Wednesday 23 May 2012

The Best Places to Visit in France



Anncey in the Rhone Alpes is beautiful at night 
France is one of the world's most fascinating countries to visit.  We believe that our recommendations on the best places to visit in France will provide you with  an incomparable travel experience. France is a scenic country whose people and culture have been at the center of  world history for over a thousand years. It is the visitor's good fortune that the French have determinedly preserved their culture and heritage.  Examples of the country's  spectacular attractions, particularly in the form of famous buildings and architecture, can be found almost everywhere, but particularly in the country's historically important cities, cathedrals, abbeys and incredibly lavish châteaux and palaces.
Classic art and sculpture abound in this country and you can wander the collections of France's great museums surrounded by world-renowned collections filled with works by the world's master artists. If you prefer the outdoors, France offers a variety of outstanding and photogenic natural landscapes including  beautiful coasts and magnificent mountains.
The Opera Garnier in Paris is breathtaking. Across the many regions of France, there are innumerable  cities whose wonderful food,
wine, ambiance and geographical diversity reflects the landscapes and unique cultures that comprise France. For Instance, Paris, one of the favorite destinations of travelers worldwide, is fundamentally unique in France, as it is like no other French city.  This same this diversity of site, scene and situation occur across France and makes touring the regions of this country a perpetual morning, with something new to learn from each place you visit. We hope that you find time to explore France and discover the incredible cities and cultural regions, both historical and current, created by the French people.
 German gun emplacements at Longues-Sur-Mer, Normandy

Paris and Ile de France

Ile-de-France is a region of France that includes and surrounds Paris, the country's capital. Ile-de-France is the country's most populated area, but one with numerous charms and many outstanding attractions.
The City of Light is one of the world's great cities and a  trip to Paris is, for many, the vacation of a lifetime. Paris offers the tourist numerous attractions that are unique and without match.  The best art, fabulous architecture, visible history, leading museums, and romantic settings surround you when visiting Paris.

Château de Versailles  

  • The splendor of Versailles, along with its splendid architecture and lavish parkland are unequalled in the modern world.  The opulence of Versailles can be appreciated only by visiting this historic, ostentatious home of the French monarchy.  Click on the link above for our  description (and photographs) of Versailles and its many attractions.

    Chartres Cathedral  

  • Notre Dame of Chartres, a remarkably preserved Gothic-style cathedral, dates from the late 12th century and was built over a religious site previously used by Druids. The Chartres Cathedral towers above the surrounding plain and is a remarkable architectural achievement.  The cathedral's structure is magnificent, while its interior contains some of Europe's best stained glass windows.   Chartres Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a spectacular package and well worth a visit.
    • The cathedral's construction marked a unique point in the evolution of  building construction, as the size and height of  the cathedral proposed for Chartres surpassed what was thought possible at the time (for, example, its tallest tower is as tall as a 38 story building).
    • During your tour of the interior be sure to see the immense, beautiful Rose Window and its five lancets dating from the 13th century.
    • The Cathedral is well-known for its unusual circular labyrinth that dates from the late 12th century.  Scholars believe that walking the path of the labyrinth was once considered a  mini-pilgrimage undertaken by the faithful in a plea for the forgiveness of their sins.
    • If you visit on the weekend, you might be lucky enough to listen to one of the cathedral's famous organ concerts.
    • This site from the San Jose State University has a detailed photographic tour of the Chartres Cathedral.
  • Fontainebleau   

  • From its beginnings  as a royal hunting lodge,  Fontainebleau developed into a stately grand palace with expansive, lush grounds,  exceptional interior design, and elegant furnishings.  Touring Fontainebleau is an afternoon well spent. The buildings are cavernous and the grounds are expansive, so bring your most comfortable walking shoes.

    Giverny 

  • Monet's home in Giverny has put this lazy, quaint town on the map. The house and the gardens have been revitalized  to match the look of the property when Monet lived and painted in this evocative parcel nested in a small country village. Although quite popular and crowded,  visiting Giverny is a visual and emotional treat.
  • The water garden, comprised of lazily leafed willows, ponds,  water lilies, and the famous Japanese Bridge, is the most popular of Giverny's many areas. The Clos Normand, a formal French-style Garden close to the house, is another delightful area to wander.
  • The gift store has an enormous collection of posters, books, calendars and other trinkets, all memorializing Monet, aspects of his life and his amazing paintings.

    Provins 

  • Provins, a location famous in medieval times for its annual trade fares (including the Champagne Fairs), is a fortified city protected by a defensive wall and towers constructed before the 12th century.  The town is known to have been in existence by the 9th century and later gave rise to the Counts of Champagne, as well as playing a key role in French history.
  • Located about 60 miles (91 km) southeast of Paris, the Old Town area that hosted the medieval trade fares has been well preserved. Most visitors, however, come to see Provins' amazing fortifications, and a castle-keep known as Caesar's Tower.  The experience of visiting a city that has authentic medieval roots makes Provins a popular destination with sightseers.

Vacation Destinations in Normandy, France

 

  • Normandy is a delightful place to visit.  It is an area with a unique culture and tradition and your travels here will be unlike anywhere else in France. Its modestly sized cities contain many unique treasures, its coasts are delightful and its regional cuisine can be excellent.
  • For numerous visitors, touring Normandy is based on their interest in the historic D-Day Invasion that led to the end of World War II.  Be prepared for an unexpected, emotional reaction when you visit the D-Day Invasion beaches and memorial cemeteries.

The Most Romantic Places in Spain



Spain is often associated with romance, thanks to the gorgeous cobblestoned alleyways, medieval squares and miles of golden sandy beaches as the backdrop.  Forget about Venice or Paris, Spain has got the stunning Barcelona, regal Madrid, sultry Seville and sexy Ibiza to set you in the mood for love. Whisk your sweetheart away to Spain for Valentine’s Day and I promise she won’t be disappointed.
Whether you’re into sultry tropical beaches or fancy wine and dine, a trip to Spain will definitely create that spark between you and your loved one. Here are some of the most romantic spots in Spain:

Barcelona

Dubbed the most beautiful city in Spain, Barcelona seduces lovers with its sizzling beaches, majestic architecture and monuments including the Sagrada Familia Cathedral. The gorgeous city of Barcelona has been the setting of  numerous romantic movies including the most recent Woody Allen film, ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’. Need we say more? Book yourself a sexy Barcelona hotel and treat you and your loved one to a Valentine’s Day in Barcelona – the city’s seductive appeal is enough to spice up your relationship with your loved one.

La Rioja

This gorgeous region in northern Spain is the birthplace of La Rioja, one of the best wines in the world. What better way to romance your loved one than to go wine-tasting in the Rioja region, indulge in one of its numerous fine-dining bodegas and spend the day at a casa rural in the vineyards. And if that’s not enough to set you in the right mood for romance, La Rioja’s Old Town is a charming labyrinth of medieval buildings and narrow alleyways.

Toledo

Just one hour away from Madrid is one of the most beautiful and charming medieval cities in Spain. Toledo is stacked up on a hilltop, overlooking prairies, farms and olive groves while its historic quarter is centred around an ancient castle. Walk hand-in-hand with your loved one through its cobbled paths, get lost in dark alleyways and be blown away by the beauty of Toledo. Catch the tourist train from its town centre and explore the outskirts of the town where you will be treated to jaw-dropping views of its valley and cliffs.

Granada

Voted by many as the most romantic city in Andalusia, the sheer atmosphere in the humble city is impalpable. Perched on the city’s hilltop, the breathtaking Alhambra Palace bathes Granada in a blanket of romance. The former Moorish palace is the most visited monument in Spain and has been voted as one of the top castles in Spain. Numerous Granada hotels are converted from ancient palaces and many of them open up to a jaw-dropping panorama of the Alhambra.

Las Alpujarras

Tucked in the slopes of the Sierra Nevada are beautiful white-washed hilltop towns of the, Alpujarras. The Alpujarras is a gorgeous, naturally-sculpted conglomeration of tiny towns and villages that play hosts to enchanting vacation rentals. Many of the smaller and quieter towns are ideal for a laid back romantic vacation where you can simply lounge around, soak in the beauty of the mountains or enjoy a leisurely hike in the area.

Saturday 19 May 2012

World's Best Picnic Spots


Photo: Hikers in the Andes Mountains near Machu Picchu                             

Huayna Picchu, Peru 

 At an elevation of nearly 9,000 feet, the view from atop this peak, which towers over the 15th-century ruins of Machu Picchu, is breathtaking in a number of ways. A steep, slippery climb to this rocky summit is a nerve-racking effort—one instantly rewarded with a panoramic perspective of the Urubamba River Valley and the famed city of the Inca. But what to eat? Certainly not a complicated dish of roasted cuy (guinea pig) or a pisco sour. Instead, a celebratory Inca Kola and a pleasantly portable butifarras—a sandwich of Peruvian ham, onions, chili peppers, and lime. Don't linger too long—the hike down is a doozy.

 Photo: Temple of Aesculapius in the Villa Borghese gardens   

Villa Borghese Gardens, Rome, Italy

                 
Olives, pizza bianca, marinated artichokes, salumi, and—of course—a bottle of wine are all it takes to make a picnic break from the ancient ruins and Renaissance highlights of Rome. Oh—and a quiet little park. The Villa Borghese gardens, near the Piazza del Popolo, is a picnic-perfect landscape for escape. The Spanish Steps lead up to this English-style garden, but the romantic feel of the urban park is all-Italian—a fact reinforced by the sculptures by Bernini and paintings by Titian, Raphael, and Caravaggio housed within the Galleria Borghese on the broad expanse of these scenic gardens

 Photo: Orchids inside the Singapore Botanic Gardens                                                                  

Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore

Photograph by Eightfish
A tropical rain forest in the heart of one of the world's busiest cities? Believe it. This horticultural haven is a compact but grand space that preserves much more than just a lush tropical rain forest. The National Orchid Garden maintains a collection of more than a thousand species and 2,000 hybrids here (including Singapore's pink-hued national flower, a natural hybrid orchid), while three lakes, a botany center, and a ginger garden offer opportunities for eco-education and urban escape. The greenswards of Palm Valley make for pitch-perfect picnics, especially when outdoor concerts are in session

 Photo: Alamere Falls at Point Reyes National Seashore in California                 

The Top Ten Most Romantic Picnic Spots in the USA

Courtyards surrounded by ivy-covered walls, balconies with dramatic seaside views, quiet back roads in historical towns, and ocean piers offering visions of dazzling sunsets all call one thing to mind: romance. These cozy, atmospheric locales exist all over America and provide ample opportunities for intimate, memorable picnic meals with the one you love. Just pack your picnic basket and an overnight bag and you'll be ready for a romantic weekend unlike any other.

1. Big Sur - Nothing can compare you for the awe-inspiring, breathtaking views you'll encounter in this region of California's Highway 1. Even seasoned travelers who think they've seen it all are blown away by the sheer beauty of the dramatic rocky cliffs overlooking serene blue ocean waves. The scenic, meandering drive is an essential part of the experience - you'll want to stop at every lookout. In warm weather, plan to spend the night at one of the open campsites on the water - it'll be an unforgettably romantic experience.

2. New York City - The city that never sleeps has an almost palpable energy to it that no other city can come close to. There are so many romantic places and activities, you'd have to make multiple trips to do them all. Ice skating in Rockefeller Center is at the top of the list for winter picnic spots; make sure to bring a couple mugs of hot cocoa. In any other season, take a carriage ride through Central Park and stop for a picnic meal you'll never forget. Rooftop overlooks, glamorous city lights blending into the starry skies, and the exciting bustle of Times Square add to the cosmopolitan appeal of this chic and sophisticated metropolis.

3. Oahu - This beach blanket paradise is not only one of the most romantic spots in the USA, it's known for its incredible beauty worldwide. Spend the day snorkeling, lounging in the sun, munching on a delicious tropical picnic meal and watching the sun set over the clear blue waters. Intimate hikes, coastal cruises and horseback riding are only a handful of the romantic activities couples can partake in while visiting this Hawaiian island. The most colorful fish can be found in Hanauma Bay; Diamond Head, the island's 350 acre crater, offers incredibly striking views.

4. New Orleans - The Big Easy is more often mentioned of late in the context of hurricanes than of tourism, but don't let that fool you into thinking it isn't worthy of a visit. The millions of people who have been lucky enough to experience this city can describe it in one word: 'magical'. The legacy of its heady past is everywhere - in its wrought iron balconies, courtyards full of blossoming Magnolia, and the delicious scent of Creole and Cajun cooking wafting through the air. New Orleans has a sensuous, seductive allure that gives romantic picnics with a loved one a bit of extra spice.

5. Miami - This wild and wonderful city enjoys a rich cultural diversity, making it one of the most interesting places in America to visit. Whether you'd prefer to lounge on the soft white sands of the shore, explore the fascinating ethnic shops downtown or take in the glitz and glamour of South Beach from your hotel room terrace, Miami has something for everyone. The weather is perfect year-round, giving you plenty of choices for outdoor fun including sailboat rides, bicycles built for two, wind surfing, jet skiing and swimming. Get some Cuban sandwiches from Little Havana and take them on your adventure - you'll be happy you did!

6. Savannah - Go on a romantic getaway to this riverfront gem of the South, where cozy bed and breakfasts can be found on ever corner, and secluded nooks in the many private parks offer up enticing picnic spots. Lush greenery strewn with Spanish moss, stunning architecture, trolley rides and horse-drawn carriages contribute to the city's unique, laid-back vibe. Get a room with a balcony overlooking the river or one of the parks for a spectacular picnic breakfast.

7. Santa Fe - The breathtaking mountainous desert scenery, spectacular sunsets, decadent cuisine and abundance of revitalizing spas make Santa Fe a standout destination for any couple looking for romance. Pamper yourselves with massages and facials, take a ride on the historic Santa Fe Southern Railway, luxuriate in a hot tub under the stars and feast on southwestern cuisine. Pack your picnic basket and head up to the Cross of the Martyrs off Paseo de Peralta for a panoramic view.

8. Grand Canyon - The Grand Canyon is often touted as the most stunning natural sight in North America, and it's easy to see why. Summer is the most pleasant time of year to spread your picnic blanket out on the rim and enjoy the incredible scenery. The Grand Canyon also offers opportunities for a variety of outdoor adventures, from hikes to mule rides. Sunsets at this American landmark are striking explosions of vivid color, and provide a unique and memorable atmosphere for a romantic picnic for two.

9. Jackson Hole - It seems as though the picturesque Wyoming valley of Jackson Hole has been on every top ten list made in the past few years. This frontier-town-turned-ski-resort is quickly becoming the favorite winter destination of anyone who seeks a unique romantic adventure. Incredible skiing, hiking, fishing, camping, rafting and climbing opportunities abound, so have all of your picnic gear ready. There's an undeniable romantic charm in cozying up with your partner in front of a fire, wrapping yourselves in a blanket and savoring a hot beverage.

10. Charleston - This genteel port city offers up an atmosphere of carefree tranquility. Cobblestone streets, grand antebellum plantations, and walkways cooled by island breezes give it is quaint, historic vibe. Perfect picnic spots are everywhere - enjoy the swings at Waterfront park; window shop on King Street, enjoy the lush courtyards of the churches and visit the 'Angel Oak' on James Island - a 1400 year old oak tree.

Tuesday 15 May 2012

Best USA Beach-Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon Grand Canyon

"Grand" doesn't begin to do this canyon justice. Measuring approximately 277 miles in length, up to 18 miles in width and a mile deep, this massive chasm in northern Arizona is truly a natural wonder. For six million years, the Grand Canyon has expanded with the help of the mighty Colorado River, and for centuries, people from all over the globe have traveled to gaze out over its red and orange grandeur. Managed by the National Park Service and officially designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Grand Canyon leaves its approximately 4.5 million visitors per year awestruck.

Best Times to Visit Grand Canyon

The best times to visit the Grand Canyon are March through May and September through November when daytime temperatures begin to cool and the crowds begin to thin. If you decide to visit during the summer (the park's peak season), be prepared for hordes of tourists and very limited lodging availability. You can find deals on hotels during the winter, but much of the park (including the entire North Rim) closes after the first snowfall.

Best Things to Do in Grand Canyon

Even the most skeptical of travelers becomes awestruck at the sight of the Grand Canyon's massive expanse of gorges, ridges and rock formations. So simply enjoying the view -- from a variety of vantage points -- is an activity that could take hours. One of the best ways to see the canyon is on a hiking tour that takes you to the bottom: Some of the best trails include the Bright Angel or Rim trails on the South Rim. Rafting the Colorado River is another option; Travelers highly recommend O.A.R.S. for its excellent raft tours.

Tips on What To Do in Grand Canyon

While in the Canyon, writers recommend enjoying the views above all else, accessible from a series of vantage points along both the South and the North Rims, including the Desert View Watchtower on the South Rim and the Grand Canyon Skywalk on the Hualapai Reserve. Hiking, camping and rafting are popular outdoor activities within the canyon. Professional travelers and recent visitors urge you to bring a guide or accompany an experienced outdoorsman when hiking, and never hike alone.
  • Tour the South Rim from Hermits Rest east to Desert View, driving through the Navajo reservation and Marble Canyon area before winding up the Kaibab Plateau to Jacob Lake and the canyon’s quiet north side, for a sampling of scenery, history, and activity."-- Moon Travel Guide
  • During peak season, May through September, hotel rooms sell out months in advance, ditto for those mule rides, and certain raft trips can be a year-long wait or more. Ah, wilderness!"-- New York Times

South Rim

Many Grand Canyon visitors choose the South Rim as their home base because of the many attractions clustered in the Grand Canyon Village. Start your tour of the Grand Canyon Village at the Grand Canyon Railway Depot; this cabin-like train station still acts as a stop on the Grand Canyon Railway plus it houses the Park Services offices. From here, you can head to one of the village's several art studios -- like the Kolb and Lookout Studios -- or historic buildings. Check out the Bright Angel Lodge and the Buckey O'Neill Cabin to learn about the settling of the Grand Canyon area. Or, if you're more interested in the history of the area's native tribes, check out the Hopi House, a large adobe structure that represents what a Hopi home and crafts workshop could look like.
The South Rim is also home to the Bright Angel Trail. This is one of the Canyon's most popular hikes; you'll also enjoy the scenery along Bright Angel if you're hiking by mule.
  • You need to spend several days to truly appreciate this marvelous place, but at the very least, give it a full day. Hike down into the canyon, or along the rim, to get away from the crowds and experience nature at its finest." -- Fodor's
  • Outside of the village, Hermits Rest on Hermit Road and the Watchtower on Desert View Drive are also of historical significance." -- Frommer's

North Rim

Unlike the South Rim, the North Rim is severely lacking when it comes to historic and cultural attractions. But that means you won't have to worry about beating the crowds to enjoy the North Rim trails or views. Nature lovers flock to this side of the Canyon to stretch their legs along the North Kaibab Trail or to gaze out over the canyon from popular viewpoints like Point Sublime and Bright Angel Point. Bear in mind that, because of its higher elevation, the North Rim sees much more precipitation than the South Rim. And the area is closed to visitors in winter due to heavy snowfalls.
  • Visitor facilities on the northern edge are all clustered in the relatively small area around Grand Canyon Lodge, a rustically elegant castle-style hotel with terrific views from its terraces and dining rooms." -- Travel Channel
  • It's a five-hour drive to the North Rim, but you'll want to allow an additional two to four hours for sightseeing, so get an early start. Beginning just south of Mather Point, Highway 64 travels along the East Rim 25 miles to Desert View. Stop at Grandview Point to gaze down at Horseshoe Mesa, then continue to Tusayan Ruin." -- Moon Travel Guides

Grand Canyon West & Supai

While many travelers restrict themselves to the trails and the sights along the South Rim, travel writers say that the western part of Grand Canyon National Park shouldn't be ignored. Grand Canyon West offers several ways to enjoy the canyon, including helicopter rides, horseback rides and the popular Skywalk, a glass walkway that hovers 70 feet over the edge of the canyon.
For both beautiful surroundings and a healthy dose of culture, head farther west and visit the Havasupai tribe in Supai, a small village northwest of the Grand Canyon Village along the Havasu Canyon. Supai is surrounded by numerous natural attractions, including the spectacular Havasu Falls. However, because it is so remote, you'll need to set aside about two and a half hours to drive from Grand Canyon Village to Supai.
  • Be sure to call the Havasupai Tourist Enterprise before visiting for more information." -- Fodor's  

Sports & Leisure

More than two-dozen trails line the North and South Rims, providing hikers an excellent day's hike and unforgettable views. If you're an amateur hiker, you may want to stick to some of the easier hikes -- such as the Rim Trail and the Bright Angel Trail -- along the South Rim. You can also travel the Bright Angel Trail by mule, which is one of the most popular Grand Canyon experiences. For more experienced hikers, North Rim trails -- like the North Kaibab Trail, the Widforss Trail and the Transept Trail -- are a bit more challenging with a more secluded setting. 
Whether you're a beginner or an expert, hiking in the canyon (especially off the trail) can be very dangerous. It's best to travel with an experienced guide and to never hike alone.
If you're up for a real challenge, consider experiencing the Grand Canyon from below. A whitewater rafting trip down the Colorado River beckons to thrill-seekers. Companies like Colorado River Discovery and Hualapai River Runners offer daytrips, while those looking to spend a few days on the river can sign up to raft with O.A.R.S. or Wilderness River Adventures.
  • If you're a birder, bring your binoculars, because September and October are great months to watch migrating raptors use the canyon as a flyway."--  Moon Travel Guides
  • The South Rim's most popular walking path is the 13-mi (one-way) Rim Trail, which runs along the edge of the canyon from Mather Point (the first overlook on Desert View Drive) to Hermits Rest. This walk, which is paved to Maricopa Point, visits several of the South Rim's historic landmarks. Allow anywhere from 15 minutes to a full day; the Rim Trail is an ideal day hike." -- Frommer's
  • Keep in mind that seats fill up fast due to the restricted number of visitors allowed on the river each season by the National Park Service. Due to the limited availability, reservations for multiday trips should be made a year or two in advance." -- Fodor's

Top Ten Best Safety Beaches in US

The annual list of the "Best U.S. Beaches for Families." has been announced by Family Vacation Critic site.
According to editor, Lissa Poirot, "The U.S. has an incredible coastline and many beautiful beaches to choose from, but for families, there's more to a good beach than just a great stretch of sand. As parents we were looking for certain features that make beaches specifically family-friendly. When picking this year's list, we were looking for beaches recognized for their cleanliness, as well as those that provide safe water for young swimmers and plenty of activities for families, within a close walk from the beach."
The top five beaches for families include:
1. Walmanalo Bay Beach Park, Oahu, HI: One of the cleanest beaches in the country, and far removed from the crowded beaches of Waikiki. Soft sand, calm waters for tiny swimmers, and manageable waves for new surfers.
2. Outer Beach, Cape Cod, MA: The Cape Cod National Seashore offers 40 miles of untouched beaches, and is an idyllic setting where families can enjoy the long bike rides, mini golf and clam bakes that keep families coming back year after year.
3. Deerfield Beach, Near Fort Lauderdale, FL: Recognized for being an exceptionally clean beach, its stretches of sand are dotted with oversized boulders that create private pockets for beachgoers.
4. Sand Beach, Acadia National Park, ME: Known for its breathtaking and unspoiled beauty, Acadia's beaches are some of the cleanest in the country and the park provides plenty to explore beyond the beach.
5. Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Outer Banks, NC: Wide and uncluttered beaches line warm waters and plenty of places for families to play. As a preserved area, wildlife refuges, lighthouses and camping areas provide even more fun.
Other winning beaches include:
6. Shell Beaches, Padre Island National Seashore, TX
7. Coronado Beach, San Diego, CA
8. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, FL
9. Rehoboth Beach, DE
10. Sunset Beach, Cape May, NJ

Thursday 10 May 2012

Top 10 American road trips

Here are 10 great one-day continental U.S. driving adventures -- selected for scenery, cultural attractions and geographical diversity -- to unleash your inner Kerouac.

1.Massachusetts, Cape Cod
"If you're linear in your thinking," says Fodor's senior editor Paul Eisenberg, who worked on the Great American Drives series, "you're probably going to do best with something along a coast." His favorite is Cape Cod's eastern shore, from Bourne to Orleans. These 40 miles along the Old King's Highway (state Route 6A) are sprinkled with beaches, inns and museums. Plus, Eisenberg adds, "I like knowing I don't have to sweat the directions going back."

2.Vermont, Stowe to Smugglers' Notch
Autumn's hottest show? The deciduous trees of Vermont. For front-row seats, head south from Stowe along state Route 100, treating your sweet tooth at the Ben & Jerry's factory in Waterbury and your eyes to 100 miles of blazing fall foliage, much of it within Green Mountain National Forest. As a finale, the Smugglers' Notch mountain pass features 1,000-foot cliffs and, if you're lucky, peregrine falcons. Leaf hotline: (800) VERMONT.

3.Tennessee, Johnson City to Gatlinburg
So dang gorgeous, these 90 miles of rural Tennessee might inspire you to grab a banjo and strum an Appalachian love song. Take U.S. Route 11E toward Davy Crockett's birthplace (Everyone: "Born on a mountaintop..."). At Greenville, where two homes of Andrew Johnson anchor a presidential historic site, veer onto U.S. Route 321, skirting the majestic Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Next day, depending on your preference, visit the park or, for mountains of a different kind, nearby Dollywood.

4.Florida, Overseas Highway
Only car-crazy America would link a 105-mile long chain of islands -- from Key Largo, just south of Miami, west to Key West -- with a highway, U.S. Route 1. "You're on either a bridge or a causeway, surrounded by shimmering water," says Janet Groene, author of Great Eastern RV Trips. "It's a lovely, lovely drive." Two tips: Crowds are smaller during spring and early summer, and catch the sunset at Key West's Mallory Square Dock.

5.South Dakota, Pierre to Mount Rushmore
Mythic Mount Rushmore does not disappoint, even after driving more than 200 miles across jaw-droppingly cool scenery. From Pierre, follow U.S. Route 83 across the Missouri River and striking grasslands to Interstate 90, going west. The good stuff isn't visible from the interstate, so be sure to turn off at Murdo for buffalo burgers, Badlands National Park for dusty canyons and Rapid City for dead presidents carved into the Black Hills.

6.Texas, El Paso to Marathon
Plenty of trucker hats in these parts, atop both legitimate truckers and Brooklyn hipsters. Artsy types are flocking to the remote West Texas town of Marfa, home to the Chinati Foundation's minimalist art collection. Head east from El Paso along Interstate 10 (and the U.S.-Mexico border), turning south at Van Horn onto U.S. Route 90 -- about 230 miles total. When you tire of Chinati's aluminum boxes and fluorescent light bulbs, focus on the desert landscapes of Big Bend National Park, an hour from Marathon.

7.Montana, Great Falls to Missoula
"History-themed tours are always good," Groene says. "You could build a whole trip around Civil War sites or black history sites." Or you could honor the bicentennial of Lewis and Clark's (and Sacagawea's) expedition with a drive through Montana's Bitterroot Range. Fine-tune your route at the excellent Great Falls interpretive center, heading east on whatever roads visit the sites that interest you most. (Estimate 150 miles.) As you cross the Continental Divide, note the lack of a Northwest Passage for boats.

8.Washington, Everett to Ellensburg
From the shores of Puget Sound, take U.S. Route 2 east and upward into the Cascade Mountains. Looming to your right is 10,541-foot-high Glacier Peak. At only 135 miles, albeit twisty ones, your journey allows time to explore one of the frequent hiking trails and the faux (but fun) Bavarian charms of Leavenworth, after which you'll head south on U.S. Route 97. End point Ellensburg is a cool college town of pretty streets and renowned rock climbing.

9.San Francisco, Scenic Drive
At only 49 miles, San Francisco's official self-guided driving tour is one of this list's shortest trips. Given the beautiful city's heinous traffic, however, it could take the longest. Begin anywhere you see one of the Scenic Drive signs with the big seagull, and follow the looping route counterclockwise to Mission Dolores, Coit Tower and other postcard-pretty highlights. Just spend rush hour at a café.

10.California, Monterey to Morro Bay
Like you needed reminding that state Route 1 along California's central coast ranks as one of America's -- heck, the planet's -- best road trips. South of Monterey begins 125 miles of windy highway within incredible scenery, most amazing at Big Sur, where the Santa Lucia Range slopes steeply into the Pacific. By the time you hit San Simeon, the Hearst Castle's architectural wonders will barely register against what Mother Nature just showed you.

Wednesday 9 May 2012

THE TOP TEN MOST HAUNTED, SCARIEST PLACES IN THE WORLD

No. 1: Catacombs, Paris, France.
Is this a real Paris Catacomb Ghost Photo asks Harold Grant Ghost Picture from his recent trip to Paris 2008.
Is this a real Paris Catacomb Ghost Photo asks Harold Grant Ghost Picture from his recent trip to Paris 2008.


Long ago, as the city of Paris grew, it became necessary to provide more space for the living. To do so, engineers and planners decided to move the mass of humanity least likely to protest: in this case, the dead. Millions of Parisian dead were quietly disinterred in one of the largest engineering feats in history and their remains were deposited along the walls of the chilly, dank passageways lying beneath the City of Light. They lie there to this day, in the eternal darkness, an Empire of the Dead.

The Paris Catacombs are infamous and much has been written about their history and purpose. A million visitors a year are said to walk the dank corridors and to stare at the bones and gaze fixedly into the empty eye-sockets of the long dead. Many of these same visitors, and some of their guides, have encountered more than just the silence in the catacombs: they have had encounters with ghostly inhabitants that roam the empty passageways and mutely follow the tour groups around.
Ghost Photos and erie feelings or often reported through out the internet from the many visitors to the locations. Ghost are often said to be felt more the witnessed eye to eye. Many have reported to us that they have been grabbed or have felt ghost touching them even grabbing their hands and clothes.
A Real Paris Catacomb Ghost Photo sent to us by Brian Lundsguard
A Real Paris Catacomb Ghost Photo sent to us by Brian Lundsguard


Several report seeing a group of shadows in one area of the catacombs; as the living walk along, the dead follow in complete silence. To some the experience is completely overwhelming and tours have been cut short by the growing sense of unease. Photos have revealed orbs and ghostly apparitions, and EVP's have been recorded throughout the vaults. And many, many ghost photos happen all the time.

The catacombs were first cleared in Roman times, with succeeding generations of Gauls and Frenchmen perfecting the Roman engineering. Now the catacombs are a veritable rabbit’s warren, and though many boldly enter without a guide, to do so puts one at risk of being lost there forever. There have been many reports of rash individuals who wandered into the catacombs for a laugh and who have never been seen again.
Ghost Photo of Paris Catacombs sent to us by Linda Graham
Ghost Photo of Paris Catacombs sent to us by Linda Graham


This, and many chilling tales of experiences in this Empire of the Dead, put the Paris Catacombs on our list of most haunted places.

No. 2: Haunted New Orleans, Louisiana
Haunted New Orleans is by far considered by locals, visitors and paranormal investigators world wide as actually the most haunted and No. # 1 Haunted City in all the United States. With all the past and present spiritual activity taking place in this central plot The haunted French Quarter - transcendent, dark, and in between two worlds - most who witness this City for all it's worth of supernatural origins.
HAUNTED NEW ORLEANS THE MOST HAUNTED CITY IN AMERICA 2007

With 200 years of ghostly legends involving Voodoo curses, Spanish moss draped oak encircled duels, cold-blooded murders, Stories of Revolutionary War Pirates and Civil War soldiers, and Jazz. New Orleans has earned a serious reputation as one of Haunted New Orleans Tours most haunted cities. Locals say that the concentration of extremes leaves the city open to ghosts within the homes and businesses of Central New Orleans.

" The most popular tourist site to have your possible brush with the supernatural. But there is more to Haunted New Orleans then just the supernatural Locales. It's an experience you will never forget!"
Haunted New Orleans Voted Haunted New Orleans the best Haunted City in the United States for 2004 -2009.
South Louisiana possesses the Crown Jewel of all Haunted Cities - New Orleans.
Long before the docks of haunted New York City became crowded with European refugees, the port of New Orleans was already melting everything in its wondrous Creole pot. Among the earliest settled cities of the New World, New Orleans' place at the bend of the mighty Mississippi River more than guaranteed it a unique and interesting life. Held by French and Spanish, threatened by the British, and governed by Abraham Lincoln's Army of the Republic during the Civil War, this venerable "Old Lady" has seen generations come and go with grace and quiet charm.
One could spend an entire lifetime in the Crescent City - so-called because of its auspicious placement at the river's turn - and still not know all there is to know of her, nor ever, it has been said, get enough of her. Characterized as an almost living being, the City itself has been suspected of casting a spell over all who come to her, assuring that all who visit will eventually come back.
This magic translates into the architecture and, indeed, the very air of this infamous city; like a chameleon, she can change in a moment and become anything desired. In Congo Square one-time slaves beat the rhythm of the Old Lady's heart to an African frenzy under the watchful tutelage of Marie Laveau, the greatest Voodoo Queen to ever live; the well-to-do built mansions Uptown, while the immigrants and natives packed into the ramshackle row houses of the burgeoning French Quarter, where the true soul of this old city is really to be found. Jean Lafitte and his pirates plotted in a blacksmith shop that is still preserved amid the neon and decadence of Bourbon Street; blocks away the memories of the great priest Pere Antoine seem to resonant still from the walls of the St. Louis Cathedral; and all around the seething, humid air seems filled with memory and thoughts of days gone by.
REAL NEW ORLEANS MARIE LAVEAU VOODOO MARIE LAVEAU VOODOO QUEEN PAGES MARIE LAVEAU VOODOO QUEEN
MARIE LAVEAU VOODOO RITUAL2006
A MIDSUMMER CELEBRATION
IN HONOR OF MADAME MARIE LAVEAU A HAUNTED NEW ORLEANS TOURS EXCLUSIVE!! (Here for more)

XXX MARKS THE SPOT: DEDICATION OR DESECRATION? CALLING ON THE QUEEN OF THE CITY OF THE DEAD, (Here for more)
MARIE LAVEAUS' HOUSE OF VOODOO NEW ORLEANS

In Haunted New Orleans the theorem works opposites and the supernatural easily becomes the natural. It is a city to be savored, like fine wine or a choice cut of meat, slowly, with relish and delight, and so strong is its hold that even the dead have a hard time leaving it behind.
With New Orleans graveyard, Haunted Houses, Buildings and battlefields. New Orleans is said to be haunted by the ghost of the world famous Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, Marie Laveau. Her spirit has been reported inside of the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, walking between the tombs wearing a red and white seven knotted turban , and mumbling a New Orleans Santeria Voodoo curse to trespassers. Her Voodoo curse is loud and even heard by passerby's on nearby Rampart Street. Locals say this has started in recent years for she is alarmed by the many vandals and state of the cemetery. Voudon Believers and Tourist and locals still come to her tomb every day and leave many, many Voodoo offerings (candles, flowers, the monkey and the cock statue, Mardi Gras beads, Gris Gris bags, Voodoo dolls and food in hopes of being blessed by her supernatural powers from beyond the grave. Many make a wish at her tomb marking three X's. while others say they have her Ghost on film emerging undead from her tomb. They say her soul appears here as a shiny black Voodoo cat with read eyes. If you see it run!
Other well known ghost haunt New Orleans, as do haunted legends like that of the Laularie House. Delphine LaLaurie and her third husband, Leonard LaLaurie, took up residence in the house at 1140 Royal Street sometime in the 1830's.
DELPHINE LALAURIES HOUSE OF HORROR MORE ON THE LALAURIE HOUSE
Lalaurie Mansion
New Stories About Madame Delphine Lalaurie's Ghost And Her Real Haunted New Orleans Mansion
Madame Delphine LaLaurie Crucible of Horror on Royal Street
Paranormal Photos of the Lalaurie House



There are reported incidents of people seeing, feeling and hearing the ghosts of tormented slaves in the LaLaurie home, and there are even reports of the Madame herself being seen there. The docile house servants who entreated the assistance of outsiders when the house was about to burn to the ground are said to often return to their task - running and slamming doors and shouts are heard repeatedly. Nor are the spirits of the restless dead quiet: the reports of moans and weeping outnumber all others, and there are several who have seen the ghostly faces of the dead peering from the upper windows and the chamber of horrors that became the crucible of their miserable lives. New Orleans is one of the oldest and most multi-faceted cities in the United States, and there are other tales, similar to those of the LaLaurie home that, sadly, have made their way into our history. But the gruesome horror of this particular event was so ghastly that it stains the city's memory to this very day.
Ghost cats and dogs are said to prowl the New Orleans Haunted cemeteries daily. Very near the great walls of oven tombs. None of these ghost animals have ever shown signs of meanness. Several Tour guides say these are the animals of an 1800's cemetery keepers guard dogs and pets. Orbs, ghost photos, EVP"S, strange phenomena, Voodoo rituals, witchcraft, and Haunted Mardi Gras Parades. Haunted hotels abound Footsteps are heard stomping up and down halls and stairways at night. Doorknobs to your hotel room turn, Closet doors open and close, and a rush of air follows as if someone is walking through. Haunting's to many to mention here, all happen in this New Orleans, the number one most Haunted City in America. Whether you come for Haunted New Orleans haunted history, enchanting shops, night life or just a getaway,, let your next destination be Haunted New Orleans, Louisiana!
 


NEW ORLEANS HURRICANE KATRINA 2005
The history of modern day Haunted New Orleans would not be complete without mention of the most traumatic event in the city's history -- the Great Storm of 2005. Devastated by hurricane Katrina August 29th, 2005 the worst hurricane this century to hit the Gulf coast. New Orleans remains the most haunted city of all times. Making a tremendous comeback for 2010 Mardi Gras Season this is what New Orleans is all about... and the many, many
nEW oRLELEANS BEST GHOST TOUR
TOP MOST HAUNTED GHOST TOURS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!
FRENCH QUARTER PHANTOMS THE NUMBER 1# BEST MOST HAUNTED GHOST TOUR IN NEW ORLEANS... AND VOTED AS ONE OF THE BEST GHOST TOURS IN AMERICA FOR 2010- 2011 by the many millions of visitors to HAUNTED AMERICA TOURS hauntedamericatours.com
And Please accept no imitations!



No. 3:
Aokigahara Forest, Japan

Aokigahara (青木ヶ原?), also known as the Sea of Trees (樹海, Jukai), is a forest that lies at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan. The caverns found in this forest are rocky and ice-covered annually. It has been claimed by local residents and visitors that the woods are host to a great amount of paranormal phenomena. It is an old ancient forest reportedly haunted by many urban historical legends of strange beasts, monsters, ghosts, and goblins, which add to its serious and sinister reputation.
Aokigahara Forest, Japan
The forest floor consists primarily of volcanic rock and is difficult to penetrate with hand tools such as picks or shovels. There are also a variety of unofficial trails that are used semi-regularly for the annual "body hunt" done by local volunteers, who mark their search areas with plastic tape. The plastic tape is never removed, so a great deal of it litters the first kilometer of the forest, past the designated trails leading to and from known tourist attractions such as the Ice Cave and Wind Cave. After the first kilometer into Aokigahara towards Mount Fuji, the forest is in a much more pristine state, with little to no litter and few obvious signs of human contact. On some occasions human remains can be found in the distant reaches of the forest, but these are usually several years old and consist of scattered bones and incomplete skeletons, suggesting the presence of scavenging animals.
Ghost encouters of the wandering dead are said to be often encountered more then just frequently as well as many ghost photos and EVP's.
A very popular myth states that the magnetic iron deposits underground cause compasses to malfunction and travelers to get lost in the forest. However this myth is largely false. Japan's Self Defence Force and the US Military regularly run training practices through portions of the forest, during which military grade lensatic compasses have been verified to function properly. Vehicles, GPS equipment, and other electronic devices function properly.
It is also a popular place for suicides, reportedly the world’s third most popular suicide location after San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge , and (before the installation of the Luminous Veil) Toronto's Bloor Street Viaduct, due in some part to the novel Kuroi Jukai (黒い樹海, lit. Black Sea of Trees?), which ends with the lovers of the novel committing suicide in the forest. Since the 1950s, more than 500 people have lost their lives in the forest, mostly suicides, with approximately 30 suicides counted yearly. In 2002, 78 bodies were found within the forest, replacing the previous record of 73 in 1998. The high rate of suicide has led officials to place signs in the forest, urging those who have gone there to commit suicide to seek help and not kill themselves. The annual search, consisting of a small army of police, volunteers and attendant journalists, began in 1970.
Typically most suicides are men, with over 71% of suicides in 2007 being male. The rate among the over-60 population is also high, but people in their thirties are most likely to commit suicide. Suicide is the leading cause of death for people under 30.
The most frequent location for all in japan are often suicides is in Aokigahara, In the period leading up to 1988, about 30 suicides occurred there every year. In 1999, 74 occurred, the record until 2002 when 78 suicides were found. The area is patrolled by police looking for suicides, and that same year 83 people intending suicide were found and taken into protective custody.
Railroad tracks are also a common place for suicide, and the Chūō Rapid Line is particularly known for a high number.
Aside from those intending to die there, the dense forest and rugged inaccessibility has attracted thrill seekers. Many of these hikers mark their routes by leaving colored plastic tapes behind, causing concerns from prefectural officials for the ecosystem of the forest.
In 2004, a movie about the forest was released, called Jyukai — The Sea of Trees Behind Mt. Fuji (樹の海, lit. Sea of Trees?), by the director Takimoto Tomoyuki. It told the story of four people who decided to end their lives in the forest of Aokigahara. While scouting for shooting locations, Takimoto told reporters that he found a wallet containing 370,000 yen (roughly $3,760 USD), giving rise to the popular rumor that Aokigahara is a treasure trove for scavengers. Others have claimed to have found credit cards, rail passes, and driver's licenses.
CNN article about the forest
Suicide in Japan is considered to be a major problem nationally.Causes of suicide include unemployment (due to the economic recession in the 1990s), depression, and social pressures. Japan has one of the world's highest suicide rates, especially amongst industrialized nations, and the Japanese government says the rate for 2006 is ninth highest in the world. In 2007, the number of suicides exceeded 30,000 for the tenth straight year. - Since 2008, the economic situation worsened in Japan due to the global financial crisis, and this has pushed the suicide rate in Japan even higher. The industries are becoming smaller which is causing higher unemployment. This in turn leads to the Japanese husbands being at home much more and this is causing domestic problems because it has been the traditional role of the Japanese women to be in the home. This situation has been the cause of some marriage breakdown, even divorce. Being unable to cope with these stresses, the Japanese men have turned to suicide.
The rapid increase in suicides since the 1990s has raised concerns, with 1998 having a 34.7% increase over the previous year.
Also, suicide of the youth in Japan is becoming more serious in recent years. The financial crisis has impacted also on the Japanese youth, and they see that there are few possibilities of work. A number of youth in Japan cannot see any improvement for themselves in the near future and because of this they are turning to suicide.
Common methods of suicide are jumping in front of trains, leaping off high places, hanging, or overdosing on medication. Rail companies will charge the families of those who commit suicide a fee depending on the severity of disrupted traffic.
A newer method, gaining in popularity partly to publicity from Internet suicide websites, is to use household products to make the poisonous gas hydrogen sulfide. In 2007, only 29 suicides used this gas, but in a span from January to September 2008, 867 suicides resulted from gas poisoning.

No. 4: Underground Vaults, Edinburgh, Scotland.


Far below the busy streets of modern Edinburgh lies a dark, forgotten corner of history. Discovered in the mid-1980’s, the Edinburgh Vaults had been abandoned for nearly two hundred years. Lying beneath the South Bridge, a major Edinburgh passage, the rooms were used as cellars, workshops and even as residences by the businesses that plied their trade on the busy bridge above. Abandoned soon after they were built due to excessive water and moisture, the vaults remain, unaltered, never illuminated by the light of day.
This location is said to be very haunted. Many visitors have been attacked by the unseen and left with bruises, cuts, and scratches. Others have been knocked unconscious and overcome by debilitating nausea and vomiting.
A reported as real UnderGround Edinburgh ghost Photo Sent to us by Shana Chrystal Ferino
The South Bridge has stood since 1785 and it was around this time that the huge supporting arches were first divided for use by nearby businesses. The vaults were once bustling with life, the vast overflow of an ever-growing city.

When the vaults became mostly abandoned because of the unwholesome atmosphere they were still used sporadically by the poor and homeless of Edinburgh society. As with any great concentration of unhealthy people, there were outbreaks of plague and other devastating illnesses; many of the people who took refuge in the vaults ultimately died there. There is evidence that at least some of these people may have met untimely ends because it was here in the Edinburgh Vaults that the nefarious pair, Burke and Hare, plied their trade of providing cadavers to the nearby teaching hospitals of Infirmary Street.
Originally intended as storage areas for local businesses these 120 underground "rooms" housed 18th century Edinburgh's poverty-stricken and destitute, and were the playground for Burke and Hare, the infamous serial killers who sold corpses to medical schools.
Underground Scotland Ghost Photo Sent to us by Gaylen Tamber

Paranormal investigations have been conducted in the vaults practically since their discovery and to date the location has not failed to provide a wealth of disturbing and unexplainable activity. Recently visited by the crew from England’s “Most Haunted,” the vaults maintained their reputation as the spookiest place in Edinburgh – no member of the team would voluntarily return there.



No. 5: Coliseum, Rome, Italy.

Coliseum, Rome, Italy

At the height of Rome’s power the Coliseum represented everything that was Imperial to the citizens of Rome. Gladiators would fight to the death here for the amusement of Caesar and the mobs; thousands of prisoners of war and victims of religious persecution met their end in the jaws of lions and tigers in the sandy arena of the Coliseum; and even those animals were decimated, for in its time the Coliseum consumed tens of thousands of animals, some reportedly driven into extinction by the Roman lust for blood and gore.

The workings of the Coliseum, the place where the real grit of life took place, were in the vaults beneath the sandy floor. Now long ago exposed by the ravages of time, there is still a pervasive feeling of awe associated with the lingering presence of a power so mighty it once encompassed the entire known world.


In the pits beneath the Coliseum, gladiators waited to fight, prisoners waited to die, and average Romans placed bets on the outcomes of myriad competitions. Such a fabric of life can’t help but wrap itself around the pillars and posts that make up the foundation of this ancient charnel house, and it is no surprise that many reports of ghostly activity have been associated with the Coliseum over the years.

Tour guides and visitors alike have reported cold spots, being touched or pushed, hearing indiscernible words whispered into their ears; security guards with the unenviable task of securing the ancient edifice have reported hearing the sounds of swords clashing, of weeping in the more remote areas, and, oddly enough most disconcerting, the sound of ghostly animal noises such as the roars of lions and elephants. Ghostly citizens have been seen among the seats of the Coliseum, and the sight of a Roman soldier standing guard, silhouetted against the night sky, is a common one.


With such ancient history and such a legacy of death and bloodshed, there is little wonder why the Roman Coliseum is one of the most haunted places in the world.


No. 6: Walachia, Transylvania, Land of Dracul, Romania.



“Beyond the green swelling hills of the Mittel Land rose mighty slopes of forest up to the lofty steeps of the Carpathians themselves. Right and left of us they towered, with the afternoon sun falling full upon them and bringing out all the glorious colours of this beautiful range, deep blue and purple in the shadows of the peaks, green and brown where grass and rock mingled, and an endless perspective of jagged rock and pointed crags, till these were themselves lost in the distance, where the snowy peaks rose grandly . . .

“Just then a heavy cloud passed across the face of the moon, so that we were again in darkness . . . This was all so strange and uncanny that a dreadful fear came upon me, and I was afraid to speak or move. The time seemed interminable, as we swept on our way, now in almost complete darkness, for the rolling clouds obscured the moon.

“We kept on ascending, with occasional periods of quick descent, but in the main always ascending. Suddenly, I became conscious of the fact that the driver was in the act of pulling up the horses in the courtyard of a vast ruined castle, from whose tall black windows came no ray of light, and whose broken battlements showed a jagged line against the sky.”

-- “Dracula” by Bram Stoker.

“Perhaps the only place I felt Dracula’s presence was on a long, curving road that twists over the Transylvanian Alps. The area is so remote and impenetrable that no major road crossed this often stormy mountain pass until 1974. As my car climbed into the mist, traffic disappeared, and the radio stopped working. The road passes a dam and a hydroelectric plant guarded by a handful of soldiers standing alone in the gloom. And at the bottom of the road are the ruins of a castle.


Dracula’s castle.


Really.


Dracula created this fortress as a refuge. When the Turkish army surrounded him, he is said to have escaped through a tunnel and disappeared into the mountains.


His young son was strapped to the side of his horse but slipped off and was left for dead. His wife didn’t even try to flee. She threw herself to death from a tower window.

I stepped out of the car to take a look. But it was night now, and the climb to the castle would be difficult. I looked up at the dark mountains and started to shiver, glad to have a car to spirit me away.”

--Larry Bleiburg, The Dallas Morning News, January 2, 2005


We think that’s enough said!




No. 7: Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp, Oswiecim, Poland.



Auschwitz death camp was in operation from May 1940 until its liberation by Soviet forces in January 1945. It is estimated that 2.1 to 2.5 million people were killed in the gas chambers during that time, of whom 2 million were Jews and the remainder were Poles, Gypsies and Soviet POWs. But this estimate is considered by historians to be strictly a minimum, because the total number of deaths at Auschwitz and its sister camp Birkenau can never really be known.

It is clear that Auschwitz-Birkenau was considered by the Germans to be one of their most efficient extermination centers as early as 1941 when the mortuary crematorium at the Auschwitz main camp was adapted as a gas chamber. Additional huts, called “bunkers,” were added around January 1942 and were especially active in the autumn of 1944 when extra capacity was needed for the systematic murder of Hungarian Jews and the liquidation of the ghettos. Between January 1942 and March 1943 over 175,000 Jews were gassed to death here, their bodies burned in open pits nearby.


By early 1943 it was clear that Hitler’s SS were using Auschwitz as a mass-murder factory. Twin pairs of state of the art gas chambers using Zyklon-B gas were opened in March and April 1943. The capacity of these crematoria was 4,420 persons. Once inside the chambers it took about 20 minutes for the gas to kill this number of people. The killings took place in the underground chambers and the bodies were carried to five crematoria ovens on an electrically operated lift. Before cremation, gold teeth, jewelry, and other valuables were removed from the corpses. Captured Jews, known as “sonderkommandos” were forced to work the crematoria under SS supervision.


Anyone who has visited Auschwitz-Birkenau is struck by the overwhelming sense of melancholy and foreboding; visitors have been known to break down in tears for no apparent reason and many have to abandon their tour groups without ever completing the tour. Visitors are struck not only by the horrific memory of the place, but also by the effect it has on the present day: birds still refuse to sing in the trees surrounding the death camps and there is little evidence of a thriving natural environment anywhere nearby. The silence, as they saw, is deafening, even after all these years.


People have reported cold spots and areas of intense emotional concentration. Recent reports have come in that while touring the camp some have been touched or even grabbed by unseen hands. One visitor report that someone or something tugged on her clothes and she heard a voice whispering to her but could not make out anything but one or two words. " Please and leave"!
As of date no paranormal group or investigator has released their findings of the most haunted place on earth to the public. But often tales of this the Most Haunted Hot Spot in the world has many haunted secrets yet to reveal.
Photographs over the years have revealed the presence of spirit manifestations in the form of misty apparitions, shadows, light anomalies and orbs. Given its history and the imprint of horror it leaves on the modern mind, Auschwitz-Birkenau is the most haunted place on earth.


No. 8: Whitechapel/Spittalfields, London East End, London, England.

The Whitechapel / Spittalfields area of East London has been actively settled since Roman times. Many of the historic buildings are built on the remains of old Roman settlements. Throughout the Dark and Middle Ages, the East End was a burgeoning commerce area, mostly inhabited by Anglos and Jewish moneylenders. In Elizabethan times the East End looked and smelled like something right out of one of Shakespeare’s history plays, and, in fact, the character of Falstaff (Henry V) is said to have been based on an innkeeper from the notorious East End. It was a place of soldiers and prostitutes, brawls and bawdy houses.


The coming of high Victorian morals did nothing to dull this seedy reputation and the Whitechapel / Spittalfields area, while known to humanitarians for its extreme poverty, was also known to all as the home of thieves, prostitutes, and the most derelict of English society.


In 1888 the Whitechapel area of London was the scene of some of the most brutal murders ever recorded: the famous Jack the Ripper crimes. Yet the murders – and the identity of Jack – remain unsolved, even today. Many assert that the killer was a doctor or was somehow connected to the medical profession; others believe the killer to have been Queen Victoria’s grandson, Prince Albert Victor, though nothing substantial has ever arisen to support the theory.

Five women, all of them poor prostitutes, were slaughtered by the mysterious Jack in the span of just four months, known collectively as “The Autumn of Terror.” Four of the women – Mary Nicholls, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes – were found in various streets and alleys throughout Whitechapel horribly disfigured and mutilated. The fifth – Mary Kelly – was the only victim murdered in an interior location; as such she was the most horribly mutilated, the death scene like something from a slaughterhouse.


Jack the Ripper enjoyed a brief career as London’s most infamous serial murder and the fact that he was never caught still adds to the mystery surrounding him. Nevertheless, it is thought that his horrible mutilation of Mary Kelly was his last act of violence and there is no evidence that Jack, whoever he may have been, killed again after November 1888.


Today visitors to London’s East End can walk the streets that Jack prowled and visit pubs and other locations he may have haunted in life – and death. Walking tours of the area are very popular and although Jack’s legacy is certainly the most enduring, other ghosts that haunt the East End are those of Jack’s victims, in various stages of mutilation; a ghostly band of Roman soldiers; a murderous sea captain’s ghost that haunts a local pub; and a mysterious black carriage drawn by ghastly white horses that approaches without a sound and disappears right before your eyes. These and other haunts, combined with the long haunted history of the East End make it one of the must visit ghostly locations in the world.



No. 9: Unit 731 Experimentation Camp, Harbin, Manchuria, China.


“It is called the Asian Auschwitz and, in terms of inhumanity and horror, it certainly warrants this description. Yet there remains a fundamental difference with the crimes perpetrated by the Nazis against Jews: While Germany has shown deep contrition and remorse, the leaders the country that spawned the evil of Unit 731 still struggle to come to grips with what occurred . . . In the end at least 3,000 prisoners, mainly Chinese, were killed directly, with a further 250,000 Chinese left to die through the biological warfare experiments.”



In the gruesome world of Unit 731 the unthinkable was done on a daily basis. Prisoners, mostly taken in Japan’s conquest of Manchuria at the beginning of WWII, were subjected to unimaginable horrors. They were infected with diseases such as anthrax, cholera and even bubonic plague. To gauge the effect of these diseases on their subjects – whom they dehumanized by calling them “logs” – live, un-anesthetized vivisection was performed. In many cases the subjects would regain consciousness while the dissection was taking place.

Whole towns and villages were decimated by the ghoulish doctors and researchers of Unit 731 and the effects of their horrible crimes still resonate there to this day.

Parts of the Unit 731 complex still remain – there are buildings where frostbite experiments were performed, courtyards and open areas where prisoners were subjected to live bombs detonated at close range to enable researchers to evaluate the effect of explosives of the sort that Japanese soldiers were encountering in the fields. Other buildings where live human vivisections took place overlook the prisoner holding area and the long-unused railway station where the “logs” were offloaded for their horrible fate.


The Chinese government sanctioned the Unit and the surrounding area as a learning center for future generations of Chinese, and just recently visitors from the West have been allowed access to the killing fields at Harbin. But for many years there have been reports of paranormal activity associated with the old charnel houses: ghost lights and apparitions are frequently seen, including a ghostly figure that walks the empty precincts surrounding the frostbite units. Ghostly voices have been heard and anomalies frequently appear in photographs taken in the area. Recently, during the filming of a BBC television documentary, the English film crew experienced unexplainable problems with their lights and batteries – often a sure sign of ghostly activity. Many speculate that as the story of Unit 731 is more widely told, the ghosts of those tragically tormented and murdered there are becoming more and more active, and more anxious for justice than ever before.

No. 10: Haunted Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The most deadly battle of the Civil War took place in 1863 in the tiny Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg. Union soldiers were low on ammunition and losing the fight, nearly capitulating them to the advancing Confederate army. Then, as they used up the last of their gunpowder, a ghostly George Washington on a white stallion appeared before them, urging them on to victory — an event that ultimately turned the tide of the war. That's the way the legend tells it anyway, and to this day, the people who live in and around Gettysburg maintain that George Washington's ghost rides regally across that same battlefield every summer. Of all the forlorn, countless souls awash in time, none reach out to us more than those of the dead at Gettysburg . . . Their presence on earth was silenced forever by death. Or maybe not." -- Mark Nesbitt.
GHOSTS OF GETTYSBURG, MARK NESBITT

Terrifying visions and horrible scenes of the atrocities of a Civil War. Battlefields, houses, lonely roads and shallow entrenchments all still bear the tell-tale marks of three days of gore and terror that seared themselves into the collective memory of America.
"Gettysburg" This one word can conjure up all these Haunted images and chills.
But the horrible days of the Battle of Gettysburg are not just distant memory in this haunted Pennsylvania town. It is as if the soldiers who fought and died here, and the people whose lives were touched by this great catastrophe, cannot help but continue to remind us of what sacrifices were made here, of what was won and lost on the sprawling hills of Gettysburg.
It is said that Gettysburg is very likely the most haunted destination, "acre for acre," in all of America. The dead do not rest easy in Gettysburg, and they are not hesitant to remind the living that they refuse to be forgotten.

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