Prague Castle area

If you’ve just got one whole day in Prague, it’s best to be guided by an expert. The weather wasn’t cooperating, what with its wind and showers, but we still managed to enjoy our short stay in this wonderful city.

It’s a must see to visit the Prague Castle, the largest castle in Europe today. It was so huge and impressive, that our companions weren’t aware that they were entering the Office of the President (No, that isn’t the toilet)!

St. Vitus Cathedral and its beautiful rose window

Our first stop was the St. Vitus Cathedral. We weren’t familiar with St. Vitus and were told that he was a martyr who died by being thrown to a boiling pot of… oil! He has then been the patron saint of epileptics, due probably from the way he wriggled while going through his painful death. His movements were called the St. Vitus Dance. Oh, he isn’t only the patron saint for epileptics. Count in actors, comedians and dancers (go figure).

The tomb of St. John of Nepomuk (Nepomuceno) is housed in the cathedral. Hehappens to be the most loved saint in the country! Stars and bright lights were present on the day he was born and on the day he died. He was ordered killed by King Wenceslas for not revealing the confessions of the King’s wife. (Wow, he sure knew how to keep a secret!)

St. John’s feet were cast and he was thrown off the Charles Bridge into the Moldau River. From that moment, five stars rose from the river and King Wenceslas regretted what he did. His body was recovered in 1719 — still intact! The amazing thing is his tongue remained to be incorrupt even after the shrine was built to honor him.

Nuremberg was part of A Taste of the East itinerary.

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All smiles at Nuremberg Castle

Nuremberg Castle was home to the German kings and kaisers from 1050 to 1571. It was heavily damaged in the Second World War but all parts were restored to its historical form.

Praying Hands by Albrecht Durer, from GGsDesigns

Albrecht Dürer is one of the famous citizens of Nuremberg. His most memorable is that of his brother’s hands. Read about the love of two brothers – Albert and Albrecht Durer and its connection to The Praying Hands (currently located at the Albertina in Vienna).

At Nuremberg, we went straight for the Hauptmarkt (main market) where the Schoner Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain) greets its visitors. Legend has it that those who rub the golden ring is blessed with good luck or fertility. Watch Gina as she demonstrates! Just a few steps away is the Frauenkirche, Church of Our Lady, where we had some time to enter and pray.

Movie with today’s destinations:

Nuremberg was part of A Taste of the East itinerary.

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First stop was the Olympic Stadium. Honestly speaking, I would have preferred spending more time at the old town rather than the Olympic area. The rest of the group enjoyed the various locations of the Olympics. We reached the Marienplatz just in time to view the ringing of the bells of the Glockenspiel. I didn’t get to catch the entire melody but here it is anyway. It’s on the video on the right side of this page.

Lunch at the Hofbrauhaus – an array of German sausages, pretzels and no beer. LOL The group had to stay sharp for some serious shopping of designer bags. Did you know that Adolf Hitler proclaimed the twenty-five theses of the National Socialist program at the Hofbräuhaus?

Munich was part of A Taste of the East itinerary.

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Meeting up with Mabel was one of the highlights of my trip to Munich!

Doing a tour at last minute’s notice can be very exciting. I begin a tour in Munich and got in touch with Mabel to meet up and catch up with each other’s lives in the flesh. We’ve kept in touch through Facebook and it was high time to meet her — it’s been 36 years since we saw each other!

I was wondering what it would be like to see her again after all this time. Would it be awkward? We’re not 10 anymore. Sometimes best friends drift apart, not due to distance but due to a million other things. I was nervous.

A knock at the door. Was she really here? I opened the door and screamed with delight! No awkwardness whatsoever. That was a good sign! From the hotel, we just walked a block and found an old and musty bar open. We didn’t care. We were pressed for time so this bar was perfect. We talked non-stop and had time to have our picture taken by the old man behind the bar. Meeting up with Mabel was one of the highlights of my trip to Munich!

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By Michelle Elkins

There is no better way to experience a destination then under your own steam and the tiny Italian island of Sardinia is the ideal place to do this. Instead of the usual fare, you can choose to spend your time flitting between the irridescent blue waters and fine, sandy beaches to ancient remains, through beautiful, wild countryside and back to modernity with a host of fine eateries to satiate your appetite and nightlife to excite the senses.

Ventanas, Calgiari by gureu

Whether you are landing at Cagliari Airport, Olbia Airport or Alghero Airport, organising car hire is simple. If you are choosing to centralise your adventure around the south of the island, then you will be landing at Cagliari Airport. There are several Cagliari Airport Car Hire firms and these are AM Service, Autoeuropa, Budget, Dollar/Thrifty, Easycar, Eurorent, Matta, Midarent, Pinna, Ruvioli and Sardinya.

Cagliari is the capital of Sardinia and is the largest city on the island. It is a thriving, modern city nestled in the foundations of an ancient past and all just a short distance from some of the most mesmerising beaches in Europe. Evidence of its early occupation are predominantly in the old town. The Piazza Costituzione is partially enclosed by the remants of the Bastione of San Remy, which can be climbed along with the two medieval towers, the Torre San Pancrazio and the Torre dell’Elefante, to get great panaromic views over the city and coastline. In May, the Festa di Sant´Efisio is held to great colourful fanfare as inhabitants deck out in local costume to honour the saint.

Sights worth visiting are the Catherdral of Santa Maria, which offers tours and includes fabulous examples of 15th and 16th century paintings and sculptures, and the Cittadella dei Musei which houses the National Archeological Museum. Displays consist of relics from Nuragic civilization and artifacts dating back to the Phoenician and Roman period, obtained from various parts of mainland Italy and Sardinia. For a slice of horticultural beauty though visit the Orto Botanico, or Botanical Garden, which was founded in 1865 and hosts a variety of tropical plants from around the world.

Just outside the city is one of the top tourist attractions in the region, the magnificent 2nd century amphitheatre, which was originally carved straight into the rock. It is now used to host music and theatre shows. Calamosca and Poetto beach, two of the most popular beaches in Cagliari, are just a few kilometres away on the southern coast and are lined with fabulous restaurants and shops. Yachting and boating activities are available, while the temperate waters and good conditions are also favoured by windsurfers, surfers and those wanting to take their PADI diving courses in an marine environment full of exciting and interesting aquatic life.
To really be at one with nature, there is the Parco dei sette Fratelli, a breath-taking area of protected countryside and home to 115 vertebrate species, including Sardinian deer, wild boars and royal eagles. It is an hour´s drive east along the SS125 towards Castiadas and Muravera and is marked by its sweeping canyon and the Cannas river that runs along bottom of it, as well as its dense forest.

Further north from Cagliari near Barumini, around a 65 km or an hour and quarter drive, is the nuragic complex of Su Nuraxi. Dating from the Middle Bronze age, c.1450 BC, it was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. The impressive fortress at its heart comprises seven turrets with a central tower that stretches over 14m. The ruins of the village which spread out around it include a large meeting hut and various habitations.

Going 40 minutes west along the coast and near the town of Pula, are the fascinating Ruins of Nora. While the Phoenician influence is shows among the foundations of the temple and foundary ruins, the Roman inclusions dominate in the form of a theatre, thermal baths, forum, temple and the Sanctuary of Aesculapius.

Another 30/40 minutes on and your reach the gulf of Teulada a stretch of coastline characterised by its bays and coves. A great spot for fishing or sunbathing away from the masses is the craggy, rocked Punta Niedda or search for urchins in the nearby smooth pebbled beach of Campionna. Marinas to visit are the Porto Zafferano, Portu Tramatzu and the much smaller but charming Porto Budello. Close by is the forest of Gutturu Mannu which makes for idyllic walking with its lush vegetation and olive, pine and cork trees. A little inland is the village of Teulada which offers traditional culinary delights from seafood to suckling pig and goat, which is roast on a spit with local herbs.

Michelle Elkins is contributor to the Sardinia-Airport-Guide.com, which provides information on everything from Sardinia Cagliari Airport car hire to Sardinia Cagliari Airport transfers and Sardinia Calgiari Airport Buses.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Cagliari-Explored—A-Driving-Tour-of-Cagliari,-Sardinia&id=1883797

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By Tony Maniscalco

Castle of Chora, Skopelos by maja thurup

Go walking in Greece on the beautiful island of Skopelos. The island was the setting for the hit musical ‘Mamma Mia’ and on a walking break you too can sing and dance your way around the island.

Skopelos, located in the Sporades, is one of the best islands for walking in Greece. The cragged landscape and white-washed buildings make the scenery among some of the most magnificent in Greece, and it was for perhaps this reason that the island was chosen, as the backdrop for the hit film ‘Mamma Mia’.

When you arrive on the white sand beaches of Kastani Bay, you might be tempted to grab your friends and launch into an all-singing, all-dancing rendition of ‘Does Your Mother Know?’ as the cast of ‘Mamma Mia’ did on this fantastic beach. The majority of all beach scenes were shot on this bay, and surprisingly the beach is quite hard to reach. Kastani Bay can only be accessed through a steep, pine-clad and heavily rutted dirt track. However, the difficult approach is easily worth the splendid views that you’ll be rewarded with when you reach the bottom. Avid viewers of the film will be surprised to see the absence of a wooden jetty. This is because the jetty was only built for the film and, like all the stars, has now disappeared from the island.

Sky and Sophie’s wedding chapel was created on the same site as the monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos, near the town of Glossa. The chapel, built for the movie, still stands and a visit can be arranged when walking in Greece. Its location on a rugged 100-metre high rock formation is extremely picturesque. At night flambeaus lighting leads from the pathway up to the entrance, via 105 stone-carved steps.

Villa Donna is located on the north side of the island, in the village of Nisa, near the area of Glisteri. Unfortunately the hotel doesn’t exist in real life, but when walking in Greece there are a number of traditional taverns and guesthouses that you can choose to stay in. You may remember a scene, from Mamma Mia, where dancers skip around olive groves surrounding Villa Donna. These olive groves are not actually located on Skopelos, but belong to one of the other islands on the Pelion Coast, Volos. Although you won’t find a villa or olive groves surrounding the Glisteri region, you can spend a leisurely afternoon sunbathing on Glisteri Beach. This closed cove is easily accessible by bus route and, unlike the other beaches in Skopelos, it has large round pebbles instead of fine sand.

When walking in Greece, tourists often stop at Glisteri for the beachfront tavern, which serves traditional local dishes such as moussaka and spanakopita. Whilst eating at this tavern you’ll notice a small mountainous peninsula in the distance. This is where Sophie leaves from to attend her wedding. The very same peninsula was also used for the famous cliff-jumping scene with all Sophie’s fathers.

From the distinctive post-box used in the opening credits to the island of Amarantos, you’ll be surprised at the number of locations you recognise when walking in Greece’s Mamma Mia Island. We can guarantee that after spending a week on Skopelos, like the cast of Mamma Mia you too will be singing and dancing like a Super Trouper.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. Walking in Greece with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Maniscalco
http://EzineArticles.com/?Mamma-Mia-in-Greece&id=3696968

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By Tony Maniscalco

Walking in Italy doesn’t usually conjure up images of a peaceful city break sauntering around the sites of Rome, but there’s no reason why this shouldn’t be the case. The term ‘flaneuring’ was coined by Charles Baudelaire in 1917 and is defined as’ a person who walks a city in order to experience it’. With ancient history and Roman architecture around almost every corner in Rome, there has never been a more apt city to ‘flaneur’.

An ‘Angels and Demons’ themed walk is a beautiful and unique way to see the main sites of Rome and whilst many tour companies offer themed tours there’s no reason why you shouldn’t go it alone.

Santa Maria Del Popolo by LostBob Photos

Earth

The first stop on our walk in Italy is the Church of Santa Maria Del Popolo, a notable Augustinian Church which stands to the north side of the Piazza Del Popolo. The church has five smaller chapels located inside and the most notable of these is The Chigi Chapel. This features in ‘Angels and Demons’ as the element of earth and here the statue of Habakkuk and the Angel point out the path of illumination. The skeleton cupermiento covers the subterranean crypt, and a demon’s hole where the first Cardinal is found murdered inside the book.

Air

The second element mentioned in ‘Angels and Demon’s’ is air and the next stop on our walk in Italy is St. Peter’s Church and square. The site is famous for being the largest Christian church in the world and the lavish piazza commissioned by Bernini has the effect of humbling all those that visit it. The church features the beautiful Papal altar with a golden coffer surrounded by ninety-nine glowing oil lamps which are said to burn until the end of time.

Fire

The fourth Cardinal in the book is hung by incensor cables and burnt alive in the Santa Maria della Vittoria, the next stop on our walk in Italy. This church is notable for featuring the beautiful and astonishing Ecstasy of St. Teresa, which was also designed by Bernini. At the time the statue was built it was described as the “most unfit ornament to be placed in a Christian Church’ and deemed pornographic.

Water

The beautiful and intricately designed Fountain of Four Waters located at Piazza Navona is the final stop on your Angels and Demons tour. The piazza was once a stadium built by order of Emperor Domitian, but is now one of the most peculiar squares you’ll encounter on a walk in Italy. In the middle of the piazza is Bernini’s tribute to water with the four male figures portraying the four continents where the Catholic Religion had spread at the time the fountain was commissioned in 1650, and, of course, the four most important rivers of the Old World: the Rio della Plata, the Nile, Ganges and Danube.

In the film these locations make up the ‘Four Altars of Science’ and are believed to hold the key to the meeting place of the Illuminati. However, even if you’re not a fan of Dan Brown’s books these sites should be experienced, even if for nothing other than the sheer beauty of their ancient architecture.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. A long-established and highly respected company, they have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries. Their dedication to quality and experience of all things related to walking in Italy make them a superb choice for the discerning traveller.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Maniscalco
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Angels-and-Demons-Walk-in-Rome&id=2196969

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