The Colorful Street of Caminito in La Boca, Buenos Aires

The center of tourist activity in La Boca, Buenos Aires is the colorful street of Caminito. It is a small colorful pedestrian street around the corner of Don Pedro de Mendoza & Del Valle Iberlucea. Caminito means “Little Path,” a short street where it show cases multi-colored houses and where many artists in the area show off their works.


This colorful street of Caminito was created by Benito Quinquela Martin, where he made it an open-air art and history exhibit area, and the world’s first outdoor pedestrian museum. It’s where many local artists sell their art, paintings and other products. There are also Tango dancers who dance for the visitors, restaurants where you can enjoy native Argentinean food, and good music to enjoy the tour.

Get to know more of it's history and take a tour to this colorful district of La Boca. Read more.
 
***All images used are from google Images
 

Beautiful Places to See in Bruges Belgium

Bruges is the largest city and capital of the province of West Flanders, in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It’s an egg-shaped city and one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. It was known as the “Venice of the North” because you can see and would feel like living within the medieval times.


Upon visiting Bruges, you will immediately notice that this medieval city, which is one of Belgium’s crown jewels, had carefully cherished its architectural and artistic treasures from the past. The 19th century neo-gothic style is so much present. The town authorities have done the utmost to preserve the medieval-looking image of the city.

Get to know more and take a tour to the "Venice of the North." More pictures for you to see so read more. 
 
Church of our Lady
Image Credit
 
Image credit for the images on the slide:
 
Image #1 City Hall - Image credit
Image #2 Gruuthuuse - Image credit
Image #3 Bruge Belfry - Image credit
Image # 4 Saint Salvator's Cathedral - Image credit
 

The Iron Church of the World - The San Sebastian Church

The San Sebastian Church in Manila, Philippines was the first all-iron church in the world; the first all-iron structure in Asia, and second in the world after the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. The metal structure of the church, with Palacios was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the French Engineer behind the Eiffel Tower and the steel structure within the statue of liberty. It was the only neo-Gothic steel church in the Philippines and in Asia, and one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

The San Sebastian church was a reflection of the late 19th century innovations in architecture, art and construction. The interior of the church displays groined vaults that were styled along neo-Gothic lines. The steel parts of columns, walls and ceiling were painted to resemble marble and jasper done by Filipino artist Lorenzo Rocha and his students. Trompe l’oeil paintings were used to decorate the interiors of the church. The Gothic confessionals, pulpit and altars was designed by Filipino artist Lorenzo Guerrero, and his fellow artist Eulogio Garcia carved the statues of holy men and women.

Get to know more about this magnificent steel church. Read More.




***Images on the slide are from Google Images

The Amazing Cave of Giant Crystals

The crystal cave of Giants in Naica Mexico had been, so far, the only crystal cave in the world with gigantic crystals that seems to grow everywhere and defy gravity.

In the mine of Naica which is a lead, zinc and silver mine, are incredible selenite crystals that measures 4ft. in diameter, and 36 ft. long and they are the largest natural crystals ever found. This chamber or cave of giant crystals is approximately 1,000 feet (300 m) down in the limestone host rock of the mine. The selenite crystals were formed by hydrothermal fluids coming from the magma chambers below. The cavern was discovered by accident when miners were drilling through the Naica fault.

Geologists say that there is a magma chamber two to three miles below the mountain and the heat from this compressed lava travels through the faults up into the area of the mine. The heated fluids form the crystals. Get to more about this incredible crystal cave. Read more.

***All images used are from Google Images

The Underground Cave Cities of Turkey

During the second millennium BC, the Hittites invaded Asia Minor. They carved chambers underground to make them granaries. All of those early civilizations who took over the land used the underground chambers to store grain and, perhaps, as short-term shelter from invaders. But during the first centuries after the time of Jesus, when persecuted Christians sought places of worship, they carved deep into the rock, adding to those chambers that was already there before, everything they needed like bedchambers, water tanks, flour mills, and stables, as well as other rooms that are important to them like churches, confessionals, seminaries, baptismal fonts, supply areas, chapels, stables, tombs, and even wineries. The cities were complete with wells, chimneys for air circulation, and niches for oil lamps, stores, and water tanks. They were built to withstand attack and could support large numbers of people and their domestic animals, for long periods of time. It is also where Christians practiced their forbidden religion.
Turkey opened five of these underground cities to the public, and it now became a great tourist spot in the region, and one of the many wonders of the world. Let's go and investigate this place further. Read more.
 
***All Images used are from Google Images

Cave Churches of Goreme

Cave Churches are one of Cappadocia's famous tourist spot. It is found in the village of Goreme.

During the medieval period when Christians were persecuted for practicing their religion, the settlers of Goreme dug the tuffa stones to make churches, monasteries, chapels, and nunneries. No one would ever think that these caves were actually churches.

There were over 13 cave cave churches in the village and all of them were elaborately designed with frescoes that depict the life and death of Christ. Learn more about this intersting cave churches and see more photos of the interior. Read more.




***All Images used are from Google Images

The Amazing Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia in Turkey

An amazing rock formation known as "Fairy Chimneys" are found in Cappadocia, the central region of Turkey. The magnificent landscape has been formed from the solidified lava streams, ash and tuff stone. The ashes became an erosive material called “Tuff”. Through rain, wind and temperature fluctuations, various forms of rock formations such as cones were created and were called the “Fairy Chimneys.”

Early Christians built several underground cities in this volcanic tuff stone. Since the fairy chimneys are quite soft, they dug into them to create dwellings, monasteries, churches, and underground cities, as hiding places before Christianity became an accepted religion to escape persecution.

Get to know more of these amazing Fairy Chimneys and see more photos. Read More.


*All Images used are from Google Images

The Majestic Imperial Palace of Japan

The Historic and beautiful Imperial Palace of Japan is found in Kyoto (the old capital of the country). It serves as the imperial residence and the administrative center of Japan for most of the Heian Period (from 794 to 1185).



It is situated inside a large rectangular walled enclosure where several ceremonial and administrative buildings including government ministries are found. Inside, was the residential compound of the emperor and residences of the imperial consorts. It also consists of several gates, halls and gardens.


Over the course of its history, it suffered several other fires and disasters, and was rebuilt many times. It still stands as majestic as it was before. Let’s take a tour on this beautiful palace. Read more.

***All images used are from Google Images

The Stone Spheres of Costa Rica

Magnificent monolithic stone spheres made by human hands are found in Costa Rica. Archaeological excavations showed that they are associated with pottery and other materials typical of the Pre-Columbian cultures of the southern part of the country.


They were believed to be carved between 200 BC and 1500 AD. The size of these spheres ranges from a few centimeters to over two meters in diameter. Some weigh 16 tons. Around 300 balls are known to exist. They are found in clusters of up to twenty, and often in geometric patterns such as triangles, rectangles or straight lines. Some remain in their original places of discovery, but many others have been relocated or damaged due to erosion, fires and vandalism.


These stone spheres are all perfectly shaped. The tape and plumb bob measurements of diameters reveal no imperfections, and the precision of these spheres are amazing. It looks like it’s machine-cut but was actually made by hand; it was chiseled and pecked. Get to know more about these amazing monolithic structures. Read more.

***All Images used are from Google Images

The Magnificent Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ

One of the main tourist attractions in St. Petersburg Russia is the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ. It was known in various names such as the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, Church of the Savior on Blood, and the Church of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.


Many may have not known that this church was actually made as a memorial for Emperor Alexander II, who was assassinated on that place where the church stands today. A beautiful shrine was built for Alexander II on the spot where his blood was spilled, thus it was called “Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood.”

The architecture of this church is outstanding. From afar, you’ll see how colorful it is and may give you the idea that it has some Middle Eastern influence. The exterior are glazed with ceramic tiles; the five domes are covered in jeweler’s enamel, and the bell tower is covered in 144 mosaic coats of arms, representing the regions and towns of Russia, and the interior on the other hand, was designed by well-known Russian artists of today namely: Viktor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Nesterov and Mikhail Vrubel — but the church's chief architect was Alfred Alexandrovich Parland.

This cathedral was now made a museum. Let’s go on a trip and explore this wonderful Church. Read more.

Image Credit on blog post:

Left Image - CC license courtesy of Dmitry Avdeev on Wikimedia commons
Right Image - courtesy of BigAppleofMyEye http://www.sacred-destinations.com/russia/st-petersburg-church-of-savior-on-blood.htm

Image Credit for the photos on the slide:

Photo # 1 - CC license courtesy of Dmitry Avdeev on Wikimedia commons
Photo # 2 - Photo courtesy of Russian Spy on Wikimedia commons
Photo # 3 - CC license photo courtesy of Joonas Lyytinen on Wikimedia commons
Photo # 4 - Photo courtesy of Anne Hu on Wikimedia commons
Photo # 5 - Photo courtesy of Anne Hu on Wikimedia commons
Photo # 6 - Photo courtesy of HoolyPics http://www.sacred-destinations.com/russia/st-petersburg-church-of-savior-on-blood.htm
Photo # 7 - Image courtesy of BigAppleofMyEye http://www.sacred-destinations.com/russia/st-petersburg-church-of-savior-on-blood.htm

The Stylistic and Colorful Ceramic Pottery of Morocco

Among the most popular authentic souvenirs that travelers in Morocco take home with them are ceramic plates. It isn’t just decorative, but it also reflects the Moroccan art of design and pottery.

These plates make great gifts and bring back memories of the time spent in Morocco. All were hand painted with fine details, deep colors, and a variety of hand spun designs. Some of the pieces are trimmed with tooled silver overlay which gives a sort of richness to the design and adds to its uniqueness. Common themes used in design are complex geometric, floral and calligraphic visual pattern, paired with simple, bright, and often whitewashed colors.

Morocco is very well-known for their wide range of ceramic pottery. The main centers for ceramics are Safi, which produces pottery inlaid with metal or covered tightly with leather, and Fes, which produces the very distinctive blue and white fassi pottery. The most interesting forms of ceramics are that of Safiot pottery. They are incredibly ornate masterpieces that are simply unbeatable for handcrafted decadence.

Moroccan pottery is unique because the country has many different types of soil found nowhere else in the world, from which they mould into works of art. The ornate ceramics boasts of the captivating mosaics made by skilled artisans, and looking through the pottery markets, you’ll surely find a color, type, and style that match your own taste and your home decor.

Let’s get to know more of this stylistic Moroccan art in ceramic pottery, and view the many beautiful and colorful designs that are proudly Moroccan. Read more.

Images are from Google Images

A Mirage That Came Into Reality

Whenever we hear of an oasis the first thing that comes to mind is a mirage, or seeing images of things which are elsewhere.




In several Middle Eastern stories, there’s always been a part where the traveler experience seeing a mirage of an oasis in the middle of the desert. Usually they say that this traveler is having hallucinations because of the intense heat of the sun, the wind, and the sand. A combination of these elements causes an optical illusion that creates a place that doesn’t exist.

An oasis is often referred to in stories as plain mirage seen by travelers in the dessert. It is an isolated place with vegetation that surrounds a spring, lake, or any source of water. Could there really be an oasis like those described in stories that weary desert travelers refer to as a piece of heaven in the middle of the desert?


The Huacachina oasis in Peru is an actual piece of heaven in the middle of the desert. It’s not all a mirage but a beautiful place with lush vegetation and picturesque landscapes. For over thousands of years, this oasis saved hundreds of lives of weary travelers traveling with their mules, and now, it has been a great tourist destination.


A very intriguing fact about this oasis is the legend that created it. According to the locals, a beautiful native princess was seen taking a bath by a young hunter on that place. To her surprise she fled hurriedly leaving the pool of water which later on became the lagoon, and the folds of her mantle streaming behind her became the surrounding sand dunes. It was said that the princess still live today in the oasis as a mermaid.

Let’s go take a tour of this beautiful place, and learn more about this wonderful oasis of Huacachina in Peru. Read more.


Images are from Google Images