travel Mont Saint Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is a rocky tidal island and a commune in Normandy, France. It is located approximately one kilometre off the country's north-western coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island is 41, as of 2006. The island has been a strategic point holding fortifications since ancient times, and since the 8th century AD it became the seat of the Saint-Michel monastery, from which it draws the name.

Mont-Saint-Michel was used in the 6th and 7th centuries as an Armorican stronghold of Romano-Breton culture and power, until it was ransacked by the Franks, thus ending the trans-channel culture that had stood since the departure of the Romans in AD 460.

Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, albumen print, ca. 1865–1895
Before the construction of the first monastic establishment in the 8th century, the island was called "monte tombe". According to legend, the Archangel Michael appeared to St. Aubert, bishop of Avranches, in 708 and instructed him to build a church on the rocky islet. Aubert repeatedly ignored the angel's instruction, until Michael burned a hole in the bishop's skull with his finger.

The mount gained strategic significance in 933 when William "Long Sword", William I, Duke of Normandy, annexed the Cotentin Peninsula, definitively placing the mount in Normandy. It is depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry which commemorates the 1066 Norman conquest of England. Harold, Earl of Wessex is pictured on the tapestry rescuing two Norman knights from the quicksand in the tidal flats during a battle with Conan II, Duke of Brittany. Norman Ducal patronage financed the spectacular Norman architecture of the abbey in subsequent centuries.

Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Country France
Type Cultural
Criteria i, iii, vi
Reference 80
Region ** Europe
Inscription history
Inscription 1979 (3rd Session)
Name as inscribed on World Heritage List
Region as classified by UNESCO

In 1067, the monastery of Mont-Saint-Michel gave its support to duke William of Normandy in his claim to the throne of England. It was rewarded with properties and grounds on the English side of the Channel, including a small island off the southwestern coast of Cornwall which was modeled after the Mount and became a Norman priory named St Michael's Mount of Penzance.

During the Hundred Years' War, the English made repeated assaults on the island, but were unable to seize it due to the abbey's improved fortifications. Les Michelettes two wrought-iron bombards left by the English in their failed 1423–24 siege of Mont-Saint-Michel are still displayed near the outer defense wall.
When Louis XI of France founded the Order of Saint Michael in 1469, he intended that the abbey church of Mont Saint-Michel be the chapel for the Order, but because of its great distance from Paris, his intention could never be realized.

The wealth and influence of the abbey extended to many daughter foundations, including St Michael's Mount in Cornwall. However, its popularity and prestige as a centre of pilgrimage waned with the Reformation, and by the time of the French Revolution there were scarcely any monks in residence. The abbey was closed and converted into a prison, initially to hold clerical opponents of the republican régime. High-profile political prisoners followed, but by 1836, influential figures including Victor Hugo had launched a campaign to restore what was seen as a national architectural treasure. The prison was finally closed in 1863, and the mount was declared a historic monument in 1874. The Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay were added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979, and it was listed with criteria such as cultural, historical, and architectural significance, as well as human-created and natural beauty.

the Chamukha temple ,The Beauty of Ranakpur Jain Temples

Ranakpur Jain temple is a very famous pilgrimage site for Jains. This quaint destination is quite popular among tourists visiting Rajasthan and are looking to explore and experience the rich and colorful background of the state. Ranakpur is situated 60km north of Udaipur, which is a world famous travel destination. Jain temples Ranakpur are not just visited by Jains but tourist and art lovers from across the globe throng the beautifully sculpted temple complex. Apart from the architectural legacy of the Ranakpur Jain temple the place is also renowned for its scenic beauty. Surrounded by Aravali mountain range, Ranakpur provides a breathtaking view to visitors and give the place a surreal beauty.

The famous Ranakpur Jain temples are counted among the largest and the most important Jain cult temples which were built in the 15th century. Chamukha temple is the most famous Jain temple Ranakpur and contains the idols of Lord Mahavir Swami, Parshvanath, Adinath and Ajitnath. The temple has an amazing architectural design with 24 pillared halls 1,444 beautifully carved columns and 8 domes. The assembly hall of this Ranakpur Jain temple is the main attraction for tourist containing two big bells weighing 108 kg each. The temple is magnetic enough to allow a visitor to sit and keep looking for hours. Apart from the temples Ranakpur is a shopper's delight. Its colorful and bustling bazaars provide beautiful handicrafts like pottery, jewelry, precious gems, paintings and leather and wooden articles. Ranakpur also has some really good hotels like Mana hotels, which will make your stay even more special.

Apart from the Chamukha temple, the sun temple which was built in the 13th century is another famous Ranakpur Jain temple. Parshvanath temple and Suryanarayan temple are other very famous and visited Jain temple Ranakpur. The main attraction of the Suryanarayan temple is the towering idol of the Sun God in his chariot of seven horses. On the other hand the Parshvanath temple is known for its pierced windows.

For someone who loves to dwell into the ethnic and cultural beauty of India, Ranakpur Jain temples will prove to be a paradise. The glorious beauty of these classic structures transports you to a mythological world of Gods, kings and queens.

Rajasthan is a beautiful place and is flocked by some of the most famous names in the world. Udaipur is amongst the favorite holiday destination for stars like Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Cheryl Cole and Julia Roberts. Apart from Ranakpur, you can find some world famous temples near Udaipur, like Eklingji Temple situated at around 22 km away from Udaipur and Nathdwara temple situated 48 km away from Udaipur. The Eklingji temple is dedicated to Lord Eklingji who is also famous as one form of Lord Shiva. On the other hand the Nathdwara temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna.

the Chamukha temple

the Suryanarayan temple

The Ruins Of Teotihuacan The Ultimate Vacation Destination

I look forward to picking my vacation spot every year, even if my family gives me a ton of grief over the whole thing! You see, I like to go to interesting and exciting new places, while my family seems to only ever want to go to the mainstream vacation spots like theme parks and places like that.

But if you're like me and you want to go somewhere amazing that you and everyone you know will be talking about well into next year, then you've come to the right article today!

Might I suggest the ruins of Teotihuacan for your next vacation?!

If you've never heard of Teotihuacan, that's ok...most people haven't. Basically it is the biggest pre-Columbian city in South America. I guess that's a fancy way of saying that we're talking about an ancient city of the Incans (or maybe the Mayans, I can never remember the difference between the two).

In other words, Pyramids...Three to be exact.

They are located about 30 miles north east of Mexico City. That's spectacular because you can check out one of the most amazing historical sites in the world without needed to trek through some of the nastier jungles in south America, which means you can take the kids.

We're not sure what happened to the ancient people that lived there, but by exploring the pyramids we have been able to uncover quite a bit about them. For instance, they're though to have lived between 500 and 100 bc and there were at least 200,000 of them living in the area.

The people seemed to disappear around 700 BC.

What's really interesting is that they seemed to be cult worshippers who followed the planet Venus. Don't ask me why!

Expect to do a lot of walking while you're there. In fact, that's pretty much all you're going to be doing. Explore the ruins to your hearts content. There are 3 pyramids and several alters, houses, and other things of that nature to see.

This isn't a place where you will stay. You'll most likely stay in Mexico City and take a day trip of two to see the ruins.

With 24 hour cable channels dedicated to history, it seems like many of our ancient historical sites have become boring. But these ancient ruins of South America are still fresh and new to many people, in a way that the regular European historical sites no longer are.

I highly recommend you check these out, especially if you have children. It's something exciting that both you and they will never forget.