Archives for June 2009

This weekend's UK Times published a list of what it thinks are the coolest new hotels across Europe.

We're not sure how much faith we can put on this list, since it does include the Adam and Eve in Antalya, Turkey, home to the world's slowest and most stupid bar staff. It does, however, get a bit of credibility back by adding the Chedi Milan, which probably does warrant the label of one of Europe's coolest new hotels.

So we're thinking that perhaps the new-since-last-month Mystique on the paradise of Santorini, Greece, might also be okay:Its 18 villas are carved into the cliff face, each overlooking the caldera, and every one flat-screened and hi-fi'd. There's locally quarried limestone on the floor, original art on the walls, cushions clad in antique textiles.

Read the complete story

Alhambra Palace, Palace of Charles V, the Granada Cathedral, Granada Charterhouse, Archeological Museum of Granada, Museum of Fine Arts
 
Granada is the capital of the province of Granada, located in the autonomous region of Andalusia, Spain.The ancient city is situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, at the confluence of three rivers, Beiro, Darro and Genil. It is a tourist hot spot, mainly due to the presence of Alhambra, a Moorish citadel and palace, often referred to as the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian historical legacy. Granada is also well known as a student’s city, owing to the presence of the prestigious University of Granada. Apart from this, tourists can also enjoy a thriving nightlife here. Thus, there are many places to see and things to do in the city. To know more, read on.

Read the complete story

The Hartford Courant reported Saturday that the city would lose its one direct European flight, which was a Northwest flight to Amsterdam served with a 757. Northwest droped the route in October, but said it would be coming back in the summer. Well, Delta says that’s no longer the case. The annoying part for airport management is that they put aside $500,000 to help advertise the route, and had already started spending it.Things haven’t been that great for Hartford, either. Delta cut the direct flight to Los Angeles, and I think service to Indianapolis is going away soon. Frontier and Midwest have left the airport as well.I had really hoped that the route would suceed for selfish reasons. Even though I knew such a scenario would be unlikely, I hoped that this route would work out and maybe Norhtwest or another carrier would think that it would work if litle old PVD got a European flight as well.Anyway, travelers in New England are now stuck with flying out of Boston or JFK if they want to fly internationally without a domestic plane change.

Countries in Europe are very popular holiday destinations. Either winter or summer holidays, Europe has much to offer. It has great beaches, temperate climates and good selection of resorts that cater to any kind of holidays you want. There are a lot of famous beaches all over Europe that are very ideal to a wonderful beach vacation. Here are some places in Europe with famous beach vacation destinations.Countries in Europe are very popular holiday destinations. Either winter or summer holidays, Europe has much to offer. It has great beaches, temperate climates and good selection of resorts that cater to any kind of holidays you want. There are a lot of famous beaches all over Europe that are very ideal to a wonderful beach vacation. Here are some places in Europe with famous beach vacation destinations.There are several beach vacation resorts in Spain located mainly along the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea. You may also choose to go to some islands in Spain located at Majorca. They are very popular and you will have a great beach vacation at a reasonable price here.If you don't want too much crowd during your beach vacation, you may choose to go to Cadiz. This golden sandy beach at Cadiz has a serene and rustic quality. You may also tour around the city of Cadiz and see its ancient quality from its local historical attractions, architectures and designs.

Travelling in Europe requires precise planning. Depending on the period and destinations of time travel, experiences and prices can vary.

For the enthusiastic beach-goers, head down to the crowded beaches of southern Europe in summer. Temperatures average around the mid 20 degree celsius. Bring along your sunglasses and swimwear to protect yourself from the scorching sun and gawk at the beautiful bodies on the beach. For the typical tourists, summer is also to make your way around the various tourist attractions as the days are long and nights are short. Temperatures average about slightly less than 20 degree celsius on mainland Europe. However, prices for hotels and airfares are often much steeper than other seasons. Book early to enjoy better prices.

Read the complete story

lake forming part of the boundary between Estonia and Pskov oblast (province) of Russia. It is connected by the narrow Lake Tyoploye to a southern extension, Lake Pskov. Lake Peipus has an area of 1,370 square miles (3,550 square km), although this varies. The lake bottom, reaching a depth of about 50 feet (15 m), consists of gray mud; only in the south is it sandy. The banks are predominantly low-lying. The lake, which is frozen for six months of the year, forms the headwaters of the Narva River.In 1242 the Russians under Alexander Nevsky defeated the Teutonic Knights on frozen Lake Peipus. In 1239 the Livonian Knights (Order of the Brothers of the Sword) had begun a military campaign in northwestern Russia to expand their territory and convert the Russians to Roman Catholicism. Interrupted by the Mongol invasion of Poland and Silesia (1241), the campaign was resumed by the Teutonic Knights (with whom the Livonian Knights were affiliated). In 1241 the Knights captured Pskov, then proceeded against Novgorod in March 1242. But Nevsky led an army against them. Recovering all the territory seized by the Knights, he engaged them in battle on the frozen Lake Peipus, known as the “Battle on the Ice” (Ledovoye Poboishche). His victory (April 5) forced the grand master of the Knights to relinquish all claims to the Russian lands that he had conquered and substantially reduced the Teutonic threat to northwestern Russia.

Avalon Waterways is offering Australian travellers savings of almost $500 per person on select European river cruises in 2010.
Travellers can save $350 per person on 26 Magnificent Europe cruises sailing along the legendary Rhine and Danube rivers between Amsterdam and Budapest from April 25 until October 17, 2010 by booking before August 31, 2009.
The river cruise line is also offering a further discount of 2.5 per cent per person for those travellers who pay for their holiday in full four months before departure. This represents a saving of at least $141 per person depending on the cruise fare.Avalon Waterways Managing Director Stewart Williams said the deals made river cruising in Europe an even more enticing holiday option for Australians.

Read the complete story

There’s things you see almost every day and never notice. And there’s questions you never ask but would love the answer to.Like which is the first self-supporting wire suspension building built in Europe and where can I find it? Answer:

The British Petroleum Building in Antwerp, just around my corner, so to speak.I don’t know about you, but I think that’s a pretty cool building.Designed and built between 1960-1963, the BP Building (aka Axa Tower or Coathanger Bldg) was the first of its kind in Europe: 

A construction suspended from a wire frame, i.e. not resting on its walls or other supports.Its tech specs aren’t that intimidating or interesting (187ft/57m, 12 floors) but its historical value is.

It was built by modernist architect Léon Stynen (1899-1990) who has a few other projects to his name that are — locally at least — quite famous.

Located between Amsterdam and Den Hague, the tulip region of western Holland is at its most brilliant during from late March through mid May. Lisse is the unofficial capital of all spring festivities, as well as home of the renowned Keukenhof gardens.

Zac and I slept through the alarm by about 20 minutes, but we somehow managed to make it downstairs to breakfast in time to get some good food in our stomachs in preparation for our last full day in Rome.

ROMAN FORUM RERUN Zac, Tessa, Julia, Andrew, Katie, Stephanie, Whitney, Jenae and I then went down to the Termini and sped over to the Colosseo station.  We took another gander at the monumental stadium looming against the sky in front of us, then walked over to the Roman Forum and used the group ticket Doc gave us to get inside the area.

Read the complete story