Travel blog
Albarracín is a small and unpopulated region, and still full of possibilities for tourism. It is one of the main destinations of Aragon (Spain). Believe it or not, there are many things you can do in Albarracín and you will surely find more than one …
Borobudur Temple, is the largest Buddhist monument in all of Southeast Asia and its origins date back to between 750 and 849. This Buddhist structure, made with limestone, is an authentic wonder and heritage of humanity by Unesco. Very well preserved and located about 75 …
Although many consider it a temple, the Taj Mahal is a mausoleum that hides a beautiful and tragic love story between an emperor and his wife.
This majestic building was built in the 17th century and is located in the vicinity of the city of Agra, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, in India and is undoubtedly a must for the thousands of tourists who visit this corner of India.
But let’s get into the love story that surrounds this magical place.
I was crying a soul in love
Tears, pain, grief, crying
A heart tones its sad song
A hand, tired, behind its closed window
There from his palace, from his window
Admire that white tear
Poetry made art, art that passion starts
For you, my beloved, my wife, my soul sister.
Sha Jahan met his beloved Arjumand in a bazaar where she sold crystals.
Admired by her beauty, she was not able to speak to him at first.
Persecuted by the armies of his father the Emperor, and because of that relationship, after two wives and five years since that first meeting, they joined in marriage.
Arjumand became known as Mumtaz Mahal, «the chosen one of the palace.»
Years of joy and glory passed for the lovers, even when Prince Kurran’s father dies and he is crowned as emperor and begins to call Shah Jahan, «King of the World.»
Four years after this event the tragedy would come …
During the birth of his fourteenth son, Mumtaz Mahal, he died.
Her husband held her hand and listened carefully to her last requests in life:
To build his grave, to get married again
That he was good with his children
And to visit her every year on the anniversary of her death.
Around 20,000 people and more than 1,000 elephants worked in its construction
It was ordered that they leave blind and cut off the hands of all the chief architects so that they could never build anything like that.
It was about to be destroyed in the 19th century by the English.
The Taj Mahal receives more than 3 million visitors a year and is one of the most photographed tourist destinations in the world.
Its architecture is based on Persian, Islamic and Indian styles. It is part of the 7 Wonders of the World since 2007.
Depending on how the sun sets, the mausoleum can be seen up to 10 different shades of color.
It took 22 years for Taj Mahal to build completely. Taj means «crown» and Mahal «first lady of the palace.»
The southern entrance (Sirhi Darwaza):
The door faces south, which overlooks the ancient Mumtazabad. It is the least common access, since it is located between the network of narrow streets of Agra.
The east entrance (Fatehabad Gate):
This door faces Fatehabad and is the furthest from the center of Agra. The ticket offices are 750 meters from the entrance to the Taj Mahal in the so-called «Shilpgram».
The west entrance (Fatehpuri Gate):
It is the main entrance to the Taj Mahal and is oriented towards the center of the city of Agra.
You can get there by walking if we stay nearby, or by tuk-tuk from anywhere in the city.
There is a small pearl of architecture in another area of India. Away from Taj Mahal himself, we find what he suggests is a small copy.
Nicknamed as the younger brother of the Taj Mahal, the Bibi Ka Maqbara also has a relationship with the former, in addition to his obvious construction and design, as the principal architect of the child was the son of the principal of the Taj Mahal, who wanted to honor his Dear mother (Dilras Banu Begum).
The Bibi Ka Maqbara was carried out by the architect Ata-Ullah, son of Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, who primarily designed the most important palace in India, one of the seven wonders of the modern world.
India is a huge country and you can visit the Taj Mahal from many places, but the most common is New Delhi, the capital.
The ticket price is divided into two, one is for nationals and the other for foreigners. The price for foreigners is 15 euros or so.
In the region of the Highlands extends the most popular lake in Scotland: Loch Ness. In this guide you will find everything you need to know to visit Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, located on one of its banks. Let’s say, this is a place …
Halong Bay, or as it is known internationally, Halong Bay, is the most magical, charming and beautiful place in all of Vietnam. The Bay is located in the north of the country, about 300 kilometers from Hanoi, the capital of the country. The Vietnamese call …
With an imposing architecture and more than 800 hectares of gardens, the Palace of Versailles combines history and culture and is one of the most visited places in France.
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for over thirty years, the Palace of Versailles is one of the best known palaces worldwide, not only for its imposing architecture and its endless and well-kept gardens, but because it constitutes an important part of The history of France.
Louis XIV was the first to transform and expand the hunting lodge of his father, Louis XIII, where he would install the Court and the government in 1682. From then until the arrival of the French Revolution, different monarchs were succeeding in the throne and continued to beautify the palace.
In 1661 the works for the creation of the Gardens of Versailles began, that would not be finished until forty years later.
The Palace of Versailles offers visitors an opportunity to appreciate the kind of life that some kings of France had in the Palace.
Bedrooms and other rooms are restored to their original state and invariably cause astonishment reactions among visitors, who realize the great luxury and exaggeration of royalty from past centuries.
Today, Versailles is a national palace where heads of state from other countries are received. In addition, it has several sections open to the public, which are a great tourist attraction in the region.
The most visited of the Palace of Versailles are the Hall of Mirrors, the Royal Chapel and the Opera House. However, the gardens are also a great attraction for most tourists.
Also known as «La Galerie des Glaces», this is perhaps the most famous room in the Palace of Versailles. It measures about 76 meters long and has 17 arched mirrors aligned with 17 windows overlooking the palace gardens.
The ceiling is decorated with paintings that tell several stories of Louis’s triumphs.
The Opera House is recognized, among many other things, for its perfect acoustics.
By the time, the Opera House was too big. The place takes place for 712 comfortably seated people.
An interesting aspect of the Opera House is that it has a mechanism that allows the auditorium floor to level with that of the stage in such a way that it becomes a huge room.
This is where Louis XIV listened to mass every day and where Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette married. The architecture of the Royal chapel is Gothic and Baroque at the same time and its columns are typical of 1700.
Louis XVI listened to the masses from a platform at the same level as the royal departments, only went down to the chapel for ceremonies or very important events.
The impressive Gardens of Versailles have an area of more than 800 hectares along which plants and all kinds of trees are spread, in addition to a large number of marble statues, ponds and fountains.
It is practically impossible to visit all the gardens, but there are different ways of trying, for example by renting a bicycle or an electric car, or with the little train that runs through the gardens.
The gardens of the Palace of Versailles offer a magnificent opportunity to relax while astonishing its visitors. Outside the Palace, on the left side watching from the facade, is the l’Orangerie.
This was where the king had his orange trees, he was the only person who could grow oranges in Paris. Louis had mobile orange trees that could be taken to greenhouses when the weather required it.
In the gardens of the Palace of Versailles is also the Grand Canal. This is a large artificial lake ordered to be built by the king.
On the Grand Canal used to navigate war galleys and other vessels, including Venetian gondolas which served for royalty to wander the lake.
Chichen Itza is one of the most visited places in Mexico. Its Mayan archaeological site in the State of Yucatán is one of the largest in excavated area. Its name comes from ‘Boca-del-pozo (Chichen) of the water priests (Itzá), therefore Boca de Pozo de los …
Bagan was the capital of the Burmese empire. He dazzled Marco Polo and still has a unique splendor. Its more than 4000 temples, more than 2000 in the archaeological site, are a sufficient reason to travel to the country of pagodas and the friendliest people …
Known as «the island of flowers», Martinique is an island of contrasts that combines its marked French character with a cheerful Caribbean accent that constitutes a mixture of the most peculiar.
Martinique is a French overseas department located in the waters of the Caribbean, between the islands of Dominica and Saint Lucia, in the Lesser Antilles.
Martinique is an island with a large extension, so if you only have a few hours there because you arrive on a cruise you will have to select well, since you will not be able to visit too many places.
These are some of the best known points of the island:
One of the best known areas of the Martinique coast is Les Trois-Ilets. This captivating seaside town is located opposite Fort-de-France and the best way to get there is to take the ferry directly when leaving the cruise port.
The main points of interest in this area are the beaches of Anse Mitan and Anse-a-l’Ane, although cultural visits can also be made to know the heritage of the island.
La Savane des Esclaves is a museum dedicated to the slavery period in Martinique, where it is possible to see traditional cabins in addition to a Creole garden.
In the north of the island is the Montagne Pelée (Pelada Mountain), an active volcano of almost 1,400 meters high known for being one of the most destructive in history.
In 1902 it caused a massive destruction in which more than 30,000 people died that destroyed the entire region.
Located in the west of the island, Fort-de-France is the capital of Martinique and the city where the island’s cruise port is located.
Its location, between the mountain and the sea, gives it an attractive appearance since its constructions of cheerful Caribbean tones are concentrated around the hill.
The Dider waterfalls (there are two) are located near the botanical gardens of Balata, easily accessible from Fort-de-France.
You have to leave the car on the side of the road and start walking following the indications (or any tourist who goes there).
To access the first waterfall you have to walk about 30 minutes and go through a tunnel full of bats, puddles and parts through which you have to balance.
One of the main points of interest in the city is the Schoelcher Library, a colorful building that stands out as a counterpoint to Caribbean architecture.
A beautiful excursion around the right arm of Martinique (called presqu`ile de la Caravaelle), located on the east coast.
This circular route starts near the ruins of Château Dubuc and lasts about 4 hours.
During the journey you can see mangrove areas full of crabs, a multitude of white sand beaches and cliffs with beautiful views of the region.
If you are a nature lover, canyoning is a perfect activity to get in touch with her.
Accompanied by a titled monitor and equipped with harness, helmet, carabiner and ropes, you can go through areas that are usually inaccessible.
You will walk between stones and rivers, jump from cliffs over natural pools and descend in rappel between waterfalls. A real adrenaline shot.
One of the most beautiful on the island of Martinique.
To access it you must continue north from Le Precheur until the road ends, which borders the northwest coast of the island.
From the parking lot, you take the access road to the beach and, after a few meters, you have to turn right on a path that goes deep into the forest. It takes an hour to arrive.
The Martinique cruise port is located in Fort-de-France, the capital of the island.
In a couple of minutes on foot you will find yourself in the center of the city and you can also catch some of the ferries that take you to any of the beaches.
Martinique at a glance
Population: 385,000 inhabitants
Size: 1,128 square kilometers.
Language: The official language of the island is French.
Euro coin.
The Forbidden City, everything you need to know. Located in the city center of Beijing, the Forbidden City is the greatest architectural example of the city’s imperial past. Considered the largest imperial residence in the world ever built. The Forbidden City of Beijing was declared …