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Taiwan was called Ilha Formosa which means Beautiful Island by the Portuguese when they landed there in 1544. Taiwan may be small in geographical size but there is a wide range of things to do and see while vacationing there. In this article you will discover some of the top places to visit in Taiwan.

Taipei: The Cosmopolitan Capital of Taiwan

Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, is a “must stop” destination for all who travel there. Long ago, the “Taipei Basin” was inhabited by an Aboriginal tribe called the Ketagelan. Later, Taipei became an important port for the trading of tea under the occupation of the Han Chinese. Finally, the city became the island’s capital.

No one can visit the Taiwan’s capital without a visit to Taipei 101. According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, Taipei 101 is the world’s tallest skyscraper. The building has a total of 106 floors, five being underground and 101 above ground. Thus, the name Taipei 101. Since Taiwan is located in an area that is subject to typhoons and earthquakes, the skyscraper was designed to withstand both of them.

The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is another popular attraction in Taipei. It is also known as the National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall although there has been controversy over the renaming. This great monument to China’s former president Chiang Kai-Shek is located near the Gate of Great Centrality and Perfect Uprightness. The main structure has white walls with an octagonal roof of blue tiles that rises up to 70 meters above the ground. The Memorial Hall contains a library and museum. It is surrounded by a park where a beautiful pond is located..

Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake is Taiwan’s largest lake with a surface area of nearly 8 km squared. It is the home of the Aboriginal tribe called the Thao. In the middle of the lake is an island that is considered to be sacred by the tribe. Because of this, the Aboriginal Cultural Village has been constructed near the lake. At the cultural village, visitors can learn about the history and development of the Thao tribe as well as enjoy the scenic beauty.

Taipei and Sun Moon Lake are just a couple of the wonderful tourist destinations that vacationers can find in Taiwan. Whether you visit the big city or head out to the countryside, you are sure to exclaim as the Portuguese did so many years ago that Taiwan is, in fact, the Beautiful Island.

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Jordan, a country packed full of history, culture and impressive views. Thousands choose to head off on one of the many Jordan holidays every year and with all that’s on offer it’s easy to see why. This article takes a look at some of the best sights in the country, to help you plan your holiday to this fantastic country.

Beautiful Petra

Famous for being one of the most visually stunning archaeological sites in the world, these ancient and elegant ruins attract thousands every year.

The ruins of Petra are hidden away behind a rugged set of mountains; mountains that have helped preserve these fantastic remains. The ancient city is recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a walk down the citiy’s 1.5km long Siq makes it easy to see why. The highlight of the city for many though is the grandiose Treasury building, which is carved into a solid rock wall with a facing over 40 meters high.

The Dead Sea

Also know as the Salt Lake, this impressive body of water is famous for its salt rich waters and buoyant swimming experiences. The Dead Sea makes for a spectacular natural landscape, with the barren, sun bleached, surroundings contrasted with the azure blue waters.

The waters of the sea have been an attraction for humans for thousands of years, with many using the mineral rich waters as treatment for ill health. The Dead Sea today still draws many for its spa like qualities and scientists today still study the regions waters and climates for the health benefits they seem to provide.

Mount Nebo Church

Jordan is believed to be home to the site where Moses viewed the Holy Land and so holds special religious significance today. Although the site of the viewing is believed to be buried today, Jordan still attracts thousands of pilgrims every year; visiting a church dedicated to Moses’ life on Mount Nebo.

The church was built back in the 4th century and dedicated to Moses then further expanded in the 5th and 6th centuries to form a larger basilica; complete with stunning Byzantine mosaics. It really does make for a fantastic destination for anyone interested in the regions history, religion and culture.

There are hundreds of other fantastic locations on offer in this beautiful country; we really just scratched the surface here. So, next time you’re looking for a fascinating holiday destination, why not take a look at Jordan?

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Devon is one of the most enchanting and beautiful places to visit in the South West of England. With a mix of traditional and modern tourist sites, Devon has a lot to offer. Whether it’s enjoying the natural beauty or taking in the several traditional towns and villages that line the coastal areas of Devon, there is definitely a lot to be enjoyed in this large English country.

Since Devon is the centre of much fishing, farming and mining, it is quite populated. Despite this however, Devon’s people are warm and welcoming and since the economy is partially dependent upon tourism, the people are used to tourists and have set up quite a lot of facilities to accommodate them.

From classic English resorts, to bed and breakfast hotels, gift shops and cottages, the county is well constructed to accommodate visitors and there are a variety of things to enjoy here. Local parks and beaches are a must see on a lazy day and planned trips to The South Hams or The English Riviera should definitely be on the list as these are the most popular and beautiful parts of Devon.

There are several opportunities and ways to enjoy the local culture and lifestyle and an inexpensive trip to Beer, a small seaside village that retains many of Devon’s old cultures and traditional buildings fulfils this urge. The village is built around a cove and is a great place to just relax and find some peace, especially for those looking to escape the busy city life.

For those who wish to enjoy bed and breakfast farmhouses and resorts, can find quite a variety of accommodation that offers the same, from countryside cottages to guest houses to resorts, many places offer the bed and breakfast service and are quite affordable so tourists spend most of their day exploring the natural landscape and beauty of Devon.

Since both northern and southern Devon have a variety of parks, sandy beaches, rolling hills, woodlands and rivers, the hotels and resorts allow tourists to keep on moving as they can switch accommodation staying in their chosen area of travel overnight and then moving ahead.
Devon is the perfect getaway for both families and couples. Not only does it offer several natural beauty spots that can be enjoyed but it also offers quite a few activities for children. Devon actually has museums that can be visited with children. Devon’s museums offer an insight into local culture and art as well as a look into the history of the place. Many of the parks offer horse rides, namely the Dartmoor Park which offers miles of open landscape that is surrounded by wooded valleys and can be strolled through at a leisurely pace or galloped through on a horse with the kids.

Devon is not to be missed for those who love natural landscape. A short visit is usually not enough to explore this beautiful county so it is generally a good idea to figure out accommodation and travel details before hand, so that most of the time can be spent lost in the natural beauty of the area.