Go To Rome For The Best Holiday Ever

Posted on July 24, 2008
Filed Under Travel | Leave a Comment

Everyone remembers those lessons in primary school where we first learnt about the Romans and the lavish lifestyle they used to lead thousands of years ago. Do you recall the tales of the banquets that Augustus used to attend, have you ever visited Rome and seen the places where this actually used to happen? The decorative wall paintings showing the kinds of food the Romans used to eat, how they lounged around and were waited on hand and foot are just some of the things that come to mind when we think of Romans and their gastronomic capabilities which have lasted thousands of years.

It seems Romans still have the same taste for a good meal in modern times! Restaurants in Rome close to lots of accommodation in Rome are abundant with local delicacies, one popular ingredient of which is the artichoke which is cooked in oil and served in many different ways. Saltimbocca alla Romana is a popular dish consisting of veal, prosciutto and sage – a dish definitely worth trying.

Some of the most exciting and innovative restaurants can be found in the very heart of Rome. Try Piazza Navona for a fantastic meal out, Piazza della Repubblica and The Spanish steps. Some restaurants that I have been to and really enjoyed in particular were; Brunello Lounge and Restaurant: Bar, lounge and restaurant serving traditional Mediterranean cuisine and it has a wine cellar with a choice of over 500 wines. Open every day except Sunday. Via Veneto 70/a, 00187 Rome. Tel: 06 48902867. As well as this, I went to a lovely restaurant called Da Fortunato: This restaurant serves Italian food and Roman dishes. Open 12:30-15:00 and 19:30-23:30, except Sunday. At Via del Pantheon 55 (perfect to walk back to your hotel in Rome or Rome apartments). Finally, my third favourite restaurant in Rome is Il Sostegno as it is a restaurant which serves Roman food! Open 12:30-15:00 and 19:30-23:00 everyday except Monday. At Via delle Colonnelle 5.

If you are going on holiday to Rome this Summer, why not get a feel for the place before you go and follow this do it yourself recipe below. This recipe was one concocted by the Roman’s thousands of years ago but tastes just as good today!

MINUTAL MARINUM (Seafood Fricassee)
(Apic. 4, 3, 1)

Ingredients:
————
500g fish fillet (e.g. salmon)
250ml white wine
500ml beef broth
3 leek branches (I hope branch is the correct expression…)
100ml oil
Liquamen or salt, coriander, pepper, Liebstoeckl, Oregano to taste
a little bit of starch or flour to thicken the sauce

Instructions:
————-
Put the fish in a pan, add Liquamen, oil, wine and broth. Chop leek
branches and coriander. Chop fillets into a kind of fish goulash.bszRC
Cook approximately 30 minutes on small to moderate heat. When well done
ground coriander, Liebstoeckl and oregano and add to the fish fricassee.
Boil again shortly. Then thicken sauce with starch, sprinkle pepper on
the fricasse and serve.

Girona Guide

Posted on July 24, 2008
Filed Under Travel | Leave a Comment

Although there is an abundance of things to do in Girona, if you are staying for longer than a week, you may consider talking a daytrip outside of the city. Understandably, the first location that comes to mind is Barcelona! However, after carefully considering the shortlist of the best places to visit, it became obvious that Barcelona is too large and too great a city to visit on just a day trip. The Catalan capital really does require a holiday of its own. So here it is, my top 3 daytrip destinations for when taking a break from Girona.

Banyoles

About 15kilometres from Girona, Banyoles is the perfect place to visit for a spot of country living. A huge park, with an even bigger lake, Banyoles, which held venue to the rowing events of the ’92 Olympics, is a great opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of a very much tourist city. The park has a wide path that goes the whole way around the lake and is therefore perfect for cyclists, joggers or just about anyone who wants to take a nice stroll. The park is also a great area to take children; filled with open spaces it’s a great place for them to run around and breathe in some fresh air away from the city. You can reach this location quite easily by car, train or bus and can still therefore rent your Girona accommodation in the city centre.

Tossa de Mar

This is a lovely costal town just outside of Girona that provides an alternative to the more commercialized beach resort of Lloret de Mar. Here, you won’t find any of the high-rise Girona hotels that you can find in most costal areas. This town is very much an unspoilt heaven and will provide you with hours of family fun. There’s plenty to do here; you can take a walk to the castle which opens out to magnificent views over the Costa Brava, visit one of the numerous original costal boutiques or just relax on the beach and watch the kids play in the sand. There is also a wide selection of bars and restaurants in the area which have mainly traditional Catalan menus. Be warned however, during the winter months the area is very much a ghost town; perfect for some peaceful strolling but not so great for anything else.

Monells

Monells takes you back to medieval times and is really worth a visit if you want to see a really old part of Spain. This is the perfect place for an afternoon out as it’s only 25 minutes from Girona by car. There’s a large square that has a few restaurants and bars, perfect if you have children who want to run around as it’s traffic free and the scenary is beautiful. All in all, there isn’t an awful lot to do in Monells except to walk around and look at the fascinating architecture or sit in one of the restaurants. I wouldn’t recommend staying in Monells as you’ll get bored quite quickly; you’d be better off renting one of the Girona apartments. This area is however definitely worth a visit, especially if you are interested in ancient Spain or if you really want to get away from it all. If you are in the area at the right time, Monells provides brilliant celebrations when a fiesta comes around; so make sure to check the calendar before going.

Berlin Way Of Life

Posted on July 24, 2008
Filed Under Travel | Leave a Comment

This venue is the “melting pot” of Berlin’s cultural scene. This special inimitable club has a unique charm, with a truly magnificent architectural design. All of this is absorbed through the cultural events that take place in this building. More than one million visitors each year, both from home and abroad, stay in Berlin hotels (Hotel Berlin) and Berlin apartments (Berlin Ferienwohnung Ferienwohnungen Berlin Ferienwohnungen in Berlin) in order to experience the various events and highlights of this venue. People even come from far just to experience the atmosphere of the old Schultheiss brewery. Since the 1970s, the creativity of the city’s life has flourished due to its residents. The brewery culture has been firmly integrated in this city since 1990 and is an important platform for international cultural exchange.

With a total of six courts, more than 20 buildings and a distinctive architecture, the Kulturbrauerei is one of the few well-preserved monuments of industrial architecture from the end of the 19th century. At the very beginning, the brewery was small with a public bar and was then developed from 1878 by the architect Franz Heinrich Schwechten. The result is unique in Berlin and demonstrates the harmonious combination of carefully restored brick facades with contemporary infrastructure.

Not only for people interested in music; the Kulturbrauerei has plenty to offer, such as cinema screenings and theatre performances. Furthermore, food lovers can revel in the selection of mouth watering dishes. A wide range of food specialists invite you to explore, enjoy and relax all that is on offer. The movie theatre, with its eight rooms and 1,500 seats, has become in just few years one of the most successful cinemas in Berlin.

For years the Kulturbrauerei has been an integral part of Berlin tourism and attracts on average around 25,000 national and international visitors to different shows, to relax after work and to just enjoy the life in Berlin each year. As a starting point to your sightseeing in the Prenzlauer Berg district of Berlin, the Kulturbrauerei is ideal. Centrally located and so in the vicinity of the site’s unique blend of architecture, history, neighbourhood life, trendsetting and in fact all of the city’s activity, it’s really easy to reach every important location by foot. And for the people who want to explore more of Berlin, you can hire a bike with a tour directly from the Kulturbrauerei.

So if you’re planning your next visit to Berlin, you should most definitely not miss the Kulturbrauerei. The best part of the city to rent accommodation in is the Prenzlauer Berg (Unterkunft Berlin). This way, you will be close to everything and will be able to make the most of your stay.

Vacationing At Inland Cottages: A Closely-Guarded Vacationer’s Delight

Posted on July 23, 2008
Filed Under Travel | Leave a Comment

Family vacation time can be one of the most gratifying experiences, regardless of the location - whether in the vacation villa, any number of international locations, enjoying a vacation villa, or other adventures.

For many, the peaceful surroundings of a summer cottage are such a thrill. While most of us picture a summer cottage sitting right on the waterfront, inland summer home options are not only abundant, but also significantly cheaper. Before you rent an expensive waterfront cottage, keep reading to learn more about the benefits of inland property.

More Land, Lower Price

While waterfront properties offer beach and water access without having to walk or drive down to a water access point, they also don’t offer the land and privacy that an inland property would for a fraction of the price.

Most waterfront properties are either alarmingly close to their neighbors or directly across the water from other properties. On the other hand, inland properties tend to be situated on larger land parcels and, subsequently, afford more privacy.

Wants versus Needs

Are you renting a summer home because you spend your days swimming and your evenings paddling a canoe around the lake? Or, are you renting a summer home so you can enjoy the woods, go hunting, have bonfires and evenings spent by the barbeque?

Before you set your heart on a week at a waterfront property, think about the difference between what you actually want out of a property and what you and your family really need. If the answer is rest, relaxation, seclusion and quality time together, you may not prefer the expense and worry of a waterfront property.

Alternatively, many families that are renting a summer home to be close to relatives go for an inland property that’s adjacent or close to their family’s waterfront land. This allows them to enjoy their summer home - even if for a short time - be close to family, and still retain water access when they want it.

Waterfront Maintenance

With direct water frontage comes direct waterfront maintenance. This would really only be relevant if buying rather than merely renting. However, from installing and maintaining a dock, which may have to be taken in every season to shouldering the cost of life jackets, water gear and boat accessories, waterfront properties come with a whole lot more than water.

Parents should also think about safety, especially when looking at properties with deep-water docks or fast-moving river currents.

While a waterfront property is beautiful, there are many advantages to renting an inland summer vacation home. Beyond the obvious factor of cost, there’s also maintenance, safety, value for money and, of course, your own family’s actual needs. Before you pay for a vacation near water, consider the benefits of going inland.

Prague Travel

Posted on July 22, 2008
Filed Under Travel | Leave a Comment

The Czech Republic is a mix of Austrian and German traditions. Meat therefore has a crucial role in food, whereas vegetables are forgotten. The Czechs do not like cooking which is why they prefer a single meal a day; fatty and full of sauce! After a meal you will have one need: to let the wonderful food digest and to sleep! Fortunately, there is plenty of Prague accommodation (Location prague), and there are of course, many Prague hotels (or Hotel à prague) lining the streets. Czech culinary specialities are defiantly worth visiting Prague for! You will find some great examples of typical dishes at affordable pride.

Starters (předkrmy)
One of the most famous starters is the ham in Prague (pražská šunka). There is a variety of boiled ham stuffed in whipped cream. The Czechs are not great fans of vegetables but they do love salads, notably Šopský salá; a dish with tomatoes and cucumbers covered with warm cheese. And do not miss the játra na cibulce; goose liver with onions.

Soups (polévky)
The national soup (česká bramborová) is made from a base of carrots, mushrooms and potatoes. It is the typical dish you will find everywhere as the Czechs always appreciate a good soup. Cabbage soup with bacon (zelňačka) is also very popular and for the bravest, there’s gut soup (Drstková). Very interesting I must say!

Typicals Czechs dishes (česká národní jídla)
Generally, Czech food is all about meat (in any shape or form), served in abundance with an accompaniment. Let’s begin with the tradition, goulash. It is an integral part of Czech gastronomy although it has Hungarian origins. Goulash consists of meat (mainly beef), onions, peppers, paprika and potatoes. It is cheap and a particularly fatty dish which will delight big eaters.

Fried dishes are also popular. Almost all of the food here has its own “fried” version; whether it’s some warm cheese coated in breadcrumbs, meats coated in breadcrumbs (especially pork and chicken), fish coated in breadcrumbs and vegetables coated in breadcrumbs (mushrooms, cauliflowers etc.).

Beef is the favourite meat and therefore costs more than others. There are therefore lots of dishes to be savoured!! Amongst all of the beef dishes on offer, it is absolutely necessary to enjoy Svíčková na smetaně (roasted beef with cream, accompanied by blueberries) and the exotic Španělské ptáčky (beef mixed with bacon, eggs, onions and gherkins).
Although the meat rules in this country, fish has also been a part of Czech gastronomy for years but is generally inedible without having been fried. Carp however is very much appreciated and is generally eaten for Christmas, with grapes and walnuts.

The accompaniments
Side orders are generally not included in the price of your main meal. The 2 traditional accompaniments of Czech food are:
- knedlíky. This dish is composed of meat slices on a base of flour, egg, and bread. This dish is really fatty but it gets eaten with everything.
- bramborák. Pancakes of potatoes flavoured with marjoram.

Desserts (moučníky)
Czech desserts don’t really have a big place in the meal taking into consideration the enormous main courses. However, you can find some desserts inspired by neighbouring countries, such as Viennese cakes and crêpes filled with fresh fruit and with whipped cream.

If you decide to visit this city, don’t go to one of the many fast food restaurants (which have invaded the city since the fall of communism), and make sure to try something new! And to stay in the centre, there are several cheap offers of accommodation available (Appartement prague) so make the most of it.

Enjoying Berlin - What You Didn’t Know About This City

Posted on July 21, 2008
Filed Under Travel | Leave a Comment

The Europa Center came to be due to one man’s dream, that man was Karl Heinz Pepper. Built in 1963, this shopping center is often dubbed the largest and most daring enterprise in all of post-war Germany.

The Europa Center consists with room for 100 stores as well as offices, restaurants and pubs. The Europa Center became a popular gathering place for locals and a novel new attraction for visitors. Interestingly enough, Pepper’s decision to build The Europa Center came to be only after a day or two when the Berlin Wall was erected.

Today one might find the location of The Europa Center attractive but at the time that Pepper decided to construct his dream this section of the city was better known for its ugly conglomerate of tents, stalls and barracks. It was clear then that Mr. Pepper had a vision. Pepper’s dream opened on April 2, 1965. It stood 123.5 meters (405 feet) high, was fully air-conditioned and boasted its own ice skating rink which made it comparable to that of the Rockefeller Center in New York.

The Europa Center quickly became one of the iconic sights of West Berlin. Furthermore, Pepper’s dream was made possible due to the fact that he was a successful businessman and investor. What had been built was a complex with a total floor space of 80,000 square metres, divided into distinct units. A two storey foundation with a basement and two inner courtyards, a cinema, a hotel, an apartment block, and a box shaped high rise with a height of 86m. At the time, The Europa Center was the only one of its kind in Berlin. From which it became a part of Berlin’s urban geography frequently referenced in other designs around the city.

On top of The Europa Center there’s the symbol of Mercedes Benz in the form of its famous star. It also rotates once a minute and can be seen from many areas of Berlin. Today The Europa Center isn’t the only one of its kind anymore as many newer and glitzier malls have sprung up in the city since it was built.

To truly experience this mall that locals still seem to have a soft spot for then it is recommended to arrange your accomodatie in Berlijn ahead of time. Whether you want to schedule a shopping trip for the weekend or plan a longer stay in order to take the sights of The Europa Center in, you can either look for appartement verhuur Berlijn or stay at one of the many hotel Berlijn in the area.

As tons of tourists still stop at The Europa Center, to do a little souvenir shopping and to grab a pint at the Irish pub, located in the basement.

Air Fare Deals

Posted on July 19, 2008
Filed Under Travel | Leave a Comment

3 Things You Should Watch out For When Travelling - vacation packages -

How to travel well on a budget.

Traveling entails a lot of unexpected expenses and if not careful you could very easily spend more than you can afford. Most travelers get grumpy when they don’t have enough cash.Proper planning is the key to budget travelling and could lead to memorable vacation.

First you should get accurate information about the place you are about to visit.A visit to your travel agent may be able to give you the information you need for your destination and the best airfare as well.You have to make sure that you will get the best deals from airfare to accommodations and with patience and determination you will find it.Browse around for special internet offers and promotions.

Your biggest cost will be the hotels, travel and entertainment

Flying to your destination.

The first step would be to find inexpensive flight, if your dates are flexible then you will be able to save the most.If possible, you should try to avoid holidays and go during the off peak season. The same flight can cost five time more depending on
the date selected. Off peak, when people are less likely to go on vacation the demand are low and most travel companies, hotels, airlines give great discounts to their customers. Also a very good thing about going on vacation during off season is that you will not have problems with crowd and will be able to really enjoy your vacation.

Booking your hotel.

The second step, the important factor, is you hotel location.
If you are far from everything it will cost you everytime you are trying to get somewhere. You will also waste your time waiting for a cab or a bus instead of having fun.
After finding the best location, then you can start looking on line for your cheap hotel.After surfing around your should be on your way for a great time at the least possible cost.

These handy tips will help you in acquiring the best budget travel deal.

hotel rooms

Family Beach Vacation Ideas: Winning Family Advice

Posted on July 19, 2008
Filed Under Travel | Leave a Comment

All across the world, there are several locations you can choose for your family beach vacation. Below,you will find many different locations, and what they will offer you and your family.

Maui
Throughout the West Coast of Maui, you’ll have many choices for your beach vacation. If you plan to enjoy golf, the Kapalua Resort is a great choice, as guests will receive 30% lower golf rates than those who don’t stay at the resort. The resort also includes the Kapalua Bay Hotel, Kapalua Villas, and the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua.

One bay over from the Kapalua Bay is the Napili Kai Beach Resort, which is a low rise family resort that offers comfortable beach front condos. The Napili Kai also offers complimentary programs for children ages 6 - 12 from mid June to the end of August, during Easter and Christmas. The condos are seconds away from the beach, and they include kitchens as well as laundry facilities.

If you prefer a more secluded area, the Maui Prince hotel is located in a quiet setting surrounded by two scenic golf courses and a large sandy beach that kids never seem to get enough of.

Mololai family adventures
The island of Molokai is filled with empty beaches, no traffic lights, and few tourists. Many tourists visits only for a day or so, with some going to the island because they assumed they were going to Molokini (which is a snorkeling site near Maui).

The island of Mololai is accessible by ferry from Maui or by plane from Honolulu. The island is ideal for those who like the outdoors with a twist of adventure. When you visit here, you shouldn’t expect shopping or nightlife.

Florida
The Breakers Hotel in sunny Palm Beach Florida has a spa, golf course, and a 1/2 mile sandy beach.
There is also a seperate pool for the kids, a family entertainment center, and a kid’s program. Families can reserve up to five adjoining rooms while children under the age of 16 can stay for free in the same room as their parents.

If you decide to take your beach vacation in Orlando, the Loews Hard Rock Hotel offers you plenty of beach and amusement rides, with a 240 foot slide and a white sandy beach.

California
With several family beach vacation resorts in California, the Hotel Del Coronado is among the most famous. The hotel offers many different facilities for families, including lessons in kayaking, surfing, tennis, and biking.

Georgia
The barrier islands in Georgia offer ambiance, sandy beaches, and a laid back prospective to life as you know it. Jekyll Island offers you miles of paved bike path with three 18 hole golf courses, which is perfect for golf enthusiasts.

The school holidays is the ideal time to take up a holiday that can be enjoyed by both parent and child. Face painting certainly fits the bill. And when you are on vacation you can be on the look out for new designs to try. Perhaps some animals at a zoo or how about the state flag of the place you are visiting? Face painting ideas are all around you.
easy face painting
face painting designs
face painting designs

Destination Barcelona

Posted on July 18, 2008
Filed Under Travel | Leave a Comment

Father of the surrealist movement, Juan Miró was born in Barcelona in 1893. It is no coincidence that the Catalan capital hosts the largest collection of the entire region. We are talking about the ‘note Juan Miró Foundation’, located in a beautiful building placed on Montjuic hill; a structure formed by a square courtyard around which are developed different parts of the complex. One of the features that make this building unique are the numerous rooms with ample skylights that allow visitors to admire the works by taking advantage of the natural light. In the Montjuic area (the famous hill of Barcelona) you will find plenty of Barcelona hotels (or Albergo barcellona) and Barcelona apartments (or Appartamenti a barcellona); perfect for your holiday in the city.

The foundation hosts many works from the Catalan artist, including some interesting sculptures. The total sum is about 11,000 pieces, including 240 paintings, 8,000 drawings and nearly 175 sculptures. In addition to this there are also 9 textile exhibits, 4 ceramics works and a whole host of graphics.

It was Miró himself who donated most of the works on display while others were donated by the collection of Joan Prats or from the widow of Miró, Pillar Juncosa. Among the most famous works to be seen is “Morning star” created by the artist in Normandy or “Constelaciones”; a series of 23 works to which the Morning star belongs.

Some of the most important work from the artist is not in the museum but placed on the streets of Barcelona: the sculpture “Woman and Bird”, the bronze “Woman”, the floor of the “Pla of the Os” in the middle of Rambla, near Liceu are on show for everyone to see. At Terminal B in the Barcelona Prat airport you can look at his wonderful ceramic mural (Miró featuring JL Antigas).
The building of the Foundation on Montjuic hill also hosts a rich monographic library on the Barcelonan artist and plenty of information about modern and contemporary art in general. There are more than 25,000 books and exhibition catalogues, in addition to magazines collections and video and audio contributions.

To get to the Miró Foundation you need to take the metro (line 1 or 3) and get off at Espanya, where the beautiful Plaza d’Espanya stands, with the magnificent fountain. Here there are several Barcelona apartments (or Barcellona appartamenti) ideal for your stay in the city. The price of a full ticket is 7.20 euros and in summer (July-September) the opening times run from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 to 20. On Sundays and other holidays, the museum is open from 10 to 14.30.

Rome Sights

Posted on July 17, 2008
Filed Under Travel | Leave a Comment

When you think of Rome, what do you think of? We all know the stereotypical sights to see in Rome; the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps and I know a lot of guides tell you to give these a miss, to delve ‘beneath the surface’ of tourist Rome, but I am worried that we travelers are going to miss out on exactly what makes Rome; it’s fantastic architecture and it’s beautiful monuments, these really are the reasons we go to Rome in the first place and we mustn’t forget this. Read on if you want to rediscover the real gems of Rome as I know them.

The truth is, Rome really is all it’s cracked up to be and so much more… Known as the Eternal City with good reason, it’s possible to find food at 4 in the morning, people are still out enjoying themselves, eating, drinking and socializing in the city’s bars and restaurants. It’s just the kind of place that you don’t want to leave. Piazza Novona is perfect for finding bars and restaurants and there is an abundance of Accommodation Rome too.

What I find great about Rome is that you can never ever feel alone. There´s just far too much going on in the city. Take for example the Trevi fountain. There are always people swarming around this fountain whatever time of year you decide to visit it. Magnificent to look at, the Trevi fountain is seriously a masterpiece and I’d even say it looks more impressive at night than it does in the day. For all you romantics out there, the Trevi fountain is great to propose – lots of people do it right in front of the fountain in the square! The history behind the Trevi Fountain as far as I know is thus; The fountain at the juncture of three roads (tre vie)marks the terminal point of the “modern”Acqua Vergine, the revivified Aqua Virgo, one of the ancient aqueducts that supplied water to ancient Rome. In 19 BC, supposedly with the help of a virgin, Roman technicians located a source of pure water some 13 km (8 miles) from the city.

The coliseum is possibly my favourite place to visit in Rome. Centrally located with lots of apartments Rome and hotel Rome nearby, the Coliseum is one of the most exciting places to visit, I certainly felt just about as close to experiencing Roman times as it’s possible to get. What surprised me the first time I went to the Coliseum when I was about ten was the thought that animals would have been roaming around underneath the coliseum in the cages and stables before being brought up to the main stage to rip some poor man to shreds. The colosseum was originally capable of seating around 50,000 spectators, and used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. It remained in use for nearly 500 years with the last recorded games being held there as late as the 6th century.

No matter where you go in Rome this summer, make sure you go somewhere that you won’t forget. It’s fair enough if you enjoy doing things like visiting a soap factory, or having a trip to the local water park, but believe me, you won’t get the exhilarating feeling that you’re experiencing a bit of Roman history.

keep looking »

Categories



Recently