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Shopping in Amsterdam
From the posh south of the city, the market Albert Cuyp market to the trendy center of the city, Amsterdam will meet the needs of every resident or visitor´s shopping desires.
Maskavas Forštate, the Russian district of Riga.
Riga is a city that has endured many political and social changes in the last few years. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the USSR, this young country has developed and become a popular tourist destination whilst preserving its historical charm, and where its past is still present on its streets. Much has been said and written about its Old Town but there´s a part of the city that seems stuck in time, and this gives it a special charm, a decadence that mixes with romanticism that becomes paradise for those in search for authenticity outside the claws of tourism. The Russian district of Riga, known as Maskavas Forštate in Latvian, which means Moscow Suburb, or as Maskačka as the locals known it, is a district that perhaps you´ve already read about and been told that it needs avoiding when you visit Riga. In any case, if you listened to those opinions, you would be missing out on an emblematic part of the Latvian capital. Maskačka is made up by old wooden houses, cobbled streets and a Soviet look that it hasn´t been able to lose with the passing of time. If you´ve learned some Latvian words for your trip to Riga, you won´t need them here since Russian is the language spoken on these streets. In any case, the Moscow Suburb oozes history. After the medieval Old Town of the city, this is the oldest part of the city, with its existence going back as far as the 14th century. In this district you can find many old buildings, including churches of five different religions. During the Second...
The Park of the Catacomb – A Hidden Jem in Rio de Janeiro
The Lagoa neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro is a precious jewel, an enchanted place where the beauty and the splendor of nature reign and where one can find a state of tranquility and peace. The Park of the Catacomb is a true escape from noise, stress and pollution. You’ll not only find an escape from urban chaos and fresh air, but also refreshingly cooler temperatures that are markedly different from the high temperatures in the rest of Rio de Janeiro. The Park of the Catacomb opened in the 1970s after a favela in this area was dismantled. In the lower part of the park there are numerous sculptures depicting all sorts of things, including people, animals, abstract objects, etc. You can see these sculptures as you walk up the small mountain that leads to the top of the park. At the top, you will have amazing views of the city. The journey to reach the top takes about 20 minutes, but you’ll need to wear sneakers or good, comfortable shoes. Heels are not recommended since you’ll have to climb some old wooden stairs embedded in the earthen floor, so wear shoes that are both comfortable and practical. When you reach the end, the whole neighborhood of Lagoa is at your feet. From here the views leave you breathless. You’ll see the statue of Christ the Redeemer, the mountains of Dois Irmaos and Pedra da Gavea, Lake Rodrigo de Freitas and more. For more daring athletes, the Park of the Catacomb also has a zipline, a more adrenaline-pumping way of seeing the park with even more spectacular views. If this...
Riga’s Nightlife
For many travelers, a diverse and lively nightlife is an important part of their trip. There are many cities that have great cultural offerings but lack much to do other than eat and sleep once the sun goes down and the museums and shops close. The city of Riga is different. It’s a tourist destination that has little in common with others in Western Europe or even the East, countries like the Czech Republic and Poland, for example. It has managed to retain its uniqueness and has not fallen victim to the negative aspects of tourism, such as high prices and sameness. Affordable prices Latvia has not yet entered the Euro and retains its own currency, the lat, which means that prices have not risen like they have a bit in neighboring Estonia. Riga is known for many things, but especially for its nightlife. The best part is that this city offers something for everyone, from lively pubs where you can drink a few beers with friends to more exclusive bars and cocktail lounges. Cocktails with a view Regarding the latter, there’s one place which is just about an obligatory stop: the Skyline Bar. This bar lives up to its name, since it is located on top of the Radisson Blu Hotel. It’s a great place to start the evening, and you can choose from around 100 cocktails on the menu. Have a seat in one of the sofas or cushioned seats and enjoy the bar’s privileged nighttime view of Riga, a view that makes this place one of the most spectacular bars in Eastern Europe. Address: Elizabetes str....
10 things to do in Beijing (Part I)
You may be planning a trip to the capital of China, for fun or for business. When you face such a giant country for the first time, it is good to have a guide of things you can do to get the most of your holidays. Here are our specific recommendations to help you design a great tour in the city. Are you ready? 1. Shichahai lakes Very close to the Forbidden City, you’ll find the Shichahai lakes, which are part of the gardens of the emperor. Here you’ll find three lakes: Houhai (on the back), Qianhai (in front) and Xihai (West). Strolling along the banks of these lakes will make you feel a wonderful an indescribable peace. Here you can even rent a boat to see the whole area of Beihai Park, located on the north of the Forbidden City. The whole Shichahain area is full of sites to drink and taste typical dishes. 2. Hutongs The famous Hutongs are ancient and very narrow streets that are located in the old part of the city. Some of these Hutongs date back to the ancient dynasties such as the Ming or Yuan. The houses in these alleys have a very typical structure, but sadly many of them were demolished as a result of the Olympic games. We can find such constructions in Nanchizi neighborhoods. (Renting bikes is a very good idea). 3. Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant As soon as you are hungry, you should try something typical; and there is nothing better than eating duck in China. We can find a lot of fast food restaurants for tourists...
Winter, the onsen time in Tokyo
Traveling to Japan and learning about their culture is a priceless experience. The Japanese are reputed to work hard and be quite stressed out, and this may be reflected in the busy streets of the capital, Tokyo. However, the Japanese have a way to relax that is equally beautiful and effective: the onsen. An onsen is a 100% natural hot spring bath that purifies skin and body and relaxes the mind The Japanese have been discovering these springs for centuries, and adapting the areas around them. That´s why there are all types of onsen. The overwhelming majority, however, are outdoors. We must also remember that Japan is a country where it is cold in the winter months, so seeking refuge in an onsen is a real treat because you may be able to enjoy the hot waters while snowflakes fall. And the more traditional onsen are situated in Japanese gardens that are true works of art. The city of Tokyo´s many onsen of all types are definitely worth visiting. Here are a few of these Japanese-style spas that you can visit during your stay in one of our apartments in Tokyo to reenergize yourself and give a treat to your body, which is especially ideal if you’ve been under a lot of stress. Who said that everything in Tokyo is stressful? Oedo Onsen Monogatari Although there’s an nsen for every taste, the general consensus is that the best onsen in Tokyo is the Oedo Onsen Monogatari. Located on the island of Odaiba in Tokyo Bay, this haven of relaxation has it all, from outdoor onsen in beautiful gardens to...
Be a Part of the TV Audience in New York City
A fun and free way to see some celebrities while you’re in New York City is to attend the taping of some television shows as part of the live studio audience. I’ll tell you about the shows I would recommend seeing and how you can sign up to get tickets. Once you’ve selected which shows you’re interested in, you should write to them to ask for tickets for your specific travel dates. In case that doesn’t work, you can still stand in line for a chance to get stand-by tickets on the day of the show. Good Morning America This show specializes in the morning news and lifestyle information. It airs live every weekday at 7 am. To request tickets, you´ll need to visit the ABC studio’s website: http://abc.go.com/site/tv-ticket-request. To try to get standby tickets, they recommend that you arrive by 6:45 am, although you may want to get in line earlier to increase your chances. A valid photo ID is necessary and don’t bring any bags other than a purse, since those are not allowed. The show is taped at Broadway and W. 44th Street (Times Square). The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Hosted by Jon Stewart, this extremely popular show on Comedy Central features absurd and funny parodies about politics, pop culture and news. There is also always a celebrity guest, who range from politicians (President Obama) to actors and authors. Tickets are booked through the show’s website: http://www.thedailyshow.com/tickets. The studio address is 733 11th Avenue, and shows are taped Monday through Thursday at 5:45 pm. Doors will open, however, at 5:15 pm. Participants must...
Foro Italico in Rome
Foro Italico in Rome (not to be confused with the Roman Forum from imperial times) is located on the outskirts of the Eternal City and is part of the sport facilities of the University for the Studies of Rome “Foro Italico”. It is accessible to the visitors and constantly holds tennis tournaments and athletic races. The swimming facilities are located in a building right next to it. Foro Italico was built between 1928 and 1938 and it followed the architecture aesthetics promoted by the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. This construction is adorned with Art Deco sculptures, which was the dominant artistic style at the time. Fascist Architecture Without going into political, ethical or humanistic issues about what the fascism represented in arts, Fascist architecture, has a very high aesthetic quality. Hitler and Mussolini, as other totalitarians did not hesitate to promote the burning of books and paintings (sometimes even people) in an effort to erase parts of history. But that doesn’t mean that, in some way or another, both regimes promoted highly effective artistic interventions. And as an example we must highlight the rallies of Nazi propaganda in Germany and executed beautiful buildings erected in Italy, especially in the north, because of the Duce, Benito Mussolini On that historic, ethical, social and cultural involution of the time, it was believed that there was no better time than the one of the ancient Rome Empire (in Italy) or the pure Aryan tribes (in Germany). With both of these, it was intended to resume some values from the past (from more than 2000 years before them!) and inculcated them in their...
Istanbul with Kids: 3 Museums to visit with the entire family
Istanbul is an ideal holiday destination for the entire family, including young children. If you come from a Western culture, the Turkish capital will offer the youngest members of the family a different view of the world in a civilized and controllable atmosphere; plus there you’ll have access to all the services and facilities you can find in Europe. Well, here are three museums you can’t miss when visiting Istanbul with your children: Miniaturk Museum, Toy Museum and Naval Museum. Whether with children or not, in these museums you’ll have lots of fun! Istanbul Naval Museum The Istanbul Naval Museum is perhaps one of the oldest of its kind. It was created in the late nineteenth century at the same time that the first observation and scientific societies were born. Although, in the beginning, it was a simple place to store various objects related to the Turkish marine, today it is one of the best museums in Istanbul. The quality and quantity of exhibits, that ranges from Ottoman art, maritime pieces, miniature ships and original pieces from real ships, etc, is simply undeniable. For further information, click on the following link: http://www.denizmuzeleri.tsk.tr/en/. Toy Museum in Istanbul If the Naval Museum wasn’t enough, children will have a blast in the Istanbul Toy Museum, which is housed in a mansion that belongs to the poet Sunay Akin (born 1962) and located in an area away from the bustle of the city. It is across the Strait. It opened in 2005 and over 4,000 toys of all kinds are hosted here. Some of them are curious and hard to find because of...
