Our planet has often faced nature’s fury by way of earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.

Geologists and travellers around the world have been truly astonished with the natural occurrences and the marks they’ve left. Focusing on North America, we have listed some intriguing geological wonders from the continent.

Sailing Stones, Death Valley

At Racetrack Playa, Death Valley, travellers will observe the peculiar behaviour of stones. These stones move from one point to another without any human or animal touch. The phenomenon has puzzled scientists since decades. Some of them believe that winds may be the reason behind these movements.

Giant Crystal Cave, Mexico

Also called as Cave of the Crystals, Giant Crystal Cave houses some of the largest crystals of selenite ever found. With air temperatures reaching up to 58° C, visitors can stay in this spot for five to ten minutes at the most. The heat is due to the magma under the cave’s floor. The crystals have heights of up to 39 feet and diameter of up to13 feet. Needless to say, humans will appear like dwarfs near it.

Monument Valley, Utah

This valley has a cluster of vast sandstone buttes and the largest one has a height of 1000 feet. These gigantic formations are stratified with three layers – Organ Rock Shale, de Chelly Sandstone and Moenkopi Formation. The region experiences a desert climate with hot summers and cold winters. This site has been used in a number of Hollywood movies. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is situated quite close to it.

Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming

The largest hot spring in the US, Grand Prismatic Spring is a unique aquatic site with rainbow-like colour combination. These vivid colours are caused due to pigmented archaea that exist in the edges of the mineral-rich water. In summers, this spot is partly orange and red whereas in winters it’s usually dark green. Amateur and professional photographers simply love to capture the scenic beauty of this place.

Antelope Canyon, Arizona

Located in south-western US state, Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon that has been formed due to flash flooding and sub-aerial processes. The canyons are deep and narrow. Furthermore, corkscrewing sandstone walls are in the shades of pink, red and orange. Professional guides will share their knowledge on the culture and historical significance of the Antelope Canyon.

Nantucket Wine Festival, now in its 20th year, is all set to spread its wings again in the US. The festival lets you sample a world of food and wine.

It will be graced by hundreds of culinary and wine experts. Many professionals and enthusiasts will be flying to the island of Nantucket to join the festivities. The festival will be held from 18th May to 22nd May, 2016.

Highlights

Cherish the taste of sparkling wines meticulously selected and preserved by popular and established wine makers. Come here to witness around fifty winemakers, and 150 wineries. Enjoy a shimmering glass of Veuve Clicquot during the VIP Harbor Gala. The events will include wine tastings, workshops, gala parties, cooking demonstrations and wine pairings.

What’s Interesting?

The festival will include seminars, culinary tents and special events. It will also hold the event, namely Great Wines in Grand Houses. Enjoy wine tasting and wine dinners in elegant and charming island houses. The renowned festival will include special and unique wines presented by distinct wine makers, whereas distinguished chefs host wine dinners. Chefs from prominent Boston restaurants such as Sweet Cheeks, Harvest, Tiger Mama, will be there along with visiting chefs from California, New England and far beyond.

Why Visit?

Attend the festival to venture in the world of wine and food, and meet renowned personalities, chefs and experts from the industry. The stunning festival offers a plethora of activities and events. One of the most celebrated wine festivals in the US, it ensures an interesting time for people coming from all corners of the world. Worth mentioning, one should be at least 21 years old to buy tickets for the festival.

Wine Growers and Exhibitors

Grab the opportunity to witness and meet world-class wine growers and companies attending the festival. Get in tune with like-minded people, join communities and get tips whilst treating your taste buds to rare wines.

The festival will be attended by representatives from wineries such as 90+ Cellars, Bertani, Hall Wines, Peju, Château Cos D’Estournel, Chêne Bleu and Vineyard 29. Furthermore, the exhibitors will include Chef Works, Dry Sparkling, Gourmet Foods International, Victoria Gourmet and Vermont Creamery.

The Edmonds Waterfront Festival 2016 has a lot to offer, including various new things to see and experience. This year, Edmonds Waterfront Festival is all set to rock the people of Seattle and visitors from around the world.

Only a few days are left and if you want to make the most of it, book your tickets soon. Here is the schedule that will help you to get an overview of events and other travel information.

The Highlights

The Edmonds Waterfront Festival presents live entertainment, art & craft, and kid’s activities. Other top-notch attractions include food courts, beer & wine garden, and classic boat displays. The festival will be celebrated over three days. It is one of the most loved events in Seattle and offers unlimited leisure, shopping and dining opportunities. Locals and visitors can check out over 200 artist booths. You can even meet every artist in person. Enjoy music and dance at an outdoor amphitheater, ethnic and healthy food choices at different stalls, and lots more.

5K Run

The Edmonds Waterfront Festival 2016 is also featuring 5K Run on 4th June, Saturday, from 9:00 am onwards followed by Kids Dash at 9:30 am. You can participate in the run by registering online before 25th May by a paying fee of $ 25. You will also get a T-shirt. Children have to pay $ 10 to join the kids’ dash. For complete information, fill up the online application on its official website.

When and Where

The Edmonds Waterfront Festival 2016 is starting from 3rd June. Admission fee is only $3.00 and children under the age of 12 need not buy any tickets. The festival is going to be held at the Port of Edmonds Marina from 3rd June between 3 pm and 10 pm, 4th June, between 11 am and 10 pm, and on 5th June between 11 am and 7 pm. There is a free shuttle service, which will run continuously every 15 to 20 minutes.

There are many interesting things to discover about Vietnamese culture in Hanoi. The deeply calming vibe of Hanoi attracts many tourists. Every time you visit the city, you will find that each gentle street leaves you with fond memories.

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the country’s second largest city. Apart from famous cultural and handicraft villages, Hanoi’s culture also finds reflection in folk performances and extremely good food. We recommend some of the top attractions for a Vietnamese cultural tour in Hanoi.

Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature is often cited as one of Hanoi’s most picturesque tourist attractions. The building is well preserved with superb examples of traditional-style Vietnamese architecture. This ancient site boasts the Well of Heavenly Clarity, turtle steles, pavilions, courtyards and passageways that were once used by the royalty. Also, there are historical buildings from the Ly and Tran dynasties.

The Perfume Pagoda

The Perfume Pagoda, known locally as Chua Huong or ‘Inner Temple’, is at the centre of a very revered and sacred site. It features a maze of mainly Buddhist temples built into the limestone cliffs of Huong Tich. In the heart of this complex lies the Perfume Temple or Perfume Pagoda. Interestingly, the entrance to the vast and mysterious Perfume Pagoda and Huong Tich Cave resembles a dragon’s open mouth.

Hoan Kiem Lake (Turtle Lake)

Hoan Kiem Lake (Turtle Lake) is a central feature of Hanoi, popular as a hangout spot among locals and tourists. Ngoc Son Temple sits on a small island in the centre of a lake providing a beautiful background for clicking photos. Around sunset, this area becomes especially busy with joggers and couples enjoying relaxing views across the lake.

Water Puppet Theatre

The ancient art form of water puppetry has a long association with Hanoi. Thang Long Puppet Theatre is one of the several theatres where guests can enjoy Vietnam’s unique take on Asia’s puppet tradition. It is the original and one of the best theatres in town. Puppets dance and slide elegantly over the liquid stage, controlled by a whole troupe of puppeteers hiding behind a screen.

Snowbombing 2016 is going to be held in the beautiful alpine setting of Mayrhofen, Austria from 4th to 9th April.  It is a week-long festival which features some of the best bands and DJs from across the globe.

Mayrhofen by Cristian Bortes / CC BY

If you are a music buff looking for a holiday which includes both serenity and music, we recommend, you book the tickets for Snowbombing 2016. The nights are set to enchant you with a number of magical performances across different venues, ranging from a forest clearing to a colossal igloo.

Location

Mayrhofen, Austria is situated about 30 kilometres from Jenbach in the Ziller Valley.  The mesmerising surroundings complete with picturesque snow covered peaks and a more than three century old wooden barn are soul stirring indeed. Yet, the calm and serene settings transforms completely, during the night time when a nightclub, made completely of snow comes alive. This place is also surrounded by other resorts and you get to check the amenities and select the hotel/resort that suits your requirements. Some of the hotels in the area are Hintertuxer Glacier, Tux, Finkenberg, Kunigsleiten, Gerlos, Zell, Kaltenbach, Hochfugen and Fugen.

Music

Snowbombing, for the past 16 years has featured various international artists performing live. Some of the most popular artists who have performed in the past include Basement Jaxx, Gorgon City, Marc Kinchen, Carl Cox, Friendly Fires, Fatboy Slim, Katy B, Kasabian, Sub Focus, Skrillex, Pendulum and Prodigy to name a few. Snowbombing 2016 is all ready with Sven Väth, Skepta, Slaves, Craig David’s TS5, Jamie Jones, Andy C and Bastille among many other famous artists.

Accommodation

You can get the best of accommodation depending upon your preferences and budget. There are a number of budget as well as luxury hotels available near the venues at Mayrhofen. Some of the accommodation options include 4-star hotels such as the Strass Hotel, located in the heart of the festival, Berghof, which is just a stone’s throw from the Racket Club, Zillertallerhof and Sporthotel Manni.

Competitions at ThePrizeFinder

The year 2016 brings some of the most interesting attractions scattered all across the globe for travellers to add some new places to their itinerary. If you are tired of going to the same holiday destinations again and again, this is a promising new makeover for your holiday plans. What’s more, you ask? If you are die-hard fans of a certain book and movie series and have always wanted to visit that alternate world, now you can! (Well, almost). Read on to know what we are getting at.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Hollywood, USA

Most of you might have guessed which alternate world is coming alive, by now! On the 7th of April, Universal Studios Hollywood is going to unveil the most awaited tourist attraction in the history of Harry Potter franchise; The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

With the rugged-cobblestone streets to the curious yet charming alleyways, your life-long dream of visiting places like Hogsmeade can finally be ticked off the list. Get your mug of butterbeer in “Three Broomsticks” or wander off to “Honeydukes” sweet sho, for some chocolate frogs, acid pops, Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavor Beans and cauldron cakes. You can also get your own copy of “Marauders Map” and other authentic souvenirs from “Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods” or get your own wand, off Ollivander’s wand shop to enter rides like the dragon challenge. For tickets and other information, visit their interactive official website.

Chaplin’s World: The Modern Times Museum, Switzerland

Who hasn’t been a fan of Charlie Chaplin after watching his brilliant performances in movies like “The Kid” “The Great Dictator” and “Modern Times”?  Everyone who has been an admirer of Charlie Chaplin’s work is in for a treat on April, 2016.  Chaplin’s World: The Modern Times Museum is going to be inaugurated on the location of what had been Chaplin’s home during the last 25 years of his life at Manoir de Ban in Corsier-sur-Vevey in Switzerland. He passed away here in 1977.

Louvre Abu Dhabi, UAE

For the art-lovers, this might be one of the biggest news this year. Under an intergovernmental agreement between France and UAE, in 2007, the proposal of building the Louvre was finalised. Well, the state-of-the-art museum is all set to be unveiled by the end of this year. The museum will be spread across about 9000 square metres of various art galleries and sections, showcasing a permanent collection of art, various temporary exhibitions and lone art-pieces from various institutions across the globe, including La belle ferronnière by Leonardo da Vinci.

Tired of the monotonous city life? Planning to treat yourself to an exclusive holiday at an exotic Caribbean resort? Why not to give Puerto Rico a try this season!

A land of white sandy beaches, green mountains, gushing waterfalls and the tropical rainforest, this Caribbean Island is truly a paradise on earth and promises a revitalizing holiday away from the humdrum of daily life. Here are some reasons why you should head to this Caribbean nation this holiday season.

Gorgeous Beaches

Whether you’re looking for peace, scenic beauty or exciting water sports, Puerto Rico has a beach for every interest. Head to the Vieques beach, on the country’s east coast, for its vibrant ambience and world-class hospitality at luxury hotels and resorts. Boquerón Beach in the south-western corner of Puerto Rico is a hot favourite with families.

The calm waters of the beach make it perfect for swimming, even for kids. Besides, visitors can enjoy fabulous scenery, and an array of water activities such as boating, fishing and sailing. If you love surfing, then Rincon Beach is definitely the place for you. With frequent waves as high as 15-foot and world-class surfing facilities, this beautiful beach draws surfers from far and wide. Luquillo Beach, a short drive from Puerto Rico Island, offers a fascinating mix of nature and tranquillity.

World-class Diving Sites

Wish to explore the treasures of the Caribbean Sea? Puerto Rico is one of the best places to do it. With an abundance of coral reefs, underwater caves, sea walls and trenches, it allures divers of all abilities and interests. Head to the Mona Island in western Puerto Rico for its amazing marine life and other natural wonders. Waters here are among the cleanest in the region, and home to over 50 dwelling-reefs and more than 250 species of fish including whales, dolphins, and marlins. Fajardo, the Cayman Islands, and Humacao Region are some other fascinating sites for scuba diving.

Nature and Wildlife

Head to the Rio Camuy Cave Park to witness a rare and huge cave system or explore amazing natural attractions and rich wildlife at El Yunque National Forest – Puerto Rico offers many unforgettable experiences for nature-buffs. The Julio Enrique Monagas National Park, with numerous hiking and biking trails, is another haven for nature-lovers.

Great Accommodation and Hospitality

Puerto Rico is known for its high-end hotels and resorts, offering world-class amenities coupled with warm Caribbean hospitality. Many of these luxury resorts offer all inclusive packages, ensuring you a delightful and hassle-free holiday. For budget tourists, there are scores of cheaper hotels, self-catering cottages, and holiday homes, offering quality stay at reasonable rates.

Initially, ice-sculpture making started as a kitchen skill and was taught by culinary schools.

Things have clearly changed since then and every year, various countries from all around world host many festivals and celebrations where ice and snow play a central role. If you are an art enthusiast, you may book flights for any of these three destinations to check out this art form.

Ice Music Festival – Norway (21st -24th January 2016)

Anyone expecting ice-sculptures at the festival is in for some surprise. Every year, the festival is held at Geilo and the sculptors at the Ice Music Festival craft different instruments such as guitars, harps, violin, drums, percussions and various other instruments, which apart from looking beautiful can also play certain tunes. Musicians from all around the world come and gather between Bergen and Oslo on the first full moon of the year (Gregorian).

Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival –Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
(31st  December– 1st  February 2016)

Harbin, situated  in the north-eastern region of China, hosts one of the world’s the biggest ice festivals. Sculptors from all around the globe have been competing with each other every year since 1963, to create the most outlandish and the largest ice art in the world. The ice blocks are carved out from the Songhua River and are set before the ice-sculptors, who use different tools such as chisels, saws, and picks to create colossal animal, plants and mythical creatures. The festival is officially going to open on the 5th of January, though if the weather is favourable, it might commence earlier.

London Ice Sculpting Festival –London, England
(January 2016)

The English winter is apt for hosting the London Ice Festival. Situated adjacent to the Canary Wharf tube station, the festival is perhaps one of the most fitting and convenient of all the ice festivals in the world. The competition consists of eight teams from all across the globe competing with each other for a time-span of two days to create some of the most intricate, detailed, and beautiful ice-masterpieces. If you want to learn ice-sculpting, you may join the ice-sculpting classes. Around that time, Montgomery Square will be transformed into a snow pit for the kids to play with snow and make artworks such as snow angels, snow castles, and snowmen.