The highest elevation active volcano of New Zealand. Situated on the southern shore of Lake Taupo, within Tongariro National Park.
A certain frisson of excitement and tension followed us around this incredible country, knowing that so many active sites can be found on both islands. Yet the locals seem very relaxed about it!
Large and spectacular eruptions last occurred during 1995 and 1996 but new warnings have been issued just this month as water temps within the crater lake have not followed the decades long pattern of rising and falling, remaining over 30C and even rising to 42C.
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Tags: mount ruapehu new zealand scenery volcano outdoors ohakune taupo volcanic zone tongariro national park stratovolcano landscape land sky manawatu-wanganui
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The mighty, the sacred, the eternally mysterious - central to the identity of Japan and her people.
For me, a pilgrimage of sorts; to finally stand before this most beautiful of natural wonders, a deeply moving 24 hours in my life. Fuji-san leaves one breathless and bewildered. Parting earth and sky with remarkable symmetry, its beauty beyond description in text or letter, no poem powerful enough to create the emotion in one's heart and mind upon seeing for the first time, in person and close at hand.
I arose the second morning at 5am to witness first light falling on the sleeping giant, and the sunrise upon Lake Kawaguchiko before me. This wonderful view was enjoyed from our balcony with its own private onsen, at the hotel Kukuna. Highly recommended.
Mount Fuji is an active stratovolcano and the tallest mountain in Japan, standing at 3,776 meters (12,380 feet).
Link to sunset on our first evening: www.flickr.com/photos/112623317@N03/51868021747/in/datepo...
Link to a little later in the morning: www.flickr.com/photos/112623317@N03/53569433772/
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Tags: scenery landscape volcano fuji fuji-san first light dawn pink sky japan lake kawaguchiko fujikawaguchicko-machi reflection stratovolcano mount fuji mountain active volcano shinto sacred site honshu scenic beauty nature symmetry azagawa sky water pink snow winter travel photography japanese icon yamanashi world heritage site nihon fuji five lakes fujikawaguchiko hotel kukuna
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Truly a favourite place to visit when travelling home to England (and not just because of Matthew Macfadyen's ardent and passionate Mr.Darcy moment at the Temple of Apollo).
Stourhead is a 2,650 acre estate at the source of the River Stour in the southwest of Wiltshire. The estate includes a Grade I listed 18th century Neo-Palladian mansion, the village of Stourton, gardens, farmland and woodland. Stourhead has been part-owned by the National Trust since 1946.
The Stourton family had lived at the Stourhead estate for 500 years until they sold it to Sir Thomas Meres in 1714. His son, John Meres, sold it in 1717 to Henry Hoare (son of wealthy banker Sir Richard Hoare).
Following a path around the lake evokes a journey similar to that of Aeneas's descent in to the underworld. The gardens were designed by Henry Hoare II and laid out between 1741 and 1780.
In this scene, we can see the Palladian bridge and Pantheon (originally the Temple of Hercules) in the distance. Despite being winter, Stourhead never fails to charm and there was much beauty and serenity to enjoy.
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Tags: winter in england scenery composition stourton stourhead wiltshire uk england solitude serenity national trust scenery winter bridge lake travel photography outdoors view historical landmark warminster folly landscape garden inspirational garden history of england henry hoare united kingdom stourhead gardens historic garden stourhead pantheon stourhead palladian bridge vista landscape
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Another insanely breathtaking location within Banff National Park.
Like Lake Louise, it is glacially fed, the waters presenting an astonishing turquoise.
Link to image of Lake Louise: www.flickr.com/photos/112623317@N03/53069649169/in/datepo...
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Tags: lake and mountains summer holiday I know where you are canada picture postcard moraine lake alberta scenery canadian canadian scenery outdoor photography natural world natural landscape travel photography amazing scenery magic moment nature turquoise lake glacial lake banff national park
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Venice affords enchanting, inspiring and intriguing views from any part of the city.
No matter which street or waterway one travels - history, culture and much beauty abounds.
It is one of my favourite cities to visit.
On this cold but sunny and bright winter's morning, I paused and took in the splendid architecture of the Grand Canal and chose to highlight this detail here which I found to be an appealing composition, including of course the dome of Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute.
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Tags: italy italia grand canal venice santa maria della salute roman catholic church venice architecture venice venetzia winter sunny winter's day saint mary of health salute dome travel photography unesco world heritage site urban photography venetian view italian holiday canal grande italian culture italian history italian architecture grand canal buildings blue sky buildings on water buildings
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