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The best baklava in Istanbul
The baklava is a typical Eastern Mediterranean sweet. It´s origin is unclear, as some say that it´s Turkish, others consider it Greek and some even consider it Chinese. In any case, it´s a delicious dessert that I highly recommend that you try. The baklava has its origin in the old Mesopotamia, modern day Turkey, even though they believe that the Assyrians in the 7th century BC were the first ones to make such a sweet. In the old days, it was made in wood ovens. In the 19th century, it was considered a dessert for the high classes due to its aphrodisiac qualities. Greek merchants exported the recipe to Athens after their delight at having learned about this delicious sweet, and they adapted it to their recipes, improving the texture of the dough. It´s also considered a Chinese sweet due to the Mongol origin of the word. In 1330, it appears in a Chinese recipe book of the Yuan Dynasty. The original baklava is Turkish, and it´s made from a dough of crushed walnuts bathed in honey or syrup with sesame seeds or pistachios. However, the Greek version is filo pastry filled with walnuts and bathed in honey. Here´s a recipe in case you fancy trying it out: First you will need a few filo pastry layers. You then brush them with melted butter between layer and layer and add the crushed walnuts until you get as many layers as you wish, although the required 33 might be a bit hard for a novice. You cut the dough in same-size triangles and you moisten it with water before baking it...
The Great Wall of China and the monuments in Beijing
No adjective is good enough to define the beauty of the capital of the People´s Republic of China. There´s nothing better than a trip there to discover it and understand first hand how spectacular this huge city is, where most of its monuments or buildings are some of the biggest in the world. So, are you ready to know what you have to visit? Tiananmen Square Tiananmen Square, also known as the Gate of Heavenly Peace, is the biggest square in the world, covering over 4700 square feet. Here, in 1949, Mao Zedong proclaimed the foundation of the People´s Republic of China and since then the square has become a centre for ceremonies, celebrations and demonstrations. It´s inevitable not to remember the bloody protest that took place in 1989 and the emblematic photograph of the young man standing in front of the tank (which won the World Press Photo Award that year). In the same square you´ll find the Sun Yat Sen Park, the Monument to the People´s Heroes, the Chinese National Museum (the biggest in the world), the National People´s Assembly Palace and Tiananmen Tower, a symbol of the city. The Forbidden City The Forbidden City also has the record for being the biggest palace complex in the world, with 980 buildings and covering 178 acres of land. This enormous complex is enclosed in a bigger area called the Imperial City, which was the home of the Chinese Imperial Palace since the era of the Ming Dynasty until the Qing Dyansty (1912). The Forbidden City is divided in two areas: the Outer Court, where the Hall of Supreme...
Things to do in Nice
Perhaps not so many things have changed since the subversive, whimsical and beautifully evocative documentary film about the city by Jean Vigo in 1930. Like the movie, Nice has the amazing power to reconcile with images and moments of an old aspiration into a way of life. 1. Terraces In few places we let ourselves be overcome by such a noble aspiration and pleasurable abandonment nicer than fabulous terraces under either its magnificent sun or enjoying delicious tea served in the shadow of the Auer Gormet of the imposing Opera House. 2. Music The truth is that Nice has always had a strong musical will expressed with vibrant force in places like the massive Palais Nikaia or Chamber Acropolis, whose varied program of concerts rages from big pop stars to cult dj’s and French hip hop artists. 3. Art For recreational aspect of art, Nice also has an attractive offer in its own, highlighting the Jean Renoir Gallery, the Musée National Message Biblique Marc Chagall and perhaps primarily, the Musée Matisse, a true center of pilgrimage for fans of the work of one of the great giants of twentieth-century painting. Without leaving the realm of the museum, we could also visit the extraordinary collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, which includes legendary masterpieces such as The Kiss, by Auguste Rodin Speaking of art, Chocolate in Nice acquires an unsuspected dimension in resorts like La Bulle d´Isis, among whose bid of over eighty different beauty treatments, relaxation and rejuvenation includes the completely consistent body smearing with a seductive blend of cream and melted chocolate. 4. Mysticism After purifying our...
Street Art in Amsterdam
Street art in Amsterdam sounds like funky music, has a lot of rhythm, it´s just like a trip. Today, the City Council is looking for measures to de-criminalize this practice by creating specific areas where you can go bombing (do graffiti). There are also measures underway to legitimize the most acclaimed graffiti artists and for their work to be acknowledged as art, promoting their exhibitions and works (bringing some to museums from the streets). Despite that painting on walls is as old as mankind, it wasn´t until the 70s that this movement began to materialize in Amsterdam. Graffiti artists, also known as ´writers´, have their roots in the punk movement. This art was born with an activist base as poetry of a revolution, being used as a way of expressing the discontent of the people against the politico-social class and the economic system of the time. Some names to remember Shoe. He´s a graffiti artist that´s been active since 1979, forming the Crime Time Kings collective in the 80s. At that time, he carried out his transition to the legal world by creating his own brand. His style is known as calligraffiti. Another important ´writer´ is Ottograph, with clear pop art influences that can be seen all over the city and across the world. He works for such polarized companies such as Greenpeace and Mercedes-Benz. Mickey is a graffiti artist that has the presence of eyeballs in her paintings as her trademark. Hugo Mulder, aka DHM, has been covering the streets of Amsterdam with his unique black and white style since the 80s, a style that reminds us of a...
The best guide to alternative Barcelona
Here are some tips on what other different things you can do in Barcelona, alternative plans for families, couples and young people who want to get to know the city from a different perspective. Up until now, the city has a double appeal. One must innovate and renovate, and this also applies to tourism. Bicycle route In the Catalan capital, it´s easy to find different things to do without falling into the routine and asking what there is beyond. In other words, that as well as visiting the Sagrada Familia, Montjuïc and other beautiful landmarks that this capital of culture holds, all of those plans can be put into practice in a very original way. I recommend that you start with a tandem ride around all of these places that, although they might already be known to you, will still surprise you. The key is to get to know the other side of the city. To finish the ride, a good ending would be to enjoy a sunset where Barceloneta beach comes to an end. Nearby is a place that rents these types of bicycles, on Passeig de la Barceloneta, 33. Its website is: www.biciclot.net. Cava sampling For those who prefer a less extreme tourism, I recommend that they take part on one of the cava sampling courses offered by the Cava Institute on Plaça Francesc Macià, 3. It´s a workshop that costs around 22 euros and there´s the possibility that you might end up a bit drunk afterwards, but it´s generally very satisfying to find out and learn about the elaboration techniques and curiosities that surround this delicious...
Top 6 New York Secrets
New York City is a fascinating place to visit. It’s rich with history, and you’re guaranteed a surprise on nearly every block. While there are all of the obvious tourist spots to visit, there are also a number of fascinating oddities off the beaten track that are definitely worth your time. If you’re feeling adventurous, check out some of our favorite secret spots in New York. The Secret Subway Stations Take a ride on the 6 train (that’s how we call it in NY), and as you’re clattering along through downtown Manhattan, keep your eyes peeled as you pass between 23rd Street and the end of the line. If you’re paying attention, you’ll notice three abandoned subway stations. The Worth Street, City Hall and 18th Street stations all were closed due to changes in the transportation system, but they still sit there, empty and ghost-like as trains sail past. The World’s First Passenger Elevator Head down to Soho, and stop in at the Haughwout Building at 488 Broadway. This old building houses the very first passenger elevators in the world. The elevators were installed in 1857 by American inventor Elisha Armstrong Otis. The elevators aren’t used anymore, and the actual location within the building is one of New York’s little mysteries. Interestingly though, the work done on the Haughwout elevators set many of the precedents for elevators in skyscrapers today. The Hua-Mei Bird Garden As you stroll along Delancey Street in Sara D. Roosevelt Park, keep an eye out for a little half-moon quadrant at the corner of Forsyth Street. At this tiny, hidden park you’ll find dozens of...Travel photo of the month by Floortje van der Vlist
Talent is nothing without practice It’s never too late to learn something. Here at Only-apartments we still want to discover new things and be amazed by new cultures and countries as much as having skills and sensibility to capture breathtaking images as part of this experience for all senses. Travel photographer of the month Floortje van der Vlist How long have you been a photographer? It’s hard to tell when my photography changed from shooting snapshots to shooting “real” photographs. I guess it was about 4 or 5 years ago. There was one young photographer that told me about his learning-process, and I became interested, and started experimenting myself. I never took lessons, or followed classes, I’m totally self-educated. Ofcourse I must be honest, and tell you that I work for a television-station as a news-reporter, so I am familiair with shots and angles and framing. I guess that helped me too. Did you study photography or did you start it as a hobby? Definitely a hobby! Although I love it so much, I would like it to be my profession! But being in media already, I know how hard it is to work as a professional photographer/camera-man. So I will stick to the journalism-stuff for a while. What in your personal (and professional if applicable) life inspires you to take your pictures? My inspiration comes from my kids, and from the street. Just ordinary, everyday life. I like to catch moods, to catch expressions and faces and smiles, but tears too. I like grumpy old faces and the ever changing face of my daughter growing up...
How to go out in Barcelona with little money after Christmas
Once Christmas has been and gone, after eating all those sweets and excess family dinners, life goes on. Even though many of us would like to spend the whole month of January hibernating in bed in order not to spend any more money, the truth is that the clock pushes us back to routine, to face the harsh reality of life. We´ve ended up with no money after spending it all on food, presents and partying, and there´s still a long month ahead of us. However, after a week´s work we will probably want to go out again and enjoy Barcelona, so there´s a problem ahead: go out to keep mentally sane or stay in and save the little money we have? Don´t worry, you can do both things because we´ve prepared a list of free activities that you can do in Barcelona in January. Here goes: Concerts If you like live music and reduced crowds, you´re in luck: Jazz Sunday 18th. At Casal Prosperitat in Nou Barris, jam session with “participative music” at 10.30pm. Pop-rock Saturday 26th, from 9.30pm, pop-rock minifestival with Gerard Civat i els Civets+Cyrene+Please Wait at Espai Jove La Fontana, in the Gràcia district. Free entry! Classical music Sunday 6th. Free Anna Maria Reverté concert at Palau de la Generalitat, in Plaça Sant Jaume at 12pm; Wednesday 15th. Maria Ivanovich piano concert at the North American Institute in the Sarria district at 7.30pm. Folkloric Thursday 17th. Sara n Trio brings R&B, soul and Brazilian music at the Centre Cívic Sagrada Familia. Free entry and starts at 8pm. Thursday 24th. Music made with oil barrels with...
The 2013 Befana Regatta in Venice
If you are bored of the usual procession of the Kings on Epiphany and are in search of new thrills, there’s a traditional Italian feast that will surely excite you. It takes place in Venice on January 6 and is called the Befana Regatta. This parade is unusual because the Magi from the East have been replaced by elderly witches who float through the city with their brooms. They can be seen on lots of gondolas and on every street corner, but they’re not there to scare the children. This celebration is quite different, really, and unknown in much of the world. The Witch Befana is very famous in Italy because she flies above the cities every year and fills the houses with gifts. Young children know this quite well. And as the story goes, this old woman led the Magi to the manger in Bethlehem and was even invited to go with them to adore the Child Jesus but chose not to. In spite of what many may think about witches and the Befana’s ragged appearance, she’s a good witch. The Befana in Italy is responsible for filling the houses with gifts, chocolates and sweets. She achieves this by going down the chimney much like Santa Claus does. But those who have behaved badly will only receive a lump of coal, so you better watch out! If you are in Venice on this day, you will see how unique this celebration is compared to what is done in the rest of the world. On the Epiphany there’s a witch race with all of the participants dressed up and...
