Popularly known as Bakheng Phnom, the hill is reminiscent of a temple mountain where you can catch one of the best sunrise and sunset views that you will see in the Angkor area. Atop the hill stands a temple that is built in a manner that resembles Mount Meru which is believed to be a shrine to the Hindu gods.

Streams of tourists crowd the upper levels of this famous temple hill to experience the magnificent rays of the sun as it highlights the surrounding area. An ideal time to ascend this mountain would be early morning before the sunrise to see the golden hues of the sun as it begins to radiate the magnificence of the area. The setting and rising of the sun illuminates the Angkor Wat main temple, which lies approximately 1.5 kilometers southeast in the lush greenery that surrounds Bakheng Hill. Other places such as the Phnom Krom to the southwest near the Grand Lake, Phnom Kulen in the east and the West Baray can also be seen in its majesty and splendour during this time.

Visitors wanting to view the beauty of nature in the rising and setting of the sun can also enter the mysterious world of the Khmer by exploring the temple that stands on this site. The mountain and the temple can be accessed from all 4 cardinal directions. You can take a peek into history as the site is home to ancient relics and architecture. There are 5 sandstone sanctuaries that lay in a quincunx design on the topmost level of the temple which is worth a look.

A visit to Siem Reap would not be complete without climbing up Bakheng Hill to witness the spectacular sunset. Visitors looking for a Siem Reap hotel should consider the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor. It is aluxury hotel in Siem Reap and provides an elegant base from which to explore the surrounding area.

Horton Plains is one of the most unique and most scenic gifts found in the tropical island of Sri Lanka. This is conserved parkland situated upon a plateau at one of the highest elevations in the island, at the country’s mountainous heart. Semi-embraced by the great rivers of Kelani and Mahaveli, flanked by the towering majesty of the Thotapolakanda and Kirigalpottha mountains, this sun-dappled plateau is a dichotomy of evergreen forests and verdant montane grasslands.

The World’s End, the Mini-World’s End and Baker’s Falls form the trifecta of main attractions within the park, all three of which are found along a single semi-circular, 9-kilometre trail. World’s End is a 4000 foot high escarpment that affords a stunning panorama of the island, stretching even to the azure seas of the coastline. Mini-world’s end is a more easily accessible precipice with less sheer a drop while the Baker’s Falls is indubitably one of the most picturesque waterfalls found in the beautiful hill country.

Baker’s Falls is found on one of the tributaries of the Belihul Oya, and is named after the famous 19th century colonial explorer and huntsman Sri Samuel Baker. Cascading down from a height of 20 metres, the falls do not simply hurtle downwards in a mist of white; instead, white curtains of water gush over three elevations of smooth rock, into a steep gorge from which emerge flourishing ferns and Rhododendrons. The waterfall is said to be one of the spots Sir Baker would use as a resting point in his numerous hunting trips.

There are many crystal-clear pools and shallow streams in and around the waterfall, which are rather curiously overrun with trout – a fish which is not native to the island. This singular occurrence also harks back to the efforts of Sir Samuel Baker, who imported various livestock from England as part of his vision in establishing an English-style farming community in Nuwara Eliya. The chilly climes of his area mimic that of his colonial motherland, making it ideally suited to this enterprise and helping to popularize Nuwara Eliya as a popular holiday resort among Europeans, while the colony was still largely underdeveloped.

Baker’s Falls are easily accessible to visitors who trek along the well-used hiking trail, appearing seemingly out of nowhere after only a shirt journey. The more adventurous will be able to go right down to the water’s edge (although it must be cautioned that the rocks are slippery) and find their way to the large flat rock face on which they can sit and splash their feet in the falls. Tourists with exceptional bravado even take a dip in the pool found downstream, although the line between refreshing and hypothermic is rather fine when it comes to these waters.

This is one of the key natural attractions that tourists staying in Nuwara Eliya hotels are strongly encouraged to see. In terms of nearby accommodation, St. Andrews is a beautiful escape and well-reputed hotel Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka that affords great access to both the Horton Plains and other picturesque draws of Sri Lanka’s scenic hill country.

The city of Auckland is a city that offers a vast wealth of attractions to visit that have increasingly made it a popular tourist destination. With museums, zoos, amusements parks, dining options and more, it’s hard to go wrong when holidaying in Auckland.

For travellers only having the weekend sampling all that the city offers will prove somewhat difficult or impossible. Still, there is plenty that can be visited in the limited span of two days ensuring a rewarding visit.

The Auckland Botanic Gardens is a destination that is ideal for relaxation. Visitors to this destination can indulge in a relaxing stroll amidst a serene locale. Plants in the gardens originate from all around the world creating a strong amount of variety while there is also a visitor’s centre that showcases art pieces relating to botany in addition to a café that offers wide spanning views over the entire area.

The Auckland Art Gallery Toi O Tamaki is the largest art institution in all of New Zealand and is well worth a visit when travelling to the city. Visitors will find housed inside, a staggering collection of over 12,000 works that collectively forms a robust artistic portfolio. In addition to the permanent collection, various exhibitions with temporary art from other institutions and contributors are also regularly held here.

For those wanting a slightly faster paced attraction, the Auckland Bridge climb presents a formidable choice. With the help of a tour guide, visitors will embark on a venture that will take them under, around and over the city’s famous bridge. The tour guide will provide insightful information while visitors will also be privy to fabulous views of the city’s skyline. A special bungee spot is also to be found here providing the ultimate thrill.

The Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari takes travellers to the Hauraki Gulf which is one of the leading spots in the world for marine mammals, which includes over 22 species of whales and dolphins. Going on board such a cruise will provide ample opportunity to catch glimpses of these majestic marine mammals.

During a weekend trip, travellers will have to find a suitable hotel in Marlborough for their stay. Copthorne Hotel Auckland City offers a Blenheim hotel Marlborough surrounded by the ever popular Marlborough Sounds.