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See Australia’s Iconic Uluru in 9 Different Colors -
One of the world’s largest monoliths, Ayers Rock is also one of Australia’s iconic landmarks. Located within the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park of the Northern Territory, this large sandstone formation stands more than 1,100 feet (340 meters) high with a circumference of five miles (9 km). The local Aboriginal tribe, known as Anangu, call the rock Uluru and regard it as a sacred site.

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Steeped in Aboriginal legends, the rock formation features caves containing ancient carvings and paintings. The area around Ayers Rock is home to a number of species of wildlife including rabbits, lizards, emus, bush turkeys, red kangaroo and the Woma python. Also located within the same national park, the Cultural Centre offers local art works and souvenirs in addition to exhibits about the history, myths, legends and culture surrounding Ayers Rock.
One of the rock’s peculiarities is that it changes colors dramatically with its normally terracotta hue gradually changing to blue or violet at sunset to flaming red in the mornings as the sunrises behind it.
Although climbing Ayers Rock is permitted and popular among many tourists, this activity is sometimes forbidden during times of bad weather and when the local indigenous tribe performs traditional ceremonies and rituals. While there are walking tracks around the landmark, camel and helicopter tours are also available. Ayers Rock can be accessed by way of cars rented at the airport in the resort town of Yulara or by bus tours. Ayers Rock is 270 miles (450 km) west of Alice Springs.
See Australia’s Iconic Uluru in 9 Different ColorsSee Australia’s Iconic Uluru in 9 Different Colors

Zlatni Rat in Bol – Croatia’s Most Beautiful Beach -
The allure of Croatian beaches were once a secret that were only held by a select few. The quiet, calm of Croatia is now a highly coveted holiday spot that is growing in popularity with each year. One of the most unique beaches is Zlatni Rat, a narrow spit on the island of Brac. Known as the Golden Horn, Zlatni Rat is a clear, pebble beach that is frequented by tourists for its original landscape and ever-changing coastline.

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The winds of the Adriatic Sea make Zlatni Rat a popular spot for both sunbathers and windsurfers. It is easy to stay cool with the warm breezes and sea spray enveloping those who lounge on the beach from the three angles of the Golden Horn. Likewise, windsurfers can take full advantage of the gentle, westward winds. Even those who do not enjoy windsurfing can find watching the brightly hued sails as the bob throughout the water.

The beach is supplied with sunbeds, umbrellas, and paddle boats that may be rented. Likewise, tourists can take advantage of the shade offered by a thick grove of pinewoods in the middle of the beach. Naturists can also enjoy Zlatni Rat as the western coves, Paklina, are clothing optional.

Zlatni Rat is most popular in mid-summer. Those who are able to visit in June or September may have the best chances of enjoying a warm, dry holiday without sharing the beach with too many other guests. The beach is accessible year-round, but facilities, including lifeguards, are only available from May through October. Like most beaches in Croatia, Zlatni Rat is comprised of pebbles rather than sand. Most guests will want beach shoes if they are not accustomed to walking on this type of land.

Beach-goers can find refreshments directly on the beach or they can walk to a nearby cafe or resort. Zlatni Rat is located closest to Bol. The oldest town on the island, it has a great selection of reasonably priced restaurants and cafe-bars. As Zlatni Rat is arguably the town’s most noteworthy tourist attraction, there are a number of businesses that cater to those who visit the beach. Some of these include scuba diving companies and windsurfing lessons for first-timers who want to experience this favorite activity.

A trip to Zlatni Rat is characterized by days on the beach, but there is much more to this paradise than the smell of saltwater and a hot, beating sun. Rent a scooter or bike in Bol to explore the town. Stop in a local cafe to try Bolski Plavac, a wine that is infused with herbs and is unique to Bol. Travel to the Hermitage of Blaca, an ancient and picturesque monastery. The Dominican Monastery in Bol also offers a break from the midday sun with its museum, gallery, and garden.
Zlatni Rat in Bol – Croatia’s Most Beautiful BeachZlatni Rat in Bol – Croatia’s Most Beautiful Beach

Discover the Hvalsey Church in Greenland -
Visitors to Greenland, a large island found in the North Atlantic, encounter a mixture of Inuit and Norse history as well as a view of nature rarely seen. It is dotted with small villages and few roads. Hvalsey (also known as Whale Island), is found near Qaqortoq, the largest town in southern Greenland. It is in the fjord of Hvalsey. This area contains the best preserved and largest site of Norse ruins, notably the Hvalsey Church, one of the first Christian churches on the continent of North America.
Before Columbus had even thought about finding a new, shorter route to India, Norse settlers had established communities in Greenland. Hvalsey, a farmstead in the Eastern Settlement, was the largest of three Viking settlements there. Norse farmers from Iceland settled it in about 985. Vikings in Greenland built the Hvalsey Church during the middle of the 12th century to serve the Christians living in Hvalsey Fjord and the nearby area.
When it was at its peak, the Hvalsey Parish area included the church as well as 14 other buildings. Archaeologists believe that these may have included storehouses, residential homes or the priest’s home. Other ruins may be those of a banquet hall and a residential complex.
Most signs of the other buildings have disappeared, but the Hvalsey Church still has all four walls, between 4.5 and 6 meters (15 and 20 feet) high, as well as the openings for two windows and three entrances. The wooden interior and the roof are no longer there, but the church itself looks very much like it did when the settlers abandoned it in the 15th century.
The farmstead, of which Hvalsey Church was a part, was occupied from the 11th century through the 15th century. On September 16, 1408, a wedding was held at the church, and the documentation of this celebration is the last record of the Vikings living there. A short time later, they disappeared from Greenland for unknown reasons. Some archaeologists think that climate changes made it difficult to farm and ranch, while others believe that identity and economic problems caused the Vikings to return to their ancestral homes.
Not knowing whether the old Norse civilization remained in Greenland or not an expedition led by the Norwegian missionary Hans Egede was sent to Greenland in 1721. The expedition found no surviving Vikings.
Today, Hvalsey is located near the town of Qaqortoq, with about 3,000 inhabitants still the fourth-largest town in Greenland. Visiting the ruins of Hvalsey Church is like taking a pilgrimage back in time. Along with a view of the idyllic area in which these early explorers lived, these ruins are all that is left of the story of medieval Catholicism in Greenland.
Discover the Hvalsey Church in GreenlandDiscover the Hvalsey Church in Greenland

Discover the Hvalsey Church in Greenland -
Visitors to Greenland, a large island found in the North Atlantic, encounter a mixture of Inuit and Norse history as well as a view of nature rarely seen. It is dotted with small villages and few roads. Hvalsey (also known as Whale Island), is found near Qaqortoq, the largest town in southern Greenland. It is in the fjord of Hvalsey. This area contains the best preserved and largest site of Norse ruins, notably the Hvalsey Church, one of the first Christian churches on the continent of North America.
Before Columbus had even thought about finding a new, shorter route to India, Norse settlers had established communities in Greenland. Hvalsey, a farmstead in the Eastern Settlement, was the largest of three Viking settlements there. Norse farmers from Iceland settled it in about 985. Vikings in Greenland built the Hvalsey Church during the middle of the 12th century to serve the Christians living in Hvalsey Fjord and the nearby area.
When it was at its peak, the Hvalsey Parish area included the church as well as 14 other buildings. Archaeologists believe that these may have included storehouses, residential homes or the priest’s home. Other ruins may be those of a banquet hall and a residential complex.
Most signs of the other buildings have disappeared, but the Hvalsey Church still has all four walls, between 4.5 and 6 meters (15 and 20 feet) high, as well as the openings for two windows and three entrances. The wooden interior and the roof are no longer there, but the church itself looks very much like it did when the settlers abandoned it in the 15th century.
The farmstead, of which Hvalsey Church was a part, was occupied from the 11th century through the 15th century. On September 16, 1408, a wedding was held at the church, and the documentation of this celebration is the last record of the Vikings living there. A short time later, they disappeared from Greenland for unknown reasons. Some archaeologists think that climate changes made it difficult to farm and ranch, while others believe that identity and economic problems caused the Vikings to return to their ancestral homes.
Not knowing whether the old Norse civilization remained in Greenland or not an expedition led by the Norwegian missionary Hans Egede was sent to Greenland in 1721. The expedition found no surviving Vikings.
Today, Hvalsey is located near the town of Qaqortoq, with about 3,000 inhabitants still the fourth-largest town in Greenland. Visiting the ruins of Hvalsey Church is like taking a pilgrimage back in time. Along with a view of the idyllic area in which these early explorers lived, these ruins are all that is left of the story of medieval Catholicism in Greenland.
Discover the Hvalsey Church in GreenlandDiscover the Hvalsey Church in Greenland

Inside Chefchaouen: Morocco’s Stunning Blue City -
Chefchaouen may be blue, perhaps the bluest city in the world, but that doesn’t mean it’s said. It’s because everything in this Moroccan city, from buildings to lamp posts and garbage cans, is painted blue.
The city’s blueness is a tradition that dates back to the 15th century when Jews fled Spain because of the religious upheaval that was taking place. They settled in Chefchaouen and soon began turning the city blue, starting with their own buildings. The color blue, they believed, was the color of heaven and reminded them of God. The tradition is still going strong today.

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Most of the city’s Jewish population moved on to Israel after World War II, but they left behind their heritage of blue buildings. The tradition is not likely to change, either, since the city government furnishes special paintbrushes to keep painting the town blue.

This everything-in-blue concept makes Chefchaouen one of the hottest tourist spots in Morocco. Indeed, this monochromatic color scheme is what endears the city to visitors. But there’s more to Chefchaouen, or Chaouen as it’s known in Morocco, that blue houses, streets and mosques. For starters, there’s the old fortress in the center of town. This city of 43,000 people was founded in 1471, with the fortress going up shortly after to protect Morocco from Portuguese invaders.

You can spend a day just wandering through the old town, but this may not be as easy as you think. Chefchaouen is built on a hill, and visitors say walking up and down the hill under Morocco’s hot sun can be tiring; they’d all do it again, however.
The Muslim city of Chefchaouen has several mosques that are worth a look. The mosques are less crowded than others found elsewhere in Morocco; their shades of blue make them even more relaxing. The Grand Mosque dominates Place Uta Hammam, the town square in the medina, while another is dedicated to the patron saint of the Jebalah region located in northern Morocco.

After you’ve seen the mosques, take a lead from the late French actor Charles Boyer and head over to the Kasbah, which also sits prominently on the town square. The Kasbah was once a prison but has been restored to its glory days, complete with an Andalusian-style garden. It now houses a museum dedicated to the history and life of Chefchaouen. If you climb to the top, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the city or you can descend to the dungeon used in the days the Kasbah was a prison.
Chefchaouen’ s medina is a shopper’s paradise where you can buy handcrafts you may not find anywhere else in Morocco. Besides wool clothing and woven camel-hair blankets, be on the lookout for jewelry, silver plates, Moroccan slippers and intricately designed pottery. Haggling over the price is part of the game here.

If sightseeing and shopping make you hungry, the medina is the perfect place for a meal. Chefchaouen is famous for its fish tagine, or stew, made with vegetables and lots of spices, all served over couscous. Pair it with some bread made in a wood-fired oven, and end the meal with a cup of traditional mint tea.

When it’s time to add a little green to your journey, heed into the Rif Mountains that surround Chefchaouen. Chefchaouen, the city and the district, gets its name from the nearby mountains because the mountain tops are shaped like two horns. Ichaouen is a Berber word that means horns. You can hike through the mountains and picturesque valleys, all in contrast to the desert just a short ways away. Whether you’re on a hike that lasts one day or several, you’ll come across amazing views to relax your soul.
Chefchaouen is accessible only by car, well, maybe you might spot a camel rider or two in the distance. If you don’t stop en route, it takes just over two hours to drive the 115 miles from Tangier.
Inside Chefchaouen: Morocco’s Stunning Blue CityInside Chefchaouen: Morocco’s Stunning Blue City

10 More Amazing Attractions in Brazil -
Brazil is a land of contrasts, from the wild jungles of the Amazon Rainforest, to the beautiful white sand beaches of the Atlantic Coast to its cultural heart at Rio. Brazil is the country that gave the world the rowdy Carnival, which reaches its apex in Rio de Janeiro, and the sensuous samba, which also originated in Rio. It is a country that not only gave the world the Bossa Nova, but is one where its most famous song, The Girl from Ipanema, put a beach on the map.
Brazil, the largest country in Latin America, became a Portuguese colony in 1500, remaining under Portuguese rule for 300 years. Remnants of this heritage can be seen throughout historic colonial cities even today. Brazil also has gorgeous beaches, famed for their surfing waves and scenic beauty. Great beaches can be found in the Rio area, while others may be so isolated getting there is an adventure in itself.
Travelers who dare to brave the wild rainforests of this South American country will find plant and animal species found nowhere else on earth. They’ll also find other wildlife such as sleek jaguars, giant anacondas and tapirs. These travelers may not have the luxuries of visitors to Rio or Sao Paolo, but the tradeoffs may be worth it.
This former Portuguese colony thus has something that will appeal to every tourist. We’ve covered Brazil’s top attractions in a previous article. Here’s a look at some more amazing attractions that are perhaps not as well known but are well worth a visit.


Travelers who like beaches are likely to gravitate to Buzios, a resort town 105 miles from Rio de Janeiro. Buzios has 23 beaches, catering to a different tourist, i.e., surfers will like Geriba while families may prefer Tartaruga. The waterfront features a fishing village with a harbor filled with colorful boats. Popular activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, bike riding, shopping for crafts, and dining on the Rua das Pedras.
One of Brazil’s first national parks, Aparados da Serra was created to protect Itaimbezinho, one of the most impressive canyons in Brazil. Fringed with subtropical forest, the narrow canyon features sheer parallel escarpments with a depth of almost 720 meters (2360 feet). Two waterfalls cascade into a stone plunge pool that spills over into the Rio do Boi, which winds its narrow way along the canyon bottom. A steep rocky path leads to river from the canyon rim, but it’s a tough, hair-raising walk that shouldn’t be undertaken lightly.
When does a Roman Catholic cathedral not look like a cathedral? When it’s designed by Oscar Niemeyer. The Cathedral of Brasília is unique among cathedrals. It is composed of 16 concrete columns, each weighing 0 tons, which resemble an Indian teepee more than a church. Completed in 1970, statues of the Four Evangelists, designed by Dante Croce, grace the front. Indeed, there is nothing very traditional about this innovative church.
Pelourinho is the historic center of Salvador, which was the first colonial capital of Brazil, and one of the oldest cities in the Americas, being established in 1549. The Pelourinho, which translates as “pillory.” is where slaves were punished. This old town is filled with graceful, colorfully painted pastel buildings, music and dancing in the streets. It’s a good place to buy local crafts as well as enjoy a traditional prawn dish.
Ilha Grande, or “Big Island,” is a beautiful island off Rio de Janeiro that is largely undeveloped. It was first a leper colony and then was home to a maximum security prison that closed in 1994. Consequently, beautiful tropical beaches and virgin Atlantic rainforest abound on Ilha Grande. Vila do Abraão, the largest city on the island, has only 1,00 people. Motorized vehicles are banned from the island.
Chapada dos Veadeiros is a national park in Goias state about 240 km (150 miles) from Brasilia. Many travelers say their visit here was the highlight of their Brazilian trip: cascading waterfalls, lush greenery, wildlife and hiking trails. They warn, however, that some of the hiking trails are demanding so hikers need to be in good physical condition. They recommend at least two days in the park.
Jericoacoara, more commonly known as Jeri, may be hard to reach, involving bouncing over dirt roads, but the trip to reach this unspoiled beach town just may be worth it. Hammocks over the water, white sand beaches, sandy roads that usually don‘t allow motor vehicles all combine to make Jeri a charming place to just chill out. A popular activity is watching stunning sunsets from atop the Por do Sol dune.
Depending on one’s perspective, the Museu de Arte Contemporânea (Modern Art Museum) looks either like an upside down light fixture, a UFO or an elegant serving bowl. Designed by noted architect Oscar Niemeyer, the museum opened in 1996 in the Niteroi suburb city of Rio where it overlooks Rio and the bay. Some visitors say the building itself is more impressive than its contents.
The Curitiba-Paranagua Train Ride, officially known as the Serra Verde Express, is considered one of the most scenic train rides in Brazil: It cuts through the Atlantic rainforest, going through 14 tunnels and crossing 30 bridges on its 84 km (52-mile) route between modern Curitiba and historic Paranagua in Parana state. Six days a week, the ride ends in Morretes, only continuing to coastal Paranagua on Sundays.
Travelers who enjoy walking without fear of hit by motor vehicles will appreciate Parati (also spelled Paraty) as vehicles aren’t allowed in the historic town center. With colorful buildings and pristine beaches, Paraty is considered one of Brazil’s historic gems. Located 0 km (125 miles) south of Rio, horseback riding through the rainforest that ends at the sea is the area’s top attraction. Centuries ago, this 16th century colonial town was a major exporter of gold to Europe.
10 More Amazing Attractions in Brazil10 More Amazing Attractions in Brazil