Where in the world should you go? To lie on a beach with the sand between your toes and enjoy the sweet bliss of not having a care in the world? To explore exciting cities and be taken in by their pulsating rhythms? To get up before the crack of dawn to set off on safari, smell the earthy savannah, and see wild animals up close? To walk through ancient ruins and trace the steps of a bygone culture? Everyone has different ideas of the perfect holiday and the world is full of places that offer the right mix for every taste. This book sweeps you away to some of the most beautiful places on this planet and shows the mountain climber, animal lover, photographer, party animal, seeker, or jetsetter inside you the holiday destinations of your dreams.
ISBN 978-3-95504-905-8 UK ÂŁ 29.95 US$ 40.00
Where in the World?
Global Dream Destinations
Global Dream Destinations
Barbados is all about the sea and the beaches. Almost a third of this Eastern Caribbean island is made up of the finest, softest sand. You’ll find fascinating diving areas in the south and west of the island, while the eastern coast, facing the Atlantic, is a surfers’ paradise.
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For art lovers and those looking for a weekend getaway: Florence has always been more than Tuscany’s political capital. Its historic city center is home to so many one-of-a-kind art treasures and countless historic buildings that the city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
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Kenya is famous for the safari tours offered here. The Maasai Mara, a part of the Serengeti, has the most diverse animal population. We wonder whether this relaxed lion is aware of just how popular his home is?
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Where in the world? Everyone has their own ideas about what would turn a holiday into a dream getaway. Some are looking to slow down and relax, while others want to spend their nights partying to live music. Sun lovers long for deserted beaches, while others want to go hiking off the beaten path. Gourmets want to experience authentic cooking and adventurers want to experience something truly unique surrounded by pristine natural beauty. Whether you’re a city person or a mountain climber, well-versed in history or a nature lover, the world offers countless dream destinations for a perfect holiday. Based on your preferences, this book is your guide to the most beautiful destinations available on our wonderful planet. Romantics and party animals will both find their personal favourites as will photographers and architecture fans, culture lovers and those looking for romantic weekend getaways. Because they all share one passion: the love of travel, discovering previously unknown lands and cultures, and the joy of new experiences.
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Selvaggio Blu in Sardinia is considered one of Europe’s most challenging trekking routes. But, the island attracts not only hikers, but also sun worshippers and lovers of fine cuisine.
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Here! ... for tranquillity seekers
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... for adventurers
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... for paradise seekers
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... for hikers
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... for connoisseurs
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... for wildlife photographers
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... for weekend vacationers
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... for sun worshippers
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... for archaeologists
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... for party animals
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... for hobby historians
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... for romantics
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... for fans of architecture
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... for photographers
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... for mountaineers
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... for lovers of big cities
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... for explorers of nature
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... for mystics and the spiritual
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... for art lovers
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... for geologists
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Index
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Photo credits, copyright
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Dominica
Continent: America // Country: Dominica // Best time to visit: December–May (July–October: Risk of hurricanes)
// www.dominica.dm
The climax of any visit to the third-largest of the Lesser Antilles is the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, founded in 1975 and featuring misty rain forests, lakes and waterfalls. This nature reserve, which covers nearly 7,000 hectares (17,297 acres), offers a unique habitat for a number of plant and animal species. Nearly 150 bird species populate these forests and the various volcanic formations surrounding the still-active Morne Trois Pitons Volcano are of breathtaking beauty. Roughly fifty fumaroles, hot springs and five active volcanic craters can be found between the rugged and densely overgrown canyons. Hot mud bubbles up from one boiling lake. The Emerald Pool also owes its unusual hue to the elementary powers at the center of the earth. This is a popular destination for hikers, but at the same time a challenging route across the fascinating highlands. The Northern Forest Reserve is home to the
endangered Saint Lucia amazon parrot and imperial amazon parrot, which are among the most threatened Amazon species. A trip to the Morne Trois Piton National Park is definitely recommended. At the foot of the volcano of the same name there is a protected area, which has features of volcanic activity in a species-rich tropical forest. The national park, which was founded in 1975, provides a habitat for numerous species with its vast rainforest areas.
More than 300 rivers and streams flow over the island: Here you can see the gushing Trafalgar Falls (left). The tropical vegetation is extremely dense and reaches all the way to the rocky coast in the west of Dominica.
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There isn’t any other region in France as full of joie de vivre as Provence. Dried rosemary, chives, fennel, star anise or thyme are sold in numerous markets, giving off a fantastic aroma.
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Sylt
Continent: Europe // Country: Germany // Best time to visit: June–September (May–October: surfing season, but the best waves are
in winter) // www.sylt.de/en
Sylt, known for its see-and-be-seen ambience, is the northernmost island in Germany. At the northern tip of the island is the tiny community of List, the northernmost place in the republic. Sylt splitt off from the mainland some 8,000 years ago when the seas began rising. In 1927, the two were linked again by the Hindenburgdamm. Since then, up to 650,000 holidaymakers a year cross the dam to the 39-km-long (24-mi) island which, at its widest point is just over 1 km (0.6 mi) wide. While the west coast is lashed by the wind and the waves of the North Sea, the eastern Wadden Sea coast is much quieter and calmer. It is also home to Wadden Sea National Park, famous for its diversity of flora and fauna as well as its tidal mud flats. A visit to the Westerländer Church of St Niels (1635) with its late Gothic carved alter is well worth a visit. You can find typical Frisian houses in Keitum, a more than 200 year
old island. In St Severin’s Church (13th century) north of Keitum, you can visit a carved altar from the 15th and a pulpit from the 17th century. The posh village of Kampen is characterized by endless beaches and thatched cottages. The annual Sylt World Cup is a special event, in which the world’s best windsurfers prove their skills over 10 days in September.
The red and white striped List Ost lighthouse overlooks the Ellenbogen peninsula.
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Copán
Continent: America // Country: Honduras // Best time to visit: November–March (May–November rainy season, mostly short
showers in the afternoon) // www.copanhonduras.org/en
The 30 ha (74 acres) of ruins at Copán are in north-western Honduras, close to the border with Guatemala. Copán was one of the most important city-states that thrived during the Mayan golden age in around 700. One of the earliest descriptions of Copán is that by Diego García de Palacio from 1570, but the city was not actually excavated until the 19th century. Hundreds of ruins are thought to still exist under the earth mounds in the Copán Valley. The Acropolis – a complex of interconnected constructions in the shape of pyramids, temples and terraces – forms the center of what has been excavated to date. Altar Q, in which the names of sixteen rulers of Copán are carved, is especially remarkable. The Hieroglyphic Stairway is Copán’s most important monument. Close to 2,500 glyphs cover the sixty-three steps and form the longest Mayan text to date. It pays tribute to the achievements of the dynasty
from its founding through to the opening of the staircase in the year 755. The ball court with three marker stones, which occurs in this form only in Copán, is also worthy of note. Fourteen altars and twenty stelae, dating back to between 618 and 738 have also been restored. The base of the elaborately decorated Stela H conceals two fragments of a golden figure.
Left: Head sculpture of an old man (also called “N” god) at temple 11. Right: Detailed stele from the 8th century.
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Perhaps it was no more than an attempt by the Inca to also colonize the easterly slopes of the Andes. The complex is divided into two areas: the agricultural zone out on the steep mountain slopes, with terraces for arable farming that were integrated into a sophisticated irrigation system, and the unfortified urban district with palaces, temples and residential buildings. Among the most remarkable
structures are the Round Tower, the Sun Temple and the Temple of the Three Windows The lnca city towers like an eagle’s nest on a flattened mountain peak at an altitude of 2,430 m (7,972 ft). The terraced structure of Machu Picchu is clearly recognizable. Below: The Huayna Picchu. The walls were made of large stones without mortar..
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Yosemite National Park
Continent: America // Country: USA // Best time to visit: May–October (Yosemite is
known for its beautiful autums) // www.nps.gov/yose
The Merced River has cut deeply into the primeval landscape of this glorious park and formed a deep, elongated valley, at the bottom of which you'll find the visitor center and some lodges. Yosemite Valley is dominated by two giant rock faces: Half Dome and El Capitan. The latter, at 2,307 m (7,590 ft), is an absolute mecca for rock climbers, its 910 m (3,100 ft) face
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presents one of the most dramatic challenges in the world for that sport. The magnificent Half Dome rises to 2,695 m (7,569 ft) from the valley floor and looks as if its other half simply broke off. This rock was formed around 250,000 years ago by powerful masses of ice at a time when humans did not yet roam the continent and when Glacier Point, today one of the most attractive
viewpoints in the American West some 100 m (328 ft) above the valley, was still hidden under a thick layer of ice. In fact, the humans first arrived in Yosemite Valley back in the Ice Age. They would have even experienced Tenaya Lake when it was still a glacier. Powerful natural forces did indeed shape this valley, giving form to the granite, but that process is not yet complete.
Left: The Tunnel View is the first glimpse many visitors have of the Yosemite Valley. To the left, rugged El Capitan attracts ambitious climbers, while Bridalveil Fall is to the right. But there is also a lot to experience on the ground: sequoias at Mariposa Grove and picturesque Lake Tenaya (right) are perfect places for hiking.
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Where in the world should you go? To lie on a beach with the sand between your toes and enjoy the sweet bliss of not having a care in the world? To explore exciting cities and be taken in by their pulsating rhythms? To get up before the crack of dawn to set off on safari, smell the earthy savannah, and see wild animals up close? To walk through ancient ruins and trace the steps of a bygone culture? Everyone has different ideas of the perfect holiday and the world is full of places that offer the right mix for every taste. This book sweeps you away to some of the most beautiful places on this planet and shows the mountain climber, animal lover, photographer, party animal, seeker, or jetsetter inside you the holiday destinations of your dreams.
ISBN 978-3-95504-905-8 UK ÂŁ 29.95 US$ 40.00
Where in the World?
Global Dream Destinations
Global Dream Destinations