The Maharajas' Express | The Luxury Train of India

The Maharajas' Express is owned and operated by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation and is the most expensive luxury train in the world. It runs on 5 circuits covering more than 12 destinations across North-West and Central India, mainly centred around Rajasthan between the months of October to April. The Maharajas' Express was voted "The World's Leading Luxury Train" twice, in a row at The World Travel Awards, 2012 & 2013. It is the most expensive luxury train in Asia. It was named to the 2011 list of World's Top 25 Trains by The Society of International Railway Travelers and was praised for its on-board accommodation and dining facilities, service, and off-train excursion program after its review in the Autumn of 2010. Maharajas' Express also bagged first runner up award in the Specialist Train Operators Category at Conde Nast Travelers Reader Choice Travel Award in 2011.

Image credit Simon Pielow

The Tallest Trees on Earth in California

The Coast Redwood or California Redwood — Sequoia sempervirens is the sole living species of the genus Sequoia in the cypress family Cupressaceae (formerly treated in Taxodiaceae). Common names include coast redwood and California redwood. It is an evergreen, long-lived, monoecious tree living 1,200–1,800 years or more. This species includes the tallest trees living now on Earth, reaching up to 379 feet (115.5 m) in height (without the roots) and up to 26 feet (7.9 m) in diameter at breast height. Before commercial logging and clearing began by the 1850s, this massive tree occurred naturally in an estimated 2,100,000 acres (8,500 km2) along much of coastal California (excluding southern California where rainfall is not sufficient) and the southwestern corner of coastal Oregon within the United States. An estimated 95% or more of the original old-growth redwood trees have been cut down due to their excellent properties for use as lumber in construction. The name sequoia sometimes refers to the subfamily Sequoioideae, which includes S. sempervirens along with Sequoiadendron (giant sequoia) and Metasequoia(dawn redwood). On its own, the term redwood usually refers to the coast redwood, which is covered in this article, and not to the other two species.

Image credit Steve Dunleavy

Forcella Lavardet Mountain Pass, Italy

Forcella Lavardet is a high mountain pass in the Dolomites-Alps range, at an elevation of 1.542m  or 5,000 ft above the sea level, located on the municipality of Vigo di Cadore, Italy. Laid here one of the most dangerous steep and dangerous roads in the world. High Alpine Road Forcella Lavardet has 14 sharp turns that seem to lie on one another, gradually climbing up to the top of the pass. And without that dangerous road damaged by landslides in some areas it is not covered with asphalt and gravel. After a series of accidents on the road pass Forsell Lavardet was closed to motorists. Now it is a popular route for cyclists and hikers. In spite of all the danger from the road looks very interesting and even beautiful. Quietly traveling in alpine serpentine Forsell Lavardet can enjoy wonderful views over the picturesque nature of the Italian Alps.

Image credit alsardin

The beautiful oasis in the Sahara desert

Ubari Lakes in the Libyan part of the Sahara desert on the right are among the most beautiful oasis in the world. The largest of these is Lake Umm Al-Maa, which means "Mother of Waters." The water in it is very salty - concentration can be compared with the water of the Dead Sea. Uniqueness lake also consists in the fact that the lower layers is always very hot water, the temperature sometimes reaches to 100 degrees, and wherein the upper layers are cold. Ubari Lakes - a group of about 20 lakes of the landscape of high dunes and palm trees. To achieve these lakes, tourists usually go to Tkerkiba where excellent camping functions to explore the lake. Depth of the lakes, according to the Libyan Central diving varies from seven meters deep (as in Gabrun) up to 32 meters deep (Ain al-Dibbanah about Ghadames). Some of these lakes are drying up due to drought slowly and artificial drainage. Among the most picturesque lakes Gaberun and Umm al-Maa. Also there are two more beautiful lakes that are rarely visited by tourists. This Umm al-Hisan and Oum El Hassan north Gaberuna.

Image credit virgntn2011

Recent archaeological research has shown the existence of several freshwater lakes in ancient Fezzan, Libya. Some of these lakes were located in the southern regions of the country. Archaeological finds from the area include dark layers of organic matter, shells, axes and other Paleolithic and Neolithic tools and implements, testifying that ancient human activities in Fezzan. These lakes were part of a large network of lakes, including the legendary Tritonis nearby Lake and Lake Chad. The exact dating of the lakes are still not confirmed, but the current study showed that they disappeared about 3,000 years ago. Findings also suggest that the impressive dunes Ubari at least 100,000 years. Numerous lakes covered the eastern and southern regions, and some of them still exist today. The current lake Ubari situated in a little oasis, and represent the remnants of a once great aquatic ecosystem. 

Image credit Dusko Dokosic

Horizontal Falls in Australia

The Horizontal Falls or Horizontal Waterfalls (nicknamed the "Horries") is the name given to a natural phenomenon on the coast of the Kimberley region in Western Australia. The Horizontal Falls are one of the most amazing natural features of the Kimberley region.  The tidal waterfallslocated deep within Talbot Bay in the Buccaneer Archipelago are unlike any other waterfall, the water passes horizontally. Although they are called waterfalls, this natural phenomenon actually consists of intense tidal currents hurtling through two narrow coastal gorges. Massive tidal movements create a waterfall effect as water banks up against one side of the narrow cliff passage, to be repeated again on the turning tide.

Image credit Philip Schubert

Amazing Rare Photos From The Past

Mug shot of Bill Gates when he was arrested for driving without a license

Festival of Music and Light | Sydney, Australia

Vivid Sydney, a festival of light art, music, and ideas, is going on now in Sydney through June 9, 2014, whose founder is a well-known musician Lou Reed, and helped his wife Laurie Anderson.  So it was at first, but now the festival has an impressive team of organizers. It is also noteworthy that the festival has outgrown itself and today is considered a significant event not only for the metropolis. In Sydney attracts thousands of tourists and music fans to take an active part in many related events. We will not focus on the musical part of the festival and offer you some of the most striking images of the light part of the event.

Image credit Matt Weller