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Picture perfect, nature’s unadulterated best, untouched paradise, visual magic expressions fall short before the majesty, beauty and tranquility that the stunning Norwegian Fjords have to offer.
It would be an absolute shame for every traveler and nature lover if they did not get to visit these magical lands that still look like they are engulfed in the purity that has been unaltered since the day they started taking shape way back in the last ice age. The Norwegian Fjords are not only the home to some of the world’s largest coral reefs and most fertile fishing grounds, but are a gateway to nature’s nirvana.
Delving into its ten best portals will take you on a journey like none other on the planet, and will leave you changed forever…
Sognefjord

The spectacular Sognefjord is the crowning glory of the Norwegian Fjords, when it concerns magnitude. Offering some amazing sights with the cliffs on either side of the water rising over 1000 meters into the sky vertically, it’s the second largest fjord in the world and the largest in Norway – 205 km.The fjord reaches a maximum depth of 1,308 m below sea level and it’s 4.5 km wide on average. On top of the Sognefjord is a power line with a span of 4597 m, making it a great tourist attraction and a journey that offers a magical route on the road to fairyland.
Hardangerfjord

Known for its great trekking spots and beautiful plant life, Hardangerfjord is the second largest fjord in Norway and the third largest on the planet at a length of 179 km. Starting at the south of the Atlantic at Bergen, it is easily accessible to tourists making its many serene sights and sounds popular among those visiting Norway. The charm of these wide and glorious fjord curves is hidden in its rich heritage, great sunsets and spectacular panorama. Hardangerfjord is far more touched by human settlements and unlike other fjords; its banks are often brimming with little towns and settlements.
The Lysefjord

A 40 km long fjord might not really sound spectacular in terms of length, but the extraordinary sights that it offers, the untamed charm that it exudes and the adrenaline rush it gives its visitors makes the Lysefjord arguably the most popular fjord in the world.

The main attraction of the fjord is the Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen), which towers an impressive 604 meters over the Lysefjord. Standing on top of the rock gives you a view that is unique and a hair-raising experience to say the least. Standing on Kjeragbolten and looking out over the Lysefjord is something that you would not want to miss either. The imposing Kjerag towers and the exhilarating Pulpit Rock make this famous fjord a must visit.
Geirangerfjord

Located in the county of Møre og Romsdal, in northwestern Norway, the 15 km long fjord is a World Heritage Site enlisted with UNESCO. The fjord is home to Brudesløret (the Bridal Veil) and De syv søstrene (The Seven Sisters); two of the most famous waterfalls diving into the Geirangerfjord.

Apart from the usual fjord trips and luxury cruises, you could get some action here with fishing, canoe trips, rafting, riding and summer skiing.
Nærøyfjord

Located in the heart of Western Norway, Nærøyfjord is an arm of the Sognefjord, and is a part of the county of Sogn og Fjordane. Also included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List for its unparalleled natural beauty and rich treasure of glorious sights and sounds, the17 km long fjord is surrounded by imperious mountains that are 1700 meters tall! This branch of Sognefjord is popular for kayaking and relaxed picnics on its more accessible shore at certain spots.
Trondheimsfjord

Renowned for its ice-free nature all around the year, Trondheimsfjord is an amazing marine ecosystem with at least 90 species of fish observed in and around these waters. Offering serene and calm moments with its relative inaccessible branches that can be explored by tourists with a little bit of extra effort and enthusiasm, the main part of the fjord is a rich commercial region.
Nordfjord

Famous for the trip to the Briksdalsbreen Glacier, Nordfjord offers a trip both into the historic and geographic best of the Norwegian Fjords. Located among the beautiful Geirangerfjord and the imperious Sognefjord, this 110 km long natural wonder offers a stunning ride from its glacial origin, all the way to the sea. Apart from fun activities like summer skiing, canoeing and rafting, one can also make a trip to the historical Selje Monastery.
Frierfjorden

The name ‘Frier’ means beautiful and that’s what Frierfjorden is all about – getting away from the big fjords and experience the small-town charm and the hustle and bustle of a growing trade center. Amazing sunsets, beautiful ferry rides or the Grenland Bridge at the Frierforjden – Norway’s highest cable bridge, are just a few things that will wow you. How about double the usual delight? Northern Lights …. as you’re getting close to North Pole? Amazing, isn’t it?
Oslofjord

The famous Oslofjord is known as much for its beauty and vibrant economic infrastructure as it is known for saving the nation of Norwegians from the 1940 German invasion. Starting from the Torbjørnskjær and Færder lighthouses and down to Langesund in the south, to Oslo in the north, the Oslofjord is not a fjord in the strictest geographic terms, but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting it or the region, unless you want to miss an authentic Norwegian experience.
Hjørundfjord

The last fjord on our trip is back to thick woods, pure natural splendor and a journey on the less explored path. Hjørundfjord is part of the western Norwegian county of Møre og Romsdal and is considered as one of the wettest fjords on the planet for the huge amount of rainfall it receives.

It is engulfed in mountains that stretch as high as 1700 meters high, while its steep sides are endowed with thick forests. Sounds like an adventure into nature’s heart, isn’t it?
You can spend an entire lifetime in the famous Norwegian Fjords and you will never ever take note of time. That is the enchanting beauty and spellbinding magic of these lands that each day offer a million shades, colors, sounds, sights, and textures.

Images courtesy of PiXistenZ, apophysis_rocks, tomoyoshi, sobergeorge, doegox, travelingotter, andynelson, wiki, sindrejacobsen, wiki, christiansvaneskolding, dmnq, dmnq)

from http://blog.hotelclub.com

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There’s something fascinating about ancient cities that makes you want to explore everything they have to offer. If you, too, love to explore ancient civilizations or what remains of them, we have put together a list of the 10 oldest cities in the world that are still standing, reminiscent of how people lived millenniums ago.

10. Lisbon, Portugal (2000 B.C.?)

Set on seven low hills, on the north banks of the River Tagus, Lisbon’s charm is strongly linked to the past. Lisbon was first inhabited by Iberian people, responsible for building the megaliths. After centuries of growing, Lisbon is now one of the liveliest cities in Europe. The renovated palaces, magnificent churches and Art Nouveau buildings are just a few of the things that make up the city’s cultural heritage. There’s an impressive collection of ancient and modern art in many of the city’s museums such as the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, the National Coach Museum, and the Carmo Archaeological Museum. When you’ve seen all the cultural attractions, be sure to head down to Bairro Alto, the center of nightlife, packed with restaurants, bars and clubs. There are also plenty of shopping opportunities either for local merchandise at the Campo de Santa Clara or famous brands in the Centro Commercial Colombo.
9. Luxor, Egypt (before 2160 B.C.)

Luxor, previously known as the ancient city of Thebes, the glorious city of the God Amon Ra, has been a hot tourist destination since tourism began. The area started attracting tourists ever since the Greek and Roman periods. Luxor is one of the most popular cities in Egypt, its stars being the monuments of Luxor, Karnak, Hatshepsut and Ramses III. There’s no wonder the city is often referred to as the world’s greatest open air museum, having a great number of well-preserved monuments. The city in itself actually consists of three distinct areas: the City of Luxor on the East side of the Nile, the town of Karnak and Thebes on the west side of the Nile, across from Luxor. You can bargain your way for anything in the city’s bazaar or enjoy the vegetarian paradise Luxor’s restaurants offer its tourists.
8. Asyut, Egypt (before 2160 B.C.)

Located 375km south of Cairo, Asyut is the largest town in Upper Egypt and the first settled in Pharaonic times. Today, Asyut is the region’s most important agricultural center and home of the third largest university in Egypt. The city has almost 400,000 inhabitants, having the highest concentration of Coptic Christians. It is said that Virgin Mary appeared in Asyut, an apparition even attested by the church. Apart from the religious value, Banana Island is a great place to relax, while the 19th century barrage on the North Edge of the city is a popular destination among tourists.
7. Xi’an, China (2205 B.C.?)

With a history of over 3,000 years, the city is one of the most important in Chinese history, being one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. Xi’an, the eternal city, enjoys fame equal to that of other famous cities such as Athens, Cairo, or Rome. The abundance of relics and sites of important cultural significance gained the city the title of a Natural History Museum. Furthermore, the Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses is often referred to as “the eighth major miracle of the world”. The City Wall of the Ming Dynasty is the most well-preserved towns in the world of that period while the Famen Temple holds the finger bones of Sakyamuni — the founder of Buddhism. All in all, Xi’an is one of the most valuable places to get a taste of ancient China and their traditions.
6. Giza, Egypt (before 2568 B.C.)

“From atop these pyramids, forty centuries look down upon you.” — Napoleon Bonaparte to his soldiers before the Battle of Giza, 1798. Contrary to popular belief, Giza is a city in itself, but which got absorbed by the rapidly developing metropolis of Cairo. It holds one of the most important attractions in Egypt – the Pyramids of Giza, coupled with the Sphinx at the base of the Giza plateau. Giza’s desert plateau will be part of the Grand Museum of Egypt, a project to be completed in 2012 that will replace the Egyptian Museum in Midan Tahrir.
5. Konya, Turkey (2600 B.C.?)

Located 250 km from the Mediterranean Sea and 500 km from the Black Sea, at an altitude of over 1000 meters in the Anatolian steppe, Konya is one of Turkey’s most fascinating cities, full of mosques and museums. One of the most popular museums is the Green Mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, a great Turkish poet. Konya has a vast array of historical finds, kept in several museums, such as the Archaeological Museum, the Koyunoglu Museum or the Ethnographical Museum.
4. Zurich, Switzerland (3000 B.C.?)

Switzerland’s biggest city and one of the oldest cities in Europe, Zurich was established in Roman times under the name Turicum. Traces of these times can be found throughout the Old Town – narrow streets filed with antique shops, boutiques and cafes. Shopping is concentrated around the famous Bahnhofstrasse, one of the most beautiful shopping streets in Europe. Besides shopping, you can explore the city’s culture by visiting Grossmünster or Fraumünster – two old churches with amazing interiors, the Swiss National Museum or Kunsthaus, another popular museum. Head down to Aussersihl – a newly developed area filled with bars, clubs, restaurants where you can get a taste of the real Swiss life. After seeing the city, you’ll surely find out why it was named the city with the best quality of life in the world.
3. Kirkuk, Iraq (3000 B.C.?)

With archaeological remains that are over 5,000 years old, Kirkuk is an important city for the Kurdish identity and also the center of the Iraqi petroleum industry. While it may not be the most inviting tourist destination, Kirkuk stands on the site of the ancient Assyrian, once being the battlegrounds for three empires, Assyria, Babylonia, and Media that took turns controlling the city. Sights include the citadel, the tomb of Prophet Daniel, and Al Qaysareyah Market. If you want to go back in time and see the remains of the ancient city, visit archaeological sites of Qal’at Jarmo and Yorgan Tepe, located at the outskirts of the city.
2. Jerusalem, Israel (3000 B.C.?)

A holy city for three different religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Jerusalem is the place where ancient values combine with modern culture to bring a fascinating metropolis. Jerusalem is divided into three parts – West Jerusalem, the rapidly developing commercial part of the city, East Jerusalem – home for the majority of the Arab population, and the Old City – a truly breathtaking location, declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. Once you get tired of sightseeing, you can check out the marketplace, a place teeming with tourist shops.
1. Gaziantep, Turkey (3650 B.C.?)

The capital city of Gaziantep Province informally known as Antep is the oldest city that’s still standing, with a history dating back to the Hittites period. It was continually inhabited ever since the Paleolithic age, experiencing serious growth along with the Ottoman Empire. Today, Gaziantep is a friendly, upbeat city with numerous mosques, medresse, inns and baths from centuries ago. The stone houses and vibrant bazaars are bordered by beautiful gardens and vineyards, combining in a spectacular sight anywhere you turn. With several museums and holy places, you’ll surely need more than one day to experience everything Gaziantep has to offer.

 Images courtesy of PiXistenZ, apophysis_rocks, tomoyoshi, sobergeorge, doegox, travelingotter, andynelson, wiki, sindrejacobsen, wiki, christiansvaneskolding, dmnq, dmnq)
from http://blog.hotelclub.com

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This cool cars

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