Sunday, May 5, 2013

REMARKABLE RUSSIA

Traveling a country so big and so diverse as Russia can be quite a task. So many climatic zones, so many different cities and cultures... It is highly advisable to seek advice from a travel professional who would tell you how and where to go with minimal cost.
Russia is a country with ancient history and tremendously rich culture. Some of its architectural, historical and cultural monuments are enlisted as UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the historic center of St. Petersburg, the Moscow Kremlin, Red Square, palaces and park complexes, the historical monuments of Novgorod, the historical and cultural complex of Solovki, Trinity-Sergius Lavra in Sergiev Posad, the white stone monuments of ancient Vladimir-Suzdal and the cities of the 'Golden Ring of Russia', and the Kizhi State Historical-Architectural and Ethnographic Museum Reserve.
If you have a look at the Russian Federation, which occupies a sixth part of the earth, it is easy to notice that its sights are so diverse that they go beyond our imagination and resemble no other countries. The people, who have seen a lot and have been to many places, will certainly confirm that it is next to impossible to see all the sights Russia, so great is their number.

The territory of Russia admits more than 100 nature reserves and national parks, the great rivers, like the Volga, the Lena, the Amur, the largest and deepest lake Baikal, the alpine peaks of the Caucasus and the Caucasian Mineral Waters resorts, the volcanoes and geysers of Kamchatka. The resorts on the Black Sea, the Kremlin, Red Square, the mausoleum of Vladimir Lenin, the Armory, St. Basil's Cathedral, the Tretyakov Gallery, Borodino Panorama, and Andrei Rublev museum are perhaps the most attractive places in the eyes of tourists.

He, who has at least once been to Russia, will never forget the Hermitage, the Russian Museum, St. Isaac's Cathedral, Peter and Paul Fortress, the Alexander Nevsky Monastery, the unique museum called the Museum of Curiosities, and unsurpassed palace-park ensembles of Peterhof, Pavlovsk, and Pushkin. Russia is also famous for its ancient towns and the cities of the famous 'Golden Ring'. They include Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Pereslavl, Vladimir, Rostov, Suzdal, and Sergiev Posad.
The sights that have always been popular among international guests include the Historical and Architectural Museum in Smolensk, the Kremlin and the palace of Ivan the Terrible in Vologda, the Kizhi Museum of Wooden Architecture.

Moscow is the capital of the country and its largest city, but the heart of Russia is truly St. Petersburg. In Moscow, one will find unique attractions, as the Triumphal Arch on Kutuzov Avenue, the Tretyakov Gallery, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Pushkin Museum, Epiphany Cathedral and others.
St. Petersburg is often called Venice of the North due to its tremendous historical and architectural heritage. Its Kazan Cathedral, Isaac Cathedral, the Cathedral of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood, Alexander Nevsky Lavra are unique architectural monuments and places of worship. The city's attractions include the Palace Square with the Winter Palace and the Alexander Column, the Admiralty, Smolny Palace, and the Summer Garden. Tourists often walk along Nevsky Prospect, Kazan Cathedral Street, and Architect Rossi Street. Many tours lead to Ostrovsky Square, the Russian National Library, Arts Square with the building of the Russian Museum, the St. Petersburg Academic Theater of Drama, Summer Gardens, the Field of Mars, and the Engineers' Castle.

The city's monuments of Classicism and Empire include the Academy of Fine Arts, Admiralty, the Mountain Institute, Narva Gate. St. Petersburg's famous bridges are true works of art and samples of engineering excellence. To commemorate the victims of the siege of Leningrad during World War II, the architectural memorial at Piskarevsky cemetery was created in the 1960-s. The suburbs of St. Petersburg are famous for Peterhof, Tsarskoye Selo, Pavlovsk, and unique palaces and park ensembles of the 18th-19th centuries.

Monday, April 8, 2013

MEXICO: The Mini World


Hey you the travel bug, you might have explored all the pyramids, the deserts, the jungles, the landscapes but you should not escape the Mexico, so let’s go. Mexico is the right place to travel during summer. ‘MEXICO’ taken from the word Mexica, the tribe that lived in the central region of the country. Mexico is the largest Hispanic language country. Mexico is generally covered with mountains. Leaving all the risks and safety measures behind, I am getting into the tourist dissection of the city. Forget the mountains because there is a lot to visit. It houses small world in it, keep the sentence memorized.

Xochimilco

About 27 miles in the South of Mexico city center, Venice is located. Puzzled, Venice in Mexico? Then Mexico must be in Italy. Amigos it’s actually Xochimilco a Venice like place. It is claimed to have last few remaining canals of Lake Texcoco. Well decorated colorful boats and the floating vendors are the ingredients of the place.

Trajinera
Xochimilco By jrsnchzhrs (flickr.com)

Boats are shared among a dozen person, but if you want to rent the whole of the board, there is no stopping just pay for it. Have pleased of Mariachi the old traditional folk music. If you want to have the festivity then you should visit the place on weekends. Buy some food or flowers or may be some souvenirs from the floating vendors or just take their picture which could be served as souvenir.


Teotihuacan

Been to Egypt ever is kind of same if I ask been to Teotihuacan ever? Teotihuacan is located about 25 miles from the Mexico City. It is an archeological site with 5 entry points. You can hire a car for the site tour which will well serve to take entry from different or all the 5 entrances and also to investigate the surrounding areas. The world’s third largest pyramid; pyramid of the sun is in the Teotihuacan. It stands 66 m in height. To get the great view of Teotihuacan you got to climb on this pyramid.
Pyramid of the Sun
Pyramid of the Sun By ZeroOne (flickr.com)

Apart from pyramids, there are temples, residential compounds and courtyards. Some of the highlighted are Palace of Jaguars, Palace of Quetza Butterfly, pyramid of the moon and Tepantitla. So sharpen you archeology sense and try to find out some untold facts about the place.

Guadalajara

Guadalajara is the capital of Jalisco state. It is the home of well know Mexican traditions like mariachi and charros (Mexican cowboy). The city is full of museums, theaters and shopping malls. Some of the main attractions are Teatro Degollado is an old theater, zoologico Guadalajara (zoo), Expo Guadalajara major events showcased here, Estadio Omnilife (the stadium) and the Centro cultural. You will find many beaches out there in Mexico along with the historic ruins and museums.

Teatro Degollado
Teatro Degollado By Aaron (flickr.com)

Saturday, March 23, 2013

HEADING TO BERLIN




Today's destination is Berlin, Germany. Pick up your camera and take out your map and get set Berlin.
It is estimated that around 80% of the Berlin was destroyed during the Second World War. Today, Berlin is enthralling modern city and offers vast array of interesting places from the remains of the Berlin Wall to the eminent Brandenburg Gate. You might need a planner tool to plan out your trip to historic places.

The Berlin Wall


The defeated Germany was divided into 4 parts: an American, British, French and Soviet occupied zone. Berlin was also divided into 4 sectors. To occupy the whole city, Soviet started a blockade of the US, British and French sectors, the plan failed though. The eastern and western Germany was easily accessible for the Germans. However, the west Germany attracted many east Germans and to stop them from fleeng away, east Germany decided to build the border fence.



Berlin Wall
Berlin Wall By Antony Zacharias (flickr.com)



87 mile long concrete fence between East and West Berlin, The Berlin Wall. An incarnation of the purported ‘Iron Curtain’ between eastern and western Europe. It was originally a barbed wire fence erected within 24 hours on August 13, 1961, a more stout and solid wall built on August 15, 1961.

The Berlin wall was of great controversy throughout its existence. The fall of the Berlin wall finally arose on November 9, 1989 and the wall was just about entirely dismentled. Some east gallery side sections still animate.


The Brandenburg Gate



The Brandenburg Gate built between 1788 and 1791 which once served as a city gateway. Today’s Brandenburg is just for name only. No more passage for vehicles in fact it is pedestrian’s concern only.


Brandenburg Gate by Night
Brandenburg Gate By Stacey Cavanagh (flickr.com)


With all the ideological disputes in the past, the Brandenburg is a symbol of peace and unity.


Altes Museum


Altes Museum has been built in Ancient Greece inspired style. It was built between 1823 and 1830.
It showcases many Greek and Roman art sculptures, the art of Etruscan. Portraits of Caesar and Cleopatra, fresco and mosaics portraits exhibit Roman series.


Altes Museum (Berlin)
Altes Museum By Jean-Pierre Dalbéra (flickr.com)




The Neues Museum is getting more of the attraction than the Altes but it is still worth to visit. Trojan antiquities and prehistoric skull are the limelight of the Neues museum.


Berlin Olympic Stadium


The Olympic stadium was built for 1936 Olympics. Even though the stadium was partly destroyed in World War II (WWII), the original architecture is still preserved. The renovated stadium features a transparent oval roof. 


 

Olympic Stadium, Berlin
Berlin Olympic Stadium By Matthew Powell (flickr.com)



Apart from sports, concerts and other culture events are held in the stadium. The visitor center will be a right starting point to explore the historical information about the stadium.



Museum Of Technology Berlin


In 1982 museum of transport and technology of berlin was developed. It has an exhibition area of around 50,000 square meters and is among the world’s largest technical museum.


River barge
River barge at Berlin Technology Museum By Jerzy Kociatkiewicz (flickr.com)




A nice collections of train engines, cars and aircraft which give you an idea of German technology and transportation revolution.


Berlin - Class 01 Locomotive
Steam Locomotive at Museum of Technology By Roger Wollstadt (flickr.com)



You can also have the pleasure of watching windmills, a smithy and a water mill.



Panoramapunkt


View Berlin 360? Panoramapunkt in Kollhoff tower is to the rescue. For little charges you will be able to go to the top through the fastest lift. The information at the observation deck outline all the story of the surrounded area and landmarks.