The city of Florence has been inhabited since the prehistoric times. However, it would not be until 59 B.C. that the city would become part of the Great Roman Empire. Nestled along the banks of the Arno River, Claire Cesar knew that the city would be great one day. Back in those days, Florence was known as Colonia Florentia. It started off as a military colony and grew into one of the most beautiful cities in the entire world.

Sunset over Florence, Tuscany, Italy by Steve

The history of Florence is both rich and very colorful. There are many landmarks and monuments throughout the city which have attracted countless visitors over the centuries. Some say that perhaps the most notable of these landmarks is the 106 meter tall Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore that was built at the end of the 13th century. From the top of the Duomo, you can see some of the best panoramic views of Florence imaginable.

The next most notable monument in Florence is that of the Ponte Vecchio. This old bridge which was built back in 1345 is not just a bridge, it is an entire community. Along the length of the bridge, there are several homes, various shops and boutiques. Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge in Florence that was not destroyed back in the Second World War which makes it the oldest stone arch bridge in the whole of Europe.

Tower of Florence Cathedral, Tuscany, Italy by Ivan Borisov

Of course no one could be allowed to leave Florence without taking the time to stop by the Piazzale Michelangelo. Situated atop a hill, from the Piazzale you can get some of the most awe inspiring views of the city and of course, of the infamous Florentine sunset.

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More than four hundred twenty years ago, there was an active super volcano that existed in the area. A fierce eruption occurred back in the Silurian period which created most of the cauldron-like formation. After the end of the last ice age, a giant glacier had formed in the region and as it receded, it carved out the coe.

Glen Coe, Scotland, UK by Christian Kadluba

The area is less than seven hundred meters wide in many spots and more than sixteen kilometers long. The narrowest point of the coe is known as the Pass of Glen Coe and can be found roughly in the center.

In order to get top Glen Coe, you will need to enter the area at the base of the Meall a’ Bhuiridh mountain, not too far from Rannoch Moor. For nearly 12 kilometers the coe runs almost due west from the moor before making a turn to the northwesterly direction. At the other end of Glen Coe is where you will find Loch Leven and the famous village of Glencoe.

Throughout the length of Glen Coe, you will see the ancient River Coe which was formed as the glacier melted away. At the Pass of Glen Coe, one can see waterfalls as the water makes its way out to the sea.

The resulting properties of Glen Coe are simply amazing. Each year, countless visitors make their way to the area to see the many attractions that the coe has to offer. The site is very popular for those who just like to walk in beautiful surroundings and is known as an adventure for those who love the idea of climbing a rock face.

For those who come to Glen Coe for walking, the best place to start is at the Devil’s Staircase which was cut into the boulders. The staircase is more than 352 meter high and can be a challenge for most people.

Rock climbers who make their way to the area tend to go straight for the 1,018 meter tall Buachaille Etive Mòr. Over the years, climbing the face of the mountain has grown in popularity as a result of countless races and scrambles that have been held in the area over the years.

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Durdle Door, Dorset, England, UK by W. Lloyd MacKenzie

The vast majority of Durdle Door is composed of limestone which is why over the centuries it has slowly eroded away to form the arch. Its mammoth size however has led to its popularity over the years. Countless people have made their way to Durdle Door and to enjoy the English countryside.

The limestone rock formation has appeared in a number of music videos over the last few decades which have increased its popularity. One of the more popular videos is the Tears for Fears’ Shout video which was filmed on location in and around Durdle Door. Also, Pink Floyd fans have seen an image of the rock formation in the lyric books supplied with every “The Division Bell” album sold.

The rock that the Durdle Door is composed of stretch for great distances in every direction. They can be found hundreds of meters inland as well as out in the sea. Those who visit the Durdle Door will also be able to see the Bull which is located just off shore. This has been determined to be a continuation of the rock that the door itself is made of.

Durdle Door, Dorset Coast, England, UK by W. Lloyd MacKenzie

While there are many things to see and do in England, many people make the choice to head out into the countryside to get as far away from the hustle and bustle of life in London. While there are many great attractions in the capital city, some of the best destinations in the country are not.

There are countless castles and other ruins of days gone by that can be found in and around the area where the Durdle Door is located. The area known as the Jurassic Coast is one of the more popular destinations in the country.

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The cove has attracted countless visitors not only because of its beauty, but also because of its mysteries. The rocks that form the walls of the cove consist of bands of rocks which over the years have formed parallel to the coastline.

Lulworth Cove and surroundings, Dorset, England, UK by Arpingstone

The cove entrance is nothing more than a small gap that has been eroded away between some bands of limestone. Since the limestone is the most resilient of the shoreline rocks, it is found most abundantly in the area. The cove itself was once filled with sands and clays which over the millennia have been eroded away by the waves and through water run-off.

Over the years, as the waves started making their way into the cove, they started to reshape it. The uniqueness of the Lulworth Cove’s shape is as a result of what is known as wave diffraction. Needless to say, the cove is a very unique and picturesque geological landmark in the UK.

It is believed that only a few thousand years ago, the Lulworth Cove looked much different than it does today. Only about a kilometre away you will find a site that is known as Stair Hole. Many people believe that the cove started off very similar to the hole before reaching the shape it is known for today.

Anyone who makes their way to the Jurassic Coast has to stop at West Lulworth first. From here, most make their way to the Lulworth Cove before stopping off to see the many other popular sites along the coastlines. Here, where the land has simply folded over on itself time and time again, you will find some of the most amazing geological formations as well as the potential to find some fossils that date back to the day when dinosaurs called the area home.

The area is also importance to the nation as the sand beneath the area where the Lulworth Cove sits is one of the richest oil deposits in the United Kingdom. With the coastline being designated a World Heritage Site, special care must be taken to extract the oil from the seabed without affecting the coastline and the fossils buried beneath.

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Inside Blue Grotto, Capri, Italy by Jun

Located at the waterline inside the cave, a hole in the wall of the cave that is only one and a half meters in diameter allows the sunlight into the Blue Grotto. This is also just large enough to allow a small rowboat into the cave. Below this small hole is an even larger hole which allows the light to reflect on the base of the cave beneath the water line. As a result, the water in the Blue Grotto emits this eerie blue glow.

Inside of the Blue Grotto, many marble statues were found back in the early part of the 1800s. There was also a landing spot inside of the cave which means that they Blue Grotto was well known even back in the days of the Roman Empire. Today, this cave is the symbol of the Island of Capri and is the number one reason why people make their way to the island every single year.

Entrance to Blue Grotto, Capri, Italy by Arnaud Gaillard

To enter the cave, one must transfer to a wooden boat that is oared into the Blue Grotto. Since the size of the hole is so small, when entering the cave, you will have to lay flat on your back so as to prevent hitting your head. However, the inside of the Blue Grotto is very spacious. Furthermore, if there are any trough seas, access to the caves are limited because the rowboat can barely fit through the small opening in a calm sea.

During the peak season, when the conditions are just right, it is not uncommon for traffic jams to occur as the boats take turns entering and exiting the cave. However, for those who are brave enough, in the evenings after the rowboats have gone for the day, it is possible to swim into the Blue Grotto. Special precautions must be taken so as not to get slammed into the edges of the opening by the waves.

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The Bicaz Gorge itself is more than eight kilometres long and today can be more readily traversed thanks to the road that now follows the canyon as it meanders its way to the countryside. Many people insist that choosing to drive along the edges of the Bicaz Gorge affords one some of the most spectacular views of the Romanian countryside.

Bicaz Gorge, Romania by Mudkipz_KGM

Nearby, you will also find the Red Lake, which is known locally as Lacul Roşu. A landslide formed the Red Lake in the early part of the 19th century. It is one of the most famous lakes in all of Romania and has attracted countless visitors over the years. Today there are number of accommodation options that can be found along the shores of the lake.

It is also interesting to note, that the Bicaz Gorge also boasts sheer rock wall faces that have attracted countless climbers to the area. As a matter of fact, the canyon is one of the most popular rock-climbing destinations in all of Romania. One of the most popular climbing sites is a section of 300 meter tall rock which overhangs the river and has been aptly dubbed the Neck of Hell by many climbers over the years. But there are also all phases which are perfect for the beginner including that of the Hasmasul Mic wall.

The entire Canyon rests within 7000 hectares large national Park that was established in order to protect more than 1150 species of plants that can be found within the Bicaz Gorge itself. And although there are a number of animal life that can be found within the gorge, for the most part the animals tend to stay away from the torrential water flows of the Bicaz River.

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