Montpellier is a city in southern France, 10km inland from the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The town’s stately Gothic Cathédrale Saint-Pierre, distinguished by conical towers, dates to 1364. The city’s Antigone district is a chic, modern development inspired by neoclassical motifs. Paintings from French and European Old Masters hang at the Musée Fabre.
Category Archives: Travel
Views: 2021 In Pictures – National Geographic
Egyptian History: Saving The Temples On The Nile
A timeless treasure, nearly lost forever. Without the UNESCO‘s unprecedented rescue operation, future generations might have only seen the stunning temples of Ramses II and Cleopatra in the pages of history books. Majestic stone colossi rising from the desert sands, structures like these kept their secrets for generations.
For centuries, Abu Simbel, Dendur, Amada and other monuments faced threats from looters, earthquakes, and floods. Ultimately, it was the waters of the Aswan Dam that nearly sealed their fate. In 1960, then Egyptian President Nasser ordered the dam‘s construction. In order to save the temples of Ramses II and Cleopatra, among others, UNESCO reached out to over 50 countries, and raised $80 million.
After receiving multiple proposals to save the structure, it was one from Sweden that proved successful. The plan: dismantling the complex and rebuilding it on higher ground. Between November 1963 and September 1968, saws were used to cut the two temples into 1,036 blocks, each weighing between seven and 30 tons.
Their new location was 64 meters above the old site and 180 meters further inland. After five years of construction, this major undertaking was completed on September 22, 1968. The Nubian temples of Abu Simbel are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Walks: Seefeld In Tyrol, Western Austria (4K)
Seefeld is an Alpine town in the Austrian state of Tyrol. It lies on a plateau ringed by the Wetterstein and Karwendel ranges and is known for its cross-country skiing. The 1600s Seekirchl is a small baroque church with an onion dome. Frescoes in the Gothic St. Oswald church recount a miracle that reputedly occurred within. From there, a path leads to a hilltop circle of 12 massive stones representing the apostles.
Autumn Views: Arashiyama In West Kyoto, Japan (4K)
A sprawling area in western Kyoto centered around the Katsura River (Oi river) and surrounding mountains, Arashiyama is an extremely popular tourist spot visitors to Kyoto won’t want to miss. Any given day you’re likely to see people in kimono or yukata enjoying local food, shopping, and pilgrimages to the local temples. Rickshaw drivers wait to carry you to your destination, whether it be the natural beauty of the bamboo forest or the man-made temples that have stood in Arashiyama for hundreds of years.
Arashiyama is the second-most important sightseeing district in Kyoto. It’s filled with temples and shrines, but the star attraction is the famed Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
Arashiyama is in the far west of Kyoto, tucked along the base of the Arashiyama Mountains (meaning “Storm Mountains”). It’s a fair distance from the center of Kyoto: whether you go by train, bus, bicycle or taxi, you’re generally looking at about a 30-minute trip. Still, it’s worth it for the number of great sights here.
Views: 30 Most Beautiful Cities In The World (Video)
Cities are often associated with culture and excitement rather than beauty, yet many of the world’s urban hubs rival the prettiest villages and the most striking natural wonders in the looks department. These are the beautiful cities with breathtaking surroundings, awe-inspiring architecture and landmarks that have stood for centuries. From colorful old towns to sleek modern skylines, here’s a look at the most beautiful cities in the world.
English Manor Houses: ‘The Old Palace’ In Kent
Views: Train Ride To Hotel Rigi Kulm, Switzerland (4K)
This video is about an overnight stay at the Hotel Rigi Kulm at Vierwaldstättersee near Lucerne. In winter this is a must do in Switzerland. The train ride alone from Vitznau up to Rigi Kulm is an experience. The view of Lake Lucerne is simply breathtaking. The snow-covered trees transform everything into a wonderful fairytale landscape.
Video timeline: 0:00 Start with the Rigi train from Vitznau to Rigi Kulm 7:04 Arrival at Rigi Kulm Hotel – Check in 8:25 Room with a view 9:17 Breakfast swiss style at Hotel Rigi Kulm 9:44 Hiking down with storm Frank
Rigi Kaltbad is a resort in the Swiss Alps, located in the canton of Lucerne. The resort sits on a sunny terrace at an elevation of 1,433 metres, overlooking Lake Lucerne above Weggis in Central Switzerland. The locality is part of the municipality of Weggis.
Museum Tours: The Met Cloisters, New York (4K)
“The Cloisters, also known as the Met Cloisters, is a museum in Fort Tryon Park in Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York City, specializing in European medieval art and architecture, with a focus on the Romanesque and Gothic periods. Governed by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it contains a large collection of medieval artworks shown in the architectural settings of French monasteries and abbeys…..”
Winter Walks: Visby On Gotland Island, Sweden
Visby is a town on the Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. It’s known for its well-preserved town wall, a medieval fortification incorporating defensive towers. The town’s many churches include the grand, centuries-old St. Mary’s Cathedral and the medieval ruins of St. Nicolai and St. Karin. The main square, Stora Torget, has cobblestone streets lined with cafes and restaurants.
Boomers Daily 