small town BIG LOVE

I have been reading this book recently during the weekend, "small town BIG LOVE" that's the title of the book. Is about one couple travelling across the world, and they happened to be writing this book too. Well..they went to a lot of places, specially those small town and capture some of the most spectacular and yet scenic into this little book.

I somehow did some research on those 12 town they have been to and here you go a list of a 12 places and information that you once in a life time should get your ass out there to visit and explore yourself to this beautiful world!.... well....and perhaps you can try doing some research for your honeymoon, it must be nice to find the most beautiful places for you loved one.

1. Mittenwald

Notable as: A living picture book
Country: Germany
Language: German

Location: is a German town in the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in Bavaria.

Area: 132.85 km (51.3 sq mi)
Elevation: 923 m (3028 ft)
Population: 7912 (30 june 2005)
Temp: 5-10C (January)
Currency: Euro

Economy/notable place: Mittenwald is famous for the manufacture of violins, violas and cellos, and has been a popular stop with tourists since the boom in motorized tourism began in the 1930s.

The most significant landmark in the village is the pink colored Roman Catholic church of Saints Peter and Paul, which is typical of the region. The church and many of the surrounding buildings, both businesses and private residences, are decorated with elaborate paintings on the exterior walls.

Website: http://www.mittenwald.de/






















2. Laung prabang (Laos)

Notable as: UNESCO World Heritage Site
Country: Laos
Language: Laos

Location: is a city located in north central Laos, on the Mekong River about 425 km north of Vientiane, and the capital of Lauang phrabang Province

Area: 236,800 km
Population: 500,000
Temp: 25c (Jan) 36-37c (Apr), raining season ( May – Sept)
Currency: Kip

Economy/notable place: Luang Prabang has both natural and historical sites. Among the natural tourism sites, there are the Kuang Si Falls and Pak Ou Caves. Tourists may also ride elephants. At the end of the main street of Luang Prabang is a night market where stalls sell shirts, bracelets, tea - suitable souvenirs. The Haw Kham Royal Palace Museum and the Wat Xieng Thong temple are among the most well known historical sites.

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luang_Prabang







3. Hallstatt

Notable as: Pearl of Austria, UNESCO World Heritage since 1997
Country: Austria
Language: German

Location: Upper Austria is a village in the Salzkammergut, a region in Austria. It is located near the Hallstätter See (a lake). About 200 km West of Vienna

Area: 60 km (23.1 sq mi)
Elevation: 511 m (1677 ft)
Population: 923 (31 Dec 2005)
Temp: Same as central Europe, 4 season throughout the year. Winter season can be very cold up to -18c
Currency: Euro

Economy/notable tourism sites: Pfarrkirche Church, Hallstatter See lake, Beinhaus, Salzwelten Mines

Website: http://www.hallstatt.net/, http://www.austria.info/







4. Cesky Krumlov

Notable as: A village from a fairy tale, UNESCO World Heritage
Country: Czech Republic
Language: Czech and mostly can speak German and slightly Russian

Location: is a small city in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, best known for the fine architecture and art of the historic old town and Český Krumlov Castle

Area: 22.16 km (8.56 sq mi)
Elevation: 492 m (1614 ft)
Population: 14056 (2007)
Temp: 20-25c (summer), -5 -15c (winter)
Currency: Czech Crown – CZK

Economy/notable tourism sites: Český Krumlov Castle is unusually large for a town of Krumlov's size; within the Czech Republic it is second in extent only to the Hradčany castle complex of Prague. Inside its grounds are a large garden, an extensive bridge over a deep gap in the rock upon which the castle is built and the castle itself, which in turn consist of many defined parts dating from different periods of time.

- The church of ST. Vitus
- St. Jost Church

Website: http://www.ckrumlov.cz/






5. Jungfrau
Notable as: “Jungfrau” in German means “pure”. UNESCO World heritage (2001 – 2007) between Jungfrau – Aletsch – Bietschhorn.
Country: Switzerland
Language: German, French, Italian

Location: is the highest peak of a mountain massif, located in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps, overlooking Wengen.
Elevation: 4158 m (13642 ft)
Temp: Alps climate, winter throughout the year
Currency: CHF

Notable tourism sites: Ice Palace, Plateau, Exhibition, Sphinx View Point, Glacier

Website: www.myswitzerland.com/en.cfm/travel/trips






6. Zermatt

Notable as: The most beautiful railroad in the world
Country: Switzerland
Language: German, French, Italian

Location: is a municipality in the district of Visp in the German-speaking section of the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It is located at the northern base of the Matterhorn in the Pennine Alps, about 10 km from the border with Italy.

Area: 242.67 km (93.7 sq mi)
Elevation: 1608 m (5276 ft)
Population: 5687 (Nov 2005)
Temp: Jan – end of Mar (Winter) and high season
Currency: CHF

Notable tourism sites: Zermatt is famed as a mountaineering and ski resort. Until the mid 19th century, it was predominantly an agricultural community its name, as well as that of the Matterhorn itself, derives from the alpine meadows, or matten, in the valley. In the German language, the town is "Zur Matte", or "in the meadow." The town was "discovered" mid century by British mountaineers, most notably Edward Whymper, whose conquest of the Matterhorn made the village famous.

- Glacier Express, 7 and a half hr from Zermatt – St. Moritz through the Alps, pass through 91 tunnels at the highest peak
at about 2033 m.
- Furka tunnel, 20 km long
- Oberalp, The highest point of the journey
- Matterhorn, one of the most beautiful moutain of Alps.

Website: http://www.zermatt.com/, http://www.zermatt.ch/







7. Udaipur

Notable as: City of lake, Venice of the East
Country: India
Language: Indian, English, 16 other local language

Location: is a city and a municipal council in Udaipur district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is the historic capital of the former kingdom of Mewar in Rajputana Agency, and the administrative headquarters of Udaipur District. It is also known as the City of Lakes. The Pichola lake, Fateh Sagar Lake, Udai Sagar and Swaroop Sagar in this city are considered some of the most beautiful lakes in the state.

It is known for its Rajput-era palaces. Particularly famous is the Lake Palace, which covers an entire island in the Pichola Lake. Many of the palaces have been converted into luxury hotels.

Area: 342236 km
Elevation: 598 m (1962 ft)
Population: 600000
Temp: 28 – 42c during summer, 2.5-28c during winter
Currency: Rupee

Notable tourism sites: Lake palace, City palace, Jag Mandur, Pichola Lake, Fateh Sagar, Udai Sagar and Swaroop Sagar.

Website: http://www.udaipurtourism.com/







8. York

Notable as: Europe’s most Haunted City
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

Location: is a walled city, sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city is noted for its rich heritage and it has played an important role throughout much of its almost 2,000 year existence

Area: 105 sq mi (271.94 km)
Population: 186800 (2005)
Temp: Average 8c
Currency: pounds sterling

Notable tourism sites: York Minster, The biggest church in northern Europe and one of city symbol

- The city's medieval walls, which are a popular walk. The entire circuit is about 3 miles (5 km),
- Clifford's Tower

Website: http://www.york.gov.uk/























9. Neuschwanstein (Castle)

Notable as: The inspiration of the Disneyland castle
: Neu – New, Schwan – Swan, Stein – stone
Country: Germany
Langunge: German

Location: is a 19th-century Bavarian palace on a rugged hill near Hohenschwangau and Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany.

Temp: 5 – 10c (Jan)

Currency: Euro






10. Mosi oa Tunya (the smoke that thunders) or Victoria Falls

Notable as: One of UNESCO Word Heritage
Country: Republic of Zimbabwe
Language: English and Shona Sindebele(local language)

Location: is a waterfall situated in southern Africa on the Zambezi River between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe (the borderline is on the bridge). The falls are, by some measures, the most enormous waterfall in the world, as well as being among the most unusual in form, and having arguably the most diverse and easily seen wildlife of any major waterfall site.

Area: Total of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is 66 km, Victoria Falls National Park is 23 km, and Zambezi National Park is approximately another 40 km along the river.
Temp: tropical area but because of the high location this can be cold sometime.
Currency: Zimbabwean dollar

Notable tourism sites: Victoria Falls, the most beautiful time of the year is in April

Website: http://www.mosioatunya.com/






11. Portree

Notable as: Isle of Mist, The heaven of the traveler by (foot)
Country: Scotland
Language: English

Location: is the largest town on Skye in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.

Area: 1656 km
Population: 9500
Temp: between 10 – 32c, raining throughout the year specially in Sep – Jan
Currency: pounds sterling

Notable tourism sites: Neist Point Lighthouse, Skye Road Bridge.

Website: www.walkhighlands.co.uk/skye/







12. Oueenstown

Notable as: New Zealand’s capital of adventure
Country: New Zealand
Language: English

Location: is a international resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It is built around an inlet on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin lake formed by glacial processes that is shaped like a staggered lightning bolt, and has spectacular views of nearby mountains.

Area: 8704.97 km (3361 sq mi)
Population: 10990 (2007)
Temp: Average Temp is 8 – 15c, High season is during summer (1 Dec – 28 Feb)
Currency: New Zealand Dollar

Notable tourism sites: First Bungy Jump place in the world by A.J. Hackett at Kawarau Bridge at the high of 43 m (141 ft), Jet Boat, Mt. cook

Website: http://www.queenstown.nz.com/, http://www.queenstown-nz.co.nz/