Eiffel Tower Paris

Eiffel Tower Paris

The Eiffel Tower Paris, an icon of Paris, is a wonder of design and structure, and an impressive sight worth getting close to. Lie in the grass at the Champs de mars and gaze up. Ascend the tower for spectacular views of Paris. Return at night with a bottle of Merlot to watch the spectacular light display. The Eiffel Tower Paris tops out at over 1,000 feet, containing 2 restaurants, a souvenir shop, a post office (for that one of a kind postmark), snack bar, and a viewing area.

Eiffel Tower Paris Video

Eiffel Tower Paris

The world famous Eiffel Tower Paris is a mass of iron designed by Gustave Eiffel for the Universal Exposition of 1889 and was the tallest structure in the world until 1930, when New York's Chrysler building surpassed it. The Paris tower faced criticism, especially from the artistic community of Paris, calling the structure a "truly tragic street lamp." Allegedly, Guy de Maupassant ate lunch on the lower level of the Paris tower everyday because it was the only view of the city in which he couldn't see it. The critics were slowly silenced as 2 million visitors ascended the tower in 1889. Today, the Eiffel Tower Paris is an icon of Paris, and is embraced by the city.

Eiffel Tower Paris in Spring

Fifty tons of paint are used every 5 years to repaint the structure. A permanent light display goes off every hour in the evenings. Skate 187 feet above the Earth, during the winter, as the Eiffel Tower Paris turns the first floor into a rink. The tower has two restaurants, Altitude 95, located on the first floor 95 meters above sea level, and "reminiscent of an airship moored above Paris" according to the Eiffel Tower Paris website. Also on the first deck are a souvenir shop, exhibit on the Paris tower, snack bar, and the post office. On the second floor, a specialty food shop, the restaurant Le Jules Verne, some historical panels, and another snack bar (in case you're using the stairs instead of the elevator). At the top level, along with panoramic views, is a replica of Gustave Eiffel's office, complete with wax figures of the man himself.

Eiffel Tower Paris in Winter

No Paris travel guide would be complete without mentioning famous Paris attractions including, the Panthéon, a monument dedicated to historical personages of France, housing a crypt containing over 70 people, including Votaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Marie Curie, and Alexandre Dumas. Notre Dame cathedral, with its ornate interior is an awe inspiring and popular destination. Pay homage to French author Victor Hugo, and ascend the bell tower for a look at the gargoyles from The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Worth mentioning in any Paris travel guide is the Arc de Triomphe, located on the famed avenue Champs Élysées and centered in the world largest traffic roundabout. It is a simple, yet daunting monument commissioned by Napoleon. The gothic Saint Chapelle, built in the 13th century, has 15 stained glass windows depicting an entire biblical history.

Also important to mention in a Paris travel guide are some of the world famous museums Paris is home to including the gigantic Louvre, which houses the Mona Lisa; the Musee d'Orsay, with artists such as Renoir, Monet, and van Gogh; and the National d'Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou, home to a modern art collection.

The Eiffel Tower Paris, still a marvel of structure and design, is a must see stop on any Paris itinerary. Constructed for the World's Exhibition of 1889, the Eiffel Tower Paris was slow to be embraced, but is now a beloved symbol of Paris, and one of Europe, if not the world's most recognizable.

Courtesy By: http://www.destination360.com/europe/france/paris/eiffel-tower

Sharjah UAE

Sharjah is the third largest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates. It is located along the northern coast of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula.

Sharjah is the seat of government of the emirate of Sharjah. Sharjah shares legal, political, military and economic functions with the other emirates within a federal framework, although each emirate has jurisdiction over some functions such as civil law enforcement and provision and upkeep of local facilities. Sharjah has been ruled by the Al Qasimi dynasty since the 18th century.

The city is a centre for culture and industry, and alone contributes to 7.4% of the GDP of the United Arab Emirates. The city covers an approximate area of 235 km² and has a population of over 800,000 (2008).

Etymology:

Many researchers have supposed that the word Sharqah, to which Sharjah owes its origins, comes from light. The terrain is so flat that the sun shines evenly on the land.

ultan Al Omaimi, a UAE poet and researcher in folk literature, says that some historians speculate that Sharjah was the name of an idol worshipped in the pre-Islamic era which was known as Abed Al Shareq. It also had a feminine form called Al Shareqa. Another theory finds that the word Sharqah comes from a fort in Andalusia as mentioned in the encyclopaedic book, "Kitab mu'jam al-buldan" written by the Muslim scholar Yaqut Al Hamawi.

Other researchers link the word Sharqah to the fact that the city is located to the Sharq, or east, of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Hence the Arabic classical form of Sharjah is Al Shareqah. It is the colloquial form that is Al Sharjah.

History:

Historically, Sharjah was one of the wealthiest towns in this region with a settlement in existence for over 5000 years. In the early 18th century, the Qawasim clan (Huwayla tribe) established itself in Sharjah, 1727 declaring Sharjah independent. On 8 January 1820, Sheikh Sultan I signed the General Maritime Treaty with Britain, accepting a protectorate to keep the Ottoman Turks out. Like four of its neighbours, Ajman, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah, and Umm al-Qaiwain, its position on the route to India made it important enough to be recognized as a salute state (be it of the lowest class: 3 guns). On 2 December 1971, Sheikh Khalid III joined the United Arab Emirates.

Like the other former Trucial States, Sharjah's name is known by many stamp collectors because of the large numbers of stamps that were issued by the Sharjah Post Office shortly before the formation of the United Arab Emirates. Many of these items feature subjects unrelated to the emirates whose names they bear, and therefore many popular catalogues do not list them.

Overview:

Sharjah is the third largest city (after Dubai and Abu Dhabi) in the United Arab Emirates. The palace of the ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah (Sultan bin Mohamed Al-Qasimi) is located about 20 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of the city.

The city of Sharjah overlooks the Persian Gulf and has a population of over 800,000 (2008). It contains the main administrative and commercial centers together with an array of cultural and traditional projects, including several museums covering areas such as archaeology, natural history, science, arts, heritage, islamic art and culture. Distinctive landmarks include two major covered souks, reflecting Islamic design, and a number of recreational areas and public parks such as Al Jazeirah Fun Park and Al Buheirah Corniche. The city is also notable for its numerous elegant mosques. The Emirate of Sharjah is also known to be the Cultural Capital of the UAE with its rich legacy of arts, heritage and culture. After the construction boom that took place in Dubai in 2005, towering skyscrapers and modern buildings were constructed in areas like Al Khan and Khaled Lagoon. These modern tall buildings and the subsequent increase in population coupled with poor infrastructure made Sharjah suffer from traffic jams. This was also due to its location between the northeastern emirates and Dubai. Many Sharjah residents travel 15 kilometers to visit Dubai on the weekend. Sharjah is bordered by the cities of Dubai and Ajmān and is about 170 kilometers away from the capital city Abu Dhabi.

Economy:

The headquarters is in the Sharjah Freight Center, on the property of Sharjah International Airport. Sharjah city is famous for a used vehicle market located in Abu Shagara area ,which is claimed to be the biggest in the Middle East region. Sharjah is the headquarters of Air Arabia, the first low cost airline in the Middle East, which operates to the Middle East, Asia and Europe.

Tourism:

Al Qasba (renamed from Qanat Al Qasba, QAQ, in March 2008) is a small art, culture, leisure, and tourist area in Sharjah with the "Eye of the Emirates", the giant wheel offering aerial view of the emirate's corniche, lagoons and landscape as well as the horizons of the neighbouring Dubai, the boat ride offering a panoramic view of the walkways, bridges and some of the cultural attractions and modern skyscrapers of the emirate and Al Qasba Musical Fountain shows appeal to one and all with its dancing to the beat theme. 

Education:

There are several public and private schools in addition to universities in Sharjah, including the University of Sharjah, the American University of Sharjah, Troy University – ITS Sharjah Campus, Skyline College Sharjah, Sharjah Men's College, and Sharjah Women's College some of those universities are grouped in one place called the University City. Sharjah University is known to be one of the best universities in the emirates and the Middle East. 

Sports:

The Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium has hosted almost 200 cricket One Day Internationals, more than any other ground, and 4 Test matches. Football clubs include Al Sharjah and Al-Shaab in the First League, and Al Hemriah, Al The-aed , Al Khaleej and Dibba in the 2nd league.

Since 2003, there have been no major international matches at Sharjah, although the stadium has been the venue for certain other matches, such as the 2004 ICC Intercontinental Cup. The use of the venue has declined as the new 20,000 seat Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi has become the preferred venue for cricket in the UAE.

Also, the organisers of Sharjah Grand Prix host the Formula One World Powerboating Championships every year at Al Buhaira Corniche, Sharjah. In 2005, it was held under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.

Courtesy By: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharjah_(city)

Kerry Ireland

Kerry Ireland

The tour focuses on two key areas rich in tradition: North  Kerry Ireland  and the Burren. It also gives you the opportunity to visit one of the Aran Islands on a day excursion. The influence of music, song, dance and the customs that have lived on in these two very different regions combine to make this a wonderful and very different holiday.

Kerry Ireland

North  Kerry Ireland , being less mountainous than the rest of the county, is good agricultural land. It is rich in historical sites such as the castles of Ballyheigue, Rahoneen, Carrigafoyle) and the abbeys of Ardfert, Rattoo, Lislaughtin). Historically the most important site is Ardfert, a missionary centre found by St. Erc in the 5th century. St. Brendan was educated here and also established a monastery here. It has a 13th century cathedral, along with several other ecclesiastical buildings, and remained a diocesan centre until 1660. The cliff scenery around  Kerry Ireland  Head, near Ballyheigue, rivals anything that Dingle has to offer, but is much less frequented.

Kerry Ireland

Nearby is Tobar na Súl (‘well of the eyes’), one of the finest holy wells which abound in the area. 

‘Burren’ is derived from the Irish word boireann meaning ‘place of stone’, and the name could not be more apt. There is no part of Ireland where rock so obviously dominates the landscape as it does in the north-west corner of County Clare. The Burren covers an area of some 260 square kilometres and is famous for its bare limestone pavements dissected by deep crevices and traversed by countless stone walls.

Almost devoid of trees and surface water, it has been described as ‘lunar’ in its appearance, an ancient limestone plateau beneath which is a labyrinth of pot-holes, caves, streams and lakes. Surprisingly, this bizarre and apparently hostile environment is a botanist’s paradise as around ¾ of Ireland’s plant species are found in the Burren (more than any other region). Doolin, where you will be staying, is the cradle of traditional Irish music.

Courtesy By: http://www.southwestwalksireland.com/hiking-vacation-traditional-ireland.html