#863 Verona Arena, Italy

Because I went to Verona when I was only 12, the only thing that I remember is the Roman ampitheatre, one of the best preserved that exists in the world and one that is still used for concerts today. What I remember is that it was spectacular!

commons.wikipedia.org

Built in 30 C.E. outside of what was then the city in pink and white Valpolicella marble, it was almost destroyed in a 1117 earthquake. The Renaissance saw a revival of its use as a theater due to its excellent acoustics, and it has had a continuous summer season of concerts since 1813, except during the world wars. No electronic sound system was used until 2011, although the rock concerts of many famous bands probably used their own speakers -- Pink Floyd, Simple Minds, Duran Duran, Deep Purple, The Who, Dire Straits, Mike Oldfield, Rod Steward, Sting, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, and Muse.

www.guardian.co.uk

www.telegraph.co.uk

en.wikipedia.org

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verona_Arena

#866 Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

www.99-things.com

When I was a child, my parents took me to see Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. I thought it was fantastic and pretty and impressive, but I think I took it for granted that such castles are a normal thing to exist, not connecting the fantastical nature of fairy tales with the unlikelihood of reality. In truth, Disney modeled its Disneyland castle on this one, and not the other way around, and the castle has been open to the public since 1886 when its owner died.

Kept isolated by a smart drawbridge over a deep channel (although reachable by road via another path), it was the epitomy of all the stories -- imagination coming true. There was a fabulous museum with all the furniture and the stories of the family that built it. The reality was a unique imagination of a man - Ludwig II, who not only paid for it without using state funds and hired many local workers to build it, but managed to imagine the magnificent place itself -- a very well-fitted hideaway for a reclusive king -- picturesquely located, of course. 

Beautifully decorated both inside an out in a romanesque style, it is the perfect picture postcard image.

www.8thingstodo.com

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuschwanstein_Castle

#868 Mont St. Michel, France

www.wallpaperswide.com

www.patheos.com

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Mont_st_michel_aerial.jpg

When you have a large rock in the middle of a delta on the edge of the ocean, what should you do with it? Turn it into a fortified castle of spectacular proportions! With a maximum height of 90 meters above sea level and a scant 44 population, there are more tourists than locals on any given day! Because it is connected by a tidal causeway (which was only made permanent/dry in 1879), it makes a spectacular picture, surrounded by ocean, when it is high tide, some 14m above the low tide water level.

With a rich history of refuge and strongholds, it was first used as a Gallo-Roman fortification in the 6th century. By the 8th century, when it was called Monte Tombe, it had a more monastic function, and by the 10th century, it was a strategic part of the Normandy defenses. The Romanesque church of the abbey was added in the 11th Century. With narrow streets winding up the hillsides, and an imposing appearance from the distance (and up close). It is an amazing place of living history.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Saint-Michel

#893 Edinburgh, Scotland

With its famous castle overshadowing the city, giving magnificent views over the Firth of Fourth, Edinburgh is a charming place! The high street runs along the edge of the park with the castle sitting above. Historically it was important, not only as the capital and home of the Scottish parliament, but before that as an Enlightenment center and a hillfort for the kingdom of Gododden. 

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh

#898 Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

http://www.frenchcravings.com/tag/eiffel-tower-image/

When I was on the top of this amazing structure, I was more than on top of the world: I was in heaven. It was on the Eiffel Tower that I first discovered that I am exhilarated by high places. I wanted to walk up and then walk down, both vetoed by my family. Sadly, don't have my own photos so commercial ones will have to suit. I looked at the chained in viewing platform imagining the crazy people who caused such confinement to be necessary. I loved watching students throw paper darts off the top, and seeing them sail away with the wind. What an unusual symbol of a country, but a beautiful one. I remember hearing that Parisiennes hated it when it was first built, but of course, now they wouldn't dream of it.

The collapsible toy, whether in the form of a pencil sharpener, or some other such thing... I think that must be one of the most famous souvenirs and so clever!

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/eiffel-tower-landmark.htm

#905 Stonehenge, England

One of the most beautifully preserved relics from the Stone Age is that of Stonehenge -- large solid beautifully shaped rocks remain standing and with the tops of arches also being used. Unfortunately this also makes it a crazy tourist trap for every visitor. I always think of it as being the "first" UNESCO world heritage site, even if that isn't true it certainly embodies the soul of the idea.

My own photos of Stonehenge are film and are completely buried deep in my parents garage, so not much chance of seeing them any time soon, but these are from Wikipedia -- isn't the fish eye amazing? Most visitors don't get that image.


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehenge

#911 Vienna, Austria

Literally and historically the heart of Europe, Vienna is a fantastic place, with palaces, museums, churches, galleries, architectural wonders, and amazing food and nightlife. With one of the lowest price indexes in all of the EU, it's reasonable and easy to visit.

1. The first amazing thing to see is Stephansdom, the enormous gothic church that dominates central Vienna. With it's gorgeous zigzag roof, majestic interior and spooky bone-filled crypt, it awakens every medieval dream and nightmare. The views from it's tower are super.

2. Ruling most of Europe for centuries, the Hapsburgs had their main base here, and the Hofburg palace is just one relic of their glory. The beautiful Belvidere gardens and a majestic timeless palace  buildings that could have fallen out of a fairy tale -- except their ultimate ending was far from happily ever after. The Museums here are never ending!

Heldenplatz - part of the Hofburg complex (Neue Burg)

Roman ruins on Michaelerplatz

3. Hundertwasser, the Austrian architect with fanciful curves, bright colors and a hodge podge of design has his famous Hundertwasser Haus in Vienna and other glorious and colorful designs with flowing rolling lines and divided fragments mixed with greenery.

3. Another of the things I loved about Vienna is the Ringstrasse -- a wide tree lined boulevard encircling the inner city along the lines of the old city walls. Parks!!

So order a coffee, sit on the grass, enjoy some sausages and good beer and enjoy this cultural hub!

Source: Lonely Planet Vienna 4th Edition

#913 Hadrian's Wall, England/Scotland

One of the most interesting places I went to as a child was Hadrian's Wall between England and Scotland -- it held my imagination and helped to instill a fascination with history. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of that time with me, but I hold an image in my mind that is very similar to the Wikipedia photo below, where it is completely ruined and surrounded by placid farmland.

To think that the wall was intended to keep out 'barbarians' when no doubt the Roman's lived in a comparatively barbaric lifestyle compared to today. If I was to think of it like a politician, I suppose I would view it as being a way to regulate immigration, customs, smuggling and other border-control issues!

One day I would like to walk the full length (around 120km long).



Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadrian's_Wall Both photo and map are from this source.