Vatican Travel Guide 2026: Top Cities, Places to Visit & Itineraries | Trip.com

Journey through a millennium to see the Roman ruins

Walking into the Roman Forum, I finally understood that some places are not just attractions, but the still-beating heart of an empire❤️ I arrived here as my first stop in the Eternal City of Rome. It has witnessed Cicero's eloquence, Caesar's assassination, and the glory and decline of the empire. Standing among the ruins, the wind blows through, carrying echoes from over 2,000 years ago. Under Caesar and Octavian, Rome entered the imperial era, and the Forum experienced its most glorious period. Augustus once said, "I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble." This is the origin of "all roads lead to Rome." The Temple of Saturn housed the empire's vast treasury, and in the Temple of Vesta, the Vestal Virgins guarded the sacred fire that symbolized Rome's eternal life🔥 Later, the center of power shifted east, and Rome was frequently looted. During the Middle Ages, silt from the Tiber River gradually buried the ruins, turning this place into a pasture. It wasn't until the late 18th and early 19th centuries, with the rise of modern archaeology, that the Roman Forum was unearthed. From the heart of an empire to a pile of ruins, and then to a World Heritage site, it has spanned over 2,000 years of history. I stood there, watching the sunset turn the stone pillars gold, and suddenly felt that the empire's breath had never stopped; it just changed form and continued in the wind🌅 Come to Rome and plan a relaxing 3-day trip👇 Day 1: The heartbeat of the empire💓 Morning: Walk into the Roman Forum and stroll between the temples and triumphal arches; Afternoon: Go to the Colosseum and watch the sunlight pass through the arches; Evening: On Palatine Hill, watch the sunset paint the city gold. Day 2: A Baroque dream🎭 Morning: Visit the Borghese Gallery and linger before Bernini's sculptures; Afternoon: Go to the Trevi Fountain and toss a coin into the night; Evening: On the Spanish Steps, watch the whole city sink into twilight. Day 3: Farewell and reunion👋 Morning: Go to the Vatican Museums and stand in silence before Raphael's paintings; Afternoon: Walk through the colonnades of St. Peter's Square; Evening: Return to the Roman Forum, take one last look at those silent stone pillars, and head home, carrying the light and shadows of Rome.

BDL. Sam 3945

Check out this guide for visiting Window of the World

Shenzhen Window of the World brings together miniature models of over 130 world-famous attractions, built to different scales such as 1:1, 1:5, and 1:15, allowing you to "travel the world" in a single day. 🌍 World Plaza (Entrance Area) As the first stop upon entering, the plaza features 108 large stone pillars in various styles and a relief wall covering nearly 2,000 square meters. Directly in front is a large open-air performance stage, where large-scale themed evening shows are usually held. 🏰 Europe Area This is the highlight of the park. The Eiffel Tower is built at a 1:3 scale and stands 108 meters tall. It is the park's landmark, and you can take an elevator to the top for a bird's-eye view of Shenzhen Bay. Other attractions include the Arc de Triomphe in Paris (you can walk inside the arch to see the reliefs), the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, and Cologne Cathedral. 🏯 Asia Area The Taj Mahal in India is replicated at a 1:3 scale, and the white marble structure is stunning in the sunlight. Other attractions include Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the Katsura Imperial Villa in Japan (Zen garden), the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, and the Forbidden City in China. 🗽 Americas Area Niagara Falls is a highly iconic man-made landscape, spanning over 80 meters wide with a drop of over 10 meters, creating a magnificent sight. The area also brings together the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore (the heads of four presidents), the White House, the U.S. Capitol, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, and the Moai statues of Easter Island, Chile. 🦁 Africa Area The Egyptian pyramids and the Great Sphinx are the core attractions, accompanied by information boards explaining ancient Egyptian history. The area's style recreates the ancient civilization of the Nile River basin. Other attractions include the Abu Simbel temples. 🦘 Oceania Area The Sydney Opera House in Australia is the landmark here. The miniature model is set in water, making it perfect for capturing reflections from a distance. There are also Maori dwellings, where local folk performances are held at specific times. 🏛️ Attractions explicitly at or near 1:1 scale · Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France: Multiple sources explicitly state it is at a 1:1 scale. · Christ the Redeemer, Brazil: Some sources indicate it was "built at almost a 1:1.25 scale," creating a visually stunning effect. 💡 Travel tips · Transportation: Take Metro Line 1 or 2 to Window of the World Station and exit via Exit C or D. · Hours: Day session is 9:30 AM–10:00 PM; night session entry starts at 6:00 PM. We recommend entering in the afternoon to enjoy both the daytime details and the evening light show. · Nighttime highlights: The Eiffel Tower light show usually has two sessions (e.g., 7:15 PM/8:55 PM), and there is a fireworks show on Saturday nights.

Amelia~Young16

China Art Museum From Every Angle 📸✨

THE SHANGHAI BUILDING I NEVER GET TIRED OF 🇨🇳❤️ Some buildings are impressive because they are enormous. Some because they are futuristic. And then there are buildings that stay in your memory because of how you first experienced them. For me, that building is the China Art Museum in Shanghai. 🇬🇧 The first time I arrived in Shanghai many years ago, I remember passing by this enormous red structure and immediately thinking that it looked completely different from anything around it. Even though Shanghai is packed with incredible architecture, this building somehow stayed with me. Years later, I still find myself looking for new angles, new compositions and new ways to photograph it. And honestly? I think that’s one of the best things about travelling. You can return to the same place years later and somehow see it differently. 🇨🇳 THE CHINA ART MUSEUM The China Art Museum is located in Pudong, close to the Huangpu River and the former site of Expo 2010. The building itself is hard to miss. Its dramatic red exterior and unusual stepped architectural form make it instantly recognisable from a distance. The design was inspired by traditional Chinese architectural elements, but interpreted on a massive modern scale. From certain angles, the building almost looks like a giant pyramid. From others, the layered structure creates completely different shapes and lines. And that is exactly why I think photographers can keep coming back. One building. So many perspectives. ⸻ 📸 WHY THIS BUILDING IS SO PHOTOGENIC The first thing that makes the China Art Museum interesting is its colour. That intense red exterior immediately stands out against Shanghai’s modern skyline. Depending on the weather and time of day, the building can look completely different. Under strong daylight, the red becomes incredibly bold. Around sunset, the warmer light can make the architecture feel softer. During blue hour, the contrast between the building and the surrounding city becomes much more dramatic. And after dark? Shanghai’s lights create an entirely different atmosphere. If you’re carrying a camera, this is one of those buildings where you shouldn’t take only one photo and move on. Walk. Change your position. Look up. Look down. Move further away. Get closer. Use surrounding buildings to frame it. Try reflections. Try symmetry. Try shooting through trees, railings or architectural openings. Sometimes the most interesting photograph isn’t the obvious one. ⸻ 🏙️ SHANGHAI IS AN ARCHITECTURE DREAM What makes the China Art Museum even more interesting is its surroundings. Shanghai is a city where completely different architectural styles can exist within the same journey. You can go from historic European influenced buildings to futuristic skyscrapers, traditional Chinese architecture and enormous modern cultural institutions. The city almost feels like an architecture timeline. And the China Art Museum fits perfectly into that story. It isn’t trying to look like a traditional palace. It isn’t another glass skyscraper. It has its own identity. That is probably why it stayed in my memory after that first visit. ⸻ 🌆 THE EXPO 2010 CONNECTION The building also has an important connection to Shanghai’s recent history. The China Art Museum building was originally the China Pavilion for Expo 2010 Shanghai. The pavilion became one of the most recognisable structures of the Expo and was later transformed into the China Art Museum. That gives the building an interesting second life. What was originally created as a major international exhibition structure became a permanent cultural landmark. So when you’re photographing it, you’re not just photographing an unusual red building. You’re looking at a piece of Shanghai’s modern architectural history. ⸻ 🎨 WHAT IS INSIDE? Of course, the building isn’t only worth visiting from the outside. The China Art Museum is one of China’s major art museums and houses exhibitions covering Chinese art and culture. Depending on when you visit, exhibitions can range from traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy to modern and contemporary works. That means you can easily combine architecture and culture in the same visit. And even if museums aren’t normally your thing, the building itself is worth seeing. You don’t necessarily need to spend an entire day here. You can explore the exterior, take your photographs, go inside for an exhibition and then continue exploring Pudong. ⸻ 📍 WHERE IT FITS INTO A SHANGHAI ITINERARY The China Art Museum works especially well as part of a Pudong day. You could combine it with: 🌆 Lujiazui skyline 🏙️ Shanghai Tower area 🗼 Oriental Pearl Tower 🌊 Huangpu River 🎨 China Art Museum 🌳 Expo area 🌅 Riverside sunset Shanghai is much easier to explore when you group attractions by area instead of jumping randomly from one side of the city to another. If you’re staying in central Shanghai, plan a day around the Huangpu River and Pudong rather than treating every attraction as a separate trip. ⸻ 📸 MY FAVORITE WAY TO PHOTOGRAPH IT If you’re visiting specifically for photography, don’t arrive with only one composition in mind. The first viewpoint you see might not be your favorite. Walk around the surrounding area and look for different layers. Try putting something in the foreground. A tree. A person. Another building. A bridge. A railing. Anything that creates depth. Then experiment with focal lengths. A wide angle lens can exaggerate the scale of the building. A longer lens can compress it against the surrounding skyline. And if you’re using a drone where legally permitted and from an approved location, the geometry of the building becomes even more interesting from above. But always check current local drone restrictions before flying. Shanghai has important aviation and security restrictions, so never assume that because you can physically launch a drone, you’re allowed to fly there. ⸻ 🌅 SUNRISE OR SUNSET? For daytime architectural photography, both can work. But if you’re looking for atmosphere, I’d personally consider the period around sunset and blue hour. The warm light can add another layer to the red architecture. Then, as the sky gets darker, the city lights begin to appear. This gives you several completely different photographs during one visit. Arrive early. Explore the area. Take your daytime shots. Wait for golden hour. Then stay through blue hour. You don’t need to rush. ⸻ ❤️ WHY I KEEP COMING BACK The funny thing about favourite places is that they aren’t always the places everyone tells you to visit. Sometimes it’s a completely personal connection. Maybe you ate your first meal there. Maybe you met someone there. Maybe you visited during an important moment in your life. Or maybe you simply saw a building for the first time through a car window and thought: “Wow.” That was my experience with the China Art Museum. The first time I saw it, I didn’t know that years later I’d still be photographing it. I didn’t know I’d return to Shanghai and start looking for different perspectives. I didn’t know the building would become one of those visual memories that immediately brings me back to my first experiences in the city. But that’s how travel works sometimes. You don’t always know which places will stay with you. ⸻ 🇨🇳 SHANGHAI AFTER ALL THESE YEARS Shanghai has changed enormously over the years. New buildings appear. Neighbourhoods transform. New cafés, restaurants and cultural spaces open. The skyline keeps evolving. But some landmarks remain part of the city’s visual identity. And the China Art Museum is one of them. What I love most is that even after seeing the building before, I can still find another angle. Another reflection. Another composition. Another moment. That’s a good reminder for anyone who loves photography: You don’t always need a new destination to make a new photograph. Sometimes you just need to look at a familiar place differently. ⸻ 📷 SHANGHAI PHOTO CHECKLIST If you’re planning a photography focused Shanghai trip, save these ideas: ❤️ China Art Museum 🌆 Pudong skyline 🌊 Huangpu River 🏙️ Lujiazui skyscrapers 🗼 Oriental Pearl Tower 🌅 Riverside sunset 🌙 Shanghai blue hour 🏮 Old Shanghai streets 🚶 People and architecture ☕ Café details 🌿 Urban parks ✨ Night skyline And don’t spend the entire trip chasing the most famous Instagram viewpoint. Shanghai is full of interesting details between the major attractions. Look at doors. Windows. Bridges. Street signs. Reflections. Metro entrances. Old buildings next to new towers. That’s where the personality of the city often appears. ⸻ 🚇 GETTING AROUND SHANGHAI Shanghai’s metro system makes exploring the city relatively straightforward. For a photography day, however, don’t underestimate walking time. You might see an interesting building on the map and think it’s only a short distance away, but large roads, parks, rivers and huge city blocks can make the actual walk longer than expected. Wear comfortable shoes. Keep your camera battery charged. Carry a power bank. And leave room in your schedule for spontaneous photo stops. Because sometimes the best shot of the day isn’t the attraction you planned to photograph. It’s the building you notice while walking to the next one. ⸻ 🌃 AND THEN THERE’S SHANGHAI AT NIGHT If you think Shanghai looks impressive during the day, wait until the city lights come on. The contrast between the red China Art Museum and the surrounding city becomes particularly interesting after dark. Shanghai is one of those cities where you can easily spend an entire evening just walking around and photographing the transition from sunset to night. Golden hour. Blue hour. Night. Three completely different versions of the same city. ⸻ 🇨🇳 IF YOU’RE VISITING SHANGHAI FOR THE FIRST TIME Don’t build your entire itinerary around checking off famous landmarks. Give yourself at least one day where you simply explore. Pick an area. Walk around. Stop when something catches your eye. Visit a café. Go inside a museum. Take the metro somewhere you didn’t originally plan to visit. Watch the sunset. And let the city surprise you. Because Shanghai is not just a list of attractions. It’s a city that rewards curiosity. And for me, the China Art Museum is the perfect example. It was once just a building I happened to pass on my first arrival in Shanghai. Years later, it’s still one of the first places I want to photograph. And I’m still finding new angles. ❤️🇨🇳 Have you ever had a place that became special simply because of the memory you created there? #Shanghai #China #ChinaTravel #ShanghaiTravel #VisitShanghai #VisitChina #ChinaTrip #ShanghaiArchitecture #ChinaArtMuseum #ShanghaiPhotography #ArchitecturePhotographyphy #TravelPhotography #Pudong #ExploreChina #AsiaTravel

Userxploring

China Feels Like Stepping Between Centuries 🇨🇳✨

Ancient Temples, Misty Mountains And Cities That Never Stop Moving 👀 China is one of those places that is difficult to describe with just one image. One moment you can be standing beneath the roof of an ancient temple, surrounded by centuries of history. A few hours later, you can be looking at a futuristic skyline filled with glass towers and glowing signs. Then suddenly the city disappears. The roads become quieter. Mountains rise in the distance. Mist moves between the peaks. A small village appears around the next bend. And somehow, all of these completely different scenes still feel like the same country. That is what makes travelling through China so fascinating. It is not simply a destination where you go from one famous landmark to another. It is a place where history, nature, food, architecture and modern life constantly overlap. You can walk through a historic neighbourhood in the morning, eat something you have never tried for lunch, take a high speed train across the country in the afternoon and end the night surrounded by one of the most impressive modern skylines in Asia. Every day can feel completely different. 🏮 WHERE ANCIENT CHINA MEETS MODERN CHINA One of the first things that stands out when travelling around China is the contrast. Ancient architecture does not always exist separately from modern life. A centuries old temple can sit surprisingly close to a modern city. Traditional rooftops can appear behind apartment buildings. Historic streets can suddenly open into enormous shopping districts. And old neighbourhoods can sit only a short journey away from some of the world’s most futuristic architecture. That contrast is everywhere. It is one of the reasons China is such an interesting destination for photographers. You do not have to search for one specific aesthetic. You can find completely different visual styles within the same day. 🏙️ SHANGHAI Shanghai is probably one of the clearest examples of this contrast. The city skyline around the Huangpu River feels almost futuristic. The skyscrapers of Pudong create one of the most recognizable cityscapes in China, especially after dark when the buildings light up. But cross the river and the atmosphere changes. The Bund gives you historic European influenced architecture facing the modern skyline. Walk deeper into the city and you can find traditional streets, cafés, markets, temples and residential neighbourhoods. This is what makes Shanghai more interesting than simply visiting a viewpoint and taking a skyline photo. The city has layers. You can photograph the same skyline from different locations and get completely different moods depending on the weather and time of day. Sunrise creates one atmosphere. Blue hour creates another. Then the lights come on and suddenly the entire city looks cinematic. 📸 PHOTOGRAPHING CHINA If you enjoy photography, China can feel like an endless collection of frames. But do not only photograph famous landmarks. Look for contrasts. A cyclist passing beneath an ancient gate. Traditional rooftops surrounded by skyscrapers. A quiet courtyard hidden behind a busy street. A temple surrounded by autumn leaves. Mist moving through a mountain valley. A local shop glowing after dark. A train disappearing into the distance. These smaller moments often tell you more about a place than a perfectly framed landmark. Try waking up early too. This is especially useful in scenic areas. Before sunrise, popular places can feel completely different. The light is softer. The streets are quieter. And in mountain areas, mist can completely transform the landscape. 🌫️ THE MISTY MOUNTAINS Some of China’s most unforgettable scenery is far away from the big cities. Think dramatic mountains, deep valleys, forests, rivers and villages surrounded by enormous landscapes. Places such as Zhangjiajie are famous for their towering rock formations, while other mountain regions offer completely different scenery. The beauty is not always obvious when you first arrive. Sometimes you need the right weather. A clear day can reveal enormous views. A misty morning can make the same mountains look mysterious and almost unreal. This is why weather should not always be treated as the enemy when travelling through China’s scenic areas. A cloudy or misty day can actually create some of the most atmospheric photographs. 🐼 THE PANDA SIDE OF CHINA And then there are pandas. Because no China trip feels complete without mentioning these incredibly photogenic animals. Giant pandas have become one of the country’s most recognizable symbols, and seeing them in person is very different from watching them through a screen. They spend much of their day eating bamboo, resting and generally looking like they have mastered the art of having absolutely no urgency in life. Honestly, respect 😂🐼 If visiting a panda base is on your itinerary, try to arrive early. Pandas are often more active earlier in the day, and arriving early can also mean a more comfortable experience before visitor numbers increase. And yes, you will probably take far too many photos of the same panda doing absolutely nothing. Worth it. 🏯 BEIJING If Shanghai shows China’s modern side, Beijing gives you a much stronger connection to its imperial history. The city is home to some of the country’s most famous historic landmarks. The Forbidden City is an obvious highlight, with its enormous courtyards, gates, halls and traditional architecture. But Beijing is more than the major attractions. Walk through hutong neighbourhoods and you begin to see another side of the city. Narrow lanes. Traditional courtyard homes. Small restaurants. Local shops. Bicycles. Quiet streets sitting surprisingly close to major tourist areas. This contrast between monumental history and everyday life is one of the things that makes Beijing so interesting. 🏯 TEMPLES AND QUIET MOMENTS China has no shortage of temples. Some are enormous and famous. Others are tucked away in quieter areas where the experience feels much more peaceful. If you enjoy architecture, pay attention to the details. Roof decorations. Wooden doors. Stone carvings. Lanterns. Courtyards. Incense. Gardens. These details can tell a story even when you do not know the complete history behind the building. And sometimes the best experience is simply sitting quietly for a few minutes instead of immediately moving to the next attraction. China can be overwhelming because there is so much to see. You do not need to rush through everything. 🏮 THE MAGIC OF OLD STREETS Some of my favourite travel moments happen when you leave the major landmark behind. Old streets and historic villages can offer a slower look at everyday life. You might find traditional buildings, small restaurants, local markets, tea shops and courtyards that have existed for generations. Places such as these remind you that China’s history is not only found inside museums. It is also part of ordinary neighbourhoods. A doorway. A street corner. An old shop sign. A family restaurant. A bridge over a small river. These details can make a place feel much more personal. 🌃 CHINA AFTER DARK Then the sun goes down. And suddenly everything changes again. Major Chinese cities are spectacular at night. Skylines light up. Shopping streets become crowded. Buildings glow. Restaurants stay busy. Signs illuminate entire streets. Riverfronts become completely different landscapes. Shanghai is especially famous for its night skyline, but many other cities have their own nighttime personality. If you are taking photographs, consider returning to the same location twice. Once during daylight. Once after dark. You may feel like you are photographing two completely different cities. 🚄 HIGH SPEED RAIL CHANGES THE EXPERIENCE One of the best ways to experience the scale of China is by high speed rail. The country is enormous, and travelling between major cities by train can make it much easier to build a multi city itinerary. Instead of treating every destination as a separate flight, you can connect cities by rail where the route makes sense. The experience itself is worth trying. You arrive at a railway station, find your platform, board the train and watch the landscape change outside the window. City. Suburbs. Farmland. Mountains. Another city. It gives you a completely different understanding of the distance between places. And unlike flying, you are actually watching the country pass by. 🧳 FIRST TIME IN CHINA? China can feel intimidating before your first trip because the country is so large and there is so much information online. The easiest way to avoid feeling overwhelmed is to keep your first itinerary realistic. Do not try to visit ten cities in one week. Choose a few places that genuinely interest you. For example: 🇨🇳 Beijing for history 🏙️ Shanghai for modern city life 🐼 Chengdu for pandas and food 🏔️ Zhangjiajie for dramatic scenery 🌿 Hangzhou for lakes, gardens and a slower atmosphere You can always come back. Trying to see everything in one trip usually means spending more time packing and travelling than actually experiencing the destination. 🍜 FOOD IS PART OF THE JOURNEY And then there is Chinese food. One of the biggest mistakes visitors can make is assuming “Chinese food” is one single cuisine. It is not. Different regions have completely different flavours, ingredients and cooking styles. Some dishes are spicy. Some are savoury. Some are sweet. Some focus on noodles. Others focus on rice. Some cuisines are famous for seafood. Others for grilled meats, dumplings or hot pot. Be curious. Try local specialities instead of ordering only dishes you already recognize. Sometimes the restaurant you almost walked past ends up becoming one of the best meals of the trip. 🚇 GETTING AROUND CITIES Major Chinese cities often have extensive public transportation networks. Metro systems can be extremely useful for getting around busy urban areas. But remember that stations can be huge. Give yourself extra time when travelling during busy periods. Keep your destination information saved on your phone and double check the station name. If you are using a translation app, having the Chinese name of your destination available can also be helpful. This is especially useful when dealing with taxis, ride hailing or smaller local businesses. 📱 PREPARE YOUR PHONE A little preparation before your trip can make the experience much smoother. Have your important bookings saved. Keep copies of your passport details and reservations where appropriate. Make sure your phone has enough battery. Download anything you may need before leaving your hotel. And check the current requirements and availability for the apps and payment methods you plan to use in China. Do not wait until you arrive at the airport to discover that something important is not set up. #China #ChinaTravel #Beijing #Shanghai #Chengdu #ChinaPhotography #ChinaArchitecture #TravelChina #ExploreChina #ChinaCulture #AsiaTravel #TravelInspiration #ChinaTrip #TravelPhotography #TripcomSG

Ted237

17 Breathtaking Hotel Pools Worth Booking a Flight For

Some pools are just nice for a swim. Others are the reason you book the entire trip. I’ve rounded up 17 hotel pools across the globe where the view from the water is a journey in itself. Save this list—you’ll want it when picking your next getaway. 🌍 🇫🇷 1. The Maybourne Riviera — French Riviera A pool literally hanging over the Mediterranean. The coastal panorama is like a picture-perfect postcard. 🇮🇩 2. Amankila — Bali The famous three-tier hillside pool overlooking the ocean. It’s one of those instantly recognizable views. 🇮🇹 3. Belmond Caruso — Amalfi Coast Perched high above the Amalfi Coast—sea, mountains, and the feeling that you're swimming right above Italy. 🇬🇷 4. Grace Hotel — Santorini Whitewashed architecture meets the endless blue of the Aegean. It's especially stunning at sunset. 🇮🇹 5. Alpin Panorama Hotel Hubertus — South Tyrol The pool that makes you feel like you're "swimming straight into the Alps." Mountain peaks replace the sea here. 🇸🇦 6. Our Habitas AlUla — Saudi Arabia Desert cliffs surrounding the pool create a truly otherworldly landscape. 🇨🇱 7. Tierra Patagonia — Chile A pool overlooking the rugged landscapes of Patagonia. It's less about the design and all about the scale of nature. 🇲🇪 8. One&Only Portonovi — Montenegro An elegant resort on the shores of Boka Bay. The water, mountains, and yachts create a quintessentially Mediterranean vibe. 🇮🇹 9. Mandarin Oriental, Lake Como — Italy A pool nestled in greenery on the shores of one of Europe’s most beautiful lakes. 🇲🇽 10. Viceroy Los Cabos — Mexico Architecture, water, and the Pacific Ocean blend into a single landscape. Particularly striking in the evening. 🇿🇦 11. The Silo — Cape Town One of the most iconic urban pools—located on the hotel rooftop with views of Cape Town and Table Mountain. 🇹🇭 12. The Library — Koh Samui The famous red pool right by the sea. A far cry from your classic tropical resort pool. 🇺🇸 13. Carneros Resort and Spa — Napa, California Vineyards, rolling hills, and the tranquil atmosphere of wine country. 🇹🇿 14. Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti — Tanzania Imagine a pool with the real African savanna right behind it. You can literally relax in the middle of a safari. 🇲🇦 15. Villa Mabrouka — Tangier, Morocco The aesthetic of a famous Moroccan home: gardens, pool, the Mediterranean, and a sense of total seclusion. 🇺🇸 16. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge — New York A pool with a Manhattan skyline panorama—a case where the city becomes part of the decor. 🇵🇫 17. Nukutepipi Private Island — Tahiti The ultimate level of privacy: a private island in the middle of the Pacific with tropical views all around. 💭 Which one is calling your name? Whether it's a cliffside dip over the Mediterranean or a safari-side soak in the savanna, save this list for your future travel bucket list. 🌊

Alex131313󱱹1

Chic Western restaurant in Luzhen | The burger totally blew me away ✨

The revamped GINO Wu in Luzhen has a truly captivating atmosphere 🖤. The black and gold facade paired with retro European-style furnishings, vintage candlesticks, and antique furniture creates an exquisite yet understatedly sophisticated ambiance. We were lucky enough to get the last table, perfectly positioned facing the open kiln cooking station. Watching the flames dance in the fire, the sight of the chefs preparing food was incredibly soothing. The staff were simply stylish, and the service was excellent. Our order for four people: ▫️Cheeseburger|55 RMB ▫️Traditional Burrata Ham Pizza|135 RMB ▫️Kiln-roasted Sausage and Vegetables|88 RMB 🍔The burger was the biggest surprise of the whole meal. The toasted bread had a crispy crust and a soft interior. The Angus patty was tender and juicy, with a satisfyingly rich meaty flavor that melted in your mouth, a far cry from fast-food burgers. 🍕The signature Burrata Ham Pizza was decent, a solidly delicious choice, though not as amazing as some online reviews suggested. 🥦The oven-roasted sausages and vegetables perfectly balance the richness, and the oven-roasted aroma is very prominent. Objective review: The individual item prices are a bit high, and the overall value for money is average. More suitable for those who value ambiance and want to experience high-quality, handcrafted cuisine. Continuing to discover hidden gems in the city, we'll find some great Western restaurants in Chengdu perfect for dates and photo opportunities.

_TI***jb

＼ A Day Surrounded by World-Famous Masterpieces ／

Perfect for a rainy day! For a sophisticated getaway, head to the Otsuka Museum of Art in Naruto, Tokushima. @otsukamuseum I’ve been here about twice now, and every single time I find myself thinking, "Wait, was it always this huge?" 🤣 Fun fact: It’s actually the second-largest museum in Japan! 🤣 This museum features over 1,000 Western masterpieces from 190+ museums across 26 countries, all reproduced in their original size on ceramic boards. The first thing that blew me away was the "Sistine Hall," a full-scale reproduction of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. Michelangelo’s "The Last Judgment" and the ceiling frescoes span the entire space—it’s absolutely breathtaking! As you wander through the halls, you’ll constantly find yourself saying, "Oh, I know this one!" From the "Mona Lisa" and "Girl with a Pearl Earring" to Klimt’s "The Kiss," there are so many iconic works that even if you aren't an art history buff, you’ll have a blast ☺️ Personally, I loved how the exhibition spaces were designed. The chairs, wallpaper, and even the curtains change to match the vibe of each artwork, making it feel like you’re actually touring palaces and galleries abroad. It’s such a vibe! 😍 This time, I also tried the original stamp rally book, a collaboration with "Bijutune!" Searching for the six specific masterpieces while collecting stamps makes exploring this massive museum even more exciting! ♡ Moreover, participation is free ◎ *Limited quantities available; scheduled until March 31, 2027. You can find them in front of the B3 Information desk! When your feet get tired, take a break at the cafe ☕️ I tried an "art dessert" inspired by Klimt’s "The Kiss." Quick heads-up: the viewing route is about 4km long! There’s way more to see than I expected, so I highly recommend giving yourself plenty of time. Honestly, you could easily spend the whole day here. Being able to see masterpieces from all over the world in one place is such a rare experience 🎨 Definitely make sure to stop by during your trip to Tokushima ☺️ 📍Otsuka Museum of Art 65-1 Fukuike, Tosadomariura, Naruto-cho, Naruto, Tokushima ーーー PR

kabu_tabi_󱱹3

🇮🇹 ITALY 5 DAYS 4 NIGHTS Rome • Florence • Venice ✈️✨ เมืองสวย อาหารอร่อย และเดินไปทางไหนก็เหมือนอยู่ในหนัง 🤍 🏛️ DAY 1 | ROME เริ่มต้นที่ Colosseum → Roman Forum → เดินเล่นย่านเมืองเก่า → แวะ Trevi Fountain ⛲️ ช่วงเย็นหาอาหารอิตาเลียนอร่อยๆ ทาน พร้อมเจลาโต 🍨 ⛪️ DAY 2 | ROME & VATICAN เที่ยว Vatican Museums → St. Peter’s Basilica ช่วงบ่ายไป Pantheon → Piazza Navona ปิดท้ายด้วยการเดินเล่นชมกรุงโรมช่วงเย็น 🌅 🌷 DAY 3 | FLORENCE เดินทางต่อไป Florence 🚆 ชม Florence Cathedral → Ponte Vecchio → เดินเล่นตามถนนสายเล็กๆ ช่วงเย็นขึ้นจุดชมวิวเมือง ถ่ายรูปพระอาทิตย์ตก 📸 🛶 DAY 4 | VENICE เดินทางสู่ Venice เมืองแห่งสายน้ำ 🤍 เที่ยว St. Mark’s Square → Rialto Bridge → เดินเล่นตามตรอกและคลอง ถ้าอยากได้ฟีลอิตาลีเต็มๆ ลองนั่ง Gondola ชมเมืองช่วงเย็น ✨ DAY 5 | VENICE & GOODBYE เช้าเดินเล่นแบบสบายๆ → แวะคาเฟ่ ☕️ → ซื้อของฝาก เก็บภาพบรรยากาศ Venice ก่อนเดินทางกลับ ✈️ 🍕 MUST TRY Pizza • Pasta 🍝 • Tiramisu • Gelato 🍨 • Espresso ☕️ 💡 ทริก: อิตาลีเป็นทริปที่เดินเยอะมาก รองเท้าสบายสำคัญสุดๆ 👟 และถ้าจะเที่ยวหลายเมือง ลองวางเส้นทางรถไฟล่วงหน้า จะช่วยให้จัดเวลาแต่ละวันง่ายขึ้น ครั้งหนึ่งต้องลองมาอิตาลี 🇮🇹 ประเทศที่แค่เดินเล่นตามถนน ก็มีมุมสวยให้หยุดถ่ายรูปได้ตลอดทาง 🤍 #เที่ยวอิตาลี #ItalyTrip #Rome #เที่ยวต่างประเทศ

NTHKRN

Essential Vatican highlights route

🏛️ The Vatican Museums are definitely worth a morning visit! This route is easy on the legs. On my recent trip to Rome, I scheduled the Vatican Museums for the first morning. I initially thought it would just be a "photo op" spot, but I was blown away by the sheer density of the art on display. I recommend setting aside 3–4 hours. Don't overpack your itinerary, or you won't have the energy to appreciate the Sistine Chapel when you get there. The highlights are clear: First, the Raphael Rooms. The depth of the murals is far more stunning than in photos, especially the sense of space where the walls and ceiling blend together—standing there, you feel completely surrounded by Renaissance art. Second, the Sistine Chapel. Although photography isn't allowed, seeing Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes and "The Last Judgment" in person is a completely different experience. Finally, the route from the museum to St. Peter's Square—the area near the exit is perfect for some final photos. For photo spots, I highly recommend these: First, the spiral staircase—it's less crowded in the morning, and low-angle shots look amazing. Second, the corridor outside the Raphael Rooms, where you can capture the depth of the classical architecture. Third, the side-lit areas in the sculpture gallery, which make the marble texture look stunning. Fourth, by the museum windows, where you can frame the red-tiled roofs of Rome. Fifth, looking back at St. Peter's Square near the exit—the evening atmosphere is especially beautiful. Avoiding pitfalls is also important: Don't wait to buy tickets on the day of your visit, as the lines are very long. I recommend booking an early time slot or a ticket with skip-the-line access for a much better experience. Photography is not allowed inside the Sistine Chapel, and please don't speak loudly—respect the atmosphere. There are many signs in the museum, but it's easy to get separated when it's crowded, so I suggest marking key galleries in advance. Also, the Vatican Museums have so much to offer; don't just rush to the popular photo spots—taking your time is more rewarding. Overall, the Vatican Museums are not a place to "just stroll through"—they are more like a massive treasure trove of art. If it's your first time, focus on these key highlights: the Raphael Rooms, the Sistine Chapel, the sculpture galleries, and the spiral staircase

David_Henderson51󱱹1

🇮🇹 Rome, Italy — Where History Comes Alive 🏛️✨ Rome is a city where ancient history, art, architecture, religion, and Italian culture come together. Walking through its streets feels like moving through thousands of years of history. 🏟️ Colosseum The Colosseum is Rome’s most iconic landmark. This ancient amphitheater once hosted gladiatorial contests and huge public spectacles. Seeing it illuminated at night is especially impressive. 🏛️ Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Just beside the Colosseum, the Roman Forum reveals the remains of ancient temples, government buildings, and streets. From Palatine Hill, you can enjoy beautiful views over the archaeological area. ⛪ Vatican City Inside Rome lies Vatican City, the world’s smallest independent state. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, admire Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, and explore the Vatican Museums. 🙏 ⛲ Trevi Fountain The spectacular Trevi Fountain is one of Rome’s most romantic spots. Tradition says that throwing a coin into the fountain means you’ll return to Rome someday. ❤️ 🏛️ Pantheon The ancient Pantheon is one of Rome’s best-preserved Roman buildings, famous for its enormous dome and central opening, the oculus. 🌹 Piazza Navona A beautiful Baroque square filled with fountains, restaurants, cafés, and street artists. The centerpiece is Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers. 🍝 Taste of Rome Don’t leave without trying carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana, supplì, and authentic Italian gelato. 🍝🍦 🌅 Best experiences Take an evening walk through the historic center, watch the sunset from Pincian Hill, explore Trastevere’s narrow streets, and enjoy an espresso at a traditional Roman café. 📅 How long to stay? 3–4 days is a good starting point for the major attractions, while 5 days or more gives you time to explore Rome at a slower pace. Rome isn’t simply a destination—it’s an open-air museum where every ancient stone, fountain, piazza, and narrow street has a story to tell. 🇮🇹❤️🏛️

RahatGaliv