For Travelers

Croatia

Croatia, situated in the Central Europe, has a forme and a surface resulted from the Civil War in the 90`s. In this way, Croatia is composed by 2 distinct parts:

• The hilly Slavonia with its capital at Zagreb in the East
• Dalmatia - region situated in the West, with Dinaric Alps (or Dinarides)

The calcareous peaks of this mountain chain from the coast of the Adriatic Sea descent abruptly to the water, where it`s transforming in countless little inslands, which prolongs the coasts line of this country with more than 4000 km.

This region has been, until the end of the 80`s, one of the most popular touristic destinations of Europe. Each year there arrived thousands of tourist, specially from Germany and Italy. They were visiting famous locations like Zadar (photo 1), Split (photo 2), Rijeka (photo 3), Dubrovnik (photo 4). Unfortunately, the war has turned off this important sorce of income of Croatia.

After the peace was settled, the tourists started, slowly, to come back. Mostly the italians are very attached of this country and many of them possess holiday houses in Instria Peninsula.

Croatia has temperate clime, but in Dalmatia is a mediteranean one. On the coast, the temperature is about 9 degrees celcius in January and 25 in July. In Zagreb 0 degrees celcius in January and 24 in July.

What you must see:

• the Roman Amphitheatre and the Arc of Triumph from Pula
• the Cathedral and the historic city from Rijeka
• The National Park Plitvice
• the byzantine ruins from Zadar
• the historical cities Trogir and Sibenik
• the chain of defence fortresses between Trogir and Split
• Diocletian`s Palace from Split
• old city Dubrovnik
• Dalmatia`s islands
• Zagreb

Tags: Adriatic Sea, Croatia, Dalmatia, Dinaric Alps, Diocletian Palace, Dubrovnik, Germany, Italy, Plitvice, Pula, Rijeka, Sibenik, Slavonia, Split, Trogir, Zadar, Zagreb

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The Cyclades

The Cyclades are located in the Aegean Sea, being a group of Greek islands and also one of the ones that constitutes the Greek Archipelago.

The Cyclades fascinate the guests with their pitoresque landscapes, by a brightly white, in the middle of which there are asymmetrical settlements, narrow streets and many churches.

The Archipelago has 38 islands, each one with a surface no bigger than 400 km, but also a multitude of little islands.

Only 24 islands are populated, most of the little islands being inhabited.

The Cyclades form a separate administrative area, having the capital at Ermoupolis, on Siros Isle. The different islands are separated one of the others by very narrow gorges. The largest one measures no more than 37 km.

There is an anual invasion of European tourists, thirsty of sun, which separates the islands into 2 categories: the rich and the poor ones.

If Mikonos, Ios, Santorini and Paros can`t complain about a lack of interest from the travel lovers, Anafi and Kimolos has left almost wildly.

Tags: Aegean Sea, Anafi, Cyclades, Ermoupolis, Greece, Ios, Kimolos, Mikonos, Paros, Santorini, Siros Isle

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Budapest

On the west side of Danube river, the hills from Buda throne over the city. For some centuries, the authories have used those hills as a method to protect the city of the attacks from East.In Budapest you can visit the Citadel (photo 2 - the entrance), upon Gellert Hill (photo 3), which represents more a fortress. There, it is used the name of Citadella for it. There, you will have the chance to take some beautiful pictures of the city, Gellert Hill offering an extraordinar view.

A visit at the Citadel will cost you 5 euro per person, and there you`ll certainly find many keepsakes for the dear ones or for yourself, to remember that place.

The buildings in Budapest have an amazing architecture, that`s why Budapest was often compared with Vienna, more than that, it was considerated its twin. There are impressionanting buildings (photo 4) by their size and in the centre there are narrow streets.

An important place for you to relax is Gellert Hotel and Baths (photo 5). That`s a spa centre, famous among the tourists, where you can spend some time in saunas, have massages or other therapies including drinking cures. There are many thermal pools where you could swim.

Other places for all these activities are:

• Széchényi Spa
• Danubius Grand Hotel/Thermal Hotel Margitsziget
• Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal Spa
• Király
• Dagály

The most famous places to eat among tourists are Gundel and Mátyás Pince, in Pest and for shopping you should take a tour in Great Market Hall.

Views from the Gellert Hill:

Tags: baths, Buda, Budapest, Citadel, Citadella, Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal Spa, Dagály, Danube river, Danubius Grand Hotel, Gellert Hill, Gundel, Hungary, Király, Mátyás Pince, Pest, Széchényi Spa, Vienna

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Vienna

Vienna is the capital of Austria and is well known as an important economical, cultural and political center.There are many touristic places because austrians know very well how to attract the visitors from all over the world.

In Schönbrunn you must visit the Palace (photo 2), see the gardens, the Gloriette monument (photo 3) (raised in honor of the heroes and the victory of the Austrians in the battle from Kolin, 1757).

Also, you should not forget the Zoo, even more if have kids, they will be fascinated by all the animals in there: many varieties, from insects til elephants, the green houses where you`ll feel like in the jungle, by all the decorations, the sound and the plants.

There are also a orangery and a labyrinth (opened from April) which represents 3 km of winding alleys. At their end there`s an old tree, it is said that underground are 2 rocks yin - yang. Those are for finding the harmony in love, the man should hug the yin rock and the woman the other one.

At Schönbrunn (photo 4) you can come by car, on the subway or tramway. A trip with a mean of transport is 1,7 euro, but you can take a ticket for a day, two or three or you can buy a Vienna card with 20 euro. That one will allow you to travel free on any mean of transport, reductions at palaces, museums, cafes and so on.

Prater is a fun fair where the main attraction is the big wheel from where you can take some amazing photos of Vienna.

Hofburg (photo 5) is easy to find, in the centre, there you have to see the Imperial apartments, Sisi Museum, the Silver ware. You`ll pay only 10 euro per person.

The Habsburgic treasure, the horses from the

Spanish Riding School (in the morning), the National Library are also some

great places to spend in Hofburg. The palace has many entries, for a better orientation.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral (photo 6) is in the centre, huge and from it you can walk to Graben (photo 7 - statue from there)- the most beautiful comercial street.

For a beautiful view at night you should amount to Donauturm, 165 meatres, for just 5,5 euro per person.

Passionate of music? Don`t miss a visit at the memorial houses of Beethoven and Mozart.

From the tramway you can take a tour of the city, but if you really want to see something (architecture and take pictures), do it by day.

Tags: Austria, Donauturm, Graben, Hofburg, National Library, Prater, Schönbrunn, Sisi Museum, Spanish Riding School, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna

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Milan (italian - Milano)

There`s a motto which Italians respect and which helps organising the life in Milan (photo 1): “fare una bella figura”, that means “to make a good impression”. Even the travelers who visit the capital of Lombardy are submitting to this creed. Lombardy, if you didn`t know, is one of the richest provinces of Italy.

The inhabitans of Milan appreciate the noble elegance, everything that is expensive, but without being stridently.

The biggest commercial center from the city of fashion is Victor Emanuel II Gallery (photo 2), which is stretching lengthways the gradiose buidings and the medieval and renaissance cathedrals.

Shoulder to shoulder, the business men and the tourists are steping the mozaic floor of the famous promenade, enjoying the booths of the pavements.

The elevating atmosphere of the halidom is frecvently disturbed by the rings of the mobile phones, an esential element of the busy life in Milan, a city of business, affairs, money and art.

Those sounds are accompaning the visitors everywhere: including through the glass of Camparino bar, which works since 1867. In this bar has began the famous mondial career of Campari drink.

A walk through the Gallery brings you until the building of the most famous opera in Italy and also one of the most appreciate: La Scala (photo 4). Its name makes you think about famous compositors, like Verdi, Puccini and opera interpreters like Maria Callas.

Other details:

• Language: Italian
• Religion: Catholicism
• Currency: Euro
• Airports: Malpensa, Linate

What you should see:

• Milan Cathedral - Duomo di Milano (photo 3)
• Victor Emanuel II Gallery
• St. Ambrose basilic
• Santa Maria delle Grazie Church
• Art Museum - Pinacoteca di Brera
• Sforza Castle (photo 5)
• La Scala

Tags: Camparino bar, Italy, La Scala, Linate, Lombardy, Malpensa, Maria Callas, Milan, Pinacoteca di Brera, Puccini, Santa Maria delle Grazie Church, Sforza Castle, St. Ambrose basilic, Verdi, Victor Emanuel II Gallery

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