Genting Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia

Genting Highlands Resort, popularly known as Genting - City of Entertainment offers world-class leisure and entertainment attractions and is a key tourist attraction in Malaysia. The resort has won numerous awards of excellence such as "Best Deluxe Family Resort/Theme Park" and "Outstanding Achievements in Hotel/Resort Development", 2003-2004 (World Asia Publishing) and "Asia Pacific’s Leading Casino Resort 2001" (World Travel Awards). The resort's attractions include over 50 fun rides, 150 outlets (comprising 80 dining and 70 shopping outlets) and six uniquely themed leisure walk boulevards at First World Plaza - the highest shopping centre in Malaysia at about 2,000 metres above sea level, Casino de Genting - a world-class gaming entertainment area and three mega multi-purpose venues (the 6,000-pax Genting International Convention Centre, 6,000-pax Arena of Stars and 1,800-pax Genting International Showroom) that provides a constant flow of world class shows and events.

There are six hotels in Genting Highlands Resort, i.e. Genting Hotel, Resort Hotel, Highlands Hotel, Theme Park Hotel and First World Hotel at the hilltop and Awana Genting Highlands Golf & Country Resort at the mid-hill - offering 10,000 hotel rooms. First World Plaza offers a unique blend of indoor theme park, themed entertainment areas, enjoyable shopping and dining experiences, world-class entertainment shows and performances, impressive business conventions and affordable rooms for everyone, all under one roof. First World Hotel & Plaza was awarded the prestigious "FIABCI Award of Distinction" 2002 for the best hotel development in Malaysia, the "Best Man-made Tourist Attraction in Malaysia" by Tourism Malaysia and the "Best New Hotel" at the Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards 2003-2004 by World Asia Publishing. Genting Highlands Resort has the distinction of having Genting Skyway - “the longest cable car in Southeast Asia” spanning 3.38km from the midhill at Gohtong Jaya to Highlands Hotel at the hilltop. Genting Skyway, at maximum speed of 21.6km per hour is also the fastest mono cable car system in the world.

Perjalanan menuju ke Genting Island, suasananya begitu teduh dengan banyak pepohonan. Untuk bisa sampai kesana, perjalanan dilanjutkan dengan naik Genting Skyway atau Awana Skyway. ''Sudah lebih 50 juta penumpang merasakan kehebatan kereta kabel Skyway, dengan kelajuan terpantas di dunia dan jarak yang terpanjang di Asia Tenggara, selain Skyway, turis asing bisa menggunakan Arwana Skyway. '"Arwana Skyway ini merupakan kereta kabel pertama di Genting Highlands Resort. Dengan menggunakan kereta kabel ini, bisa melihat pemandangan hutan, dan untuk menuju ke Genting Island dengan kereta kabel membutuhkan waktu 15 menit. Saat menaiki Arwana Skyway berwarna orange ini, turis bisa menikmati pemandangan dari atas ketinggian ribuan meter.

Peserta tour yang membawa anak-anak bisa bermain di Theme Park, yang terbagi menjadi dua yaitu taman tema dalam Plaza First Genting dan Taman Tema Luar Genting. ''Untuk Taman Tema Luar Genting ditutup pada pukul 08.00 malam, sedangkan di Taman Tema dalam tutupnya jam 12 malam. Permainan yang bisa dinikmati di Taman Tema Dalam, antara lain Ferris Wheel, Reindeer Cruiser, Carousel, Genting Sky Venture, Snow World dan sebagainya. Sedangkan Taman Tema Luar, permainan yang ada yaitu flying jumbo, pirate ship, Bumper Boat dan banyak lagi. Bagi yang ingin menikmati peruntungan bisa bermain di Casino yang buka 1x24 jam.Permainan Casino yang ada disana, antara lain Roulette, Baccarat, Blackjack, Carribean Stud Poker, Jackpot Machines dan sebagainya. Casino yang berada ditengah-tengah hotel ini banyak dikunjungi turis Asia dan Manca Negera.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the largest city of Malaysia. The city proper, making up an area of 244 km2, has an estimated population of 1.6 million in 2006 Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million. It is the fastest growing metropolitan region in the country, in terms of population as well as economy. Kuala Lumpur is the seat of the Parliament of Malaysia, making it the country's legislative capital. The city was once home to the executive and judicial branches of the federal government, but they have since moved to Putrajaya starting in 1999. Some sections of the judiciary remain in the capital. The official residence of the Malaysian King, the Istana Negara, is also situated in Kuala Lumpur. The city is also the cultural and economic center of Malaysia due to its position as the capital as well as being a primate city. Kuala Lumpur is rated as a gamma world city, and is the only global city in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is defined within the borders of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and is one of three Malaysian Federal Territories. It is an enclave within the state of Selangor, on the central west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Residents of the city are known as KLites. Beginning in the 1990s, the city has played host to many international sporting, political and cultural events including the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the Formula One World Championship. In addition, Kuala Lumpur is home to the tallest twin buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers. (From wikipedia)

Bukit Bintang (or Star Hill) is the name of a shopping and entertainment district in Kuala Lumpur, and the road that runs through it, Jalan Bukit Bintang. The area is home to many landmark shopping centres, cafés, clubs, shops, malls and specialty shops.Bukit Bintang is located within three main roads: Jalan Bukit Bintang starts from Jalan Pudu and intersects with Jalan Sultan Ismail. There are a number of hotels and restaurants located in the area, as well as hawker-styled eateries, the place of which provide cheap dishes in a laidback usually open atmosphere. Bukit Bintang is one of the city's shopping districts offering a variety of merchandise to suit every taste and budget. The city's major shopping outlets are located in this area, including Berjaya Times Square, Bukit Bintang Plaza, Imbi Plaza, Kuala Lumpur Plaza, Low Yat Plaza , Starhill Gallery,Sungei Wang Plaza,Lot 10 and the newly opened Pavilion KL.

Petronas Twin Towers (also known as the Petronas Towers or Twin Towers), in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were the world's tallest buildings, before being surpassed by the Taipei 101. However, the towers are still the tallest twin buildings in the world. Tower 2 was built by the South Korean multinational Samsung Engineering & Construction and Tower 1 by Hazama Corporation of Japan.

They were the world's tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004 if measured from the level of the main entrance to the structural top, the original height reference used by the US-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat from 1969 (three additional height categories were introduced as the tower neared completion in 1996).

The Sultan Abdul Samad Building is located in front of the Dataran Merdeka - literally the Independence Square - and the Royal Selangor Club, by Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The structure takes its name from Sultan Abdul Samad, the reigning sultan of Selangor at the time when construction began.

The Federal Territory Mosque or Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan is a major mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is located near MATRADE complex and the Federal Governmental Complex off Jalan Duta. The mosque is designed in a Middle Eastern and Malay architecture, heavily influenced by the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. It has 22 domes and they are made from composite material which comprises glass fibre fabric that is mixed with epoxy resin harderner to make it durable and light.

Hard Rock Café, Kuala Lumpur

located in Ground Floor, Wisma Concorde Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Probably the smallest Hard Rock Café in the world.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is the capital and the largest city of The Netherlands. Its name is derived from Amstel dam, pointing to the city's origin: a dam on the river Amstel. The city is known for its historic port, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, its red-light district, its liberal coffee shop policy, and its many canals which have led to Amsterdam being called the "Venice of the North". Founded as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age, because of its innovative developments in trade. During this time, the city was the leading centre for finance and diamonds. The city proper comprises 751,251 inhabitants, of at least 175 nationalities. Amsterdam and its surrounding metropolitan area has a population of 1 to 1.5 million people.( From Wikipedia )

Canal Cruises,Amsterdam - Sight seeing canal cruise No trip to Amsterdam is complete without a canal cruise. Day cruises, romantic evening cruises and even pizza cruises, dengan perahu kaca kita diajak Canal Cruise menyusuri sungai sepanjang kota Amsterdam. The Amsterdam canal system is the result of conscious city planning. In the early 17th century—when immigration was at a height—a comprehensive plan was developed that was based on four concentric half-circles of canals with their ends resting on the IJ bay. Known as the Grachtengordel, three of the canals are mostly for residential development: Those are the Herengracht (Gentleman's Canal), Keizersgracht (Emperor's Canal), and Prinsengracht (Prince's Canal’). The fourth and most outer canal, the Singelgracht (not to be confused with the Single), served purposes of defense and water management. Construction started in 1613,Over the years, several canals have been filled up becoming streets or squares, such as the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal and the Spui.

Volendam - Volendam is a popular tourist attraction in the Netherlands, well-known for its old fishing boats and the traditional clothing still worn by some residents. The women's costume of Volendam, with its high, pointed bonnet, is one of the most recognizable of the Dutch traditional costumes, and is often featured on tourist postcards and posters (although there are believed to be fewer than 50 women now wearing the costume as part of their daily lives, most of them elderly). There is a regular ferry connection to Marken, a peninsula close by. Volendam also features a small museum about its history and clothing style. Volendam merupakan kota nelayan yang indah dengan penduduk mayoritas beragama Kristen yang taat. Di sekitar pantai terdapat banyak took-toko, dii antara toko-toko ini ada Studio Foto yang menawarkan turis mengabadikan kunjungan mereka ke Volendam dengan memakai baju tradisional Volendam. Sebenarnya Belanda mempunyai beberapa baju tradisional, tetapi mungkin yang paling terkenal dan menjadi ciri khas Belanda adalah baju daerah Volendam yang oleh pemerintah Belanda setelah baju ini menang pada lomba baju tradisional kemudian dijadikan trade mark belanda. Di depan /di etalase kaca semua studio memajang foto-foto orang terkenal yang pernah berpose di studio mereka, antara lain foto aktor atau olahragawan belanda dan Eropa, dan bahkan foto aktris / negarawan dari Indonesia mungkin untuk menarik perhatian, karena banyak turis asing dari Indonesia yang selalu mengunjungi daerah pinggiran pantai ini,

Dan klompe, pabrik pembuatan keju - Di gemeente (kotapraja), zaanstad, di pinggir kota amsterdam, terdapat berbagai obyek turisme, yang terkenak diantaranya adalah zaanse schans, disana terdapat museum, dua rumah/bangunan tua yang sudah direnovasi, yang masing-masing. digunakan sebahgai pabrik berukuran kecil, tempat pembuatan keju dan klompen (sepatu dari kayu /bakyak). Dua rumah yang dijadiakan pabrik tersebut, sekaligus sebagai dua buah toko yang masing-masing yang masing-mading menjual keju dan klompen serta berbagi souvenir khas belanda. di zaanse schans juga terdapat, beberapa kincir angin yg dijadikan museum. Lebih dari itu, diwilayah zaanse schans ini, dipelihara dgn baik rumah2 tua yang memberikan gambaran mengenai bagaimana bentuk rumah-rumah kampung disekitar sungai zaan sekitar seratus tahun yang lalu.

Museum Madame Tussaud, Amsterdam pastilah tak asing bagi anda. Madame Tussaud berasal dari nama perintisnya Marie Tussaud lahir di Perancis 1761-1850. Awalnya dia seorang housekeeper seorang ahli patung lilin Phillipe Curtius yang banyak bikin patung keluarga kerajaan. Tussaud merintis karyanya dengan membuat patung JJ.Rousseau dan Benjamin Franklin.Saat ini Museum Madame Tussaud terdapat di beberapa negara, yaitu London, New York, Las Vegas, Amsterdam, Hongkong dan Shanghai.

Letak lokasi Madame Tussaud di Amsterdam persis di Dam Square, jalan kaki 5 menit persis depan Central Statiun Amsterdam. Di dalam museum ini,ada banyak patung dari berbagai artis dan tokoh2 negara. Seperti : Johny Deep ,Julia Robert, tokoh2 negara seperti George W. Bush, Queen Beatrix (ratu belanda), Mahatma Gandhi, Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Lady Diana, Anne Frank, Bill Clinton, Pelukis terkenal Salvadore Dali, Picasso dan Rembrandt dan masih banyak lagi patung-patung yang memang mirip dengan aslinya yang dapat kita lihat di dalam museum ini.Jika anda ingin cari tempat menginap di dekat sini, gak perlu bingung. Ada Mistertur.com yang bisa membantu anda untuk melakukan reservasi langsung hotel di Amsterdam, Belanda secara online. Anda juga bisa mendapatkan paket diskon dengan harga murah untuk hotel tujuan anda.

Nov0tel - Place where I stayed in Amsterdam, is located at Europa boulevard 10 1083 AD AMSTERDAM NETHERLANDS .The Novotel Amsterdam City is a 4 star hotel near the Amsterdam RAI events centre and the WTC. RAI station, within walking distance of the hotel, offers frequent connections to the city centre and Schiphol Airport.

Den Haag, Netherlands

The Hague ( Dutch: Den Haag) is the third-largest city in the Netherlands after Amsterdam and Rotterdam, with a population of 475,580 (as of January 1, 2006) (population of agglomeration: 600,000) and an area of approximately 100 km². It is located in the west of the country, in the province of South Holland, of which it is also the provincial capital. The Hague is, like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht, part of the conglomerate metropolitan area Randstad, with a population of 6,659,300 inhabitants.The Hague is the actual seat of government, but, somewhat anomalously, not the official capital of the Netherlands, a role set aside by the Dutch constitution for Amsterdam .

Madurodam is a miniature city located in Scheveningen, The Hague, in the Netherlands. It is a model of a Dutch town on a 1:25 scale, composed of typical Dutch buildings and landmarks, as are found at various locations in the country. This major Dutch tourist attraction was built in 1952 and has been visited by tens of millions of visitors since then.

Den Haag kota di Negeri Kincir Angin yang paling banyak dikunjungi wisatawan setelah Amsterdam. Den Haag merupakan kota wisata dengan berbagai obyek menarik, seperti istana, monumen, museum, resor pantai, dan pusat perbelanjaan. Juga sarat dengan berbagai peristiwa budaya.Di kota ini pula, penguasa "monarki oranye" bermukim dan roda pemerintahan digulirkan. Sejak berabad lalu ratu, raja, para pewaris kerajaan, dan para gubernur telah menetap di kota ini.Begitu juga para duta besar, atase militer, dan atase kebudayaan dari berbagai negara. Semua bermukim di kota yang cantik ini.

Tak perlu khawatir, ke mana pun akan pergi, ke seluruh penjuru kota, trem dan busbus modern siap melayani. Semua informasi jalan dan rute lengkap terpampang di dinding setiap halte. Menumpang bus dari stasiun pusat Den Haag menuju Scheveningen, wisatawan dapat melihat kecantikan pantai dan pelabuhannya.Beribu-ribu pengunjung dari mancanegara datang ke tempat ini di musim panas. Pelabuhan ini masih menyimpan suasana masa lalu dengan tampilan gedung-gedung tuanya yang sengaja dipadu dengan bangunan-bangunan yang modern. Salah satu gedung yang menarik perhatian adalah kantor informasi wisata Scheveningen, bergaya kuno namun tampak ceria dengan warna-warna cerah.Di tempat ini terdapat juga National Sea Life Scheveningen, tempat menyaksikan kehidupan laut melalui sebuah akuarium raksasa. Anda akan dibawa pada perjalanan dramatis dari garis pantai ke dalam laut. Memasuki terowongan yang dikelilingi 180 ribu liter air, mulai dari udang kecil, bintang laut, sampai ikan hiu dan berbagai mahluk laut lain dapat dijumpai di sini. Selain kesohor dengan pantainya, Scheveningen juge menjadi tempat nongkrong yang asyik. Di sini, perut wisatawan akan dimanjakan dengan berbagai hidangan khas laut, mulai dari ikan herring yang lezat sampai salad udang segar. melihat Lukisan Rembrandt sampai Teater Sirkus, dan Tempat lain yang juga layak dikunjungi adalah Istana Per damaian (Peace Palace). Di sini berkantor Lembaga Arbitrase, Lembaga Peradilan Internasional, dan Akademi Hukum Internasional. Perpustakaannya konon amat lengkap, berisi buku-buku hukum yang disumbangkan donatur dari seluruh dunia. Istana ini dibangun seorang dermawan Amerika, Andrew Carnegie.Den Haag juga kaya dengan museum. Satu yang terpopuler bernama Marutsthuis. Meski terbilang kecil dan amat privat, museum ini berisi koleksi kesenian abad emas negeri Belanda. Di tempat ini terdapat lukisan-lukisan tentang kabinet kerajaan, juga karya para pelukis masyhur, seperti Rembrandt, Vermeet, Frans Hals, Jan Steen, dan Jan van Goyen. Dari abad ke-15, ke-16, dan ke-17 terdapat nama perupa seperti Rubens, Van Dijk, dan Jordaens.

Bersebelahan dengan Mauritshuis terdapat Gedung Parlemen atau dikenal juga dengan nama Binnenhof Ridderzaal (Knights' Hall). Ada juga Omniversum, teater yang menampilkan filmfilm mengenai manusia dan sejarah. Jangan lupa pula melongok Hotel Kurhaus, yang telah berusia seratus tahun. Jika waktu cukup, nikmati pula pertunjukan di Circusteater (teater sirkus).

Paris, France

Paris

Paris is the capital city of France. It is situated on the Seine river, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region (also known as the "Paris Region"; French: Région parisienne). The city of Paris within its administrative limits (largely unchanged since 1860) has an estimated population of 2,167,994 (January 2006). The Paris unité urbaine extends well beyond the administrative city limits and has an estimated population of 9.93 million (in 2005). The Paris aire urbaine (or metropolitan area) has a population of nearly 12 million and is one of the most populated metropolitan areas in Europe.

An important settlement for more than two millennia, Paris is today one of the world's leading business and cultural centres, and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities. The Paris Region (Île-de-France) is Europe's biggest city economy, and is fifth in the World's list of cities by GDP. With €500.8 billion (US$628.9 billion), it produced more than a quarter of the gross domestic product (GDP) of France in 2006. The Paris Region hosts 36 of the Fortune Global 500 companies in several business districts, notably La Défense, the largest purpose-built business district in Europe. Paris also hosts many international organizations such as UNESCO, the OECD, the ICC and the informal Paris Club. Paris is the most popular tourist destination in the world, with over 30 million foreign visitors per year. There are numerous iconic landmarks among its many attractions, along with world famous institutions and popular parks. (From Wikipedia)

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is an iron tower built on the Champ de Mars beside the Seine River in Paris. The tower has become a global icon of France and is one of the most recognizable structures in the world. Introduction: The Eiffel Tower, a major tourist attraction, is the tallest structure in Paris. Attractions : The Eiffel Tower is named after the man who designed it, Gustave Eiffel. Its construction began in 1887 and was completed in 1889. One of the most visited sites in the world, the Eiffel Tower is a magnificent piece of art. It was built to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution and has great historical significance.

The topmost platform offers a breathtaking view of Paris; however, the other platforms are also worth visiting for a spectacular sunset. Altitude 95 and Jules Verne, the two restaurants on the first and the second floor, respectively, are famous for serving excellent cuisines. At night, the Eiffel Tower is at the peak of its beauty, with gold lights highlighting its beautiful steel framework.

The Eiffel Tower was built for the International Exhibition of Paris of 1889 commemorating the centenary of the French Revolution. The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII of England, opened the tower. Of the 700 proposals submitted in a design competition, Gustave Eiffel's was unanimously chosen. However it was not accepted by all at first, and a petition of 300 names - including those of Maupassant, Emile Zola, Charles Garnier (architect of the Opéra Garnier), and Dumas the Younger - protested its construction. At 300 meters (320.75 m including antenna), and 7,000 tons, it was the world's tallest building until 1930. Other statistics include:
· 2.5 million rivets
· 300 steel workers, and 2 years (1887-1889) to construct it.
· Sway of at most 12 cm in high winds.
· Height varies up to 15 cm depending on temperature.
· 15,000 iron pieces (excluding rivets). 40 tons of paint. 1652 steps to the top.

In 1889, Gustave Eiffel began to fit the peak of the tower as an observation station to measure the speed of wind. He also encouraged several scientific experiments including Foucault's giant pendulum, a mercury barometer and the first experiment of radio transmission. In 1898, Eugene Ducretet at the Pantheon, received signals from the tower.

After Gustave Eiffel experiments in the field of meterology, he begun to look at the effects of wind and air resistance, the science that would later be termed aerodynamics, which has become a large part of both military and commercial aviation as well as rocket technology. Gustave Eiffel imagined an automatic device sliding along a cable that was stretched between the ground and the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. (reference)

The tower was almost torn down in 1909, but was saved because of its antenna used both for military and other purposes, and the city let it stand after the permit expired. When the tower played an important role in capturing the infamous spy Mata Hari during World War I, it gained such importance to the French people that there was no more thought of demolishing it.- used for telegraphy at that time. From 1910 and on the Eiffel Tower became part of the International Time Service. French radio (since 1918), and French television (since 1957) have also made use of its stature.

During its lifetime, the Eiffel Tower has also witnessed a few strange scenes, including being scaled by a mountaineer in 1954, and parachuted off of in 1984 by two Englishmen. In 1923 a journalist rode a bicycle down from the first level. Some accounts say he rode down the stairs, other accounts suggest the exterior of one of the tower's four legs which slope outward. (reference)

Of the 7.5 million kilowatt hours of electricity used annually, 580 thousand are used exclusively to illuminate the tower. The tower's annual operation also requires the use of 2 tons of paper for tickets, 4 tons of rag or paper wipes, 10,000 applications of detergents, 400 liters of metal cleansers and 25,000 garbage bags. (reference) On the four facades of the tower, the 72 surnames of leading turn-of-the-century French scientists and engineers are engraved in recognition of their contributions to science. This engraving was over painted at the beginning of the 20th century and restored in 1986-1987 by the Société Nouvelle d' Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, a company contracted to operate business related to the Tower.

Versailles
The most important landmark is of course, the Palace of Versailles. This estate was built during the 17th century as a hunting lodge for the royalties. You can also find hotels on a budget near the Church of the Notre Dame.
The Palace of Versailles--A half hour outside of Paris, the Palace of Versailles is one of the world's grandest historical museums.

Versailles Quick Facts :
· In 1624, Louis XIII, the king of France, began the building of a hunting lodge in the small village of Versailles
· There are 18,000 square meters of history in the Palace of Versailles
· Versailles is half an hour by rail from the Gare St Lazarre station in Paris

The Palace of Versailles began as a modest hunting lodge. Well, as modest a lodge as one could expect from a French King. Then Louis XIV enlarged and enrobed the old lodge, turning it into the great Chateau we know today. In 1837, Louis-Philippe converted the whole deal to a museum of French History in what may have been the historic starting point for the development of mass tourism. And world war I was ended here with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

Versailles is several KM southwest of Paris. Trains reach Versailles in 30-40 minutes. Three rail lines will get you to Versailles from Paris, or you can take the number 171 bus from Pont de Sèvres. As one of the premier tourist destination of France, Versailles is really easy locate and to visit. For one, Versailles is really close to Paris – Once you arrive in via Charles de Gaul International Airport, you’ll just be spending an hour traveling before you arrive in Versailles. If you’re in Paris, you can practically get a cab and get there. Although it will generally be outweighed by Paris in terms of number of visitors, there’s not mistaking the importance of this place in the history of France. Any experienced traveler can tell you that. The French has basically laid out their political power in this place so there was a time that all roads go to Versailles instead of Paris.

Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile

History - The Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile {ahrk duh tree-ohmf' duh lay-twahl'}, the world's largest triumphal arch, forms the backdrop for an impressive urban ensemble in Paris.

The monument surmounts the hill of Chaillot at the center of a star-shaped configuration of 12 radiating avenues.

It is the climax of a vista seen the length of the Champs Elysées from the smaller Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel in the Tuileries gardens, and from the Obélisque de Luxor in the place de la Concorde.
In 1806, Napoleon I conceived of a triumphal arch patterned after those of ancient Rome and dedicated to the glory of his imperial armies. The structure was designed by Jean François Thérèse Chalgrin (1739-1811) and completed in 1836 during the reign of Louis Philippe. Its deceptively simple design and immense size, 49.5 m (162 ft) in height, mark it unmistakably as a product of late 18th-century romantic neoclassicism. The arch also serves as a reminder that Chalgrin was a pupil of Etienne Louis Boullée, the father of visionary architecture. The most famous of its sculptural reliefs is La Marseillaise (1833-36) of François Rude. Specific historic associations notwithstanding, the arch has become an emblem of French patriotism.

Since 1920, the tomb of France's Unknown Soldier has been sheltered underneath the arch. Its eternal flame commemorates the dead of the two world wars, and is rekindled every evening at 6:30. Here, on every Armistice Day (November 11), the President of the Republic lays a ceremonial wreath. On July 14, the French National Day (also known as Bastille Day), a military parade starts at the arch and proceeds down the Champs Elysées. For important occasions of state, and on national holidays, a huge French tricolor is unfurled and hung from the vaulted ceiling inside of the Arch. The last leg of the Tour de France bicycle race also culminates here on the third or fourth Sunday in July.

Physical Description- At the bases of the Arc's pillars are four huge relief sculptures, commemorating The Triumph of 1810 (by Cortot); Resistance, and Peace (both by Etex); and The Departure of the Volunteers, more commonly known as La Marseillaise (by François Rude). On the day the Battle of Verdun started (1916), the sword carried by the figure representing the Republic broke off from La Marseillaise. The relief was immediately hidden to conceal the accident, so that it would not be interpreted as a bad omen. Engraved around the top of the Arch are the names of major victories won during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. The names of less important victories, as well as those of 558 generals, can be found on the inside walls. (Generals whose names are underlined died in action.)

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels is the largest city in Belgium, and the administrative heart of the European Union (EU). The City of Brussels in the Brussels-Capital Region is the country's capital.Brussels has grown from a 10th century fortress town founded by Charlemagne's grandson into a city of over one million inhabitants.

Brussels is also capital city of the Belgium. Depending on the context, the word Brussels may mean the largest municipality of the Brussels-Capital Region officially called the City of Brussels (ca. 140,000 inhabitants), the Brussels-Capital Region (1,067,162 inhabitants as of 1 February 2008) or, the metropolitan area of Brussels (ca. 1,350,000 inhabitants).

Picture : The Grand Place / Grote Markt

Brussels is often considered the de facto capital of the European Union, and hosts key EU institutions such as the Commission, Parliament and the Council. Hence, many other pan-European organisations are also headquartered in the city. NATO is also based in Brussels.

Brussel, kota yang terkenal akan coklatnya dan menjadi markas besar Komisi Eropa setahap demi setahap berkembang menjadi kota yang kreatif, juga di bidang mode.

Paris masih menjadi pusat trend mode dunia, tapi tidak lagi sendirian. New York, Milan dan London juga merupakan kota-kota yang masuk daftar penentu garis mode dunia. Di tengah era globalisasi, sejumlah kota tidak hanya semakin penting dalam bidang ekonomi atau politik, tapi juga berkembang menjadi pusat mode. Antara lain ibukota Belgia, Brussel.

Place du Nouveau Marché aux Grains adalah salah satu kawasan di pusat kota Brussel.

Place Sainte-Catherine is Brussels's Seafood District. Fishermen sailed (and later steamed) into the heart of Brussels, selling their fresh fish at Vismêt (Fish Market). Many of the fishmongers who peddled here stayed, and now this whole neighborhood is teeming with seafood restaurants. Most of these are rather delightful, but try these three first: Jacques (charming, traditional and quite inexpensive), François (top class and fairly expensive) or Medussa (contemporary charm).

Cathédrale Saints-Pierre is a prominent cathedrals in belgium. others cathedral : SS Peter, Paul and Quirin Cathedral in Malmedy (Catholic)

Brussels Street


Grand-Place at Night

Dijon, France

Dijon , is a city in eastern France, the capital of the Côte-d'Or departement and of the Bourgogne region. Dijon is the historical capital of the province of Burgundy. Population (2005): 150,800 for the commune; 236,953 for the greater Dijon area. The city of Dijon offers very interesting historical visits, cultural activities and fine restaurants. Not only famous for mustard, it was also the birth place of Gustave Eiffel, who built the Eiffel tower in Paris.

The city is now the most important between Paris and Lyon, with major road communications and the high speed train called the TGV, getting to and from Dijon is easy. The city has the largest amount of buildings more than 300 years old, which are still standing, this make the old town centre very agreeable to walk around, for example the Rue de la Chouette and Verrerie are very charming, with half-timbered houses and narrow cobbled streets.

Places to visit in the city would be the catherdral Notre Dame, Saint Michel, the palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, the old shopping streets with the indoor market, and also the main Burgundy vineyards begin just to the south of the city.
The town has a gourmet reputation and the choice of restaurants is vast, dishes for all tastes from all over the world.

Main sights : Dijon boasts a surprisingly large number of churches and cathedrals, including St. Bénigne, Notre-Dame, St. Étienne, and St. Michel. The crypt of Dijon Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Benignus, dates from 1,000 years ago, and the city has retained many architectural styles from many of the main periods from the past millennium, including Gothic, Renaissance and Capetian. Many of the still-inhabited houses in the city's central district date from before the 18th century.

Dijon was spared the destruction of various wars such as the 1870 Franco-Prussian War, despite the fact that the Prussian army invaded the city. Therefore, many of the old buildings such as the half-timbered houses dating from the 12th to the 15th century (found mainly in the city's core district) are undamaged, at least by organized violence.

There are many museums in the city, including one dedicated to mustard and steak. Another is the Musée des Beaux Arts in the old part of the Ducal Palace (see below). It contains, among other things, ducal kitchens that date back to the mid-1400s, and a collection of European paintings from the early Renaissance to the Impressionistic periods.

Among the more interesting of Dijon's "must see" sights is the Ducal Palace, the Palais des Ducs et des États de Bourgogne or "Palace of the Dukes and the States of Burgundy" , which is one of only a few remaining examples of the Capetian period in the region. Another is a curious carving of a little owl, la chouette, on the church of Notre Dame on the rue de la Préfecture. It is reported that this has become regarded as a good-luck charm: people touch it with their left hand and make a wish. The current carving is a copy as the original was destroyed the night of January 5 or 6 2001 by vandals. The current version is now protected by video surveillance.

Mont Blanc, Italy / France

Mont Blanc (French for white mountain) or Monte Bianco (Italian, same meaning), also known as "La Dame Blanche" (French, the white lady) is a mountain in the Alps. With its 4,810 m summit, it is the highest mountain in the Alps and Western Europe.

The mountain lies between the regions of Aosta Valley, Italy, and Haute-Savoie, France. The location of the summit itself is a subject of controversy between the two countries, as each tends to place it within its own boundaries on maps. In a convention between France and Kingdom of Sardinia, in Turin (1861), the border was fixed on the highest point of Mont Blanc. This was the last official definition of this border, but often the French maps do not respect this solution.

The two most famous towns near Mont Blanc are Courmayeur, in Aosta Valley, Italy, and Chamonix, in Haute-Savoie, France - the site of the first Winter Olympics.

From Chamonix a cable car ascends the mountain side. Begun in 1957 and completed in 1965, the 11.6 km (7¼ mi) Mont Blanc Tunnel runs beneath the mountain between these two countries and is one of the major trans-Alpine transport routes.

The Mont Blanc Massif is popular for mountaineering, hiking, and skiing.

Brig-Glis, Switzerland

Brig-Glis (French: Brigue-Glis) is a municipality in the district of Brig in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It was formed in 1973 by the merger of the former municipalities Brig, Glis and Brigerbad. The name Brig is derived from Briva, or "bridge." It is a picturesque small town in the Swiss canton of the Valais, situated at the foot of the northern slope of the Simplon Pass, on the right bank of the Saltine stream, and a little above its junction with the Rhone. Its older houses are very Italian in appearance, while its most prominent buildings (castle, former Jesuits' college and Ursuline convent) all date from the 17th century, and are due to the generosity of a single member of the local Stockalper family, the baron Kaspar Jodok von Stockalper.

The railway lines of Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon and Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn meet in Brig.
Brig is located close to the Swiss-Italian borders. The language used in every day transactions is a unique German dialect, only used in this particular canton.

Brig is popular among winter sport athletes, since it is surrounded by many Alp summits. The town itself lies close to Rhone river. Due to the high altitude, the temperatures in winter often remain below zero, resulting in frost. During the summer season, heat can be intense.

The prosperity of Brig is bound up with the Simplon Pass, so that it gradually supplanted the more ancient village of Naters opposite, becoming a separate parish (the church is at Glis, a few minutes from the town) in 1517. Its medieval name was Briga dives. The opening of the carriage road across the Simplon (1807) and of the tunnel beneath the pass (1906), as well as the fact that above Brig is the steeper and less fertile portion of the Upper Valais (then much frequented by tourists), greatly increased the importance and size of the town. ( From Wikipedia)

Brig
Country : Switzerland
Canton : Valais
District : Brig
46°19′N, 7°58′E
Population : 11,882 (December 2002)
Density : 313 /km² (810 /sq.mi.)
Area : 38.0 km² (14.7 sq mi)
Elevation : 691 m (2,267 ft)
Postal code : 3900
Localities : Brig, Glis, Gamsen, Brigerbad
Surrounded by(view map) :
Lalden, Mund, Naters, Ried-Brig, Simplon, Termen, Visp, Visperterminen
Twin towns : Langenthal (Switzerland), Domodossola (Italy)
Website : http://www.brig-glis.ch/

Geneva, Switzerland

GENEVA merupakan pusat multi-kultur Swiss. Geneva yang terbentang di wilayah Danau Geneva (Lac Leman) menjadi pusat permukiman warga yang berasal dari hampir 180 negara berbeda dan akan menjadi salah satu lokasi Swiss yang digunakan untuk penyelenggaraan Piala Eropa 2008, selain Basel, Berne serta Zurich.

Geneva is the second-most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich) and is the most populous city of Romandy (the French-speaking part of Switzerland). Situated where the Rhône River exits Lake Geneva (French Lac Léman), it is the capital of the Republic and Canton of Geneva.

Geneva is widely regarded as a global city, mainly because of the presence of numerous international organizations, including the headquarters of many of the agencies of the United Nations and the Red Cross. It is also the place where the Geneva Conventions were signed, which chiefly concern the treatment of wartime non-combatants and prisoners of war.
A 2007 survey by Mercer Consulting found Geneva to have the second-highest quality of living in the world (narrowly outranked by Zürich). (From wikipedia).

Geneva - The Old Town : A gate at the back of the Parc des Bastions brings you up to a small junction and Rue St-Léger, which winds further up into the atmospheric Old Town, characterized by quiet, cobbled streets and tall, shuttered, grey-stone houses that give nothing away. Rue St-Léger curls up into the oddly split-level Place du Bourg-de-Four, a marketplace since medieval times that was probably built over the Roman forum, these days adorned with a fountain and lined with relaxed terrace cafés. From here, Rue Fontaine descends to the north to Temple de la Madeleine, a Gothic church that has clung on to its Romanesque tower, but if you head up the other way on Rue de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, you’ll come to Place de la Taconnerie, dominated by the cathedral. Tucked on your right is the Auditoire de Calvin, a small thirteenth-century chapel built over a fifth-century predecessor. Following Geneva’s acceptance of the Reformation, refugees flooded into the city from all over Europe and, in the knowledge that most of them spoke no French, Calvin gave this chapel over for the refugees to worship in their own languages – Geneva’s first international building. John Knox preached here in the 1550s (there’s still a Church of Scotland service every Sunday at 11am, slotted between Dutch and Italian), and the austere building also doubled as Calvin’s lecture hall.

International organizations :Geneva is the seat of the European headquarters of the United Nations and of many other inter-governmental organizations, including:The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) , The International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO), The International Labour Organization (ILO), The International Organization for Migration (IOM) The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR), The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), The World Health Organization (WHO), etc.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) Geneva was the seat of the League of Nations between 1919 and the league's dissolution in 1946. It was first housed in the Palais Wilson, and then in the Palais des Nations, which now hosts the United Nations. Numerous international non-governmental organizations have also elected Geneva as their headquarters. Numerous international non-governmental organizations have also elected Geneva as their headquarters, including: The Airports Council International, The International AIDS Society, The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), The International Road Transport Union (IRU), The International Union Against Cancer (UICC), etc

Lake Geneva :Lake Geneva or Lake Léman (French: Lac Léman, le Léman, Lac de Genève) is the second largest freshwater lake in Central Europe in terms of surface area (after Lake Balaton). 60% of it comes under the jurisdiction of Switzerland (cantons of Vaud, Geneva, and Valais), and 40% under France (Haute-Savoie).
The crescent-shaped lake, formed by a withdrawing glacier, narrows around Yvoire on the southern shore, the lake can thus be divided into the "Grand Lac" (Large Lake) to the east and the "Petit Lac" (Small Lake) to the west. View from Montreux : It lies on the course of the Rhône River. The river has its source at the Rhone Glacier near the Grimsel Pass to the east of the lake and flows down through the Canton of Valais, entering the lake between Villeneuve and St. Gingolph, before flowing slowly towards its egress at Geneva. Other tributaries are La Dranse, L'Aubonne, La Morges, Venoge, and Veveyse.

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (in French: Mouvement international de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge) is an international humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers worldwide whose stated mission is to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for the human being, and to prevent and alleviate human suffering, without any discrimination based on nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions.

The ICRC Headquarters in Geneva.

The often-heard term International Red Cross is actually a misnomer, as no official organization as such exists bearing that name. In reality, the movement consists of several distinct organizations that are legally independent from each other, but are united within the Movement through common basic principles, objectives, symbols, statutes, and governing organs. The Movement's parts: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a private humanitarian institution founded in 1863 in Geneva, Switzerland. Its 25-member committee has a unique authority under international humanitarian law to protect the life and dignity of the victims of international and internal armed conflicts. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) was founded in 1919 and today it coordinates activities between the 186 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies within the Movement. On an international level, the Federation leads and organizes, in close cooperation with the National Societies, relief assistance missions responding to large-scale emergencies. The International Federation Secretariat is based in Geneva, Switzerland. National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies exist in nearly every country in the world. Currently 186 National Societies are recognized by the ICRC and admitted as full members of the Federation. Each entity works in its home country according to the principles of international humanitarian law and the statutes of the international Movement. Depending on their specific circumstances and capacities, National Societies can take on additional humanitarian tasks that are not directly defined by international humanitarian law or the mandates of the international Movement.