Monday, 23 April 2012

Unspoilt Cities of Europe: Visit Ljubljana Slovenia

Ljubljana Triple Bridge

If you're looking for a city to visit which is a little off the beaten track, then consider a visit to Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana. Ljubljana is a small city of just 300,000 but represents one of the most interesting mixes of European cultures in a single city. Fortunately, the city has yet to suffer from the problems associated with overdevelopment or an influx of drunken revelers from overseas.

Why Visit Ljubljana?

Despite being a small city, Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and as such, a reason to visit the city in itself. The real reason however, for planning a visit to Ljubljana should be to experience the city’s unique mix of cultures. Slovenia’s location means that the country has a unique mix of cultures with Mediterranean, Central and Eastern European influences all being felt. Such a mix of cultures is reflected in the capitals architecture, shopping and range of cuisines available.

Ljubljana is the ideal city to visit if one is looking for a quieter style of city break. Whilst the city has much to offer, there are few well known attractions and the city does not become as crowded with tourists as other locations, even at the height of the season.

Whilst Ljubljana is a great historical city to visit, the city boasts the usual range of modern hotels and high quality restaurants of both traditional and contemporary style. For a luxury hotel experience consider a stay at the Grand Hotel Union, the hotel is located in the centre of the city and boasts all of the facilities one would expect. Prices are around the £130 per night mark, this includes breakfast.

Things to do in Ljubljana

Ljubljana Castle – One of the central features of the city, Ljubljana castle offers the best views of the city and access to the courtyard, ramparts and shop is free. There is however, a small fee to enter the bell tower. The courtyard is a great place to enjoy a glass of the city’s native “Union” beer whilst taking in the views.

Water Front – The River Ljubljanica flows through the centre of old town. The river is an attractive feature, lined with shops and cafes. In addition there are also a number of markets along its length. Stalls sell the usual array of foods and local handicrafts in addition there is also a weekly flea market held on Sunday.

Bridges – There are two bridges which must be seen along the River Ljubljanica. The first is the “triple bridge” or properly the Tromostovje. The triple bridge links the central market square with the main commercial area of Ljubljana. The second is the “dragon bridge” or Zmajski Most: the dragon bridge was completed in 1901 and features four bronze dragons, which also serve as icons for the city.

Roman Ruins – A walk to the west of the City will see the visitor arrive at an attractive site of Roman ruins, including a substantial section of a Roman wall. The ruins have an almost surreal quality, being located in a central residential area.

Shopping in Slovenia: Traditional Slovenian Crafts

Slovenian Crafts - Bee Hive Boards

Every country has its array of traditional items, which every tourist must consider buying, from the local tipple to nationally recognised handicrafts. When it comes to such purchases, the visitor to Slovenia is spoiled for choice. Slovenia offers a wide range of gifts and crafts, many coming from the bee keeping and forestry industries.

Most items are available from the great many tourist shops present in Slovenia however, better examples are usually available and at a lower cost from markets and specialist craft shops.

Food Gifts From Slovenia

Defining the food and cuisines of Slovenia is somewhat difficult, if only because of the vast number of outside influences upon the country. Here are some items however, which have a district association with Slovenia:

Honey – Slovenia is famous for its bee keeping industry, the primary product being a high quality honey. The best flavoured honey comes from the Pine forests and has a unique flavour and scent. The best specimens are sold by market traders, where one can sample before making a purchase.

Medenjaki – These are traditional Slovenian honey cakes, they usually come in a heart shape and are often given as gifts.

Slovenian Wine – If visiting Slovenia be sure to sample some of the local wine. Slovenian wine, although becoming more popular is relatively rare outside of the country. Look out for sparkling wines from the Goriska-Brda region. The best wines are usually white and made as single varietal bottles.

Handicrafts From Slovenia

Beehive Panels – Traditionally beekeepers in Slovenia have painted various motifs and images on the front panels of their beehives. Over time this has lead to the development of a form of folk art depicting various fables and traditional country activities. Today, the panels are produced as gifts for tourist and are available in range of qualities, from the distinctly touristy to some very high quality folk art specimens.

Wax Candles – Bees wax is the other product of the traditional bee keeping industry. Not surprisingly a range of traditional candles are available, from the plain rolled candle with a honeycomb texture, to elaborate figurines, almost too artistic to use.

Wood Shavings – Timber is another key product of the traditional Slovenian economy however, not all of it ends up in furniture or being made into wine barrels. A significant form of folk art has grown up using wood shavings to make everything from bookmarks to collage style pictures.

Things to do in Slovenia: Visiting Lake Bled

Lake Bled

Lake Bled is on of Europe’s most picturesque lakes, not to mention one of the most photogenic. Despite the picture postcard views, the location is less than an hour away from Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana making it a convenient day trip idea.

Visiting Lake Bled

Lake Bled is easily accessed for all parts of Slovenia. Public transport probably represents the best option, with regular services by both bus and train from Ljubljana. Train is probably the best way to arrive at Lake Bled, if only because of the elevated view one gets on exiting the station, before walking down to the water front.

Lake Bled is perhaps, unsurprisingly one of the most popular tourist destinations in Slovenia. As such, consider that in the height of the summer, one will have to share the picturesque views with throngs of other tourists enjoying the landscape. Winter or early Spring may be a better time to visit, although one will have to endure much colder temperatures.

Once at Lake Bled, most of the areas attractions and items worth seeing are within walking distance. In addition one can also consider using the local bus services or perhaps hiring a bicycle or rowing boat for exploration.

If staying over at Lake Bled there are a number of options, the best hotel in Bled may be the Grand Hotel Toplice which is located right on the lake front. On the other hand, the region is also host to a number of budget options including B&B's and guest houses.

Things to do at Lake Bled

The Lake – No trip to Lake Bled would be complete without walking the full loop around the lake, at least one time. The walk is not technically challenging and one is rewarded with an ever changing view of the lake and its mountainous backdrop. A complete lap of the lake will take around 1 hour to walk.

Bled Castle – Bled castle is preached upon a cliff side facing the lake and offers perhaps some of the best panoramic views of both the lake and the Triglav National Park. The castle on display to visitors today is a restoration of the 17th century incarnation of the building, although the courtyard also features a 16th century chapel.

Bled Island – Bled Island is the centre piece of the lake, after walking around the lake and viewing from every angle, few can resist a boat ride across the lake and onto the island. On the island are the treasures of the Church of the Assumption. The church is a stunning piece of baroque architecture dating back to 1698.

Bled Town – The small town of Bled is attractive, yet as one may expect somewhat touristy in nature. Whilst the town has plenty of traditional architectural features to look at, the spectacle of casinos and sheer volume of shops selling tourist gifts and souvenirs can ruin the experience somewhat.

All in all Lake Bled is one of the most beautiful locations to visit in Europe, if the lake is to be appreciated at its best, consider visiting in the off season. Early Spring is an ideal time to visit, try to time a visit with the coming of the cherry blossoms for some really great pictures.

Sunday, 15 April 2012

Great Rail Journeys – London to Edinburgh

The Flying Scotsman Doncaster

There is no shortage of rail services between London and Edinburgh and the journey is a standard one for many business travellers. Despite this fact, the journey is one of the most historic in the UK and worthy of greater consideration than a simple business commute.

Great Rail Journeys – London to Edinburgh the Route

The route is often referred to as “the route of the Flying Scotsman”, and is inevitably linked with the famous steam train of the same name, which ran the route in times past. The route is a 392 mile journey and takes between 4.5 and 5 hours non-stop from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverly station.

Today the route is operated primarily by the service provider East Coast, the most popular starting point in London is from the Kings Cross terminal. Trains to Edinburgh run several times an hour, depending on the time of day.  In addition, the CaledonianSleeper Train also run on the route offering a sleeper train experience at a reasonable price.

Whilst ticket prices vary expect to pay around £140 for a single ticket in standard accommodation. Booking in advance can see significant discounts achieved. First class tickets rise to around the £190 mark, again advanced booking can lead to significant savings.

Great Rail Journeys – London to Edinburgh Points of Interest

The journey connects the two capital cities of England and Scotland, both significant destinations in themselves. Despite this, there are a number of destinations on route which are well worth either a stop at, or simply to take note of along the route.

Doncaster – A historical railway town, worth noting as one passes that this was were the Mallard, record holder for the world’s fastest steam train was built. In addition the original “Flying Scotsman” steam locomotive was also built at the Doncaster works.

York – Capital city of the county of Yorkshire and one of the UK’s most historic cities. York is famed for its cathedral, the York Minster and other fortified buildings such as Clifford’s tower. The city is also a walled one, here one can access most sections of the ramparts, thus gaining an elevated tour of the historical parts of the city. The city is also host to the National Railway Museum (NMR), a must for all rail enthusiasts.

Newcastle upon Tyne – A famous English city associated with heavy industry and Newcastle Brown Ale. The city is famous for its iconic bridges across the Tyne and has a vibrant nightlife. The city is also host to Britain’s oldest dining room “Blackfriars restaurant”.

Berwick Upon Tweed – A small historic market town right on the Scottish/English border. The town has great views of the coast line and is worth a stop, if only to take the mandatory pictures of stepping between England and Scotland.

Edinburgh – One can either alight at Waverly, the main station or Haymarket if the service is going on to Dundee or Aberdeen. It is recommended that passengers alight at Waverly, here one is presented with a picture view of Edinburgh Castle immediately on alighting the train. Leaving the station, one emerges into Prince’s street often to the tune of bagpipes and into one of Edinburgh’s main shopping streets in the heart of the New Town.

Claridges Hotel London: Luxury Hotel Review

Claridges Hotel London

Claridges Art Deco hotel is one of the finest hotels in London. Not only is the hotel noted for its high quality accommodation and unsurpassed service levels, it is conveniently located on Brook Street, close to some of the finest shopping streets in London.

Claridges Hotel London: Staying at Claridges Hotel – Service

Having pre-booked a room via the hotels online booking system, check in is relatively simple. A single signature is required to confirm the reservation, thankfully there are no lengthy forms to fill out as in many hotels. After completing the documentation, one is offered a tour of the hotel's facilities before being escorted to the room and shown the features, which are several and numerous.

It is this level of personal service which marks Claridges out from that of its competitors in the luxury hotel market. Such high levels of service are maintained throughout one's stay. Once settled in the room one is offered the option of having tea or Champagne brought up to the room.

Check out the next day is a similarly fuss-free affair, again a simple signature is required and the presentation of the credit card used is not required. Again, service is personalised and friendly with staff bringing the bill around the desk and finishing the transaction with a hand shake.

Breakfast is served in the foyer restaurant and is of an exceptional quality. There are a wide choice of breakfasts available, from the traditional Full English to a Japanese breakfast, which includes rice and salmon. Breakfast is served with a selection of toasts, cakes and homemade jams and preserves.

Claridges Hotel London – Rooms and Packages

The rooms at Claridges are epic in both size and content. Standard rooms are finished completely in the Art Deco style, this includes every feature of the room, from the mirror above the desk to the light fittings and switches. Standard rooms contain a large double bed, two desks, several telephones and a extremely large but tastefully wall mounted TV. In addition, all rooms are connected to the hotels free WIFI internet service.

Bathroom suites see the continuing of the Art Deco theme and contain a shower, bath basin and toilet. The bathrooms are finished with black and white marble floors and wall, all of which adds to the Art Deco feel of the suite. Rooms and bathrooms also contain a large amount of dark wood, which adds a touch of age to the feel.

Perhaps one of the best ways to enjoy a stay at Claridges is to consider one of the weekend offers. Here it is possible to obtain a room for £319. This includes one nights stay in the hotel, a choice of breakfasts and a bottle of Champagne on arrival. The package is suitable for two people staying in a double room. If purchasing such a package, one can check in from 14:00 onwards and check out is not required until 12:00 the next day. This really gives one a chance to fully appreciate the sheer luxury of the experience.

All in all, a stay at Claridges is a great luxury hotel experience. The experience is to be fully recommended for special occasions, such as wedding anniversaries or a big number birthday.

Places to Take Afternoon Tea in London

Afternoon Tea

If visiting London, then consider a visit to one of London’s top hotels such as Claridges or the Savoy for an afternoon tea. Not only is the experience a relaxing one, it is also a way experiencing a true British tradition in a non-touristy way.

What is High Tea?

High tea is an afternoon “pick me up” traditionally taken between lunch and dinner and fills the role of both a source of energy, as well as a social event. Whilst the event is called high tea or afternoon tea, the drink forms only a part of the event.

If taking afternoon tea in one of London’s luxury hotels, then expect to be offered a selection of teas, finger sandwiches, cakes and scones with clotted cream. In short, an afternoon tea can be quite an undertaking in itself, almost constituting a whole meal in constitution.

Of course, the real upside of afternoon tea is the social and cultural experience. Taking high tea is one way in which the traveller can spend an hour or so watching the world go by and chatting in some of London’s finest buildings. High tea is a chance to slow down a gear and experience a true British tradition in a non-tourist like way.

Places to take Afternoon Tea in London

There are many places to take afternoon tea in London and not all are confined to the luxury hotel. Despite this, the best examples are found in the stated hotels, here are some of the best locations:

Afternoon tea at Claridges Hotel – Claridges Hotel is one of London’s finest hotels. The hotel is in the heart of the Mayfair district and is well known for its Art Deco period features and décor. A standard afternoon tea at Claridges will cost £35 and includes a selection of over 30 teas to choose from. Sittings are available at 15:00, 15:30, 17:00 and 17:30.

Afternoon tea at The Ritz – The Ritz is located in the Piccadilly area or London and is one of the city’s finest hotels. Taking afternoon tea at the Ritz is a historical experience, the original hotel having opened its doors over 100 years ago, back in 1906. Today at traditional afternoon tea at the Ritz will set the patron back £39 and includes a selection of sandwiches, scones, pastries and of course a tea. Five sittings are available at 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 17:30 and 19:30.

Afternoon tea at The Savoy – The Savoy hotel dates back to 1889 and is located in the Strand of London. The hotel is famous for its mixture of Art Deco and English Edwardian period features. Afternoon tea at the Savoy is served in the Thames Foyer between 14:00 and 18:30. In addition, the hotel has also opened a boutique style shop inspired by the traditional of afternoon tea. The store sells a range of related products and gifts as one might expect. The store is simply named “The Savoy Tea” and is open between 10:00 and 20:00.

Afternoon tea at The Dorchester – The Dorchester is another of London’s luxury hotels located again in the Mayfair district. Afternoon tea is served in two locations at the Dorchester hotel, in the Promenade and the Spatisserie. The promenade sees five services a day at 13:15, 14:30, 15:15, 16:15 and 17:15. Whilst afternoon tea can be taken at the Spatisserie at 15:30, 16:45 and 18:45.

Venice – Visit the Island of Glass Murano Read more at Suite101: Venice – Visit the Island of Glass Murano

Murano Canal

Venice is made up of an archipelago of islands, taking a boat ride to the outer island of Murano is one option for an adventure, which is just that little bit off the beaten track. The island of Murano is famous for its product, Murano Glass, visiting the island one can obtain a piece Murano Glass ranging in quality from the distinctly tourist tat, to possibly the finest artisan glass produced in Italy.

The History of Murano and Murano Glass

The island of Murano and its history owes itself to the dangers associated with the glass making process. Glass making itself was not invented in Italy or Venice however, by the 13th century the city had become one of the centres of the glass making world.

The problem for the city however, was the ever present risk of fire. As such the Grand Council ordered the removal of the glassworks from the main area of the city and onto the island of Murano. The trade was not only moved to abate the risk of fire, but also as an attempt to protect the commercial secrets of the trade.

The art of glass making has continued to thrive on Murano down the centuries, today one can purchase anything from simple items of jewellery, such as the Murrine to fine chandeliers costing several thousand Euros or more.

Murano Today – The Island and Glassworks

Today, one can reach the island of Murano using the water buses, numbers 12, 13, 41 and 42 make a stop at the island. The trip to Murano is one of the longer boat rides of the Venetian experience and gives a good view of both the main area of Venice and other outlying islands including the Isola Di S. Michele.

On arriving in Murano from the main city of Venice the island can at first feel a little “touristy”. There are many shops and cafes selling their wares of varying quality and the canal sides can be packed with tourists and school parties.

Despite the touristy nature of many outlets, there are also some studios of real quality. If one takes the time to investigate the island a little further and walk some distance from the point of disembarkation. Many shops double up as glass studios, in which one can see artisans working at their craft. If lucky, one may arrive at a number of the studios in which glass is actually being produced in the furnace and blown.

Despite Murano’s famed glass works and studios, the island has more to offer than simply glass. Other features include the beautiful brick built apse of the Santa Maria e San Donato, the San Pietro Martire church and for those of a less religious disposition the islands museum, the Museo Di Arte Vetraria.

Cheap Hotels in Bratislava, Slovakia – Boatel Marina Hotel

Boatel Marina Bratislava

If planning a visit to Slovakia’s capital Bratislava, you may wish to consider a novelty stay at the Boatel Marina, Bratislava’s very own hotel boat on the Danube. The Boatel Marina, occupies a birth within just 10 minutes walk of the city centre and is overlooked by the city’s castle, which provides an attractive feature after dark.

Staying at the Boatel Marina


On entering the hotel of an evening, one is somewhat confused as to whether entering a hotel or nightclub. The boat hotel is well lit from the outside and appeared to have attracted a notably young crowd around the establishment. Check in was a simple and efficient process and the level of English spoken by staff was acceptable.

The hotel boat features 32 rooms in total, which are spread across two “decks”, rooms are generally twins, there are no true double rooms owing to the lack of space. As one might expect rooms are “cozey” to say the least, although this is to be expected when staying aboard a boat.

Rooms are equipped with the usual facilities, including bathroom facilities, mini-bar and a TV featuring English speaking channels. Whilst rooms are comfortable and relatively clean, the décor is somewhat dated and on the whole would benefit from a touch of modernisation. Rooms are however, fit for purpose.

On the downside, the Boatel Marina is also host to a night club with a capacity of 60. Whilst this may be an attraction if the guest wishes to party, for most this will lead to a severely disrupted stay, especially if staying at the hotel on a weekend.
Breakfast at the Boatel Marina is a self service buffet affair. Guests can take breakfast on the upper deck and are offered a choice of the usual pastries, breads and cooked meats. The food is distinctly average however, the real upside of breakfast at the Boatel Marina is the views of the Danube as one fuels up for the day.


A round up of Staying on a Hotel Boat at the Boatel Marina


The prime reason for recommending the Boatel Marina are for the novelty factor and location. The boat hotel is located conveniently close enough to the city centre to enjoy all the that the city has to offer, the slight walk allows the guest to appreciate key features of the city, including views of both the Danube and the castle.

Overall the Boatel Marina is not a great hotel, acceptable would be a better description. However, any disappointment which may be felt as a result of the dated décor and small rooms spaces is largely offset by the novelty of staying on a floating hotel. As such if looking for a novelty experience in Bratislava at a reasonable price, then the Boatel Marina is the place to stay. If looking for a luxury hotel experience, then look elsewhere.
Contact:
  • Botel Marina
  • Nábrežie arm. gen. L. Svobodu
  • 811 02 Bratislava
  • Slovak Republic

Great Rail Journeys – The Transcontinental Railroad

Union Pacific Loco 1996

If planning a transcontinental rail journey, there are a number of options, with several transcontinental railroads linking numerous cities within the United States. One of the great rail journeys today still remains a trip on the transcontinental railroad between Chicago and Seattle.

Transcontinental Railroads – Chicago to Seattle Branch


Today the transcontinental railroad between Chicago and Seattle sees a passenger service operated by Amtrak. The company runs one train per day in either direction on the “Empire Builder” service. The journey takes a scheduled 46 hours non-stop journey crossing seven states.

Both of the terminal points of this great rail journey boast cities of significant interest. Chicago is widely acknowledged to be the rail hub of the United States and is ideal for onward travel by train. The city is also home to the worlds first skyscraper and the Willis Tower, North Americas tallest building.


Seattle at the other end of the line is home to a more contemporary West Coast culture, a popular icon of the city is the eccentrically constructed Space Needle, complete with revolving restaurant. Whilst on the other hand the city is also famous for influences in popular culture, including the grunge band Nirvana and popular TV sit-com Frasier.

The Transcontinental Railroad Chicago to Seattle – Key Features


Here are some of the key features of a trip on the transcontinental railroad, travelling from East to West.
The first daytime leg of the trip is between Chicago and the twin cities of Minneapolis/St Paul. On this leg of the trip, the train passes through Milwaukee, home of the famous beer producer Coors. Before arriving at Minneapolis, the train also crosses one of the most northern points of the Mississippi river, a river which goes on to travel the length of the country into the Gulf of Mexico


On the second day, the sun rises over the plains of North Dakota. Here one is treated to a vista of unimaginable open spaces and the classic “big sky’s”. Stops on the second day include those at Fargo and Minot, the so called “magic city”. It is also on the second day that the train crosses the second of the US’s great rivers, the Missouri.

After progressing through Montana, the landscape changes dramatically and suddenly. Gone are the big sky’s and open plains of the Mid-west, the train makes its way into the spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. An interesting part of the service is the tour guide, who joins the train at Shelby, the guide then talks travellers through the key features of the mountainous landscape until the light has faded. Not only is this informative, it also provides a welcome source of entertainment on the second evening for those travelling non-stop.

The train continues on for a second night pulling through the snow capped Rocky Mountains and arrives mid-morning the next day in the city of Seattle. If taking a trip directly from Chicago to Seattle, the traveller will have covered seven states and 2,205 miles. The journey is one of the most diverse from an aesthetic perspective, over the course of the journey the traveler will have experienced a variety of landscapes from the golden cornfields of North Dakota to the snow-capped Mountains of Washington State.

Visit the Worlds Tallest Buildings

Burj Khalifa
The first true skyscrapers date back to the innovations in building technology in the last century. The invention of the steel frame, gave architects the ability to build to much greater heights than had previously been achievable, using brick and masonry constructions. The skyscraper began its life in Chicago however, today one can travel the entire globe in pursuit of the worlds tallest buildings.

What is the World’s Tallest Building? The Burj Khalifa


What constitutes the worlds tallest building is frequently a matter of debate, and answers will change over time, as architects build ever taller structures. However, in the first instance one should state that a building is considered to be a structure in which over 50% of its height is dedicated to habitable space. As such other structures, such as the CN tower built by the Canadian National railroad constitute towers and structures but not buildings.
At present the world’s tallest building is considered to be the Burj Khalifa, the building stands at an impressive 828m in height and was completed in 2010. The Burj Khalifa occupies the centre stage of Dubai, the building houses a variety of residential and commercially habitable floors.  Looking to see this building, why not consider a stay at the Burj Al Arab?

The Burj Khalifa is somewhat unique in its record as the world’s tallest building. In previous times the world’s tallest building accolade could have been issued to a number of contenders depending on category. The Burj Khalifa however, claims the title whether considering overall height, spire, antenna or habitable floor as the key element.

World’s tallest buildings – Where to Visit Chicago to Dubai


Whilst modern tall buildings started their life in Chicago, today the architectural tourist can work their way right around the globe in the pursuit of the highest observation decks and spectacular views. Here are some tall buildings of note.
CN Tower – The CN Tower is a communications tower located in down town Toronto. The tower was officially opened in 1976 at a cost of approximately CDN$63m, the building rising to a height of 553 meters is complete with an observation deck.

Willis Tower – Formally known as the Sears Tower, this is Chicago’s tallest building and stood for a time as the worlds tallest building before losing the title to the Petronas Towers in 1998. The Willis Tower stands at 442m and or 108 stories, hosting a variety of commercial functions. The Willis Tower still holds the title as North America’s tallest building, although the CN Tower is a taller structure.Petronas Towers – The Petronas Towers located in central Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia are still the world’s tallest pair of twin towers. The twin towers feature an ornate pair of Islamic inspired spires, as well as the trade mark sky bridge connecting the two towers 170m above ground level. The Petronas Towers was opened in 1998, stealing the title of world’s tallest building from the Sears Tower (Now Willis Tower) at a height of 452m.

Taipei 101 – Another Asian contribution to the myriad of tall buildings and skyscrapers around the world. Taipei 101 is the former holder of the title of world’s tallest building, previous to the opening of the Burj Khalifa in 2010. Not only is Taipei 101 a unique building from an aesthetic perspective. The building is also one of radical engineering achievement, the building is designed to withstand the prospect of both typhoon winds and an earthquake, both features of the region. Taipei 101 is located in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei and stands at an impressive 509m. The building is largely occupied by a number of leading financial institutions, including ABN AMRO, Goldbank Taiwan and ING.

The Pyramids at Giza – Hardly a contender for world’s tallest structure in the modern environment. However, any travel guide to tall structures would not be complete without a historical reference to the pyramids. The tallest of the pyramids stands at just 146m. However, the title of worlds tallest man made structure was held by the pyramids for around 3,800 years, longer than any other structure.

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