Three Great Places to Visit in Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is more than just your average lake. Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains it offers a myriad of activities and attractions in and around the lake itself. Pick one of the nearby ski resorts and enjoy a snow-filled visit or go for a picnic by the beach. There's always something here for everyone from wooden trails and stunning lake views to Vikingsholm, a 1929 Nordic-style mansion. Be sure to download the Lake Tahoe Travel Guide and Offline Map for your lake-side adventures.

1.     Van Sickle Bi-State Park

Nestled at the border of California and Nevada, the Van Sickle Bi-State Park pays tribute to Henry Van Sickle, a key member in the founding of Genoa and the surrounding areas. This public recreation area offers trails for hiking, mountain biking, and even horseback riding. You can also enjoy beautiful historical buildings, which include the historic Van Sickle farm barn, a 1917-era log cabin

2.      Fannette Island

Nestled in Emerald is the only island in Lake Tahoe. Fannette Island was the home of Captain Dick Barter, the Hermit of Emerald Bay, from 1863 to 1873 thus earning it the name Hermit's Island. The eccentric captain built his own tomb and chapel on the island. Accessible by boat, canoe, or kayak you enjoy a different perspective of the lake from the granite islet. On top of the hill lie the ruins of a small stone building, the "Tea House".

3.     Vikingsholm

Vikingsholm a 38-room mansion on the shore of Emerald Bay was built in 1929 by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home. The Nordic-style mansion was inspired by Mrs. Knight's travels to Scandinavia and some parts of the structure contain no nails or spikes as a result of old-fashioned construction methods. Today it is now on the National Register of Historic Places while most of the building was made from materials found at Lake Tahoe.

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Sightseeing in the Majestic Angkor Complex

The Angkor Complex of the ancient capitals of the of the Khmer Empire in Cambodia is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-east Asia. The 400 km2 of land includes a forested area, the Angkor Archaeological Park containing the majestic remains of several temples from the 9th to the 15th century--a testament that Cambodia is truly the Kingdom of Wonder. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. Explore the spectacular Angkor Complex with the Angkor Wat Travel Guide and Offline Map.

1.      Angkor Wat

The largest religious monument in the world is not one to be missed when traveling in South-east Asia. Measuring 162.6 hectares what was originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu during the Khmer Empire gradually became into a Buddhist temple at the end of the 12th century. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious center since its foundation and has become the symbol of the country of Cambodia and even appearing on its national flag.

2.      Bayon

Bayon was built in the 12th-13th century as the temple of the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavarman VII. It stands in the center of the Jayavarman capital, Angkor Thom. It is famous for being richly decorated and its most distinctive feature is the multitude of serene and smiling stone faces on the many towers. The temple is known also for two impressive sets of bas-reliefs, which present an unusual combination of mythological, historical, and every-day-life scenes.

3.      Ta Prohm

Founded again by King Jayavarman VII is comes to no surprise that Ta Prohm, formerly known as Rajavihara, is built in Bayon style. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Ta Prohm is in much the same condition in which it was found: the photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings have made it one of Angkor's most popular temples with visitors.

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3 Compelling reasons to Visit Alhambra!

Built originally for military purposes, the name Alhambra comes from an Arabic root which means "crimson castle", due to the colors of the towers and wall that surround the entire hill of La Sabica. Interestingly enough, by starlight, the walls and towers look silver, but by sunlight, they transform into gold. The Alhambra was created as an "alcazaba" (fortress), an "alcázar" (palace) and a small "medina" (city), all in one. Download the Alhambra Guide and Offline Map to help you understand the distinctive features of the monument when you visit.

1.      It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Alhambra is regarded one of the finest palaces from its era and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. It welcomes over two million in 2014 alone and was declared the most visited monument in Spain. That's reason enough to visit Alhambra considering Spain's other impressive sights. Although the palace was built in the 13th century, its magnificence and beauty remain remarkably intact. The buildings feature intricate designs, detailed mosaics, and hand-carved cedar wood.

2.      It is Home to Magnificent Monuments and Incredible Art

Seven halls at Alhambra is dedicated to a variety of exhibitions where you can learn about the Alhambra's interesting history. It is also considered to hold the best collection of Nasrid and Mudejar in the art world, so the Museum of Alhambra shouldn't be missed. As you walk your way through a labyrinth of passageways, you'll come across impressive monuments. One of the notable monuments is the Fountain of the Lions. It's a stunning piece to behold with its 12 marble lions sitting at the center of the courtyard in the equally mesmerizing Palace of the Lions.

3.      The Stunning View

Having been built as a stronghold by the Arabs, the Alhambra sits on the hilltop and occupies the entire hill of La Sabica overlooking Granada. Expect wondrous views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the rolling hills of the Andalusian countryside. Asides from the views and architecture, visitors can also enjoy a stroll through the Generalife Gardens. It's an oasis of peace and tranquility that dates back 750 years. Although it began as a military fortress, the construction of the palace was eventually commissioned by the Nasrid dynasty and was home to the royal family before the Catholic Monarchs took hold during the Reconquista of 1492.

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What to See at the Palace of Versailles, Home of French Royalty

The royal palace of Versailles with its expansive gardens and massively intricate architecture is considered one of, if not the most, famous attractions in the Île-de-France region of France. Built by King Louis XIV, it has been home to three generations of French kings and queens from 1682 until the beginning of the French Revolution in 1798. As a result, each monarch was able to add new additions to the palace estate making even grander and majestic than it originally was. There is a lot see at here as the entire estate is 2,014 acres and so it's best to plan ahead. Be sure to download the Palace of Versailles Travel Guide and Offline Map to help you to maximize your trip.

1.      Estate of Trianon

Thies intimate estate is famously associated with Queen Marie-Antoinette and thus fondly called the Marie-Antoinette estate. Construction of the estate started under King Louis XIV. It was once called the "Marble Trianon" for the unique pink marbles panels that adorned the palace's facades. Marie-Antoinette is known to seek refuge and spent most of her time away from the prying eyes of the royal court in the marvelous rustic-style cottages of the Trianon. The cottages are surrounded by marvelous gardens with ornate geometric flowerbeds and tens of thousands of flowers.

2.      Hall of Mirrors

The Hall of Mirrors is the most prominent feature at the Palace of Versailles. It was originally built as a terrace that stood between the King and Queen's bedchambers. The open-air terrace overlooking the gardens was soon remodeled due to being exposed to bad weather. When the hall was finished it served as a passageway and waiting area to impress his guests. The Treaty of Versailles, which officially brought the First World War to an end, was signed here in the Hall of Mirrors on June 28, 1919.

3.      Leto’s Fountain

The palace estate has eight majestic fountains that you can visit, but one of the notable ones is the Leto's Fountain. It was inspired by The Metamorphoses by Ovide. It illustrates the story of Leto, the mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children from the insults of the peasants of Lycia and pleading with Jupiter to avenge her. Jupiter agrees and turns the inhabitants of Lycia into frogs and lizards. The central marble pyramid depicts Leto and her children.

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