Shetland is a beautiful archipelago island of Scotland. It bears remains of Bronze Age, Iron Age and of the Vikings. Shetland is rich in folk music and jigs. Up Helly Aa is a fire festival held during winter where people enjoy food, drinks and dance. The island is a painter’s ideal choice.

The landscape is rocky and is covered with alpine trees, moss and flowers. In Shetland one will find beautiful virgin beaches and it is the place of many beautiful arctic birds. In Lerwick one can see Clickimin Broch. A visit to Harmaness Bird Reserve which is a breeding ground for Great Skuas is worth visiting. In Breiwick Bay one can see seals swim and basking.

The island has long mild winter and cool summer. In Shetland one can stay King Harald Apartment though there are many other hotels. A journey to Shetland will make you feel rejuvenated.

The pristine beauty of Scotland has always fascinated people all over the world. The history of this highland is written by valor, struggle, romance, literature, music and architecture. Thistle a kind of wild weed is the national symbol of Scotland. Men look charming in Kilt and chequered tartan which once happened to be the traditional costume and are still in use during military parade and social functions like marriages.

In Edinburgh one can see Arthur’s seat which gives a beautiful bird’s eye view of the capital. Edinburgh castle, zoo, National Portrait Gallery and Princess Street with best shops are good for sightseeing. In Glasgow one can see fossil grove in Victoria Park and majestic cathedral. In Scotland the playing of bagpipes has an enthralling effect and this tradition has proudly continued till today from 15th century. There are many beautiful legends of Scotland and folk music and dance. The scenery of majestic mountains and undulating landscape are mesmerizing. Adventurous people can try horse riding, trekking and golf playing.

For wild life lovers there are eagles, whales, dolphins and otters. In cuisine one may try haggis, smoked salmon with other dishes. Wickerman is a popular art and music festival. One can visit Scotland at any time of the year.

Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Denmark known as Scandinavian Countries lying in the Arctic region are travelers’ paradise. A beautiful thing to watch in Norway and Iceland is the Northern Light or Aurora Borealis which can be seen best during summer to April. Midnight summer where sun is visible 24 hrs can be seen in May, June and July. In Norway one can find arctic fox, mountain hare, tundra wolf, Raccoon dogs which don’t bark but are dangerous and Eurasian Lynx cats in the woods. Lynx hunting is a good sport but is discouraged by the government. In Iceland magnificent waterfalls, glaciers, high-flowing rivers, whales in the sea, nightlife and blue lagoon will welcome you to Iceland.

In Thingvellir, one can see tectonic plates shifting apart from each other and in Westmann Island one can see volcanic activities. In Sweden Stokholm is the attraction for its well maintained heritage buildings and many boutiques, handicrafts and antique shops for those who love shopping. The national museum of Sweden preserves fine art collections, prehistoric and medieval art and collection of lapp art and culture. Goteborg is the birth place of Volvo cars and a visit to Volvo museum can be exciting. Malmohus castle and St Petri church is a must to see. In Gotland and Lummelunda caves wonder of stalagmites and stalactites can be seen. Bohuslan bears the relics of Bronze Age and Vikings. In Sewedish cuisine there are Falukorv, blodpudding, kottbullar and lot more. One may tryout boat trips, canal cruise, skiing, and sea fishing. Plains, meadows and lakes make Sweden look like a painting. In Denmark Copenhagen is a place to be.

The world famous statue of little mermaid and Tivoli garden are some other splendid watches. There is ship museum of Vikings and Shakespeare’s Kronborg castle of hamlet. The countryside is picturesque and Arhus is known for its night life. One must try the Danish pastry and cookies.

Saaremaa is a very beautiful island of Estonia a country which gained independence in 1991. People of this island have witnessed and endured several wars for centuries including World War 1 and World War2 but has still preserved its rich culture and heritage. Saaremaa has a serene beauty and dry landscape covered with shrubs. Folk music, folk dance, choir singing brings out their rich culture. One can see the medieval churches like Muhu church built in 13th century, Poide church; Valjale church, which is made of stone, depicts local architecture.

In these churches, one can find beautiful craftsmanship made on rare dolomite stone. Churches, Bell towers, old windmills, stone barricade houses, local costumes and music give a different feel. Saaremaa is rich in flora and fauna. Thousands of migratory birds come to Saaremaa. One can see rare butterflies, roman snails and marble seals. A jeep ride into the safari park of Viideeme and Vilsands is really adventurous and thrilling. Visit to Saaremaa will remain incomplete without trying their cuisine and more particularly their traditional local home brewed beer like Christmas and Tehumardi beer. One must try sweet-sour bread, black rye bread and terviseleib bread at the local bakery. Climate is mild maritime and it is always a joy to be here over and over again.

Sankhalin Island is a beautiful long stretch of island located in North Pacific between 45’50’ and 54’24N in Russia. The local people of this island are Sakhalin Ainu, Orokos and Nivkhs. Artifacts of Neolithic Stone Age have been found in this island which bears immense historical significance. Nearly three quarter of this island is covered with mountains rich in flora and fauna. It will be an adventurous journey where in the mountains bears, foxes, reindeers move around and various rare species of birds and Siberian birds come.

The Tym River flows from the mountains which can be an excitement for those who love river rafting and fishing fresh water salmons. Sometimes whales visit the sea coast. Mountain ski is an added attraction. Duck hunting is a good sport and one can try out that. The most popular festival is the Bear festival held during winter where bear is worshipped and offered food and marriages are also held during this time. March to June is wet and from September to October brings foliage. There are a few good hotels like Yuzhno Sakhalinsk and Vladivostok. Sakhalin is a picturesque island and mesmerizing.

Poland is one of the largest European countries located along the fistula order and the Baltic Sea. It is endowed with intriguing features that range from historical monuments, parks and rich traditions.

The landscape is wide with the Southern part being occupied by the Carpathian and Sudeten Mountains. Lowlands and uplands stretch throughout Central Poland. The northern part of the country is highly forested and covered with thousands of lakes.

Exciting facilities with modern and comfortable hospitality, recreation facilities, campsites, mountains, water sports gear for hire and riverside marinas await those who chose Poland as their choice of destination.

Other important sites are the St John’s Cathedral, a facility which was built way back in 1400 in Gothic Architectural style. The market square is also an important stop furnished with beautiful architecture and an abundance of traditional shops.

Also the Royal Castle located near the old town offers an exciting view with its Baroque style of 1300.

The Paracel Islands are a group of uninhabited islands and reefs in the South China Sea. It’s being claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam due to it’s abundance of fish in the area and for the potential gas and oil reserves. Some of the Chinese garrisons are located at the islands.

The Paracel Islands comprise of around 30 islets, sandbanks or reefs that cover an area of around 15,000 kilometers squared of ocean surface. It is located in the South China Sea, also known as East Vietnam or East Sea.

The Paracel Islands are mostly occupied by turtles that live on the island and the sea birds that often leave nests and deposits of guano.

The Paracel Islands have a hot and humid climate with abundant rainfall and frequent typhoons.
Discovery of oil in Paracel Islands in 1974 led to a conflict between China, Taiwan and Vietnam with China capturing the island and still maintains active occupation.

Ostrobothnia is a region in Finland located in the western part of Finland and borders the regions of Central Ostrobothnia, Southern Ostrobothnia, and Satakunta. It is one of the four regions making up the historical province of Ostrobothnia.

Ostrobothnia extends form north of the city of Pori deep into the far north of Finland. In the west of the Gulf of Bothnia serves as its border, and in the east it extends to the Soumenselka ridge.

Ostrobothnia covers an area along the coast from Kristinestad to Pedersore and extends about 150 km to the east. The inhabitants speak Swedish, and in the east of the area Finnish is spoken.

The first towns in Ostrobothnia are believed to have been established in the 17th century. In 1809 Ostrobothnia was separated from Sweden along with the rest of Finland. Ostrobothnia boast of settlement that dates back from 12,000 years back and its population has evolved from hunters and gatherers to agrarian.

South Ossetia is a region in the north-central of Georgia. It occupies the southern slopes of Greater Caucasus Mountains. The region is populated largely by the Ossetes, a Caucasian speaking people speaking an eastern Iranian language. Most Ossetes live in the neighboring federal republic of Northern Ossetes-Alanian in Russia, which occupies the northern slopes of the greater Caucasians and the rest of the population are Georgians

South Ossetes is deeply intersected by rivers which are used to harness hydroelectricity power. The vast majority of the region lies more than 3,300 feet above sea level. Only about one-tenth of the area in Southern Ossetia area is cultivated. Grains, fruits, and vines are grown partly under irrigation.
Sheep are raised on the higher slopes, and the considerable forest wealth is exploited.

The republic of South Ossetia got it’s independence from Georgia in 1990 and the Georgian government responded by abolishing Southern Ossetia’s autonomy but failed all the same.

The islands of Newfoundland lie at the easternmost part of Canada. The Newfoundland is roughly triangular, with each side being approximately 400 kilometers and having an area of 108,860 square kilometers. Newfoundland is bordered by another island called Labrador and are separated by the Strait of Belle Isle, which is 125 kilometers long.

The larger part of Newfoundland is an extension of the Appalachian system. The eastern part of the island is mostly made up of folded sedimentary rocks with some intrusions of indigenous rock.

The rest of the island is made up of a variety of Paleozoic rocks of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic origin. Along the west coast lies the Long Range Mountains.

Newfoundland is home to 14 species of mammals and two of their animal-life has been declared extinct: the Great Auk which is a flightless bird and a species of Gray Wolf.

Many rare herbaceous plants and insects are also found in this island.