Travel

Széchenyi lánchíd or Széchenyi Chain Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans the River Danube between Buda and Pest, the western and eastern sides of Budapest, the capital of Hungary. It was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Budapest, and was opened in 1849.
The Two ends are:The Roosevelt Square with the Hungarian Academy and the Gresham Palace and the other one is Adam Clarck Square with the Zero kilometre Stone and the lower end of the Castle Hill Funicular,leading to Buda Castle.

The bridge was designed by the English engineer William Tierney Clark in 1839, after Count István Széchenyi’s initiative in the same year, with construction supervised locally by Scottish engineer Adam Clark .It is a larger scale version of William Tierney Clark’s earlier Marlow Bridge, across the River Thames in Marlow, England.

The bridge was opened in 1849, and thus became the first permanent bridge in the Hungarian capital. At the time, its center span of 202 m was one of the largest in the world. The pairs of lions at each of the abutments were added in 1852. The bridge was given its current name in 1898.

The bridge’s steel structure was totally updated and strengthened in 1914. In World War II, the bridge was damaged, and it needed to be rebuilt. The rebuilding was completed in in 1949.Among the anecdotes relating to the bridge, the most popular is that the lions were sculpted without tongues and the sculptor was mocked so much that he jumped into the Danube in shame. The lions do have tongues (although they are not visible from below, which is the usual point of view, as the lions are lying on a stone block some three meters high).

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, an autonomous community in north-eastern Spain. It is also the second biggest city of Spain after Madrid. Barcelona is on the Mediterranean coast, 160 km south of the Pyrénées mountain chain, which is the border with France.

Barcelona offers a unique opportunity for tourists, to walk from the roman remains to the medieval fortress, and to the modern city, a city with opened boulevards and all its crossroads left over large by the buildings cut in a unique way. The historical centre of the city is almost flat, while the modern city extends to the surrounding hills, with streets that increase in altitude, which remind one of San Francisco.

Places to visit …

The Gothic District

It is the oldest and interesting part of Barcelona. San Jaume square, a former Roman Forum, along with other ruins, City Hall and the Palace of the Generalitat. On the Taber mountain lived before the Roman tribes. In King’s Square (Plaza del Rei)is situated the Real Palace, the Holy Agata Church, the Palace crown of Aragon, the great Gothic cathedral built between 1298 and 1450, with a dome of 90m and medieval places like Casa dels Canonges, Pia Almoina and Ardiaca.

Las Ramblas

This boulevard of 2 km long, between the Catalunya Market and the port is the essence of Barcelona. You’ll see here people of all ages and social classes, boys who clean shoes, stands with flowers and vegetables, street actors, immense galleries, sweet shops, terraces and some of the biggest theatres of the city. Among the most interesting buildings is the Academy of Sciences with the giant clock from 1868, the Betlem church in Gothic and Baroque style and the Moya Palace with its beautiful halls and extraordinary pictures, often used for exhibitions. The Boqueria Market is the most popular market in the city, being situated on the site of the old city center of Barcelona. Another building that houses art exhibitions frequently is the Palace of Virreina. Burno Cuadros House is famous for the dragon in front. This is the area where once lived the bourgeoisie, being in present the heart of neighborhood artists, full of typical tempting bars.

The Port

Situated at the end of Las Ramblas, it is dominated by the column of Christopher Columbus, from the top of which one can admire a panoramic view of Barcelona

El Ensanche

The modern center of Barcelona, built between 1970 and 1936 by architect Cerda, in order to create a neighborhood for the bourgeoisie luxury of time, increasing the city five times compared to its original size. All the streets here form an angle of 90 degrees, an unusual thing in European urban planning. The most famous monuments in this area are the works of Antonio Gaudi, as the great cathedral Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell and the Palace with the same name, the Punxes House and the Amatler House all the great work of modernist architecture. The Central Square, called Catalunya Square, with dimensions comparable with those of the Vatican City in Rome, stands as symbol of people’s mentality area, to change and innovation. In a regular basis, this market is changed. We should not forget Gracia Boulevard, a spacious boulevard with banks and palm trees and El Diagonal boulevard that crosses this part of the city from one part to the other.

Tibidabo

On Mount Tibidabo one can reach using the only train which left functional in Barcelona, and once you come here you can enjoy one of the most famous spectacular parks of entertainment in Europe.

Ciutadella Park

Here was held the World Exhibition in 1868. Also in the park is located the Parliament of Catalunia, the statue of the “Lady with the umbrella”, the symbol of Barcelona, and also various museums and Zoo.

In the 15 and 16 centuries, Portugal was a great maritime power, putting the foundations of a vast colonial empire, but it decades in the second half of the 16 century, the greatest part of its territory being conquered by the Netherlands and England. Between 1580 and 1640, Portugal is attached to Spain. In 1910, the monarchy is abolished and Portugal is proclaimed republic. In 1926 it recognizes the right to self-Portuguese colony and sovereignty. Portugal joined the EC 3 (current EU) in 1986.
Here you can discover the many vacation opportunities that are infinite: you can choose the healthy resorts of the sophisticated coastal neighborhoods, or you can visit the medieval towns of historical Lisbon, Porto, Braga and Coimbra. If you are indeed passionate of history, you can make a tour of the country (renting a car is not expensive in Portugal), stopping overnight at a pousada of famous monasteries, castles or former Boyar houses that provide accommodation at incredibly low prices. For those seeking an active vacation, Portugal is an excellent choice , being one of the top golf destinations. Fishing, horse riding or water sports such as ski and windsurf are also points of attraction of this destinations …
Clearings in which you can see how the almond trees grow up quietly, forests of cork trees and golden fields in Alentejo, farms in Ribatejo, narrow paths in Alfama, Lisbon, carts pulled by bullocks in the Minho and vineyards in the Douro. Azalea and cane growing everywhere, the sound of fado music is heard in small cafes. The mills clack in front of the Atlantic breeze; boats filled with sardines waving in gulfs, and white houses are drown in the sun. The sea is always present and the sound wave is the sweetest music ever created by nature.
Portugal is one of the most favorite touristic places. The beauty of the country, the quality of tourism services and collaboration with the best local partners have turned Portugal into a successful destination, being chose by more and more tourists.
The blue sky, with wonderful and sunny bays, shining colors, oak forests and plantations of olive trees, castles and pousadas are only a part of the tourist attractions of Portugal.
A country of seafarers and conquerors, the country of Vasco da Gama, a country of miracles, a country with a fascinating combination of styles of architecture, and a wine country Porto, Portugal is a destination worth to be seen.

This beautiful Castle is situated in Milan, Italy and it is now in our days one of the greatest places in the entire Italy. The Castle was built to defend the city of Milan from attacators. The original construction on the site began in the 14th century. A great military architect made it bigger, but it was destroyed. A few years later, the Castle was rebuilt and enlarged and it was named after Francesco Sforza.

The Sforzesco Castle was rescued again in the 20th` Century and it became an important place for culture and art.Lots of Museums are sheltered in the Castle and many art collections are exposed in there.

If you are in love with art, this is the right place to visit,because you can satisfy some of your curiosities. Here you can visit the Museum of Decorative Arts,witch contains beautiful pieces of furniture, ceramics, etc. Amazing costume collections are exposed in there and this pieces of art helped Milan to become the leader in the fashion world.

In the Sforzesco Castle you can find some of Picasso`s paintings and other great painters works of art.the paintings are exposed in the Painting Gallery.If you want to live a little bit in the past just try to understand the beauty of their work.

You can also see and learn lots of new things about the early civilizations at the Prehistoric Museum.The beauty of the Egyptian history is also captured in the Sforzesco Castle and you can see mystery and all the beautiful contrasts between the history of pharaohs and the people who live in Egypt in our days.You can feel and imagine yourself as being in Egypt when you see all the beauty of a great culture.you can see all this magical things at the Archaeological Museum.

You can find in this beautiful shelter of art many contrasts between the museums;you can see the glamorous world of fashion and you can see great pieces of furniture and the amazing weapons and armors.To see the real beauty of this art you have to understand the supple design of the furniture,costumes and the hard design of the weapons.

From dangerous things like weapons we can go and visit the beauty of the music world,at the Musicam Instruments Museum.Not only the sounds of the intruments are great,but the intruments themselves.

So, if you want to learn more,to travel into the mistery of history and visit amazing things,from furniture to weapons ,this is the right place to go.

The history of the island begins with the discovery made by Cartagins in 654 I.Ch. Romans, Arabs and Catalans complete the historical dowry of this magical and blessed island.
The Corsairs have “ruled” the island and registered in the history of architecture towers and walls of defense around the town of Ibiza.
Since then, secret and mysterious treasure is still waiting to be discovered.
“Find your silence in harmony with nature!”

is the philosophy of life, of the island residents but also their advice addressed to tourists.

The island’s magnetisms influences the artistic creation and is well-known the fact that famous artists here for inspiration . The island has 34 famous beaches, of which we mention just a few: Talamanca, Figueretas, Playa d’en Bossa, Las Slinas and Cala Conta.

The Coast beaches can be viewed with a rented car, or autobuses line with the ferry boat. Seen from the sea the Ibiza Coasts are a spectacular show.
Ibiza is a paradise for lovers of the sport: tennis, golf, horse riding, karting, water sports, scuba diving or even cruises with the ship.
Night life

The countless bars and clubs, some of them exclusively for certain categories of tourists, offer evenings of music and dance as in no other part in the world.

The restaurants can be found everywhere, including on the beach. The
world of entertainment begins in May and ends in October. During the summer resorts are overcrowded and the reservations must be made with at least 2 months before and the prices rise vertiginously.
Among the hotels we can mention…
HACIENDA 5*
The hotel is located in San Miguel, 80m above the sea and it offers the most beautiful panorama of the Balearics. The rooms are decorated in Indonesian or Indian style, with balcony / terrace facing the sea. For those who wish to remain in contact with the outside rooms are equipped with satellite TV and Internet connection. It is a hotel restaurant, and it has a bar, swimming pools in waterfalls, jacuzzi, spa center, massage and room service.
SOL IBIZA 4*
The hotel is located on the beach in St. Eulalia, 300m from the port and 1 km from downtown.
The rooms have air conditioning, satellite TV, mini-bar and safe.
It is also a hotel restaurant, with a bar, pool, fitness centre, sauna, solarium and jacuzzi.
TORRE DEL MAR 4*
Is located at 100m from the beach D’en Bossa, the most famous beach in Ibiza and 2km from the centre. The rooms have air conditioning, satellite TV, telephone, radio, mini-bar, safe, balcony, and the majority with view of the sea.
The hotel also has a restaurant, bar, pool, fitness centre, jacuzzi, sauna, massage, ground tennis and a mini-golf.

Milan is located in the Lombardy region in the north of Italy. It is the second city, after Rome, in size and importance in Italy.
Milan is considered to be the capital of modern and contemporary art. The main touristic attractions are the Dome, Sforzesco Castle, Galeria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Palace of San Giorgio and the columns of S. Lorenzo.
Galeria Vittorio Emanuele is one of the most beautiful covered galleries in Europe. Began in 1865, it was the first of it’s kind to make use of an iron and glass structure. In 1867, Giuseppe Mengoni, the architect, fell to his death from the heights of the glass dome while revising the decorative details, two days before King Vittorio Emanuele led the opening ceremony.
Galeria Vittorio Emmanuele II is a shopping mall with historical prestige of neo-classical baroque trend of the nineteenth century, the centre of Milan. Also called “le salon Milan”, the gallery is a passage between the Piazza Duomo in Milan and La Scala named after the king Victor Emmanuel II of Italy.
Galeria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of Milan’s most important centre of the city for its beauty and prestige. It is occupied by many shops, bookstores, antique shops, cafes, restaurants, boutiques including Louis Vuitton, Borsalino and even Prada.
Galeria Vittorio Emanuele was built not only to connect the squares of La Scala and Il Duomo, but to represent the union of church and state which came about after the nationalist revolution of 1848.
This shopping mall, which has 50 metres from the Duomo, is a beautiful place to stroll and to look through shop windows.
Although the original structure is now some kind of Fast food restaurants to eat something, though the most expensive boutiques are plentiful.
It is worthwhile to look at floors and ceilings that are a real price.

Vienna, the city of music, waltz, many beautiful balls and buildings, the gardens bloom, and even the hills picturesquely “dressed in vineyard which will please all the customers of the Heuriger restaurants … A city recrossed not only by the carriages with horses and by the coachmen of the fairy tales, but also by the Danube…
Vienna is an architectural museum outdoors. The old buildings are in a perfect state of storage. The former capital of the empire Vienna is to be admired by any visitor. No matter how much you walk through Vienna, you will not be disappointed. The only impediment is that you will get tired. Nothing compares to this wonderful city, with streets that gate in a different world, in another age. You will first be carried in the past and then in the future…

The Dome of Saint Stephen in Vienna was built in the XVIIth century. It is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna, a symbol of the city, and a place of many important events in the history of Austria. Its patron is Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Choosing the patron has to do with the fact that until the establishment of the Bishopric of Vienna (in the year 1469), the city belonged canonically to the Diocese of Passau, whose cathedral is also patroned by St. Stephen, the first martyr.

St. Stephen’s cathedral is one of the most representative buildings of the Gothic Europe. The North Tower, with a height of 70 meters, was decorated under the Renaissance style, and during the Reform its internal has been adjusted to correspond to the Baroque style. The bell of the cathedral, called Pummerin, has no less than 21 tonnes and after it was damaged during the Second World War, it is now only used to mark important events like New Year’s Day.

The Gothic building the most representative for Austria, hosts inside treasures of art, which can be seen only in the framework of an organized tour: the Emperor Frederick III’s vault made of red marble, sculpted between 1467-1513 by Niclas Gehaert van Leyden. Another treasure is the pulpit, Anton Pilgram’s work (1514-1515) - who settled under it his own portrait in relief as a signature. You can also admire here a part of Vienna Neustadt shrine, the tomb of the Prince of Savoy in 1754. If you climb the 343 stairs of the cathedral’s tower you will be surrounded by a wonderful view.

Tenerife belongs to the Canary archipelago consisting of 7 islands, situated in the Atlantic Ocean, known as the Eternal Spring Islands, is one of the destinations where you can take sun baths all year long. It is the ideal place for beaches and scuba diving. In the center of the island is situated El Teide, the highest peak in Spain, with a height of 3,717 m. The island is a mountainous massive, like a huge pyramid. The most popular resorts of Tenerife are: Playa de las Americas, Playa Paraiso, located in the south of the island, Puerto de la Cruz, in the north and Las Caletillas, in the east.
Tenerife may be an appropriate choice to spend the holiday for both youngsters, eager to have fun, and for families with children. Night clubs, restaurants, parks and tourist targets will banish boredom from those who do not like the beach. Prices for a stay in this island are, on average, between 600 and 800 euro, depending on the number of star hotel.

A holiday for six days in a three-star hotel in Tenerife cost between 645 and 730 euro, while in a four star hotel to pay 690-770 euro. Six nights accommodation with breakfast in a five-star hotel costs between 760 and 875 euro. The prices vary depending on the period during which you decide to visit the island. The works and transport are included, without any airport fees. As regards the optional tours, a cruise on the island of La Gomera cost 45 euro / person, while a trip to Loro Parque is ten euro more expensive. For children are at half price.

The youngsters can go to nightclubs or may practice various water sports. For the holidays for young people it is recommended Playa de Las Americas, located in the southern part of the island. It is a resort for fun, with numerous bars, nightclubs, discotheques. Also, you can find many duty-free businesses, which are marketed electronics, clothes, footwear, jewellery and perfumes. You can practice nautical sports such as snorkeling, scuba-diving, para-sailing, or sky-jet and also you can go on cruises.
Las Aguilas Park

Los Cristianos
In this exotic park, with an abundant vegetation, discover the only jungle in Europe, where you have the opportunity to admire a lot of animals that live in their natural habitat (including white king - of which there are only 27 in the world). You can admire the intelligence of birds in the show, or can assist in feeding the crocodiles. At the same time you will have the opportunity to play with the monkeys. You can test your ability on a long route on a rope, or you can enjoy the speed of the party grain summer. Transportation to this park is done free of charge, by the Las Aguilas Park buses, which stop in front of various hotels in Playa de Las Americas (Aquapark Hotel Isla bonita, DC. El Duque, El BERYL / Riu Arecas, Guayarmina Hotel, Esmeralda Hotel, Bouganville Hotel, Palm Beach Hotel) and Los Cristianos (CC President, Tenerife Princess Hotel,Paradise Park Hotel, Frente Aptos Atlantis, Princesa Dacil Hotel).

Loro Park
Puerto de la Cruz
LORO Park, called “El must de Canarias”, meaning a mandatory program for tourists from the Canary Islands, is located in the most famous city in the north of the island, Puerto de la Cruz. In this park you will have the wonderful opportunity to spend an unforgettable day, admiring the largest collection of Parrots of the world, taking a walk and relaxing in the park and in the garden, or assisting to the amazing shows with Parrots, dolphins and seals. You can enter the most modern “house” of penguins in Europe and the tunnel full of sharks.

Antalya is one of Turkey’s major cities situated at the Mediterranean Sea. Even if the most beautiful are the surroundings, Antalya, however, remains a tourist lovely city worthy to be visited. Antalya is the capital of the Antalya Province situated on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. It is a picturesque town surrounded by mountains, forests, the Mediterranean Sea and numerous ancient ruins. Combining history and culture, Antalya has deserved the title of “the capital of the Turkish tourism”. It is the main station in the Mediterranean region. Natural beauty, traditional cuisine and historic places around town offer splendid opportunities for a perfect vacation.

In Antalya the Bull Mountains descend directly into the sea’s clear waters, forming an irregular coastal line. The region, drown into the sun 300 days a year, is a paradise of sun bathings, aquatic sports and swimming.
If you come to Antalya in March or April, you can ski during the morning in the mountains, and in the afternoon you can swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean.

The climate of the region is typical Mediterranean, hot and dry summer, temperate and rainy winter.
Antalya and its surroundings are a remarkable and important tourist centre on the Mediterranean coast.
In the last years, the Gulf of Antalya, with its gulfs and caves, filled by the crystalline waters of the Mediterranean Sea has become one of the most popular touristic resorts of Turkey.
The fields on the coast are covered by plantations of bananas, citrus orchards and pine forests and also palm trees.
Antalya is also one of the most important centers of art and culture, having varied cultural activities as: the Festival of Art and Film, the Festival of Jewelry…
The port remains undoubtedly the most interesting part of town.
Antalya is more than beaches, clean water and other conditions particularly attractive, at affordable prices. After several days of sun and fun, scuba diving and hiking, after you find the menus of restaurants and the atmosphere of Antalya places, you just take a walk through the city. Like many of the cities of Turkey, Antalya was founded in Greek period, and it developed very much under the Roman mastery. From the ruins to the Ottoman citadel, from the narrow streets and old houses or gardens, ending with the old port, Antalya is a small open air museum with a friendly and relaxing atmosphere, even if the weather is very hot most of the year.

Places to visit…
For those interested in the history of old places there are organized tours in the surroundings, where you’ll find the ruins of old settlements, such as Aspendos, Perge, Manavgat, Side and many others. In Aspendos can be admired an ancient Amphitheatre, now ruined. Every summer in the region are organized festivals of music and dance, with the participation of thousands of people.

Yat Limani: Antalya’s old port is today a modern port, where you can admire more fast and elegant yachts, but also where you can take lunch at one of the Restaurants.

The Archeological Museum: one of the best in Turkey. Here you can admire the many pieces found in many sites in the region. Some exhibits are unique in the world, and their value can not be estimated.

The Iskele Mosque: situated in the old port area, with a simple and elegant architecture, the Mosque is well-maintained even today.

Call Museum and Inan Kirac: hosted by an old Ottoman house, which preserves the charm of the past, is very popular especially among locals, who will recommend it every time.

The Mosque and Yivli minaret: located near the port, the Mosque with the impressive minaret was built in the XIIIth century.

Hidirlik Tower: a Roman tower, dating from the earliest IInd century B.C. No even today it is known what was its initial role. Researchers have advanced various hypotheses - a maritime lighthouse, a tomb, a turn for the defense - but Hidirlik Tower has preserved its mistery.

Imprevizibile and friendly, playful and welcoming, the best known zoological gardens in Europe represent true sources of spiritual and cultural enrichment. Such experiences are, indeed, an excellent way to spend our time in a pleasant and also constructive way.

If when thinking of zoologigal gardens the first thing that comes to mind to most people is the image of sad animals whose freedoms have been taken from them with fences and bars, it is time to change this conception.

Nowadays, the best-known zoological gardens in Europe are shelter to many species, giving them a very welcoming environment, the same as that of their natural ones, and let’s not forget that the greatest pleasure of visitors is the fact that they may come in contact with these wonderful creatures, regardless of size or species.

Moreover, zoological gardens represent the only way to conserve endangered species whose number increases every year. Last year only that number was of 16.306 species.

Consequently if you pass through the following countries in Europe you should take into consideration visiting these following zoological gardens.

Schönbrunner Zoo, Austria

Founded in 1752, Schönbrunner Zoo is the oldest zoo in the world. Among the most famous attractions here is the house that simulates the rain in the jungles of Borneo as well as the new Polarium Arctic, where visitors can kiss the friendly penguins and the sweet seals in true eschimo style. To make a more complete picture it is recommend you assist in the moments the African elephants, sea lions and the Egyptian vultures are fed and cleaned.

Berlin Zoological Garden, Germany

Berlin Zoological Garden is recognized worldwide for the rarities exposed and also because it houses the largest collection of animals in the world: 13,900 creatures of 1,440 different species. Open since 1844, the zoo was rebuilt after the Second World War, following which it was totally destroyed.

Basel Zoo, Switzerland

Also known under the name of ”Zolli”, the wonderful zoological garden of Basel recives a number of approximately 1 million visitors annually, constituting the second biggest attraction of Switzerland, after the Rhine waterfall in Schaffhausen. Opened in 1874, Basel Zoo houses over 6,000 animals, which are part of 600 different species. Among the zoo’s greatest atrractions is the house that illustrates the evolution of life on Earth.

Beauval Zoo, France

Beauval Zoo began operating in 1980 as a shelter for more than 2,000 species of birds from all over the world. Bringing some exotic animal species, such as girafes or monkeys, a decade later, transformed Beauval into a genuine zoo. Currently, Beauval Zoo houses over 4,000 animals of the most diverse species throughout the world including the famous couple of white tigers Raisa and Gorby.

Chester Zoo, England

Founded in 1934 by George Mottershead, who dreamt to make a zoo without bars, Chester Zoo (which stretches more than 44 hectares) remained faithful to its principles although its number of animals constantly increased. The most popular zoological garden in the United Kingdom is the pround keeper of the largest urangutan arrea in Europe(”Realm of the Red Ape”) and the most impressive collection of Asian elephants.

So if you love animals these destinations are a must on your list and if you have the oportunity to go to Chester Zoo in England you can even become an animal caretaker for one day…