Best place to visit around the world

Porvoo "Beautiful Finland Oldest Heritage town"

2011-11-08T04:48:00.000-08:00

Porvoo (Swedish: Borgå) is a scenic small town 50 kilometers east of Helsinki, Finland. One of the most popular day trips from Helsinki, its picturesque city center of wooden houses is a proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Finland's second oldest city (after Turku), Porvoo has been around since the 13th century, although most of the present buildings date to the 19th century. In 1809, Finland's nobles assembled at the Diet of Porvoo to affirm the country's conquest by Russia.

Today, tourists flock to pad about the cobbled narrow lanes of Old Porvoo (Vanha Porvoo), which has survived the sprawl of the modern city around it remarkably intact. The place is particularly popular in summer.

Hirvivaara - Sepänmäki Craft Museum

At Mäntsälä, Road 55 joins the Helsinki-Lahti highway (E 75). 2km/1.25mi southwest, at Hirvivaara, is the Sepänmäki Craft Museum, an old craftsmen's quarter with buildings and workshops preserved in their original state.

The buildings include a blacksmith, tailor, weaver, carpenter, smithy, café, shoemaker and blood-letter as well as a threshing shed, windmill, smoke sauna, and storehouses.

Korttia - Glacial Potholes

At Korttia, 26km/16mi from Porvoo on the Lahti road (No. 55), can be found a group of some 20 potholes up to 10m/33ft deep, scoured out of the granite by the grinding action of pebbles swirled round by melt-water during the retreat of the glaciers in the last ice age, some 10,000 years ago.

Loviisa

5km/3mi east of Pernaja is the little town of Loviisa (Swedish Lovisa; pop. 9,000), picturesquely situated at the north end of the Lovisavik, a long inlet opening off the Gulf of Finland. The town, still mainly Swedish-speaking, was founded in 1745. It was originally called Degerby, but was renamed in 1752 in honor of Queen Luise Ulrike of Sweden , sister of Frederick the Great. In the center of the town, now a well-known health resort, are a large neo-Gothic church (1865) and the Town Hall (1856).

North of the town center is a trotting course, near which is the Municipal Museum. On the outskirts of the town are the remains of old fortifications.

Manor Houses

To the south of Porvoo is a charming scatter of skerries. Some 6km/4mi southeast of Porvoo is the old manor house of Haikko (main building converted into a hotel), with the studio of the 19th century painter Albert Edelfelt, now a museum. 10km/6mi northeast is another old manorhouse, Sannäs (1836-37; national monument), now a conference center.

Porvoo - Municipal Museum

In a square below Porvoo's Cathedral is the Municipal Museum, housed in the old Town Hall (1764). Of particular interest is the material relating to the Iris factory, which produced Art Nouveau furniture and ceramics around the turn of the century. The corner house opposite the Museum, to the east, contains a collection of sculpture by Ville Vallgren (1855-1940) and pictures by Albert Edelfelt (1854-1905).

On the banks of the river are a series of picturesque red-painted 18th century boat-houses. Here too, at Jokikatu 14, is the Doll Museum.

Porvoo's Old Cemetery

In Porvoo's Old Cemetery on the west bank of the Porvoonjoki, on the Helsinki road, are the graves of J. L. Runeberg and of Eugen Schauman, who shot the Russian General Bobrikov in Helsinki in 1904 and then took his own life.

(Local Name: Pernå) 30km/19mi east of Porvoo, just off Road 7, is Pernaja (Swedish Pernå), birthplace of the Finnish Reformer Mikael Agricola (1509-57). St Michael's Church (14th C.) has a 16th century altar from Lübeck. 5km/3mi beyond this stands the imposing manor house of Sarvilahti (17th and 18th C.), in a beautiful park.

Porvoo Cathedral

The old town of Porvoo, with its narrow winding streets and many wooden houses, is built on a hill which rises above the river at the north end of Porvoo. Here too stands the Gothic Cathedral (1414-18; renovated 1978), its white gable with red brick ornament facing the river. In the beautiful Roccoco interior is a bronze statue of Tsar Alexander I by Walter Runeberg (1909), commemorating the Diet of Porvoo in 1809 at which Alexander received the homage of the Estates and guaranteed the inviolability of the Finnish constitution and religion.

Southeast of the Cathedral are the belfry and a small wooden church (1740).

Porvoo Summer Sounds

Porvoo Summer Sounds takes place in late June or early July.

This annual weekend festival includes a number of musical concerts. The repertoires range from baroque to contemporary.

Runeberg House & Sculpture Collection

Some 500m/550yd south of the Doll Museum in Porvoo, in Runeberginkatu, can be seen a bronze statue of J. L. Runeberg, a smaller copy of the statue in Helsinki. Farther south, at the corner of Runeberginkatu and Aleksanterinkatu, is the Runeberg House, home of the poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804-77), who taught in the grammar school from 1837 to 1857. In the adjoining house is the sculpture collection of Walter Runeberg, the poet's son.

Yrjö A. Jäntti Art Gallery

A short distance away from Porvoo's history museum and art gallery, in Papinkatu, is the Yrjö A. Jäntti Art Gallery, with Yrjö A. Jäntti's collection of Finnish painting, together with graphic art, drawings and woodcarving.

Kayaking and canoeing on the Porvoo River

Kayaking and canoeing on the Porvoo River and in the nearby island is a popular summer pastime. It's even possible to make your way down all the way from Lahti, 90 km away. The stream is gentle and it's quite suitable for beginners, but don't venture out into the ocean unless you know what you're doing. Contact Kanotklubben Wiking [7] for more information.

Get Around

Porvoo is best explored on foot: the pedestrianized Old Town is compact and all main attractions can be easily reached from the bus, ferry or train stations. Parents will, however, probably want to leave the baby carriage at home: the Old Town's streets are cobblestone and often hilly.

There used to be horse and carriage service, but it was shut down in 2010 due to financial problems. The Museum Railways also operate occasional steam train excursions.

Get In

By train

There is no regular passenger train service to Porvoo, but the Porvoo Museum Railways run a vintage 1955 Lättähattu ("Flat Hat") Dm7 from Kerava to Porvoo and back on Saturdays in July/August only. The trip takes 1.5 hours and costs €15/25 one-way return for adults, half price for children, no reservations, cash only. As of 2009, the train leaves Kerava at 12:10 and sets off back from Porvoo at 4:00 PM. Kerava, in turn, can be reached in 20 min by regular commuter train from Helsinki's Central Railway Station.

By boat

M/s Runeberg cruises from Helsinki to Porvoo between May and September three to five times a week, departing at 10 AM and returning at 4 PM. The trip takes 3.5 hours one way and costs €25.00/36.00 one-way/return, half price for children. On Saturday, you can also opt to take the boat one way and the train back. The boat leaves from Linnalaituri on Helsinki's Market Square, opposite the President's palace.

By car

Porvoo is easily accessed via the E18 expressway east from Helsinki towards Kotka and the Russian border. The other option is the old Porvoo road, Highway 170, but it's considerably slower and not particularly scenic.

By bicycle

Bike fans may want to consider pedalling the 78 km along the scenic King's Road from Helsinki to Porvoo, or 50 km along the more direct Highway 170.

Greece Pearl "Mykonos" Enjoy the best summer

2011-05-09T14:53:00.000-07:00

Mykonos is a grand example of unique Cycladic architecture set around a picturesque fishing-village bay. Totally whitewashed organic cube-like buildings fit closely together to form a kind of haphazard maze of narrow alley ways and streets. The earthen colors of the bare hills which surround the town's gleaming whiteness is set between the aura of an incredibly blue sky and even deeper blue sparkling sea. Its many well preserved windmills and hundreds of tiny red-roofed churches adds a flavor of culture and custom to the scene, enhanced even further by many museums and the historical ancient site of Delos. Together with being friendly and open people, the locals have a healthy understanding of what it means to have a good time. Put this together with all the island's other qualities and it is no wonder Mykonos has been often named "the jewel" of the Aegean Sea.

As well as catering to the demands of its summer guests with an infrastructure that has been well developed over the years, an off-season tourist industry has also emerged making it possible to visit in comfort during the non-summer months. Frequent air and sea connections together with heated rooms and good taverns in and around the main town, allow the adventurous traveler to properly experience the island's natural beauty.

When the crowds have departed, it is then that Mykonos can best be enjoyed as the tiny Cycladic fishing village it has always been.

Petros the Pelican

An old celebrity of the town's waterfront, "Petros" has been the official mascot of Mykonos for many years. Found after a storm in 1954 the pelican gave up its migrating to become a local resident. After more than thirty years of making the island his home, Petros eventually died. The loss of such a personality was so deeply felt by both Mykonian and tourist alike that a replacement was soon found and a tradition established. Through the care and protection of the islanders, the spirit of Petros lives on in his predecessor who continues to this day to make his home on the island's waterfront.

Windmills

From as early as the 16th century, one of the most recognized landmarks of Mykonos have been its windmills. Due to its geographic position, Mykonos was situated on major sea trade-route which at one time joined Venice, the gateway of Europe, to Asia. The need to refine grain and compact it for transport combined with an ample year round supply of wind made Mykonos the perfect location. Easy access to the harbor was necessary so most of the island's mills were positioned in or around the main port with the highest concentration covering the entire western portion of town. With the coming of industrialization the windmills importance began to decline as well as their numbers. Today only a fraction remains of what was once an active era in Mykonian history.

Little Venice

Where the most western part of the town meets the sea is the area known as "Little Venice". Here the buildings have been constructed right on the sea's edge with their balconies overhanging the water. During the 16th and 17th century pirating was common and it is believed this area was used for the necessary quick loading and unloading of goods.

Paraportiani

One of the most famous architectural structures in Greece is the church, Paraportiani. Positioned near the main harbor entrance, this church is the central feature of the "Kastro" or castle area, the oldest section of town. It's name means inner or secondary door which it was to the Medieval stone walls which encircled the area. First begun in 1475, Paraportiani in reality is a group of five smaller churches which were constructed over a period of time and not completed until well into the 17th century. The two story structure was molded together utilizing four of it's churches to form a base for the fifth church which when placed on top formed a central domed roof.

Delos

One of Greece's most famous archaeologic sites is the small island of Delos. Under the jurisdiction of Mykonos and situated just 2 kilometers to the west the entire island has been declared a national museum. Access to the island has been made readily available through excursions which leave daily from the main harbor of Mykonos and some of the more popular beaches.

The Armenistis Lighthouse

Built in 1891, the Armenistis Lighthouse is situated on the north-western tip of Mykonos, overlooking the strait that separates the island of Tinos from Mykonos. Due to its high elevation the view from this location is a particularly memorable scenic attraction. Specifically the lighthouse design is an octagonal cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery at an overall height of 19 meters (62 ft). Its focal plane is 184 meters (604ft) with a white beacon flash every 10 seconds. The original Fresnel lens when replaced was put into a replica lantern house which is now on display in the garden of the Aegean Maritime Museum in Mykonos Town. At a distance of approximately 6 km from town, the lighthouse can be reached by taking the north coastal road that passes through both San Stephanos and the Houlakia Bay area.

Beaches

Agios Sostis Beach

Taking the road beyond Panormos beach and facing east onto the bay, Agios Sostis is one of the more remote beaches on the island. Void of accommodation and crowds this beautiful beach offers not only peace and quiet but a very good small restaurant. Access is limited to private vehicle and taxi.

Agios Stefanos Beach

Two kilometers north of town and facing to the west is the well developed beach of Agios Stefanos. Many hotels in this area supply a wide range of accomodation with the beach itself offering a good selection of restaurants and cafes. This family oriented beach can be reached via taxi, private vehicle or regular bus service from town.

Agios Yannis Beach

On the west side of the island and facing Delos, the relatively small and picturesque beach of Agios Yannis offers white sands and a collection of small coves catering to the general public. Famous as the location for the award winning motion picture "Shirley Valentine", many appreciate this setting for its calm and relaxed atmosphere. Regular bus service from town provides easy access throughout the day.

Agrari Beach

One of the quietest beaches of the southern chain. Medium in size this beach has a single restaurant and beach bar that caters to all who enjoy seclusion from the crowds. There is no local bus service but Agrari can be reached by private transport, taxi and boat shuttles from Plati Yialos. Due to its close proximity to Elia this beach can also be reached easily by foot from the Elia bus terminus.

Elia Beach

Easily accessible by bus from town and a regular boat service from Plati Yialos, Elia beach is the largest of the south chain of beaches. Good restaurants, hotels and bungalows provide beach-side refreshment and accommodation with the added attraction of the islands only water park situated just back from the beach and only minutes away. In designated sections nude bathing is allowed.

Ftelia Beach

Very often subjected to a good onshore wind, north-facing Fetelia beach, unpleasant to sun bathers, is a great pleasure to wind surfing enthusiasts. Located on the north and central part of the island this beach forms the base to Panormos Bay, the largest on Mykonos. There is a restaurant to serve the needs of those who visit and access to this beach can only be made by taxi or private vehicles.

Kalafatis Beach

One of the earliest established beaches, this beautiful bay and long sweeping Kalafatis beach has become famous to wind surfers who enjoy a good offshore breeze. Hotel accommodation is available together with various water sports including diving with access to the beach made easy from town through a regular bus service. Many small restaurants can be found in the area often specializing in local seafood dishes.

Get in

By boat

From the Greek mainland ferries and highspeed catamaran services run daily from Piraeus and Rafina.

The journey between the port of Piraeus (Athens) and Mykonos takes between 4h 30min and 5h 15min, depending on the type of ferry you are taking. On a slow ferry a seat in economy class will cost € 30,50. All the ferries to Mykonos depart from Port Gate Ε7. Most of the ferries connecting Piraeus to Mykonos stop working by end of October and resume by April.

Many travelers probably don’t even consider Rafina a possible departure port if they are heading to one of the Cyclades, but if you are arriving at the airport of Athens you are often better off taking a ferry from Rafina than traveling to Athens and get a ferry from Piraeus. The journey between Rafina and Mykonos takes between 2h 10min and 5h 30min, depending on the type of ferry you are taking. On a regular ferry expect to pay € 22,50 per person for a seat in economy class. Most of the ferries connecting Rafina to Mykonos stop working by end of October and resume by April.

Mykonos can also be reached directly from other islands in the Cyclades. There are frequent boat connections from Syros, Andros, Tinos, Paros, Naxos, Ios and Santorini. There are less frequent boat connections from Crete, Rhodes, Chios and Lesvos. Not more than twice a week there is a time consuming boat service from Samos and Ikaria.

Mykonos has two ports: the old port in Mykonos Town, and the new port at Tourlos, about 2 km north of Mykonos Town. Check before you travel which port your boat will use. All cruise ships use the new port and most of the ferries as well. The highspeed catamaran services still use the old port in Mykonos town.

Ferry companies:

Hellenic Seaways
Seajets
Blue Star Ferries

Get around

With a length of 12 to 15 km and a width of 10km, Mykonos is one of the smallest of the Cyclades islands. On Mykonos you can get around by bus, taxi, car, scooter, ATV or boat.

By bus

There is a bus network that takes you around the island. There are two bus stations in Mykonos town, each on different sides of Mykonos town. From the main southern bus station, Fabrica, buses can be taken for departures to Platys Gialos, Paraga, Paradise, Ornos and Agios Ioannis. From the northern bus station, Remezzo, which is not very far from the old port ferry quay, buses can be taken for departures to Ano Mera, Elia and Kalafatis. Frequencies of buses are higher in high season. Departure times are clearly marked at the bus stations. There are also night buses from Mykonos to Platis Gialos and Paradise leaving every hour.

There is no bus connection between the two bus stations. From one bus station to the other will take about 20 minutes of walking through the streets of Mykonos town.

You can buy your bus tickets (go and return) before boarding the bus. They are available at kiosks, mini-markets and tourist shops. Hand over your ticket to the bus driver and he will "validate" it by simply tearing your ticket. There are ticket stamping machines in the bus, but they simply don't function. Don't be surprised (and don't try to explain why) if a man that is already on the bus near the bus driver will check your "validated" ticket a few minutes later. Even though your ticket is just teared and not stamped, he will inspect your ticket thoroughly. Bus tickets are € 1.40, except for the further destinations of Elia and Kalafatis which cost € 1,70. Tickets for night buses are are also € 1,70. Sometimes it is very possible to buy a ticket from the bus driver, though you may have to wait at the back of line while you wait for the people who have already bought tickets to get on. Buses in Mykonos are almost always full during the busy parts of the day; the bus driver will squeeze in as many passengers as he possibly can.

By taxi

On the entire island there are only about 30 taxis, which means that depending on taxis for transport can be an exercise of great patience. In Mykonos Town the main location for taxis is in Manto Square (also called Town Square or Taxi Square), on the harbour front near the statue. You have to wait in line and sometimes you can wait for hours in the taxi queue. In the evening it can be very difficult to find a taxi. Taxis do not use meters, but there's a notice board giving rates for each destination. Fares are quite reasonable. Contact telephone numbers are 22890, 22400 and 23700.

By boat

The Plati Yalos Boat Service provides a good and fun way of getting to the southern beaches of Mykonos.

From Platys Gialos small fishing boats converted into tourist transport leave every hour or less to the beaches of Paranga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari and Elia. First departure 10:15AM until 4:15PM every hour. Last return to Platys Gialos from Elia at 6PM and from Super Paradise at 8PM.

From Ornos boats leave for the beaches of Platys Gialos, Paranga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari and Elia. Boats leaves from Ornos at 10AM, 11PM, noon and 1PM.

Price for a return ticket is € 5 for Paranga and Paradise, € 6 for Super Paradise and € 7 for Agrari and Elia. Boat services can be cancelled due to strong wind, but with the exception of Super Paradise all of these beaches can be reached by bus from Mykonos Town as well.

From June to September there also infrequently boats leaving from the harbour in Mykonos Town to Super Paradise, Agrari and Elia.

By car or by motorbike

Mykonos has an extensive public transport system from Mykonos Town. By public transport it is easy to get to all the southern beaches, which happen to be the nicest beaches as well. Renting a motorbike or a car is the way to go if you want to explore the rest of the island, especially the more remote beaches at the north coast. Motorbike and car rentals are readily available around the island. In Mykonos Town the highest concentration of rent a car - motorbike agencies is in and around the area of the southern busstation, where you will find a wide range of choices. The other area of Mykonos Town with rent a car - motorbike agencies is near to the old port, behind the Archaeological Museum

Paris "The most romantic and must visit city in lifetime"

2011-03-03T06:04:00.000-08:00

Paris is a huge city with several district articles containing sightseeing, restaurant, nightlife and accommodation listings — consider printing them all.

Paris, the cosmopolitan capital of France, is - with 2.2 million people living in the dense (105 km²) central city and almost 12 million people living in the whole metropolitan area - one of the largest agglomerations in Europe. Located in the north of the country on the river Seine, Paris has the reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, brimming with historic associations and remaining vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design. Dubbed the City of Light (la Ville Lumière) and Capital of Fashion, it is home to the world's finest and most luxorious fashion designers and cosmetics, such as Chanel, Christian Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent, Guerlain, Lancôme, L'Oréal, Clarins, etc. A large part of the city, including the River Seine, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city has the second highest number of Michelin-restaurants in the world (after Tokyo) and contain numerous iconic landmarks, such as the world's most visited tourist sight the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, Moulin Rouge, Lido etc, making it the most popular tourist destination in the world with 45 million tourists annually.

Eiffel Tower, Paris

Once the tallest structure in the world, the Eiffel Tower is probably Europe's best known landmark and Paris's most famous symbol.
You couldn't possibly visit Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. Even if you do not want to visit this world famous structure, you will see its top from all over Paris. The tower rises 300 meters tall (984 ft); when it was completed at the end of the 19th century it was twice as high as the Washington Monument, at the time the tallest structure in the world.
The Tallest Inaugurated March 31, 1889, the Eiffel Tower would be the tallest structure in the world until the completion of the Chrysler Building in 1930.

Arc de Triomphe

In the middle of the Place Charles de Gaulle, at the border of the 8th, 16th and 17th arrondissement stands one of the greatest arches in history: the Arc de Triomphe (arch of triumph).
Napoléon's Triumphal Arch
The arch was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his victories, but he was ousted before the arch was completed. In fact, it wasn't completed until 1836 during the reign of Louis-Philippe. The Arc de Triomphe is engraved with names of generals who commanded French troops during Napoleon's regime.
Design
The design of the arch by Jean Chalgrin is based on the Arch of Titus in Rome. The Arc de Triomphe is much higher (50m versus 15m), but it has exactly the same proportions.
The triumphal arch is adorned Mareillaise relief, Arc de Triomphe with many reliefs, most of them commemorating the emperor's battles. Among them are the battle of Aboukir, Napoleons victory over the Turkish and the Battle of Austerliz, where Napoleon defeated the Austrians.
The best known relief is the Departure of the Volunteers in 1792, also known as the Marseillaise. At the top of the arch are 30 shields, each of them bears the name of one of Napoleon's successful battles. The arch also includes the Grave of the Unknown Soldiers from the first World War.

Louvre Museum

The Louvre, originally a palace but now one of the largest and most visited museums in the world, is a must-visit for anyone with a slight interest in art. Some of the museum's most famous works of art are the Mona Lisa and the Venus of Milo.
Originally a royal palace, the Louvre became a public museum at the end of the 18th century. It is located in the 1st arrondissement, at the heart of Paris.
There are about 35.000 objects on display, spread out over three wings of the former palace. The museum has a diverse collection ranging from the antiquity up to the mid 19th century. A large part of the collection consists of European paintings and sculptures. Other rooms contain Roman, Egyptian, Greek and Oriental art. There is also a section with 'Objects d'Art', where objects such as clocks, furniture, china and tapestries are displayed.
Some of the most famous works of art in the museum are the Venus of Milo, the Nike of Samothrake, the Dying Slave by Michelangelo and of course Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa.

Notre Dame

Not the largest cathedral in the world, the Notre-Dame might be the most famous of all cathedrals. The gothic masterpiece is located on the ?le de la Cité, a small island in the heart of the city.
A Religious site
The site of the Notre dame is the cradle of Paris and has always been the religious center of the city. The Celts had their sacred ground here, the Romans built a temple to worship Jupiter. A Christian basilica was built in the 6th century and the last religious structure before the Notre-Dame construction started was a Romanesque church.
Construction
Bishop Maurice de Sully started the construction in 1163. The Cathedral was to be built in the new gothic style and had to reflect Paris's status as the capital of the Kingdom France. It was the first cathedral built on a monumental scale and became the prototype for future cathedrals in France, like the cathedrals of Amiens, Chartres or Rheims, just to name the most famous.

Sacré Coeur Basilica

The Sacré-Coeur Basilica is one of Paris's major tourist draws. The majestic building is located on top of the Montmartre hill.
Montmartre
Above all, Montmartre is known for its many artists who have been omnipresent since 1880. The name Montmartre, an area around a hill in the 18th arrondissement, north of downtown Paris, is said to be derived from either Mount of Martyrs or from Mount of Mars. Until 1873, when the Sacré-Coeur was built on top of the hill, Montmartre was a small village, inhabited by a mostly farming community.

Orsay Museum

The Musée d'Orsay is a museum housed in a grand railway station built in 1900. Home to many sculptures and impressionist paintings, it has become one of Paris's most popular museums.
New Railway Stations
At the turn of the 19th century, two large railway stations were built in Paris, the Gare de Lyon and the Gare d'Orsay. The Gare d'Orsay had the most prominent site, along the Seine opposite the Louvre. The railway station was planned by the Compagnie d'Orléans, who wanted to bring electrified trains right into the heart of Paris.

Opera Garnier

The opulent Opéra de Paris Garnier was designed by Charles Garnier for Emperor Napoleon III. It is the most important symbol of the 19th century Second Empire baroque style.
Since the construction of the modern Opéra de Paris Bastille in 1989, the majestic Opéra Garnier is now mainly used for ballet performances. It was also officially renamed 'Palais Opera'.
Construction
Construction of the opera building started in 1862, but it wasn't completed until 1875, partly because an underground lake was discovered during construction. The small lake still exists under the opera building. It was the hiding place of the 'Phantom of the Opera' in Paul Leroux's famous play.

Centre Pompidou

In 1969 French President Georges Pompidou launched the idea of creating a new cultural institution in Paris dedicated to modern art.
Functional Design
In 1971 a competition for this new cultural center attracted 650 entries. The winning project, submitted by the architects Richard Rogers, Renzo Piano and Gianfranco Franchini broke with architectural conventions by moving functional elements such as escalators, water pipes and air conditioning to the outside of the building, freeing interior space for the display of art works. The pipes and ducts are all color-coded: blue for air, green for water, red for elevators, yellow for electricity, gray for corridors and white for the building itself.

Hotel des Invalides

Design & Construction
Originally only a number of barracks were planned, but king Louis XIV chose a design by architect Liberal Bruant which consisted of a large impressive building with a royal courtyard and church.
The front facade facing the Seine river is 196 meter long (643 ft). The whole complex features 15 courtyards, the largest being the cour d'honneur (court of honor). This courtyard was used for military parades. The building was completed in 1676 and housed up to 4,000 war veterans. A wide, 500 meter long esplanade designed by Robert de Cotte separates the H?tel des Invalides from the late 19th century Pont Alexandre III and Seine river.

Pont Neuf

Paradoxically, the Pont Neuf (French for 'New Bridge') is the oldest bridge in Paris.
The Pont Neuf is also Paris's best known bridge and together with the Pont Alexandre III, one of its most beautiful.
History
At the middle of the 16th century, only two bridges crossed the Seine river. Since they were in a bad state and constantly overcrowded, King Henry III decided in 1578 to construct a new bridge. It wasn't until 1607 before the bridge was officially opened by King Henry IV, who named the bridge 'Pont Neuf'. After the his death, an equestrian statue of the King was erected at the center of the bridge, on the square du Vert-Galant. The bronze statue was knocked over and melted down during the French Revolution, but is was replaced by an exact replica in 1818.

Place de la Concorde

At 8 hectares (20 acres), the octagonal Place de la Concorde is the largest square in Paris. It is situated between the Tuileries and the Champs-Elysées.
Creation
In 1763, a large statue of king Louis XV was erected at the site to celebrate the recovery of the king after a serious illness. The square surrounding the statue was created later, in 1772, by the architect Jacques-Ange Gabriel. It was known as the place Louis XV.

Pantheon, Paris

The Panthéon, an imposing 19th century building, was first designed as a church, but later turned into a civil temple.
On top of the montagne Ste-Geneviève, not far from the Sorbonne University and the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Panthéon looks over the Quartier Latin. As far back as 507, this site was chosen by King Clovis - the first Frankish Merovingian King - for a basilica to serve as a tomb for him and his wife Clothilde. In 512 Sainte-Geneviève, patroness of Paris was buried here.

Champs-Elysées

The Avenue des Champs-Elysées is probably the most famous avenue in the world.
Orientation
This impressive promenade stretches from the Place the la Concorde to the Place Charles de Gaulle, the site of the Arc de Triomphe. At its western end the Champs-Elysées is bordered by cinemas, theaters, cafés and luxury shops. Near the Place de la Concorde, the street is bordered by the Jardins des Champs-Elysées, beautifully arranged gardens with fountains and some grand buildings including the Grand and Petit Palais at the southern side and the Elysée at its northern side. The latter has been the residence of the French Presidents since 1873.
Celebration
The Champs-Elysées is used for all the major celebrations. This is where Parisians celebrate New Year's Eve and where the military parades are held on the 14th of July. Historic national events, like the Liberation at the end of the second World War or the victory in
Champs-Elysees street name sign the World Cup football were also celebrated on this wide avenue.

La Madeleine

The greek temple just north of the Place the Concorde is known as 'La Madeleine' or 'L'église de St-Marie-Madeleine'.
The large building is actually a church, dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene. In French, Magdalene is known as Madeleine, hence the name of the building.

Hotel de Ville, Paris

The Hotel de Ville, Paris's city hall, is the center of political Paris. Like Paris, it has been through some turbulent times.
Until 1141 when water merchants created the port de Grève (Shore Harbour) to relieve Paris's busy port, the site was merely a shingle beach. The square near the harbour was known as the 'place de Grève'.

Jardin du Luxembourg

The Jardin du Luxembourg is probably the most popular park in Paris. It is located in the 6th arrondissement, near the Sorbonne University.
The park, 22,45 hectare large (about 55 acres), was originally owned by the duke of Luxemburg, hence the name. The domain was purchased in 1612 by Marie de' Medici, mother of Louis XIII.
The gardens were laid out in Italian style on request of Marie de' Medici. She was of Italian descent and had spent her youth in Florence at the Pitti Palace. The Boboli gardens at this palace were the inspiration for the Jardin du Luxembourg.
In the 19th century when the private park opened to the public, it was redesigned in a more French style but the original layout has been preserved.

Sainte-Chapelle

Erected by Louis IX, this magnificent chapel was originally designed to house precious religious treasures. At the time known as the stairway to heaven, the chapel is one of the masterpieces of medieval architecture.

Rodin Museum

This museum, a tribute to France’s most famous sculptor, is a must see for anyone who loves the works of Auguste Rodin.

Versailles Palace

The magnificent Chateau de Versailles is a testimony of the Sun King's extravaganza. The Palace and its magnificent formal garden became the quintessential model for palaces in Europe.

Place des Vosges

The Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris is one of the most beautiful squares in the world.

Dome des Invalides

The royal chapel of the Invalides complex is the location of the tomb of one of France’s favorite native sons.
The complex of buildings known as Les Invalides sits in Paris’s 7th arrondissement and consists of museums and monuments related to the military history of France. The most recognizable and well-known part of Les Invalides is the D?me des Invalides, a gold-domed building now used as a burial site for a number of the country’s war heroes.

Grand Palais

Paris’ Grand Palais (Big Palace) was built for the World Fair of 1900. The building is best known for its enormous glass roof.
For more than 100 years, the Grand Palais has been a public exhibition hall and host to a variety of grand events. Though the main gallery is now a designated site for displaying contemporary art, you’ll see everything here from antique car shows to fashion extravaganzas from some of Paris’s top designers.
There are actually three different areas in the Grand Palais, each with a different entrance: the Palais de la Découverte (a science museum) is at the Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, the Galeries National du Grand Palais (an exposition hall) has an entrance at the Clémenceau Square and the entrance to the Nef du Grand Palais (an event hall) is at the Avenue Winston Churchill (opposite the Petit Palais).

Forum des Halles

A combination park, underground mall, and huge subway station, the Forum des Halles sits on land that for centuries was home to Paris’ central marketplace.
The Forum is centrally located in Paris's first arrondissement, close to major attractions such as the Louvre and Centre Pompidou. It is well connected to the underground system with Les Halles as the nearest metro station. Underground corridors connect the station to lines 1, 4, 7, 11 and 14.
The mall is a great place to hang out, even in bad weather. An all-glass arched covering separates pedestrian shoppers from rain or snow, allowing them to shop in comfort. Additional stores and restaurants also line the areas around the Forum.

Parc Monceau

Known as one of the most attractive parks in Paris, Park Monceau, the brainchild of the Duke of Orleans in the 18th century, has become a favorite resting place for those looking for some peace and quiet away from the busy city. With its pretty flower gardens and interesting array of statues, visitors to the City of Light often include it on their itinerary.

Moulin Rouge

Ever since it opened its doors more than 120 years ago, Moulin Rouge has set the standard for the world's most famous cabarets.
Today, a visit to the Moulin Rouge is still very popular with adult visitors to Paris. You’ll find myriad tourists snapping photos of the huge red windmill that sits on top of the theatre and many visitors make reservations here for a nightly show.
The show features more than 100 performers decked out in the most extravagant costumes, which include lots of feathers, rhinestones, and sequins. The sets are equally as spectacular. But remember, this is adult entertainment, so those with kids should choose a different activity or find a reliable baby-sitter and enjoy a night out sans children.

Pont Alexandre III

Most people consider the 19th century Pont Alexandre III the most beautiful bridge in Paris. It is without a doubt the city's most opulently decorated bridge.

Montmartre

An officially designated historic district, Montmartre is one of the most colorful neighborhoods in Paris so it's no surprise that this area is a favorite among tourists.

Palais Royal

The Palais Royal (Royal Palace) was built in 1629 by Cardinal Richelieu, an influential French minister from 1624 to 1642.
At the time the palace was known as the Palais Cardinal; it became a royal palace after the
cardinal bequeathed the building to King Louis XIII.
The Sun King, Louis XIV spent his youth here before moving to the nearby Louvre and later to Versailles.

Parc des Buttes Chaumont

The Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is one of the many great parks in Paris, but it sticks out because of its location on a rocky hill.
Thanks to the park's geographic relief with distinct elevations you have great panoramic views over Paris, including views over the Sacre Coeur. This makes Buttes Chaumont one of the Parisians' favorite parks, especially popular for strolls and picnics during weekends.

Champ de Mars

Named for the Roman God of War, Champ de Mars is a long stretch of grass bordered by laid-out gardens. Located between the école Militaire and the Seine River, the open area offers a magnificent, uninterrupted view of the Eiffel Tower.

Conciergerie

Once a royal palace and later a prison, the Conciergerie played a dark role in the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror.

Ole de la Cité
Considered the heart of Paris, Ole de la Cité is one of two natural islands that sits in the middle of the Seine. All distances in Paris are measured from the center of the island.
The most famous landmark on the island and undoubtedly its focal point is the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral. Built between 1163 and 1345, it is the cathedral of Paris and the seat of the archbishop of the city.

Arc du Carrousel

The most famous landmark on the island and undoubtedly its focal point is the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral. Built between 1163 and 1345, it is the cathedral of Paris and the seat of the archbishop of the city.
The other two arches are the Grande Arche de la Défense and the Arc de Triomphe de l'étoile, the most famous of the three.
Like the latter, the Arc du Carrousel was commissioned by Emperor Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his Austrian victories and honor his grand army.

Jardins de l'Observatoire

The Avenue de l’Observatoire connects the Jardin du Luxembourg - one of Paris's most popular parks - with the Observatory of Paris. The north part of the avenue contains two gardens: the Jardin Marco Polo and the Jardin Robert Cavelier de la Salle.
Together the two gardens form one elongated park unofficially known as the Jardins de l'Observatoire (Observatory Gardens).

Get Around

By Métro

Paris has an excellent underground train system, known as the Métro (short for Chemin de fer métropolitain, Metropolitan Railway). Although you will probably take the RER subway train from the airport to Paris, don't be confused: RER isn't the name for the "French subway train", and only a few large stations serve the RER network of trains. Look for the Métro stations, marked with a large "M" sign.

There are 16 Métro lines (lignes) (1-14, 3bis, and 7bis) on which trains travel all day at intervals of a few minutes between 5AM and 12:30AM (Saturday night/Sunday morning: 1:30AM), stopping at all stations on the line. Times for trains can be seen on an electronic scrollboard above the platform. Line 14, which is fully automated, is called the Méteor. Scheduled times for first and last trains are posted in each station on the centre sign. Generally, except for early and late hours, travellers should not worry about specific Metro train times; just get to your station and take the next train, which will likely be in 5-10 min.

By boat

There are several excellent boat services which makes use of the Seine. As well as providing easy, cheap transport to much of central Paris, excellent photo opportunities abound. You can buy a day or 3 day ticket and hop on and off the boat as needed. The boats take a circular route from the Eiffel Tower, down past the Louvre, Notre Dame, botanical gardens then back up the other bank past Musee D'orsay. Batobus offers a regular shuttle service between the main touristic sights (closed in January); other companies such as the famous Bateaux Mouches offer sightseeing cruises.

There is also a river shuttle service called Voguéo on the eastern part of the Seine, between Gare d'Austerlitz and Maison Alfort (in the suburbs). It's not meant for tourists, but as a convenient service for Parisians. As a result, the view isn't the most breathtaking in Paris (part of it is industrial), but even though the boats are pretty small they're bound to be much less crowded than those for tourists. More importantly, it's free if you have a Carte Orange (weekly or monthly public transport pass). Otherwise a ticket bought onboard costs €3 which can be considered expensive. The last stop is in zone 3 so normally you should not be able to go that far with a Carte Orange that covers zones 1&2, but since June 2009 it's free as they are still experimenting the system. There are boats every 15 min and the whole trip lasts about 30 min. If you want to do a round-trip and don't have a Carte Orange, you will have to buy a second ticket.

On skates

Paris is the mecca of city skating. This is due to the large, smooth surfaces offered by both the pavements and the roads. Skating on the pavement is legal all around Central Paris (zone 1) and its suburbs (zones 2+). See our Do section below for more information.

By bicycle

Renting a bike is a very good alternative over driving or using public transport. Riding a bike anywhere in the city is far safer for the moderately experienced cyclists than almost any town or city in the United States. The French are very cognizant of cyclists, almost to a point of reverence. A few years ago Paris wasn't the easiest place to get around by bike. That however has changed dramatically in recent years, starting perhaps with a lengthy bus and traffic jam. The city government has taken a number of steps in strong support of improving the safety and efficiency of the urban cyclist as well, in establishing some separated bike lanes, but even more important a policy of allowing cyclists to share the ample bus lanes on most major boulevards. Paris also has many riversides which are perfect for cycling. The Paris bike network now counts over 150 km of either unique or shared lanes for the cyclist. In addition, the narrower, medieval side streets of the central arrondissements make for rather scenic and leisurely cycling, especially during off-hours of the day when traffic is lighter. Do remember to bring a good map, since there is no grid plan to speak of and almost all of the smaller streets are one-way.

Note that, while the streets of Paris are generally fairly easy on novice cyclists, there are some streets in the city that should be avoided by those who do not have sufficient urban cycling experience. 'Rue de Rivoli', 'Place de la Bastille', and 'Place de la Nation' are particularly hairy, especially during weekdays and the Saturday evening rush, and should not be navigated by anyone not confident in their ability to cycle in heavy traffic. 'Avenue des Champs-Elysées', 'Place de l'Étoile', and 'Voie Georges Pompidou' (the lower-level express lanes along the banks of the Seine) should be avoided at all times.

By bus

Since the Métro is primarily structured around a hub-and-spoke model, there are some journeys for which it can be quite inefficient, and in these cases, it is worth seeing if a direct bus route exists, despite the complexity of the bus network. A bus ride is also interesting if you want to see more of the city. The Parisian bus system is quite tourist-friendly. It uses the same single-ride tickets and Carte Orange as the Métro, and electronic displays inside each bus tell riders its current position and what stops remain, eliminating a lot of confusion.

These same payment devices are also valid in the Noctilien, the night bus. Night buses run regularly through the central hub at Chatelet to outlying areas of greater Paris. There is also a circle line connecting the main train stations. It pays to know one's Noctilien route ahead of time in case one misses the last Métro home. Women travellers should probably avoid taking the Noctilien on their own to destinations outside Paris.

Another option for travelers who want to see the sights of Paris without a stop on every street corner is the Paris L'Opentour Bus, an open-topped double decker bus that supplies headsets with the most up to date information on the attractions in Paris. Your ticket is good for four routes ranging in time from 1-2 h. Get off when you want, stay as long as you need, get back on the bus and head for another site. You can purchase tickets at the bus stop. A one-day pass is €25 for adults and €15 for children. A two-day pass is €32 for adults or €15 for children.

By taxi

Taxis are comparatively cheap especially at night when there are no traffic jams to be expected. There are not as many as one would expect, and sometimes finding a taxi can be challenging. In the daytime, it is not always a good idea to take a taxi, as walking or taking the metro (See: Métro) will often be faster.

The Azores - The unexplored Europe holiday destination

2011-02-06T21:35:00.000-08:00

Still a sleeping beauty, the nine islands of this fascinating archipelago, which marks the westernmost end of Europe, have everything to please the discerning traveller! If you are in search of spectacular landscapes with never-ending panoramic views; savagely beautiful untouched nature; wide open spaces where the colour green in a myriad of shades prevails; exuberant flora exhibiting all colours of the rainbow, with hydrangeas, agapanthuses and azaleas in abundance; solitary hiking routes; small, peaceful villages; picturesque and deserted roads, idyllic coves and unspoilt beaches then the Azores are the ideal holiday destination for you!

Yet, the Azores are not only virgin nature galore, the archipelago also boasts a fascinating history - due to its strategic position in the North-Atlantic, in the triangle with the three continents Europe, America and Africa - a fact, which left the Azores with a rich cultural heritage and unique traditions for everybody interested to explore!

You choose the Azores for your next holiday destination and you will be guaranteed tranquillity and serenity, soothing colours, stimulating aromas, crystal-clear waters, a moderate climate, security and a genuine hospitality… in short, everything for a unique and incredibly revitalising holiday you will probably want to experience over and over again.

It consists (mainly) of 9 islands:

Corvo
Faial
Flores
Graciosa
Pico
São Jorge (Azores)
São Miguel
Santa Maria
Terceira

Get in
By plane
The main hub is in Ponta Delgada(PDL)Airport.
Major carriers serving include

* Azores Express (US tel.: 800-762-9995, Portugal: 351 296 209 748) connects New England with the Azores, mainly on the Boston-Funchal route. The carrier is part of the SATA Group, which connects the Azores with mainland Europe

* SATA Azores Is both an Airline and a tour operator locally based on the Azores. Connects Azores with major European hubs like London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Paris, it also has a usefull connection to Gran Canaria and serveral other European destinations.

* TAP Portugal's flag carrier, also flies on the major connections between Lisbon and Funchal

Get around

On most islands there you can rent a car. On most islands there are also bus services that run around the islands, crossing the main villages. On the smaller islands however, these may have only a few runs per day, or none at all on certain days (Sundays, holidays).

These being volcanic islands, in many places the terrain is steep and rugged. The roads wind around very steep hillsides. Cycling around the islands is possible if you are in great shape, and don't mind a lot of hill climbing.

This is a great place for going around island to island and even town to town by boat. Almost every town is on the shore and most have ports. One of the best known sailing ports in the world is Horta, on Faial Island. There is a large and fully equipped marina that has catered for many famous boats and regattas. The marina is ideally placed in downtown Horta. Some other islands have marinas, like Terceira and São Miguel. Even when a marina is not present many of the larger villages have a harbour suitable for mooring a sailboat or yacht.

São Miguel - the green island

By many considered the most beautiful – and doubtlessly the most diversified – island of the Azores, it is not surprising that many tourists start their exploration of this amazing archipelago in São Miguel, the principal island of the Azores. There is no visitor who is not impressed with the incredible myriad of all the different shades of greens exhibited by its extensive prairies, forests, tobacco fields and tea plantations as well as the abundance of hues this island has to offer… ever so soothing to the eye of the beholder.

São Miguel has a moderate coastal climate, with fog, rain and not very hot summer temperatures. It is very humid and green.

Covering an area of approx. 747 sq. km (65 km long and 16 km wide), São Miguel is the largest and, with around 135,000 inhabitants – representing more than half of the archipelago’s total population – also the most populated island of the Azores. Its epithet being ‘the green island’ because of its extraordinary fertility, São Miguel is indisputably the economical, political and intellectual centre of the archipelago, with its capital Ponta Delgada representing the seat of the presidency of the Autonomous Region of the Azores and boasting the archipelago’s most important trading and fishing port as well as its only university and one of the three international airports.

Of volcanic origin as the whole archipelago, this mountainous island is characterized by two volcanic massifs separated by a chain of basalt cones reaching heights between 200 and 500 m in the western centre. With 1,105 m the highest peak of the island, the Pico da Vara forms the end of the eastern massif, while the Pico da Cruz with its 850 m above sea level is the highest peak of the western massif. In the centre of the island rises the Serra da Àgua de Pau, a mountain range reaching an altitude of 940 m above sea level. São Miguel has several calderas, and hot springs can be found scattered over the island; mostly in the middle highlands.

In the west there is a caldera and volcano crater that is almost filled by the beautiful Sete Cidades twin seas and the town of Sete Cidades. Steep mountain walls surrounds the lakes, one is azure blue, the other is greyish, and this is explained in a local myth. – representing today some of the main tourist attractions.

Get Around

Renting a car at the airport is one of the best ways to explore and get around the island. Sao Miguel is small enough to drive around in a day, and there is much to see that is only accessed by car.

You can also travel between the larger towns by bus.

Santa Maria – the yellow island

Santa Maria, the southernmost and third-smallest island (18 km long and almost 10 km wide; surface approx. 97 sq. km) of the Azores archipelago, belongs to the ‘eastern group’ and is located about 85 km south of São Miguel.

Embellished by a myriad of hues, the island of Santa Maria, evokes a living aquarelle, painted by wide green pastures, yellow crops, the dark ochre of the soils, flowers in multiple colours, pretty white-washed houses and the azure of the ocean in the backdrop. Santa Maria boasts many deep bays, lined with paradisiacal, deserted white sand beaches - considered the most beautiful of the archipelago - and charming, softly undulating landscapes where a serene tranquillity is reigning.

Also of volcanic origin, Santa Maria is the only island in the Azores that has areas of sedimentary origin, explaining the presence of calcareous outcrops (of which a good example can be seen in the bay of São Lourenço) where marine fossils can be found, proofs of successive phases of submersion and emersion since the Miocene. It is also a hilly island, its highest point being the twin peak of Pico Alto (590 m), which flattens out towards the west coast. There are no calderas on the island, whose coastline is predominantly steep, dotted with many cliffs and cut by deep bays and breaches.

The exact date of Santa Maria’s discovery is uncertain, but it is widely believed that it was the first island of the archipelago to be discovered by the Portuguese between 1427 and 1432. A known fact is also that it was the first island to be populated, with Portuguese settlers arriving from the Algarve, Alentejo and Beiras in 1439. Due to the richness of its soils, the island prospered rapidly, which led to the settlement of Vila do Porto on the southwest coast being granted the first market town charter in the Azores in 1472.

Terceira – the lilac island!

Part of the central group, Terceira was discovered as third island of the Azores (hence the name, as ‘Terceira’ means the third in Portuguese) but it is also the third largest and, next to São Miguel, the second most important island of the archipelago. With an elliptical shape, Terceira covers an area of approx. 385 sq. km; it is about 29 km long and up to 18 km wide. The distance to São Miguel in the west is about 150 km and to its neighbour island São Jorge in the east about 55 km. Terceira’s capital is Angra do Heroismo (Angra of Heroism), a name, which it was granted by King Pedro IV in 1834 for the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism demonstrated against all exterior threats and its resistance to the then absolutistic Portuguese King Miguel during the Civil War between the Liberals and the Absolutists from 1820 to 1831.

Dominating the eastern part of the island, where also the international Airport of Lajes is located, a large volcanic plateau, which is surrounded by the high mountains of the Serra do Cume, descends softly towards the coast. The archipelago’s largest crater, the Caldeira de Guilherme Moniz (15 km in diameter) and numerous small craters, often filled with small lakes, mark the island’s centre. Its highest peak, the Serra de Santa Bárbara, a 1,023 high volcanic cone in a large crater, is dominating the scenery of the western part. Protected by a fort here and there, the island’s coasts are in general steep and dotted with numerous cliffs.

Due to its fertile soils, Terceira’s about 58,000 inhabitants make their living today mainly out of agriculture – the island has become the archipelago’s main cereal producer - and cattle raising as well as algae harvesting.

Terceira’s colonization started around 1450, with the predominantly Flemish settlers dedicating themselves to agriculture, the main crops being cereals and pastel at the time. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Terceira also played an important role as port of call for Spanish galleons charged with the riches from the New World. With all the gold, diamonds, porcelain, spices and silk being stocked in the port town of Angra, the island of Terceira had been a favourite target for raids during centuries, with the corsairs coming predominantly from Spain’s enemies France, Flanders and England. In 1597, even Sir Francis Drake, leading a fleet of about one hundred ships, tried in vain to conquer the Spanish galleons anchoring in Angra’s port.

For the protection of the island against the persistent pirate attacks and to ensure the Spanish authority, the Castle of São Felipe (called São João Baptista after the Spaniards’ departure) and ten more castles were built. After the pillaging of the West Indies had come to an end, Terceira’s wealth declined, but it continued to play an important role in Portugal’s history as economic, administrative and religious centre of the Azores. Consequently, in 1766, it became the seat of the General Captaincy and later the regency over the Azores was installed in Angra.

In 1943, the Americans built an air force basis at Lajes, near Praia da Vitória, Terceira’s second most important town. It has three runways, the longest being 3,600 m, and serves both civil and military purposes. Due to military budget cuts on an international level, the American government is constantly reducing its military presence, with the objective of transforming the former air base into a simple service station.

There is one beach on Praia de Vitoria. It is man made and small, about 1 mile at best, but is the usual summer hangout for the locals

Itineraries

In the summer time, street bullfights take place in towns. A bull is tethered and held by a group of men to keep it from running off, while bystanders are given the opportunity to participate as rodeo clowns. It is safer to watch from a distance and behind a barrier of at least 6 ft. Arenas are also on the island for bullfighting

Get around

Numerous Taxi services on the island. their unmistakable eggshell white/cream color with two broad blue hashlines behind the passenger door. Very well maintained vehicles. Most Drivers do speak english, or one can be requested. Local Drivers on the Island are careless. Be very careful Driving around. Livestock has right of way, only seen on the interior rural areas of the island. There is one highway, the Via Rapida, which connects Praia de Vitoria to Angra De Heroismo. A 15-20 minute drive. 60mph/100km is the main speed limit for the Via Rapida There are many car rental services around the airport and hotels. the airport is very small, located in Praia De Vitoria. There are also ferrys to the other islands. Atlanticoline [1] is the site for the island ferrys. SATA and TAP are the two airlines that utilize Terceira Airport. TAP is mainly for for Lisbon flights, while SATA visits the closer and smaller islands.

Graciosa – the white island

The island of Graciosa, the most northerly of the central group, is located about 80 km northwest of its big sister Terceira. With a surface of 61 sq. km (about 12,5 km length and 8 km width), Graciosa is the second smallest island of the archipelago and it is also the flattest and the driest, with only around 5 % of the island’s surface lying above 300 m and natural water sources being scarce. The island’s maximum altitude of 402 metres is reached at a peak on the eastern edge of the Caldeira, a huge crater dominating the south-eastern part of the island.

The ‘graceful’ island – which probably took its name from its charming, softly undulating landscapes, marked by a few ranges of low mountains, or rather hills, and small volcanic cones, most of them not even reaching the 100-metre mark – has a populated interior in contrast to the other islands of the archipelago. Its epithet ‘the white island’, it probably received due to the light-coloured rocks on its south coast where the foothills of the Serra Branca precipitate into the sea.

Graciosa’s landmarks are doubtlessly the Dutch-style windmills with their peculiar onion-shaped red caps, considered the prettiest of the whole archipelago, especially when their wings are draped with cloths – which unfortunately today is not much seen anymore. There were about 30 of them some time ago; a lot have been renovated in the last years and today there are around four, which are still functioning.

Historically seen, Graciosa’s fate has always been closely linked with those of its neighbours Terceira, Faial, Pico and São Jorge, from where it was also discovered in the mid-15th century. Settling started in the years following its discovery, with the first settlers coming from Portugal mainland and due to its rich soil and the soft relief of its landscapes as well as the fact that Graciosa was to a large degree spared by big nature catastrophes, agriculture was soon thriving, with the main crops being cereals and vines.

As usual in those times, the fame of the island’s prosperity attracted many corsairs and required the protection of its coasts, resulting in the construction of a defence belt, comprising not less than 13 forts. The island’s economic wealth reached its climax during the 18th century when the pirate raids lessened and it became the biggest cereal and wine producer of the archipelago. Yet, in the second half of the 19th century, the island’s good luck changed, as the vineyards were devastated to a large extend by the phylloxera decease and many winegrowing families were deprived of their basis of existence. This caused a big emigration wave to the United States and Canada during the 20th century, cutting the island’s population almost in half.

Today, the remaining less than 5,000 inhabitants still make their living mainly out of agriculture, viticulture and cattle raising, with dairy farming taking up the top position of the island’s income sources. The seat of Graciosa’s administration is located in the charming little town of Santa Cruz da Graciosa, where about 1,800 of the island’s actual population live; it received its town charter already in 1486 as a result of its growing economic value due to exceptional agricultural produce.

São Jorge – the island of the Fajãs

São Jorge, another island of the central group, has a strange oblong shape (58 km long and only 8 km wide), evoking the shield of an enormous, motionless sea monster. With a surface of 248 sq. km – of which more than half lies above 300 m – is São Jorge the fourth largest island of the archipelago, located about 19 km from Pico, 39 km from Faial, 60 km from Graciosa, 93 km from Terceira and 245 km from São Miguel. The island is characterized by a central backbone, stretching in form of a wide high plateau over 45 km across the island, averaging heights of about 800 m and culminating in the island’s highest peak, the Pico da Esperança (1053 m), which can more or less be considered the geological centre of the island. Featuring a row of volcanic peaks lined up one after another, this striking green plateau is a paradise for keen walkers who are rewarded with magnificent panoramic views across countless pastures, neatly separated by hedges of hydrangeas and tree-heather, down to idyllic fajãs (flat forelands at sea level) and coastal villages, as far as the surrounding islands of Pico, Faial and Graciosa. On clear days, even the outlines of Terceira can be seen. The highest part of this plateau, extending westwards from Pico do Areeiro to Pico das Caldeirinhas, passing the peaks of Esperança and Carvão, is covered with endemic vegetation of great botanical value, therefore several natural forest reserves have been created in this area.

The island’s indented coastline features mostly steep tree-topped cliffs, precipitating several hundred meters down into the ocean, the most impressive of which can be found along the north coast, where they can reach heights of up to 480 m.

Even if almost all Azores Islands have fajãs (flat forelands that formed by lava flowing into the ocean and landslides and collapsing cliffs), São Jorge is undoubtedly the island that has the most. There are in total 46, the majority of which – about two thirds – are located on the north coast and the rest on the south coast. It was also the fajãs, which made the island’s steep coasts at all accessible and when settling started on a larger scale in the second half of the 15th century, it was here where farming set off due to the fertile land, initially with the cultivation of wheat, pastel and archil, all mainstays of the island’s economy during the first centuries after its discovery.

With the time most of the fajãs have been converted into fertile orchards and fields, where yams, maize, vegetables and vines are cultivated. Due to a very advantageous microclimate, in some of the fajãs coffee, bananas and other tropical fruits are grown and even some surprising specimens of the rare dragon tree can be seen here and there. After the devastating earthquake of 1980, most of the fajãs were abandoned and only the safest and best accessible ones are still inhabited. Deserving a visit because of their rare natural beauty, today, the most interesting are Fajã da Caldeira do Santo Cristo, a protected nature reserve with an underground cave and a lake and famous for its delicious clams, which can be found in the area, the tropical Fajã das Almas, where also bathing is possible, the Fajã dos Cubres with its crystalline lake, Fajã do Ouvidor and the Fajã do Alem, Fajã do João Dias, just to name a few of the most spectacular.

Also characteristic for São Jorge’s coastline are the many tiny settlements dug at the foot of the steep, green-covered cliffs, often enhanced by waterfalls occurring on all levels. Some of these mostly remote settlements are still inhabited and can only be reached on difficult zigzagging paths, which are also used by keen walkers who love a bit of challenge on their hikes.

São Jorge’s history has always been closely linked with that of the other islands of the central group, Terceira, Pico and Faial – but the island has never played an important role politically. Before settlement at Topo on the eastern tip had set off on a larger scale, with the Flemish nobleman Wilhelm van der Haegen’s – who went down in the island’s history as Guilherme da Silveira – arrival, some fajãs were already inhabited and Velas was already founded. While Topo became the centre of the eastern part of the island, Velas developed into its western counterpart, due to its protected natural harbour, and still counts for the island’s main town today.

Faial – the Blue Island

The ‘Ilha Azul’ (‘Blue island’), as Faial is often called because of its countless hydrangea hedges encountered everywhere on the island, is without doubt one of the most charming islands of the Azores. With a shape that resembles an irregular pentagon, Faial covers a surface of approx. 173 sq. km (21 km long and 14 km wide at its most extreme points), which makes it the archipelago’s fifth largest island. The distances to its neighbours are around 7 km to Pico, 19 km to São Jorge, 85 km to Graciosa and 124 km to Terceira.

Topographically dominated by the Caldeira, a huge crater with a diameter of about 2 km and a depth of 400 m, featuring gentle slopes intercepted by secondary volcanic formations and the island’s highest peak, reached at Cabeço Gordo, a since 1672 dormant volcano with an altitude of 1,043 m. However, Faial’s biggest attraction is surely its capital, the delightful town of Horta with its famous yacht harbour and a rich architectonic patrimony – probably the archipelago’s liveliest town with a very distinct cosmopolitan flair.

With regard to Faial’s history it can be said that to a certain extent it mirrors the history of the whole archipelago and shows clearly that all historic developments were initiated from the outside. The discovery of the island is closely linked with that of São Jorge in 1450 and settling kicked off on a large scale in 1466 when the Flemish nobleman Josse van Hurtere – after whom the town of Horta was named – arrived on the island together with around thousand fellowmen in search of silver and tin deposits. When the search for these precious metals proved unsuccessful, the settlers started cultivating the fertile land instead, concentrating on wheat as well as pastel and archil. Especially the flourishing export of the dye plants to Flanders and England brought some wealth to the island, which – as well as the fact that Spanish ships laden with riches also used Horta as port of call on their return trip from the colonies – attracted many corsairs and Faial was pillaged severely several times during the 16th and the 17th centuries. Other setbacks in those times were a monstrous eruption of the Cabeço do Fogo in 1672 and a series of devastating earthquakes. Yet, the inhabitants recovered from these blows always quite rapidly, not least because of their continuous exploitation of the neighbouring Pico Island, whose administration was always conducted by Faial.

In the middle of the 18th century, the first American whalers introduced their business to the island and whaling became an important source of income for the islanders. Another mainstay of the island’s economy was the cultivation and exportation of oranges until 1860 when a mycosis destroyed the orange plantations. When the first telegraphic cable was laid from Lisbon to Horta and then, in 1900, the connection with Nova Scotia in Canada was made, Faial – or better Horta – developed into the centre of telegraphic communication between the Old and the New World and many international communication companies settled in Horta, making Faial the most progressive island of the Azores.

Another milestone in Faial’s history was the landing of the first hydroplane in the port of Horta in 1919 and until the 2nd World War all transatlantic flights per hydroplane used Horta’s harbour for a stopover. Faial also became an important military base for the Allies during the 2nd World War. Then, under Salazar’s regime, Faial sank into oblivion like all the other islands of the archipelago. Only when Faial got its airport in 1971 and the Azores Islands were declared ‘autonomous region’ – where Horta was granted the seat of the parliament in 1976, as it became one of the three regional administration centres, Faial’s political and economic importance grew again. Yet, this period of prosperity only lasted until the island experienced another major setback with the terrible earthquake in 1998, which left the island with considerable damages, especially in the northwest, where several villages were almost entirely destroyed.

Pico – the Mountain Island

Its majestic Pico Alto, with 2,352 m the highest peak in all of Portugal, makes Pico Island stand out from all the other islands of the archipelago. Also famous for its whaling tradition, Pico is the second largest island of the archipelago, covering a surface of about 448 sq. km (about 46 km long and 15 km wide). The distances to the other islands of the central group, of which Pico is the most southern, are about 8 km to Faial, 15 km to São Jorge, 80 km to Graciosa and 100 km to Terceira.

While the colossal Pico Alto with its surrounding high plateau takes in most of the western part of the island, another high plateau, the Planalto da Achada, featuring several dozens of volcanic cones, several crater lakes, pastures and forests, stretches along most of the eastern part, also reaching heights of over 1000 m. The slopes of the highlands roll gently down to the island’s low, but mostly steep and rugged black coastline, often featuring bizarre rock formations, with especially impressive ones on the north coast where many arches, caves, rifts and tunnels can be found. One outstanding example is the Arcos do Cachorro, a peculiarly shaped rock formation, perforated by numerous tunnels and grottoes, located in the bay of the same name on the northwest coast.

Pico offers a good network of roads, on which it is possible to drive all around the coasts and visit the interior of the island, offering magnificent views across landscapes of an outstanding, savage beauty, with the all-dominating Pico to be seen from everywhere, as well as the deep-blue Atlantic and the neighbouring islands.

With its birth from volcanic explosions only happening estimated 300,000 years ago, Pico is the youngest island of the archipelago, which explains the relatively thin layer of humus on the volcanic rock that the first settlers in the beginning of the second half of the 15th century found when they started cultivating the island. These conditions made the growing of fruit and vines very hard work… and it is still today! Other witnesses of the island’s volcanic past – only during the last 500 years, the Pico Volcano erupted four times, the last time in 1718 – are many lava fields (called ‘mistérios’ by the islanders as it was ‘mysterious’ to them why this bad luck struck them) and black lava rocks lying about everywhere. To recover precious agricultural land, these lava rocks were piled up to small pyramids, the so-called ‘maroiças’, which add an interesting aspect to Pico’s landscape.

Yet, there is also a positive side to the island’s volcanic heritage because the black lava stone has – from the very beginning up to date – been used in the construction of the typical black stone houses, and walls, the latter protecting the vineyards from the strong sea winds.

Living mostly all around the edges of the island where the interior volcanic massifs left them some space, the today’s round about 15,000 inhabitants exploit restricted areas on terraced fields nearby the coasts, mainly concentrating on the cultivation of fruits, vegetables and vines. The slopes towards the volcanic massifs are mostly covered with dense vegetation, with tree-heather, laurel and juniper prevailing. The highlands, where still the ancient laurissilva forest that used to cover wide parts of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic islands has survived, can hardly be exploited agriculturally. The northern coast is densely forested and less populated, while the south coast is populated up to higher levels and cultivated to a maximum.

Pico’s history is closely linked with that of Faial because it has been dependant from its neighbour for a long time and still today its administration is conducted by Faial – this explains also why the town of Madalena is only considered the island’s main town but not its capital. Pico was discovered round about the same time as Faial and shortly after the settlement of the island had set off – initially mainly in the area around the village of São Roque on the north coast – the Verdelho vine was brought to the island from Madeira by the clergyman Frei Pedro Gigante. This was the base for the island’s long wine-growing tradition, which, however, only set off on a larger scale after the volcanic eruptions in 1718 and 1720, because the remaining lava fields only allowed the cultivation of vines in arduous work and ingenuity. During the heydays of the island’s viticulture, its excellent wine was appreciated all over the world and exported to many royal courts, even as far as Russia, and European noble houses. Up to the second half of the 19th century, Pico’s wine and fishing industries constituted the main income sources for its inhabitants, even if it was Horta – Faial’s capital – that made the big money with the wine, as it was exported from here in barrels labelled ‘Vinho do Faial’ (Faial Wine). In the last quarter of the 19th century, after the phylloxera had devastated the vines to a large extent, the viticulture industry declined and the whaling industry became an important mainstay of the island’s economy. When whaling stopped on the island in 1983 – before it was even completely forbidden in 1989 – as it had become unprofitable, it was replaced by the tuna fishing and processing industry, which up to date provides a main income source to the islanders.

Flores – the Flower Island

The fourth smallest and most western island of the Azores carries its name Flores (flowers) fully justified due to the myriad of flowers and plants – with many seeds having been carried over from Florida by migrating birds – that grow on this island and make it one of the most beautiful and colourful. Geographically lying on the American continental shelf, the distance to its neighbour island Corvo in the north is about 24 km, to the islands of the central group between 250 and 350 km, depending on their location, and to Santa Maria, the most eastern island of the archipelago, about 600 km. This location so far west in the Atlantic also causes climatic differences to the other islands of the archipelago and although its temperatures remain moderate all year round, Flores has almost twice as much rain and a lot of wind. But there is something good about the rain too, first, it makes Flores the greenest of all the Azores Islands and second, it often leaves behind an enormous rainbow over the island.

Covering an area of around 143 sq. km (approx. 17 km long and 12 km wide), the island reaches its maximum height of 914 m at the peak of Morro Alto in the north. A genuine paradise for walkers and nature lovers, Flores’ wild, mostly virgin and deserted interior features wonderful serene landscapes marked by high mountains – in some places descending steeply, in others gently, towards the coast – and murmuring streams that often end in spectacular water falls. Picturesque crater lakes, the only reminders of its distant volcanic origin – as well as a few hot sulphur springs – and deep valleys also characterize its landscapes.

With the village of Fajã Grande on its west coast, Flores also boasts one of the remote points delimiting Europe in the west. The island’s almost 4,000 inhabitants all live in the villages stretching on or above the island’s indented coasts, which are often steep, with jagged cliffs diving into the ocean, where countless tiny rocky islets enhance the coastline almost all around the island. The villages are divided into only two municipalities, Santa Cruz das Flores, the capital located in the centre of the east coast, and Lajes das Flores on the south coast, with the majority of the population living in these two main towns… or rather villages!

Allegedly discovered in 1452 by the seafarer Diogo de Teive on his return from Newfoundland, Flores’ settlement only kicked off on a larger scale towards the end of the 15th century, initiated by a Flemish nobleman, who brought with him cultivated plants and cattle. Yet, like on the other islands, the settlers were initially not interested in traditional farming, but rather in the cultivation of pastel, which was more profitable. The only problem was Flores’ isolated location, with ships only passing on a very irregular schedule, which proved the exportation of the pastel crops very complicated and costly so that cultivation was given up again in the early 16th century. Round about the same time new settlers came – this time from Portugal – who started to work the island’s extremely fertile land with the cultivation of cereals, maize and vegetables. Yet, the difficulties with the exportation of their rich crops remained the same and living conditions did not improve so that many settlers decided to look for better luck in America.

The lack of economic development and progress continued up to the 20th century until whaling, which was brought to the island by American whalers already in 1860, reached its heights in the 1930s. Even if the island’s income improved for a short while, it was not to the benefit of the majority of the population who still lived in great poverty, and emigration continued steadily.

It was only around the middle of the 20th century when modern times started to show on Flores. First it was the Portuguese Navy that erected a base in the southern municipality of Lajes and then the French came and built up a military radio communications station to control the international radio traffic. Subsequently, due to these developments, an electricity and road network was established and in 1986 Faial got finally its airport. But even after that, further development progressed only at a very slow pace and – unimaginable for many of us – it was only in 1986 that TV could be watched for the first time in Fajã Grande! In the meantime, the island has even a cinema, yet emigration continues and has cut down the island’s population by more than half over the centuries.

Corvo – Europe’s most isolated island

Smallest Island in the Acores, it is surrounded by water and is the most isolated island in the Acores. It has around 1000 inhabitants, 400 of them still depend on cattle raising and winery as a source on income. In 1973 the island recieved electricity and was given their first telephone. Previous to this date, the islanders used radio signals or smoke signals to get help from their neiboring island Flores.

Get in

The only way to reach this island is by boat, coming in from Flores, it is such a small isolated island that they have very little resources other than those given to them through the neighboring island.

Get around

There is a taxi service on the island. The drivers do speak some english so they will be able to help you find anywhere you need to go and have dealt with tourists so can help you find good restaurants and other attractions.

If you plan on renting your own car be careful, livestock have the right of way so be cautious when driving.

Visit the vineyards. There are many throughout the small island but each one is slightly different. If it is the right time of the year see if there is a running of the Bulls, a traditional activity done every year in which people line the streets and watch locals who are brave enough take on a bull to see if they can outrun or get close enough to touch its horns. Be Careful though, if you want to watch make sure you are sitting on a high wall or standing behind something the bull will not beable to knock down if they charge at it. People have been known to be severly injured at these events.

Azores Island Hopping

What we can say right from the start is that it is not possible to discover all the natural – often remote and not easily accessible – beauties and cultural highlights of this amazing archipelago in one holiday of an average time frame of two weeks! This is due to the fact that this archipelago consists of nine islands, everyone different from the other and endowed with its own character, colours, ambiance and remarkable places to visit, and also that a lot of time is spent on transport – by boat or plane – linking the islands. As well to be taken into account is the Azores weather with often changing weather conditions, not facilitating the journey either! Yet, having said this, it is surely very rewarding to return to the Azores for several holidays – unless you can afford a holiday of at least four or five weeks at a time – to really experience this extremely diverse archipelago with all its amazing natural beauties, its rich history and cultural heritage and – last but not least – its genuine hospitality!

Stockholm "Most Beautiful Scandinavian City"

2010-12-13T09:42:00.000-08:00

Stockholm has long been one of Sweden's cultural, media, political, and economic centres. In The 2008 Global Cities Index, Stockholm ranked 24th in the world, 10th in Europe, and first in Scandinavia. Stockholm is known for its beauty, its buildings and architecture, its abundant clean and open water, and its many parks.It is sometimes referred to as Venice of the North.

Stockholm is built across 14 islands and is often called the Venice of the North. With more foreign visitors than any other city in Scandinavia it is also considered to be the Capital of Scandinavia. Stockholm is situated at the point where the vast Lake Mälaren flows into the Baltic Sea and was built on this strategic spot in the mid 13th century, enabling the founder to tax merchant vessels going in and out of the lake.

As water covers one third of the city area, the maritime life is an important aspect of the city. There are plenty of bridges, marinas and locks. The water is so clean that you can drink it and catch salmon in the middle of the city. The climate is very much conditioned by the sea winds, so even the warmest summer day will be contingent upon the sea breeze finding its way into the city streets.
Some basic facts: 1,3 million people live in the greater Stockholm area. The average temperature in Stockholm is around -2 C (28 F) in January and about 18 C (64 F) in July.

Gamla stan

Gamla Stan is one of the largest and best preserved medieval city centers in Europe, and one of the foremost attractions in Stockholm. This is where Stockholm was founded in 1252.

All of Gamla Stan and the adjacent island of Riddarholmen are like a living pedestrian-friendly museum full of sights, attractions, restaurants, cafés, bars and places to shop. Gamla Stan is also popular with aficionados of handicrafts, curios and souvenirs. The narrow winding cobblestone streets, with their buildings in so many different shades of gold, give Gamla Stan its unique character. Even now cellar vaults and frescoes from the Middle Ages can be found behind the visible facades, and on snowy winter days the district feels like something from a story book.

There are several beautiful churches and museums in Gamla Stan, including Sweden’s national cathedral Stockholm Cathedral and the Nobel Museum. The largest of the attractions in the district is the Royal Palace, one of the largest palaces in the world with over 600 rooms. In addition to the reception rooms, there are several interesting museums in the Palace, including the Royal Armory, with royal costumes and armor. Don't miss the parade of soldiers and the daily changing of the guard.

Västerlånggatan and Österlånggatan are the district’s main streets. The city wall that once surrounded the city ran inside these streets along what is now Prästgatan. In the middle of Gamla Stan is Stortorget, the oldest square in Stockholm. Stortorget is the central point from which runs Köpmangatan, the oldest street in Stockholm, which was mentioned as early as the fourteenth century. Mårten Trotzigs gränd (Mårten Trotzigs alley) is hard to find. It’s the narrowest alley in Gamla Stan, only 90 centimeters wide at its narrowest point. Make sure not to miss Riddarholmen and the Riddarholmen Church. The church is a royal burial church, and was built as a Franciscan monastery for the so-called Grey Brother monks in the thirteenth century.

The Royal Palace

The Palace is open to the public and offers no less than five museums. The Palace was largely built during the eighteenth century in the Italian Baroque style, on the spot where the “Tre Kronor” castle burned down in 1697. Visit the reception rooms with splendid interiors from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Rikssalen (the Hall of State) with Queen Kristina’s silver throne, and Ordenssalarna (Halls of the Orders of Chivalry). You can also see Gustav III’s Museum of Antiquities, the Tre Kronor Museum and the Treasury. The Royal Palace also contains the Armory, with royal costumes and armor, as well as coronation carriages and magnificent coaches from the Royal Stable. Make sure not to miss the parade of soldiers and the daily changing of the guard.

The Vasa Museum

The Vasa is the only preserved seventeenth-century ship in the world, and a unique art treasure. More than 95 percent of the ship is original, and it is decorated with hundreds of carved sculptures.

The 69 meter-long warship Vasa sank on its maiden voyage in the middle of Stockholm in 1628, and was salvaged 333 years later in 1961. For nearly half a century the ship has been slowly, deliberately and painstakingly restored to a state approaching its original glory. The three masts on the roof outside the specially built museum show the height of the ship's original masts.

Today the Vasa Museum is the most visited museum in Scandinavia, with over one million visitors a year. There are nine different exhibitions around the ship to tell about life on board the ship. The film about the Vasa is shown in 16 different languages. In addition there is a well-stocked shop and a pleasant restaurant. Tours of the museum take place every day.

Skansen Open-Air Museum

Skansen consists of the oldest open-air museum in the world and the Stockholm zoo, with a beautiful location on Royal Djurgården and a view over all of Stockholm.

Skansen is a favorite both among Stockholmers and visitors passing through, and it’s a perfect family outing. At Skansen you can learn about traditional crafts and traditions. This is the place to visit historic Sweden in miniature. 150 farms and dwellings from different parts of the country were disassembled and transported here. You’ll find charming town districts with glass blowing, pottery, a tinsmith’s workshop and a bakery, a gold-colored manor house, the Skogaholm manor house, the beautiful eighteenth-century Seglora wooden church and the The museum shop is a must for fans of traditional handicrafts. You can also see all of the animals native to Scandinavia such as moose, bears, lynxes, wolves, wolverines and seals. There is also a terrarium, a monkey house and a children’s zoo.

Swedish traditions such as Midsummer, Walpurgis Night and Lucia are celebrated at Skansen. Skansen in the Christmas season is a special event, with a Christmas market, traditional Swedish julbord (Christmas buffet) and hopefully snow. Those who want to enjoy a traditional Swedish smörgåsbord can have their wish at the Solliden restaurant. Skansen has several restaurants and charming cafés.

The City Hall

City Hall, with its spire featuring the golden Three Crowns, is one of the most famous silhouettes in Stockholm. Guided tours are available all year round.

Stockholm City Hall is one of the country’s leading examples of national romanticism in architecture. The City Hall was designed by the architect Ragnar Östberg, and opened on Midsummer Eve in 1923. The City Hall is built from eight million bricks, and the 106 meter tall tower has the three crowns, which is the Swedish national coat of arms, at its apex. Behind the magnificent facades are offices and session halls for politicians and officials, as well as splendid assembly rooms and unique works of art. Stockholm’s municipal council meets in Rådssalen, the Council Chamber. The great Nobel banquet is also held in City Hall. After dinner in Blå hallen, the Blue Hall, Nobel Prize recipients, royalty and guests dance in Gyllene salen, the Golden Hall, with its 18 million gold mosaic tiles.

The City Hall shop features specially designed souvenirs and presents that commemorate City Hall and Stockholm.

The City Hall is open to the public through guided tours only. Guided tours are held daily in Swedish and English at certain hours. During summer months the tours are available in several other lanugages. During the same period you can also climb up inside the tower and enjoy a fantastic view over the city. Tours can be canceled with short notice due to events.

Junibacken

Junibacken’s story book world on Royal Djurgården is based on beloved characters by Astrid Lindgren and other children’s authors.

The Story Train takes you on an exciting trip through Astrid Lindgren’s magical story book world. At Junibacken you’ll meet Pippi Longstocking, Madicken, Emil, Karlsson on the Roof and many others.

There is also a children’s museum devoted to story books and a theater with several performances every day. Don’t miss the kid-friendly café and the wonderful children’s bookstore.

Kungsholmen

Kungsholmen is an island that makes up the western part of the inner city. On its eastern tip, the impressive redbrick Stockholm City Hall stands by the water. Further west, a collection of rather relaxed neighbourhood bars and restaurants can be found. West of the Fridhemsplan transport hub and the new Västermalmsgallerian shopping mall, the island becomes more suburban.

Djurgården

The green island of Djurgården, close to central Stockholm, is beloved by both Stockholmers and tourists. Djurgården is a calm oasis which has been royal land since the fifteenth century.

There are fine areas to stroll, for example around the Djurgårdsbrunn canal and Blockhusudden. Djurgården is also home to several of city’s top museums and attractions, as well as enjoyable cafés and restaurants.

It’s easy to reach Djurgården on foot, by the Djurgården ferry boat from Gamla Stan/Slussen, by tram from Norrmalmstorg or by bus.

Millesgården

Carl Milles is one of Sweden’s most famous sculptors. Millesgården is Carl and Olga Milles’ artist’s home on the island of Lidingö. There is an exhibit about the artist at work in the large studio, while works by Olga Milles and Carl’s sister Ruth Milles are exhibited in the small studio.

The art gallery exhibits modern and contemporary art. Next door is Annes Hus, the couple's home during the 1950s with intact decor from Svenskt Tenn. Don’t miss Millesgården's sculpture park, where famous works by Carl Milles are set on terraces and in fountains. The sculpture park also provides a beautiful view over Stockholm and the harbor entrance. Millesgården also has a pleasant outdoor restaurant and bistro.

Brunnsviken

The park areas around Brunnsviken lake are part of Nationalstadsparken, the National City Park. They’re popular for picnics, swimming and recreation.

The area features a beautiful rolling park setting, a botanical garden, cafes, palaces and several buildings of historic interest.

Haga Park, on the western shore, was laid out between 1771 and 1793 on the initiative of Gustav III. The park has promenade streets along the shores and beautiful avenues.

Many buildings of historic interest are located here: Gustav III’s pavilion, the Copper Tents, Haga Castle and the Butterfly and Bird House. Haga Park is one of the leading examples of English parks in Sweden. This style of park developed in England as a reaction to the rigid gardens of the Baroque period. The philosophy was that parks should be based on natural features instead.

As its name implies, Bellevueparken on the southern shore is situated high above the parks and Brunnsviken lake, with a view over these features. The studio and museum of the sculptor Carl Eldh are also located here.

Attractions on the eastern shore include the Bergius Botanic Garden and several boat clubs, as well as the Swedish Museum of National History and Stockholm University.

The Nobel Museum

Right in the middle of the Old Town, you can learn about the Nobel Prize, Alfred Nobel, and the Nobel Laureates and their visions. Guided tours, interesting films, and diverse objects take you on a journey from idea to the Nobel Banquet.

Kafé Satir serves Swedish specialties and Nobel ice cream. The museum shop has something for everyone. Visit the Nobel Museum and be inspired by ideas that changed the world.

Moderna Museet

Experience one of Europe's foremost collections of art from the twentieth century to today, featuring works by artists including Picasso, Dali, Derkert and Matisse.

The museum's large collections and temporary exhibitions present contemporary art side by side with the modern classics. Moderna Museet is located on Skeppsholmen island, a setting of natural beauty. The building was designed by Spanish architect Rafael Moneo. The museum offers a first-class program of temporary exhibitions, a children's workshop, a store and an enjoyable restaurant with a beautiful view of Djurgården and Strandvägen.

Nationalmuseum

The leading museum of art and design in Sweden, with collections of older paintings and sculptures as well as drawings, graphics, handicrafts and design up to the present day.

Experience the works of Sweden's most prominent artists such as Carl Larsson, Hanna Pauli, Anders Zorn and Bruno Liljefors, and international masters such as Rembrandt, Rubens, Goya, Renoir, Degas and many others. You can also acquaint yourself with modern Swedish design classics from 1900 to today in the permanent exhibit ”Den moderna formen 1900-2000” (Modern Design from 1900 to 2000). The exhibit shows developments in Scandinavian design and handicrafts.

Boat Sightseeing

Seeing Stockholm from the water is an enjoyable must. Fortunately, there are many tours to choose from depending on your interests.

Under the Bridges of Stockholm, Royal Canal Tour, Historical Canal Tour, and the early Good Morning Stockholm Tour concentrate on central Stockholm and take from 50 minutes to 2½ hours. The Good Morning tour is given in Swedish and English only. Other tours are also given in German, Russian, French, Spanish, Italian, Finnish, Chinese, and Japanese. The number of tours is limited during the winter.

Hop On Hop Off is a flexible way to see Stockholm from the water. The ticket is good for an unlimited number of trips over a 24-hour period. It can also be combined with bus (Open Top Bus Tour).

Archipelago Race is for those who want to see the archipelago but do not have much time. In a fast Speedo boat, you get a feel for the archipelago and its 30,000 islands in less than 2 hours. The tour is given in Swedish and English. Tickets can be purchased online.

Royal National City Park

The world’s first national urban park is a green lung forming an arc more than six miles long, stretching around and through the city.

The park abuts the adjoining forests around the city, ensuring an exceptional wealth of species. You can encounter deer and hares, even foxes and moose, and spot rare birds, butterflies and insects, right inside the city. You can walk for days through the Ekoparken, discovering ever new lovely spots.

There’s an abundance of things to see: museums, an amusement park, theaters and entertainment, castles, inns and hotels, sports facilities, numerous residences from different historical periods, hills with centuries-old oak trees, lakes, streams, bays, marshes and canals, meadows with grazing cows, horses and sheep, secluded swimming spots, rocky hilltops and areas with wild, virgin nature where you will have difficulty imagining you’re

in the middle of a big city.

Stockholm Cathedral

Stockholm’s medieval Cathedral, built in 1279, houses unique objects such as the St George and the Dragon sculpture (1489), the legendary Vädersoltavlan (1636) and Lena Lervik’s sculpture ”Joseph and Mary” (2002).

Since 1527, the Cathedral has been a Lutheran church. A wide range of religious services and concerts are held. The wedding of Crown Princess Victoria and Mr. Daniel Westling will take place on Saturday, June 19, 2010 in Stockholm Cathedral.

Fjällgatan

Historic environment located high up on the edge of a cliff with a fantastic view of the city. Fjällgatan’s Kaffestuga café is charming and popular.

The blocks around Fjällgatan, Stigbergsgatan, Mäster Mikaels Gata, Fiskargatan, and Södra Teatern are lined with well-preserved wooden buildings from the 1700s on one side and a magnificent view on the other

Fotografiska

Fotografiska is one of the world’s largest meeting places for contemporary photography. The museum was opened in May 2010 and initially dsplays four unique main exhibitions and about 20 smaller exhibitions annually. In addition to the main exhibition area, Fotografiska also houses a book and souvenir shop, a restaurant, a photo gallery, and a bar boasting one of Stockholm’s best views.

Tom Tit's Experiment

The world's largest playhouse. Attractions and experiments for all ages, enough to fill a full day.

Feel the speed going down the 44-meter slide, see optical illusions, experience storm winds and earthquakes. Here you can feel, jump, bounce and balance. Two large four-storey buildings and a park (open summer) also have places for peace and quiet. Café, restaurant, lunch room, shop.

SkyView - On top of the Globe

Vertigo and unbeatable views await anyone who dares to take a ride with the SkyView.

SkyView is the name of the attraction that takes you on a breathtaking journey to the top of Ericsson Globe, the world’s largest spherical building. From the peak at 130 meters above sea evel, gain a whole new perspective on Stockholm. Restaurant and souvenir shop.

Book tickets through the Globen Arenas website or by calling the number listed next to the picture above. Tickets are free for Stockholm card holders, but there is no pre-booking, so be prepared to wait.

Gröna Lund's Amusement Park

Gröna Lund is one of Scandinavia’s favourite amusement parks, with exciting attractions, first-class shows and beautiful views.

Experience the thrills of Europe’s highest Free Fall, roller-coasters, Haunted House, Crazy House and 25 other fun attractions.

Events

Christmas market in the Old Town

For a genuine Stockholm Christmas, the Old Town’s Christmas market is a must. This market has been held in Stortorget since 1915, and the little red stalls sell warm “glögg”, gingerbread, cheese, candy and craft.

- Open every day 11 am- 6 pm.

China´s Terracotta Army

A major exhibit with over 300 objects from China’s earliest

Emperors’ tombs is being staged in Europe for the first time.

Selections from China’s terra cotta army are on loan to this unique Chinese history exhibit, which is displayed in the secret rock shelters beneath Skeppsholmen island, that has never before been open to the public.

Night Life

Ambassadeur

This versatile, modern club is located at Kungsgatan 18. Several clubs with different styles are gathered under one roof. The biggest part of the club is Ambassadeur White where they play vocal house. Ambassadeur Black focuses on R&B and soul. Ambassadeur Gold’s theme is feel-good retro, with pop hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

The Soap bar

The Soap bar has been around a while but is still very popular. On the weekends, it is packed with people and it can be hard to get to the bar. They play all kinds of music, from the latest to the classics. Strict queuing system if you're not a VIP guest.

Le Bon Palais

A large nightclub palace with a disco feel and warm, welcoming atmosphere. The music is mostly classics from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, and the décor is pleasant and cozy with large seating groups. Together with radio station Vinyl 107, they arrange the Vinylbaren Club every Friday along with a separate special event every month. Le Bon Palais is aimed at a somewhat older crowd.

Marie Laveau

Ever since its inception, Marie Laveau has been a great favorite of Stockholm nightlife. Marie Laveau attracts its guests with a lively club scene and an ability to renew itself.

The large bar is well-suited to the after work crowd. Later in the evening well-known DJs take over the helm. Marie Laveau's nightclub, located downstairs, is the setting for some of Stockholm's leading clubs.

Transportations

Stockholms Lokaltrafik, SL (Stockholm Public Transport) runs an extensive subway, commuter train and bus system as well as some tram, light rail and ferry services, all using an integrated ticket system based on coupons. The minimum amount of coupons needed is 2, and the maximum 4, depending on how many zones the trip goes through. There are passes available for 24 hours (100SEK), 72 hours (200SEK), or 7 days (260SEK), stripes of 16 coupons (förköpsremsa) for 180SEK and the slightly confusing single journey tickets. Single tickets are cheaper when bought in advance (15SEK in advance, 20SEK from the clerk for adults, 9 / 12 for seniors and children), effectively making one trip in one zone at least 30SEK for adults. Single tickets are valid for one hour. Stripes can be shared as long as you go to the same destination and in most cases they are the most cost effective option for tourists. When you purchase the 72-hour pass, you also receive free admission to Gröna Lund (see "See" below). If you are going to be in Stockholm for a while, go ahead and purchase a 30-day card, which allows unrestricted access to all of the buses, trams, subways, and commuter trains, as well as the Djurgården ferry, for 690SEK.

The Stockholm Card allows free public transport as well as free admission to 80 museums and sights in Stockholm, free sightseeing by boat and other bonus offers. Adult 24 hours 395SEK, 48 hours 525SEK, 72 hours 625SEK, 120 hours 895SEK. Children (7-17 years of age) 24 hours 195SEK, 48 hours 225SEK, 72 hours 245SEK, 120 hours 285SEK.

The SL website has detailed ticket and price information, and a journey planner.

The standard of quality among the public transportation services is very high but there are still are a few older trains running during rush hour.

Subway

There is an efficient metro system called the Tunnelbana (sometimes abbreviated T-Bana or just T on signs). With exactly 100 stations, it is quite extensive for a city of this size and will get you around almost all the downtown places as well as most nearby suburbs. Trains run from 5AM to 1AM on weekdays and all night on weekends.

Commuter train

The commuter train (pendeltåg) in Stockholm covers much of Stockholm county, as well as some locations in bordering counties. There are currently 51 stations. The busiest routes are along the Kungsängen to Västerhaninge and Märsta to Södertälje lines, with departures every 15 minutes during the day, and every 30 minutes in the evening, and with extra cars during rush-hour. On the other lines, the service is less frequent. Commuter trains use the same tickets and passes as the subways and public buses.

Bus, light rail and ferry

Stockholm has an extensive bus system which reaches areas the Tunnelbana does not. Four inner city main lines numbered from 1 to 4 are operated by large blue buses, the other, generally less frequent lines, by red buses. Tvärbanan is a semi-circular light rail line running from the west to the southeast part of the city. A few other light rail lines connect various suburbs to the metro system. There are also ferries going to Djurgården and Skeppsholmen. Bus and light rail is included in any SL ticket or pass, and ferry travel is included with any 24- or 72-hour pass, 7-day pass as well as the monthly pass. (The ferries to the archipelago, the airport buses, the Arlanda Express train and the SJ regional trains to Uppsala, Västerås, Eskilstuna and other destinations are not part of the SL network and thus not included in any of these tickets.)

Bike

Cycling is an attractive option. On a bike, a journey across central Stockholm' will take no longer than 30 minutes and can be faster than travelling by subway or car. There are cycle paths along most major streets and drivers are generally considerate towards cyclists. In winter, when paths can be covered by ice, extra care should be taken.

Stockholm City Bikes. In the summer months, you can use the city-operated bike loan service by purchasing a key-card. Bike stands throughout the city allows you to pick up a bike in one stand and leave it in another. A three-day (minimum period) key-card costs 125SEK and a season pass costs 200SEK. You may not use a bike for more than three hours at a time, but it is possible to switch to a new bike when returning a used one. Key-cards can be bought at an SL Center.

Bikeguide-Stockhom Bikeguide-Stockholm offers a variety of high quality bikes in the center of the city. From mountainbikes to childrens bikes and city bikes. Child carriers and child seats are available. Helmets are included in the rental price. The bikes have at least 7 gears and are maximum of two seasons old. 3 hours 200SEK. Full day from 250SEK. Narvavägen 13-17. Open 10AM-6PM April-October. Call to rent bikes off season +46(0)733- 09 56 26

Car

Cars driving into or out of central Stockholm between 6:30AM and 6:29PM are charged a congestion tax of 10 to 20SEK. Some car rental companies charge their customers separately for the cost of toll passages, while others don't. Foreign-registered cars are exempt from the tax.

Boat

There are two hop-on/hop-off boat tours that run loops between various sites in Stockholm. Both cost approximately 10 Euro for a day long pass and have approximately 8 stops, including the cruise terminal, Gamla Stan, the Vasa Museum, Skansen, and Skeppsholmen.

Isle of Skye "A must visit site in your life time"

2010-10-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

The most peaceful place on Earth.

The Island of Skye, situated off the West coast of Mainland Scotland, is the largest and best known of the Inner Hebrides.

Sometimes referred to in Gaelic poetry and song as Eilean a' Cheò (The Misty Isle), Skye is renown for its natural beauty, history and wildlife.

The Cuillin Hills, the Red Hills and Blaven have long been favourites with climbers and walkers. If you don't fancy the high places, the deeply indented coastline means you are never far from the sea.

Wildlife abounds on the Island, with birds from the tiny Goldcrest to magnificent Golden Eagle, mammals from Pygmy Shrew to Red Deer and fish from Saithe to Salmon. If you are lucky you might catch sight of the elusive Otter playing on the shore. The wide range of geology and topography provides habitats for many wild flowers.

As you travel around the Island it's not unusual to hear snatches of Scottish Gaelic, the indigenous language of the area. Gaelic culture and heritage pervade the atmosphere, each part of the Island having its own tales of times past and plans for the future.

The Skye Bridge

The Skye Bridge is a road bridge over Loch Alsh, connecting mainland Highland with the Isle of Skye, Scotland. It forms part of the A87.

Attractions in Trotternish, Portree and the Braes

Ceumannan - the Staffin Ecomuseum

Ceumannan is a museum without walls. There is no roof – just the sky above it. All the exhibits are located in the environment, and require a short walk to discover their stories. Visit our ecomuseum site section and discover all 13 of them. Join us in our talking landscape. Identify footprints from the past. Walk in and out of worlds from history into archaeology and geology.

Staffin Bay Cruises

Fishing, wildlife and boat trips operating from Staffin in the Trotternish peninsula. See grey seals and sea-birds in a wonderful natural environment. Cruise beneath the spectacular Kilt Rock and the Mealt Falls which cascade directly into the sea.

Try sea-fishing with your experienced Skipper Rob Main. All rods, tackle and tuition provided. Catch mackerel or pollack for your supper! Phone to book.

Aquaxplore Boat Trips - Elgol

Exhilarating wildlife and sightseeing adventures for all ages to the remote Small Isles of Canna, Rum, Eigg, and Soay plus the Cuillin Mountains and Loch Coruisk. Regular sightings of whales, dolphins, sharks, seals, puffins, sea eagles, golden eagles. 1.5hr, 3hr, 4hr, All day & Early Bird trips. Flexible service for walkers & climbers to Loch Coruisk and the Cuillin. Booking essential.

Spindrift Boat Trips - Portree

The Old Man Storr is a rocky hill on the Trotternish peninsula of the Isle of Skye. The hill presents a steep rocky eastern face overlooking the Sound of Raasay, contrasting with gentler grassy slopes to the west.
Spindrift sails from Portree pier, taking parties of up to twelve on walking and wildlife visits to the Isle of Rona or the Isle of Raasay as well as shorter cruises in the Sound of Raasay.

Cuillin Marbles - Portree

The place to buy your very own piece of Scotland. Genuine hand made Scottish gifts and jewellery individually crafted on the island from the world-renowned Isle of Skye marble. Historically Skye marble has been carried to bring calm and Good luck. The soft, gentle colour of the marble makes it wonderful for gentle healing of the heart chakra and for working with nature in your healing.

Skye Brewery - Uig

The Brewery was established in 1995 as a partnership between 2 teachers at Portree High School. Situated at the Pier in Uig, the brewery makes a selection of award winning real ales such as Red Cuillin and Hebridean Gold. Tours available and a gift shop at the brewery site.

Attractions in Dunvegan, Duirinish, Waternish and Central Skye

Dunvegan Castle

The seat of the MacLeod of MacLeod, Dunvegan Castle is said to be the oldest continuously inhabited family home in Scotland. The castle you see today is a mix of architectural styles and is not particularly attractive. The part of the interior open to the public is full of paintings and artefacts including the famous Fairy Flag, a St Kilda mailboat and momentos from the visits of Water Scott and Johnson and Boswell to the Castle, as well as Jacobite relics. The gardens are picturesque and beautifully kept. Cafe by the car park.

Toy Museum - Glendale

The original Glendale toy museum was destroyed by fire in 2002 but has now been rebuilt and restocked with surviving and new toys. It is possible for children (and adults!) to play with many of the exhibits.

Shilasdair - Yarns and Dyeing - Waternish

The Isle of Skye is an inspiration for all its artists including the Shilasdair dyecraft and design teams. Natural dyeing offers a window into that misty past when lichens and plants of meadow & moor were used to dye plaids and tartans. In ourr studio dye plants from Skye and abroad are applied to fine Scottish wools & luxury fibres to reflect the island colours in a global context, producing yarns as soft as those Skye mists and as vibrantly hued as the landscapes revealed within.

Edinbane - Pottery

Edinbane Pottery draws its inspiration from the Isle of Skye and the surrounding islands. Their handmade woodfired and saltglazed ceramics reflect the colours and textures of the sea, the landscape and wildlife, and the feelings that they inspire. Inspiration, innovation and creativity combine to produce a number of unique ranges of work. Visit our studio; you can see the craftsmen at work, browse the wide variety of pottery for sale in the showroom, and take away a unique reminder of Skye.

Dunvegan Castle Seal Boat Trips

Boat trips to visit the common seal colonies out in Loch Dunvegan; these are the largest colonies of seals on Skye. The trips, operating from Dunvegan Castle, get very close to the seals. Seal sightings are guaranteed - or your money is refunded.

Attractions in Dunvegan, Duirinish, Waternish and Central Skye

Talisker Distillery Carbost

The only distillery on the Isle of Skye, set on the shores of Loch Harport with dramatic views of the Cuillins. This alluring, sweet, full-bodied single malt is so easy to enjoy, and like Skye itself, so hard to leave. The adult admission charge of £5.00 for our Standard Distillery Tours includes a discount voucher, redeemable in our well-stocked distillery shop towards the purchase of a 70cl bottle of malt whisky, as well as a taste of our Talisker 10 year old. On weekdays our Connoisseurs Tour starts at 1.45pm and includes a more in-depth tour of the distillery as well as a 5 sample nosing and tasting session of whiskies selected from our award winning Talisker range.

Attractions in Dunvegan, Duirinish, Waternish and Central Skye

Bella Jane Boat Trips - Elgol

The Bella Jane sails to the fantastic scenery of Loch Coruisk and its seal colonies. Seals and other wildlife guaranteed. This is a superb trip to one of the most beautiful places on Skye. There is a choice of 1.5hr, 3hr, 4.5hr and all day return trips allowing as much time ashore as you wish, plus a flexible schedule of oneway trips (both in and out) designed for walkers. Trips throughout the day from 9.00am. Booking necessary.

Skye Serpentarium - Broadford

The Skye Serpentarium was opened in 1991 by Catherine and Alex Shearer as an exhibition and educational centre, over the years we have gradually become a refuge for unwanted and illegally imported reptiles. We have been featured on BBC, Scottish & Grampian television and have won several awards. Catherine is an experienced herpetologist and has helped rescue over 500 abandoned or rescued reptiles and amphibians. There are over 50 animals on display from White's Tree Frogs to Large Green Iguanas. Catherine, Alex, Billy or an experienced member of staff is always in attendance and frequent snake handling sessions are held.

Misty Isle Boat Trips - Elgol

Misty Isle Boat Trips - a family-run business running boat trips from Elgol on the Isle of Skye to the famous Loch Coruisk in the heart of the Cuillin Hills. On your outward journey to Loch Coruisk from Elgol you will visit the large seal colony and see the famous 'Bad Step'. See a variety of sea birds and possibly golden eagles or sea eagles, sightings of dolphins, porpoises, whales and basking sharks are also possible. Choose how long to stay ashore and then return for a free coffee and shortbread onboard.

Castle Keep - Torrin/Elgol

Professional bladesmith Rob Miller works alongside Garth Duncan renowned goldsmith and knifemaker. Everything is made entirely from scratch, forging and pattern making, moulding and casting, leatherwork and wooden scabbards, all made here in the shop to your exact specifications. I try to maintain an attention to detail in all the authentic Historical pieces that I make.

Brightwater Centre - Kyleakin

The Brightwater Centre offers an introduction to Gavin Maxwell, otters and the flora and fauna found on the White Island, Eilean Ban. Especially suitable for children. Tours of Eilean Ban including Gavin Maxwell's last home are available (charge).

Heavens Ocean - Camus Croise, Isle Ornsay

Heaven's Ocean is the studio / gallery, in south Skye, of David Collins who paints watercolour landscapes of Skye, the Small Isles and the West Coast of Scotland and Emma Siedle-Collins who works with driftwood, embroidered textiles and painted papers to create unique mirrors and collage using found objects collected from the beaches of Skye and also makes a range of cards using natural materials and detachable pendants.

Armadale Castle - Gardens and Museum of the Isles

Armadale Castle Gardens and Museum of the Isles is set in the heart of a 20,000 acre Highland estate. The Clan Donald Lands Trust has restored the gardens and part of the Castle, created the Museum of the Isles as an attraction that appeals to all ages. Armadale has in the stables a licensed restaurant and shop and holds special events throughout the season.

Transportations
By road

There are two main roads to Skye: the A87 and travels west from the A82 [[Fort William - Inverness road at Invergarry (the A887 provides another connection to the A87 further north towards Inverness). The A87 reaches Skye over the bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland to Kyleakin on Skye.

The lesser used but equally scenic route is by the A830 "Road to the Isles" from Fort William to Mallaig and thence by ferry to Armadale.

There is an additional seasonal ferry between Kylerhea and Glenelg, albeit via minor roads.

By ferry
Now that the Skye Bridge is open (and free of charge since 2004), it is no longer essential to travel to Skye by boat, but it is still an enjoyable ride. The main route to the mainland is on the Caledonian Macbrayne (a.k.a. Calmac) ferry between Armadale and Mallaig.

Skyeferry also operates in summer between Glenelg and Kylerhea.

For the Outer Hebrides, Calmac run from Uig in the north of Skye to Tarbert on Harris and Lochmaddy on North Uist. Many travellers bound for the Outer Hebrides will travel through Skye en route to Uig, usually on board the multiple daily Citylink buses from Inverness or Fort William and Glasgow.

A Calmac ferry also operates from Sconser on Skye to Inverarish on Raasay.

By train
There are two railway stations that serve Skye from the mainland, with the terminus of the West Highland Line in Mallaig and the Kyle of Lochalsh Line terminating in its eponymous destination.

From Glasgow and Fort William
Trains travel about three times a day between Fort William and Mallaig, with convenient connections to the Calmac ferry to Armadale. At least one train a day continues to/from Glasgow. During the summer months, a restored vintage steam train hauls a rake of restored carriages on a daily round trip between Fort William and Mallaig. Fares are slightly higher than regular ScotRail services, but offer an additional connection.

From Inverness
Four or five trains operate daily between Kyle of Lochalsh and Inverness, from where there are connections to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth.

From London and the south
Connections with overnight sleeper trains to/from London Euston are possible six nights a week in both Fort William and Inverness, as well as the daily 'Highland Chieftan' intercity train from Inverness to London King's Cross. For train times and fares contact ScotRail or National Rail.

By bus
Scottish Citylink operate two routes in and out of Skye:

* 914 / 915 / 916 /917 run from Uig or Portree to Kyle of Lochalsh, Fort William, and Glasgow (about six and a half hours from Portree)
* 916 / 917 run from Uig or Portree to Kyle of Lochalsh and Inverness (about three and a half hours from Portree)

Limited numbers of discounted advance purchase tickets are available online. It is advisable to reserve a seat during the summer or around holidays.

Local buses 51 & 52 connect Armadale pier (for the ferry to/from Mallaig with Broadford and Portree several times a day (fewer in the winter). Buses 50 & 55 run every 30 minutes over the Skye Bridge between Kyleakin and Kyle of Lochalsh.

Get around By bus
An excellent rural network of local buses is provided by Stagecoach Highlands who recently acquired the local operator Rapsons. Routes include:

* 49, 49B Portree / Elgol
* 50, 55 Portree / Kyle of Lochalsh (for coach and train connections to Inverness, and coach connections to Fort William and Glasgow),
* 52, 52C Portree / Broadford / Armadale (for ferry connections to/from Mallaig and trains to Fort William and Glasgow)
* 53, 54 Portree / Carbost (and the Talisker Distillery) / Fiscavaig
* 56A, 56B Portree / Struan / Dunvegan
* 56 Portree / Dunvegan / Glendale
* 57C (clockwise) & 57A (anti-clockwise) Portree / Flodigarry Peninsula (for Old Man of Storr, the Quirang and Uig)
* 59 Portree / Peinchorran

Fares rise by distance travelled, with a half-hour journey usually costing around £3. In early 2009 a number of fares were increased and the useful three day Rover ticket was discontinued. The only remaining special ticket of interest to tourists is the £6 One Day Rover, which will normally make sense if you are using more than two buses in one day (although drivers will normally advise you if it is cheaper to buy that or singles). Although they are listed alongside local buses in journey planners and at bus stops, passengers should avoid taking Scottish Citylink coaches for journeys wholly within Skye or across the bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh since fares are substantially cheaper on local services.

An area guide for Skye and Lochalsh lists all bus times, and is issued twice annually for winter and summer seasons. It can be downloaded in pdf format from Stagecoach Highlands by clicking on 'Timetables' and then scrolling down to 'Skye and Lochalsh' or picked up in paper form from buses and tourist information centres. It is strongly recommended to check times in advance, paying special attention to any timetable notes relating to days when the bus runs or does not.

By car
Although substantial European and Scottish funding has been made available to improve and widen certain key routes (most recently the southern section of the Armadale to Broadford road), major roads are still quite narrow and can get congested in high season. However in low season driving in Skye is a delight with only the occasional sheep wandering onto the tarmac to concern you. On narrow single track rural roads pay attention to passing places and drive courteously, being ready to pull over to allow an oncoming vehicle to pass.

Car hire is available in Portree and Kyle of Lochalsh, but can be expensive. When travelling to the island in the high season, call ahead for availability.

By bicycle
Many of the roads in Skye are well cyclable, although traffic can be a problem in late summer. If you're cycling, make sure you have good raingear; Skye is wet even by the drizzly standards of Scotland. The ferry from Mallaig accepts bicycles, and the ride from Armadale north to the bridge is pleasant.

Hitching
Hitching is never one hundred percent safe, but residents of Skye are generally very open to giving rides in remoter areas (especially if you've missed the last bus of the day or it's raining).

Kyoto "The Most Beautiful Cultural City Of Japan"

2010-10-01T21:23:00.000-07:00

Kyoto was Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. It is now the country's seventh largest city with a population of 1.4 million people and a modern face.

Over the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by many wars and fires, but due to its historic value, the city was dropped from the list of target cities for the atomic bomb and spared from air raids during World War II. Countless temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures survive in the city today.

V may be surprised by how much work they will have to do to see Kyoto's beautiful side. Most first impressions of the city will be of the urban sprawl of central Kyoto, around the ultra-modern glass-and-steel train station, which is itself an example of a city steeped in tradition colliding with the modern world.

Nonetheless, the persistent visitor will soon discover Kyoto's hidden beauty in the temples and parks which ring the city center, and find that the city has much more to offer than immediately meets the eye.

Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle has belonged to the city of Kyoto since 1939. The castle was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603. At the beginning of the Meiji era it was for a time the seat of government, and it was from here that the Emperor issued the rescript abolishing the Shogunate. From 1871 to 1884 it was occupied by the prefectural administration, and during this period many of the works of art contained were badly damaged.

The castle is surrounded by a moat and stone walls with corner towers. It is entered by the East Gate (Higashi Otemon) and an inner gate, Karamon, which has fine carving by Hidari Jingoro and decorated metalwork. This gate originally came from Fushimi Castle. Beyond it is still another gate, the Mikuruma-yose, also decorated by Hidari Jingoro, which gave access to the Ninomaru Palace. This consists of five separate buildings linked by corridors. The interiors are decorated with paintings by Kano Tanyu and his pupils. The principal apartment is the Jodan-no-ma (Hall of the Imperial Emissary); in the adjoining rooms, Ni-no-ma and Tozamurai-no-ma, are pictures of tigers. The linking corridors (like those in Chion-in) have floors, which creak when anyone walks on them, thus giving warning of the approach of a visitor.

The second building has three apartments and beyond this is the third complex, the large Audience Hall, surrounded by a gallery or ambulatory. On the sliding doors are large paintings of larches on a gold ground; the subsidiary rooms have elaborate carvings by Hidari Jingoro. The fourth building, the Kuro-shoin, has animal paintings by Kano Naonobu; in the Shogun's private apartments, beyond this, are paintings of mountain landscapes.

The garden to the west of the palace was originally designed without trees, since it was desired to avoid the impression of transitoriness created by their foliage. The trees, which it now contains, were planted in recent times.

Kyoto Imperial Palace

The original Kyoto Imperial Palace was built in 794 and was replaced several times after destruction by fire. The present building was constructed in 1855. Enthronement of a new emperor and other state ceremonies are still held there. The palace can be visited only on guided tours held by the Imperial Household Agency.

Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market is a narrow, shopping street, lined by more than one hundred shops. Various kinds of fresh and processed foods including many Kyoto specialties, such as pickles, Japanese sweets, dried food, sushi, and fresh seafood and vegetables are sold.

Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", Nishiki Market has a history of several centuries, and many stores have been operated by the same families for generations.

The Ginkakuji Temple

The Ginkakuji (or Silver Pavilion) Temple lies in the northeast part of the city. In contrast to the Kinkakuji (or Golden Pavilion) Temple, this was never decorated with a covering of silver. It was built in 1482 by the eighth Ashikaga Shogun as a country residence. On his death it was converted into a Zen temple. It stands by a pool in which the two-story building is reflected. In its upper story it houses a gilded statue of Kannon. Behind it is the main hall with an important statue of Buddha. There is a tearoom adjacent.

There are two other rooms which are interesting. They are supposed to have been used as incense chambers. Just as Zen Buddhism created the Tea Ceremony and Ikebana, in order to discipline the senses of taste and sight, it also made arrangements for occasions when people came together and incense was burnt in order to develop and improve the sense of smell.

The Heian Shrine

The Heian Shrine, to the east of the city, was built in 1885 to mark the 1100th anniversary of the foundation of Kyoto. It was dedicated to the city's founder, Emperor Kammu (737-806), and to the last Emperor to reside there, Emperor Komei (1831-66).

The buildings are small-scale reproductions of the palace of the first Emperor. They are painted red and white, with blue roof tiles, and in this combination of colors the influence of China which is characteristic of the Heian period (794-1192) may be seen quite clearly.

The Shrine itself comprises two main halls, a state apartment, two towers and a large red-painted Torii made of reinforced concrete. A large landscaped garden extends behind the Shrine.

Gion

Gion is Kyoto's most famous geisha district, and one of the city's most popular attractions. The district lies in the city center around Shijo Avenue between Yasaka Shrine and the Kamo River, and is filled with ochaya (teahouses where geisha entertain), theaters, shops and restaurants.

Kyoto's other geisha districts are Pontocho, a narrow street across the Kamo River from Gion, and tightly packed with restaurants and bars; and the Kamishichiken district near Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, consisting of seven teahouses built using the extra materials from the shrine's last reconstruction.

Gion's main attraction are its traditional wooden machiya style merchant houses, built in a design characteristic of Kyoto. Due to the fact that property taxes were based upon street frontage, the houses were built with narrow facades only five to six meters wide, but extend up to twenty meters in from the street.

Kawai Memorial Hall
Kawai Memorial Hall displays the works of Kanjiro Kawai, a distinguished potter, with examples of folk art, ceramics and his kiln.

The Kiyomizu Temple

The Kiyomizu Temple, which like the Chion-in Temple, is in the east part of the city, is situated on a hill up which runs a road known as "Tea-pot lane" (good porcelain). The Temple was founded in 790 and is dedicated to the eleven-headed Kannon. (The statue of her is a protected monument.) The present buildings were erected after 1633 in the period of the third Tokugawa Shogun, Iemitsu. They stand mainly on a rocky outcrop above the Otowa Waterfall. The terrace of the main hall makes a particularly strong impression. It rests on 95ft (30m) tall pillars with five rows of cross-beams. It is used as a stage for temple dances and ceremonies, and from it there is a wonderful view over the city. There is a Japanese saying, which defines foolhardiness as jumping down from the terrace of Kiyomizu Temple.

Maruyama-koen Park

Maruyama-koen Park is well known for cherry blossom viewing, especially for the "Shidare Zakura"(drooping cherry tree), illuminated at night. The park is a favorite spot for locals and visitors to escape the bustle of the nearby city.

Sanjusangen-do

Sanjusangen-do, the "Temple of the 33 Niches", takes its name from the way it is built. Its façade is divided into 33 (sanjusan) niches (gen), to reflect the belief that Kannon, the goddess of compassion, could take on 33 different personifications.

The Temple was originally built in 1164. The present building was put up in 1266, after a fire. In days gone by archery competitions used to be held in the Temple grounds, as is still shown clearly by the holes in the pillars and timbers.

The most important work of art in the Temple is the "Kannon with a Thousand Hands". This statue, which is 10ft (3.30m) high, dates from the 13th C. On each side of it are 500 standing figures of Kannon. In the passage behind it there are further sculptures - 28 "celestial auxiliaries", spirits who are subordinate to Kannon.

The National Museum

The National Museum was established in 1897, with three departments (history, art and applied arts).

Costume Museum

The permanent display produces 3-D scenes from the 'Tale of Genji,' until now experienced only in writing or illustrations. Life-size mannequins in period dress with all the adornments, can be seen among period furnishings.

Kikokutei Shosei-en Garden

The garden borrows the scenery of the Higashiyama mountains. Such trees as plum trees, cherry trees, wisteria and maples add seasonal colors to the garden. The 17th C garden was laid out by Ishikawa Jozan and Kobori Enshu.

Nishi Honganji

The Nishi-Honganji Temple is the chief temple of the original Jodo-shinsu sect and an outstanding example of Buddhist architecture. Only part of this temple is freely open to the public: to see the other parts application must be made in advance to the temple offices.

The Hondo (Main Hall), rebuilt in 1760, has a number of fine rooms decorated with paintings on a gold ground by unknown artists of the Kano school and contains a statue of Amida by a master of the Kauga School. In the side-room are statues of Shotoku-taishi (573-621) and Ho-nen (1133-1212). The Daishi-do (Founder's Hall) has a much revered statue of Shinran, probably carved by himself in 1244. After his death it was covered with a coat of lacquer mingled with his ashes On either side are likenesses of later abbots. Above the entrance to the hall is an inscription in the hand of the Emperor Meiji consisting of two Chinese characters (ken-shin). In front of the Founder's Hall is a handsome gate, the Seimon. Another notable building is the Daishoin or Treasury, originally part of Fushimi Castle, to the south of the town, which was transferred to its present site in 1632 together with the richly carved gateway Kara-mon. The various rooms are named after the wall and ceiling paintings with which they are decorated (mostly of the Kano school). The Sparrow Room (Suzume-no-ma) was the work of Maruyama Ozui and Kano Ryokei. The (badly damaged) paintings in the Room of the Wild Geese (Gan-no-ma) are by Kano Ryokei. The Chrysanthemum Room (Kiku-no-ma) has flower pictures in gold and white by Kaiho Yusetsu (17th C) and works by Kano Hidenobu and Kano Koi. The Stork Room (Ko-no-ma), decorated by Kano Tanyu, Kano Ryokei and Maruyama Okyo, was the Abbott's audience chamber. The room known as Shimei-no-ma or Siro-shoin, with works by Kano Koi, Kaiho Yusetsu and Kano Ryotaku, came from Fushimi Castle.

Near by is the Kuro-Shoin hall, with sliding doors painted by Kano Eitku, and a No theater brought her from Fushimi Castle. Some distance away, in the SE corner of the temple enclosure, is the Hiun-kaku Pavilion (16th C), with paintings by Kano Tanyu, Tokuriki Zensetsu, Kano Eitoku, Kano Sanraku and Kano Motonobu; it contains Hideyoshi's tearoom.

Mount Hiei

Mount Hiei (2,782ft/ 848m), northeast of Kyoto, is an hour's bus ride from the city center, and can also be reached by rail (Keifuku-Eizen private line to Yase-yuen). From the Yase-yuen Station a cableway runs up to the summit in two stages. Near the upper station of the cableway, at Shimeigatake, are a viewpoint with a revolving tower (views of Kyoto and Lake Biwa), a natural history museum and a botanic garden.

Enryakuji Temple

The Enryakuji Temple was once one of the mightiest temples in Japan. Founded in 788, at the behest of the Emperor Kammu, by a Buddha priest named Saicho (762-822). The temple belonged to a family which had come to Japan from China, after Saicho's return from a stay in China. The site of the temple, lying northeast of the city, was selected in order to ward off evil spirits coming from that direction. The growing political influence of the increasingly numerous monks, however, soon presented a threat to Kyoto, and accordingly Oda Nobunaga felt it necessary to destroy the temple. Although it was rebuilt by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and enlarged by Tokugawa Iemitsu the temple never recovered any degree of secular power.

Shugaku-in Rikyu Imperial Villa

The villa was built in the 1650s for Emperor Go-Mizuno-o by the Tokugawa Shogunate. The grounds are divided into three large garden areas, each with a teahouse.

Daitoku-ji Temple

The Daitoku-ji Temple is one of the principal temples of the Rinzai sect. The temple, founded in 1324, was destroyed during the Civil Wars of the 15th C; the present structures date from the 16th and 17th C. Of the total of 22 buildings seven are open to the public. Of particular interest are the Zen gardens (dry gardens in kare sansui style).

The original main entrance to the temple precinct was the Chokushi-mon (now closed), originally the south gate of the Imperial Palace, which was moved here in 1640. Beyond this is the kara-mon, a Chinese-style gate with magnificent carvings; an outstanding example of the architecture of the Momoyama period, it came from the Fushimi Castle. The two-story main gate (Sammon) was built by Sen-no-Rikyu in 1589. The ceiling paintings on the lower floor were the work of Hasegawa Tohaku; on the upper floor are statues of Shakyamuni and the 16 Rakan (disciples of Buddha) - booty from the Kato Kiyomasa's Korean campaign - and a portrait (said to be a self-portrait) of Rikyu.

The main hall, the Butsuden (or Daiyu-den), built in 664, contains a statue of Shakyamuni with his disciples Anna and Kayo and a figure of Daito-kokushi, first Abbot of the temple. Beyond the main hall is the Lecture Hall or Hatto (1636), which is based on Chinese models, and to the northeast of this is the Hojo (Abbot's Lodging). This contains paintings by Kano Tanyu and a wooden tablet with an inscription ("Incomparable Temple of Zen") in the hand of the Emperor Godaigo. The adjoining garden was designed by Kobori Enshu.

The old Abbot's Lodging or Shinju-an (rebuilt 1638), once occupied by Ikkyu (1394-1481), can be seen only by prior arrangement. It contains a statue of Ikkyu and writings in his hand. The wall paintings are by Soga Dasoku (d. 1483). Here too are the tombs of sarugaku dancer Kan'ami (1333-84) and his son Zeami (1363-1443), who achieved a great reputation as a master of the No theater.

West of the Shinju-an is the Daisen-in, with a garden - probably laid out in 1513 to the design of the founder, Kogaku Soko (1465-1548) - which is rated an outstanding example of a Zen garden. The models for these gardens were provided by Chinese paintings. The garden was divided into four parts, and with only the most sparing use of plants, a mountain landscape with a waterfall was built up, mainly from rocks and sand, in a carefully contrived arrangement designed to produce an effect of space and depth. The sliding doors in the interior of the building have paintings by Kano Motonobu, Soami and Kano Yukinobu; particularly interesting are the scenes of country life (shikikosaku-zu).

In the Shuko-in, to the west of the Abbot's Lodging, is the tomb of Sen-no-Rikyu, and to the west of this again in the Soken-in, are the tombs of Oda Nobunaga and his sons and of Hideyoshi's widow. The west end of the temple precinct is occupied by the Koho-an, famous Zen garden designed by Kobori Enshu which contains the tombs of Enshu and his family.

Koryu-ji Temple

The Koryuji Temple or Uzumasa-dera was founded by Hata Kawakatsu in 622, but the present buildings are later. The Lecture Hall, the second oldest building (1165) in Kyoto, contains three old statues: in the center a seated figure of Buddha, flanked by figures of the Thousand-Handed Kannon and Fukukenjaku-Kannon. In the rear hall (Taishi-do, 1720) is a wooden statue of Shotoku-taishi, probably a self-portrait (606).

An octagonal hall, the Keigu-in or Hakkaku-do (1251), in the northwest part of the temple precinct, contains a statue of the 16 year old Shotoku-taishi and figures of Nyoirin-Kannon (presented by a king of Korea) and Amida. There is also some fine sculpture in the temple museum (Reiho-kan), including wooden statues of the Yakushi-nyorai (864) and Miroku-bosatsu (the oldest work of sculpture in Kyoto, dating from the 6th-7th C; said to be by Shotoku).

Ninna-ji Temple

The Ninnaji Temple, originally the Omuro Palace (begun in 886). After the abdication of the Emperor Uda (9th C) the palace became a temple of which Uda was the first Abbot. The present buildings date from the first half of the 17th C. To the right of the Middle Gate is a five-story pagoda 108ft/33m high. The main hall contains a wooden statue of Amida. The temple precinct with its numerous cherry trees is a magnificent sight in the cherry-blossom season (April).

Byodo-in Temple

The Byodoin Temple, a characteristic example of the temple architecture of the Heian period. The site was originally occupied by a country residence which belonged to Minamoto Toru, Fujiwara-no-Michinaga and Yorimichi. In 1052 Yorimichi made over the site for the building of a temple, and the main hall, Hoo-do (also known as the Phoenix Hall), was constructed in the following year. On the gable ends are two bronze phoenixes. The interior decoration (Heian period), much damaged, has been partly restored. The temple contains works by the 11th C artist Takuma Tamenari an imposing gilded figure of Amida (by Jocho, 11th C). The altar and ceiling are inlaid with bronze and mother-of-pearl, but of the ceiling paintings of the 25 Bosatsus little now survives. Adjoining is the Kannon-do, a hall situated directly above the river and accordingly also known as the Tsuridono ("Fishing Hall"). Close by is a monument to Minamoto Yorimasa (1104-80), who took his own life here after suffering defeat at the hands of the Taira clan; his tomb is in the Saisho-in, behind the Byodo-in.

Fushimi-Inari Shrine

Fushimi-Inari Shrine is much frequented by merchants and tradesmen who pray for prosperity. One of the greatest shrines in Japan, founded in 711, is dedicated to the goddess of rice-growing, Ukanomitama-no-mikoto. The main building (1499) is in typical Momoyama style. A notable feature is the 21/2 mi/ 4km long avenue of red torii presented by worshippers. Here, too, are many sculptures of foxes (which are reputed to be messengers of the gods).

Mampuku-ji Temple

The Mampukuji Temple, the principal temple of the Obaku sect was founded in 1661 by a Chinese priest, Ingen. The Main Hall (Daiyuho-den) is built of Thai teak. In the Lecture Hall (Hatto) which lies beyond it are preserved the 60,000 wooden blocks with which the complete edition of the Obaku Sutras was printed in the 17th C.

Katsura Rikyu Imperial Villa

The villa, Katsura Rikyu, was originally constructed for Prince Hachijo Toshihito (1579-1629), brother of the Emperor Goyozei. Much of it was built by 1624, and it was completed by 1658. The landscaped garden is said to have been designed by Kobori Enshu; and it was undoubtedly the work of either Kobori himself or some member of his circle. It is also believed that Prince Toshihito himself, a great art connoisseur, was involved in its planning. It is said that when Kobori accepted the commission he laid down three conditions designed to ensure that no changes were made in the original plan: first, no limit should be set to the cost of the work; second, no time limit for completion should be fixed; and third, neither the Prince nor anyone on his behalf should visit the site while work was in progress.

The garden is so designed that the visitor always sees things from the front. Around the pool are grouped a number of small gardens, and in the distance the summits of Mounts Arashiyama and Kameyama can be seen. The three parts of the building, offset from one another, have influenced modern architecture in Japan and even in other countries. The main buildings were thoroughly restored between 1974 and 1981.

The visitors' entrance is the Miyuki-mon Gates (1658). The garden paths, some of the river pebbles and others of rectangular cobbles, are edged by mosses and bushes. Two further gates lead into the inner garden, in the center of which is the group of buildings known as the Goten, consisting of three parts - Furu-shoin, Naka-shoin and Miyuki-den.

The veranda of the Furu-shoin was designed to permit observation of the moon. The three rooms of the Naka-shoin contain fine paintings by Kano Tanyu (first room, including a well-known picture of a crow), Kano Naonobu (second room) and Kano Yusunobu (third room). The Miyuki-den, the hall used by the Emperor, also contains a painting by Kano Tanyu. Notable too are the metal fittings (kugi-kakushi) in the form of flowers covering the heads of the nails used in construction; they are attributed t a goldsmith named Kacho.

To the east of the main group of buildings, on higher ground, is the Gepparo, a building of plain and simple design. On the far side of the pool is the Shokin-tei, which contains a number of rooms including a tearoom so designed that natural light reaches into every corner. A small promontory covered with pebbles projects into the pool, in a highly stylized representation of the coastal scenery of Ama-no-hashidate. In the southwest corner of the garden is the Shoiken, with ten rooms.

Daikaku-ji Temple

Established in 876 as a temple, it is located adjacent to the Ozawa pond. In the 1600s, Emperor Saga's imperial detached villa, Saga Palace, was taken apart and reassembled here. Noteworthy are the fusuma painted by Sanraku Kano with the flower motifs. Daikaku-ji is well known for its Heian era garden, it is among the oldest gardens in Kyoto. It is the home base for ikebana's Saga Goryu flower-arranging school.

Side Trips
Mount Koya (Koyasan)

Mount Koya (Koyasan) is the center of Shingon Buddhism, an important Buddhist sect which was introduced to Japan in 805 by Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai), one of Japan's most significant religious figures. A small, secluded temple town has developed around the sect's headquarters that Kobo Daishi built on Koyasan's wooded mountaintop. It is also the site of Kobo Daishi's mausoleum and the start and end point of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage.

Kobo Daishi began construction on the original Garan temple complex in 826 after wandering the country for years in search of a suitable place to center his religion. Since then over one hundred temples have sprung up along the streets of Koyasan. The most important among them are Kongobuji, the head temple of Shingon Buddhism, and Okunoin, the site of Kobo Daishi's mausoleum.

Koyasan is also one of the best places to experience an overnight stay at a temple lodging (shukubo) where you can get a taste of a monk's lifestyle, eating vegetarian monk's cuisine (shojin ryori) and attending the morning prayers. Around fifty temples offer this service to both pilgrims and visitors.

Himeji

Himeji is most famous for its magnificent castle, Himeji Castle, widely considered to be Japan's most beautiful surviving feudal castle. The castle is designated both a national treasure and a UNESCO world heritage site.

With half a million inhabitants, Himeji is the second largest city of Hyogo Prefecture after Kobe. It can be reached in less than one hour from Osaka or Kyoto and is also a popular stopover on journeys along the Sanyo Shinkansen.

Kinosaki

Kinosaki is located in northern Hyogo Prefecture on the coast of the Sea of Japan. This pleasant town, built along a willow lined river, is one of the top onsen destinations of the Kansai Region.

Hot springs were discovered in Kinosaki around the 8th century and since then the town has developed into a charmingly old-fashioned onsen town. In the evenings guests of the local ryokan stroll about town in yukata and geta (wooden clogs), visiting the numerous public baths and nostalgic game arcades.

Amanohashidate

Amanohashidate, roughly meaning "bridge in the heaven", is a 3.6 kilometer long, pine tree covered sand bar, spanning across Miyazu Bay on the Tango Peninsula, northern Kyoto Prefecture. It is ranked as one of Japan's three most scenic views (nihon sankei).

The sand bar is best viewed from the hills on either side of the bay, which are both accessible by chair lift or cablecar.

To view the sand bar as a "bridge in the heaven", turn your back towards the bay, bend over and look at it from between your legs. Travelers to Amanohashidate have been doing this for more than a millenium.

Iga Ueno

In 2004, Ueno City and five surrounding towns and villages were merged into a new city called Iga City. Iga is the name of the former province, which covered part of today's Mie Prefecture. Ueno is commonly referred to as Iga Ueno in order to avoid confusion with an identically named city district in Tokyo.

Iga Ueno is most famous for ninja. The Iga school of ninjutsu (art of stealth), based in Ueno City, used to be one of Japan's two leading ninja schools during the feudal era (the Koga school in Shiga Prefecture was the other). Today, Iga Ueno attracts visitors with its excellent ninja museum.

Iga Ueno is also known as the birthplace of one of Japan's greatest poets, Basho Matsuo, who lived during the early Edo Period. A memorial museum, his birth home and a former hermitage are some of Ueno's Basho related attractions.

Events
Hanatoro

Hanatoro, which means "flower and light road", is a set of illumination events that take place in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto in March and the Arashiyama district of Kyoto in December. During Hanatoro the streets are illuminated by thousands of lanterns set throughout popular areas combined with flower and light displays.

Many temples and shrines are illuminated and have special extended viewing hours. In addition, live and street performances are held at stages around the area. The pleasant and unique atmosphere of Hanatoro attracts many visitors who can stroll the streets and see a different side of Kyoto.

Transportations
Rail
Kyoto Station is the center for transportation in the city. The second-largest in Japan, it houses a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, Isetan department store, and several local government facilities all under one fifteen-story roof. The Tōkaidō Shinkansen Line (see below) as well as all conventional rail lines operated by JR West connect here.

The Keihan, Hankyu, Kintetsu, and other rail networks also offer frequent service to other cities in the Kansai region. JR West and Kintetsu connect at Kyoto Station. Hankyu has a terminal at the intersection of Shijō Kawaramachi, Kyoto's most thriving shopping and amusement district. Keihan has a station at Sanjō Keihan which is not far from Shijō Kawaramachi.

Subway Karasuma Line
The Karasuma Line is colored green, and its stations are given numbers following the letter K.

The line has following stations, from north to south: Kokusaikaikan (terminal) and Matsugasaki in Sakyō-ku; Kitayama and Kitaōji in Kita-ku; Kuramaguchi and Imadegawa in Kamigyō-ku; Marutamachi and Karasuma Oike in Nakagyō-ku; Shijō, Gojō and Kyōto in Shimogyō-ku; Kujō and Jūjō in Minami-ku; and Kuinabashi and Takeda (terminal) in Fushimi-ku.

Between Kitaōji and Jūjō, trains run beneath the north-south Karasuma Street (ja:烏丸通, Karasuma-dori?), hence the name. They link to the other subway line, the Tozai Line, at Karasuma Oike. They also connect to the JR lines at Kyoto Station and the Hankyu Kyoto Line running cross-town beneath Shijō Street at the intersection of Shijō Karasuma, Kyoto's central business district. At Shijō Karasuma, the subway station is named Shijō, whereas Hankyu's station is called Karasuma.

The Transportation Bureau and Kintetsu Corporation jointly operate through services, which continue to the Kintetsu Kyoto Line to Kintetsu Nara Station in Nara. The Karasuma Line and the Kintetsu Kyoto Line connect at Kyoto and Takeda. All the stations are located in the city proper.

Tozai Line
The Tōzai Line is coloured vermilion, and its stations are given numbers following the letter T. This line runs from the southeastern area of the city, then east to west (i.e. tōzai in Japanese) through the Kyoto downtown area where trains run beneath the three east-west streets: Sanjō Street (ja:三条通, Sanjō-dori?), Oike Street (ja:御池通, Oike-dori?) and Oshikōji Street (ja:押小路通, Oshikōji-dori?).

The line has following stations, from east to west: Rokujizō (terminal) in Uji; Ishida and Daigo in Fushimi-ku; Ono, Nagitsuji, Higashino, Yamashina and Misasagi in Yamashina-ku; Keage, Higashiyama and Sanjō Keihan in Higashiyama-ku; Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae, Karasuma Oike, Nijōjō-mae, Nijō and Nishiōji Oike in Nakagyō-ku; and Uzumasa Tenjingawa (terminal) in Ukyō-ku.

The Keihan Keishin Line has been integrated into this line, and thus Keihan provides through services from Hamaōtsu in the neighbouring city of Ōtsu, the capital of Shiga Prefecture.

The Tōzai Line connects to the Keihan lines at Rokujizō, Yamashina, Misasagi and Sanjō Keihan, to the JR lines at Nijō, Yamashina and Rokujizō, and to the Keifuku Electric Railroad at Uzumasa Tenjingawa. All the stations except Rokujizō are located in Kyoto.

High speed rail
The Tōkaidō Shinkansen operated by JR Central provides high-speed rail service linking Kyoto with Nagoya, Yokohama and Tokyo to the east of Kyoto and with nearby Osaka and points west on the San'yo Shinkansen, such as Kobe, Okayama, Hiroshima, Kitakyushu and Fukuoka. The trip from Tokyo takes about two hours and twenty-two minutes. From Hakata in Fukuoka, Nozomi takes you to Kyoto in just over three hours. All trains including Nozomi stop at Kyoto Station, serving as a gateway to not only Kyoto Prefecture but also northeast Osaka, south Shiga and north Nara.

Airport
Although Kyoto does not have its own airport, travelers can get to the city via Kansai International Airport and Itami Airport in Osaka Prefecture. The Haruka Express operated by JR West carries passengers from Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station in 73 minutes.

JR-WEST: Travel Information > Access to Kansai Airport

Osaka Airport Transport buses connect Itami Airport and Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit in an hour and cost 1,280 yen for a one-way trip. Some buses go further, make stops at major hotels and intersections in downtown, and get to Nijō Station or the Westin Miyako Hotel Kyoto near Keage Station of Municipal Subway Tozai Line.

Buses
Kyoto's municipal bus network is extensive. Private carriers also operate within the city. Many tourists join commuters on the public buses, or take tour buses. Kyoto's buses have announcements in English and electronic signs with stops written in the Latin alphabet.

Most city buses have a fixed fare. A one-day bus pass and a combined unlimited train and bus pass are also available. These are especially useful for visiting many different points of interest within Kyoto. The bus information center just outside the central station handles tickets and passes. The municipal transport company publishes a very useful leaflet called "Bus Navi." It contains a route map for the bus lines to most sights and fare information. This too is available at the information center in front of the main station.

Buses operating on routes within the city, the region, and the nation stop at Kyoto Station. In addition to Kyoto Station, bus transfer is available at the intersections of Shijō Kawaramachi and Sanjō Keihan. The intersection of Karasuma Kitaōji to the north of downtown has a major bus terminal serving passengers who take the Karasuma Line running beneath Karasuma Street, Kyoto's main north-south street.

Cycling
Cycling forms a very important form of personal transportation in the city. The geography and scale of the city are such that the city may be easily navigated on a bicycle.

Roads
The city is connected with other part of Japan by the Meishin Expressway, which has two interchanges in the city: Kyoto Higashi (Kyoto East) in Yamashina-ku and Kyoto Minami (Kyoto South) in Fushimi-ku. The Kyoto Jūkan Expressway connects the city to northern regions of Kyoto Prefecture. The Daini Keihan Road is a new bypass (completed in 2010) to Osaka.

Unlike other metropolitan cities of Japan, Kyoto has poor network of intra-city expressways. As of 2010, only 8.2 km of the Hanshin Expressway Kyoto Route is in operation.

There are nine national highways in the city of Kyoto: Route 1, Route 8, Route 9, Route 24, Route 162, Route 171, Route 367, Route 477 and Route 478.

Zurich "City with the best quality of life in the world"

2010-07-29T21:33:00.000-07:00

Zürich or Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zürich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zürich. While the municipality itself has 380,500 inhabitants, the Zürich metropolitan area is an urbanised area of international importance constituted by a population of nearly 2 million inhabitants. Zürich is a mixed hub for railways, roads, and air traffic. Both Zürich Airport and railway station are the largest and busiest in the country.

Permanently settled for around 7,000 years, the history of Zürich goes back to its founding by the Romans, who, in 15 BC, called it Turicum. During the Middle Ages Zürich gained the independent and privileged status of imperial immediacy and, in 1519, was the place of origin and center of the Protestant Reformation in German-speaking Switzerland, led by Ulrich Zwingli.

Zürich is a leading global city and among the world's largest financial centres. The city is home to a large number of financial institutions and banking giants. Also, most of the research and development centers are concentrated in Zürich and the low rate of tax attracts overseas companies to set up their headquarters there. According to several surveys from 2006 to 2008, Zürich was named the city with the best quality of life in the world as well as the wealthiest city in Europe.

In addition to being Switzerland's main commercial centre, Zürich is sometimes called the Cultural Capital of Switzerland. An impressive number of museums and art galleries can be found in the city, among which the Swiss National Museum and the Kunsthaus. Zürich also hosts one of the most important theatres in the German-speaking world.

Augustinergasse

In the old town on the left bank of the Limmat (Rennweg, Strehlgasse, Augustinergasse, St.

Peterhofstaff, Münsterhof, In Gassen, Wühre) you will find numerous boutiques and antique

shops.

Bahnhofstrasse

The main shopping zone is concentrated in the city center, which makes it ideal for

pedestrians. The famous Bahnhofstrasse - one of the most beautiful shopping areas in Europe

- is a must. Elegant fashion stores, department stores, boutiques with top quality products

(shoes, furs, accessories, porcelain, jewellery and watches), banks and pastry shops.

Bürkliterrasse

The Bürkliterrasse - opened in 1887 as the culmination of the Bahnhofstrasse and part of the

lakeside park area (Quaianlage) - is the ideal spot to sit and relax under the trees. In

clear weather you can enjoy marvellous views across the lake to the Alps. Since 1952 the

terrace has been graced with the figure of Zeus (the eagle) and his lover, Ganymede, shown

being borne up to Mount Olympus. The beautiful original weeping elms that fell victim to elm

disease have been replaced with maple trees.

Chinese Garden Zürich

A gift from China, dedicated to "the 3 winter friends", the pine, the bamboo and the winter

cherry. No infrastructure and toilets.

Grossmünster

According to legend, Charlemagne discovered the graves of the city's martyrs Felix and

Regula and had a church build as a choristers' cloister on the spot. Construction work on

the present building began around 1100.

In the first half of the 16th century the Grossmünster was the starting point of the Swiss-

German Reformation led by Huldrych Zwingli and Heinrich Bullinger. The theological college

then annexed to the cloister became the germinal cell of what is now the University of

Zürich.

Tours

Public tours of the Grossmünster, at 11.30a.m. on the second Sunday of the month, there is a

one-hour public tour of the Grossmünster church, including visit of the cloister, starting

at the main entrance. Language: german. The tour costs CHF 5.00 per person.

Spiritual night-time tours of the Grossmünster, at 10p.m.

On the last Friday of the month, there is a one-hour public tour of the Grossmünster church,

during which visitors, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, will have a chance not only to

discover the unique atmosphere of the church interior, but also to enjoy panoramic views of

Zürich at night from the church tower.

The tour starts at the main entrance and is free of charge.

Language: english.

IM VIADUKT

Market hall in a former railway viaduct in the trendy Zürich-West district.

In Zürich’s former industrial district, a viaduct conducts trains from the north into Zürich

’s Main Railway Station. A second viaduct, no longer in service, runs parallel providing a

passageway for pedestrians and cyclists. The junction of the two viaducts provides room for

Zürich’s first covered market hall. Vendors offer fresh vegetables, meats and fish along

1600-ft market aisles. Thirty-six other viaduct arches house numerous shops, restaurants,

studios and creative services. The two viaducts were built in 1894 and are important

monuments of historical railway-building technology and the industrial development of

Zürich.

Kunsthaus Zürich

International works of significance include many paintings by Edvard Munch, Van Gogh,

Picasso and leading Expressionists. There is also a significant group of works by Claude

Monet and Marc Chagall. Amongst modern artistic trends represented by Rothko, Merz, Twombly, Beuys, Bacon and Baselitz the visitors can discover a wide choice of Popart works. An audio guide gives background information on 200 «highlights» of the collection.

From 15 October 2010 until 30 January 2011, the Kunsthaus Zürich will revive the first

museum exhibition devoted to Pablo Picasso

Lakeside parks

The grassy parks on the lake shore are a hive of activity during the summer months. A

popular meeting place for inline skaters, bathers, jewelry vendors and street artists.

Limmatquai

The Limmatquai is the street in Zürich's old town, that connects Bellevue and Central along

the right waterfront of the river Limmat. It passes by the Grossmünster, the Water Church as

well as many of Zürich's Guildhalls and the Rathaus, Zürich's Parliament building.

Lindenhof

Beneath this elevated square in the city center are the ruins of a Roman customs post, and a

late Roman fortress. The Lindenhof is an oasis of peace and tranquillity at the heart of the

city, and a meeting place for passionate chess players. This spot also offers magnificent

views over the old town.

Rietberg Zürich

The Rietberg Museum in Zürich is the only art museum for non-European cultures in

Switzerland. It possesses an internationally renowned collection of works from Asia, Africa,

America and Oceania. By presenting works of art, the museum seeks not only to make visitors

aware of the fascinating diversity of forms of artistic expression, but also to arouse their

interest in and understanding of other cultures, ideologies and religions. With the opening

of the extension in 2007, the museum, idyllically situated in one of Zürich’s most beautiful

parks, shines in new splendor.

Neumarkt/Spiegelgasse

The Neumarkt (New Market) was just outside the old city wall. The tower at the end of the

street was built as a residence for rich nobility. And history was written in Spiegelgasse:

no. 14 was where Lenin prepared the Revolution.

Niederdorf and Oberdorf

During the day this is a pedestrian zone and a shopper's paradise with lots of boutiques

hidden away in a patchwork of alleys. At night the many bars, restaurants and street artists

turn the Niederdorf into an exciting center of entertainment for a colorful public.

Observatory Urania

Reach for the stars...the 48m tower belonging to the Urania Observatory means you can. The

main telescope allows magnifications of up to 600 times. Schools and groups of over 10

persons are kindly asked to reserve tours in advance. You can also simply drop by to enjoy a

drink and the fabulous views from what is Zürich's tallest bar.

Opera House

A home for muses, a place for art.

The Zürich Opera House was the first Opera House in all of Europe that had electric

lighting. The neo-baroque theatre building in front of the Sechseläuten green space on the

shore of Lake Zürich was built in 1891 upon 1,800 oak piles. The first opera performed there

was Richard Wagner’s ‘Lohengrin’.

The history of the Zürich Opera House is full of highlights: Wilhelm Furtwängler started his

career here, and Richard Wagner’s ‘Parsifal’ was performed here in 1913 – the first time it

had ever been performed outside Bayreuth. Ferruccio Busoni, Paul Hindemith, Richard Strauss,

Othmar Schoeck, Arthur Honegger, Frank Martin and other famous composers all influenced the

development of Zürich’s musical and theatrical life.

Since 1996 the Director of Zurich Ballet has been Heinz Spoerli, one of today’s most

internationally renowned choreographers. Since 1991, the Manager and Artistic Director of

the Opera House has been the greatly committed Alexander Pereira.

The Zürich Opera House is considered one of the best venues in the world for opera. In more

than 270 performances per season, such international singing stars as Anna Netrebko, Cecilia

Bartoli or Jonas Kaufmann and many others can be experienced live at the Zürich Opera House.

Polyterrasse

The Polybahn will take you up from Central to the panorama terrace in front of the main

building of the Federal Institute of Technology in just three minutes. Enjoy superb views of

the city.

Rathaus

This baroque construction dating from 1694/98 is full of character. It juts out into the

Limmat on the site of an earlier parliament building, and was erected under the supervision

of J.H. Holzhalb, councillor and master builder.

Schauspielhaus: Schiffbau

The Zurich Schauspielhaus is the largest theater in Switzerland. Plays are staged here by

internationally known director Christoph Marthaler.

The revival of Zurich West with galleries, restaurants and trendy nightspots began with the

opening of the Schiffbau in 2002. The two Zurich Schauspielhaus stages 'Schiffbauhalle' and

'Box' as well as the Moods jazz club and La Salle restaurant are in the converted historic

shipbuilding halls.

Schipfe

"Schipfe" is one of the oldest quarters of the city of Zurich. The name originates from the

nautical term "schupfen" (push) used by the fishermen to describe how they pushed their

boats to and from the river bank. During the Middle Ages the Schipfe was the transfer point

for essential merchandise, and from the 16th century became the headquarters of the silk

industry, and the location of bathhouses and boatbuilding. Even today, the Schipfe is still

the street of artisans where the craftspeople take the necessary time for their customers,

providing expert advice and suggestions. Quality and custom-made pruducts are available in

the small, romantic shops and workshops along the Limmat River. The Schipfe is an idyllic

location to linger, shop and enjoy some good food.

St. Peter's Church

St. Peter's is the oldest church in Zürich; it stands close by the ruins of a late Roman

fortress at the Lindenhof and its origings ga back to pre-900. It is first mentioned in 857,

when King Louis the German gave it as a gift to two of his daughters, of whom one became the

first abbess of the Fraumünster at the time when the Fraumünster was founded. The first

mayor Rudolf Brun, buried in 1360 in the choir of the church, acquired St. Peter's in 1345

with all the associated privileges (church tax) and obligations. He now has a grave and

monumentby the outer tower wall. The first reformed pastor, Leo Jud (1523-1542), was a

friend of Zwingli and contributed to the first translation of the bible in Zürich. J.C.

Lavater (writer, physiognomist, friend of the young Goethe) was pastor from 1778-1801. His

gravestone can be seen in the church wall, and there is a memorial to him in the church

choir. Architectural features: late Romanesque-Gothic tower, chori early 13th century,

Baroque nave (1705/06), first new Reformed church built in Zürich. Stucco work by Salomon Bü

rkli from Zürich and Franz Schmutzer from Wessobrunn. Font dates from 1598, europe's largest

church clock face (8.7 m diameter), five bells dating from 1880, fire-watchers in the tower

until 1911.

Storchengasse / Strehlgasse

In the old City on the leftside from the River Limmat you will find the famous shopping area

Storchengasse / Strehlgasse (Glockengasse, Kämbelgasse, Münsterhof, Rathausbrücke, Schipfe,

Schlüsselgasse, St. Peterhofstatt, Storchengasse, Strehlgasse, Weggengasse, Weinplatz, Wühre

and Zinnengasse).

Swiss National Museum Zürich

The Swiss National Museum was built by Gustav Gull in 1898, next to the Main Train Station.

Here, culture and public transportation rub shoulders with each other: the National Museum

houses Switzerland's most comprehensive collection of artifacts pertaining to its cultural

heritage, while the Main Train Station is the largest in the country. The over 100-year old

museum building is reminiscent of a fairytale castle. Surrounded by towers, the courtyard is

a unique venue for superlative events such as Live on Ice in the winter and Live at Sunset

in the summer. While visitors outside enjoy the arts, the past comes to life indoors: How

did earlier generations live, think and feel? Their material legacy - from handicrafts to

ordinary everyday objects - provide us with answers, from the prehistoric age right through

to the present day. The National Museum also stages special exhibitions on topics relevant

to society, thus offering a temporary change in perspective.

Tonhalle

The Tonhalle, which was built in 1895 and inaugurated in the presence of Johannes Brahms, is

located in the same building as the Kongresshaus. The concert hall's excellent acoustics

rank amongst the best in the world. The larger concert hall seats 1,455. The first-class

concert program is highly varied.

Wasserkirche

The "Water Church" was originally built on a small island, where, according to legend, the

city's martyrs Felix and Regula were execute by the Romans. This late Gothic church was

completed towards the end of the 15th century nad was regarded as especially holy. This is

why, during the Reformation, it was referred to as a "temple of idol worshippers". A

warehouse and then a municipal library were set up to prevent anyone from being tempted on

re-introduce the cult of the saints. Renovated in 1942, the church is now used for religious

and cultural purposes. Worth seeing: the choir window by Augusto Giacometti showing a car.

Zoo Zürich – a fascinating experience

Enjoy the sight of the snow leopards in their rocky Himalaya landscape, watch the Andean

bears as they go climbing in search of food in their misty mountain world, and admire the

giant turtles swimming in the Masoala Rainforest, where it is warm and humid all year round

– a fragrant, tropical green oasis. Enjoy this piece of Madagascar live on 11,000 square

meters. Elephants, rhinos, penguins and 20 species of monkey are just some of the animals on

the Zürichberg that will transport you into an exotic world – with all your senses.

Zürich Main Railway Station

Many people describe it as the first shopping center to have its own railway station. Over

1,900 trains a day pass through this European transport hub, which has bistros, boutiques

and a high-class restaurant.

Zürich Sihlcity

Would you like to be at the center of attention for a few hours? - off you go to Sihlcity!

Located on the grounds of a former paper factory, Sihlcity was opened in 2007 in the south

of Zürich. With its 13 restaurants, 9 cinemas, 1 hotel and the spa and fitness center Asia

Spa ready to welcome guests, Sihlcity blends the old with the new. The former depot which

dates from 1911 is now surrounded by modern architecture and forms the centerpiece of this

new urban landmark.

Zürich-West

The district that once witnessed the industrial revolution is today a focal point for

gastronomy, art, design, dance, culture, shopping and architecture. The factories have long

since moved away, leaving behind them extensive industrial sites that still bear their names

and vast expanses of space that creative minds have put to good use. Zürich West evokes a

metropolitan feeling, linking worlds that could scarcely be more different. It is founded on

the old, which in turn bears and shapes the new. It has retained the earthiness of its

industrial background and merges it with the elegance of the modern-day leisure society. The

city of Zürich tells its own, unique West Side Story.

Zürichsee Schifffahrtsgesellschaft (ZSG)

Enjoy some special moments on a tour, or on one of the dream boats!

Round trips:

During the summer months, the ZSG offers numerous short round trips (1.5 h), as well as long

round trips (4 h) to Rapperswil every day. During the winter months, the timetable includes

two short round trips, as well as a long round trip.

Sihlwald Interactiv Trail

This entertaining 2-hour, 2km interactive forest trail starts and ends at the Sihlwald

Nature Center or the Sihlwald school and takes you around a circuit with 13 stops along the

way: counting annual growth rings; tree telephone; humming stone; balancing; bog forest; how

high is the tree?; forest tipis and wooden animals; seeing with your feet; who can jump

furthest?; forest sounds; look carefully; forest mobiles; forest memory.

Uetliberg

At 871 meters above sea level, Uetliberg towers over the roofs of Zürich.

The mountain affords an impressive panoramic view of the city, the lake and the Alps.

Starting from the station at Uetliberg you can follow a trail to Felsenegg which takes you

on a tour through a model of our solar system.

The Uetliberg is particularly popular in November, as its summit is often above the blanket

of fog that can cover the city at this time of year. In the winter, the hiking trails to the

summit are converted into sledging runs

Werdinsel

This river bathing facility is based on an island between the river Limmat and a canal which

was dug in 1896 for a river power station. Beautiful views of the surrounding countryside

and the Höngger wineyard. In the summer months refreshments are served in the garden

restaurant in front of the factory.

Nightlife

Clubs

Rohstofflager

Not only a nightclub but also a regular live music venue for the kind of tight-trousered

bands that get described as ‘achingly cool', Rohstofflager is somewhere so close to the

cutting edge it hurts. It's made a name for itself for playing alternative dance music,

although on certain nights the music is far removed from the world of techno. The main bar

has some great retro lampshades.

Labor Bar

Owned and run by a well known local TV presenter (who broadcasts a talk-show from the club

every Sunday), Labor Bar has built its reputation as a place to dance and lounge around

without too many snooty judgments from the fashion police. Its weekly ‘Butterfly Party'

event is one of Zurich's most popular gay nights. It plays a mixture of urban music,

throwback pop and other genres.

Club Indochine

Sitting in the hip western quarter of town, Club Indochine is one of the most glamorous

Zurich nightlife spots around. As the name suggests, the style approach draws heavily on

south east Asia, and there's an appealing den-like feel to the interior. The upper floor is

where most of the action takes place, but you'll want to look your best coming here.

Vietnamese food is served.

Get around

Public transportation

Zurich is famous for its highly efficient, clean and safe public transport system. The network includes trams, buses, S-Bahn (local trains) and even boats for the lake and river. The size and complexity of the network may be daunting at first, but you will soon realize that there are dozens of ways to get from one place to another and following any of them will still be efficient.

Tickets must be purchased from a ticket machine before boarding or from one of the ticket selling kiosks. The ticket machines might be intimidating at first glance, but simply get a "Tageskarte Zone 10" (day card valid for 24hr) for 8.00CHF by pushing the green button (a single ride costs 4.00CHF). The ticket covers the city and should be enough for most tourists' needs, except perhaps the Uetliberg, which is not in Zone 10. This ticket is valid for all trains, trams, buses, boats and cable cars in Zone 10, so take a trip on the lake or river with the same ticket! If you are not sure whether your destination is in Zone 10, possible destinations (with their respective code) are listed at each vending machine. Punch in the code and the price will be displayed. Note: Not all machines contain this green button. For other machines simply type in the area code 8000 for Zurich followed by the return button that is showing two arrows.

If you're staying for a longer period, consider a monthly card. Even though there are no tickets valid for something between 1 day and a month, it takes only 10 zone 10 day cards for a zone 10 monthly card to be cheaper. When travelling in all zones, it takes only 8 day cards for the monthly card to be cheaper.

The Swiss Pass is valid on all public transportation in Zurich, and if you are a tourist visiting most of Switzerland, this may be your best way to saving both money and time spent trying to figure out zones, routes, and fare options. Eurail passes are valid only on the S-Bahn and boats. Interrail passes are valid on the S-Bahn (although the ZVV website claims a "reduction" for other routes for Interrail holders). Nevertheless, you may find you don't need the trams and buses if you don't mind walking around a little.

There are also so-called Z-passes, which can be used not only in Zürich, but also in one of the neighbouring cantons (Aargau, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Zug, St. Gallen or Thurgau); however, only one additional canton is possible, so if you're not going to one neighbouring canton more often than the others you are probably better off with just a normal all zones Zürich monthly card and buying single tickets from the last valid station to whatever destination you wish to go to. The Z-pass system also has its zones. It is only available as monthly and annual cards

There are many other special offers on tickets for tourists so ask at the tourist information center, your hotel or visit the Zurich Public Transport Authority (Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV). The ZVV is a regional agency that coordinates fares and schedules for the region's different transit companies. The ZVV's website has maps, links to transit providers in the Zürich area, and trip planning information.

By tram and bus

Trams in Zurich

Several tram lines and buses (some electrified) cover the city at street level. Like all other public transport in Zurich, you purchase and validate tickets before boarding, or risk a fine if they decide to spot check. The most surprising thing about trams and buses in Switzerland is that they are extremely punctual and you can find a schedule at every stop accurate to within a couple of minutes.

By rail

The 'S-Bahn' is Zürich's suburban rail system, used mainly by commuters but also a good way to get to many destinations outside the city centre. Zürich's S-Bahn system provides convenient and fast service throughout the region. Most of the lines pass through the Hauptbahnhof. The ZVV offers directions for a series of excursions on the S-Bahn. One popular destination (not mentioned on the ZVV website) is Stein am Rhein, a restored medieval village on the river Rhine which can be reached using the S-Bahn number 29 from Winterthur.

You must have a validated ticket before you board. If you do not have a ticket you will be liable for an on-the-spot fine of 80CHF.

By boat

There are two types of boat-based public transportation operated in Zürich: river buses and lake steamers. The river boats operate in the summer months only and the lake boats operate on a much reduced schedule during the winter.

The river buses operate between the Landesmuseum (near the Hauptbahnhof) along the Limmat River and out in the Zürichsee (Zürich Lake) to Tiefenbrunnen. There are several stops along the Limmat River.

The Zürichsee Schifffahrtsgesellschaft (ZSG) operates lake steamers which leave from Burkliplatz (at the end of Bahnhofstrasse). The ZSG's website provides information on destinations and ships. The ZSG offers a variety of tourist-oriented trips (including Jazz Brunch, and historic restored steam ships), and a popular trip is to Rapperswil at the south end of the Zürichsee. The town has a beautiful castle overlooking the lake surrounded by a medieval town.

On foot

The main train station, old town and the lake promenade and all nearby tourist attractions are easily walkable. You may find that you don't need transportation for most of your tourist needs once you get into the city.

By bike

You can "rent" bikes, skateboards etc. for free from 7AM-9:20PM daily May-Oct at several places in Zurich and year-round at the central train station. All you need is your passport and a CHF 20 deposit as guarantee. This offer is called "Züri rollt (German only)". You can get and return the bikes at several locations: the bikegate just next to the central station, next to the "Globus City" shopping center, next to the opera, or at the Swissotel in Oerlikon. If you can't find these places, don't hesitate to ask some locals, they should know at least the bikegate at the central station. The Zurich Transit Company, VBZ also provides information about these bikes in English. Nevertheless, you shouldn't count on it because sometimes the "rent" spots run out of bikes.

By car

Driving in Zurich is possible but it is painful as the city center is not easy to navigate by car.

Buenos Aires "Best urban adventure"

2010-05-30T00:55:00.000-07:00

Buenos Aires (official name Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, also called Capital Federal ) is the capital of the Argentine Republic. The name means fair winds in Spanish. It is one of the largest cities in Latin America, with a lot of cultural offerings, and is the point of departure for travelling to the rest of the country. Inhabitants of Buenos Aires are called porteños, "people from the port". Buenos Aires is a singular, open and integrating destination that allows the visitor not only to view the city but the opportunity to have an exceptional urban adventure.

Cementerio de la Recoleta | Recoleta Cemetery

Even if you land in South America knowing nothing about Buenos Aires, a likely first stop will be the Cementerio de la Recoleta. The cemetery is world famous and is the pride of the city’s living and dead. And why not when it is so glamorous and appeals to art lovers and weirdoes alike? It is also one of the few ultra user-friendly attractions in Buenos Aires, going so far as offering guided tours in English. The cemetery in Recoleta is the hippest zip code in town and there have been blood, sweat, and tears in this city’s history vying for a space.

Casa Rosada

Built under President Julio Argentino Roca in 1882, the Casa Rosada has been the center of presidential activity ever since. With the pink side facing the Plaza de Mayo, and the beige sides calling less attention from surrounding streets, it is Buenos Aires’ version of The White House.

El Obelisco | The Obelisk

How does one digest that a smooth 223 ft. column stretching to the sky is the representation of a city and its people? The Obelisk of Buenos Aires has little historical significance and no real purpose of function in the city, unlike its national symbol counterparts worldwide including US’s Statue of Liberty, Italy’s Vatican, or England’s Big Ben.

Its lack of utility does not stop the Obelisk from being one of the main tourist attractions since its completion in 1936 and a fun conversation topic amongst mixed company. Porteños really do claim the phallic tower as representing their society.

Congreso

Congreso is a dense downtown area of Buenos Aires that houses the legislative branch of government at the opposite end of Avenida de Mayo from the "pink house" seat of the executive branch.

Boedo

One of the main Tango and historical spots in the city, the streets of Boedo offer to native and tourist public a huge variety of cafes in the best “porteño” style, cultural centers , Tango houses, libraries, theaters and nice pubs and restaurants. Places that please people from all ages and tastes.

Puerto Madero

Just like the London docklands, the antique port of Buenos Aires has been renewed and now represents the latest architectural trends of the city. It has a mixture of restaurants (ranging from high end to american chains such as Hooters and TGIF, as well as apartment buildings and a few expensive hotels. The Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur , an excellent alternative for nature lovers, lies nearby.

Centro Cultural Borges | Borges Cultural Center

The Centro Cultural Borges boasts some of the best exhibits in Buenos Aires. Not limited to simply still art, the center hosts a variety of events from modern dance to theatre and independent films. Here’s is where one can find the big-name exhibits combined with up-and-comers. Some of the most recent exhibits include war photographer Robert Cappa and painter and sculptor Salvador Dali.

Centro Cultural Recoleta | Recoleta Cultural Center

Since its recent inception in the 80’s, the Centro Cultural Recoleta has become one of the city’s most important resources. The center is housed in a former convent and is conveniently located just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Recoleta Cemetery. The inside of the building has been gutted and renovated to include large, modern exhibition halls with rotating and exceptional exhibits (check website for details). There is also a cinema and a large auditorium, which hosts events for the Tango Festival when it rolls around. Upstairs scores of enthusiastic children enjoy the hands-on Museo Participativo de Ciencias.

Feria de Mataderos

20 years ago, the Feria de Mataderos (Mataderos Fair) brought the best of the pampas to the outskirts of the city – just an hour by bus from Microcentro and all the richness of Argentinean gaucho and folk culture awaits you. Every Sunday more than 100 artists and craftspeople cram the Mataderos barrio on the corner of Avenida Lisandro de la Torre and Avenida de los Corrales. Most people just get off the bus and follow the hypnotizing smell emanating from the parrillas.

Tierra Santa

Tierra Santa is almost too strange for words. This is the place where visitors can, “visit Jerusalem in Buenos Aires all year!” From the sand covered alleys, 18 meter high mechanical Jesus (resurrected for your viewing pleasure every 30 minutes!), to grubbing down in the Baghdad Café, the world’s only religious theme park really delivers. The strange blend of the commercial and religious reaches terrifying new heights here as tourists stroll by a life size statue of Jesus being flogged in the street next door to the kiosk where you can purchase “authentic” handicrafts made right there in the holy land.

Caminito

Caminito is compiled of three streets that join up along the river in La Boca - one of the more working-class neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, tucked away behind San Telmo and sitting on the filthy riachuelo. It is also one of the most high-traffic tourist zones in town. Here poverty is colored - literally. The corrugated tin, two and three story houses are painted brilliant colors while life-size caricatures sit on balconies, peek out of windows, and wave from steps. They mock tourists walking by who can’t help but snap photos. Meanwhile, the people behind the plaster figures sit and watch from their homes in this poor neighborhood hidden from and the wealth of the Buenos Aires that tourists enjoy.

Galerías Pacífico

Galerias Pacifico is the downtown mall with entrances on both Avenida Córdoba and Calle Florida. With bookstores, wine shops, leather boutiques, and cafés Galerías Pacífico has it all. High glass-paned ceilings create an expansive area for strolling, shopping and sipping espresso. The spectacular building was built in the late 19th century and inspired by Paris Bon Marché. High glass ceilings with gothic-style arches line the multi-floored gallery, and sit above wide walkways and open-air center space. On the outside, the Parisian influence oozes out the high walls, tall windows, and stately roof.

Floralis Genérica

The Floris Genérica is one the most recognizable images of Buenos Aires. Walking along Avenida Figueroa Alcorta from the Facultad de Derecho (University of Law) to the MALBA, it is not unheard of to be asked directions to “the big metal flower”. Standing in the center of the Plaza Naciones Unidas (United Nations Plaza), in a 40-meter reflecting pool, the flower was erected in 2002 as a gift from architect Eduardo Catalano. The use of the term 'Genérica' in its name suggests that it is a symbol of all flowers in the world. Opinions differ about it’s beauty but there is no questioning that the flower is a powerful, modern symbol of technology and nature.

Teatro Colon

This theater is a metaphor for Argentina. Not to be mistaken for the Paris Opera House, the exterior is a classic, grandiose, old building modeled after European greats and taking up an entire city block. Once one gets inside for a closer look, the great beauty, elegance, and grace are both humbling and spell-binding.

El Teatro Colon is a major source of Argentine pride. It is second in size in the Southern Hemisphere only to the Sydney Opera House as a venue. The Colon can seat up to 2500 people with standing room for 500 more. This is the central venue for performing arts in Argentina. For musicians, dancers, and actors alike, an opportunity to perform in the Colon is a once in a lifetime experience. Equally, the opportunity to attend a performance is a must for visitors.

Museo Ernesto Che Guevara | Ernesto Che Guevara Museum

The first thing visitors will realize about the Museo Ernesto Che Guevara is that it is not a museo at all. In fact the museum is located inside a shop (Bagatela) owned by one of the founders of the original museum, which was located just a few blocks away. When hard financial times hit Buenos Aires, the museum – one of the only true landmarks to the memory of the famous Argentine doctor, soldier, and political revolutionary – was forced to close its doors. The ever dedicated and hard-working Eladio González (whose English is far better than he claims) scooped up some treasures and moved them to his store. These days, the reason to visit is ‘Toto’ himself, who believes that Che was a man full of love and that the world is full of ‘Ches’.

Buenos Aires Design

This is the theme park of home decorating, the center of the shower curtain universe, the place to sort through piles of sheets in search of the perfect shade of green, the place to find antique-looking new furniture, and the place where one can find classic clear wine glasses seated next to over-the-top beaded pillows.

Buenos Aires Design seems to always be full of people, both locals and tourists, shopping for the necessary items of day to day life. Somehow shopping here is nothing of a chore but rather a destination. Porteños often come to spend a full day or afternoon plotting out the perfect bathroom or bedroom. Clearly, Argentine style extends well beyond clothing as much energy is put into bedclothes as into an outfit destined for the Teatro Colón.

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

The 32 rooms of modern and classic, tragic and beautiful art can keep one awe-inspired for hours. Roam through Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh, then note the big-name Argentine artists including Xul Solar, Candido Lopez, and Eduardo Siviori.

A trip to the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is necessary for any visitor to Buenos Aires, if only to marvel at yet another impressive and important pink building. Formerly located on Avenida Florida, the current building was designed by architect Alejandro Bustillo and inaugurated in its current location on May 23rd, 1933. Its stately front columns, high staircase, and widespread wings welcome visitors with open arms.

Bosques de Palermo

The park is not only an attraction in itself, but contains many of the popular visitor sites in Buenos Aires like the Rosedal, the Galilieo Galilei Planetarium, the Eduardo Sívori Plastic Arts Museum, and is only a stone’s throw away from Plaza Italia, the Japanese Garden, Zoo, and the Botanical Gardens. Designed with the help of prominent French landscape designer Carlos Thays, the park was first inaugurated in 1875 and has since provided porteños a place to exercise, relax, picnic, and play for over a century. As the “Central Park” of Buenos Aires, the Bosques de Palermo (Palermo Woods) encompasses an impressive 198 acres on the northwest side of the city. Besides expansive green lawns dotted with everything from pine trees to palms, the park contains two manmade lakes, sculptures, rose gardens, and both running and biking paths, enclosing much of the Parque 3 de Febrero, the largest individual park within the Palermo Woods.

Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo | The Mothers of the Plaza de

While it could be argued that a person or people cannot be considered an attraction, there is no doubt that Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayoare a “must see” of Buenos Aires. These courageous and diligent women (and men) are a living, breathing, fighting reminder of the atrocities of the military dictatorship that grasped Argentina from 1976 to 1983. During the years of the dictatorship, many oppositionist were murdered or “disappeared” and while exact numbers elude, estimates range to 40,000. On Thursday, April 30th, 1977, some mothers of young men who had disappeared congregated and marched in front of the Casa Rosada in the Plaza de Mayo to show their solidarity and demand answers. These women, many of who are now very old, along with family, friends, fathers, brothers, sisters, and supporters have congregated every Thursday since to continue their plight and finally find what became of their children during what is now known as La Guerra Sucia (The Dirty War).

Planetario Galileo Galilei Planetario Galileo Galilei | Galileo Galilei Planetarium

The planetarium is impossible to miss as it rises out of Palermo’s busy and popular park district like a spacecraft or a giant eggcup. Between the appropriate architecture and the giant hunk of space rock on display outside the front door, those on the lookout can’t miss it. The Planetarium has been a popular attraction since it opened in the late 60’s – particularly with the youngsters. On any given day the place is stowed with eager young minds.

Inside the giant dome there is an auditorium displaying the night sky and it seats a few hundred for regular shows. There is also a large telescope for a more hands-on stargazing experience. The planetarium offers a wealth of fun and educational free activities – though most are in Spanish, many are visually focused – including the night sky show, astronomy courses, and interaction with visiting scientists. Schedules vary but check their informative website for current schedules.

Plaza Francia

During weekends, this is a popular porteño destination for lingering over mate and listening to whichever informal band has set up shop in the grassy areas. Extensive people-watching is openly indulged as crowds wander through the park, especially when the weather is agreeable. During the week Plaza Francia is merely and obstacle on the way to other places, but on Saturday and Sunday it becomes a destination in itself. The long, circling pathways are lined with artisans selling their crafts. Almost everything sold here is handmade and sells at all-too-reasonable prices. From wooden toys to jewelry, artwork, handknit shawls and sweaters, shoes and silver-crafts, tourists are bound to find a trinket to take home with them.

Museo Participativo de Ciencias | Children’s Participatory Science Museum

Though it’s tucked away inside the Centro Cultural Recoleta, all the way up on the 2nd floor, the Museo Participativo de Ciencias cannot be missed – mostly thanks to the throngs of screaming children bulging at its seams. Visitors should not fret, as the screams are generally jubilant. What else might one expect from a place whose motto is Prohibido NO tocar (Prohibited NOT to touch!)? During the school year kids flock here by the classroom to listen, learn, and play.

El Rosedal | Rose Garden

El Rosedal, also known as the Jardín de las Rosas or simply the Rose Garden, is the picturesque centerpiece of the sprawling Bosques de Palermo (Palermo Woods) in Buenos Aires. Winding red gravel paths guide park-goers through more than 15,000 different rose bushes and 1,189 species of roses in every color of the rainbow. Each brick-colored walkway is lined with green wooden benches, offering plentiful places to stop and enjoy the scenery. From evergreens to palm trees to islands of perfectly manicured lawns, the Rosedal forms a small oasis bursting with greenery amid the concrete jungle of the city.

Biblioteca Nacional | National Library

Apparently there were a great many problems leading up to the opening of the National Library in 1992. How else to explain the 30 years leading up to the inauguration? Tours are offered in Spanish daily except Sunday and they will tell you all about it. Designed by beloved Buenos Aires architect, Clorindo Testo, the building now begs the question: work of art or urban disaster? It’s worth taking a stroll through the Northern part of Recoleta to decide for yourself. The structure might remind visitors of an orange on a toothpick. However, it is surrounded on all sides by plazas and parks making it a peaceful rest stop, stowed with studious youngsters even on Saturday afternoons when they should be drinking mate and making party plans.

MALBA – Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires

MALBA, or the Museum of Latin American Art in Buenos Aires, is a good crash course in contempory art from all over the continent for the unfamiliar. The building is beautiful, modern and feels huge making the permanent exhibition deceptively small in an attractive gallery space of wood floors and muted lighting. Argentinean architects Atelman, Fourcade, and Tapia created the impressive glass on steel edifice. The work mostly spans the 20th century and is displayed chronologically to allow visitors to muse over trends and artistic influences in Latin American culture. The gallery is filled with porteños visiting for the umpteenth time that just can’t get enough. Artists range from celebrated Argentine surrealist Xul Solar to the incomparable Mexican tag-team of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. The variety is conducive to learning some lesser-known geniuses of the continent. Several mediums are explored from traditional oils to giant sculpture and modern light installations. At couple of hours should be allowed for wandering through the permanent collection.

Hipódromo Hurlingham

With all the hoopla in Palermo, it is hard to ignore that Argentina is a great country to enjoy the pleasures of putting a little green behind your favorite horse. The European influence in the form of the love of cricket, horse racing, polo, and other wealthy, outdoor spectator sports is alive and well in Hurlingham, which is widely known as an English barrio. Hurlingham is a great choice for beginners and seasoned gamblers alike and manages to set itself apart. The Sunday races in Hurlingham are for chariot racers instead of traditional jockeys so visitors feel immediately like they stumbled into a time machine to the 19th century.

El Ateneo Gran Splendid

El Ateneo is Buenos Aires' premier bookstore, and the largest in South America. El Ateneo is a popular and well known bookstore with several locations throughout the city, though a far cry from the omnipresence of US bookstore chains.

The main store on Avenida Santa Fe is worth a visit for the unique architecture and design. Some say the interior resembles theTeatro Colon, with its three-story balconies wrapping around the center floor, all lined with literature from around the world. It was originally known as the Teatro Gran Splendid, built in 1919 by Max Glucksmann, with a capacity of 1050 spectators. It was also a popular cinema before being converted into a bookstore.

Parque Rivadavia

Covering four city blocks, parque Rivadavia is a generous green space amidst an area that hives with porteño activity. While most tourists will be attracted to the range of greenery available in the Palermo area, Parque Rivadavia provides for a relaxing alternative with few other tourists in sight. As always the park is in honour of an Argentine political or military hero: this time Bernardino Rivadavia, Argentina’s first president. There are a few slabs of towering stone depicting his glory and honour. Besides the marble and granite, the park offers sumptuous shade beneath mighty macrocarpa. At the south-east end of the park there is a small play area where frazzled house-wives chase their various progeny, and these same progeny chase the pigeons, and the pigeons chase the bread that the pensioners fling on their way about.

Abasto Shopping Ciudad de Compras

A mall is a mall, and I hate malls. That said, Abasto Shopping is an incredible mall. The imposing façade on Avenida Corrientes looks more like Union Station or some huge train terminal than an upscale centro de shopping, but inside this multi-storied structure occupying a square city block, visitors will find a luxurious and elegant palace of consumerism. In the nature of all malls, one can obtain just about anything he or she desires, from brand name apparel like Puma, Adidas, Levi’s, and Wrangler (actually very fashionable here, not like the in US where it’s only sold in places like Sears and Big R), to cell phones, flat-screen TVs, perfumes and colognes, banking services, and concert tickets or bus tickets to destinations around the country.

Calle Florida | Florida Street

When the giant South American cruise ship tours dock in nearby Puerto Madero, most tourists alighting head directly to Calle Florida. This is where the tourists of Buenos Aires come to shop for fur, leather, souvenirs, and whatever great deal they can get their hands on. A trip down the pedestrian-only street could take up a couple of hours, an entire day, or multiple trips depending on a person’s affinity for sideshow style street performance, battling for sidewalk space, and, of course, shopping.

The strip begins at Avenida de Mayo just west of the Plaza de Mayo where the seemingly endless array of kioskos, retail stores, and street madness begins. In the evening, local artisanos gather here to sell their wares from blankets. As the walk continues the stores unfold in the many galerías leading off the street and major retailers like the department store Falabella hold fort. Shoppers can stop and rest at many of the cafes like Havanna or the famed Café Richmond. Anyone taking a stroll is likely to find street tango or some street performance on the corner of the other intersecting pedestrian street, Calle Lavalle.

Museo de La Casa Rosada | Casa Rosada Museum

Located inside the Casa Rosada is the Museo de la Casa Rosada. Here you’ll find the presidential seat of Santiago Derqui, the presidential banner of Juilo Argentino Roca and many other expected items such as flatware, furniture, and dolls of past presidential families. Temporary exhibits frequent the museum including a remembrance of Eva Perón 50 years after her death, performance by the National Folklore Ballet, an exhibition of ritual Bolivian clothing, and 100 years of history inside the Casa Rosada. Exhibits often change, so call ahead for more information.

Tours of the house and museum are offered, both of which will inevitably provide you with some fun presidential facts. Ever wonder why the Casa Rosada is pink? Historically, it was painted with pig’s blood. Thankfully they have abandoned that tradition and today traditional paint is used. No matter what your pleasure, the Casa Rosada is great entrance into the complexities of Argentine culture and politics and a good step towards making sense of it all.

Plaza de Mayo | May Plaza

One could easily call the Plaza de Mayo the heart of Buenos Aires – the streets on all sides the arteries, the drums of the piqueteros (protesters) the beat, and the pink walls of La Casa Rosada the (literal and figurative) blood. Indeed, the plaza is often number one on the destination list of visitors to the city. The plaza gets its name from the date in May when the city declared independence from its Spanish roots in 1810. May 25th is still a national holiday.

Depending on the day and time, there are a number of experiences to be had at the plaza. It is sometimes referred to as the Plaza de Protestas due to the seemingly constant throngs of protestors bused into the city from the provinces to demand justice for one thing or another and make their voices heard. To this day, the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo meet every Thursday at 3:30pm to make their walk of protest around the Pirámide de Mayo – a small obelisk in the center of the plaza to commemorate a year of independence.

Estadio Alberto J. Armando - La Bombonera

As interesting and encyclopedic as the Museo de la Pasion Boquense may be, there is no substitute for the first-hand experience of a Boca Juniors game inside Estadio Alberto J. Armando, more commonly and affectionately known as La Bombpnera. A large proportion of what one is likely to read and hear about this stadium is devoted to the inherent dangers of coming here as a foreigner, to the point of outright injunctions to stay away unless escorted by some tourist agency. While there is certainly plenty of evidence to justify these warnings (a friend of a friend of mine was followed into the bathroom in the middle of a game by five guys, who pinned him against the wall and fleeced him for everything he had, included the hat off his head), with some planning and prudence it is not only worth a visit, it is a must.

Get Around

The public transport in Buenos Aires is very good, although crowded during rush hour. The metro (or underground railway, called the "Subte") network is not very large, but reaches most tourist attractions of the city, and there is a large range of bus routes and several suburban railways used by commuters.

Finding your way around is easy. Most of the city grid is divided into equal squares with block numbers in the hundreds. Most streets are one way with the adjacent parallels going the other way, so beware that the bus or taxi won't follow the same route back. If traveling by taxi, you simply need to tell the driver the street and block number, eg. "Santa Fe 2100"; or two intersecting streets, eg. "Corrientes y Callao".

City maps are issued by many different publishers (Guía T, LUMI) and the local tourist authority. They are indispensable for those wanting to use public transportation, since they include all bus routes. Be aware that some maps are bottom up (South on the top of the map). This is true for the maps at the official taxi booth at Ezeiza airport.

Florence "The Birthplace of the Italian Renaissance"

2010-05-27T09:58:00.001-07:00

Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with 367,569 inhabitants (1,500,000 in the metropolitan area).

The city lies on the River Arno and is known for its history and its importance in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance, especially for its art and architecture. A centre of medieval European trade and finance and one of the richest and wealthiest cities of the time, Florence is often considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance; in fact, it has been called the Athens of the Middle Ages. It was long under the de facto rule of the Medici family. From 1865 to 1870 the city was also the capital of the Kingdom of Italy.

The historic centre of Florence attracts millions of tourists each year and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. Florence is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and its artistic, historic and cultural heritage and impact in the world remains vast up to this day. The city has also a major European impact in music, architecture, education, cuisine, fashion, philosophy, science and religion. The historic centre of Florence contains numerous elegant piazzas, Renaissance palazzi, academies, parks, gardens, churches, monasteries, museums, art galleries and ateliers.

The city boasts a wide range of collections of art, especially those held in the Pitti Palace and the Uffizi, (which receives about 1.6 million tourists a year). Florence is arguably the last preserved Renaissance city in the world and is regarded by many as the art capital of Italy. It has been the birthplace or chosen home of many notable historical figures, such as Dante, Boccaccio, Botticelli, Niccolò Machiavelli, Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, Donatello, Galileo Galilei, Catherine de' Medici, Antonio Meucci, Guccio Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Roberto Cavalli and Emilio Pucci, to name but a few.

Michelangelo's David

In Autumn 1504 the Florentines witnessed an exceptional event: after four days travelling round the city, transported with the care and attention normally reserved for great events, inside a wooden cage running on greased beams, Michelangelo's David finally reached its destination, the Piazza della Signoria - and was immediately celebrated as one of the greatest masterpieces of the Renaissance.

The statue was first intended to be displayed in the Cathedral, but was then felt to be of so great merit as to deserve a more important position.

Chronicles tell us of the immense surprise and marvel that the Florentines showed as it was uncovered. 'It took the voice away from statues both ancient and modern', wrote Vasari, author of a famous biography of the artist. Such a superb work had never been seen before either in Florence or elsewhere, with its manifest expression of awareness of power.

The Florentines, who called it Michelangelo's "giant", considered it the most explicit example of the spirit of the New Republic that had chased the Medici from Florence in 1494. When he created his David, Michelangelo was not even thirty, but had already produced works of great value such as the Tondo Doni which can be found in the Uffizi today. His David was so successful that he was called back to Rome by the Pope himself, Giulio II, for whom he would then paint the famous Sistine Chapel.

The Florence where Michelangelo was born was already the city of art and trade that we know of as the driving centre of the period of cultural rebirth that we call the Renaissance. It had known artists like Giotto, Masaccio and Donatello, but it was in Michelangelo, and naturally Leonardo da Vinci, that Florence saw the incomparable genius that could best represent its cultural supremacy.

Michelangelo took three years to finish his David. This great work would confirm him as even more than just Florence's greatest sculptor. What the Florentines saw that day in 1504, was a masterpiece with no equal. A giant almost four and a half meters high and the only large nude sculpted after ancient times, as no-one had previously dared to challenge the Greek and Roman masterpieces. But though it does remind us of ancient models, the David sculpture is daringly anti-classical. Its position, though expressing perfect balance, alludes at movement, with its left heal raised off the ground. The attitude is strong, arrogant and, above all, filled with inner life like no other similar classical statue. Behind the apparent equilibrium, his David represses strong energy and tension.

Michelangelo then does something of genius: he doesn't show us David after Goliath's defeat, triumphant over the giant's head, as in typical iconography, but at an unspecified moment, perhaps just after his victory. Michelangelo does not want to portray the action, but rather the possibility to carry it out and he prefers to show David's strength in power more than in the evidence of historical narration. Strength is expressed in the exceptional vitality of his challenging look, below those frowning eyebrows and in the muscular tension shown by his meticulous design of anatomical parts. So much attention was paid to careful anatomic description that Michelangelo worked on the statue even after it had been put on show, in order to improve the plastic effects in daylight.

Michelangelo also uses an ingenious technique, giving authority to his characters through lack of proportion for some parts: the hands, knotted and extremely beautiful, the face which with the neck is bigger than half the chest. It is in the hands and face that the virtues of universal man are to be found, in other words, physical strength and the intellectual reasoning of man. The entire work represents, in this sense, a perfect synthesis of the Florentine Renaissance.

On display in the city's most important square and in front of the seat of its government, the David by Michelangelo often risked serious damage. In 1872 they decided to move it into the Academy Gallery, into a specially designed room where it can still be seen today, while it was only in 1910 that a copy was to be placed on its original site in Piazza della Signoria.

Artist, architect, scholar, but most of all Michelangelo considered himself a sculptor: and it is in the sculptor's action of hitting marble with a chisel in an effort to draw his primary idea, the universal concept out of matter, that his incomparable genius can be found and the reason why, as Vasari said, 'his fame will live on gloriously, despite death'.

Palazzo Vecchio

In 1293, after the political success of the guilds, the new Priors wanted to build a monument which would become the most important civic monument in Florence, the Palazzo dei Priori, seat of the Signoria, later called Palazzo Vecchio. According to tradition, the central nucleus of the building was erected by Arnolfo di Cambio between 1299 and 1304.

It has the appearance of a fortress, topped by a huge open gallery, from which rises the slender tower known as the Arnolfo tower and which repeats in the belfry the design of the top of the palace. The two rows of elegant ogival mullioned windows; this is the only measured proportion to the Palace. It was subsequently enlarged by Vasari, in the sixteenth century and by Buontalenti, in the seventeenth century. Palazzo Vecchio, after having been the seat the seat of the town authorities, became the home of the Medici family.

Later it was the seat of the provisional governments (1848-49 and 1859-60), and when Florence was the capital of Italy from 1865 to 1871 it housed the Chamber of Deputies and the Foreign Ministry. It has been the seat of the municipal authority since 1872.

The Loggia dei Lanzi

The equestrian statue of Cosimo I de' Medici, Neptune from the Ammannati fountain, and the copy of Michelangelo's David slyly survey Piazza della Signoria and sculptures of all periods look out with them from the Loggia of the Signoria, dominated by Benvenuto Cellini's Perseus, symbol of the Renaissance. From the tables of the historic cafés, or overwhelmed by the splendour of the monuments overlooking the square, you can't miss that protected place full of immobile observers, who in turn cannot help but be observed.

Brought back to light after restoration in 2002, the Loggia of the Signoria, or Loggia of the Lanzi, so called because the Lanzichenecchi (German mercenaries) used it for their encampment in 1527, became an open-air museum and one of the symbols of Florence, dominating the square in spite of its detached position. For a certain period it was also known as the Loggia dell'Orcagna, from the nickname of the architect Andrea di Cione, to whom it was wrongly attributed. In reality the Loggia was built by his brother Benci di Cione together with Simone Talenti.

It was built between 1376 and 1382, as a place where popular assemblies and the official ceremonies of the Florentine Republic, all public, were to be held. The building, with its late-Gothic forms, testifies to the taste for the classical, but already announces the Renaissance; it seems to be the forerunner of the style adopted by Filippo Brunelleschi to create the Hospital of the Innocents, the first Renaissance building.

The four panels, with allegorical figures of the Cardinal Virtues decorating the simple, linear façade, were the work of Agnolo Gaddi. The terrace above the Loggia, now part of the Uffizi, was built by Bernardo Buontalenti to enable the population to watch the ceremonies being held in the square below. Now it is part of the museum bar and is a splendid viewing point for watching the busy life in the square.

With the advent of Cosimo I, the Loggia was originally designed as a kind of workshop for sculptors, who by means of their works had the task of representing the clean break with the republican institutions in the city. It thus became a veritable exhibition space reserved for sculptures. Every statue displayed was to symbolise a part of the history of Florence, with numerous political references which must have been perfectly clear to the Florentines of the time.

Piazza della Signoria (Signoria Square)

Built around the end of the thirteenth century as a symmetrical contrast to the city's religious centre, Piazza della Signoria was enlarged through demolitions of the tower-houses of the Uberti, Foraboschi and other powerful Ghibelline families.

Right from Medieval times, Piazza della Signoria has always been the civic centre of Florentine life. Although some original buildings (the Loggia dei Pisani and the Church of St. Cecilia) and the ancient brick paving, which gave it greater unity of style, have now disappeared, it remains in all its aspects a square of incomparable beauty and elegance. Dominated by the fourteenth century Palazzo della Signoria with its high crenellated tower, it is surrounded by other important buildings: the Loggia della Signoria and the Palazzo degli Uffizi on the south side, the sixteenth century Palazzo degli Uguccioni on the north side and the Palazzo del Tribunale di Mercanzia (about 1359) on the east side.

The Palazzo delle Assicurazioni Generali on the west side of the square, a could imitation of Renaissance style, was built by Land in 1871. The square, where public tournaments and feasts took place between 1400 and 1500, was transformed almost into an open-air museumseveral statues. in the sixteenth century by the addition of

From left to right one can admire: the bronze equestrian statue of Great Duke Cosimo I, a late work of Giambologna (1594); the large and monumental Ammannati Fountain (1575), ironically called "Biancone" because the remarkable difference between the ugly and heavy central statue of Neptune and the slender figures of the satyrs and nymphs leaning on the waved border of the fountains.

In front of the fountain, almost at the centre of the square, a granite disc commemorates the place where Savonarola and his faithful followers, Fra' Domenico and Fra' Silvestro, were hanged and burned (May 23rd, 1498). On the steps of Palazzo della Signoria from left to right: a copy of the Marzocco, a lion with the Florentine lily (the original preserved in the Bargello) and a copy of the group of Judith and Holofernes (original is in the Piazza della Signoria Museum), outstanding works by Donatello (about 1460), a copy of the famous David by Michelangelo, the original of which is in the Academy Gallery, and the marble group of Hercules and Cacus by Baccio Bandinelli (1536).

In the same square, at no. 5, one can visit the collection of Alberto della Ragione, donated to the city of Florence in 1970. This important collection of Italian contemporary art includes works well-known painters and sculptors of our time, as for example, Carrà, De Chirico, De Pisis, Guttuso, Morandi, Fontana and Manzù.

Accademia Gallery

From the maze of narrow, winding streets, witness to the old medieval town, the Gallery of the Academy appears on via Ricasoli, camouflaged among the other buildings but preannounced by a long line of visitors. Famous for hosting Michelangelo's David (the original; the one in Piazza della Signoria, is only a copy) and the famous Prigioni (Prisoners). In reality it is an enormous museum displaying a large number of splendid masterpieces and also includes the Museum of Musical Instruments, which became part of the complex in 1966.

The Gallery of the Academy came into being in 1784 when the Grand Duke Leopold of Lorraine set up the Academy of Fine Arts with the idea of gathering all the works of art owned by the art school in one museum. The statue of David was brought there only in 1873; in 1882 Emilio De Fabris made the tribune on which the imposing statue still stands today. During the 1900's numerous works were purchased, including Michelangelo's St. Matthew, Palestrina's Pity and the Prigioni (Prisoners) – the statues that Michelangelo had sculpted in 1530 for the mausoleum commissioned by Pope Julius II – which until then had been in the Boboli Gardens.

Immediately after entering, on the ground floor, we find the gallery with its splendid perspective, to be crossed under the gaze of St. Matthew, and then of the Prigioni until we find ourselves in front of David. Michelangelo sculpted this statue between 1502 and 1504; this was the most commonly portrayed Biblical character in the Renaissance, because he symbolises astuteness winning over brute force. The statue, became the symbol of the city right from the time of the Medici family.

It was created as one of the personages that were to decorate the façade of the Duomo, but in the end a commission of experts decided to place it in front of the Public Palace (which then became the Palazzo Vecchio). The iconography is revolutionary; David is not portrayed after the fight with Goliath but in the moment of greatest tension, immediately before facing his enemy.

Among the other rooms of the museum are the Orcagna Room, from the nickname of the three painter brothers Andrea, Nardo and Jacopo Di Cione, the International Gothic Room, the Late 1300s Room and the room of the Giotteschi, the artists who followed Giotto, who worked in the 14th century.

Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge)

Ponte Vecchio, the oldest of Florence's six bridges, is one of the city's best known images. Probably going back to Roman times with its stone pillars and wooden planks; it was built in stone but then newly destroyed by a flood in 1333. It was built again twelve years later, perhaps by Neri da Fioravante (or Taddeo Gaddi, according to Giorgio Vasari).

The five arches became three and the main part was widened. The shops, housed under the porticos, first belonged to the Commune which then rented them out. But later on, towards the 15th century, they were sold to private owners and began to change through subsequent additions, raised parts and external terraces, extending towards the river and altering the original architecture in an anarchical, suggestive way.

In the 15th century these shops were greengrocers, butchers, fishmongers. But then perhaps because of their bad smell, Ferdinando I replaced them with goldsmiths, making the road more elegant and cleaner.

In 1565, Cosimo I de' Medici, Duke of Florence, had the famous Corridor built by Vasari on the upper side passing over the shops. There's a curious story about that. The Mannelli family who owned a medieval tower at the southern end, towards Pitti Palace, did not want to give the Duke right of passage. So the corridor had to be deviated, as we can still see today, around the tower.

The row of shops is interrupted in the center and the bridge opens over the Arno with two splendid, panoramic terraces. Here in 1900, they put up the bust of Benvenuto Cellini, that ingenious Florentine goldsmith and sculptor.

Uffizi Palace (Palazzo degli Uffizi)

Of the building renovation works started in Florence during the Grand Duchy of Cosimo I dei Medici the most important was undoubtedly the one started in 1560 in the space south of the square towards the river where Vasari was charged with building the main State Magistracy buildings (hence the name Uffizi).

After demolishing one of the oldest town quarters, Vasari built a monumental u-shaped portico building, a real masterpiece of late-Renaissance period architecture. To avoid the unpleasant effect of a long, monotonous facade, Vasari split it using a recurrent motive that allowed him to elegantly connect the two ends to Palazzo Vecchio and to the Loggia dei Lanzi, along with the happy solution of the arched bridge at the end, overlooking the Arno.

Once most of the building had been completed at considerable expense, Cosimo had Vasari undertake another ambitious project: a raised communication passageway connecting Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti, his official residence. This is the famous Vasarian Corridor, a route from Palazzo Vecchio across the Uffizi, along the Arno above a portico, crossing it over Ponte Vecchio and on to Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli gardens.

During the XIX century, following indications left by Vasari, they sculpted 28 marble statues portraying the most important Tuscan personalities and placed them in the pillar niches outside the portico.

On entering this great U-shaped square, you notice that difference between the light and shade of the side porticos and the luminosity of the arches in the background anticipating the river presence. From here, looking in the opposite direction, this simple yet complex architectural plant is a perspective spy-glass towards Piazza della Signoria, including in one single backdrop the façade of Palazzo Vecchio with its statues, the fountain in the center and even the Cathedral cupola.

Uffizi Gallery

The collection of works in the Uffizi Gallery cannot be compared to any other world collection and is probably the only one to have just masterpieces of exceptional value.

The Gallery is housed in the building built by Cosimo I of Medici and designed by Vasari in 1560. But the collection was started in 1574 when Cosimo's son, Francesco I, transformed the second floor of the Vasarian building into a place 'to walk in with paintings, sculptures and other precious things' and entrusted Buontalenti with the creation of a Tribune where art objects could be exhibited.

Vasari, who died that same year, could hardly have imagined that inside that building, born to house the Magistracy, almost all the major painters (not just Florentine) whose biographies he had written in one of the most interesting documents on the history of art, Lives, would have been on show.

It was based on an idea of Vasari, who had put the portrait of each artist with his biography, that Leopoldo de'Medici started the rich collection of artists' self-portraits. This kept on growing over the centuries with a further 250 self-portraits arriving in the 20th century, often gifts from the artists themselves. Like Chagall who went to Florence himself to hand over his portrait.

In the Gallery we can see (Art Gallery):

Tuscan Painting. Florentibne Primitives and Trecentists (including Cimabue and Giotto)
Sienese Trecentists (including Simone Martini)
Late Gothic period
First Renaissance (including Paolo Uccello, Beato Angelico)
Filippo Lippi
Piero della Francesca
Pollaiolo
Botticelli
Ghirlandaio
Filippino Lippi
Verrocchio e bottega
Signorelli
Perugino
First Florentine Cinquecentists (including Michelangelo)
First Mannerists (including Rosso Fiorentino, Pontormo)
Second Mannerism (including Bronzino, Vasari)
Florentine 17th and 18th centuries
Italian painting from the 14th and 15th centuries – excluding Florence (including Mantenga, Bellini, Carpaccio)
16th century Italian Painting – excluding Florence and Venice (including Raffaello, Parmigianino)
Painting in Venice in the 16th Century (including Lorenzo Lotto, Giorgione, Tiziano, Tintoretto, Veronese)
Italian Painting in the 17th Century - excluding Florence (including Guido Reni, Caravaggio, Artemisia Gentileschi)
Italian 18th and 19th century painting (including Guardi, Tiepolo)
German Painting (including Durer)
Flemish Painting - XV and XVI century (including van der Weyden, Memling)
Flemish and Dutch Painting - XVII century (including Rubens, van Dyck, Rembrandt)
French Painting (including Lorrain, Le Brun)
Spanish Painting (including de Zurbaran, El Greco, Velazquez, Goya)

Duomo of Florence: Santa Maria del Fiore

Built on the ancient sacred area of the Roman castrum, the Basilica of Santa Reparata, together with a number of other religious buildings, formed the original nucleus of what was to become the religious heart of today's Florence. There was almost certainly a Baptistery as evidence of the ancient connection with the Cathedral.

What is certain is that between the XI and XIII centuries this area was enlarged and embellished as part of the city's more generalised economic and cultural rebirth. The Basilica of Santa Reparata was enlarged and the Baptistery was probably entirely rebuilt to become what we can see today. In that same period, the city's walls were enlarged, Palazzo Vecchio was built (then called 'of the Priors) and so were two monumental churches: Santa Maria NovellaSanta Croce. and

Some buildings linked to social solidarity grew up around the Cathedral, that is the Arch-confraternity of Mercy, the Bigallo Orphanage, the Hospital of St John Evangelist. The latter, a hospital complex that would make Florence famous, is now completely lost. Before all these exceptional scale changes, the old Cathedral though enlarged was decidedly inadequate for the new city image that Florence was building for itself.

The need to build a new Cathedral was born, something that could rightly represent the power and stability of the Florentine Republic: thus a civic value to be assigned to a religious monument.

The new Cathedral, built by the official Municipal architect, Arnolfo di Cambio (builder of Palazzo Vecchio), was born as public works and financed by the Town Hall itself, 'so that the industry and power of men cannot invent nor ever undertake something that is bigger or more beautiful'. A new dedication was decided on: no longer to the oriental martyr, Saint Reparata, but to the Virgin Mary and the reference to the Fiore (Flower), symbol of Christ, seemed to want to unite the Cathedral to its city, whose ancient name was Florentia, in a sacred bond.

Brunelleschi's Dome

The building of the dome on Florence cathedral, by Filippo Brunelleschi, can be considered one of the Renaissance's main building enterprises. The highest expression of a new attitude, placing man and his abilities at the centre of the world and finding in classic antiquity the premises for cultural rebirth after the dark Middle Ages.

Brunelleschi had a brilliant idea: modeled on great Roman architecture, like the monumental Pantheon dome, that he'd studied and redesigned as a young man; he designed an octagonal, self-supporting dome, that didn't need a centre, built from different materials: stone down below where the curve was minimum, for greater resistance, and bricks above as they were lighter. Furthermore, the double pensa was formed by two spherical vaults placed one on top of the other, the internal one more than two meters thick and the external one just 80 centimeters.

These two parallel shells are connected by brick 'spurs' and have two different functions: the internal one is the real roofing while the external one, besides protecting from water, is there to thicken the dome profile, making it visible from afar.

But the most talented, really brilliant idea was how the bricks were fitted into each other, 'fishbone fashion', in the way that had been used in Tuscany prior to that, but never in similar circumstances. The secret of this colossal structure's balance lies in this knowledgeable jointing game, making the dome a complex, but perfect mechanical device.

Once finished, the dome was something extraordinary, never seen before.

Two years after the Cupola was finished in 1436, they added the crowning lantern in white marble, taking the total dome height from 91 to 114 metres, a really impressive height, and not just for that era.

Brunelleschi died in 1446 and managed to see his work practically finished, except for some decorations added afterwards. He was always aware that he had created a unique art and engineering masterpiece.

'It's as though the sky is envious' wrote Vasari,' as it keeps on shooting thunderbolts down at it, believing that its height has almost exceeded the height of air'.

Inside Giotto's Bell tower

Giotto's activity as an architect is documented not just in Lives by Vasari (where he is called a sculptor and architect) but especially for the assignment he was given in 1334 as magister and gubernator of the Florence Cathedral factory.

This interest is also shown by the care and attention he always placed on defining architectural space in painting. Giotto is also attributed the construction of the Scrovegni Chapel, in Padua, where we can find many similarities in buildings painted by the artist.

And still, perhaps, as magister, Giotto built the Bridge of the Carraia, opened in 1337 and which has now disappeared, appreciated for its structural simplicity and advanced technique.

We are certain that the project for the Florence Cathedral Bell-tower known as the Giotto Bell-tower, was his. Giotto dedicated from 1334 to 1337, year of his death, to this tower, created more as a decorative monument than as something purely functional, preferring it to work on the nearby Cathedral, assigned to him in the meantime.

Building proceeded slowly seeing as how Giotto created both the external covering and the structure simultaneously, thus slowing work down. At his death he had not managed to see more than just a first part completed, just up to the height of the pointed entrance.

In 1348, Andrea Pisano took his place and was then followed by Francesco Talenti who terminated the works in 1359. The Bell-tower, 84.70 meters high, has a square plant with strong angular, octagonal shaped pillars running the whole way up giving the building a considerable feeling of continuity.

The clarity of the volume's geometry together with its decorations create a bell-tower in perfect synthony with the Cathedral and the square's town space.

Baptistery of Florence

After centuries of barbarian invasions cultural life in Florence started again in the X-XI centuries. Florentine works of that period, like St John's Baptistery (XI century), built on preceding Roman remains, express strong links to classical models: the shapes are geometric, simple and immediately reveal, their rationality and how they aspire to perfect balance.

The building is the earthly image of a higher, divine reality, and for this reason tends to show itself in absolute, direct shapes. In the Romanesque of this sober, rigorous architecture there's no room for excessive ornaments and decorations and often the insides are just the essentiality of geometric volumes (see inside the Florence Cathedral). A distinctive element of Tuscan Romanesque, and especially of the Florentine one, is duotone obtained through the use of Carrara white marble and the green one from Prato.

The Baptistery comes across as a compact, imposing geometric volume. Its octagonal structure has a really strong symbolic value: the octagon represents the eighth day, the one outside human life's earthly cycle in which Christ rises and lives eternally and is an image associated with the rite of baptism since Early Christian times.

Outside, the famous bronze doors scan three fundamental steps in the history of this monument besides the evolution of figurative culture in Florence. Between 1330 and 1336, Andrea Pisano had created a first door in bronze with golden figures in relief, of a decidedly gothic type. Later in 1401, a competition was launched for a second door (and seems to be the first public competition in the history of art) and was won by Lorenzo Ghiberti with a work that was basically like the first one though with greater depth and naturalism.

Orsanmichele

Orsanmichele (or "Kitchen Garden of St. Michael", from the contraction in Tuscan dialect of the Italian word orto) is a church in the Italian city of Florence. The building was constructed on the site of the kitchen garden of the monastery of San Michele, now gone.

Located on the Via Calzaiuoli in Florence, the church was originally built as a grain market in 1337 by Francesco Talenti, Neri di Fioravante, and Benci di Cione. Between 1380 and 1404 it was converted into a church used as the chapel of Florence's powerful craft and trade guilds. On the ground floor of the square building are the 13th century arches that originally formed the loggia of the grain market. The second floor was devoted to offices, while the third housed one of the city's municipal grain storehouses, maintained to withstand famine or siege. Late in the 14th century, the guilds were charged by the city to commission statues of their patron saints to embellish the facades of the church. The sculptures seen today are copies, the originals having been removed to museums (see below).

Loggia del Mercato Nuovo (Porcellino)

The Loggia del Mercato Nuovo, popularly known as the Loggia del Porcellino, is a building in Florence, Italy. It is so called to distinguish it from the Mercato vecchio (old market, [merˈkato ˈvɛkkio]) located in the area of today's Piazza della Repubblica.

The loggia was built around the middle of the 16th century in the heart of the city, just a few steps from the Ponte Vecchio. Initially it was intended for the sale of silk and luxury goods and then for the famous straw hats, but today mainly leather goods and souvenirs are sold.

In the corner niches statues of famous Florentines were intended to be placed, but only three were made during the 18th century: Michele di Lando, Giovanni Villani, and Bernardo Cennini.

The focal point of the loggia is the Fontana del Porcellino, "fountain of the piglet"), actually a copy of a bronze wild boar by Pietro Tacca from the sixteenth century; the original can be found at Palazzo Pitti. Popular tradition has it that rubbing the nose brings fortune, so that the statue has acquired over time a certain shine in that spot. Visitors are encouraged to place a coin in the mouth of the boar after rubbing its nose, and superstion implies that the wish will be granted if the offering tumbles through the grate whence the water flows. The slope of the grate is such that most coins do fall through, and are collected by the city.

Palazzo Strozzi (Strozzi Palace)

This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Florentine palaces and is a splendid example of Renaissance architecture. This Palace was built by Filippo Strozzi, a rich, capable merchant belonging to one of the wealthiest families in Florence, traditionally against the Medici. Building on it began based on specific astrological calculations as was the norm at the time for rich, illuminated patrons.

Probably designed by Benedetto da Maiano, this building with its imposing almost colossal structure took its place in the city context as a single geometrical block symbol of its owner's prestige.

The building also expressed a new way of considering private residences, considering the family society's main nucleus. Renaissance family life rotated around the courtyard, the home's real core. The Palace one, work of Cronaca (who completed the building left unfinished at Filippo Strozzi's death) has an arched portico on slim Corinthian columns covered by a floor with large windows and above an open gallery covered in wooden roof frames.

The Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti)

When the rich Florentine merchant Luca Pitti died, the palace on the other side of the Arno was still unfinished. It was never proved that Brunelleschi was the author of this Palace. What is known for sure, though, is that the building was much smaller than the present one. At that time, Florence was governed by Pitti's implacable adversaries, the Medici, and destiny was to have it that the building end up in their hands when the rich wife of Cosimo 1 bought it with the park and square lying in front of it as the House's official home in 1550.

Palazzo Pitti, opening on to the Boboli gardens, was a more prestigious and appropriate alternative for the Medici than their residence in Palazzo Vecchio, still the symbol of Florence's Republican past. Cosimo and Eleonora decided to turn it into a princely palace and charged Bartolomeo Ammannati with completing and, above all, enlarging the building.

By doubling its internal volume depth and adding side wings, this bare 15th century building was transformed into the most monumental of the late Renaissance Florentine buildings.Giorgio VasariVasarian Corridor). The Medici did not, in fact, move into it stably until many decades later and the Palace was used as a kind of representative hotel for ambassadors and kings besides being the place where they held the court's worldly events. Furthermore, to make the Palace easier to reach without having to mix with the crowds, Cosimo charged his architect and artistic consultant with the building of a raised passageway connecting it to Palazzo Vecchio (the so-called

Inner court of Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti)

Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli)

Together with Pitti Palace, in 1550 the Medici bought the Boboli gardens behind the building. The name of Boboli is thought to come from the prior owner.

NicolÃ² Pericoli, called the "Tribolo", was called in to transform the area into one of the most spectacular Renaissance gardens. Pericoli worked at what he called his "green architecture" masterpiece until he died.

With the intervention and mannerist inventions of famous artists like Buontalenti (who created the Large Cave), Michelangelo (whose Prisons decorated the four corners of the Cave itself, before being replaced by concrete copies and transferred to the Academy Gallery) and Giambologna, Boboli became a model for all European Royal gardens, including those in the Palace of Versailles.

Besides the above mentioned Large Cave, you should visit the Amphitheatre, the Basin and the Island Tank, originally meant for the cultivation of flowers and citrus fruit trees, one of the gardens most evocative scenarios.

Palace of Bargello

The Bargello Palace, a beautiful example of Gothic Florentine architecture, is one of the city's oldest public buildings. It was built for the People's Captain, a kind of Prefect foreseen in the constitution of the free City of Florence developed around the middle of the 13th century.

Built about fifty years before Palazzo Vecchio, its story is strictly linked to Florence's political happenings. With the fall of the republican institutions and the return of the Medici in the second half of the 15th century (who transferred political functions and representatives to Palazzo Vecchio), the Bargello Palace first became the seat of the Council of Justice of the Wheel Judges and, as of 1574, during the princedom of Cosimo I de' Medici, was transformed into a squalid jail with torture chambers and capital executions.

The Bargello name goes back to this period: Bargello was the Head of the Guards who arrested, questioned and ordered convictions. During an execution, the bell inside the tower called the 'Volognana' sounded slowly till the final moment.

And as a clear warning and indication of what the building was for, outside there was a stump which they used to put the victim's head on. During this stage in its history the Palace went through some changes: windows were closed, others were opened and, in general, it was considerably damaged.

It was only at the end of the 19th century, during the recovery period for Middle Ages historical-artistic heritage, that the Palace was returned to its ancient splendour: with restoration directed by Francesco Mattei the additions that had altered its original structure were demolished and decorations in that style were put in.

It became a National Museum in 1865 and the Palace was enriched by some of the most important Renaissance sculptures including the masterpieces of Luca della Robbia, Verrocchio, Donatello, Michelangelo, Cellini. Thanks to a number of important private art donations today the museum has a special place in the applied arts sector.

Ospedale degli Innocenti

The Ospedale degli Innocenti, was a children's orphanage in Florence, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, who received the commission in 1419. It is regarded as a notable example of early Italian Renaissance architecture. The hospital, which features a nine bay loggia facing the Piazza SS. Annunziata, was built and managed by the "Arte della Seta" or Silk Guild of Florence. That guild was one of the wealthiest in the city and, like most guilds, took upon itself philanthropic duties.

The façade is made up of nine semicircular arches springing from columns of the Composite order. The semicircular windows brings the building down, earthbound and is a revival of the classical style, no longer a pointed arch. In the spandrels of the arches there are glazed blue terracotta roundels with reliefs of babies suggesting the function of the building. There is an emphasis on the horizontal because the building is longer than it is tall. Above each semicircular arch is a tabernacle window (a rectangular window with a triangular pediment on the top).

The clean and clear sense of proportion is reflected in the building. The height of the columns is the same width of the intercolumniation and the width of the arcade is equal to the height of the column, making each bay a cube. The simple proportions of the building reflect a new age, of secular education and a sense of great order and clarity. Also half the height of the column is the height of the entablature, which is appropriate for a clear minded society.

Children were sometimes abandoned in a basin which was located at the front portico. However, this basin was removed in 1660 and replaced by a wheel for secret refuge. There was a door with a special rotating horizontal wheel that brought the baby into the building without the parent being seen. This allowed people to leave their babies, anonymously, to be cared for by the orphanage. This system was in operation until the hospital's closure in 1875. Today the building houses a small museum of Renaissance art.

Church of Santa Maria Novella

The Basilica of the same name with its famous Leon Battista Alberti facade overlooks the square. Alberti, really a scholar, is one of the main Renaissance figures, codifier of perspective principles and author of a series of important theoretical treatises. Santa Maria Novella is one of the first Florentine Basilicas. Its name comes from the substitution of a preceding IX century oratory dedicated to Santa Maria delle Vigne. From 1221, when the entire area was acquired by the Domenican order, they started building the new church under the management of Iacopo Talenti and it was then to become the new, sumptuous seat of the powerful, monastic order.

The Basilica facade is a Renaissance art masterpiece. Here Alberti, framing this first fascia of the mid Trecento in the duotone of the general drawing (strong reference to the XI century Baptistery) used the Renaissance principles, that he himself had codified, of architecture as application of a regular design, ordered by mathematical and geometrical rules. Here architecture is considered a scenario of elements organized in a ratio of balance and harmony, to be looked at as if it were a painting.

Alberti integrates the existing facade fascia into a Roman temple design and invents two side volutes connecting the upper, new and lower parts. Amongst other things, this was a useful way to hide the sloping roof over the side naves. Under the tympanum you can see writing in large letters with the name of Giovanni Paolo Rucellai, the rich Renaissance merchant who financed the completion of the work (unfinished for lack of money) and assigned said work to Alberti.

Inside, the Basilica has one of the early Renaissance masterpieces: the magnificent Trinity done by Masaccio between 1425 and 1427, just before the frescoes in the Brancacci Chapel in the church of Carmine. In a daringly innovative perspective design reproducing a chapel as though it were an extension to the church architecture, Masaccio inserted the imposing figures of Father and Son on the cross. Further forward, to the sides, the Virgin and St John, while in the forefront you see the fresco donor, a member of the Lenzi family, in a Gonfalonier costume (the highest civil position in the Commune of Florence), kneeling with his wife. Just a bit further down there's a skeleton on a tomb with the inscription: 'I am what you were and you will be what I am', alluding to the frailty of life.

Basilica di San Lorenzo

The Basilica di San Lorenzo (Basilica of St Lawrence) is one of the largest churches of Florence, Italy, situated at the centre of the city’s main market district, and the burial place of all the principal members of the Medici family from Cosimo il Vecchio to Cosimo III. It is one of several churches that claim to be the oldest in Florence; when it was consecrated in 393 it stood outside the city walls. For three hundred years it was the city's cathedral before the official seat of the bishop was transferred to Santa Reparata. San Lorenzo was also the parish church of the Medici family. In 1419, Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici offered to finance a new church to replace the eleventh-century Romanesque rebuilding. Filippo Brunelleschi, the leading Renaissance architect of the first half of the fifteenth century, was commissioned to design it, but the building, with alterations, was not completed until after his death. The church is part of a larger monastic complex that contains other important architectural works: the Old Sacristy by Brunelleschi; the Laurentian Library by Michelangelo; the New Sacristy based on Michelangelo's designs; and the Medici Chapels by Matteo Nigetti.

Piazza della Repubblica

Piazza della Repubblica is a city square in Florence, Italy. It is on the site, first of the city's forum and then of the city's old ghetto, which was swept away during the city improvement works or Risanamento initiated during the brief period when Florence was the capital of a reunited Italy, work that also created the city's avenues and boulevards. The ghetto's remains may still be seen in the square, as may the Mercato Vecchio, the Loggia del Pesce. Among the square's cafes, the Giubbe Rosse cafe has long been a meeting place for famous artists and writers, notably those of Futurism.

Transportations

Walking

Most of the major tourist sights in Florence are within easy walking distance of each other. It is possible to walk from one end of the historic center of Florence to the other - North-South or East-West in a half hour. Walking is not only an easy way to get around, it also offers the chance to 'take in' much more of the city life. Be warned though, that electric motor scooters are small enough to fit where cars cannot. They are silent but quick and in the summer they often times travel into the plazas. Some of the streets in central Florence are closed off to traffic, and many more are simply too narrow for buses to get through. Therefor, bus and car tours are not recommended. This is a very small, very compact city that really needs to be seen by foot. And, of course, if you need to, you can always buy a new pair of shoes in Florence.

By bicycle

There is a bike rental service organized by the city. Bikes can be hired at several points in the city (and returned to the same place). One of the most convenient for tourists is located at SMN station. There are other locations at many railway stations, but often with restricted opening hours.

While there are hills north and south of the center of town, almost all of the historic center of Florence is easy for bikers, because it is as flat as a hat - flatter than that. But there is a problem: Traffic is terrible, and buses, trucks, cars, motorcycles, motorbikes bicycles, and pedestrians are all fighting for almost no space at all, so you'd better pay attention.

Beyond the city bikes, some of the hotels in town provide their guest with free bicycles. Bike shops also often rent bikes and some of them organize guided bike tours in the countryside.

By taxi

Taxis are available, but it may be best if you have your hotel or the restaurant you are eating at call ahead. Taxis should be called by phone and the nearest one available is sent to you through the company's radio system with its meter ticking away. In Florence, it can be difficult to hail a cab from the street curb. You either call for one or get one at the very few taxi stands. One popular taxi stand is at the central Santa Maria Novella Train Station and in a few major squares. The first taxi in the taxi stand line should be free - ask in case of doubt. Be aware that most taxis do not take credit card for payment. Be sure to have cash and ask in advance in case you only have a credit card with you. Please note that taxis in Florence are relatively expensive. Tipping is not expected, unless the driver helps you carry luggage etc.

By bus

Another way of getting around is by using the public buses from ATAF. A day ticket costs €5 and a 3 day ticket costs €12. A four-ride ticket costs €4.50. You can buy tickets at tabacchi (shops selling tobacco, which are marked with official looking "T"s out front." kiosks/newsagents/bars where the symbol "Biglietti ATAF" is shown, as well as at the ATAF ticketing office at the bus station outside Santa Maria Novella train station. Several ticket options are available. One very convenient is the 4-rides ticket and the "Carta Agile". The former needs to be stamped when entering the bus (from the front and rear doors of buses - the central door is supposed to be exit only; though now it is more accepted to enter from the central door). The latter has an embedded electronic chip and needs to be held close ("swiped") to the upper part of the ticket machine inside the bus: the "beep" of the machine will inform you that a ticket has been paid and the display will show you how many more tickets ("swipes") you have left. Within 1hr of stamping/swiping you can hop-off & hop-on on any bus of the urban ATAF network. Unfortunately and completely against Italian law, it is not uncommon to see bus drivers talking merrily on their mobile phone while driving. Don't expect riders to complain about it and don't panic - they will still drive with the same non-comfortable style as when they are "only driving". Hold tight to hand rails as Florence traffic is very unpredictable and frequent sudden breaking is necessary. Bus rides are not by all means "smooth". Buses are "safe" but pick pocketing is quite common. Please keep a close eye to your belongings and avoid showing off cash/jewelry/etc. especially in very crowded buses (especially for lines 17/23/14/22 - generally speaking any crowded bus can give a chance to pick pocket).

You can also get ATAF maps on paper at tourist offices, such as the one in the Piazza della Stazione.

By car

Driving inside the historic center of Florence is virtually impossible.

Only residents with permits are allowed to drive there. Enforcement of the "Limited Traffic Zone" or "ZTL" is by camera. Violators will be tracked down and fined, but the fine may not arrive for a year or more after the infraction. The fines start at about €90. Once you enter the forbidden zone, it is virtually impossible to pass only one camera, and each time you do, it is a separate fine.

Official information on the ZTL is available at: https://ztl.comune.fi.it/tzi/index.jsp

In addition, Florence has some of the teeniest streets in Europe, an amazingly fiendish one-way system that confuses even the locals, and some streets that just come to an abrupt end, with little or no warning.

Parking on the street in the historic center is out of the question. It may only be done by residents with a permit, and all other cars are towed away instantly - if not sooner - to some godforsaken suburb from which it will cost you hundreds of euros to get yours returned.

That said, you may be able to arrange a very temporary - about 30-minute - exemption through your hotel, which will need your license number and other information to make arrangements with the authorities. You will then have to get the car from the hotel out of the ZTL before the exemption expires.

A car can be useful to reach some destinations just outside the city centre, like Fiesole or Settignano (these sights are also reachable by bus service), or for day trips to wonderful places such as Siena, Volterra, Arezzo, etc. It is possible, if a bit tricky to rent a car in Florence and get out of town and back to the car rental agency without violating the ZTL. Those tempted to do so, should make sure to get precise directions from the rental agency.