Stonehenge is the best-known archaeological site in the British Isles. It is spectacular, but what survives is but the ruin of the final phase of a structure dating from c.4000 to c.1500 BC. The monument was orientated to mark sunrise at the midsummer solstice (and sunset at the midwinter solstice), but whether it has further astronomical significance is debatable. t's hard to believe that a 5,000-year-old pile of rocks could have such a powerful hold on the millennial imagination. This year alone, Stonehenge has been the subject of several television documentaries, a nonfiction book, and a novel that will be turned into an epic movie. The continued fascination with the place has meant a steady supply of volunteers for the bluestone project. Hepple, an amateur archaeologist, regularly makes the four-hour drive from northern England. A British cop schedules his shifts to free up time. And board-game maker George Vernon, aka Mystic Merlin, helped pull the stone the first 17 miles to the banks of the Cleddau River. "Mystically, I have got to take the stone to Stonehenge," he says. "But this isn't the way Merlin would have done it."

Here are the list of Top Performing hotels in London:

Beverley City Hotel142 Sussex Gardens, Paddington, London W2 1UB, United Kingdom‎View more details >>>

The Langham, London hotel1c Portland Place, London W1B 1JA, United KingdomView more details >>>

One Aldwych Hotel1 Aldwych, London WC2B 4RH, United Kingdom‎View more details >>>

The Stafford London, by Kempinski16-18 Saint James's Place, London, United Kingdom SW1A 1NJ, United Kingdom‎View more details >>>

Charlotte Street Hotel15-17 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RJ, United Kingdom‎ View more details >>>


The Halkin HotelHalkin Street, London SW1X 7DJ, United Kingdom‎ View more details >>>


The Lanesborough, a St. Regis HotelHyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA, United Kingdom‎  View more details >>>


The Park66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA, United Kingdom‎ - 020 7201 3722‎  View more details >>>


Apex City of London Hotel1 Seething Lane, London EC3N 4AX, United Kingdom‎View more details >>>

Other Hotels:Hotel Name Area Star Rating Guest Rating     51 Buckingham Gate Westminster5   The Royal Horseguards Charing Cross5   The Stafford HotelLondon5   The Milestone HotelWest Kensington5   Jumeirah Lowndes HotelKnightsbridge5   Threadneedles HotelCity5   One Aldwych HotelCovent Garden5   The Athenaeum Mayfair5   Grange Holborn HotelHolborn5   Beaufort House Luxury Apartments Mayfair5   Sanderson HotelSoho5   St Martins Lane Hotel Covent Garden5   The Montcalm HotelMarble Arch5   Dukes HotelSt James’s5   Browns HotelMayfair5   Sheraton Park Tower Knightsbridge5   Town Hall Hotel and Apartments Bethnal Green5   Hotel Rafayel Battersea5   The Berkeley Knightsbridge5   Langham HotelOxford Circus5   Ten Manchester Street Marylebone5   5 Maddox Street HotelMayfair5   Grosvenor House A JW Marriott HotelMayfair5   The Landmark London HotelMarylebone5   Plaza On The River HotelVauxhall5   Egerton House HotelKnightsbridge5  

 

 

 

A Brief history on London Hotels:

London hotels of a more modern variety began to be built in the early 19th century. But by this time the railways had already begun to bring far more short-term visitors to London, and the railway companies themselves took the lead in accommodating them by building a series of "railway hotels" near to their London termini. The Savoy, perhaps London's most famous hotel, opened in 1889, the first London hotel with en-suite bathrooms to every room. Nine years later Claridge's was rebuilt in its current form. Another famous hotel, the Ritz, based on its even more celebrated namesake in Paris, opened in 1906. These buildings were seen as status symbols by the railway companies, the largest businesses in the country at the time, and some of them were very grand. They included:

Midland Grand Hotel at St. Pancras

• The Midland Grand Hotel at St. Pancras (closed 1935; due to reopen as a Renaissance hotel in 2009/10)
• The Great Western Hotel at Paddington (now the Hilton London Paddington and the first of Britain's railway hotels)
• The Great Northern Hotel at King's Cross (closed for High Speed 1 works and planned to be rebuilt as a boutique hotel)
• The Great Eastern Hotel at Liverpool Street (Now the Andaz Liverpool Street)
• The Charing Cross Hotel at Charing Cross station
• The Great Central Hotel at Marylebone (now The Landmark London)
• The Grosvenor Hotel at Victoria

Advances in air travel increased the number of overseas visitors to London from 1.6 million in 1963 to 6 million in 1974. Famous hotels which opened their doors in this era include the Grosvenor House Hotel and the Dorchester. At this time some of London's grandest early-20th-century office buildings were converted into hotels because their layouts, with long corridors and numerous separate offices, were incompatible with the preference for open-plan working, but their listed status made it hard to get permission to demolish them. This period also saw the opening of the first five-star hotel in London south of the River Thames, the Marriott County Hall Hotel, and the first two in East London, the Four Seasons Canary Wharf and the Marriott West India Quay, which is also close to the Canary Wharf development. For many years there were no hotels at all in the City of London even though the financial firms of the City were one of the London hotel sector's most lucrative sources of custom.

 

Well known as the setting for the story of Romeo and Juliet, historic Verona Italy is a tangle of its storied past and modern industry. One of the most powerful cities during the early rule of the Roman Empire, the old city of Verona is one of the best-preserved sections in the country. Sure, it's an obvious place to begin, but no trip to Italy is complete without viewing the ruins of ancient Rome. The crumbling remains of one of the great Republics in world history, you can see what is left of the victory arches, the decaying roads, the temples that used to command the Roman skyline. Palatine Hill offers a glimpse into how the Emperors once lived, and the Colosseum stands at the apex of the entire city, its once-imposing circular walls still housing the legends of those who fought and died on its arena floor.

The creation of the Kingdom of Italy was the result of the efforts by Italian nationalists and monarchists loyal to the House of Savoy to establish a united kingdom encompassing the entire Italian Peninsula. In the context of 1848 liberal revolutions that swept through Europe an unsuccessful war was declared on Austria. Giuseppe Garibaldi popular amongst southern Italians led the Italian republican drive for unification in southern Italy , while the northern Italian monarchy of the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia whose government was led by Camillo Benso, conte di Cavour, had the ambition of establishing a united Italian state under its rule. The kingdom successfully challenged Austrian Empire in the Second Italian War of Independence with the help of Napoleon III, liberating the Lombardy-Venetia. In 1866 Victor Emmanuel II aligned the kingdom to Prussia during the Austro-Prussian War waging the Third Italian War of Independence which allowed Italy to annex Venice. In 1870, as France during the disastrous Franco-Prussian War abandoned its positions in Rome, Italy rushed to fill the power gap by taking over the Papal State from French sovereignty. Italian unification finally was achieved, and shortly afterwards Italy’s capital was moved to Rome. Well known as the setting for the story of Romeo and Juliet, historic Verona Italy is a tangle of its storied past and modern industry. One of the most powerful cities during the early rule of the Roman Empire, the old city of Verona is one of the best-preserved sections in the country. Sure, it's an obvious place to begin, but no trip to Italy is complete without viewing the ruins of ancient Rome. The crumbling remains of one of the great Republics in world history, you can see what is left of the victory arches, the decaying roads, the temples that used to command the Roman skyline. Palatine Hill offers a glimpse into how the Emperors once lived, and the Colosseum stands at the apex of the entire city, its once-imposing circular walls still housing the legends of those who fought and died on its arena floor.

Sicily is an island full of strong contrasts, a land rich in history and culture, lively, enticing cities of art, ancient fishermen’s villages where time seems to have come to a standstill and amazing natural wonders, beautiful beaches and islands where you can relax surrounded by crystal clear waters. The island is a crossroads for populations who were completely different from one another, who have all left permanent traces of themselves in the island’s culture. It's more than an island! Discover Sicily and discover the world. The world's first multicultural society, our island is Italy's (and Europe's) most historically cosmopolitan region, having been ruled by Asians, Africans and Europeans. Sicily is black and white and a million shades of gray. There's no other place on Earth like it. Our island is a unique place full of art, archeology, history, folklore and breathtaking scenery. And, of course, great food.

The Island of Skye, situated off the West coast of Mainland Scotland, is the largest and best known of the Inner Hebrides. Sometimes referred to in Gaelic poetry and song as Eilean a' Cheò (The Misty Isle), Skye is renown for its natural beauty, history and wildlife. The Cuillin Hills, the Red Hills and Blaven have long been favourites with climbers and walkers. If you don't fancy the high places, the deeply indented coastline means you are never far from the sea. Wildlife abounds on the Island, with birds from the tiny Goldcrest to magnificent Golden Eagle, mammals from Pygmy Shrew to Red Deer and fish from Saithe to Salmon. If you are lucky you might catch sight of the elusive Otter playing on the shore. 

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The Isle of Skye, which lies off the west coast of Scotland, is a magnificent location for photography with a wonderful variety of landscapes awaiting the visitor. 

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Petra is the treasure of ancient world, hidden behind an almost impenetrable barrier of rugged mountains, boasting incomparable scenes that make it the most  majestic and imposing ancient site still-standing nowadays.. It has been said "perhaps there is nothing in the world that resembles it ", actually, for sure, there is nothing in the world that resembles it . The rock-carved rose-red city of Petra is full of mysterious charm, it was "designed to strike wonder into all who entered it".  Petra is considered the mostfamous and gorgeous site in Jordan located about 262 km south of Amman and 133 km north of Agaba. It is the legacy of the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled in southern Jordan more than 2000 years ago.  Primarily known as a commercial and ceremonial center of the Nabataean culture during the centuries before and after the time of Christ, the region of Petra was inhabited in far greater antiquity. Archaeological excavations have revealed a rock shelter of the Upper Paleolithic period, dating to around 10,000 BC, and a Neolithic village from the 7th millennium BC. While evidence of habitation during the Chalcolithic and Bronze ages has not yet been found, the region of Petra was again occupied in the early Iron Age, around 1200 BC, by the Edomite culture of the Old Testament (Edom, meaning red, is the Biblical name for this region of the Middle East).

Chichen Itza which means “at the mouth of the well of Itza “, is the 2nd most visited archeological site of Mexico today. The Kukulkan Pyramid in Chichen-Itza which known as “El Castillo” (the castle), is one of the new seven wonders of the world elected in 07.07.2007. It is exactly 24 m. high considering the upper platform. Apart from the Kukulkan Pyramid, in Chichen Itza there many other archaeological sites to visit, all carrying traces from Mayan Culture in many ways. Chichen Itza tours can be booked from just about anywhere in Cancun, Cozumel, and of course online before you travel. Since Chichen Itza Mexico does not have its own airport, travelers coming by plane or cruise ship will likely need to book Chichen Itza tours that leave from nearby Cancun or Cozumel. If you would rather come to Chichen Itza Mexico on your own time, you may also get a rental car. From Cancun, Chichen Itza is about a 2-3 hour drive and drivers should expect to encounter tolls along the way. A good Chichen Itza map will be invaluable for this trip. A Chichen Itza map can be purchased before you travel to Mexico or will be available at various tourist locations in Cancun and Cozumel.

The most important Tourist Destinations in Singapore are Singapore Beaches & Islands, Singapore Wildlife, Singapore Marine Life, Singapore Museums, Singapore Monuments, Singapore Buildings, Singapore Cruises, Geylang Serai Singapore, Little India Singapore, Chinatown Singapore, Kampong Glam Singapore, Changi Village Singapore etc. The Name of the Singapore airport is Singapore Changi Airport. The Airport Code is SIN. It is located 14 miles (23 kms) from the city. The Languages used in Singapores are English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. Looking for fun and entertainment in Singapore’s concrete jungle? Singapore, though known as a business hub, offers lots of entertainment centers! All for you to enjoy your stay! For Arts and Entertainment in Singapore, you can visit the National Museum, Singapore Arts Museum and Singapore Science Museum. Other famous tourist attractions include the Sultan Mosque, Singapore Zoological Gardens, Night Safari and Jurong BirdPark. These Singapore tourist attractions all offer fun, excitement and entertainment. You can also learn and gain new knowledge about art, culture and nature!  

The Vasa Museum Stockholm, or the Vasamuseet, is a truly unique museum in Sweden, and indeed the world. Its claim to be the most visited Swedish museum is likely true, with over 25 million people having visited it by 2007. And its claim to fame? The Vasa Museum's distinctively shaped structure on the isle of Djurgården houses one of Europe's great archeological treasures, an almost intact 17th century warship, raised from the sea after three centuries underwater. Seventeenth century Sweden was an up-and-coming state with great ambitions. Colonial expansion was on the mind of every royal and for Sweden, the Navy was to be the backbone of any successful grand strategy. A ship called Vasa was to built as the flagship of the new Swedish navy. King Gustavus Adolphus himself commissioned the ship.

The first government of New York State grew out of the Revolution. The State Convention that drew up the Constitution created a Council of Safety which governed for a time and set the new government in motion. In June 1777, while the war was going on, an election for the first governor took place. Two of the candidates, Philip Schuyler and George Clinton, were generals in the field. Two others, Colonel John Jay and General John Morin Scott, were respectively leaders of the aristocratic and democratic groups in the Convention. On July 9, George Clinton was declared elected and he was inaugurated as Governor at Kingston, July 30, 1777. Albany became the capital of the State in January 1797. Located in New York harbor, the Statue of Liberty was formally presented to the U.S. Minister to France, Levi Parsons on July 4, 1884 by Ferdinand Lesseps, representing the Franco-American Union.

Italy is largely homogeneous linguistically and religiously but is diverse culturally, economically, and politically. Italy has the fifth-highest population density in Europe--about 200 persons per square kilometer (about 500 per sq. mi.). Minority groups are small, the largest being the German-speaking people of Bolzano Province and the Slovenes around Trieste. There are also small communities of Albanian, Greek, Ladino, and French origin. Immigration has increased in recent years, however, while the Italian population is declining overall due to low birth rates. Although Roman Catholicism is the majority religion--85% of native-born citizens are nominally Catholic--all religious faiths are provided equal freedom before the law by the constitution. Italy is a beautiful country but is one of those countries which you probably have some questions and preconceptions, before your coming to this special country. A place of olive oil, pasta, wine, mafia and sunshine, roman ruins and renaissance palaces, Italy has a lot to give its tourists. Although some of these conceptions are amazing and interesting, it would be a shame if that was the only thing you come away with. Italy is certainly much more complex and stimulating than these concepts.

The history of the Great Wall is said to start from the Spring and Autumn Periods when seven powerful states appeared at the same time. In order to defend themselves, they all built walls and stationed troops on the borders. At that time, the total length of the wall had already reached 3,107 miles, belonging to different states. The Great Wall of China is not a continuous wall but is a collection of short walls that often follow the crest of hills on the southern edge of the Mongolian plain. The Great Wall of China, known as "long Wall of 10,000 Li" in China, extends about 8,850 kilometers (5,500 miles). The first major wall was built during the reign of the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. This wall was not constructed as a single endeavour, but was mostly the product of joining several regional walls built by the Warring States. The walls that were linked together at this time consisted of rammed earth with watch towers built at regular intervals. It was located much further north than the current Great Wall with its eastern end at modern day North Korea. Very little of this first wall remains; photos reveal a low, long mound.

The second-largest archipelago in the world, with over 7000 tropical islands, the Philippines is one of the great treasures of Southeast Asia. Often overlooked by travellers because of its location on the ‘wrong’ side of the South China Sea, the Philippines rewards those who go the extra distance to reach it. And because it’s off the beaten path, the Philippines is a great place to escape the hordes who descend on other parts of Southeast Asia. First and foremost, the Philippines is a place of natural wonders – a string of coral-fringed islands strewn across a vast expanse of the western Pacific. Below sea level, the Philippines boasts some of the world’s best diving and snorkelling, including wreck diving around Coron and swimming with the whale sharks off Donsol. Above sea level, it has a fantastic landscape with wonders enough to stagger even the most jaded traveller: the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, Banaue & the Rice Terraces and fascinating reminders of the islands’ history in places such as Samar & Leyte and Vigan. And if you’re after palm-fringed, white-sand beaches, try laidback Sipalay or flat-out party town Boracay. The majority of Philippine people are descendants of Indonesians and Malays who migrated to the islands in successive waves over many centuries and largely displaced the aboriginal inhabitants. The largest ethnic minority now is the mainland Asians (called Chinese), who have played an important role in commerce for many centuries since they first came to the islands to trade. Arabs and Indians also traveled and traded in the Philippines in the first and early second millennium. As a result of intermarriage, many Filipinos have some Asian mainland, Spanish, American, Arab, or Indian ancestry. After the mainland Asians, Americans and Spaniards constitute the next largest minorities in the country.

Saint George's Castle can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. Its oldest parts date from the 6th century, when it was fortified by the Romans, Visigoths, and eventually the Moors. It served as a Moorish royal residence until Portugal's first king Afonso Henriques captured it in 1147 with the help of northern European crusaders on their way to the Holy Land. It was then dedicated to St. George, the patron saint of England, commemorating the Anglo-Portuguese pact dating from 1371, and became the royal palace until another one (that was destroyed in the Great Earthquake) was built in today's Comercio Square. n 1142 it was rebuilt following a major fire, however the Baroque facade that we see today dates from 1671-1691. The altar painting and frescos in the dome are the work of V.V. Reiner. In the Gothic Chapel of St. Ludmila lies the tomb of the famous saint, widow of the 9th century ruler Prince Borivoj. Also buried in the basilica are Prince Vratislav and Boleslav II. St. George's Basilica now serves as a concert hall, a delightful and popular setting for early evening classical concerts.

Norway's national sanctuary, Nidaros Cathedral was built over the grave of St. Olav, Norway's patron saint whose reputation shone far beyond the borders of his country. Construction started in 1070, but the oldest parts still in existence are from the middle of the 12th century. Ravaged by fire on several occasions, the church was rebuilt each time - mainly in the Gothic style, but the oldest parts around the transept reflect the Roman style. Work on erecting the first stone church at St. Olav's burial site commenced around 1070, and it is assumed that the Cathedral was finished in all its splendour some time around 1300. It was then held to be the most beautiful church in the entire country, which we of course claim it still is! Admittedly, the Cathedral has undergone a great deal of restoration work after centuries of decay, but now, after more than 130 years of restoration and rebuilding, we can really appreciate the impression the church must have made on medieval pilgrims.

The Royal Palace of Amsterdam was build in the 17th century as the new city hall of Amsterdam. After the signing of the peace treaty of Munster in 1648, Amsterdam started to execute its ambitious plan for a new city hall.  The city council chose Jacob van Campen's design for a large and impressive building. The power and wealth of the city of Amsterdam in the recently established Republic of the Netherlands are reflected in the building and its interior design. The Royal Palace is located on the Dam in Amsterdam. It is not Queen Beatrix’s place of residence but she occasionally receives important guests there. Then the red carpet is rolled out and the Dutch flag flies above the Palace.

When the important guests have departed, then everyone can take a glimpse of the Palace. The three and a half years of extensive interior renovations to the Royal Palace interior included everything from precious furnishings to practical facilities. The result is a historical treasure that features the best of its 17th and 19th century splendor. Amsterdam being the capital city of the Netherland, it is one of the most liberatedand tolerant cities in the world. Coffee shops, the red light district and the overall open-minded people make Amsterdam a traveler’s dream. However, there is more to see in Amsterdam besides coffee shops and the famous red light district. 

Saint Mark's Basilica is a monument made unique by both its wealth of history and the magnificence of its façade and interior. In essence, it is a splendid workshop, where, through the centuries, worked great Italian and European artists. ts distinguishing Byzantine character appears particularly on the great mosaics illustrating St. marco' tales, as well as the scenes of the old and New testament. Venice's greatness has always been reflected in the Basilica's enrichment: during the centuries the Venetians embellished it with precious objects and works of art brought in from the most distant places, thus creating a grand, compact monument. The mellow light falling from above seems to divide the earthly world from the supernatural, which glitters on the vaults in the golden mosaics. The first St. Mark's church in Venice was a temporary building in the Doge’s Palace, constructed in 828, when Venetian merchants stole the supposed relics of Saint Mark the Evangelist from its original resting place in Alexandria, Egypt.

Milan Italy is all commercial activity. It contains hundreds of banks, and most every major publishing, advertising, and communications company in Italy. Famous for elaborate fashion shows put on by some of the most influential members of the industry, Milan also has one of the most prestigious universities in the country and stands in sharp contrast to the casual atmosphere of many of Italy's southern cities.

The weather is also a sharp change from much of the rest of the country - cold rain and dense fog nimbly replace the tender, muggy climates found in the south for much of the year, and the weather seems to be a catalyst for the city, as if Milan is trying to overcompensate for the sometimes unpleasant conditions with economic success.

Milan is Italy's second largest city and is a world centre for banking, high fashion and international conferences. Visitors to Milan will be impressed by its famous landmarks.  They include the Duomo (Milan Cathedral), the Vittorio Emanuele II shopping plaza and the La Scala Opera House.

The world-famous San Siro Stadium (also known as the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza) is jointly home to Milan’s two main football teams and two of the best teams in Italy’s Serie A football league, AC Milan  and Internazionale. Both clubs have proud footballing traditions and the San Siro Museum tells the histories of both clubs with memorabilia including cups, medals and shirts as well as life-size replicas of some of the clubs’ great players including Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Nereo Rocco. Guided tours of this incredible 86,000 capacity ground are available. Both sets of fans are fiercely proud of their clubs and derby games between the two teams often have an electric atmosphere. The San Siro also hosts rock concerts during the closed season. Built in 1926, San Siro Stadium has undergone numerous renovations. Now reputed to be one of the most astounding sports buildings in the world, it holds a capacity of 85,000 people. Here in Milano, San Siro stadium is home to the Rossoneri (red-blacks)a s well as F.C. Inter. No matter what your favourite team, San Siro is the place to be for Football.