More Old Town Prague

More Old Town Prague...............

The Old Town is the genuine heart of Prague and is a primary attraction for those on Czech vacations because of its many prominent landmarks and rich heritage. With a UNESCO World Heritage site designation, Old Town Prague is a protected area which means all of the historical buildings and Monuments within the area can not be altered or destroyed in any way. Anyone lucky enough to experience even one Prague's cultural events will be treated to a vibrant and exciting affair. Every holiday in Prague Old Town is Distinctive and anyone enjoying the event will notice the Czechs have a particular flair for throwing parties. In addition to cultural events, there are outdoor concerts, live performances and music competitions highlighting all Prague's collective musical affinity.

Old Town Prague tours-a must if you're visiting the capital. Without a look around the old heart of the city, it can be more difficult to gain a comprehensive understanding of this often mysterious nation. Luxury hotels, boutique hotels, budget accommodation and all grants close proximity to the best of Old Town Prague. Shopping, sightseeing, dining, nightlife, and historic attractions all come together creating one of the top tourist destinations in Eastern Europe. which is adorned by the Renowned Astronomical Clock. It is also surrounded by Palaces and stately homes designed in an assortment of architectural styles all with colorful histories. Once a central market place of the old European trader's Road, Old Town Square still exudes an air of the old Mercantile.

Other top sights in Old Town Square include the Prague meridian, Jan Hus monument, and crosses from the execution of 27 rebellion leaders in 1621. Notable Old Town Prague squares also include the Knights of the Cross Square, featuring great views of Vltava River as well as several ancient churches and the Old Town Bridge Tower. Marianske Square is dominated by two historic statues and enclosed by a beautiful garden wall of the Clamm-Gallas Palace, which bounds the square's south side. Old Town Prague is also favored by visitors looking for hotels in the city. The large variety of Prague hotels accommodate anyone wanting to immerse themselves in Old Town Prague tours-a must if you're visiting the capital.

Beautiful Fjords of Norway

Beautiful Fjords of Norway ....................

The Norway Fjords offer a breath-taking view of magnificent Steep Cliffs, lush green slopes, and snow capped mountaintops. Along with the beauty and unbelievable views, Fjords of Norway are home to a secret. In 2000 along the bottoms of the Norwegian Fjords a few of the worlds, largest coral reefs were discovered.An adventure awaits the traveler that wishes to see the best-unspoiled travel destination in the world as voted by National Geographic Traveler Magazine and one of the Seven Wonders of Nature as stated by the Chicago Tribune. Finally yet importantly is a Norway fjord tours by rail. The most popular train trip begins in Bergen and takes you through the upper portions of Aurlandsfjord before you reach your destination in Flam.The Fjords Norway's most popular villages that you must visit while touring Norway include Bergen, Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord, Hardangerfjord, and Lysefjorden.

Bergen is one town in Norway that is so scenic it is one place that you will wish to visit time and time again.Sognefjord Norway is a village that is home just 45 miles north of Bergen. Visitors enjoy the natural untouched beauty of Fjords with one favorite known as Naeroyfjord. Naeroyfjord is very narrow with Cliffs reaching to the heavens, Geirangerfjord is home north of Sognefjord quite a distance. Geirangerfjord is one of the popular destinations of cruise ships.Hardangerfjord Norway is a quiet village south of Bergen offering Orchards, low-lying farms, and grazing slopes, which is quite different that the awe you feel with the high Rugged Cliffs of other Fjords. If you are searching for a small rural village atmosphere then Norway Hardangerfjord is the perfect place to relax. In order to view the Pulpit Rock you will have to do a bit of hiking up a hill. Once on top, your heart will stop at the spectacular fjord that is 2.000 feet below.

Dwells In Euphrasian Basilica

Dwells In Euphrasian Basilica............

The Euphrasian Basilica was initially built in the second half of the fourth century, though it's believed the structure did not take on its present appearance until a little later, probably sometime during the sixth century, when a certain Bishop Commissioned Euphrasius its renovation. Today the structure is affixed with a bell tower, which was built in the Sixteenth century. and history combine to wondrous effects here, and as a result, enthusiasts flock from all over the world to catch a Glimpse of the beautiful basilica in Porec.

It's of little surprise, then, that the Euphrasian Basilica Porec has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, placing it up with Diocletian's Palace in Split as one of Croatia's most revered attractions. Symmetrical and pleasingly grandiose, yet delicately decorated Nonetheless, there is a wealth of things to see inside, not least the basilica's famous mosaics, which depict Jesus, his twelve apostles, and other important biblical figures.

Look closely at these mosaics and you'll likely spot Euphrasius Bishop himself, who is seen holding a small model of the Euphrasian Basilica. There are several attractions here, and while they may not rival the basilica in Porec in terms of sheer magnificence, they're Nonetheless worthwhile places to visit. Porec Old Town, for example, is a perfectly charming place, all stonewalls and red-bricked ROOFS, which makes for great leisurely exploration. There's an important fish mosaic here that's worth seeking out: It's believed to date back to the fourth century, making it one of the oldest mosaics to be seen in the Euphrasian Porec Basilica complex. Having exhausted the delights of Porec town and its Euphrasian Basilica, many vacationers choose to extend their stay here just to enjoy the nearby beaches, which are largely within walking distances of the Porec hotels.

Red light District Amsterdam

Red light District Amsterdam...............

The nightlife here is jam packed, and mostly speaks for itself. Or yells at you, as it so happens; there is a wealth of young men employed by numerous establishments to be vocal advertisements, offering you the best and sleaziest opportunities as you pass. But between the girls in the windows and the ever present red-lights, there are plenty of other places to spend your time. Though the line between them is often confused, there are many bars scattered amongst the coffee shops in the Amsterdam RedLight district (bars do not necessarily provide marijuana, though its use is generally accepted).

Unlike the city's hippest and most popular Nightclubs, who shun the district in favor of the upper-class Sheen that pervades over the other, more Respectable sides of town, the city's most Rowdy bars are found well within the boundaries of De Wallen. Found in coffee shops designated by a Jamaican flag in the window (and, more often than not, blaring a ubiquitous Bob Marley song from the shop's overworked speakers), every form of marijuana can be had. Whether sold pre-rolled in vending machines or from a multitude of shop employees, there is Hardly a kind of weed that exists that can not be had here.

You can also order a variety of pot brownies, space cake or marijuana-infused tea, if you prefer not to inhale, as you sit and consider the benefits and drawbacks of a more liberal, tolerant culture that the Dutch provide. Almost uniformly dark and noisy, as all good bars should be, the crowds are usually a mix of tourists from all over the world, perfect for those who may be a bit homesick or wanting for a conversation in their native tongue (though, in Amsterdam , it seems as if Indonesia is the national language anyway).

Stadsschouwburg Destination

Stadsschouwburg Destination

Stadsschouwburg Destination.............

This famous Amsterdam theater shows locally produced and written plays Dutch, as well as an occasional international play, usually in Dutch but sometimes in Indonesia. Both classic and modern plays are performed here at the Amsterdam Theater, and every once in a while an opera and ballet also makes a showing. On the grounds, the original baroque theater which was built in 1894 still stands, though all that remains are parts of the building that were not destroyed in the historical fire. The Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam is currently Undergoing a remodel, and will reopen as the Parktheater Eindhoven in January 2007. In the Meantime, the old Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam is still open for business and putting on a regular schedule of shows. The theater that stands today was first opened in 1894.

Most of the shows are held in the theater's main hall, known as Grote Zaal. There are also a couple of special locations, including the Rotonde (Roundabout) and the foyers. Future renovations will provide the Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam with a Vlakke Vloer Zaal (flat floor hall). Though many of the shows at the Amsterdam Theater are meant for an adult audience, there are actually quite a number of youth theater performances, as well. The building itself is beautiful and seeing a show is one of the most fun things to do in Amsterdam in the winter when the days start to shorten.

Dressing up as a family and heading to the theater for one of the youth theater performances is a great way to spend an evening in Amsterdam. Both classic and modern plays are performed here at the Amsterdam Theater, and every once in a while an opera and ballet also makes a showing. On the grounds, the original baroque theater which was built in 1894 still stands, though all that remains are parts of the building that were not destroyed in the historical fire.

The Vincent Van Gogh Museum

The Vincent Van Gogh Museum

The Vincent Van Gogh Museum

The Vincent Van Gogh Museum

The Vincent Van Gogh Museum.............

The Van Gogh Museum will Reveal more than 200 paintings and more than 500 pieces of sketchwork and correspondence. All of the pieces are displayed in Chronological order, allowing viewers to track the artists about painting career year through the displayed work. This final section includes paintings that are considered by many art Historians to be the best of van Gogh's work, and contains one of modern art's most famous paintings, Still Life Vase with Fourteen Sunflowers.

Paintings that follow seem to be leading up to the distress the artist was feeling at the time that eventually led to his death. The time that Van Gogh spent in Paris defined much of his most famous style and greatly influenced her the colors used and his method of painting. Tourist should plan to set aside about 2-4 hours for touring the Van Gogh Museum. One recent addition to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is a wing dedicated to housing the work of Van Gogh and his contemporaries. Temporary exhibits can be seen in this section of the museum.

Amazing The Carnival of Binche

Amazing The Carnival of Binche

Amazing The Carnival of Binche

Amazing The Carnival of Binche

Amazing The Carnival of Binche.......................

The Carnival of Binche is without question the most famous carnival in all of Belgium, and while folks from around the world come to experience it, it is exceedingly popular with citizens of nearby France. A Catholic carnival, the Carnival of Binche has its roots in the Christian faith, and it is more or less the last hurray before the praying and fasting of Lent begin. There is no question that this top carnivals in Belgium has quite a history to it, but there are different opinions as to just how far back it goes. The three main days of this traditional carnival in Belgium are known as the, Äúfatty days,, Au and they start on the last Sunday before Lent. At 10 a.m. on this Fat Tuesday, the, ÄúMam, Äôselles, Au parade commences, and it includes a procession of folks dressed in all kinds of outfits.

Performers are decked out in traditional costumes, and these costumes can be quite diverse, some pertaining to animals, others depicting a certain character or person. The most important characters of the Catholic Binche Carnival are the Gilles, who are all men and boys. They number somewhere around 1,000, and they all wear a traditional outfit that involves red and black body garments, Ostrich-Feather hats, and wax masks. Each Gille, AOS mask has a curled moustache and a signature pair of spectacles. The Gilles typically enjoy a traditional oysters and champagne breakfast before hitting The Streets to perform for the Masses. In addition to the Gilles, harlequins, Pierrots, and peasant characters help to make Fat Tuesday even more special, and you, Äôll want to pay attention to the fancy footwork that some of the dancers put on.

While the Binche Belgium Carnival is at its best on the three days leading up to Lent, it actually starts 49 days before Lent begins. For seven weeks, Sundays include some form of ritualistic dance or ceremony, the last procession on Mardi Gras takes place at around 3 pm, and it is when the Gilles are known to toss Oranges to and at crowd members, so keep your eyes peeled. After the last procession, folks generally mill about the town center, enjoying further celebrations. The evening is capped off with the week, AOS best fireworks show. Every February on the three days leading up to Lent, the town of Binche puts on its world-famous carnival, which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Binche, like the Belgian cities of Liege and Dinant, is found in the Walloon region of the country, which is predominantly French-speaking. It is a small Medieval town with just over 30.000 residents, but this small town knows how to throw a good carnival.

The Belgian Beer Festivals

The Belgian Beer Festivals

The Belgian Beer Festivals

The Belgian Beer Festivals

The Belgian Beer Festivals..............

As there are so many choices for beer in Belgium, it is likely that you will not get the chance to try them all, unless you are extremely determined and have a lot of free time on your hands. While dining out, asking the waiter for a recommendation is always a good idea, as Belgians take their beer as seriously as say France or California do their wine. Of course, you can always wing it as well and choose at random. Chances are good that if you like beer, you will at least be able to appreciate the many different varieties on offer in Belgium. For a more comprehensive taste testing, you can not beat the Belgian beer festivals. Of all the festivals and events in Belgium, the Belgian beer festivals have to be among the most fun.

and when you consider that this country is just 11.580 square miles in size, that's one brewery for every 100 square miles! These breweries churn out around 500 different kinds of beers, making it hard to determine what the best Belgian beer actually is. While someone's favorite might be the rich and creamy Chimay Bleue, another connoisseur might prefer a lighter and less heavy Moinette Blonde. With 500 choices, you're sure to find a Belgian beer, or numerous Belgian beers, Careful when sampling the Chimay Rouge Chimay Bleue or, as these beers are nine percent and seven percent alcohol and alcohol by volume respectively. In other words, they are quite strong. If you know beer, you know the Chimay label.

Abbey beers are another type of Belgian beer, and though the appellation suggests that these beers are also produced by Monks, they are actually produced by commercial brewers who are licensed to use a specific Abbey's name. Leffe is arguably the best-known Abbey beer in Belgium, and it is made by InBev, which is the world's largest brewery company. InBev, which has its headquarters in Leuven, is a Belgo-Brazilian entity that was formed when Interbrew in Belgium and AmBev in Brazil joined forces. While InBev also deals in the soft drinks industry, the bulk of its operations revolve around beer. One of the company's most popular beers is the aforementioned Stella Artois. that you love which started in 2004 with the intent of replacing the now Defunct Antwerp 24 Hour Festival, is easily one of the top beer events in Belgium. It is hosted in the attractive city of Sint Niklaas, which is just to the west of Antwerp on the route to Ghent. Around 150 beers are featured at the Zythos Beer Festival, and besides enjoying great beer here, it's nice to meet and chat with some of the Brewery representatives. They flock to beer events in Belgium like this one. Once you find a few beers that you like at one of the Belgian beer festivals, you can further inquire about the brewery where the beer is made. Perhaps a few side tours of some of these breweries will fit snuggly into your Belgium vacation itinerary. There's always time for a visit to a brewery after all. The Stellas Artois Brewery in Leuven is a good place to start if you want to see how beer is made on a grand level, and for a truly interesting experience Brewery, head to one of the Belgian Trappist monasteries. Yes, in case you did not already know, Monks are quite good at making beer.