Take a look at Turkey

The oldest temple in the world in Gobekli Tepe and it dates back 11,000 years. It is located in southern Turkey and it was built for the purpose of worshipping Sirius, the dog star. This one may be the oldest, bu it is not the only one in the world. There are temples all over the world that date back thousands of years and they were all built for the purpose of worship by those who built it.

Mayan, Greek, Egyptian, Buddhist, and so on, people created temples as a way to show their gods their respect and to have them rain down their plenties on those who worshipped them. Now they are a way for us to view into the past into the minds of those who left the temple behind. They are sites of wonder and amazement as their architecture surpasses that of what we thought ancients would ever be capable of.

Swim with the Pigs

The Bahamas is one of those destinations that everyone wants to visit at some point in their lives. They want to enjoy the white sand beaches, the sun, and the relaxation of leaving the real world behind. It is one of those places that is a “must” on everyone’s travel list. But, everyone wants their trip to the Bahamas to be memorable.

One of the ways to make it memorable is by swimming with pigs. Yes, pigs. Pigs are intelligent animals. So intelligent that they can be trained like dogs. They can also be great partners to enjoy the ocean with. You can swim with pigs on Major Cay. This can be an experience that can highlight your trip and it can be something that you will never forget. It is becoming one of the things that people are looking to do when they travel to Major Cay.

Culture Diversity

This world is full of amazing people and cultures and each one of them adds something to the world that is important. Each culture has something to teach people and something that they offer the world to add to its’ diversity. Diversity is the mother of a plentiful bounty.

This diverse world that we live in is a place full of adventure and plenty of corners in which to have those adventures. Each one of those adventures allows us to learn something about someone else and to learn something about ourselves as well. These lessons allow us to be more accepting of others and more accepting of ourselves. Modern cultures of the world are the ties that we have to our history. As long as we can nurture these cultures we can hold onto the wisdom of our past. It is meant to be explored and respected and, given the opportunity, you should try to experience all the world has to offer.

Glaciers of Alaska

Alaska is considered to be one of the last great frontiers that America has to offer. From the mountains to the sea, there are wonderful things to see. One of the greatest and most breathtaking are the glaciers that dot the landscape. 

With all that is going on in the world today, these glaciers are melting at a pace that is unimaginable. These glaciers create a landscape that is unlike any other. They also outline a country that is full of the wildest wildlife and the most extreme views. One of the best ways to see the glaciers is from the deck of an Alaskan cruise ship. These ships can be amazing and the perfect place to see Alaska from.

Sacred Heart of Paris

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, a stunning church perched on the hill of Montmartre, overlooks Paris with a view all must-see. This church is a place of history where architecture and faith collide. Before it was a place of worship for Christians, it was a place of worship for pagans of ancient times. Pagans picked this spot due to its geographical location. It is the 2nd highest point in the city of Paris and it brought them closer to the sky, and thus closer to the gods Mercury and Mars. 

It was built in 1870 in order to help the French people heal after their loss to the Prussian Army. It was built in order to help them rise again and regain their faith and pride in their wonderful country. The romano-byzantine style of the architecture and design draw in the beautiful light that takes the eye throughout the immaculate details.

Discover the Wonders of Egypt

There are so many things to see across the world that some create a bucket list so that they can narrow them down to the most important ones to do in their life. A bucket list is a way to center your energies on all of the things that you find important in life, important enough to work towards at some point.

Some desire to see the Great Pyramids of Giza, or travel down the Amazon, and others dream of traversing the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula with desert guides. They dream of spending days on the back of a camel to see the wonders that the desert has to offer. By night, they want to sleep in tents with desert nomads listening to the folk tales and songs long told and sung by these nomadic peoples.

The Caribbean

You have definitely heard of St. Kitts, but have you heard of Nevis? It is a small island, just over 36 square miles that, combined with St. Kitts, is one country in the Caribbean. People like Princess Diana and Anna Wintour have vacationed here because, here, they were able to fly under the radar in comparison to the rest of the Caribbean. 

One of Nevis’ claims to fame is the birthplace of one of the United States’ founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton. Here you can visit his childhood home and where he lived until he was 9 years old. That is not to mention the amazing plantation hotels and stunning Nevis Peak volcano. It is a tiny gem amidst many with its’ own character and personality that sets it apart from all the others.

Normandy

Most people know the Normandy region of France as the backdrop for D-Day, but it is a beautiful region. Mont Saint Michel is one of the beautiful sites to see in Normandy. Mont Saint Michel is an island located about half a mile off the coast of Normandy, in the northwest of France. The island is only 17 acres in size and sits at the mouth of the Couesnon River.

It is the setting for a beautiful abbey on an island with 1000 years of history. There are monks and nuns that call this abbey home and it is a site to be enjoyed and respected. There are other places to see on the island including the small village and other things so you can make a day of the visit. It is located about 2 and a half hours from France, making it possible to make a day trip there, but overnight is a better plan.

F.Y.I. about Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and when most people imagine this part of the world, windmills and clogs come to mind. What most people don’t know is that there is an extensive canal system throughout Amsterdam that is over 400 years old.

There are 165 different canals and these canals, total, stretch for around 60 miles worth of waterways. These canals are dotted with over 2500 houseboats and over 1200 bridges all over Amsterdam. To put it in perspective, that is 3 times as many bridges as Venice, Italy has. One section of the canals, known as the Canal Ring, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. 

These canals and the buildings around it have inspired such artists as Claude Monet. Monet painted the South Church 13 times over his lifetime. The South Church was built between 1603 and 1611 as the first Protestant Church built in Amsterdam. This is just a touch of the history and famous architecture that surrounds the canals.

Southern California Observatory

Sun, sand, celebrities and Hollywood Blvd. are on everyone’s list when they take a trip out to Southern California, but there are a lot of other things to do. One of the great places to check out in Los Angeles is the Griffith Observatory.

The Observatory sits on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood and this position gives it an amazing vantage point of the entire Los Angeles Basin. You can see Downtown Los Angeles, the Hollywood sign, and the Pacific Ocean.

The history of the Observatory dates all the way back to 1896 when Griffith J. Griffith donated the land to the city of Los Angeles that the Observatory was to be built on. It was his dream that the public would have access to a place where they could explore space and science. This is one of the reasons why it is free to the public to this day.

An African Safari in South Africa

An African safari is one of those trips that people plan their whole lives to take. They save for years and then they go on the hunt for the perfect place to go and Kruger National Park is that place.

It is located in the northeastern corner of South Africa, right on its’ border with Mozambique. It was formed as a National Park in May of 1926 and the first motorist traveled through it in 1927. It is actually the largest game reserve in Africa as it covers over 7500 square miles of the African wilderness.

It has everything that someone expects for a safari trip. It has the African big 5; lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes. It is actually home to over 12,000 elephants and 1,000 leopards. It sees over a million visitors a year who are able to achieve their safari dreams.

Gorgeous Italian Towns

When most people think of the stunning coastlines of Italy, they think of gorgeous towns like Vernazza in Cinque Terre (seen here) and Positano (on the Amalfi Coast). It's where celebrities, like Kim Kardashian and Reese Witherspoon, go for a romantic honeymoon or a luxurious 2-week vacation.

Most people aren’t even sure where the Amalfi Coast is or what it has to offer travelers.

The Amalfi Coast is a 30 mile stretch of coastline on the Sorrento Peninsula in the Campania Region of Italy. This peninsula is located on right on the Tyrrhenian Sea. This is the very same region where the Island of Capri is located as well. The Amalfi Coast is dotted with colorful towns, winding sea-hugging roads, and a cliff-lined coast.

One of the best things about this area is that it is rich in marine life. One of the most often seen animals of this area are Loggerhead Sea Turtles who spend their time in this sea and they even lay their eggs in the cliffs. It is a land that is known for its seafood and picturesque views.

Morocco

Morocco is a melting pot country because of its centralized location in Northern Africa. The Arab, Africa, and European influence is evident in the food, architecture, and culture of Morocco. Rabat is the capital of this colorful land and it is the home of the Moroccan Royal Family.

In Rabat, visitors can stop and see the Royal Palace, also known as Dar al-Makhzen. This palace is not open to the public, but it can be viewed from the parade like square in front. In 1956, Morocco obtained its independence from French colonial rule and this is when the Palace in Rabat was designated as the main Palace of the Royal Family.

This Palace was initially built in 1864 and has been the center of the Royal family for many decades. It contains exquisite gardens (inspired by Arab and European/French influences), a mosque, Royal Guard quarters, a library, a culinary school, and a Royal College (used for the education of senior members of the Royal Family).

10 Sweet Treats to Eat While Visiting Paris

Paris is sweet on the eye, sweet on the romance and sweet on the palette. It is a sugar lovers dream and the only problem you’ll have when it comes the delectible French deserts is which one to choose. To help you navigate that yummy last course we’ve broken down the top 10 must try deserts for your visit to France. And if you have to eat more than one a day just to get through them? Well, c’est la vie!

10 Sweet Treats to Eat While Visiting Paris

The Tartes Aux Fruits – The tartes aux fruits are prepared with fresh fruit inside a buttery pastry.  The fruit sit atop a heavenly Chantilly cream.  You can enjoy these tartes in both miniature and pie sizes.

The Éclair – The éclair is a popular dessert in Paris.  The long French choux pastry can be filled with either a rich custard or pastry cream, and topped with a sweet fondant.  By definition, the term éclair means lightning in French.  Go figure!

The Paris Brest – This pastry was created to celebrate the Paris to Brest bicycle ride in 1891.  Naturally, its circular and contains praline flavored crème and choux pastry.

Macaron – Macarons are undeniably delectable.  There are so many flavors to choose from.  The base ingredients include an airy meringue and almonds.  Be sure to not confuse with coconut macaroons, in which the English added the -oon to the word in the 16th century. 

The Tarte Au Citron – Tarte Au Citron also known as the lemon tart are also very popular.  Donning a pastry crust and delicious lemon filling.  The filling, however, is not made with fruit.  The cream is a mixture containing lemon juice, lemon zest and of course, eggs and sugar. 

The Mille Feuille – This fluffy treat comes in a vanilla or custard slice and is comprised of several layers of puff pastry.  Between the puff pastry lies an additional two layers of pastry crème.  Another name for the Mille Feuill is the Napoleon. 

The Tarte Tatin – Named after the hotel that serves the dessert (Hotel Tatin), the tarte Tatin is a unique upside-down pastry.  Its ingredients include caramelized fruit prepared with sugar and butter.  It pairs famously with a bit of tart crème fraiche.  

The Choux à La Crème – These cream puffs are created using puff pastry as well.  They swell while cooking and are actually hollow.  The oozing center can be either whipped cream or custard.   Interestingly enough, once you add chocolate as your topping, it then becomes a profiterole.  There are various different toppings you can add to this pastry, from ice cream to fruit and even spun caramel.

Croissant – This buttery flaky wonder is a signature French pastry.  There are so many ways to top it; you can use fruit, chocolate, fondant or a compote of your choosing.  You will not be disappointed.

The Petits Four – Translated, petit four means small oven, and are also known as mignardises.  The fours are miniature bite-sized confections that can also be savory if you choose.  The sweet route includes a sugary glaze atop a crispy biscuit.  These pastries are perfect for tea parties.  

Drinking water while traveling

BENEFITS OF A REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE:

Staying hydrated is essential while traveling, but purchasing single-use plastic bottles can get expensive and is harmful to the environment, and possibly your health. Consider traveling with a reusable water bottle, or a collapsible water bottle. Many locations and hotels have installed water purification systems, especially where the local water is not safe to drink from the tap.