The American Civil War raged through the heart of Richmond which was the capital of the old South and battlefields, houses, and memories from that time exist around the city still. Richmond has become famous for Monument Avenue, a long stretch of highway downtown which features huge stone statues of civil war heroes. Monument Avenue was also a bronze statue of tennis great Arthur Ashe who defeated racial segregation to become one of the premier tennis players in the world and work to ensure racial equality and understanding within the world of professional sports. However Richmond is much more than monuments and flags. It is surrounded by natural treasures.
Maymont Park
Near the center of downtown Richmond is Maymont Park. Once a 100 acre private residence owned by wealthy family named the Dooley's, they donated the entire estate to the people of Richmond for the future of the city. The park features a visitor center with aquatic displays, a children's petting zoo, an Italian garden, amazingly well constructed Japanese garden from two periods of Japanese history, and a horse carriage museum. Amidst all that is a sprawling open park for picnicking and relaxation. Maymont Park is free and open to the public and hosts many events to educate citizenry and visitors on conserving the land and natural resources of central Virginia.
Ginter botanical Gardens
One of the highlights to any trip to Richmond is a trip through the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. The sprawling environment features several specialized Gardens including: the four seasons Garden made of indigenous materials and mythical fountains, a healing Garden made of plants used for medicine and medieval healing, a sunken garden designed and shaped like ancient Rome and the Rose Garden framed around a reflecting pool set aside by the many colors of roses available. The Ginter Gardens also feature walkways and an educational center, a horticultural awareness center and a peaceful healing environment for anyone who needs a little rest and beauty in their lives. The Gardens charge a minimal fee for entering and participants can stay as long as they desire.
Cold Harbor Battlefield
Because Civil War history plays so much a part in the Richmond landscape, preserved battle sites and houses can be seen in and around the Richmond area. By far the best preserved is the Cold Harbor Battlefield park. Located on Route 156 slightly south of Mechanicsville, Virginia approximately 25 miles from Richmond, this battlefield features a 1 mile paved walk through the last battlefield the south won on during the Civil War. Place markers show bunkers that have been preserved, Union and Confederate lines and lead to the Garthwright House a structure remaining from the Civil War that was used as a hospital for Union soldiers. Cold Harbor Battlefield offers a peaceful beautiful walk through history.
Among these natural delights is Richmond, a city full of technology, business opportunities with a nod towards its future economic development. Fortunately, with such natural delights and historical emphasis Richmond will never escape its past.
1. Amman. Amman is a city of contrasts. Its vibrant history lives side by side with a modern day metropolis. Amman was originally built on 7 hills and was at one point a village, yes a village of just 2,000 people. Amman became the capital in the 1920's and now has a population of over 2,000,000. Served by numerous international airlines, it's the perfect place to start and finish any trip to Jordan.
2. Petra. No trip to Jordan would be complete without a visit to Petra. The amazing structures carved into the rocks are truly a site to behold. In 1985 Petra became a world heritage site and recently a visitors centre was also opened. Petra is often talked about as the 8th wonder of the world.
If you are travelling alone there are staff and guides available to assist you at the Petra Visitor's Centre at entrance of the site. Guidebooks and maps are also available. Otherwise if you are on an organised tour, then you will be guided by your tour guide.
Either way we suggest you make sure you take in the one kilometre long Siq, as well as Al-Deir and the High Place of Sacrifice.
3. Dead Sea. Literally the one place on the planet where even if you can't swim, you can go swimming! The dead seas salt content is so high that you will actually float, so whilst possibly not the best place in the world to go diving, this just has to be on your ?Jordan to do list?. This is also a great place for those of you who enjoy spa visits as The Dead Sea area enjoys a large array of treatments on offer.
4. Wadi Mujib. A huge gorge which enters the Dead Sea 410 m below sea level and this fact alone means that it's the lowest nature reserve in the world, not perhaps relevant to your visit, but interesting never the less.
Wadi Mujib measures in at an impressive 220 square kilometres and is internationally known for its fine range of bird life. It also includes over 300 species of plants, 10 types of carnivore and a wealth of migratory birds too.
A few of the valley areas are difficult to get to, and these offer homes for rare species of goats, cats and other mountain animals.
5. Wadi Rum. Wadi Rum is one of Jordan most popular spots and is a real favourite with western visitors. It's a great place to rock climb, hike, camp and the always popular Arab horse riding. The highest peak in the area, Jabal Rum, must be included in any visit as on a clear day you can sea the Saudi border and the red sea.
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Stuart Cheese has sinced written about articles on various topics from The Internet, Monuments and Travel and Leisure. Stuart Cheese is the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours and, having visited over 110 countries, has a wealth of travel experience. One World Tours / The. Stuart Cheese's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.