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Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera (Catalan for ‘The Quarry’), is a building designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built during the years 1905–1910, being considered officially completed in 1912. It is located at 92, Passeig de Gràcia  in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

It was built for the married couple, Rosario Segimon and Pere Milà. Rosario Segimon was the wealthy widow of José Guardiola, an Indiano, a term applied locally to the Catalans returning from the American colonies with tremendous wealth. Her second husband, Pere Milà, was a developer who was criticized for his flamboyant lifestyle and ridiculed by the contemporary residents of Barcelona, when they joked about his love of money and opulence, wondering if he was not rather more interested in “the widow’s guardiola” (piggy bank), than in “Guardiola’s widow”.

The design by Gaudi was not followed in some aspects. The local government objected to some aspects of the project, fined the owners for many infractions of building codes, ordered the demolition of aspects exceeding the height standard for the city, and refused to approve the installation of a huge sculpture atop the building—described as “the Virgin”—but said by Gijs van Hensbergen in his biography of Gaudi, to represent the primeval earth goddess, Gaia.

Casa Milà was in poor condition in the early 1980s. It had been painted a dreary brown and many of its interior color schemes had been abandoned or allowed to deteriorate, but it has since been restored and many of the original colors revived.

Casa Batlló (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈkazə bəʎˈʎo]), is a building restored by Antoni Gaudí and Josep Maria Jujol, built in the year 1877 and remodelled in the years 1904–1906; located at 43, Passeig de Gràcia, part of the Illa de la Discòrdia in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Spain.

 The local name for the building is Casa dels ossos (House of Bones), and indeed it does have a visceral, skeletal organic quality. It was originally designed for a middle-class family and situated in a prosperous district of Barcelona.

The building looks very remarkable — like everything Gaudí designed, only identifiable as Modernisme or Art Nouveau in the broadest sense. The ground floor, in particular, is rather astonishing with tracery, irregular oval windows and flowing sculpted stone work.

It seems that the goal of the designer was to avoid straight lines completely. Much of the façade is decorated with a mosaic made of broken ceramic tiles (trencadís) that starts in shades of golden orange moving into greenish blues. The roof is arched and was likened to the back of a dragon or dinosaur. A common theory about the building is that the rounded feature to the left of centre, terminating at the top in a turret and cross, represents the sword of Saint George (patron saint of Catalonia), which has been plunged into the back of the dragon.

It has had a number of names in its history, but Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan literally means just that – it is the primary city of the nation.  And what a city it is.  Since its change of name twelve years ago the city has been transformed in to something quite different to the other capitals of the world.  The new name itself was chosen so that it was easy to pronounce by anyone. Take a quick tour and see what you think. Bizarre or brilliant? Or a combination of the two?

One of the first things that catches the eye of the visitor to Astana is the Bayterek – because of its enormous size and central location. Nicknamed the Chupa Chups by the local population the tower is a symbol of the transfer of the capital city to Atsana in 1997.  It is also representative of a Kazakh folk tale about the tree of life and the bird of happiness (not the blue one, however).

Samruk, the bird, laid its egg between two branches of a tree – and the rest is obvious.  If you go up to the altitude deck you can see much of the city – it is almost 100 meters in height.  The tower was designed by the British Architect Sir Norman Foster.

While viewing the city you can take a look at the hand print of the first president of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev.  You can place you hand within the golden imprint (yes, that's solid gold) and make a wish.  From the looks of it however, you might think that the designer had watched a few too many episodes of Stargate (Chevron One is in place!).

The Pyramid of Peace (also known as the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation) was also designed by Sir Norman Foster and architecture myth has it that this was the first and only building where he was given a specific brief and forced to stick with it.  The pyramid has large sections devoted to six major world religions and smaller areas for other faiths. At night it is lit up in a myriad of colors.

Although it is quite a mind boggling site from the exterior, unlike the pyramids of old the public have full access to the interior.  This is the view from the ground floor, looking upward.

The top of the pyramid, from the interior, is remarkable. Opened in 2006, the plan is that every few years that representatives of the major religions will meet to discuss how to co-exist in peace and harmony.  The chamber where the delegates meet is based loosely on the UN Security Council room.  The building also houses the strangely named University of Civilization.

A closer look at the glass pinnacle of the pyramid reveals another image of peace.  However, the affairs of state go on in Astana, and the President needs a palace too.  Anything familiar about his place of residence, do you think?

It is known as the Ak Orda – the white horde – and does seem somewhat similar to a building on a Pennsylvania Avenue, albeit one which may have been reimagined in Second Life.  It was built in 2004 as pretty much a concrete slab, with the marble lining (up to 40cm thick) added later.  

The height of the White House in the US is 70 feet on the south side and just over 60 feet on its  north side.  If they were put side by side, Ak Orda would tower above it – at over 260 feet.

From the symbols of power, to those of religion.  The main mosque in the city is the Nur-Astana and is 40 meters in height.  This is to represent the age of the Prophet Mohamed when he had his first revelation.  Likewise the minarets are an enormous 63 meters in height, which was the prophet’s age when he died.

The prayer room, which comfortable fits five thousand people, is astonishing. Another two thousand can overflow on to the square outside.  Although Kazakhstan is secularly governed it also boasts being the largest country with a population which is predominantly muslim.

As a secular country, Kazakhstan now has more of its fair share of buildings which host cultural events from all over the world. The President's Center of Culture is an imposing structure. From above it looks like a large circle (or star perhaps, a recurring theme in Astana architecture) which emits four rays in to the corners of the world.  The building, although very modern, reflect the Turkic tradition, with the blue dome dominating the building.  It houses a vast collection of relics and artefacts from Kazakhstan through the ages.

Next door to the Ak Orda is the Central Concert Hall.  Opened just last year, the building, by Italian architect Manfredi Nicoletti, is reminiscent of the petals of a flower.  However, just as the building has metaphor at the heart of its design, it has utility too.  Astana is shockingly cold in the winter and the inclined walls protect the interior from the inclemency of Kazakhstan’s weather.

 

Above are the offices of KazMunayGas. You would be forgiven for wondering where the many millions of dollars come from to make Astana the gleaming new city that it appears.  The answer is oil.  Crude and natural, the country is awash with it – and it is also planning on being a major exporter of uranium.  

The offices of KazMunayGas, the state-owned gas and oil company,  reflect the wealth that the country is now wielding.  The first former Soviet Republic to pay off its debt to the International Monetary Fund, the country is simply awash in oil dollars.

Christmas holidays are the part of year that you would like to spend with your family in a special way. Away from work, at some special place, with your loved ones is a great feeling. If you intend to spend your winter holidays at east then consider Thailand as your first preference. The reasons are, not only they are trying to boast their tourism but also because holidays in Thailand are much cheaper now than past years. Best time to book year-end holidays tickets is August. But if you rush to your travel agent you can book cheap tickets. Thailand has every kind of places and things to offer to the tourists with all kinds of interest. Following is a list of a few amazing places that you would like to visit in Thailand. Select yours according to your taste.
The first place in Thailand is Bangkok filled with number of historical spots like The Temple of Reclining Buddha, The Grand Palace, The Temple of Emerald Buddha and Floating Market. Every year, million of tourists come from all around the world to visit these ancient but eye-catching spots. The wonderful city is filled with skyscrapers, flea markets, chic malls, temples and people.

At the confluence of three rivers; Pa Sak, Chao Phraya and Lopburi, is the historical city Ayutthaya. Those who like historical ruins are going to love it. It was Thailand’s capital at the time of European Rule and still bears its marks.
If you are interested in some hilly area or trekking site, the option for you is Chang Mai. It is also famous for its spiritual contentment, culinary courses and massage. One other attraction is that it is in proximity to San Kamphaeng that is famous for hot spring.  

If you are looking for the beaches, Koh Phangan is a good option. Palm-lined beach and azure waters with wild night life and full moon parties is the point of youth get-together to celebrate New Year with drinks and music. Koh Samui’s is famous for holiness of its beaches having an 80 feet high gold plated Buddha statue. Its beaches have different specialties like, Chaweng with its exciting nightlife, Lamai with beautiful rocks and Maenam with quietude and peace. Other sights include Secret Buddha Garden with a huge collection of Buddha statues, snake farms, monkeys, and wonderful rock formations.

For those who are interested in natural attractions should visit Krabi, that is surrounded by beautiful coral islands. Lush greenery, gushing waterfalls, wonderful caves, white beaches and limestone cliffs are other worth seeing sights.

For a great California vacation idea I suggest Santa Ynez Valley near Santa Barbara, CA.

This is a beautiful vacation spot for those looking to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of a big city.

It has something for everyone: a fun casino, wine-tastings, high-end restaurants, cute thrift stores, and lots of places for outdoorsy types to explore.

If you're looking for a romantic weekend to spend together, Santa Ynez Valley is certainly the place.

My boyfriend of three years and I spent our Valentine's Day weekend there this year. We stayed at a charming little bed and breakfast in Solvang.

Solvang is also a nice California vacation idea. This adorable Danish town is home to many B&B's- but be careful to book ahead, because they all seem to fill up quite quickly on holiday weekends.

While in Solvang, be sure to enjoy the rows of thrift stores, candy shops, traditional pubs, and boutiques.

There's also the option of renting a cart bicycle, and taking a spin on the small cobblestone streets together.

If you're looking for something a little less kitschy, pick up some gourmet cupcakes at Enjoy, in Los Olivos. Enjoy cupcakes may be a little over-priced, but splurge! It's worth it. Their flavors change weekly, and are always delicious (our favorite was the Mudslide cupcake, with Kaluha icing- yum!)

Try opting for the "flight" of cupcakes: it's a sampling of each flavor in bite-sized cupcakes perfect for sharing with your love. Get them boxed up to go and bring them up to Nojoqui Falls, a lovely little waterfall that only requires a short hike to view.

I completed the trek in a dress and sandals, and we saw pregnant women making the same journey- trust me, even if you're not the woodsy type, you'll still be able to climb the short hike that leads to the waterfall.

It's not a huge, gushing waterfall, but it's a beautiful little sight to see, and a perfect spot to picnic in front of (as there is a seating area cut into the surrounding stone.)

Chumash Casino also makes Santa Ynez a great California vacation idea. It's a very busy Indian casino with lots to do even if you are under 21. Check out the schedule of events because they regularly have concerts and comedians perform there.

If you live in LA, it's a great place to get away from the city and all of its traffic, without being too far of a drive (less than two hours.)

Santa Ynez Valley is an excellent California vacation idea, and I highly recommend it!

India is a land of thousand gods, many say and the perfect epitome of it is visible throughout the length and breadth of this marvellous country. Presence of temples has been reported since the epic period of Ramayan and Mahabharat in India. Amongst the innumerable temples present in India a very famous one known as Jagarnath Temple is located in the beach city of Puri, Orissa.

This temple is primarily devoted to Lord Jagarnath which is an incarnation of Krishna (one of very prominent Hindu gods). This temple holds high religious sentiments amongst the Hindus, primarily because it is a part of Char Dham (places which every Hindu must visit in his/her lifetime) others being Badrinath, Dwarka and Rameshwaram respectively. Jagarnath Temple is the only one in India where goddess, Subhadra, sister of Lord Krishna is worshipped along with her brothers, Lord Jagannatha and Lord Balabhadra. The main temple here is about 1000 years old and constructed by Raja ChodaGanga Deva and Raja Tritiya Ananga Bhima Deva in the 12th century. As story goes this temple was an outcome of a dream which the emperor of Puri saw in his dreams, according to legend he was ordered by God almighty to create temple at a predefined location which he duly followed and the outcome was the Jagarnath Temple of Puri.

The Annual Rathayatra celebrated every year is most prominent amongst all the festivals celebrated in Puri. It has been attracting lakhs of devotees and pilgrims since time immemorial. During this festival the statues of Lord Jagarnath, Balabhadra and godess Subhadra are transferred from Jagarnath Temple to Gundicha Mandir in a hand pulled cart drawn by the pilgrims, after a stay at Gundicha for 9 days the statues are again brought back to the Jagarnath Temple and restored. To see the Lord on the Chariot on the Rathayatra day is a good omen and helps in securing salvation from the cycles of birth and death many Hindus believe. For the administrators the entire Rathayatra period is very cumbersome. Managing thousands of devotees in no easy task and many a times stampedes do occur due to heavy crowd inflow, sometimes even resulting in mass deaths. The task of organizing RathYatra in Puri is no less daunting and challenging than organizing the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad,Uttar Pradesh, India considered as the biggest gathering of human beings on the planet.

The temple Architecture is similar to other temples of Orissa like the Lingaraj temple of Bhubaneshwar and the Sun Temple of Konark. However, due to its proximity to the sea it has been covered with lime plaster to protect it from the saline climate of Jagannath Puri. The design of the inner complex has been designed with utmost care and elegance. The Administration of the temple is carried in accordance with the Sri Jagannath Temple Act of 1954 of the Orissa State Government. At the administrative level the Raja Gajapati of Jagannath Puri is the Chairman with the Collector of Jagannath Puri as the Ex-Officio Vice-Chairman.

Are you planning to go for long holidays to India? Are you looking for good hotel deals in India and wondering how to crack the best deal? If yes then you don’t have to worry anymore! As going through this article, you will be able to avail best hotel deals in India simply.

Europe boasts some of the most fascinating beaches in the whole world. The beaches are famous for their glistening sand and deep, blue waters. The recreational activities offered by these beaches are quite impressive too. Some of the best beaches of Europe are

Biarritz, France

For tourists and surfers, this place is heaven. It is quite popular all over the world. There are also separately demarcated areas, like La Grande Plage that are restricted to swimming and surfing. The beach also hosts the Biarritz Surf festival that features a week-long surfing and music. The crowd that gathers in the small beach is quite happening and just being there is fun in itself.

Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia, Greece

It is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole world. Located near Argostolli, the capital island of Kefalonia, Myrtos beach has fine gold sand and greenish blue water that attracts thousands of tourists during summer. Tourists have to descend a rocky cliff in order to reach the beach. The view from the top of this cliff is, surely, something to die for.

Cannes, France

The place renowned for hosting the International Film Festival is quite famous for its beaches also. Among the tourists visiting the country, La Croisette is quite popular. It stretches 12 kilometres is the most sought hot spot. There are free as well as private beaches. The free beaches are a public place and have lots of recreational activities. The private beaches are although quite expensive but are worth it if you want a well-deserved rest for yourself.

Tarifa, Spain

The place is magical. It is a setting where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. The 10 km stretch of sand is quite popular among the surfers and birdwatchers. The beach offers ideal conditions for windsurfing and various other sports. You can even view the spectacular Rif Mountains of Morocco from the beach. And what would be better than taking a long, lonely walk along the serenity of the beach.

Forte dei Marmi, Tuscany, Italy

The beach is situated between the Marinas of Ronci and Pietrasanta, in the Versilia area of Tuscany region of Italy. Forte dei Marmi is famous for its glistening sandy stretches. The beach also offers some great resorts and hotels. There are even some private beaches for the ones who are burdened by their own pockets. The beach also boasts a weekly ‘Wednesday Market’. Expensive designer clothes are available here among many other things.

Playa de la Concha, San Sebastian, Spain
It is one of the most marvelous beaches that Spain has to offer. Located to the west of Urumera River, the beach is 1350 km long and 40 m wide. The beach remains populated all-round the summer and is thus quite famous among the tourists.