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10 places to go in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is one of the world capitals of tourism. However, what do you really know about Brazil´s most famous city? The world famous Sugarloaf mountain, Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana Beach… samba perhaps? All in all, you don´t know much about the city aside from its most famous icons. I will show you other points of interest that you probably didn´t know about and that will surprise you. Come with me to see the 10 places you didn´t know about in Rio de Janeiro. 1. Tijuca National Park One of the most amazing natural reserves in Brazil. A tropical jungle filled with exotic animals, trees and lianas that don´t let the sun come in. Ideal for hiking and guided tours. 2. The Sambadrome Without doubt, this is one of the most peculiar places in Rio. Tourists think that during Rio Carnival, the parades flow down the streets of Rio. That´s not entirely true. The Sambadrome is the place where all the samba groups gather. When it´s empty it seems like the Roman Circus Maximum as its empty stands are still impressive even when empty. 3. Maracaná Stadium What used to be the biggest football stadium in the planet hasn´t lost its charm. It held up to 200,000 people during the final of the 1950 World Cup. If you´re a football lover, you can´t miss it. 4. Rio Modern Art Museum A spectacular museum that gathers the works of artists from all over the world. If you´re a Star Trek fan, you´re going to love it. 5. Gramarí Beach Moving away from the famous beaches, we head towards Gramarí, one of Rio´s best kept secrets. Amazing views and a natural environment...
Touring Malaga
The sun of Spain Spain is a country that continues to offer high quality travel destinations and routes. It is well known and often commented that there is nothing like the sun of Spain in the rest of Europe. So it’s no wonder that travelers from all over come to Spanish cities in search of that blue sky and almost transparent light. And of course, this type of heat also brings a lot of light and liveliness to this country. During the winter months, it is quite cold despite but still sunny so even then you can be filled with good cheer. But spring is the best season to travel to Spain, especially to a city as beautiful as Malaga. The capital of Andalusia offers several routes to get to know it and different ways to learn about this city. It is located to the west of the Mediterranean Sea and situated in the southern part of the peninsula, only a hundred miles from the Strait of Gibraltar. Málaga is also surrounded by mountains and crossed by two rivers, which means that travelers will experience a diverse environment. Malaga´s history dates back to the eighth century BC, which makes this city one of the oldest in Europe. The botanical route Malaga offers several types of tours or routes that you can choose from. Among these is a route that includes the important botanical gardens in the city and specific locations such as the Villalcázar Palace, the Customs, the Gardener´s Cottage, the town hall and the building of the rector at the University of Malaga. The tour of the Park...
The 2013 Life Ball in Vienna
The grand gala Vienna is one of the most elegant and majestic cities of Europe, and also one of the oldest, where the passage of time and modernity have not lessened its aristocratic appearance nor its great artistic heritage. The Austrian capital had no equal in terms of culture at the beginning of the 20th century, and it has a great musical tradition. For these reasons, there is perhaps no better setting to celebrate a grand gala in the style of those organized by the Viennese high society some two centuries ago. The first Life Ball took place in 1993, under the initiative of the AIDS LIFE association for the fight against AIDS. The goal was to organize an event to attract the media´s attention to the disease, raise awareness of its importance, and to eliminate prejudices in society. This first edition was such a spectacular event and a great success that they were encouraged to repeat the event every year. © Twang_Dunga The fight against AIDS Today, the Life Ball has become one of the most important charity events in Europe for the fight against AIDS and one of the most important social events in Vienna, attended by famous people from all over the world. Thanks to its popularity and the donations that have been collected over the last two decades, some hundred international projects have been carried out to contribute to the prevention of disease, improve the quality of life of patients and help eliminate the taboos that still exist in many countries. This year´s gala will be held the evening of May 25 in the magical...
Europe’s Best Cycling Cities
One of the biggest challenges you’ll face in your travels is navigation. Each new city presents its own unique system of taxis, busses and subways – and the occasional pedicabs, monorails, and trams. When you know little of the city and less of the language, public transport can be a confusing, frightening headache. Just about anywhere you go though, there’s an alternative to public transport: the bicycle. Not only can you navigate the cities of Europe at your leisure, but you can explore far off the beaten path. Areas that you might have missed are suddenly accessible, so you’ll end up seeing far more of the culture. All across the great continent of Europe, you’ll find fantastic spots to cycle. Many towns maintain dedicated bike lanes, and a growing number of locals rely solely on bicycles for transportation. Because of this, you’ll find great cycling opportunities in most every city; however, we’ve found a few that really stand out from the rest. Without further ado, here are our top picks for Europe’s best cycling cities: 1. Amsterdam, The Netherlands Of all European cities, the Dutch capital is unrivaled for its bike-friendliness. In fact, bicycling is possibly the best way to get around the city. The city is almost completely flat, and the only upgrades you’ll find are canal bridges. Bike lanes crisscross the city, offering unlimited access to every nook and cranny. And of course, you can hire a bike just about anywhere. Bike City, for example, offers stylish black Dutch-made bikes at the reasonable rate of €13.50 for a half-day. 2. Reykjavik, Iceland If you’re looking for safe...
Lake Bled, The Natural Pearl of Slovenia
Many travelers coming to Slovenia like exploring Ljubljana, however it is not the number one destination. What is the most favorite city for travelers in Slovenia then? The answer is always the same: the Lake Bled. This lake is located 35 km from Ljubljana; a natural paradise. © Nigel´s Europe Lots to see The lake is surrounded by a green forest that will take your breath away. Right in the middle of the lake there is an island that host the Church of the Assumption. The church was constructed at the end of XVII century and is beautifully adorned with well-preserved frescoes inspired by Virgin Mary’s life. The church is open from 8 in the morning until sunset. In the very location of the actual church, remains of a pre-Romanesque church and a Slavic cemetery from 9 BC were discovered. To reach the island you can use a boat called pletna, which is like a gondola, you can also rent a paddling boat or, if you like, you can swim, but you, of course, will need vey good lungs. The best time of year to visit Lake Bled is during the warmer months as it usually rains very often the rest of the year. If you come here during a sunny day, you’ll have the chance to stroll around the park and its trails, which is not big enough to get lost and it´s all signposted. During your walk, you might like to visit the castle, which is well worth visiting. The castle was constructed during the XVII century but renovated during the last century. Inside you will find...
Eating in Bologna, a whirl of sensations
Have you ever been to Italy? It´s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the whole world. Rome, Florence, Naples, Venice or Pisa are unique monumental cities, witnesses of the Roman Empire´s legacy and the greatest universal artists. However, there are other great attractions that you can find in Italy, such as its wonderful cuisine. You are entering the historical city of Bologna to show everything it has to offer when it comes to food. Bologna is located in northern Italy, flanked by the rivers Reno and Savena, close to the Apennines. It´s a medium-sized city with 400,000 inhabitants, and its historical legacy is one of the best preserved ones in the world, despite having an Old Town that is only overcome in terms of size by the one in Venice. The cradle of pasta Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna and it´s precisely this region that has been labelled the ´cradle of pasta´, for many the best Italian cuisine that you can eat in the country. The tortellini, cappelletti or tortelloni are especially popular in this part of Italy. In Italy they have breakfast continental style: a coffee and some chocolate or cream pastries. In the many cafes that you can find in Bologna you can enjoy a fantastic Italian coffee and, of course, a nice chat. Le Petit Cafe or Fashion Cafe are good places to start the day in Bologna. Healthy food in Bologna However, you can enjoy the food best during lunchtime. Some of the products that Bologna stands out for are its vegetables (golden onion, potato, Altedo asparagus…), its cured meats (mortadella,...
The Historic Side of Porto
A beautiful city no matter what time of day, a romantic destination, full of both history and poetry, Porto is all of this and much more. This northern port of Portugal captivates every visitor with its wonderful architecture, its relaxed atmosphere and its delicious gastronomy. Foto: Ewan-M A World Heritage Site Porto immediately gives one the impression that the city is being modernized. Its airport, one of the best in Europe, and its comfortable and clean Metro hint at these changes. But this is not why people love Porto, and it is not what the traveler in search of the true identity and culture of the city is going to seek out. The other Porto, the old port, which has long since been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site is where you want to go. There are countless streets that seem to start from the northernmost parts of the city before emptying into the Douro, with multicolored houses, ancient buildings, and libraries that inspire one with their rich history. You will likely see women preparing food through open windows, a cat on the threshold of a door or a window sill, and laundry hung out to dry on the balconies. This is Porto, with the smell of the sea, of rivers, of wine, and of history itself. A tour of the historic The historic old town is so full of places that one must visit. It really is ideal to spend at least five days. To start out, I would recommend visiting the Santa Catarina street before going down to the Ribeira. This vital artery of Porto has several buildings...
Shopping in Milan at Porta Ticinese
Why not go around Corso Porta Ticinese to window shop and to treat yourself?
Chelsea Flower Show
The gardens Nobody actually knows when or why men have always needed to decorate their surroundings. One of the most common and popular types of decoration since ancient times is to have a garden. There are all types of gardens since the beginning of mankind history, from the biblical Eden to the Victorian gardens, they have been the main protagonists of countless dramas and romances. © HerryLawford One has to remember that through cinematography, we have been told right to our collective unconscious about the relevance and significance of decorating outdoor spaces, which we now call gardens, as well as their wide rage of varieties over time in the development of modern architecture. Nowadays, it is actually advisable to have a little garden to get our hands on the ground and relax our body and spirit. The tradition of gardening England is a country that keeps the tradition of gardening alive. It is the place where you can be part of the most important and interesting festival related to this specialty: the Chelsea Flower Show, which takes place at the Royal Hospital Garden, from the 21st to the 25th of May. This year, the show is expected to attract about 500 exhibitors among which include gardens, nurseries, silvicultures, specialists, exhibitors, vendors, etc.. The Fair will be open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., except Saturdays, when it closes at 5:30 p.m. One of the highlights of the event are the “Gardens show”, which are created by some of the world´s leading designers with the intention of providing great inspiration to the visitors. The Chelsea...
