TopYaps |  |
- 7 Breathtaking Destinations In Switzerland
- 8 Mind-Blowing Facts About Drones
- 6 Interesting Things About Roger Federer (Other Than Tennis)
- 6 Kids In Movies Who’ve Now Engulfed Hollywood
- 6 Tips To Maintain Sanity Wherever You Go
- 7 Jaw-dropping Bike Trips In The World
| 7 Breathtaking Destinations In Switzerland Posted: 10 Dec 2013 04:48 AM PST Switzerland is Europe's most popular travel destinations. This place attracts hundreds of tourists from all over the globe every year, who find solace in its beautiful and serene destinations. Switzerland is best known for its après-ski chicness, marvelous and world class resorts and hotels and Heidi like mountain villages. But if you want to discover the real tranquil beauty of Switzerland then you are required to peel back the promotional veneer and you will discover a multi-faceted destination that transcends all the hype of the tourist-brochure and makes you explore a world well suited for a more sophisticated traveler. Mentioned below is a list of 7 breathtaking destinations in Switzerland, specially compiled for all such travelers. 7. Zermatt:In the Valais region of Switzerland and at the foot of Matterhorn, lays the popular region of Zermatt. It is perhaps one of the most photographed mountains in the world. To add to its grace, Zermatt lies in the middle of an enormous ski and hiking region, making it one of the most desirable and attractive villages for vacations. The region is also the favorite spot for the mountaineers as it offers Haute Route, which is a very tough and quite challenging international route. It takes several days for the trekkers to complete the track that leads from Mont Blanc to Zermatt.
6. Basel:Basel is by far the largest city of Switzerland and is nestled between France and Germany and is bisected by Rhine. This city is well known for its diverse cultural heritage, a multifaceted history and also convergence of modern art and architectural convergence. Travelers come across various historic landmarks such as the large market square that is richly decorated with its red sandstone town hall and also the Romanesque-Gothic cathedral. Basel also comprises of about 40 museums and as such is also called as the "City of Art." The most important celebration of the people of Basil is the yearly Fasnacht (Carnival).
5. Lake Geneva Region:The Lake Geneva Region is ranked as the fifth most popular destination in Switzerland. It encompasses Montreux, Lausanne and Lauvaux and even has the two UNESCO World Heritage Site listings. The world famous Montreux Jazz Festival takes place in Montreux every year in the months of June and July. Montreux is enclosed by astonishing vineyards set against the perfect backdrop of breathtaking snow clad Alps. Lavaux on the other hand offers a world of wonderful Vineyard terraces. Lausanne has its picturesque so mesmerizing that it's no surprise at all that the International Olympic Committee has had its base here ever since 1914.
4. Interlaken:Located in Bernese Oberland Region in between the Lake Brienz and Lake Thun is Interlaken in Switzerland. It is presided over by the three mighty mountains namely, the Monch, the Junfrau and the Eiger. Interlaken is specifically regarded as the adventure capital of Switzerland as it comprises of more than 45 mountain ranges, chair lifts, ski lifts and cable cars combined with a dense network of hiking trails.
3. Lucerne:Lucerne is also referred by many travelers as the essence of Switzerland. It is actually the main gateway to the central part of the country and is present on the perfect picturesque of Lake Lucerne, which is set below the very beautiful panorama of the Alps. Adding to its sheer beauty is the care free town hosting the gable paintings. The town also supports a covered medieval bridge right in the centre. You will also come upon various historic houses attractively decorated with alluring frescoes. The Futuristic Culture and Convention Center (KKL) which was designed by the seasoned French architect Jean Nouvel, is perhaps one of the very famous architectural highlights of the town.
2. Geneva:Located in between the nearby Alpine peaks and the hilly terrain of Jura, Geneva lies in the bay where the Rhone leaves the Lake Geneva. Known for its cosmopolitan flair and humanitarian tradition, Geneva is Europe's seat of the United Nations. It is also the headquarters of the Red Cross and as such is the prime "Capital of Peace". It is a quaint city with its quays, elegant shops, lakeside promenades, lively side streets and parks. The very popular Jet d'Eau, which a famous fountain with a very high water jet, set in eth Lake Geneva is an icon of the city.
1. Zurich:Zurich is the top destination for many visitors in Switzerland. The city has been ruling the hearts and minds of many travelers who visit Switzerland. Situated on the northern shores of the Zurich Lake embodying a spectacular view of the snow clad Alpines over the horizon, Zurich's multifaceted and multicultural spark and variety of leisure activities make it a destination most popular amongst the travelers.
The post 7 Breathtaking Destinations In Switzerland appeared first on TopYaps. |
| 8 Mind-Blowing Facts About Drones Posted: 10 Dec 2013 04:30 AM PST The sky is not crowded by birds and planes alone, drones are steadily on the rise. But what exactly do we know about these flying machines? As the technology is progressing, so are these aerial devices. Drones come up with a tremendous potential and are of a variety of shapes and sizes. They range from tiny radio-controlled devices that are flown by various hobbyists to enormous military machines which are larger in size than a human being. A drone is generally termed as an UAV that is any unmanned aerial vehicle. These devices are also labeled as remotely piloted aircrafts (RPA), unmanned aerial system (UAS) or simply unmanned aircrafts (UA). Whatever be their name, all of them have certain things in common, which include:
The smallest of the drones are very nimble and can get into such places where human reach is impossible. Read along to know about 8 mind-blowing facts of drones. 8. Environmental Compliance:The biggest problem faced by the environmental law enforcement is the daunting task of monitoring dumping of toxic wastes and other such clandestine activities especially during night hours. But now drones have the potential to be the most cost effective and efficient solution to check the problem. Customized Drones can be deputed to guard and keep a constant check even during odd hours.
7. Disaster Relief:Drones can be utilized for a wide range of applications including disaster relief. They have the potential to enter radiation-filled “hot zones”, where it gets quite dangerous and perilous for humans to enter. For example after an unfortunate nuclear accident, drones can be deputed to scout for any survivors in a vast landscape completely covered with debris.
6. Real-Estate Sales:Daniel was a UAV videographer, who utilized his drone to capture riveting pictures of the high end properties for the Los Angeles real-estate market. The police authorities shut down his business, reporting that the commercial use of drones was illegal. Well that’s no longer an issue now as according to the federal law signed in the year 2012, drone technology can be used for commercial applications. Daniel is now comfortably enjoying his lucrative business with his drone technology.
5. Atmospheric Research:Ozone layer, located in the upper layers of the atmosphere plays a very crucial role in protecting the Earth’s surface from the very harmful ultraviolet radiations. In order to have a better understanding of the ozone interaction with the vapors, NASA is now sending a UAV into the stratospheric layer of the atmosphere, where ozone is found. This research is mainly being conducted in order to study how the effects of changes in water vapors in the stratosphere can affect the climate globally.
4. Wildlife Research:A 3 feet long drone called Raven A, equipped with a small camera is being tested by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), to check if it can be utilized for conducting various aerial counts of the endangered sand hill crane. They are even thinking of examining the critically endangered Sumatran Orangutans nest in the treetops, which are otherwise very difficult to study. But with the help of drones they can easily investigate and navigate the natural habitat areas. Such drone scouting will indeed provide very valuable information for assisting conservation programs.
3. Highway Monitoring:On an average there are about 4 million miles of highways crisscrossing America alone, but who’s keeping a check on all of them? There is a probability that someday Drones will maintain a constant check over them. Recently a project undertaking the study of drones for using them in order to inspect roads and bridges and also surveying lands with laser mapping in order to alert officials about traffic jams and report accidents received a $75,000 grant form the Federal Highway Administration and the Georgia Department of Transportation.
2. Sports Photography:Pioneer in the consumer use of UAV technology, Falkor Systems has targeted the extreme sports photography and videos for drone use. Their main focus would be on action-packed sports activities involving skiing and base-jumping, etc.
1. Journalism:Besides learning how to create attention grabbing and snappy headlines, the journalism students are also being given the drone flying lessons at the University of Missouri in Columbia. The top ranked university features various classes in drones as info-gathering tools. The students are being taught the usage of the device for photography, videos, report investigation and lots more.
The post 8 Mind-Blowing Facts About Drones appeared first on TopYaps. |
| 6 Interesting Things About Roger Federer (Other Than Tennis) Posted: 10 Dec 2013 04:04 AM PST In the history of tennis there have been grass court players, clay court specialist, and hard court specialist and then there is Roger Federer. Born on 8th August, 1981, he's one of the greatest tennis players of all time. He started playing tennis at the age of six and has never looked back after that. He has won 17 Grand Slam titles, breaking the previously held record of 14 by Pete Sampras. He holds the record for most men's Wimbledon's won at seven. Also the record for most open era men's US Open titles at five. He holds the record for most consecutive US Open titles at five. Y winning the 2010 Australian Open, he became the only male player to win three different Grand Slam tournaments for four times at the least. He has a contract with Nike footwear and apparel. His jacket has a crest of tennis racquets. Nike has designed him a personal cardigan too. He also has a unique logo of R and F joined together. His fans are always wary about knowing more about his personal life and here's your chance. Take a look at 7 things you need to know about Roger Federer (and you probably didn't know these): 6. Roger was a vegetarian:When Roger was only 13 did he take his first ever entrance examination to "Tennis Etudes" and it was one year later that he started to take interest in non-vegetarian food. Up to the age of 14 Roger was a complete vegetarian, and now he thinks he likes just anything and can feed his hungry stomach on whatever food is available.
5. Roger Opposed equal pay for women players:There's always been a big controversy around equal pay to women players or not? Unfortunately, Roger Federer is also an opponent to any such equality. According to him the amount of time male players spend practicing in the field can never be compared by females and so the question of them earning equal pays in simply out of the question.
4. Federer 7th most prominent figure of Switzerland:Amusingly, the world famous player whose name is known to every tom dick harry was voted only as the 7th most prominent citizen of Switzerland in 2012. According to polls from Google, Federer is only ranked 7th, which is lower than Bastian Baker, a singer from French Speaking region of Switerland. Winner of the German Talent show of 2012, Singer Luca Hanni also fared better than the world renowned Roger Federer.
3. Family and kids:Federer is married to former tennis player Mirka Vavrinec. They met in 2002 while competing in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Married in 2009, in the company of close friends and family, on 23rd July 2009, they became the proud parents of identical twin girls, Myla Rose and Charlene Riva. He holds the reputation of being a very well mannered and decent human being. Very little controversy has been ever reported about him. Gwen Stefani, Gavin Rosedale, Rafael Nadal and Tiger Woods, are some of his close friends.
2. Roger Federer Foundation:In 2003, the 'Roger Federer Foundation 'was established in aid of children in South Africa. The agency undertakes relief operations to provide food, shelter and other basic of life. He is a brand ambassador for UNICEF, currently working with the government of Haiti to provide water and sanitation facilities. He holds dual citizenship of Switzerland and South Africa.
1. His Love for Swimming And Houses:Federer owns houses and luxury penthouses and villas in Dubai, Swiss village of Valbella, and in Wollerau, south of Zurich. He is an accomplished swimmer and is seen several times enjoying water sports. Spending time with his children is something he enjoys the most, due to time constraint of his busy schedule. He loves to drives fast cars and Mercedes-Benz is his favorite brand. He likes to go for a holiday to his homeland of Swiss Alps, whenever he gets a chance. However, he is an often visitor to Maldives and loves the weather there. Yachting in France with his family, is also his idea of a perfect family holiday.
The post 6 Interesting Things About Roger Federer (Other Than Tennis) appeared first on TopYaps. |
| 6 Kids In Movies Who’ve Now Engulfed Hollywood Posted: 10 Dec 2013 03:03 AM PST Plenty of child artists have made their debut throughout the existence of Hollywood, but only a few in the lot could keep the ball rolling. It's common to see child artists grow into not so beautiful and handsome people, but some of them have actually made a graceful transition into adulthood. Not only these actors earned a name for them, but defied the long hold cliché that successful child actors rarely repeat the magic when they grow up. 6. Portman in Leon: The Professional:Young Natalie Portman's first brush with cinema was when she starred in the 1994 release English language French thriller 'Leon: The Professional.' She played a 12 year old girl who was taken in by the hitman after her family gets murdered. She received accolades for her acting debut for the way she got herself immersed under the skin of the character without having much experience in acting. She's delivered some marvelous performances in movies like 'Closer', 'Black Swan' and 'Goya's Ghosts' to name a few.
5. Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver:Jodie Foster is one of the biggest names in the American film industry and began acting in commercials at the young age of three. She rose to prominence in the 1976 film 'Taxi Driver' where she played a pre-teen prostitute. She received the nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting actress for her role. She starred in various movies such as 'The Silence of the Lambs', 'Nell' and 'Contact' among many of her best works.
4. Scarlett Johansson in North:Scarlett's film debut came at the age of nine when she played the role of Laura Nelson in a famous comedy drama 'North' that was released in the year 1994. The film was about a guy named 'North', who aspired for attention from his parents and in the process he files a lawsuit against his parents and sets off for a world trip. The young girl was appreciated by movie critics the world over. Scarlett is at present considered as one of the most talented and beautiful actresses in Hollywood. She has featured in various movies such as 'If Lucy Fell', 'My Brother Pig', and 'An American Rhapsody' to name some.
3. Jessica Alba in 80s family Schlock Camp Nowhere:Today's bombshell and one of Hollywood's all time favorites; Jessica Alba made her acting debut at the tender age of 12. Her debut movie portrayed her as a child struggling to fulfill parental wishes despite her tender age and ability. Today she is considered to be one of the Hollywood's most famous sex symbol. Movies that have brought her fame include blockbusters such as 'Sin City', 'Fantastic Four' and 'Into the Blue' and many more.
2. Christian Bale in Empire of the Sun:It was in the year 1987 that Christian Bale appeared first time on the silver screen as a child artist in the Steven Spielberg's 'Empire of the Sun.' The charming young actor of the time couldn't cope with the success well and made a decision to quit acting. But, by the time, the young actor had become a rage and was showered with movie offers from the world over. However, it was the time his father took upon the responsibility to guide his son's career. This helped him in achieving successful transition from a child actor to an adult. Presently, he is counted among first line actors in Hollywood who has proven his acting prowess in remembered Hollywood flicks such as 'The Machinist', 'American Psycho' and 'Batman Begins'.
1. DiCaprio in What's Eating Gilbert Grape:Leonardo DiCaprio's performance in the 1993 release won him international accolades and an Oscar nomination as well. His performance of Arnie Grape could tell movie critics that the guy would very soon engulf Hollywood with his charisma. And, everything happened on the expected lines from thereon. He was no less in any ways to the established actor Johnny Depp (playing Gilbert Grape) in the movie. The Hollywood heart throb is one of the most diverse actors who has starred in various blockbusters including, 'Catch me if you can', 'Blood Diamond', ' The Departed', 'Aviator', 'Inception' and 'Titanic' to name a few.
The post 6 Kids In Movies Who've Now Engulfed Hollywood appeared first on TopYaps. |
| 6 Tips To Maintain Sanity Wherever You Go Posted: 10 Dec 2013 01:34 AM PST Sanity is a state of mind, where you feel peaceful, and stress free. You are motivated and look forward to facing life. You can reason between right and wrong and take the right decisions. By doing a little introspection and sharing with others, we can maintain a sound state of mind. But as easy as it may sounds and no matter how much we decide to remain sane, insanity can creep in at the most unwanted times. What should be done at such times? Take note of the following 7 tips that help to maintain sanity wherever you go. 7. Sleep:Eight hours of uninterrupted sleep is essential for all adults. Include sleep times when planning a holiday or travelling somewhere. Plan your day in such a way that you have enough time left to take a nap. Preferably, sleep early and have a fresh start. Try and listen to your favorite music if it relaxes you, or pick up a good book.
6. Make a schedule:Try and stick to a time table or a schedule to be more organized. You will be much more sane, if at the end of the day you can measure your achievements for the day. Try and get dressed, don't bathe in the afternoon or eat at noon. Taking a break is as essential, so plan time outs. Know how much you can push yourself and stop when you are done. Set realistic targets and don't despair if you can't match them.
5. Keep good company and enjoy good food:Remember to have plenty of water to keep your body well hydrated. Avoid going out regularly and plan family evenings that will bring all closer. Having your loved ones close always relaxes our mind and spreads positive energy. Love your food and when indulging in something on an occasion really enjoy it and eat without guilt. You can always have an extra bowl of veggies tomorrow. Try and maintain a healthy life style, and have healthy food habits. Disease and depression go hand in hand.
4. Learn to roll with stress:For every crisis there is a healthy and a not so healthy way to react. Learn to roll with stress and save your mental health. During the course of the day, an average human faces at least two dozen mini crises. Try and stay calm, easier said than done. But over reacting or going into a drama mode, will only end up in hurting people. You are not alone in the soup, have some empathy towards fellow humans. Stay away from volatile situations. Unresolved issue at the end of the day, will spoil your sleep, and ruin your sanity.
3. Personal space:We all learn from our mistakes, it's natural to fall and then get up again. Try and devise systems that work for you. In the daily routine of things, do not forget yourself and your identity. Make a slot for 'me time on a daily basis. Try and sleep early and wake up before everybody else. Spend the early morning with yourself in peace. Or else plan an afternoon nap when you get time to do things on your won. Try and cultivate your hobbies and plan activities that interest you. Don't put it on the back burner. Make an effort and do things you like. Try and have a close group of friends whom you can trust and are there for you always. Loneliness can ruin can anybody's sanity.
2. Take a break:Ask for help and don't wait till the end for it. Or join a group of people of similar backgrounds and vent out your stress. Talking about a problem always help. Plan a day off or an evening out to give yourself a break from the monotony and do not see taking a break as a bad thing. When you are at your best, can everybody around you, benefit from it. If you believe in it, then trust God to keep you sane and well. Ask Him for strength and patience and believe in yourself. There are lots of groups available who specializing in listening and finding a solution for you.
1. Stay away from grumpy people:Remember moods are contagious, so try and spread a good one. Negativity spreads bad energy, so stay away from a grumpy person. Try and look for humor, life is not an ordeal. Even a funny wall paper can cheer you up. Look at the positive side of a picture and try and be inspired by it.
The post 6 Tips To Maintain Sanity Wherever You Go appeared first on TopYaps. |
| 7 Jaw-dropping Bike Trips In The World Posted: 09 Dec 2013 07:36 PM PST Many of us have fantasized being out on a splendid adventure-biking tour, sitting up straight on your geared-up two-wheeler, blasting down the exigent track underneath you and leaving behind all the exotic geographies to explore further. All of us, at one point of time in our lives have wanted to experience such adrenaline pumping adventure, and only a daring, back-country bike tour can help us make this dream come true. If you're prepared for an uplifting bike trip, you'll have to decide on an adventurous-yet-safe bike tour. And if you are planning to set out for a longer duration of time in a group, the best way is to reduce the huge world to these bike trips so that you can cover all potential routes around. 7. San Juan Island, Washington:This is the tour that stretches up to over 20 miles around Washington's San Juan Island. The Island provides you a lengthy and beautiful 20-mile circle where you find several places worth stopping by. Though the bike routes in San Juan are tough, the historical background and legacy, fascinating views and quite spacious surroundings make your ride worth a once in a lifetime trip! This is the Island where the popular Pig War chaos (from 1859 to 1872) took place and you can still see American and English Camps that remind you of their history. Another famous spot on your way is the Whale Watch Park where you get to see open-water orcas and the lighthouse. Pelindaba Lavender Farm is the spot where almost all bikers stop before ending their ride. The calming view here is soul-soothing and magnificent scents of lavender make your trip unforgettable!
6. Carretera Austral, Chile:The track that runs more than 1,000 kms is mostly unpaved and requires all bikers to have sturdy, properly packed bikes. Offering you a great ride, the path encompasses several stunning terrains in Chile, including beautiful lakes, glaciers and snowed mountains and passes that run through the gorgeous region of Patagonia. Since the route is mostly closed because of heavy rains and snow, it is no use choosing it in the off-season. But yes, this could be your first preferred bike touring destination in the summers!
5. The Silk Road:The historical Silk Road route that includes the Pamir Highway makes one of the most exciting and adventurous bike touring tracks in the world. In the beginning of your tour, you cross Turkey and the next immediate destination is Iran where you head toward Bukhara and Samarkand, the major Silk Road cities. As you move ahead, beautiful mountains welcome you and present an amazing sight for traveling. The tour can last 4 to 6 months, offering you a great deal of cycling tracks while you continue moving down the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan. If you have enough time, you can explore the entire Pamir highway including Southern Kyrgyzstan, one of the best places offering ideal tracks for bike riding. The tour offers every rider the real sense of exploration and more spectacular scenery compared to any other place in the world!
4. Danube Cycle Track:Another alluring bike track is the Danube Bike Path that runs through Germany, Austria and ends at Budapest, the capital of Hungary. The path is a wholly paved track and makes an excellent stretch for everyone from experienced and professional commuters to amateur bikers, beginners and families that don't have any time to figure out logistics. As you move ahead, you find the track getting actually more and more rugged, you don't feel like stopping and love to continue riding. It is always a great idea to go through a guidebook providing detailed information about the route and the river that flows along the track.
3. Southeast Asia:The biggest attraction about bike tours in Southeast Asia is that touring is way easier compared to most other parts of the world and besides, there is a lot for the riders to explore as far as international touring is concerned. You can't scale the entire region in even a time of six months and can always head toward the east coast of Malaysia and stop in Burma. One of the greatest attractions on your way is the huge Cameron Highlands, one of the biggest tea-producing areas in Malaysia. Not all the places in the world can offer such a beautiful landscape where the air is too cool and refreshing to mellow down the fatigue, offering you some extra energy to keep going on. You can stay anywhere you want, for you can easily find hotels and living costs are genuine and affordable.
2. Luchon to Bayonne, France:The tour starts from Luchon and finishes at Bayonne. You can easily trace the route by simply following the road and it is a run of around 325 kilometers in total. It was in the year 1910 that the grand Tour de France rode through mountain passes. The winner of the event, on stage 10, took nearly 14 hours to scale the route that started from Luchon's mountain spa town and ended at Bayonne. You need to cross four main passes and all of them are unpaved. You cross 4 major passes including the Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet, and Aubisque while you follow the track.
1. Cycling Through the Karakoram Highway:Besides being one of the world's grandest roadways, the Karakoram Highway is a classic biking route offering stunning landscapes, small villages lodged into beautiful valleys and huge, soaring mountains, dry and snow-clad. The surroundings around you make your riding experience both incredibly testing and gratifying. You feel blessed to stop by roadside stalls for refreshing tea or food and then get going again to share the highway with giant rattling trucks and other vehicles. What contributes to the challenge is poor condition of the road and frequent landslides in the Hunza Valley that often block the highway. You find very little traffic when the KKH starts in Kashgar, China. And since food and water supply in most of the places may not be regular due to landslides, you should keep biscuits, fresh bread and bottled water with you.
The post 7 Jaw-dropping Bike Trips In The World appeared first on TopYaps. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from TopYaps To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment