Archive for Europe
Four Things to DO in London
Being a tourist is about experiencing the different cultures and attractions of a foreign place. Activities usually revolve around visiting sites that are old hat to the natives. There is little doubt that London houses some of the most exquisite art and the most architecturally interesting buildings in Europe. Nevertheless, for a truer picture of the culture and people of London, you need to get out and be among them.
So, rather than point you at four things to SEE in London, here are four things to actually DO in London. All are located near central of town and should be close to your London accommodation.
Ride the London Eye
There is a gargantuan Ferris wheel in the middle of downtown London. Who knows? Doctor Who may be just around the corner. Unlike any major theme park in the States, standing in line is an experience to treasure. Buskers, artists and assorted other players make their way through the crowd but don’t worry, the English will watch out for you.
Run the River
This marvel of technology has the wherewithal to challenge the greatest of Olympic athletes as is was built for just that purpose. You, on the other hand, can dial down the churning action to an acceptably exciting level. Everyone in the family can experience the thrill of white water rafting without any worries.
Experience Art at the National Gallery
Don’t just view art, create it. Every weekend, this national treasure plays host to families interested in art workshops. Children from five to twelve are encouraged to participate with or without their parents.
Ride the Hovercraft
More of an experience than an activity, a ride on the hovercraft to Calais is truly remarkable ride. The waves crash and the ride jostles. Just go to France and come back. It’s worth trip though, it is said, that some people choose to stop in Paris for the day.
London is home to innumerable artistic and architectural treasures but none rival the value of its inhabitants. Visit, enjoy a London accommodation and feel the warm hospitality of our friends from across the pond.
Magic Land
Have you been in Croatia already have you explored for yourself this magic land? Right now, in August is the high and expensive season, but if you decide to visit Vroatia in April, May, September and October, taking one of wonderful camping grounds along the Croatian coast the price will be reduced by up to 50%. So I guess it’s worth to plant it right now. Late spring or early autumn is best time for the trip.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-9O3_ZEGpU&w=425&h=349]
Rome in 4 days
Visiting Rome you have to be prepared to survive in a huge crowd of tourists. It is really very difficult to find any place where you could be along. It is also difficult to take some original photos from the Eternal City.
Certainly, while you are preparing to your visit to Italy you read tonns of reviews with millions beautiful photos. So, taking my camera I honestly tried to be an original but I’m not sure about results. Anyway here is my photos of Eternal City Rome as I’ve seen it.
Rome Bikers
Rome Antiquity
Sculpture in Chiese Parr. S. Maria Degli on Piazza della Repubblica
Somebody knows why the head is in bandages?
Another sculpture group in unusual view
Proud Rome Cat
Italy train
As to me hiking is greatest type of traveling but the fact is sometimes you just can’t manage without transportation, especially if you plan to visit another country you are to find not only an information for hiking, the trails and to figure out the good areas for hiking but to learn different kind of transports you have to choose as the best way to get the destination you want to.
Here is some useful links you have to visit in case you plan a trip to Italy.
First of all – should you take the train or drive?
I think the train is the best way ащк both to get some rest and to watch the country through the train’s window. Besides that there are some opinions when it makes sense to make a hop on a train:
If you are traveling from point to point in one fell swoop. For instance, you’ve spent three days in Rome and now you’re heading off for three days in Venice
If you are transferring from one country to another. In this case, choose a daytime train to see the view, or a nighttime train to save valuable vacation time as well as hotel costs
If you’ll be there during off-season (in Italy, that means November 1-December 20 and January 8-Easter), and you have a lot of time and no fixed “wish list” of things to do. In this case, there is nothing more fun than hopping on a train and getting off wherever the mood takes you. For you lucky explorers, a train pass is the way to go.
If, on the other hand, you want to explore the countryside, visit those famous hill towns and castles, enjoy a wine tasting or a country feast, then a car is the only way to go. Are you able to drive at home? Then, worry no longer, you will be able to drive in Italy too!
Trenitalia (Ferrovie dello Stato) www.trenitalia.com – See advice on using Trenitalia.com.
Leonardo Express Fiumicino Airport Train is a direct non stop train called the Leonardo Express from Termini to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport – the one used by the vast majority of flights into Rome.
Trains in Rome have their main central hub at Termini Station, the major transport interchange for Rome, though note, some long distance trains will not stop here but one of the stations on the periphery of Rome from where you can connect to other trains to Termini or the Rome Metro.
If you want you can travel from from Rome, Florence or Bologna to Turin or Milan by high-speed train. For example, leave Rome Stazione Termini at 17:33, Florence SMN at 19:13 or Bologna Centrale at 19:53 by Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa, arriving Turin Porta Nuova at 22:05, but by all means book an earlier train if you like. You can check train times to Turin or Milan from any Italian city using www.trenitalia.com. Then you can spend the night or more in a hotel in Turin or Milan.
Rome in December
I’m looking for hotels in Rome in December and just found a good one I guess.
Hotel Arcadia
Via Campo Romano 75, Tuscolana, 00173 Rome
Price for 2 people for 5 nights is € 420
The 3 star Hotel Arcadia is located 20 minutes far from Rome’s historical center, only few minutes from the roman ruins on Via Appia Antica and from one of the most famous Shopping Malls of the city.
The Hotel is a good choice for people who arrive from the airport of Ciampino due its vicinity and easy connection. Not far from the hotel, there is the famous Castel Gandolfo area, with the Pope’s summer residence, and its suggestive lake of Albano (wellknown as “Castelgandolfo Lake”).
There is a complimentary shuttle service to the Metro station, which will quickly connect you to Rome’s historic center with the Metro stop “Anagnina”, you can reach the main historical sights of the Eternal City such as the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and the Colosseum just in a few minutes.
In addition, you will be near a large shopping center on Via Appia Nuova.
Barcelona 2010
You probably are still planning and planning where to go but I do such things fast! You will hardly believe but just few days ago I decided to visit the place I’ve dreamt about long time trough and now – I rush! So, Sunday morning, yes, just next Sunday morning I’ll get there – one of the nicest cities in the world, Barcelona!
Gaudy in Vienna
If you like Gaudy’s creation you can find some Gaudy’s building in Vienna as well.
You can take one of he tram’s routes that takes you to Gaudy’s fairy houses.
Stop named “Hundertwasser House”.
When I tried to get good photo I understood how much it’s difficult to get good picture of Gaudy’s houses with simple camera.
Barcelona Gaudi
The works of Antoni Gaudi are one of the most interested things to see in Barcelona.
Every one is original, unrepeatable but you can recognize his style immediately.
If you take Barcelona Bus Turistic tour you have discount on tickets to Casa Batlló
Opening hours: 9am-2pm (Mon-Sat); 9am-8pm (Sun)
Montserrat Boys Choir
We’ve took bus excursion from Barcelona to Montserrat monastery where we’ve got big pleasure to hear Boys Choir song
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XmwZithzWs&hl=en_US&fs=1&]
Rain Vacation in Edinburgh
Yes, I’ve started to plan my next vacation. What do I want the most? I want to go somewhere to interesting raining places, with a beautiful nature and civilized towns where I would rest and enjoy by myself. I remember my tour to Edinburgh 2 years ago where I got all what I love. If you like rainy weather like I do Edinburgh is a splendid place to spend your summer vacation. There are many historical and interesting points to visit there. And one of them is Edinburgh castle, of course. By the way, Edinburgh Castle is visited annually by approximately one million people – that is more than other ancient monument in the United Kingdom.
It looks especial darkly in rainy day. But rain is not something that can stop us, tourists;-) Edinburgh Castle is simply magnificent. It occupies the summit of an ancient plug of volcanic rock towering 260ft or 80m above the city it dominates, and is visible for tens and pop up tents of miles in every direction.
No fairytale castle, this is the real thing, an uncompromisingly defensive structure that seems to grow organically out of the living rock beneath it. Over the centuries Edinburgh Castle has been continuously adapted to meet the military needs of the day. And over the centuries its strength has been tested on no fewer than thirteen occasions, successfully or unsuccessfully, by siege or by stealth.