top 10 travel destinations

Museums in New York

2012-05-09T03:00:00.000-07:00

There are hundreds of museums and galleries in New York. However today we are going to speak about the most visited and popular museums in NY.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Metropolitan Museum of Art is the third most visited museum in the world after Louvre and British museums. More than 5 million people visit the museum each year. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is boasting a collection of millions of artworks and decorative objects tended by some of the nation's foremost scholars and conservators. Its main building on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, with its majestic Beaux-Arts facade and dramatic central staircase, has gone through several expansions to accommodate the steady growth in its collection through gifts and strategic purchases (Among the most heralded in recent years was the 2004 purchase of a painting of a Madonna and Child by the early Renaissance master Duccio for more than $45 million).

Among the principal strengths of the Met's collection are its vast European paintings and sculpture holdings, including masterworks of the Italian, Dutch, French and Spanish schools, and its American Wing, with its legendary holdings in painting, sculpture, drawing, furniture, silver, textiles and glass. The museum's arms and armor collection is among the world's most comprehensive, as is its trove of ancient Egyptian art. (The first-century B.C. Temple of Dendur has been reassembled in a glass-pyramid extension of the museum to look much as it may have in ancient times.) Another lure for visitors is the museum's wing for classical antiquities, centered on a soaring light-drenched court populated by Roman and Greek statuary.

Fees:

General Fee for Adults is $25, for seniors (65 and older) $17,

Students can buy tickets for $12, for children (under 12) free.

MoMa

Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) is the seventh most visited museum in the world. More than 3 million people visit the museum each year. New York's famous Rockefeller family was largely responsible for the creation of the Museum of Modern Art. Abby Aldrich Rockefeller proposed the idea for the museum. She enlisted the help of two dear friends, Lillie Bliss and Mary Quinn Sullivan, and together the ladies succeeded in opening the first modern art museum just a few days after the stock market crash of 1929.

Today, according to the museum's records, it houses 150,000 pieces including works of architecture and design, drawings, paintings, sculpture, photographs, prints, illustrated books, film, and electronic media. The library and archives holds another 300,000 items.

Some of the museum's top works of art include Monet's Water Lilies, Van Gogh's Starry Night, Dali's Persistence of Time, Andy Warhol's Gold Marilyn Monroe and Wyeth's Christina's World. Other notable artists whose works are included in the collection are Rousseau, Matisse, Cézanne, Picasso, Pollock, Kahlo, Mondriaan, Léger, and Lichtenstein.

Fees:

General Fee for Adults is $22.5, for seniors (65 and older) $16,

Students can buy tickets for $12, for children (under 16) free.

The Guggenheim Museum

The Guggenheim Museum, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, is known for its spiral structure and unique museum experience. Displays of modern paintings, sculpture and film rotate throughout the year at the Guggenheim Museum.

This revolutionary building is a fitting memorial to Guggenheim. Thanks to its founder’s forward-thinking views on the art of his time, the Guggenheim Museum has one of the largest collections of Vasily Kandinsky’s art in the world in addition to works by such modern masters as Marc Chagall, Franz Marc, Amedeo Modigliani, and Pablo Picasso. The collection has since evolved through major acquisitions: Karl Nierendorf’s inventory of German Expressionist and early Abstract Expressionist art; Peggy Guggenheim’s collection of abstract and Surrealist painting and sculpture; Justin K. Thannhauser’s array of early modern masterpieces; important works from the estates of Katherine S. Dreier and Rebay; Dr. Giuseppe Panza di Biumo’s vast holdings of European and American Minimalist, Post-Minimalist, Environmental, and Conceptual art; an extensive contribution from the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation; and the Bohen Foundation’s gift of contemporary photography, video, and installation art.

Fees:

General Fee for Adults is $18, for seniors (65 and older) $15,

Students can buy tickets for $15, for children (under 12) free.

The American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History, whose complex of 27 interconnected buildings sit in an 18-acre park off Central Park West in Manhattan, is home to 45 permanent exhibition halls, a library and a planetarium, as well as space for temporary exhibits and for research by its scientific staff.

The institution began as a museum and library in 1869, with a mission to foster the study of science. It sponsored exploratory expeditions to what were then remote areas of the globe, like far-flung Pacific islands and the interior of Africa. These research trips helped build its collection of more than 32 million specimens and artifacts, and the effort continues today with some 120 expeditions and field projects conducted annually throughout the world.

Generations of children have flocked to the Fossil Halls, where the famous dinosaurs reign. The museum, which has the world's largest collection of vertebrate fossils, renovated the Fossil Halls in the mid 1990s to create a continuous loop on the fourth floor that tells the story of vertebrate evolution through more 600 specimens (nearly 85 percent are real fossils, not casts).

Another museum favorite is the 94-foot-long model of a blue whale, which dominates the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life on the first floor, surrounded by videos of ocean life. The Hayden Planetarium is in the Rose Center for Earth and Science, an illuminated sphere inside a transparent cube designed by James Stewart Polshek that opened in 2000.

Among the most impressive sights at the museum are its internationally renowned dioramas, where science meets art. Painters, photographers, naturalists and taxidermists recreate geographically precise scenes from nature and then populate them by mounting anatomically correct specimens: thundering elephants, the American bison, African lions, the wading birds of the Everglades and many others.

Fees:

General Fee for Adults is $19, for seniors (65 and older) $14.50,

Students can buy tickets for $14.50, for children (under 12) $10.50.

Transportation in Istanbul

2012-05-07T09:50:00.001-07:00

Transportation in Istanbul

Istanbul is a city where two continents meet: Asia and Europe. You can have breakfast in Asia and enjoy your lunch in Europe! To move around both continents you will need to use one of the two bridges or a boat. Tourists usually have problems with transportation in Istanbul because the geography of the city does not help very much. This post will help you to understand how to move around Istanbul.

Istanbul’s traffic is consistently heavy, therefore, it is always crucial to check the traffic conditions and learn your destination before setting out in the city.

Istanbul is one of the most crowded metropolises not only in Turkey but in the world with its population of over 15 million. Two million of the 6,5 million registered cars in Turkey are on the road in Istanbul. There is very dense traffic and it is very important to consider such points as the density of traffic and distance before you set off.

The rush hour in Istanbul is between 07.00 - 10.00 in the morning and between 17.30 - 20.00 in the evening. It is recommended to travel around the city outside these hours.

There is no traffic jam in the morning around the hotel and tourist districts (Taksim-Beyoglu and Sultan Ahmet). If you are enjoying your day in Sultan Ahmet district (where the Blue Mosque and Saint Sophia are located) and need to go back to your hotel, avoid the traffic jam and try to stay in Sultan Ahmet district until 19:30 - 20:00 o'clock. The best way to get around Old Istanbul’s compact medieval core is on foot.

Taxis - Taksi: There are a lot of taxis in Istanbul, Turks use it a lot and you can catch one very easily. Taxis are yellow and you can see the word "Taksi" written on it. The use of the taximeter is obligatory in Turkey.

Public Transportation:

Tickets: Tickets to trains, metros, underground train (tunnel), funicular and boats is called "Jeton" and you can easily buy them in kiosks close to each station.

If you are going to stay long in Istanbul, it is advised to buy smart tickets called "Akbil" to travel cheaper in the city. Akbil is a ticket system valid on all means of transportation like bus, train, tram and subway, and it is easy to carry.

The metro is not very used by tourists because it does not connect to any historical point of the city. Istanbul's metro consists of two lines, the northern line is currently just a short stub connecting Taksim to 4. Levent. If you want to visit the most modern shopping mall of Istanbul you can take the metro at Taksim and go until the last stop (4. Levent). You will come directly to Kanyon Shopping Mall. Istanbul metro is very modern and cover a restrict area of the city. There is also a funicular system connecting Taksim to Kabatas where you can get on ferries and cross to the Anatolian side. This type of transportation is very useful for the tourists that want to go from Taksim to Sultan Ahmet region (where is located the Blue Mosque and Saint Sophia) and to the Grand Bazar as a complement to the tramway railway.

The southern line is most useful for visitors, connecting Aksaray (with its connections to the tram line) to Atatürk Airport, via the Otogar.

Tourism Bus: The ministry of tourism of Turkey offers the service of a red bus with two floors with open roof in Istanbul for tourists. You can catch the bus at Sultan Ahmet's region, in front of Saint Sophia’s Museum.

Tramway Railway: The tramway railway or simply Tramway is a great way of get around in Istanbul. You definitively should use the tramway if you want to go from Taksim to the area of Sultan Ahmet and Grand Bazaar. Every 5 minutes a tramway passes in the train stop.

"Sea bus" Catamaran -Passenger catamarans zoom around the city at rush hour, and out to the Princes Islands several times daily. There are even Sea of Marmara routes to Yalova and Bandirma on the sea's southern shore.

Boat-For the tourists it is interesting to take a one hour boat tour starting the tour at Ortakoy and returning to the same point. This boat tour is done in summer-spring-autumn at the afternoon with the duration of one hour and you will be able to see part of the Bosphorus Strait (the boat make a tour until the second bridge).

Another option would be taking a boat at Ortakoy or Uskudar and visiting the Maiden’s Tower. At the Maiden's Tower you can drink coffee or tea and watch the panorama including the Topkapi Palace and the old Constantinople. For the ones who stay longer in Istanbul and want to make a longer boat tour, I suggest taking the boat at Eminonu and going until Anadolu Kavagi. The trip will take one and a half hour.

Paris Museums and Galleries

2012-05-03T12:15:00.000-07:00

Museums in Paris

Paris is very rich for its Museums and Galleries. There are more than 100 museums in the City. You can find museums and galleries of all type, however if you are visiting Paris for several days, you couldn’t see all of them. Here is the basic information about my favorite 5 museums.

The Louvre

The Louvre arguably is the world's most famous art museum. It was established in 1793, and is one of the oldest museums in Europe. Its collections spans from the birth of great civilizations up to the 19th century. The Louvre's most popular piece is Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa." Around 6 million tourists visit the museum each year.

The Louvre was built by Philippe Auguste in 1204 and was originally the royal castle and later transformed by Charles V between 1364 and 1380 and was entirely rebuilt from the time of François I to the 19th century. Once upon a time a palace of French kings and princes, the Louvre is today the Palace of Arts and holds one of the richest museums in the world. Its collection, which ranges from Egyptian art of 5000 BC to nineteenth-century work, is divided into seven departments: Oriental and Islamic Antiquities; Egyptian Antiques; Greek, Roman and Etruscan Antiques; Painting; Sculpture; Decorative Arts; as well as Graphic Arts.

In 1981 President of the French Republic François Mitterrand initiated a rehabilitation project called Le Grand Louvre. The visible part of this iceberg like building-site, being the Glass Pyramid designed by famous architect Ieoh Ming Pei, opens the outstanding perspective toward the Grande Arche de la Défense with the Arc de Triomphe in the middle. The Pyramid gives now access to the main entrance, letting a delightful golden light filter through the glass surface illuminating the floor below.

This is one of the greatest art collections in the world. The core collection was formed by François Ist, and added to by Henri II and Catherine de Medicis. The Old Master collection was developed by Louis XIV and important Spanish and Dutch works acquired by Louis XVI. Most painting lovers come to view the exceptional collection of European paintings, which range from I400 to I900. The Grand Gallery running along the south of the building is a stupendous piece of design, which showed the world, what a picture gallery should look like. Pierced by large windows, its walls are hung with some of the finest works of the Italian Renaissance. On this level is also the Spanish collection and the large scale nineteenth-century French paintings. On the upper level artists from northern Europe are well represented, along with earlier paintings from the French school.

After spending around 2 hours, you can become acquainted with some of the most famous paintings in the world. For example, try to interpret the enigmatic smile of Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, or admire the perfect proportions of the Venus of Milo (Sully wing). Michelangelo, Bellin, Donatello and Maillol are some of the great sculptors also represented here.

Fees

Permanent collections and temporary exhibitions (Richelieu, Sully and Denon) cost 7,50 euros from 9am to 3pm.; 5 euros after 3pm and all Sunday long. The ticket of entry to the museum also gives access to all the temporary exhibitions, except for the exhibitions of the Napoleon hall.

Temporary exhibitions of the hall Napoleon cost 7 euros; Ticket twinned 11,50 euros of 9pm to 3pm; 9,50 euros after 3pm and all Sunday long the twinned ticket gives access to the permanent collections and all the temporary exposures of the museum.

The ticket remains valid all the day, even if the visitor leaves the museum temporarily.

The Orsay Museum

The Orsay museum may not be the massive size of Louvre, but its Impressionist collection is among the best in the world. The museum is housed in a former rail station, and has the atmosphere and personality to match. The Musee d'Orsay attracts more than 2 million visitors annually.

Built in the year 1900 by Victor Laloux, this train station was meant to service the Orleans line. Unfortunately, the line ceased because the platforms were not long enough. After being used for a variety of purposes, the whole building was entirely refitted inside and transformed into an art museum covering the period from 1850 to 1914, with an area of 50 000 m2.

The collection is made up mostly from the late works of the Louvre and the Impressionist paintings from the nearby museum Jeu de Paume. You can also find works from the mid-nineteenth century to the early twentieth, chronologically bridging the Louvre and the Pompidou Center.

Displayed on the ground floor, are earlier works devoted to sculpture with Dance. The hall has two rows of smaller rooms, which are filled with works, by Daumier, Millet, Rousseau, Corot and peasant paintings.

In the last room, you can find such works by Courbet. And if you like Monet, there is a room dedicated to him. Other artists are present such as Bazille, Delacroix, Puvis de Chavanne, Degas and Gustave Moreau.

And if you are a fan of Oriental Art, you will enjoy the ingeniously designed gallery.

On the second floor you can see such popular art of the nineteenth century and rooms with furniture and decoration by well-respected "fin-de-siecle painters" (Monet, Pissaro, Renoir, Degas, Sisley and Van Gogh, Cezanne, Gauguin and Toulouse-Lautrec). The building is extremely large and much works have been taken out of reserve stock to fill out the displays. It is advised to start on the ground level with the Impressionist painters and then take the escalators to the upper floor to see the Impressionists and their successors.

Fees

Full fare: 7 euros. Sundays: 5 euros.

Free the first Sunday of each month; free below 18 years old.

Center Pompidou

Not far from Les Halles, the funky and hip Centre Pompidou or better known as the Pompidou Center features a wonderful collection of modern art within its creatively designed building. It also features a cinema, concerts and children's activities. The Pompidou Center attracts 5.5 million visitors annually.

The Pompidou Center is divided into five floors: temporary exhibitions in the Grande Galerie on the fifth floor; museum of Modern Art from 1905 to present time on third and fourth floors. The huge public library covers three floors with books, videodiscs, microfilms, and videos... A movie-theater celebrating the 7th art with festivals according to special themes on 1st floor.

Don't leave before taking a ride on the escalators. As you go up, you will discover Paris as a horizontal skyline appears: the Sacré-Coeur, St-Eustache, the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Panthéon, the Tour St-Jacques, and La Défense. From the platform at the top you can look down on the château-style chimneys of the Hôtel de Ville, with their flowerpot offspring sprouting over the lower rooftops. Designed for 6000 visitors a day, it has had more like 25,000 - proof of its outstanding success as an enduringly popular building.

Fees

One day in Center: 10 euros; Reduced tariff: 8 euros.

Valid Ticket the very same day for all the exposures in progress.

The Museum and the Workshop Brancusi Exhibitions: 8,50 euros or 6,50 euros;

Reduced tariff: 6,50 euros or 4,50 euros.

Picasso Museum

The Picasso museum is housed in one of the nicest mansions of the Marais district in Paris built in the XVIIth century for Pierre Aubert Lord of Fontenay. Devoted solely to the artist, the museum provides a unique opportunity to follow Picasso's development throughout his career, from 1894 to 1972.

The collection was started by works the French State received in payment of death duties after Picasso passed away in 1973, then in 1990, after the death of his widow.

However, you will find that there is few paintings for the French state which did not invest as did the Swiss, American and Soviet avant-garde collectors. It comprises more than 250 paintings, 160 sculptures, 1500 drawings, his entire engraving works, ceramics etc. Contrary to the painting collection, the sculptures are unique, and contain everything of note made by Picasso including The Goal and the Bull 's Head - a cast bronze piece combining a bicycle saddle beneath a handle bar. And most interesting is Picasso's own art collection, which includes primitive Nimba masks from New Guinea, Grebo masks, Iberian bronzes, sketches by Giorgio de Chirico and Degas, and paintings by Corot, Cezanne, Chardin, Renoir, Matisse, and others. Not to miss the paintings of his family and wives which are very touching and most endearing. Throughout the chronological sequence, the photographs are vital in showing this charismatic man seen at work and at play by friends and family.

During the 1930's, during the Spanish Civil War, when Picasso was going through his worst personal and political crises, you will discover such portraits like Dora Maar and that of Marie-Therese. These events played an important role in Picasso's style. A decade later, Picasso was a member of the Communist Party - his cards are on show along with a drawing entitied Staline à la Santé (Here's to Stalin), and his delegate credentials for the 1948 World Bongress of Peace. The Massacre en Coree (1951) demonstrates the lasting pacifist commitment in his work.

Fees

Adults : 5,50 euros; 18-25: 4 euros; free below 18 years old.

Museum of Modern Art

The Museum of Modern Art is well worth visiting for its selection of the major art movements of the twentieth century. Built for the World Fair in 1937, this building has two parts that are linked by a white stone portico. The Musée d'Art Moderne was also named the Palais de Tokyo.

The museum is well worth visiting for its selection of the major art movements of the twentieth century. You can find well-known artists such as Vlaminck, Zadkine, Picasso, Braque, Juan Gris, Valadon, Matisse, Dufy, Utrillo, Delaunays, Chagall, Modigliani, Léger and many others, as well as by sculpture and painting by contemporary artists. Among the most spectacular works on permanent show are Roben and Sonia Delaunay's huge whirling wheels and cogs of rainbow color the pale leaping figures of Matisse's La Danse and Dufy's enormous mural, La Fée Electricité, illustrating the story of electricity from Aristotle to the then modern power station, in 250 lyrical, colorful panels filling three entire walls is considered like one of the biggest interior paintings. The upper floors of the gallery are reserved for all sorts of contemporary and experimental work, including music and photography.

In the bookshop are a number of artists' designs, among them a set of Sonia Delaunay's playing cards, guaranteed to rejuvenate the most jaded cardsharp.

Fees

Adults: 9 euros; Reduced tariff: from 4.5 euros to 7 euros; free below 14 years old.

New York City - Manhattan

2012-05-01T13:11:00.000-07:00

New York City

Manhattan is the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. It is a huge city with several district articles containing sightseeing, restaurant, nightlife and accommodation listings. Manhattan has many famous landmarks, tourist attractions, museums, and universities. The Metropolitan Museum of art, Museum of Modern Art, Empire State building, Wall Street, Madison Avenue, 34th Street, Broadway. Manhattan is so well known that even the names of its streets have become iconic and understood the world over. Manhattan has the world's brightest and most renowned theater district; Manhattan has Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Guggenheim Museum, and the World Trade Center site; and Manhattan comprises iconic neighborhoods like Harlem, the Upper East Side, Times Square, and Greenwich Village. It is also the location of the UN Headquarters.

A stretch of Broadway is known worldwide as the heart of the American theatre industry. One famous stretch near Times Square, where Broadway crosses Seventh Avenue in midtown Manhattan, is the home of many Broadway theatres, housing an ever-changing array of commercial, large-scale plays, particularly musicals. This area of Manhattan is often called the Theater District or the Great White Way, a nickname originating in the headline "Found on the Great White Way" in the February 3, 1902 edition of the New York Evening Telegram.

The Broadway Theatre is one of only five playhouses that front on the street named Broadway. It opened in 1924 as B. S. Moss’s Colony, a premiere film house. The most notable film that played there in the early years was Walt Disney’s Steamboat Willie which opened in 1928, and introduced American audiences to an adorable rodent named Mickey Mouse. The theatre went “legit” from 1930 to 1934, when it was re-christened the Broadway. From 1934 to 1940, the house was once again dedicated to motion picture exhibition, and offered the premiere of Disney’s Fantasia in 1939. In 1940, however, it returned to legitimate stage production and, except for a brief stint as a Cinerama movie theatre in the 1950s, has remained in the business of showcasing live theatre ever since. Nowadays there are a lot of shows performeda at Broadway, which are worldwide famous such as The Lion king, Chicago, Wicked, Jersey Boys, Mary Poppins, Ghost and etc.

One of New York City's most popular tourist attractions, the Metropolitan Museum of Art welcomes over 5 million visitors a year. With a permanent collection containing over two million cultural treasures from six continents, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is widely regarded as one of the most important museums in the world. Also known as The Met, this museum contains an extensive collection of permanent exhibits and several changing exhibit halls. Museum-goers worldwide remark that of all the museums in New York City.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is by far the largest and most comprehensive. It is recommended for visitors either leave a full day to explore the museum or else decide in advance which exhibits to see and which ones they want to leave for another day. Divided into nineteen separate sections ranging from ancient to contemporary art from a wide variety of cultures around the world, you're sure to find something that interests you here. At over one hundred forty years old, this is one of the oldest NYC museums still in operation. In addition to viewing its extensive collection of art, Metropolitan Museum of Art visitors can lunch in the Roof Garden, where a new single-artist sculptural exhibition is held every year.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is home to works of art whose creation spans millenia and the globe. From Ancient Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Asian and Oceanic art, to art from the old masters of Europe, from American pastoralism to modern photography and everything in between, a variety of masterpieces are permanently installed here. An entire hall is dedicated to arms and armor, and another exhibition section contains only books, including bound art from masters like Durer and Athanasius Kircher. Jacques-Louis David's The Death of Socrates, Van Gogh's Self-Portrait with a Straw Hat and Vermeer's Young Woman with a Water Pitcher represent some of the many masterworks on exhibition in this New York Museum. Modern and contemporary art is represented both on the the Rooftop Garden and in the 60,000 square foot Modern Art section of the museum. Containing masterpieces like Max Beckmann's Beginning, Jasper Johns's White Flag, and Picasso's Portrait of Gertrude Stein, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is clearly a treasure for the ages.

Rome. General Information

2012-04-28T08:45:00.001-07:00

Rome

Rome today is one of the most important tourist destinations of the world, due to the incalculable immensity of its archaeological and artistic treasures, as well as for the charm of its unique traditions, the beauty of its panoramic views, and the majesty of its magnificent "villas" (parks). Among the most significant resources are the many museums – (Musei Capitolini, the Vatican Museums, Galleria Borghese, including those dedicated to modern and contemporary art and great many others) – aqueducts, fountains, churches, palaces, historical buildings, the monuments and ruins of the Roman forum, and the Catacombs. Rome is the 3rd most visited city in the EU, after London and Paris. The Colosseum and the Vatican Museums are the 39th and 37th (respectively) most visited places in the world, according to a recent study.

Rome is also widely recognized as a world fashion capital. Although not as important as Milan, Rome is the world's 4th most important center for fashion in the world. Major luxury fashion houses and jewelry chains, such as Bulgari, Fendi, Laura Biagotti and Brioni, just to name a few, are headquartered or were founded in the city.
The best times to have roman holidays are in spring (late March through May) and fall (September through mid-November) - though know that it does tend to rain bit more in October. The best way to see the city is to walk.

Things to do in Rome are lot. After seeing all sights you must throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain.

Legend sais that you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water.

The Spanish Steps - steps extending from Piazza di Spagna to Trinita dei Monti, were originally named after the Spanish Embassy adjacent. Ascend further from the top of the steps to get good views of Rome. The steps had a major restoration in 1995-6, and the once popular art of lunching on the steps is frowned upon, and fines can be levied. At the foot of the steps is the Keats-Shelley Memorial House The area around the steps offers designer shops, restaurants and bars.

Amble around antique markets. Markets in Rome are a great opportunity to really breathe city life, strolling around the stalls.  Looking, touching, getting bargains or just simply buying a souvenir.  The markets open at about 9-10 o'clock in the morning and close at sunset.

Photograph and visit the city's best piazzas. From the shadows of the ancient, winding streets of the historic center you suddenly come upon the breathtaking magnificence of Piazza Navona, born as a place of spectacle and still today a spectacular open air show; an architectural miracle in the heart of the Eternal City, filled with masterpieces in perfect harmony with each other. This piazza, which displays the genius of Bernini and Borromini, is one of the finest Baroque Masterpiece in papal Rome. Its harmony and colors, combined with its elegance, give it a charm that is enhanced by the surprising contrast of architecturally sober houses alternating with a number of monumental Buildings.

Of all Rome's piazzas, this isola pedonale (pedestrian precinct) is one where the liveliness of Roman life is most tangible. It has long been a meeting place for the inhabitants of Rome. In past, in addition to the market, processions and spectacles where held here - included "naumachiae", or mock naval battles. Today life in the piazza revolves around the open-air-cafés and the seasonal fairs. Of these the most popular is the one held in December and early January where toys and crib figures are sold. Its theme if the Feast of Epiphany as well as Christmas, so la Befana (the Epiphany witch, who his roughly the Italian equivalent of Father Christmas) features prominently. In the summer the piazza provides a continous festival of painters, caricaturists, fortune-teller and buskers, who entertain visitors until the small hours.

The Porta del Popolo on the north side of the Piazza marks one end, while the East is dominated by the passeggiata del Pincio. This piazza served as an exposition hall, a stadium, and a theater for popular plays. The face of the piazza changed a great deal from the 1400's to the 1800's, with the reconstruction of the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo, the placement of the Flaminian obelisk at the center of the piazza, and the addition of neo-classical elements by Giuseppe Valadier.

New York - General Information

2012-04-26T11:34:00.001-07:00

New York City

New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. As many as 800 languages are spoken in New York, making it the most linguistically diverse city in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and entertainment. The home of the United Nations Headquarters. New York is an important center for international diplomacy and has been described as the cultural capital of the world.

New York City is in reality a collection of many neighborhoods scattered among the city's five boroughs - Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island - each exhibiting its own lifestyle. Moving from one city neighborhood to the next may be like passing from one country to another.

New York City's boroughs are home to some of the world's most recognizable, cherished landmarks and attractions. From Times Square and Central Park to the Empire State Building and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the island of Manhattan packs more legendary icons into one compact area than any other place on Earth - and that's to say nothing of the City's four other boroughs, each of which contains its own roster of must-see destinations. With so much to see and do, a trip to NYC may seem a little overwhelming. To help, we've rounded up attractions that belong on any visitor's to-see list.

Statue of Liberty

Many of New York City's major monuments and attractions are America's iconic landmarks - the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge. But that's only the beginning.
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, designed by Frederic Bartholdi, Enlightening the World. It was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.

The Statue of Liberty greeted millions of immigrants as they came to America by ship in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is a globally recognized symbol of the United States and its democracy.

Times Square

Times Square is a major intersection in New York City that was named after the Times Building (now One Times Square), where The New York Times was formerly headquartered. Times Square, iconified as "The Crossroads of the World", is the brightly illuminated hub of the Broadway theater district, one of the world's busiest pedestrian intersections, and a major center of the world's entertainment industry.
New York City's financial district, anchored by Wall Street in Lower Manhattan, functions as the financial capital of the world and is home to the New York Stock Exchange, the world's largest stock exchange by total market capitalization of its listed companies.

This is a city made for pedestrians: Manhattan's grid makes for easy orientation, subway stations are relatively close together, and there are so many other pedestrians that you'll find strength in numbers when you choose to cross against the light.

Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883 as the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time. It was designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service, and a New York City Landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. it connects the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River. With a main span of 1,595.5 feet (486.3 m). The Brooklyn Bridge was initially designed by German immigrant John Augustus Roebling. More than 120,000 vehicles, 4,000 pedestrians and 3,100 bicyclists cross the Brooklyn Bridge every day. With over 127 years of heavy use, this iconic East River crossing is now one of three DOT bridges in the New York City area rated "poor" in a 2007 state inspection. The rating means components of the bridge - ramps, approaches, and decking - are in need of rehabilitation.

Madrid - General Information

2012-04-22T11:11:00.001-07:00

Madrid

Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan area is the third largest in the European Union after London and Paris. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million. Madrid is now the fourth most visited capital city in Europe. The city is located in the heart of the peninsula and the right in the center of the Castillian plain 646 meters above sea level. As the capital city of Spain, a cosmopolitan city, a business center, headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family, Madrid also plays a major role in both the banking and industrial sector. It is considered the major financial centre of Southern Europe. Madrid also ranks among the 12 greenest European cities in 2010. This is a city as at home in the nightclubs and bars that give the streets their soundtrack as it is in the hallowed halls of high culture.

Its landmarks include the Royal Palace of Madrid; the Teatro Real (Royal theatre); the Buen Retiro park; the 19th-century National Library building; a large number of National museums, and the Golden Triangle of Art, located along the Paseo del Prado and comprising three art museums: Prado Museum, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, a museum of modern art, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, which completes the shortcomings of the other two museums.

The Royal Palace of Madrid

The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence for the Royal family, but these days they only use it for state ceremonies. The rest of the time it's open to the public. It was built during the 18th and 19th centuries, and is a monumental building. The present day Royal Palace of Madrid was decorated to the tastes of Charles III, and is extremely lavish inside. Visitors can wander through many of the rooms and banqueting halls. With 2,800 rooms, over forty balconies, parade grounds, a plaza and a large landscaped park, the Royal Palace is an immense landmark that should be visited with plenty of time to spare.

The Teatro Real

The Teatro Real Located just in front of the Palacio Real of Madrid, the beautiful Teatro Madrid was originally the official residence of the Spain's Queen Isabel II. It was first inaugurated as an opera house in 1850, with a performance of Donizetti's "La Favorite"and has served gloriously in this role since. Today you can enjoy a variety of excellent programs and operas in this historic theater.

It has been the scene of lyric productions but has also played host to parliamentary sessions and has even been used as a dance hall during the last century and a half.

The Buen Retiro park is the first biggest park of Madrid city. It has 1.4 km2 (350 acres) at the edge of the city center. It was created as a royal park; it belonged to the Real Sitio del Buen Retiro palace. In 1632, the palace was built by King Philips IV as a retreat for the Royal family. It's a magnificent park, filled with beautiful sculpture and monuments, galleries, a peaceful lake and host to a variety of events.It is a spectacular urban oasis of aromatic bay leaf trees, ponds, rose gardens, stunning fountains and museums.

National Library

The National Library of Spain (Biblioteca Nacional) is situated in an impressive neoclassical building to one side of Plaza de Colón. It has a rectangular floor plan and is neoclassical in style. Work began on its construction in 1866 and was completed in 1892. Come and visit this library which is a monument in itself. Special mention should be made of its broad exterior staircase and its main façade, with a Corinthian style, square-fronted portico, finished with sculptures by the artist Agustín Querol, representing the Triumph of the Sciences and the Arts. The facade of three entrance archways and wrought-iron gates is fantastically beautiful. The building also hosts statues of Alfonso X (The Wise) and San Isidoro before grand main staircase. The National Library houses a bibliographic archive of incalculable value, comprised of books from the early days of print, engravings, musical scores, manuscripts, editorial rarities and a host of printed documents.

Prado Museum

Prado Museum is the jewel of Madrid, housed in a neo-classical 18th century building designed by Juan de Villanueva, located on the beautiful Paseo del Prado. The Prado Museum opened in 1819 during the reign of Fernando VII, as a public repository for the massive Spanish royal art collection, including paintings from the Habsburgs, Bourbons and the Church. The Prado was the first public art museum of its time and today holds impressive collections, particularly of the Spanish, Italian and Flemish schools. The Prado boasts the world's finest collection of Spanish art, with extensive examples of works by El Greco, Velazquez, Goya, and Murillo. Visitors can also explore a fine collection of works by Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens and Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch as well as a number of Italian masterpieces.

Rome. The most visited places

2012-04-19T10:20:00.001-07:00

Rome

Rome is the capital and largest city of Italy and of the Lazio region. it is also the country's largest and most populated comune and fourth most populous city in the European Union by population within city limits. Rome’s history spans two and half thousand years. No other city comes close. It may no longer be capital of the world, but Rome is an epic, bubbling-over metropolis harboring lost empires.

Its historic centre is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Monuments and museums such as the Vatican Museum and the Colosseum are amongst the world's 50 most visited tourist destinations.

The most visited places in Rome are:

Colosseum

1) The Colosseum Arguably one of Rome's most famous and iconic monuments, it is one of the Roman world's biggest amphitheaters. It is regarded as being a wonder of the medieval world. The Colosseum today is now a major tourist attraction in Rome with thousands of tourists each year paying to view the interior arena, though entrance for EU citizens is partially subsidized, and under-18 and over-65 EU citizens' entrances are free. There is now a museum dedicated to Eros located in the upper floor of the outer wall of the building. Part of the arena floor has been re-floored.

Pantheon

2) Pantheon is a classical building in the city, originally built by Marcus Agrippa as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome, and rebuilt in the early 2nd century AD. A near-contemporary writer, Cassius Dio, speculates that the name comes from the statues of many gods placed around the building, or from the resemblance of the dome to the heavens. It is one of the best preserved of all Roman buildings. It has been in continuous use throughout its history, and since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a Roman Catholic Church dedicated to "St. Mary and the Martyrs" but informally known as "Santa Maria della Rotonda". The square in front of the Pantheon is called Piazza della Rotonda.

Trevi Fountain

3) Trevi Fountain was designed and completed in the 18th century. It is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and the most beautiful in the world. A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome or supposed to bring good luck. The central figure of the fountain, in front of a large niche, is Neptune, god of the sea. He is riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled by two sea horses. Triton guides each sea horse. One of the horses is calm and obedient, the other one restive. They symbolize the fluctuating moods of the sea. On the left hand side of Neptune is a statue representing Abundance, the statue on the right represents Salubrity. Above the sculptures are bas-reliefs; one of them shows Agrippa, the general, who built the aqueduct that carries water to the fountain.

Sistine Chapel

4) Sistine Chapel Found in the Vatican City, it contains a huge collection of several paintings from all periods, and is Rome's leading and most visited chapel. It was painted by Michelangelo.
Due to the extraordinary talents of Michelangelo, the Sistine Chapel has become one of the most famous art displays in the western world. The famous Sistine ceiling depicts scenes from Genesis in striking detail, and The Last Judgment on the chapel's end wall is equally dramatic. In addition to these famous artworks, the side walls are festooned with frescoes of Moses and Christ and portraits of popes. The middle part of the walls has 12 large paintings called frescoes, done by famous artists in 1481.

Roman Forum

5) The Roman Forum the centre of the city's politics and business at the time. The main sight of the Forum include the Arch of Titus (Arco di Tito), the Temple of Saturn, Temple of Vesta, and the church of San Luca e Martina. These are all linked by the Sacra Via, the main road through the Forum. The Forum was the marketplace of Rome and also the business district and civic center. It was expanded to include temples, a senate house and law courts. When the Roman Empire fell, the Forum became forgotten, buried and was used as a cattle pasture during the Middle Ages. Much of the forum has been destroyed. Columns and stone blocks are all that remain of some temples.

Saint Peter's Basilica

6) Saint Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world. Found in the Vatican city, it is near where the Pope resides, and it is one of the most important centres for Christian pilgrimage, and is commonly regarded as the "home of the Roman Catholic Church" The Pieta (1498–1499) housed in St. Peter’s Basilica is a masterpiece of Michelangelo Buonarroti. Saint Peter's tomb is under the main altar and many other popes are buried in the basilica as well. Originally founded by Constantine in 324, Saint Peter's Basilica was rebuilt in the 16th century by Renaissance masters including Bramante, Michelangelo and Bernini.

London City Transport

2012-04-15T03:26:00.000-07:00

The London Underground (The Tube)

London's Underground rail network, or 'the Tube' as it is known to Londoners, is normally the quickest and easiest way of travelling around London. You can pick up a London Underground Map for free upon arrival at any London Tube station. London Travel Information centers sell tickets and provide free maps. There are centers at all Heathrow airport terminals, major stations in London and at Tourist Information Centers.

The Tube maps on the station walls are diagrammatic representations of the routes and are drawn so that they are easy to read: they do not provide an accurate depiction of the physical location of the stations. Thus, even though you would not be able to determine it from the official Underground map, some tube stations are within easy walking distance of each other.

It is advised to get an Oyster card and/or Travelcard to get the best fares and beat the queues. If you're caught on the Tube without a valid ticket you're liable for an on-the-spot fine. Oyster card prices are always cheaper than paper tickets for the Tube. For example, the cash fare for a single journey in Zone 1 is £4.30, which is £2.30 more than the Oyster fare.

Always remember - Mind the gap! The London Underground is the oldest underground railway network in the world. Because some platforms on the Underground are curved and the rolling stock that uses them are straight, an unsafe gap is created when a straight car stops at a curved platform. In the absence of a device to automatically fill the gap some form of visual and auditory warning was needed to prevent passengers from being caught unaware and suffering injury by stepping into the wide gap.

Buses

The London Bus is one of London’s principal icons, the archetypal red rear-entrance Routemaster being recognized worldwide. Although the Routemaster has now been largely phased out of service, with only two heritage routes still using the vehicles, the majority of buses in London are still red and therefore the red double-decker bus remains an iconic symbol of the city. Outside of the center of London, Tube stations are farther apart, so buses help fill the gaps. Also, the budget-conscious will find that the bus offers a cheaper alternative, even if it is a slower journey.

A bus ticket costs £2.20 if paying with cash. It costs £1.30 if using an Oyster Card with a daily price cap of £4.00). You can top-up your Oyster from tube stations and newsagents. The One Day Pass is valid until 4:30 the following morning, so you don't need to worry about getting home after a late evening out. The bus is a nice alternative to the Tube as well because it offers more chances for sightseeing. Plus, it gets you out of the stuffy, un-air conditioned Underground stations, which is definitely a good thing to keep in mind during the hot summer months.

If you are using the buses it is advised to use the spider maps because they give complete details for each major bus stop. It is helpful to find the closest stop to your hotel and to print out that spider map before you begin your trip.

On regular buses, only board via the front door and either show your ticket or pass to the driver, touch your Oyster on the reader or hand him the stub of your Saver ticket. On bendy buses you may board any of the three doors, and there is no need to show your ticket to the driver. There are Oyster readers at each door. The exception is for those using Saver tickets - you must still board at the front and give the stub to the driver.

Taxi (Cab)

You can complete your London experience with a ride in a black cab! London's classic black cabs also come decorated in a dazzling palette of colors these days. Black cabs can be hailed in the street or at designated ranks situated in prominent places, including many mainline rail, Tube and bus stations. They can also be booked by telephone. If the yellow TAXI sign at the front is illuminated, the cab is available for hire. Black cabs are legally obliged to take on any job for journeys up to 12 miles, or up to one-hour duration. Fares are metered, and there is a minimum charge of £2.20. Black cabs are licensed to carry up to five people plus luggage. There are no additional charges for extra passengers or items of luggage. There is a £2.40 charge when you take a black cab from Heathrow Airport and also a £2 charge when you book a black cab by telephone. Many black cabs accept payment by credit or debit card but check with the driver before the trip starts. If you pay by card there is an additional charge of a maximum of £1 or 12.5% of the metered fare, whichever is greater.You can tip taxi drivers as much as you like, but most people round up to the nearest pound.

You can also find various alternative means of transportation:

Things to do in London

2012-04-13T06:36:00.001-07:00

Things to do in London

In my point of view almost everyone can find something interesting to do in this incredible city. Depending how long are you going to stay in London and points of your interests, there are lots of attractions for all types of visitors. Here are some tips what to do in London:

National Gallery

1. Visit London Museums and Galleries.

London hosts an outstanding collection of world-class museums. There are over 240 museums. Although London can be expensive, many of the best museums and galleries are free. Because of the removal of admission charges, attendances at London museums increased, with a large percentage of the 42 million annual visitors nationwide.

View of Big Ben from Trafalgar Square

2. Take walking trip from Trafalgar Square to Big Ben.
One of the main landmarks of London is Trafalgar Square. At its center is Nelson's Column, which is guarded by four lion statues at its base. There are a number of statues and sculptures in the square, with one plinth displaying changing pieces of contemporary art.
You have to walk for 10-15 minutes to get to another landmark of the City - Big Ben. Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. The clock tower holds the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world and is the third-tallest freestanding clock tower. The tower was completed in 1858 and has become one of the most prominent symbols of both London and England, often in the establishing shot of films set in the city.

Hyde Park

3. Visit London Parks.
There are many parks and open spaces in the city. Green space in central London consists of five Royal Parks (Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, Green Park, St. James’s Park, Kensington Gardens), supplemented by a number of small garden squares scattered throughout the city center. Open space in the rest of the city is dominated by the remaining three Royal Parks (Greenwich Park, Bushy Park, Richmond Park) and many other parks and open spaces of a range of sizes, run mainly by the local London boroughs.

Tower Bridge

4. Visit Tower Bridge.
Tower Bridge, built in 1894, has become an iconic symbol of London. It is a combined bascule and suspensions bridge over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, from which it takes its name. Tower Bridge is sometimes mistakenly referred to as London Bridge, which is the next bridge upstream.

The bridge consists of two towers tied together at the upper level by means of two horizontal walkways, designed to withstand the horizontal forces exerted by the suspended sections of the bridge on the landward sides of the towers. The vertical component of the forces in the suspended sections and the vertical reactions of the two walkways are carried by the two robust towers.

The London Eye

5. Visit London Eye.
The entire structure of the London Eye is 135 meters (443 ft.) tall and the wheel has a diameter of 120 meters (394 ft.).

It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the UK, visited by over 3.5 million people annually.

The London Eye is also called as Millennium Wheel. It is located in the London Borough of Lambeth at the western end of Jubilee Gardens, on the south bank of the River Thames between Westminster Bridge and Hungerford Bridge. Because of its height you can see almost all landmarks of the city from the capsule of the London Eye.

Remember that this attraction isn’t free. I think it is overpriced (Ticket for adult costs about 30 GPB). However, the London eye is in the must see list for every second visitor of Lodon.

Changing the guard

6. See changing the guard at Buckingham Palace.
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham palace is a popular London tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors to watch the soldiers undertake the historic ceremony of Guard Mounting – more commonly known as the Changing the guard. The Changing of the Guard takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at around 11am. The St. James' Palace detachment of the Queen's Guard, led usually by the Corps of Drums, and bearing the colour (if the Queen is in residence, then this will be the Queen's Colour; if she is not, then it is the Regimental Colour), marches along the Mall to Buckingham Palace, where the Buckingham Palace detachment has formed up to await their arrival.
The changing the guard does not take place every day. So, it is recommended to check the schedule in advance via Internet. It is also recommended to arrive at the place by 11.15 a.m. at the latest to get the best out of the whole ceremony. The official timing of the ceremony is 30 minutes finishing at around 12.00. Remember that in very wet weather changing the guard will not take place.

London - Part Two. Museums and Galleries

2012-04-11T09:23:00.001-07:00

MUSEUMS and GALLERIES

As it is known London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. However, everyone can enjoy visiting impressive museums and galleries of the city for free of charge.
London hosts an outstanding collection of world-class museums. Even better, it is the only one of the traditional "alpha world cities" (London, New York City, Paris and Tokyo) in which the majority of the museums have no entrance charges, thus allowing visitors to make multiple visits with ease. Following the removal of admission charges in the beginning of the 21st century, attendances at London museums increased, with a large percentage of the 42 million annual visitors nationwide. There are over 240 museums in London, but in this post we will speak only about my favorite ones:

The main entrance of London's National Gallery

National Gallery: Just at the end of Trafalgar Square, you can visit the National Gallery. This is a world famous art gallery. It was founded in 1824 and its collection of painting range from the middle of the 13th Century to 1900. The National Gallery Collection contains over 2,300 works, including many famous works, such as “The Virgin of Rocks” by Leonardo Da Vinci, van Eyck’s Arnolifini Portrait, Velázquez’s Rokeby Venus, Turner’s Fighting Temeraire and Van Gogh's Sunflowers.

I found very convenient that paintings are divided by style in separate rooms. So if you find for example someone from impressionists be sure that all others are on the same or neighboring walls.

Van Gogh's Sunflowers

As it was mentioned above there is no entrance fee in the gallery. And the reason for it is very impressive for me: they say that these pictures belongs to the public and therefore entrance to see them is free. Unlike comparable art museums in continental Europe, the National Gallery was not formed by nationalizing an existing royal or princely art collection. It came into being when the British government bought 38 paintings from the heirs of John Julius Angerstein, an insurance broker and patron of the arts, in 1824. After that initial purchase the Gallery was shaped mainly by its early directors and by private donations, which comprise two thirds of the collection.

The British Museum: The British Museum is widely considered to be one of the world's greatest museums of human history and culture. It houses more than thirteen million items originating from all continents of the world. It attracts over four million visitors a year. It was established in 1753 and was largely based on collections of the physician and scientist, Sir Hans Sloane. Currently, it has a vast amount of art and culture from all over the world.
Remember: You have not been to London if you have not visited the British Museum. You can see entire world in one building for free - there is no entrance fee.
The museum includes departments of ancient Egypt and Sudan; Greece and Rome; the Middle East; Prints and Drawings; Prehistory and Europe; Asia; Africa, Oceania and the Americas; Coins and Medals; Conservation and Scientific Research. There are also libraries and archives.
Remember that the British Museum is very big; so, it might take whole day or several days to visit all departments listed above.

National Portrait Gallery: The gallery houses portraits of historically important and famous British people, selected on the basis of the significance of the sitter, not that of the artist. It was the first portrait gallery in the world when it opened in 1856. The gallery moved in 1896 to its current site at St Martin's Place, off Trafalgar Square, and adjoining the National Gallery. It has been expanded twice since then. The National Portrait Gallery also has three regional outposts at Beningbrough Hall, Bodelwyddan Castle and Montacute House.

The collection includes photographs and caricatures as well as paintings, drawings and sculpture. One of its best-known images is the Chandos portrait, the most famous portrait of William Shakespearealthough there is some uncertainty about whether the painting actually is of the playwright.

The building of Tate Modern. View from Millenium Bridge

Tate Modern: Tate Modern is Britain's national gallery of international modern art and forms part of the Tate group (together with Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool, Tate St. Ives and Tate Online). It is the most-visited modern art gallery in the world, with around 4.7 million visitors per year. It is based in the former Bankside Power Station, in the Bankside area of Central London. You can gat Tate Modern bu Millenium Bridge, just crossing the road in front of St. Pauls Cathedral. The collections in Tate Modern consist of works of international modern and contemporary art dating from 1900 until today.

The Tate Collection is on display on levels three and five of the building, while level four houses large temporary exhibitions and a small exhibition space on level two houses work by contemporary artists.

Entrance is free, but you may be charged for special exhibitions.

The Victoria and Albert Museum:

The Victoria and Albert Museum, is the worlds greatest museum of art and design and is home to over 4.5 million objects. It was founded in 1852, and was originally known as the South Kensington Museum. Now, the V&A museum covers more than 12.5 acres and has 145 galleries, they aren’t all open at the same time. It contains 5000 years of art from all cultures, from all over the world, including photography, sculptures, art and textiles.

Remember: you can visit V&A museum for free.

London - Part One - In General

2012-04-10T11:54:00.001-07:00

LONDON! Part One - In General

Big Ben

One of the world’s most visited cities, London has something for everyone, from history to culture, art, grand museums, dazzling architecture, royalty, diversity, fashion, shopping and so on. London impressed me in 15 minutes and I think the same is happening with everyone.

London is one of the major capitals of Europe. The city is steeped in history with tourist spots that offer a view of life from centuries past. A vast spectrum of different ethnicities from around the world lives in London, creating a diverse culture. All types of travelers can look forward to a wide range of entertainment options and a host of popular attractions in the city.

Tower Bridge

London is one of the world's leading tourism destinations, and the city is home to an array of famous tourist attractions. London attracts 30 million international visitors per year, making it the world's most visited in terms of international visits.

London contains four World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London; Kew Gardens; the site comprising the Palace of Westminster, Westminster

Abbey and St. Margaret's Church; and the historic settlement of Greenwich (in which the Royal Observatory marks the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) and GMT). Other famous landmarks include Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Wembley Stadium. London is home to numerous museums, galleries, libraries, sporting events and other cultural institutions, including the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, British Library, Wimbledon and 40 theaters.

View of the City from Tate Modern

The London Underground is the oldest underground railway network in the world.

The 'green lungs' of London are the many parks, great and small, scattered throughout the city including Hyde Park, St. James Park and Regent's Park. Most of the larger parks have their origins in royal estates and hunting grounds and are still owned by the Crown, despite their public access.

Trafalgar Square

London has a diverse range of peoples and cultures, and more than 300 languages are spoken within its boundaries. In July 2010 Greater London had an official population of 7,825,200, making it the most populous municipality in the EU, and accounting for 12.5% of the UK population. The Greater London Urban Area is the second-largest in the European Union with a population of 8,278,251, while London's metropolitan area is the largest in the EU with an estimated total population of between 12 million and 14 million. London had the largest population of any city in the world from around 1831 to 1925.

London has been described as a world cultural capital. London's 43 universities form the largest concentration of higher education in Europe. In 2012 London will become the first city to host the modern Summer Olympic Games 3 times.

TRAVELER TIPS

- Remember that the UK has left-hand traffic in which traffic keeps to left side of the road. So, when you cross the road LOOK RIGHT!

- Remember that the UK in not member of Euro agreement. So, you can't use Euro. All payments are made in British Pond (average exchange rate is 1 GBP = 1.2 Euro; 1 GBP = 1.6 US Dollar).

- Mind the gap! As it was mentioned above, the London Underground is the oldest underground railway network in the world. Because some platforms on the Underground are curved and the rolling stock that uses them are straight, an unsafe gap is created when a straight car stops at a curved platform. In the absence of a device to automatically fill the gap some form of visual and auditory warning was needed to prevent passengers from being caught unaware and suffering injury by stepping into the wide gap.

Museums in Prague

2012-04-08T07:03:00.001-07:00

Prague Museums!

Besides of many attractions and sightseeing of Prague I have visited several interesting museums. These are:

Sternberk Palace

Just becide the main gate of Prague Castle, the Sternberk Palace (Sternberský palác) holds a heavenly art museum, holding some of Europe's most well-respected and renowned artists and their work. As part of the National Gallery museum complex, this gallery spans several eras of important European art.

The Sternberk Palace (Sternbersky palác) was built for Count Václav Vojtech of ternberk and Klára of Maltzan. The Baroque palace was constructed in the late 17th Century. In the early 19th century the building was acquired by Society of Patriotic Friends of Art, at which time it was renovated extensively. The building exchanged hands and was used for other purposes until it fell to the National Gallery after the Second World War.

Inside the Sternberk Palace (Sternberský palác) you'll find works from Dutch masters from the Renaissance era, spanning Rembrant to Van Dyck. There are Orthodox relics, famous Austrian court painters, and several rotating exhibits featuring international art.

Franz Kafka Museum

As the author's birth place, the Franz Kafka Museum is dear to his fans as well as the city. The influence Prague had on Kafka's life is well-reflected in his writing, and is something of great interest to scholars and historians.

For those that like to look at the city of Prague through the enigmatic eyes of Kafka, a trip to the Franz Kafka Museum is well worth the visit. This long-term exhibition provides an in-depth look at the unique perspective Kafka presented in his writing, along with the political influences he and the city's wartime history had on each other.

Doll and toy museum

Museum Hracek is a great place to find some of the most unique dolls and toys, from across Europe and America. Spread across two floors and seven rooms, the exhibits here offer sixty showcases of toys, including rare dolls, miniatures and more.

Started as a family collection if filmmaker and cartoonist Ivan Steiger, Museum Hracek resides in the former Count's Chambers of Prague Castle. The popular exhibits here bring a great deal of joy to children of all ages, with some fascinating toys reaching back 150 years.

Wax Museum Prague

Sometime's there's nothing more amusing than a good wax museum. See Madonna, Kafka, Lenin "in person!" Get your picture taken with Elvis! Or, in Prague's own version, pretend you're buddies with Charled IV and smile big at the camera! Wax Museum Prague has two locations in the city: at Melantrichova 5 and at Mostecka 18, both in the city centre. The displays include life-like historical and celebrity figures, including many former communist leaders and some of Hollywood's greatest.

Tourists also can enjoy visiting the other interesting museums of the city. Such as National Museum, The National Gallery, Jewish Museum and many others.

Prague - Charles Bridge

2012-04-05T12:37:00.002-07:00

CHARLES BRIDGE

Charles Bridge, or Karluv Most, is on the top of every Prague visitor's must-see list. It spans 516 meters over the Vlatva River in Prague. It is also popular with Czech artists, musicians and souvenir vendors whose stands line both sides of the bridge year-round. A great time of day to come to the bridge is at sunset when one can enjoy a breathtaking view of the fully lit Prague Castle against the evening sky. Charles bridge is best viewed in the early mornings, before crowds arrive. At peak times, it is thronging with vendors and tourists.

Since 1992, the extensive historic center of Prague, including Charles Bridge, has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

The bridge is now a pedestrian zone (although both tram and car traffic were allowed there in the past) and is almost constantly filled with people. If you want to have it all to yourself, go there at night or very early in the morning.

The construction of the bridge started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of the 15th century. In charge of the construction was architect Petr Parléř whose other works include the St. Vitus Cathedral at the Prague Castle. It is said that egg yolks were mixed into the mortar to strengthen the construction of the bridge.

As the only means of crossing the river Vltava (Moldau) until 1841, the Charles Bridge was the most important connection between Prague Castle and the city's Old Town and adjacent areas. This "solid-land" connection made Prague important as a trade route between Eastern and Western Europe. The bridge was originally called the Stone Bridge (Kamenný most) or the Prague Bridge (Pražský most) but has been the "Charles Bridge" since 1870.

As mentioned above, the bridge is 516 meters long; It is nearly 10 meters wide, resting on 16 arches shielded by ice guards. It is protected by three bridge towers, two of them on the Lesser Quarter side and the third one on the Old Town side. The Old Town bridge tower is often considered to be one of the most astonishing civil gothic-style buildings in the world. The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues and statuaries, most of them baroque-style, originally erected around 1700 but now all replaced by replicas.

The avenue of 30 mostly baroque statues and statuaries situated on the balustrade forms a unique connection of artistic styles with the underlying gothic bridge. Most sculptures were erected between 1683 and 1714. They depict various saints and parton saints venerated at that time. The most prominent Bohemian sculptors of the time took part in decorating the bridge, such as Matthias Braun, Jan Brokoff, and his sons Michael Joseph and Ferdinand Maximilian.

Among the most notable sculptures, one can find the statuaries of St. Luthgard, the Holy Crucifix and Calvary, and St. John of Nepomnuk. Well known also is the statue of the knight Bruncvík, although it was erected some 200 years later and does not belong to the main avenue.

General information about Prague

2012-04-03T11:06:00.002-07:00

Prague

The Czech Republic lies at the heart of Central Europe and at its center is the beautiful and historic city of Prague. With a population of some 1.3 million residents, the city lies on either side of the Vltava River in the middle of Bohemia that is one of the three historic Czech territories; the others being Moravia and Silesia. The city has seven "Chapter Divisions" or districts.  The historic heart of this city right in the heart of Europe is an exceptionally valuable urban monument zone. This is why part of Prague (Hradčany and Prague Castle, Malá Strana, the Old Town including the Charles Bridge and Josefov, the New Town and Vyšehrad) was entered into the UNESCO World Heritage List. Prague is the sixth most visited city in Europe.

And what is so interesting about the historical center of Prague? It’s overall layout. Narrow zigzagging streets opening out into little squares dominated by religious buildings of which the oldest date back to the Romanesque period. The Old Town, however, is mainly Gothic and its majestic Gothic churches together with its magnificent town houses have led to it becoming known as ‘Stone Prague’.

In other places, we can find Renaissance palaces and Baroque, Neo-Classical; Art Nouveau as well as functionalist Cubism styles have all also had their say here. It is all sensitively melded together in one whole, which can be admired over many long days without ever becoming boring.

Prague is home to a number of famous cultural attractions, many of which survived the violence and destruction of twentieth century Europe. Main attractions include the following: Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, the Jewish Quarter and the Lennon Wall.

Prague boasts more than ten major museums, along with countless theatres, galleries, cinemas, and other historical exhibits. A modern public transportation system connects the city. Also, Prague is home to a wide range of public and private schools, including the famous Charles University. Its rich history makes it a popular tourist destination, and the city receives more than 4.1 million international visitors annually, as of 2009. In 2011 Prague was the sixth most visited city in Europe.

AMSTERDAM! THE BICYCLES

2012-03-13T11:57:00.001-07:00

AMSTERDAM! THE BICYCLES

Amsterdam is bike capital of the world and the center of bicycle culture, with all facilities for cycling. Dutch people have created a bicycle friendly country that promotes a healthier, more active lifestyle for its residents.

All socio-economic grouos and people of all ages use bicycles. They are convenience, practical, efficient, economic and often quickest way of transportation.

Amsterdam has 400 kilometers of bicycle paths, the flat terrain, and leading just about everywhere in the town.

In the Netherlands bikes are legally entitled to the right of way - bikes go first - the Dutch ride aggressively and will clank their bells while trying to avoid trams, cars, fellow cyclists, and buses.

In Amsterdam there are more bikes than permanent residents - 881,000 (estimated).

Hiring a bike is a great way to discover the city - and for some visitors can be quite the adventure! You can hire a bike from almost anywhere in the city. Bike rental companies are abound in whole city and many hotels offer bikes on the spot.

Short-term rentals start from three hours and the average price for a full day is 8 euros. Many companies also hire different types of bicycles from touring bikes to tandems and children's bikes to kick-scooters.

Bike theft is a problem in Amsterdam. Always lock the bike to something solid and always lock the frame. At night, always use the lights, too, or the police might hand out a fine. Respect the signs restricting the parking of a bike.

VENICE! GONDOLAS

2012-03-11T05:23:00.002-07:00

The GONDOLA

The gondola is the symbol of Venice. Romantic and charming, it provides a very special view of the city. The gondola is a "unique" and fascinating boat. There are just over hundred gondola in active service today, all of them used for hire by tourists. Up to six people can share a gondola. It is also one of the vessels typically used in both ceremonial and competitive regattas, rowing races held amongst gondoliers using the technique of Voga alla Veneta.

Modern gondola was developed only in the 19th century by the boat-builder Tramontin. Its unique, asymmetrical design allows just one oarsman to navigate the narrow Venetian waterways using a single oar. Today, gondola are remarkably uniform. Gondolas are hand made, they weigh 1,500lbs (700kg), have 280 components and use eight types of wood-lime, larch, oak, fir, cherry, walnut for cola, or rowlock, each carved to suit individual gondoliers and designed to allow eight distinct maneuvers.

All are exactly 10.87 m long (35ft 6ins) and 1.42m wide (4ft 6ins), and all have one side 24cm (10ins) longer than the other. The left side of the gondola is made longer than the right side.

The profession of gondolier is controlled by a guild, which issues a limited number of licenses granted after periods of training and apprenticeship, and a major comprehensive exam which tests knowledge of Venetian history and landmarks, foreign language skills, and practical skills in handling the gondola typically necessary in the tight spaces of Venetian canals.

The official rate (from 8am to 7pm) is 80 euro for 40 mins, add 40 euro for extra 20 mins. From 7pm to 8am rate is 100 euro for 40 mins, add 50 euro for extra 20 mins.

Depending on demand, gondoliers may regard the official rates as a polite fictions. Special services, such as singing, can boost the fare even more.

Its better to agree in advance with gondolieri about the rate, duration and additional services. There is a tale about singing gondoliers which are singing opera areas during the tour, but it is not true. When I asked gondolier to sing, he answered: "Singing is only in movies".

Here are some portraits of gondoliers:

V E N I C E! In General

2012-03-08T10:24:00.002-08:00

V E N I C E! In General

Venice is one of the most remarkable, visited and lovely places in the world. It is also one of Europe’s most romantic cities. Venice has a lot of nicknames such as "City of Water", "City of Masks", "City of Bridges", "The Floating City", and "City of Canals". Venice and its lagoon is listed in UNESCO World Heritage site.

City is built on 117 small islands and has 150 canals connected by 409 bridges.

Venice is only pedestrian city in the world. The city is not large and you can walk from one end to the other in a few hours throughout its traffic-free streets and alleyways.

Be prepared to get lost easily, signs all over the city indicate the direction to the mian attractions. During walking you will discover marvelous art, superb architecture and breathtaking urban landscaping.

There are other ways of transportation getting around in venice from the vaporetto to the water taxi to gondolas.

Dodge's Palace

Tourism has been a major sector of Venetian industry for centuries due to its beautiful cityscape, uniqueness and cultural heritage. There are a lot of attractions in the city, such as Piazza San Marco, St Mark’s Basilica, Dodge’s Palace, The Grand Canal, Il Campanello, Rialto Bridge.

Venice is famous for Carnival, which is annual festival and starts 58 days before easter and ends on shrove Wednesday. The history of the Venice Carnival tradition began after 1162 and it was renewed in 1979. During the carnival, Venetians and visitors alike dress up in the oddest of ways. Masks made the Venetian Carnival unique. City is the centre of international festivals and conferences, such as Venice Biennale and the Venice Fim Festival.

Museums in Amsterdam

2012-03-03T11:55:00.001-08:00

Museums in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is rich with museums, there are over fifty museums. One of them is Hermitage Museum. The building in which Hermitage is currently housed was a home for the elderly for 324 year. In the centre of Amstel wing stands the church hall. Building has two permanent exhibition rooms, one focuses on the connection between Holland and Russia and other on patient care history in Amsterdam. There is also exhibition programme and permanently new masterpieces.

Royal palace Amsterdam

Royal palace Amsterdam has the largest collection of Empire furniture outside France. Paintings by famous artists and sculpture refer symbolically to the power and wealth of the city in the Dutch Golden Age.

Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam

Van Gogh Museum contains the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings in the world. Also rich and varied collection of other 19th century art. Museum is situated, between the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum. The best way to buy ticket is ordering it by online - in this manner you will avoid standing in the line.

Entrance in the Anne Frank House

The Rijksmuseum holds paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer, van Dyck and Jan Steen. The museum has exceptional collection of Asian art, antique objects of the material Dutch culture, drawing, vast collection of print and the classic photography.

Anne Frank House is named among the most popular visited places in Amsterdam; despite this I found it very boring and overpriced. More than I was standing in the queue around an hour and was totally disappointed.

In the Madam Tussaud Museum you can discover figures of famous people like Barack Obama, Dalai Lama, Princess Diana, Lady Gaga, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Albert Einstein, David Beckham and etc.

Stedelijk Museum is one of the most innovative and interesting museums of modern art in the world. It has one of the richest collection of modern art, paintings by Casimir Malevich, works of Matisse, Picasso, Newman en Rauschenberg and very good collection of design and furniture.

Paris. Eiffel Tower

2012-03-03T06:43:00.000-08:00

Paris. Eiffel Tower

Shadow of the Eiffel Tower. Picture is
taken from the Tower itself in May, 2010

The Eiffel Tower (French name: La Tour Eiffel) is the most recognizable structures in the world and true landmark of Paris and France in whole. The tower is named after its designer Gustav Eiffel.

It has also nickname "La dame de fer" that in French means the iron lady. This nickname is very sufficient to this construction because it is made by joining together more than 18000 pieces of puddle iron using 2,500,000 rivets.

The tower is 324 in height and is the tallest building in Paris. The Eiffel Tower is the most-visited paid monument in the world. Millions of tourists visit it every year. Ten years ago (in 2002) the tower was visited by 200,000,000st guest. Standard prices for tickets are: 13.5 Euro for Adults, 11.5 Euro for youth (between 12-24), 9.5 Euro for children under 11 years.

Because of its location and height the Eiffel Tower is seeable almost from every part of city.
It is better to visit the tower in sunny morning. As better is weather as better chance you have to see the city.
Why morning? Because in the morning there are less people in the line. So, it is recommended to come to the tower 30 minutes before its opening. The tower is opened every day from 9.30 a.m. to 11 p.m., but from 17 June to 28 August it opens at 9 a.m.

At the entrance of the tower you can purchase souvenires (mostly little statues of the tower) offered by emigrants. There are the towers in various size. The most little one costs 1 Euro, but if you bargain well you can get 2 for 1 Euro.

Everywhere in the city you can also buy the little statues of the Eiffel Tower. However the best price is offered either at the entrance of the Tower or at the surrounding territory of "Trocadero Metro" station.

Trocadero is one of the best places in Paris from which you can enjoy view of the Eiffel Tower especially in the night. However if you dislike the tower like famous writer Guy de Maupassant you have to stay on the tower as long as it is possible. As it is known Gut de Maupassant claimed that we hated the tower; at the same time almost every day he ate a lunch in the tower's restaurant. When he was asked why, he answered that it was the only place in Paris where he could not see the tower.

Sacre-Coeur from the Eiffel Tower.

From the tower you can enjoy with amassing views of Paris. You can see almost all sights of the city. That is why it is recommended to visit the tower after seeing some other places of Paris. Parisians say that there is 360o panoramic view.
There are some shops, cafes and restaurant inside the tower, but I found all of them overpriced. On the other hand, as it was mentioned above, it is the most-visited paid monument in the world, so do not be surprised about prices - if you are not going to spent money, you can just enjoy perfect views and take photos.

These are some photos I took from the Eiffel Tower:

The Arc de Triomphe from the Eiffel Tower

Louvre from the Eiffel Tower

Amsterdam. City Transport

2012-03-02T10:34:00.004-08:00

Transport in Amsterdam

There are lots of ways of transportation from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

1) A Direct Rail Link-It is very comfortable and fastest way to get to the city center.

2) Airport Shuttles - The easy way to get to more than 100 Amsterdam hotels.

3) Taxis and Limousines which offer door-to-door service.

4) Ferry - Transporting passengers to various locations of Amsterdam.

5) Floating Dutchman - Best for passengers who have a transfer in airport. They can expirence Amsterdam in a very original way.

Transportation in the city

1) The Metro (tube) is fast but useful if you need to travel far outside the city center to the Amsterdam Arena.

2) Trams are the best and convenient way to get around Amsterdam. They run regularly until 12:15am. There are 255 trams in Amsterdam.

3) The Canal Bus runs every 40 minutes from 9:50 until 7:25 with 14 stops along three different routes throughout the city.

4) Bicycle - the best way to get around city. There are more bikes (estimated 881,000) in Amsterdam than permanent residents.
About Bicycles see our future posts.

5) Taxis, bicycle taxis-such kind of taxis can carry up to two people and are actually cheaper than conventional taxi.

6) Rent a car - you have opportunity to rent a car. However because of trafics, narrow streets and huge amount of bicycles it is not recommended for tourists to drive a car in Amsterdam.

You can also find many alternative ways of transportation in the city:

BRUSSELS. THINGS TO DO

2012-03-02T09:17:00.001-08:00

Top things to do in Brussels

Taste Belgian food - fries called "frites" in Belgium actually originated in Brussels, are always served fresh and hot with a large variety of sauces.

Mussels

"Moules frites" is a traditional dish in Brussels, consisting of mussels cooked in white wine and butter and served with and French fries. In menu you can also find mussels cooked in different ways, one of them is mussels in Belgium sauce.

Brussels waffle

Brussels waffle or Belgian waffle - prepared from a yeast-leavened batter, these waffles are lighter, thicker, crispier and has large pockets compared to other waffles varieties. They might be topped with whipped cream, soft fruit or chocolate spread.

Chocolate Museum

Sample world-famous chocolate-Belgium is considered as Capital of Chocolate. Visiting cocoa and chocolate Museum provides an opportunity to discover the world of chocolate, from its origins to the finished product.

There are 300 different Belgium chocolate companies, which produces 172,000 tons of chocolate per year. Chocolate prices vary, truffles and cups cost slightly more and sold separately. Expect to pay about €5-€18 for a 250g box depending on the brand.

Shopping arcade

Shopping in Brussels - you can discover the highest quality boutique shops. There are a shopping arcades, which are one of the oldest in the world. They are normally set inside old buildings and offer high quality brands.

if you want something different, Luxury brands and boutique shops you have to go Boulevard de waterloo and Rue Antoine Dansaert shopping streets.

Most Brussels people will shop on Saturdays because shops are closed on Sundays and opening hours are limited, city centre shops and boutique close at 18:00.

PARIS

2012-02-29T10:56:00.002-08:00

PARIS! Part One - in General

Eiffel Tower

Even designating the blog as "top 3 travel destination", Paris surely had the place among these 3 destination.

Every second pair in the world dreams to spend honeymoon in Paris.

Paris is the source of inspiration for painters, writers, poets, film directors, architects, musicians...

The capital city of France is one of the political and fashion center of Europe.

I'd say that everyone can find subject of interest in Paris. Even the laziest and the most boring people could not abstain from admiring beauty of Paris.

So, before you will visit this amazing City, let me share some of my impressions.

Basilique du Sacre-Coeur

Depending on where are you going to stop in the city, at first you will see one of the many sights of Paris.

First of all it might be Eiffel Tower, because of its location and height. As it is known the landmark of Paris - Eiffel Tower is 324 meters in height. So, it is seeable from many parts of Paris.

However at the first you can notice Sacre-Coeur (full name "Basilique du Sacre-Coeur") beautiful Roman Catholic Church located at the summit of the butte Montmartre - the highest place in Paris.

Notre Dame de Paris

You can also see Notre Dame Cathedral (in French "Notre Dame de Paris") - Catholic Church built in 13th century. The cathedral is located at the site of Seine and it is the beautiful example of Gothic Architecture.

Beside architectural beauty the cathedral has an important place in arts and literature. "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" (1831) of Victor Hugo is one of the best proofs of it.

Palais du Louvre. View from Eiffel Tower

If you have a chance to travel to Paris, you have to visit Louvre Palace (in French "Palais du Louvre") where is located famous Louvre Museum ("Musee du Louvre").

In Louvre Museum you can see the perfect pieces of art, "Mona Lisa" (also known as "La Gioconda") of Leonardo da Vinci.

Musee du Louvre

BRUSSELS

2012-02-27T11:35:00.000-08:00

BRUSSELS. Part One - In General

Brussels, the capital city of Belgium is one of the famous cities and tourist attractions in the world. Brussels hosts the headquarters of the European Union (EU) as well as the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The population of Brussels is approximately 1,150,721.

The city has a lot of museums, monuments, and historical places that are never to be missed. Though the city is not big and easy to explore even on foot. It is famous for Beer, breweries and chocolates as well.

Top things to see in Brussels

Grand Place in Brussels

Grand place listed in UNESCO World heritage site list with Town hall and Mason du roi.

Grand place was built in 13th century. It is one of the most memorable building in the world surrounded by many historic buildings.

Town hall which dates back to the 15th century is one of Belgium's finest civic buildings with its numerous sculptures adorning its wall, also because of its perfect proportions and the incomparable beauty of its tower.

Town Hall

Maison du roi

Maison du roi or Broodhuis, the Museum of the City of Brussels faces the Town Hall, on the other side of the Grand place. It is sheltered in a building of neo-Gothic style, result of the reconstruction made in the 19th century. The museum is devoted to all aspects of the city's history.

Manneken Pis

Manneken pis the famous bronze sculpture of a boy peeing in a fountain. Before seeing the manneken I was sure that it might be very big sculpture, but I was totally disappointed when I saw this little boy (61 centimeters tall).

Despite of its size the "Manneken pis" is the landmark of Brussels. You can buy everywhere souvenirs in form of peeing boy.

Cathedrale des Saints-Michel

et Gudule is a remarkable

archeological site of Brussels.

Its history covers 12 centuries.

Initially built in Romanesque

style, the church was later styled

in Gothic architecture, because

of its growing significance.

ISTANBUL - MAGNIFICENT

2012-02-26T11:23:00.003-08:00

ISTANBUL - MAGNIFICENT

Istanbul

Istanbul is a city like no other, with it’s unique architect and elements from Byzantine, Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Turkish civilizations, Connecting the two continents of Europe and Asia. It is the largest city of Turkey (lots of people mistakenly think that Istanbul is the capital of Turkey, but the capital of the country is Ankara). Population of Istanbul overstepped 14 million people.

Istanbul is rich with historical sites. The historic areas of the city were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 80s of the last century. Istanbul is one of the most important tourism spots in the world - more than 4,5 million travelers visit Istanbul each year.

Things to do in Istanbul

Things to do in Istanbul are lot, its difficult to decide, but there are things you must not miss.

1) Visit city's sights. These include:

the Sultan Ahmed Mosque - known as the Blue Mosque for blue titles adorning the walls of its interior. One of the most notable feature of the Blue Mosque is its six minaretes. It was built in the beginning of the 17th century.
the Hagia Sophia - is a great architectural beauty and an important both for Byzantine and for Ottoman Empires. Once it was a christian church, later a mosque and now it is a museum. It was added to world heritage list by UNESCO.
the Topkapi Palace - was the residence of the ottoman sultans. It contains important holy relics of the muslim world. It was added to world heritage list by UNESCO.
the Dolmabahce Palace - built in 19th century is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world. It was the seat of government during the late Ottoman period.
the Galata Tower (Christ Tower) - is a medieval stone tower built in 1348. The nine-story tower is 66.90 meters tall. There is great panoramic view of istanbul.

2) Enjoy Turkish Hamam:

Me in Hamam

Hamam is the Turkish version of a stream bath.

A bather first relaxes in a separate room where he should get his body to perspire, either by lying or sitting on the hot marble or pouring hot water on bathers body by sitting next to one of the basins.

After staying in the room around 10-20 minutes, bathers are invited in the next room (so called "hot room") that is hotter than the first one.

After performing a full body wash and receiving deep massage, bathers finally retire to the last room (so called "cooling room") for a period of relaxation.

Prices vary from 30 to 100 Turkish lira for one person.

Grand Bazaar

3) Visit Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar:

The Grand Bazaar (Bazaar means the market) is one of the largest covered markets in the world with 60 streets and 5000 shops. It attracts between 250000 and 400000 visitors daily. It is well known for its jewelry, hand-painted ceramics, carpets, embroideries, spices and antique shops.
Spice Bazaar is one of the oldest bazaars in the city. It is the second largest covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar. These ancient shopping malls provide a taste, smell and sight of life as it was centuries ego.
It is recommended to bargain in Bazaars. Remember - bazaar is typical Asian place and as it was in ancient times traders are trying to get as much money from travelers as it is possible. Therefore, you should do your best in bazaar. For example, if the offered price is 100 Turklish lira you can offer 25 lira. Hopefully you get the thing for a half price.

Roasting chicken Doner

4) Taste delicious Turkish Cuisine.

Turkey is famous with its cuisine. Therefore being in Istanbul you can enjoy delicious food, including:
You can eat well-known Doner Kebab (Doner Kebab is sliced lamb, beef or chicken, slowly roasted on a vertical rotating split).
You can taste Gozleme or Lahmacun (Gozleme is a food made of lavash bread or phyllo dough folded around a variety of fillings such as spinach, cheese and parsley, minced meat or potatoes and cooked on a large griddle). Gozleme is something like Turkish pizza. (Lahmachun is a thin flatbread covered with a layer of spiced minced meat, tomato, pepper, onion or garlic).

Preparing Gozleme

There is huge choice of Turkish sweeties such as Bakhlava, Lokum, Helva, Cezerye and many others.

And do not forget about Fish! Turkey is surrounded by seas. Therefore in Istanbul you can find fresh and well-prepared fish. Fish are fried, grilled or cooked slowly by the poaching method called "bugulama".