The Walled City of Avila

Europe, Spain — Tags: — sarah @ 6:26 pm


Avila is a beautiful Spanish city, situated at 1130 meters above sea level. Because of the altitude, it offers a respite from the hot climate of Spain. The temperature drops in Avila and the weather becomes very pleasant in summer. In winter, it becomes very cold here and you would need your warm clothes then.

The biggest attraction of Avila is its tall city wall, whose present structure was built in eleventh and twelfth century. It is a very well preserved wall and you should surely take a walk along it.

The main attractions of the city other than the City Wall include the cathedral of the Basilica de San Vicente and El Real Monasterio de Santo Toma. The Basilica has portals and portico that have a Romanesque architecture. Its capitals have many beautiful carvings and motifs along with interesting sculptures. This basilica is supposed to be built on the site of the execution of St. Vincent.

The Cathedral of Avila is a magnificent Romanesque building in which the change of architecture from Romanesque to Gothic can be seen. The cathedral has many interesting features such as a star shaped cupola, gold inlay and a big silver monstrance.

You can explore the beautiful buildings of this Spanish city while enjoying the comfort of a cool wind.

(Image courtesy M.Peinado)

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Enchanting City of Segovia

Europe, Spain — Tags: — sarah @ 6:24 pm

Segovia is an interesting city which epitomises Spanish spirit. It has twisting alleys, a large number of Romanesque churches and streets without cars. There is a medieval wall around the city with two rivers on its side. It has many green parks, sidewalk cafes and shaded alleys for walks.

You can enjoy a calm evening walk along the pedestrian streets of Segovia in the pleasant weather without having to face much traffic. Your walks would be made interesting by the small eating joints, gardens and beautiful views spread across the whole city.

This city has many historical attractions such as the Alcazar castle. This castle is the inspiration behind the Walt Disney castle. Another favourite attraction is the famous Roman Aqueduct, which is the biggest in the world. Another beautiful tourist attraction is a 16th century cathedral. Mint, located here, is the oldest industrial manufacturing plant that is still in a good condition.

Segovia also has a spectacular skyline which has majestic mountains in the background. The city is at a relatively high altitude which makes the weather here quite pleasant in summers. Reaching Segovia is very easy as it is well connected to Madrid which has an international airport. Segovia is a magical experience which transports the tourists into its special mystical world.

(Image courtesy Alaskan Dude)

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Enjoy Nature and Serenity at the Islands of Dodecanese

Europe, Greece — Tags: — sarah @ 9:43 am

Dodecanese is set of 12 large and another 150 small beautiful islands in the Aegean Sea that boast of unspoilt natural beauty and many historical attractions.

One of the popular islands of this group is Kalymnos that has a scenic coastline and old churches and castles. Not frequented by tourists, the island offers peaceful and relaxed environment.

Another island which allows you to escape from the hectic modern life is Karpathos. It has many beautiful isolated beaches. Its northern part has many villages that still practise the old, traditional lifestyle.

Haiki is another small island located in this region. It has many beautiful and serene beaches and waterfronts. Many of these beaches are organized and offer all comforts while other beaches are completely isolated and can only be reached after trekking. These beaches offer the visitors privacy to enjoy the virgin landscape. This island has many architectural attractions such as a medieval castle which is built on a rocky hill and stone clock tower in front of the Town Hall. Another noteworthy attraction is the long bell tower in the Church of Saint Nicolas. The inhabitants of Haiki are known for their hospitality.

The charming islands of Dodecanese are ideal for people who want to escape from the hustle bustle of modern life and wish to have a peaceful time in the lap of nature.

(Image courtesy Emma & Michael’s Excellent Adventures)

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Jewel of Crete – Elounda

Europe, Greece — Tags: , , — sarah @ 9:38 am


Elounda is a small island located at a distance of around 7 km from Agios Nikolaos. It has five villages among which the popular village of Sxisma is situated along the sea side. It was once a little Greek village but it has now slowly transformed into a popular tourist destination. In fact, it attracts the largest number of tourists in Crete.

Elounda has many clubs, discotheques, bars, eating joints and hotels. It has sandy beaches that are regarded as the most beautiful in the entire Crete region. These beaches are organized and offer many water sports for tourists who seek some adventure and excitement.

There is also a small fishing village, which you can visit for meals. You can find all sorts of eating joints ranging from those serving traditional fare to modern international cuisine in Elounda.

A major attraction of Elounda is Spinalonga, which can be reached by a small boat ride or canoe ride. It is an islet at the entrance of the Elounda bay. Here you can see a magnificent Venetian fortress from the sixteenth century. The view from Spinalonga is breathtaking and the boat ride is exciting and fun.

Elounda allows tourists to relax and have fun in a cosy atmosphere. It is a great place to unwind and enjoy the nature.

(Image courtesy Shadowgate)

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Breathtaking Historical Monuments of Athens

Greece — Tags: — sarah @ 7:26 pm

Athens if the capital city of Greece and gives a glimpse of the rich historical past of the country. It has been the home for many different civilizations which have left their mark on the city. The remnants of these rich civilizations are visible all over the city in the form of various historical monuments.

One of the most famous historical sites in Athens is the Acropolis Hill or the ‘Sacred Rock’. This site is the house for many stunning architectural constructions from the Golden Age of the Greek civilization. At the entrance of the holy region of Athena, the goddess, are the spectacular monuments called as the Propylaea. They are made of marble and have a grand design. The beautiful Ionian temple, Apteros Nike is also located here.

The other beautiful monuments in the city include The Temple of Poseidon, Roman Market, Odeion of Herodes Atticus, Panathinaiko Stadium or Kallimarmaro and Olymbion. Various artifacts are displayed in many museums in the city such as the Archaeological Museum. The museums display the artifacts in a very interesting and informative manner.

Further, if you enjoy observing beautifully constructed buildings then you will be interested in viewing many buildings in the City such as the Parliament and the University that have interesting neo classical architecture. Athens is also famous for its nightlife and after a day of historical sightseeing you can relax in its numerous pubs and clubs.

(Image courtesy of Serendigity)

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Exploring Ancient Sites in Corinthia

Greece — Tags: — sarah @ 7:25 pm

Corinthia is the first prefecture of Greece that lies close to Athens. Its capital city, Corinth offers visitors a chance to stay on the shores of the sea while enjoying all the modern luxury.

Corinth is a place with a rich history and many interesting historical landmarks. One of the famous attractions is Acrocorinth, a big rock which has many ruins and sites at its foot including temples and shrines. The historical past of Corinth, which dates back to 5th century BC to 3rd century AD, comes to life in this place. The site of this mighty rock leaves onlookers in awe of it. It has Byzantine fort lined on the top and the view from the peak is thrilling and delightful.

Another breathtaking historical monument is the Temple of Apollo with Doric Columns. This 6th century BC temple is quite grand and showcases the skills of ancient craftsmen. Another attraction is the museum which houses interesting artifacts such as Roman mosaics and statues. Corinth Canal is yet another famous historical site that attracts many tourists every year.

Corinthia provides all modern comforts and gives visitors a chance to explore its mystical past without sacrificing their luxury.

(Image courtesy of Alun Salt)

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Peaceful Al Quseir

Uncategorized — Tags: — sarah @ 9:24 am

Located 85 km South of Safaga in Egypt, Al-Quseir is a major port of the Red Sea. It was once a city of big trading activities. But now it is a beautiful tourist spot known for its calm sandy beaches and crystal clear water. It is a place with virtually no loud clubs or other commercial establishments, which is why it guarantees a quiet trip for you.

You can spend your vacation in Al Quseir indulging in a number of water sports and land activities. Your trip will not be complete without experiencing the fun of diving and snorkeling in the sea water. The reefs are so close to the shore that you can not help having a dive. You can play tennis, beach volleyball, billiards, water polo or simply relax at the beach and have a sunbath. There are other activities on offer too like going on a guided tour to the desert by jeep. The desert safari is a bit expensive because the destinations are at some distance.

Taking a simple stroll around the town is a great experience in Al Quseir. During your stroll, you will come across many stone houses with wooden doors and windows that will remind you of the old British architecture.

(Image courtesy of m.a.r.c.)

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Salamanca – Where History is Treasured

Europe, Spain — Tags: — sarah @ 9:23 am

Salamanca is a Spanish town located 112 miles Northwest of Madrid. The place attracts tourists chiefly because of its museums, Art galleries, places of historical importance and mountains with beautiful natural reserves.

The University of Salamanca was founded in the early 13th century and is regarded as one of the oldest and revered center of learning in the world. You will be startled by its awe-inspiring entrance which was designed to give it a look like a “doorway to heaven”. The 16th century classrooms and a huge library will also draw your interest.

You must visit the two cathedrals of Salamanca where you will find some rare frescos, stonework with incredible artistic perfection and Gothic tombs.

Among the magnificent historical buildings, the famous are Casa de las Conchas, which was built in the 16th century and Convento de las Duenas, which is famous for its cloisters and an array of stone carvings that adorn its upper gallery.

You should also visit Nouveau Art Deco Museum. It has a wide collection of objects like ornaments, furniture, bronze and marble figures, paintings belonging to the late 19th century to the early 20th century.

(Image courtesy of Laureà)

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Astypalea – A Hidden Treasure of Nature

Greece — Tags: — sarah @ 5:57 pm

Situated amidst nature’s wonders, Astypalea is a small Greek island with bays, cliffs and clear blue waters. The island is part of the Dodecanese Greek Islands and is located between Amorgos and Kos. It has four small but picturesque villages: Chora, Analipsi (or Maltezana), Vathi and Livadia. As the island is not much developed in terms of tourism, it provides the perfect get away for people who want a peaceful vacation far from the buzzing tourists all around.

Though the island is not high on the list of tourist spots and the local population lives off agriculture and fishing, it does not lack natural beauty or places to see. Astypalea has a small archaeological museum, some beautiful churches and a grand citadel. You can also see the remains of a Roman Villa in Chora and Cave of the Dragon in Dracospilia.

Astypalea offers you beautiful pebbled and rocky beaches including the beach of Maltezana and Livadia. You can go for boating expeditions to Moura and Parou islands nearby. You can also go for swimming, snorkeling and other water sports.

The native population is quite friendly and the island offers you a great night life with several bars and discos in Skala and Chora regions. So if you are looking for an ideal tourist spot off the radar of tourists, Astypalea is just the place for you.

(Image courtesy of davidhealy)

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Enjoy Nature and Nightlife at Hay el Nour in Sharm

Uncategorized — Tags: , — sarah @ 5:56 pm

Situated between Old Sharm El Sheikh and Naama Bay in Egypt, Hay el Nour is basically a residential area with many emerging businesses, but it has a lot to offer to tourists.

Hay el Nour has undergone recent expansion to include the largest Church in Sharm El Sheikh adding to its glory. The positioning of this small stretch of land is such that it allows easy access from both the busy cities of Sharm and Naama Bay, while at the same time maintaining its calm.

The major attractions of the area include the Sinai mountain range that is better known as the place where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. You can see the well known St. Catherine’s Monastery, which is the second oldest monastery in the world. You can also enjoy water sports and sunbathing at the beach. At the other extreme, there is the option of making a safari trip to the desert. In addition to the natural beauty of the area, you can also spend some time at the water park, diving centers and quad biking centers.

The area also offers you a pleasant night life with a number of clubs and restaurants where you can dine while watching the sun set over the mountain range.

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