1. Amorgos Island, Greece

SEE ALSO: Mediterranean House in Tinos Island, Greece by Zege Architects

2. Nuuk, Greenland

3. Berlin, Germany

4. Paradise Island, Bahamas

5. San Francisco, California

6. Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England

7. Cinque Terre, Italy

8. Cape Town, South Africa

9. Gamla Stan, Stockholm

10. Barranco, Lima, Peru

11. Burano, Italy

SEE ALSO: Burano, Italy – The Most Colorful in Europe

12. Trinidad, Cuba

13. Pattaya, Thailand

14. Bristol, England

15. Caminito, Buenos Aires

SEE ALSO: Argentina [PHOTO PEEK]

16. Wroclaw, Poland

17. St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada

18. Santa Maria in Rio de Janeiro

19. Longyearbyen, Svallbard, Norway

20. Willemstad, Curacao, Caribbean

21. Provence Village of Menton, Provence-Alpes Cote d’Azur, France

22. Naples, Italy

23. Isla Mujeres, Mexico

24. Brighton Beach, Melbourne, Australia

25. Chefchaouen, Morocco

SEE ALSO: Chefchaouen – the Blue City of Morocco

(BONUS) 26. Nubia, Aswan, Egypt

SEE ALSO: The Breathtaking Views at Mount Sinai in Egypt

[Images via CNNGO, Buzzfeed]

When you hear 1-bedroom apartment, you mostly relate it to being economic, on a tight budget, or single. Well, this is not the case here. This elite crib – the House - is a 411.932 sq m (4,434 square foot) 1-Bedroom apartment, listed at a whopping 1.8 billion yen ($21.8 million USD) in the exclusive and most expensive neighborhood Minami-Azabu of Tokyo, Japan. Priced at an unbelievable $4,920.75 per square foot, the apartment is considered the world most expensive, and here’s why:

• Almost all furniture in the home is custom designed by Cecotti Collezioni
• Many of the walls, flooring and doors are Italian imported stone and wood
• Features a Japanese ‘Ryotei’ style dining room for dinner parties allowing chef to serve guests directly from gourmet kitchen
• Parisian-style terrace overlooking Arisugawa park
• Features original works from famous Japanese artist Hiroshi Senju, painted on site
• Entrance hallway has walls that open up to massive 200-pair shoe storage unit
• Features massive, fully enclosed courtyard garden
• 1 full bath, 2 partial baths
• All kitchen appliances by La Cornue

It’s a nice design with some beautiful interior decorating and fabulous outdoor spaces, but it’s still a 1-bedroom apartment!

[Photography copyrights: Japan Sotheby’s International Realty] [Source]

Perhaps it’s too much to imagine and not the best subject to wish for, but safety and distance from world conflict can be a motivating factor in your choice to expatriate. At the very least, conflict around the world can weigh heavy on the soul, and it’s nice to know there are some places still left in the world where you might be left in peace. According to the Global Peace Index, an index  comprising 23 indicators measuring the absence of violence or fear of violence, these are the top 10 countries to live if you want to escape world conflict. Here’s the countdown:

10. Switzerland

Switzerland’s long history of neutrality and its tucked away location among the valleys of the Alps still make it a safe bet, even despite having a high number of bordering nations. It helps that neighboring Austria is also considered a neutral nation.

9. Finland

Finland has a long history of desiring to stay out of international conflicts, is recognized as neutral and always ranks in the top 10 of the Global Peace Index. It’s northerly location also typically means the remote areas of this country are a perfect place to disappear.

8. Slovenia

Slovenia is one of the youngest European countries, becoming an independent state in 1991, after the collapse of the Yugoslav federation. The country has took upon itself the aim to stay away from any future world conflict and concentrate on the development of its standard of living. Over the past 3 years it has jumped up from the 11th spot to the 8th spot on the Global Peace Index, achieving steadily towards more stability and development.Several measures of safety and security in Slovenian society receive the lowest possible scores, including the level of violent crime, the proportion of the population in jail and the rate of homicides, although violent demonstrations are considered to be more likely than in neighboring Austria.

6. Ireland (tie)

Ireland is relatively isolated from mainland Europe and expansively well developed. It shares borders with only Northern Ireland, sits relatively distant from any other nation, has no real national enemies. Ireland’s score improved considerably and it re-entered the top ten in the 2012 GPI, after two successive deterioration linked to the economic and political crises. The political scene stabilized after a new coalition government.

6. Austria (tie)

Sharing the 6th spot with Ireland, Austria has been keeping itself away from any conflicts. Since the conclusion of the Austrian State Treaty in 1955, neutrality remains a guiding principle of Austrian foreign policy in that Austria does not belong to any military alliance, does not host foreign troops on its territory and that does not participate in armed conflicts. Tucked in the mountainous region of central Europe, it shares a border with #10 on the list, Switzerland.

5. Japan

Japan retained its position as the fifth-most peaceful nation for a second year. Boasting high levels of internal peace and lack of civil unrest, despite its “tense relations” with China and North Korea. Measures of societal safety and security, such as the level of violent crime, the likelihood of violent demonstrations and the number of homicides in Japan are among the lowest in the world.

4. Canada

Canada is the second largest nation in the world, yet it only shares a land border with one other country– the U.S.A.– and it is a peaceful border. That means there is a great expanse to escape to, if need be. Furthermore, Canada has few world enemies, ranks consistently high on the Global Peace Index, and is relatively homogeneous.

2. Denmark (tie)

Denmark’s GPI score improved for the second successive year, contributing to a rise to joint second place, alongside New Zealand. This partly reflects a fall in military spending (to a relatively modest 1.3%). Denmark is free from internal conflict and it enjoys good relations with neighboring countries. Rates of violent crime and homicide are very low, violent demonstrations are highly unlikely and just 74 people per 100,000 are in jail, one of the lowest proportions in Europe.

2. New Zealand (tie)

New Zealand might be the most isolated and expansive fully developed nation in the world. It shares no borders, sits relatively distant from any other nation, has no real national enemies, has a safe democracy and a diverse landscape with many remote places to hide away within. Furthermore, it ranked #1 on the Global Peace Index in 2009, and has slipped by a slight margin to the #2 spot, tailing Iceland.

1. Iceland

The first for the second successive year, Iceland, of course, has no borders, has remote locations, is stable as a country and has virtually no world enemies. Its people are happy and the nation has always ranked highly on the Global Peace Index. If world conflict erupts, Iceland is one of the few stable nations in the world unlikely to get caught up in the middle.

Here are some of the key findings for last year’s Global Peace Index:

For the sixth consecutive year, Western Europe remains markedly the most peaceful region with the majority of its countries ranking in the top 20. The Asia Pacific region’s overall score improved by the largest margin over the 2011-2012 period.

• The world became slightly more peaceful in the last year – bucking a two-year trend.
• All regions excluding the Middle East and North Africa saw an improvement.
• Sub-Saharan Africa for the first time is not the least peaceful region.
• Iceland is the country most at peace for the second successive year.
• Syria tumbles by largest margin dropping over 30 places to 147th position.
• Somalia remains world’s least peaceful nation for second year running.
• End of civil war sees Sri Lanka as biggest riser, leaping nearly 30 places.
• Sub-Saharan Africa’s levels of peacefulness have increased steadily since 2007 with improvements in ‘Relationships with neighboring nations’, ‘Availability of small arms and light weapons’, and ‘Number of deaths from internal conflict’.
• North America experienced a slight improvement, continuing a trend since 2007.
• Latin America also experienced an overall gain in peacefulness, with 16 of the 23 nations seeing improvements to their GPI scores since 2011.

For further details, make sure to check out the full GPI report.

Here are some related posts you might like:

The World’s 10 Most Corrupt Countries

Top 10 World’s Richest Countries in 2012

[Source: Global Peace Index]

Some of the world’s largest and most densely populated cities have air that’s so polluted that people suffer from lung diseases at rates that are significantly above global averages. Birth defects in these cities are also at extraordinarily high levels, as are heart disease and cancer rates.

Many of these cities are among the fastest-growing in the world. And in some, residents burn wood and coal for warmth, releasing additional deadly pollution into the atmosphere.

But which cities have the world’s worst air? To compile such a list, 24/7 Wall St has reviewed several dozen studies on air quality conducted over the past few years, along with data from government websites and private sources. The review examined data about the following pollutants:

• Sulfur dioxide: Produced when fossil fuels are burned and is the primary cause of acid rain. Exposure causes eye irritation, coughing, worsening of asthma and respiratory-tract infections.
• Nitrogen dioxide: Produced by generators, power plants and motor vehicles. It has been shown to cause bronchitis and other pulmonary diseases.
• Particulates: Refers to a variety of small pollutants, including lead, dust, ammonia, soot and pulverized minerals. They’re a leading cause of lung cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mortality in cities with high levels of particulates “exceeds that observed in relatively cleaner cities by 15% to 20%.”

With that background, here are 24/7′s 10 cities with the worst air quality:

1) Beijing, China (tie)

Beijing’s air quality has become so bad that the city has recently been engulfed in a hazardous haze. As a result, schools have been forced to cancel outdoor activities, and health experts have asked that children, the elderly and people with respiratory ailments stay indoors. The city recorded the world’s highest level of sulfur dioxide concentrations for 2000 to 2005 and has the third-highest level of nitrogen dioxide behind only Sao Paulo and Mexico City. Pollution improved in 2008 because officials banned roughly half of the city’s cars when it hosted the Olympic Games. Of course, the air got worse again after the games left town.

1) New Delhi, India (tie)

According to WHO’s most recent findings, New Delhi ranks second in concentrations in particulates, at a level more than six times higher than what WHO considers safe. According to the Harvard International Review, two in every five of the city’s 13.8 million residents suffer from respiratory illness. The report says the main cause of New Delhi’s air pollution is car exhaust and dust kicked up from overcrowded roads. As a result, construction workers and taxi drivers are most at risk for debilitating illness or even early death.

3) Santiago, Chile

According to WHO, a city’s airborne particulate matter should not exceed 50 micro-grams per cubic meter. In Santiago, an alert is issued when the level hits 200 micro-grams. In 2008, on some days the city reached 444 micro-grams. Additionally, Santiago has the second-highest level of ground-level ozone, according to WHO.

4) Mexico City, Mexico

According to researchers from the University of Salzburg, Mexico City has high concentrations of nearly every major harmful airborne pollutant, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. By far the worst problem gripping the city is the massive cloud of smog that hangs over it almost every day. Mexico City has the highest level of ground-level ozone in the world, according to WHO.

5) Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

In Ulaanbaatar, the annual average particulate matter concentrations are 14 times higher than WHO’s recommended level. The city’s poor air quality has caused high incidences of chronic bronchitis and cardiovascular diseases. A thick smog often blankets the city, and at times daytime visibility is so poor that cars must use their headlights.

6) Cairo, Egypt

The most recent WHO data ranked Cairo as having the second-highest levels of particulates in the world after New Delhi. Another WHO report, issued a few years ago, equated living in the city of 17.8 million to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Because Egypt doesn’t use unleaded gasoline, citizens are exposed to high levels of lead every day. On occasion, Cairo is also under what’s commonly called “the black cloud”: a dense, poisonous mass of smoke caused by the seasonal burning of rice ashes by local farmers.

7) Chongqing, China

One of the fastest-growing cities in China, Chongqing has extremely high levels of air pollution because of coal-burning by power plants and industry. The poor air quality is sickening the city’s residents. Studies have found that 4.63% of children under 14 suffer from asthma, although prevalence in girls may be under-reported due to cultural bias. Levels of nitrogen oxide are rising because of vehicle emissions.

8) Guangzhou, China

Guangzhou, a provincial capital, has a population of roughly 12 million and one of the worst levels of particulates in China. Total suspended particles, according to a 2007 study, were worse than in Beijing. Sulfur dioxide levels, according to the most recent WHO data, were second only to Beijing. As industrial production and traffic within Guangzhou continue to increase, more people are suffering from shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness, weakness and nausea.

9) Hong Kong

Hong Kong features excessive levels of nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. The Air Pollution Index, which rates the likelihood of people getting ill from breathing a city’s air, has recently reached 500, the highest possible level, for multiple parts of Hong Kong. This year saw the worst levels of pollution since 1995, prompting the government to warn people against doing outdoor activities. These levels were 12 to 14 times worse than WHO standards. No wonder a recent Gallup poll has shown that 70% of Hong Kong’s population are dissatisfied with their horrible air quality.

10) Kabul, Afghanistan

Because of the war in Afghanistan, the nation’s capital has been flooded by refugees from the surrounding countryside. According to an NPR report, Kabul’s infrastructure is designed for about 500,000 residents, but it now supports more than 5 million. The overcrowded city is full of wood-burning stoves, and gas-powered generators are commonly used to supply electricity that a war-ravaged grid cannot provide. Cars use leaded gasoline, and residents sometimes burn plastic tires to stay warm. As a result of the increasingly high levels of dangerous particulates in the air, President Hamid Karzai has declared a state of emergency in the capital city. According to the director for the Ministry of Public Health, “Air pollution is a huge problem here, it leads to so many diseases — respiratory diseases, allergies, miscarriages and even cancer.”

[Via 24/7 Wall St, Daily Finance]

Here is the Road Trip map of America, including its 3 best routes which have left visitors overwhelmed and stunned by the road before the destination:

And the Top 3 are:

Road Trip to Colorado

This 390-mile (630-kilometer) road trip begins in Denver, Colorado, crosses through Rocky Mountain National Park, and continues north into Wyoming, where a world of sagebrush and enormous skies are punctuated by the occasional cluster of civilization. Gas stations can be far apart. Cattle are abundant, outnumbering people, as is wildlife — keep an eye out for roaming pronghorn, elk, and moose. Circling through the mountains and along the prairie’s edge, this drive is stunning in any season, but parts of it are impassable in the winter, when snow buries the roads.

You can take chair lifts at various ski mountains and enjoy the exceptional views such as those of lakes, golf course, fishing spots, rafting sight and rock climbing topography. All these incredible views can make it a journey of your lifetime. The lush green mountainous view in summer and sugar-coated wonderland in winter adds to the beauty of the place.

Road Trip to the Coast of California

An exhilarating driving experience, this twisting, cliff-hugging, 123-mile (198-kilometer) route along the central California coast takes about five hours to complete at a leisurely pace. Designated an All-American Road—among the nation’s most scenic—the drive encompasses both the Big Sur Coast Highway and the San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway.

The route starts in historic Monterey, visits the art colony of Carmel, and threads through Big Sur, where mountains plunge into the Pacific. Farther south, the landscape mellows to oak-studded hills as the road passes Hearst Castle on its way to Morro Bay. In places, the road has narrow shoulders and sharp drop-offs, so stay alert. This route can be tricky for RVs or other oversize vehicles.

Road Trip to Grand Canyon, Arizona

This is the mother of all road trips destination – the one which tops the list and is looked upon as one of the wonders. The beauty of the place is such that it is virtually impossible to express in words. Every year, a staggering five million people flock to Arizona to see the Grand Canyon’s sweeping views, hike its trails, and hop on a mule for a trip through the vast canyon.

The road to the Grand Canyon from the south crosses a gently rising plateau that gives no hint at what is about to unfold. You wonder if you have made a wrong turn. All at once an immense gorge a mile deep and up to 18 miles wide opens up. The scale is so vast that even from the best vantage point only a fraction of the canyon’s 277 miles can be seen.

Nearly five million people travel here each year; 90 percent first see the canyon from the South Rim with its dramatic views into the deep inner gorge of the Colorado River. So many feet have stepped cautiously to the edge of major overlooks that in places the rock has been polished smooth. But most of the park’s 1,904 square miles are maintained as wilderness. You can avoid crowds by hiking the park’s many trails or driving to the cool evergreen forests of the North Rim where people are fewer and viewing is more leisurely. The Grand Canyon boasts some of the nation’s cleanest air, with visibility on clear days averaging 90 to 110 miles.

[Source]

Below are the top 10 Pictures of the day for 2012. I can’t thank you enough for taking the time out of your day to check out the site. May you continue to be inspired, educated and entertained by our beautiful planet and all that inhabit it. Enjoy the peek!

10. Unsafe Journey

(Photo by: Amy Helene Johansson) (Full Size image + Info)

9. And the Alligator Said “See You Later”

(Photo by: Marina Scarr) (Full Size image + Info)

8. Central Park Panorama

(Photo by: Sergey Semenov) (Full Size image + Info)

7. First Contact

(Photo by: Christopher Wright of CMGW Photography) (Full Size image + Info)

6. Hong Kong in a Morning

(Photo by: Michail Vorobyev) (Full Size image + Info)

5. Winter in Alexandria, Egypt

(Photo by: Amy El Shaarawy) (Full Size image + Info)

4. The Blue Dragon by Steve Richards, Rendered or Real?

(Photo by: Steven Richards) (Full Size image + Info)

3. Cat Vs. Mantis

(Photo by: Brooke Pennington) (Full Size image + Info)

2. NYC Skyline Over the Years (1876-2013)

(Full Size image + Info)

1. A Bug on A Bike

(Photo by: Tustel Ico) (Full Size image + Info)

If you’ve enjoyed our finalists, take a look at the full section of “Picture of the Day” for 2012 here. More stunning images to come in 2013!

1. What Happens in Bookstores at Night [VIDEO]

January 11, 2012 - Sean Ohlenkamp and wife Lisa, after organizing their own bookshelf at home, they re-gathered their efforts for Type Bookstore in Toronto, Canada. They spent sleepless nights of animating books with a crew of over 20 people. The creation resulted in Joy of Books, with music produced especially for the short film by Grayson Matthews. The animation is definitely the perfect marketing for the Canadian bookshop. Watch the video

2. The World on a Water Drop by Markus Reugels

January 21, 2012 - Representing a live example of experimental photography taking a leap forward with creations as Liquid Art by Markus Reugels, by capturing liquids in motion, he produces amazingly artistic images showing-off the physics of the material. Part of his photography series, called Refractions creates images reflected on drops of water.

3. The Result of Thousands of Stickers Given to Thousands of Kids

January 12, 2012 - Yayoi Kusama’s legendary installation, Obliteration Room, where thousands of children were given colorful stickers and unbridled freedom in a stark white room… More photos

4. Luminarie De Cagna’s Cathedral of Light Made From 55,000 LEDs

February 4, 2012 - 55,000 LED lights is what it took to build this breathtaking cathedral at the Light Festival in Ghent, Belgium. Created by Luminarie De Cagna, the building is entirely established out of LEDs, adding to the town of Belfortstraat a glowing psychedelic aura. The result is arguably beautiful enough to make anybody impressed. More photos

5. The Scale of the Universe – from Micro to Colossal by Cary Huang [An Interactive Flash]

March 25, 2012 - The Scale of the Universe in an inspiring interactive animation by Cary Huang, displaying an entertaining and detailed comparison between different creatures and objects that exists within our universe. Try it yourself! Press Start, wait shortly for it load, use the right/ left scroll bar for zooming in and out, and click on any object for some brief info, Enjoy the knowledge!

6. A Sweet Time-Lapse Video of Lisbon, Portugal by José Costa Barbosa

March 23, 2012 - Photographer, director and editor José Costa Barbosa made this heart-warming time-lapse video of Lisbon, Portugal, showing a corner of Europe many of us might not be familiar with. Watch the video

7. The All-Villas Reethi Rah Resort in Maldives by One&Only

March 7, 2012 - The Indian Ocean has always acted as a heat buffer, absorbing, storing, and slowly releasing the tropical heat that creates the amazing weather The Maldives have, making it one of the top tourism destinations for traveler seeking ocean-side privacy and warmth. Today we’re featuring a photo gallery of one of the most breathtaking resorts, that blends the optimum weather, beaches, exclusivity and luxury, The Reethi Rah Resort located on the largest island of North Malé Atoll, Maldives. The full gallery

8. Top 10 World’s Richest Countries in 2012

March 9, 2012 - Forbes magazine published an article recently on the richest 15 countries in the world and the surprise was that on top of this list is the Arab state of Qatar. Qatar topped a list that classifies countries on the basis of per capita gross domestic product, where the annual per capita income in it exceeds 88 Thousand  Dollars. Read more

9. Astronaut Andre Kuipers Shares Stunning Images of Earth from Space

April 11, 2012 - In space, 28,000 km/h, 400 km above Earth, Dutch astronaut and physician Andre Kuipers is currently on a 191-days research mission at the International Space Station. Lately, he’s been sharing with the world some of the most amazing views of our beloved home planet up from his perspective. Don’t feel surprised to know that the breathtaking imagery is shot using only his Nikon D3S and not a sophisticated satellite photo-snapping device. The spectacular views of the universe’s constant activity and the spectrum of colors it offers is absolutely magnificent. Full gallery

10. A Bug on A Bike by Tustel Ico

April 9, 2012 - Photographer Tustel Ico of Borneo, Indonesia, captured a brilliant macro shot of a Praying Mantis sitting on two budding leaves which made it look like a bicycle ride. Just amazing! Full size image

11. Dubai’s Fog makes a Skyscraper City in the Clouds

April 19, 2012 - Over the past decade, Dubai‘s Skyline has quickly developed to be one of the most iconic in the world, featuring the highest skyscraper on the planet, the Burj Khalifa at 828 meters (2700 feet) high.  Twice a year, the city gets a thick layer of fog, in March and September, during season change. The moisture in the morning cools and the fog start to appear with the towers of the city penetrating the carpet of fog. British developer Ian Powell, from Brighton, has been able to use his work site visits to take amazing pictures of the skyline over the last eight years. Full gallery

12. Instagram Socialmatic Hardware Camera Concept by ADR Studio

May 8, 2012 - Over the past 2 years Instagram, a smartphone-based application, has gained extreme popularity as a photo-sharing service that adds a little vintage touch to the users images and publishes them online in a community that has already reached a whopping 50 million users… Concept gallery

13. Project “Blow Job” by Lithuanian Photographer Tadao Cern

May 17, 2012 - Have you ever stuck your head out of the car window as a kid to get the roller-coaster-like feel of winds blowing through your teeth and gums?! I’m sure you’ve enjoyed it at least once. Lithuanian photographer and artist Tadao Cern decided to recreate the look of peoples faces enduring gale-force winds through this hilarious photo-shoot entitled, Blow Job. Full gallery

14. The Unique Toys of Child’s Own Studio

May 26, 2012 - Wendy Tsao, a talented lady from Vancouver, BC, came out with an outstanding idea of turning drawings of kids into real toys using the child’s own imagination. The result overcame any expectations. Full gallery

15. 40 Images from the National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest 2012

July 20, 2012 - The 24th annual National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest for 2012. gathered from four categories: Travel Portraits, Outdoor Scenes, Sense of Place, and Spontaneous Moments. Full gallery

16. How Information Overload is Negatively Impacting our Brains [infographic]

August 5, 2012 - From your personal computer to your smart phone and tablet, most people do not recognize the importance of just switching off anything digital and taking a break! This excellent infographic by OnlineUniversities.com shows how acutely information overload affects productivity. Full Infographic

17. A Heartwarming Time-Lapse Video of Egypt’s Beautiful Alexandria

September 30, 2012 - Egypt-based photographer, director and editor Abd El Rahman Gabr, of Koree Films, has teamed up with photographer Mohamed Chehimi to create this heart-warming time-lapse video of Alexandria, Egypt‘s 2nd largest city. Watch video

18. 10 Most Hated Cities in the World

September 2, 2012 - The following cities within the countdown are not hated for being the worst cities in the world – as a mater of fact, a couple of them are ranked as the most livable - it’s because they’re the most bugging and annoying cities to visitors according to a survey underwent by CNNgo. Read more

19. Unbelievably Realistic Pencil Drawings of Sparkling Eyes

September 30, 2012 - This jaw-dropping talent of pencil sketching of the Eye, overtook my attention with the determination it took to reach such a level of detail and accuracy. More here

20. 20 Insane Perspective Shots Taken With The Awesome GoPro Camera

October 21, 2012 - GoPro, the notorious, small, wearable, waterproof and shockproof camera, built specifically for extreme sports athletes and fans. Founded by Nick Woodman, he was inspired to start a company dedicated to adventure photography after a 2002 surfing trip to Australia. More info & photos

______________________________________

Thank you so much for stopping by Urbanpeek and making this year our first big one in our blog’s 18 months of age, some huge things are coming in 2013 and we can’t wait to share them with you. To make sure you don’t miss anything be sure to follow UrbanPeek on Facebook and Twitter. Happy New Year!

1. Eiffel Tower, Paris: US $544 billion

(Image Source)

The study has found that the Eiffel Tower is Europe’s number one most valuable monument, worth US$544 billion to the French economy, nearly a fifth of the country’s gross domestic product, and worth more than its competitors combined.

The 324-meter iron tower built in 1889, originally as the entrance arch to the World’s Fair, it was named after Gustave Eiffel, the head of the company that designed and constructed the monument. Today it is the most visited paid-for attraction in the world. 7.1 million people climbed up to one of its platforms during 2011, while an estimated total of 200 million tourists have visited since it was built.

2. The Colosseum, Rome: US $114 billion

(Image Source)

The Colosseum is probably the most famous landmark in Rome. Built in the 1st century AD, this great arena could seat 45,000 spectators and was the largest Roman amphitheater in the world. It receives around 4 million tourists annually and is ranked as the 39th most visited place in the world.

3. The Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Barcelona: US $112 billion

(Image Source)

The Sagrada Família, Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, is one of Barcelona’s most popular tourist attractions. Construction on this church will continue for at least another decade, but it has already become Barcelona’s most important landmark. It has been under construction since 1882! Yet brings to Barcelona 2.5 million visitors every year.

4. The Duomo Cathedral, Milan: US $103 billion

(Image Source)

The Duomo di Milano, Milan’s magnificent Gothic cathedral, is the second largest Catholic cathedral in the world, only the Seville Cathedral is larger (St. Peter’s Basilica doesn’t count because it’s not a cathedral). Its dazzling white front façade, arguably the world’s most beautiful, dominates the cathedral square. It receives 5 million total visitors per year.

5. The Tower of London: US $89 billion

(Image Source)

It was built on the Thames by William the Conqueror to protect London and assert his power in 1066 A.D. Today the Tower of London houses the Crown Jewels and is open to the public as a museum. As of 2010 the Tower gets just over 2.55 million visitors annually.

6. The Prado Museum, Madrid: US $73 billion

(Image Source)

An 18th-century Neo-Classical building that opened in 1819 to be one of the world’s greatest art galleries. The Spanish queen at the time had been impressed with the Louvre in Paris and wanted to showcase an enormous collection in her own country. The sheer scale of the collection can make it daunting, so it is important to arrive with a few of the highlights in mind and concentrate on those. The Museo del Prado ended 2011 with almost 3 million visitors

7. Stonehenge, England: US $13 billion

(Image Source)

One of the oldest and most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is composed of a circular setting of large standing stones set within earthworks. While we can’t say with any degree of certainty what it was for, we can say that it wasn’t constructed for any casual purpose. The ancient monument receives around 800,000 visitors annually.

Along with the European monuments, the survey also put a price of US$101 billion on the White House in Washington DC.

(Image Source)

[Source]

10. Belize City, Belize

(Belize City, Belize -  image source)

A diving and cruise ship magnet that has been dubbed “Central America Lite,” “the other Caribbean” and “the gateway to the world’s second largest barrier reef.”

Crime. Drugs. Dilapidation. Welcoming committees of bored, desperate touts. A vibe that screams avoid-being-out-after-dark-and-wait-for-your-real-itinerary-to-begin. Belize City has it all.

9. Cairo, Egypt

(Abd El Moneim Riad Square in Cairo -  image source)

Crippled with air pollution, maniacal driving, ridiculous traffic, overpopulation and post-revolution stress.

Cairo is a city that impels tourists to come anyway, it is home of the world’s last remaining ancient Wonder and an incomparable wealth of history and antiquities that rank high on any serious globetrotter’s bucket list, visitors these days are forced to turn more than just a blind lung to a recent World Health Organization report that equates breathing in this city with smoking a pack a day.

8. New Delhi, India

(Delhi’s old sector -  image source)

Travel scams happen everywhere. But few cities fuel as much controversial discussions about them as India’s capital. Travel forums are always paranoid about one topic when it comes to visiting Delhi: How to avoid getting plundered outside the airport, at the train station, at your hotel and everywhere in between.

“There are plenty of cons to be aware of,” blogs TravBuddy in a post entitled “Scam City: Delhi’s Tourist Hustles and How To Avoid Them,” which lists several popular ones by name: The “Government Tourist Office” scam; The “Hotel Commission” scam; The “Fake Train Station” scam; The “Airport Transfer” scam, etc.

Chances are really high that you will be scammed anyway.

7. Jakarta, Indonesia

(Jakarta, Indonesia -  image source)

“It is a very demanding city from a traveler’s perspective, full of surprises and awaiting difficulties,” notes of one TripAdvisor expat who came to love Jakarta after six months. “Once you get to know it, you can’t have enough of it.”

It’s quite surprising to know that Indonesia’s 8 million annual tourists are arriving at Bali, Yogyakarta, Sumatra- anywhere but the capital - according to a 2011 study by the country’s Central Bureau for Statistics. The sprawling city choked with traffic, pollution, poverty and tourist “draws” largely revolving around random street adventures and an epidemic of malls

6. Lima, Peru

(Lima, Peru -  image source)

Latin America’s fifth-largest metropolis may be relativelycleaner than Mexico City, safer than Sao Paulo and beach-friendly than La Paz, yet Lima continues to quietly suffer from the worst curse in travel circles: being constantly described as a place that’s not nearly as dull as everyone else keeps saying it is.

Yet, for much of the year, a smog hangs over Lima. The city looks washed out and monochrome. When you combine this with years of news (and rumors) about Lima being unsafe, shabby or just plain boring,  it’s no wonder people overlook one of Latin America’s secret jewels.

5. Los Angeles, California – United States

(Downtown Los Angeles -  image source)

A center-less megalopolis sloppily carved into about 90 sub-cities, over 20 ailing freeways, countless area codes and a half-million strip malls with mediocre Thai food. How did a semi-arid desert without a decent water supply get so huge – and so hugely disliked?

“When you get there, there is no there, there,” says one of many underwhelmed L.A. bashers on quora.com, who adds that tourist traps like Hollywood are a total bummer. So are earthquakes, race riots, traffic pileups, smog reports, constant sirens and the logic of people who live here are okay with all of that because the weather’s nicer than wherever they moved from.

4. Timbuktu, Mali

(Timbuktu, Mali -  image source)

Nice weather for camels. A century ago, the world’s most tenacious travelers may have been awarded a brief thrill upon reaching this legendary trans-Saharan trading center hiding in the middle of nowhere.But even then, Timbuktu was nearly half-a-millennium past its golden years and largely relying on the travel industry’s most dubious selling point: being so ridiculously remote and unspectacular that even the dictionary references you as “any extremely distant place.”

Today, according to a recent British survey, a third of the public doesn’t believe that Timbuktu actually exists. Among the remaining two-thirds are those romantic, off-the-beaten-path travelers who’ve fought tooth and claw to get all the way out here only to find a stifling, sand-strewn cluster of shabby buildings staving off desertification.

3. Paris, France

(La defense district, Paris -  image source)

A handful of people might deeply disagree with Paris appearing on this list, but Paris inspires a certain love-hate relationship.

Pretty much everyone is familiar with what people already love about Paris. In the meantime, what do people not love about it, aside from the usual rude waiter stereotypes and crazy lines at the Louvre.

“I was wondering what was so special about the ‘French Breakfast’ that I saw advertised everywhere we went,” comments a frequent Paris traveler on VirtualTourist, who sat down and ordered one during his first visit to the city. “For 20 euros you get a croissant, butter, three ounces of hot chocolate, three ounces of orange juice and a small baguette. Are you kidding??”

“Don’t be too easily flattered as you approach the Place du Tertre in Montmartre,” another visitor warns about platoons of starving artists bombarding first-timers to have their portrait done. “I’ve now lost count of the number of times we’ve been told that [my husband] has ‘interesting hair.’”

“I just read of someone’s four-hour wait to ascend the Eiffel Tower and recalled the coldest I had ever been – the day I waited atop the platform on the Eiffel Tower, waiting to go to the next level.”

“We made our way to the catacombs hoping to find an extraordinary sight,” says another. “Unfortunately, it was nothing but rooms and rooms and rooms full of bones.”

Every legendary city suffers some degree of over-hype. About the gastronomy, the views, the charming street scene, music, and culture. But the dreamy expectations reserved for Paris – propagated by generations of writers who haven’t been here in awhile – are definitely over-rated.

2. Sydney & Melbourne, Australia

(Sydney, Melbourne -  image source 1, 2)

Australia’s top two cities would be nowhere near this list if it weren’t for the 177 straight years of utter hatred they’ve reserved for each other.

Since the founding of Melbourne in 1835 , Sydneysiders and Melburnians have been loathingly distinguishing themselves from each other in ways that would make Toronto and Montreal blush.

“Sydney and Melbourne have much, much more in common than either of them ever care to admit.” In fact, “Melbourne is the city in the world most similar to Sydney.”

About 4 million multicultural residents spread across a trendy downtown area with sprawling suburbs, high home prices, a vibrant food and arts scene, Australian TV and radio stations, the occasional bushfire and an intense repugnance for a certain unspeakable place 720 kilometers away. Which city are we talking about here? Either Melbourne or Sydney, perhaps?

But wait. There is a startling difference. Last year, The Economist ranked Melbourne the “World’s Most Livable City” with 97.5 points. Sydney came in sixth in this same survey with 96.1 points. Do the math. These places are like fire and ice.

1. Tijuana, Mexico

(Tijuana, Mexico -  image source)

According to a recent World focus report, Tijuana’s annual tourism numbers have plummeted by as much as 90 percent in less than 10 years, and other research estimates that visitor-related revenue has declined by almost as much over a similar period. Drug cartel violence. The recession. Recent swine flu outbreaks.

On another side what’s not helping the tourism status to recover is the Southern California marketing firms campaigning: “Come to San Diego and be in a foreign country in 20 minutes” giving Tijuana a fierce competition to deal with.

[Source] [Quoted text Via CNNgo]

Transparency international – a coalition against global corruption – has populated their annual list of corruption index for 182 countries world wide. The index draws on assessments and opinion surveys carried out by independent and reputable institutions. These surveys and assessments include questions related to the bribery of public officials, kickbacks in public procurement, embezzlement of public funds, and the effectiveness of public sector anti-corruption efforts. Perceptions are used because corruption is to a great extent a hidden activity that is difficult to measure. Over time, perceptions have proved to be a reliable estimate of corruption.

The survey pegs corruption in the countries of the world on a scale of 1 to 10 — from most corrupt — to the least. So, if you’re fed up with the corruption where you reside, be glad you don’t live in the most 10 corrupt countries in the world. Here’s a list:

10. Venezuela:

(Caracas, Venezuela -  image source)

(Khartoum, Sudan -  image source)

(Aşgabat, Turkmenistan - image source)

Ranks 177 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1.6 out of 10. The 69 years Turkmenistan spent in the Soviet Union has led to totalitarian control. Though Turkmenistan declared its independence in 1991, the country just made moves to open up the country in 2006.

The country also labors under immense human rights abuses and residents face severe restrictions anytime they try leaving the country. Turkmenistan has the 3rd worse freedom of the press, and is the 10th most censored country in the world.

(Kabul, Afghanistan - image source)

Ranks 180 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1.9 out of 10. Afghanistan’s citizens consider government kickbacks normal. In 2010, people from Afghanistan paid $2.5 billion in bribes, and nearly half the population has paid the government kickbacks.

Kickbacks are so common that 38 % of citizens think its normal. Even meeting with a politician implies giving a kickback 40 percent of the time.

(Yangon, Myanmar - image source)

The researchers point out that the publication of the studies at the time of the summer Olympics is not a coincidence. Although the world will be watching elite athletes from many countries compete in sporting events requiring tremendous training, skill, and fitness, most spectators will be quite inactive. They hope that the timing of the series, along with Olympic excitement, will give people a push into more physical action. Here’s the countdown:

20- Bhutan: 52.3% inactive

19 – South Africa: 52.4% inactive

18 – Ireland: 53.2% inactive

17 – Italy: 54.7% inactive

16 – Cyprus: 55.4% inactive

15- Turkey: 56.0% inactive

14 – Iraq: 58.4% inactive

13 – Namibia: 58.5% inactive

12 – Dominican Republic: 60.0% inactive

11 – Japan: 60.2% inactive

10 – Malaysia: 61.4% inactive

9 – United Arab Emirates: 62.5% inactive

8 – Britain: 63.3% inactive

7 – Kuwait: 64.5% inactive

6 – Micronesia: 66.3% inactive

5 – Argentina: 68.3% inactive

4 – Serbia: 68.3% inactive

3 – Saudi Arabia: 68.8% inactive

2 – Swaziland: 69.0% inactive

1 – Malta: 71.9% inactive

The U.S.A came in at the 46th spot with just over 40 percent of the population being labeled inactive. Greece was the most active with only about 15% of their population not meeting the standards.

Do you get adequate daily exercise?

[Via Yahoo, Lancet] 

Qatar topped a list that classifies countries on the basis of per capita gross domestic product, where the annual per capita income in it exceeds 88 Thousand  Dollars, according to figures from the International Monetary Fund the world of 2010. Thanks to enormous economic revenues of oil and gas reserves, in comparison with the relatively low population (1.7 million inhabitants), as well as the diversity of investments carried out by the Qatari government from owning stakes in global financial institutions, universities and multinational companies, through the organization of major world events as the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

UAE also came in sixth place on the list with an average income of 47,439 dollars, while Kuwait dissolved down to the fifteenth spot with an average annual income of 38,775 dollars.

It should be noted that these figures do not mean what the person obtain as an annual salary in these countries, it means the amount of his share of the value of goods and services provided by the State in which the person lives if it was divided on the entire population.

Here is the countdown of the richest 10 countries in the world according to Forbes:

10- The Netherlands: 

Average income per capita: 40,973 dollars a year, located in western Europe, bordering the North Sea, with its capital Amsterdam and a population of 16 million people.

 9- Switzerland:

 7- The United States:

Average income per capita: 46,860 dollars a year, a federal republic comprising fifty states and is located in North America, its capital is Washington DC and has a population of 313 million.

 6- United Arab Emirates:

 5- Brunei:

Average income per capita: 48,333 dollars a year, is located on the northern coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia, its capital is  Bandar Seri Pkawan, and has a population of 388 thousand people.

 4- Norway:

 3- Singapore:

 2- Luxembourg: 

1. Cherokee Studios, Los Angeles, California:

Brooks + Scarpa
This apartment/office complex is built on the site of the old Cherokee recording studios in Los Angeles, which once hosted the likes of David Bowie and Warren Zevon but is now home to one of the greenest buildings in the U.S. The design uses passive cooling that takes advantage of the Southern California climate, and it has day lighting that minimizes the need for electric lights — most of which are high-efficiency LEDs.

2. First Unitarian Society Meeting House, Madison, Wisconsin:

Kubala Washatko Architects Inc.
The 20,000-sq.-ft. (1,850 sq m) addition to this historic Frank Lloyd Wright–designed meeting house is 40% more efficient than a comparable facility. The addition features recycled content and locally sourced materials, along with CO₂ sensors that trigger a ventilation system to maximize energy savings when spaces are unoccupied. The addition has a vegetated roof, and individual lighting controls are in all the building areas.

3. Kiowa County Schools, Greensburg, Kansas:

BNIM Architects
After the town of Greensburg was almost totally destroyed by a tornado in 2007, the city fathers decided to build the city back green. This single K-12 school is the crown jewel. The design optimizes day lighting and natural ventilation while reducing the urban-heat-island effect through open area allocation and diverse landscaping. A 50-kilowatt wind turbine outside the school provides a portion of the building’s energy needs, with much of the rest coming from a wind farm located outside the town.

4. High Tech High, Chula Vista, California:

Studio E Architects
This 550-student public charter school actually incorporates green design in the curriculum. The building management system includes a weather station, monitors and controls, in addition to irrigation and domestic water systems. That optimizes thermal comfort and indoor air quality while conserving energy and water. This is a green school that teaches just by being.

5. Lance Armstrong Foundation, Austin, Texas:

Lake | Flato Architects
The headquarters for Lance Armstrong’s foundation was established in a renovated 1950s warehouse that was transformed into a multifunctional office space. For the new design, 88% of the material from the original building was recycled and used, while the roof’s center bays were replaced with north-facing windows to harvest daylight. No toxic chemicals were used in or around the building, which earned a gold certification from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

6. LOTT Clean Water Alliance, Olympia, Washington:

The Miller | Hull Partnership
Most people wouldn’t picture a sewage-treatment plant as a green building, but the LOTT Clean Water Alliance Regional Service Center is different. It has been optimized to provide solar heat and introduce daylight to reduce lighting. Methane generated from the plant’s waste-treatment process is used in a cogeneration plant to create electricity and heat. The heat is used directly in the building, thereby eliminating the need for a boiler.

7. Vancouver Convention Centre West, Vancouver:

LMN Architects, DA/MCM
Practically the entire city of ultra-environmental Vancouver could be considered one giant green building, but the convention center — the first such structure in the world to earn a platinum rating from LEED — stands out. The 6-acre (2.4 hectares) living roof hosts 400,000 indigenous plants, while free cooling economizers lower temperatures for the busiest seasons. The interior is fitted with CO₂, VOC and humidity sensors; the heating and cooling are provided by seawater heat pumps powered by hydroelectricity.

8. Step Up on 5th, Santa Monica, California:

Brooks + Scarpa
A mixed-use project with 46 studio apartments that provide affordable housing and social services for the homeless and mentally disabled of Santa Monica, Step Up shows that being green is about more than just the environment. The density of the project exceeds the average population density in Manhattan by more than 10%, and the building itself is nearly 50% more efficient than a comparable conventional structure.

9. Research Support Facility at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, Colorado:

RNL Design
It makes sense that the building in which cutting-edge research into renewable energy takes place would be one of the greenest structures in the U.S. The facility is meant to create a blueprint for a net-zero-energy future, integrating passive design strategies such as day lighting and natural ventilation. The open office plan reduces the building footprint per person.

10. OS House, Racine, Wisconsin:

Johnsen Schmaling Architects
This LEED platinum-rated house shows how a small building can go green even without a massive budget. Taking advantage of the breeze from nearby Lake Michigan and the site’s solar exposure, outdoor rooms reduce the house’s depth, which allows for better cross-ventilation. A compact structured plumbing system with low-flow fixtures and an on-demand hot-water circulator pump reduces water consumption.

[Via Time] [Courtesy of Omar El Singaby]

10- Franklin, Tennessee

9- Eugene, Oregon

8- Chattanooga, Tennessee

7- Fort Worth, Texas

6- Louisville, Kentucky

5- Savannah, Georgia

4- San Antonio, Texas

3- Burlington, Vermont

2- Winston-Salem, North Carolina

1- Indianapolis, Indiana

Read the complete report on Livable.com

The world’s highest Tennis court stands atop the fourth highest and the only 7 stars hotel in the world, Burj Al Arab in Dubai. The tennis court is circular in shape ,and also doubles as a helipad, hovering 1000 feet above the Arabian gulf. In preparation for the Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open, On February 22, 2005, the Burj al Arab hosted Andre Agassi and Roger Federer to play a match on their helipad tennis court before heading to the $1 million championship. The tennis legends couldn’t resist the temptation to have a friendly ‘hit’ on the world’s most unique tennis court.

Burj Al Arab is the world’s most luxurious hotel, standing 321 meters high on a man made island, it was Designed by Tom Wright and completed in 1999. The hotel’s helipad, which is situated 211 meters high covers a surface area of 415 square metres.

Can you play round of tennis at this height ?

Watch the tennis stars hit it on the helipad tennis court:

[Sources: Cubeme]

San Alfonso del Mar is a resort in Algarrobo, Chile, also known for its world’s largest swimming pool according to the Guinness World Records.   The resort is owned by a Chilean biochemist and businessman Fernando Fischmann, the head of Crystal Lagoon Corporation – the company that designed the gigantic pool. He used the patented technology to “harvest, filter and permanently recirculate ocean water”. “This advance provides something that until now was not technically possible – the generation of monumental masses of water in a crystalline state to provide a beach life environment and aquatic sports at the top level,” Fernando Fischmann says.

The San Alfonso pool construction cost approximately 3.5 million US dollars. The size of the pool is 8 hectares in surface area which equals 6,000 standard-size 8-metre-long swimming pools. The water temperature in summer is 26C; it is 9 degrees warmer than the ocean next to it. The pool uses the water from the Pacific; it holds up to 250, 000 cube meters of water. Crystal clear water allows to see trough 35 meters of the pool depth, it’s completely transparent.

While at the San Alfonso del Mar visitors relax at white sand private beaches which have their own boat docks within an artificial tropical environment.Along with tanning there lots of other activities at San Alfonso as sailing, kayaking, scuba diving, ocean navigation, tennis, paragliding, soccer courts, volleyball courts, tennis courts, a 3D golf stimulator and a gym with view of the lagoon. The Beach Club at San Alfonso offers a tempered beach under the glass pyramid, open-air Jacuzzis, sauna, and the first medical spa in Chile.

[Sources: World Record Academy]

One of the world’s great train journeys, it departs from Perth and ends in Sydney, a journey of 4352 km.  Linking the Indian Ocean with the pacific, the journey takes 3 days and runs the world’s longest straight stretch of railway, 478 km across the Nullabor Plain. There are 2 weekly departures from both perth and Sydney that travel through the blue mountains, minning towns like broken hill and kalgoolie, Adelaide, the remotest outpost of cook and vast stretches of outback dessert. (www.gsr.com.au)

2- Hanoi to Lao Cai, Vietnam

The train departs Hanoi to Lao Cai on the Chinese border and is quite a comfortable public train with sleepers and seats. For those want to travel in style, the carriages of the Victoria train (two sleeping cars and a dining car attached to the normal train) are the best way to travel to the cooler hill retreats of Sa Pa and Bac Ha, 380 km northwest of Hanoi. (www.victoriahotels-asia.com)

3- AVE, Madrid to Cordoba, Spain

Departs Madrid’s ornate Estacion Atocha Station for the two-hour Alta Velocidad Espanola (AVE or high speed train) journey to the UNESCO world heritage city of Cordoba, enabling you to explore Cordoba’s rich heritage and the famous Mezquita Mosque/ Cathedral. This train hits speeds of 280 km/hour as it passes through the historic city of Toledo on its way to Sevilla. (www.raileurope.com)

4- Royal Scotsman, Scotland 

This luxurious train, which has been plying the tracks since 1985 makes available 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7-night journeys through the Scottish Highland.  Enjoy facilities best described as five star country accommodation on wheels. Pay only once and enjoy all meals, accommodation, beverages and an excursion to a whisky distillery and a spot of clay pigeon shooting.  The train is now part of the exclusive Orient Express Trains portfolio. (www.royalscottsman.com)

5- Golden Pass, Montreux to Lucerne, Switzerland

The golden pass train travels from Montreux on the banks of Lake Geneva to cross over the Swiss alps for Lucerne, while passing through vineyards, alpine valleys and mountainous terrain.  Comfortable seats and large panoramic windows allow passengers to admire the landscape.  Two train changes and five hours and 19 minutes later, the train pulls into Lucerne station beside a beautiful lake. (www.sbb.ch)

6- Shanghai to Uramqi, China

Retrace the silk road on the mammoth, 4077 km journey from the yellow sea across the Gobi desert to the far west of this vast valley. Be prepared for a 46-hour journey or break it in old caravan oasis towns of Xi’an, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, and Turpan. Admire the vast barren desert and the shimmering snow-capped Flaming Mountain.  Continue westwards to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and then retrace Paul Theroux’s Ghost Train to the eastern Star train journey back to London. www.trains.china.org.cn

7- E & O Express, Singapore to Thailand

Private cabins of this grand train that travels the 1900 km between Singapore and Bangkok are plush and fitted with luxiourious beds; some have showers. Sit back and let the staff pamper you with morning and afternoon teas while you choose stylish evening wear for a sumptuous dinner.  View the country side from the observation car and enjoy pre-dinner drinks in the piano car. (www.orient-express.com)

8- Kandy to Nanu oya, Sri Lanka

The weather gets real cool on the mountainous climb from Kandy through tea plantations to the rail junction of Nanu Oya.  Many travelers alight here for the hill station retreat of Nuwara Eliya although the train continues to Badulla.  Most tourists end up seated in the air-conditioned observation car at the rear of the train but, for those who want to meet the locals, purchase a second class seat. (www.railway.gov.lk)

9- TGV Paris to Dijon, France

The TGV (Train a grand vitesse) is one of the fastest trains, notching speeds of up to 575 km/hour on the 260 km journey southeast to Dijon.  Travel in the comfort of first class with on-board facilities for business people to work, or leisure travelers to simply admire the French countryside. (www.tgv-europe.com)

10-  Zell-am-See to Stuhlfelden, Austria

Austria’s snow-capped mountains and fertile valleys are typified by the pinzgau Valley meanders from the lakeside resort of Zell-am-See northwards near the German border.  The village of Stuhlfelden is located along this scenic rail route and makes a perfect base for skiing trips to the famous Kitzbulen or Kitzsteinhorn fields.  Stay in the romantic 500 year-old guesthouse of Shwaigerlehen-Berngarten to appreciate the finest Austian cuisine. (www.oebb.at)

More Posts about Trains..

In 1996 after learning to dive in blue lagoon John Beernaerts got a thought to recreate the conditions of Bora Bora islands in Brussels, Belgium. 7 years of construction and 3,2 million euros spent on Beernaerts’ design and on the 1st of May 2004 the efforts resulted into the opening of the first deepest diving pool in the world – Nemo 33. The name came from a combination of Jules Verne’s book – Captain Nemo and the pool’s maximum depth mark.

From the outside, a simple looking building shells the extremely unique pool

Its maximum depth is 33 meters (108 ft) and it contains 2.5 million liters of non-chlorinated, highly filtered spring water maintained at 30 °C (86 °F). The pool also holds several simulated underwater caves at the 10 meters (33 ft) depth level.

There are numerous underwater windows that allow outside visitors to look into the pools at various depths. The pool is not only used for diving but for drills, scientific experiments and even movie making.

[Sources: Nemo33, Photography:Michel Braunstein]

Here’s a fast peek at the 10 most visited cities in the world:

10. Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 6,81 million tourists.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

9. Istanbul, Turkey, 7.51 million tourists.

Istanbul, Turkey

8.  Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 8.11 million tourists.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

7.  Shanghai, China, 6.6 million tourists.

Shanghai, China

6. Bangkok, Thailand, 8.45 million tourists.

Bangkok, Thailand

5. NYC, USA, 8.7 million tourists.

NYC, USA

4. Hong Kong, China, 10.4 million tourists.

Hong Kong, China

3. Singapore, Singapore, 11.6 million tourists.

Singapore, Singapore

2. London, UK, 14.1 million tourists.

London, UK

1. Paris, France, 14.8 million tourists.

Paris, France

Where are you going to spend your vacation this summer? And which one is your favorite? Let us know by leaving a comment.

[Sources: United Nations World Tourism Organization]

This is a one-of-a-kind hotel, it has been designed from the outset to use worldwide standard concrete drainage or sewage pipe sections – so you could well see more of them in the future. The idea of Andreas Strauss in 2004, the first rooms were provided in Linz. Now in nearby Ottensheim, rooms are accessed by a digital keypad, whose code is provided by the self service website upon booking acceptance. The beauty of these pipes is that their concrete utilitarian look needs little alteration to make them habitable – a coat of varnish is all that is necessary.

14. Tianzi Hotel, Hebei province, China

The three men in this picture are Fu Lu Shou, which means good fortune, prosperity, and longevity. But in this version they are a ten story building! Tianzi Hotel is in Hebei Province, China, and holds the world record for being the “biggest image building”.

15. Can Sleep, Lake Skanderberg, Denmark

Every August for the past 30 years, thousands of partygoers have flocked to the Dyrehaven, a magnificent beech forest next to Denmark’s Lake Skanderborg for the Skanderborg Music Festival, or Smukfest. Here, the creative juices flow just as freely as the beer. In lieu of living in a tent, some lucky attendees sleep in one of 114, two-story aluminum Royal Unibrew beer cans, enlarged to 12.5 feet high. Covered in golden, bubbly wallpaper and furnished entirely by Ikea, the first floor features a small living area and a minibar that’s replenished each day. When the dweller’s ready to turn in, he climbs the ladder to a circular double bed and pops the skylight.

16. Icehotel, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

Existing each year between December and April, the Icehotel in the village of Jukkasjärvi, was the world’s first ice hotel. The entire hotel is made out of snow and ice blocks taken from the Torne River.

Each spring, around March, Icehotel harvests tons of ice from the frozen Torne River and stores it in a nearby production hall with room for over 10,000 tons of ice and 30,000 tons of snow. The ice is used for creating Icebar designs and ice glasses, for ice sculpting classes, events and product launches all over the world while the snow is used for building a strong structure for the building. About 1,000 tons of what is left is used in the construction of the next Icehotel.

17. Free Spirit spheres, Vancouver Island, Canada

This hotel is no more than two huge globes suspended in mid-air between the trees in rugged Vancouver Island, Canada. It’s hard to imagine that lurking inside each is a cosy living area, like an enclosed nest or cocoon.

18. Null Stern Hotel, Teuten, Switzerland

Located in one of Switzerland’s historic regions, Appenzellerland, the Null Stern Hotel offers a unique and memorable lodging experience at an affordable price. Originally, a Swiss Nuclear bunker, the Hotel offers exceptional guest service in a minimalistic environment where art plays an interactive role in forming the guest experience.

19. Vigilius Mountain Resort, Lana, Italy

Simple terms for a precious idea – open up, and draw new vigour and energy from the placid wisdom of nature. The vigilius mountain resort is like an island in the mountains. Distant views enable visitors to discover inner peace, and annoyances are left behind in the valley.

20. Capsule hotel, Den hag, Netherlands

Moored in The Hague, your room is a bright orange survival pod which once saw service on an oil rig platform. Originally built in 1972 they are 4.25 metres in diameter and unaltered apart from the addition of a lock on the outside and an ‘emergency’ chemical toilet inside.

21. The Atomium, Brussels, Belgium

The Atomium is an icon of Brussels built for 1958 World Fair Exposition. Spanish artist Alicia Framis was commissioned in 2005 to create an educational project based on the building’s characteristics and features as well as its history and its symbolic value. The kids sphere captures the optimism of a future enabled by technology and science, in a way that reflects the insights of the world in the 21st century.

Children spend a night at The Atomium marveling at the panoramic view of Brussels from its spheres; and make the most of their visit by discovering other symbolic parts of Brussels from a unique vantage point. The desire to highlight the educational aspect of The Atomium is based on the idea that towns and cities play a major role in society today.

22. Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

This massive integrated resort which is the latest addition to Singapore’s amazing collection of hotels and resorts costs $5.7 billion (including land cost) and features three 55 storey hotel towers with 2600 luxurious rooms and suites and all three towers are connected by a 1 hectare sky terrace right on top. This boat-shaped amazing structure is also called the SkyPark.

Marina Bay Sands also has other interesting and unique structures besides the hotel and Sands SkyPark which are: Lotus shaped Art and Science Museum, The Casino Block, Marina Bay Sands Shops, The Convention and Exhibition Block, and -the most exciting- the world’s longest elevated swimming pool, with a 475-foot vanishing edge, perched 200 meters above the ground.

23. Gamirasu Cave Hotel, Urgup, Turkey

Gamirasu is an exquisitely restored eighteen-room cave house, in Ayvali Village near Urgup in the heart of Cappadocia, Turkey. In former times housing the cells of a prison, this ancient monastery is steeped in history.

24. Hemp Hotel, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Hemp Hotel is a small budget hotel with 5 themed rooms (Caribbean, Afghani, Indian, Tibetan and Moroccan).  The rooms are all in the style of a country/region. They are all brightly painted and decorated. They use HEMP as much as possible, from mattresses, curtains, shampoo, soap to a hemp roll for breakfast.

Hemp Hotel Bar

25. Jail Hotel, Luzern, Switzerland

The Jailhotel is located in the heart of Lucerne, right in centre of the Old Town, and only a few minutes away from the lake. This former prison was built in 1862 and was converted into a prison hotel in 1999, the first in Switzerland.

A total of 56 different rooms and suites are offered from original “Unplugged“ rooms where you have a bunk bed and more authentic prison experience, to the larger “Most wanted” rooms, and largest Theme suites of Prison Governor, Library, Barabas and Falling Water. Private bathrooms are small-but-adequate with a shower. The Unplugged rooms have their private shower across the corridor.

Don’t miss (Part 1) of the Top 25 Bizarre Hotels

[Sources: Unusual and Unique hotels of the world]

International tourism arrivals grew nearly 7% in 2010 to 940 million travelers, generating a total of $991 billion (€693 billion) in exports earnings and is expected to grow between 4% and 5% in 2011. More than 40% of the number of global annual travelers arrive  at the following 10 countries.

1- France (74.20 million visitors)

Paris, France

2- United States (54.90 million visitors)

Time Square, Manhattan, New York City

3- Spain (52.23 million visitors)

Plaza de Espana - Seville, Spain

4- China (50.88 million visitors)

Hong Kong streets

5- Italy (43.24 million visitors)

Colosseum in Rome at night

6- United Kingdom (28.20 million visitors)

London bridge tower over Thames river

7- Turkey (25.51 million visitors)

Hagia Sophia mosque, Istanbul

8- Germany (24.22 million visitors)

Christmas night market in Berlin

9- Malaysia (23.65 million visitors)

Kuala Lumpur skyline

10- Mexico (21.45 million visitors)

Mexico City

Stay tuned for the Photo Peeks of the previously mentioned Countries.

[Sources: United Nations World Tourism Organization, Photos: World Wallpapers] [The last time this ranking study was conducted was in 2009]

Salt Hotel - made entirely of SALT!

Palacio de Sal Hotel & Spa, newly remodeled and unique in the world, is completely built in salt. Walls, floors, ceilings, and most of the furniture too – chairs, tables and beds are all made of salt. There is also a 9-hole salt golf course designed by Christian Pensu. You’ll also see stunning sunsets (you’re 3650m above sea level), with an amazing backdrop of the mountain ranges in the distance.

Palacio de Sal, Uyuni, Bolivia

2. Dockside Crane Hotel, Harlingen, Netherlands

A dockside crane converted into a luxury hideaway for two

This is a genuine dockside crane which has been the recipient of intelligent engineering and dedicated devotion rarely seen in a private home – let alone in a hotel property.

Replacing the external ladders with modern lifts to gain entry, the old machine room in the body of the crane has been transformed into a luxurious bedroom.

3. The Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel, Brazil

Top view of the Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel

A boutique hotel northwest of Manaus, Brazil, on the Rio Negro, a major tributary of the Amazon River. It consists of 7 towers, with all 288 rooms elevated from the rain forest floor by approximately 10-20m and connected by approximates 5 miles (8.0 km) of catwalks.

Macaws and various breeds of native and non-native monkeys are common around the towers

4. Q Station, Sydney, Australia

The four star peaceful retreat is on the site of a former quarantine station

Q Station is a contemporary take on the former North Head Quarantine Station. Originally occupied by the Garrigal people, North Head was a meeting place with strong spiritual significance. In the 1830′s a quarantine station was established, which operated until 1984. Migrants suspected of carrying contagious diseases were quarantined at the site to protect the local Sydney community from infection. Originally chosen for its isolation and safe anchorage options, the site today comprises 65 buildings, several archeological sites and spectacular vantage points for viewing Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Harbour National Park.

Q Station, Sydney, Australia

5. Jules’ Undersea Lodge, Key Largo, Florida

Jules' Undersea Lodge

This hotel was named after Jules Verne (author of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea). The lodge was originally built as a research laboratory to explore the continental shelf. The world’s first underwater hotel, Jules’ Undersea Lodge is also the first underwater research lab to be made available to average people.

The first underwater research lab to be made available to average people

6. The Giraffe Manor, Nairobi, Kenya

The Giraffe Manor

The Giraffe Manor offers amenities with a resort-like feel – except for the giraffes that poke their heads inside the windows, of course. Located just outside of Nairobi, Kenya, The Giraffe Manor is a popular spot for tourists on safari.

Along with giraffes roaming the property, the land is also home to warthogs and many species of birds

7. Controversy Tram Hotel, Hoogwoud, Netherlands

Controversy Tram Hotel

Frank and Irma Appel have restored a 4-berth train carriage and 4 wonderfully themed tram bedrooms in either end of 2 city centre tram railcars, that used to run on the streets of Amsterdam and Germany.

City trams and railcar converted into 5 B+B rooms

Outside the house, there is also a Mig fighter plane – providing a completely surreal view of the property from the surrounding flat land around Hoogwoud.

8. Baumhaus Hotel, Neißeaue, Germany

Child Friendly Treehouses in Eastern Germany

Choose one of 5 cosy tree houses situated 8m to 10m up a tree in a fantastic recreational park outside Görlitz. First open in June 2005, it is arguable whether it is the first tree house hotel in Germany or the craziest.

Baumhaus Hotel

9. Molja Lighthouse, Aalesund, Norway

150 year-old lighthouse at the entrance to the harbour of Aalesund

The interior of the lighthouse is completely round, only 3 meters in diameter, but through effective use of the available spaces, Molja now boasts a bedroom upstairs and a bathroom downstairs.

Molja Lighthouse

10. Woodlyn Park, New Zealand

Stay in a train, plane, boat or Underground: A 1950′s Bristol Freighter Plane fully refurbished into 2 beautiful self contained motel units.

“The Waitomo Express” is a 1950′s Rail Carriage beautifully refurbished into a completely self contained motel unit.

Worlds First Hobbit Underground Motels with circular windows – straight out of middle earth!

Worlds First Hobbit Underground Motel

An additional property – a beached boat is also opening.

Beached boat in Woodlyn Park, New Zealand

11. Jumbo Stay, Arlanda, Sweden

This is the world's first property in a 747 jumbo jet on the ground

With 27 rooms and 75 beds, this 1976 vintage plane guarantees a memorable night for guests.

Scared of flying? Start your trip here!

Choose between a couple of en-suite rooms, budget dormitory, twin and three-bed combo rooms with shared shower and toilet in the corridor or the luxury suite in the converted cockpit with its panoramic view of the airport.

12. Hotel im Wasserturm, Cologne, Germany (water tower lodge)

Hotel in a water tower

A highly unique retreat with superb city views, Hotel im Wasserturm, translates as ‘hotel in a water tower’, which is exactly what this is. The inspired, one-of-a-kind conversion is 11-storeys high, promising unrivalled panoramas from its penthouse Michelin-starred restaurant, a second excellent dining room, a lively bar and a wellness area with a spa and gym.

Penthouse Michelin-starred restaurant in Hotel im Wasserturm, Cologne, Germany

Part 2 of Top 25 bizarre Hotels.

[Sources: Unusual and Unique hotels of the world]

The world’s most livable cities is an informal name given to any list of cities as they rank on a reputable annual survey of living conditions. One of the examples is the lifestyle magazine Monocle. Since 2007 it publishes an annual list of livable cities.

Here’s a fast look at the top 10 of most livable cities for the year 2010:

10. Madrid, Spain

9. Melbourne, Australia

8. Vienna, Austria

7. Paris, France

6. Stockholm, Sweden

5. Helsinki, Finland

4. Tokyo, Japan

3. Zurich, Switzerland

2. Copenhagen, Denmark

1. Munich, Germany