What to see in Albania-Durres

Durres is Albania’s second city in importance and population, and in a few years has become a tourist destination in all respects with all the amenities of a modern city. It ’a city that, after the communist and fascist of the twentieth century has been able to emerge from oblivion becoming one of the most important airports in Europe. Here’s how and what to visit in Durres.

Durres has a large marina dock where many ships arrive from Italy and dozens of miles beaches waiting for you. These broad white beaches are all free and open onto a sea, where you can rent an umbrella and chairs for a few dollars/euro a day. The amphitheater of Durres is one of the oldest regions of the Balkan and which was erected in the second century. This amphitheater shows signs of early Christian culture with crypts and Christian mosaics of rare origin. The history of Albania is preserved in the museum of history and the archaeological museum where the entrance is very cheap and for the students the price is very low.

Introduction to Madrid

The capital of Spain is a city known for its museums and its nightlife. Most travelers who have to been to Spain claim that their favorite city is Barcelona, which manages to mesmerize tourists with its architecture and its multiculturalism. The capital is often chalked up as being the city of Real Madrid and the Royal Palace, and many of its gems go undiscovered.

The Golden Triangle formed by the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen Bornemisza museums is a place to visit for those who want to discover Spain’s classical and modern art. These museums are free at certain hours.

The Retiro Park is a place to relax. Visitors can walk around this park which encompasses a large part of the city center. There is a pond where row boats can be rented. The park hosts many cultural events, and its Crystal Palace has been transformed into an art gallery.

Madrid, Spain

The center of the city is where most landmarks and hotels in Madrid are located. One of the city’s main arteries is the Gran Vía, a street filled with traditional bars, shops and theaters. A short walk away visitors will find the Cibeles and Neptuno statues, where the Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid teams celebrate their victories. Near them stands one of the city’s most photographed structures, the Palacio de las Comunicaciones.

For a taste of the city’s history one can visit the Palacio Real royal palace, where after a tour of the historical rooms filled with antique art and furniture visitors can take a walk around the palace’s Sabatini Gardens. These historical gardens are decorated with fountains and open air activities such as concerts are organized during the summer months.

The city’s most exclusive area is near the Serrano and Velazquez streets. The area is filled with boutiques, chic coffee shops and posh restaurants. Madrid’s hippest barrio is Malasaña, where during the day one can explore the designer boutique stores and vintage shops and during the night enjoy a variety of cañas and tapas before heading to one of the many nearby clubs and lounges.

What to see in Belgrade, Serbia

Belgrade is the administrative capital of Serbia with over a million of residents. It is found in the south east of Europe on what is known as the Balkan Peninsula. The area is where Sava and Danube rivers meet. Belgrade is considered one of the oldest cities in the European continent. Earlier in the history, it was a major point of traffic between east and west Europe. The city is considered a center of culture, science and economy. Majority of its population are Serbs. It is easy to communicate with locals since they can communicate in English.

You can spend half of your day wandering around the Kalemegdan Tvrdjava. This is a place to visit for those who love history. It is a place where you can see two millenniums of history where you can explore museums and bridges. The fortress is offering magnificent views of the river and the countryside. If you love shopping then explore Knez Mihailova. This is a place where you can find designer’s clothing and high street stores. The street is also the place where you can encounter great buildings with gorgeous facades.

Kalemegdanska tvrdjava

It is best to travel back in time when your visit Princess Ljubica’s House. The house will bring you back to the Ottoman Empire. It was turned in museum where you can find various ornaments. The structure is very impressive. Just a few blocks from the palace is where you can find Holy Archangel Michael Church.  The facade is overly stunning with golden icons. Golden ornaments and Chandeliers are everywhere. You can relax on the Russian Tsar who was redecorated.  There is a grand piano in the middle and the menu is vast. If you want to taste the local delicacies you can visit Skadarska ulica. This is where you can eat good food without spending too much.

What to see in Ankara, Turkey

As you go beyond the Enguri Su and climb the incline, you will be in the city of Ankara. The capital of Turkey is one of the most populous areas of the country. Amidst the modern development that happened in the area, you can find several reminders of what occurred in its past. Today this is a perfect destination if you want to experience a great nightlife. It is also the center of the government and the military. There are a lot of universities in this metropolis. The structures are said to remind you that Ankara is filled with the past. Here are some places to see if you are in Ankara:

    Ankara City Center

    There are quite a number of museums in Ankara. It is a must see in the city. This is the place where you can find the Enthography Museum which is found near the Ankara Castle. If you want to see the remnants of the Ottoman Empire then try visiting the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. You can also find a good display of the Turkish artwork from 1800 in the State Art and the Sculpture Museum.

    Ankara’s Citadel and its surrounding landscape is a must see attraction in the city. It was completed during the Roman Era. You can find quite a number of displays related to the traditional architecture of Turkey. The place is found on the hilltop.

    If you want some excitement, then there are quite a number of party spots that will give you great entertainment. One is the Kinacilar Bar that combines both bar and club choices. You will certainly love the music and drinks. Watch out because the dance floor can get crowded. A Sherlock Home is another venue that is popular with the locals. Exploring the amenities of this place is something worthwhile. The Lord Kinross is a place where food and music is superb.

    Of course your visit to Ankara will not be complete without eating at its finest restaurants. Different and delicious are perhaps the two words that can easily describe the cuisine of the Turks. One is the Kalbur where you can get to taste the finest seafood in the city. Another is the Trilye Restaurant which offers the best cuisine in the city. You can find the best amenities in this place whether for business or romance. Another great place that offers Italian dishes is Mezzaluna, it is a place that is far beyond the others.

The wild beauty of Norway through the train of Flamsbana

A holiday in Norway means exploration of dreamy places and enchanted landscapes that seem to come out of a storybook. Trip & Travel Blog has previously described these beautiful lands advising you to take the boat cruise in the fjords of Norway to see these amazing works of nature.

Today, however, we want to talk about another interesting way to see Norway. Through the spectacular railway Flamsbana. If you consider the coast lovely, the interior of the country is just as nice. Especially the Norwegian Alps where the green forest alternates with white snow and the turquoise of the fjords. It’s no coincidence that every year this stretch of railway attracts people from all around the world making the Flåm Railway one of the most important tourist attractions and most scenic in Norway.

This is an incredible journey by train from the station of Myrdal on the Bergen line, up to Flåm station, a charming village situated on the sea on the Aurland fjord. Travelling along the 20 kilometers of Flamsbana you can enjoy some of the wildest and most inaccessible landscapes of Norway: rivers running through gorges and ravines, waterfalls flowing down from snow-capped mountains, alpine meadows and farms clinging on to greener pastures.

The Flåm Railway is one of the steepest standard gauge lines in the world. Its slope, in fact, is 55/1000 on almost the entire route, which reaches a maximum altitude of 863 meters. The journey takes about an hour and a half mainly due to stops in small towns typical of the Norwegian Alps. At the foot of the mountains you can enjoy the natural beauty of the Flåm Valley and admire the majestic Aurlandfjord and the world’s longest fjord, the Sognefjord.

What to see in Norway

Norway is the westernmost, northernmost and easternmost of the Scandinavian countries, well known for it’s numerous fjords, unspoiled scenery and great waterfalls. The Arctic Ocean is right off its coast. The capital of Norway is Oslo, which is considered one of the most expensive cities to live in. It offers a variety of places to visit, such as various national museums- like the Viking Ship Museum -, recreational parks very children-friendly- like the Frogner Park -, and festivals like Ekebergsletta -a football cup. Finding accommodation in Oslo can be difficult. It would be wise to reserve a room way beforehand.

However if you’re looking for adventure, West Norway is where you need to be. This is the area where the most famous Fjords in the world can be found. They are long reaching, river-like, inland deep bays surrounded by steep mountains. Probably the most amazing visit you can have in Norway is to take “Hurtigruten” which is a cruise liner that goes along the fjords and takes you to some of these sights. A trip even Norwegians think is amazing! Aside from the fjords there’s a great number of waterfalls to be found in West Norway, which for the most part connect with the fjords.

One of the most important holidays of Norway is the 17th of May, the constitution day, where natives gather up and have children parade. A national celebration day that attracts many people all over the world. As far as Norwegian diet goes, fish of all sorts, meat cakes, various salted meats, sausages, and sheep head are some of the more well known foods.

When it comes to nightlife and outings, Begren and Oslo are the best choices due to their population and variety of popular spots. One of the more pub-dense areas in Oslo is Grünerløkka which consists of a great number of smoke-free pubs and bars. Regarding clubs and live music, the Nordic have a preference towards rock music. Some of the more well known rock clubs in Oslo are ‘Last Train’, ‘Cafe Mono’ and ‘Revolver’. On the other hand in Bergen there is a great variety of bars, night clubs, concert venues etc. such as ‘Calibar’, ‘Feliz’ and ‘Landmark’.

One last place you don’t want to miss if you ever visit Norway is Tromso. It is the nearest place to the Arctic Circle and the best place to observe the magnificent Northern Lights in winter. Tromso is a mixture of art, history and sophistication. The nightlife atmosphere is also quite lively. If you do visit during the winter make sure to bring a LOT of warm clothes!

Cheapest pet travel destinations, 2012

For those who want to travel with their pets, they need to do their homework in order to get the most of affordable packages. Pet travel is a subject that would need a lot of research. This is not just to save money but to offer the best experience for you and your furry pal. Let us first see the airlines. This falls into two categories, either carry on or luggage. Both of the methods in transporting your pet are becoming more expensive than ever. You will need to add a couple of dollars to the airfare which is something that is steadily increasing but you might not notice. As a traveler, you need to dig deeply to find airlines that would accept pets. You would want to locate them on their policies.

There is a certain number of pets that should be carried on the cabin. It is a must that you need
to make reservations on the flight. If you are traveling with a pet, you might want to go for early reservations. It seems that you have to pain a leg room for the fare. There are some airlines that would allow to the carrier to be placed under the seat. Of course airlines would need revenue so they can survive and this is part of it. There are some airlines that would accept large pets to be place on the cargo. There are some airlines that don’t necessary approve of having pet in their cabin because some passengers might have allergies.  Normally the best pet destinations are New York and California. Aside from airlines, you might want to choose a bus as a mode of transport however you need to plan ahead of time. Fortunately, there are quite a number of hotels that accept pet as a guest. They will normally add fees if you insist bringing pets to their hotel. The reason for this is that their pet friendly room would need constant attention. There are cases wherein you will be liable in case your pet will cause damage to the carpet and the furniture. Of course there are other hotels that will not have tolerance for the pet at all. It is best to search in the internet and you can find quite a number of accommodations that welcome pet as a guest. Be sure to gather all the information so you can find the best travel destination that would be fun for you and your pet.

Visiting the Stone Castle in Vobbia

It is located a stone’s throw from the sky and two high cliffs surround it. A narrow valley, was born at its feet. It’s a castle without towers, crenellated walls or drawbridges. There are sad stories of princesses, knights of bold and hidden treasures. There are no ghosts rattling their chains. There are stories of killings, abuse of power, violence, torture. In this exciting bit of heaven, angels do not listen to hate, but just chilling screams and demonic. Here there reigned any king or queen reigned here, and still reigns, only fear.

The Stone Castle is located in the Ligurian town of Vobbia in a singular position between two outcrops of conglomerate that are its natural ramparts. Named after the main monument of the Genoa area, the castle of stone monuments in the list of Italian national.

To get there you must have good lungs and a lot of courage: you can carefully walk a fascinating and mysterious path within the woods, where you’ll be oppressed by almost surrealanguish , or if you prefer (and I doubt you do ) you can reach the castle by an old bridge crossing the scary lake Zan. Not that it is unsafe, nor is there a lack of stones along the axis or its structure: it’s just been built by the Devil (as the legend spreads between the entries of the people) but that’s another story to be told from this voyage.

According to documents that are not so recent, the Castle was built around 1000 by the Bishops of Tortona, in defense of Salt Road, and in 1050 was sold to the Marquis of Govi. History loses track of the castle until the thirteenth century, when a certain Opizzone Stone became the owner. In 1518 it came under the guidance of the Spinola family, then moved to the family until 1882 Botta Adorno, and later to Cusani, before being burned by Napoleonic troops. The castle was abandoned until 1919, when the family Beroldo took possession and brought it back to a state certainly more “living”, and then donate it to the City of Vobbia in 1979. The next few years, the City had it restored, massively, and now the Castle Stone welcomes all visitors.

The mysteries that goes behind this fascinating and mysterious place, however, are very large: why is it said that the bridge of Zan was built by the devil? And why are incessant moaning heard from the valey? Who discourages unauthorized visitors not to pursue the path towards the castle?

In past centuries, when the valley was crossed by people moving on foot or by mule, the old bridge Zan was necessary to continue their journey and reach the low or high valley, especially when the bed of the Vobbia was impassable due to the flooding of the river. The dating of the bridge is not certain, nor are there any useful documentation to trace its construction: in this sense the name “Zan”, goes back to the medieval origins, can help in this regard. Since Zan is the diminutive of “Zane”, which means John in Genovese it indicates that the builder of the bridge may have been John Marquis Malaspina di Gavi, lord of the area in the thirteenth century. The type of construction, with a single arch, agrees with the medieval dating. According to the legend the castle owner whose name nust have been Zan or Zane met the devil, who offered to build a bridge over the river Busts to overcome the difficulties of crossing: in return he would askZan would for the first soul that passed from there . The next morning, returned with his dog in place to ensure that the work had been completed, Zan did spend his first dog on the bridge. The devil not having digested the affront would remain hidden near the bridge for a long time, until one day the warden Zan came back and buried near the bridge a chest with treasure: the devil made sure that anyone who attempted to bring the chest to light was crushed by a landslide of rocks. And so it was for a long time until some centuries later, just during the construction of the parish church of Vobbia, a procession of faithful vobbiesi went to the place where the treasure was buried to retrieve it. The devil’s prepared to give new life to a landslide, but the priest sprinkled the soil in which the chest was buried with holy water and made the sign of the cross. At this point, according to legend, there was a loud bang and the devil fled away, freeing the place from what was a real curse. Unfortunately, the concrete bridge built in the 30s hid at the sight of the medieval building along the road, which is several meters lower than the roadway. A sign indicating its presence and the short path that leads to the bridge.