise to 400 meters in height The Greek word ‘Meteora’ means ‘suspended in air’ Originally 24 monasteries were built here by the monks, between 14th and 16th century. But only 6 of them have survived through the time Until the 18th century, Meterora monasteries were served as a center of art and scholarship Holy monastery of great meteoron, holy monastery of varlaam, holy monastery of rousanou, holy monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas, Holy monastery of St. Stephen and the Holy monastery of trinity are the existing Meteora monasteries Today, Meteora is a popular rock-climbing site and a world heritage site. It is also surrounded by beautiful hills and river valleys 99 Lake District, England, united Kingdom lake district Reasons to visit Lake District The lake district is a beautiful mountainous region located in the Northwest England Designated as a National Park in 1959. At 885 square miles of area, it is the largest national park in England Lake District is known for its beautiful lakes, mountains and forests. With more than 15 million annual visitors, it is the most visited National Park in the United Kingdom Lake district is home to many archaeological and historical sites The deepest lake (Wastwater) and highest mountain (Scafell pike) are also located in the Lake District Apart from the breathtaking view of valleys, mountains and lakes, you can enjoy cycling, walking and boating here 98 Batu Cave, Selangor, Malaysia batu cave credit of image : iqremix on flickr Reasons to visit Batu Cave Comprises three large caves and a number of small caves. It is located just 11 km North of Kuala Lumpur on a limestone hill The Batu caves were discovered back in 1859. Today, it is one of the main tourist attractions in Malaysia The biggest cave is known as temple cave, home to a number of Hindu shrines. The remaining two main caves serve as museum and art gallery that consist many Hindu statues and paintings Visitors have to climb 272 steps to reach the temple cave The 42.7 meter high Lord Murugan statue situated at the foot of Batu cave is the second tallest statue of a Hindu deity in the world 97 Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland dark hedges, ireland credit of image : horslips5 on flickr Reasons to visit Dark Hedges The dark hedges is a magical tree tunnel along Bregagh road in Northern Ireland It is truly a photographer’s paradise. In all light conditions, dark hedges looks stunning. This beautiful site is also famous among the international tourists The breathtaking dark hedges has been featured on the popular TV series Game of Thrones These beach trees were planted by the Stuart family in the 18th century 96 Sagano Bamboo Forest, Kyoto, Japan sagano bamboo forest credit of image : casey yee on flickr Reasons to visit Sagano Bamboo Forest One of the most photographed and beautiful natural site in Kyoto, located in the district of Arashiyama. It covers an area of 6.17 square miles When the wind blows, the entire forest will fill with the magical music of nature. Sagano bamboo forest also featured on the list of 100 soundscapes of Japan by the ministry of environment There are well-maintained paths throughout the site Tenryu temple – One of the main temples of Kyoto is also located near the Sagano bamboo forest. It was built back in 1339 by Shogun Ashikaga Takauji 95 Huacachina, Ica, Peru huacachina oasis credit of image : charles gadbois on wikimedia Reasons to visit Huacachina Huacachina is an amazing oasis town nestled in the desert of Southern Peru This breathtaking oasis has a natural pool at the center and surrounded by the towering sand dunes Huacachina is called as the ‘Oasis of America’ Around the lake, there are a number of resorts and restaurants Huacachina has a population around 100. Tourism is the main income source of this small oasis town 94 Ik Kil Cenote, Yucatan, Mexico Ik-kil cenote credit of image : koiquestion on flickr Reasons to visit Ik Kil Cenote It is a deep natural pit with crystal clear blue water, located within the eco-archaeological park in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico Ik Kil cenote is definitely one of best natural pools in the world It is 60 meters wide and the depth exceeds 35 meters There is a ladder along the limestone wall to access the pool Formed by the collapsing of a cave. Mayans have been used this pi for centuries for relaxation and ritual services Truly a great site for swimming and diving. The surrounding areas are also worth seeing 93 Sutherland Falls, Southwest New Zealand sutherland falls credit of image : swifant on flickr Reasons to visit Sutherland Falls The gorgeous, 580 meters high Sutherland falls is one of the tallest and mightiest waterfalls in New Zealand It is located in the Fiordland National Park in Southwest New Zealand Its location deep in the wild that make it so famous among the international tourists Sutherland falls has three different leaps during its descent December to February is the best time to visit the Sutherland falls as this site has long hours of daylight at that time 92 Laguna Verde, Altiplano, Bolivia laguna verde credit of image : madeleine deaton on flickr Reasons to visit Laguna Verde A surreal looking lake with striking bluish-green water. It is located in the Altiplano region of Bolivia, at an altitude of 4200 meters It is surrounded by 19,555 ft high Licancabur volcano and towering mountains The site is also known for the amazing landscape. You can see the reflection of Licancabur volcano when the waters become still A great place for trekking, hiking and climbing 91 Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Paro Valley, Bhutan tigers nest monastery Reasons to visit Tiger’s Nest Monastery A prominent Buddhist monastery that perched on 3000 m high granite cliff in the Paro Valley of Bhutan. Tiger’s nest monastery is also called as Paro Taktsang It was built back in 1692 on the exact location where the Guru Padmasambhava (a holy figure in Mahayana Buddhism) meditated Hiking the trail through the beautiful pine forest will definitely be an unforgettable experience for you The Paro Taktsang monastery consist 4 temples and several other rooms. All sections of the monastery are interconnected by the staircases From the balconies of this monastery you can enjoy stunning view of majestic mountains and green valleys An Email A Day Keeps Boring Away Grab our Newsletter. Never miss a list from TMW. 90 Verdon Gorge, Southeastern France verdon gorge credit of image : casper moller on flickr Reasons to visit Verdon Gorge The Verdon gorge in Southeastern France is considered as the most beautiful canyon of Europe It was formed by Verdon river over thousands of years ago This majestic canyon is 62 kilometers long and 300 meters deep The turquoise-green water of Verdon river is one of the main attractions of this site. The flow of such strikingly colored river through the gigantic Verdon canyon exhibit an unbelievable scenery for the visitors Can enjoy many tourist activities including kayaking, canyoning, water skiing and sailing 89 Socotra Island, Yemen socotra island credit of image : rod waddington on flickr Reasons to visit Socotra Island Being home to some of weird looking plants, the Socotra Island is truly the most alien looking place on Earth The umbrella-shaped dragon blood tree is the most distinctive plant of this Island One third of 825 rare plants of Socotra Island found nowhere else on Earth The mountains of this Island rises up more than 1500 meters. The tourist can take a wide range of treks here With white sands and crystal clear, turquoise waters, the Shouab beach in Socotra Island is among the most beautiful beaches in the world 88 Saint Lucia St.Lucia Reasons to visit Saint Lucia One of the most beautiful tropical Caribbean island which is known for its natural beauty and historical importance The volcanic plugs are the most amazing sights in Saint Lucia. There are two main volcanic plugs where hiking is allowed. The trail and view from the top of these volcanic plugs are just breathtaking The mountainous pigeon islet of Saint Lucia is known for hiking and snorkeling. This islet is also home to several historical sites of Saint Lucia The Marigot bay of Saint Lucia is definitely one of most beautiful bays in the world. Because there are beautiful corals, crystal clear water, clean shore and swaying palm trees. To enjoy the real beauty of Marigot bay, you have to climb to the top point of the Island 87 Keukenhof, Lisse, Netherlands keukenhoff Reasons to visit Keukenhof One of the largest and most beautiful gardens in the world, located in the Lisse town of Netherlands This spectacular garden situated in a land of 32 hectares and home to 7 million flowering plants Considering the beauty and size, the Keukenhof is regarded as the ‘Garden of Europe’ Keukenhof garden only open between March and May There is 9.3-mile long walking path and boat service to enjoy the beauty of this garden Can enjoy the largest lilly show millions of tulip in full bloom during show time Each year, Keukenhof garden has a different theme 86 Faore Islands faroe island credit of image : erikchristensen on wkimedia Reasons visit the Faroe Islands The Faroe Islands is an archipelago located in the middle Atlantic Ocean. It composed of 18 different Islands connected by ferries Known for having a vast area of unspoiled mountainous regions The coastline of Faroe Islands stretches over 687 miles. No point on these Islands is far than 3 miles from the ocean The Faroe Islands have majestic Fjords and steep cliffs on its coasts. It is also home to beautiful green valleys and forests The Faroe Islands are among the places with cleanest waters. Thus, it can provide unforgettable sub-sea experience for the visitors In addition to the natural attraction, the beautiful villages of wooden houses in the Faroe Islands will definitely leave you breathless 85 Perito Moreno Glacier, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina perito morino glacier Reasons to visit Perito Moreno Glacier Probably the most amazing glaciers in the world. One of main attractions of Los Glaciares National Park in Crux province of Argentina This glacier is 18 miles long, 3 miles wide and 550 feet deep Can enjoy the view of this magnificent glacier by taking a boat ride on Argentino lake. A helicopter ride will bring a completely different view of Perito Moreno from another perspective If you visit the Perito Moreno in summer, you can see the falling of glacier blocks into the Argentino lake 84 Freudenberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany freudenberg credit of image : heribert pohl on flickr Reasons to visit Freudenberg Situated in the North Rhine-Westphalia of Germany, the Fredenberg is one of the most beautiful villages in Europe This small village measures only 35.90 square miles The setting of wooden houses on the scenic mountain landscape will make a feeling of it has been taken out of a fairy tale Almost all houses in Freudenberg are equal in size and have the same pattern This area is also best for hiking, swimming, fishing and horseback riding 83 Tasiilaq, East Greenland Tasiilaq Reasons to visit Tasiilaq Town Located on the bank of the King Oscar Harbour, the Tasiilaq is undoubtedly the most beautiful town in Greenland The unique location itself that makes the Tasiilaq Island so special, situated on a deep Fjord and surrounded by snow-capped mountains There is a beautiful flower valley near the Tasiilaq town that feature many unique species of flowers The picturesque wooden houses are another great attraction of Tasiilaq town. They look stunning in the snow covered mountainous region A boat ride in this site will bring you an amazing view of glaciers and huge icebergs 82 Neelum Valley, Pakistan neelum valley credit of image : akashahmed007 on flickr Reasons to visit Neelum Valley A picturesque, bow-shaped valley located in the Azad Kashmir of Pakistan It is situated at an altitude of 2000 feet and has a total length of 150 miles This beautiful valley is formed by the Neelum river Surrounded by the snow-capped peaks, this amazing valley features forested hills, great varieties of flowering plants, enchanting streams and waterfalls 81 Lofoten, Norway lafoten Reasons to visit Lofoten A group of scenic Islands in the Northern part of Norway. Consist of four main Islands called Austvagoy, Vestvagoy, Flakstadoy and Moskenesoy and a number of smaller Islands Despite being located in the Arctic circle, the Lofoten Archipelago has a pleasant mild weather due to the circulation of the Gulf stream The coastline of Lofoten Islands is dominated by majestic Fjords It is one of the best locations to see the Northern light In summer, the midnight Sun will be visible in the Lofoten Lofoten is also home to abundant marine life, a great place in Norway to watch the killer whales Hiking, climbing, whale safari and diving are popular tourist activities in Lofoten Related Articles Most Surreal Places In United States Top 10 Most Surreal Places In United States There are so many things that the United States is famous for - Such as internet, Hollywood, large... Travel peaceful countries in the world Top 10 Most Peaceful Countries In The World 2017 Everyone like to live in a peaceful and happy nation, Right? The Global Peace Index (GPI) report... Lifestyle happiest countries in the world Top 10 Happiest Countries In The World 2015 What are the main factors that determine the happiness of a nation? The better life index released... Travel 80 Matterhorn, Switzerland-Italy Border matterhorn Reasons to visit the Matterhorn Perhaps the most photographed mountain in the world, situated on the border between Switzerland and Italy The 4478.12 meters high, pyramid shaped Matterhorn is one of the tallest and most beautiful mountains in the Alps Matterhorn can be accessed from Zermatt of Switzerland and Breuil- Cervinia of Italy The four faces of the Matterhorn mountain are steep and avalanches are very frequent here. So the ascent of Matterhorn can only be achieved by expert mountaineers. The first ascent was made in 1865 There is a cable car station at an altitude of 3820 meters above sea level. It is the highest cable car station in Europe. A ride on cable car here will bring you an unbelievable view of the Matterhorn and surrounding placesRice Terraces of Vietnam rice teracess Reasons to visit rice terraces of Vietnam No trip to Vietnam would be complete without a visit to the spectacular rice terraces of the country Could visit the most beautiful rice terraces of Vietnam in the hilly terrains of the Northwestern mountainous region Definitely a surreal scenery in the stunning mountainous region In addition to the yield of crops, these rice terraces are a major attraction of Vietnam among the international tourists 78 Beachy Head, England, united Kingdom beachy head Reasons to visit Beachy Head The 530 feet high Beachy Head in Eastbourne town of England is the highest chalk sea cliff in the United Kingdom Actually located on the Eastern part of the famous Seven sisters – a series of spectacular chalk cliffs The view of the cliff, sea and sunset here are just stunning There is a 43 meters high, red and white-striped lighthouse at the foot of the cliff. It has been featured on many TV programs 77 Cape Town, South Africa cape town credit of image : hilton1949 on wikimedia Reasons to visit Cape Town Cape Town is the Southernmost city of the African continent. This amazing city has beautiful beaches, majestic mountains, spectacular gardens and harbours Cape Town is home to famous Cape of Good Hope. From this site, you can enjoy an amazing glimpse of where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean The 1084 meters high flat-topped table mountain is the most popular landmark and a significant tourist attraction of Cape Town city. You can hike or use cable car service to reach the top of this mountain, from where you will get an incredible panoramic view of the city Cape Town has pleasant, Mediterranean climate throughout the year Visit Robben Island on the West of the Coast of the Cape Town where the famous leader Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years The Kirstenbosch botanical garden in Cape Town is among the most magnificent botanical gardens in the world. It is home to many rare African plants 76 Easter Island, Peru easter island Reasons to visit Easter Island One of the most isolated, inhabited Island on Southeastern Pacific Ocean Easter Island is famous for its long row of monumental statues called moai. These mysterious monuments are created by Rapa Nui People, carved out of the volcanic rock. An average moai statue weighs around 270 tons. It is a largely deforested Island but have vast grasslands Home to 324 meters high, extinct Rano Kau volcano From the Easter Island, you will get 360-degree view of the Pacific Ocean A great place for surfing, diving and snorkeling 75 Tulip Fields of Netherlands tulip fields, netherlands credit of image : luu on wikimedia Reasons to visit Tulip Fields of Netherlands The vast fields of tulips are one of the major attractions in Netherlands. Throughout the spring, these fields display millions of tulips in bloom The weather and type of soil in Netherland are suited well for growing of tulips Most of tulip fields in Netherlands are concentrated in the Noordoostpolder municipality in the Flevoland province of the country The Keukenhof garden in Lisse town is another well known tulip-growing area. It is one of the largest gardens in the world The Aalsmeer flower auction in Netherlands – The largest flower auction in the world also displays varieties of tulips 74 Maranhenses National Park, Maranhao, Brazil lencois maranhenses credit of image : lain and sarah on flickr Reasons to visit Maranhenses National Park Maranhenses National Park in Brazil combines miles and miles of sand dunes and lagoons. Undoubtedly it is one of the most beautiful places in South America May to September is the best time to visit the Maranhenses National Park. During this period, the lagoon becomes full. You can also swim in the lagoon that time as the temperature is not so hot Trekking in Maranhenses can be difficult but worth seeing The lagoon begins to dry by the start of October. In summer (December to February) the extreme temperature make it difficult to visit the sand dunes 73 Provindenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands providenciales credit of image : mathew straubmuller on flickr Reasons to visit Providenciales Providenciales is one of most beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean Providenciales is home to pristine beaches, miles of coral reefs and luxury resorts. Conditions are well-suited for snorkeling and diving The scenic chalk sound natural lagoon is another great attraction of Providenciales. It contains hundreds of small rocky Islands in crystal clear. blue water The beautiful long bay beach in Providenciales is the best spot for kitesurfing in the Caribbean 72 Mount Rushmore National Park, South Dakota, United States mount rushmore Reasons to visit Mount Rushmore A spectacular sculpture carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore in the Black hills in the South Dakota It depicts faces of four influential American presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln The faces on the Mount Rushmore have a height of a 6-storey building. The eyes of each President are 11 feet wide and nose are 20 feet long The construction of this monument started in 1927 and it took another 14 years for the completion 71 Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany neuschwanstein Reasons to visit Neuschwanstein Castle Neuschwanstein Castle is an amazing fairytale castle situated on the high hills of Southern Bavaria in Germany It is one of the most visited castles in Europe Neuschwanstein Castle was commissioned by King Ludwig II Neuschwanstein Castle was the inspiration behind the sleeping beauty castles in the Disneyland parks This castle includes more than 200 highly decorated rooms From the balcony of Neuschwanstein Castle, you can enjoy an amazing view of Alpsee lake in Bavaria 70 Monument Valley, Arizona-Utah Border monument valley Reasons to visit Monument valley Monument valley is a stunning landscape in Southern border of Utah. It is actually a flat land that contain iconic sandstone buttes Monument valley is one of the most photographed places in the world The pinnacles of sandstone rocks of monument valley stand at a height of 400 to 1000 meters The entire landscape has a striking red color which result from the weathered siltstone in the site You can drive through a 17 mile long dirt road to reach the monument valley. Bikes are not allowed on this road There is also hot balloon rides to enjoy the beauty of this amazing landscape from a different perspective An Email A Day Keeps Boring Away Grab our Newsletter. Never miss a list from TMW. 69 Dominican Republic dominican republic Reasons to visit Dominican Republic A beautiful, mountainous Island in the Caribbean. It is a great destination for almost all type of tourists as the Island has beautiful beaches, high mountains, top restaurants and great music The Dominican Republic has a nearly perfect weather with fewer temperature variations The Island has 250 miles of coastline with aquamarine waters The capital city, Santo Domingo is one of earliest European settlements in the Caribbean. This city has amazing monasteries, museums and clean, cobblestone streets The Dominican Republic is also a paradise for music and dance lovers. Merengue is the most popular form of music of this Island – a great fusion of European and African musical elements 68 Geirangerfjord, More og Romsdal County, Norway gierangerfjord Reasons to visit Geirangerfjord It is a popular tourist spot and the most beautiful Fjord of Norway Surrounded by steep, snowcapped mountains, the Geirangerfjord offer a unique, astonishing view of nature This site includes lush, green areas and beautiful waterfalls One of best hiking sites in Norway with the wide variety of trails. From the top of the peaks, you can enjoy stunning view of the Geirangerfjord Take a cruise or kayaking to get a closer view of this amazing Fjord. It also can be an unforgettable experience for you 67 Tikal, Northern Guatemala tikal Reasons to visit Tikal Tikal is the ruins of an Ancient Mayan city that inhabited from 6th century B.C to 10th century A.D. It is located within the rainforest of Northern Guatemala It is a part of Tikal National Park that comprises an area of 224.4 square miles Considering its archaeological and ecological value, UNESCO designated the Tikal as a world heritage site in 1979 This site includes remains of royal palaces, temples, shrines, residences, plazas, ball courts and ceremonial sites The ceremonial area of Tikal contains nearly 200 stone monuments Six large pyramids labelled as pyramid I-VI are the most important surviving in Tikal The 65 meters high temple of the two-headed serpents (Temple IV) is the tallest structure in Tikal 66 Copenhagen, Denmark copenhagen Reasons to visit Copenhagen The Danish capital is one of the greenest cities in the world. Instead of cars, almost half inhabitants of this city uses bicycles to reach office or home. Copenhagen is also famous for effective recycling and composting. The city also has a mission to become carbon-neutral by 2025 Copenhagen is one of the happiest and cleanest cities in the world. The local people are very friendly The harbor and canals of Copenhagen are very clean. The canal tour can be a great experience and the best way to explore this beautiful city The Danish design and fashion are renowned worldwide The Tivoli gardens is a don’t miss attraction in Copenhagen. Opened back in 1843, it is the second-oldest amusement park in the world. This park is known for its magical rides, performing arts, exotic architecture and beautiful gardens It s great city for nightlife with many concerts, parties, cocktail bars and top restaurants 65 Stone Forest, Yunnan Province, China stone forest credit of image : brucke osteuropa on wikimedia Reasons to visit Stone Forest It is an incredible set of giant limestone pillars located in the Yunnan province of China. It is also known as Shilin The Shilin stone forest covers a vast area of 180 square miles In addition to large and small stone forests, this site also include river caves, natural bridges and waterfalls The stone forest has been formed more than 270 million years ago by the erosion Here you can find giant limestone formations in various shapes including, humans, animals, plants, flowers and trees 64 Westminster Palace, England, United Kingdom westmister palace credit of image : karoly lorentey on flickr Reasons to visit Westminster Palace One of the most iconic buildings in London, situated alongside the Thames river in Westminster Palace of Westminster is also known as ‘Houses of Parliament’. It is the meeting place of Britain’s member of parliament The Westminster palace was home to English Kings and Queens from the 11th century to the 16th century This palace covers 8 acres of land and has three main towers The 316 feet high, huge clock tower at the Northeastern side of Westminster palace is known as ‘Big Ben’. It is one of the most popular landmarks in the world This palace contains more than 1000 rooms, 100 staircases and 3 miles of corridor 63 Arches National Park, Eastern Utah arches nationalpark credit of image : allisunee on wikimedia Reasons to visit Arches National Park In 119.8 square miles of area, the Arches National Park contains more than 2000 natural arches The 20-meter tall Delicate is the most popular natural arch of Arches National Park. It has been featured on postage stamps. It is also the most photographed arch in the park Hike along the beautiful trails or drive along the main road of Arches National park to get a closer view of the arches The view of night sky and Sunset at the Arches National Park will leave you breathless 62 Sydney, Australia sydney Reasons to visit Sydney Sydney is renowned worldwide for its quality of life and attractions. It’s a land of beautiful beaches, amazing museums and galleries, opera, parks, delicious food and better public transport system Sydney opera house is the architectural icon and the most prominent attraction of the city. It is famous for its shell shaped sails roofs and looks stunning from all sides. Every year Sydney opera house host more than 1500 performances Sydney is a city of beautiful beaches. So you can enjoy sailing, surfing, boating and diving. Bondi beach and manly beaches are most beautiful beaches of Sydney The Sydney harbour bridge is as popular as the opera house. The 3770 ft. long bridge has 8 roadlines. Climbing is allowed here, will bring a stunning panoramic view of the city The Sydney harbour is one of the most beautiful harbours in the world. A great place for sightseeing, to drink and eat. Ferry trip is a don’t miss activities at this harbour 61 Giant’s Causeway, Antrim, Northern Ireland giants causeway Reasons to visit Giant’s Causeway Giant’s causeway is a stunning site where around 40000 interlocking black basalt columns situated along Northeast coast of County Antrim in Northern Ireland This dramatic site was formed as a result of volcanic eruption about 60 million years ago Most of the columns at the sites are hexagonal. Some columns have seven or eight sides Giant’s causeway is also an excellent place to watch sea birds such as cormorants, petrels and razorbills Related Articles Most Surreal Places In United States Top 10 Most Surreal Places In United States There are so many things that the United States is famous for - Such as internet, Hollywood, large... Travel peaceful countries in the world Top 10 Most Peaceful Countries In The World 2017 Everyone like to live in a peaceful and happy nation, Right? The Global Peace Index (GPI) report... Lifestyle happiest countries in the world Top 10 Happiest Countries In The World 2015 What are the main factors that determine the happiness of a nation? The better life index released... Travel 60 Blue Lagoon, Iceland blue lagoon Reasons to visit Blue Lagoon One of the best geothermal spas and a well-known attraction of Iceland. It is located in the Reykjanes peninsula of Southwestern Iceland Blue lagoon is not a natural pool. It is actually fed by the output water from the nearby thermal power plant The Blue Lagoon holds about 6 million liters of geothermal water. This mineral rich water has the power to heal many skin problems The waters of Blue Lagoon has brilliant milky blue color due to the presence of mineralsAmsterdam, Netherlands amsterdam Reasons to visit Amsterdam A great city of vibrant nightlife, magnificent historical monuments, stunning architecture and world-famous museums One of the greenest and happiest cities in the world Amsterdam has more than 6000 historical sites. Anne Frank Museum, Concertgebouw hall, Museumplein and ziggodome are the most famous historical sites in Amsterdam This amazing city has more than 100 kilometers of Canals dug back in the 17th century. There are about 90 Islands and more than 1600 bridges The canal cruise the most popular tourist activity in Amsterdam. There are around 200 boats to take you out for an amazing ride around the city Home to only floating flower market in the world. The flower stalls are displayed on boats. You can find a wide variety of tulips and geranium flowers here 58 California, United States golden gate Reasons to visit California Perhaps the most beautiful state in the United States. A heavenly land of beautiful beaches, famous National Parks, rugged mountains and spectacular lakes California has 840 miles long beautiful coastline. The Highway 1 or California State route 1 goes alongside this scenic coastline. A ride along this route will bring a breathtaking view of Pacific Ocean Throughout the year, California has a pleasant sunny climate Home to a number of world-famous National Parks including death valley, Yosemite, sequoia and kings canyon national park, Joshua tree national park and redwood national park The San Francisco city of California is one of greenest cities in the world. They also have a mission to make the city carbon neutral by 2020 The world famous attractions like Disneyland, Universal studios Hollywood and Golden gate bridge are also located in the California State 57 Serengeti, Tanzania serengeti Reasons to visit the Serengeti Witness millions of migrating wildebeest accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras. It is the largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world The most impressive stage of migration in Serengeti can bet witnessed between May and June Serengeti National Park spread across a vast area of 5700 square miles. With amazing diversity of wildlife it is the most popular Safari destination in the Africa Home to 500 different species of birds, rare species of cheetahs and lizards and many large mammal species You can witness stunning Sunsets over the plains of this National Park 56 Li River, Guangxi Zhuang, China Li river credit of image : dariusz jameilniak on wikimedia Reasons to visit Li River No visit to China becomes complete without Li River cruise. It is a 52 mile long cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. Unquestionably, it is one of top watery wonders of the world Trip showcases many attractions including spectacular cone-shaped peaks, rolling hills, bamboo groves, caves, gorgeous valleys and beautiful villages The Li river has been featured in many paintings, poems and other artworks July to October is the best time to visit the Li River. During this period, you can enjoy pleasant sunny weather 55 Rio De Janeiro, Brazil rio-de janeirio Reasons to visit Rio De Janeiro This marvelous city is home to world famous Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the seven wonders of the world Probably the beach city in South America. The shoreline of the city stretches over 25 miles. The Copacabana beach is the most famous beach in Rio De Janeiro. The New Year Event at this beach is very famous and it attract millions of visitors World’s largest urban forest, the Tijuca forest is located within Tijuca National Park of Rio De Janeiro The Sugar Loaf mountain in Rio De Janeiro is one of the best rock climbing destinations in the world. There is also cable car services to reach the summit of this 1955 ft. high mountain. From the top you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Rio De Janeiro Rio De Janeiro carnival is the biggest carnival in the world. This four-day carnival held 40 days before Easter every year. The Samba dance, the famous Brazilian dance is the main attraction of this festival 54 Navagio Beach, Zakynthos Island, Greece navajao bay Reasons to visit Navagio beach With golden sands and clear blue waters, the Navagio beach is one of most beautiful Greek beaches that located in the Zakynthos Island. This stunning beach can only be reach by boats. There is a wreck of a ship called Panagiotis at this beach. It is said to be a smuggler’s ship. Thus, this beach is also called as shipwreck beach or smuggler’s cove The stunningly beautiful Navagio beach is also one of the most photographed places in Greece In addition to the beautiful beaches, the Island of Zakynthos is also known for its amazing underwater caves 53 Lake Manasarovar, Tibet manasarovar Reasons to visit Lake Manasarovar One of the most beautiful and holiest lakes in the world. Located in Western Tibet at an altitude of 4590 meters above sea level. It is a great attraction during your visit to sacred Mount Kailash, which is only a 29.57 miles from lake Manasarovar The lake Manasarovar is relatively round in shape and covers an area of 123.5 square miles. The view of this lake in the backdrop of Mount Kailash is simply stunning The waters of Lake Manasarovar are deep green at the center and blue at the shores. You can even see the mirror-like reflection of surrounding peaks as the waters of this lake is so clear and calm In addition to the breathtaking view of surrounding Himalayan peaks, a dip in the holy waters of Lake Manasarovar will definitely be an unforgettable experience for you 52 Bali, Indonesia bali Reasons to visit Bali The most popular and beautiful Island in Indonesia. This tropical Island is renowned worldwide for its iconic rice fields, dramatic volcanoes, beautiful beaches, mystical temples, stunning cliffs and coral reefs The local people in Bali are one of the friendliest people in the world Bali is home to many ancient temples. The centuries-old architecture and settings of these temples are simply stunning. In addition you can enjoy some amazing ceremonies and festivals here The pristine white sand beaches are a main factor that makes Bali as one of main tourist destinations in Asia. To your surprise, this Indonesian paradise also boast some amazing black sand beaches A land of breathtaking natural attractions including dramatic sea cliffs, tropical forests, volcanoes, sacred caves, rice paddies and spectacular beaches 51 Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy cinque terre Reasons to visit Cinque Terre It is a stretch of five scenic villages at the Italian Riviera coastline. The name ‘Cinque Terre’ means the ‘Five Lands’ – Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso are those villages Definitely one of the most amazing coastal scenery in the world. A network of multi-colored houses built on the cliffside by the local people over centuries. From the sea, it looks like a surreal place There are some of best hiking trails in the world. All five villages are connected by a beautiful, walking trail along the coast called Sentiero Azzuro. This trail will bring the magnificent view of the colorful villages of Cinque Terre and its coastline. There is also ferry services to commute from village to village The beaches in Cinque Terre are calm and beautiful. Will offer a great swimming, snorkeling and diving experience for the visitors 50 Kauai, Hawaii, United States kuai Reasons to visit Kauai Kauai is the most beautiful and greenish Hawaiian Island. It is one of undeveloped part of Hawaii. Thus, the Kauai offers a calm and quiet environment and many attractions including pristine, white sandy beaches, lush forests, and beautiful mountains It is one of best sunset spots in the United States Kauai has 50 miles long white, sandy beaches which are best for snorkeling, swimming, diving and sunbathing. The 2 miles long Hanalei bay on the North shore is the largest and most popular beach in Kauai. It’s a great place for surfing, sailing, bodyboarding and paddling The Waimea canyon located on the Western side of the Island known as ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific’. This stunning canyon is almost 10 miles long and 900 meters deep The Koke’e State Park on the Northwestern part of Kauai includes scenic cliffs, beautiful wild flowers, forest, endemic Hawaiian birds and 45 miles of hiking trails 49 The Himalayas himalayas Reasons to visit the Himalayas Being home to 14 highest mountains in the world, the great Himalayan range is a paradise for both travellers and adventure seekers At 8848 meters, the Mount Everest in the Himalayas is the highest mountain in the world. More than 100 peaks in this range are also rise up over 7200 meters. Trekking is the most popular tourist activity in the Himalayan range The Himalayan range is home to hundreds of rare species of animals Stunning view of Sunrises and Sunsets over snowcapped mountains You can camp high up in the mountains. In such a place, you would feel real peace and magic of nature The Himalayan range is one of best stargazing spots in the world. As pollution is less, the sky in the Himalayan range is very clear. Thus, you can see countless stars throughout the night An Email A Day Keeps Boring Away Grab our Newsletter. Never miss a list from TMW. 48 Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Australia whitehaven beach credit of image : damien dempsey on flickr Reasons to visit Whitehaven Beach Undoubtedly the Whitehaven beach in Whitsunday Island is the most beautiful beach in Australia. This 4.3-mile long beach is famous among international tourists for its clear aqua waters and pristine silica sand The silica sand found in the Whitehaven beach is a high purity form of sand. Thus, the perfect mix of pure-white colored sand and blue waters gives an unbelievable look to this beach The surreal looking Whitehaven beach is the most photographed beach in Australia There is a stunning inlet at the Northern part of Whitehaven beach called Hill inlet where you can enjoy magical blending of pure, white sand with aqua waters 47 Bagan, Mandalay, Myanmar bagan Reasons to visit Bagan Bagan is among the most impressive archaeological sites in the world. It is also the main tourist attraction in Myanmar Between 11th and 13th centuries, more than 10000 Buddhist temples and pagodas were built by the kings of Bagan in this site. Some of 2230 of them still remains today Bagan is a World Heritage Site. Most of remaining temples and pagodas in the site are well preserved. The archaeological site of Bagan covers an area of 26 square miles Walking is the best way to explore this great archaeological site. There is also hot-balloon service that offer an unbelievable view of Bagan 46 Galapagos Islands, Ecuador galapagos islands Reasons to visit Galapagos Islands Galapagos is an archipelago of volcanic Islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the most popular wildlife destinations in the world Galapagos is a unique place where three main ocean currents are converged Galapagos Islands can be visited year around. You can find unique flora and fauna, amazing lava formations, lush green forests and tropical beaches As a result of uniqueness and remoteness, the Galapagos is home to a large number of endemic species. The wildlife in unique Islands of Galapagos is extremely domesticated due to the lack of natural predators Marine iguana, Galapagos fur seal, Galapagos penguin, flightless cormorant and Galapagos tortoise are some of amazing endemic animals of Galapagos. The Galapagos tortoise is the most famous species of this archipelago. With a length between 4-5 feet and weigh up to 320 kilograms, it is the largest land animal of Galapagos. They have a lifespan over 100 years Galapagos Island also has a rich history. The famous English Naturalist Charles Darwin visited this Island in 1835. A number of species of Galapagos have been featured on his book ‘The origin of species’ that published in 1859 45 Madagascar madagascar credit of image : paolo crosetto on flickr Reasons to visit Madagascar Madagascar is one of most stunning Islands in the world, located in the Indian Ocean Amazing biodiversity itself is the main attraction of Madagascar Island. The 70% of 250000 species of animals and 90% of 14000 species of plants are found nowhere else in the world The Toliara coral reef, the third largest coral reef in the world is located in the Madagascar Island The Avenue of Baobabs in the Menabe region of the country is s surreal looking place in the world. It is actually a group of strange looking baobab trees lining the road between Morondava and Belon’i Tsiribihina regions The amazing Baobabs tree also known as the upside-down tree because without leaves it’s branches resembles the roots sticking up in the air The Tsingy de Bemaraha in Southern Madagascar is the largest nature preserve in the Island. The incredibly sharp, needle-shaped limestone formations are the main attraction of this nature preserve. It is truly one of the most impressive geological formations in the world Madagascar is also home to a number of beautiful beaches that are perfect for diving and snorkeling 44 Dubai, United Arab Emirates dubai Reasons to visit Dubai The fastest growing desert city in the world. It is truly a global hub for tourism and business Home to the mighty Burj Khalifa – the tallest skyscraper in the world. This 211 storey building rise up 830 meters in height. With over 148 skyscrapers, the city has one of tallest and most beautiful skylines Fortunately, the city has a multi-cultural society. You can see peaceful co-existence of different nationalities in this great city Dubai is one of the most popular retail destination in the world. the city has the largest mall (Dubai mall) in the world. The Dubai shopping festival also attracts more than 30 million visitors every year The city has hundreds of miles of coastline. It consists of three amazing artificial Islands – The world, Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali. With a number of star hotels, resorts and residences, the Palm Jumeirah is the largest artificial Island in the world With elaborate firework displays, Dubai is one of the best places to see the New Year Celebration 43 Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India ladakh credit of image : raghavan37 on wikimedia Reasons to visit Ladakh With the remote location and scenic landscapes, the Ladakh region is one of surreal looking places in India. It is a beautiful highland that nestled between the great Himalayas and Karakoram mountain ranges. The glaciers, lush green valleys, spectacular lakes and rivers of Ladakh will definitely leave you breathless The magnetic hill in the Leh-Srinagar highway is one of the main attractions in Ladakh. Due to the optical illusion, you could see the running of vehicles up a steep hill even after turned the ignition off At an elevation of 17582 ft. the Khardung La pass in Ladakh is one of the highest motorable roads in the world. Thus, Ladakh is truly a paradise of bikers There is a number of unbelievably beautiful lakes in Ladakh. The Pangong Tso lake in the Southeast of Leh city is the most popular lake of Ladakh. The waters of this spectacular lake display different shades of blue, green and red in a different period of time The Nubra valley in Ladakh is among the most beautiful valleys in the world. It is also known as Moon land because in winter this beautiful valley resembles the landscape of Moon. This valley is famous for its steep hills, sand dunes, monasteries and scenic villages 42 Kerala, India kerala credit of image : sarath kuchi on flickr Reasons to visit Kerala With the pristine beaches, great backwaters, majestic mountains, rich wildlife and amazing festivals, Kerala is truly a paradise on Earth The spectacular backwaters are the main characteristic that makes Kerala so unique among the Indian States. It is a large network of lagoons, canals, lakes and rivers. The backwater cruise in ‘Kettuvallams’ (houseboats) is one of most popular tourist activity in Kerala. Ashtamudi lake and Alleppey are the most beautiful parts of Kerala Backwaters The highlands in the Western Ghats range of Kerala area a paradise for both adventure seekers and nature lovers. Wayanad, Munnar, Idukki, Palakkad and Mattupetty are some of most scenic hill stations in Kerala. The high ranges of Kerala are also home to some of the unique species of flora and fauna A land of gorgeous waterfalls. The Athirapally falls in Thrissur district is the largest and most popular waterfalls in Kerala. Considering the beauty, this stunning waterfalls is nicknamed as the ‘Niagara of India’. Vazhachal, Soochipara, Palaruvi and Thusharagiri are other beautiful waterfalls in Kerala Kerala has 366 miles long coastline with some charming, well-known beaches. With long stretches of sands, swaying palm trees and multi-colored sea shells, Kerala beaches are definitely among the top beaches of India. Kovalam, Varkala, Marani, Bekal and Cherai are the most beautiful beaches in Kerala 41 Death Valley, California, United States death valley Reasons to visit the Death Valley The dazzling death valley located in the Eastern California is the driest and hottest area in North America. At 86 meters below sea level, The Badwater basin in the death valley is the lowest region in the North America The dirt trails of Death Valley National Park stretches over 750 miles, more than any other National Park in the world. A drive along these trails will offer unbelievable view of surrounding landscapes The sandstones of Death Valley National Park aged over 170 million years. Throughout the Dead Valley, you can see a dramatic change in the landscape. Thus, it is truly a geological wonder on Earth The limestone formations of this park are simply stunning. The 700 ft. high Striped Butte is the most popular limestone formation in the Death Valley It is one of the best spot in the United States for stargazing Related Articles Most Surreal Places In United States Top 10 Most Surreal Places In United States There are so many things that the United States is famous for - Such as internet, Hollywood, large... Travel peaceful countries in the world Top 10 Most Peaceful Countries In The World 2017 Everyone like to live in a peaceful and happy nation, Right? The Global Peace Index (GPI) report... Lifestyle happiest countries in the world Top 10 Happiest Countries In The World 2015 What are the main factors that determine the happiness of a nation? The better life index released... Travel 40 The Wave, Arizona-Utah Border the wave Reasons to visit the wave rock formation It is an awe-inspiring sandstone rock formation near Arizona-Utah border. The wave is renowned worldwide for its intersecting shapes and brilliant brand of color With the unique wave-like shape and striking spectrum of color this rock formation is a paradise for both photographers and hikers Shaped by the forces of nature over millions of years The wave displays different colors depending on the intensity of light hit by it Victoria Falls, Zambia-Zimbabwe Border victoria falls credit of image : mario micklist on flickr Reasons to visit Victoria Falls The 355 foot tall, 1 mile-wide Victoria Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in the world. It creates the biggest curtain of falling water with a flow rate of 550000 cubic meters per minute The spectacular Victoria falls is one of the seven natural wonders in the world The local people called this waterfall ‘Mosi-o-Tunya’ which means ‘The smoke that thunders’. Because the mist created by the Victoria falls can be seen from a distance of 50 kilometers Due to the high spraying of Victoria falls, the River Zambezi rainforest receives 24*7 rainfall There is a natural pool at the edge of the Victoria falls is called as the ‘Devil’s pool’. In the dry season, you can safely swim in this pool. The natural rock wall at the edge of the waterfall will defend you from being swept down You can see the rainbow over Victoria falls even at night. This phenomenon is known as ‘Moonbow’. It is formed by the reflection of Moonlight on the mist created by the waterfall 38 Giethoorn, Netherlands giethoorn credit of image : photobobil on flickr Reasons to visit Giethoorn It is a beautiful canal village in Overijssel province of Netherlands. This village is nicknamed as the ‘Venice of the Netherlands’. Because the lands of Giethoorn are separated by canals and linked by the bridges The village is surrounded by De Weerribben-Wieden National Park. Thus, Giethoorn is also one of the greenest places in the world Giethoorn is a car-free place. Boating and cycling are the only way to get around the village There is noise-free electric boat service to explore the Giethoorn 37 Paris, France paris credit of image : hentry marion on flickr Reasons to visit Paris The French capital, Paris is truly a great city of art, culture, history, architecture and fashion. Paris is also called as the ‘City of lights’ because it is one of the first cities to adopt street lighting The Eiffel tower itself is the most famous attraction of Paris. It is one of the most iconic construction in the world. Built by Gustave Eiffel in 1889. Until 1930, the Eiffel tower was the tallest building in the world. You can reach the top of this tower using either the lifts or the stairs Home to many world-renowned museums including The Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, Petit Palais and Rodin museum. Among them, The Louvre is the most famous museum of Paris. It has a huge collection of art works from famous artists. Da Vinci’s world-famous work ‘Mona Lisa’ has been in display at this museum since 1797. You can enjoy the music and theatre performances at its best in Paris. Visit the amazing Palais Garnier opera in Paris. It presents you great performances of ballets and operas The Notre Dame Cathedral is a don’t miss attraction in Paris. With the looming ceilings and wonderful sculptures, Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most beautiful church buildings in the world. This historical, catholic cathedral is also a great example of French Gothic architecture Arc De Triomphe is among the most impressive man-made arches in the world. Its construction was ordered by the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806, to honor the French army of that time. The name of all French victories and name of 558 generals are inscribed on the top this great monument 36 Petra, Southern Jordan petra Reasons to visit Petra Petra is an impressive ancient city located between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea in the Southern Jordan. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world The Greek word ‘Petra’ means ‘Rock’ in English. As the name indicate this ancient carved on a sandstone mountain. Petra is also known as ‘rose city’ because of the red-rose color of the mountain The Petra was built early as 5th Century B.C by the Nabataean. UNESCO recognized this site as a world heritage site in 1985 The city is an outstanding example of rock-cut architecture There are 800 monuments in Petra including temples, tombs and altars The highly decorated royal tombs are the main attraction of this site 35 Yosemite Valley, California, United States yosemite valley Reasons to visit Yosemite Valley The most beautiful valley in North America, located in the Yosemite National Park of Northern California. Yosemite valley is 7 miles long and 1 mile wide The popular EI Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite falls, Vernal falls and Nevada falls are located within this valley. The 2425 foot tall Yosemite fall is the tallest waterfall in North America Apart from the spectacular cliffs and waterfalls, Yosemite valley is also home to rich wildlife Walking is the best way to explore the Yosemite valley. There is also well-maintained bike paths The tunnel view point on the State route 41 is the best spot to enjoy the stunning view of the Yosemite Valley 34 Stonehenge, England, United Kingdom stonehenge Reasons to visit Stonehenge Stonehenge is a complex prehistoric monument located in the Salisbury city of England. It consist of a ring of standing stones. The impressive Stonehenge monument is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world There is no clear explanation about the creators and purpose behind this amazing stone monument. It is believed to be the Stonehenge was built between 3000 B.C and 2000 B.C It is said to be the construction of Stonehenge took more than 30 million hours of labor The Stonehenge is aligned with midwinter sunset and midsummer sunset There are two types of stone used of the construction of Stonehenge – sarsen stones and blue stones. The blue stones weigh between 20 and 25 tones and sarsen stones weigh up to 4 tones. Surprisingly, these huge stones were brought from 240 miles away places. Still, nobody knows how the Ancestors succeed in such an impossible task 33 Yellowstone national Park, Wyoming-Idaho-Montana Range, United States yellowstone park Reasons to visit Yellowstone National Park Established back in 1872 the Yellowstone National Park is the first National Park in the world. The majority of the park lies within the State of Wyoming. It also extends to the range of Montana and Idaho Yellowstone National Park covers a vast area of 3468 square miles. The 80% land of this park forested Yellowstone National park has more than 10000 thermal features and over 300 geysers The grand prismatic spring of Yellowstone National Park is the largest hot spring in the United States. Every minute this hot spring discharges 2100 liters of hot water. At the edges, you can see vivid colors of red, orange, yellow and green. This coloration is due to the action by the cyanobacteria The steamboat geyser in the Yellowstone National Park is the tallest geyser in the world which can erupt water over a height of 300 feet Home to more than 350 spectacular waterfalls. Fairy falls, Firehole falls, Gibbon falls and Lewis falls are some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park The park also has rich wildlife. It protects 322 species of birds, 76 species of mammals and 16 species of fishes 32 Phi Phi Islands, Thailand phi-phi island credit of image : nicolas vollmer on flickr Reasons to visit Phi Phi Islands It is a group of six stunningly beautiful Islands located in the Phuket province of Thailand. These Islands are famous for their beautiful sandy beaches and spectacular cliffs The picturesque Maya Bay is the most popular spot of Phi Phi Islands. It is nothing shorter than a paradise with the breathtaking beach with crystal clear blue waters. The three sides of this bay are covered by 100 meters high cliffs The popular Hollywood movie ‘The Beach’ was filmed in the May Bay in 1999. Since then May Bay become so famous among the international tourists. It is an ideal place for snorkeling and diving The Ko Phi Phi Don Island has stunning white sand beaches, dramatic cliffs, and top diving spots. The most beautiful part of this Island is a 100-meter long string of sand connects tanum bay with the tonsai bay. It is truly a great sight to behold The Bamboo Island of Phi Phi archipelago has the long stretch of white sand and lush, green forest and beautiful coral reef. The bamboo is the main plant of this Island that’s why it named so There are many cliff jumping spots in Phi Phi Islands. Most of jumping venues provide proper guidance for the visitors. So that anyone can join in this activity fearlessly The Ton Sai Tower in Phi Phi Islands is a popular rock climbing spots in the world. The site has around 30 climbing routes. The view from the top is just stunning 31 Namib Desert, Southwestern Africa namib desert credit of image : santiago medem on flickr Reasons to visit Namib desert More than 50 million years old Namib desert is referred to as the oldest desert in the world. The majority of this large desert lies within Namibia. It also covers some regions of Angola and South Africa The Namib Naukluft National Park that protects the Namib desert is the one of the largest conservation areas in the world. Surrounded by the gorgeous red dunes, the Sossusvlei is the most scenic area of this National Park The surreal looking ‘Deadvlei’ is the most famous part of Sossusvlei. It is a white clay pan from which charcoal-black colored trees stands. Deadvlei is surrounded by the highest sand dunes in the world, rise up to a height between 300-400 meters The meeting of Namib desert with the cold waters of Atlantic ocean will definitely take your breath away. The coastal town of Swakopmund is the best spot to witness this surrealistic meeting of a desert with an ocean. Namib is the only desert in the world that home to elephants. They are well adapted to live in harsh, arid region 30 Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia plitvice lakes Reasons to visit Plitvice National Park Plitvice National Park is the most popular tourist attraction in Croatia. It is one of the oldest National Park in Europe The park include 16 breathtaking lakes that are interconnected by a series of waterfalls These lakes were formed by the thousands of years of continuous flowing of water over the limestone. The striking turquoise coloration of Plitvice lakes is due to the mixing up of minerals with the water The Plitvice lakes divided into two different sections. Most of largest lakes of Plitvice are in the upper section and the small, shallow lakes are in the lower section. The upper part of Plitvice lakes are surrounded by lush, green forest There are well maintained walking trails that offer a closer view of the amazing lakes of Plitvice. It typically takes 5-6 hours for the completion Plitvice National Park is also home to rich wildlife including brown bear, wolf, eagle owl, deer and 125 species of birds An Email A Day Keeps Boring Away Grab our Newsletter. Never miss a list from TMW. 29 Cappadocia, Central Turkey capadocia Reasons to visit Cappadocia A historical region in central Turkey that known for its surrealistic geological attraction called fairy chimneys – Cone like rock formations of different sizes that were formed by solidification of volcanic ash There are impressive underground cities, dwellings, tunnels, storehouses and remains of human habitats dating back to 4th Century The Southern and Eastern part of this site are bounded by extinct volcanoes The Christian monasteries in this area are one of the finest examples of art by the Byzantine empire Cappadocia is one of the best destination for the hot-air balloon ride. It is also the best way to enjoy the beauty of this city 28 Angel Falls, Venezuela angel falls credit of image : yosemite on wikimedia Reasons to visit Angel Falls At 3212 feet, The Angel Falls is the highest uninterrupted waterfall in the world. It is located in the Canaima National Park in the Southeastern Venezuela Angel Falls is about 3230 meters above Venezuelan jungle. Thus, it looks like a crown of the site from far away places Angel Falls is one of the least accessible attractions in the world as it is situated within a dense, large forest. But you can reach the foothills of this majestic waterfall with the help of local people or take a helicopter flight to enjoy the view from above the waterfall Named after Jimmy Angel, a US aviator who accidentally discovered this gorgeous waterfall when his plane got crashed at the top of the site Angel falls can be seen best in the rainy season when it split into two different waterfalls. Visitors can also feel the spraying of this waterfall from a distance of 1 kilometers at that time In the dry season, the water drop off from the high cliffs of Angel Falls gets evaporate even before it touches the ground 27 Seychelles seychelles Reasons to visit Seychelles Seychelles is a tropical dream destination located in the East Coast of Africa. This famous archipelago in the Indian Ocean includes many pristine Islands that offers a unique, thrilling experience for the visitors The Islands of Seychelles have some of most beautiful white sand beaches in the world with crystal clear blue waters. These beaches are perfect for snorkeling, diving, and sailing Home to rich marine life and huge, completely intact corals. Undoubtedly Seychelles is a paradise for scuba divers. You can swim among thousands of species of beautiful fishes and turtles. Through the clear waters, you will also get a close view of huge, completely intact corals Seychelles is known for a high standard of living and low crime rate. So that you can enjoy your vacation fearlessly The forests and coastal routes of Seychelles offer best hiking and biking opportunities for its visitors. You can hire yachts in Seychelles. A yacht ride in the beaches of Seychelles can be a mesmerizing experience for you 26 Twelve Apostles, Australia twelve apostles credit of image : richard mikalsen on wikimedia Reasons to visit Twelve Apostles Twelve apostles is a group of limestone stacks that located on the dramatic coastline of Victoria State. It is a famous highlight of Great Ocean Road These limestone stacks were formed by erosion over 10-20 million years ago. Once of apostles collapsed back in July 2005. Today only 8 apostles remain in the site The stunning apostles stands as high as 45 meters in the backdrop of majestic cliffs Under full Sun, the apostles display brilliant sandy yellow and at Sunsets and Sunrises they turn into dark color You can enjoy scenic helicopter flight over the twelve apostles 25 Trolltunga, Hordaland, Norway trolltunga credit of image : terjen on wikimedia Reasons to visit Trolltunga Trolltunga is the most terrifyingly beautiful ledge in the world – A narrow rock that jutting horizontally from a cliff. It is situated 700 meters above Ringedalsvatnet lake in Hordaland county of Norway Trolltunga is truly one of most incredible photogenic destinations in the world. The world ‘Trolltunga’ means troll’s tongue in English Trolltunga hike is definitely one of the things you should do before you die, because of the breathtaking view it offers – amazing rock formations, lush green vegetation, steep mountains and gorgeous Ringedalsvatnet lake You can hike to trolltunga between mid-June and mid-September. It takes 8-10 hours for the completion From the top, you can enjoy the view of 1500 meters-tall cliffs, scenic valleys of Hardanger region, green hills and amazing Ringedalsvatnet lake 24 Iguazu Falls, Argentina-Brazil Border iguazu falls Reasons to visit Iguazu Falls Located in the Argentina-Brazil border, The semicircular-shaped Iguazu falls is truly a watery wonders on Earth Fed by the Iguazu river, this unbelievable waterfall consist of 275 individual falls. The majority of falls lies within Argentinian side This majestic waterfall divides the Iguazu into upper and lower sections Most of the falls at Iguazu are about 210 foot tall. Some of the falls are also as high as 270 feet Iguazu falls are is taller and wider than Niagara falls The well-maintained pathways that have been built around Iguazu falls offer splendid view of this amazing waterfall. You can also take a helicopter flight over the Iguazu fall to enjoy its beauty from a different perspective 23 Venice, Italy venice Reasons to visit Venice Venice is one of the most picturesque and romantic cities in the world. It is situated on a group of 118 Islands. The land area of Venice are separated by canals and linked by bridges Venice is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Everyday the city receives more than 50000 tourists Venice has more than 170 canals and 400 bridges. This city is completely free from motor cars. To get around the city, you can access traditional boat service called ‘Gondola’ Gondola ride is a don’t miss activity during your visit to Venice. Gliding through the serene waters of Venetian canals is the most classical way to experience the city. The 3.8 km long, 90 meters wide, Grand canal is the main section of Venetian waterways. It is lined with many important historical buildings of the city Throughout the Venice you can see a number of amazing palaces with unique architecture. The Ca’D’Oro, Doge’s palace, Ca’Rezzonico and Ca’Fozcari are most beautiful palaces of Venice The Burano village in Venice is one of the most colorful places in the world. You can see multi-colored houses on either sides of the canals of this village The Gallerie dell’Accademia museum in the city has huge collection of 19th Century Venetian arts 22 Vatnajokull Ice Caves, Iceland vatnjajokul icecave credit of image : david phan on flickr Reasons to visit Vatnajokull Ice Caves The network of ice caves under the giant Vatnajokull glacier is truly a magic of nature. These surrealistic caves are a paradise for photographers and adventure seekers alike The Ice caves of Vatnajokull are incredibly beautiful and incredibly dangerous. You can only access these caves in winter. In the dry season, ice begins to melt. So it would be so dangerous to visit. Even in winter, you shouldn’t visit this site without help of an expert guide The icebergs and air bubbles trapped in the ices offers transparency and striking, blue color to these caves Vatnajokull glacier itself is a mesmerizing attraction. Covering an area of 5500 square miles, It is the largest glacier in Iceland. Glacier walk, mountaineering, ice climb and trekking are popular tourist activities in this site 21 Pamukkale Thermal Pools, Southwestern Turkey pamukkale Reasons to visit Pamukkale Thermal Pools It is an incredibly beautiful natural site that contain thermal pools and travertines. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Turkey The word ‘pamukkale’ means ‘cotton castle’. The mineral forest by which these thermal pools are formed truly looks like a cotton castle. That’s why this site named so Pamukkale is 1.7 miles long and contains 17 hotsprings It has been used as a thermal spa since 2nd Century B.C The hot mineral rich waters of Pamukkale can heal several skin conditions Related Articles Most Surreal Places In United States Top 10 Most Surreal Places In United States There are so many things that the United States is famous for - Such as internet, Hollywood, large... Travel peaceful countries in the world Top 10 Most Peaceful Countries In The World 2017 Everyone like to live in a peaceful and happy nation, Right? The Global Peace Index (GPI) report... Lifestyle happiest countries in the world Top 10 Happiest Countries In The World 2015 What are the main factors that determine the happiness of a nation? The better life index released... Travel 20 Colosseum of Rome, Italy colosseum Reasons to visit Colosseum of Rome It is one of the greatest feats of Roman architecture and a popular landmark of city of Rome Colosseum was built between A.D 70 and A.D 80 by emperor Vespasian, to stage fight between gladiators and wild animals The 485 foot tall colosseum is 156 meters wide and covers an area of 24000 square meters Originally built as a four storey building that has 80 entrances, 36 trap doors and capacity to hold up to 50000 spectators There were underground cage and passage ways for keeping and transporting wild animals for gladiatorial fights There were separate seating arrangement for low-class people, high class people and a royal family Colosseum was abandoned in 5th century with the end of Roman empire It was also heavily damaged by the earthquakes of A.D 847 and A.D 1231Angkor Wat, Cambodia angkor wat Reasons to visit Angkor Wat Covering a vast area of 500 acres, the Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world. It is also the icon and most famous tourist attraction of Cambodia Built in the early 12th century by Khmer King Suryavarman II, dedicated to Lord Vishnu It is said to be Angkor Wat is not only a temple but also a mausoleum. Because unlike other Hindu temples, it faces West, the direction associated with death according to the Hindu beliefs. This temple complex comprises hundreds of stone temples The enormous stone temple symbolizes mythic Mount Meru, the house of God. The mountain like shaped temple has five towers to represent five peaks of Mount Meru Angkor wat is surrounded by a 200 meters wide moat There are more than 3000 heavenly nymphs carved into the wall of this temple complex The center complex of Angkor wat is surrounded by galleries. One of these galleries called ‘Thousand Buddha’ is home to hundreds of images of Lord Buddha 18 Barbados barbados Reasons to visit Barbados With pristine beaches, pleasant weather, fantastic nightlife and friendly local people, the Barbados is truly a tropical paradise in the Caribbean The Island has 60 spectacular beaches with golden sands and clear blue waters. These beaches are perfect for relaxation and to watch stunning Sunsets. In addition, you can enjoy various activities including snorkeling, swimming, diving, catamaran cruises, windsurfing, and paddle boarding No other Islands in the Caribbean have as beautiful coral as Barbados. Scuba diving or snorkeling would bring you the unbelievable view of large coral heads and barrel sponges. Barbados is also home to rich marine life. You can visit Barbados anytime you like as the Island has pleasant weather year around Barbados is famous for its unique geological features. The Harrison’s cave is the must visit one. It is a network of caves with beautiful waterfalls, pools, stalagmites, and stalactites. here are also underwater lakes in the Island, formed by the continuous action of waves over limestone rocks With amazing varieties of bars, clubs and restaurants, you can enjoy a great nightlife in the Barbados You can also find resorts that overlooking the Caribbean sea and Atlantic ocean in Barbados Island 17 Marble Caves, Patagonia, Argentina-Chile Border marble cave Reasons to visit Marble Caves It is an unreal geological formation located on General Carrera lake in Argentina-Chile Border. It include a group of cavern and tunnels on huge marble blocks The stunning marble caves are formed by continuous action of waves over monoliths of marbles over thousands of years. This site has one of the largest marble deposition in the world The view of lake general carrera with turquoise waters against the gorgeous marble caverns is a great sight that you need to see to believe The appearance of marble caves changes in accordance with rise and fall of water level in the lake in different seasons 16 Moraine Lake, Alberta, Canada moraine lake credit of image : mike boehmer on flickr Reasons to visit Moraine Lake Moraine lake is probably the most scenic lake in the world. This breathtaking lake located in the valley of ten peaks in the Banff National Park The brilliant blue to turquoise waters is the main characteristic of Moraine lake. This attractive color is due to the mixing up of minerals with the water In the backdrop of moraine lake, you can see a series of 10 stunning mountain peaks This site has more than 100 amazing hiking trails that offer many scenic attractions There are lodges in the bank of Moraine lake. Staying in such a scenic landscape can be an unforgettable experience for you Canoeing is the most popular activity in the moraine lake. You can also take a scenic helicopter flight over Moraine lake 15 Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia salar de uyuni credit of image : francisco javier garcia orts on flickr Reasons to visit Salar De Uyuni Spanning 4086 square miles, Salar De Uyuni in Southwest Bolivia is the largest salt flat in the world. This unique landscape contains about 10 billion tons of salt It looks stunning in both wet and dry seasons. In the dry season, you can see a vast expanse of a hexagonal sheet of dry salt. The shape is due to the crystalline nature of the salt In the wet season, when the entire area covered with clear water, the Salar De Uyuni become a largest natural mirror in the world. You can clearly see the reflection of the sky at that time Salar De Uyuni is exceptionally flat and easy to spot. For these reasons, NASA uses this unique landscape to positioning their satellites It is a photographer’s paradise. But the exceptional flatness of Salar De Uyuni can cause the photographs to looks distorted A 4*4 tour across the salt flats is the best way to experience the Salar De Uyuni. It definitely offers a surreal experience for you 14 Rainbow Mountains, Danxia Landform Geological Park, China rainbow mountain credit of image : eric pheterson on flickr Reasons to visit Rainbow Mountains The rainbow mountains of Danxia Landform Geological Park is an amazing geological wonder that you need to see to believe. The high mountains in this landscape have unusual, rainbow-like color This breathtaking coloration is due to the millions of years of deposition of sandstone and other minerals June to September is the best period to visit the rainbow mountains. The colors become more clear and bright at that time. The view of this landscape just after the rain is also a great sight to see At Sunsets and Sunrises, you could see the changing of color pattern of these mountains The well maintained viewing platform let you get a closer view of these amazing mountains. There are also car services to get around the National Park 13 Niagara Falls, U.S.A-Canada Border niagara falls Reasons to visit Niagara Falls Located between the international border of the United States and Canada, the Niagara Falls is one of the amazing places to visit in your lifetime. Niagara combines three waterfalls – American fall, Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe falls The Bridal Veil falls and American falls lies in the U.S.A side and the most of Horseshoe falls lies within the Canadian range The highest vertical fall at Niagara is 165 feet Niagara produce is a water flow rate of 85000 ft/s. It is the highest water flow rate than any other waterfall in the world The waters of Niagara have striking green color. It is due to the mixing up of rock flavors with the water. In winter ice blocks will form at the top and bottom of Niagara falls The natural whirlpool at the Niagara falls has a maximum depth of 125 feet. The aero car service will offers amazing view of Niagara whirlpool for the visitors The boat ride is a don’t miss activity at Niagara Falls. Apart from a fun ride, you could enjoy a stunning view of Niagara Falls from a different perspective At every evenings, the Niagara Falls lit in different colors by Niagara Falls Illumination Board 12 Santorini, Greece santorini credit of image : karol m on flickr Reasons to visit Santorini Santorini is a charming, crescent-shaped, beautiful Island of Greece. Located in the Southern Andean sea, It is one of the scenic, tourist destination of Greece The colorful villages are the main attraction of Santorini. The high cliffs of Santorini are lined with beautiful, whitewashed houses. It gives a homogeneity and unique look to the villages The beaches in Santorini are so unique and charming. Due to the different geographical features the shorelines of Santorini beaches appears in different colors including black, red and white. The waters of these beaches are so clear and have striking turquoise color The gorgeous Sunsets are one of the main reasons why people flock to Santorini. The small town of Oia is the best Sunset viewing point in Santorini With amazing beaches, Sunsets and colorful villages, Santorini is also one of the most beautiful place to photograph To explore the Island, you can rent a scooter at an affordable rate Santorini is also home to some of the best wineries in the world An Email A Day Keeps Boring Away Grab our Newsletter. Never miss a list from TMW. 11 Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt pyramid of giza Reasons to visit the Great Pyramid of Giza The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the greatest ancient monuments in the world and the most famous attraction of Egypt The Great pyramid is the oldest and largest of three well-known pyramids in the Giza Necropolis of Egypt. It was built between 2589 B.C and 2504 B.C as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu About 2.5 million blocks of stones were used for the construction of the great monument. These stones weigh between 1.5 and 15 tons This amazing pyramid rises up to a height of 146.5 meters. It was the tallest pyramid in the world for more than 3800 years There are three burial chambers inside Great Pyramid of Giza. The lowest chamber carved into the bedrock, the next one is Queen’s chamber and the third one is King’s chamber The interior temperature of Great Pyramid of Giza (20 degree Celsius) is constant The mortar used for the construction of Great Pyramid of Giza is stronger than stone and can’t be reproduced. It’s mixing is still unknown to the modern world The Great Pyramid of Giza also can be seen from space 10 Great Blue Hole, Belize Great Blue Hole credit of image : Great Blue Hole NASA Reasons to visit Great Blue Hole The great blue hole is a natural underwater sinkhole located 70 km away from the mainland of Belize. It is the most popular dive destination in the country The great blue hole is almost circle in shape. It is 300 meters wide and 125 meters deep This amazing sinkhole is known for its deep blue color that caused by presence of white carbonate sand and transparency of water Formed in the ice age by the opening of a dry cave and melting of huge ice blocks It is a world class destination for scuba diving The walls of Great blue hole aged millions of years. It is also home to some of amazing marine species including nurse shark, reef shark and giant groupers 9 Great Wall of China great wall of china credit of image : severin stalder on wikimedia Reasons to visit Great Wall of China Great wall i the most popular landmark of China and one of the greatest architectural wonders of Ancient world It is not a continuous wall. The great wall combines circular walls, parallel walls and side walls The great wall was built by different Dynasties of China. The first part of this wall was built by emperor Qin Shi Huang between 220 B.C and 206 B.C. Since then, different dynasties added new sections to the original wall. With a total length of 5500.3 miles, the great wall is the longest structures man have ever built on the face of the Earth The height of the Great wall ranges from 16-33 feet and has a width between 13-15 feet Without aid , the great wall of China can’t be seen from space Many parts of Great wall have been eroded away. Only a few sections of original wall remain today The Badaling in Beijing city is the most visited section of the Great wall of china. This section of wall was built by Ming Dynasty and also has undergone restoration 8 Machu Picchu, Peru machu picchu Reasons to visit Machu Picchu Machu Picchu is the ruins of the royal estate built by the Incas located high in the Andes mountains of Peru. It contains temples, palaces, residences, storage rooms and stone structures. This site covers a vast land of 5.09 square miles Machu Picchu was built in 15th century by Inca emperor Pachacuti. But after the Spanish invasion the site was abandoned in 16th Century Machu Picchu was discovered by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911 Machu Picchu is situated at an altitude of 1972 feet above sea level. The site is surrounded by majestic mountain peaks The structures found in Machu Picchu are carved out of granite rocks. Some of the rocks used for the construction of Machu Picchu weighs more than 50 tons To your surprise, no mortar was used for the constructions of buildings in Machu Picchu. They cut the huge stone blocks so precisely to fit together tightly. In addition to this the well-crafted stone structures and sophisticated irrigation system shows the outstanding engineering skills of Incas You can reach the Machu Picchu by hiking the amazing Inca trail. It takes 3-5 days for the completion 7 Taj Mahal, Agra, India taj mahal credit of image : jitujestster on wikimedia Reasons to visit Taj Mahal The most famous tourist attraction of India and one of seven wonders of the world Taj Mahal is considered as the symbol of pure love. This amazing mausoleum was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as the final resting place for his wife Mumtaz Mahal The Taj Mahal was constructed between 1632 and 1653. It is the finest example of Mughal architecture The name ‘Taj Mahal’ means ‘crown of palaces’. This beautiful marble mausoleum has a huge central dome and a number of smaller domes. There are also four decorative pillars or minarets on the four corners of the Taj Mahal Taj Mahal has a height of 240 feet and all four sides of this monument are perfectly identical Taj Mahal appears in different colors in different times of a day – pinkish at morning, milky white at evening and golden at night Taj Mahal is situated in a vast land of 17 hectares. The site includes a number of other buildings, a beautiful 300 square meter garden, and a reflecting pool 6 Bora Bora, French Polynesia 100 Most Beautiful Places To Visit Reasons to visit Bora Bora Bora Bora is the most beautiful Island in French Polynesia. With aqua-centric luxury resorts, beautiful lagoons, friendly locals and fantastic nightlife, Bora Bora it truly a must visit places in the world Bora Bora can be entitled as the most beautiful lagoon destination in the world. This Island paradise is surrounded by a breathtaking turquoise lagoon and sand-edged Islets Luckily, the Bora Bora Island is free from dangerous snakes and insects Beautiful bungalows built over the clear, electric blue waters are one of the main attractions of Bora Bora. The private balconies of these bungalows offer stunning view of the lagoon and Sunsets Bora Bora is a world-class snorkeling and diving destination. You can swim among more than 100 amazing marine species and can see huge, beautiful coral reefs up close. In addition, you can also enjoy the romantic Sunset cruise, jet skiing, parasailing, kite boarding and wind surfing There are only a few public access beaches in Bora Bora. But the Marina beach of Bora Bora truly among the most beautiful beaches in the world. The white sands, calm and clear blue waters and amazing resorts will definitely make you fall in love with this beach 5 Antelope Canyon, Arizona, United States antelope canyon Reasons to visit Antelope Canyon Antelope canyon in Navajo territory of Arizona is the most beautiful slot canyon in the world. This geological wonder is famous for its wavy sandstone walls, narrow passages and striking colors Antelope canyon is the most photographed slot canyon in the world Antelope canyon has two sections – upper antelope canyon and lower antelope canyon The upper antelope canyon is the most commonly visited part of this site because it is easily accessible. In summer, you can enjoy the amazing view of Sun beams coming through the opening above the slot canyon Lower antelope canyon has stairs along the rock walls to access the site. Unlike upper antelope canyon, the paths of lower antelope canyon are narrower. Still, the incredible rock formations make this site worth visiting. Antelope canyon is prone to flooding in monsoon. So, tourists are not allowed to enter the site that time 4 Antarctica antarctica Reasons to visit Antarctica Unspoiled by the urbanization, Antarctica is one of few places on Earth where you can enjoy the beauty of nature at its best Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth with an average temperature of -49 degree Celsius Most areas of Antarctica are covered with thick sheet of ice. In some parts the thickness measures over 1 mile. Antarctica is home to some of the amazing species of animals and birds. They are well adapted to live in the harsh conditions of Antarctica. Penguins are the most popular animal of Antarctica. There are eight species of penguins live in Antarctica. Upon them, the Adelie and the Emperor penguins are found nowhere else in the world Apart from penguins, the crabeater seals, elephant seal, dusky dolphin, killer whale, wandering albatross and Antarctic shags are other animals found in Antarctica Antarctica is one the best whale watching destinations in the world. Humpback, blue, minke, sperm, fin, sei and killer whales are the commonly found species of whales in Antarctica Most of glacial ice of Earth found in Antarctica and it is also home to many amazing glaciers. About 77000 sq. km area of Antarctica covered by glaciers There is almost no activity to match with the kayak excursion in Antarctica. December to March is the best time for kayaking in Antarctica. You can paddle amongst the huge icebergs in the coasts of Antarctica 3 Great Barrier Reef, Australia great barrier reef Reasons to visit Great Barrier Reef Australia’s most beautiful tourist attraction and one of the natural wonders on Earth Comprising more than 3000 individual reef systems and stretches over 1430 miles, the great barrier reef is the largest coral reef in the world The great barrier reef is the biggest living structure on Earth that can even see from space This tropical wonder is home to wide varieties of marine creatures including 1625 types of fishes, 3000 types of molluscs, 133 species of sharks, 30 species of whales and 600 types of corals. Great barrier reef has an unbelievable perfect heart-shaped reef Take scuba diving or snorkeling to experience the magical underwater world of great barrier reef. The up close view of stunning coral reefs will definitely leave you breathless. There are also glass-bottom boats, semi-submersible and sailboats to see the diverse marine life and amazing coral reefs Undoubtedly great barrier reef is the most picturesque drop zone in the world. Take skydive here to enjoy the most stunning view of the largest coral reef system in the world. There is also seaplane service that offer a magical view of great barrier reef from a different perspective 2 Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States grand canyon Reasons to visit Grand Canyon Perhaps no other place in United States is as beautiful as Grand Canyon. This breathtaking steep-sided canyon is located in the Arizona State The 227 mile long, 18 miles wide Grand canyon is the largest canyon in the United States. It is also one of the seven natural wonders in the world Grand Canyon features stunning cliffs, multicolored rock layers and copper colored Colorado river It is estimated that the metamorphic rocks found at the bottom of Grand Canyon are over 2 billion years old. They can reveal much about the Earth’s history The limestone rocks found at the Northern rim of Grand Canyon aged more than 230 million years old Five Indian tribes (Havasupai, Navajo, Hopi, Hualapai and Hopi) have been living around Grand Canyon for thousands of years Grand canyon is a perfect destination for sightseeing, hiking, photographing and rafting The Havasupai falls located within Grand Canyon is one of the most amazing waterfalls in the world. Surrounded by the multicolored cliffs, the Havasupai falls is famous for its striking vivid blue waters and amazing pools The Grand Canyon Skywalk, a cantilever bridge situated 720 feet above canyon floor offer a stunning view of the cliffs and rock formations in the site The Sunsets and Sunrises at Grand Canyon appears in vivid colors. It is a don’t miss sight during your visit to Grand Canyon With the permission from backcountry information center, you can enjoy overnight hiking in Grand Canyon Related Articles Most Surreal Places In United States Top 10 Most Surreal Places In United States There are so many things that the United States is famous for - Such as internet, Hollywood, large... Travel peaceful countries in the world Top 10 Most Peaceful Countries In The World 2017 Everyone like to live in a peaceful and happy nation, Right? The Global Peace Index (GPI) report... Lifestyle happiest countries in the world Top 10 Happiest Countries In The World 2015 What are the main factors that determine the happiness of a nation? The better life index released... Travel 1 Maldives 100 most beautiful places to visit Reasons to visit Maldives With unbelievable white sand beaches, magical underwater world and amazing resorts, the Maldives is truly a paradise on Earth Maldives comprises 1190 coral Islands. Only 202 of them are inhabited This amazing Island archipelago have charming white sand beaches with clearest turquoise waters. You can enjoy the variety of activities in these beaches including parasailing, snorkeling, swimming and diving The glittering beach on Vaadhoo Island is a surreal attraction that you need to see to believe during your visit to Maldives. It is a natural phenomenon and the mesmerizing shing water is a result of bioluminescence generated by planktons With an abundance of marine life and more than 70 different species of colorful corals, The Maldives is a perfect destination for snorkeling and diving. Through the crystal clear waters of Maldives, you could view the unbelievable underwater world of the Island 87 Islands of Maldives are exclusively dedicated for resorts. These Islands provides all types of resorts for the visitors. You can easily find an affordable resort here. These resorts offer a variety of dining options, stunning view to the beaches, swimming pools, fitness centers, tennis and volleyball courts and dive centers. There are also underwater restaurants in Maldives Ride in traditional Maldivian boat called ‘Dhoni’ is the most blissful way to explore the Island. An evening ride would offer stunning Sunset views The dive warren thila is a popular dive spot located in the Ari Atoll of Maldives. Here you will watch different species of sharks including whitetip reef sharks, gray reef sharks, leopard sharks, nurse sharks and whale sharks Take a seaplane flight over the Maldives to enjoy the stunning view natural atoll formations, vast blue ocean and lagoons of the archipelago With underwater nightclubs, bars and beach parties, Maldives is also a perfect destination for vibrant nightlife