Christmas in Milan

 HOTELS TO MILAN.
The calendar says that November is over, now it's time for the last month of the year, and therefore in full Christmas spirit! Gradually, the shop windows and windows of the houses began to be adorned with ornaments of every kind, sparkling decorations and colored lights. From cities to smaller towns, the magic of Christmas is going to arrive to us all once again. If you've never been to Milan in this period, well, make sure that 2010 will be the right time: you will not regret, because Milan is a true mine of Christmas-themed events. Want to know more about Christmas in Milan? You just have to read the following...

Chile

Chile is a place of contrasts and spectacular beauty. Stretching from its border with southern Peru south along the coast of the Pacific Ocean to the tip of Patagonia, Chile contains an array of diverse landscapes from the Atacama Desert in the north, the driest desert in the world, through the rich fertile soil of Chile’s wine growing regions in the centre, to the ice caps of Torres del Paine in the south.

Zhangjiajie, China

Located in Hunan Province in China,  Zhangjiajie Forest Geo-park covers a total area of 9,600 sq. k?, 1.1000 of China’s territory. This scenic area which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. In the area many scenic spots such as Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Baofeng Lake, Suoxiyu Valley, Tianzi Mountain, Yangjiajie Nature Reserve – together with Huanglong Cave (Asia’s largest cave), and many beautiful bridges, brooks and waterfalls. The area is a rare natural museum and famous tourist scenic spot.

Manor House Hotels – Ireland

If you’re looking for an alternative to lying on the beach for your honeymoon during our hot summer months, why not try the remoteness and beauty of Ireland in a luxurious countryside retreat.

Fiji islands

Volcanic in origin, Fiji is a group of islands located in the South Pacific approximately 4,450 km (2,775 mi) southwest of Honolulu and 1,770 km (1,100 mi) north of New Zealand. Flight time to Fiji is 10 hours from Los Angeles; four hours from Sydney; slightly over two hours from Auckland and about six hours from Honolulu

 

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Of the 322 islands and 522 smaller islets making up the archipelago, approximately 106 are permanently inhabited.The largest island Viti Levu, , covers about 57 of the nation’s land area and has the two largest metropolitan areas (the capital Suva, and Lautoka). It also hosts and most of the other major towns, ie, Ba, Nasinu, and Nadi (the site of the international airport), and contains some 69 of the population. The second largest island, Vanua Levu, is 64 km to the north of Viti Levu, covers just over 30 of the land area and is home to some 15 of the population. The two major communities there are main towns are Labasa and Savusavu.

Castles in Scotland

Edinburgh Castle
There are records of the castle dating from the 12th century when the bulk of the castle would have been a stone keep. During the First War of Scottish Independence. Edinburgh Castle came under English control in 1300. After the death of Edward I in 1307 England’s control over Scotland weakened. In the spring of 1314,the Scots recaptured the castle. Robert the Bruce ordered the destruction of its defences to prevent occupation by the English. That same year Robert the Bruce and his army secured victory at the Battle of Bannockburn. During the Second War of Scottish Independence the castle to again come under English control. But in 1341, the Scots led by William Douglas again recaptured the castle.

The Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Centre

 The Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Centre is located in the world’s largest shopping mall, the Mall of Dubai and was developed and operated by Oceanis Australia Group. The Dubai Aquarium officially earned the Guinness World Record for the world's "Largest Acrylic Panel", as it has the following dimensions: 32.88 m in width, 8.3 m in height, 750 mm thickness and 245,614 kg in weight. The acrylic panel is larger than Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan. Its 750 mm thick acrylic viewing panel can resist pressure of 10 million litres of water used in the aquarium. Here visitors have the opportunity to view clearly over 33,000 marine animals on display. In February 2010, a leak in the aquarium occurred,  causing a partial evacuation and brief shutdown of a portion of the mall.

The Sealife and AquaDom aquarium is located in the heart of the former East Berlin

 The Sealife and AquaDom aquarium is located in the heart of the former East Berlin, divided into two parts with a single ticket available. Located inside the Radisson hotel in Berlin, in the lobby, the AquaDom is the largest cylindrical aquarium in the world. At a height of 25 meters and a diameter of 11 meters, this aquarium almost one million liters houses nearly 2,600 fish from 56 different species. The Sealife recreates in aquariums and ponds adorned with décor aquatic German, from the sources of rivers to the sea, through the lakes and harbors. One can note the presence of a shoal of fish, turning around the visitors through a system of circular aquariums. It is possible to access the top part with an elevator installed in the center of the cylinder.
   Thus, the AquaDom is a glass elevator to go up and down the middle of a gigantic tank 25 meters high of one million liters of water, and observe wildlife and aquatic inside. The AquaDom would have cost a whopping 13 million euros in 2003.

Azores Islands

A story behind: I arrived at the beach quite early. Had time to buy an ice cream, watch some surfers breaking the waves. There were a few German tourist on the beach and we had a little chat. Then I started to put up my gear and prepare for the sunset. Usually I put on the rubber boots to protect me from the cold water but it was summer-time so I enthusiastically took off my shoes and went bare foot into the water.
Some dogs were playing on the beach. Suddenly one of them grabbed my shoe and ran away. For a second I considered to chase the dog but sacrifice your own personal comfort, or miss the shot. But who needs comfort when you get light like this, right? Believe me, getting back later to the hotel on one shoe was not pleasant.

Ireland

I am happy to announce that one of my photos from Ireland was included in the printed version of the 2011 calendar. I am very, very proud.

Central Portugal

Central Portugal. Serra da Estrela mountains. Top peak named Torre is nearly 2000 meters above sea level. The skiing station is rather small counting with only 5 ski-lifts. The ski trails are marked red and black but the degree of difficulty is very, very exagerrated. All the piste are easy or moderate. One is marked as black, but on the Alpine scale of difficulty it should be only easy-red.

Skiing conditions are very, very unpredictable due to strong winds from the Atlantic Ocean that can bring rain ( very frequently ) or snow ( rather rarely ).

But this February 2009 the massive snow storm hit the mountains really hard covering it with up to 2 meters of fresh powder. We took our ski and hit the slopes of Ski Station at the top of the Portuguese mountains.

A night to Portuguese

Gosh, how I love new hotels. Everything is so clean & new, staff is nice & accommodating. Pools are great.

Valencia, Spain

 Valencia is one of the most beautiful and historical cities of the world, it is located in the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsulathe on the shores Turia River in the Autonomous Community of Valencia, Spain. It is considered the third most important city in Spain and third largest city in Spain.

Valencia is a city full of traditions and festivities. Among these festivities, the most important is the local festivity of the Falles or Las Fallas, well-known worldwide. Among the traditions, the most important is the Water Court or El Tribunal de las Aguas declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and the traditional Valencian dish is Paella, originated in the Valencia Community.

German Christmasmarkets

German Christmasmarkets are a centuries old tradition in Germany. The markets light up communities with fun, laughter, companionship, good food and drink during the advent season. Sparkling lights everywhere, Christmas music, choir and band performances. There is this special Christmas spirit in the air filled with the wonderful scent of gingerbread, roasted almonds, mulled wine and kids laughter. 

Christmas to Barcelona

 Like most places, Christmas shopping, eating and drinking all form part the festive period and Barcelona is a great city for doing just that. There are enough shops to shop till you drop. Bars and restaurants are never a few yards away and the beach can be found just a short bus ride away from the city center.
If you are looking for something to do Christmas day, most of Barcelona's museums and official tourist attractions are open including the Magic Fountain, Picasso Museum, Park Guell, Sagrada familia, Cathedral, Casa Mila (La Pedrera) and Casa Batlló. Finding accommodation in Barcelona is easy and there is a great selection on self catering apartments.

Welcome to Lisbon (Lisboa)

Welcome to Lisbon (Lisboa) the capital of Portugal. This city used to be the center of one of the biggest empires of all times, with colonies in America, Asia and Africa.

Portugal is a small country on the west of the Iberian peninsula. It has more than 800 km of Atlantic Coast and it’s the most western country in mainland Europe.

Lisbon has many historical buildings and monuments. If you come with me, I will show you around.

Christmas to Rome,Italy

The Christian faith views Christmas as one of the most important holidays of the year. In a Catholic city like Rome the Christmas celebrations are still kept very traditional.  Many Roman families actually abandon the city over the holidays and gather the family on the countryside, but this shouldn’t keep anyone from looking into one of the Rome apartments to experience the Christmas festivities in the Eternal City.
The Christmas season officially starts on December 8^th with the Festival of the Immaculate Conception when the Pope visits the Spanish steps. In front to St Peter’s Basilica a life-size nativity scene is set up. On Christmas Eve the Midnight Mass is held inside. But if you haven’t taken care of getting tickets for this mass in advance (as early as in May!) it is very likely that you will have to settle for watching it from outside on a big screen.

Christmas in Prague, Czech

The first lighting of a Christmas tree was in 1812 in the Prague villa of the director of the Theater of the Estates, Jan K. Liebich. Thirty years later, they were being sold commonly in Prague and were referred to as Christ's trees. They first caught on among wealthy Czech families, and started appearing in Moravia around the turn of the 20th century.

The custom made its way to the Czech Lands from Germany, where it had spread from town to town in the 17th and 18th centuries. In the 19th century and to the middle of this one, Christmas trees were mainly fir, which in the present day due to its scarcity has been replaced by the sturdier spruce and pine.

Christmas in New York

Visit Top of the Rock for an aerial view of the decked-out city, then check out the world-famous Christmas tree and ice skating rink before taking in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular - a truly iconic NYC Christmas day. The next day, see the skyline from the New York Harbor as your cruise with a hot cup of cocoa from New York's own Jacques Torres and enjoy traditional Christmas tunes. Add in some shopping and sightseeing and you've got a New York City Christmas that you and your family will never forget.
Hotels to New York

Hallstatt in the Salzkammergut: Cradle of Austria

If you go to the "Salzwelten", the "Salt Worlds", get ready for a theme park that will provide you with information on the history of salt and its production, and entertainment for children and adults alike. An underground hall is 4,200 square metres big, there is an artificial lake and even dwarf miners that collect crystals to the great delight of observing children.
Hotels to Hallstatt