Thursday, July 13th, 2006
Sitting round the dinner table one night , after a few bottles of Chianti with some old friends, most of whom had spent time as European tour guides and backpackers, I asked them to name the best thing to see or do while staying in Italy. There was a lot of loud discussion as some tried to praise the less obvious things over the more mainstream, but there were also plenty of unanimous agreement for others. In no particular order may I present to you the top 20 things to do in Italy as decided by my mates.
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Saturday, July 8th, 2006
Alicante, Spain is located in Eastern Spain in the southern portion of the land of Valencia. Alicante is surrounded by Murica to the south, Valencia to the north, mountains to the north and west, and the Mediterranean Sea on the east. Popular travel destinations in the Alicante province include Alicante, Torrevieja, Benidorm, Alcoy and Elche.
Alicante is the second largest city in the Valencia region. It is a popular tourist destination, particularly in the summer. About six million people visit the Costa Blanca every summer and most enter through the Alicante Airport. The city has been called the best all around city in Spain.
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Wednesday, July 5th, 2006
The official epithet for the natives of the city is Madrileño, but they are frequently known as gatos (cats). City breaks in Madrid will make it apparent that the city positions itself as one of the important cities in Europe. Madrid is a foremost southern European city and the most significant link between the European Union and Latin America. The enlightened city is home to over three million people. Like any other chief European capital city, each district (or barrio in Spanish) has its own ambiance.
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Monday, July 3rd, 2006
Ahh, Roma. It should be written in every person’s destiny that they shall travel to the Eternal City at least once in their lifetime, to experience the romance, the history and the charm that is the capital of Italy. A short break in Rome may seem like a compromise, but in reality, even a few days is enough to experience a wonderful slice of life so different to one’s own existence. To sit and ponder life’s mysteries while enjoying affogato in a piazza, or to throw coins in the Fontana di Trevi and wish for a return to this magical place, are moments that justify making the journey for a short break in Rome.
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Tuesday, June 27th, 2006
In my teens, I traveled to France with my mother, father and grandmother for a month of sightseeing with a rental car. Michael Schumacher and Formula 1 have nothing on my father and our Opel rental car.
American fathers have an interesting if somewhat aggravating habit on trips. Yes, I am talking about the desire to see everything there is to see. This was particularly problematic in France, which has a gazillion things to see. For some reason, my memory is a blur! I’ll have to refer back to my Nomad Travel Journal, but here we go!
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Monday, June 26th, 2006
Denmark is one of the hippest countries in Europe. Copenhagen is the center of activity with a lively evening scene, palaces and castles.
If you’ve traveled to Denmark, you’ll understand when I immediately bring up the subject of bars. The Danish like to toss back a few when time permits. Time seems to permit a lot and a few beers often become many. To this end, going out for a night on the town with friendly Danes can be dangerous in the summer. Due to its location on old mother earth, it doesn’t get dark in Denmark until elevenish during the summer. This can be difficult to adjust to, particularly when you look down at your watch and realize it is four in the morning. And the sun is coming up! Ah, but Denmark is not all socializing.
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Wednesday, April 26th, 2006
Are you the type of person who falls asleep at Fourth of July fireworks celebrations? The type of person who yearns for just a little more “oomph†in your pyrotechnics? Then the Las Fallas festival in Valencia, pain is your kind of celebration.
Beginning on March 15 and culminating with huge bonfires on March 19, Las Fallas, or “the fires†is exactly what the name implies - a celebration of fire. For six months leading up to Las Fallas, “ninots,†huge cardboard wood and plaster statues, are constructed by community organizations. They depict people and scenes from current events (sometimes resembling local politicians), and can stand several stories high.
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Tuesday, April 25th, 2006
To many it is unknown that Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands in Europe, is mentioned to have some of the most beautiful scuba dive sites of the northern half of the hemisphere. Having four seasons underwater in contradiction to two seasons above water Lanzarote offers an enormous variety of fish (over 500 different species), coral, caverns, caves, overhangs, lava flows and wrecks. Dives are made directly from the shore and are done by boat on Lanzarote.
The famous Cathedral
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Wednesday, October 26th, 2005
The Danube River runs through the center of Budapest in Hungary. In the middle of the city chaos lays an oasis of tranquility, Margaret Island.
Margaret Island
Margaret Island is one of the unique elements of Budapest. The island is located in the middle of the Danube River in central Budapest and is a little more than 1 mile long and 500 yards wide. With the exception of a hotel at the south end, the island is free of cars and buildings.
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