Bora Bora Island,French Polynesia

Bora Bora (Society Islands)

Bora Bora island is possibly the single most famous island in all the world. The legends, mysteries, and romance associated with the words "Bora Bora" bring an almost mystical presence to the island.
It's true Bora Bora is indeed a wonderful place to vacation... but this magical presence is not so unattainable.
This website seperates the facts from the fiction regarding this wonderful Tahiti Polynesian island paradise: Tourism aspects, activities, practicalities, culture, and all the things you'll want to know when planning a trip to Bora Bora. We propose to the would be traveler that the Island of Bora Bora is quite real and attainable as a vacation getaway. Part of the allure has to be its almost unbelievable beauty. Two towering peaks of sheer black rock dominate the center of the island and make an impressive backdrop to an assortment of blue waters that will dazzle the eyes. Bora Bora's lagoon is its most treasured feature, and allows the traveler many opportunities to experience it in a variety of ways. Windsurf, jetski, scuba dive, swim, bask in its warmth... the list goes on.Bora bora is truly an experience worth having. A wonderfully relaxing place to be as well as a great island for you to experience, your Bora Bora vacation will never be forgotten.

The warm shallow water of Bora Bora's lovely lagoon is world famous for its unspoiled beauty. An almost unbroken expanse of warm, white sand surrounds the island, providing it with a white collar of perfection for sun worshippers.
This truly beautiful island lies 240kms north west of Tahiti in the Leeward Society Islands. Home to more than 4,000 people, it is in the centre of a multicoloured lagoon, surrounded by off-shore motu islets inside a protective necklace of coral.
As you approach from the sea or air, you can't help but be awed by the basalt obelisk of Mount Otemanu, a natural sculpture that towers majestically over an island of intense emerald green.
Getting to Bora Bora is easy. A launch takes you from the Bora Bora airport on Motu Mute to the main island, crossing the lagoon to Vaitape Village.

Trinita dei Monti Church,Italy

Trinita dei Monti Church,Rome,Italy

Piazza di Spagna was at the center of the Strangers' Quarter, the triangle made by Via del Corso, Via Frattina and Via del Babuino, where most of the foreigners lived, in particular painters and sculptors. It was named after the Spanish Embassy (on the right). Vasi preferred to show Piazza di Spagna seen from the north-west giving emphasis to the Palace of Propaganda Fide by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and to the bell tower of S. Andrea delle Fratte by Francesco Borromini. He showed Piazza di Spagna seen from the south-west (giving emphasis to the Spanish Steps) in plate 128.The view is taken from the green dot in the map below. In the description below the plate Vasi made reference to: 1) Steps leading to SS. Trinitเ dei Monti; 2) Palazzo di Propaganda Fide; 3) Palazzo di Spagna; 4) Fontana della Barcaccia; 5) Campanile di S. Andrea delle Fratte. 5) is covered in another page. The small 1785 map shows also 6) SS. Trinitเ dei Monti; 7) S. Atanasio dei Greci; 8) Colonna dell'Immacolata.

The only change relates to the Column of the Immacolata erected by Pope Pius IX in 1854. Otherwise what we see today is what Vasi shows in his plate (the image was taken on December 8th while waiting for the arrival of the pope for the commemoration of the Immaculate Conception).

The Steps (called by the Italians Scalinata della Trinitเ dei Monti) were built in 1721-25 by Francesco de Sanctis to link the Piazza with the church of Trinitเ dei Monti. The curved lines of the Spanish Steps recall Porto di Ripetta built in 1704 by Alessandro Specchi.Costs were born by France (a donation had been made in 1655 by a French gentleman) to which the church belonged and the piers and the globes at the beginning of the steps have the fleurs-de-lis of the Bourbon family together with the chequered eagle of Pope Innocentius XIII. John Keats lived and died in the pink house to the right of the steps.
The church was built in 1519, but the fa็ade was completed towards the end of the XVIth century. The steps were built by Domenico Fontana in 1586-1588 and the coat of arms of Pope Sixtus V is still visible on the pillars. Both bell towers had a clock: one followed the Italian practice, while the other one followed the French practice (to learn more about the Italian hour click here). In 1789 Pope Pius VI erected in front of the church an obelisk found near Porta Salara. The top of the obelisk shows a lily and a star which are heraldic symbols of Pius VI .

The fountain was built by Pietro Bernini with the assistance of his son Gian Lorenzo at a very low level because of poor water pressure. The fountain is decorated with the sun of Urbanus VIII. See Filippo Juvarra's plate of the coat of arms by G. L. Bernini.

Cappadocia;Turkey

Cappadocia;Turkey

Cappadocia has one of the most interesting and spectacular landscapes in the world. About three million years ago the volcanoes of Mt. Erciyes and Mt. Hasan covered the surrounding plateau with volcanic tuff as a result of their violent eruptions. The natural effects of wind, water and rain eroded this area into a spectacular, surrealist landscape of rock caves, capped pinnacles and fretted ravines in colors ranging from warm tones of red and gold to cool tones of green and gray.

Cappadocia which is unique in the world and is a miraculous nature wonder is the common name of the field covered by the provinces of Aksaray, Nevsehir, Nigde, Kayseri and Kirsehir in the Middle Anatolian region.
In the upper Myosen period in the Cappadocia region as a result of the vulcanic eruptions occurred in Erciyes, Hasandag and Gulludag, in the region was formed a large tableland from the vulcanic tufas and together with the erosion of the Kizilirmak river and wind over ten thausands of years there appeared the chimney rocks which are a wonder of the nature. In the old Bronze Age the Cappadocia which was the population zone of the Assyrian civilization later has hosted the Hittite, Frig, Pers, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman civilizations. The first Christians escaped from the persecution of the Roman Empire in the 2nd century B.C. came to the Cappadocia over the Antakya and Kayseri and they have settled here. The first Christians finding the underground cities from Cappadocia have been hidden in these underground cities which gates were made in such way in which they couldn't be easily observed and they have escaped from the persecution of the Roman soldiers. Due that they had live in the underground cities for long duration without being able to go out they have developed these underground cities by making provisions rooms, ventilation chimneys, wine production places, churches, abbeys, water wells, toilets and meeting rooms.
In the prehistoric periods the first human settlements have begun and the humans have constructed the underground cities in the volcanic rocks in form of tufa due to protect themselves from the wild animals and they lived for long times in these underground cities.

Urgup, Cappadocia Turkey
In these cities made in form of rooms connected to each others some of the rooms were connected to each other only with the tunnels tight and permitting passing of just a person. At the access gates of these tunnels there were huge stone rollers used for closing the tunnels for security reasons.
The first populations of the region of Cappadocia were Hatties, Luvies and Hittites. In the 3000-2000 years B.C. the Assyrians have established trade colonies in this region. The Cappaddocian tables with cuneiform in Assyrian language founded at Kaneþ which are lighting the social and politic life of the period and were in the same time the trade and economical agreements are the firs written tablets of Anatolia. According to these documents in that period in Anatolia were founded small local kingdoms non-depending from a central authority. These had in generally in their hands a little area and were living in peace. The region creating the core of the Hittite Empire later has go under the domination of Phrigia and Pers. The Pers civilization has called this region Katpatuka and its center was Mazaka. When Datames the Satrab (Starab: little district administrator at Pers) of Cappadocia has bear arms against the biggest king of Pers, the other Anatolian Satrabs have been supported him but the revolt has been raided. In 33 b.c. the Big Alexander has captured a big part of Cappadocia. In 188 B.C. The Cappadocia which entered under the Roman domination has been captured in 100 B.C. by the Mithridatesd the king of Pontus but in 63 B.C. Pompeius has defeated Mithridates and took again the Cappadocia under the domination of Rome. In the period of Tiberius the Cappadocia gainded the status of Roman district.

Cappadocia was one of the most important places in the spreading periods of the Christian religion. The first christians trying to escape from the Roman soldiers who wanted to avoid the spreading of the Christian religion have settled in the region of Cappadocia which was so suitable for hiding and so they were able to continue their natures and to spread their religions. Saint Basileious from Kaisera and Saint Gregorios from Nyssa had settled in Cappadocia. In 647 A.C. together with occupation of Kayseri by Muaviye Cappadocia has met with the Arabian invasions. Cappadocia which went under the domination of the Seljuks in 1072 has been added to the lands of Ottoman Empire in 1399 by the Ottoman Sultan Yildirim Beyazit.
Cappadocia which is in our days one of the most important tourism centers of Turkey is visited every year by hundred thousands of tourists coming from every part of the world.

The Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands

Top 5 Reasons to Come to Galapagos

A Distinctive Sense of Place
The Galapagos is a rare destination where you become accustomed to being surprised. Nothing quite compares to the joy of observing animals in the wild here, or the sense of wonder and privilege felt while spending time with animals who don't run or fly away when humans approach, and are truly unique treasures of our earth.
Composed almost exclusively of volcanic rock, the Galapagos Islands thrust their bleak profiles from the Pacific Ocean 600 miles west of mainland Ecuador. It was here that Darwin found the perfect conditions to formulate his evolutionary theory: that far from the ravages of the continents, life evolved into a strange sub-world of specialized creatures who adapted to their harsh environment in an amazing variety of ways.
Setting foot on barren coasts of fresh black lava frozen in its descent to the shoreline, you'll see why early explorers, whalers, and pirates likened the islands to an inferno on earth. But you'll quickly come to appreciate each island as a little "world unto itself" with its own distinctive character, terrain, climate, and wildlife. You'll come to see it as a comfortable place for its odd inhabitants to lay eggs, raise young, and feed on the abundant marine life swept here by cool Humboldt Currents. From the world's only seagoing lizards to flightless cormorants and penguins, inflatable frigate birds, clownish boobies, patriarchal tortoises and 13 species of Darwin finches, you'll enjoy thrilling encounters with animals, up-close and in large numbers, who are completely at ease among human visitors. And you're sure to come away inspired to protect them and their environment, one of the last great wild places.

Active Adventures with a Focus on Nature
The best way to experience the Galapagos is by cruising between the enchanted islands. A limited number of small ships and yachts take tourists from island to island in the Galapagos. Unlike traditional cruises in other parts of the world, our Galapagos cruises lack crowds, assigned seats, lavish entertainment, and sailing for long periods at sea. Instead, we offer cruises for active individuals interested in the nature and animals of the islands, for those seeking wild places and soft adventure, with time to relax on the beach or swim and snorkel or dive.

Nature & Wildlife like Nowhere Else
Evolutionary wonders such as Darwin's finches, land and marine iguanas, and flightless cormorants, with Naturalist-guides illuminating their special features.
An incredible mix of polar and tropical species, from penguins and fur seals to flamingos and tropical fish.
Giant tortoises, waved albatrosses and sea turtles in some of their last habitats on earth.
Face-to-face encounters with animals and scientists at Darwin Research Station.
Masses of fearless seals, iguanas, and even birds who allowed us to snap photos up close.
Volcano summits, tortured lava flows, and impossibly blue sky and sea.
Snorkel with sea lions over coral reefs and submerged craters teeming with marine life.
Remote mangroves, pirate hideouts, cliffs and coasts, explored on tranquil panga excursions.
Inland lagoons and highlands with an astounding array of rare bird life.
Dramatic rock towers with diving boobies, acrobatic frigates and sea birds sweeping overhead.
Dolphins, whales, and rays seen while lunching and sunbathing up on deck.
...and so much more.

A New & Exciting Family Destination
For parents and grandparents eager to share their love of the natural world with children, our Galapagos programs are designed to offer a safe and rewarding experience for all generations. We ensure families' comfort and safety in even the most remote places by our use of only the best cruise ships of their type, as well the most modern and well-equipped ground transport. With the wide range of cruise vessels now offered in the region, and the varied choices of itineraries, the Galapagos can be enjoyed by all ages as never before.

A Great "Week Away" Escape
The Galapagos are easy to visit, even as a quick week away-depart today and you can step onto your first Galapagos beach by tomorrow. While advance bookings are encouraged, we also welcome last-minute travelers whose schedules necessitate planning on short notice, if you're flexible as to ship choice. The only requirements are that visitors must be physically capable of going ashore in small craft (assisted by cruise staff) and wading through shallow water. And all visitors should genuinely love nature, for the main reason to visit the Galapagos is to experience the wildlife. With its focus on learning and active exploration, the Galapagos are not for everyone. But for active people who genuinely love nature, the Galapagos are not to be missed.

The Bay of Fundy,North Amarica

The Bay of Fundy

It is impossible to talk about the Bay of Fundy without talking about tides. The ebb and flow of the Fundy tides are equal to the output of 250 nuclear power stations. This massive amount of untapped energy fuels a fragile ecosystem that provides a nutritious food supply for numerous species of bottom-dwelling organisims, birds, fish and the world's largest mammals, whales.Twice a day the Bay of Fundy fills and empties from the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the earth. Often the tides begin with a significant wave called The Bore. One of the finest examples of the Bore in Nova Scotia is on the largest river in the province, the Shubenacadie. The Bay of Fundy provides the fuel for the exciting Tidal Bore on the Shubenacadie River system. There are several companies in the region providing rafting tours as this wall of water advances up the river.Tides in the Bay of Fundy proper (along south western Nova Scotia) can reach a height of 3.5 meters (11 ft.), while tides near the head of the Bay (in the Minas Basin into which the Shubenacadie River flows) can rise and fall 13 meters (43 ft.) on average and reach an unbelievable 16 meters (53 ft.) during the springtime.

Why are the Fundy Tides the Highest in the World?

While the gravitational forces of the sun and moon combine to create a continuum of tidal action the world over, it is the unique shape of the Bay of Fundy that contributes to the extraordinary high tides experienced here.
The Bay of Fundy is 290-kilometer-long (180 miles) in length. The mouth of the Bay of Fundy is 100 km (62 miles) wide and between 120 and 215 meters (400-700 feet) deep. Frequently described as funnel-shaped, this amazing body of water gradually narrows until it splits to form Chignecto Bay and the Minas Basin. Becoming gradually shallower, Chignecto Bay splits into Shepody Bay and Cumberland Basin, then Shepody Bay narrows and splits again into the Memramcook and Petitcodiac Rivers.
It is here, near this junction of rivers that the flowerpot formations of the Hopewell Rocks are found. The distance across the Bay of Fundy at this point is about 2.5 km (1.5 miles) and the depth at low tide about 14 meters (45 feet).
The highest tides of the Bay of Fundy are due to two unique characteristics of this finger of the Gulf. The gradual tapering and shallowing that constricts the tidal flow, causes the waters to rise from an average of one meter (3 feet) found elsewhere in the world to the 16-meter (52 feet) tidal range found at the head of the Bay of Fundy.
The second factor is the precise dimension of this incredible body of water. Every basin of water has its own natural rhythm and at 290 km (180 miles) long, the time it takes for the tide to flood the length of Bay of Fundy is nearly identical to the time it takes for the tide to come in from the adjoining Gulf of Maine.
This resonance - the meshing of these two rhythms - means that the tidal range is amplified. Called the "Seiche Effect", this amplification is frequently compared to the wave action produced by a child sloshing water back and forth in a bathtub, each wave higher than the one previous. It is this comparison which led to the Bay of Fundy being called 'the world's largest bathtub'.