| When you're on vacation, do you go see the usual | | | | column about the world of fantasy. The stone groups |
| sights and attractions of the city you are visiting? Or | | | | can therefore be understood by anyone, each can |
| do you prefer the strange and unusual? If it is the | | | | interpret the column in his own way". |
| latter, here are a few suggestions on have places to | | | | Finland - Lainio Snow Village If you are in Western |
| visit on your next trip to Europe. | | | | Finland's Lapland region during the cold winter months, |
| Paris, France - Catacombs What used to be limestone | | | | a spectacular sight to behold is the Lainio Snow Village. |
| quarries dating back to 2 B.C. until the late 1700s are | | | | The village, made with specialty tools, is created |
| what we know today as the Catacombs of Paris, one | | | | entirely from snow and ice. Construction typically starts |
| of the most famous burial chambers in the world. The | | | | around the beginning of November, and upon |
| conversion was due to overcrowding of the city's | | | | completion (around the end of the month) the village |
| cemeteries. | | | | covers an area of about 220,000 square feet. Here, |
| Descend into the tunnels underneath Paris and explore | | | | you will be amazed by the largest ice dome in Europe, |
| over a half mile of neatly organized skulls and bones. | | | | a beautiful restaurant, hotel rooms, intricate sculptures |
| You will learn the incredible history and hear ancient | | | | and more. |
| legends of this spooky place. If you're not | | | | This site is a popular place to get married, as there is |
| claustrophobic, and you enjoy the thrill that ghost | | | | also a chapel on site. If you are looking for a unique |
| stories and haunted houses can bring, you must visit | | | | wedding destination, consider a trip to Finland! This is |
| this place on your next trip to Paris. | | | | one of the most unusual and beautiful spots in the |
| Oslo, Norway - Vigeland Sculpture Park The Vigeland | | | | world to tie the knot! |
| Sculpture Park is home to over 200 sculptures made | | | | Avanos, Turkey - Hair Museum The collection at the |
| from bronze, granite and wrought iron. It is named for | | | | Hair Museum started in 1979 by renowned Turkish |
| Norwegian artist, Gustav Vigeland who began working | | | | potter Galip Korukcu and is now comprised of over |
| on these sculptures from 1924 until his death in 1943. | | | | 16,000 samples of tresses. Although the connection is |
| Although there are some pieces which are quite | | | | somewhat unclear, he reportedly started the museum |
| abstract, most of the statues represent people | | | | in an effort to promote interest in his ceramics classes. |
| involved in every day activities such as hugging, sitting | | | | The Hair Museum is in the Guinness Book of World |
| and thinking, dancing, running, etc. Perhaps the most | | | | Records as the largest collection of hair in the world. |
| recognized (and slightly disturbing) piece is the Monolith, | | | | You can even donate to the collection if you wish. |
| a 46 feet high column carved out of one single stone. | | | | Truly, a "hair raising" experience. (Come on, you knew |
| It consists of 121 human figures writhing in various | | | | that was coming.) |
| positions. Although there has been much speculation on | | | | On your next trip to Europe, check out one of these |
| what the Monolith means, Mr. Vigeland let it be known | | | | bizarre places for an unforgettable experience. What |
| that he had no intention on sharing his interpretation. | | | | is the strangest attraction you've visited? |
| Instead he said, "The stone groups tell about life, the | | | | |