SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco is one of California's major cities and one of the most beautiful in the world. It lies on over 40 small hills situated around San Francisco Bay. It is made up of 49 square miles of long boulevards, curvy streets, hidden alleyways and lots of hills. The city was founded in 1776 when the Spanish set up a Franciscan mission there. When gold was found in California during the late 1840s thousands of gold miners settled there and San Francisco turned into a bustling town.

The Heart of San Francisco documents a setting that is quintessentially "San Francisco". We can almost hear the clanging of bells as a cable car makes its way ponderously up the street while colorful vehicles dodge to and fro on the congested pavement

The cable car is San Francisco’s most famous symbol. It was designed to go up and down the city’s steep hills. Golden Gate Bridge was built in 1937 and is one of the largest bridges in the world. It spans the entrance to San Francisco Bay over a total of 2,700 metres. Towers stand on both sides of the bridge San Francisco has a very exciting skyline with old buildings on one side and modern skyscrapers on the other.

Received from Polish blogger Magda

DUBLIN

Greetings from Ireland!

Dublin is located on the East Coast of Ireland, stretching along the Irish Sea in a half moon shape. The city is bordered to the South by the dramatic Wicklow Mountains. The language spoken in Dublin is English. Street signs and official buildings are signposted in both English and Gaelic, the indigenous Irish language. Dublin's elegant Georgian architecture makes it one of Europe's most attractive capitals. Dublin is a relatively small and accessible city, small enough and safe enough to get around on foot. It has history, charm, sights, museums, galleries, theatres, shops, pubs, restaurants and an abundance of character.

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Dublin City, colourful, vibrant, exciting. The living capital city of Ireland.

Dublin is a thriving cultural centre and boasts a great literary legacy with many luminaries of Irish literature such as Joyce, Shaw, Yeats, Wilde, Kavanagh and Beckett, being associated with the city.Famous for its easy going charm and cultural heritage, Dublin is also the capital of The Craic (pronounce 'crack'), the art of life. Although Dublin is well served by theatres, cinemas, nightclubs and rock venues, what sets the city apart from other European capitals is its pubs. It’s easy to pack a lot into a night out in Dublin. The city offers something to suit every taste and pocket: choose from world-class theatre, excellent concert venues, designer café-bars and lively or laid-back clubs hosting nights of traditional, country, jazz or rock music.

Postcrossing postcard received from Claudia

SIGNAL HILL

Signal Hill in Cape Town is a renowned tourist attraction. The large flat-topped hill located beside Lion's Head and looking out at nearby Table Mountain is a spectacular look-out point standing proudly between Green Point and the City Bowl. The name Signal Hill dates back to when it was an important semaphore post used for communication with distant ships at sea. Signal Hill's main attraction is the battery with the Noon Gun positioned just below the mountain top. Here a cannon-shot is fired every day (except Sun) at 12 o'clock noon on the dot, to uphold an old Capetonian tradition. The hill has been an observation post for shipping since the first European settlement.

Postcrossing Postcard received from Lu-Gerda

PLACERVILLE

Placerville is a charming California "gold rush" town named after the placer gold deposits found in its river beds and hills in the late 1840’s. The City of Placerville is centrally located between Sacramento, the State capitol, and South Lake Tahoe, world-famous recreation center. Situated above the fog line and below the snow line, Placerville boasts an ideal climate with four distinct seasons.

Placerville, or Hangtown as it was called, was a crossroads in the Mother Lode. It is located at the junction of what is now Highway 49, then the Mother Lode Trail, and U.S. 50, then the main East-West road from Sacramento to the Comstock Lode in Nevada. 

Placerville's treasured heritage is reflected in the historical, nineteenth century architecture of its downtown core. The Gold Bug Mine is the major historical and geological attraction in the park. An excellent example of hard rock gold mining, the Gold Bug Mine has a solid wooden floor, lighting throughout, and an air shaft providing clean cool air at all times. The mine floor is often damp depending on the season. 

Received from Polish blogger Magda

PORTSMOUTH

Portsmouth is a dynamic and vibrant waterfront city. Ideally situated on the south coast of England, the UK’s only island city is ideal for a short break by the sea. There are lots of things to do in Portsmouth, with magnificent museums, live music venues, contemporary art galleries, two cathedrals, a diverse literary heritage, nightlife, festivals and countless events throughout the year.
Portsmouth was the birthplace of Charles Dickens, and has also been home to Arthur Conan Doyle and Rudyard Kipling during their lifetimes. These literary greats are celebrated at museums throughout the city and with frequent events.

The centrepiece of Portsmouth's bustling harbour area, the elegant Spinnaker Tower at Gunwharf Quays, is the tallest public viewing tower in the United Kingdom, rising 170 metres above sea level and offering spectacular views along the south coast.

Received from Polish blogger Magda

PACIFIC PARADISE

Pacific Paradise Resort is located close to Long Beach on Cox Bay, just 7 kms south of Tofino on the spectacular west coast of Vancouver Island, BC.  Perched on the edge of Pacific Rim National Park close to Long Beach and bordering Chesterman Beach, consider Pacific Paradise Resort a natural adventure hub to pristine beaches, ancient rainforests and the world-renowned, majestic fjords around Meares Island and Clayoquot Sound.

 

 Resort&Motel Tofino, B.C.
RIGHT ON THE BEACH FACING THE OPEN PACIFIC
This truly one of the world's most beautiful spots - a veritable wonderland of quiet splendor made vibrantly alive by the magnificent, but ever-restless sea. View is "SUNSET POINT", part of Pacific Paradise Resort.

The west coast is known for its natural beauty and this Vancouver Island resort is no exception with unforgettable front-row seats to nature's greatest waterpark. From towering old-growth forests to the crashing waves of the mighty Pacific Ocean, everyday is an adventure here. The area also inspires many renowned artists. makers and artisans, who honor the magic of their home by bringing it into the physical realm. Add to that a climate that summons outdoor enthusiasts from all corners of the Earth and it is clear that Tofino is poised to please.

 

BARNEGAT LIGHTHOUSE

 This 172-foot historic lighthouse is located on the northern point of Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Built from 1857-1858, "Old Barney" alerts ships of the Barnegat Shoals, a resting place for approximately 200 shipwrecked vessels. The swift currents, shifting sandbars and the offshore shoals challenged the skills of even the most experienced sailor. Barnegat Lighhouse was designed by George Meade, who would later make a name for himself in the Civil War. There are 217 steps that lead to the light. "Old Barney" served as an aid to navigation until it was decommissioned in 1944.

From this lofty perch there are wonderful views of Long Beach Island, the Atlantic Ocean, Barnegat Bay, Barnegat Inlet and Island Beach State Park. It is also a favorite recreational area for boating, fishing and swimming. Besides people come here to walk, birdwatch and learn about maritime history.

ATLANTIC CITY

 Atlantic City is a resort city in New Jersey, United States, known for its casinos, boardwalk and beach. It is more than just a gambler's haven; it's a legendary resort town like no other. The magnetic appeal of the bright lights, sizzling nightlife and world-class casino gaming along the beach draws millions of visitors to Atlantic City. The most popular way to get around Atlantic City is on the 4-mile long Boardwalk (the oldest in the United States), as most of the operating casinos are on the Boardwalk. Atlantic City is right on the beach at the Jersey Shore; you can go swimming, tanning, fishing, or surfing. It is very unique, having both a small town charm coupled with an international "big city" identity. The world-famous Steel Pier extends 1,000 feet over The Atlantic City Ocean, providing the best view of the ocean. The Pier now features 25 kiddie and extreme rides, games, food stands and live entertainment.

Ocean One Pier and shopping mall is in the foreground. It extends from the world famous boardwalk out over the ocean. The bathing beach and Casino Hotels comprise the background

City of Atlantic City, NJ

MONTANA STATE CAPITOL

 Helena is Montana’s Capital City and located between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. Montana’s capital owes its name to the town Saint Helena in Minnesota. Helena was born in 1864 when prospectors known as the Four Georgians struck gold on their attempt at a place they called “Last Chance Gulch”, now Helena’s main street. Today, Helena thrives as an educational, commercial, recreational, cultural, and political center for the entire state of Montana.

On a gentle slope surrounded by 10 acres of spacious lawns and other state buildings, Montana's Capitol looks north over the beautiful Prickly Pear Valley. The building is constructed of sandstone and granite in Greek neoclassical architectural style. A statue depicting Liberty sits atop the copper dome. Montana’s Capitol was constructed in two phases - the original structure was completed in 1902 and wings were added in 1911–12.

Street Address: 225 North Roberts Helena, MT 59601

Website: http://visit-the-capitol.mt.gov

WALT DISNEY WORLD

 

The Most Magical Place on Earth

The Walt Disney World Resort is an entertainment complex in Lake Buena Vista, near Orlando, Florida. Opened on October 1, 1971, Walt Disney World is the most visited vacation resort in the world. Magic Kingdom Park is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. The park is represented by Cinderella Castle, inspired by the fairy tale castle seen in the 1950 film. The castle was completed in July 1971, after about 18 months of construction. It is 56 m tall, as measured from water-level. Cinderella's Castle, the main entrance to Fantasyland, is the most photographed building at Walt Disney World. 

 

MAGIC MOMENTS IN THE MAGIC KINGDOM
Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto welcome visitors to the Magic Kingdom, where the charm of the past meet the thrills of the future

"Walt Disney World is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney... and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place ... a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn — together."
/Roy Oliver Disney/

Received from Michele, Bayonne, NJ