Dambulla Cave Temple (a World Heritage Site)

Dambulla cave temple also famous as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country. This site is situated 148 km east of Colombo and 72 km north of Kandy. It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains.There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over 5 caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and statues are related to Lord Buddha and his life. Depictions on the walls of the caves include the temptation by the demon Mara, and Buddha’s first sermon.

The temple is composed of five caves, which have been converted into shrine rooms. The caves, built at the base of a 150m high rock during the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa times are by far the most impressive of the many cave temples found in Sri Lanka. Access is along the gentle slope of the Dambulla Rock, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding flat lands, which includes the rock fortress Sigiriya, 19 km away. Dusk brings hundreds of swooping swallows to the cave entrance. The largest cave measures about 52m from east to west, and 23m from the entrance to the back, this spectacular cave is 7m tall at its highest point. Hindu deities are also represented here, as are the kings Valagamba and Nissankamalla, and Ananda - the Buddha’s most devoted disciple.

However, the temple complex dates back to the 1st century BC. It consists of five caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry. The inner side of the caves, the ceilings are painted with intricate patterns of religious images following the contours of the rock. There are images of the Lord Buddha and bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses. The Dambulla cave monastery is still functional and remains the best-preserved ancient edifice in Sri Lanka. This complex dates from the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, when it was already established as one of the largest and most important monasteries. King Valagambahu is traditionally thought to have converted the caves into a temple in the 1st century BC. Exiled from Anuradhapura, he sought refuge here from South Indian usurpers for 15 years. After reclaiming his capital, the King built a temple in thankful worship. Many other kings added to it later and by the 11th century, the caves had become a major religious centre and still are. King Nissanka Malla gilded the caves and added about 70 Buddha statues in 1190. During the 18th century, the caves were restored and painted by the Kandyan Kings.

Apart from the temple side and the surrounding caves, being there will open you a wonderful opportunity to explore the surrounding area, meaning that inside the jungle, where is perhaps the oldest garden in Sri Lanka, the Iron Wood Forest and the largest Rose Quartz Mountain Range in South Asia. The site had been declared as a human sanctuary by King Dappula in 10 century AD as shown in an inscription at the entrance to Namal Uyana. Trees believed to have been planted by those who sought sanctuary here and subsequently turned in to a vast plantation of Iron wood forest. Apart from the biodiversity of the site as it contains many other plants, it is also geologically important because of the Rose Quartz mountain range in the garden, which is believed to be over 500 million years old. White, rose and violet colour quartz deposits can be seen there.

The Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso (A picturesque location above the water)

The Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso is a Roman Catholic monastery set in a stunning position clinging to the rock face on the south-east shore of Lake Maggiore. Perched on its “balcony” overlooking the Borromeo Gulf, the monastery is located in the municipality of Leggiuno, in the Province of Varese, the region of Lombardy, Italy. This is one of the most intriguing historical sites on Lake Maggiore. Originally only accessible by boat or via a steep staircase down the cliff from 60m above now you reach it from the lake by climbing a flight of 80 steps or you can descend the 268 steps from the car park above.

The Hermitage was founded in the 12th century by the merchant Alberto Besozzi of Arolo. In 1195 he built a tiny, isolated church in recognition of his deliverance. The present buildings date from the late 13th – early 14th centuries.A legend said that the shrine was used as hermitage by the blessed Alberto Besozzo, who miraculously took refuge on these rocks during a tempest and retired there after a solemn vow to Santa Caterina, the patroness of sailors. The monastery consists of three buildings: the southern convent, the convent and the main church. In 1914 it was declared a national monument. Inside there are some important well-kept frescoes dating from the 14th to the 18th century. Today the monastery is run by a community of Oblate Benedictines.

The inner courtyard of the complex opens onto the church, whose portico is formed of four rounded arches in Renaissance style. Appealing to tourists from all over the world, there is a new possibility this year for those wanting to visit the hermitage: the newly inaugurated elevator that provides easy access for the elderly or disabled.

Muhu Island (a great holiday destination)

Muhu Island is an Estonian paradise, charactarized with sleepy fishing villages, working windmills, thatched cottages, plenty of deer, moose and birds, tombstones and is one of the oldest in Estonia. Muhu is more secluded than the two larger islands, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, yet easily accessible. At 198 km² Muhu is a small, but still Estonia’s third largest island in the Baltic Sea. It is linked by ferry to Virtsu on the mainland, and to Saaremaa by a causeway, the Vainatamm. In winter, when its cold enough an ice roadconnects the island to the mainland.

The island is also home to thousands of sweet foxes, deers and moose and lots of birds – even three couples of the rare and majestic sea eagle nest on Muhu Island. Muhu is also famous for having a working traditional wooden windmill. St. Catherine’s church is one of the oldest in Estonia and is notable for its trapezium-shaped tombstones with pagan symbols. The most intricate tombstone depicts the pagan Tree of Life.

Over the centuries Muhu has developed at its own pace and its traditions are well known throughout Estonia. The famous Muhu patterns are a refined expression of folk-art as are popular souvenirs made of aromatic juniper wood. Each midsummer a jazz music festival takes place in Muhu, features famous international musicians and attract jazz fans from far and aside.

Muhu is a great holiday destination for those who value nature and culture,luxury and relaxation, peace and quiet.It’s also an ideal location for walking, riding, fishing, camping and swimming. Nearby attractions include Saaremaa and Hiiumaa Islands.

Chefchaouen (one of the prettiest towns in Morocco)

Set beneath the striking peaks of the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is one of the prettiest towns in Morocco. Until 1920 Chefchaouen was closed to Europeans. Now that it’s opened it’s gates, the outside world has influenced the town. When visiting this town, you will be amazed by the uniqueness of the city. If you’ve got a few days to relax from the rigors of travel, this is a good place to do it.

Stand on the mountains with sky blue landscape make Chefchaouen looks cools and so beautiful. With red-tiled roofs, bright blue buildings, and narrow lanes converging on a delightful square, Chefchaouen has a strong Andalusian imprint in its architecture and arts. The town offers some native handicrafts that simply can not be found in most other places in Morocco. Woven blankets and wool garments are among two of these handicrafts, though there are many goods made the old way, from leather goods to shoes to cedar wood furniture.

The picturesque medina is filled with white-washed homes with distinctive, powder-blue accents, and the call to prayer rings out of several mosques around the town in chorus. The terracotta pantiles on the roofs, in contrast to the flat ones found elsewhere in Morocco, is an obvious assertion of the strong Andalusian influence in Chefchaouen’s architecture. Besides enjoying the beauty and environment of the town, you can also climbing Rif Mountains. But, before you climb the mountain, you have to ask the permission of the local government.

Lido di Venezia(a beach resort since the 19th century)

The Lido has been famous as a beach resort since the 19th century. Today it is fascinating to see the elegant Art Nouveau and Moorish-style vilals and hotels, the tree-lined avenues and the impressive former premises of the Municipal Casino, the Palazzo del Cinema and the Excelsior Hotel overlooking the beach. At the Hotel Des Bains, Luchino Visconti filmed his celebrated Death in Venice. 

Once fortified and used for military purposes, and theatre of the War of Chioggia between the Genoese and the Venetians /14thC/, the Lido was and still remains the setting for one of the most important of the traditional feasts of the Serenissima; for it is here that the ceremony of the Marriage of the Sea takes place, with a large Venetian crowd in attendance.  The Lido was also where the most illustrious guests were received by the Seigniory. The Church of San Nicolo di Lido is evidence of this past: founded in the 11th century and rebuilt in the 17the century, it has Corinthian columns and capitals. Recently has been opened the Planetarium, one of the most interesting and important of Italy. The Fort of Sant’Andrea is interesting too: built in the 156th C on the plan by Michele Sanmicheli it is perhaps best admired from a vantage point near San Nicolo.