Sandusky, Ohio, USA

Get ready for a thrill…I’m coming back to the US to talk about this amazingly unique place you can’t find anywhere else in the world!

Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio is truly a record-breaking beauty. On the shore of Lake Erie, this park has more rides than any other amusement park in the WORLD (with 75 rides) and is the only park with 4 roller coasters that are taller than 200 feet. Cedar Point opened in 1870 and is the third oldest amusement park in North America.

Just check out these crazy coasters! The Corkscrew will take you through the middle of the park and take you upside down three times while the Top Thrill Dragster will take you at a whopping 120mph! The Wicked Twister will take you forward, backward then forward again in a twist! These rides are just three out of SEVENTEEN counted roller coasters that I saw on the site, but there are also other rides like Max Air which you can also grab some thrill from.

Cedar Point also has a mile long beach, an outdoor water park and an indoor water park. Because the park is so huge, you probably can’t get through all of it in one day. Therefore, the park also manages several hotels, lodges and marinas around it. Don’t forget there’s also lots of fried foods to enjoy while at the park like Cheese-on-a-Stick and French Fries, but if you’re up for a healthier option, there are restaurants right aside the park such as Tomo Hibachi and Bay Harbor.

Check out their website at http://www.cedarpoint.com/!

Machu Picchu, Peru

For this blog, I thought I’d try somewhere a little different from the other places we’ve been visiting together so far. On a mountain range above Peru’s Urubamba Valley, Machu Picchu is a jewel admired by visitors all over the world.

Machu Picchu is widely known to represent the Inca Empire. It was built around 1450 at the peak of the empire and was quickly deserted 100 years after that. This was due to the Spanish Conquest in the 16^th century and it’s believed that most of those who lived at the site died from smallpox. Many historians and scholars have theorized that the site was the home of the Incan Emperor Pachacuti and the traditional birthplace of the “Virgins of the Suns.” Peru has declared the area as a historical sanctuary since it is located in a mountain range and it is most likely that there were religious rituals happening at the site. Machu Picchu is separated into three sections: Agricultural, Urban and Religious. These are easily distinguishable from the structure of each section.

The site itself is very secluded and therefore takes a while to actually get to the site through the Andes Mountains. However, it’s totally worth it for its serene view! There are hiking tours available through the Incan Trail starting from a nearby city, Cuzco (does anybody remember New Emperor’s Groove? Hahaha).

If you’re not up for a hiking challenge through the Andes, don’t worry: there are beautiful hotel lodges where you can stay inside and enjoy the view from afar. They also offer meditation sessions and delicious cuisine you can enjoy during your stay.

Peru embraces the beauty of Machu Picchu and is proud of its historical significance to the Ancient World. It is declared, by some, as one of the Ancient Wonders of the World and is most definitely a unique place to visit!

Saint Petersburg, Russia

Saint Petersburg, Russia, formerly known as Petrograd then Leningrad during the 1900s, is the second largest city in Russia. It is located in western Russia and was founded by Peter the Great in 1703. The city is home to 4.6 million people and is the northernmost city with more than 1 million inhabitants.

Saint Petersburg is such a unique beauty because it embraces European culture yet has its own characteristics that they can call their own. Check out what makes this city so amazing!

Hermitage Museum

Hermitage Museum is one of the largest and oldest museums in the world and displays than 3 million items. It is home to the largest collection of paintings in the world, thanks to the museum’s founder, Empress Catherine the Great, in 1764. Not only are there a lot of exhibits to see, you’ll be in awe by the intricate décor of the building itself.

Peterhof Palace

Doesn't this remind you of Alice in Wonderland?

Can you believe how beautiful this place is? The Peterhof Palace, once the residence of Peter the Great, was built on his orders around 1705. It is sometimes referred as the “Russian Versailles” and while the grand palace itself is not a huge building, it certainly deserves attention for its uniqueness. The Peterhof is comprised of approximately thirty rooms and much of the structure, including its gardens, was modeled after Chateau de Marly, Louis XIV’s palace in France. Even at 300 years old, the place has been restored perfectly!

This city is so beautiful I’m sure you’ll absolutely fall in love with it if you ever get a chance to visit. The Hermitage and Peterhof aren’t the only awesome places in Saint Petersburg. You can check out their website at http://www.saint-petersburg.com/attractions/index.asp.

Singapore

I think it’s time for us to go somewhere nice and relaxing!

Singapore is a city-state island country in Southeast Asia. It is one of the leading financial centers and has the fifth busiest trading ports in the world. Singapore has a population of a little over 5 million, and consists of 63 islands grouped together. Its government recognizes four languages: English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. However, English is the most widely spoken language and over 80% of its residents are literate in English as their first or second language. Dining and shopping are one of Singapore’s favorite pastimes, so you know you’ll have a good time!

There’s a LOT to do on these islands. Singapore is one of the best places in the world to go to relax for its beaches, resorts and spas. Here are some of the most unique places you can visit and things you can do in Singapore!

At Underwater World on Sentosa Island, you can swim with these amazing pink dolphins. Yes, PINK! With admission, you can watch a show put on by their trainers, and then have a Meet-the-Dolphins session where you can swim with them and get a chance to train them. You can also dive with sharks at Underwater World if you feel like going for a bigger challenge.

You can also relax in Singapore at their world renowned spas. The coolest spa you can find is the Spa Botanica. This is Singapore’s first garden spa where you can get a unique experience: a mix of indoor pampering and outdoor treatments. They offer floatation pools, mud pools, flower rituals and a labyrinth to ease the mind. You can fully rejuvenate the body and the mind while enjoying beautiful views!

After relaxing, you can go out in the city for some intense shopping experience. Mustafa Centre is a 24-hour shopping center. Now you don’t have to worry about rushing to get your shopping done before the stores close! Feel free to go out at 3 in the morning for some retail therapy.

Singapore seems like such an interesting place filled with unique experiences of relaxation and outdoor fun! What do you think?

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

I am so excited for this blog because I’ve been dying to talk about this unique place! Today I’m going to show you the magical world of technological advances in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Dubai, home to about 1.8 million residents, has been developing incredibly fast as the 8^th most visited city in the world. Dubai has been creating record-breaking establishments all over the city, such as the Dubai Mall, the 7^th biggest mall in the world. It is also known as the “City of Gold,” because it has more than 250 gold retail shops.

Dubai is also home to Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world at an incredible height of 2,717 feet (828 meters). Burj Khalifa was completed in 2009 and took five years to build.

But perhaps the most unique place, this place I’ve been dyingggg to talk about is the Burj Al Arab Hotel.

Burj Al Arab is a dream: it is characterized as the only 7-star hotel in the world. Yes, a 7-STAR HOTEL, can you believe it? This hotel stands on a manmade island connected to the mainland by a private bridge. It is shaped to mimic the sail of an Arabian vessel. It stands 1,053 feet (321 meters) tall and has 60 floors, of which most outer walls are glass windows cleaned every single day by workers. Costs start at $1,000 per night and the Royal Suite runs around $28,000 per night. Check out the amazing pictures inside the hotel!

Dubai is definitely a unique place with its innovative projects and world record breaking buildings, manmade islands, and malls. Although it is currently suffering from economic decline, Dubai has a lot to offer on tourism. It’s a place you must visit when you get the chance!

Wellington, New Zealand

Lord of the Rings anyone? Today I decided to take a little journey to Wellington, New Zealand!

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and is located on the southern tip of the North Island. This unique city is home to some of the most breathtaking views in the world and is the economic and cultural center of the country. Although it may have a population of less than 400,000, Wellington has so much tourism to offer.

Wellington is mostly known for its explorations of nature and culture. If you’re into outdoors, there is so much to do! You can go biking, kayaking, canoeing, or hiking while enjoying views like this:

For those who enjoy the arts, there is good news. Wellington has claimed itself as a cultural mecca.

The most well known is the Museum of Te Papa Tongarewa, a national museum known for its interactive experience. Te Papa displays New Zealand’s geology, natural environment, and the story of the indigenous people. It is also home to top-rating international exhibitions with diverse art.

New Zealand is certainly a site to visit for its natural beauty and its growing recognition worldwide for display of culture and art. Wellington embraces high interaction between tourists and its local residents.

Check out Wellington's website:

www.wellingtonnz.com

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Bienvenidos a Bueno Aires! For this blog post, I decided to go to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city in the country, as well as the second largest city in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the eastern coast of Argentina and on the Río de la Plata. This city is full of life and embraces different cultures; from European immigrant settlements to Asian settlements.

The coolest site to check out while visiting this city has got to be La Boca and Calle Caminito. La Boca is one of Buenos Aires’s most colorful districts, literally: All the buildings are painted with bright colors! The district was first settled by Italian immigrants and is mostly made up of working class citizens. Calle de La Caminito, a large street in the district, was named after a popular tango song and is the center for local art sales and street tango performances.

If dancing is not your thing, you can also visit Galerías Pacífico for some quality shopping time. Once an office building, it was built by renowned architects and sculptors, then was abandoned for over 100 years. In 1989, it was declared as a national historic monument then in 1991, the building reopened as a shopping arcade. The mall includes high-end stores such as Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, La Martina, Hugo Boss, Polo Ralph Lauren, as well as others. If you’re not up for big spending down in Argentina, you can always enjoy the view: check out the inside of the building!

Buenos Aires is most definitely a city to visit when you get the chance. It is lively and exciting, not to mention busy busy busy with over 12 million people surrounding you everywhere! It is a huge metropolitan city with giant skyscrapers and beautiful European architectural masterpieces all meshed into one unique place.