Travelling through Europe!

noreply@blogger.com (Despoina & Eleni) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:32:00 +0000

Greece

Having exported chaos, drama, tragedy and democracy before most nations were staying up late enough to want souvlaki, Greece boasts an unrivalled legacy. But don't expect a visit there to be a sober study of the ancient world - the Greek propensity for partying dates back to Dionysos.
From sometimes smoggy Athens to blindingly bright islands, ancient fragments abound - the navel of the cosmos at Delphi, fallen columns galore on the sacred island of Delos, frescoed Minoan palaces on Crete and even - as some might believe - the remnants of Atlantis at Santorini.

The Parthenon

When To Go

Conditions are perfect between Easter and mid-June - beaches and ancient sites are relatively uncrowded; public transport operates on close to full schedules; and accommodation is cheaper and easier to find than in the mid-June to end of August high season. Conditions are once more ideal from the end of August until mid-October, as the season winds down. Winter is pretty much a dead loss outside the major cities as most of the tourist infrastructure goes into hibernation from the middle of October till the beginning of April. This is slowly changing, however; on the most touristy islands, a few restaurants, hotels and bars remain open year-round, while the ski resorts on the mainland do thriving business.

Sunset on the greek sea!

Athens-The capital of Greece

It is the city of the Olympic Idea, the city of culture, of science and commerce. A city with ancient monuments like Acropolis, the inimitable ancient monument and landmark of Greece, museums, lively tradition districts like Plaka and numerous sights. These are some of the reasons that make Athens worth visiting.

The Acropolis hill

This unique monument, which represents the ultimate in architectural and artistic expression of the ancient Athenian spirit, occupies a rock 156m above sea level, which is itself a natural fortress. During the Classical period (450-330 BC) the most important temples were erected. It acquired its first temple in the 8th c. BC. Building started on the Parthenon itself, dedicated to Athena Parthenos, in the early 5th c BC only to be razed by the Persians in 480. It was rebuilt during Pericles’ rule in just ten years. The monumental entrance to the summit of the holy rock, the Propylaia, designed by Mnesicles, was under construction form 437 to 432 BC. The Erechtheion, dedicated to Athena Polias, was completed twelve years later. Pheidias supervised these brilliant architectural and artistic achievements of the 5th c BC, while the designs were the work of Iktinos and Kalllikrates. The foundations of the temple of Athena Nike, dedicated to Athena –Apteros Nike, were also laid at this time.

The Herodion

Temples of The Acropolis

The Parthenon:Perhaps is the most important and characteristic monument of the ancient Greek civilization and still remains its international symbol. It was dedicated to Athena Parthenos, the patron goddess of Athens. It was built between 447 and 432 BC, to plans of Iktinos and Kalikrates while Pheidias and his pupils had charge of general constructional supervision and of the decorative carvings. It was the first time that a peripheral temple in the Doric style was decorated all round with a sculptured frieze 160 meters long, illustrating the Panathenaean Procession (the most formal religious festival of ancient Athens). The 92 metopes were also sculptured with reliefs representing a battle with giants, a battle with amazons, battles with centaurs and scenes from the Trojan War. The gold and ivory statue of the goddess Athena, the work of Pheidias was set up in the interior. When construction of the temple had been completed, the pedimental sculptures were added. The two pediments of the temple are decorated with mythological scenes: the east, above the building's main entrance, shows the birth of Athena, and the west, the fight between Athena and Poseidon for the name of the city of Athens.

The Erechthrio:It was build during the Peloponnesian War (420 BC) by Philocles. The main temple was divided into two sections, dedicated to the worship of the two principal gods of Attica, Athena and Poseidon – Erechteus, from whom it got its name. Six female statues, the famous Karyatids, with canisters on their heads as column capitals, support the roof of the temple. Today five copies stand in their place. The originals are in the Acropolis Museum (the sixth Caryatid can only be seen in London).

Temple of Apteros Nike:It was constructed in ca. 420 BC, by architect Kallikrates. The temple is built in Ionic order, and it is amphiprostyle with a row of four columns in front of each of its narrow sides. The relief frieze on the upper section of the walls depicts the conference of gods on the east side, and scenes from battles on the other three. A marble parapet decorated with the relief representation of Nike (Victories), protected the edge of the Bastion on which the temple was erected. Athenians placed a statue of Nike without wings to ensure that she would never “fly” away from their city. Today the statue can be seen in the Acropolis Museum.

The Propylaia.The monumental entrance to the Acropolis was designed by the architect Mnesicles and constructed in 437-432 B.C. It consists of a central structure with two wings. The colonnades along the west and east sides had a row of Doric columns while two rows of Ionic columns divided the central corridor into three parts. The walls of the north wing were decorated with painted panels or wall paintings and that is why it was called the "Pinakotheke". The ceiling of the Propylaia had coffers with painted decoration and a perforated sima around the roof. The Shrine of Zeus Very little is left of this temple dedicated to Zeus Polios, to whom sacrifices, the Bouphonia, were brought every summer during the harvest season.

The Acropolis Museum.The museum was designed by the architect Panages Kalkos and constructed between 1865 and 1874. In the 1950's it was extended towards the east and the exhibition was rearranged by the archaeologist I. Meliades. The museum contains mainly pedimental sculpture, reliefs and statues found on the rock of the Acropolis, which formed part of the decoration of its buildings or were dedicated to the goddess Athena. The collections of the museum include: · Sculptural offerings of the Archaic period · Pediments of temples dated to the Archaic period · Archaic Horsemen · Sculptures of the "Severe" style · Pediments and metopes from the Parthenon · The Parthenon frieze · The Erechtheion frieze · Parapets of the Athena Nike temple · Frieze of the Athena Nike temple · The Caryatids · Clay figurines and vases from the sanctuary of the Nymphs .

Theatre of Herod Atticus (The Herodion):Erected in 161BC by the Athenian orator and benefactor whose name it commemorates. It can seat 5.000 spectators but most of its marble seats, except for those in the front row, are modern restorations. It hosts all the events of the Athens Festival, as well as a few other concerts and performs throughout the summer.

Temple of Poseidon-Sounio

Islands of Greece

Greece has a variety of very beautiful and attractive islands.Each one has its own characteristics which make it unique!Let's see three of them just to get a general idea!

Corfu:Exotic scenery, magical colours, flaming sunsets, romantic moonlight, luxurious vegetation, (lush green even in the height of summer) a riot of radiant flowers and colourful blooms, centuries old silver olive groves, glowing oranges, scented lemons, rich pergolas, sleepy lagoons, forgotten coves, bubbling springs, exciting caves, virgin beaches, golden sands, and pellucid turquoise emerald seas there is surely no other island in the whole universe to which these superlatives collectively apply.

Corfu

Pontikonisi-Corfu

Santorini:It has been said that the sunsets in Santorini are the best in the world. From the Caldera breathtaking views of the volcano & neighbouring islands. From the east, miles of dark sandy or pebbled beaches. Everywhere one sees small domed churches and remnants of days gone by.
This is Santorini seen through the eyes of people who know & love it ...

Magic scenery in Santorini!

Sunset in Santorini

Spetses: Are you the summer type of person?

Beautiful pebble beaches, clear waters and long days at the beach... Magnificent sunsets, long walks along the promenade gazing at the passing sailboats, a run of dolphins, just half a mile across the coast...

Maybe springtime?

Beautiful rainbow-tinted gardens, traditional settlements with bloomy gardens and flower-beds at the sides of narrow pebble-streets... The warm sun making your day magical...

And yet, ideal for a winter excursion!

The tranquility that characterizes the island of Spetses during the winter time, is ideal for a perfect weekend. Spetses offers a unique scheme for those who wish to enjoy excellent service during the so-called Low Tourist Season. Just pick your favorite lodgement and rest by the large fire-place while looking at the breath-taking sea view, through the large windows of your Deluxe Suite!

Around Spetses!

The Mermaid-Spetses

noreply@blogger.com (Despoina & Eleni) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 15:15:00 +0000

GERMANY

From the high Alps in the South, the Bavarian plain, and the flowing hills of central Germany to the coast of the North and Baltic Sea: it all looks like a miniature train landscape packed with the nicest of old towns, medieval houses, gothic churches and small villages. Thanks to the different regional princedoms, earldoms, monarchies and states Germany did not unite until the last centuries. Thus Germany has not one but many major cities. And each city has its own unique character, formed by its history and the surrounding region. Each is a whole new world unto itself in which you will experience not only different architectural styles and art treasures but also a very distinctive lifestyle. Local traditions and mentalities are clearly reflected everywhere - in the arts, the nightlife, the shops, the pubs and restaurants and the way people work and live.

Germany's cities have endless pleasant surprises in store for those who enjoy good food and drink. In addition to top-quality international cooking each region has its own local specialities, ranging from hearty country fare at simple inns to modern light cuisine at star-rated restaurants. Accompanied by our world-famous beers and wines, all this plenty is guaranteed to make your tour of Germany's cities an unforgettable culinary experience. Discover the beautiful Southwest of Germany with cities like Freiburg, Heidelberg and Tόbingen. In the western part cities still have some french influence, discover Bonn, Dόsseldorf, Cologne- the heart of the Rhineland, Trier, the oldest city of Germany and a former capital of the Roman Empire or Aachen with its impressive cathedral and history back to Charlemagne. Today, Germany is also an industrial powerhouse. In the Ruhrgebiet ( Essen, Oberhausen, Duisburg and surroundings) there is heavy industry, different car brands like Mercedes (near Stuttgart ), BMW and VW make Germany one of the world's biggest car producers and Frankfurt is the country's bank and finance centre, called also "Mainhattan" ("Main" is a river in Frankfurt). All this makes the standard of living one of the highest in the world.

Best of Germany

The Rhine

In Germany, The Rhine has a spectacular beauty and it is a popular holiday destination. There you can find impressive places to visit like castles, cathedrals, vineyards and hiking trails. Its magnificent scenery inspired a lot of painters and poets. In fact, Germany is full of castles, but the Rhine has an especially amount of important castles. Some are ruins and many of them have survived the past of the years.

The Rhine has a sunny, dry and warm climate. For that reason, the vineyard agriculture is famous there. In every village, there is at least one wine festival per year; the most famous series of festivals is the Rhine in Flames.

Its river is the best place from where you can observe the beauty of the area; every day tour boats set sail with many tourists. If you don’t like boating, you can also explore the Rhine by car. The best period to visit the Rhine is in summer, the weather is sunny and the festival season is in full movement.

Trier

Trier is located in Mosel River Valley, is known as Germany’s oldest city. The City was one of the seats of the old Roman Empire, a proof of that is the amazing ruins’ architecture. The most dominant structure is the mixture of two churches: The Dom St. Peter and the Liebfrauenkirche, both build upon ruins. The city is also home of the stunning Porta Nigra, the best preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps.

Currently, Trier is a gateway from Germany to Luxembourg. There are also a lot of wine producers. If you would like to you could even try to work for a week in the vineyards, it is a great experience! The city is also an active town; there you can find wine festivals, river trips, cycling, and an extraordinary cultural life.

Berchtesgaden

Berchtesgadem, with its beautiful scenery, is an attractive town to visit. The city is mostly visited in winter by its ski resorts on the edge of the Berchtesgaden National Park. There is also the “Eagle’s Nest”, the famous mountain that was refuge of Hitler in the World War II, from there you have an impressive view of the Berchtesgaden area.

In the city’s center you can find many historical attractions, like the Royal Palace and the famous church of Maria Gern. The art is not apart from de city, many houses around the market place are decorated by artistic painting with mountain motives and animals.

The main attraction is the Berchtesgadem National Park that with its stunning high mountains and the renowned Lake Kφnigssee is one of the oldest protected areas in the Alps. In the park, there are many fauna that reflects the bio-diversity of its landscape; and if you are lucky, you will see the rare golden eagle.

The citizens in the Berchtesgaden area complement with nature and preserve their culture and traditions, many people wear traditional clothes like leather trousers and they love Ooompah music. You will be fascinated with this place!

Wόrzburg

Near from Frankfurt, Wόzburg is a vibrant university town surrounded by vineyards and full of architectural splendors. Its cultural scene includes traditions and popular events like the Mozart Festival and the Africa Festival which attract many visitors every year.Wόzburg is also a wine-centre of the Franconian region, the wine in the typical bottle "Bocksbeutel" is served by many taverns.

In and around the city there are many cultural attractions like the famous Main Franconian Museum with sculptures by the famous artist Tilman Riemenschneider, the Fortress Marienberg, the Cathedral museum, and the Martin Wagner museum that is a splendid archiepiscopal residence and the famous masterpiece of Balthasar Neumann, an extraordinary baroque architect.

The city is also the main shopping town for the Franconian region been the most important chain stores Domstrasse and Schφnbornstrasse, Furthermore, there are many small shops located on Juliuspromenade where you can find unique souveneirs.

Bamberg

Bamberg is a city with an original character and a very special atmosphere. 1000 years of history are united in an Old Town that is a cultural and architectural site of European rank.

In the Middle Ages, Bamberg was a powerful ecclesiastical center. Initially, it was two towns divided by the river: One was the Ecclesiastical Town of the prince – bishopric, and the other was The Secular Town of the burghers. Nowadays, Bamberg is known as “a beer drinker’s Eden” because there 9 Breweries with lots of different kinds of beer, being the most famous the “smoked beer”. The average Bamberger drinks 190 liters of beer a year!

Bamberg is also famous for its architecture, with styles ranging from Romanesque to Gothic, Renaissance to baroque. There you can find narrow cobblestone streets, ornate mansions and palaces, and impressive churches. In Bamberg there is always party going on somewhere, the Franconian hospitality expresses itself when people get together, and the major occasions to celebrate are the frequent anniversaries of churches’ consecrations.

Potsdam

Potsdam, capital of Brandenburg state, is a suburb of Germany’s cosmopolitan capital: Berlin. This beautiful baroque city is home for the magnificent palace of Sanssouci that is comparable with other amazing European royal palaces like Versailles and Windsor Castle. Other impressing attractions include Nikolaikirche church, Cecilienhof, Hollδndisches Viertel, Franzφsische Kirche church and the historic Dutch quarter among others. Potsdam is also a green city surrounded by lakes, hills, and several “palace gardens”

During the 18th and 19th century the city was the residence of the Prussian kings, many of Potsdam’s sights date of this epoch. As many cities Potsdam was damaged by bombings in 1945, but a number of palaces in the Sanssouci park remained intact.

The film industry is important in Potsdam, particularly Babelsberg Film Studios that made many important German films. Also, in the city you can find many cafes, riverside villas and historic streets which you have to stroll before leaving. For those reasons and more, Potsdam is a very attractive place to live.

noreply@blogger.com (Despoina & Eleni) — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 16:04:00 +0000

SWEDEN

From berserker Vikings to Nobel Peace Prize in just a few centuries - Sweden really has earned its reputation as a model for progressive society. Throw in its gorgeous people, high standard of living, clean-lined design and magically archipelagic capital, Stockholm, and you're onto a very good thing.
Gothenburg and Malmö beckon with urban delights, and away from the cities, Sweden takes in vast areas of scenic coastline and idyllic islands. The wilderness areas of Norrland have the legendary midnight sun in summer, Arctic Scandinavia's highest mountain and marvellous hiking trails.

Top 10 things to do in Sweden!

1.Take a boat trip from Stockholm city centre among the islands to Drottningholm Palace where the Palace Theatre opera house has been preserved in its original 18th-century form, and stages productions in period costume and using authentic instruments.

2.If you have a couple of days to spare, take a cruise on the MS Ceres along the historic Göta Canal. The tours start at both Stockholm and Gothenburg.

3.In summer, make the most of Sweden's hundreds of miles of beaches, particularly on the west coast, and its 96,000 lakes. There are numerous waterskiing and windsurfing centres on the coast and lakes.

4.Indulge in active sport: there are excellent facilities around the country for skating, tobogganing, snowmobiling, ice climbing and dog sledding.

5.Practice your golf. Sweden has over 400 courses: one situated north of the Arctic Circle enjoys 24-hour daylight during the summer months and many midsummer championships take place at midnight.

6.Try to spot Sweden's only herd of musk ox in the Härjedalen Valley, southern Lapland, which also has abundant reindeer, buzzard, beaver and lynx. Elk are common too. In winter, this region is also known for its skiing.

7.Take to two wheels - cycling is a popular holiday recreation, particularly in the south. The Swedish Cycling Promotion Institute, in cooperation with regional tourist offices, offers scheduled cycling tours in almost every region.

8.Go fishing - Norrbotten is an angler's paradise with plenty of mountain streams and excellent sea fishing. It is situated on the so-called Midnight Sun Coast, which is a 1,500km (900-mile) stretch of Baltic coastline that runs all the way to the Finnish border.

9.Take the kids to Mora, in the heart of the Swedish Lakeland region, where they can meet Father Christmas at the Santaworld theme park.

10.Explore Swedish history. For those keen on the past, southwestern Bohuslän province is also one of the most important centres of ancient Swedish civilisation and there are many archaeological relics dating back to the Bronze Age and Viking times.

When to go
If you want sunshine, visit between late May and late July, bearing in mind that August can be both hot and wet. Many youth hostels, camping grounds and attractions open only in summer, from late June to mid-August. Swedes are big on holidays, and even Stockholm shuts down for two or three days around Christmas and midsummer, so plan accordingly. Most Swedes take their vacations from late June to mid-August, so hostels are crowded, but this is also when most hotels offer discounts of up to 50%.
Travel in winter is somewhat restricted and requires some planning as well as serious winter clothing, but there are good opportunities for activities like skiing, dog sledding and snowmobiling. The big cities are in full swing all year, but the smaller towns almost go into hibernation when the temperatures begin to drop (the notable exceptions being popular ski resort towns like Åre, and Jukkasjärvi, home to the Ice Hotel).

Åre Ski Resort

Snowboarder at Salen Ski Resort

Dog sledding

Snowmobiling safaris

Where to go

The Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi

The Ice Hotel is an innovative idea and a turned out to be a really unique creation. You can find this elaborate structure by the shores of the Torne River in Sweden where the ice used for the hotel is actually taken. It takes 10,000 tons of ice and 30,000 tons of snow in order to build this hotel each year. The pure waters from the river as well as the constant movement allow the ice to be crystal clear.
The hotel is reassembled each year with a different construction. The architects are busy at work because they create a totally new hotel with all new design, suites, and reception. The process is building these massive ice hotels is really remarkable. The Ice Hotel near the village of Jukkasjarvi, in Sweden, is the first and most famous of them all.
There are more than 80 rooms and suites including an Absolute ice bar, a reception and a church. Everything is made of ice! The price for a night stay can cost about 1,400 Swedish Krona which would be around $196 U.S. dollars. Availability of the hotel is from December to April but many come to visit in the summer as well because there is an art exhibition made of ice.
You may think what is there to do at an ice hotel? But, you will be happy to know that there are plenty of things to do during your stay. There is a guided tour of the hotel which is open to visitors in the winter season from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. You can also experience ice sculpting because they allow you to sculpt yourself with the guidance of a professional, daily at 11 A.M. There is also cross country skiing and snowshoeing available to guests. This is truly a unique experience and anyone who has the chance to visit should do so.

Gothenburgh

Gothenburgh or Göteborg as the Swedes call it is on the west coast of Sweden facing Aalborg in Denmark, directly north of Copenhagen.

King Gustav II Adolf founded the city in 1621, but it was developed largely by Dutch and German city planners and canal experts.

The Göteborg region is one of the most popular tourist areas in Scandinavia. The Göteborg region is an old and exciting cultural area. There are ruins that prove that people were living here as many as 8,000 years ago.

Göteborg was intended to act as Sweden´s gateway to the west. Its position was strategic. The area around the mouth of the River Göta had been an important trading centre since the 12th century. The city was built in Dutch style, with streets and manmade canals in a well-designed system and a large square, now called Gustaf Adolfs Torg, next to the Large Canal.

Surrounded by walls, bastions and a moat, Göteborg was one of the most well defended fortresses in Northern Europe. Three of the fortresses that were built outside the city: Skansen Kronan, Skansen Lejonet and the New Älvsborg Fortress, still stand today.
The East India Company, which made Göteborg a flourishing city, was founded here in 1731. The following year, the first East-Indiaman set sail for China and returned with a valuable cargo of tea, silk and china.

The city changed dramatically during the 19th century. The fortresses were demolished and made way for the Kungsparken Park and the Horticultural Society. The city expanded, some of the canals were filled in, the harbours and quays were extended. There are various famous buildings from this century such as the Stock Exchange and the Central Railway Station.

Flower display on a bridge in the centre of Gothenburg

Helsingborg

Helsingborg, the second largest city in Skåne, is located on the south-western coast of Sweden. Known as the ‘Pearl of the Oresund’, this is Sweden’s closest entry point to Denmark and is situated on the northern side of the Oresund strait. The Landborgen ridge runs parallel to Helsingborg on the eastern side.

Helsingborg has a maritime temperate climate with mild winters, which result in occasional snowfall, and warm summers. This is due to Skåne being surrounded by the Kattegatt Sea, the Øresund and the Baltic Sea on its three sides. Winter is the best time to take in the beauty of the scenic coastal locales and rich heritage of Helsingborg.

With a population of about 1,23,000, Helsingborg is the country’s ninth largest municipality. The major industries are those of service, trade, transportation and tourism.

Lund
Lund is the seat of the Lund Municipality, Skåne County in southern Sweden. It is the country’s second oldest town and is well known as a ‘Cathedral and University city’.

This climate here is much more favourable than in other areas in Sweden. With mild winters and warm summers, any time is ideal for a visit.

Though Lund became an important Roman Catholic centre in the twelfth century, it was badly destroyed by the Danish-Swedish conflicts in the seventeenth century. Thereafter, it was taken over by the Swedes and the University of Lund was set up in 1668.

With a population of about 90,000, Lund is a bustling activity centre with a variety of businesses. Tetra Pak, the manufacturer of milk/fruit juice cartons, and Sony Ericsson have their production units here. The hospital and the university also employ a large number of people.

The great Domkyrka cathedral in Lund

Malmo

The port city of Malmo is the third largest city in Sweden and is situated in the southern part of the country in the province of Scania.

This picturesque city overlooks the Baltic Sea and parts of the city are encircled by canals. Due to its southern location, the city has a temperate climate with average temperatures above 10°C in summers and −3°C in winters.

Malmo has a population of approximately 270,000 people. It is one of the most multicultural cities in Sweden and has many immigrants from countries such as Yugoslavia, Denmark, Iraq and Poland.

Malmo was originally founded in the year 1275, and the culture of the city represents its ancient heritage as well as the traditions of the various ethnic groups that inhabit it. The city also has a vibrant modern culture with many plays, operas and art exhibitions.

Windmill in Malmo

The statue in Malmo was unveiled in 1896 and depicts the king who conquered Skåne who conquered Skåne from Denmark

Öland Island

Öland Island, the second largest island in Sweden, is situated off the coast of Småland in the Baltic Sea in Kalmar County. The island is connected to the mainland by the Öland Island by the Öland Bridge. Öland was under the sea for around 10,000 years after the Ice Age and as a result, limestone and shale make up its bedrock.

It is best to visit this place during spring and early summer. During winter, it might snow heavily and the temperature occasionally drops below 0°C. The weather is quite unpredictable with heavy rains and wind.
Excavations on the island reveal that settlement took place around 8,000 BC. During the Middle Ages, the island was reserved by the Swedish royalty as exclusive hunting ground.

With a population of about 25,000, the main economic activities here are agriculture and related activities.

Stone circles and windmills in Öland Island

Stockholm
Stockholm lies on the Swedish East Coast, between Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. The city centre is built on fourteen islands. The climate is varied because of the sharp difference between summer and winter daylight time. The capital of Sweden (776,000 population) is the site of National Government and the residence of King Carl Gustaf XVI.
It was founded around 1250, but its golden age was in the XVII century, when Sweden was one of the main European powers. However, after the golden century the city went through a period of demographic and economic stagnation. Only in the late XIX century were new industries founded and Stockholm experienced a new renaissance.
Two UNESCO World Heritage sites are based in the Stockholm area: the Drottningholm Royal Palace and the Skogskyrkogården Forest Cemetery.
The city is also famous for many museums, around seventy, visited by millions of people every year. In the oldest part of Stockholm the first choice is usually to visit the Royal Palace and the main museums, like Livrustkammaren (the Royal Armoury) and Skattkammaren (the Royal Treasury) and the Changing of the Guards in the Outer Courtyard.
In Gamla Stan, there are also the Nobelmuseet (the Nobel Museum) and Riddarhuset (the House of Nobility).
Stockholm is a vibrant water city, where we can find parts of Venice and Amsterdam at the same time. Moreover, its centre has a lot of parks and gardens.

The Old Town is one of the most popular places in Stockholm

Stockholm in winter

Riddarholmen is a small island in the center of Stockholm

A winter afternoon at sunset, view over Riddarholmen and the Old Town

Uppsala
Uppsala is the fourth largest city in Sweden and is located about 70 km north of Stockholm.
The city is situated amidst fertile flatlands, surrounded by lush vegetation. The beautiful Fyris River adds to the charm of this picturesque landscape. Uppsala has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Spring and summer are the best time to visit with temperatures ranging from 5 to 30 °C. Winters are extremely cold with temperatures ranging from –5 to –30 °C.
Uppsala has a population of approximately 130,000 people. The city has a long and glorious history and culture; it has also been the seat of Sweden’s archbishop since 1164. The city houses Scandinavia’s oldest university, the Uppsala University.

Church Steeple

Landscapes in Sweden

Every child’s fantasy is to meet Santa Claus. With a trip to Lapland in Sweden, home to Santa Claus, one can come close to this fantasy by visiting Santa World at Mora in Dalama. Skokloster Slott Castle is worth a visit for its innovative interiors, baroque architecture, paintings, books etc. Apart from being a castle, it is also a museum and houses a restaurant. For some Viking-style experience, one can visit the towns of Birka and Visby.

Castles of Sweden

Here are some of the most popular castles that you should visit when you come to Sweden!

Skokloster Slott Castle

Stockholm Royal Palace

Wik Castle

Bohus Castle

Ekenäs Castle

Kalmar Castle in February

Tjolöholm Castle

Charlottenborg Castle

Trolle Ljungby Castle

Malmo Castle

Ellinge Castle

Getting Around Towns and Cities

Public transport is efficient, comprehensive and well-integrated. Stockholm has bus, trams, metro (T-banan) and local rail services. Pre-purchase multi-tickets and passes are sold, though single tickets can also be obtained on the bus. There are trams in Gothenburg and Norrköping. Taxis are widely available; large taxi companies are cheaper than independents. Several of the main cities, particularly Stockholm, have boat excursions and services.

noreply@blogger.com (Despoina & Eleni) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 10:39:00 +0000

AUSTRIA

Velden-Worther lake

Visits to Austria mostly include trips to Vienna with its Cathedral, its "Heurigen" (wine pubs) and romantic Waltz music flair. Worth a visit are Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart, Innsbruck, capital of Tyrol surrounded by the Alps, and the Danube valley with its vineyards, for example the Wachau or Dunkelsteinerwald, which are between Melk and Krems. In the western part of the country the province Vorarlberg reaches the Lake Constance, in the eastern part Neusiedler See.
Of great touristic importance are the Austrian skiing, hiking and mountaineering resorts in the Alps as well as family-friendly recreation areas (e.g. the Witches's Water in Tyrol). The same applies to the numerous Austrian lakes (e.g. Wolfgangsee and other lakes in the Salzkammergut east of Salzburg or Wörthersee in Carinthia).
For visitors interested in Media Art, there is the Ars Electronica Center in Linz. Since 1979 this center has organized the Ars Electronica Festival and presented the Prix Ars Electronica, the worldwide highest-ranked prize for media art.

Obertauern by night

Halstatt

Seefeld-winter

Vienna (German: Wien) is the capital of Austria, and also one of the nine States of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primate city; with a population of about 1.7 million (2.3 million within the metropolitan area), and is by far the largest city in Austria as well as its cultural, economic and political centre. Vienna lies in the very east of Austria and is close to the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. In 2001, the city centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an Economist Intelligence Unit study of 127 world cities ranked it third for quality of life.

Vienna

Hofburg-Vienna's Imperial Palace

Vienna State Opera

When To Go

For warm weather, aim for the months between April and October. In the summer high season (July to August) crowds are bigger, prices higher and temperatures in cities can rise to uncomfortable levels. Austrians also take their summer break at this time and many famous institutions close down. Consequently, June and September are also busy months for tourism, and are quite often the best times for city trips and hiking in the Alps.

During winter you'll find the cities less crowded and the hotel prices lower (except over Christmas and Easter), but it can get bitterly cold. The length of the skiing season depends on the altitude of the resort - skiing is possible on glaciers nearly year-round. Alpine resorts are very quiet from late April to mid-June, and in November and early December. School children have week-long breaks over Christmas and during February, making it a good time to avoid the pistes. Festivals occur year-round, although the majority of music festivals are held between May and October.

Kitzbuhel-winter,night

Graz

Kitzbuhel by night

Places to see

1) Eisriesenwelt Caves

Set at an elevation of 1640m (5380ft), these caves are the largest accessible ice caves in the world with more than 40km (25mi) of explored passageways. Entry to the caves is regulated and a 75-minute tour takes in several immense caverns containing elaborate ice formations and frozen waterfalls.

2) Salzburg

Salzburg's Altstadt (old town), on the south bank of the river, is a Baroque fiesta of churches, plazas, courtyards and fountains, oozing the waves of charm that you would expect from this Mozart Mecca. Museums, houses, squares, chocolate bars and liqueurs are all part of one giant homage to Wolfgang.

When To Go to Salzburg
Salzburg is a year-round destination so when you go depends on what you want to do or see. The summer high season is in July and August, when both large crowds and high prices may be a turn off. June and September are also busy months for tourism. Winter can get very cold but things will be less crowded and hotel prices will be lower (except over Christmas and Easter). Winter sports are in full swing from mid-December to late March.

3) Eisriesenwelt Höhle

The world's largest accessible ice caves are in the mountains near Salzburg. These Eisriesenwelt Höhle (Giant Ice Caves) house elaborate and beautiful ice formations. Take warm clothes because - surprise, surprise - it gets cold inside. The tour lasts 75 minutes, so you need to be reasonably fit.

4) Hohe Tauern National Park

This park covers over 1786 sq km (690 sq mi), making it Europe's biggest. At the heart of this protected oasis of flora and fauna (including marmots and some rare ibexes) lies the 3797m (12,454ft) Grossglockner, Austria's highest mountain. The highway through the park, the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse, is one of the world's most scenic.

5) Krimml Falls

These triple-level falls are an inspiring sight and attract hordes of visitors in summer. In winter, the slopes above Krimml village become a ski area, and the falls a static lump of ice. The falls' combined height is 380m (1246ft), over three main sections connected by a twisting river and rapids. The trail alongside them is steep in parts, but rewarding.

6) Kuenringerburg

High up on a hill, where it commands a marvellous view of a curve of Danube River, is the ruined castle of Künringerburg, where King Richard I (the Lionheart) was imprisoned from 1192 to 1193 for the heinous crime of insulting Leopold V.

7) Schloss Hellbrunn

Built in the 17th century by bishop Markus Sittikus, this castle is mainly known for its ingenious trick fountains and water-powered figures. When the tour guides set them off, expect to get wet! Admission includes a tour of the baroque palace. Other parts of the garden (without fountains) are open year-round and free to visit.

Events Overview

The cycle of music festivals is unceasing. In January, New Year concerts consist of lavish balls in Vienna. February brings Fasching (Shrovetide carnival) which celebrates the return of spring with masked processions and dances. Corpus Christi (the second Thursday after Whitsun) is heralded with more carnivals, some held on lakes in the Salzkammergut. The Wiener Festwochen (from May to mid-June) has a wide-ranging programme of arts and is considered the highlight of the year. Midsummer Night's celebrations on 21 June light up the sky with magnificent bonfires. The Salzburger Festspiele takes place in late July and August and includes plenty of music by the city's favourite son, Mozart. National Day on 26 October involves lots of patriotic flag-waving. St Nicholas Day, on 5 to 6 December, marks the beginning of the Christmas season.

Stuben

Saalbach

Getting around in Austria

Cars

The Austrians are known to be a car-loving nation. As a result, Austria boasts an excellent road network. However, almost all of the bigger cities suffer from severe parking availability problems. Spaces are scarce and prohibitively expensive. If you do find a space, the time you are allowed to park for is usually around 90 minutes in central districts. One way streets and traffic jams also take enjoyment out of the journey.
If you do decide to drive your own car here to Austria you will need to purchase a Vignette which is a form of toll that allows you to drive on Austria's motorways. These vignettes can be purchased at gas stations, border crossings etc.
Drivers in Austria are also required to carry safety warning equipment, namely a reflective warning triangle to place on the road in the event of an accident, a first aid kit and a reflective vest. Failure to carry these items in your car will leave you liable to a fine.

Public transport

The public transport system in Austria is excellent. Austria's rail network is comfortable, reliable and fast. The main rail website offers excellent information on timetables, services and discounts. The quality of service offered by the rail network makes it far more appealing than bus links.
Cities such as Bratislava, Budapest, Prague, Munich, Venice are all are regularly served from main stations. For the more adventurous there is also the possibility to travel further a field to destinations such as Warsaw, Berlin, Kiev etc.

Air links

All of Austria's major cities including Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz and Klagenfurt and Vienna have their own international airports. Austrian Airlines, Austria's national carrier, serves all of the above cities and connects Austria with many international destinations. There are now a range of low cost carriers which connect Vienna, Linz and Bratislava to a number of European destinations e.g. AirBerlin, FlyNiki, Ryanair, Sky Europe and German Wings.

Cycling

Many Austrian cities and towns encourage cyclists through designated cycle lanes. There are many beautifully tended cycling routes throughout the country esp. in areas of natural beauty such as along the Danube river.

Hallstatt lake

Krems

Mauerbach

Maurach-Dalfazer-waterfall

And if you want to get a Christmas feeling,see this video which shows you Austria in winter!

noreply@blogger.com (Despoina & Eleni) — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 14:05:00 +0000

SWITZERLAND

Small, mountainous and wealthy, with a population of just seven million, Switzerland is renowned for its enviable quality of life in a country that ticks along like clockwork. Its products are sought after the world over, from dangerously delicious cheese and chocolate to luxurious watches whose timekeeping is as sharp as a Swiss army knife, another popular export from this clever little nation in the Alps.Switzerland's famed political neutrality and isolated location, ring-fenced by mountains, have enabled it to play a safe but central role in European affairs. These factors also gave rise to the coveted Swiss bank account, whose anonymity, along with tax relief and what may be the safest banks in the world, have made Zürich one of Europe's major financial hubs. The conveniently central location in the middle of Europe has also made Switzerland a favourite meeting place for conventions and international conferences - Geneva, for instance, is home to the United Nations.Switzerland is not only a place for professionals, though. As a stylish tourist destination it offers top ski resorts like Zermatt and celebrity-studded St Moritz, while the white peaks of mountains set against blue skies make a wonderful backdrop for summertime hiking. The ancient capital of Berne provides opportunities for sightseeing and elegant shopping, while nightlife can prove to be a lot of fun, too, since the Swiss like their food and folk music even in discotheques and nightclubs.Switzerland’s political model is based on consensus-building, and considering that the country consists of several culturally different groups speaking different languages, Swiss German, French, Italian and Rhaeto-Rumantsch, the country’s peaceful domestic situation is admirable. And while the Swiss in practice have been neutral in foreign affairs for several centuries, there are signs that they are increasingly willing to get more deeply involved in world affairs and deploy on the international stage the skills in democracy and diplomacy they have developed domestically. The most obvious sign is that Switzerland finally became a member of the United Nations in 2002 .

Lugano

Vals

When To Go

You can visit Switzerland any time throughout the year. Summer lasts roughly from June to September and offers the most pleasant climate for outdoor pursuits. Unfortunately, you won't be the only tourist during this period, so prices can be high, accommodation hard to find and the mainstream sights crowded. You'll find much better deals and fewer crowds in the shoulder seasons of April-May and late-September-October.

At any time, as you travel around the country you'll hit many different climatic conditions. The continental climate in the Alps tends to show the greatest extremes between summer and winter. Mid-August to late October generally has fairly settled weather, and is a good period for hiking trips.

If you're keen on winter sports, resorts in the Alps begin operating in early December, move into full swing around Christmas, and close down when the snow begins to melt in April.

Martigny by night

Night over the Limmat River,looking towards the Fraumunster

Some of the places you should see:

1.Geneva

Nope, Geneva is not Switzerland's capital, despite what many think. This chic, sleek, cosmopolitan lakeside city is, in fact, only Switzerland's third-largest city and has an overwhelmingly international feel: 43.4% of the population is from elsewhere.

The city is crowded with museums, has many excellent cultural events and is ideally placed for quick hops to the Swiss and French Alps. Basking in the sunshine of its peaceful setting on Lake Geneva's banks, this acclaimed neutral territory displays an obvious self-confidence. It is in pristine condition, clean, efficient and safe, yet spirited in its style and love of adventure.

2.Champex

An idyllic and tranquil retreat high up in the Swiss mountains, Champex Lac offers a picturesque village surrounded by woods. It is an ideal location to simply escape from the pressures of the modern world and wind down. It is also a wonderful place for families.During the summer the lake is the focal point of the village. Boats are available to hire and there is fishing too. Or you may simply want to sit in a local bar or café beside the lake and soak up some mountain sunshine. Other summer activities include tennis, swimming, cycling and of course walking.

3. Lucerne

'Lucerna' in Italian, 'Luzern' in Swiss-German, 'Lucerne' in French. 'Alpine splendour' in all languages. Lapped by scenic Lake Lucerne and surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains - a picture of this once small fishing village and its striking skyline epitomises the very essence of Switzerland.

Charming Lucerne has an 'Old Town' centre of 15th-century buildings with painted facades, towers, a 17th-century Renaissance town hall, old squares and postcard-perfect medieval bridges adorned with rooftop art. When tour guides in medieval costume appear, Lucerne is occasionally vaguely reminiscent of Venice, but it rarely gets too busy with tourists. There are also some fine art galleries and museums. Northeast of the city centre is the poignant Lion Monument, dedicated to the Swiss soldiers who died in the French Revolution.

4.Zurich

We know what you're thinking, but honestly this is not the boring banking capital it's reputed to be. In fact Zürich is - whisper it softly - surprisingly hip and trendy. Hundreds of new bars, restaurants and clubs have opened since planning laws were changed in the late 1990s and Zürich now hosts Europe's largest annual street party.

Admittedly, the first impression, of a small, clean and orderly metropolis with church steeples above a crystal-blue river and lake, is pleasant rather than exciting. But then you're struck by the happy noise of the cobbled Niederdorfstrasse, on the eastern riverbank, and won over by the hedonism around the lake.

5.Martigny

Martigny (German: Martinach) is the capital of the primarily French-speaking district of Martigny in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.
It lies at an elevation of 475 meters. Its population is of approximately 15000 inhabitants (Martignerains or "Octoduriens"). Martigny is located at a crossroad between Italy, France and Switzerland, one road linking this town over the Great St. Bernard Pass to Aosta (Italy), and the other one, over the col du Trient to Chamonix (France). In winter, Martigny is appreciated for its nearby ski resorts like Verbier.

Flueli

Le Locle

Travelling in Switzerland

Although Switzerland is a small country, travelling times are often longer than expected. Taking the shortest way is not always an option in mountainous regions. Particularly in the south, where the highest mountains are situated, you will often be dependant on tunnels and passes. In winter time, drivers should take into account that some passes are closed. Car trains can sometimes be used instead. In other cases, you will have to make a detour through a road which is still passable. Some car train services are available outside the winter season as well. A car train makes your trip more expensive but can be a time saver and will spare you from crossing a difficult pass. This form of transport is offered more and more, especially for freight traffic. The Swiss tend to choose for rail transportation instead of road transportation more often when building or improving major transit routes. Crossing a pass is a great experience. Often there is a magnificent view and the landscape above the timberline is rough and impressive. It is advisable to get some information about the quality of the road in advance. Many passes can easily be crossed in summer. Others are a bit more difficult due to small roads, narrow curves and steep slopes. For this reason, some passes are not accessible for home trailers. Switzerland has excellent expressways, but there are quite some areas without any expressways at all. This goes for many parts of Graubünden (among others). Gas stations offer diesel and unleaded fuel ("Bleifrei 95" and "Bleifrei 98"). LPG is only available from 57 gas stations (as of February 2005). In general, fuel is cheaper at gas stations that are not located along an expressway. Fuel is about CHF 0.40/liter cheaper in the tax-free enclave of Samnaun in Graubünden.

Champex

Emosson

Fionnay (above), Geneva (below)

Eisson-morning light

Some Annual Events in

Switzerland:

Event: La Tchaux Carnival

Venue: La Chaux-de-Fonds

Dates: March 31 - April 2, 2006

This carnival celebrates the end of winter and is characterized by many colorful parades accompanied by great music. Enjoyment and revelry become the order of the day as people celebrate this lively carnival.

Event: Salon des Inventions

Venue: Geneva

Dates: April 6 - 10, 2006

Hosted by the Palexpo Exhibition Centre in Geneva, this fair showcases new inventions and technologies. It also provides a good platform for inventors to market their products in a big way.

Event: Triftji Bump Bash

Venue: Zermatt

Dates: April 14 - 17, 2006

Enjoy being part of this grand event that is held every year on the slopes surrounding the 3000-meter high Triftji glacier. The event also sees some excellent skiing and snowboarding feats by a number of participants.

Event: Lausanne Carnival

Venue: Lausanne

Dates: April 16 - 24, 2006

Enjoy three full days of fun, food, street theatre, confetti fights, music and DJ nights. Besides, the carnival is also characterized by a number of colorful processions that are a sight to watch.

Event: Patrouille des Glaciers

Venue: Valais

Dates: April 26 - 30, 2006 (held every two years)

Be part of this exciting event that sees groups of highly experienced skiers make their way through the Haute Route along the Swiss-Italian border.

Event: Geneva Book Fair

Venue: Geneva

Dates: April 27 - May 1, 2006

Held at the famed Palexpo Exhibition Centre, this annual event brings together many international publishers and writers. A number of parallel events are also held at this fair that attracts around 125,000 visitors every year.

Oderhofen

Val des Dix

St Martin

Zermatt

Over the Alps

noreply@blogger.com (Despoina & Eleni) — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 13:46:00 +0000

SPAIN

For thousands of years Spain has been one of the cultural centres of Europe. It has many beautiful cities and towns, offering thousands of monuments as well as a tremendous mix of architecture. Its various regions are all vary from one to the next by cultural, language, geographically, climatically and even in personality differences. Spain is about life, music, and “Carpe Diem” to seize the day. In each region of the country you will find many different versions of this philosophy being played out. That is the one unique thread that holds the Spaniards together and why Spain is such an enjoyable country to study abroad in and learning Spanish here is so much fun. Once away from the holiday costas, you could only be in Spain. In the cities, narrow twisting old streets suddenly open out to views of daring modern architecture, while spit-and-sawdust bars serving wine from the barrel rub shoulders with blaring, glaring discos. Travel is easy, accommodation plentiful, the climate benign, the people relaxed, the beaches long and sandy, the food and drink easy to come by and full of regional variety. More than 50 million foreigners a year visit Spain, yet you can also travel for days and hear nothing but Spanish.

Events

In true Spanish style, cultural events are almost inevitably celebrated with a wild party and a holiday. Among the festivals to look out for are La Tamborrada (Festividad de San Sebastián) in San Sebastián on 19 January, a short but rowdy event where the whole town dresses up and goes berserk. A march to the deafening sounds of drums, as groups of drummers parade through the city on the night of the first day of the year. The next morning, the "Tamborrada Infantil" (Child Drummer's Ceremony) is celebrated. Carnaval takes place throughout the country in late February; the wildest are said to be in Sitges and Cádiz. In March, Valencia has a week-long party known as Las Fallas, This Fiesta dates from the Middle Ages, but it did not acquire the personality we know today until the middle of the last century. The festivites include a nighttime parade; a procession of the old towns of Valencia; the offerings of flowers to Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados (Our Lady of the Forsaken), patroness of the city; and the famous "Nit del Foc" (Night of the Fire), on which all the "fallas" (grotesque and humorous scenes made up of carboard figures) are burned. Semana Santa (Holy Week) is the week leading up to Easter Sunday, and is marked by parades of holy images through the streets; Semana Santa is one of the most popular festivals in Spain. It’s also the oldest and the most significant in Spain, in which the people think of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ after his coming to Jerusalem. Since the 5th century, the processions represent an essential part of these festivities and are regarded very highly in cities like Seville, Valladolid and Malaga. On Palm Sunday palms, olive leafs and other trees are consecrated for the following procession in memory of Jesus Christ’s triumphal procession into Jerusalem. Those customs were initiated during the 4th century and are maintained until today. During the whole week they held special celebrations which are remimesant of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. All fraternities of different churches show the images of Jesus Christ in the streets and they can be viewed during the processions from Monday until Friday, the day on which the old church is dedicated to penitence, abstinence and prayer.Seville is the place to be if you can get accommodation. In late April, Seville's Feria de Abril is a week-long party counterbalancing the religious fervour of Semana Santa.The last Wednesday in August sees the Valencian town of Buñol go bonkers with La Tomatina, in which the surplus from its tomato harvest is sploshed around in a friendly riot. Surely the worlds' biggest food-fight: every year around 30,00 people descend on the Spanish town of Bunol (in the Valencia region of Spain) to throw more than 240,000 pounds of tomatoes at each other. The Running of the Bulls (Fiesta de San Fermín) in Pamplona in July is perhaps Spain's most famous festival. Along the north coast, staggered through the first half of August, is Semana Grande, another week of heavy drinking and hangovers.

Bullfighting:one of the most popular event of Spain.

Best places to go

The Alhambra, Granada:The Alhambra (literally "the red") is a true expression of the once flourishing Moorish civilization and is the finest example of its architecture in Spain. The Alhambra is an ancient palace and fortress complex of the Moorish monarchs of Granada, in southern Spain It was the residence of the Muslim kings of Granada and their court, but is currently a museum exhibiting exquisite Islamic architecture.

Modernisme, Barcelona:Located on the Mediterranean coast, Barcelona is the historical capital of Cataluña and Spain's second leading city in both size and importance. In terms of charm, however, Barcelona yields first place to no one, with its rich history, Mediterranean vistas and unique culture making it an especially rich and rewarding city to experience.At the end of XIX century, Barcelona was quaked by anarchism together with catalan nationalism. The catalan modernism movement aimed to gather every artistic skill and wanted to get out of the steady and leisurely historicism like other european Art Nouveau movements. It starts from the 1880 wiyh the painter Ramon Casas and the theoriser Cirici Pellicer.Some of Spain’s more famous Architects are: Gaudi, Domenech i Montaner, Jujol, Puig y Cadafalch. The sculptural forms of Barcelona's modernista architects - most famously Gaudν – define the city's exuberant architectural heritage. Barcelone gathers more than 150 modernist buildings including the Sagrada Familia.

Sagrada Familia.

Below some pictures of the park guell:

A night on the tiles, Madrid: The traditional way to end a night of bar hopping and clubbing in Spain is to have a chocolate con churros (thick hot chocolate with deep-fried hoops of batter). Just what you need after a night on the tiles!

The Mezquita, Cσrdoba:The Mezquita (Spanish for "mosque), is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Cσrdoba, Spain that was at one time the second largest mosque in the world. The Moslem emir Abderrahman I ordered construction of the temple in the year 785 on the ruins of the old Visigoth church of St. Vincent.Cordoba's Mosque has a mixture of different architectural styles, that have occurred over the past nine centuries. Today the Mezquita as it is known can be visited throughout the year for 6 Euro entrance fee. The approach is via the Patio de los Naranjos, a classic Islamic ablutions courtyard which preserves both its orange trees and fountains.

Aqueduct, Segovia:The Aqueduct of Segovia is one of the most significant and best-preserved monuments left by the Romans on the Iberian Peninsula.The Roman aqueduct of Segovia, probably built c. A.D. 50, is remarkably well preserved. These feats elevates this construction as a masterpiece of engineering of which 20,400 stone blocks are not united by mortar nor concrete. The Roman aqueduct bridge of Segovia is about 2950 feet long although the section where the arches are divided in two levels is about 900 feet. The workings of the Segovia Aqueduct extend for 14 kilometers under an urban complex that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

Coto de DoρanaDoρana National Park (Parque Nacional de Doρana), also called Coto de Doρana, is a national park and wildlife refuge in southwestern Spain. Lying in the delta of the Guadalquivir river, between the southern Spanish city of Seville and the Atlantic Ocean, the Doρana National Park is one of the world’s most valuable wetlands.Coto de Doρana is located in Andalusia, in the provinces of Huelva and Sevilla, and covers 543 km², of which 135 km² are a protected area. Doρana is also home to one of the last surviving populations of the world’s most endangered cat species, the Iberian lynx.

Las Alpujarras: The Sierra Nevada is a rugged and extensive mountain range, the highest in Europe after the Alps and the most significant section of the Cordillera Penibιtica. It was declared a Unesco Biosphere Reserve in 1986, in recognition of its exceptionally diverse plant, bird and animal species. Designated a national park in 1998, it is one of only two in Andalucia, the other being the Doρana National Park.Between the highest mountains in Spain and the Mediterranean Sea, La Alpujarra is one of the most enchanting and beautiful regions in the world. La Alpujarra is a mountainous district in Southern Spain, which stretches south from the Sierra Nevada mountains near Granada and the eastern of the region lies in the province of Almerνa. In older sources the name is sometimes spelled Alpuxarras; it may derive from Arabic al Busherat meaning "the grass-land".

Toledo:Toledo is one of the most important centers of european medieval history. It was capital of Spain from the Gothic epoch until 1560, fact that explains its really impressive medieval architecture. However, this symbol of religious tolerance during the Medieval Age has changed little since its depiction in El Greco's paintings.Toledo is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. In fact, walking through Toledo’s streets one feels like having stepped back into the Middle-Ages. If you go to Toledo, see and buy some of its fine artisany and enjoy of its highly recommandable cuisine.

La Mancha & Don Quixote:Don Quixote is often nominated as the world's greatest work of fiction. Many artists have drawn inspiration either directly or indirectly from Cervantes' work, including the painter Honorι Daumier, the composer Richard Strauss, the writer Henry Fielding and the filmmaker Terry Gilliam.Don Quixote's importance in literature has produced a large and varied cultural and artistic legacy. The autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha has used the fame of Cervantes's novel to promote tourism in the region. Many places in La Mancha are linked to the novel, including windmills and an inn upon which events of the story are thought to have been based. Culturally, La Mancha includes the Sierra de Alcaraz, Montes de Toledo, northern Sierra Morena and Serranνa de Cuenca, parts of Tajo river valley, and it is administrative divided among the comarcas of Campo de Calatrava to the south and Campo de Montiel (Don Quixote himself started his adventures in Campo de Montiel), the eastern Mancha Alta, the central Mancha Baja, the western Valle de Alcudia, and Parameras de Ocaρa y Manchuela to the north.

When to go

Spain can be enjoyable any time of year. The ideal months to visit are May, June and September (plus April and October in the south). At these times you can rely on good-to-excellent weather, yet avoid the extreme heat - and the main crush of Spanish and foreign tourists - of July and August. But there's decent weather in some parts of Spain virtually year round. Winter along the southern and southeastern Mediterranean coasts is mild, while in the height of summer you can retreat to the northwest, to beaches or high mountains anywhere to escape excessive heat. The best festivals are mostly concentrated between Semana Santa (the week leading up to Easter Sunday) and September to October.

Transportation

Spain is dotted with international airports, and connections with the rest of Europe are good. If you're coming from the UK or from Morocco, you could consider a ferry. Otherwise, bus is the cheapest option, unless you're a whipper-snapper with an under-26 rail pass.

noreply@blogger.com (Despoina & Eleni) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 09:41:00 +0000

HOLLAND (THE NETHERLANDS)

The Dutch say that God created the rest of the world but that they created the Netherlands. The country is, indeed, a feat of engineering, and since most of it is below sea level, vigorous pumping and a series of dikes have created thousands of square kilometers of land (including Amsterdam) that were once under water. What was once inhabited by seaweed and cod is now littered with cows, cheese, windmills, and the occasional city. The Holland is a country where freedom has come with responsibility and hard work. It is a country where the word "land" means something special valuable resource won from the sea. For, in literal terms, when you walk on dry land in The Netherlands, your head is barely above sea level in some places, and well below it in others. Amsterdam itself is 10 feet below sea level.

To the outside world, the enduring image of The Netherlands is of a land unremittingly flat, criss crossed by canals and dotted with windmills. Popular imagination conjures up pictures of clogs, cheese and swaths of brightly colored tulips. Then there is Amsterdam, the lively, lovely and evocative capital, seen by many as a slightly wicked city.
The Kingdom of The Netherlands is, of course, a far more complex and fascinating entity than such assumptions imply. Although the country is often known as Holland, this name actually only relates to the country's heavily populated western provinces of Noord (North) and Zuid (South) Holland. These provinces contain the main cities, such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague (Den Haag), known collectively as the Randstad, or "Ring Town." Compared with this heavily urbanized area, The Netherlands' other provinces offer the visitor a remarkably diverse landscape and regional cultures that will correct any misconception that the country is homogeneous.

Land from the Sea

The Netherlands is a small country, just under 15,500 square miles in area. Its eastern neighbor, Germany, is nine times larger. To the south lies Belgium, once part of the United Provinces of The Netherlands but an independent nation since 1830. To the north and west of The Netherlands lies the North Sea, and it is with this near neighbor that the Dutch have their most pressing relationship. You will not be too aware of the sea in Amsterdam or The Hague. You need to go north to Noord Holland and Friesland, or south to Zeeland, to f . uliv appreciate the astonishing control over their watery environment that the Dutch have engineered.
For the definitive story of land reclamation, visit the fascinating Zuiderzeemuseum in Enkhuizen or travel across the Afsluitdijk, a 20 mile dam that seals the great inland lake of lisselmeer and connects Noord Holland to Friesland. You could go south to Zeeland, a glittering mosaic of water within a vast web of land. There you 11 want to visit the WaterLand Neeltje OF Jans in Burgh Haamstede in Zeeland to learn about the Delta Plan. This system of huge dams and movable barriers was built after the storm driven North Sea breached the existing dykes in 1953, killed more than 1,800 people and devastated the countryside.

Exploring Inland

Beyond these water lands beyond the great dunes and beaches of the North Sea coast, and the red, white and neonbright lights of Amsterdam lie the delights of the landlocked Netherlands. In the south, Limburg is known as the Dutch "hill country." In the province of Noord Brabant, the De Kempen region's landscape of sandy heath and woodland is a very different image than that of the "flat" Holland most people envision. You can explore Gelderland meadows and orchards; the serene villages and waterways of Overijssel , and the moorlands and flower filled bogs of Drenthe, so beloved by Vincent van Gogh. They all add to the variety of rural Netherlands. In the north country, in Groningen, the quintessential Dutch images of windmills, clogs and flat green landscapes reassert themselves.
In neighboring Friesland you will find another country altogether, a province with its own language and distinctive cultural heritage.
Reaching these fascinating districts is not difficult. Public transportation in The Netherlands is efficient and generally inexpensive. Virtually every place is within a three hour train ride from Amsterdam. Excellent bus services run between cities, and there is an extensive bus network linking towns and villages in the provinces. Driving in rural areas is convenient and reasonably straightforward, but in urban areas it can be stressful.

Holland Canal in Autumn

The Obelisk monument

The sights of Amsterdam after dark

noreply@blogger.com (Despoina & Eleni) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 09:09:00 +0000

ENGLAND

England shows many different faces: pulsing city life and lonely landscapes, old-fashioned customs and avant-garde culture, lovely beaches and rough mountains. For cultural sightseeing as for nightlife, London is ceaselessly thriving, and inevitably, it is the one place that features on everyone's itinerary. It is not only Europe's biggest city (with a population of over seven million} and capital of the United Kingdom, but also the place where the country's news, politics and money are made. Within the southeast of England, along the coastline, Canterbury, the bishopric seat of Thomas Becket, offers contrasting diversions. This is the richest part of the country due to its agricultural wealth and proximity to the capital. The southwest of England with the rugged moorlands of Devon and the rocky coastline of Cornwall is another spot worth discovering. Salisbury, where they say the West Country starts, is dominated by the elegant spire of its cathedral.

In Neolithic times, a rich and powerful culture evolved here, as shown by monuments such as Stonehenge and Avebury. The main urban attraction of western England is Bristol , but Bath and Exeter are also worth a visit. In the centre of the country, the chief attractions are the old university cities of Oxford and Cambridge, and the town of Shakespeare, Stratford upon Avon, though the often bypassed city of Norwich, over in the picturesque flatlands of East Anglia, can be equally rewarding. In the north of England, the industrial cities of Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester are gritty and lively places, and York and Durham have splendid historical treasures, but the landscape again is the real magnet, especially the uplands of the Lake District and the dales of Yorkshire.

England by night!

The Buckingham Palace

The Big Ben

noreply@blogger.com (Despoina & Eleni) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 17:52:00 +0000

ITALY

Italy is a beautiful country but is one of those countries which you probably have some questions and preconceptions, before your coming to this special country. A place of olive oil, pasta, wine, mafia and sunshine, roman ruins and renaissance palaces, Italy has a lot to give its tourists. Although some of these conceptions are amazing and interesting, it would be a shame if that was the only thing you come away with. Italy is certainly much more complex and stimulating than these concepts.

The Colosseum

Italy is a country full of interesting things for the casual tourist and the educated tourist, it hasdeep Roman Catholic roots. The tourists can stay weeks in important tourist centers without reason to feel bored, but it is equally simple to get off the beaten track. In the north, next to the Alps and the landscapes of the Po river, many cultural gems and highly developed industrial cities fascinate. In this exciting country the people live the "la vita Italiana".

The famous:"gondola",Venice

Lombardia is the capital of Milan, city of business organization and haute couture, the tourist can easily stay weeks without being bored. Bergamo is only an hour of distance and has an upper Old Town. On every corner you will observe something new. Venice and Verona are the most famous tourist attractions in the north-east of Italy, maybe you can think about romantic love affairs here.

The Monterosso beach

The people can discover easily the beautiful landscapes of Italy, Verona province may be the more fascinating. Many persons say that the north-west of italy is a paradise for every culinary interested traveler. For the people who adore the wine, Piemonte is related with Barolo and Barbaresco, the most famous wines made out of the Nebbiolo grape. Turin is the capital of Piemonte, this city provides more than just a starting point to visit these wine regions. Lots of tourist attractions like museums, modern art, music and book fairs make of this city, one of the notable Italian cities concerning cultural life. At the same time it is a booming industrial and multimedia city.

above:The Doge's Palace in Venice & below:Florence

noreply@blogger.com (Despoina & Eleni) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 12:41:00 +0000

FRANCE

France is the most visited country in the world. It has everything that you could ever want to see on your holidays: a great city like Paris, good beaches, more monuments than any other country, lovely nature, incredible mountain scenery; need I go on? France is also a very pleasant place to stay. It has good food, great wines and people enjoy their lives. And the best thing is, maybe apart from Paris, living in France does not have to be expensive. The North of France consists of the flatlands around the town of Lille and the Channel. The area will remind visitors in many ways of Belgium and the Netherlands. The Grand' Place in Lille for example is a lot like that of Brussels.

La Petite France et un de ses nombreux Canaux,Strasbourg

Paris, the city of light and its surroundings are one of the most visited areas. Paris is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities on the planet.
West of France is turned towards the Atlantic Coast. In the north Normandy & Brittany have rolling hills, sandy beaches and quiet little harbour towns. Normandy & Brittany have a more rugged coast and many neolithic sites. It has quite a distinct atmosphere from the rest of the country; you can still sense the Celtic origin of the region and its inhabitants.

Seine-Paris

The eastern part of France consists of the Alsace, Lorraine, Franche Comté and Burgundy regions. The landscape has rolling hills and many beautiful cities, such as Metz, Strasbourg, Nancy and Dijon. This region produces many famous wines, including magnificent pinot noirs and chardonnays valued the world over, as well as the famous "Yellow wine" from the Jura mountain vineyard.

Castles of France

The Center of France is in many ways the most quiet part of France. But the great treasure of this region is the Loire valley , with many great castles and beautiful towns. Chartres with its famous cathedral and Tours rate among the most beautiful French cities.

Chenonceau-Chateau de Chenonceau,chateaux de la Loire

The Alps are great for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. Albertville, Grenoble and Chamonix have all hosted the Olympic games. But the Alps also have nice towns to visit, such as Chambéry, Annecy or Grenoble .

Versailles,Paris

The South with its lovely nature, good food, roman ruins and of course the Riviera draws a lot of visitors every year. Towns like Orange, and Arles but also big cities like Marseille and Toulon are must sees. The Provence is dotted with pleasant small villages. In the South west of France the Dordogne is one of the most quintessential French regions. The valley is so pretty, the towns are so cute and the food is so good, that it is hard to believe that the people who live here go somewhere else for their holidays. The Languedoc has its own language and culture. In the south of the Languedoc you find the Pyrenees, a great mountain range separating France from Spain, where you can hike and ski. The towns of Toulouse and Montpellier are nice and the medieval town of Carcassone is a top destination.

And now four photos of Eurodisney,especially for children!!!

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