Potala Palace, Lhasa

The Potala Palace (Tibetan: Po-trang Po-ta-la; Chinese: Bùdála Gong) in Lhasa was the primary residence of the Dalai Lama until 1959, when the 14th Dalai Lama fled to Dharamsala after a failed uprising.Today the Potala Palace is a state museum, a popular tourist attraction, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was also recently named one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World" by the television show Good Morning America and the newspaper USA Today.HistoryThis hilltop site above the city of Lhasa originally hosted the meditation retreat of King Songtsen Gampo, who built the first palace there in 637 in order to greet his bride Princess Wencheng of China.Construction of the present palace began in 1645 under the fifth Dalai Lama, Lobsang Gyatso,...

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10 great places to play a trick on the eye

What better way to celebrate April Fool's Day than by viewing trompe l'oeil, the artistic style that is French for "tricks the eye"? Ancient Greek artists were some of the earliest to play with perspective and create illusions. "People have always enjoyed being tricked," says Kevin Bruce, author of The Murals of John Pugh: Beyond Trompe l'Oeil (Ten Speed Press, $35). He shares his favorites with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.Mana Nalu Mural Project401 Kamake'e St., HonoluluBruce calls artist John Pugh "the da Vinci of trompe l'oeil." This mural, which means "spirit of the wave" in Hawaiian, shows Hawaii's last queen, Liliuokalani, and surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku. "The work is masterful, and you also learn something," Bruce says. A group of...

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Waitomo Glowworm Caves, North Island

Location: Southern Waikato region of the North Island, New ZealandBest Time to Visit: Throughout the year Getting there: Waitomo Glowworm Caves, situated 8 kilometers along Waitomo Caves Road, are within proximity to the North Island. It is about 2 hours south of Auckland, 2 hours west of Rotorua and only 1 hour south of Hamilton. Depending upon your personal preferences, you will get the option of traveling by private car, self-drive hire car, motorhome or coach. Entry fee: 22.57 USD for the adult and 9.76 USD for the child Nearest airport: Hamilton International Airport Nearest rail station: Otorohanga Time required for sightseeing: Approximately 9 hours This is a site like no other! Imagine thousands of glow-worms displaying their surreal...

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