Country Traveling

If you’re looking to travel, may I recommend Greece? Scanning through some picture on the internet today, I was amazed at just how much there is to see. The ruins, the culture, the landscape…. everything! It is a beautiful country, which fits well in beautiful Europe.

There is something like 15,000 kilometers of coastline to view in Greece, which also includes numerous islands such as Rhodes, Crete, and Kos. Although the edge is at sea level, approximately 80% of the land is made up of hills and mountains. Maybe this isn’t a perfect destination for a walk, but what do the hills and mountains contain?!

Sights to see! Things to experience! If you are into the picture taking and the sight seeing, Greece is the place for you. The ruins of Ancient Greece are incredible. The architecture, and the sheer amount of work involved in building these buildings isn’t the only incredible part. The amazing thing is that they are still standing this many years later!

And the culture of Ancient Greece, which is a period of about one thousand years, is really something to sink your energy into learning about. Their schooling, their housing, their cooking and food, and their arts are all very interesting to take a look at or to read about. Most historians believe Ancient Greece to be the foundation of western civilization. It heavily influenced our government, education, architecture, and language!

Greece has a little something in store for all of it’s visitors, everything from history to the beach! Now for planning next years summer vacation…

Tags: Beautiful Country, Building These Buildings, Coastline, Crete, Culture Of Ancient Greece, Education Architecture, Europe, Government Education, Historians, Internet Today, Kilometers, Kos, Landscape, Mountains, Rhodes, Scanning, Sea Level, Something In Store, Summer Vacation, Western Civilization

There is a lot to see in Munich, Germany. Late spring and summer are popular tourist times in this city. In addition, the Oktoberfest celebration is a big event. Oktoberfest last for six days and always draws large crowds. There are many hotels and restaurants in addition to unique sightseeing opportunities.

Accommodations in Munich Germany

There are several Munich hotels to choose from, many near the Munich airport or the train station. This makes it easier to get around without a car. The city offers quite a few good quality, affordable hotels. There are many that have rooms available for about 100 Euros per night.

Many restaurants in the city have menus written in English. In addition, a good percentage of the people speak both English and German. This makes communication here easier than in many other areas of Europe. Its easier to get by here without any German language skills than it is in most other areas of the country. Its still a good idea to know some basic phrases in German in the event you need something and only German speaking people are nearby.

Sightseeing in Munich Germany

There are quite a few tours that you can take while staying in Munich. You can choose between walking and bicycle tours of the city. Some are a one day tour and others are several days or a week long. This gives you the opportunity to spend time touring the area with a knowledgeable guide.

The Third Reich Tour takes you to places related to the Nazi Movement in Germany. There is a lot of information about the rise to power of Adolph Hitler. You will experience the architecture and history of the time period. This tour is available throughout the spring, summer and early autumn.

Dachau Concentration Camp has been preserved and is open for tours. This was the first concentration camp and is preserved as a memorial to those who lost their lives. Information is written in English and German, allowing you to tour the camp on your own. Guided tours are also available.

The Bavaria Film Tour is a tour of the largest film and television production studio in Germany. Films such as The Never Ending Story and Cabaret were filmed here. In addition, many current television series in Germany are produced here. During the tour, you will see the scenery and special effects from several movies and television shows.

Munich is home to Museums, such as Bayeresches National Museum. This is the Bavarian National Museum and has three floors of exhibits, including Gothic and Renaissance art. The BMW Museum has a large collection of cars and motorcycles from the beginning of the companys history to the present time. When planning your trip, keep in mind that most museums are closed on Mondays.

Olympic Park is open for tour. This was the site of the 1972 summer Olympics. It is open for sightseeing tours. During your stay you may want to visit the Allianz Football Stadium. In season, you may have the opportunity to watch a match. This has been the location of the Soccer World Cup and is a popular attraction for sporting fans.

Munich is home to many old churches. The Cathedral Church of Our Lady was built in the 15th century. This church contains art and Gothic style architecture. The Church of St. Peter is the oldest in the city, more than 600 years old. St Johann Neponuk Kirch is an ornate church from the Rococo period. Art and architecture lovers will enjoy the ornate historical churches in the region.

Tags: Adolph Hitler, Bicycle Tours, Concentration Camp, Early Autumn, German Language Skills, Knowledgeable Guide, Late Spring, Munich Airport, Munich Germany, Munich Hotels, Nazi Movement, Nearby Sightseeing, Oktoberfest Celebration, Rise To Power, Sightseeing Opportunities, Spring And Summer, Spring Summer, Third Reich, Tourist Times, Train Station

You must really hate this job. Thats what my boss said when I told him I was moving from San Diego to Siberia for a year. In reality, I was bored and looking for something that would be completely and utterly new. Whether it was sunstroke or a developing tolerance to margaritas, San Diego just wasnt cutting it anymore. Heck, I hadnt even gone to the beach in nine months and it was only a few blocks away. Time to rediscover a zest for life.

As you are doing now, I trolled the Internet looking for that rare opportunity that would renew my vigor and let me brag to my domesticated friends. Pick coffee in the South Pacific? No, I already drink too much of it. Sail around the world on a container ship? No, I wasnt ready for involuntary self-reflection. Before I knew it, I had agreed to move to a city in Siberia known as Chita. Yes, I was going to be a professor at Chita State Technical University through a program put together by Siberian Intercultural Bridges. Donate – they need the money: http://www.siberian-bridges.org.

So, what does one take for a one-year stay in Siberia? Why, Ill just go buy a guidebook on Siberia and read the what to take section. My search of the local mega bookstore was disappointing. Shockingly, there were no guidebooks for Siberia. I was tempted to write a nasty letter to Lonely Planet and others until the bookstore clerk said, Youre going WHERE? When she started giving me the you must be a criminal on the run look, it was time to go.

Fortunately, I was able to find experienced travelers that could provide me with the details and items that were absolutely necessary. My girlfriend gave me the all-important electric blanket, a power converter and intimate details about what would happen to me if I should dare share it with another women. Grandpa gave me a World War II down coat that was about three sizes to big and made me look like a walking gopher. Family, friends and random strangers contributed further items and advice that would be critical to my survival.

Apparently rating my chances of survival at 50-50, friends and family put together a going away/never see him again party the day before I left. Of course, everyone brought Vodka as a humorous going away gift. The tide quickly turned, however, as all were asked/forced to try a taste of Russia. Many of the events of that night will remain forever sealed in antiquity, but it should suffice to say that the wife of one friend went into labor which made it a very fun night and subsequent day for him at the hospital. Few got off so easily.

Gigantic backpack, electric blanket, hangover and I headed to the airport the next morning. But thats a story for part 2 of this nomad adventure travel series

Tags: Bookstore Clerk, Chita, Container Ship, Electric Blanket, Family Friends, Gopher, Guidebooks, Intimate Details, Lonely Planet, Nasty Letter, Nine Months, Power Converter, Random Strangers, Rare Opportunity, Self Reflection, Siberia, Siberia Russia, Vigor, World War Ii, Zest For Life

Apart from what all tourist guides would recommend as:

-the Volo dell’Angelo (Flight of the Angel)
-the Festa delle Marie (Celebration of the Marie)
-the Gran Corteo Storico (Great Historic Parade)
-the Sfilata delle Maschere (Mask Procession)

You can try these unique events:

Sat 26th Jan., 8.30 pm. Gala Dinner and Ball IL RIDOTTO (a former casino, ball room and theatre in XVIII century run by nobles, who abided by very strict rules involving the use of masks. Giacomo Casanova considered the Ridotto as the stage setting and backdrop for his conquests). After the welcoming cocktail, and before the luxurious dinner you will be entertained by the young Casanova” music play in the English edition. Then you will go on dancing minuets, rondo, quadrilles, badineries, waltzes all night long, accompanied by a classical orchestra.

Location: Palazzo Dandolo, Sala del “Ridotto” at the Hotel Monaco & Gran Canal San Marco 1332, Calle Vallaresso Dress Code: Costume. Reservation: 420 euros.

Chocolate Time Gran Caff Lavena at 4 pm
Sunday 27th Jan. and Sunday 3rd Feb.
Piazza San Marco
Dress Code: Costume
Reservation: 50 Euros

Wagners favourite caf, the elegant Gran Caf Lavena is one the Italian Historical Places. On Sunday 27th to honour the Carnival traditions different hot chocolates, drinks and pastries will be impeccably served whilst the guests will be entertained by artists like the Krystal harmony playing a real concert using their magic glass harps.

Cocktail time Gran Caf Lavena at 5.30pm
Tuesday 29th Jan.
Dress Code: Costume.
Reservation: 70 euros

GALA DINNER AND BALL the Palace PISANI MORETTA
Thursday 31st January

In the enchanted frame of the splendid Palazzo Pisani-Moretta overlooking the Grand Canal adorned with Baroque decorations, Tiepolos works and at the light of hundreds of candles, a GALA DINNER AND BALL is held for the Venice Carnival on Thursday 31st January 2008. Admired by some famous visitors like Tzar Paul of Russia, Josphine Bonaparte and Joseph Il of Austria, the Palace organizes.The most glamorous Ball of the Carnival of Venice” for its guests. Clowns, mimes, artists and jesters welcome the guests with a cocktail and then you will be taken by the master of ceremony to your table in the beautiful reception room on the bel tage. In this magical atmosphere you will be delighted with a baroque dinner and soft music, opera singers, mimes and special allegorical costumes of the Carnival.

Later in the evening a master of dance will lead you to the opening of the Ball while on the ground floor a prestigious modern band will make you dance till the early morning, when hot chocolate and croissants will be served.

Gondola tour
Wednesday 30th Jan and Mon 4th Feb.

You can indulge in probably one of the must for a real experience of Venice Carnival: a 30 minutes gondola tour followed by a special dinner at “La Colomba” Restaurant serving specialties from the Venetian tradition. A special way to spend a lively evening with friends and meet new ones.

Meeting Point > “stazio” (gondola station) of San Marco, Calle Vallaresso just in front of the Harry’s Bar

Time: 7.15 pm
Dress Code: Costume
To reserve one or more of these events you can contact the organizers.
Prices vary from 50 euros for the Chocolate Time up to 420 euros for gala dinner and ball.

Also be prepared to spend quite a lot in Venice for an accommodation during Carnival period. Hotels are usually fully booked since the previous year because of course.. any tourist would love to be there in that period. But there are budget alternatives in apartments, private B&B, or flats or family run hotels close to the Train station. Alternative solutions could be found along the Brenta River in the famous Riviera del Brenta where also many events ( theatres, concerts, parties in Villas) are regularly held for Carnival.

Between a party, a dance and a parade do not forget to try delicious fritole and crostoli, galani and chiacchiere that you can easily find in pastry-shops and coffee shops all over the city. These are the typical fried sweets of the Carnival of Venice. You absolutely cannot miss them!

Tags: Classical Orchestra, Cocktail Time, Corteo Storico, Dandolo, Festa Delle Marie, Gala Dinner, Giacomo Casanova, Hotel Monaco, Josphine, Lavena, Luxurious Dinner, Magic Glass, Maschere, Monaco Gran Canal, Palazzo Pisani Moretta, Piazza San Marco, Pisani, Stage Setting, Venetian Carnival, Venice Carnival

San Diego Rich In History, Things To See And Do

Linknet Places – December 30, 2005

**Follow the Founders’ Trail to relive the early history of San Diego

The Founders’ Trail consists of seven historic sites in the San Diego area where you can learn about the early history of the area.

The earliest inhabitants of the San Diego area were Native Americans. Mission Trails Regional Park includes 3000 acres of countryside preserved much as it was when the Kumeyaay people hunted and harvested here hundreds of years ago.

The Cabrillo National Monument marks the place where Juan Rodriguez stepped ashore in 1542 and claimed the region for Spain.

It wasn’t until 225 years later in 1769 that the first Franciscan missions were established in the area. Junipero Serra Museum, Mission San Diego de Alcala, and Mission San Luis Rey all display this era in the development of the San Diego area.

The Mexican era began in 1821 when Mexico won its independence from Spain. This was the beginning of the era of giant ranches displayed at Rancho de los Pinasquitos and Rancho de Guajome.

The Mexican era ended in 1848 after the two year war between Mexico and the United States and the California territory was transferred to the U.S. Revisit this era in local history at the visitor center at San Pasqual, the site of the only major battle of the war fought in the San Diego area.

**San Diego to host World Baseball Classic Finals

The first ever World Baseball Classic is set to begin on March 3, 2006. Sixteen countries or territories are committed to the event. It begins March 3 in Japan’s Tokyo Dome and will end with an inaugural champion crowned on March 20 in San Diego’s PETCO Park.

Those teams so far confirmed have been divided into four pools for the first round. They include: Pool A — China, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea; Pool B — Canada, Mexico, South Africa, U.S.; Pool C — Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico and possibly Cuba; Pool D — Australia, Dominican Republic, Italy, Venezuela.

The two big “maybes” for the tournament are the team from Cuba and Alex Rogriguez. The Cuban team has been told by the U.S. Treasury Department that it cannot participate because of U.S. laws governing financial transactions with Cuba. Rodriguez has said he will likely not participate because of divided loyalties between his birthplace (Dominican Republic) and his adopted home (U.S.) Both issues are the subject of much speculation and are currently being negotiated.

**San Diego’s Balboa Park largest U.S. urban cultural park

Balboa Park in San Diego is home to 15 major museums, several performing arts venues, 12 gardens, and many other cultural and recreational attractions including the San Diego Zoo. Visitors can access 13 of the parks attractions buy purchasing a “Passport to Balboa Park” for just $ 30.

The Passport is good for for seven days and guests can visit the Museum of Photographic Arts, the Japanese Friendship Garden, Mingei International Museum, the Museum of San Diego History, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, San Diego Aerospace Museum, San Diego Art Institute: Museum of the Living Artist, San Diego Automotive Museum, San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum, San Diego Model Railroad Museum, San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego Museum of Man, and San Diego Natural History Museum.

Visitors also can upgrade the Passport with a one-day deluxe admission to the San Diego Zoo for a savings of about 50%. Passports are available at the Balboa Park Visitors Center.

**Things to see and do around San Diego

The California Center for the Arts 2005-2006 Performing Arts Season presents exciting performances by classic celebrities, jazz legends, opera performances and Broadway favorites. Attend performances at either the Center Theater or the Concert Hall of the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

Whale watching season runs from mid-December to mid-March in San Diego County. More than 15,000 California gray whales head south from Alaska to the warm water breeding areas of Baja California. A glassed-in observatory at Cabrillo National Monument, on the panoramic Point Loma peninsula, is a great place to watch the whales. You can also examine whale exhibits, and listen to presentations featuring the whales and their habitat. Whale-watching tours are available from local boating companies throughout the season.

San Diego Beach Scene – Visit San Diego’s beaches for a wide range of experiences. The Continental Shelf extends many miles offshore, protecting the area from localized North Pacific storms and swelss from the Southern Ocean. The temperate climate makes San Diego’s many beaches safe and pleasant all year-round. Three distinct beach areas offer variety of experience and scenery. The North County coast features sandstone bluffs and fine beaches from Torrey Pines to San Onofre. The Central Coast is marked by dramatic headlands at La Jolla and Point Loma with the impressive waterways of Mission Bay in between. In the South Bay, the beaches of Coronado and the Silver Strand make San Diego one of the world’s great seaports.

The Museum of San Diego History is located in Balboa Park. The museum presents the diverse history of the region, with interpretion of San Diego’s growth since the 1840s. Attend public lectures, workshops and educational programs presented in the museum’s 100-seat Thornton Theater.

The San Diego Zoo is one of the great zoos of the world. It is part of Balboa Park. Zoo features include

* Monkey Trails and Forest Tales, an elaborate habitat housing more than 30 species of exotic and endangered birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians from Afica and Asia.

* The Giant Panda Research Station – the zoo houses four giant pandas in an area built especially for them. The pandas are in San Diego as the result of an agreement between the Zoo and the Chinese government.

* Absolutely Apes houses the orangutans and siamangs who have been a major feature of the zoo for many years. The animals inhabit a naturalistic area where they can climb, swing, and live in the same terrain as they would in the wild. Visitors can get up close and personal with the curious and playful apes when they choose to sit on the mulch right at the viewing window.

* Other features include Tiger River, Flamingo Lagoon, Polar Bear Plunge, Sun Bear Forest, and a children’s Petting Zoo

Tags: Cabrillo National Monument, China Chinese, Chinese Taipei, Franciscan Missions, Juan Rodriguez, Junipero Serra Museum, Mexico And The United States, Mexico South, Mission San Diego, Mission San Diego De Alcala, Mission San Luis, Mission San Luis Rey, Mission Trails Regional Park, Petco Park, Pool C, San Diego De Alcala, San Luis Rey, San Pasqual, Tokyo Dome, World Baseball Classic