The village of Zermatt in Switzerland is a car-free zone, so most visitors arrive by mountain train. But Zermatt keeps its best-known sight a secret until the last moment as the famous Matterhorn is only revealed at the final turn in the track when the train arrives in town. Getting around is on foot or by the electric vehicle here.

Zermatt Glacier Express

Towering above Zermatt, the Matterhorn is one of Switzerland’s most iconic sights. One of the best ways of getting up close to the famous mountain is to take the cable car from the village to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise on the Klein Matterhorn. This adventurous journey takes three cable cars and goes to 12749 feet above sea level. From the viewing platform 38 famous mountains in the Alps can be seen, and there is year-round skiing. The Glacier Palace is a beautiful display of ice carving, but the views across the Alps are the big attraction here.

Beautiful mountain Matterhorn with Swiss flag – Swiss Alps

The Gornergrat Railway is another highlight of Zermatt and leaves the village centre on a cogwheel mechanism rising through alpine meadows to the Monte Rosa and Breithorn Glaciers as well as having stunning views of the Matterhorn. Back in Zermatt the Matterhorn Museum tells the story of the famous first ascent of the mountain which took place almost 150 years ago in 1865. Only 3 of the original seven climbers returned to Zermatt alive and a poignant moment in Zermatt is a visit to the cemetery where many famous mountaineers are buried.

Famous mountain Matterhorn (peak Cervino) on the swiss-italian border

Zermatt has delightful old wooden chalets so exploring the back streets is a must. A visit to a chocolate shop is very tempting, and the miniature Matterhorn pralines are an excellent souvenir. But to enjoy Zermatt, most of the time should be spent in the mountains and this area is a paradise for walking, mountain biking and skiing. Year round there is something going on here in the shadow of the Matterhorn and an idyllic part of Switzerland.

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Hong Kong, China looks like the tree orchid it is chosen as the emblem since the handover. This tree comes from an endemic species found near the sea.

As the orchid tree is unique but needs others for his offspring, Hong Kong is independent and at the same time needs China to develop.

Modern city with vertiginous skyscrapers, the Mecca of shopping and nightlife, this city turns heads. Located along the South China Sea, the city includes Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories to the north and 235 islands covering an area of 1,100 km². 6 million people live at the pace of Hong Kong, stable economic power to the singular history.

It is nicknamed “Pearl of the Orient” because life is expensive, luxurious hotels, real estate overpriced. The few cultural sites are free and seduce thousands of tourists every year. But we come especially to see how closely a seething metropolis of the interior.

After the noise and pollution, rejuvenate in the vicinity of Hong Kong.

Just opposite is Macau, a former Portuguese colony attached to China in 1999. You will enjoy the traditional Portuguese architecture in the historic center of Macau and the city museum.

Further north, Canton will reveal its historical treasures that explain the traditional ways of life in China: the Temple of the Chen family’s ancestors or the Temple of the Six Banyan.

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You will certainly enjoy Guilin, further inland and beautiful scenery with amazing natural attractions like Elephant Trunk Hill or the cave of the reed flute.

History of the City:

Hong Kong’s history begins with the development of the opium trade. Macao is the first Asian port trade with the rest of China and Europe; the English have understood: the opium trade is very profitable but also silk, tea, and handicrafts.

In 1839, the Emperor of China is destroying opium reserves of Canton, which infuriates the British demanding a refund. This is the first Opium War. It ends in 1842 with a treaty which gives Hong Kong to the British for an unlimited period. A few years later, Kowloon is also ceded to England and after a few other Opium Wars, the New Territories, and several hundred islands are administered by the British crown. The lease is set at 99 years.

During the Second World War, Hong Kong was occupied by the Japanese. There will be thousands of deaths among the population that fled to the surrounding countryside.

At the end of the war, the city returns to the English but other problems arise. How can the Chinese Communist accept on its territory a capitalist city? The answer is economic: Hong Kong promotes trade with the world and is profitable for China. But Hong Kong also depends economically on China.

In 1997, the lease ended, Hong Kong returns to Chinese: the handover. Large firms such as Jardine Matheson and immediately relocate to Singapore or Taiwan. To avoid this, Deng Xiaoping adopted the doctrine of “one country, two systems”. Hong Kong has its own constitution with its government and its currency.

Today, Hong Kong is facing its urban planning issues like housing and pollution.

City Tour:

The city center is located in Central, Hong Kong Island. It is the business center. The Kowloon Peninsula brings together shops, restaurants and hotels, particularly in the districts of Yau Ma Tei and Mongkok. New Territories are, mostly, dormitories cities of Hong Kong employees.

Start your tour by Central and all its modern buildings that seem to pierce the sky. Take the time (you will not have many more opportunities) visit the oldest temple in the city, Man Mo Temple. For an overview, go up to Victoria Peak by funicular. Hikes are proposed.

Head north, to join the Kowloon Peninsula. Y gathered in Hong Kong’s main museums: the Museum of the space, the Museum of Arts and the most interesting, the history museum.

Nathan Road is Hong Kong’s most famous street, there is a parade of restaurants, various shops, and hotels. Always in Kowloon’s Yau Ma Tei and Mongkok districts meet the markets of the city: Jade Market, night market, bird market and flower market.

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New Territories are not a priority in your route, especially if your time is limited on the island. Only the 10,000 Buddhas Monastery is worth seeing.

Lantau Island, west of Hong Kong, will seduce you with its calm and its long beaches. You can visit the Po Lin Monastery which houses the Buddha Lantau Tian Tan. It is the largest Buddha seated in the lotus of the world.

In the evening, go for a walk in Kowloon that will give you a stunning view of the illuminated skyscrapers of the City.

The post Hong Kong appeared first on NIR News / National Investigative Report.

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With over 4 million people, Sydney is known to be the biggest city in Australia. As a bay to the Tasman Sea, it is therefore labelled as the “Harbour City”. The weather in Sydney is a perfect mix of cool
winters and warm summers. A trip to the Harbour City will offer loads of activities for tourists and busy family. There are a lot of amazing beaches, historic buildings, and beautiful museums to see. Some of the great places to visit include the Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, and lots more. Anyone visiting this great city will never get bored as there are loads of fun filled activities to choose from. This wonderful place is definitely a perfect destination that offers visitors lot of fascinating ways to spend a holiday. Below is a list of wonderful places to visit in Sydney

BONDI BEACH

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Among the countless number of beaches in Australia, one of the most popular is the Bondi beach. Situated in the southeast of Sydney, Bondi beach is well known as a result of its clean sea water, lovely sandy beaches and beautiful environment. It is also among the world’s most famous beaches and is considered a paradise by most tourists’. Here, you can learn to do many things including swimming, surfing and sunbathing. It’s also a perfect place for strolling and people watching. There is also the Bondi market close to this place where have a feel of the real local life. There are charming restaurants and bars such as Icebergs Dining Room and Bar as well as Sean’s Panaroma where you can get delicious dishes and exotic wines. Bondi Beach is definitely a beautiful place to be.

THE ROCKS

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The Rocks which was previously a place where sailors used to live, plays a very significant role in the history of Sydney. It is one of the most amazing tourists attractions in Sydney where you’ll find great restaurants and magnificent shops selling authentic products made in Australia. You can visit the Museum of Contemporary Art to check out the best of arts Australia has to offer. There are also guided tours made available for visitors who wish to explore the rich history of The Rocks. There are various old pubs where you can get authentic Aussie pie as well.

SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE

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The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia’s most famous milestones. It is the biggest steel curve in the world towering about 134 meters over the harbour. Locally known as the “Coathanger”, the Sydney Harbour Bridge spans about 503 metres in length. This is one of the amazing attractions in Sydney that attracts millions of visitors yearly. Most visitors enjoying climbing the landmark using either the BridgeClimb or the Pylon Lookout. Some of the famous and prominent people that have gone up the landmark using the BridgeClimb include Kylie Minogue, Hugo Weaving, Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark, Sarah Ferguson, Matt Damon, Cathy Freeman and Kostya Tszyu. The Pylon Lookout which is located at the southern eastern part of the Bridge can also take visitors to see a beautiful display of the Bridge from the highest point of the arch. It is situated near the Sydney Opera House which is among the most iconic landmarks you can also find in the city. You are definitely going to have such an amazing time by walking across it, climbing up or taking beautiful pictures of the bridge. It’ll be an amazing experience altogether.

DARLING HARBOUR

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The Darling Harbour was once a thriving industrial port. It has recently turned out to be a massive harbor-side leisure park that draws sightseers from all over the world. Among some the lovely and magnificent places to visit in the Darling Harbour include the Harbourside shopping complex, Powerhouse museum, the Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney Aquarium and the SeaWorld amusement park. The Darling Harbour Park was renovated to give it such fascinating look today in the late 1980s. The renovation was a result of making it a place to have massive fun and enjoyment and to also be at parity with international standards. Dedicated to entertainment and tourism, Darling Harbour is surrounded by pedestrian walkways by the sea. It’s got such an astounding water views, parks and exhibitions. The popular restaurants around this lovely place is usually buzzing with people of all ages on the evenings of every weekends.

SYDNEY HARBOUR

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If you are thinking of going on a trip to Australia and are stunned by the varieties of lovely attraction to see, then you can make out time to visit Sydney Harbour. This beautiful natural harbour is world-famous for its spectacular beauty with loads of ferries, cruise boats and sail boats dotting the sparkling deep blue waters on a sunny day. You can take a ride on any of the boats and have a feel of the wondrous and remarkable moments ever in Sydney. You can have a beautiful view of the harbor from the Sydney Harbour Bridge.   The central hub of the harbor where ferries depart is the Circular Quay. From there, you can take a ferry ride to any of the best places in Sydney including The Rocks, Bondi Beach, Toranga Zoo and so much more. You can also decide to go on an adventure by taking part in the Bridge Climb where you’ll have such magnificent view that you cannot forget in a rush. There are also many public gardens where one can have such lovely picnic with friends and family on Sydney Harbour. This is a perfect vacation spot in Sydney.

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

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One of the must see sights in Sydney is the Sydney Opera House. It is one of the iconic landmarks in the city. This landmark is as popular and significant to the city as the Statue of Liberty in New York. The Opera House is also among the most photographed and most visited destinations in the world. It was designed to exhibit all that the people of Australia stands for which are passion, boldness, strength and a lust for life. Its unique and magnificent architecture makes it a must visit for tourists from around the world. Another amazing feature of the Opera House is its location. Sited at the edge of Sydney Harbour, The Opera House offers a spectacular and fascinating view of Sydney. At night, it is definitely a beautiful sight to behold as it illuminates the entire coastline. You can also go into the building and see some of live performance of the finest opera singers in the world. For being among the world’s premier house, it often exhibits some lovely productions.
Whatever your purpose of visiting Sydney, ensure you catch a glimpse of this amazing sight in Sydney as it will give you long lasting memories of fun and excitement.

SYDNEY FISH MARKET

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The Sydney Fish Market is among the premier sources of Seafood in the beautiful Australia continent. It is well known to provide well preserved and fresh seafood in Sydney. It is known to be the biggest market in the southern hemisphere as well as the biggest market in the world as regards seafood variety asides the one found in Japan. This market is also where you’ll find the Sydney Seafood School which has been helpful in encouraging fish consumption amongst the locals in Sydney. The market is usually open daily between the hours of 7 am to 4 pm. You can decide upon taking your fresh fish home to prepare it yourself or have it prepared immediately for you in the market if you seem not to have access to a kitchen. It is also recommended to have lunch to taste the scrumptious fish being sold here

A visit to any of these top places in Sydney will certainly be fun filled and entertaining.

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Hawaii is known for its beaches, right? The white sands, beautiful blue waters, and the perfect weather last all year. It all makes Hawaii the paradise that many people dream about visiting at least once in their life. Many people dream of moving to Hawaii and making it their new home to live out to the end of their days.

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When it comes to the beaches in Hawaii then there are some that all people know about and some that are “hidden gems” but may not be on the top of everyone’s “must visit” list when they visit Hawaii. Here is our list of beaches in Hawaii that you have to spend some time at to really get the feeling of what the Hawaiian Islands are all about.

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Waikiki Beach (Oahu)

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There’s a reason why Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous in the world. You can relax in the sun, wade in calm shallow waters and even take surf lessons. While you’re at Waikiki Beach be sure to take in the Waikiki Aquarium to gain a full appreciation of all the marine life in the Hawaiian waters.

Lanikai Beach (Oahu)

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Lanikai Beach is often voted as one of the most beautiful in the world. It has calm waters that are protected by a coral reef that acts as a natural barrier. Lanikai Beach is good for snorkeling and paddle boarding. If you get the opportunity you can rent kayaks in nearby Kailua and paddle out to the small, twin islands off of Lanikai for a day of adventure and fun.

Punalu’u Beach (Big Island)

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The black sand beach of Punalu’u makes this one of the more unique beaches in all of Hawaii. You’ll notice that everything takes on a different feel and look with the dark contrast of the sand, water and sun. When nearby Punalu’u Beach, take some time and explore Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park which is the site of the longest erupting volcano in the world.

Lahaina Baby Beach (Maui)

Lahaina Baby Beach is a beautiful, white sand beach on Maui. It is actually called Pu’unoa Beach but many people, including locals call it “Baby Beach”. The water is shallow and calm, making this the perfect spot for young ones. Be sure to walk around the historic coastal town of Lahaina while after the beach and take advantage of great outdoor dining on fresh seafood.

Poipu Beach (Kauai)

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Kauai is known as the “Garden Isle” but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have its fair share of gorgeous beaches. Actually, the Travel Channel once named Poipu Beach as “America’s Best Beach!!” As an added bonus, if you visit Poipu Beach between December and May then you definitely want to have your camera ready…migrating humpback whales are often seen right off the coast!

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