Australia – A Land of Natural Wonders

The huge monolith known as Uluru – formerly Ayer’s Rock – remains one of Australia’s most mysterious and beautiful natural features. Rising more than 1,000 feet above the flat red center of the continent, "The Rock" is eight miles in circumf

The huge monolith known as Uluru – formerly Ayer’s Rock – remains one of Australia’s most mysterious and beautiful natural features. Rising more than 1,000 feet above the flat red center of the continent, "The Rock" is eight miles in circumference and honeycombed with caves, displaying Aboriginal wall art. Uluru once stood at the bottom of an inland ocean, and is a spectacular sight as it changes color through the day. The sandstone it is composed of contains many minerals like feldspar which reflect shades from deep red to violet, according to the angle of the sun. However, while Uluru is probably the most famous Australian geological wonder, it is certainly not the only one. The amazing Bungle Bungles in Western Australia are huge pillars of sandstone that look like ancient ziggurats. But nature, not man, made these orange and black striped monoliths, situated in Purnululu National Park. The black stripes are caused by lichens growing on the orange sandstone. Known to Aborigines for centuries, it remained a secret to the rest of the world until the 1980s, when the stunning rock formation was spotted from the air. The Devil’s Marbles in the Northern territory are another example of Australia’s geological diversity. The “marbles” are huge roughly hewn ovoid boulders piled on top of one another, some seemingly defying gravity, poised like eggs balancing on end. Made of coarse granite, the marbles have gained their shape by constant weathering. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the few geological wonders that can be seen from space. A spectacular 161 square miles of coral reef, it stretches from New Guinea down the Queensland Coast. Dotted with coral islands, the reef is the largest structure ever built by living creatures. These tiny polyps leave their skeletal remains behind, forming stretches of coral reef. Nullabor means, literally, no trees, and the Nullabor Plain between Adelaide in South Australia and Perth in Western Australia lives up to its name. It is a vast 155,000 mile flat desert that drops with frightening suddenness into the Great Southern Ocean. There are no towns or permanent habitations on the Nullabor Plain – and definitely no trees. Wave Rock is a stunning formation in Western Australia that looks like a breaking wave on land. The smooth curve of the rock was believed to be caused by water erosion. Around 500 million years old, the wave shape was formed by granite flowing in molten form. For more information about travel (airfares, hotels, car rentals, vacations, cruises, etc) to Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Cairns and Brisbane, please visit http://www.icheapairfares.com/Australia-Airfares.htm

Andorra

For 715 years, given by 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lasted under a unparalleled co-principality, found by French and Spanish leaders (derived from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of province retained, however the government metamorphosed into a parliamentary republic. Long detached and impoverished, mountainous Andorra accomplished considerable successfulness since World War II through its tourer industry. Numbers of immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.

The single official language is Catalan, the language of the close Spanish autonomous region of Catalonia, by using which Andorra shares several cultural traits, though Spanish, Portuguese and French are likewise usually spoken. The predominant religion is Catholicism. Andorra's long story has provided it with a rich mythology and an abundance of country tales, with roots originating as far as Andalusia in the south and the Netherlands in the north.

Andorran culture is Catalan in heart, since the inborn population of Andorra is Catalan. Even so, it has given a significant and well identifiable contribution to the conglomerate of Catalan culture.

Two writers famed in Catalonia & the domain, Michele Gazier and Ramon Villero, each came from Andorra.

Andorra is home to folk dances like the contrapas and marratxa, which one survive in Sant Julia de Loria especially. Andorran folk music has similarities to all of its neighbors, however is especially Catalan in character, specially in the presence of dances such as the sardana. More Andorran folk dances admit contrapas in Andorra la Vella and Saint Anne's dancing in Escaldes-Engordany.

A Visitors Guide To Zurich Switzerland

Zurich is the biggest city in Switzerland and one of the only destinations in the world that truly has something for everybody. Most of the city's residents can speak multiple languages, including Zurich Swiss travel German, English, French, and Italian. The city is well known for its banking district, luxury goods, and outstanding universities, but it also provides a vast array of athletic and cultural events. All of these elements add up to a great travel place to live, so it should travel come as no surprise that for five successive years, Zurich has been named the city with the highest quality of life in the world by consulting company William M. Mercer.

Zurich accommodates visitors of all backgrounds, regardless of their age, race, gender, sexuality, or social class. Children and their families have many options to choose from, including the outstanding Zurich Toy Museum (Fortunagasse 15, 8001 Zurich), which has free admission and features over 1000 antique toys from all over Europe. Zurich is also one of the world's most queer-friendly cities, with a substantial number of bars, clubs, and cultural events-such as the Pink Apple, a gay and lesbian film festival that takes place every May-that cater to homosexual travelers.

Switzerland's rather posh reputation may give budget-minded travelers pause, but the truth is that a trip to Zurich can be just as affordable as any other European destination. There are a number of stylish and moderately-priced lodging options available to travelers, such as the small and charming Hotel Seehof (11 Seehofstrasse, 8008 Zurich, http://www.hotelseehof.cf). Each of the hotel's 20 rooms (doubles from $215 per night) is simple and elegant, featuring sleek Swiss furniture and wireless internet access. The hotel also contains its own bar and Japanese food restaurant.

One easy way to explore what Zurich has to offer is by purchasing a Zurich Card. This one or three-day pass grants you admission to 40 museums, unlimited access to the city's excellent public transportation system, and special deals at many restaurants and shops. The Zurich Card can be purchased online by e-mailing the orders and information department at contact@zw.ch. A one-day pass costs approximately $12 for adults and $8 for children, while a three-day pass runs around $24 for adults and $16 for children.

The city is home to over 50 museums, which range in focus from art to technology. One of it's most unique is the Circus Museum (Fischmarktplatz 1, 8640 Rapperswil SG). Circus arts travel have a long, proud history in Switzerland, with Knie-the Swiss National Circus-setting up shop in 1919. Zurich also provides its visitors with a huge number of restaurants offering cuisine from virtually every country in the world, including Brazil, Korea, and Lebanon. For a taste of authentic Swiss travel food, head to Adler's Swiss Chuchi (Rosengasse 10, 8001 Zurich) for some of the city's best travel regional cuisine. And of course, no trip to Zurich would be complete without a pilgrimage to the city's most exclusive shopping district: Bahnhofstrasse (Bahnhofstrasse, 8001 Zurich).

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