Filled with an exciting medley of exotic beaches, vibrant cities and ancient ruins, the Kingdom of Thailand is a remarkable place to visit. Fertile plains and breathtaking waterfalls comprise the northern part of this wonderful land, whilst a stunning selection of palm-fringed islands can be found scattered around its coastal regions. Offering up a wealth of exotic and exhilarating experiences, visitors cannot fail to be impressed by this colourful slice of paradise.

Whilst the sun-drenched beaches and islands attract many people, Thailand’s intriguing and ancient heritage is also worth exploring. The monarchy forms an extremely important part of daily life and, coupled with a rich history stretching back over 10,000 years, the country is bursting with a plethora of cultural attractions and places of historical interest.

In fact, since the 13th century, Thailand has seen four different Kingdoms come into power, including Sukhothai, which was the First Thai Empire; Ayuthaya, a Siamese Kingdom; and the present day Chakri Dynasty, located in Bangkok. Consequently, there is an unparalleled range of ancient palaces and ruins to discover right across the country.

One of the best ways to soak up the sights of the ancient Kingdoms of Thailand, as well as to learn about their intriguing history, is to head off on one of the many tours available. Starting with the site of the current royal ruling house in Bangkok, visitors can expect to see the Grand Palace – this used to be the official home of Thailand’s kings – and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Situated around 80 km from Bangkok is the old capital of Siam, Ayuthaya. Having been in power from 1350 to 1767, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and historical park. Visitors can learn about the period by wandering through the ruined temples and palaces, as well as taking a boat trip along the stunning Chao Phraya River to the Bang-Pa-In Summer Palace, which was used by the former Kings of Thailand.

No tour of the ancient Kingdoms would be complete without heading to the north of Thailand to view the Sukhothai historical park. The Sukhothai Kingdom ruled Thailand during the 13th and 14th centuries and as such there is a large collection of temples, as well as the Royal Palace to see: this area has also been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There is a huge number of different Thailand holidays to choose from, all of which can provide visitors with a rich and rewarding experience. Indeed, ranging from the glittering islands and many beaches scattered around, to the vibrant nightlife of Bangkok, there is a lot to see and do. However, the ancient Kingdoms of Thailand are also a definite highlight and, as such, it can be well worth taking time out to visit them too.

Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/the-ancient-kingdoms-of-thailand-make-for-an-intriguing-holiday-1401796.html

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If you’re heading on holiday to Birmingham and you’re a fan of escaping the city every now and then to enjoy some greenery, you’re in luck: Birmingham is packed with a variety of fantastic country parks that provide a welcoming respite from city life.

No matter where you’re staying in the sprawling city of Birmingham, and for whatever reason, the chances are that there’s a gorgeous country park close by that will really provide a relaxing boost to your holiday. If you have a car, you’ll be able to benefit from the ability to drive a little way out of town to get to some of them, for example Bilberry Hill, which is 10 miles southwest of Birmingham but well worth a visit. Comprising of three hilltops known as The Lickeys, Bilberry Hill is ideal for walking and hiking, as well as simply getting out there to enjoy the scenery.

Woodgate Valley Country Park also may require a car to get to as it’s in the Bartley Green and Quinton areas of Birmingham, but public transport will suffice. This part is fantastic for kids and nature lovers alike, because it is maintained as a wildlife habitat, meaning your chances of spotting some fascinating creatures in their natural habitat is fairly high. The park also has a collection of farm animals with an education centre for children, so they can learn all about farmyard creatures.

As for parks inside Birmingham itself, Cannon Hill Park is a gorgeous park that includes a variety of sporting and leisure facilities as well as beautiful green spaces. You can take the kids to Cannon Hill Park to enjoy the children’s playgrounds or, if they’re a little older, a game of tennis on one of the park’s two tennis courts. There are also lakes with ducks, geese and swans, so don’t forget to bring a loaf of bread!

These are just some of the fantastic Birmingham parks. There is also Kingfisher Country Park – a 1000 acre expanse of woodland and greenery, including nature reserves – Sutton Park, which is packed with wildlife, lakes, woods and fantastic views of beautiful countryside, and Shire Country Park, which is a must for all Lord of the Rings fans as it takes its name after the famous residence of the book’s main characters.

You’ll be able to access many of these excellent parks with ease from hotels in Birmingham – just ask at the front desk or tourist information if you’re unsure.

Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/birminghams-beautiful-country-parks-1401175.html

Adventures You Could Think Of Undertaking In Greece

Greece is a land of mysteries, mythologies, tales of man’s ancient past and the immense developments it has garnered over the last three millenniums. It is known for having had a thriving economy, magnificent beaches, some truly world class Greek hotels and an unparalleled hospitality to offer, since graduating to be a modern European state. Travelers flock its landscape, as a result, to listen to its 3000 years old account and be a witness of its past glory. However, there are many other activities apart from visiting the archaeological sites that one should consider undertaking while being in Greece. We are going to discuss some of these outdoor activities, during the course of next few paragraphs.

Camping, hiking and trekking across scenic islands like Mykonos, Santorini, Tinos and Naxos is a popular activity in Greece these days. Steep rocks and natural environment make these trekking expeditions fun and excitement. Greek hotels and tour operators often help you plan out these adventures according to your needs. Vans and mini buses are pressed into service to ferry up people to rocky mountains where they are able to climb up steep slopes under watchful eyes. Such 7 to 14 day long camps can cost anything from $ 1000 to $2500 per candidate.

As an alternative, one should try undertaking a yacht journeys that will sail through scenic Greek islands. These trips may last up to three weeks and may cover many historic towns and scenic spots as they move from one to another tourist destination. There are several routes that one could choose to have their vacations planned. Greek hotels, in conjunction with major tour operators, will offer to arrange such yacht journeys for you. Travelers can take part in hiking, snorkeling, and carry on doing similar other stuff while being part of such tours. Exploration of various heritage sites and visiting taverna-lined harbors will also be part of your fun and relaxation!

Cycling and biking across Greek mountains and countryside is yet another way of enhancing one’s experience of holidaying. However, no significant help may be garnered either from Greek hotels or tour operators in this case, and one should try looking out for online resources instead. Some biking and cycling enthusiasts will extend guidance and logistic support, to help you carry out your biking expeditions. They will lead you into areas deep inside the Greek countryside and will help you bike through some very unorthodox routes. You will be able to have a close look at Greek countryside as you move on.

Visiting Greece’s archaeological sites is a key way of vacationing in Europe. However, it could be further enhanced by undertaking additional outdoor activities like biking, camping and sailing through various Greek islands. There can not be a better way than spending more time in the Greek countryside to get to know more about its culture heritage and life. Greek tourism has taken a good note of this aspect and accordingly worked out plans to provide you with several additional outdoor activities apart from extending an access to world-class Greek hotels and beaches.