The ancient city of Pompeii , destroyed and completely buried during a catastrophic eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius spanning for two days in 79 AD, is once again under danger. But this time it is no volcanic threat, for the most popular tourist attractions of Italy and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has fallen into such disrepair that the Italian government has declared a ‘state of emergency’ to save the ruins. The accidental rediscovery and excavation of Pompeii in 1748 after nearly 1700 years after its burial has provided an extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of a city at the height of the Roman Empire. Extra funding to save this historical heritage has been earmarked as an immediate step by the surveying commissioner, which had earlier been neglected. The ruins from a long time have been suffering from lack of investment, mismanagement, litter and looting. Giving evidence of mismanagement, Antonio Irlando, a regional councilor responsible for artistic heritage, revealed that every year at least 150 sq m (1,600 sq ft) of fresco and plasterwork are lost for lack of maintenance, while at least 3,000 pieces of stones every year end up disintegrating. This ‘state of emergency’ will last for a year until some valid preservation actions are taken into force and one of the world’s most historic and precious heritage is saved from evaporating.

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Via: BBC

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The well preserved ruins made the archaeologists conclude that during the construction process of Christians and Muslims shrines on top of Egyptian holy sites, builders spoiled the ancient artwork in the temples but the few of them remained almost untouched. The reliefs are thought to depict the temple’s dedication.

The carved inscriptions on the reliefs provide best examples of enigmatic writing which was an unusual form of hieroglyphic text in which each glyph could stand for an entire word, phrase or concept.

It is said that the discovery is likely to touch a nerve among religious leaders because the newly exposed reliefs hold representations of humans and animals, which are forbidden inside mosques. Removing the ancient features completely would cause damage to the mosque. The team of researchers is baffled as to how they should proceed further in this case. To proceed further in, the team is in talks with mosque leaders and it is anticipated that they would reach a compromise getting the best way out so that none of the monuments of antiquity are deeply affected.

Source: National Geographic

The Kielder Water’s art and architecture museum is located in the most tranquil place in the world. The landscape seen from this particular place in England is a very rare one. So, the Kielder Water reservoir and the museum located in Northumberland is worth a visit.

The reservoir was created to serve the heavy industry in the Teeside. The author of the Telegraph Nigel Richardson writes about his experience awesome experience in and around the museum. Read on! As Nigel says, this area is thrillingly remote and very man made. Nevertheless, it’s attracting tourists.

The Kielder Forest park has plenty of activities for the tourists visiting this area. You name it, they have it. Birdwatching, cycling, hiking, fishing are just a few of them. If you are a history buff, there’s plenty of historic stuff for you as well. The 27 mile shoreline is the largest man made lake in Northern Europe.

The dam at Kielder is about 170 feet high. If you are up for it, you can check out several man made installations along the damn just by cycling, driving or even hiking. The mode of transportation obviously depends on the route that you take. Motorized access is usually prohibited in this area. Leapish is the most popular part of the lake area. Eventually it will accommodate several log cabins and even some luxuries in the wilderness!

As of now, about 16000 visitors spend the night in the Kielder valley. Folks who are in charge of rebuilding the site plan on increasing this number to a whopping 86000.
The new observatory light will be a guide to the visitors. Visitors to Kielder can crash for the night at an Inn. There are only a handful options to choose from. Local pubs and restaurants are pretty friendly as well. I hope you can check out the awesome scenery from Kielder valley during your next vacation .

Image Credit: Squirrelweb, Northumberland

Those who believe that Britain is now only an island, is kind of wrong. Throughout the world people still follow the British ways. In Gibraltar, about 30000 people are British.The rock of Gibraltar that lies in Mediterranean holds it’s allegiance to the English. In this part of the world, Britain owns more than just a piece of strategically placed rock.

Although located in Southern Spain, Gibraltar is actually a British colony. Only a few traces of Spanish culture and heritage can be found in Gibraltar. Mostly English culture and language dominate this part of the world.The problem in this place is that same old Enlish correctness.

The local Gibraltarian economy switched from military to tourism. I think this is a great switch. At least Gibraltarians will learn to love and not fight. Well, what’s there to do and to see in this island nation? Here’s a sneak peak of the area. Just make sure you avoid the mid day traffic rush on ‘Main street’.

Just hire a taxi and the driver will do a decent job of showing you around the rock. It will cost you $12 and use up 90 minutes of your time. The Gibraltar rock has a summit. It uses a gondola to lift up the visitors to the top for the spectacular views all around. It will give you an idea of how old England was. Come on over and check this out for yourself.

Image Credit: Airliners

You can see Ian McKellen as King Lear in one of the six theatrical performances that are offered in the tour, the musical “Desperately Seeking Susan” and the South African group Isango Portobello performing Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.”

This tour is led by L.A. arts writer Barbara Isenberg. It also shows museums and has two concerts in the package. One travels through various venues in London and even visits famous Astors’ 18th century Kirby House located in Berkshire.

One can avail all this for just $5,989 per person. For double occupancy it takes a single surcharge of $1,000. This cost is inclusive of round-trip airfare, accommodations, breakfast, interviews, talks, museum tours and group transfers.

Via: Latimes

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In the holy city of Jerusalem an elusive Biblical wall has been found very recently. A team of archaeologists unearthed this ancient and prized treasure. According to scholars, the wall has been mentioned in the Biblical book of Nehemiah.

This discovery was made in the ancient part of the Jerusalem city known as David. Things like pottery, shards as well as arrowheads have been found in this archaeological site. Although most scholars think that the wall is biblical, some scholars have other opinions about the same. The Chapters 3-6 in the Book of Nehemiah talks about the existence of such a wall.

The excavation was done in multiple phases with the first phase of excavation being completed in the year 2005. During this particular dig, it is believed that the remains of the King David’s palace has been unearthed. At least, that’s what Eilat Mazar,the head of the Institute of Archeology at the Shalem center believes.

As always, the scholars and their discoveries often contradict and triggers of disputes. In this case, the discovery and it’s scope has been much disputed the significance of the discovery. Nevertheless, this is an ‘interesting find’. I think that this discovery helped us get a better understanding of the biblical period.

Image: Pravda, MSNBC

If you can afford £313 a night, welcome to the world’s most luxurious and natty hotel room, all designed to pamper your kingly attitude. Relaxing on the state-of-the-art king-size room, enjoy the amazing view of the Eiffel Tower, sipping a peg of your choice from the mini-bar right inside your room! That’s exactly what Hotel Everland has in store for you and much more.

But, you are allowed to stay in the one-room Swiss-built designer PREFAB for only one night! If you are disappointed with this news, here is a real boosting-up message for you - it not just fare you well with a breakfast but, you can also ’steal the golden-embroidered bath towels with all appreciation and encouragement!’

Via: thesun

For those who cannot make it to the snow covered slopes of the Alps for a winter skiing experience, you can walk into a mall in Manchester. If it seems a bit confusing on how to relate a mall with the Alpine slopes, well Manchester’s Trafford Centre houses the Chill Factore - Britain’s newest and longest indoor ski slope.

It took four years to build the Chill Factore at a whopping cost of ₤31 million. To provide its customers an experience close to the Alpine skiing extravaganza, the place is covered with 1,600 tons of man-made snow. There are two drag-lifts serving as the main slope, a moving carpet next to the beginners’ area and a mini-luge and tubing run.

To create a more authentic Alpine ambiance there are bars and restaurants made of cedar shingles, oak and stone. There is a roaring fire in one of the restaurants and even a terrace outside one of the bars where you can sit and watch skiing.

Above all the slope at 180 meters is the longest in the UK and is comparable with the side of a proper mountain. Indoor snow slopes are very popular through out the world. Britain already has four indoor snow slopes in Tamworth, Staffordshire, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, Castleford, West Yorkshire and Braehead, Renfrew.

Image: Imageshack

Source: Times

With Peru and Italy housing their ancient treasures, it’s time that Greeks start preserving their own heritage. Recently, the 2,500 years of Parthenon treasures mostly known as Elgin marbles were moved to their new home, where they will be preserved safely.

The 2.5 tonne marble group is one of the most important Greek treasures and it is imperative that people take care of them. The Elgin marbles made a 400 yard journey to their new home. It was very fascinating indeed. I am speechless as well.

About the marbles:

The marbles are about 160 meters long, and were previously housed in a British museum by Lord Elgin. This happened about 200 years ago. The marbles are Greek assets and the Greeks were deprived of them. For 25 years debate and procrastination went on and all this dilly-dallying was done in a way that the British museum will be able to keep the marbles.

Some more facts about transfer

Besides the marbles, there are also other artifacts that are currently in the process of being transferred to the museum. The complete transfer will probably take around 3 months or so. Melina Mercouri, a Greek actress initiated the process by organizing a campaign against the British museum. I hope that Greece will house their pride safely and securely.

Image Credit: Bournemouth

If you are a big fan of Champagne and traveling through London, you might want to check out Europe’s longest champagne bar. The 315 feet bar is located at the St. Pancras International train station. Here’s more on the drinks and the ambiance of the Europe’s longest bar - St. Pancras.

AS a matter of fact it has become one of the major British landmarks. So, if you want to drink and talk or want to have a champagne breakfast, this is the place to be. On its first day, the bar sold out about 4,500 glasses of champagne! You can buy champagnes worth from 40 pounds till 2700 pounds. I think that’s a hell lot of champagne. If you are dazzled with this number, try the menu. The bar boastfully lists about 70 champagnes on the menu! As of now, it offers about 10 by the glass.

There are about 110 bar stools for the guests. The bar also has an elaborate food menu. So, if you just got out of work and feel enervated, you can grab a bite. You can order anything from baked potatoes with sour cream to Seruga caviar. St. Pancras has a very warm reception, along with individual booths equipped with separate heating controls.

Image Credit: BBC