 1. Kyoto 2. Morocco 3. South Africa 4. Bulgaria 5. Istanbul 6. Nepal 7. Nicaragua 8. Suriname 10. Iceland
PUBLISHED IN SCOTSMAN ON SUNDAY 10 JAN, 2010 BY JATET CHRISTIE
Nepal is on Position 6
Nepal, one of the most spectacular places on earth, the mountain kingdom of Nepal is rightly famous for its peaks but it's not all about trekking as the land at the top of the world is also the land of festivals, with over 50 celebrated each year. The population is made up of Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and Muslims so there is a lot to pack in, and the million visitors the country hopes to attract this year won't stuck for something to do.
In February the new year of the Tibetans and Sherpas of Nepal is celebrated with the monasteries of Kathmandu being decorated with prayer flags, followd by the SHIVA Ratri - the day of Lord Shiva and festival of water and colours, when people throw water baloons and dye at each other. March sees the festival of the horses, in May there are eight days of dancing and feasting for the festival of Lord Indra and in September 15 days of celebration of Dashain.
It is not all festivals either, with ten world heritage sites, seven of them in Kathmandu, including Durbar Square with its cluster of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards and streets dating back to the 12th and 18th centuries, and Swyambhunath Temple with its monkeys. Then there are the national parks with mountains, flaciers and deep valleys where visitors might spot rare species such as the snow leopard and the Bengal tiger.
In Kathmandu, there are several hotels from budget US$6 to 5 star hotel US$ 116 per night and all ranges price accommodation are available. We at www.kailashhimalaya.com are eager to serve you. Flights from London and Manchester to Tribhuwan International Airport with Gulf Air, Etihad Airways, Qatar and BMI and others stars from around Sterling Pound 800. |
