Boston

Boston

The Boston Public Library

Most people go to libraries to check out books, and perhaps visiting one is not on the top of your list when you’re a tourist. Don’t make that mistake in Boston. The magnificent main branch of the city’s library system, located in Copley Square, is in an 1895 Renaissance Revival building. 

Best Time To Visit

April and May are stunning months to visit Boston, as spring blooms along the city’s parks and green spaces. October and November will show you an authentic New England fall.

Ride a Swan Boat

Boston’s Public Garden, located in Beacon Hill, is America’s oldest botanical garden. The 24-acre park boasts beautiful formal plantings, the world’s smallest suspension bridge, and its main attraction, an almost 4-acre pond, home to Boston’s famous Swan Boats. 

Getting around the city is a snap with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (known as the “T”), as it includes subways,buses, and commuter rail services that serve Boston and beyond. A single subway trip costs $2.10, and if you plan on making a number of trips, you might invest in a weekly pass for $19.

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

One of the most highly regarded museums in the world, the massive Museum of Fine Arts boasts about half a million objects spanning the centuries from ancient Egypt to present-day artwork.

Visit Faneuil Hall

Visitors can be forgiven for thinking that Faneuil Hall Marketplace is Faneuil Hall, but it’s not; the marketplace is a complex of buildings which include Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North Market and South Market, all situated around a cobblestone promenade. Restaurants, shops, and buskers make it a lively scene.

Much in Boston revolves around the area’s colleges and universities,and you’ll find that hotel prices in May and September rise accordingly. Book far in advance to snag a deal during these times,and if you don’t mind the cold, try a visit in January and February.

The Massachusetts State House

The golden-domed Massachusetts State House is an iconic site from the outside, but take a free tour inside to learn all about its history. The land it sits on was originally used as John Hancock’s cow pasture. The building was designed by Charles Bulfinch and completed in 1798 and its cornerstone was laid by Samuel Adams in 1795.

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Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona, Spain

The Sagrada Família combines several architectural styles including Catalan Modernism, Art Nouveau and Spanish Late-Gothic, but Gaudí’s masterpiece defies these kinds of definitions when you look up open-mouthed at the ceiling of the nave.

Best Time To Visit 

July and August can get quite hot and humid, so the best time to go is early summer (May-June) and fall (September-October), when it’s pleasant and mild.

Casa Batlló

Another of Antoni Gaudí’s most postcard-friendly creations, this apartment block wasn’t created from scratch but was a remodel undertaken at the turn of the 20th century.

Barcelona Transportation

Barcelona has an excellent public transport network. Buy a T10 pass from any ticket machine to get ten one-way trips for $11. Alternatively,if you buy individual single tickets, they will cost $2.30. The passes are valid on all metros, buses, trains and trams operated by TMB, Renfe and FGC. Taxis in Barcelona are also cheap, hassle-free and easy to find.

Barcelona City History Museum

The History Museum preserves a few Roman sites across the Gothic Quarter, such as the temple of Augustus and the Funeral Way on Plaça de la Vila de Madrid. But Plaça del Rei is where you can see Barcelona’s ancient history in detailed layers.

Barcelona Weather

August is the hottest month, with an average high of 74°F (24°C). January is the coldest month, with an average high of 49°F (10°C).

Know Before Visiting

Mealtimes in Spain can be confusing. Restaurants are generally open from 1:30 p.m. to 4.:00 p.m. for lunch, and from 8:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. for dinner. Many stores close for lunchtime siesta (2 p.m. to 5 p.m.), as well as on Sundays and public holidays. A lot of businesses close for the whole month of August.

Beaches

Barcelona’s beachfront boardwalk stretches for miles. It will take a good hour to get from Barceloneta to Diagonal Mar on foot, but it’s a walk that really helps you understand the city.

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Bangkok Attractions | Bangkok Travel | Bangkok Places | Bangkok Tour |Thailand Attractions | Thailand Travel | Thailand Places | Thailand Tour

Best Time To Visit

The short window of winter lasts between late December and early January, and these cooler temperatures coincide with peak tourist season. November and February are cooler with (typically) fewer people.

Wat Arun: A Heaven-Like Peaceful Place

Wat Arun, also known as the ‘Temple of the Dawn’ is the most stunning temple in the city and looks even more gorgeous during the sunset. Situated on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, both the architecture and locale of this temple make it a gem worth witnessing. 

Bangkok Weather

April is the hottest month, with an average high of 95°F (35°C) with humidity adding an extra layer of heat. December is the coolest month, with an average high of 79°F (26°C).

 

Jim Thompson’s House: Let Your Inner Spy Come Alive

Jim, the famous American Spy stayed in Thailand after World War II ended, and revived the lost art in the city. The collection and construction of the six buildings here very well reflect the grandeur of the traditional Thai architecture. 

 

Grand Palace: Get A Glimpse Of The Thai Royalty

This former residence of King Rama of the Rattanakosin Kingdom now hosts royal ceremonies and enriching tours for every type of traveler and is one of the best Bangkok tourist places. Get a glimpse of the royal life of the king that will make you sorry for your normal life. Apart from his residence, you can also witness the grandeur of the ‘Temple of the Emerald Buddha’ situated here. 

Know Before Visiting

The hottest season runs from March to August. Rainy season is unpredictable and varies, but normally runs from June to early October. While it is classified as monsoon season, the rains infrequently last more than an hour or two at a time.

 

Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World: The Aquatic Wonderland

It is located two stories underneath the ultra-luxurious Siam Paragon shopping mall that would leave you dazzled with the thrilling experiences that it offers and the 30,000 curious looking creatures it has from across the globe. 

Language

Thai

Currency

Thai Baht (฿)

Lumphini Park: Get Close To Nature

Perfect for travelers of all the ages, it is home to various flora, fauna, and refreshing experiences like rowing, paddle boating & more. Be it a family trip, a solo exploration, or a romantic getaway, you ought to visit the Lumphini Park whenever you’re in Bangkok. It is a great place to enjoy a day picnic with family and kids. 

Bangkok Transportation

Traffic is unavoidable if in a car or other vehicle. Public transportation is rapidly improving, and the BTS (the above-ground Skytrain) and MRT (underground metro) run from 6 a.m. to midnight; however, they require separate tickets and rarely connect with each other (fares for both start at $0.50). Brightly colored taxis and tuk-tuks are available for hire for an outstanding bargain.

 

Dream World: A Theme Park For A Fun-Filled Day

Being a popular amusement park in the city, Dream World turns every fantasy into reality and ensures that the kid within you has a kick-ass day out. From its high-octane rides to sweet little attractions around, it is the ideal place to capture some more fun memories in Thailand.

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Atlanta Places | Atlanta Tour | Atlanta City | Atlanta Travel | Atlanta Attractions

Best Time To Visit

In spring, when the azaleas and dogwoods are in full bloom, or fall,when the crisp and cool climate and orange-hued trees beckon you outdoors for concerts and festivals.

Centennial Olympic Park

Centennial Olympic Park, housed in the center of Atlanta's downtown convention and entertainment district, serves as Atlanta's legacy from the 1996 Olympic Games. Visit the urban green space and make a splash in the Fountain of Rings or have a picnic in the lush grass. Centennial Olympic Park is a true must-see attraction!

Atlanta Transportation

Despite its legendary traffic, Atlanta is a city best navigated by car, so rent one or have the number of a car service handy. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is a system of buses and trains that offer access to major attractions and destinations in the city,including the airport. Each ride is $2.50 and there are discounts for multiple rides.

Georgia Aquarium

 

Escape into an underwater paradise at Georgia Aquarium where you can see the world's largest fish, whale sharks, as well as belugas, dolphin, otters and more. Take a behind the scenes tour or indulge in one of the animal encounters where you can swim with the whale sharks, pet a beluga or get up close with a penguin.

Atlanta Weather

July is on average the hottest month, with an average high of 89°F (32°C). January is the coldest month, with an average high of 52°F (11°C).

Know Before Visiting

Atlanta might be an urban metropolis, but it’s only about 90 miles from the Blue Ridge Mountains, so pack some hiking gear and comfortable walking shoes so you can explore the surrounding natural attractions.

The city itself also boasts several scenic parks and walking trails. The developing BeltLine (a historic 22-mile railroad corridor that is being transformed into a network of green spaces) is one outdoor jaunt every visitor should experience.

 

Language

English

Currency

United States Dollar ($)

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Bali Attractions | Bali Places | Bali Tour | Bali City | Bali Travel

Best Time To Go

The rainy season lasts from October until March, with monsoon-level downpours, and is not the best time for tourism. The high season,which is Easter week and Chinese New Year, generally has higher

hotel rates. The best time to find deals for Bali travel is between September and December, and the best time to visit is during the dry season, April through October.

Transportation

Public transportation in Bali is hard to come by, but it is possible to travel by taxi or to rent a motorbike.

Pura Tanah Lot 

About 20 kilometers northwest of Kuta, Pura Tanah Lot ("Pura" means temple in Balinese) is one of Bali's most iconic temples thanks to its spectacular seaside setting on a rocky islet surrounded by crashing waves. For the Balinese people, it is one of the most sacred of all the island's sea temples. (The largest and holiest Hindu temple in Bali is Pura Besakih, but recently local hagglers have been harassing visitors.) 

Weather

Bali is situated near the equator and benefits from a tropical climate,with an average year-round temperature of 86°F (30°C).

Know Before You Go

One of the most picturesque things to do in Bali is a sunrise trek to the summit of Mount Batur. If you’re intrepid, fit, and don’t mind getting up in the middle of the night to go, you’ll be rewarded with some of the island’s most spectacular views.

Language

Balinese, Indonesian, English

 

Every day in Bali's predawn darkness, hundreds of visitors begin the trek up the 1,700-meter summit of Mount Batur to watch the sun rise above the lush mosaic of mist-shrouded mountains and the caldera far below. This sacred active volcano lies in Kintamani District in Bali's central highlands, about an hour's drive from Ubud, and the hike to the summit to watch the sunrise has long graced the list of top things to do in Bali. The hike along the well-marked trails is relatively easy and usually takes about two to three hours. Guided treks typically include a picnic breakfast, with eggs cooked by the steam from the active volcano. On a clear day, the views are spectacular, stretching all the way across the Batur caldera; the surrounding mountain range; and beautiful Lake Batur, the island's main source of irrigation water.

Currency

Indonesian rupiah

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Vishalgad Fort

Vishalgad Fort

Vishalgad fort, is also called ‘Khelna’ or ‘Khilna’ by locals, and was one of the important forts of the Maratha empire. The name ‘Vishalgad’ means grand fort in Marathi, the name was given by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj after annexing it during 1659. The structure covers an area of 1130 m and was built on a hilltop in the Sahyadri mountain ranges at a height of 3500 feet above sea level, and is about 76 km north – west of Kolhapur.

Vishalgad Fort was built in the year 1058 by a Shilahara ruler ‘Marsinh’ and was initially known as ‘Khilgil’ fort. But down the centuries it passed into the hands of many rulers who ruled around the Deccan region. When the fort was under the control of Adilshah of  Shivaji wanted to capture the fort but the terrain of the fort was difficult and conquering appeared a herculean task. Shivaji attacked the fort several times, but the Adilshahi regiment were defending the fort valiantly. So then, Shivaji came up with a strategy. Accordingly, a group of Maratha soldiers went up to the fort and convinced the Adilshahi killedar (commander) of the fort that they were not happy with the rule of Shivaji Maharaj and thus had come to serve the Adilshahi. The Maratha’s were successful with their plan and then on the following day, they revolted and caused total mayhem inside the fort. Simultaneously, Shivaji Maharaj attacked the fort from the outside and in no time conquered the fort. Shivaji then renamed the fort as ‘Vishalgad’.

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Panhala Fort

Panhala Fort

Panhala lies on the Sahyadri Mountain Range and is situated in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. It is about 22 km to the northwest of Kolhapur on the Kolhapur-Ratnagiri road and is at an altitude of 3177 feet above sea level.

Almost all the holiday packages to Panhala include a tour to Ambarkhana. The Ambarkhana was built by the Marathas and it houses the palace, the administrative division and the granary. The granaries were necessary since grain needed to be stored in case of famines and other calamities. You can also take a look at the Teen Darwaja, which are three gates that provide access to the fort.If you are on a tour to Panhala, you can check out Sajja Kothi, which was built by the Mohammedans in 1008 AD. There is a very interesting story related to this fort. Many say that when Siddi Johar, who was a Bijapur general, attacked the fort, Shivaji escaped from the window while Shiva Kashid, in the disguise of Shivaji fought bravely with Siddi Johar.

Another place one can visit is the Ambabai temple, where you can pay respect to the Goddess. Sambhaji temple is another place you can visit, which was built in the memory of Sambhaji, as the name itself suggests.

There is also the Someshwar tank and Andhar Bav. Do not forget to visit the Nayakini Sajja, at Panhala, It is a great thing to see, to understand the warfare strategy used by the Marathas to deceive their foes. It was located next to one of the corners of the fort to hide the ravine or moat. When the enemies tried to climb over the particular corner, they would fall into the ravine. There are also other places in Panhala that you could visit besides all these wonderful places.

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