Attrractions include the Khao Tha Phet Wildlife and Nature Education Centr 6 kms from town. Covering an areaof  1,162 acres there are a number of wild animals to be seen.  Up on Khao Tha Phet, somet 210m asl stands a stupa named Phra That Si Surat which houses Buddha relics donated by the Indian Government - there are also great views to be enjoyed.

Yangshuo lies in northeast Guangxi and to the southeast of Guilin. With a amazing scenery as spectacular as that at Guilin and with diverse ethnic minorities it’s not hard to see its attraction.

Attractions in the area include Moon Hill, the 1400-year old Big Banyan, and Xingping, the most ancient town in the area. At Fuli you can find traditional handicrafts. Take a bike and explore the countryside or head out by boat on the Li River. Explore caves, go rock climbing or head out further afield to the rice terraces at Longji.

Almost half of the old city is water, giving rise to the nickname the “Venice of the East” and, with its canal-side houses, it is an attractive town. Taihu Lake, four fifths of which is in the area of Suzhou, is one of the four largest fresh lakes in China, and the city is on the famous Grand Canal.

The city dates from 514 BC and is today laid out on a grid pattern, with canals and streets lying aside one-another. It’s a great place for wandering whether on foot or by bike.

Attractions include the World Heritage List, including the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Lingering Garden, the Garden of Master of Nets and the Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty. Also worth visiting are the water townships of Zhouzhuang, Mudu and Tongli Town and so on should not be missed by any visitor.

The sub-tropical warmth of the south means that the countryside is a verdant green, accentuating the almost ethereal beauty of the region. A walk, ride or boat journey through this landscape is a treat not to ne missed and taking a guide will enhance the please as you learn about the history and legend that is inextricably linked with each formation.

Guilin itself is an important cultural city with a history that dates back some 2000 years. It has been the political, economic and cultural centre of Guangxi Province since the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), its trademark Solitary Beauty Peak watching over the city. It is also home to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) tomb of Prince Jingjiang.

From Guilin the traveller can set out to explore the countryside, home to many ethnic minorities that include the Zhuang, Yao, Hui, Miao, Mulao, Maonan and Dong. As each minority has its own customs and festivals a journey through the countryside is something not to be missed.

Xian is the capital of Shaanxi province, and is a walled city complete with Drum and Bell Towers. It is home to the astounding Terracotta Army of clat warriors found in pits close to town, along with the tomb of their creator Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, listed on the World Heritage List. The Ming-era city walls are wonderful to stroll around and those interested in Neolithic finds will enjoy Banpo Village with finds dating back to between 8000 BC to 5000 BC.

Don’t miss a dumpling banquet – the region is famous for them – nor a visit to one of the Tang Dynasty shows that are often put on. Other attractions include the Big Wild Goose and Little Wild Goose Pagodas, the unique Grand Mosque in the Hui Muslim Quarter, and Shaanxi Museum, one of the country’s finest.

Glamourous, trend-setting, contemporary and yet showcasing an historic past Shanghai is an eclectic city and one that shouldn’t be missed by any visitor to China’s eastern seaboard. The city was well-known as an 'oriental Paris' in its early 20th century heyday, a period of prosperity that has returned today. Shanghai is a shopper's paradise with Nanjing Road its main artery and Huaihai Road attracting those looking for fashion.

People are attracted by the city’s traditional sights – the famous Bund where tai chi is practiced early in the morning in front of once great western commercial premises. Yu Yuan Gardens are the largest of Shanghai's ancient gardens with Ming and Qing Dynasty influence. Jade Buddha Temple dates from 1882; at first a temple was built to keep two jade Buddha statues which had been brought from Burma by the monk Huigen. This temple was destroyed during the revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty but fortunately the jade Buddha statues were saved and a new temple was built on the present site in 1928. This is today’s Jade Buddha Temple.

Other attractions include the Jin Mao tower (tallest building in China and 3rd tallest in the world), Longhua Park and the wonderful Shnaghai Museum.

The oldest part of Montalcino is within the surrounding town walls and runs along the main street, the via Matteotti, which widens into the Piazza del Popolo, the old medieval centre of town. Here you will find the "Palazzo dei Priori" now the town hall and which dates from the 13th and 14th centuries.Sat on the highest part of the hill is the wonderful fortress; an outstanding example of military architecture dating from 1361.

Visit the Museo Civico e Diocesano d'arte Sacra to see an important collection of paintings and don't forget to visit the wineries that produce the internationally renowned Brunello di Montalcino wine.

Pienza owes its fame to Enea Silvio Piccolomini who was born in Corsignano in 1405 and elevated to Pope in 1458 taking the name Pius II. During the course of his Papacy, he changed the ancient Castello di Corsignano (first mentioned in AD828) into a Papal residency in the Renaissance style, and renamed it Pienza ("Pius").

Today Pienza is a rare and beautiful example of Renaissancedesign, arguably one of the best planned, and with its location in the Val d'Orcia, makes it a stunning place to visit - here you can enjoy walking and biking, wander ancient streets, visit the Duomo or just enjoy the views.

Indeed people have shaped the landscape over countless centuries, with tombs such as Pentre Ifan, strongholds such as Picton Castle and Carew Castle, crosses and cottages, quarries and quays all serving to illustrate the region’s history and its continuing cultural importance to Wales.

This is an area for enjoying the great outdoors though and those in search of outdoor activity can walk the entire Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, a 186 mile-long National Trail that will reveal some of the UK’s finest scenery, from cliffs crowded with seabirds, out to sea and the region’s famous marine life – dolphins, whales and more, to inland vistas of the Preselis.

Biking routes, such as the Celtic Trail, abound and the new sport of coasteering is taking off too. There’s diving, sailing and boat trips to enjoy along with some of the best surfing in the UK – check out the big waves of Newgale, Freshwater West and Whitesands.

Head to the pretty walled town of Tenby, visit the tiny cathedral city of St Davids, shop for antiques in classy Narberth or enjoy sea-views at Solva – wherever you travel you are sure to find something of interest to see or do in Pembrokeshire. A playground for lovers of the great outdoors.

 

Tamberma architecture is one of the most beautiful in Africa: the fortified houses are really more like small clay castles, three storeys high. 

The north is inhabited by the Moba. Their homes are made of clay and are built in a circular shape, with conical roofs made of straw. A wall surrounds and protects the huts belonging to members of the same family: in this way they form small villages spread out over the territory.

It is the only National Park with such characteristics in West Africa. The habitat is varied and includes savanna woodland, good stands of gallery forest, submontane forest and grass-covered hilltops.

It’s easy to fall in love with York’s unique and beguiling combination of historic and modern - like the mix of the magnificent medieval York Minster and the towering Yorkshire Wheel, and the ancient cobbled streets lined with the latest shops and the coolest bars.

Pedestrianised streets make historic York ideal to explore on foot. Ideal for wandering, or for following a themed trail, visitors can even join a guided stroll of York’s history or an evening ghost walk.

Discover wildlife, historic buildings, archaeology, ancient woodlands and picturesque villages. The great variety of landscapes in the North York Moors is what truly makes it unique and gives it a character which so many people can enjoy.

Here you can experience the vast open space of moorland, listen to the call of the upland birds, walk for miles and miles or sit and watch the world go by. Visitors can wander through woods, saunter through picturesque villages of honey sandstone, throw pebbles in a stream or build sandcastles on the beach.

You can enjoy walking in the nature paths of the Chrysochou valley, rich in vegetation, vines, and fruit trees. Nearby is the Folk Art museum, and a short hike away is the restored medieval Church of Ayia Paraskevi.

The Governor’s House was built in 1899, originally as the summer residence of the governor of the North West Province, before becoming the summer residence for the Lieutenant Governor of the United Provinces. Currently, it is the official guest house for the governor of Uttarakhand and for visiting state guests. The complex consists of a two-storied mansion with 113 rooms, a large garden, a swimming pool, and golf links. You must obtain prior permission before visiting.

Chemrey Gompa of Ladakh dates back to the 17th century and is situated approximately 40 km to the east of the town of Leh. This monastery serves as the residence of approximately 20 monks of the diminishing Drugpa community. The monastery was initially built to serve as a memorial to King Sengge Namgyal. One of the major attractions of the Chemrey Gompa is the one-story high image of Padmasambhava it houses as well as a precious collection of scriptures, having title pages in silver and the text in gold letters.

Hemis Monastery is the biggest and wealthiest monastery of Ladakh. Dating back to the year 1630, it was founded by the first incarnation of Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso. The monastery belongs to the Dugpa Order and boasts of a very rich collection of ancient relics.

Lamayuru Monastery is situated between Bodhkharbu and Kha-la-che, on a steep rock mountain. The monastery belongs to the Red-Hat sect of Buddhism and houses approximately 150 Buddhist monks. The monastery is made up of a number of shrines and also has a very rich collection of thankas and magnificent wall paintings.

The monasteries of Ladakh offer an intriguing glimpse of Buddhist life.

The Namgyal Tsemo Gompa was built in 1430 and contains a three-story high Buddha image and ancient manuscripts and frescoes. The views of Leh from here are stunningly beautiful. The Sankar gompa, located about 2kn north of the town belongs to the Gelukpa order and has an impressive impression of the Buddhist deity Avalokiteshwara Padmahari or Chenresig, with 1,000 arms and an equal number of heads. The Shanti Stupa was opened by the Dalai Lama in 1985. From the top there are fantastic views of the area.

The Har Ki Pauri ghat is one of the most sacred ghats in India. In the evening a Maha Aarti is performed on this ghat, an event which should not be missed. On top of a hill called Bilwa Parvat is the temple Mansa Devi, which can be reached by taking a trekking route to the top of the hill. From here you will have a fantastic view of Haridwar.

Another temple of the other side of the Ganges is Chandi Devi located on a hill called Neel Parvat. The temple was constructed by the King of Kashmir, Suchat Singh, in 1929 AD. The ancient temple of Maya Devi is the Adhisthatri deity of Haridwar. Daksha Mahadev Temple is one of the five sacred places in Haridwar.

In winter, Champsaur attracts skiers, because of its many small family-oriented ski resorts, which are also pretty mountain villages, such as Saint Léger Les mélèzes, Ancelle, Orcières Merlette and Laye - downhill skiing, snow shoe excursions, cross-country skiing are all available. The upper Champsaur is a true paradise for cross-country skiers: sixty kilometres of runs along the banks of the Drac or on high altitude plateaux (Serre Eyrauds, La Coche and Roche Rousse).

In summer, the high peaks of the Ecrins National Park are all yours. A huge variety of activities are available and this is the perfect spot for walking, biking, via ferrata, rafting, kayaking…. with the pleasure of tasting some tourtons, ravioles and donkey's ears awaiting you on your return - delicious specialities of Champsaur!

Among the places that you really should visit are Saint-Jean château at Saint-Jean-Saint-Nicolas (which dates from medieval times), the hamlet of Prapic nestling in the valley of the Drac Noir river amidst pastures of cows and ewes, the valley of Champoléon surrounded by summits topped with eternal snows, the eternal sanctuary through which flows the Drac Blanc, and Col du Noyer (1664 m), a dizzying viewpoint from which you can take in the whole of the Champsaur valley.

Marseille holds festivals all year round, such as the boat-shaped biscuits known as navettes eaten at Candlemas, the Carnival, the Garlic fair, the feast of Saint-Eloi, waterjousting at l'Estaque, the Kite-flying Festival and the Santon fair.

Real lovers of popular tradition will be enthralled by the Musée du Terroir Marseillais de Château-Gombert (Marseille Museum of Folk Culture) at Château-Gombert. In fact Marseille has no less than 21 museums covering every period of history from Antiquity to the present day, and from archaeology to motor bikes, fine arts and Marseille traditions.

These museums are in historic buildings, such as the Vieille Charité, a former 17th century hospice and an architectural masterpiece by Pierre Puget. The site contains a number of collections, including the Egyptian Antiquities collection (the 2nd most important in France after the Louvre collection). This is also the case for the Fine Arts Museum and the Natural History Museum in the Palais Longchamp, and the Porcelain Museum in a “bastide” in the middle of the Parc Pastré.

Marseille also has a number of site museums, such as the History Museum and its “Jardin des Vestiges” on the Corne du Port Antique, and the Docks Museum on the site of the ancient warehouses.

The city is deeply marked by its past and is constantly digging up the remains of all the cities that have been built on top of each other over the centuries. It takes the visitor on a journey that begins with its Greek and Roman origins and leads us past the medieval religious foundations, the 16th century fortifications, the rich homes of the 17th and 18th centuries and the many prestigious buildings erected in the 19th century and right up to modern times and the great architectural achievements of the 21st century.

Avignon sits at a strategic location in the Rhone valley and owes its origin to the Doms rock. With the arrival of the Popes in the 14th century, the city became a “second Rome” and was enriched with at during the 17th and 18th centuries. It remained papal property up to the French revolution.

Here you can stroll the shopping streets in the pedestrian area, Joseph Vernet and St Agricol streets, the district of la Balance and the large Republic avenue. In addition to the large variety of well stocked luxury shops, you will find Provencal ceramics and pottery, terracotta figurines (santons), handicrafts, and other specialities of the region.

Visit Le Palais des Papes, Le Pont St Bénezet – the bridge of the song along with some of the following:

The churches: Notre Dame des Doms Cathedral, Saint Agricol, Saint Didier, Saint Pierre, Saint Symphorien les Carmes,

St Martial Temple

The Synagogue

The Place de l'Horloge, the Opera, the Town Hall with its Jacquemart,

St Louis cloister

Ceccano Palace (now the mediatheque)

The Ramparts,

The Rocher des Doms,

The old streets lined with city mansions, the Carmes neighbourhood, the Teinturiers neighbourhood…

Small or large, the boats take the same way to Lyon, Arles or further destinations.

The region of Avignon offers a great variety of natural wonders which makes it particularly attractive. Easily visited inside and outside the city are the Pont du Gard, Nîmes, Arles, the Camargue, Lubéron and Ventoux, Baux de Provence, St Remy and the Alpilles.

The beaches of St. Tropez are an additional attraction with Plage de Pampelonne being the most famous. With so many beaches there are plenty of opportunities for sun bathing but St Tropez does offer other activities such as walking, horse riding, snorkelling, scuba diving, windsurfing, para-sailing, jet-skiing and sailing. For those interested in culture there are some unique museums, art galleries, special concerts, exhibits and special events scheduled year round.

The city is located on the Bay of Angels and has a wonderful crescent-shaped, 5 km long beach. Running the length of the beach is the Promenade des Anglais, a long walkway built in the 1830s where most of the elegant hotels, restaurants and shops are situated. Travellers can not only enjoy the city’s main sights and museums but there are many opportunities for fishing, swimming and sailing.