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Monday, August 26, 2013

INDIA'S ROYAL CITY MYSORE


ABOUT MYSORE

              Mysore is yet to, and perhaps will never, get over its past. A past thats made of kings, queens, conquests, rich patrons, extravagant durbars and pearled hallways must be hard to get over. The streets in Mysore are old and a good part of history can be traced by following their winding paths. The city that gets its name from Mahishasura, the troublemaker demon who was slain by the Goddess Chamundeshwari: whose temple atop the Chamundi Hill watches all over the city, has played host to the reign of a long line of Wadiyars, Tipu Sultan and the British Raj.   All roads in Mysore lead to the Mysore Palace, and rightfully so. An ode to magnificence, the Mysore Palace is a marvel of ornate ceilings, jewelled corridors, open mandaps, stained glass windows, vivid paintings and Wadiyar memorabilia - including the jewelled throne. As the main host of the famous Mysore Dasara, the Palace still has the airs of the headquarters of a sovereign. Mysores other palaces include the Jaganmohana Palace, Rajendra Vilas, Lalitha Mahal (which is now the Lalith Mahal Palace Hotel) and the Jayalakshmi Vilas.   They make it all big and grand at Mysore or so it appears. St. Philomenas Church is awe-inspiring with its Neo-gothic style, built along the lines of the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. The 12th century Chamundeshwari Temple built in the style of the Hoysalas is no less impressive - it also boasts one of the biggest monolithic Nandi statues. If the pretty-as-a-picture Brindavan Gardens are a tad too manicured for your tastes, you can always head for the wilderness of the nearby BR Hills or the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. The latter is comprised of six islets, teeming with water birds including painted storks and pelicans, and is located on the banks of the Cauvery thats teeming with crocodiles. A boating experience here is surreal as much as it is common - its not everyday youre within an arms length from a monster crocodile with no protective fencing in between. Mixed as the flavours are, Mysore offers an experience that has been tried, tested and approved by royalty for centuries. 



THINGS TO DO



Be sure to pay a visit to Mysore's most renowned landmark, the extravagantly magnificent Mysore Palace. The Mysore Dasara, the festival which has a centuries-old association with the Mysore Palace and falls during October-November is a must-experience by all means. Mysore's other palaces, the Jaganmohana Palace - which is now a museum, Rajendra Vilas, Lalitha Mahal and the Jayalakshmi Vilas also paint an interesting tapestry of Mysore's regal past.
The Chamundi Hill from which you get a gorgeous view of the city and its namesake Temple are important stops for both the pilgrim and the traveler
Mysore's sprawling zoo, Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens is an interesting stop with its animals housed in habitat-like enclosures.
St. Philomena's Cathedral is an awe-inspiring example of gothic architecture.
The Brindavan Gardens with its riot of colour and musical fountains is a touristy favourite.
Mysore isn't far from some of Nature's favourite haunts. The Bandipur National Park is about 80 km away, BR Hills - that lush slice of forest area where the forest brigand once, Veerapan loomed large - is about 85 km away, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary - made up of two islets in the Cauvery River teeming with migratory birds throughout the year and other inhabitants like the bonnet macaque, river otter and marsh crocodile - is about 17 km away. The formidable beauty of the Shivasamudra Falls that takes a mighty plunge amidst forested heights is about 65 km from Mysore.
Architectural wonders like those at the fortress city of the Srirangapatna (12km away) where Tipu Sultan resisted the forces of the British, Somnathpur (45 km) with its Hoysala grandeur, including the Kesava Temple which is upheld as one of the best preserved and only complete one among the 80 Hoysala temples in the region, the temple town of Melkote (50 km), the partly buried temple at Talakad (45 km) and the Ranganatha Swamy Temple at BR Hills that teeters on the edge of a precipice overlooking a drop of 1000ft.



Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel
Siddhartha Nagar PO, Mysore 570 011
Tel: 0821-252 6100
Fax: 0821-247 0555
Tariff: 4500.00 to 33750.00
Fortune JP Palace
#3, Abba Road, Nazarbad, Mysore 570 007
Tel: 0821-398 8444
Fax: 0821-398 4544
Tariff: 8200.00 to 17572.00
Sandesh The Prince
3, Nethra Nivas, Nazarbad Road, Mysore 570 010
Tel: 0821-243 6777
Fax: 0821-244 5577
Tariff: 3955.00 to 13855.00
The Windflower Spa & Resorts
Maharanapratap Road, Nazarbad, Mysore 570 010
Tel: 080-4114 2408, 0821-252 2500
Fax: 0821-252 2400
Tariff: 4200.00 to 9900.00
The Hotel President
2723, Near Hardinge Circle, Bangalore-Nilgiri Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 5111
Tariff: 2869.00 to 8849.00
Golden Landmark Resorts
45/A, KRS Road, Metagalli, Mysore 570 016
Tel: 0821-241 7171
Fax: 0821-241 9991
Tariff: 5500.00 to 8800.00
Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel
Siddhartha Nagar PO, Mysore 570 011
Tel: 0821-252 6100
Fax: 0821-247 0555
Tariff: 4500.00 to 33750.00
Fortune JP Palace
#3, Abba Road, Nazarbad, Mysore 570 007
Tel: 0821-398 8444
Fax: 0821-398 4544
Tariff: 8200.00 to 17572.00
Sandesh The Prince
3, Nethra Nivas, Nazarbad Road, Mysore 570 010
Tel: 0821-243 6777
Fax: 0821-244 5577
Tariff: 3955.00 to 13855.00
The Windflower Spa & Resorts
Maharanapratap Road, Nazarbad, Mysore 570 010
Tel: 080-4114 2408, 0821-252 2500
Fax: 0821-252 2400
Tariff: 4200.00 to 9900.00
The Hotel President
2723, Near Hardinge Circle, Bangalore-Nilgiri Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 5111
Tariff: 2869.00 to 8849.00
Golden Landmark Resorts
45/A, KRS Road, Metagalli, Mysore 570 016
Tel: 0821-241 7171
Fax: 0821-241 9991
Tariff: 5500.00 to 8800.00
Hotel Regaalis
13-14, Vinoba Road, Mysore 570 005
Tel: 0821-242 6426
Fax: 0821-242 1689
Tariff: 5500.00 to 8250.00
The Viceroy
Sri Harsha Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 4001/ 8001
Tariff: 2179.00 to 7929.00
Royal Orchid Brindavan Gardens
Krishna Raja Sagar, Mysore 571 607
Tel: 0823-625 7257
Tariff: 5500.00 to 6600.00
Royal Orchid Metropole
5, Jhansi Lakshmibai Road, Mysore 570 005
Tel: 0821-425 5566
Tariff: 5500.00 to 6600.00
The Monarch
Hunsur Road, Hinkal, Mysore 570 017
Tel: 0821-251 9141
Tariff: 2750.00 to 3300.00
The Green Hotel
2270, Vinoba Road, Jayalakshmipuram, Mysore 570 012
Tel: 0821-425 5000-02, 251 2536
Tariff: 3025.00 to 6325.00
Mango Suites Maestro
116,117,118, 6th Main, 3rd Cross, Jayalakshmipuram, Mysore 570 012
Tel: 0821-655 9696
Tariff: 2261.00 to 3253.00
Hotel KVC International
Krishna Vilas Road, Near Rotary Jawa School, Mysore 570 004
Tel: 0821-4283101-5
Tariff: 2750.00 to 5500.00
Shree Guru Residency
10/1, JLB Cross Road, Devaraja Mohalla, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-426 9111
Tariff: 848.00 to 2800.00
Hotel Ramanashree
43/A, BN Road, Hardinge Circle, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821- 252 2202
Tariff: 2487.00 to 5433.00
Hotel Paradise
104, Vivekananda Road, Yadavagiri, Mysore 570 020
Tel: 0821-241 0366, 251 5655
Tariff: 1166.00 to 2750.00
Hotel Pai Vista
35/A, Bangalore-Nilgiri Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-252 1111
Tariff: 3390.00 to 5085.00
The Fern Residency
116, 117, 118, 3rd Cross, 6the Main, Jayalakshmipuram, Mysore 570 012
Tel: 0821-4253355
Fax: 0821-4257755
Tariff: 2016.00 to 5040.00
Hotel Aranya International
Hand post, H D Kote, Mysore, 571114
Tel: +91 876 237 4102 / 4099
Tariff: 770.00 to 1500.00
Crystal Paark Inn
28, New No. 2, Theobald Road, Nazarbad, Mysore 570 010
Tel: 0821-400 0050/ 6006
Tariff: 2500.00 to 4600.00
Nalapad Residency
Dr. Nelson Mandela Road, New Bannimantap Extension, Mysore 570 015
Tel: 0821-249 1117/ 1534
Website: www.nalapad.com
Tariff: 1554.00 to 4600.00
Mysore Hotel Complex
2729, Bangalore-Nilgiri Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821- 242 6217
Fax: 0821-242 6219
Tariff: 499.00 to 2750.00
Jade Garden
1064/1, Jayalakshmi Vilas Road, Near Law Courts, Chamarajapuram, Mysore 570 005
Tel: 0821-4008222
Tariff: 2825.00 to 4520.00
Kings Kourt
1294/B, Jhansi Lakshmibai Road, Mysore 570 005
Tel: 0821-242 1142
Tariff: 1980.00 to 4400.00
Hotel Siddharta
73/1, Guest House Road, Nazarabad, Mysore 570 010
Tel: 0821-252 2999/ 2888
Tariff: 1177.00 to 4324.00
Ginger Mysore
Nazarbad Police Station, Vasanth Mahal Road, Mysore 570 010
Tel: 0821-663 3333
Fax: 0821-663 3336
Tariff: 2119.00 to 2748.00
Parklane Hotel
2720, Sri Harsha Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-400 3500
Tariff: 780.00 to 2700.00
Adhi Manor Hotel
L-20, Chandragupta Road, Mysore 570001
Tel: 0821-400 1000
Fax: 0821-400 1002
Tariff: 1484.00 to 2640.00
Hotel Palace Plaza
2716, Sri Harsha Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-241 7592, 243 0034
Fax: 0821-242 1070
Tariff: 1590.00 to 2640.00
Royal Inn
435, KRS Road, Metagalli, Mysore 570 016
Tel: 0821-241 5153
Fax: 0821-241 5207
Tariff: 908.00 to 2420.00
Ganesh Palace Inn
L-17, Chandragupta Road, Next To Shabbar Bus Stop, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 8985, 242 1909
Tariff: 1325.00 to 2320.00
Gallery View Hotel
425/426, Opp: Jaganmohan Palace, Deshika Road, Mysore 570 024
Tel: 0821-426 4571
Fax: 0821-242 1070
Tariff: 936.00 to 2200.00
Grandview Hotel
425/426, Deshika Road, Opp. Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-426 9000
Tariff: 728.00 to 2200.00
Darshan Palace
Lokaranjan Mahal Road, Opp. to Regency Theatre, Nazarbad, Mysore 570 010,
Tel: 0821-252 0794
Tariff: 832.00 to 2120.00
Mauve Orchid
Nazarbad Mohalla Main Road, Behind Viva Health Club, Mysore 570 010
Tel: 099002 51974
Tariff: 1560.00 to 2120.00
Hotel Abhishek
2930/A, Bangalore-Ooty Road, Near Head Post Office, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821- 243 5408
Fax: 0821-242 1070
Tariff: 832.00 to 2014.00
Hotel Ruchi The Prince
986/624, Hunsur Main Road, Hinkal, Mysore 570 017
Tel: 0821-241 3072
Tariff: 1431.00 to 1961.00
SK Continental
73, Nazabad Main Road, Mysore 570 010
Tel: 0821-244 7042, 425 5057
Fax: 0821-244 9044
Tariff: 728.00 to 1908.00
SK Residency
Rajkamal Talkies Road, Dhanvantri Road Cross, Devaraja Mohalla, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 7374, 424 4662
Tariff: 884.00 to 1902.00
Purple Inn Boutique Hotel
129, 130, Madeshwara Nagar, High Tension Road, 2nd Stage, Vijayanagar, Mysore 570 017
Tel: 0821- 400 4091, 099013 13324
Tariff: 1590.00 to 1802.00
Leela Residency
Ashoka Road, Behind St Philomenas Church, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-244 0994
Tariff: 690.00 to 1792.00
Maharaja Hotel
365, JLB Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 6665
Tariff: 350.00 to 1702.00
Vyshak International Hotel
19, Seebiah Road, Opp. Agarwal Choultry, Devaraja Mohalla, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 1777
Fax: 0821-242 8111
Tariff: 832.00 to 1692.00
Hotel Royale Heritage
2930, Near Suburban Bus Stand, Bangalore-Nilgiri Road, Mysore 560 023
Tel: 0821-426 5033/ 5330
Fax: 0821-425 6699
Tariff: 988.00 to 1643.00
Hotel Mayflower
46, Part B, KRS Main Road, Metagalli, Mysore 570 016
Tel: 0821-4241010, 4266060
Tariff: 1098.00 to 1648.00
Hotel Airlines
1064, Jayalakshmi Vilas Road, Chamarajapuram, Mysore 570 005
Tel: 0821-233 0745/ 0475
Fax: 0821-233 2504
Tariff: 499.00 to 1590.00
Gupta Hotel
252/B, Ashoka Road, Near Head Post Office, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-244 9002
Fax: 0821-242 1070
Tariff: 676.00 to 1590.00
Hotel Luciya International
1771, Sardar Patel Road, Old Bank Road, Near Prabha Theatre, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 0261
Tariff: 689.00 to 1590.00
Hotel Maurya Residency
Sri Harsha Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-252 3375/ 3376
Tariff: 972.00 to 1585.00
Hotel Maurya Palace
2716, Sri Harsha Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-243 5912/ 5913/ 5847
Tariff: 837.00 to 1585.00
Hotel Roopa
2724/C, Bangalore-Nilgiri Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-244 3770/ 8020
Tariff: 954.00 to 1526.00
Kaveri Palace
5, Light Circle, Bangalore-Ooty Road, Near Bus Stand, Lashkar Mohalla, Mysore 570 001,
Tel: 0821-426 9173
Tariff: 550.00 to 1500.00
Ajantha Palace
BN Road, 5 Light Circle, Lashkar Mohalla, Mysore 570 001,
Tel: 0821-426 4821
Tariff: 375.00 to 1484.00
Sagar Residency Hotel
64/1, Ashoka Road, Next to Jantha Bazaar, Mysore 570001,
Tel: 0821-243 4399
Tariff: 600.00 to 1400.00
Karnataka Hotels Mysore (Hoysala)
Jhansi Laxmi Bai Road, Mysore 570 005,
Tel: 0821-242 5349
Tariff: 832.00 to 1378.00
The Roost
Hunsur Road, Hinkal, Mysore 570 017
Tel: 0821-241 0077/ 0078
Fax: 0821-251 4127
Tariff: 1014.00 to 1378.00
Balaji Palace Hotel
127, Rathage Towers, Shivarampet, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-243 9325
Tariff: 530.00 to 1272.00
Hotel Bombay Tiffanys
313, Sayyaji Rao Road Cross, Opp. Main Bata Showroom, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-243 5255/ 52560821-243 5255/ 5256
Tariff: 416.00 to 1272.00
SK Presidence Hotel
1352, Opp Mysore Medical College Sayyaji Rao Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-240 3091
Tariff: 780.00 to 1272.00
Maruthi Palace Hotel
Near Bus Stop, Niligiri Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-244 2452
Tariff: 300.00 to 1200.00
Hotel Dasaprakash
Gandhi Square, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-2442 444/ 455, 244 2821
Fax: 0821-244 3456
Tariff: 488.00 to 1166.00
Hotel SCVDS
Sri Harsha Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 1379/ 5161
Tariff: 676.00 to 1113.00
Ayodhya Hotel
Bangalore-Ooty Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-244 5593/ 9592
Tariff: 550.00 to 1325.00
Hotel Imperial Deluxe Lodge
Sayyaji Rao Road, Opp. Govt. Medical College, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-252 4919
Tariff: 450.00 to 1200.00
Hotel Gayathri Bhavan
Dhanavantri Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 1224
Tariff: 400.00 to 1060.00
Govardhan Boarding Lodge
Sri Harsha Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-243 4118, 242 9422
Tariff: 400.00 to 1060.00
RK Royal Lodge
Opp. St Philomenas Church, Ashok Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-243 7522
Tariff: 510.00 to 1010.00
Garden City Hotel
2 & 3, Opp. KSRTC Bus Depot, Shivarathreeswara Nagar, Mysore 570 015,
Tel: 0821-249 7185
Tariff: 624.00 to 1000.00
Kaveri Hotel
Cheluvamba Agrahara, Door No.369, Mysore 570 024,
Tel: 0821-242 0675
Tariff: 350.00 to 1000.00
Hotel Prakash Deluxe
Sayyaji Rao Road, Mysore 570 021
Tel: 0821-252 1676,
Fax: 0821-426 0551
Tariff: 550.00 to 1000.00
Gokul Hotel
Banmaiah Square, R Vilas Road, Near Baiah College, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 7168
Fax: 0821-426 0393
Tariff: 520.00 to 988.00
Sri Hari Iyengars Plaza
267, Lakshmivilasa Road, Beside Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore 570 024
Tel: 0821-243 9123
Tariff: 676.00 to 988.00
Sri Keerthi Comforts
Indiranagar, Mysore 570 010
Tel: 0821-244 1583
Tariff: 650.00 to 972.00
Amogha Residency
Irwin Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-244 9893
Tariff: 440.00 to 972.00
Chandra Palace Hotel
150, KT Street, Gandhi Square, Near Prabha Theatre, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 1333
Tariff: 520.00 to 936.00
Dasharath Hotel
1159, Ramsons House, Near Zoo Garden, Mysore 570 010
Tel: 0821-244 9121
Fax: 0821-256 3602
Tariff: 290.00 to 884.00
MTR Deluxe Lodge
2901, Behind KSRTC Bus Stand, Halladakere, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-244 8344
Tariff: 315.00 to 884.00
Hotel Jayanag
Ashoka Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-243 2871
Tariff: 390.00 to 850.00
Sri Nandini Lodge Hotel
Next to Bus Stand, Irwin Road, Mysore 570 001,
Tel: 0821-244 7085
Tariff: 540.00 to 848.00
Hotel Ritz
5, Near KSRTC Bus Stop, BN Road, Mysore
Tel: 0821-242 2668/ 9082
Tariff: 520.00 to 832.00
Hotel Sangeetha
1966, Narayana Shastry Road, Near Udupi Sri Krishna Mandir, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 4693/ 2424
Tariff: 300.00 to 728.00
Golden Tower
23, KR Circle, Opp. City Bus Stand, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-243 1310
Tariff: 300.00 to 600.00
The Presidency
High Circle, Banimantap Road, Mysore 570 015
Tel: 0821-249 7775
Fax: 0821-249 7805
Tariff: 600.00 to
Kanishka Hotel
1387/1, Irwin Road, Near Head Post Office, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821- 426 6668
Tariff: 375.00 to 572.00
Rajdhani Comforts
Keshava Iyengar Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-400 0567
Tariff: 500.00 to
Bhagyalakshmi Palace Lodge
Keshava Iyengar Road, Mysore 570 021
Tel: 0821-243 4178
Tariff: 468.00 to
Hotel Tara
Kempananjamba, Agrahara Road, Mysore 570 024
Tel: 0821-242 7938
Tariff: 455.00 to
Indra Bhavan Hotel
Dhanawantri Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 3933/ 3755
Tariff: 170.00 to 450.00
Sri Uma Maheshwara Deluxe Lodge
Keshava Iyengar Road, Halladakere, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-252 0299
Tariff: 350.00 to 450.00
Karnataka Hotels Mysore (Yatri Nivas)
2, Jhansi Laxmi Bai Road, Mysore 570 005
Tel: 0821-242 3492
Fax: 0821-242 3392
Tariff: 400.00 to
Panchami Hotel
2776, Mahaveer Nagar, Near Clock Tower, Near Sangama Theatre, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-244 9862
Tariff: 150.00 to 400.00
Prashanth Lodge
Santhepet, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 1748/ 6718
Tariff: 150.00 to 400.00
Rajmahal Deluxe Lodge
271, Near Jagan Mohan Palace, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 1196
Tariff: 400.00 to
Sudarshan Lodge
Opp. Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 6718
Tariff: 400.00 to
Hotel Aashraya
Dhavanthri Road, Near Indira Bhavan, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 7088/ 6570
Tariff: 350.00 to
Sriram Lodge
Shivrampet 570 015
Tel: 0821-242 3348
Tariff: 250.00 to
Modern Lodge
Santhepet, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 0082
Tariff: 70.00 to 150.00
Greens Boarding
Sri Harsha Road, Mysore 570 001
Tel: 0821-242 2415
Tariff: 120.00 to
Silent Shores Resort & Spa
Hootagalli, off Hunsur Road Mysore 570 018
Tel: 0821-240 2930/ 31/ 33, 096866 66692
Fax: 0821-2402932
Tariff: 4680.00 to 16380.00
Indus Valley Ayurvedic Centre
Talavane Farm, Lalithadripura, Mysore 570 010
Tel: 0821-247 3437/ 3266/ 3263
Fax: 0821-247 3590
Tariff: 5600.00 to 10250.00
Talakadu Jaladhama Resort
Mudukuthore, T Narasipur, Mysore 571 112
Tel: 080-4123 9306, 4151 9347, 099456 95942
Tariff: 2912.00 to 6240.00
The Village
106, Mysore-Ooty Road, Nanjungud, Mysore 570 004
Tel: 0821-248 1766/ 1310
Fax: 0821-248 1441
Tariff: 2500.00 to 6000.00
Chitravana Resorts
#39, Manandavady Road, Near Kalawadi Gate, Mysore 570 008
Tel: -259 7794/ 7795, 329 5553, 093439 89990
Fax: 0821-259 7790
Tariff: 3300.00 to
The Kings Kastle
# 69, Ashoka Road, Lashkar Mohalla, Near KSRTC Bus Stand,Mysore 570001
Tel: 08212446199, 2449526
Tariff: 1728.00 to 3360.00





Tuesday, July 23, 2013

20 Must-See Places Before The World Ends



20 Must-See Places Before The World Ends
It's 2012. And it seems like something much, much worse than what the Mayans predicted is coming—and much sooner than you'd think. These are the twenty places you definitely want to see before it's all over.

1. The Amazon
Description: The Amazon
Regardless of which country you go to to see it--Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, or French Guiana--considering it's the largest rainforest in the world and houses millions of unique creatures rarely found anywhere else, it's worth seeing for thousands of reasons.

2. Antelope Canyon
Description: Antelope Canyon
You might think the Grand Canyon is the only canyon you need to see in the US, but really, consider Antelope Canyon, which is conveniently also located in Arizona. Antelope Canyon was created through rivers and streams eroding the sandstone, and it makes for a wholly awesome experience where you can just saunter through miles of them.

3. Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Description: Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Located in the middle of the Australian Outback, you probably recognize this one from The Adventurers Down Under. In real life, though, it's even more amazing. However, you'll find that flying on an eagle's back makes it much easier to access, as it's actually more than 280 miles outside of any significant town (Alice Springs).

4. Bora Bora
Description: Bora Bora
Located in French Polynesia in the South Pacific, Bora Bora is well-known as one of the most beautiful islands in the world. With crystal clear waters and awesome accommodations, there's no way to avoid this one.

5. Victoria Falls
Description: Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, between Zambia and Zimbabwe, is (debatably) the largest waterfall in the world, with a width of 5604ft (1708m) and a height of 354ft (108m), and a much better choice than Niagara Falls.

6. Norwegian Fjords
Description: Norwegian Fjords
Norway has one of the longest coastlines in the world, but almost certainly the most interesting. Its eastern coast is riddled with hundreds of jagged inlets, jutting right into the inland of the country. The formations within them as well as the views from them are among the most mesmerizing around.

7. Santorini
Description: Santorini
Santorini is an island off the coast of Greece, thousands of years ago the site of one of the largest volcanic explosions in history. Today it plays home to spectacular views, crazy architecture, and a storied history (supposedly the same eruption that destroyed it led to the legend of Atlantis).

8. Iceland
Description: Iceland
Iceland features some of the most alien landscapes in the world, from huge, partially frozen waterfalls, to the Northern Lights and insane sunsets and sunrises, to miles of barren tundra; not to mention an outgoing population who's down to party.

9. Moraine Lake
Description: Moraine Lake
You'd think a lake is a lake, but surely not. At least not Moraine Lake. Up in Alberta, Canada, Moraine is uniquely astounding because when it's full, the intensely light rock from the surrounding mountains refracts, creating a neon, mind-blowing shade of blue. Plus, you know, the whole area is pretty amazing in the first place.

10. Petra
Description: Petra
Built around 1200BC, Petra is an ancient city of Jordan, renowned not just for the fact that it's entirely built inside "towering rocks," but for its intricacies therein. The city was able to constructed in the desert because its designers, the Nabataeans, redirected waterways, creating an artificial oasis--the center of their caravan trade, and a fortress.

11. Machu Picchu
Description: Machu Picchu
Located almost eight thousand feet above sea level in Peru, Machu Picchu is one of the most amazing feats of architecture in the world. While you might think it's a pretty weird place to put a city, you'd be wrong: most believe it was an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti, who really must've need to take some time away from it all.

12. Plitvice
Description: Plitvice
Plitvice is the oldest national park in Southeast Europe, and the largest in Croatia. Its views are something that few would expect in Europe at all, and the fact that it remains relatively untouched (aside from a few walkways), makes it all the better.

13. Great Barrier Reef
Description: Great Barrier Reef
Composed of over 2900 individual reefs, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest of its kind in the world--so large it can be seen from outer space--and also the
"
biggest single structure made by living organisms." Due to coral bleaching from pollution, this is a site to see asap.

14. Sistine Chapel
Description: Sistine Chapel
Honestly, with some of the most prominent works by some of the most famous Renaissance artists--like Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, and Pietro Perugino--how could you not want to take a quick look at the Sistine Chapel? I mean, it's in Vatican City, which is pretty worth checking out on its own.

15. Stonehenge
Description: Stonehenge
Considering all the theories surrounding Stonehenge, it seems pretty likely that it'll have to do with the apocalypse anyway, so you might as well see the harbinger in person before it all goes to hell.

16. Taj Mahal
Description: Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is considered "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage," which should be reason enough to visit its vaulted walls and beautiful gardens; but what's more, it was built from 1632-1653 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Now that is some serious devotion.

17. Palace of Versailles
Description: Palace of Versailles
The pinnacle of absolute monarchy and the indulgence of the ancien rĂ©gime in France, Louis XIV transformed this former hunting lodge into one of the most expansive palaces in the world. So indulgent was it, in fact, that Louis had all records of how much it originally cost to build destroyed, though the estimates range from $2 billion up to almost $300 billion in today's dollars.

18. Great Wall of China
Description: Great Wall of China
Construction of the Great Wall began in the 7th century BC and continued for hundreds of years. It's the longest fortification ever built, constructed to thwart invasions of Mongolian and Manchu enemies. At its height (well, length), it was more than 3700 miles (6000km) long.

19. Angkor Wat
Description: Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is a temple complex surrounded by a moat, built by Cambodian king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century to serve as the state temple and capital city. The symmetry and "harmony" of its design has been compared to the most famous architecture of ancient Greece and the Romans.

20. Church of Our Virgin Mary of Zion
Description: Church of Our Virgin Mary of Zion
Located in Axum, Ethiopia, this site is important--like Stonehenge--when we're talking about the apocalypse. Contained within this tiny structure is supposedly the Ark of the Covenant, aka where the tablet with the Ten Commandments is supposed to be. Something crazy will probably go down here before the end of the world.