Incredible Istanbul

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and the second largest metropolitan area in Europe (by population). To the north of Istanbul is the Black Sea and the south is bordered by the Sea of Marmara. The western half of the city lies in Europe while the eastern half is situated in Asia. The Bosphorus Strait cuts the two in half. Istanbul was the capital city of the Roman Empire (330–395), the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire (395–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453–1922). It was therefore rightfully chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010.

Istanbul is considered the cultural, economic, and financial centre of Turkey. It is considered a cultural and ethnic melting pot as it has a multitude of historical mosques, churches, synagogues, palaces, castles and towers. Some of the historical “must see’s” include the famous Maiden’s (Leander’s) Tower, built in 408 BC to monitor the movements of the Persian ships in the Bosphorus strait. The column of Constantine was built in 330 by Constantine the Great to establish it as the new capital city of the Roman Empire. Other Roman structures include the Mazulkemer and Valens Aqueducts, the Column of the Goths at the Seraglio Point, the Milion which served for calculating the distances between Constantinople and the other cities of the Roman Empire. As for Byzantine era architecture, the Hagia Sophia was built by Justinian and is the most important surviving example of Byzantine architecture in the world. It was originally a church, turned mosque, turned present day museum. The Great Palace of Constantinople originally built by Constantine as the primary residence of the Roman emperors. However, it was continuously enlarged by the following Byzantine emperors, in particular by Justinian. There are numerous mosques in Istanbul, many built during the Ottoman Empire. Also, the Topkapi Palace was the home of the Ottoman emperors and a must see.

Istanbul Archaeology Museum, established in 1881, is one of the largest museums of its kind in the world. The museum contains more than 1,000,000 archaeological pieces from the Mediterranean basin, the Balkans, Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia contains the late Roman and early Byzantine floor mosaics and wall ornaments of the Great Palace of Constantinople. The nearby Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum displays a vast collection of items from various Islamic civilizations. Sadberk Hanim Museum contains a wide variety of artifacts, dating from the earliest Anatolian civilizations to the Ottomans.

Present day arts and culture are alive and well in Istanbul. The Istanbul International Film Festival is one of the most important film festivals in Europe. Furthermore, the Istanbul Biennial is another major event of fine arts.

Once you have soaked up enough culture, take some time to relax and soak up some sun! The most popular places for swimming in the city are in Bakrköy, Küçükçekmece, Saryer and the Bosphorus. If you are adventurous enough, take a ferry or catamaran to the Princes’ Islands on the Marmara Sea. These are a group of island (only 5 of the 9 are settled) where you will be enchanted by the neoclassical and art nouveau-style Ottoman era summer mansions from the 19th and early 20th centuries, horse-drawn carriages and seafood restaurant. Sile is a Turkish seaside resort on the Black Sea, where you will be greeted by white sand beaches. Kilyos is a small calm seaside resort which is well known for it’s excursions, great swim spots as well as their seafood restaurants and night clubs.

As for night life, there are a multitude of night clubs, pubs, restaurants and taverns with live music in the city. The areas around Istiklal Avenue, Nisantasi, Bebek and Kadiköy offer cafés, restaurants, pubs, clubs as well as art galleries, theaters and cinemas. If you want to take in some live music from famous singers and bands, check out the Istanbul Arena or the Kurucesme Arena. Parkormanis a popular venue for live concerts and rave parties in the summer.

Istanbul has fantastic shopping venues including the Grand Bazaar, Mahmutpa?a Bazaar and the Egyptian Bazaar; The Grand Bazaar, called Kapali Carsi (literally “covered market”), is the first shopping mall ever built. The Akmerkez mall won the “Europe’s Best” and “World’s Best” awards by the ICSC. Cevahir Mall is one of the largest malls in Europe. The Kanyon Mall won the 2006 Cityscape Architectural Review Award for its interesting design. Don’t forget to check out the street vendors hawking sesame bread, and an ancient bazaar crammed with golden baubles.

read comments (0)

Trinity, Newfoundland

Trinity is a small town located on Trinity Bay in Newfoundland and Labrador. It’s population is a mere 350, which makes it the perfect place to go if you really want to get away from crowds and take in some history and nature. The landscape is extremely beautiful and serene, with cliffs, rolling hills and the clearest of crystal clear blue water.

Trinity has over 50 architecturally significant buildings. The best way to learn all about the history of Trinity and it’s architecture is to take a tour lead by Kevin Toope. During the two hour tour, you will walk along the scenic paths and streets where Toope will relay stories from diaries, court records, and burial records, detailing past crimes and punishments, unusual deaths, tragic shipwrecks, and disasters. You will also see many historic photos which you can review and compare with the Trinity of today. He will also tell you tales about the people’s of Trinity’s past; the Beothuk Indians, the French, the Irish, and the English and the contributions they each made to it’s rich history.

If you are a naturalist or just want to take a trip where you can take in the outdoor splendor, Trinity offers a variety of activities such as whale watching and hiking. There are over 50 fantastic hiking trails on the Avalon and Bonavista Peninsula. There are trails for every experience level. There are also 5-day and 8-day camping excursions where you can enjoy hiking, sea kayaking, fishing and wildlife watching while you spend a week living amongst caribou, eagles, whales, icebergs, and orchids. Check out “Newfoundland Coastal Safari” for more information.

Trinity has a fantastic theatre group. “All summer long in Trinity Bight, Newfoundland, Rising Tide Theatre presents a festival of plays, dinner theatre, concerts and special events in outdoor venues all around the Bight. Beginning in the last week in June and running until the first week in September audiences can enjoy at least eight different productions of music, comedy and drama performed on a rotating basis, as well as several one-time only special shows.”

read comments (0)

5 Amazing Pools From Around The World

When traveling, most people want to know if the hotel has a pool or not. Well, we will take you to five hotels that have the most amazing and unique pools, each trying to outdo the other.

The San Alfonso del Mar located in Algarrobo, Chile: This saltwater “pool” holds the Guiness World Record for the largest pool in the world. It is 2/3 mile long, can hold small sailboats! You can also do some nighttime swimming inside the hotels “glass pyramid” beach, where the water AND sand are heated!

The Hotel Caruso Belvedere located in Ravello, Italy: The hotel is located at the highest point of the Amalfi Coast. The open air infinity pool allows you an unobstructed, panoramic view of the coastline on one side and the 11-century Roman ruins on the other. The pool heated and has a service of dedicated concierge along with the availability of Ipods, fresh fruit and Evian vaporizers.

The Golden Nugget Hotel located in Las Vegas, Navada: This $30 million pool allows you to “swim” with 5 species of sharks. There is a 200,000-gallon shark tank which holds sharks, stingrays, Queensland grouper and silvery jack crevalle. But don’t worry, the tank is separated from the swimming pool by a four-inch clear acrylic wall. There is a 3-story waterslide – where you will climb 30 feet in the air to then ride down through the shark tank. There are also waterfalls, thirteen private cabanas and a “hideout” area which is located on the third floor of the “tank” where you can take a dip in the two story infinity pool or relax in a covered lounging area or hang at the H2O bar.

The Anantara Koh Samui Resort & Spa in Samui, Thailand: The 98 foot infinity pool is right on the beach allows you to look straight out into the Gulf of Thailand. There is a swim-up bar as well as “spitting monkey” statues along the pool’s perimeter.

The Viceroy Hotel, Miami, Florida: This 300-foot infinity pool is surrounded by Japanese blueberry trees, chaise lounges and beds. There are three types of pools to enjoy. There is an 80-person hot tub, a wading pool, and a football-field-size swimming pool. All located 15 floors above the street which overlooks downtown Miami and with views of Biscayne Bay. There is a poolside bar and fireplace, and life-size chess set.

read comments (0)

Stay at the Ice Hotel in Sweden

IceHotel is located in the village of Jukkasjarvi in norther Sweden and just outside the Arctic Circle. Every month between December and April the hotel is open for visitors. The hotel and everything inside is made of ice, snow (and some steel framing). The ice and snow are harvested from the nearby Torne River.

How to choose when to visit the Icehotel will depend on what your interests are. During December, you can actually watch the Icehotel take shape. December is the darkest time of year as the sun never goes above the horizon. Also the chance of seeing the Northern Lights are quite optimal. Closer to Spring is when the snowmobiling and skiing enthusiasts come to take up their sport. During March, they start harvesting ice from the Torne River and transport it to a storage place which typically attracts a lot of tourists to the river. At the end of April (and nearing the closure of the hotel), the “Midnight Sun” starts to take place which will continue to shine for 100 days and a 100 nights. This is the best time to go fishing, hunting, hiking in the mountains or river rafting in the Torne River.

Staying at the Icehotel is quite a unique experience! It is recommended is to combine a night in the Icehotel with several “warm” nights in one of their regular hotel rooms or chalets. At the Icehotel you can choose between several different types of accommodation. The temperature in the Icehotel is never colder than -5 °C to -8 °C. There are a multitude of suites to stay in and each has its own theme with amazing sculptures and artwork. Of course, each year, the suites are different so check out the website to see the past and present suite themes. You sleep in thermal sleeping bags on a special bed built of snow and ice, on reindeer skins. *Be sure to dress in warm thermal underwear. In the morning you will wake up to a cup of hot lingonberry juice at your bedside. There are several different room accommodations at the “warm” hotels and chalets.

The Icehotel restaurant has a high-end a la carte menu. “The cuisine of ICEHOTEL Restaurant has been featured in gourmet magazines around the world and has been awarded the prestigious Werner Vögeli Statuette. In October 2007, the Nordic Council of Ministers awarded ICEHOTEL the honorary New Nordic Food diploma.” Also not to be missed is the Icebar where the ice sculptures mix with the magic blue light of the bar. The glasses are made of ice.

There is even an IceChurch where you can get married or baptize your child!

The art sculptures are marvelous! Artists from all over the world come to the village to create beautiful sculptures and artwork at the Icehotel.

read comments (1)

Valencia, Spain

Valencia is the third largest city in Spain and is located on the Costa del Azahar. It is rich in history and heritage (where the Llotja de la Seda was placed on the World Heritage Site in 1996) but also has a few modern marvels to experience. There is something for everyone in Valencia and below, I have highlighted a few of the things Valencia has to offer.

Valencia Beaches and Land Activities: The winds off the Mediterranean offer perfect conditions for water sports like surfing and sailing. In fact, America’s cup yachting regattas were held in front of the Calencian coast in 2007 and 2010. There are over 2.8 kilometers of beaches to explore. Both the Arenas beach and the Malvarrosa beach are close to the city centre so you can get there quite easily. Next to both beaches is the Paseo Maritimo – a sea-front promenade- where you can walk, job, roller skate, tan or dine at the restaurants. There are also Patacona and Port Saplaya beaches in the municipality of Alboraya and the Pinedo beach (gay friendly) where there are several spectacular restaurants. El Saler beach won the European Blue Flag award for it’s clear waters and pristine golden sands. As for land activities, golf is very popular and Valencia has more than 20 golf courses. If you are a race fan, you should know that the European Formula One Grand Prix takes place in Valencia Street Circuit once a year. Also there is the motorcycle Grand Prix running, the show jumping tournament of the worldwide champions’ tour, an ATP 500 tennis tournament, or the DTM to consider as well.

The City of Arts and Sciences is quite an architectural marvel and should not be missed. It is made of five public areas that are listed below and are surrounded by peaceful swimming pools for visitors to enjoy. The five complexes are:

* L’Hemisfèric: IMAX Movie Theater and Planetarium
* El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe: Museum of applied science
* L’Umbracle: A garden for walking
* L’Oceanogràfic: Marine Park.
* El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía: Room destined to opera and the performing arts

Other museums include Museum of Fine arts, Institut Valencià d’Art Modern (IVAM), Ceramic Museum, The cathedral museum, House-Museum of Jose Benlliure, City Museum (palacio Marqués Del Campo), Fallero Museum (Museum of Las Fallas), Municipal Historical Museum, Patriarch museum, Paleontologic Museum

Between March 12 and March 19, Paella, Valencia celebrates the Fallas celebration. It started as a simple burning of the remains of the carpenter’s workshops but turned into a week long celebration where the Valencian people and falleros artists now burn beautiful sculptures (made just for the ceremonial burning). There are more than 300 sculptures (made of paper and cardboard on a wooden framework are called “fallas”) that are build throughout the year and during Fallas, the large, colorful sculptures fill the streets. They are burned at midnight on the last day of the holiday, along with fireworks and explosions.

Shopping: Valencia is traditionally known for its ceramics industry. The town of Paterna is known for its painted ceramic wall decorations, known as socarrats, as well as green and purple ornaments. Check out the Plaza Redonda on Sunday mornings – it is an open-air flea market with paintings, books, plants, animals, leather goods and music. Mercado Central is a well known modern piece of architecture where your senses will be immersed in the different aromas and colors that surround you. There are traditional unique shops as well as large commercial shops to explore in Valencia.

Nightlife: There is a variety of bars in Valencia where you can find whatever style you are looking for. The most visited discotheques are in the zone called “Viveros.” Other hot spots are located on Aragón avenue, Canovas square , Blasco Ibáñez avenue, Honduras square, Xúquer square and Juan Llorens. In the El Carmen district you can find a wide variety of music all within a short distance of eachother. Some of the styles/bars include a punk bar, a reggae smoking den, a retro chill-out lounge, a jazz basement, an underground trance mix, an intelligencia meeting point, a goth dungeon, a gay bar, latino tunes, caribbean heat and a twisted bohemian art-cave.

Foods of Valencia: Fruits, vegetables, fresh fish, shellfish and of course rice are the main staples of the Valencian diet. The main fishes used in Valencian food are eel, hake, sea bass, gilthead and red mullet.

read comments (1)

Travel Tips From Fellow Travelers

So, I like researching the web and I figured I would do a post on unique and genuinely helpful travel tips I have found.

If you’re going camping and plan to build a fire, collect the lint from your dryer in a Ziploc bag to use as a starter. It weighs almost nothing, ignites right away, and saves you from having to gather kindling. Kim Senkler, Knoxville, Tenn.

The disposable shower caps in hotel bathrooms make great shoe covers. Just slip a cap over each shoe and you won’t have to worry about getting everything else in your suitcase dirty. Charlene Winges, Burlingame, Calif.

I found a fun use for change from foreign countries. Attach a piece of magnetic tape to the back of the coin, and voilà — instant fridge magnet! It makes for an inexpensive souvenir, and it always reminds me of good times. Joshua House, Pensacola, Fla.

If you don’t have a sunglasses case, store your shades in one of those tube-shaped containers that Crystal Light is sold in. The tubes are just the right size and rigid enough to protect the glasses. Plus, it’s no great loss if you misplace one. Christopher Wolters, Pearland, Tex.

I like to learn about the regional food culture when I go to a new place, so I check localharvest.org for farmers markets in the area. The site lists info for hundreds of markets across the U.S., including the days and times they’re open, as well as examples of what types of food the vendors sell. Alane Brown, Durango, Colo.

When you’re packing for a ski vacation, wrap clothing around your skis or snowboards. You’ll be protecting your equipment and cutting down on the number of bags you have to pack. Kimberly Nicoletti, Dillon, Colo.

If you take a cab in Las Vegas, ask the driver to use Industrial Road or Paradise Road instead of Las Vegas Boulevard. Both routes run parallel to the Strip, but they aren’t nearly as crowded.

The London Underground sells its Visitor Travelcards on the Web (ticket-on-line.com) and charges nothing to mail them to you before you leave home. Cards are good for three, four, or seven days of unlimited travel on the Tube (subway) and buses. Most tourist sites are located in zones one and two; a seven-day card for these zones costs $40. With individual trips costing more than $4, the card pays for itself in less than two trips per day! Jeanette Langdell, Sunnyvale, Calif.

The most effective money-saver you can bring with you is an expandable tote bag for the food you’ve purchased at foreign groceries. Our breakfasts and picnic lunches turned out to be healthier, tastier, fresher, and much cheaper than their restaurant counterparts. Tara Achenbach, Union City, N.J.

When you plan to travel by train and know you might have to store your luggage out of arm’s reach, pack a piece of cord or a strap to tether your bags together. The unwieldy arrangement makes it harder for a thief to run off with your belongings. Jennifer Horne, Cottondale, Ala.

When I travel with friends, we all enter each other’s emergency information into our cell phones. We include details like full name, date of birth, and a contact back home. If anything happens, we’re fully prepared to take action. Anita Woodmass, Renton, Wash.

I pack my necklaces in a plastic sandwich bag, drape the clasp ends over the top, and tape them to the outside of the bag. No matter how much my suitcase gets jostled around in transit, I never have to worry about a tangled mess when I arrive. Jill Katich, Waterford, Mich.

When you’re kayaking, canoeing, or rafting, attach a fishing float to the strap that’s holding your regular glasses or sunglasses. If you happen to fall overboard, retrieving your glasses will be a snap. Susan Bolding, West Fork, Ark.

If you think you’ll be returning to a hotel, ask the housekeepers what the best rooms are. They really know, and if a room is empty, they’ll often show it to you. Write down the room number, and request it the next time you make a reservation or when you check in. George Green, Houston, Tex.

Are you tired of catching colds while traveling? Take along a travel-size package of Clorox wipes. Disinfect the tray table and armrests on the airplane, and the telephone and TV remote in your hotel room. Sherill Hacker, Williamston, Mich.

Don’t toss out old prescription glasses. Whenever my husband and I get new pairs of eyeglasses, we relegate the old ones to our luggage, along with an inexpensive repair kit from the drugstore. If something happens while we’re away from home, we can hopefully fix the glasses ourselves. If they’re beyond saving, we have the backup pairs to get us through the rest of the trip. Carol Alabaster, Phoenix, Ariz.

Even disposable-camera lenses should be protected. They scratch just like any other lens would. Place a small piece of painter’s tape (or another kind that won’t stick too much) over the lens to protect it from contact with other items in your purse or backpack during travel. Hugo Scherzberg, Concord, Calif.

Pool money for group expenses. When I travel with friends, we all contribute to a kitty and use that money to pay for things like taxis and meals. It saves us from figuring out each person’s share at every stop. At the end of the trip we split whatever remains. —Carol Moran, Chesterfield, Mo.

Dry-cleaning bags stop clothes from wrinkling. Slide each garment into its own bag (leave the hanger at home) and place them flat on your bed, one on top of another. Then carefully fold the entire stack to fit it in your suitcase. Once you get to your hotel, hang everything up as soon as you reasonably can. If you use this little trick, you’ll never unpack a suitcase of wrinkled clothes again. —Claudette Christman, Colonial Heights, Va.

The perfect toiletries bag does exist! I’ve finally discovered one that’s just right: a soft-sided lunchbox. It has an outer zipped pocket with compartments perfect for often-used items like a toothbrush and toothpaste. There’s a removable zipper pouch inside (meant for an ice pack) for those smaller, hard-to-find items like nail files and pill bottles. The remaining space inside is just the right size for larger things like shampoo and hand lotion. Other helpful features include both a small handle and shoulder strap, and a waterproof, easy-to-clean interior. As an elementary school teacher, I know firsthand that it will last, having been designed to withstand daily use by kids! —Jennifer Minton, Glencoe, Calif.

Bring a laundry kit. Pack a one-gallon Ziploc bag and a travel-size shampoo container refilled with detergent. These come in handy when you need to wash hosiery, bras, and other delicate undergarments. Put a few drops of detergent into the bag and fill it partway with water. Place the item you want to wash in the bag, close it up, and shake it around for a few minutes. Instant washing machine! For larger pieces of clothing, I’ve used the plastic laundry bags supplied at most hotels. Just hold the open end tightly. —Erika Kumada, Mount Prospect, Ill.

Put your old contact lens cases to work. Do you hate the idea of wasting that last bit of lipstick or concealer that always seems to get stuck in the bottom of the tube? Scoop it out and put it into a clean contact lens case. The case is watertight, holds enough for a weekend trip, and fits easily in any purse or toiletries bag. —Ronda P. Martinez, Philadelphia, Pa.

Spa savings on cruise ships. I’ve been on many cruises with various lines (Carnival, Costa, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, American Hawaii, and most recently, Princess), and I’ve learned that the spas usually offer discounts on days that the ship is docked. Rhonda Grabov, Philadelphia, Pa.

Negotiate past expiration dates. I save all the specials from Travelzoo and other websites, regardless of their dates of validity. When I want to use one of the specials, I call the hotel or tour company’s sales director; many times I’ll get the deal even if it isn’t officially available. After all, they’re trying to fill rooms and tours, especially at the last minute. I used this idea last week to stay at a hotel for free–all I had to do was agree to spend a certain amount in the spa each day. Dr. Patty Boone, Colorado Springs, Colo.

We attach the cruise line–supplied luggage tags (they have our cabin number on them) to the items we carry around the ship–binoculars, knitting bag, etc. This way, if we forget something by the pool or in the dining room, it can easily be returned by a crew member.

Pack a power strip and extension cord for your next cruise. Many cruise-ship cabins have only one outlet, but you’ll definitely need more if you want to power up your laptop, iPod, cell phone, electric razor, hairdryer, or any other gadgets you bring on board. –Jay Van Vechten, Boca Raton Fla.

Consider bringing your bike on a cruise. We decided to bring our own bikes on our last Caribbean cruise. It was a little crowded in the cabin, so we asked the steward if we could store them down the hall with the wheelchairs. We were last off the ship when we docked in Bermuda, but in less than five minutes we’d left our fellow passengers in the dust. And in less than 15 minutes, we were far away from the busy port, enjoying a beautiful, deserted snorkeling beach. –Wayne Matchett, Chesapeake, Va.

read comments (0)

The Finger Lakes Wineries, NY

There is quite a lot to see and do in the Finger Lakes. While they are best known for their wine trails (and of course their award winning wines), they also have fantastic museums, outdoor activities and events.

The wine trails are open year round and there are several different trails to consider. There is the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, which is the largest trail with over 35 wineries, a distillery, two breweries and a meadery. Several popular events on this trail include Chocolate and Wine Weekend, Crusin’ the Tropics Weekend, Spring Wine and Cheese weekend and Deck the Halls Weekends. There is also the Keuka Wine Trail is the oldest as it was around when wine first started being made in the Finger Lakes. It also hosts the most diverse groups of wineries in the Finger Lakes. There is also the Cayuga Wine Trail, which is the first organized and longest running wine trail in the US. One of the wineries on Cayuga Lake, Swedish Hills Winery, was named 2008 winery of the year. Also, it is rumored that Cayuga lake has a sea monster. So, why not come down and check it out!

Another great even is the Finger Lakes Wine Festival, held July 16th through July 18th at Watkins Glen International and hosted by Yancy’s Fancy NY Artisan Cheese. 80 wineries will be at the event with over 500 wines to taste. The Festival will also have arts and crafts vendors, jewelers, gourmet foods, live music and pace car rides around the racetrack. For more information, check out visit the Finger Lakes Wine Festival website.

Of course there are wine tours, limos, buses, trolleys, etc to bring you around so that you can relax and enjoy the wine. There are also hotel packages, bed and breakfasts and fantastic restaurants for all tastes and price ranges.

The Finger Lakes also have a variety of things to do and see outside the wineries. Those include learning the art of glass making – which includes watching and then making your own glass at The Corning Museum of Glass. If you are a race enthusiast, check out Watkins Glen International. It hosts IndyCar, NASCAR, and the historical Watkins Glen Grand Prix. You can even experience the “The Glen’s” road course with a Thunder Road Tour in your own car. Did you know that the Finger Lakes is known as the “Cradle of Aviation” and the “Soaring Capital of America?” Check out the National Soaring Museum or Glenn H. Curtiss Museum. Or if you are more adventurous, go flying in a sailplane, vintage airplane, or learn about warplanes at Wings of Eagles. Discovery Center. Outdoor enthusiast? There are literally hundreds of miles of trails and state parks and even a national forest to explore. Ride your bike, hike or launch a boat and explore nature. Kayaks and canoes are available for rental. You can even go on a geocaching adventure as there are thousands of caches hidden throughout the region.

The Finger Lakes has something for everyone and can be a great family vacation, a romantic getaway or a girls or guys weekend adventure! So check it out and explore all that the Finger Lakes has to offer!

read comments (0)

Malaga, Spain

Málaga is a city and a municipality in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. It is the southernmost large city in Europe and is on the Costa del Sol of the Mediterranean Sea, about 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar and 80 miles north of Africa. It has a subtropical climate with mild winters and comfortable summers. Málaga averages about 300 days of sunshine and only about 50 days of precipitation each year.

Malagia is one of the oldest cities in the world, around 2,700 years old. It was founded by Phoenecians and then inhabited and ruled by Roman’s, Arab’s and Christians. As such, there is a sort of “Open Museum” of archeology and rich history to explore in Malagia. The oldest architectural remains in the city is the Roman theater which dates from the 1st century BC. The Alcazaba of Málaga was built in the 11th century and is on mount Gibralfaro. The church of Santiago incorporate elements from both Christian and Islamic tradition. Tourists also visit here to see the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and the Museum of Picasso.

While in Malaga, check out the bullfighting ring which dates back to 1874 and has a total capacity of about 14,000 people.

Malagia has about a dozen beautiful beaches on the Costa del Sol. Amazingly, some of the beaches are serene and peaceful, unlike other beaches on the Costa del Sol. Esteponia beaches are great for kids as the water is shallow waters. Puerto Banus and Mujas beaches offer lots of water sports.

If you’re looking for nightlife, there is plenty in Malaga. From Tapas Bars to nightclubs and discos to terraces along the Promenade. Some places to check are the Malaga City Centre, the Plaza de la Merced and be sure to take in a Flamenco Show.

Málaga is also famous for its wine, having some some of the best vineyards on the Coast. The wine is made from the grapes of Antequera, La Axarquía, in the mountains of Málaga.

read comments (2)

Historic Avila, Spain

Avila is located approximately 70 miles northwest of Madrid in the province of Castile-Léon. It is 1130 meters above sea level, making it a cool respite from the heat and humidity of Southern Spain. Avila is a great place to visit if you want to take in some history. Old town Avila is designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Why? Well, read on…

Avila has one of the best kept, medieval walled enclosures in Europe. It is over 2 kilometers long and has almost 2,500 crenellations, a hundred towers, six gates and three openings – all of which encircles the older section of Avila. These walls were constructed in the 11th century by the Arab Moor prisoners after Christians recaptured the territory. Adding to the medieval feel of the town is a Romanesque cathedral and medieval churches. If you want to take a walk on the top of the wall, you must pay a small fee. **One of the best places to view the medieval wall and the enclosed city is the Cuatro Postes. It is breathtaking!

Within the walls of old town Avila is the amazing Cathedral which was erected sometime between the 12th and 14th centuries. It was begun in the Romanesque style in the 12th century and later continued in the Gothic style, resulting in intriguing combination of styles and materials. The Diocesan Museum is another great place to visit as it has numerous art pieces, including work by Juan de Arfe. Other highlights include the Mansion of Velada, the Palace of Valderrábano and the Palace of Núñez Vela. Most noteworthy is the Palace of Dávila, which is a fortress made up of four houses which date back to the 13th century. The 16th century Tower of Guzmanes currently houses the City Council. The square of Mercado Chico, the place where the ancient Roman forum stood, is now the city centre.

Another very popular site in Avila is the convent of St. Teresa, the patron saint of Spain. Teresa was a 16th-century Carmelite nun who reformed her order, had many ecstatic visions, and wrote several books. She is the first woman in Catholic history to receive the title, Doctor of the Church,” which was given to her by Pope Paul VI in 1970. The convent in Avila was built over the house where St. Teresa was born. The convent is an active one but you can visit the site of her birthplace – which is a chapel within a church and decorated with scenes of her demonstrating her powers of levitation. You can also view relics of St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross at the Sala de Reliquias, which include a finger from her right hand, the sole of one of her sandals, her rosary beads and a cord she used to flagellate herself. The Monasterio de la Encarnacion, is a Carmelite convent where St. Teresa of Ávila lived, wrote and had many of her mystical experiences.

Some noteworthy places to visit outside the walls of Avila include the Basilica de San Vicente which is a Romanesque basilica which marks the site of the martyrdom of St. Vincent by the Romans. The church of San Pedro dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries.

read comments (0)

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. It is situated on the Vltava River with the historical centre of Prague divided into five areas. These five areas span both banks of the river with the Charles Bridge as the main connection between the two. The lay out is as follows: On one side of the river is the Old Town (Stare Mesto), centred on the Old Town Square; the New Town (Nove Mesto), centred on Wenceslas Square; and the Jewish Quarter (Josefov). On the other side is the Lesser Town (Mala Strana); and high above this the Castle District (Hradcany), centred on Prague Castle. Of utmost convenience, these areas are closely situated to one another so that sightseeing can be done on foot if you want. Most attractions are within a 25 minute walking distance or less! Another good reason to visit Prague is that it is one of the most affordable cities to visit in all of Europe while also being number 6 on the top visited cities in Europe – meaning there is a lot to see and do while also being affordable!! Here are some of the highlights of this enchanting and cultural city, broken down by each section:

Old Town:

Astronomical Clock: “This is mounted on the Southern wall of the Old Town Hall in the Old Town Square and is one of the outstanding sights of Prague. The dial is poised with three main components: the astronomical dial that displays various astronomical details as well as representing the position of the Sun and Moon in the sky; “The Walk of the Apostles”, showcases the movement of the figures of Twelve Apostles passing along the two windows in every hour of daylight; and a calendar dial that rotates and gives the description of each and every day of the year with an indication of the current date at the top, the medallions with zodiac signs describing every month and a symbol of the Old Town in the centre.” -Prague.com

Some other popular sights in Old Town include The Old town Square, Municipal House, Museum of Czech Cubism and the Museum of Decorative Arts.

Josefov:

Jewish Museum: This museum has an amazing collection of Jewish art, textiles and silver. Included in the tour is a guided visit to the Old Jewish Cemetery, Ceremonial Hall, Old-New Synagogue, Meisel Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Spanish Synagogue and the Klausen Synagogue.

New Town:

Wenceslas Square: Named after Saint Wenceslas, this square one of the typical places where demonstrations, celebrations and other events or gatherings take place. There is an abundance of nightlife and entertainment as well as international shops which make it a hot spot for shopping trips.

Other attractions in New Town include Lucerna Palace, Mucha Museum, National Theatre, National Museum and Prague City Museum.

Lesser Town:

Prague Castle: “Prague Castle is the biggest ancient castle in the world, being 570 meters in length and about 130 metres wide and was erected in the 9th century. It was replaced by a Romanesque palace in the 12th century and then in the 14th century was rebuilt in the Gothic style under the ruling of Charles IV. At the end of 15th century, a reconstruction of the palace took place under the Jagellons, the Vladislav Hall was further added by Benedikt Rejt. The Castle had to undergo further works in the 16th century. Today it serves as the historical and political centre for the city and the state, and it is also the place of the President of the Czech Republic. For the visitors, Prague Castle is a “must see”. The Saint Vitus Cathedral, the Monastery, Golden Lane, St. George’s Basilica and several other places along with the viewing towers and art galaries can be discovered by taking a walking tour of the Prague Castle.” -Prague.com

Other attractions in Lesser Town include Hradcany & Hradcany Square and Lennon Wall (yes, named after John Lennon).

Some of the best ways to see all of this is through guided tours or cruises, since may of the attractions are near the river. Just do some simple searching on the web and you will find these tours quite easily.

Also, Prague is a hub for the arts so be sure to check out a classical concert or a performance at one of the opera houses or theatres. Make sure to stop in at some of the art as it is amazing!

As for nightlife, Prague has it all. There are clubs, restaurants, bars and everything in between and much of it just minutes from your hotel or apartment if you stay within Prague centre.

read comments (11)