Al-Bahar Towers, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Башни «Аль-Бахар»
Две 30-этажные башни «Аль-Бахар» в Абу-Даби опровергают термин «недвижимость»: их части движутся. Чтобы защитить внутренние помещения от дневной жары, инженеры поместили поверх фасада покрывало из затеняющих золотистых сот. Впрочем, архитекторы пошли дальше проекта Жана Нувеля в Катаре: под управлением компьютера внешний слой открывается и закрывается в зависимости от освещённости — от полностью свободного состояния утром до глухой скорлупы в полдень.

Blaze Towers, Baku, Azerbaijan
Блейз Тауерс
Где искать наиболее эффектную современную архитектуру на территории бывшего СССР? Не в Москве — стоит отправиться в Баку. В последнее десятилетие самые масштабные и эффектные здания работы мировых архитекторов-суперзвёзд появлялись в первую очередь в Китае или столицах восточных нефтяных держав. Азербайджан — не исключение: здесь строит Заха Хадид, и несложно найти три небоскрёба в форме двухсотметровых языков пламени. Открытый в прошлом году комплекс состоит из офисов, гостиницы и апартаментов. А весь его фасад покрыт LED-экранами, имитирующими огонь.

Burj Qatar, Doha, Qatar
Burj Qatar
Высотка в Дохе работы Жана Нувеля напоминает другой его проект — переливающуюся башню Torre Agbar в Барселоне, штаб-квартиру местной службы городского водоснабжения. Архитектор не только использовал энергосберегающие технологии, но и покрыл здание затеняющей сеткой в духе традиционной исламской архитектуры, позволяющей сэкономить на вентиляции. Пятидесятиэтажное офисное здание обошлось в $125 млн.

Absolute Towers, Toronto, Canada
Absolute Towers
Прошлогодний победитель конкурса Emporis — облицованные алюминием пятидесятиэтажные жилые башни в пригороде Торонто. Китайские архитекторы из MAD придали высоткам изгибающуюся бионическую форму для того, чтобы каждый из жильцов получил уникальные условия в рамках одного здания.

Shenzhen Stock Market, Shenzhen, China
Биржа Шенжень
Кажется, что граничащий с Гонконгом промышленный Шэньчжэнь — самый главный город на планете: через много лет по нему будут судить о том, как выглядели мегаполисы в начале XXI века. Кроме циклопического завода Foxconn, на котором гаджеты собирают несколько сотен тысяч рабочих, в Шэньчжэне можно найти футуристичный аэропорт или экспериментальное здание фондовой биржи. 250-метровая высотка — ещё один проект Рэма Колхаса. Благодаря неожиданной форме здание получило больше пространств для общения и отдыха.

Moscow, Russia
Оранжевая башня «Меркурий»
Оранжевая башня «Меркурий» в «Москва-Сити» считается самым высоким небоскрёбом Европы, но самая эффектная российская высотка — это, конечно, «Дом на Мосфильмовской» Сергея Скуратова. Наряду с Юрием Григоряном Скуратов придумал продавать современную модернистскую архитектуру как роскошь и преуспел в этом: двухсотметровую башню вряд ли можно назвать обычным жилым домом. Из-за конфликта «Дон-Строй Инвеста» со столичной мэрией высотку на Мосфильмовской хотели частично снести, но после ухода Юрия Лужкова проект завершили в первоначальном виде. Несмотря на почти пятилетнюю задержку в строительстве, в прошлом году здание так же вошло в список главных высоток планеты по версии Emporis.

Rotterdam, Netherlands
Комплекс De Rotterdam
Расположенный в бывшем портовом районе Роттердама комплекс De Rotterdam — самое масштабное здание Нидерландов и любимое детище Рэма Колхаса, который хотел построить внешне «дешёвое» и идеальное в своей безликости офисное здание. Стеклянная стена из восьми блоков высотой в 150 метров вмещает в себя офисы, отель, апартаменты, а ещё залы для собраний и торговый центр в основании. Масштабный проект лежал на полке более десяти лет, но во время кризиса 2008 года серьёзно подешевели услуги подрядчиков, и его удалось запустить. В итоге здание обошлось в $500 млн, но спустя полгода после открытия оно по большей части пустует. Часть офисов занимает городское правительство.

The View from The Shard, London, United Kingdom
Трёхсотметровый «Осколок»
Трёхсотметровый «Осколок» — самое высокое здание Евросоюза и едва ли не самый передовой небоскрёб мира (по крайней мере, до момента открытия нового Всемирного торгового центра в Нью-Йорке). Пример того, каким должно быть высотное здание после 11 сентября 2011 года: внизу — транспортный хаб, внутри — мощный сердечник, который выдержит столкновение с самолётом, и технологичная начинка с умными системами энергосбережения, вентиляции и вторичного использования дождевой воды. Высотка обошлась в $750 млн.

Washington, United States
Washington DC is a beautiful city
Washington, DC is a beautiful city with impressive architecture and spectacular scenery. It's a photographer's mecca with hundreds of scenic sites. Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States and the seat of its three branches of government, has a collection of free, public museums unparalleled in size and scope throughout the history of mankind, and the lion's share of the nation's most treasured monuments and memorials. The vistas on the National Mall between the Capitol, Washington Monument, White House, and Lincoln Memorial are famous throughout the world as icons of the world's wealthiest and most powerful nation. Beyond the Mall, D.C. has in the past two decades shed its old reputation as a city both boring and dangerous, with shopping, dining, and nightlife befitting a world-class metropolis. Travelers will find the city new, exciting, and decidedly cosmopolitan and international.

Budapest, Hungary
Beautiful Budapest
Two cities separated by the Danube River became one and formed one of Europe's most beautiful capitals. Today, Budapest has also grown in the number of tourist visits, as well as in hotels, restaurants, and boutiques opening their doors. Since joining the European Union not too long ago, it has been cleaning up its beautiful architecture and is now more attractive than ever. It's especially beautiful when seen from the top of the hilly Buda side or from the river, with landmarks standing out in the skyline. A visit to its famous thermal baths is a must, and the classical music scene is impressive. You may also join the local fashion-conscious youth in the new buzzing nightlife, or simply continue wandering the cobbled streets admiring the city's charm and lovely vistas.

Cologne, Germany
Colonia es adictiva.
El mismo nombre de la ciudad es testigo de su pasado romano como la ciudad de Colonia. Además del legado de los tiempos romanos y de la edad media, en particular su mundialmente famosa catedral, Colonia tiene una escena artística y cultural extremadamente animadas. Y además de ser el centro de la actividad de carnaval y la capital de “la alegría de vivir del Rhin”, Colonia es también un extremadamente atractivo centro de ferias de comercio. Colonia es adictiva. Cualquiera que haya vivido en esta atractiva ciudad catedralicia nunca quiere volver a irse. Es un sentimiento único, el resultado de una forma alegre de vida, una experiencia de ciudad con atmósfera y el toque Mediterráneo, que cautiva a todos los que lo experimentan y trae la nostalgia a los ausentes forzosos. Abierta, amable y sin complicaciones: ¡Así es Colonia! Lugares de interés Colonia puede mirar hacia atrás a su larga y emocionante historia, y podrás ver la evidencia de esto por toda la ciudad. La Catedral de Colonia es la más grande de Alemania y está designada como Patrimonio de la Humanidad de la UNESCO. El parque Rheingarten de la ciudad y el barrio viejo son firmes favoritos tanto de las gentes locales como de los turistas, un lugar fantástico para disfrutar de un paseo y para en una de las tradicionales fábricas de cerveza. Encontrarás un llamativo grupo de doce grandes iglesias románicas en el centro de la ciudad. Museos Con una fascinante variedad de museos y la feria de arte ART COLOGNE, la reputación de Colonia como un centro de arte y cultura es bien merecida. Los museos más importantes incluyen en Museo Ludwig y el Museo Wallraf Richartz / Fundación Corboud, una de las colecciones de pintura más grandes de Alemania. El Museo Romano-Germánico presenta el patrimonio arqueológico de Colonia, y el Museo Schnütgen alberga una de las colecciones de arte de la edad media más importantes del mundo.

Montreal, Canada
Gastronomy of Montreal
As the city with the largest number of restaurants per capita in North America, chances are that you’re going to find just the region or type of food you crave in Montréal – and it’s going to be delicious! Local creativity Local chefs really take the cake when it comes to imagination. Not only do they showcase fresh, seasonal local produce, they liberally season their dishes with the same creativity that is indelibly Montréal: innovation, style and originality. A culinary scene a cut above the rest Ingenuity is the main ingredient in a unique cuisine that deftly mixes invention with tradition. The result? An inspired blend of local influences, daring world flavours and European heritage. What’s more, Montréal chefs work hand in hand with local purveyors and can often be found exploring the public markets for the inspiration and base of their next great creation. And if you don’t catch them at the market, chances are you’ll find them chatting up the patrons at their restaurant; Montréal’s culinary scene is also appetizingly accessible! In addition, the street food scene, with some 350 food trucks and takeout meal stands, offers a diverse range of fresh, affordable, and high-quality products.

Perpignan, France
The Old Town of Perpignan
In the center of the Old Town visitors will find the Place de la République, the city’s main square. Slightly north of the square is the Castillet, an ancient fortified town gate which is the city’s symbol. The Casa Peiral is located there, a large museum dedicated to Catalan folk art and traditions. The city has many churches which are filled with art and carved statues. The Cathedral of St. Jean is one of the city’s main landmarks, a cathedral that incorporates the ancient structure of the Romanesque church of St Jean le Vieux with the more recent features of an organ gallery and a white marble altar. Next to the doorway there is a chapel known for its carved crucifix, the Dévot Christ. Near the Castillet is the Loge de Mer, which used to be the Exchange and Maritime Court. The bronze sculpture of Venus is located near the building. Another nearby palace is the Palais de la Députation.

Perpignan, France
Perpignan: half Catalan, half French
Half Catalan, half French, Perpignan is Languedoc at its most exotic The last major town in Languedoc before the Spanish border, it’s easy to see why the flavour of Perpignan is essentially Catalan. There’s a real mix of cultures in this corner of the region: Catalan, Romany and North African all co-exist in this sunny city of palm-lined squares. For the visitor, it’s useful to know that this is not only one of the best places in the region to sample local food and wine but also a city with a relatively busy airport that has several handy air connections overseas. However, it does lack buzz – Barcelona is too close and too big a rival for little Perpignan to hit the big time. It’s also worth noting that over recent years Perpignan has become a stronghold for Jean-Marie Le Pen’s rightwing Front National Party who claim the city’s original white inhabitants have been overrun by foreigners.

Vienna, Austria
Imperial traditions and stunning modern architecture
Austria’s capital offers a unique blend of imperial traditions and stunning modern architecture for holidays in Vienna. Visit Vienna for its cultural events, imperial sights, coffee houses, cozy wine taverns, and that very special Viennese charm. Vienna’s history dates back to the first century AD when the Romans established their military camp, Vindobona. Today’s cityscape is characterized by the abundance of baroque buildings built during the time of Empress Maria Theresia and Emperor Franz Joseph, who were largely responsible for the monumental architecture round the Ringstraße. Schloss Schönbrunn, the former imperial summer residence, is one of the most popular with visitors. The sumptuous palace with its beautifully tended formal gardens, the Gloriette monument, the Palm House and the zoo attract hordes of visitors every year. The huge Hofburg (Imperial Palace) was the base for the Habsburg dynasty for over six centuries, and is an impressive focus of Austrian culture and heritage. The splendid baroque Belvedere palace today houses the Österreichische Galerie (Austrian Gallery) displaying the largest collection of works by Klimt and Kokoschka as well as famous paintings by Schiele. Vienna’s prime landmarks are the Gothic Stephenson (St. Stephen’s Cathedral), the Giant Ferris Wheel in the Prater, Vienna’s old recreational park, plus the renowned Spanish Riding School with its world-famous Lipizzan.

Kerkira, Greece
About Corfu
Corfu (Kérkyra), the most important and most northerly of the Ionian Islands, lies off the coasts of Albania and the Greek region of Epirus, at a distance ranging between two and 20km (one and 12.5mi). The beauty of its scenery, with gentle green hills in the south and rugged limestone hills in the north, rising to 906m/2,973ft in the bare double peak of Mt Pantokrátor, its mild climate and its luxuriant southern flora make Corfu a very popular holiday area. The island´s main source of revenue, in addition to the increasing tourist trade, is agriculture. Corfu (known to the ancient Greeks as Korkyra) is believed to be the Homeric island of Scheria, home of the Phaeacians and their king Alkinoos. The earliest traces of settlement point to the presence of farming peoples, perhaps incomers from Italy. Colonized by Corinth in 734 B.C., Korkyra developed into a considerable power which threatened Corinth itself. A Corinthian naval victory over Korkyra in 432 B.C. in the Sybota Islands (probably at the mouth, now silted up, of the river Kalamas) was a major factor in the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War. In 229 B.C. it was occupied by the Romans, who called it Corcyra. In the division of the Roman Empire in A.D. 395 Corfu fell to the Eastern (Byzantine) Empire. The medieval name of Corfu appears to be derived from the Greek name Koryphoi ("Peaks"). From 1386 to 1797 Corfu was held by the Venetians; then, after a brief period of French occupation, it passed to Britain in 1815 along with the rest of the Ionian Islands. It was returned to Greece in 1864. In the course of its eventful history Corfu suffered frequent devastation, so that most of its ancient and medieval remains have been destroyed.

Baku, Azerbaijan
Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
Baku, also known as Baky or Bakı, is the largest city in the Caucasus and the capital of Azerbaijan. Baku is located on the coast of the Caspian Sea on the southern tip of the Absheron Peninsula. There are three major divisions in Baku: İçəri Şəhər (the ancient city), the Soviet built city, and the newest part of the city. The population as of January, 2003 reached 2,074,300 people. A curious fact about Baku is that its average year-round temperature (14.2 Centigrade) matches the average temperature of the entire landmass of the earth to within a tenth of degree. Summers are hot and humid, winters cool, wet and breezy. However, seasonal temperature excursions are less than in many continental regions at this latitude (about 40 degrees north) owing to the presence of the Caspian Sea. One of Baku´s sister cities is Houston Texas, in the United States. Baku is currently bidding for the 2016 Summer Olympics Cultural sites There are a number of interesting sites within Baku´s walled fortress, the Old City (a UNESCO World Heritage site), which can all be seen on foot in one day: The Palace of the Shirvan Shahs, the medieval palace of the Shirvan Shahs is the highlight of the Old City and a must see for any tourist in Baku. Maiden´s Tower (Guz Qalasi), this mysterious and eccentric tower was built somewhere between the 7th and 12th centuries and may have served as a fire beacon, defensive fortification, astronomical observatory, or Zoroastrian temple. Outside the city, on the Absheron Peninsula, there are several interesting sites that are easy to reach via taxi or public transportation. Moreover, the scenery along your route is itself a fascinatingly ugly site to be seen, a desert wasteland with white salt flats and natural oil pools seeping up to the surface. Atashgah Fire Temple. Yanar Dagh, is a mountain that has been continuously on fire for one thousand years. The natural gas vents ensure that hot flames roar out of the sides of this hill even when it rains. There is a small cafe next to the natural wonder that serves tea and snacks. It is best to take a cab as Yanar Dagh is remote and difficult to find. Museums and Galleries The Azeri National Costume Museum (Doll Museum) Taghiyev History Museum Latif Karimov Carpet and Applied Arts Museum< Miscellaneous Dendro Park Oil Rocks, Tourist wanting to see the oil rock complex need to get previous authorization from the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Ancient Market in Old City (Icheri Sheher)

Iceland, Iceland
The "Cool" Iceland
Iceland is not only closer than you think, but far different than you ever imagined. Where else can you witness such marvels of Mother Nature as a tremendous icecap and several glaciers, spouting geysers and steaming solfataras, volcanoes (hopefully dormant), raging rivers and magnificent waterfalls, a multitude of birds, cavorting whales just offshore and many other surprises. Summers are surprisingly warm and winters not as cold as you might expect. Regardless of when you visit, be assured that the warmth shown by Icelanders, their desire to share their culture and the efforts made to make your stay as pleasant as possible will, like the spectacular landscape, never be forgotten. Looking for a holiday or vacation in Europe? - Visit Iceland. Iceland Discoveries Iceland means new and different things for you to see and do, whatever the season. Every part of the year has its own special attractions, character and charm. And don´t let the name deceive you - Iceland can be very warm in summer when the sun shines virtually round the clock, while January temperatures are around 0°C. Facts about Iceland Country is an island of 103.000 km2 (39,756 sq.miles), with an average height of 500 m above sea level. Natural Wonders Much of Iceland is still taking shape before your very eyes — raw, dramatic landscapes born from volcanic eruptions and carved out by glaciers. Culture and Heritage Icelanders are proud that they still speak the ancient language of the vikings, but they certainly don´t just live in the past. On your own Travellers visit Iceland today for exactly the same reasons that motivated the Vikings who discovered the place in the ninth century - the love of freedom. The "Cool" Iceland Iceland is so close to Europe that you can just go there on whim for a quick change of scene and scenery. With regular flights from many European gateways, you can be there in less than three hours for a long weekend or even for a long day trip. Björk Mention Iceland to most people these days and the first thought that springs to mind is surely the haunting, beautiful and original voice of singer, songwriter and artist Björk. Quality food With its pristine nature, clean water and pollution-free atmosphere, Iceland in not just a place to feast your eyes on. This fresh and refreshing environment also produces quality food that is the ultimate in good taste. Smart shopping Shopping is something af a national pastime in Iceland and eagerly shared with its visitors. While the general price level is similar to the other Nordic countries, "smart" cosmopolitan buyers will love Iceland for its particularly competitive fashionwear and designer labels. Regular events Whatever time of year you’re in Iceland, there’ll be something going on that will take your fancy.

Sicily, Italy
Sicily...
With a total surface area of 25.460 sq. km, Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean basin. Around it lies a number of smaller islands: to the north the Aeolian islands and Ustica, to the West the Egadi, and to the south the Pelagie islands and Pantelleria, making a total surface area of 25.708 sq. km. Sicily boasts around 1.000 Km of coastline, mostly rocky in the north and sandy in the south. The landscape is varied, prevalently mountains and hilly, but with an expanse of plains around Catania. In the eastern part of the island Mount Etna (about 3.330 m) is Sicily´s highest mountain, the whole of which is a protected area within a national park. Still active, it is the biggest Volcano in Europe. Sicily´s principal cities include the regional capital Palermo, together with the other provincial capitals Catania, Messina, Syracuse (Siracusa in Italian), Trapani, Enna, Caltanissetta, Agrigento, Ragusa. Other famous Sicilian towns include Cefalù, Taormina, Bronte, Marsala, Corleone, Castellammare del Golfo and Francavilla di Sicilia. Sicily is considered to be highly rich in its own unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, cuisine, architecture and language. The Sicilian economy is largely based on agriculture (mainly orange and lemon orchards); this same rural countryside has attracted significant tourism in the modern age as its natural beauty is highly regarded.[3] Sicily also holds importance for archeological and ancient sites such as the Necropolis of Pantalica and the Valley of the Temples.

Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik - la perla de Mediterraneo
En el sur profundo de la costa croata está la región de Dubrovnik cuyo centro, la ciudad de Dubrovnik, porta el título de “La Perla del Adriático” en Croacia y en todo el mundo. La harmonía de los centenarios edificios y las murallas encorsetando la ciudad son como una aparición de cuento de hadas creada para el disfrute. ¿Por qué visitar esta parte de Croacia? Porque cualquiera que no lo haga se priva de visitar un trozo del cielo en la Tierra y “el segundo mejor lugar del mundo”, ya que el primero es siempre el lugar de donde provienes. Es difícil decir qué hace que la zona de Dubrovnik sea fascinante: su historia marcada por los siglos en los que la ciudad ha desplegado una bandera en la que se lee la palabra “Libertas” (libertad) o su papel actual de Meca turística que consiste en una serie de lugares pintorescos en la costa y las islas que te pasean por muchos siglos en sólo unos pasos. La historia en esta zona vive hasta hoy en día en la belleza de los edificios y las magníficas obras de arte legadas para la posteridad por famosos escultores, pintores y constructores, tanto en lugares tan pequeños como Ston en la península de Pelješac, Korčula, Župa dubrovačka, Konavle o Trsteno como en el mismo Dubrovnik. Al construir las residencias de verano y las villas parece que la mano del hombre y la naturaleza hayan ido de la mano para combinar las bellezas naturales con la arquitectura y la horticultura. El resultado final es uno de los lugares más impresionantes del Mediterráneo.