Taj Lake Palace image courtesy of Wikipedia
Tourist attractions aren't always easy or straightforward to visit. Sure Disneyland is just a highway exit away, but getting to some destinations is a bit more complicated. Sometimes a boat is involved. For these five floating attractions, motoring there on the water is part of the adventure, along with the stellar sights to see once you get there. Even if it's just part of a round of golf...
India: Taj Lake Palace
Whether you are a diehard James Bond fan or not, you'll have to agree that the Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, India, is quite deserving of its role as Octopussy's estate. The marble exterior is hard to overlook and with a location that seamlessly appears to jut out of a lake, it is not hard to fathom why many guests are willing to pay top dollar to live like the Bond girl. Even if it is only for a night. Since its construction in the 1700s, the Taj Lake Palace was intended to exude luxury with elegant rooms, marble embellishment, and world-class amenities to match. A speedboat provides access to this beautiful mirage on the water, and a butler is on hand to cater to your every desire.
Idaho: The Floating Green
For golfers seeking an unparalleled championship match, The Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course in Idaho is the place to be. Not only are players immersed in natural beauty, but they can play on a golf green that bobs along a lake once they reach the 14th hole. Many a golfer has lost their ball to the deep attempting to reach this water hazard-cum-green, but those who are able to finish the hole are given a Certificate of Achievement, and well-deserved bragging rights, since there is no other golf hole that doubles as a floating island.
Montenegro: Our Lady of the Rocks
If you've been to Montenegro, then you already know that there are plenty of unique treasures found here. But the most fascinating of them all is arguably Our Lady of the Rocks, a manmade islet that houses a church with the same name in the heart of the Bay of Kotor. Like many unique attractions, this one also comes with a fascinating tale which tells of sailors who promised to stack rocks in the sea after spotting the Virgin Mary and her child; thus forming the small island. Even today, one can still find visitors throwing rocks overboard during the Fascinada Festival, and exploring the church which also acts as an art museum. The building is home to dozens of legendary Venetian painter Tripo Kokolja's works.
China: Jumbo Kingdom
It's not just the dim sum, seafood and other Asian foods that drive tourists and locals to Jumbo Kingdom; it is also its unique location on the Aberdeen Harbour that keeps them coming in large numbers. This Chinese palatial-style attraction consists of two floating restaurants and offers some of the best views the country has to offer. And if visitors want to include a bit of retail therapy and sightseeing, there is plenty to explore at the Wine Garden, Chinese Tea Garden as well as the Pier Plaza. After all, Queen Elizabeth II and Tom Cruise couldn't resist visiting this aquatic playground, which even hit the big screen in blockbusters like "The Man with the Golden Gun," and "Enter the Dragon."
Curacao: Floating Market
The Floating Market officially earned its name because merchants use these boats to sail to Venezuela to bring back fish, fruits and other goods to sell to locals. As one of the oldest traditions of the island, this is one of the best places to bask in the soul of the country since the market's environment is constantly permeated with Curacao's diverse languages, making the vibrant action that occurs here as colorful as the colonial buildings decorating Curacao.
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