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a taste of travel
Mont Saint-Michel
Normandy, France
This 37 year UNESCO World Heritage site, referred to as the “Won- der of the West,” is a Gothic style Benedictine abbey dedicated to the archangel St Michael. It is strategically built atop a rocky islet just 600 meters from shore. Today the island has a population of just 44 people, but was once home to farmers and fisherman that lived in the village just beyond the walls of the abbey. This remarkable mediaeval walled city, crowned by the abbey once had a flourishing monastery known
for as a learning facility. William the Conqueror, the Duke of Nor- mandy who had conquered England in 1066, inhabited the island and set up his court there. The highest point of the island is the spire at the top of the Abbey’s bell tower, which has become the centerpiece of this historic areas skyline. This site is said to be a technical and artistic masterpiece.
Taj Mahal
Agra, India
Taj Mahal is considered one of the greatest ar- chitectural achievements in the entire range of Indo-Islamic style. This magnificent structure was built in 1632 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal and completed in 1648AD. Taj Mahal is seen as such a wonder by all who view it due to its acres of shimmering white marble, carved and inlaid Islamic patterns, and a few thousand precious stones. This breathtaking architectural feat is lo- cated on the Yamuna River and surrounded by acres upon acres of lush gardens. The four sides of the Taj Mahal are perfectly identical, creat- ing an astonishing mirror image on each side. During construction of the palace its believed 22,000 workers and over 1,000 elephants were usedtotransportandthebuildtheTaj. Withits beauty, it is no shock why there are over three million visitors annually, especially being so easily reachable with only a two hour train ride from Delhi, India.
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