Photos: Hidden Gems Of Europe

Lisse, Netherlands

Here are photos of some of the less known beautiful places in Europe.

Cappadocia, Turkey

Lecce, Italy

Sintra, Portugal

Dijon, France

Delphi, Greece

Photos: Breathtaking World Heritage Sites

Iguacu Falls

Iguacu Falls. (Photo Credit: Dmitry V. Petrenko/Shutterstock)

At 490 feet wide and nearly 3000 feet long, Iguaçu Falls is filled with falls of every size and intensity, most notably Devil’s Throat, where water drops from a height of 270 feet. With the highest flow of water on record, Iguaçu easily topples its equally famous sisters, Victoria and Niagara Falls. Ample viewing opportunities are available: Argentina offers close-up action shots with walkways that lead visitors into the action—feeling the power of the water is unforgettable. Brazil features all-encompassing panoramas and sweeping vistas of the falls’ network, allowing you to appreciate their sheer size.

Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Islands,off the coast of Ecuador.  (Photo credit: sunsinger/Shutterstock)

A utopian universe of 19 volcanic islands comprises the Galápagos archipelago, roughly 1,000 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador, in the Pacific Ocean. Watch your step on islands Isabela and Fernandina, where endemic marine iguanas are protected and thriving, each reaching up to five and a half feet long. Swim with sea lions, sharks, and giant turtles—all playful and curious, having never faced threats from humans. 

Rock Islands Southern Lagoon

Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, Republic of Palau. (Photo Credit: howamo/Shutterstock)

The term “picturesque” must have been coined with Palau in mind. The 200-kilometer chain of islands forms the archipelago, geographically part of Micronesia. Out of eight islands and 250 islets, Palau’s limestone Rock Islands jut out as if positioned on pedestals. Erosion has transformed them into towering umbrella shapes, bases fringed by fronds, reefs, coral walls, caves, and planes and ships—remnants of World War II. With pristine waters, visibility reaches almost 200 feet below the surface. Inhabited for over 4,000 years, the islands are home to ancient burial grounds and drawings.

Halong Bay

Halong Bay, Vietnam. (Photo Credit: John Bill/Shutterstock)

This iconic group of evolving stone islands casts different shapes and colors, depending on the light and time of day, onto the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. The oldest is 280 million years old. Around half of the 2,000-odd limestone and schist islands are named after the shapes they project, such as Hon Rong (“Dragon Islet”). Halong Bay comprises the southwest islands, where eagles soar around forested peaks. Natural grottoes and caves punctuate the intricate and elaborate mesh of islands.

Meteora

Meteora, Greece.  (Photo Credit: Gabriela Insuratelu/Shutterstock)

Precariously perched atop pinnacles of sandstone, 1300 feet high, Meteora’s six Greek Orthodox monasteries tower over the city of Kalambaka in central Greece. They’re centuries old—dating to the 9th century—from a time when Byzantine hermit monks, who lived in Meteora’s caves, were forced to move to safety at these heights.

Borobudur Temple Compounds

Borobudur Temple Compounds, East Java, Indonesia. (Photo Credit: Luciano Mortula/Shutterstock).

Mysticism shrouds dawn in Borobudur. Giant faded pink bell structures cap a giant stupa, representing the micro cosmos, and shimmer through a misty golden sunrise. It’s an ethereal scene that radiates ancient spirituality. The world’s largest Buddhist monument, dated to the 9th century, can be found here. One million tourists pour into Borobudur’s grounds annually to marvel at the balustrades, relief panels, and Buddha statues. The stonework features an interlocking design—an architectural feat for its time.

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre,  Italy. (Photo Credit: Dudarev Mikhail/Shutterstock).

Serrated mountains host olive groves and lush terraced vineyards, nestling five vivid villages that are carved into the coastline. Each is crammed with a distinctive ambiance, connected by wildflowers and butterflies, steeples, and a confectionary of colorful buildings. The cliffs of Cinque Terre seemingly slip into the sea—a protected marine area. Villages are reached solely by train, through a series of tunnels along sheer cliffs.

New Stonehenge 

New Stonehenge visitor centre set to open.

The English Heritage chief executive, Simon Thurley, says Stonehenge has now got “the exhibition and the museum that it deserves”, as part of the ongoing £27m project to improve facilities at the site.

Cyclone Cleopatra: Massive Rainstorm Killed 18 In Sardinia

Two tankers are battered by gale winds while at the roadstead in the rough waters of the Gulf of Cagliari, Sardinia, Monday, Nov. 18, 2013. A violent rainstorm that flooded entire parts of the Mediterranean island of Sardinia has led to the deaths of at least nine people. Bridges were felled by swollen rivers and water levels reached 3 metres (yards) in some places. (AP Photo/Max Solinas)

A massive rainstorm by Cyclone Cleopatra caused bad flash floods in Sardinia, Italy on Tuesday.

Bridges collapsed and cars were swept away by the  gushing flood water.

Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean and is one of Italy’s autonomous regions.

At least eighteen people were killed by the disaster while some others are still missing.

Italy’s civil protection chief, Franco Gabrielli, said the death toll may rise as crews reach isolated areas in the countryside where homes are submerged.

The northeastern city of Olbia was worst hit and Olbia Mayor, Gianni Giovannelli said that the water level raised up to 3 meters high (10 feet) in some part of the city.

Please click the photos for larger images:

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Rescue workers pulling a boat along, wade on a flooded street at San Gavino Monreale in Sardina island November 18, 2013. Italian authorities declared a state of emergency in Sardinia on Tuesday, a day after a cyclone struck the Mediterranean island, killing at least 16 people and leaving hundreds homeless. Overnight, Cyclone Cleopatra dropped 450 millimetres of rain in an hour and a half, causing rivers to burst their banks, sweeping away cars and flooding homes across the island. Picture taken November 18. REUTERS/Rosaspress

A rescue worker wades down a flooded street in San Gavino Monreale on Sardina island November 18, 2013. Italian authorities declared a state of emergency in Sardinia on Tuesday, a day after a cyclone struck the Mediterranean island, killing at least 16 people and leaving hundreds homeless. Overnight, Cyclone Cleopatra dropped 450 millimetres of rain in an hour and a half, causing rivers to burst their banks, sweeping away cars and flooding homes across the island. Picture taken November 18, 2013. REUTERS/Rosaspress

Submerged cars are seen on a flooded street in San Gavino Monreale on Sardina island November 18, 2013. Italian authorities declared a state of emergency in Sardinia on Tuesday, a day after a cyclone struck the Mediterranean island, killing at least 16 people and leaving hundreds homeless. Overnight, Cyclone Cleopatra dropped 450 millimetres of rain in an hour and a half, causing rivers to burst their banks, sweeping away cars and flooding homes across the island. Picture taken November 18, 2013. REUTERS/Rosaspress

A flooded street is pictured in San Gavino Monreale on Sardina island November 18, 2013. Italian authorities declared a state of emergency in Sardinia on Tuesday, a day after a cyclone struck the Mediterranean island, killing at least 16 people and leaving hundreds homeless. Overnight, Cyclone Cleopatra dropped 450 millimetres of rain in an hour and a half, causing rivers to burst their banks, sweeping away cars and flooding homes across the island. Picture taken November 18, 2013. REUTERS/Rosaspress

Rescue workers pulling a boat along, wade on a flooded street at San Gavino Monreale in Sardinia island November 18, 2013. Italian authorities declared a state of emergency in Sardinia on Tuesday, a day after a cyclone struck the Mediterranean island, killing at least 16 people and leaving hundreds homeless. Overnight, Cyclone Cleopatra dropped 450 millimetres of rain in an hour and a half, causing rivers to burst their banks, sweeping away cars and flooding homes across the island. Picture taken November 18. REUTERS/Rosaspress

Rescuers work in a flooded street in the small town of Uras, Sardinia, Monday, Nov. 18, 2013. A violent rainstorm that flooded entire parts of the Mediterranean island of Sardinia has led to the deaths of at least nine people. Bridges were felled by swollen rivers and water levels reached 3 metres (yards) in some places. (AP Photo/Alessandra Chergia)

Gay Right Group Call For Boycott On Barilla

Where there’s Barilla, there’s home

Aurelio Mancuso, head of gay rights group Equality Italia called for a boycott of Barilla’s pastas, sauces and snacks.

He made the call after Guido Barilla, chairman of the world’s leading pasta manufacturer, told Italian Radio 24 on Wednesday that his company would never use a gay family in its advertising.

“I would never do (a commercial) with a homosexual family, not for lack of respect but because we don’t agree with them. Ours is a classic family where the woman plays a fundamental role.”

Barilla for many years has used the image of a happy family living in an idealized version of the Italian countryside, with the slogan, “Where there’s Barilla, there’s home.”

I support Barilla for supporting the classic family and not promoting gay family in his advertisement because homosexual family is against my religion.

It is funny when Mancuso called for the boycott as Barilla does not say anything against gay, what he said was that he does not want a gay family in his advertisements.

It is wrong and unfair for some people to force other people to accept homosexual family as normal because homosexual family is not accepted by lots of religions.

It seems that Mancuso cannot not respect Barilla’s freedom of speech and opinion.

Beautiful Sights On This Incredible Planet From CNN

A rainbow created by the moon — definitely worth a look.

Our planet Earth is very beautiful.

There are so many beautiful places for us to visit and enjoy their beauty.

But these places will be gone if we do not take care of our planet and if there are wars around the world.

Let us take good care of our planet and please stop the wars.

Please click the photos for larger images:

Dubbed “the greatest shoal on earth,” the sardine run on South Africa’s Wild Coast holds two titles — the world’s largest animal migration also featuring the greatest gathering of predators on the planet.

Every evening, these stunning peaks lay on a glorious display of color, starting out bright yellow before turning an intense red that softens to indigo and violet before darkness finally envelops the mountains.

The Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia is home to the highest tides in the world, creating a rare tidal bore — or giant wave — in the Shubenacadie River. Some adventurous types surf or canoe the wave as it moves upriver.

Some 230 meters beneath a stand of cactus-studded rocky slopes in New Mexico lies a wonderland of 117 caves formed when sulfuric acid dissolved the surrounding limestone.

AGRA, INDIA – MAY 28: The Taj Mahal is seen from the South on May 28, 2013 in Agra, India. Completed in 1643, the mausoleum was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who is buried there alongside Jahan.(Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)

Lightning flashes during a thunderstorm early on September 13, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Stormy weather is expected to continue through Thursday.

The Rialto, the Bridge of Sighs, the vast expanse of San Marco look much as they did 400 years ago, but nothing evokes the mystery of La Serenissima quite like Santa Maria Salute looming out of the mist at the entrance to the Grand Canal.

They’re not exotic and in the European case they’re not even that pretty, but they are one of the most mesmerizing sights in nature.

Every year, armies of young backpackers flock to the ancient town of Fenghuang (which literally means “Phoenix”) in Hunan province, for its rich Miao and Tujia ethnic culture as well as a glorious photo opportunity.

Approximately 40% of Korea’s tea is produced in the rolling fields of Boseong, which have also provided the backdrop of many Korean dramas and films.

Sossusvlei means “the gathering place of water” but you’ll need to bring your own if you don’t want to dehydrate at this, one of Namibia’s most outstanding attractions.

Clean, secluded and easy to skip because it takes some effort to get here, the beaches of the Seychelles are the benchmarks against which others must be judged.

Scandinavia gives you a chance to see the most dazzling light display on Earth.

Old mines reborn as tourist attractions.

In the Lake District it’s OK to ponder like a poet.

Early settlers made homes in these natural formations called fairy chimneys.

Not your everyday ruins.

Seen one beach you’ve seen them all? Not a chance.

Your camera’s memory card might blow up inside this Iceland volcano, but otherwise it’s all cool.

Lucky us, the world didn’t end in 2012, so we still have time to see the Mayan ruins in Palenque.

Not always this clear, we know, but still Yosemite.

Snake-charmers, henna painters and more.

Torres del Paine: created with screen savers and inspirational corporate posters in mind.

Orion, Pegasus and about a million of their friends are visible in Mackenzie Basin in New Zealand.

 

Photos: Rare Celestial Dance Of Jupiter, Venus And Mercury

This conjunction of Jupiter, Venus and Mercury was shot in Las Vegas with the Stratosphere in the foreground. (Photo by lybrand/ Credit to Yahoo News).

At the end of May 2013,  Jupiter, Venus and Mercury form a celestial triangle in the night sky.

The three planets shine together in a triangle formation low in the western sky in a planetary meet-up known as a conjunction.

We can even see them with naked eyes if the sky is clear and the place is not too bright.

This cosmic show is so special spectacular because it includes the three brightest planets visible in the May night sky.

Venus is the brightest of the trio, with Jupiter a close second and Mercury coming in third.

Flickr photographers snapped awesome photos of this very rare and special event.

Please click the photos for larger images:

From the photographer: “A trio conjunction of the three planets is taken on 28/05/2013 at Chelsea Beach, Victoria, Australia. Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury now all fit within a 5° circle and will stay that close together until the end of May. Your thumb at arm’s length will almost cover them. This remarkable planetary trio takes place low in the west-northwest shortly after sunset. The next closest grouping of these three planets will not happen until January 2021.” (Photo by Duy Duy Tran/ Credit to Yahoo News)

Jupiter, Mercury, and Venus align above Uncompahgre Peak in Colorado on May 26, 2013. (Photo by Michael Underwood/ Credit ti Yahoo News)

The planetary triangle seen near Tucson, Arizona, on May 27. (Photo by hale_bopp27/ Credit to Yahoo News)

This shot was taken on May 25, 2013, near Crawford, England. (Photo by TheDaveWalker/Credit to Yahoo News).

According to Space.com: “All the action is taking place low in the west-northwest sky about 45 minutes to an hour after sunset where, over a span of a week, the three planets will seem to perform slow acrobatics.” (Photo by RS Yoyo/ Credit to Yahoo News).

By Dolor Ipsum This photo was taken on May 26 from Santa Fe, N.M. By Dolor Ipsum This photo was taken on May 26 from Santa Fe, N.M. By Dolor Ipsum This photo was taken on May 26 from Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Photo by Dolor Ipsum/ Credit to Yahoo News).

This photo was taken on May 26, 2013, from Roncaglia, Marche, Italy. (Photo by Niki Glada/ Credit to Yahoo News).

This photo was taken on May 26, 2013, from Lost Mountain, Georgia. (Photo by StephenGA/ Credit to Yahoo News).

This conjunction of Jupiter, Venus and Mercury was shot in Las Vegas with the Stratosphere in the foreground. (Photo by lybrand/ Credit to Yahoo News).

The three planets will start their separation on May 31, 2013. This photo was taken on May 26, 2013. (Photo by Julian Cooper/ Credit to Yahoo News).

According to Reuters: “On Sunday, Mercury forms the top of the triangle. By Monday, Venus and Jupiter will be side by side, less than 1 degree apart.” (Photo by Nicholas David)

This photo shows the planets near each other on May 26, 2013. From Friday to Tuesday, the three will “fit within a 5-degree circle — small enough to fit inside the bowl of the Big Dipper,” according to Space.com. (Photo by the real Kam75/ Credit to Yahoo News).

From the photographer: “Venus, Mercury and Jupiter are giving a show on the evening skies as they present themselves in a 5º circle.” (Photo by Nimages DR/ Credit to Yahoo News).