Top 10 most famous lighthouses in the world

For centuries, lighthouses have kept sailing ships safe and saved lives. Deceptive lights lured seafarers into traps, sometimes leaving no chance of rescue. Now almost all lighthouses operate autonomously. The romantic profession of lighthouse keeper is a thing of the past, but lighthouse beacons are still part of the curriculum at yachting schools.
1. Maiden Tower, Turkey

One of the most romantic and beautiful places in Istanbul, a symbol of the great city. The Maiden Tower is steeped in legends of love. But the life of the small fortress was not like a romantic fairy tale. Several times the tower burned, because in ancient times it was wooden. At different times it served as an isolation hospital during cholera outbreaks, a prison, a military communication center, and a cultural center. Sailing ships passed by it for several centuries, to which it illuminated the way as a lighthouse.

Now the tower is a restaurant, bar and cafe, and serves as a wedding venue. The lighthouse remains, though - a tiny red-and-white extension signals ships every three seconds.

2. La Vieille and Thévennec, France

Sailing sailors have known since ancient times how dangerous the Atlantic coast of France is, with its reefs and underwater rocks. To keep sailing ships safe, the beautiful and majestic La Vieille was built in the mid-19th century. Soon the Tevennec was erected to assist it. Together they form a security gate through which ships enter the port of Brest.

3. Quereon, France

A unique monument of architecture on the high seas. It is often called the “Sea Palace”. The twisted wrought iron staircase and wooden interior make it look like a king's retreat.

It is the last inhabited lighthouse; the keeper left in 2004.

4. La Jumiène, France

It took 7 years to build this beautiful 100 meter lighthouse in the dangerous waters of Brittany. It was made famous around the world by Jean Guichard's photographs. From a helicopter, he took a picture of the huge wave that covered the lighthouse and the keeper on the observation deck.

5. Aniva, Russia

An abandoned lighthouse on Cape Aniva, Sakhalin Island, created by Miuro Shinodu.

In 1990, due to domestic difficulties, not a single person remained at the lighthouse. Atomic isotope elements were installed and the light of the lighthouse was visible for 28 km.

Now the lighthouse is still beautiful, although it is in poor condition.

6. Bell Rock, Scotland

Got its name from the rock on which it was built. The oldest surviving lighthouse in the world, of those that are permanently washed by the sea. Bell Rock is considered one of the 7 wonders of the industrialized world, due to the difficulties encountered during construction.

7. Lindau Lighthouse, Germany

The southernmost lighthouse in Germany, on Lake Constance, a favorite spot for tourists from all over the world. Otherwise known as the New Lighthouse. Opposite it is a mall with a statue of a lion, the symbol of Bavaria. Together they form the gateway to the harbor of Lindau. A clock is built into the facade of the lighthouse, which is extremely rare in lighthouse architecture.
8. Jeddah Light, Saudi Arabia

One of the newest lighthouses in the world, recognized as the tallest. This unusual structure with a cylindrical tower at the top lights the way for ships at a distance of 40 km.

9. Enoshima, Japan

The lighthouse opened in 2009 and is often referred to as the “Candle of the Sea”. At different times of the year, the lighthouse is illuminated in different colors. In the fall and winter Mount Fuji can be seen from the lighthouse.

10. Tower of Hercules, Spain

The only working lighthouse in the world, built during the Roman Empire. For 2000 years it helped sailing ships find their way home.

The lighthouse is a monument of national importance of Spain, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Interestingly, on International Lighthouse Day, the third weekend of August, people all over the world light a symbolic candle to illuminate the way home for all ships.

Famous lighthouses of the world

The tallest lighthouse in the world is the Yokohama Sea Tower. The structure is located in Yokohama, the largest port city in Japan. Yokohama Marine Tower was opened in 1961 to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the port of Yokohama.

It stands 106 meters (348 feet) tall and is officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest lighthouse in the world. The tower was built in 13 months in Yamashita City Park and is meant to symbolize the character of Yokohama.

The round steel frame of the tower is painted silver on the outside and olive brown on the inside. The light of the lighthouse with the power of 600 thousand candles, visible at 360 degrees in a radius of 40 kilometers, flashes in the darkness every 20 seconds alternately red and green rays.

Initially, the trunk of the tower was also lit with red and green light depending on the beacon signals, but since May 2009 the trunk light has been white. The tower is divided into 30 floors, of which six are open to the public. The first floor houses the information desk, bar, cafe and dining room. On the second floor - souvenir stores, entrance to the observatory, presentation center, where photos, paintings and videos present information about the city and the tower, their history. The third floor is reserved for the Sea Tower Museum and the Hall of Celebrations, where various ceremonies and celebrations are held. On the fourth is the restaurant

On the last 29th and 30th floors, there is a two-tiered observation deck that offers unforgettable views of Yokohama City, the harbor, Mount Fuji and the Busou Peninsula. The entrance fee to the tower costs 200 to 250 yen for children and 750 yen for adults. Since its opening, 25 million people have visited the tower.

Interesting facts about flights, airplanes and pilots

Any professional sphere is full of secrets and mysteries. And aviation is no exception. We decided to lift the veil a little and share some secrets with you.

✅ The cabin is not cleaned after every flight
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Stewards often don't have enough time to clean the entire cabin before the next flight. So carry wet wipes with you and do your own mini-cleaning.
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✅ Why do stewards keep their hands behind their backs?
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Some people think it's a corporate standard. But in reality, flight attendants hold a small counter in their hands. After all, the number of passengers who have checked in and entered the cabin must be the same. If the numbers are different, the airplane will not take off until the error is corrected.

✅ It's the way you dress
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Flight attendants' uniforms are divided into summer and winter. In general, appearance is strictly regulated. This is especially true for the fair sex: hairstyles, shoe color, nail polish, lipstick - everything must be according to the instructions. After all, the stewardess is the face of the aircraft.
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✅ Everything is built from little things
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The curtains are raised during takeoff in the daytime and all light is dimmed during night landing. This is done so that passengers' eyes can adapt to the light outside.
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✅ Chicken or fish?
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The crew is luckier than the economy class passengers in terms of food. Because they eat business class food. And make sure they eat different things. The pilots are thrown together on a rock-paper-scissors basis, who gets to eat chicken and who gets to eat fish. This is done for safety reasons: in case one of them gets sick after airplane food.

✅ Why is the box black?
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The flight recorder, which records all the crew's conversations, the airplane's performance indicators, flight parameters, etc., is not really black, nor is it a box. Usually it has the shape of a ball or cylinder of orange or red color. And it is called black because one of the first devices was that color.

✅ The truth about the oxygen mask
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So far, these wonderful yellow saviors can supply you with oxygen for about 15 minutes. By the way, in an emergency, put the mask on yourself first. And then put it on your child. Some airlines forbid pilots to wear beards precisely because of the oxygen mask, which must fit snugly over the face.
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✅ And when the sky is rocky...
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There are those who like turbulence. And then there's everyone else. If you don't like the shaking and chattering, choose a seat near the wings of the airplane. The most “air swing” is felt at both ends of the airplane.

How do you travel with a pet?

Historically, people love all sorts of furry animals: dogs, kitties, hamsters, etc. And they love to travel, too. It's great when for a vacation four-legged friend can take a mom for a while. And if the fluffy has no one to leave? The answer is simple: let him also fly on vacation! Only this issue should be engaged in conjunction with the organization of your vacation. Here we will talk about it.

Flight
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Be sure to find out from the chosen airline what is necessary for a successful flight of Barsik.
The thing is that each airline has certain quotas for transportation of animals. Many airlines may refuse to carry your cat if it is already registered on board, for example, a dog.
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If you buy a tour/tickets through an agency, the good fairies of tourism will send a request to the airline themselves. And will notify you of the decision. All you have to do is to provide information about the weight of the animal + carrier you are going to put it in.
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Happiness is there and Barsik has been approved for the flight.
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🔸 Buy your friend a comfortable cage where he can stand on all 4 paws and even spin on his axis.
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🔸 On the day of your flight, you go to the airport in advance and go to the vet. Don't forget to take all the documents confirming that you have the necessary vaccinations. About the package of documents, by the way, it is also better to find out in the airline.
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🔸 Cats and dogs are considered non-standard baggage and do not fit into the baggage allowance. Some airlines charge for the total weight “animal+cage” and some have a fixed cost.
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🔸 If your Barsik+cage total weight is up to 8 kg, then fly in the cabin. And if it's more than that, it's better to find him a babysitter at home, because not everyone can survive the flight in the luggage compartment.
It is easier with dogs - large and potentially dangerous ones are transported in the baggage compartment.

Accommodation

🔸 At the hotel selection stage, only stay in hotels that allow pets.
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🔸 Keep in mind that many hotels/hotels charge a separate fee for pets.
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🔸Tell your chosen hotel that you will have Barsik with you. You will be informed about the rules of accommodation for animals at the same time
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When checking in, ask the hotel staff to show you where you can walk your kitty/dog.
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🔸 Don't forget to take all the accessories your friend needs: bowls, food, litter box, toys.
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How to choose a seat on an airplane?

A comfortable flight for you is the result of choosing a seat to your liking. And we, based on our experience in air travel organization and our personal passenger experience, decided to collect in one place tips on how to choose the most successful seat. Of course, much depends on the brand and model of the aircraft, so the first advice is to familiarize yourself with the layout of your airplane before choosing a seat!

▪️ Who wants to be among the first to leave the airplane, choose seats 1 A, B, C and 2 D,E,F. Close proximity to the toilet is either a bonus or not so much.
▪️ Have you seen cool photos with views of clouds, the ground and airplane wings and want the same? Seats 15 through 18 are your choice.
▪️ Do you have long legs? Or do you just like to stretch them out? Choose seats on the 1st row and at the emergency exits. Remember, you'll pay extra for comfort! But is it worth it?
▪️ For those who want to be the first to get their breakfast/lunch/dinner, the seats next to the kitchens are suitable. For example, rows 1 and 2. Also, for those who don't like fish, the bow section is a lifesaver. For only waterfowl food reaches the tail most of the time. Bon appétit!
▪️ Got plans to sleep on the flight? Then don't book the last row. The backs of the seats there are not adjustable - you will sleep in an upright position. But on the other hand, the tail section is usually quieter:

- The plane fills up from the nose
- Moms with babies are seated forward so they can attach a bassinet.

▪️ If you are flying with your soul mate, choose from 3 seats, one by the aisle and one by the window. Then there is a high probability that the middle will remain free. In an extreme case, you can swap with the center.

Where to see elephants in Sri Lanka

Elephants, along with tea, are one of the main “calling cards” of the island. For most tourists, seeing elephants is an important item on the program of visiting the island. Fortunately, Sri Lanka is probably the best place on Earth to see these tranquil giants.

Where to see elephants in Sri Lanka
Elephants, along with tea, are one of the main “calling cards” of the island. For most tourists, seeing elephants is an important item on the program of visiting the island. Fortunately, Sri Lanka is probably the best place on Earth to see these tranquil giants.

Where to see elephants in Sri Lanka

In short, there are four main ways to see and interact with elephants in Sri Lanka: Jeep safaris in one of the national parks, Elephant Sanctuary in Pinnawela, the private Millennium Elephant Sanctuary and Elephant Paper Factory, and elephant rides near Sigiriya. Below we describe each of these options in detail.

FYI: In total, there are about 8,000 elephants living on the island as of the end of 2022.

Jeep safaris in national parks
A jeep ride in Minneriya, Udawalawe and Yala National Parks is an exciting adventure and an opportunity to see wild elephants in their natural habitat. Apart from elephants, there are many exotic birds, wild boars, leopards, bears and giant squirrels to see.

For tourists who visit the national park in one day, we recommend a jeep safari through Udawalawa or Minneriya. These are compact parks and you are guaranteed to see animals here. And in Yala, because of the huge territory, much depends on luck. It is worth going there for a few days.

A jeep safari (not including transfers to the national park) costs $80 per person.

FYI: Wild elephants are dangerous. Each year, about 65 people die on the island because of elephants. When observing wild elephants, precautions are advised.

Where to see elephants in Sri Lanka
Elephants, along with tea, are one of the main “calling cards” of the island. For most tourists, seeing elephants is an important item on the program of visiting the island. Fortunately, Sri Lanka is probably the best place on Earth to see these tranquil giants.

Where to see elephants in Sri Lanka

In short, there are four main ways to see and interact with elephants in Sri Lanka: Jeep safaris in one of the national parks, Elephant Sanctuary in Pinnawela, the private Millennium Elephant Sanctuary and Elephant Paper Factory, and elephant rides near Sigiriya. Below we describe each of these options in detail.
FYI: In total, there are about 8,000 elephants living on the island as of the end of 2022.

Jeep safaris in national parks
A jeep ride in Minneriya, Udawalawe and Yala National Parks is an exciting adventure and an opportunity to see wild elephants in their natural habitat. Apart from elephants, there are many exotic birds, wild boars, leopards, bears and giant squirrels to see.

For tourists who visit the national park in one day, we recommend a jeep safari through Udawalawa or Minneriya. These are compact parks and you are guaranteed to see animals here. And in Yala, because of the huge territory, much depends on luck. It is worth going there for a few days.

A jeep safari (not including transfers to the national park) costs $80 per person.

FYI: Wild elephants are dangerous. Each year, about 65 people die on the island because of elephants. When observing wild elephants, precautions are advised.

Read more about jeep safari
Jeep safari in Sri Lanka (Yala, Udawalawe, Minneriya, Maduru Oya, Wilpattu).
Jeep safari in one of the national parks of Sri Lanka
Hundreds of wild elephants
Possibility to see leopard, crocodiles, giant squirrels and other animals
Personalized one-day excursion in a comfortable vehicle
Jeep Safari, elephants
From $140 per person
Details
Organizer: Organizer
Special Features: Elephants

Elephant nurseries in Pinawella and in Udawalawa
Elephants in Pinawella

For those who want to see elephants up close, there are elephant nurseries in Pinawella and Udawalawa. The nursery in Pinawella is the largest elephant sanctuary in the world!

A walk through the nursery can be compared to visiting a zoo.

The entrance fee to the elephant nursery is $18 per person.

There is also a hotel near the nursery, where tourists like to take photos in the pool against the background of elephants.
FYI: The Ceylon elephant is one of the three recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant and is endemic to Sri Lanka. Asian elephants are smaller in size than African elephants. Females are usually smaller than males and have short or no tusks. Only 7% of males have tusks. The Ceylon elephant, the largest of the modern subspecies of the Asian elephant, reaches a height of 2 to 3.5 meters and weighs from 2000 to 5500 kg. Their skin color is darker than that of Indian and Sumatran elephants, with large and bright pigment spots on the ears,

Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

Ruaha National Park was Tanzania's largest national park until the Selous Game Reserve became Julius Nyerere National Park.
It is an area of immense natural beauty and has wonderful viewing platforms where you can observe wildlife in their natural habitat.
Ruaha National Park is one of the most challenging national parks in Tanzania, but this only adds to its beauty.
Tourist visits are possible if you go with a guide who knows the way, and this is often a good idea as Ruaha National Park is in a very remote area.

Nyerere National Park, Tanzania

Nyerere National Park, formerly known as Selous Game Reserve, was the largest game reserve in Africa and covers about 5% of Tanzania.
It has been a game reserve since the 1920s, and there are still restricted areas in the reserve where people can't go in. Of course, it is now a national park, not a game reserve.
Nirer National Park is home to over 350 recorded species and is truly beautiful. During your vacation, it's worth setting aside a day to explore the area.