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Activities for Children in Helsinki
What will we talk about today? Yet another destination that is great for traveling with children: the cultivated and peaceful city of Helsinki. The Finnish capital grew due to its university, which gives you an idea about the character of the city. Everything there is for the convenience of its citizens and families. Today, I’m going to give you 10 fun things to do in Helsinki which are sure to appeal to both young and old: 1. Ride a bike: The capital has numerous bike lanes and many rental places with very reasonable prices. 3. Visit the Fortress of Suomenlinna: Located just outside the city, this fortress has been declared a World Heritage Site. They have activities for children (mime, street theater and puppets) and a beach that is packed in summer. In addition, it is also possible to celebrate a family event there. 4. Visit the Teatro de Danza Rollo: These shows are tailored to young tastes. The recently built (1972) theater, offers a wide ranging program with activities and workshops for children. 5. Experience a real farm: This initiative is named Fallkulla, and has pigs, chickens and lambs. If your children are at least nine years old, they can also become farmers for a day. And since Finland is also very into environmental awareness and respect for the environment, they will also be able to learn more about this here. 6. Hevosenkenka, the Toy Museum of Finland: Any child would be happy to visit this museum. The holdings range from the early twentieth century until today. Parents and grandparents will experience nostalgia as they remember their own...
Quioscos – Stalls full of Freshness
Usually we associate the word “kiosk” with varied meanings. One of the most common concerns places where they sell newspapers, magazines and even books. Some can even sell candy, cookies and treats. But in Lisbon, in its heart and other areas of this beautiful city, kiosks or “quioscos” have been recovered to refresh passersby with a wonderful array of delicious refreshments, cocktails and other treats for every taste. Located in squares and viewpoints, it is estimated that at least 40 have been adopted carefully keeping its traditional style. These kiosks were brought from France in the early twentieth century. It has a completely circular shape made of iron, and now work perfectly as a cafe or bar. This recovery, which was promoted by the city of Lisbon, has taken such a force that it has quickly become a meeting and visiting spot for lovers of outdoors and good life. a delicious natural juice, lemonade, even a beer or a full meat to a simple snack can be found. Despite its popularity, it is a comfortable alternative in terms of price and you can find several of them in strategic areas such as Royal Prince spaces, Praça Luiz de Camões and the Flower. Some of these beautiful and nice places have sought to regain drinks of the past such as Mazagran, or the Capilé which is a sweet drink made from maidenhair, Leite is scented with cinnamon and lemon and mixed with Quente Vinho species . Moreover, five of these kiosks that are located on Avenida Liberdade and the Star Garden have decided to adopt a slightly more contemporary outdoor fashion,...
Free activities in Tokyo
Tokyo is perhaps one of the most interesting cities in the world. Of course, it´s one of the most cosmopolitan and intense cities in Asia and it offers a wide range of options for leisure, cuisine, partying, culture and entertainment. You´ve probably got those images of Sofia Coppola´s Lost in Translation in your head, where the protagonist walks around heavy urban landscapes filled with neon lights, contrasted with ancestral temples and beautiful gardens; it´s a strong combination between tradition and modernity, and that´s what you´ll find in this city. Of course, the protagonist of the film is a millionaire and goes hopping from skyscraper to skyscraper, but not all of us are that lucky. If you´re looking for entertainment options that are very cheap or free, here is a short list of your best options for when you visit Tokyo. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Yes, going up to the 45th floor of this building won´t cost you a penny. From its magnificent urban height and with clear skies, you will be able to see Mount Fuji. Free beer When it comes to trying the best beers in the city, don´t miss out on visiting the Musashino brewery, which has received many awards for the delicious flavour of its beer. In this brewery you can go on guided tours in English that are free, along with free beer of course. Sony Showroom Located in the famous Sony building in the Ginza district, here you can find the newest in electronic gadgets. You will be able to try all the newest prototypes in electronics, paradise for the ´technology geek´. ...
Ljubljana Art Nouveau route part II
Having left behind the Credit Cooperative Bank of architect Ivan Vurnik, continue along the road until you reach Prešernov trg. This place was an ancient crossroading in front of one of the medieval gates of Ljubljana, and today has become one of the most beautiful places in the city. The buildings surrounding the square are of great architectural beauty and it is here where the famous Triple Bridge (Tromostovje) Ljubljanica crosses the river, one of the most famous and popular places in the city. After the earthquake, the palaces were erected in place of the destroyed medieval houses, emphasizing especially on the Urbanc House, one of the most beautiful Art Nouveau buildings of the city, along with the Hauptman House. It is in this square where we find the Galerija Emporium, a shopping center that is located in a renovated Art Nouveau palace, coincidentally, here was where the first department stores in the Slovenian capital in 1903 were located. The building on the street corner of Miklošičeva and Trubarjeva is a building that resembles the Grand Union Hotel for its location and structure, without doubt one of the most common appearances of Art Nouveau architecture of the early twentieth century . Walk down and around the castle hill into Mestni trg street, at number 23 we find the Epicenter Building. Perhaps the name does not lead us to think that this building is historic but appearances are deceptive. This glass building was a former department store and was rebuilt in a Baroque house in 1914 by order of merchant Franc Brünnler Drofenig to architect Karl. The importance of this building...
Street Art in Vienna
When we talk about Vienna, you might think of the city´s fabulous opera houses, the world-class museums, the grand classicist architecture or even the Baroque castles. But did you know it is also home to great street art and graffiti? Graffiti has always been given a bit of a bad name. It is something that many have long viewed as a blight in our metropolises that covers the walls and streets of our city with indecipherable markings. Many still think it just scribbles made by wobbly hands or dribbles of paint created by untalented persons who for some reason unknown to others feel the need to document their presence. From the street into the museum Although often misunderstood, graffiti is part of an important and independent creative movement. There are and always have been street artists out there who are interested in creating true and unique works of art. But finally this art form has been recognized for what it is. Under the label “street art”, many artists have gained appreciation all over the world and earned themselves a place in the world’s greatest art museums as “high art”. One of the most popular currently is the British artist and activist known by the pseudonym Banksy, and his satirical works are viewed in museums across the globe. Graffiti should and can be considered art instead of simply vandalism. Beyond spray paint Today’s street art also goes well beyond traditional graffiti. It can involve stencils, stickers or posters as well as embracing things like sculpture, video projection, installations and guerilla art. It is also a great way for artists...
Beijing Arts Festival 2013
The Beijing Arts Festival 2013 can be enjoyed from the 28th of April until the 29th of May. This festival brings a programme of theatre, dance and music that will last for a whole month to the Chinese capital. The Chinese and international performances will take place indoors and outdoors, including at the famous National Theatre and in the Hall of the Forbidden City. This meeting in Beijing is a meeting of art on a national level supervised by the Ministry for Culture, the State Administration for Radio, Film and Television and the Beijing Local Council, carried out by China Arts and Entertainment Group and the Beijing Local Culture Office. The festival´s aim is to promote international cultural exchanges through the presentation of Chinese culture. In the year 2000, to welcome the new millennium, the first meeting of the Beijing Arts Festival was created and it obtained international recognition. Since then, as a bridge that unites Beijing with the rest of the world, the annual meeting of the Beijing Arts Festival has kept on running for eleven years and has reached huge social relevance. With considerable experience, this festival has established itself as an international festival of integral arts and one of the biggest spring festivals in Asia, respected by Chinese and international art communities. A large variety of activities are part of the festival, including theatre in the open air, art exhibitions, charity events and specialised seminars that are divided into different categories, sometimes organised by guest countries, and also dedicated to specific subjects. In the last decade, more than 1000 companies and 30,000 artists from 110 countries...
Queen’s Day in Amsterdam
The arrival of the 30th of April becomes a huge event in the Netherlands, especially in Amsterdam. The Dutch celebrate their national day and their queen´s birthday in an atmosphere where festive cheer and fun gather more than 700,000 people. This year is especially unique since Queen Beatrice is abdicating her throne after the festival, after 33 years in it. Therefore it will be the last ´Queen´s Day´. From 2014, it will be the turn of her son and successor, King William, so this year´s Queen´s Day is expected to be especially emotive and multitudinous as a farewell to the outgoing Queen. The night before There´s so much will to party in the Dutch capital that the activities begin the night before Queen´s Day. From 7pm onwards, the parties start arising around the city and last until daylight. In the streets, in the bars… you´ll find entertainment everywhere! The markets If there´s something that Dutch people are passionate about, that´s commerce and this day is proof of that. From the early hours of the morning, the streets fill with stalls that sell anything and everything. Children and adults offer things that they want to get rid of (toys, books, clothes) in a jovial atmosphere, since the most important thing here is to socialise and have a good time, so everything is sold at symbolic prices. Try and bring cash since it´s a great chance to find some bargains. The Jordaan district This district is the most popular one during the festival since, as well as the numerous market stalls, drinks stands and food stands that you can find, there...
The Master of Venetian Painting: Titian, in the Scuderie del Quirinale
The exhibition of the works of Tiziano Vecellio, which runs until June 16, concludes the work that the Scuderie del Quirinale began a while back to analyze the artistic production of Venetian painting and the role it has played in the renewal of Italian and European culture. Before Titian, one has been able to admire the works of painters of the modern pictorial revolution, artists like Antonello da Messina, Giovanni Bellini, Tintoretto and Lorenzo Lotto, at the Scuderie. Now it’s Titian turn. His works bear witness to what an important figure his was in the world of painting. The exhibition presents the highlights from the Italian artist’s unstoppable rise, from his beginnings under the guidance of Giovanni Bellini and Giorgione to his being recognized as an artist of international fame. Many of Titian’s works were commissioned, and not for just anyone but for the most important figures of that period, including Charles V (during his coronation in 1530), and his son Philip II, future king of Spain. The exhibition portrays not only his work as a religious painter, but also the difficult job of being a portraitist for the nobility of the time. The exhibition at the Scuderie del Quirinale is accompanied by scientific studies that have analyzed the entire production of this artist. These studies, conducted by the Ateneo Center for Visual Arts at the University of Bergamo, have managed to make fine distinctions between the works of Titian, from those developed at the beginning of his career in small workshops to the evolution of his own techniques. You have April, May and part of June to visit...
Saint George’s Day 2013
There is no better place in the world to celebrate the 23rd of April; the International Day of the Book. This is a very important celebration, not only because it commemorate the anniversary of the city’s protector St. George but also because the whole city becomes a great party. The International Day of the Book During Saint George´s Day, las Ramblas gets full of stalls full books and red roses. The tradition suggests that on this day, which is holiday in Barcelona and throughout Catalonia, it is required to give men a book and a red rose to the ladies. That´s what the custom dictates, but as we live in the postmodern times and the ladies read more than men you can disrupt the order. The tradition dates back to the fifteenth century and today the reality is quite different. During this day, as well as some days before and after de celebration, booksellers make a discount of 5% on the price marked on the label. Remember that in Spain the price of new books (unless they are antiques or second hand) is fixed for all establishments. Although the stalls will be filled with new releases, there is always a bold bookseller that temps the bibliophile to browse the shelves. There is always a classic, a great poem book and a novel that you´ve wanted to read or borrowed but never bought. Another excuse to enjoy this special day is in the sense of end of the paper books in the air. The advance of the ebooks, as well as the intangible information that now is being read on...
