Top 10 Best Swimming Beaches in the United States

01. Siesta Beach

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Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Fla., rates as the top beach in the United States,  Siesta Beach, with its fine, white sand and clear, warm waters, often makes the cut on Dr. Beach's annual top beaches list, but this is its first year in the No. 1 spot. For 2011 here is the list of top ten best beaches of America according to coastal expert Stephen P. Leatherman. "Dr. Beach," as Leatherman is known, is the director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research. 09 more top 10 best swimming beaches in the United States, after the break...

02. Coronado Beach

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San Diego's Coronado Beach makes the top 10 list for its lush subtropical vegetation, Mediterranean climate and fine, sparkling sand.

03. Kahanamoku Beach

A shallow reef off Kahanamoku Beach in Oahu, Hawaii, protects this beach from big waves, making it ideal for families with children.

04. Main Beach

Main Beach in East Hampton, N.Y., attracts wealthy summertime residents because a centuries-old conservation easement protects the wide beach and tall dunes.

05. Cape Hatteras

Cape Hatteras in the Outer Banks of North Carolina offers some of the best board surfing on the East Coast. Other draws include a lighthouse, fishing villages, beachcombing and excellent fishing.

06. St. George Island State Park

Winter tourists from up north tend to like St. George Island on Florida's panhandle because sunny days in the 50s and 60s can seem like spring — but without the crowds. The area is known as the Forgotten Coast because Florida's winter tourists tend to flock to the warmer beaches of south Florida.

07. Beachwalker Park

It's a nature lover's oasis on Beachwalker Park, on the south end of Kiawah Island, S.C., just south of Charleston. The sand is compact enough to ride bikes along the 10-mile long barrier island. The water isn't clear, but it is clean and provides for great seafood for low-country cooking.

08. Coast Guard Beach

Coast Guard Beach in Cape Cod, Mass., slopes steeply into the water. Swimmers tend to take quick, cooling dips in the ocean since summertime water temperatures reach only 60 to 70 degrees.

09. Waimanalo Bay Beach Park

The long, white beach at Waimanalo Beach Park on Hawaii's Oahu island slopes gently into the water, offering lots of opportunity for water recreation.

10. Cape Florida State Park

Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne, Fla., offers clear water, gentle surf and fine, white coral sand.

The Forbidden City of China — Zijin Cheng

The Chinese name of the Forbidden City is Zijin Cheng. From the Ming Dynasty to the end of Qing Dynasty the "Forbidden City" was the Chinese imperial palace. It is situated in the centre of Beijing. It was served as the home of emperors and their households for almost five hundred years. It was also the political centre of Chinese government. More images after the break...

The Forbidden City is the largest palace which covers 72 ha and it is a rectangle 753 metres from east to west and 961 metres from north to south. It was designed to be the middle of the ancient, city of Beijing. The Forbidden City consists of 980 buildings with 8,707 rooms. In 1987, it was declared a world heritage site. This post features a collection of  some incredible photographs of Zijin Cheng city.

Top 10 Places To Visit In Ukraine

Ukraine is one of the beautiful country in all over the world, this country is full of culture, natural beauty and there are various places which are full of fun and entertainment. In my opinion no trip will be completed without visiting these places. Here in this article I arrange top ten amazing places to visit in Ukraine, these places are as under, I hope you will also like it.

01. Kamyanets-Podilskyy and Hotyn Fortresses

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Hotyn Fortresses is one of the best place in Ukraine and in my opinion without visit this beautiful place the tour of Ukraine will not completed. This amazing place is one of the top wonder of Ukraine; this was famous in Europe the hub of wars. More 9 after the break...

02. St. Sophia Cathedral

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St. Sophia Cathedral is also one of the best place to visit in Ukraine. This is historical place and it is under the protection of UNESCO. Large number of people comes here to see its beauty.

03. Kiev-Pechersk Lavra

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Kiev Pechersk Lavra is also included in the list of best place Ukraine and large number of people comes here to see the beauty of this amazing place. This is popular for its compound and it is consist of 2 parts above is religious and subversive caves.

04. Hoverla Mountain

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Hoverla Mountain is also one of the beautiful place of Ukraine and this mountain is in top position because of its height in Ukraine. This mountain is full adventure for the tourist, and without visiting this attractive place your trip will not completed.

05. Olesko Castle

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No doubt Olesko Castle is one of the amazing place to visit in Ukraine and cause of its beauty is that there is a castle on the hill which is very attractive and this building is built with stone, so if you come in Ukraine must visit this beautiful place.

06. Palanok Castle in Mukacheveo

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Palanok castle is also one of the beautiful place to visit in Ukraine and it is one of the historical place which was laid at least 14th century. This castle is located in Mukacheveo.

07. Pochaev Lavra

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Pochaiv Lavra is place which is the great achievement of architecture and one of the best place to visit in Ukraine, this is holy place and a large number of people comes here to the this attractive place.

08. Esembly Of Rynok Square in Lviv

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Esembly of Rynok Square in Lviv is also one of the beautiful place in Ukraine it was built in 14th century and included in the list of historical place. Most of the visitor comes here every year to see this amazing place.

09. Zhovkva town and Receive Monastery

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Zhokva town and Kreciv Monastery is also one of the best place to visit in Ukraine and this is historical place which was built in 1724. This wooden church is one of the amazing building in Ukraine. In my opinion without visiting this place you trip will not completed.

10. Shechenkivskyy Park

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Shevchenkivskyy Park is also one of the best place in Ukraine, there are various schools and churches which was built in 18th century, this is located in lviv region. So must see this amazing place once a life

Grass Roofs in Norway

Not all environment solutions involve modern technology or new ideas. Grass roofs on houses in Norway are one such case. Translated literally, torvtak is "turf roof." For hundreds of years turf roofs have been popular in Norway.  More images after the break...

No two turf roofs are the same. Some are bright green and almost velvety. Others are golden and look like they're growing wheat or oats. A number of turf roofs have flowers mixed in with the grass, and a few have small trees.

The advantages of turf roofs are many. They are very heavy, so they help to stabilize the house; they provide good insulation; and they are long-lasting. Special skills and materials are required to prepare the roof for the turf topping.

Turf roofs in Norway are a tradition and you will see them everywhere. This is not some new architectural trend in London or New York!

Here is a link to some photos of the more recent, trendy green roofs. Meanwhile, in the UK the government would like to see more people go for grass roofs and suggest such a move could cut their tax bill.