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VPG-DVD-172 - YUCATÁN It is in Uxmal where historic Mexico is at its most beautiful and that our journey through the millennia begins, along the Yucatan Peninsula, land of Maya culture. The Cuadrángulo De Los Monjas comprises four buildings with many entrances that lead into various small rooms, typical of Puuc architecture. The forty two metre high Fortune Teller Pyramid is situated in the centre of the complex and the main entrance to the Nuns' Quadrangle dates back to the 9th century and is flanked on both sides by columned halls. Since the 10th century the remains of the Pre-Columbian architecture of Chichen Itza have combined two cultures, the Maya and the Toltecs. The total number of steps that lead up to the temple, including those on each of its four sides, number an amazing three hundred and sixty five - one for each day of the year! The facades of its buildings are adorned with mosaics. Geometrical ornaments alternate with images of numerous deities and the heads of fantastic animals. Today, the Isla Del Cozumel, an island close to Yucatan, is the destination of luxurious cruise liners that lay anchor so that passengers can enjoy the local scenery. Whether feathered or scaled, the abundant variety of Yucatan's animal kingdom is a fascinating sight both above and below water. The turquoise coloured water of the bay makes it possible to view the seabed to a depth of thirty metres. Women in traditional costume prepare tortillas: what Cortez once referred to as a 'corn pancake' is today an international favourite. Daily routine is just as it was hundreds of years ago and each season of the year determines the daily work of the rural population. Ancient culture and snow white sandy beaches, this is the YUCATAN Peninsula!
Vista Point YUCATÁN Mexico
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 210 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m37s
Views: 29  | Comments: 0
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VPG-DVD-103 - TUSCANY Tuscany was named after the Etruskans, who were called 'Tusci' by the Romans. The kingdom was eventually divided into independent dukedoms and, from 1531, the Medici ruled, a family of businessmen and bankers. Capital of Tuscany is Florence, a city of art and joie de vivre and past home of important artists and sculptors such as Donatello, Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci, plus the writers Dante and Boccaccio, not to mention the scientist, Galileo Galilei. Lucca, one of Tuscany's most important historical towns, rises from the lower reaches of the Serchio river, on a former swamp. Dating from the Middle Ages, it is surrounded by a massive 4.2 kilometre long brick wall which helped the town retain its independence, and also protected it from the floodwaters of the Serchio. The precarious imperfection of The Leaning Tower Of Pisa is in stark contrast to the grandiose palaces and religious buildings of the Medici family and the natural contours of the hills and mountains of this European nirvana complete the connection between art and nature. Tuscany satisfies all the senses!
Vista Point Tuscany Italy
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 210 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m34s
Views: 30  | Comments: 0
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VPG-DVD-197 - SHAN STATE North of Burma's central plains is the exotic and fascinating Shan State, a beautiful landscape in South East Asia located on the eastern side of Myanmar. Once forty Shan monarchs ruled there but they lived in hostile times as Burmese kings and Chinese warlords fought against them to gain control of their fertile land. We begin our journey at Inlay Lake. The magical beauty of this body of water has attracted and fascinated people since time immemorial and this unique lake is home to the Intha people. The next leg of the journey leads to a far more tranquil section of the lake that features floating gardens that are around a hundred metres long and two metres wide and consist of a densely interwoven carpet of water hyancinths. Mandalay, 'The City Of Art', is located in the centre of Shan State. It was founded in 1857 and up until the British conquered it in 1885 it was the capital of the kingdom of Burma. The Mahamuni Pagoda is the centre of worship and is also where the Mahamuni Buddha is kept, the country's most highly worshipped Buddha statue. Around twelve kilometres beyond Hsipaw is the legendary Bagyo Pagoda. Surrounded by a magnificent wall it is thought that the sanctuary is more than seven hundred years old. An important festival takes place each year around Tabaung, the time of the full moon in February and March, and is the highlight of the town's cultural calendar. The Shan people in the north of Myanmar have most certainly retained their cultural heritage and Shan State is an exotic combination of both nature and culture and a land of beauty and joie de vivre!
Vista Point SHAN STATE...
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 210 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m24s
Views: 19  | Comments: 0
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VPG-DVD-123 - NEPAL At the foot of the huge peaks of the Himalayas is Pokhara and it is from here that we begin our journey through Nepal. At one time this high valley contained seven fresh water lakes named Pokhari and they gave this holiday paradise its present day name. In the past, Pokhara was an important trading link between India and Tibet but the trading of salt and wool came to an end after Tibet closed its doors to the outside world. Its population is extremely tolerant and both the Buddhist and Hindu faiths coexist side by side. A safari by elephant is a real adventure as the mahuts skilfully lead the ambling giants through the bush. Travelling through the jungle on the back of an elephant offers good protection from rhinoceroses and other predators. Kathmandu is a melting pot of both race and religion, a metropolis in the heart of the Kingdom of Nepal. In the centre of the city is the ancient palace of Hanuman Dhoka. More than seven hundred thousand people live in the metropolis of Earth's most ancient kingdom. It was only a few decades ago that ancient Nepal opened up its borders. Until then, due to the command of the ruling Gurkha Dynasty, the 'Home of the Divine' was totally isolated. Patan is Nepal's second largest city and has retained much of its original character due to its three hundred monasteries and temples. It is also one of the oldest settlements in Kathmandu Valley and during the 15th century was the capital of one of three kingdoms. Two huge lions guard the entrance of the former royal palace that originated from a monastery complex. Bhaktapur is the third ancient regal city of the thirty kilometre long Kathmandu Valley that has always been a prosperous trading route between China, Tibet and India. Our journey through this fairytale land ends at the foot of the mighty Himalayas amidst a wonderful world in which the gods are still very much alive!
Vista Point NEPAL
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 210 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m20s
Views: 31  | Comments: 0
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VPG-DVD-189 - MANDALAY Mandalay, 'The City Of Art', is located within the centre of Myanmar, that was formerly known as Burma. It was founded in 1857 and up until the British conquered it in 1885 it was the capital of the kingdom of Burma. Two thousand four hundred years after the death of Buddha , King Mindon ordered the one hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants of Amarapura to relocate here. The well preserved Shwe Inbin Monastery is one of the last examples of the traditional monasteries whose splendour once made Mandalay famous. The complex has all the architectural elements of a typical Burmese monastery but it is its beautiful wood carvings that are the most striking. To the north of the city is the two hundred and thirty six metre high Mandalay Mountain that dominates the plains below. The tree covered mountain is dominated by the towers of many temples and as Buddha once lived on this mountain it is considered to be extremely sacred and thus contains several pagodas and shrines. Amarapura, the 'Immortal City', is situated in the south. It was the first of the country's royal cities and today it is a small town in which its inhabitants earn their living from weaving. On the western hills are some of the most elegant and splendid monastery complexes such as the Umin Thonzeh Pagoda where forty five Buddha figures stand in a semi-circle, dignified and benign. Once known as the Centre Of The World and today the religious and financial centre of the region, Mandalay lies at the heart of Burmese culture.
Vista Point MANDALAY Myanmar
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 210 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m24s
Views: 18  | Comments: 0
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VPG-DVD-226 - KUALA LUMPUR Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's modern capital city, is relatively young. It originated in the middle of the nineteenth century at the junction of the Gombak and Kelang Rivers. The Petronas Twin Towers are one of the city's main landmarks. Each tower is four hundred and fifty two metres tall connected by a breathtaking bridge. The façade of this unique architectural gem is particularly splendid in bright sunlight or when illuminated at night. The old Masjid Jamek Mosque is situated in the centre of the city on the precise spot where the city was founded. Several prayer halls, and an inner courtyard that contains palm trees, make the mosque into a tranquil oasis. The Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the largest building in Merdeka Square, extends for more than two hundred metres. This splendid Moorish style building with onion-shaped towers and a central clock tower was designed in 1897 by architect A.C. Norman. Malaysians dance at every opportunity. Although traditional clothing and dance styles change from region to region they always convey the same expressions of love, emotion and passion. Traditional festivals also feature dances where the men and women dance together without touching. The Zoo Negara provides a good insight into the animal kingdom of Malaysia and South East Asia. The enclosures are extremely spacious. From the ostrich to the imposing Seladang wild buffalo there are also rare animals such as the orang-utan and tapir. Hardly any other capital city on Earth offers as many contrasting sights and multicultural impressions. Tradition, history, the past, present and future, each is harmonically united in the pulsating metropolis that is Kuala Lumpur.
Vista Point KUALA LUMPUR...
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 210 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m28s
Views: 20  | Comments: 0
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VPG-DVD-184 - KATHMANDU VALLEY Kathmandu is a melting pot of both race and religion, a metropolis in the heart of the Kingdom of Nepal, a country of snow-covered mountains inhabited by the gods. Kumari Chowk is the residence of the living goddess, Kumari. For this role a young girl is duly selected and is disallowed from leaving the palace until puberty. Her task is it to affirm the power of the king. Age old traditions are celebrated throughout the year such as the Festival Of The Children that symbolises fertility and sexuality. Patan is Nepal's second largest city and has retained much of its original character due to its three hundred monasteries and temples. This beautiful former centre of one of the earliest three kingdoms contains the Hindu Kumbeshwara Pagoda one of the country's oldest buildings dedicated to the god, Shiva. The tower-like Mahabuddha Temple is adorned with several terracotta figures and ornaments and is different to conventional Nepalese architecture. In earlier times the Kwa Bahal Monastery was the administrative centre of trade in Tibet. Its shining gilded copper plates soon gave it the name, The Golden Temple. Changu Narayan, the gem of Nepal, designated as a World Heritage Site by Unesco, is the oldest sanctuary in Kathmandu Valley. Situated 1,450 metres on a mountain north of Bhaktapur it is home to many skilful artists and wood carvers. Hidden in a canyon and located next to a mountain creek is the Dakshinkali Temple. Each year this sanctuary is visited by more than four hundred thousand pilgrims. This place of worship is dedicated to one of the mightiest goddesses of this region, the Southern Kali. The customs of the people in the Kingdom On The Roof Of The World may seem somewhat strange but this land of jungle and eternal snow has developed according to its own rich traditions and beliefs. Pure magic!
Vista Point KATHMANDU...
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 210 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m25s
Views: 26  | Comments: 0
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VPG-DVD-124 - DUBAI Dubai is a fairy-tale holiday paradise with romantic desert scenery and a long history. Like an ancient kingdom from the 'One Thousand And One Nights' it's the second largest state in the United Arab Emirates located on the northern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. The trading of dates, goats, pearls and fish brought the city much prosperity and it gradually developed into the largest trading centre in the Near East. Maritime life has always played a significant role in the lives of those who live on the Arabian Gulf. With its triangular sails and a design that has remained unchanged for thousands of years, the dhow still sails these waters. Hundreds of them lie at anchor close to the old town on the banks of Dubai Creek. No other city in the United Arab Emirates possesses so many fascinating contrasts. But the past is gradually merging with the present and portrays a new and harmonious image. Dubai's impressive silhouette is in stark contrast to the desert sand and sparkling sea. The Deira district owes its prosperity to the various souks that were established there in the 19th century. At this time Dubai was already an important trading city with almost seven thousand inhabitants. The number of stalls in the souk rose to more than three hundred and a modest tax was imposed for the coffers of the local Sheikh. Amid the desert surroundings in front of the city gates is the Nad Al Sheba Camel Course where the intrepid creatures of the desert are trained during the winter months, the jockeys being young boys from Somalia and Pakistan. Dusty gravel roads lead into the Hajar Mountains, part of the splendid mountain landscape in the eastern section of the Emirates. Dubai's skyline has a new landmark, the Burj Al Arab, the only hotel in the world to have been awarded no less than seven stars! Built on a Man made island its design is that of a sail bent by the wind. Dubai: the height of luxury amid the desert sand - a glittering fairytale of the 21st century.
Vista Point DUBAI United...
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 210 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m21s
Views: 14  | Comments: 0
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VPG-DVD-199 - KØBENHAVN Copenhagen is the capital of the Kingdom of Denmark and is situated on the east coast of Sæland Island on the Öresund, the link between the North Sea and the Baltic. It is a European capital of culture, home country of the Little Mermaid and a successful combination of Scandinavian elegance and Middle-European joie de vivre. In 1167 Bishop Absalon Of Roskilde was granted by King Valdemar an area of land on Öresund to which the small settlement of Havn also belonged. For the protection of both fishermen and traders he built a fortress and the settlement developed into Kobmandshavn, the Harbour Of The Traders. Copenhagen was born and the fortress was continuously enlarged until in 1376 a castle was built on its foundation. The huge Christiansborg Slot extends across the larger part of Slotsholmen, Castle Island and it has been Denmark's power base for hundreds of years. The huge statue in the square features King Frederik The 7th on horseback, a monarch known in Danish history as the 'King Of Democracy'. Each day crowds of people make for Copenhagen's world famous landmark, The Little Mermaid, created by artist Edward Eriksen. Tiny and elegant and seated on a stone she gazes yearningly across the sea oblivious to the city's hustle and bustle. The Rundetårn is an unusual building that was built at the command of the Renaissance king, Christian The Fourth. Its circular tower is thirty-six metres high and has a diameter of fifteen metres. In place of a conventional stairway royal architects Hans and Morten Van Steenwinkel constructed a winding two hundred and nine metre long ramp. Thus the somewhat rotund king was able to travel without difficulty by carriage to the astrological observatory at the top! Copenhagen is a friendly metropolis in which tolerance and openness are the order of the day, a 'City On The Sea' that fascinates all who experience it.
Vista Point Copenhagen...
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 210 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m20s
Views: 11  | Comments: 0
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VPG-DVD-208 - CHIANG MAI Chiang Mail is the most important city in northern Thailand and is located within a fertile river valley three hundred metres above sea level. The City Of Temples was founded in 1296 and was once the capital of Lanna Thai, the 'Kingdom Of A Million Rice Fields' and the centre of the first independent kingdom in Thailand, situated within the famous Golden Triangle. Two hundred and ninety steps lead up to the city's main landmark, the mountain temple of Wat Doi Suthep on the northern edge of the city. Chiang Mai Zoo was inaugurated in 1957 and today it is the largest and finest zoo in Thailand and contains hundreds of varieties of animals. The world famous village of Bo Sang is located nine kilometres from the city and is where a fascinating range of parasols are manufactured according to age old tradition, with silk, cotton and paper parasols made by hand and decorated with various animal and floral motifs. A visit to a training centre for elephants is a fascinating experience. The elephants perform what they have learned in the school and diligently carry out each of their trainer's commands. Chiang Mai's evening market is well worth a visit. Although it has changed with the times, haggling is still the norm. Mysterious and exotic, colourful and friendly, such is Thailand's 'Rose Of The North', Chiang Mai.
Vista Point CHIANG MAI...
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 210 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m23s
Views: 11  | Comments: 0
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VPG-DVD-170 - BUDAPEST Budapest, capital of Hungary, is the pearl of the Danube and a constantly changing metropolis. Hungary was once a kingdom but then came the Turks who were followed by the Habsburgs and Maria Theresia who became 'Queen of Hungary'. The historic centre of Budapest is dominated by its noble castle that towers above the banks of the Danube. A one hundred metre long cable railway that dates back to 1870 is both a practical and fascinating way to ascend the hill to the castle. Each day the area around the castle, the Fischerbastel, that has never played a military role, attracts large numbers of tourists. Margareten Island is set amid the Danube and is Budapest's vast entertainment area. It was at its most colourful during the Romantic period of the 18th and 19th centuries when it was a meeting place for poets, philosophers and artists. A small hotel was built for its creative community and it became an island of artists and dreamers. In the area of the city called Pest there is a splendid building with a mighty cupola, The Parliament, the city's main landmark and an important part of Hungary's historic past. In 1867 Buda and Pest were acknowledged by the Emperor as the seat of the Hungarian government with its own parliament. The building resembles London's Houses of Parliament. Hungary is a fusion of two different cultural regions as indicated by its architecture and lifestyle and it is very much where the order of the Occident unites with the calmness of the Orient.
Vista Point BUDAPEST Hungary
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 210 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m46s
Views: 11  | Comments: 0
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VPG-DVD-160 - BHAKTAPUR Bhaktapur, also known as 'the city of the pious' is the third of the ancient royal cities in the thirty kilometre long Kathmandu Valley in the Kingdom of Nepal and also a Unesco World Heritage Sight. On both sides of Durbar Square are many precious art treasures but the city is also fully-functional and a 'car free' open air museum! The medieval city derived from a fortress complex and was later transformed into a palace area. At the western end of Durbar Square is Dvarikanath Mandir, a replica of the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. Today a huge pair of lions flank the entrance to the National Art Gallery and there are images of Hanuman and Narasimha. Vatsala Devi Mandir is a temple with a square, three-tiered base. This sacred building has a corridor set around a central Shikhara tower and its stairway is flanked by elephants and two fantastic horses. The number of the city's small temples, shrines and dwellings of the gods is many and complex and they can be found at each crossroads and in every courtyard and doorway. Bhaktapur has also been immortalized in the movie, Little Buddha. For those interested in culture the Kingdom of Nepal is a dream destination and Bhaktapur is a truly atmospheric journey into a rich and golden past.
Vista Point BHAKTAPUR Nepal
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 210 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m14s
Views: 27  | Comments: 0
Rating: Not yet rated
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