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Historical and cultural attractions purpose-built attractions

 

D) Read about 5 of the most visited places.

Which of them have you been to? Which of them do you hear about for the first time?

As you read write down all the attributes that describe them.

Top tourist hot spots worth the crowds

The hordes come to these places for a reason. Don’t hate them just because they’re popular or you’ll miss out! This excerpt from Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Experiences gives you the places worth the queues.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Tourists crawl over Angkor like ants over a picnic blanket. But it’s worth joining them to register your first glimpse of this shrine-city’s awesome main temple, the world’s biggest religious structure, Angkor Wat, with its lotus-shaped towers and extraordinary bas-reliefs. Angkor was sculpted from sandstone between the 9th and 13th centuries to satisfy the egos of a succession of Khmer devaraja (god-kings), providing the ancient empire with the grandest capital imaginable. The site contains hundreds of temples besides Angkor Wat, and is still being reclaimed from the jungle that overgrew it when it was abandoned in the 15th century. Capitol temple is a must-see during the early evening; escape the crowds by taking a mototaxi to the newly opened ruins at Banteay Srei, 25km from the main site.

Eiffel Tower, France

Men love to build towers and Gustave Eiffel was no exception. Commissioned to build an eye-catching entryway for Paris’ upcoming Exposition Universelle, he finally unveiled his 300m-high iron icon in 1889. The structure was only meant to stand for 20 years but won global admiration for its beautiful architectural form and has stood its ground. Put it on your ‘must-visit’ list – after all, 6 million people a year can’t be wrong. Visiting hours from July to September are 9–12.30am; miss the rush by arriving first thing or catch the last entry at midnight.

Florence, Italy

The capital of bella Tuscany can test the endurance of the most hardened traveller. Its piazzas are filled with the whir of digital cameras, the leather and jewellery shops hem you in, and money belts can disappear faster than kisses. But Florence is also Italy’s Renaissance jewel and few cities can match its classic beauty. Swoon over Michelangelo’s David in the Academy of Design Gallery, the gorgeous headpiece of the Brunelleschi-built Duomo, and the stunning sculptural landscape of the Boboli Gardens, or just sit in a cafe and swoon over handsome passers-by. The city is virtually tourist free (and cheaper!) in winter; many restaurants and attractions are closed Sunday and Monday, so plan accordingly.

Taj Mahal, India

The Taj Mahal was completed at Agra in 1653 by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to glorify the beauty of his favourite (but dead) wife. So, is this minaret-ringed marvelwith its domed mausoleum, white-marble calligraphy and bejewelled inner chambers a romantic dream come true, or is it a lavish folly to which the labours of 20,000 people over 22 years should not have been devoted? You be the judge.



Machu Picchu, Peru

The fabulous stonework of the ruined Inca city of Machu Picchu is nestled high in the Peruvian Andes. It was built in the mid-15th century but abandoned only a century later, around the time some Spanish visitors arrived bearing malice and smallpox. Archaeologist Hiram Bingham rediscovered the site on behalf of the outside world in 1911 and Peru’s tourism bureaucrats are still thanking him. The ruins and the Inca Trail connecting them with Cuzco were becoming buried under tourist numbers and waste until several years ago, when toilets were installed and visitors limited to a mere 500 per day. Solo visitors are now banned. Organised treks must be booked 30 days in advance, plus a nonrefundable entrance fee of US $50.

Uluru, Australia

Massive, monolithic Uluru is embedded in the remote Australian outback and drawshundreds of visitors at dawn and dusk to watch the rock’s colours magically change with the rising and setting of the sun. Some people choose to scale this sandstone giant even though the rock’s custodians[1], the Anangu people, ask visitors to keep their feet on the ground out of respect for Aboriginal spiritual beliefs. A more respectful way of exploring enigmatic Uluru is to circumnavigate it via the Base Walk, a 9.5km trail that often allows you a little solitude. Rise above the masses with a 15-minute helicopter ride over Uluru. It costs AU$120 per person; details are at www.uluru.com.

4) How do you choose destinations for you trips? What things do you take into account?

Are you likely to visit places which are:


Date: 2016-01-14; view: 874


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