Posted by Brian on May 30, 2010 in
Travel Dive into the history and culture that has made Lisbon Portugal what it is today by exploring some of the great museums they have in the city. Lisbon is a good sized city with a great balance between the past and the future. They have a great marine museum called Museu De Marinha that will share the history of the life on the seas around Portugal and its neighbors. They have an exhibit on the many styles of ships that sailed in and out of the local port over hundreds of years. They also have the history of the pirates that roamed near by. The building itself brings about the nostalgia and that carries into the inside with its stain glass windows and large sculptures of famous seamen.
Museu de Arte Popular is a museum that focuses on Portuguese fold art and customs. This is a must stop for anyone who is wanting to learn more about the people of this country. Through the many rooms of paintings, clothing, ceramics, agricultural tools, furniture and other pieces of daily life, visitors will get a nice rounded view of the heart of the Portuguese people. Visitors can also add Museu de Artes Decorativas to their list of Portuguese museums to learn more about the local culture.
Learn the history and legends of Portugal in a unique way with their famous tile art at the Museu Nacional do Azulejo . This is a very special way to see and hear the famous stories of the land, sea and people. There also some myths and legends of gods and spirits among the exhibits.
Your favorite hotel in Lisbon will have the details and maps to get you to all of the museums you can find time to visit. They can also give you advice on where to eat and relax during your daily journey’s.
Tags: favorite hotel in lisbon
Posted by Brian on May 19, 2010 in
Travel New to Paris and need to get around? No problem, Paris is one of the most easiest cities to travel and navigate, with trains, Metros, buses, trams, taxis and even self-service bikes. So, once you’ve arrived, checked into your Paris Hotel, relax…let the City of Paris take you for a wonderful ride.
Paris’s rail network is very dense, there are 6 major railway stations that are spread out all through the city: Gare de L’Est, Gare Saint-Lazare, Gare du Nord, Gare d’Austerlitz, Gare de Lyon and Gare Montparnassse. All these railways can be used to travel in Paris, and they also link the city to other regions of France, especially the high speed trains like the Train a grande vitesse.
There are almost 300 Metro stations, which are Parisians favorite way to travel in Paris. 16 lines operate from 5:20am to 1:15am. On Saturdays, the Metro and the tram lines run for one hour more and on the evenings before bank holidays. Stepping outside your Paris Hotel , you’ll have no problem finding a Metro entrance; there’s one about every five hundred meters. The entrances are marked by poles with an ‘M’, a ‘Metro’, or a ‘Metropolitan’ sign . 5 of the almost 300 Metro lines are the RER (reseau express regional) express network, which are lines that cross Paris and serves suburbia.
The buses and tramways operate from Monday to Saturdays from 5:30am to 8:30pm, some run on Sundays and bank holidays. The ‘Noctilien’ lines take over at night, these trams have 3 lines and link up to the Porte d’Ivry and the Pont du Garigliano. You can buy a basic ‘T’ ticket, good for one day, which will let you use both the buses and the trams.
Taxis are of course available every day at all hours. They are very easy to spot because of how they look and they have a light on the roof. Then, there are the thousands of self-service bicycles provide by Velib, which was created by Paris City Hall. These 20,000 self-service bicycles are accessible around 1451 stations, and are operated by an electronic terminal station. You can take out a bike, short-term for 1 to 7 days, or long term for a year.
Tags: buses and tramways
Posted by Brian on May 14, 2010 in
Travel The island of Hawaii is the biggest of the Hawaiian islands; which is why it is called to Big Island. It is also one of the most diverse islands. The north side of the island is lush and tropical while the south side is more barren desert. The wide variety that the island of Hawaii offers is part of what makes it such an ideal vacation spot. There are always lots of things to do on Big Island .
One of the biggest draws to the Big Island, and a must-see on any Hawaii vacation , is the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Currently the only active volcanoes on the island, they draw thousands of tourists each year. Visitors can see the volcano up close by taking one of the walking tours. Or if you prefer a more distant look, there are many helicopter and boat tours that can give you more of a birds-eye view.
The lava rock beaches along the coast of the Big Island also make great snorkeling sights . Much like coral, the lava rocks have become a refuge for a variety of different marine animals. Taking a snorkeling tour, and even scouting out some places on your own, is the best way to see the tropical fish and turtles up close. Just remember to do your research ahead of time to determine which beaches are safe and ideal for snorkeling if you plan on going out on your own.
No Hawaii vacation is complete without a luau . From hula dancers to roasted pig, it is an experience you won’t soon forget. There are many different luau options to choose from. Some are put on by companies that specialize in these types of events. They are often the most authentic and frequently require booking several months in advance. For something a little more low key, check with your hotel. Often hotels put on luaus for their guests or can recommend someplace that does.
The most important thing to remember when you are on your Big Island vacation is to relax. It is easy to get caught up in all there is to see and do, but don’t forget to take some time to chill on the beach and enjoy being in paradise.
Tags: great snorkeling sights
Posted by Brian on May 10, 2010 in
Entertainment The Grand Theatre de Geneve is both a performance venue and a city institution. It is one of the prestigious cultural establishments of this great Swiss city and is extremely popular with tourists and residents alike. The building itself, which houses the famous company, is an amazing visual spectacle and alone inspires a sense of awe and greatness in those who approach. The majestic building first opened to the public in 1876 and is located along Place Neuve. Unfortunately, though not uncommon to many great buildings throughout Europe, it was partially, well significantly destroyed by fire in 1951 and was not reopened until 1962. This is not only one of the favorite visual landmarks for many of the guests in the Geneva Hotels , it is also popular place to visit as an audience member.
Throughout much of the years, even centuries that followed the Reformation, the city of Geneva was heavily influenced by Calvinist thought and belief practice. And while this is still evident in the culture and tradition of the city today, it has become much more progressive and open to various arts and performance genres. In the case of opera, the city saw its first opera house build and open in the 1760s. Voltaire was the most famous and influence artist operating at the theatre during this time and under his influence the performances achieved great audience approval and interest. A new theatre soon emerged and they flourished early in their existence. Both of these early theatres existed outside of the official city walls. It was the second of these early theatres, the Teatre Neuve, that was eventually brought down so that a new building to could be built to better suit its needs and productions. This also coincided with the growing population of the city itself and the interest of additional audience members.
Tags: calvinist thought
