Archive for the ‘WORLD TOPS’ Category

7 of the Safest Countries to Visit

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Being safe while traveling is a #1 priority for many. It’s a sad fact that many beautiful travel destinations (such as Columbia) are simply not safe for most people to travel to. While most places are generally safe, especially in well known “safe” districts, there are 7 countries that are well known for their low crime rates and high safety ratings.

New Zealand is high on the list of safe countries to visit. It has a relatively low population, and it’s an overall peaceful place to be. Many of the residents are natives and have lived there for their entire lives. Not only does this country provide exquisite landscapes, but also plenty of activities and safe fun.

Denmark is a country that is happy overall, and therefore, there are fewer crimes. Like any country this one does have its ups and downs, but overall its stable and minimal murders and robberies take place. You probably won’t get mugged in Denmark unless you are in the wrong part of town.

Norway is a beautiful country with majestic mountains and clean landscapes to explore. There are tons of attractions in Norway, both affordable and luxury. One of the best parts is that it is a safe place to visit and crime is minimal. While crime is “rising”, it doesn’t pose a huge threat to travelers.

Iceland is known for its remarkably low crime rate, happy people, and safe environment. Almost everyone keeps their doors unlocked and people are friendly here all around. If you want to visit someplace safe and beautiful, Iceland has to be it. There are very few crimes and when crimes do occur, they are minimal ones.

Austria is a pretty safe country too, but some cities (such as Budapest) are not as safe as others like Vienna. When in Austria, get advice from those who know which areas are safe and which are not.

Sweden is a clean and beautiful nation with beautiful people and safe places to visit. The crime rates here are low and well controlled. People seem to have better things to do.

Japan is a place of zen people, crazy customs, and low crime. If you want to visit a unique and culture rich country, go to Japan. It has plenty of fun opportunities for anyone.

Most countries in Europe are relatively safe, and they include Finland as well as Slovenia. Other countries that have records for low crime rates include Canada. It’s no surprise that the US isn’t on the list. However, these other countries are far more interesting if you already live in the United States anyway. As with any travel excursion, be sure to ask questions and get reviews from people who live there. They can tell you better than anyone, if something is safe or not. If you are adamant about traveling to a particularly risky place, be sure to take a self defense course ahead of time and pack lightly without valuables.

3 Favorite Mexico Vacations

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Mexico has always been a fantastic place to visit. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’re sure to find it somewhere – world class cuisine? Try Mexico City. Looking for great beaches? Puerto Escondido is your destination. Beautiful antiquities? Ancient sites abound. All these reasons make Mexico perfect for any vacation; here’s some of the more popular destinations.

The capital city of Mexico gets the first mention here. Mexico City is easily the most populous city in the country, with over 8 million residents. Because of this, it is easily one of the most modern. It hosts restaurants from top chefs such as Michael Mina; has plenty of American favorites like Starbucks at every corner. And if you’re looking for nightlife, Mexico City’s got it. Mexico City also plays host to many national treasures, such as the National Museum of Anthropology in Chapultepec Park. Don’t be scared by all the media hype regarding crime in this big city – it’s no more or less than you will find in any major metropolitan town.

While Cancun steals all the national spotlight, locals know that Mexico has many better options. Playa del Carmen rises to the top of many of those lists. Long favored by locals, after seeing the beautiful white sandy beaches and clear blue waters, it’s no wonder why. The best part is, unlike it’s more expensive neighbors, Playa del Carmen has many hotels to fit any budget. Don’t forget to visit the nearby Mayan ruins.

Puebla, situated a mere 3 hours away from Mexico City, offers tourists an amazing look into Mexico’s storied past. A truly history city, many buildings have been preserved and are open to the public. It is here, at the Museo de la Revolucion that the Mexican civil war started in 1910. The city is famous for it’s pottery, so be sure to bring enough money to buy some as gifts. Oh, and don’t forget to try the mole; it’s a local specialty as well.

While Mexico doesn’t offer the same amount of flashiness as it’s neighbors, it does offer great weather all year round and beautiful destinations at an affordable price. Savvy travelers recognize a vacation to Mexico is a bargain compared to a trip to Cancun. Take a chance on Mexico – you might find yourself pleasantly surprised.

Visit the Top 5 Most Interesting Leaning Towers

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is not the only leaning tower in the world that you can visit. There are so much more leaning towers available on the face of the Earth that you can drop by the next time you decide to take a holiday. Here are the best 5 you should find out more of.

1. The Leaning Tower of San Pietro di Castello, Venice, Italy
Venice is well known for its interesting building structures and one of them includes the Leaning Tower of San Pietro di Castello. The charmingly old building leaned to one side as a result of the passage of time and waterlogged soil. Standing in the bell tower itself offers you a great many photos to bring home where the scenic surroundings are sure to wow your friends and family.

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2. Tower of the Milices, Rome, Italy
Yet another interesting structure from Italy, the Tower of the Milices or the Torre delle Milizie was constructed in the year 1200 but thanks to an earthquake the devastated the area in 1348, the tower’s top level crumbled to pieces, leaving the main structure intact but tilting 1.36 degrees towards the north east direction. The tower is expected to lean more throughout the years, so we shall soon see if this won’t rival the Leaning Tower of Pisa

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3. Temple Church, Bristol, England
Is it a temple or a church? It’s neither now; it’s a leaning tower! This tower alarmingly leans approximately 5 feet outwards but experts announced that there is no real danger resulting from this leaning tower. The church’s construction was completed during 1460, more than a century since work building began. A Knights Templar church stood in its original site. During World War II, serious damage caused the building to enter a state of disrepair but it is now in safe hands under the observation of the English Heritage.

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4. Oude Kerk, Delft, the Netherlands
The Oude Kerk, affectionately known as the Old Church is an interesting landmark in the city of Delft, the Netherlands. It leans out a staggering 6.5 feet away from the original axis and can be a rather startling site for those who see it for the first time. It houses an old bell weighing 9 tons and we can all bet that the bell is rarely rung due to its massive weight and height above ground!

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5. Nevyansk Falling Tower, Sverdlovsk, Russia
This building was erected in the city of Sverdlovsk, Russia and leans approximately 7 feet outwards. Built by a famous associate of Czar Peter the Great, the tower has been known to house hidden treasures in the form of gold and silver after some of it was found in hidden compartments within the chimney. It was rumored to be hidden there by a counterfeiter looking to hide his loot.

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List of 7 Best Destinations this Season

leafThe breeze is starting to be chilly and the prices of tickets are going down. If you are in the mood to taste some wine, appreciate the colors of the leaves, or if you just want to enjoy the life in the city then you will love the list that we prepared for you below.

Have a great holiday in some of the best urban centers, wineries, national parks, and orchards. Here are our top picks for the top destinations this season:

Florence, Italy
Florence is the center of the renaissance movement in Italy. It served as the birthplace of what we know today as modern politics. Florence was also considered by the great artist Michelangelo as his adopted hometown. There is a lot more to discover when you travel to Florence Italy.

Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, Tennessee

The Great Smoky Mountain undoubtedly is a great sight any time of the year but if you want to catch the spectacular colors of the trees in crimson, purples, and oranges then visit during autumn.

Marrakesh, Morocco
Marrakesh, popularly called as the Red City, provides an exotic and enticing get away. Fall is a perfect time to have a Marrakesh holiday since the temperature is just right and the market is overflowing with the best produce from the slopes of the Atlas Mountains.

Napa Valley, California
Head into the vineyards of Napa Valley California during fall and you will be right in time for the harvest. The region is the biggest producer of good wines in the United States and a lot of wine lovers flock to this sunny state to sample vintages.
New York

An autumn in New York may sound too Hollywood. It may be since you have heard the line in movies and songs. Ask anyone from New York and they will tell you why it is the best season to be in the city.

Provence, Southern France
Tourists may be leaving the Provencal Region when summer ends. Locals know that the best is yet to come as fall begins when the rust French houses still remain surrounded by the wonderful colors of the fields. The picturesque country roads will lead you to the vineyards which create the best French wines.
Shanghai

This big city in China is very crowded during the summer. Off peak travelers can enjoy the city while the colder breeze of November blows.