Formerly known as Stalingrad or Tsaritsyn, Volgograd is an industrial town situated on the west bank of the Volga River in the administrative centre of Volgograd Oblast, Russia. It is one of the largest cities in Russia known to serve as a fortress safeguarding the trade route along the Volga River.
Most visited in Volgograd are the historical monuments dedicated to those who gave their lives during the World War II. The city became famous for its heroic confrontation in the Battle of Stalingrad during the World War II. Volgograd boasts of a huge statue of Mother Russia standing on the hill of Mamayev Kurgan. The Pantheon in Volgograd has 7200 names inscribed of lives that perished during the war. The centre of the city is home to the Fallen Heroes' Square where the Eternal Flame honours those who gave their lives for Volgograd. Visit the Volgograd state panoramic museum, Pavlov’s House and the new experimental theatre. The best time to visit Volgograd is during March, August and December.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Van, Turkey
Often called the ‘The Pearl of the East’, Van, the seat of Van province is a city in the Eastern Anatolian region of Turkey. Owing to the natural beauty of its landscape, and a city with a short name but long history, Van has often been characterized as "Van for this world, faith for the next.”
Van is located on the eastern shore of ‘Lake Van’ which is home to mountain silhouettes, coves, beaches, islands, waterfalls and centres belonging to diverse historical ages. The Akdamar island is the most beautiful island among others of Lake Van. Expeditions such as trekking and hunting are available for tourists. Other major attractions include a region known as Old Van, which is home to historical structures from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Urartian artefacts are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum. A citadel around the ‘rock of Van’ bears cuneiform inscriptions dating from the Kingdom of Urartu. Visit the ancient Kurdish fortress, Church of the Holy Cross on Akdamar Island and the Urartian ruins at Çavustepe. The best time to visit Van is during the months of February, August and September.
Van is located on the eastern shore of ‘Lake Van’ which is home to mountain silhouettes, coves, beaches, islands, waterfalls and centres belonging to diverse historical ages. The Akdamar island is the most beautiful island among others of Lake Van. Expeditions such as trekking and hunting are available for tourists. Other major attractions include a region known as Old Van, which is home to historical structures from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Urartian artefacts are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum. A citadel around the ‘rock of Van’ bears cuneiform inscriptions dating from the Kingdom of Urartu. Visit the ancient Kurdish fortress, Church of the Holy Cross on Akdamar Island and the Urartian ruins at Çavustepe. The best time to visit Van is during the months of February, August and September.
Valencia, Venezuela
Valencia, the capital city of Carabobo State, is the third largest city of Venezuela. A major industrial centre for chemicals and textiles, it lies 150km west of Caracas in Northern Venezuela.
Home to some very beautiful old buildings, museums, parks and art centers, Valencia also boasts of Plaza Monumental de Valencia, the second largest bullring in the world. Páez House, Celis House and Museum of History and Anthropology showcase many fine objects and Venezuela’s colonial heritage. "Valencianos" go to Cerro Casupo Municipal Park, Negra Hipólita Park or Fernando Peñalver Park for their daily workouts. The Acuario de Valencia is the largest aquarium in Latin America, where trained "toninas" (small dolphins) charm everyone. The water slides at "Las Dunas" amusement park are very appealing for children.
Home to some very beautiful old buildings, museums, parks and art centers, Valencia also boasts of Plaza Monumental de Valencia, the second largest bullring in the world. Páez House, Celis House and Museum of History and Anthropology showcase many fine objects and Venezuela’s colonial heritage. "Valencianos" go to Cerro Casupo Municipal Park, Negra Hipólita Park or Fernando Peñalver Park for their daily workouts. The Acuario de Valencia is the largest aquarium in Latin America, where trained "toninas" (small dolphins) charm everyone. The water slides at "Las Dunas" amusement park are very appealing for children.
Şanlıurfa, Turkey
Şanlıurfa is a city in the south-eastern Anatolian region of Turkey; also known as ‘Urfa’ or ‘the city of Prophets’. It is the capital of Şanlıurfa province and situated on the east of the Euphrates River.
With a history dating back to 9000 years, Şanlıurfa is a museum city known for the birth of Prophet Abraham, the genetic father of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. A major attraction of Şanlıurfa is the nomadic tribes who inhabit this place. Bazaars such as Kazzaz Bazaar, Sipahi Bazaar and Huseyniye Bazaar are famous for handicrafts such as weaving, copper and stone works, fur making and jewellery. Visit the Ottoman period’s 8 Turkish baths, Birket Ibrahim (the Abraham's Pool or Halil Rahman Gölü), Şanlıurfa museum which is known for its rich archeological artifacts, and the Kapali Carsi bazaar which was a historic trade route. A wide fortress or the citadel is known by the locals as Nimrud Kürsesi (Nimrud's Pulpit) is worth a visit. The Dergah Camii (or Dersa Cami) with its large inner is known for its Hermitage of the Prophet Abraham (Makram Ibrahim) and the remedial powers of its spring water. The best time to visit Şanlıurfa is from mid-June to September.
With a history dating back to 9000 years, Şanlıurfa is a museum city known for the birth of Prophet Abraham, the genetic father of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. A major attraction of Şanlıurfa is the nomadic tribes who inhabit this place. Bazaars such as Kazzaz Bazaar, Sipahi Bazaar and Huseyniye Bazaar are famous for handicrafts such as weaving, copper and stone works, fur making and jewellery. Visit the Ottoman period’s 8 Turkish baths, Birket Ibrahim (the Abraham's Pool or Halil Rahman Gölü), Şanlıurfa museum which is known for its rich archeological artifacts, and the Kapali Carsi bazaar which was a historic trade route. A wide fortress or the citadel is known by the locals as Nimrud Kürsesi (Nimrud's Pulpit) is worth a visit. The Dergah Camii (or Dersa Cami) with its large inner is known for its Hermitage of the Prophet Abraham (Makram Ibrahim) and the remedial powers of its spring water. The best time to visit Şanlıurfa is from mid-June to September.
Friday, June 11, 2010
A short trip to Netherlands
Undoubtedly the jewel of Europe, Netherlands is a country in north-western Europe. It borders the North Sea to the north and west, and its neighbouring countries are Belgium and Germany.
Be it the capital Amsterdam with its famous Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art, Rembrandt House, its Heineken experience for beer lovers and stunning 17th century canals, the Keukenhof Gardens at Lisse, West Frisian islands, the seaside resorts in Scheveningen, Noordwijk and Bergen, islands of Zeelands, Haarlem with its excellent museums, Maastricht’s vibrant nightlife, Delft- home to Vermeer and blue and white pottery, the Hoge Veluwe National Park near Arnhem or for the open-air museums at Arnhem, Enkhuizen and Zaandam; Netherlands has been able to attract a large number of tourists. Its other main cities are Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague. The best time to visit Netherlands is from June to August. Visit the Keukenhof gardens with its flower shows, gardens of daffodils, and fields of tulips which are a feast for the eyes from mid-March to mid-May.
A country of windmills, cafes, cheese, bridges and canals, coffee shops, stunning countryside with its triangular rooftop shaped cubic houses, dikes, national parks, museums and sheep patrolled polders; Netherlands’ mesmerizing beauty is hard to miss.
Be it the capital Amsterdam with its famous Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art, Rembrandt House, its Heineken experience for beer lovers and stunning 17th century canals, the Keukenhof Gardens at Lisse, West Frisian islands, the seaside resorts in Scheveningen, Noordwijk and Bergen, islands of Zeelands, Haarlem with its excellent museums, Maastricht’s vibrant nightlife, Delft- home to Vermeer and blue and white pottery, the Hoge Veluwe National Park near Arnhem or for the open-air museums at Arnhem, Enkhuizen and Zaandam; Netherlands has been able to attract a large number of tourists. Its other main cities are Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague. The best time to visit Netherlands is from June to August. Visit the Keukenhof gardens with its flower shows, gardens of daffodils, and fields of tulips which are a feast for the eyes from mid-March to mid-May.
A country of windmills, cafes, cheese, bridges and canals, coffee shops, stunning countryside with its triangular rooftop shaped cubic houses, dikes, national parks, museums and sheep patrolled polders; Netherlands’ mesmerizing beauty is hard to miss.
Manitoba
A world class fishing destination for anglers, and the opportunity to snorkel with or kayak alongside the thousands of beluga whales; Manitoba is a simple but powerful strip of Canada. Its bordering regions are Ontario, Saskatchewan, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and the U.S. states of North Dakota and Minnesota. Home to saltwater coastline on the Hudson Bay and to one of the world’s largest lakes - the Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba is a truly Canadian prairie province.
Be it Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba, famous for Fort Gibraltar, churches, numerous parks, casinos and museums, the Beluga whales and Polar Bear capital of the world - Churchill, the Canadian Fossil Discovery Center at Morden, the Pisew Falls which are Manitoba’s highest accessible natural falls, the lakes and Riding Mountain National Park in Wasagaming famous for wildlife viewing, horseback riding, trail hiking and cycling, the Wapusk National Park along the Hudson Bay’s shores near Churchill known for waterfowl and shorebirds, or the mountainous and wooded village of Flin Flon which is home to a standalone statue called Flonatin; Manitoba boasts of some fascinating places. The best time to visit Manitoba is during the fall months of September and October, and also during autumn and summer.
With maple tree woodlands, spurting rivers, graveled landscapes, magnificent creatures such as polar bears and wild moose, and a rugged coastline, a trip to Manitoba should not be missed!
Be it Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba, famous for Fort Gibraltar, churches, numerous parks, casinos and museums, the Beluga whales and Polar Bear capital of the world - Churchill, the Canadian Fossil Discovery Center at Morden, the Pisew Falls which are Manitoba’s highest accessible natural falls, the lakes and Riding Mountain National Park in Wasagaming famous for wildlife viewing, horseback riding, trail hiking and cycling, the Wapusk National Park along the Hudson Bay’s shores near Churchill known for waterfowl and shorebirds, or the mountainous and wooded village of Flin Flon which is home to a standalone statue called Flonatin; Manitoba boasts of some fascinating places. The best time to visit Manitoba is during the fall months of September and October, and also during autumn and summer.
With maple tree woodlands, spurting rivers, graveled landscapes, magnificent creatures such as polar bears and wild moose, and a rugged coastline, a trip to Manitoba should not be missed!
A small slice of Italy
A beautiful country with an enduring appeal, Italy is located on the Italian peninsula in Southern Europe. Italy’s northern edge of the Alpine mountains is surrounded by France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.
Be it Rome boasting of its grand monument- the colosseum, renaissance palaces and medieval churches, the romantic city of Venice with its canals, gondola rides, museums and churches, Florence boasting of its museums and Renaissance architectural and art centres, the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, Milan’s famous Duomo and fashion hub, Naples historic treasures, Sicily’s home of art and architecture, Turin for its museums and historic café, Genoa- the principal seaport or the Vatican city with its St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, Italy is home to many sites which are worth a visit. The best time to visit Italy is from April to September.
A place of olive oil, pastas, pizzas, wine, beautiful landscapes, roman ruins and renaissance palaces, Italy offers a plethora of enchanting and captivating surprises to its tourists.
Be it Rome boasting of its grand monument- the colosseum, renaissance palaces and medieval churches, the romantic city of Venice with its canals, gondola rides, museums and churches, Florence boasting of its museums and Renaissance architectural and art centres, the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, Milan’s famous Duomo and fashion hub, Naples historic treasures, Sicily’s home of art and architecture, Turin for its museums and historic café, Genoa- the principal seaport or the Vatican city with its St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, Italy is home to many sites which are worth a visit. The best time to visit Italy is from April to September.
A place of olive oil, pastas, pizzas, wine, beautiful landscapes, roman ruins and renaissance palaces, Italy offers a plethora of enchanting and captivating surprises to its tourists.
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