2009-01-15

The Netherlands and most hidden surprise  

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Rembrandt and Van Gogh, popular mills, the Red Light District and the canals of Amsterdam, The Hague, the stately, large dams that protect the country from the sea and next-generation architecture and design are the usual attractions of any visit to the Netherlands.

But there is a more surprising and hidden worth exploring. Netherlands a different and fun where you can make an excursion in a genuine Italian gondola in an incomparable setting, the canals of Utrecht, or an amphibious bus ride along the river Meuse, near the Renaissance and modern Rotterdam, through an amazing journey for inside the human body in Corpus.

Then the visitor can enjoy lunch in an authentic natural greenhouse Amsterdam has its own garden and learn about the amazing story of the bag or cocktails in the style of Tom Cruise.

These are just some examples that could be hidden treasures of a multicultural Holland in Amsterdam which remains its main tourism related.

Behind the front of the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, the two big galleries that attract hundreds of thousands of tourists annually, opened a year ago the House of Bols, a center dedicated to interactive hipermoderno Lucas Bols and producing company alcoholic beverages is 400 years old.

The world of cocktails is a surprise for which he enters for the first time. This is not a museum or a winery or a bar, but the visitor can see, touch and smell the spices, herbs and, ultimately, the ingredients of the drinks.

You can even dare to distinguish the aromas of 36 spray bottles that give off any odor (melon, strawberry, Peppermint, mint, fruit of love) and finish preparing the visit enjoyed in its own cocktail bar mirrors.

The final icing on the most adventurous is to emulate Tom Cruise himself in his popular movie Cocktail throwing bottles into the air and pouring its contents into the glasses in a year juggling improvised. They are then filmed in a small room flairbooth digital movie to remember that this feat can be sent to friends or family.

If one is not satisfied with the aromas of the broker-dealer, you can try the pies. At number 10, and Ferdinand Bolstraat bolting a sympathetic Dutch Siemon de Jong, has created cakes eighteen years as a stunning success.

Siemon says that his works especially chocolate and apple, a favorite of his players in public are all kinds of celebrations such as weddings, birthdays and births. Indeed, in its local supercoloreado Center, De Taart van mijn Tante (The tart of my aunt), with bed and breakfast in the annex, we are surprised with a large cake dedicated to a Gypsy Flamenco is very close to another baby bears, proving that anything is possible for him and his team. Siemon prepared between 30 and 40 large pies a month (for about 50 people per piece) and its price is 500 euros.

Just need a little walk on foot to reach the Museum of Bags and purses. It is managed since 2007 Sigrid A. Ivo in the beautiful building number 573 Canal Knights (Herengracht).

We are in a unique museum which reviews the history of the bag since the seventeenth century to the present day with over 3,500 original examples. Sigrid continues a family tradition that began Hendrik his grandmother, a true collector of different topics, and when she bought in Norwich (England) a beautiful piece of leather and tortoiseshell German, dated 1820, which was used to start his passion for handbags and its history. Today we continue to acquire some fifty bags a year to increase the collection says Sigrid, the Metropolitan in New York has made several mentions of our museum and we have already made several exhibitions in Sweden and Italy.

Given such a universe of models, visitors - especially women, are attracted almost equally by both historical pieces of the final stage of the Middle Ages as the original design of the best known contemporary signatures that are present in the museum: Pierre Cardin, Paco Rabanne, Yves Saint Laurent, Gianni Versace, Gucci, Hermes, Channel, Donna Karan.

The visit did not disappoint, as well inside the palace, which contains original paintings of the seventeenth century, offers excellent views of the channel's most elegant Amsterdam.

2009-01-10

Hamburg: The Gateway To The World  

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The highest in the north of the city on the Elbe is not in vain as one of the most beautiful in Germany. And even the normally cautious Hanseatic can be proud of "their" Hamburg not hide.

Sandy, Wellengeplätscher quiet, palm trees and a hot drink to cool beats: Holiday Feeling on the Elbe. Anyone here a day on the Beach Club has spent miles admits the cliché of the unterkühlten on hamburgers and distanced. You can feel the world of openness and hospitality, and gets pleasure, the diversity of the city to conquer: on the bank of the river Elbe noble villas, colorful scene in pubs living quarters, the former workers quarters in change. Hardly a city creates its intense District life so much closeness and intimacy, such as Hamburg.

From the beach clubs, it is only a small leap to one of the HVV ships calling at a conveniently located between Sandtorhöft (subway Baumwall), Landungsbrücken (it in U-and S-Bahn station) and Finkenwerder sail back and forth. So erhascht not only a glimpse of the historic city of memory, the world's largest contiguous warehouse complex, but also to the modern, over 7400 hectares of port area with containers from around the world. Standing still is a foreign word. Once it gets dark, the whole area shines in the spotlight and the fully automatic loading and unloading of ships continues.
Next stop is the Alster, the large lake in the heart of the city. As you walk there you can see alongside the Edelboutiquen another feature: Hamburg is pervaded Fleet and canals you wonderfully with the canoe can capture - in an hour to park or even a day trip to Poppenbüttel. Make halt when Bodos jetty or let your legs on one of Hamburg's dangle bridges - because there are about 2496 pieces, more than Venice and Amsterdam combined.

The Médulas the whim of the Romans  

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Located in the Bierzo in León, 20 km from Ponferrada, Médulas The place is a great result of the Roman territory along two centuries and changes in that territory to the present.

This site, a strange beauty, is what remains of the largest gold mine operated by the Romans in the northwest of the peninsula using a procedure known as "montium ruin."
It was the largest gold mine operated by the Romans in the Peninsula
It undermined the heart of the mountain with an intricate network of galleries in different lengths and in which successive tranches with wider sudden narrowing. Later, the tunnels will be released on huge masses of water brought from the nearby mountains through a network of channels and stored near the farm, which resulted in the colossal collapse.

The mud was washed and was produced to extract the gold. As more than a vestige of the rule mining activity is preserved Carucedo lake formed by water used in the extraction of gold and money laundering.
The exploitation of gold Médulas is the largest of any known in the northwest of the country and probably the largest of the entire Roman Empire.

Today, Las Médulas declared in 1998 by the Unesco World Heritage Site, impressed by its beauty, which is the product of man, the passage of time and the whims of nature.
The Médulas were declared a World Heritage Site in 1998
Getting There

It is possible to arrive by car to the farm, however, recommended to the last mile (1.8 km) walk to enjoy more of the environment.
From the village of Médulas will continue on foot along a steep slope off the road to get Cuevona and Enchanted Cave, allowing two Bocamina get an idea of the operating system extension.

To see the landscape from the viewpoint Orellán, before we reach the population of the heart, a deviation to the left leads to Orellán. From the village, a track on the right leads to the lookout.

Other Roman ruins in the area

The neighboring region of La Cabrera, which is accessed from Puente de Domingo Florez (N-536), retains many interesting Roman remains tied to the gold mine. Must also stop in Yeres, belonging to the municipality of Puente, to cover the area of the site that extended into this area, popularly known as the "The Medulillas of Yeres.
Corporal Cabrera and flames are other rural communities of interest. From the village of Las Médulas you can visit the Submerged Lake, one of the "agogae" or washing of gold.

* Lodging: Hotel Monte Medulio is situated at the entrance to the picturesque village of Las Médulas, belonging to the municipality of Carucedo. Information and reservations: Tel: 987 422 833 / 987 422 889. In Carracedelo, Villamartin Villanueva de Valdueza and you can easily find accommodation.
* Addresses of interest: visitor reception center organizes guided tours of the path of the valine (a distance of three kilometers to La Encantada and La Cuevona).
* Directions: From the A-6 or the N-VI, from Ponferrada or from Villafranca del Bierzo, to connect with the N-120. Next to La Barosa take the diversion to Carucedo. For the N-536, from Ponferrada to the peoples of Borrenes or Carucedo. From Ourense, the N-536, until Sunday Flórez Bridge.

2009-01-09

Peru ranks as one of the most important tourist destinations in the world  

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Peru ranks as one of the most important tourist destinations in the world thanks to the continuing international recognition it receives, including four awards presented by the Latin American Travel Association (CAN), said today the Commission for the Promotion of Peru's Export and Tourism (Promperú).

Peru took four of the ten prizes awarded to the CAN in the UK where Promperú won the award for best tourist office in Latin America.

"This recognition, coupled with the Country Brand Index, Peru positioned as one of the most important tourist destinations in the world and also demonstrates that when the public and private sectors work together, success is assured," said the director of promotion Tourism Promperú, Mara Seminar.

The hotel also Inkaterra Reserva Amazon won the prize for best Jungle Lodge, which is located opposite the Tambopata National Reserve, in the Madre de Dios region.

For its part, Aqua Expeditions received the award for best luxury cruise, cruise for his part in Iquitos (Loreto) on the Amazon River and enters the Marañón River, to visit the nature reserve, Pacaya Samiria in that region.

Also, the chain Orient Express Hotels, Trains and Cruises, with the hotels Lima (Miraflores Park Hotel), Cusco (Hotel Monasterio), Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge) and the Colca Canyon in Arequipa (Colca The Pocitas) won as the best hotel chain.

The prizes were awarded in London in the largest tourism fair in the world, the World Travel Market (WTM), representatives of Promperú and tourism companies, thanks to winning the votes of operators, airlines, newspapers and chambers of tourism world.

CAN is a trade association that works in the UK and was founded to promote travel to Latin America. It brings together 200 businesses, including tourism offices, tour operators, hotels, wholesalers, media, airlines and other members at the international level.

Seminar held that these awards are received in an edition of the WTM particularly successful, as the participation of Peru has generated many positive responses.

He also said that the opinion leader Simon Calder, editor of The Independent, received a massive response from the press and public in his seminar "The Amazon and the top ten places to visit in Peru."

For its part, the show "The Secret Life of the Peruvian Amazon," displayed on the stand and opened by the Peruvian Embassy in London from Peru, was one of the most visited attractions at the fair.

Similarly, in Peru WTM is one of the country today to give an award in the Sustainable Tourism Awards, organized by Virgin Holidays, the WTM, The Daily Telegraph, the BBC and Geographical Magazine.

On this occasion, the Peruvian government, through Promperú deliver the prize to the best destination for poverty reduction among the countries contestants

2009-01-08

Riga: Pearl of the Wild East  

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Dropped parties, elegant people, and between Russian retro look: Riga loves opposites. Even in Soviet times was the metropolis of the Baltic will send a link to the West, today, many young fashion and design ideas from Latvia's capital.

Most think of the cold red gazpacho soup immediately and Spain. But there is another place with an even darker and colder Soup with Red Pray instead of tomato. And she comes from Riga, the westernmost city of the old Tsarist empire. "Pearl of the Baltic region," the capital of Latvia, with its 850 000 inhabitants, also called, and it is something like a real time tunnel, which traces from all eras meet. Prior to the brand new airport terminal, visitors from the polite staff receive Latvian soil, the western standards of unkindness to surpass lengths. The transfer of the case will cost extra, she says, but there are only converted 45 Cent.Willkommen in Eastern Europe! Gray panel settlements and pull patinated wooden window panes in the past: the "Wild East". But he is only a stone mosaic in the Panorama Rigas - stylish cafes, bars and galleries await visitors. The center gleams long. Independence 16 years and three years in the EU have a lot to the city and its people changed. English and German are also often become just as natural in the streets to hear Russian and Latvian. Even in Soviet times was Riga as a link between West and East. That made also in the fashion scene noticeable. Wealthy Russians specially traveled to Riga to this new einzukleiden. Today is the perfect styling of the women on: Lettinnen have only themselves when they gathered with their heads held high heels over the bumpy cobblestones strut about like a catwalk.

Riga's city center can easily explore on foot. Good starting point is the broad boulevard freedom (Brivibas Bulvaris), where the New Town in the Old Town alone. Fantastisch is the view on the evening of the Skyline from the 26th Floor of the Hotel Latvija ". On cozy armchairs sipping a Singapore Sling, you can enjoy the view on the panorama and the lights of the city. Latvia is booming. And while the emerging capital is full of old-fashioned details: Where else can you find a painter or cinema? And where rising fine ladies from countless Edelkarossen glamorously dressed and walk through the Old Town? Beside it are old women with headscarves, which until late into the night for a few flowers Santimi sale. Nobel restaurants and luxury boutiques lined up together in the old town. A street corner next to walls with old bröckelnder facade, stray cats around. Visitors discovered in between the small cafes and bakeries, where, it seems, time has stopped. Posh go to dinner in one of the many restaurants. But what to choose: Latvian bread pudding, Russian Borsch, prefer fresh pasta or sushi? Cafes and restaurants are mostly rappelvoll. In the summer, will remain in Riga's far into the night taghell. To sleep a little thought then. There are tables and chairs outdoors, along with countless tourists sit Rigenser with live music on the Domplatz together.

Riga nightlife is wild, with Berlin or Hamburg, it can easily keep up. The pubs, bars and clubs are uncounted. One may wonder how elegantly and sometimes liberally, the Rigenserinnen on the dance floor moving. Especially on weekends will be celebrated and flirted as if there were no more tomorrow. The Sunday Hangover eliminated the Rigenser on the beach promenade in the nearby seaside resort of Jurmala. The Elektrischka takes passengers on a journey into the old wooden benches Osteuropa.Auf abgewetzten he zuckelt sitting leisurely in pine and pine forests and prefabricated buildings over. Then dive winding wooden houses with colorful facades and turrets on. After 35 minutes drive: Stop Majori on the beach! Bikini mermaids cavort in up to 25 degrees warmer water, the white men play beach volleyball. Until the night, because in the summer, you can at the Riga Gulf until the evening at ten forty-five bathe in the sun.

RESTAURANTS
Enjoyment is the Rigensern important - it shows the wealth of cafes and restaurants. Traditional are "Karbonade" (pork), cabbage and potatoes on the menu. A blob of sour cream, pickled cucumbers and a glass of "kefir" (buttermilk) round out the menu. But Riga is also a hotspot of best international cuisine.

CAFES / BARS
At pretty cafes in Riga, there is no shortage. Smoking only outside. Since 1 June 2006, smoking in all restaurants, bars and even Beergardens prohibited.

CLUBS
Whether or freaky elegant, Rigas and club music scene has something for everyone. And happy is celebrated and long. Better to avoid the "Roxy" friday evening - pretty tedious.

SHOPPING
Huge shopping malls in the suburbs - for fashion-conscious Western Europeans, the Baltic city not just a shopping paradise. But a few tidbits there anyway.

2009-01-05

Picasso's wild action  

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The light! The colors! The motives! The Cote d'Azur, and is loved by artists. Even Picasso, Chagall and Monet immortalized the landscape in her paintings. Other painters can holidaymakers on the "Chemin des Peintres" along the coast to know.

Understandable that they loved this view: the right the deep blue Mediterranean Sea, left the fortified town of Antibes, on the horizon are dimly from the mountains. Claude Monet painted this scene in 1888, Henri Edmond Cross gave them 20 years later. Today, visitors to the Promenade check whether his work properly capture the atmosphere. A display shows the image. It is one of 50 works exhibited at the Chemin des Peintres, the way the painter, the holiday on the Cote d'Azur can follow.

The images track "Côte d'Azur of the painters' withdraws from Menton to Cannes and is also the hinterland of Grasse, Mougins and Saint-Paul-de-Vence is not enough. Most of the 14 pictures are in Cagnes-sur-Mer is issued, including works by Renoir and Derain. Picasso painted in Antibes, Chagall was the silhouette of Saint-Paul-de-Vence noted. They were all fascinated by the bright light and the clashing colors of the French Riviera.


The pictures are in their development locations. Sometimes you have to look, probably wanted the artists do not always sit in the middle of the events. The panels give visitors not only an idea of where the painters once worked. You can also monitor how changes in landscape and cityscape.

Instead of palm trees

Cannes is a particularly striking example: on the Croisette, where today the rich and beautiful and bustling langbeinige women in short dresses by Edelboutiquen stroll, stroll also the middle of the 19th Century already elegantly dressed women. Adolphe Fioupou painted it admittedly modestly dressed. At that time has not prevented the famous, but screaming ugly Palais de Festival, the annual City Film Festival, the view of the Old Town.

In Antibes, which is so pretty nestled on the Mediterranean, stood on the Boulevard du Cap Broadleaves once - now decorate the palm trees green strip between the town and beach. The marketplace is still in the old town, with its narrow streets, pétanque players and the many bistros almost perfectly the stereotype of a typical French city fulfilled. The image of Emile Charles Dameron, however, shows an open area with trees. Today there is a covered, wrought-iron market.

Little remained opposed by Eugène Boudin view of the city - the display was destroyed, so that only parts of the image to see. A similar fate Picasso's "Night Fishing in Antibes, on the wall stood.

Works by Picasso in Antibes

Picasso Antibes is' great pride. The 1946 master painted for half a year in the castle of the city. He had plenty of ideas, but the material was scarce, and so he painted on anything that the port offered: wood and canvas, for example. As also is no longer enough, he simply painted over earlier works. The images from this very productive creative time, he gave the city - the almost overnight a Picasso museum got.

Also, the photography museum in Mougins - Picasso's last place of residence, only 13 kilometers away - is dedicated to his work. The exhibition shows photos of his studio, the artist at work and with his children. Mougins is equipped with four pictures on the Chemin des Peintres represented. That art in the medieval town still plays an important role, demonstrates a very different label: The review board at the entrance points to 14 restaurants - and 28 galleries out.

2009-01-03

Miami: The Big Glamor  

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Beach, shopping, luxury, beauty and celebrities: In Florida Fun holiday metropolis, everything is bigger and brighter: Party and almost everywhere around the clock ..

On Ocean Drive, at night eleven to three clock, the expression "to drift" his own importance. Especially on weekends then stroll to the thousands of pastel-colored Art Deco buildings along from bar to bar, from club to club. The gardens are crowded restaurant, the hotel "Cardozo (Owner: Gloria Estefan) booms Latin-pop, two houses continue to play a Cuban band, on the Boulevard mixes the music to a wild Soundbrei. It often happens to people congestion, what all great find: Blessed are they smile at each other, pushing each other forward. It is a friendly, fresh and perfumed, above all, very cheerful mass. Each of these people are driving three wishes, which are at this moment are all met: Party! Party! Party!

2009-01-02

Everything Is Illuminated In Oslo  

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In winter the sun shines in Oslo only five hours a day, so the people to turn night into day, you commute by subway to the illuminated slopes and celebrate in the clubs and the University of Fine Arts, as if there were no tomorrow. That they are so happy, is not only on alcohol

Behind me are 20 hours on the ferry from Kiel to Oslo, Norway's capital city ahead of me in the morning haze. White chimneys blow smoke in the cold winter air, the sun is low in the sky. In this time of year is the little light is a rarity, the days are short and the nights that even longer. For the night, Danny Larsen jurisdiction. He wears black sunglasses, black shoulder-length hair.

Danny is one of the best snowboarders in Norway and plays in metal bands - a typical combination of Oslo, as it turned out to be. Danny knows what he has in his town: "There is nothing nicer than to late at night on the floodlit slopes in front of the city to snowboarding."

2008-12-21

Havana, Your Eternal City  

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The Cuban city of two million has much more to offer than their dusty Buena Vista Social Club romance. The bustling metropolis of music is now the party center in the Caribbean.

Lightning Blanke Chevrolet Impala in front of historic colonial buildings: At first glance, the socialist Caribbean metropolis for 60 years to stand still, especially if obtained by Habana Vieja, the old city of Havana, touches. The images are described as often, they actually agree to this day: In the gray-haired men play bars and Son cumbia classics that are still a little older than themselves, to the counters are refreshing Mojitos served, and is constantly smoked. But Havana has more to offer. Tired of Salsa sound, Cuba's young people dance to funky today Reggaeton and Caribbean House in the clubs. PRINZ readers discovered the young, new Havana.

RESTAURANTS
The Caribbean cuisine can be found in many fine restaurants enjoy much popularity and atmospheric are the "Paladares" small private restaurants, often in ordinary residential houses and cozy charm with their enthusiasm.

CAFES / BARS
An absolute must is to visit various bars in the Cuban capital, where they necessarily the three National Beverage should try: Cuba Libre, Mojito and Daiquiri.

CLUBS
The nightlife of Havana offers lots of variety and far more than the legendary vaudeville Tropicana, which until now everyone is really any travel guide.

SHOPPING
Havana is not a shopping center, already are in socialist Cuba, very few shops. The proposed locations of us but we should absolutely look.

2008-12-07

The Favorite Islands Of The Superstars  

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The good news: In Paradise, you can pay with euros. The bad: It is only 21 square kilometers in size and is located in the Caribbean. The speech is from the French overseas department of Saint-Barthélemy, or St. Barth. The island is currently the destination of celebrities, stars like Dustin Hoffman, Daniel Craig, Donatella Versace and Brad Pitt can not be wrong.

St. Barth is one of the Lesser Antilles and is located in the Atlantic Ocean. The island was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, he named it after his brother Bartolomeo. They moved several times its membership, was among others in French and Swedish hands. Today, St. Barth as a Collectivité d'outre mer with France and is part of the European Union.

Very much larger than St. Barth, but no less beautiful, is St. Lucia. This Caribbean island is at least 620 square kilometers in size and is also one of the Lesser Antilles.

Especially there urlaubt scandal noodle Amy Winehouse, including Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman and Tyra Banks were already on St. Lucia. The island is far from untouched, lush rain forests, green mountains, banana plantations and miles of beaches with white sand and black take turns. The emblem of the island is of volcanic Twin Pitons, with its two peaks.

In the past it was hard fought over St. Lucia, for centuries the island belonged alternately to France and Britain. Today she is part of the Commonwealth of Nations, Queen Elizabeth II, the official head of state. In the fishing village of Soufrière testify today charming buildings from the colonial era, on the small island Pigeon Iceland is even an old British fort.

2008-11-15

On the Footprint of the Templars in Rio Lobos  

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They say that the Wolves River Canyon is a magical place, because there are traces of the presence of the Templars and some mysteries wrapped in order to resolve this.

Lobos Canyon River Gorge is a 14 km long in the Nafría mountain range. The canyon, the diversity of fauna and landscape cantiles are the highlights of the protected area. It is one of the reliefs that stand between the Central and the Iberian.

Its continental climate has generated a growing poplar, willow and juniper albar, living with the oak and pine oak.

As for fauna, there griffon vultures, golden eagles, hawks ... and between mamíeros, the Iberian wolf. Also deserving attention amphibians and reptiles.
The slopes can reach an altitude of 100 meters

Erosion by water has sunk the riverbed. On the slopes of the canyon, which can reach 100 meters in altitude, low-water sources for the rusty color of the walls. There are numerous marked hiking trails and the ability to enter any of the numerous torcas, potholes and caves that undermine their walls.

Three different access

Access into the canyon are made from three different points. On the west side, upstream, is accessed from Hontoria del Pinar (Burgos) population being reached by the N-234.

The second access is located 12 km from the previous half-way stage, missing 9km Ucero to output, and is called the Bridge of Seven Eyes and is next to the SO-960 road that connects San Leonardo de Yagüe St. Mary of the Hoyas.

At the end of the canyon is the entry of Ucero is the most popular is the ydonde Interpretation Center of Nature. About Ucero on the road SO-920 is the viewpoint of the Galiana shows that the park from the edge of cliffs.
Since there is a huge cave a spectacular view of the shrine Templar

The most traveled and well-known park is undoubtedly the Colmenar of the friars at the foot of which lies the shrine of St. Bartholomew Templar.

This area is located 3.5 km from the entrance to Ucero, the esplanade that stretches in front of the Great Cave, an enormous cave that remains always open and accessible.

The chapel of St. Bartholomew

The chapel of St. Bartholomew is a Romanesque building of the first quarter of the thirteenth century with a burgeoning influence of Gothic. It was part of a Templar monastery which retains only the chapel.

The link with the Order of the Temple and tested this with her open mysteries remain.

This shrine is at the same distance in meters of the outer limits to the east and west of the Iberian Peninsula. The union between the location of the chapel with other churches Templar Peninsula form a Maltese cross, the symbol of the order.

2008-11-09

Andorra, A Paradise For Skiers  

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With the largest skiable area in the Pyrenees, Andorra and all ski areas are finalizing preparations to launch the new winter season 2008/09.
The big stations do offer the best destination in the Principality white

The country has two seasons, Grandvalira and Vallnord where, in addition to skiing and snow surfing you can do other activities related to the snow, snowshoeing and hiking, biking snow sleds driven by dogs and snowmobiles. There are also instaaciones of Naturlàndia-La Rabassa and Parador Canaro.

Grandvalira: Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig and Soldeu-El Tarter

North of the Principality of Andorra, is the season that make up the Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig and Soldeu-El Tarter (1926 Ha). With six different access to tracks, 14 parks, 40 restore points, 450 monitors and a maximum altitude of 2640 m and 1710 m at least, Grandvalira has 110 tracks of 193 km with a capacity of 100,700 skiers / hour, 67 lifts and 83 miles from tracks of snow.

Grandvalira opened this season the Ice Hotel Iglu-Dorf Grandvalira-Grau Roig, 2,300 m, with restaurant and spa, and the ice bar, located at the foot of the ski lift Pla de les Pedres and walking tracks Grandvalira - Pas de la Casa.
To the food lovers can enjoy a very special dinner, over 2,000 m, in restaurants Grandvalira-Canillo, El Tarter Grandvalira-and Grandvalira-Grau Roig.

Vallnord: Arcalís, Arinsal and Pal

Pal sector is ideal for family skiing. A ski area of 707 ha innivada with capacity for 39,180 skiers per hour, with 31 lifts, 271 artificial snow cannons, 200 monitors, 12 restore points and 9 parking with capacity for 6600 vehicles. FIS their stadium is one of the largest in southern Europe, and in areas of artistic and acrobatic skiing and off track (with 40,000 m2 with chill out included) practiced the latest trends in snow skiing and surfing.
Pal sector is the most wanted by the families of skiers

This practice can also be other activities such as snow falls with bikes, snowmobiles, hiking and white scenic helicopter flights. There are also many activities for the little ones, such as circuits snowmobiles children.

Vallnord opens this season's first and only Speed Riding School of the Peninsula. It is a new form of skiing developed mainly in the French Alps, which merges the capabilities of paragliding and skiing with a parachute.

La Rabassa Naturlàndia-hundred percent skiing

Sant Julia de Loria, between 2160 m and 1960 m, is Naturlàndia. The Snow Camp La Rabassa is the reference point for lovers of nature and the Nordic skiing. In addition to 15 miles of marked tracks, paths and cross country ski school, has the Inuit Parc, an enclosed area of 3,000 m2 for initiation pathways and circuits games on trees.

La Rabassa offers one of the most spectacular this winter: the Tobotronc. With a height of 400 meters and four miles, the slide has become the cable lifts world's longest. With a length of 1,700 m and climb 3550 m downhill run can walk the woods with a mechanical sled.

2008-10-18

Lisbon, A City With A View  

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The terraces are reluctant to leave the daily Portuguese capital, a city where winter days punctuated with live blue yellow by the sun. Although they all offer snacks with reduced white port and tonic atmosphere, only a few can see the best views in Lisbon.

The winter days punctuated with live blue yellow by the sun

One is the restaurant Casa do Leao, very frequented by tourists because of its location, the Castillo de San Jorge.

Since its railing can enjoy broader menu: the labyrinthine streets of Alfama, the roofs of the Rua da Madalena, skyscrapers built in the 80s east of the town and the bridge on April 25.

As of midday, especially at sunset, is the Bairro Alto Hotel in the fashionable area of Lisbon, which traps the wild over the hills. The establishment has a roof where you can enjoy magical sunsets over the Tagus, atmosphere and chill out for a sandwich or a cocktail at very affordable prices. Sunny weekend brunch also serves a simple 14.5 euros.

For lunch, and only pockets healthy, the central hotel Tivoli Lisboa, on the Avenida da Liberdade, its top floor houses the newly opened restaurant Terraço.

Outdoor or indoor

Has found a space and another area with glass. Monday through Friday offers menu (45 euros) by the Portuguese chef Luis Baena. From time to time the creator of sorbets nitrogen-filled bomb maridajes where there organizing experts and onlookers gathered to try cuisine and wines of the region.

If you surprise late in the quarter of Belém, the viewpoint of the terrace of the dock of the Tagus and the margin is the best Á observatory to see the tower of Belém moves from white to red leaden.

And at night ..

The restaurant Bica do Sapato (Avenida Infante DomHenrique) provides another perspective on the night of the Tagus. Involved in design and with a letter that mixes Italian, Japanese and Portuguese art dyes, allows an approach to Lisbon laúltima at a price of around 40 euros.

More interesting than their food, is its location on the river and its large terrace.

A unpaso in the building next door, stands one of the most prestigiosasde city Lux. This is easily recognizable by the big legs female overcome their front door. Of course, it also has an interesting terrace.

2008-09-23

Syria: between churches and mosques, sea and desert  

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Bazar Arab and Roman ruins, churches and mosques, sea and hills, towns and desert. All this is Syria. Once in Damascus, we understand that the capital live in balance between tradition and modernity. The old town with its narrow streets and winding, that develop around the magnificent mosque omayade, retains the charm of an exotic and mysterious place, although in a Christian neighborhood of Bab Tuma tourists and foreign students seem more of the population local. The old Damascene houses, with rich decorations and fountains in the courtyards, there are next to shops and typical current Internet point, while the covered market (Suq Al-Hamidya) is a great way enlightened and full of clothes shops and crafts both sides. Outside the Old Town, are to visit the National Museum and the tomb of Saladin. For purchases and meals are actually spends little. A sandwich with meat and vegetables (shawarma) costs less than half a euro. A lunch at the restaurant at around 5 euros. A bus ride costs 7 cents, in taxis no more than 3 euros. With less than 10 euros to go to Lebanon or Jordan, bus or a collective taxi, leaving the station Baramki.

From the station Haraste, however, leave the bus Palmira (missed the ancient city of Queen Zenobia, in the desert) and Aleppo in the north. On the road to Aleppo worth staying a couple of hours at Hama, to visit the norie, the ancient wooden water wheels (photo above). In the north, inhabited by many minorities, including Kurds and Armenians, the milestone is Aleppo, with the city, whose fortifications were built from 350 BC Can not miss a turn in cities death, old abandoned places for reasons unknown, and the sanctuary dell'eremita San Simeon. Returning to the south, take the path of the sea and stop for a few days on the beaches of Latakia or Tartus and then visit the Krak dei Cavalieri, beautiful crusader castle. If there is time, you can make a quick trip to Maalula (Christian places where you still speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus) and Bosra, the ancient city nabatea almost on the border with Jordan.

In Syria, the people are hospitable and cities are very safe. Obviously, it is better to respect the local traditions, not to show off criticism of the regime and not go around with clothes very succinct (but in the sea of Latakia and Tartus you can safely swim in costume). A tip: bring a vocabolarietto Arabic. Not all speak English!

2008-09-22

Locust trees, dunes and stone walls: Val di Noto in Sicily more authentic  

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Who wants to see the real Sicily, the one without vendors Sicilian carts crowded the edges of the temples of Agrigento or lookout in Taormina, should go in the area to the south of the triangle, the one that almost touches Africa. And have the courage to go where the magnificence of the volcano, the celebrity of casba Palermo el'assaltata beauty of the Aeolian islands give way to the chirp of cicadas, crossed by a desert locust trees and stone walls at various spots surrounded by beaches dunes. The southeast Sicily, in between the province of Ragusa and Siracusa, is the most extreme corner of the island, the true heart of the Mediterranean. It's called Val di Noto and takes its name from the city late for excellence, Noto. But hidden gems less known and more fascinating: Ibla Ragusa, Modica and San Diego. All rebuilt after the earthquake in 1693 with a unique style: the rococo carved in local stone, white and crumbly. Capita so to find the gaze of magnificent cathedrals scenic bill, real stone embroidery, boasting of columns and capitals between miserable huts plaster yellow, consumed scales from four centuries of sun peak, glimpses of streets that require silence, contemplation. More often, though the smell of jasmine Arab mixes with that of tomato and laundry hanging out to dry, with struggimento.

This is Sicily by Giuseppe Tornatore and his Malena, for who speaks the language of cinema. Montalbano Commissioner for those that of television. Of Vinicio Capossela if you love music. By Elio Vittorini, Salvatore Quasimodo and Gesualdo Bufalino for means of literature.
Around, "the usual" historical and archaeological traces left by Sicilians, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards, a campaign designed by rocks and terraces and corners of nature still unspoiled. It will be why the whole area recently joined the list of goods protected by 'Unesco.

Ragusa Ibla
A Ragusa Ibla deserve a visit the Gothic-Catalan old St. George, the Church of San Giorgio, the church of San Giuseppe and communal gardens. But above all, the alleys and streets closed to traffic that offer splendid views of the valley below and the sight of hidden courtyards and beautiful.

Modica

A Modica, an ancient seat of the county and now known for its chocolate tradition of Spanish and Aztec derivation, the tour departs from classic Umberto course, coverage of the stream that ran through the city, to visit the church of Santa Maria di Betlem, the church St. Peter with the statues of the twelve apostles on the staircase, the rock church of St. Nicholas Lower, cave in a jewel of the twelfth century and the two symbols of the city, the Church of San Giorgio, the hinge between the lower and that alta with its 250 steps, and the tower of the castle last part of the walls.

Scicli
In San Diego, the route is short but more suggestive, all concentrated between the Via Francesco Mormino Penna, the living room of the city, and one of the most beautiful Sicilian palace, Palazzo Beneventano. Who has time, the visits during Easter, when it plays one of the most fascinating religious festivals: San Diego. It is the procession of the risen Christ for the alleys of the city, carried on shoulders by the crowd without paths or directions to night. It is also the essence of this part of Sicily: outside time and space.

The kitchen
Ragusa excels for caciocavallo, cheese dall'orgoglio Dop, so called because they spread out to dry on a horse with a rope stretched. San Diego has a serricoltura intense that produces the famous cherry tomatoes and zucchini mini. Modica is now recognized as one of the Italian capital of chocolate: it produces a dough craft, manufactured cold and without milk, which leads Aztec and Spanish traditions. The whole area excels comuque for desserts. The case of ricotta, straight or mixed with chocolate and cinnamon, the "mustazzola" hard biscuits made with honey and almonds, "a ghugghulena" or cobaita, nougat of sesame seeds, "the mpanatigghie, small stuffed trousers a preparation of meat and chocolate. As for savory dishes, worth mention the "Chess" and "pastizzi, rolls of bread dough stuffed with tomato, cheese, broccoli or meat.

How to get there, where to stay and where to eat
Some relevant information for those wishing to travel accingersi. Ragusa, Modica and Scicli can be reached by air (better not rely on trains in a region where rail routes, and sometimes even the coaches, go back to the Bourbons). The nearest airport and in Catania, where they operate all major national and international areas, including low cost and Windjet Volare, (but soon will be available the old missile base in Comiso). From there to rent a car or take a bus or Etna Ast: Ragusa direction.
Those seeking a guide, contact the cooperative Etnos, provides qualified personnel, tourist guides, advice on routes, visits to museums and other helpful tips.
To stay there is a flood of Bed & Breakfast for all tastes and all pockets and are easily booked and visited here. An easy guide to restaurants, however, is here.

2008-09-19

O'ahu, melting pot in a sauce hawaiiana  

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The combination of Polynesian yenkee-O'ahu, the island in the archipelago hawaiiano which is also the capital, Honolulu, reproduces small-scale melting pot the United States. Who has never been in America, can not fail to move from the capital to admire squares, churches, parks and skyscrapers. About instead of the western metropolis has already seen in abundance, always in Honolulu may choose to cross chinatown to breathe a little 'of authentic Asian atmosphere.

Even outside the capital, areas to be explored are many. That is why it is advisable to rent a car and decide their itineraries. Staying in a resort or in one of the many luxury hotels of Waikiki beach and nottambula can be a good way to enjoy life hawaiiana. On the promenade of Waikiki, the boutiques of big names alternate with markets that sell objects of various kinds: shells, bracelets of wood or bamboo, handbags shaped coconuts, as well as the traditional shirts fiorate. Even the rooms are always full. The discopub students to sing karaoke. The clubs of fans of hip hop music. The beach, however, is not the best. Tight and crowded, hinders both relaxation and snorkelling.

Moreover, it is doubtful Waikiki paradise for bathers hawaiiani. Whether along the east coast that close to the western one another a series of wide white sandy beaches. The only difference is the type of attendance. The eastern part of O'ahu is generally richer, so full of villas and parks such as Hanauma Bay, often cited, rightly, as it is heaven for snorkelling. Or, always on the east coast there are a number of small cliffs beaten by surfers always ready to refine your own style on the table.

The west coast is much less opulent, but from the point of view of the beaches is not burdened by competition from anyone. Distese white sand, in fact, open in the middle of a thick vegetation of bushes and palm trees. In addition, only along the highway leading west are bisteccherie and fishmongers to take away preparing meat dishes or po'ke delicious. For those who have not known, po'ke the dish is typical of Hawaii. It can be a basis of tuna, squid or octopus, strictly raw and mixed with onions, red algae and, if it pleases, a little 'of chilli. Apparently not very inviting, is decidedly good, in each version. The second specialty in the islands is "granita rainbow", or a giant mountain of crushed ice first and then colored with fruit syrups.

But the only restaurant where you need real food is local Ono. Open from 5 to 8, customers usually choose what to order while they are lined up outside the local economy. The specialties are the Kalua pork, laulau, a involtino pork, fish, rice and spices cooked in the leaves of taro, soup and fish eggs lomi, or all'insalata, with tomatoes and onions. Everything always accompanied by a puree of taro, a plant that hawaiiana, cooked, it becomes brown. Not particularly inviting but unproven, and certainly healthy.

Fraser Island, the island Australian record  

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Australia is a continent that feels on the outskirts of the world. It suffers the inferiority complex of being away from everything and also to be so big and yet so little count at geopolitics. There is a population of 20 million inhabitants over a large territory once and half Europe, which needs to be important. That is why here every 100 km find the announcement of a record: the longest beach from the southern hemisphere, the largest aquarium from the southern hemisphere, the most poisonous spider from the southern hemisphere.

In short, in the southern hemisphere not beat anyone. But Australia also has some primates worldwide. One of these consists of Fraser Island, the island of sand largest in the world, partimonio universal UNESCO since 1992, which is located opposite the coast of Harvey Bay in Queensland. The salient feature of the place is that there are no roads. That they call highway, Highway, is actually a long beach, in order to travel should keep an eye on tides. The island can turn only in 4X4, better if organized on tour with expert guides you tell all of the place and they know how to avoid bogged down among the dunes.


Fraser Island, as indeed most of Australia, is full of animals poisonous or dangerous, against which the guides never fail to get in guard. We must not give anything to eat the dingo, wild dogs that can attack humans, and if it encounters one (on the island, there is all about one hundred) is good not to give him their backs to flee because you inseguirebbe: Keep calm. Take care not to trample on the snakes (there are six types) and not sognarti even to bathe in the beautiful sea on the island is infested by sharks. Just take a walk on the promontory of Indian Head for realizing it, watching the sea from the silhouette of sharks are and the desire to dive passes now.

But why then one should take the trouble to go there since? Why is an unusual and wonderful, with a luxuriant vegetation, full of beautiful lakes, like Mc Kenzie and Lake Wabby, where you can swim in crystal clear waters, and many creek, torrentelli freshwater that addentrano in the vegetation of the Interior. Lake Wabby is being slowly engulfed by sand dunes, and then rushed, in a few years could be no more.

Vale la pena absolutely do a tour by plane on the island is the only way to appreciate the contrasts and beauty often hidden among the dunes. Between August and September, the stretch of sea separating the island from the mainland is full of whales, making this place, yes, the world capital of whale whatching.

2008-09-18

Macao: European oasis in the heart of Asia  

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Only 60 km away from Hong Kong, an area of 26 square kilometres (most of them torn to sea with a rehabilitation plan that has been going on for years) extends Macao, the second Special Administrative Region of People's Republic of China. If the collective Macao is often associated with Hong Kong, in fact the two islands have in common only geographical location, colonial past and present of China.

Thanks to the presence of outdoor cafes, musical Portuguese place names, squares filled with flowers, colorful buildings often with arcades, a few palm and several restaurants Portuguese in Macao will breathe the air typical of southern Europe. Without losing the characteristics stronger than Chinese tradition. The real peculiarity of Macao, as compared to any other destination in China, lies in being able to keep more traditional aspects of the two civilizations that have shaped the growth in centuries of history. And here is that if old fortresses, churches and large Baroque palaces remind Europe, the streets in ruins near the port show tourists in Hong Kong than fifty years ago. An architectural melting pot that certainly deserves to be admired.


In the historic center of Macao, which extends from Piazza del Senate to the ruins of St. Paul (Cathedral of which remains only the stone facade, as the rest of the structure, wood, was destroyed during a fire in 1835), another , One after another, temples Taoists of the Ming, as A-Ma and Kuan Tai, baroque churches of the eighteenth century as one of St. Dominic, the only European theatre remained intact in Asia, one of Dom Pedro, built in 1860, and the library-style Chinese dedicated to Sir Robert Ho Tung, merchant famous in the early decades of the twentieth century.

Finally, in Macao also mingling the flavors of the table is well managed, and can not be spread from without having tried macanese version of the famous pastel de nata Portuguese (one tortina all'uovo insaporita by a few drops of fruit syrup ), Chorizo, sardines and cod.

However, for the millions of fanatics who live betting in Hong Kong or elsewhere on the continent, Macao is simply the home of gambling, a single large casino in which the Chinese love to switch nights of madness, with the (remote) hope round off their holdings.


2008-09-17

Florida, in amusement parks to return children  

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The fun is insured, for small and large. To say it is not only brochures but the number of tickets sprung every month. The entertainment parks in Florida in the United States as well as being, in fact, a business ascertained for years continue to attract thousands of visitors every day. The pleasant climate of Florida surely play a decisive role but even more crucial are the many attractions offered by various parks, always updated with the latest news in the sector.

Aquatica, recently inaugurated, is an amusement park dedicated entirely to water, in all its forms and shapes and colors. Slides of all kinds offer varied paths that all conclude with a nice dip in the pool where enormous fun even swim with dolphins. Inspired to the islands in the peaceful park offers unique attractions as exceptional waves that reach more than one meter and a half and the beauty of 6 swimming pools and many fiumiciattoli. The Lazy River is one of the most fun. You can go on board tyre giants from which you can launch at the end for a swim.


For fans, instead of the latest green is the Jungala park, an area of Bush Gardens entirely reserved for children from 8 to 13 years, a nearly perfect copy of a forest of Africa. In this protected animals can be observed of all types, dall'orangotango to tigre of Bengal. There is onto the house, actually a real labyrinth of tunnels, bridges and network suspended and the great attraction of the moment is that Wilde The Surge, an elevator that stops suddenly in higher levels of the forest.

Intramontabile Instead, the park remains completely made in Walt Disney. In Hollywood studios daily at 15 eyes are focused on the Block Party Bash, the parade that brings together all the characters of Pixar, the great study of Disney animation. The protagonists of Toy Story than Life of an insect. But the most curious, scheduled in the coming months, is to offer a fake casting to all visitors. Those who wish may, thus, sing and perform like a true American show.

Where families spend a happy holiday?  

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Who in the travel office to familienfreundlichem holiday in Germany asked, should first holiday in Bavaria recommended. According to an exclusive survey conducted by the travel magazine "PERFECT HOLIDAY" under the 1166 travel agencies, the familienfreundlichste Bavaria as a federal state.

However, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania throughout the Free State close behind. Backmarkers Saxony-Anhalt and Saarland offers little children holidays.

The survey also gives information about what criteria for choosing a travel offer are essential and what families on holiday is especially important. The key to holiday for families, especially the price. Other criteria, the size and equipment of the room, followed by the safety of holiday destination or whether there are other children in the hotel.

Where families in Europe the best beach holiday can spend and what Airlines on family-friendly, tells you the photo gallery.