MACHU PICCHU, PERU

Machu Picchu is tangible evidence of the urban Inca Empire at the peak of its power and achievement—a citadel of cut stone fit together without mortar so tightly that its cracks still can’t be penetrated by a knife blade.

Many choose to follow in his footsteps by hiking to the ruins on the legendary Inca Trail. It’s an experience like no other, but one no longer necessary. Train trips from Cusco take only a few hours.

The complex of palaces and plazas, temples and homes may have been built as a ceremonial site, a military stronghold, or a retreat for ruling elites—its dramatic location is certainly well suited for any of those purposes. The ruins lie on a high ridge, surrounded on three sides by the windy, turbulent Urubamba River some 2,000 feet (610 meters) below.

For the fit there is simply no substitute for traveling to Machu Picchu the way the Inca themselves did—on foot. Today the Inca Trail winds through the mountains and along the path of the ancient royal highway. More than 75,000 people make the trip each year and along the way experience some of the associated sites that were part of the Inca network in this area.

BENTENG CHITTORGARH, INDIA

Chittorgarh is in the southern part of Rajasthan, lies on the Berach River, a tributary of the Banas, and is the administrative headquarters of Chittorgharh District. It is 112 km from Udaipur and 182 km from Ajmer served as a capital city to the Sisodia clans of Rajputs of Mewar for a long time. The district is a famous tourist destination for its massive fortress claimed to be the largest amoung all the Rajput fort and has witnessed the legendary tale of Queen Padmini's act of jauhar that fascinates most historians and travellers.

The Chittorgarh Fort seated on a 180 metre hill, covers an expanse of 700 acres (2.8 km2). It was constructed by the Mauryans in the 7th century AD. There is also a belief that it was constructed by Bhima of the Pancha Pandavas. This fort was the citadel of many great Indian warriors such as Gora, Badal,Rana Kumbha, Maharana Pratap, Jaimal, Patta, etc.

The prime tourist attraction in Chittorgarh is the fort of Chittogarh, which is located on a steep hill beside the main township. The chhatris or memorials of Jaimal and Kalla which mark the spots where they fell while bravely defending the fort during a siege in 1586 speaks for the valor of Rajputs. 

Rana Kumbha Palace is an important spot and it is believed that Queen Padmini had performed jauhar in one of its cellars. The Archeological Museum, the Singa Chowri Temple, and the Fateh Prakash Palace and Museum adjacent to Rana Kumbha Palace are worth visiting. The Victory Tower or Vijay Stambh is one of the main tourist attractions of the fort. The Tower of Fame or Kirti Stambh is another important monument. built in 12th century and is dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain Tirthankara (spiritual leader).

The nearest airport is the Maharana Pratap Airport at Udaipur, about 90 km from Chittorgarh. Chittorgarh is well connected by rail to other cities and towns of Rajasthan and India.

GLACIER BAY, ALASKA

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is a United States national park and preserve in the Alaska panhandle west of Juneau.

Glacier Bay became part of a binational UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, was inscribed as a Biosphere Reserve in 1986 and in 1994 undertook an obligation to work with Hoonah and Tlingit Native American organizations in the management of the protected area. In total the park and preserve cover 5,130 square miles (13,287 km²). Most of Glacier Bay is designated wilderness area which covers 4,164 square miles (10,784 km²).

Glacier Bay is home to nine tidewater glaciers that calve. In part because of variations in snow accumulations, most glaciers in the eastern and southwestern areas of the bay are receding, while several on its west side are advancing.

The park and preserve hosts many outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, mountaineering, kayaking, rafting, fishing, and bird-watching. Sport hunting and trapping are also allowed in the preserve.

CONRAD MALDIVES RANGALI ISLAND, INDIA

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort is located on a set of two islands in South Ari Atoll, 30 minutes by seaplane from Malé, called Rangali and Rangali Finolhu, connected by a wooden bridge. The resort has a total of 150 modernly decorated beach and overwater villas. 

Beach villas are located on the main island and have a private garden bathroom with rain shower, ocean view terraces and a private plunge pool in some. Overwater villas are split between the two islands; some have private Spa treatment rooms, decks that lead into the ocean and an over-sized bathtub with ocean views.  Others have private wooden sundecks, with a Jacuzzi in some.  All villas have king-size beds, an iPod dock, free WiFi, a coffee maker, adjustable mood lighting, and spacious bathrooms with double vanities.

Visitors are also given an iPod upon arrival to be able to communicate with the staff throughout their stay. The resort has two outdoor swimming pools, a tennis court, and an open-air cinema on the beach.  It also has centers for watersports, diving, and fitness. One of their unique excursions is the 3-peron mini submarine that can take you for a 30-minute underwater ride. 

There are two Spa options available on the island including an overwater spa which contains 13 treatment rooms, some with glass-bottomed floors and a variety of luxury massages. Guests have seven restaurants to choose from, all with breathtaking views and ambience.

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant is the world’s first all-glass undersea restaurant, 16 feet below the surface. HHonors members get a Daily Happy Hour at Vilu from 5 to 6 pm.  They also get a bottle of wine, chocolate and fruits upon arrival and the usual global benefits except for room upgrades.

DENTIAN WATERFALL, CHINA-VIETNAM

One of the most amazing sights within China is the Detian Waterfall. This is situated in Beihai, Guangxi and its view is something that is totally unforgettable. This is known not just all over in China but also in the entirety of Asia and the world.

The Detian Waterfall can be divided into two different sections. The main waterfall is named as the Detian Waterfall. This section is situated mostly on the Chinese part in terms of geography. On the other hand, there is also the second part of this tourist destination which is called as the Ban Gioc Waterfall or Banyue Waterfall. This is found in between Vietnam and China.

Things to Do Walking Towards the Top. Since the Detian Waterfall is frequented by a lot of tourists every year, there are already designated trails which visitors could take. The paths have been slightly cleared so that passing through would not be so difficult.

There are wooden boats which can be found lining up along the lake. These are owned by some of the locals who offer rides for visitors. The boat ride could take the visitors a bit closer to the main waterfalls area.

The most convenient way to get to there is to take the 08:30 bus from Langdong Bus Station in Nanning, which heads directly to Detian Waterfall.

Detian has a few hotels for visitors that advertise themselves as three-star including the Suo Long Hotel, Mountain Retreat, and the Detian Hotel.

 

BORA-BORA ISLAND, HAWAII

Bora Bora is an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the Pacific Ocean. The island, located about 230 kilometres (143 miles) northwest of Papeete, is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef.

Bora Bora is a major international tourist destination, famous for its aqua-centric luxury resorts. The major settlement, Vaitape, is on the western side of the main island, opposite the main channel into the lagoon.

Swimming in the lagoon in perfectly clear warm water has the advantage of being free and can be very enjoyable.

Snorkeling is possible in many areas close to the shore, and even in Matira Beach you will be surrounded by multicolor tropical fish in seconds and in shallow waters.

Hotel Bora Bora built the first over-the-water bungalows on stilts over the lagoon and today, over-water bungalows are a standard feature of most Bora Bora resorts. The quality of those bungalows ranges from comparably cheap, basic accommodations to very luxurious and expensive places to stay.

Vaitape is the arrival point of the ferry from the airport, and is the only "town" of any size of the island. At the southern tip of the main island, Matira is the location of the largest beach as well as several hotels and restaurants.

Bora Bora Islands offer numerous hospitality resources in which guests can stay. It is possible to keep some money for the activities by staying in one of the family pensions.

GARDENS AT MARQUEYSSAC, FRANCE

 

The Château de Marqueyssac is a 17th-century château and gardens located at Vézac, in the Dordogne Department of France. The château was built at the end of the 17th century by Bertrand Vernet de Marqueyssac, Counselor to Louis XIV, on cliffs overlooking the Dordogne Valley. The original garden à la française was attributed to a pupil of André Le Nôtre, and featured terraces, alleys, and a kitchen garden surrounding the chateau.

 The peacefully hidden on a hill among fig and walnut trees, a 5 mn walk away from Beynac, from its medieval streets, terraces, canoes and boats. Beynac, one of the most beautiful villages of France, is ideally located to visit all the major sites and awarded architectural heritage of the Dordogne Valley, of Sarla.

 

There isn't much in the way of public transport around the Périgord Noir area of which Sarlat is the main town. A number of trains operate from Bordeaux to Sarlat each day, which takes about 3 hours and is a reasonably scenic journey. There is no bus station in Sarlat but some services operate from the railway station.