Sariska Palace is a real true blue palace that is now a hotel. The palace was the monarchial residence, as well as hunting lodge. The palace is located at the border of Sariska National Park and was erected by the Maharaja of Alwar. The palace was built in honor of the coming of the Duke of Connaught, the son of Queen Victoria. The palace is built with a range of architectural styles incorporated, French for one, and myriad eastern influences. The Sariska palace now functions as a heritage hotel. The interiors are chic and tasteful, with some art deco and Louis XIV furnishings, and a few wicker chairs and Victoriana. The former palace has some enormous rooms, with typical palace features such as high ceilings. There are telephones here, but no television. The gardens are some of the most beautifully maintained, always bedecked with flowers at all times. The terrace and the gardens are terrific. There are a whole number of facilities and amenities as well. These are tailor made  [...]

Taj Lake Palace is situated at the center of Lake Pichola. It is comprised completely of white marble. The brilliant mosaics glisten at night. The hotel reminds us of the Taj Mahal at Agra. The structure was conceived out of romance. Maharana Jagat Singh II built the Taj Lake Palace in the year 1746. He was Mewar dynasty's 62nd successor. He is believed to be the Sun God's descendant. The magnificent Aravalli Mountains lie in the background. Lofty palaces are situated on the lake's other side. The Taj Lake Palace is spread over an area of four acres. It is a fantastic marble structure. The descendants of the Royal butlers take care of the contemporary comforts. They treat each guest as royalty. Taj Lake Palace is situated in Udaipur. The hotel resembles a jeweled lotus lying on Lake Pichola's shimmering waters. The tradition and heritage of Udaipur's erstwhile rulers are preserved here. Guests experience the royal lifestyle from the very beginning. The airport lies 27 kilometers  [...]

The temple of Artemis at Ephesus is the world’s Seventh Wonder. Presently, all that remains of this ancient wonder is a column and fragments spread on the ground. Archeology suggests that the temple was destroyed nearly seven times. It was rebuilt the same number of times. Archaeological research suggests that the temple was rebuilt four times, with the first reconstruction happening in 7th century BC. Chersiphone and Metagene are attributed for erecting a dipteral temple during the 6th century BC. The building was set ablaze by Herostratus. A subsequent structure, built completely of marble, was erected in BC 250. Alexander the Great, too, marveled at the construction. The work was carried on by the Scopas and Praxiteles. The temple’s foundation was rectangular in shape. This was standard across temples of that era. The temple of Artemis at Ephesus was built entirely of marble. The wonderfully-decorated façade overlooked a fine courtyard. There were a total of 127 columns. They  [...]

Bethlehem is a nice beautiful place that surrounded by hills that roll with vineyards, all this makes the whole place quite picturesque. There are many olive trees around and small little hamlets. This place is located around five miles away from Jerusalem. Also this place has a beautiful history and this begins right from the twelfth century BC.  In fact when the tribes from the nearby areas come here to settle down, they had then built a temple which was located close to the God Lahama, which is on the same site which is now known as the mountain of Nativity. This settlement was called the Beit Lahama. Also now the place is called Bethlehem. The ambience of the city is quite good.  In fact when you come here for the first time you will be able to see the efflux of time. This has added a lot of charm to the Arab markets and lively bazaars.    You will notice a constant presence of armed forced who are here to enforce peace in the city which is quite troubled, and this is ironically  [...]

If you would ask historian and writer about City of Tehran, they would always take you down the lane of it being an everlasting unsolved mystery.  Tehran has been a city of kings and traders. From then it has been adding new facades and plaques to itself and its personality to get into what is happening everyday.  This place is soon becoming a modern city; almost a metropolis of the twenty first century. There are yet many parts in City of Tehran where you could still get the flavor, culture and tradition of the era that has gone by. In fact this is best place for you to get out of the everyday world and go back to the old days. There is a whole world of stories, history, tradition which awaits you here in the midst of a chaotic crowd walking around and over pavements that look like they’re out of a Mark Twain novel. When you come to the many tourist destinations here, like the Azadi tower which is also called the freedom tower, this is the most famous tower here. It is also  [...]

When you reach the floating palace, you could visit Cheung Kok which is essentially an Eco tourism village. This is the place which gets in all the profits from the local handicrafts and these profits go towards the healthcare system and the salaries of the teachers. Cambodians strongly believe that education is what will take their country ahead and they discourage begging and encourage getting educated. You should also go to one of the orphanages here. Here you could wander quite freely. In fact a child might even show you round and boast about her dolls in a basket which is tucked neatly under her bed which is part o something like a huge dormitory. You could also enjoy a game of badminton with the boys around.  The children have lots of things to do and they seem happy and always well cared for. The kids even do you the honor of singing as you hang out at the beautiful and shady garden.  When Dr. Karan Castelino had been there, there was an elderly Australian couple who even  [...]

When you get on the fairy take boast, La marguerite, you would most probably drift down a wide and well endowed river. The Tonle Sap rive is almost milky brown and slow moving. This place flows right into the Mekong from Phnom Penh.  You reach the brink; where the journey takes you to take the recently revived silk weaving tradition right into the Cambodian village of Chonk Koh. This is an island which is situated on the river. The old looms which have been hidden droning the times of Pol Pot, are now being used again. The traditional scarf is called karma and there are a group of little girls selling arms full of them. These scarves are known to have many uses. You could have these scarves almost entwining themselves around each other and this would lead you around the big village.  Here the people practice English. It would be a good idea to carry around a few dollars and distribute it amongst the children in support of their community and their handicrafts. Tourism apparently  [...]

When you actually do come to the Ellora Caves, you will get to check out the very impressive and very detailed complex of Buddhist, Hindus and Jains and their temple architecture which was originally built between the sixth and the tenth century.  These were built at the Ellora village in India. The caves are a lot less dramatic than Ajanta, although the sculptures here are more exquisite.  Ellora is listed as a world heritage site and also happens to be one of the most sought after monuments in the state of Maharashtra. The caves here at Ellora have been carved right out of the Charanandri hills from its vertical face. The carvings have been in the time period from between the sixth and the tenth century. The carving works had begun in the year five hundred and fifty; this was about the same time when people left the Ajanta Caves for abandonment. The Ellora caves were built when Buddhism had begun to decline in India and about the same time Hindus had started to come in and this  [...]

You need expert guidance, as this market could be almost as tricky as Damascus. And just like Parisians, they have cultivated a contrarian spirit that enjoys recommendations from one another.  In fact if you seek the advice of the two locals like Jacques Montlucon who apparently is French born engineer and specialist in restoring antiquities. He, along with Sameer Hamsho who happens to be the owner of a rug shop in the old city.  As you sit I one of the back rooms, you may hear the men arguing and conversing about old city tales and they would probably continue the conversation to their chic hotels and restaurants. All the shops are stores around are quite exquisite and it is sure that all of them deserve a visit. If all of Damascus was a departmental store then instead of aisles, you would have aisles, with hammered copper and brass trays and coffee pots. And in another you will find barrels of spice and candies in the other aisles. The furniture shops here specialize I the mother  [...]

When you come upon a towering roman church or an arch, you will probably remember those who came to Damascus before and the left.  The roman left behind the Via Recta which is the straight street.  Then you have the Damascenes called Medhat Pasha.  Over here you would see the streets cutting through the old city which is like a plumb line and a good orienting tool for people who do not speak in Arabic. The tourist renaissance has over taken the city and has come up with the opening of beautiful hotels like the Beit Al Mamlouka and the many blue chip properties like the large four seasons hotel.  Some of these people from Damascus consider this popularity which is relatively new founded to actually be quite a blessing.  There seems to be a decline in the influx of cheap imports and craftsmanship as well. There is a mother of pearl workshop right outside the Old city.  Many tourists come here. There are craftsmen almost making throne like chairs fit for King Louis the fifteenth.  [...]