Recently we shared a photostream of American castles. Now we’re taking a look at castles, palaces, and forts in another part of the world. Join us in our photo tour of Asian castles from the middle east to the far east. We’ll explore castles in places like India, Japan, Pakistan, Jordan, Syria, and more. You’ll find some similarities to European and American castles here, as well as many differences. The architectural diversity across this continent alone is amazing to see.

Here is our photostream of Asian palaces, castles, and forts.

Masyaf Castle - Syria - Credit: No Lands Too Foreign (via Flickr)

Bodrum Castle - Turkey - Credit: skl8em (via Flickr)

Kerak Castle - Jordan - Credit: tympsy (via Flickr)

Mohatta Palace - Karachi, Pakistan - Credit: Fantaz (via Flickr)

Krak des Chevaliers - Syria - Credit: Laura and Fulvio's photos (via Flickr)

Sidon Sea Castle - Lebanon - Credit: upyernoz (via Flickr)

Khudayar Khan Palace - Kokand, Uzbekistan - Credit: upyernoz (via Flickr)

Lalbagh Fort - Dhaka, Bangladesh - Credit: Merza Beg (via Flickr)

The Red Fort - Delhi, India - Credit: Rolling Okie (via Flickr)

Laxmi Vilas Palace - Vadodara, India - Credit: Emmanuel Dyan

Palace of Mysore - India - Credit: Sean Ellis (via Flickr)

Orchha Palace - India - Credit: krebsmaus07 (via Flickr)

The Summer Palace - Beijing, China - Credit: tiarescott (via Flickr)

Nijō Castle - Kyoto, Japan - Credit: Binder.donedat (via Flickr)

Matsumoto Castle - Japan - Credit: Henry Burrows (via Flickr)

Himeji Castle - Japan - Credit: Harry Pears (via Flickr)

Do you have another favorite palace or castle in Asia? Tell us which it is and why you love it in the comments below.

When we think about castles we sometimes only think about the classic European examples. But castles and palaces exist all across the globe. Today let’s take a look at some castles and palace-like architecture throughout the Americas.

Here is a photostream featuring some of our favorite American castles from both North and South America.

North America

Hearst Castle - San Simeon, California - Credit: Jill Clardy (via Flickr)

Biltmore Estate - Asheville, North Carolina - Credit: Mike Miley (via Flickr)

Chapultepec Castle - Mexico City - Credit: lion05 (via Flickr)

Belvedere Castle - Central Park - New York City - Credit: Ed Yourdon (via Flickr)

Tulum Castle Ruins - Tulum, Mexico - Credit: Roger4336 (via Flickr)

Chateau Frontenac - Quebec, Quebec - Credit: Martin Cathrae (via Flickr)

Mexico's National Palace - Mexico City - Credit: Jami Dwyer (via Flickr)

'Iolani Palace - Honolulu, Hawaii - Credit: cliff1066™ (via Flickr)

Smithsonian Castle - Washington D.C. - Credit: NCinDC (via Flickr)

Chateau Laurier - Ottowa, Ontario - Credit: Tomato Geezer (via Flickr)

Casa Loma - Toronto, Ontario - Credit: Carsten Keßler (via Flickr)

Boldt Castle - Heart Island, New York - Credit: E Photos (via Flickr)

Governor's Palace - Guadalajara, Mexico - Credit: Wonderlane (via Flickr)

South America

Rio Branco - Brazil - Credit: Eric and Christian (via Flickr)

Archbishop's Palace - Lima, Peru - Credit: Shared Interest (via Flickr)

Presidential Palace - Lima, Peru - Credit: LollyKnit (via Flickr)

Castillo San Felipe - Cartegena, Columbia - Credit: Roger4336 (via Flickr)

Castle Wolff - Chile - Credit: blmurch (via Flickr)

Legislative Palace - Montevideo, Uruguay - Credit: seretide (via Flickr)

Casa Rosada - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Credit: longhorndave (via Flickr)

There are likely many more American castles. Have you visited one? Do you live near one? Do you have a favorite? If so, tell us about it in the comments below.

I’m in love with Victorian architecture — especially Victorian style homes. There’s something both classic and whimsical about them that makes my heart skip a beat when I see a beautiful example of this style. There are actually several architectural styles classified as Victorian. But in the larger group there are a few features of Victorian architecture that really make them stand out.

Today I’m going to share three of my favorite features of Victorian architecture, and show you a few photos that illustrate each one. I hope you enjoy this collection of beautiful Victorian buildings.

Features and Examples of Victorian Architecture

1. Height

Victorian homes are often taller than similar sized homes of other styles — spreading upward rather than outward. This gives them a grand sense when you look at them, and it goes a long way to set themselves apart from other houses in the same area. Here are a few photos of three-story Victorian buildings to give you a better idea of what I mean.

Credit: Slideshow Bruce (via Flickr)

Credit: Alaskan Dude (via Flickr)

Credit: yorkville (via Flickr)

2. Turrets

Here’s where that whimsical style I mentioned comes in. Many Victorian buildings have turrets — in other words, towers. And really, what’s not to love about towers? They don’t have to be extreme. Some are round. Others aren’t. Here are a couple of examples of Victorian homes with turrets to give you an idea of their variety.

Credit: marada (via Flickr)

Credit: Muffet (via Flickr)

3. Millwork

The millwork on many Victorian homes sometimes takes my breath away. You just don’t see this kind of ornamental effort go into new homes as much anymore. Millwork is the decorative woodwork you’ll find on the home or inside it.

Have you ever seen old homes with gorgeous wooden doors, staircases, and built-in shelving? Those are examples. So are baseboards, fireplace mantles, and the wood paneling sometimes on the walls. Oh, how I wish more modern homes would feature gorgeous millwork. It sometimes feels like a lost art. Here are a few external and internal examples.

Credit: Wonderlane (via Flickr)

Credit: Lee Coursey (via Flickr)

Credit: KidMoxie (via Flickr)

Credit: KidMoxie (via Flickr)

If I could run out and buy my dream home without a second thought, it would definitely be a three-story Victorian home with at least one turret and plenty of handcrafted internal and external millwork. What about you? Do you find any of these architectural elements appealing? Does the storybook-like appearance of some Victorian architecture interest you or do you prefer other styles more? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Beauty can be found absolutely anywhere, and photographers have a talent for finding it in even the most unlikely places. You can discover this for yourself in the following photo collection showing how even urban decay has its artistic side.

Photo by luketelliott

Photo by ZeroOne

Photo by AMERICANVIRUS

Photo by Daniel Y. Go

Photo by joshfassbind.com

Photo by Renato @ Mainland China

Photo by designwallah

Photo by Aneurysm9

Photo by insouciance

Photo by Daniel Y. Go

Photo by Dean McCoy Photography

Photo by thechannelc

Photo by Danielle Bauer

Photo by snoozeboy

Photo by Aneurysm9

Photo by luketelliott

Photo by mkhalili

Photo by tj.blackwell

Photo by sebastien.b

Photo by radiospike photography

Photo by liber

Photo by Aneurysm9

Photo by liber

Photo by kainet

Photo by Jasmin Cormier

Photo by Andrew Stawarz

Photo by Ian Hampton

Photo by Scallop Holden

Photo by Calc-tufa

Photo by Victor F

Photo by Sugeo

Photo by Zero1o1

Photo by Bob Jagendorf

Photo by fras1977

Photo by ktpupp

Photo by orange tuesday

Photo by Roche Photo

Photo by snake.eyes

Photo by Zero1o1

Photo by Zero1o1

Photo by Zero1o1

Photo by Zero1o1

Photo by Logan Hicks

Photo by thirtyfootscrew

Photo by reid.gilman

Photo by ktpupp

Photo by Matt Niemi

There are many factors that make the place we live the place we love to call home. Environment, weather, history, politics, economy, infrastructure, social climate, and entertainment all play a part. When choosing a place to live, your decision should be based on what issues are important to you. Finding the right combination of features is the key to loving where you live.

Healthcare and Tolerance – Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Meuse River, The Netherlands

In 2009 the Netherlands was named as having the best healthcare system in Europe by the Euro Health Consumer Index. Six criterion examined were patient rights and information, e-health, waiting times for treatment, outcomes, range and reach of services provided and pharmaceuticals. The Netherlands is additionally praised for its minimal bureaucracy and patient empowerment.

The Netherlands, particularly Amsterdam, has become infamous for its tolerance of the taboo. The Dutch believe that people should make moral decisions with little interference from government. Marijuana is legal. Tattoo parlors, sex shops, and the red light district draw tourists. Hostels are packed during the peak summer season.

As far as culture, there are famous museums where you can see work by Van Gogh, Vermeer, and Rembrandt. One can learn the story of Anne Frank, relax in beautiful parks and ride a bike almost anywhere. According to Claudio.Ar, “It is said that Amsterdam has more canals than Venice, more cafes than Vienna and more bridges than Paris. The tours let you discover them and other secrets of the city.”

Best Place for Singles – New York City, USA

Hudson River, New York

In the mood for love? Although the cost of living is still high in New York, it has become slightly more affordable due to the recent economic downturn. In fact with many singles now unemployed, unmarried folks are taking advantage of their severance packages and enjoying all the city has to offer. With 35,000 restaurants, 3,800 bars, and 734 museums there is definitely plenty to do in New York City. The popular dating site, Match.com, has more active accounts in the NYC area than any other locale. Living in New York does, however require a high tolerance for crowds of people.

“The City That Never Sleeps” comes by its title easily. From piano bars to jazz lounges (and a few dozen dives of course), New York’s nightlife keeps the city hopping until early morning hours. Nightclubs like the Marquee feature world famous DJs for the partiers who love to dance. Other locals favor the Gotham Comedy Club, which Frommer’s guide declares New York’s “trendiest and most sophisticated comedy club.”

Whatever your interest, you’re sure to find it in New York City – day or night.

Mild Climate & English Speaking – Malta

Malta

The island nation just 60 miles from Sicily, Republic of Malta, is a repeated winner of Quality of Life Index awards for best climate.

With a daily average of over five hours of sunshine, mild winters, and hot summers – Malta is considered ideal by many.

Diving, sailing, and colorful festivals abound. Golf and horseback riding are popular pastimes.

There are few sandy beaches and yes – sometimes it does rain on the Maltese islands.

If it’s raining you can head indoors for opera, theater, music, and ballet at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta. The Manoel is the second-oldest theater in Europe.

The government is politically stable in Malta. Cost of living is low. Crime is minimal. Locals are hospitable. Travel is not difficult, despite island status.

If you lived in Malta you could check off each item on list, 101 Things to do while on Holiday in Malta.

Family-Friendly – Virginia, USA

Virginia Waterwheel

The state of Virginia has beautiful shorelines and beaches. Virginia is very family and community oriented, with plenty of fairs, festivals, and community events. The people are diverse and friendly. Many of the schools are highly-ranked and offer plenty of extracurricular activities and elective courses to choose from.

Virginia takes the health and safety of its children very seriously. According to the official Virginia government website, $515,405 was awarded to 17 projects that support youth substance abuse and violence prevention programs for 2010.

Check out this list of 57 Cool Places for Kids.

Low Cost of Living & Retirement – Brazil

Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro

Brazil is the largest country in South America and therefore offers a broad range of opportunities for travel and diversity. From the Amazon jungles, to famous beaches, you will find the inhabitants friendly and hospitable. Although the nightlife is well known in Brazil, few are aware that Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are among the cheapest cities to live in (according to the Economist Intelligence Unit).

Want to pay off debt? Brazil is a good place to retire. Retirement visas are available with proof of income. It is common and legal for permanent residents to apply for Brazilian passports and keep their current citizenships and passports.

Brazilian health care is very good. You do not need to be a citizen to use the national health care system. Patients pay nothing out of pocket for most care. For the highest quality health care private market providers are also available – for a fee. Even so, the fees are much less than purchasing independent health insurance in the U.S. In general, you get more for your money in Brazil.

Due to the well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service industries, the economy of Brazil outweighs other countries in South America, and is quickly expanding its presence in international markets.

Simply Beautiful – Belize

Belize

Belize, considered one of the most beautiful countries in Central America, has it all. Belize touts great beaches, subtropical climate, diverse wildlife, and a low cost of living.

The scuba diving and snorkeling is fabulous. The gorgeous waterfalls underneath the Maya Mountains are rivaled only by the hundreds of colorful species of birds flying the skies.

Rent of a large house in Cayo district is only $300/month. Food at the local markets is very reasonably priced. The official language is English. The Retired Person’s Incentive Program starts at the ripe young age of 45 and allows tax free living.

Consider a snowbird lifestyle when it comes to living in Belize. The wet season is May to October. It rains all the time and there is a chance for hurricanes.

But I’d stay November through April in this beautiful land, which is just where I’d like to be rather than the cold snowy land I call home that time of year.

Stunning Scenery – Cape Town, South Africa

Table Mountain, Cape Town

Cape Town features some of the most beautiful beaches and fascinating attractions in all of Africa. Families enjoy swimming in the warm waters along the False Bay coast, where whale watching is also popular. Kids swarm to Boulders Beach to see the penguins, and for a small fee, even swim with them. The hallmark of Cape Town is Table Mountain, a gigantic slab of sandstone with breathtaking views, trails for hiking, and paragliding for the adventurous. (Cable cars are available for the not-so-adventurous.)

The second most populated city in South Africa; Cape Town is known for being socially tolerant and culturally diverse. This coastal city is mild and rainy during the winter months, but dry and very warm the rest of the year. The bistros and restaurants offer a variety of world class cuisine to satisfy every palate, and are famous for their delicious wines. Clubs, lounges, and other entertainment venues make Cape Town ideal for the musically inclined.

Thanks to the 2010 World Cup, business is booming in Cape Town. The real estate market is also on the upswing as more people relocate to this beautiful coastal city.

Economic Opportunities – Frankfurt, Germany

Frankfurt, Germany

Those looking for a certain quality of life find their high standards met in Frankfurt, the economic capital of Germany. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange is the largest in Germany, and one of the world’s most important. According to the Mercer Quality of Living survey, Frankfurt has the highest concentration of jobs in Germany, with 922 jobs per 1,000 residents.

Frankfurt inhabitants enjoy their city for more than its economic security. The museums, historical sites, and shopping districts are popular with the locals as well as tourists. Frankfurt is easy to travel in and out of, with one of the busiest airports in the world. Frankfurt Central Station is one of the biggest train stations in Europe, and few can resist the allure of the Autobahn. The views along the Main River are lovely, and Frankfurt is home to a number of beautiful landmarks such as the Imperial Cathedral, and the 50-acre Palmengarten flower garden.

The cost of living is high, but is compensated with a low unemployment rate, easy transportation for business trips, and the fact that it is an industrial and financial powerhouse.  Germany’s businesses are booming.

Most Romantic – Paris, France

Eiffel Tower, Paris

The air in Paris simply breathes romance. Not only is the enchanting ambience the perfect setting for romance, (who can see the Eiffel Tower without thinking of L’amour?) the cozy bistros and dimly lit restaurants are ideal for couples in love.

Paris is not just for lovers; its rich heritage and stunning architecture draw millions. The Louvre, Palace of Versailles, and Notre Dame are just a few of the beautiful buildings that grace the Paris skyline. An incredible array of paintings and art are sure to please museum goers.

As the fashion capital of the world, Paris is home to some of the most popular designers. Those looking for a career in fashion couldn’t find a more fitting place to study or work. The drawback for Parisians is a high cost of living. The good news is- Paris features some of Europe’s largest corporations, and researchers expect an increase in employment opportunities in the future. So for those who can swing it, the comfort and quality of the French life is a truly unforgettable experience. Not to mention, absolutely delicious.

Sizzling and Sexy – Miami, Florida USA

Miami, Florida

Miami is known as the “Magic City” for good reason. With the sensual Latin flavor combined with its tropical location, Miami is home to an eclectic group of fun-loving people. Singles flock to Miami for the beaches and exciting nightlife, and then discover attractions and career opportunities that offer more than they were expecting.

As the “Gateway to Latin America”, Miami is a city of diverse ethnicities. This sunny city is bursting with new developments, has surprisingly low rent and taxes, and an exceptional education system at the University of Miami.

Miami ranks highly with the Globalization and World Cities Study Group and Network, which rates each city’s importance to the international economy. Professionals work in a number of fields including tourism, trade, and international banking. Sports and recreation enthusiasts adore Miami for the wide variety of watersports and boating activities. Everything from snorkeling to sailing, kayaking to kitesurfing; Miami’s beaches offer it all. For landlubbers, Miami features rock climbing walls, golf courses, and tennis courts. Wherever you travel, wherever you call home, remember to make the best of where you are. The people you meet, friends you make, experiences you acquire – those are the things that make life worth living.

By: Terra L. Fletcher, owner Fletcher Freelance

Around the world, there are accommodation options to suit the needs of everyone.  From cheap hostels in which a bathroom needs to be shared, to luxury resorts where the staff cater to your every need, the following selection of hotels are considered to be some of the most weird and wonderful anywhere in the world.

Cappadocia, Turkey

Situated in central-west Turkey, Cappadocia dates back to the 6th century B.C and whilst once a popular Turkish settlement, is now a massively popular tourist attraction in the country.

The uniqueness about Cappadocia is that from a distance, it looks like a vast, mountainous region.  When close up, however, it is apparent that there are homes and rooms all over the region, many of which are some of the most peculiar but well adored hotel rooms in the world.

Capsule Hotels, Japan

Japan is known for its craziness and quirkiness and the capsule hotels that are relatively popular throughout the country are one of the oddest creations to date.

With two primary hotels, one in Fukuoka and one in Asakusa, the idea of capsule hotels is to offer nothing more than a comfortable bed in a quiet area.  With no particular amenities or regular hotel comforts, capsule hotels are cheap, cheerful and serve their purpose perfectly.

Utter Inn, Sweden

The Utter Inn (pronounced Otter) is a mixture of contemporary art and accomodation and was created by Mikael Genberg.

Situated on Lake Malaren in Sweeden, the sleeping area of accommodation is the bottom section and is completely underwater when on the lake, whilst the living quarters are above water, in the style of tradition red house.

Hotel Costa Verde, Costa Rica

Walking through Costa Rica to the Hotel Costa Verde, you would be forgiven for thinking that an aeroplane has crash landed into part of the hotel.

In fact, this aeroplane, a 1965 Boeing 727, is a fully functioning room with absolutely spectacular views and as strange as the hotel may be, nothing can detract from the breathtaking view that is offered.

Hostel Celica, Slovenia

Once a youth hostel, Hostel Celica has been transformed and is now an extremely popular youth hostel.

Ideally located close to many amenities and travel options, each of the ‘cells’ has been designed and influenced by an individual artist, giving the Hostel Celica a very unique feel, both inside and out.

Hotel De Glace, Quebec, Canada

The first of what is now several ice hotels across the globe, Hotel De Glace in Quebec City opened on New Year’s Day 1998 and remains as popular as ever.

As it is made solely of ice, it has to be rebuilt each and every year, meaning that each and every stay in Hotel De Glace will be different from the past.

Propeller Island City, Berlin, Germany

The Propeller Island City Lodge in Berlin is an extremely interesting and intriguing place to rest your head at night, primarily because each and everyone of the rooms in the hotel are considered to be pieces of art and are completely different.

Considered to be extremely weird by some and wonderfully beautiful by others, the general concensus on this hotel is that is nothing short of startling – whichever way you look at it.

In the world of all things related to the paranormal, the world is generally divided into two separate groups – those who are scared and do not want to find out any more details about the ghost or unexplainable activity and those who whilst being somewhat scared, can not help but want to find every piece of information on the haunting.

The following places are said to be some of the most haunted places on the earth and have been researched extensively over the years.  Not only has their been many different sightings of ghosts, but there has been paranormal activity linked to real life events in the past that simply cannot be explained.

Tower of London, London, UK

Located on the banks of the River Thames, the Tower of London looks as prestigious and powerful today as it did when it was first built in 1078.

Used for various reasons throughout its illustrious history, there have been sightings and reports of numerous ghosts and unexplainable events, from Ann Boleyn, the wife of Henry VII (that should be Henry VIII – thanks Chris!) who lived in the tower and was beheaded in 1536, to dozens of prisoners who were held in the prison and dungeons of the tower and left to die a slow and painful death.

Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, UK

One of two Theatre Royal’s in London (and one of many located throughout the country), it is the one on Drury Lane that is infamous for being haunted by both good and bad spirits.

For some actors who are apprehensive about taking to stage or are struggling to remember where to be when in the middle of a play, for example, they have reported a strange sense of calming coming over them and this is said to be due to the famous clown, Grimaldi, who worked for years in the Theatre Royal throughout the 19^th century.

Others including many members of the audience, however, have witnessed eerie shadows and unnerving movements, said to be the ghost of Charles Mackin, an actor who killed a colleague in 1735 for the somewhat minor offence of apparently stealing his wig.

Waverly Hill Sanatorium, Louisville-Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA

Cited as one of the most haunted places in America, Waverly Hills Sanatorium has played host to many ghost hunters over the years, the vast majority of which have reported some substantial paranormal findings.

Opened originally in 1883 as a family home, the land was purchased and turned into a sanatorium in the early 20^th century when there was somewhat of a serious outbreak of tuberculosis in Jefferson County.

With reports of several thousand deaths in the property throughout the time it was opened, it remained as sanatorium hospital until the early 1960s when it was turned into a hospital for the elderly, but was closed once again in 1981 due to cases of serious abuse.

Borley Rectory, Borley, Essex, UK

Constructed in 1862 by Reverend Henry Bull next to Borley Church, Borley Rectory was a mansion that was lived in until it was destroyed by fire in 1939.

Throughout its time, it gained notoriety throughout the UK as being one of the most haunted houses in Britain, peaking in popularity in the 1930s when much research and several experiments were carried out by Harry Price, a popular psychic and author.

Whaley House, San Diego, California, USA

Built in 1867, Whaley House was occupied by solely by a descendant of the original owner, Thomas Whaley, all throughout its entirety of being a residential a building.

Turned into a museum that displayed the actual building and the general history of San Diego in 1960, Whaley House is different to other haunted buildings around the world in that it has no substantial history of gruesome murders, with regularly sightings being seen of one of the many different Whaley family members who have occupied the building.

Myrtles Plantation, St Francisville, Louisiana, USA

Whilst the Myrtles Plantation is now open as a bed and breakfast hotel and offers both haunted and historic tours, for many, the actual appearance of the building is haunting enough.

Throughout its years as a plantation and home, there were said to have been several murders, including the unnecessary deaths of various slaves and the killing of young lady called Chloe, said to have herself killed two young children.

Similar to Waverly Hills Sanatoriums, Myrtles Plantation has gained notoriety throughout the USA as being one of the most haunted places that can be visited.

Catacombs, Paris, France

Situated in the south of the French capital city, the Catacombs are an underground ossuary that began to be used in the late 18^th century, previously being disused mines.

Whilst in theory the Catacombs are nothing more than an underground burial site and follow the same purpose as a standard cemetery, entering the Catacombs is an extremely chilling experience – especially when you first see the piles and piles of skulls and bones.

Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney, Australia

By far the largest cemetery for a range of different cultures in the southern hemisphere, it covers in excess of 300,000 square feet.

Divided into various different areas for religious denominations, it was created in 1868 and has some of the most prestigious, if not somewhat haunting, family vaults anywhere in the world.

There have been many different sightings of ghosts and apparitions in Rookwood Cemetery, by both people who work there and members of the public and it has been at the centre of much paranormal speculation for decades.

Once considered to be establishments that were only frequented by rogues, drunks or criminals, casinos have evolved over the past century into places that can be enjoyed by everyone (even children, as although they are not allowed on the casino floor, a lot of the larger casinos have areas which are child-friendly).

With the extensive media coverage that many different casino games now receive, it is no wonder that casinos see millions upon millions of dollars being spent on their games continually, as well as their hotel suites, restaurants and other facilities, making them some of the richest and most prosperous businesses in the world.

As would be expected, all of the following casinos are located in Las Vegas, the gambling capital of the world and seen as some of – if not the – richest casinos anywhere on the globe.

Wynn Las Vegas

Opened in April 2005 for a final sum of $2.7 billion, Wynn Las Vegas is widely regarded as the richest and most expensive casino in the world. With over 2,700 rooms, Ferarri and Maserati dealerships, a waterfall and range of restaurants (to name just a small selection of the hotel and casino’s attractions), Wynn Las Vegas is a sight to behold both inside and out.

The Venetian

Renovated in 2003, four years after its May 1999 opening, the Venetian is part of the world’s largest five star hotel resort and has a combined total of in excess of 8,100 rooms.

Home to 120,00 square feet of casino floor, not to mention real Gondolas that can be used to relax on the casino’s waters, the Venetian cost $1.5 billion dollars to create and is seen as one of the most iconic casinos on the Las Vegas strip.

MGM Grand

Almost two decades old, the MGM Grand, whilst considered to be a relatively middle-of-the-road casino in regards to financial value itself, when it is considered that the casino is part of the larger MGM brand (which owns ten casinos in Las Vegas alone), its value becomes exponential.

The largest hotel when it opened in 1993, the MGM Grand features 6,852 rooms and showcasing its lion theme, displays up to six real lions each day in a glass habitant enclosure.

Caesars Palace

Possibly one of the most noticeable and memorable casinos in Las Vegas, Caesars Palace opened its doors in 1966 and changed hands several times until 2005 when the current owners, Harrah’s Entertainment, took over the casino.

Similar to the MGM Grand, Caesars Palace may not be a particularly rich casino by itself. When considering that it is part of the larger Harrah’s Entertainment and the company has a collected turnover of over $10 billion, it’s easy to see why any list about the world’s richest casinos should include Caesars Palace.

The Palms

Compared to other casinos, not only in Las Vegas but all around the world, the Palms may not be instantly recognizable. However, there is one aspect of this casino that millions of people will have heard of – and that’s the $40,000 a night Playboy suite.

Opened in 2001, the Palms is relatively small in size (there are 702 rooms and 95,000 square feet of casino) but is a favorite casino amongst the rich and famous from Hollywood and is the home of the Las Vegas branch of Hard Rock Cafe, the ever-popular Moon and Rain nightclubs, as well as playing host to several TV programs, including MTV’s The Real World.

I have always been charmed by the fascinating beauty of castles, especially those still existing only in ruins, with magnificent stones and countless secrets inside. You can almost smell the mystery and see the ghosts of the castle residents in their ancient dresses, knights on horses, and rich traders. You can see noble dukes in the old castles of England, Ireland, and Scotland and feel their souls in the ancient walls. I didn’t have a chance to visit all of the world’s most beautiful castles yet but when working on the photos for this post I felt almost like I was there and seeing them with my own eyes. Thanks to all photographers who took these beautiful photos — all of the photos are linked to photographers’ profiles on Flickr. Enjoy the article and share it with your friends!

Dunguaire Castle in Ireland

Dunguaire Castle was built in 1520 by the Hynes clan. Being almost 500 years old the castles still looks fabulous and you can see the terrific defensive walls almost like they were in the 16th century. In summer the castle is open to tourists, and it is the most photographed castle in Ireland.

Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain

The Alhambra is a palace and fortress built in the mid 14th century. It is an amazing example of beautiful Islamic architecture and one of the most beautiful palaces I’ve ever seen. Do take a minute and look at the photos of Alhambra’s interior and you’ll be overwhelmed by its rich beauty.

Biltmore Estate in North Carolina

The beautiful Biltmore estate is not that old at all. It was built at the end of the 19th century and is the largest privately owned home in the USA at the moment. The estate was opened to the public in March of 1930 (the family it belonged to needed money), but still the members of the Vanderbilt family lived there till 1956, when it was permanently opened to the public as a house museum. It’s a truly beautiful place I must say, and it’s definitely worth a visit.

Johnstown Castle in Ireland

Johnstown Castle turned out to be a big surprise for me. Built somewhere in the early 1800s it’s situated in a large beautiful garden and is used now as a conference center and offices for an agricultural institute! There seem to be no tours of the castle but still this is a great place to visit if you plan on staying nearby.

Boldt Castle in the Thousand Islands, New York

There is a beautiful love story behind the Boldt Castle on Heart Island. George Boldt was spending a lot of summers with this wife Louise in a cottage on Heart Island when in 1900 he decided to build a huge mansion for them. The building began, but was stopped in 1904 after the death of Boldt’s wife. Silence covered the island for over 70 years. In 1977 the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired Heart Island for one dollar (!) with the agreement that all the revenue from tourism would be spent on the castle restoration.

Prague Castle in the Hradcany

Prague Castle is one of the biggest castles in the world and its history dates back to the 9th century (!) when the first walled building of the castle, the Church of Our Lady, was built. It’s been a place of residence of the Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors, and presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic. It’s a great place to visit, and if you come to be in the Czech Republic reserve a day for this beautiful piece of architecture.

Windsor Castle in England

The gorgeous Windsor Castle fills an area of 484,000 square feet and is the largest inhabited castle in the world. Together with Buckingham Palace in London and Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, it is one of the principal official residences of the British monarch. Queen Elizabeth II spends many weekends of the year at the castle, using it for both state and private entertaining. I wish I had a castle for my private entertaining!

Edinburgh Castle in Scotland

Edinburgh Castle is the first in my list of castles to visit. This castle fortress stands on the volcanic Castle Rock and human habitation of the site is dated back as far as the 9th century BC. It has been a royal residence since the reign of David I in the 12th century, up to Union of the Crowns in 1603. From the later 17th century, the castle became a military base with a large garrison. Its importance as a historic monument was recognized in the 19th century, and various restoration programs have been carried out since.

Blarney Castle in Ireland

Blarney Castle is a medieval stronghold in Blarney built by the McCarthy clan sometime around 1446. Now it’s partially ruined but some rooms are accessible for tourists. At the top of the castle lies the legendary Stone of Eloquence and tourists may hang upside-down over a sheer drop to kiss the stone, which is said to give the gift of eloquence.

Chateau Gaillard in France

Château-Gaillard is a medieval castle located not far from Paris. The construction of the fortress began in 1196 by Richard the Lionheart and this huge massive building was completed in an unusually short time — 2 years. The castle consists of three enclosures separated by dry moats, with a keep in the inner enclosure. Significantly ruined, the Château-Gaillard is still very impressive and is open to the public all year round.

Frankenstein Castle in Germany

What a “romantic” name this castle has. The castle was built around 1250 by Lord Konrad who gave it the name Frankenstein (he then used this name for himself as well). In the 17th century it was used as a refuge and a hospital. Then it fell into ruins in the 18th century. The two towers we can see today are a historically inaccurate restoration of the mid-19th century. In 1970, a restaurant was built within the castle. In 1976, American soldiers founded an annual Halloween festival at the castle which became one of the biggest Halloween festivals in Europe.

The Big Apple, the City That Never Sleeps, NYC, my favourite holiday destination, a fantastic city – everyone refers to New York City as something different as this wonderful place actually means something different to everyone who visits.

With an event, parade, exhibition or attraction seemingly taking place each and every day of the year, New York City seems to be continually changing. However, regardless of when you may a make a visit throughout the year, one aspect never changes – New York City at night.

A Black and White Big Apple

There aren’t many words or phrases other than breathtaking and awe-inspiring that can do this image of New York justice. Stirring a complete mix of emotions, from confusion as to where and how it is has been taken to intrigue of whom the mystery figure is, this is a true replication of New York City – fascinating, captivating and astounding.

Normality In The City

This is actually one of my favourite New York City at night photographs, not for the fact it is instantly recognisable as New York (as the rest of the pictures are), but that it shows the city as being seemingly normal – something that not very many tourists get to see.

The detail in the picture is immense (which can be truly appreciated when you click on the image to see the full version) and wherever you look, in whichever window or at the corner of whichever building, you can imagine a person carrying out normal, every day tasks in a city that can be considered anything but normal.

The City That Never Sleeps

Whilst this may only be a general photograph taken by an amateur photographer, it shows perfectly how beautiful of a city New York can be at night.

With lights blazing from every skyscraper, every office block, the Chrysler building and the vague bridge outline in the background, it appears that New York is constantly alive, working and living – the perfect reason why it is so often nicknamed the City That Never Sleeps.

Colorful, Vibrant and Astounding

Whilst similar in terms of subject matter to the previous photograph, this superb image displays just how beautiful and colorful nighttime can be in New York.

Yellows, pinks, greens and blues all dominate this image and whilst some digital image enhancement may have been used to augment the vibrancy of the colors, for anyone stood in the same position, they would see a very, very similar image.

Statue de la Liberté

What is liked most about this picture is that although it is of one of the most recognisable and synonymous New York attractions, if you were unaware of this, you would not realise that the most famous city on the earth lies only a short boat ride away from this beautiful statue.

A gift to New York from France, the Statue of Liberty was presented to the Big Apple on 28 October 1886 and remains as one of the most popular tourist attractions in the whole of America, being just as beautiful at night as it is during the day.

The Times Square Glow

The very first thing that is noticed about this picture is not the many lights that are being displayed from all of the skyscrapers, nor the actual sheer size of the skyscrapers themselves, but the radiating glow that appears to be coming from some huge light source in the center of Manhattan.

This huge light source is actually Times Square and the many electronic advertising boards that are on constantly, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Under The Brooklyn Bridge

Taken from the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge, the sun has set around an hour ago in this image and the lights of the City can be seen vividly, with the red, white and blue lights of the Empire State Building shining through beautifully.

Simple and sophisticated, the lights in the foreground on the Brooklyn Bridge compliment the masses of city lights perfectly.

Bold, Bright and Busy

In the earlier image that showed the glow of Times Square from above, imagine what it would look like if you were down where the lights were – this photograph portrays that (and the general vibrancy of New York) perfectly.

The busyness of New York.  The bright lights.  The absolute boldness of it all.  It might not be a calm and tranquil Caribbean beach, but it is the place where millions of people choose to go on vacation each and every year.

A Mirror Of Manhattan

Almost everyone has seen a picture of the New York skyline, as it is so breathtaking that it can be admired by all.  This photograph of the skyline, however, has something different.

Not only are the colors of the lights startling themselves, but the reflection of all of the buildings on the East River make it somewhat spectacular.

The City Stunner

When asked to name one of the many popular skyscraper buildings in New York City, people will often respond with either the Empire State Building or the Rockefeller Center.  Whilst these are extremely popular and beautiful in their own right, the Chrysler Building is so often over looked, yet it is one of the most spectacular buildings anywhere in New York.

And this photograph proves it.