The 10 best places to live in the U.S.

Photo: LoneStarMike/Wikimedia
Austin, Texas, is famous for its music scene, and its economy benefits from the many technology firms that call it home. That blend of economic opportunity and cultural attraction helped put it on RelocateAmerica�s annual Top 10 list of best places to live. Each year, the company reviews information about local housing markets and economies, cultural and recreational opportunities, and safety, plus collects feedback from city leaders and residents, to come up with a Top 100 list of the best places to live in the country. Its Top 10 list reflects the best of the bunch. RelocateAmerica, based in Brighton, Mich., helps people who are moving find resources to make their move easier.



Photo: Grguy2011/Wikimedia
Grand Rapids, Mich., made RelocateAmerica�s Top 10 list for its solid schools and strong economy, especially when compared with the rest of the state. �It�s got the best of everything in a smaller large city,� said Steve Nickerson, president of RelocateAmerica.



Photo: Jesse Varner/Wikimedia
Boulder is a stable community at the foot of the Rocky Mountains � and a city that is well-loved by its residents, said Steve Nickerson, president of RelocateAmerica. In addition to its picturesque scenery and opportunities for outdoor recreation, the city offers a variety of cultural attractions, according to RelocateAmerica. Pictured here is the Flatirons rock formation near Boulder.



Photo: Justin Doub/Wikimedia
The employment picture in Raleigh, N.C., helped land it a spot on RelocateAmerica�s Top 10 list of best places to live. It�s the largest city in the �Triangle,� an area that includes Research Triangle Park, known for work in the biotechnology, telecommunications and computing fields, according to RelocateAmerica. Pictured here is the J.S. Dorton Arena.




Photo: Dallasborn&bred/Wikimedia
Dallas scored high on RelocateAmerica�s list of Top 10 cities partly due to its business growth, said Steve Nickerson, the company�s president. Plus, people who live and work there tend to have a strong passion for the city. Pictured here is the downtown Dallas arts district with the reflecting pool of the Winspear Opera House in the foreground and the I.M. Pei designed Meyerson Symphony Center immediately behind.



Photo: CantoV/Wikimedia
Greenville, S.C., is another one of those �smaller big cities,� said Steve Nickerson, RelocateAmerica�s president. Companies including BMW, Michelin, GE Energy and Lockheed Martin have a presence in the region, and Greenville�s downtown is also a draw, thanks in part to recent improvements to the city park, Nickerson said. Pictured here are the falls in downtown Greenville.




Photo: Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau
The Riverwalk in Augusta, Ga. The city�s low cost of living, affordable housing, many cultural opportunities and mild climate make it popular with retirees. Plus, the area has seen a lot of business growth, according to RelocateAmerica.



Swimmers float along the Boise River about a mile from downtown Boise, Idaho. Boise made RelocateAmerica�s Top 10 list of best places to live due to its stable economy � the city experienced dramatic growth over the past two decades � and many recreation opportunities.



Photo: Mongo/Wikipedia
The skyline of downtown Omaha, Neb., at night. Job growth, particularly in the industrial sector, helped put Omaha on RelocateAmerica�s Top 10 list of best cities to live. The city on the western bank of the Missouri River has been an agricultural and transportation center since the late 1850s.



Photo: Soonerfever/Wikipedia
Bricktown Canal water taxis in Oklahoma City. Job growth was also a factor in Oklahoma City�s inclusion on the Top 10 list of best places to live. In addition to downtown business development, the city has experienced a renovation of convention, cultural and educational sites, according to RelocateAmerica.

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The only Paradise on Earth - Kashmir

As they say beauty is in the eyes of beholder. And that is so true of the Valley. In Kashmir there is as much hidden as revealed. So the Valley has to be seen with the eyes of the soul. These words were very true  that Kashmir is �The only Paradise on Earth�!
Jammu and Kashmir has always remained the most favourite destination with the tourists across the globe. 

Charismatic Kashmir

How to Reach Kashmir

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The Nazca Lines - World's Greatest Mystery!!!

The Nazca Lines are located in the arid Peruvian coastal plain ( Peru, in western South America, extends for nearly 1,500 mi (2,414 km) along the Pacific Ocean.) some 400 km south of Lima, the geoglyphs of Nazca and the pampas of Jumana cover about 450 sq. km.

Nazca Lines are the most outstanding group of geoglyphs in the world. Etched in the surface of the desert pampa sand about 300 hundred figures made of straight lines, geometric shapes and pictures of animals and birds - and their patterns are only clearly visible from the air.

The Nazca Lines, which were scratched on the surface of the ground between 500 B.C. and A.D. 500, are among archaeology's greatest enigmas because of their quantity, nature, size and continuity.

The geoglyphs depict living creatures, stylized plants and imaginary beings, as well as geometric figures several kilometers long. They are believed to have had ritual astronomical functions.

More Information about Nazca Lines

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KODAGU (Coorg) - The Scotland of India

Kodagu is known as �Scotland of India�, because of its beautiful nature landscape and it is a  favourite tourist place near bangalore for its cool weather. Kodagu is a very attractive hill station and it is located in the south-western part of Karnataka. Kodagu or Coorg is derived from the local version Kodavu and the people of Kodagu, Kodavas. According to Puranic versions the land of initial settlement was called Krodadesa which later became Kodavu. It is also said that Kodagu is derived from the word Kodava, �Kod�means �give� and �avva� means �mother�, i.e., Mother Cauvery. The river Cauvery is a sacred river of southern India, rising on , Talacauvery, Brahmagiri Hill in Kodagu District. 

History 

Kodagu was included in the Kingdom of Gangas during 9th and 10th centuries and Cholas in the 11th century. Changalvas were feudatory to both the above dynasties but they were independent till 14th century since Hoysalas overthrew Cholas in the 12th century. Changalvas accepted the supremacy Of Hoysalas from 14th to 16th century. Then Nayakas who later paved the way to the Haleri Rajas of Kodagu ruled till 1834. 

Main Peaks in Coorg
The prominent peaks in Coorg are Kote Betta, Pushpagiri, Nishani Motte, Tumbe Male. Tadiyandamol (1750 m), Soma Male and Brahmagiri. 


Places to Visit in Coorg                          Hotels in Madikeri

More About Coorg                                   Popular Personalities from Coorg

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Las Vegas wedding

 

 

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Alpha Resort Tomamus Ice Hotel

          

On the island of Hokkaido, in the ski resort opened a unique volumes ice hotel, which is part of a complex of ice with a bar and an ice chapel.

Built from the ice hotel Alpha Resort Tomamus Ice Hotel includes only one double room, located under the ice dome.

 

To spend the night stands to stock up considerable frost - tables, chairs and even a bed in the room is made of blocks of ice, and the temperature can drop to -25 � C.

For visitors of Ice Hotel recommended to "hibernate" in a thick sleeping bags.

To emphasize the unusual beauty of the cold edge of the resort volumes, Japanese engineers and scientists  was developing the idea of an ice hotel, where all thought out in every detail over 9 years.

Employees of the Ice Hotel are very concerned about the hotel, the thickness of the wall which is 15 cm, they are constantly spray snow on the icy wall of the hotel, so that direct sunlight does not hurt them.

The hotel will remain open until February 15.

Photo: Kim Kyung-Hoon / Reuters

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The Most Visited Nation in South America - BRAZIL

Brazil holds the distinction of being the most-visited tourist place in South America. Its colorful culture seems to be built for fun, whether you�re running along sun-soaked beaches or dancing to the samba rhythm at a local night club.. Nature lovers might want to begin a journey through the Amazon rainforest in Manaus or journey to Foz do Iguazu and take in the stunning Iguazu Falls. It�s best to start with these tourist hotspots:

Rio de Janeiro

Reo De Janeiro is the Capital city of Brazil for nearly two centuries. The second-largest city in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is the most famous destination in all of South America. Almost three million international tourists arrive every year. During the day, you can climb the Corcovado mountain peak to stand at the foot of Christ the Redeemer, the 130-foot-tall statue that has come to be associated with both the city and country.

Brasilia 

Located near the middle of the country, Brasilia has been the national capital since 1960. All three branches of the Brazilian government are located here, as well as the headquarters for most of its largest companies. Planned by Lucio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer, its districts are laid out to resemble a butterfly when viewed from above. Its location and status mean it attracts much in the way of international art and cuisine, but the natural wonders in the surrounding area make it a great spot for nature lovers. Day trips to places Chapada dos Veadeiros, a massive national park filled with enchanting wildlife and stunning waterfalls, and the hot springs of Caldas Novas are possible if you�d like a break from the city. 

Other Major Attractions in Brazil

Salvador 

Once the colonial capital, Salvador is located on the Bay of All Saints on the central coast of Brazil. Those interested in history will want to stroll down the narrow cobblestone streets and visit Igreja de Sao Francisco, a magnificent cathedral decorated with beautiful painted wood panels on the ceiling. More than any other Brazilian City, Salvador blends a variety of cultures into an attractive whole. You can dine on fabulous cuisine influenced by African, Native American and European methods, then take in a capoeira show � the combination dance-martial art is fascinating to watch. 

Sao Paulo

With almost twice the population of Rio, Sao Paulo is Brazil�s largest city. A commercial center for South America, a number of excellent museums and lush parks fill in the spaces between many of the country�s tallest buildings. The influx of foreign capital makes Sao Paulo a more cosmopolitan city, leading some to say it is more in tune with worldwide trends in food and music than most other cities on the continent. 

Recife 

Located on Brazil�s famed Golden Coast, Recife draws sun worshipping beachgoers and shopaholics in search of a less crowded experience than Rio. As a testament to its dedication to commercial pursuits, it welcomed the first �mega-mall� in the region (Shopping Center Recife) just three decades ago � but stores and retailers are not all it has to offer. With a number impressive cathedrals and respected galleries, it is a cultural hub for the northern part of the country. And, as with many of the popular cities, there are plenty of attractive beaches to spend your day on, with Boa Viagem and Brasilia Teimosa being enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. 

Sao Luis 

This beautiful city got its names after Louis XIII, the king of France. The architecture of this city has a colonial impact and was discovered by a French pirate. In fact, this very person also discovered a number of palaces and churches. The city in no way falls short of delightful and charming attractions, but rather comes up with a fusion of all the cultures of Brazil.

Other popular attractions in Brazil 

The Iguaca Falls 

The layers of waterfalls slide down upon each other in all possible directions, dumping their noisy waters onto the jungle canopy. 

The Golden Coast 

This name has been given to the north eastern part of Brazil, known for its superb beaches. In fact, this is said to be the first part of Brazil that was colonized by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century. The locales of the Golden coast are warm hearted and friendly. The golden coast also serves as a host to famous Brazilian carnivals held every year. 

The Amazon Rainforest 

If you are planning a trip to Brazil, make sure to add the Amazon rainforest to your list. Known for its rich flora and fauna, the place still boasts of Native Americans who prefer following the ancient lifestyle. The Pantanal � Located in the mid-west of Brazil, the Pantanal is a great place to explore the unusual plant and animal life. Similar to the Everglades in Florida, this expansive area of wetlands offers you with natural scenic beauties. In addition to those included above, you will find a variety of other tourist attractions in Brazil. If you are truly interested in Brazil adventure, be sure to make your reservations now.

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