The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park protects a large part of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef from damaging activities. It is a vast multiple-use Marine Park which supports a wide range of uses, including commercial marine tourism, fishing, ports and shipping, recreation, scientific research and Indigenous traditional use.
Fishing and the removal of artefacts or wildlife (fish, coral, seashells, etc.) is strictly regulated, and commercial shipping traffic must stick to certain specific defined shipping routes that avoid the most sensitive areas of the park. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest and best known coral reef ecosystem in the world.
Its reefs, almost 3000 in total, represent about 10 per cent of all the coral reef areas in the world. It supports an amazing variety of biodiversity, providing a home to thousands of coral and other invertebrate species, bony fish, sharks, rays, marine mammals, marine turtles, sea snakes, as well as algae and other marine plants.
Here are some interesting and fun facts about the Great Barrier Reef:
The Great Barrier Reef as we know it today, began to form over 2 million years ago and is constantly changing in size and structure
There are over 900 islands within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority or GBRMPA, is responsible for the well-being and protection of the reef
It is the largest reef system in the world
Over 2,000 species of animals call the reef home, including over 1,500 species of fish, over 200 species of birds, 6 species of sea turtles and over 30 species of whales and dolphins
The Great Barrier Reef stretches over 2,300 kilometres down the East Coast of Australia
It covers 344,400 km2
Reefs only contribute about 7% to the entirety of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, with islands, cays, mangroves, sand, algal and sponge gardens and seagrass making up the rest
There are 600 types of soft and hard corals that make up the reef
It is said that 10% of the world’s fish population is found on the reef
The Great Barrier Reef is located in the Coral Sea
Around 2 million people visit the Great Barrier Reef every year
The Great Barrier Reef was named a UNESCO World Heritage listed area in 1981
The Reef covers an area from the Torres Strait to Bundaberg, in Northern Queensland
Google offers an ‘underwater street view’ of the Great Barrier Reef where you can virtually swim around the reefs for a first-hand point of view
The Great Barrier Reef continues to thrive and grow every day, teaching us amazing things about its diverse ecosystem and local inhabitants. It is one of the most beautiful and astonishing places in the world and a national icon of Australia. As a source of national pride, it continues to be protected and cared for by its protectors, in hopes that it will be around for many, many generations to come.
Perched high in the eastern Pyrenees, Andorra la Vella – the capital of Andorra – is this small nation’s busiest tourist attraction. At an altitude of 1,029 meters, it’s one of the world’s highest capital cities. It’s also one of the smallest, too, with a population of less than 23,000 people. Presiding over the Gran Valira river under the east side of the 2,317-meter Pic d’Enclar mountain, the city’s main street is lined with shops selling everything from souvenirs to local arts and crafts, along with galleries, cafés, restaurants, and many excellent hotels.
Top attractions include Casa de la Vell, built in 1580 and now the seat of government and notable for its ornate coat of arms and other historical emblems of the country’s former rulers. Highlights of a guided tour include the reception room with its 16th-century wall paintings and, in the Council Chamber (Sala de Sessions), the historic Cupboard of the Seven Keys, to which each of the country’s seven communes has a key (it contains the country’s archives, including documents dating from the time of Charlemagne). Other fun things to do in Andorra la Vella include strolling through Plaça del Poble, a public square on the roof of the city’s administrative complex, which offers great views of the surrounding scenery, and visiting 12th-century Sant Esteve Church, with its fine carved woodwork.
Andorra la Vella Map – Attractions
2. Winter Wonderland: Vallnord
One of the most popular winter sports destinations in the Pyrenees, Vallnord draws skiers and snowboarders from across Europe to its many fine slopes. Located in the northern part of Andorra and boasting a peak altitude of 2,625 meters, Vallnord is really three unique ski resorts in one –Arcalis, Pal, and Arinsal – providing a vast amount of terrain to explore. Skiers and boarders of all levels are well catered to, with more experienced downhillers usually heading for the north-facing alpine slopes of Arcalis with its long lasting snows, while beginners and seasoned enthusiasts alike are well catered to at Arinsal and Pal. Most slopes are connected to one another by cable car, while gondolas from the village of La Massana serve Pal.
Vallnord is particularly popular for family ski vacations due to its first-rate ski schools and fun activities such as snowshoeing, sledding, and snowmobiling, as well as paintball and laser tag. For the truly adventurous, activities such as speed riding (a mix of skiing and hang-gliding), heli-skiing, and ski-biking are available. Another popular ski area is Grandvalira between Andorra la Vella and Les Escaldes.The arrival of warmer weather sees the opening of the Vallnord Bikepark, a massive network of mountain biking trails, which also draws adventure seekers. Vallnord is also well-served when it comes to accommodations, and offers a variety of hotel options from budget hostels to luxury hotels.
3. Sant Joan de Caselles Church
A little way north of the picturesque village of Canillo is the chapel of Sant Joan de Caselles. Considered one of the country’s finest Romanesque churches, this splendid old stone building dates from the 11th century and contains many interesting features, most notably its fine interior decorated with excellent frescoes, as well as a retablo, St. John and the Apocalypse, dating from 1525. Other highlights of this well-preserved Catholic church are the choir grille with its Romanesque stucco figure of Christ on the Cross, and the unique polychrome painting that surrounds it.https://5d144828db405ecf16594b4779f112eb.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html
4. Centre Termolúdic Caldea
Found in the heart of Andorra la Vella, the huge Centre Termolúdic Caldea, Europe’s largest spa complex, dominates the capital’s skyline with its magnificent glass pyramid tower. Featuring more than 6,000 square meters of watery fun and treatment areas, guests can make full use of the facility’s numerous lagoons (both indoor and outdoor), its many saunas and Jacuzzis, as well as its specialized spa areas featuring Indo-Roman baths, cascades, warm marble slates, and even a grapefruit pool. Due to its use of the mineral-rich warm waters that emerge from the city’s thermal source, a visit to this uniquely designed spa complex is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that is not soon forgotten. For those seeking an adults-only experience, be sure to visit the spa’s Inúu facility.
5. Ordino and Casa d’Areny-Plandolit
The chief destination in Andorra’s picturesque Valira del Nord Valley is the small town of Ordino, idyllically located at the base of the 2,740-meter-tall Casamanya mountain. In addition to its quiet streets, quaint shops, elegant hotels, and old churches, the town is home to Casa d’Areny-Plandolit, built in 1633 and later rebuilt in the mid-19th century by Baron de Senaller, famous for instigating reforms in 1866 that gave heads of households voting rights. Now open to the public, this splendid old house boasts a magnificent wrought-iron balcony from 1843 along with a reproduction of the country’s original Cupboard of the Seven Keys. On the ground floor are storerooms and a blacksmith’s shop, while on the upper level is the old armory with its large barrel-organ, as well as the dining room in which the Baron’s Limoges and Sèvres dinner services (the latter a gift from the Austrian Emperor) are displayed. Other interesting rooms are the library with its coats of arms of related families, the music room with a copy of the original version of the Andorran national anthem, the private chapel, and a bakery.
Also worth visiting while in Ordino is the Postal Museum (Museo postal de Andorra). Highlights of a visit include audio-visual displays outlining the growth and development of the country’s postal service (including the delivery by mail of the country’s first pair off skis), how stamps are made, and a rare collection of more than 50,000 Andorran stamps.
6. La Cortinada and Sant Martí Church
The village of La Cortinada is one of the most attractive smaller communities in Andorra. Surrounded by meadows and rugged mountains, the village is home to the lovely 12th-century Sant Martí de la Cortinada church, notable for its Romanesque frescoes, its charnel-house, and a beautiful old dovecot. Later additions from the 17th and 18th centuries include locally made fine wrought iron railings, a brightly painted wooden altarpiece, numerous fine pieces of elaborate furniture, and a confessional.
Another village worth visiting is tiny El Serrat. At the end of the road running through the Valira del Nord Valley, this mountain village sits in a magnificent location and is a great base from which to explore the surrounding countryside. It’s equally popular among bird-watchers and hikers, as well as those with an interest in alpine flora. Come winter, activities switch to downhill skiing and snowboarding, as well as Nordic skiing and snowshoeing.
7. The Town of Les Escaldes
The Andorran town of Les Escaldes, just a few minutes’ drive from Andorra la Vella, takes its name from the many hot springs dotted around the community. Known for their high sulphur and nitrogen content, the town’s waters range from a pleasant 22 degrees Celsius to a scalding 66 degrees Celsius and were well known as far back as Roman times for their medicinal qualities. Other highlights include the Viladomat Museum with its displays of works by Catalan sculptor Josep Viladomat, the ruins of the old fortress of Capilla Sant Roma, and the historic Pont dels Escalls bridge with its superb views of the old town.
Also well worth a visit is the Thyssen Museum, an art gallery centered around a large private collection including works by 19th- and 20th-century Masters such as Monet, Matisse, and Gauguin (the country’s newest major attraction also offers visiting exhibits). Another art-related attraction is the Centre d’Art d’Escaldes-Engordany, which houses an interesting collection of sculptures and artworks in a historic heritage building.https://5d144828db405ecf16594b4779f112eb.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html
8. Touring the Valira d’Orient Valley
A highlight of a visit to Andorra is the chance to explore this small mountain nation’s stunning scenery from the comfort of a car. One of the best routes is along the Valira d’Orient Valley, starting in Les Escaldes north of the capital Andorra la Vella, before heading along the narrow, winding road leading up to the 12th-century Sant Miquel Engolasters, a typical example of the country’s many Pyrenean churches in Lombard Romanesque style. From here, it’s possible to walk to Lake Engolasters, an artificial lake created by a dam, which is popular for fishing and sightseeing.https://5d144828db405ecf16594b4779f112eb.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html
9. Encamp and the National Automobile Museum
In the geographical center of Andorra, the town of Encamp – home to nearly 12,000 people – makes for a good base no matter what time of year you choose to explore the country. Its downtown is also one of the prettiest, with the Valira d’Orient river running through it, and its fine old buildings now serve as shops, cafés, and restaurants. It’s also a great place from which to embark on hiking and biking adventures thanks to the neighboring Pic dels Pessons mountain, at 2,865 meters the parish’s tallest peak. Come winter, the town is transformed into one of the country’s most important ski centers with a gondola linking it directly to the slopes of Grau Roig and Pas de la Casa. The city is also home to the excellent National Automobile Museum with its numerous displays of classic vintage cars – including a steam-driven machine dating from 1885 – along with antique motorcycles and bicycles, all in mint condition.
10. The Santa Coloma Church
On the main road leading from Andorra to Spain in the little village of Santa Coloma is one of the country’s finest Romanesque places of worship, the Santa Coloma Church, the oldest church in the country. Notable for its tall, rounded three-stage tower – very different from the more typical square design of other church towers in the country – this splendid old stone structure dates from the 9th century and contains a much venerated 12th-century statue of the Virgin of Coloma, a number of Mozarabic frescoes on its arched entrance, and a splendid medieval font. Afterwards, take the short hike up to the 12th-century castle of Sant Vicenç d’Enclar perched upon the commanding Roc d’Enclar just above the village.
In the eyes of most travelers, you haven’t been to China if you haven’t climbed the Great Wall.
One of the iconic symbols of China, the Great Wall is the longest wall in the world, an awe-inspiring feat of ancient defensive architecture. Its winding path over rugged country and steep mountains take in some great scenery. It deserves its place among “the New Seven Wonders of the World” and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in China.
The wall spans from China’s western frontier to the east coast, totaling around 5,000 km (3,100 miles), but the most integrated and best-preserved sections are close to Beijing. So this is what people usually mean when mentioning the Great Wall of China.
2. The Terracotta Army in Xi’an — 2,000-Year-Old Underground Army
The Terracotta Army has laid underground for more than 2,000 years. However, in 1974, farmers digging a well uncovered one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world. In 1987 it became World Cultural Heritage.
It is significant because the hundreds of detailed life-size models represent the army that triumphed over all other Chinese armies in the Warring States Period (475–221 BC), and who were the decisive factor in forming a united China. It raises interesting questions about why it was made, which await your consideration when you come face-to-face with soldiers of the past.
3. The Forbidden City in Beijing — Imperial Palace for 24 Emperors
It was once a “palace city” where ordinary people were forbidden entry. An extravagant demonstration of ancient Chinese architecture, over 8,000 rooms with golden roofs are elegantly designed and painted in red and yellow.
The Forbidden City was the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties for 560 years till 1911. 24 emperors lived there. World Cultural Heritage, and now known as ‘the Palace Museum’ among Chinese, it is a treasure house of Chinese cultural and historical relics.
It is recognized as one of the five most important palaces in the world (with the Palace of Versailles in France, Buckingham Palace in the UK, the White House in the US, and the Kremlin in Russia).
4. The Bund in Shanghai — Stunning Skyline, Colonial Architecture
The Bund is one of the most recognizable architectural symbols of Shanghai. It showcases the world with its colonial European buildings and skyscrapers the other side of the Huangpu, housing one of the world’s foremost business districts.
The Bund was Shanghai’s most prosperous area in late 19th century and early 20th century. When the first British company opened an office at the Bund in 1846, it became the epitome of elegance.
5. The Li River in Guilin — China’s Most Celebrated Scenery
The karst landscape along the Li River has captured the heart of artists. Generations of Chinese painters and poets have been inspired by the beauty of nature there, using their pens and brushes to capture the breath-taking natural scenery.
Nowadays it’s a popular photography destination. When Chinese travelers seek a place for natural beauty, they first think of Li River and Yangshuo.
The 83-kilometer-long section of the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo is the most beautiful. The river landscape is decorated with startling hills, steep cliffs, and farming villages, and is lined with bamboo groves.
The Li River was listed as one of the “World’s Top Ten Watery Wonders” by America’s National Geographic Magazine. Several world-famous figures have visited the Li River, including former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush (senior), and Bill Gates.
6. Giant Pandas in Chengdu — China’s “National Treasure”
The giant panda is not only deeply loved by the Chinese, but by many foreigners too, and not just children. Although there are many zoos in China and elsewhere, where you can see a giant panda, the best place to see them is Chengdu — the giant panda’s “hometown”.
There are three places you can see pandas close up: Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center, Dujiangyan Panda Valley, and Bifengxia Panda Base.
Chengdu Panda Center is in the north of the city, and is more established. Bifengxia Panda Base is 2 hours from Chengdu, has more pandas, and you can see pandas more in their natural habitat. You can get even closer to the pandas by taking a volunteer program in Bifengxia or Dujiangyan Panda Valley, an hour outside Chengdu.
7. The Yellow Mountains near Shanghai — Legendary Wonders
In east China, close to Shanghai and Hangzhou, the Yellow Mountain Scenic Area woos travelers with its five wonders: sun rises, seas of clouds, oddly-shaped rocks, twisted pine trees, and hot springs.
The Yellow Mountains are the most famous peaks in China, and one of China’s three best national parks — the other two being Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Jiuzhaigou National Forest Park. Compared to the two other national parks, Yellow Mountain National Park is easier to access, and, naturally, more popular and busy.
Jiuzhaigou in west China’s Sichuan Province is famous for its multicolored lakes and fall foliage; Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is well-known for its grotesque rock pillars. If you are looking for world-class scenery, consider going to all of them.
8. The Potala Palace in Tibet — Heart of the Roof of the World
The Potala Palace is a symbol of Tibet. In 1994 it was declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. It is a huge treasure house of materials and articles from Tibetan history, religion, culture and art. The palace is widely known for the precious sculptures, murals, scriptures, Buddhist statues, antiques, and religious jewelry housed within.
9. Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong — Mighty Skyscraper Skyline
The view over Victoria Harbour from Victoria Peak is to Hong Kong as climbing the Great Wall is to China; it offers the iconic outlook over Hong Kong’s “high rise” to success and prosperity.
Victoria Peak is the best spot to have a bird’s eye view of Hong Kong. Viewed from the peak, both day and night scenes are worth taking in. See high-rise buildings round the busy Victoria Harbour stretching out towards Mainland China. At night the scenery is gorgeous, when the Symphony of Lights of various buildings dances in unison.
10. West Lake in Hangzhou — Paradise on Earth
Hangzhou is renowned as China’s “paradise on earth” owing to its beautifully crafted landscape. West Lake was created after the Chinese love for garden-style parks for recreation.
West Lake is a place of tranquility where urbanity becomes a silhouette on the northeast horizon and mountains near and far surround it on the other three sides. The occasional pagoda and Chinese-style arched bridge add atmosphere to the tree-lined walkways, verdant islands, and hills.
To admire the beauty of West Lake, visitors can leisurely bike around the lake, walk around the lake, or take a short cruise on the lake.
Ithaca While there are plenty of beautiful college campuses in the world, Cornell students have the privilege of passing by a 55-foot cascading waterfall on their way to class. Triphammer Falls, consisting of two drops, is located in the heart of the college’s Ithaca campus. Even more picturesque, the base off the falls is accented by an abandoned power station set back against the falls.
Bannerman Castle
Pollepel Island/Newburgh When Brooklynite Francis Bannerman VI’s army-surplus business grew too rapidly to be contained in New York City, he did what any entrepreneurial Scottish immigrant would do in the early 1900s; he built a castle on an island in the Hudson to contain the extra inventory, plus a smaller residential castle for comfort. After Bannerman’s death in 1918, a gunpowder explosion in 1920, and a handful of other unfortunate events, the castle was left in ruins. Left almost untouched — except by the hands of time and graffiti artists, the charmingly dilapidated castle is easily accessible from NYC via Metro-North. The Island hosts occasional theatrical events and film screenings, and you can catch a history lesson on weekend walking tours from May through October.
Whiteface Mountain Steps
Wilmington If the ancient steps of the Great Wall of China are a bit out of reach this fall, consider the stone path up Whiteface Mountain Stairway Ridge Trail the Adirondacks’ not-so-ancient alternative. Steep and slippery at times, the 0.2-mile man-made path is nearly as photogenic as the natural landscape it’s built around. And on a day with heavy, low hanging clouds, your photos might just convince your followers that you’ve trekked beyond the boundaries of New York State.
Stonecrop Gardens
Cold Spring Like a Monet painting come to life, Stonecrop Gardens is the lifeblood of two horticulture-loving New Yorkers who dreamt of sharing their plants with the masses. Since opening to the public in 1992, it’s offered guests an immersive experience with nature that dramatically transforms from autumn’s muted hues to a kaleidoscope of bright, popping primary colors in the spring and summer.
Ausable Chasm Bridge
Ausable Chasm Nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the Adriondacks,” Ausable Chasm offers myriad outdoor activities: rafting, rock climbing, tubing, biking, and all of those other nature-y pastimes with cult followings. To get the ‘Gram, a sunset photo of the Ausable Chasm Bridge is the way to go, unless you have a waterproof camera to capture action shots in the river below.
Sodus Bay Lighthouse
Sodus Bay Casting light to the seamen on Lake Ontario, the original Sodus Bay Lighthouse was commissioned by Congress in 1824. After years of deterioration, the lighthouse was replaced in 1871, serving ships and sailors for 80 more years. Now refurbished and transformed into a maritime museum, it’s far dreamier than anything Nicholas Sparks could conjure up.
Mt. Colden and Avalanche Lake
North Elba The Avalanche Pass and Avalanche Lake Trail is a difficult trek best enjoyed by experienced hikers. Adventures on wooden ladders, over bridges, and across ski trails lead to some of the most spectacular views of the Adirondacks. This route is beautiful amid fiery fall foliage, under a blanket of snow during winter months, and flush with greenery during spring and summer. The unobstructed, 360-degree spectacle is worth the effort any time of year.
Giant Ledge
Shandaken Giant Ledge doesn’t crack the top 50 highest points in the Catskills, but this 3.2-mile roundtrip hike is still one of the most popular routes in the region. The trail winds around eight scenic lookout spots and offers five gorgeous ledges with incredible views. It is also home to two lively campgrounds, and even offers the option to continue on another, more advanced trail up Panther Mountain, starting at the first ledge and stretching 2 miles beyond.
Boldt Castle
Alexandria Bay In 1900, George Boldt, then manager of the Waldorf Astoria, began building a six-story castle on Heart Island in the Saint Lawrence River as a lavish gift to his wife. After Mrs. Boldt’s death in 1904, the castle was unfinished and left to wither away before being bought and renovated in the ‘70s. Today it remains in perfect condition, with opulent stained glass windows and a restored Kestrel 1892 steam yacht, and even serves as an official Port of Entry into the United States for guests boating over from Canada.
Castle Rock
Blue Mountain Lake Everyone knows the world looks better from above, and one of the most beautiful views in New York is found 700 feet up, on the top of Castle Rock. A mostly gentle, mile-and-a-half hike up Castle Rock Trail ends with sweeping views of Blue Mountain Lake and her large, timbered islands. Prepare for gentle slopes until a kick just below the summit.
Sonnenberg Gardens
Canandaigua Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park splits the aesthetic difference between Marie Antoinette’s Gardens of Versaille and the Queen of Hearts’ croquet ground in Alice in Wonderland. The 50-acre estate, open from May until the end of October, is an Instagrammer’s dream with bright flowers, historic buildings, moonlight strolls, and, most important, a location smack in the middle of the Finger Lakes wine region.
Mushroom House
Pittsford Taking the concept of getting back to nature to the nth degree, the Mushroom House was built in the early ‘70s and designed not after the fungi it so clearly resembles, but rather stalks of Queen Anne’s lace. Four connecting pods sprawl across 4,168 square feet and blend into the surrounding woods. Book the three-bedroom, three-bathroom marvel for a weekend and party like Papa Smurf.
Eternal Flame Falls
Orchard Park Like most waterfalls, this one located in Erie County’s Chestnut Ridge Park consists of, er, falling water — 30 feet of it, to be exact — but it’s also home to a small grotto behind the cascading water with an active “eternal flame” — a natural gas spring that’s usually burning. Though the flow of the waterfall is subject to the rain and the seasons, the gas from the eternal flame never stops flowing. The trail is an easy 1.2-mile hike, with a steep path leading down to Shale Creek. Once you smell rotten eggs, or catch sight of posing ‘grammers, you’ve found the natural light.
Caumsett State Park
Huntington Originally built in 1921 as a lavish and self-sufficient English-style estate — the place had its own electrical supply — the grounds and its buildings were eventually handed over to the state of New York and transformed into a nature lover’s paradise on a peninsula jutting out on the Long Island Sound. Today, at over 1,500 acres, the park offers a diverse variety of activities and experiences: hiking, bird-watching, polo, fishing, and scuba diving with permit.
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