Thinking about those pristine lakes in Richmond, Australia, where the trout run freely, and experienced and trusted fishing guides teach you no-fail tips and centuries-old fishing secrets? …or, for the kids, the “Zoodoo Park, where alpacas, bison, camels, llamas and miniature horses roam? Empty pockets right now? Why not visit Richmond, Virginia while you’re waiting. There you can feel the presence of Patrick Henry’s famous words, “Give me liberty or give me death,” at St. John’s Church.
Also, as the former capitol of the confederate states, Richmond is home to many museums and battlefields, including The Museum of the Confederacy, which once serve as the White House of the Confederacy.
Richmond’s neoclassical Union Station is a popular spot for visitors because of its beautiful architecture. It was designed by Beaux-Arts-trained John Russell Pope in 1919 and houses the Science Museum of Virginia.
For mystery buffs, Edgar Allen Poe wrote some of his works while he lived in the area, and many of his writings and other things from his life are in the museum bearing his name.
It is an experience, too, to stroll down “Monument Avenue”, where monuments include the Christopher Columbus monument and the Bill “Bojangles” Robinson monument as well as one honoring Virginians who died in World War II, along with several other war memorials. There is much to be seen along the riverfront, too, including a former Slave Trail.
For a peek into the theatrical past, you can visit the Byrd Theatre, a classical movie theater from the 1920’s era that now features second-run movies on a regular basis.
That legendary “southern hospitality” comes into play whenever visitors “stop by for a spell”.
Or perhaps you heard about the Yercaud Hills of Salem, India. The word “Salem” literally means “surrounded by hills”, and visitors won’t be disappointed. On the descent from the top of Yercaud, which is 1,600 feet high, many picturesque sights await the traveler, such as Kiliyur Falls. Can’t go right now? Why not visit Salem, Oregon, which has been designated “Tree City, USA” 30 years running by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
Salem’s dedication to urban forestry includes a major display of flowering cherry trees throughout the city as well as around the capitol – favorite spots for visitors seeking photographic mementos of their visits…
People from all over the world flock to Salem’s World Beat Festival, sponsored by the Salem Multicultural Institute, which features international crafts, music, dance, food and folklore from every continent and a traditional “Dragon Race”.
Also, Salem has 42 city parks, the largest having 898.9 acres, and one of the smallest in the world having a single Sequoia tree. For the kids, there is a toy museum and “discovery house”. There is so much more awaiting visitors – including a huge welcome.

Here is the list of top 25 most visited tourist destinations in America according to Forbes. The list includes the thundering falls of Niagara, it also features the harrowing water-chutes of Disneyland’s and Pirates of the Caribbean.Seven of the 25 attractions are amusement parks; Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, remains on top in the theme-park world. Tourists appreciate renowned art collections and sunny beaches in equal measure.Many foreign visitors are interested in seeing the natural scenic attractions like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks.1. Times Square, New York City, N.YTimes Square, the most bustling square of New York, is known for its many Broadway theatres, cinemas and super signs.Times Square has all sorts of fun, exciting and informative tours to explore other parts of the city. You can Choose from walking, bike, bus, food, limo, TV, landmark, ethnic or water tours.Times Square Alliance estimates an average of more than 2,000 pedestrians traversing a block of 7th Avenue during a 15-minute weekday period.2. The Las Vegas Strip, NevadaLas Vegas is the most populous city in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and entertainment.Enticing over 31 million visitors, about 80 percent of the city’s total (39.2 million) visitors, a year with its million-gigawatt smile and globetrotting attractions, Las Vegas Strip is more than glitz and gambling. – [Source: National Scenic Byways Program]3. National Mall and Memorial Parks, Washington, D.C.National Mall & Memorial Parks contains some of the oldest protected park lands in the National Park Service.Many of the nation’s iconic public landmarks are found in the 1,000-plus acres of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, including the Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson Memorials, and the Korean and Vietnam War Veterans Memorials.4. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MAFaneuil Hall Marketplace, which gets 20 million visitors, encompasses four historic places in one location — Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North Market and South Market, all set around a quaint cobblestone promenade where jugglers, magicians and musicians entertain the visitors.There are more than 100 places to eat, shop and drink at this historic site.5. Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FLThe most popular of Disney’s Florida attractions saw a 2.5 percent increase [17.1 million] in visitation compared with 2006, according to the TEA/ERA Theme Park Attendance Report.How the Magic Kingdom has managed to maintain its charm and appeal over the years is a lesson in simplicity. It has stayed true to its original vision, a place where families could gather in a clean and safe environment to enjoy the time they spend together.6. Disneyland Park, Anaheim, CAWalt Disney’s original theme park features eight themed lands with classic Disney characters, favorite attractions, live entertainment, and parades.With nearly 15 million visitors last year, the original Disney park, had a record season according to the TEA/ERA.Currently the park has been visited by more than 515 million guests since it opened, including presidents, royalty and other heads of state.7. Fisherman’s Wharf/Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, CAThe Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is a U.S. National Recreation Area administered by the National Park Service that surrounds the San Francisco Bay area.The Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which includes the famous orange bridge along with numerous other spaces throughout the Bay Area, draws 14.3 million visitors annually.8. Niagara Falls, N.Y.The Falls, which straddle the U.S.-Canadian border, have been a tourist mecca since the mid-19th century. With statistics from the Niagara Falls Tourism Bureau and Niagara Falls Brige Commission, visitors are approximated at 12 million a year.9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tenn./N.C.America’s most visited national park is neither the Grand Canyon nor Yosemite. The natural beauty and the four distinct seasons enjoyed in the GSMNP is unmatched!With more than 800 miles of protected trails, this natural wonder hosted nearly 10 million hikers, birders and drivers last year.10. Navy Pier, Chicago, ILOpened in 1916, this Chicago landmark on the shore of Lake Michigan has served as a campus and military training facility.With 8.6 million visitors, From rides to restaurants, exhibitions to entertainment, shopping to dining cruises and tour boats Navy Pier has it all – in a location unlike any other!11. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Ariz./Nev.Thirty miles southeast of Las Vegas lies the U.S.’s largest man-made lake and reservoir, a recreational mecca for boaters, swimmers, fishermen and naturalists attracts 7.6 million.Lake Mead flooded a large area of desert, covering many canyons, several small villages and relics of ancient settlements.Some more views of Lake Mead.12. Universal Studios Orlando/Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando, FLLike its rival Disney, Universal houses what ERA’s Christian Aaen calls a “destination complex” in Orlando, where two theme parks, Universal Studios Orlando and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, vie for 6.2 million thrill-seeking tourists.13. SeaWorld Florida, Orlando, FLAttendance was up one percent from the previous year for this watery theme park-one of several Orlando sites on our list. The TEA/ERA puts SeaWorld’s 2007 attendance at 5.8 million.14. San Antonio River Walk, TexasThe Riverwalk is one of the most visited places in all of Texas and the greater San Antonio area has a world of fun and exciting things to do and see.The San Antonio River Walk (also known as Paseo del Río) is a network of walkways around the San Antonio River, linking several major attractions one story beneath downtown San Antonio, Texas. Lined by bars, shops and restaurants.The River Walk proclaims itself the “Number One entertainment destination in Texas,” with 5.1 million visitors a year.15. Temple Square, Salt Lake City, UTTemple Square is the most popular attraction in the state with five million annual visitors. This ten-acre block located in the middle of downtown Salt Lake City is Utah’s number one tourist attraction.The Mormon church’s headquarters are here, but Temple Square is more than just a destination for Latter Day Saints.16. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Penn./N.J.Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is a beautiful part of the Appalachian Mountains with all kinds of outdoors recreation available.This park preserves 40 miles of the middle Delaware River and almost 70,000 acres of land along the river’s New Jersey and Pennsylvania shores.River-focused recreation is what draws nearly five million tourists to this Appalachian-ridge park on the border of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.17. Universal Studios, Hollywood, CAIts official marketing headline is “The Entertainment Capital of LA,” though during the summer it is often advertised as “The Coolest Place in LA.”Nearly five million star gazers and thrill seekers came last year to tour the sets of “Desperate Housewives,” “King Kong” and other Universal productions.18. Metropolitan Museum, New York, N.Y.Founded in 1870 (and moved to its current home in Central Park in 1880), the Met’s vast stores of art include more than two million works in its two-million-square-foot building.It has a permanent collection containing more than two million works of art, divided into nineteen curatorial departments. The museum is also home to encyclopedic collections of musical instruments, costumes and accessories, and antique weapons and armor from around the world.Four and a half million visitors came to peruse some of the world’s greatest art collections, from American and European to Egyptian and the newly refurbished Greek and Roman Galleries.19. Waikiki Beach, Oahu, HawaiiWaikiki Beach is a legendary tourist zone on the south shore of Oahu in Hawaii. This iconic Hawaiian tourist destination, on the edge of the Honolulu neighborhood that shares is name, offers splendid views of the volcanic cone, Diamond Head.With its droves of tourists, it also made Forbes Traveler’s list of over-hyped beaches. Upwards of 4.5 million sunbathers try to relax on its sands each year.20. Grand Canyon, AZThe canyon is the most famous natural attraction in the USA and possibly in the world. The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided gorge carved by the Colorado River in the U.S. state of Arizona.It is largely contained within the Grand Canyon National Park one of the first national parks in the United States. Tourists have arrived at a much quicker rate since the canyon achieved National Park status in 1919.A horseshoe-shaped glass Skywalk, opened in 2007, allows the nearly 4.5 million visitors a chance to experience vertigo.21. Busch Gardens Africa, Tampa Bay, FLBusch Gardens is the ultimate family adventure park offering an array of fascinating attractions based on exotic encounters with the African continent.This Africa-themed park, which houses over 2,700 animals alongside the usual array of rides, restaurants and shows, attracts 4.4 million every year.22. Cape Cod National Seashore, MACape Cod National Seashore is made up of a number of beautiful beaches. It is a land of parabolic sand dunes, 19th-century lighthouses, shipwrecks, pilgrims, and piping plovers.Sightseeing, trail and beach walking, swimming, historic building tours, fishing, and bicycling are all key activities that can be enjoyed here. The bicycle and hiking trails and sandy beaches enticed more than 4 million visitors last year.23. SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego, CASeaWorld San Diego is one of the world’s premier marine adventure parks with 200 acres of world-class shows, thrilling rides and unforgettable animal encounters.More than 4 million visitors explore the mysteries of the sea every year, with up-close animal interactions and exhilarating thrills.24. American Museum of Natural History, NYAmerican Museum of Natural History, which attract 4 million visitors, has been one of the world’s preeminent science and research institutions, renowned for its collections and exhibitions that illuminate millions of years of the earth’s evolution, from the birth of the planet through the present day.The AMNH’s 45 permanent exhibit halls contain a vast record of world history, from dinosaur fossils to the human genome.The 18-acre campus is located in Theodore Roosevelt Park on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, and its popular overnight program gives eight-to-12-year-olds the thrill of “falling asleep in the darkened halls of one of the world’s most famous museums.”25. Atlantic City Boardwalk, New JerseyThe Boardwalk (immortalized in the Monopoly board game) runs along the beach for four miles, skirting past casinos, hotels and shops, and connects with the Garden Pier, home to the Atlantic City Historical Museum and the Atlantic City Art Center.Although boardwalks can be found around the world, they are especially common along the East Coast of the United States in North America, where they have many of the functions of a city street and are often tourist attractions themselves. It get 4 million visitors every year.

About the county Italy, the birthplace of pasta and pizza provides a wide range of choices for artwork lovers to experience. A temperate climate exists here with very hot summers and not so cold winters. The weather is the best in spring and autumn with pleasant temperatures and scenic views. At that time of the year, the place isn’t crowded much and things can be enjoyed in leisure. Incase of emergency call 112. For fire call 115 and for ambulance call 118. Culture Italian is widely spoken and is the official language. English isn’t very familiar to the locals. Family ties are of utmost importance here and hence social courtesies mean a lot to the locals. There is a great impact of the Roman Catholic Church on the culture here. There is a high content of chlorine in tap waters, so bottled water is recommended for staying fit during the trip. Since Italian is spoken on a wide scale, it is highly recommended to learn few common Italian phrases which can be of great use. Social gatherings call for formal wear, but one can dress in casuals otherwise. At some religious places, sleeveless shirt and shorts are frowned upon. So they are better avoided. Purses and wallets should be well guarded and in case of any theft, police should be informed about the incident. Site Seeing The first thing to check out is the leaning tower of Pisa, where Olympics originated. At places like museums and art galleries, photography, especially flash photography is restricted. Check out the ticket counter for more information. Italy should be majorly discovered on foot for a thorough viewing of all the beautiful buildings and monuments. Coaches and trains are a good option to get to a tourist spot. Shopping Shops here are open from 9am to 8pm, closed for lunch. Quality of goods is great although the prices are very less. Items like crystals, lacework, leather good, and jewelry can be bought at the stores. Remember to hold on to the receipt. Tipping of 10% is customary along with the service tax levied on the bill. Italy is famous for top designers of the world, so do buy clothes and accessories to update your wardrobe. Cruises have formal gatherings in the evening, so ensure to buy a cocktail dress or some formal wear, though casuals can be worn at other times. Electricity The voltage used is 220 volts and 50 Hz frequency. Getting there Alitalia is the national airline of Italy. Many other flights connect to Italy from USA, Canada and Australia and there is big competition to attract passengers giving a wide range of offers to travelers. Rome airport is located 26 km away from the city and it takes 45 minutes to get there from the airport. Trains connect directly to Termini Station from where one can take taxi to get to their destination. Duty free shops, bank, car hire and restaurants are the other services provided at this airport. Milan has another famous airport here, which is at a distance of 45km away from the city. Brindisi, Ancona, Naples and Venice are the major seaports of Italy. Italian State Railways connects many European cities. But, Eurostar provides the fastest train service. If choosing to drive, don’t forget to carry international driving license and international insurance certificate. Roads connect Italy to France, Austria and Switzerland. Many coach services are provided from the neighboring countries. Duty Free Items 1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco 2. 2liter of wine and 1liter of spirits (over 22 per cent) or 2liter of fortified or sparkling wine 3. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette; 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract (if over 15 years of age) 4. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract 5. Gifts not exceeding €89.96 (if entering from an EU country), €175 (if entering from a non-EU country).