What is Solovki?

Resorts of Turkey, the beaches of Taiwan, the islands of Greece and even Paris with its Eiffel Tower, pales before the Solovetsky Islands. Solovki - a mysterious world, full of colors and a kind of extraterrestrial fascination.

In this world, with its flying in the sky islands (and you believe that the island and actually fly, and this is not a mirage), with clear lakes (of which you can drink boiled water!), Seals, lazily rocking on the waves and not pay no attention to the camera shutter snapping tourists, there is no place bustle of modern society. At Solovki should forget about the TV sets, computers and mobile phones.


On the way to Kem

Only you and eternity

. Huge boulders, through which cold rolling waves of the White Sea, gulls, dive to the ship in anticipation of the next portion of food, cloudberry, blushing in the haired reindeer moss, low sky, changing its shape every five minutes ...


Shore of the White Sea

Not enough? And the old monastery with quincentennial history, pot-bellied guard towers, connected well very impressive fortress wall (Chinese replica rests), boats and yachts, to hide from the storm in the Bay of well-being. And total immersion in the depths of history.

That

British ships

unsuccessfully attacked the monastery during the Crimean War, That Peter is building a church on the Big Island Zayatsky and blesses it St. Andrew's flag. Here archers, deceit penetrated through the secret gates, tortured monks who refused to recognize the reforms of Patriarch Nikon. And black pages SLON (Solovki prison camp), and heroic - the school apprentices.


Church of St. Andrew


And the lake, suddenly turned into the early twenties of the last century from the Great White at Big Red. Once the White Sea have not renamed. Church -Sekirnoy lighthouse on the hill. It is possible, it turns out to combine the issues of religion and the safety of navigation at sea. The whales, beluga whales, though not huge, but the whales.

all mixed up on these mysterious islands . Eight months in the year they were separated from the mainland. Kilometers ice solder does not come to give him any traffic. Even in summer, when the sea storms, canceled scheduled flights from Kemi and the White Sea. Nature itself is doing everything to limit the presence of the islands people. And just want to see what is available in the ordinary world, come to Solovki . And fall in love with them forever.

Sunset


Posted on 06/09/2007 under the heading «The world around us»
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Venice. Why is it called the pearl of Italy?

According to legend, Venice emerged from the sea foam in 421. According to other sources, the history of Venice dates back to 452 years: at this time on the islands was hidden from the Huns of Attila, the city's population Aquileia.

But most likely, the first settlements appeared in the lagoon in 568 during the invasion of the Lombards. In any case, it is this date mentioned in historical references.

City legend

, city-pearl, the city's dream, a city where memories live. Wonder Venice is called the most romantic cities of Italy. His endeavor to visit all the lovers of peace.

Venice in the form we know it today, was that of a 810 year, when they were assimilated central island of the lagoon Riva Alto, eventually grew into the Rialto. At that time, residents began to actively build ships. And soon, Venetian merchants built up trade around the world. To judge the Merchant of Venice can be at least one interesting historical fact: under the bell tower on St. Mark's Square to sell wine, as it was under the bell tower because it cast a shadow. And that wine is not spoiled, constantly moved from a barrel so as to always remain in the shadows. So Venice - it's not just canals and gondolas, but also very dodgy businessmen, which is still legendary.

Saint Mark's Square
The city is situated on 118 islands, connected channels through which, in turn, moved up more than 400 large and small bridges. In the old days there were hardly any bridges, only in very narrow places were moved wide boards. The first mention of the sliding bridges date back IX century .

Venice

divided into two parts, the so-called Grand Canal or Kanalatstso. Its length is about 3800 meters, width - from 28 to 73 meters. The main means of transport in Venice is the gondola - a narrow, fairly long boat, adapted for movement through the channels. Also on the city canals run between large and small boats that carry from 160 to 1200 people. Small ships move along the Grand Canal and around the main part of the city, and large designed for movement between the main part of the city and the islands of the lagoon.

arrival in Venice you will need to choose where to stop, for the best way suitable Coastal Venice. This is a fairly large area, located along the shores of the lagoon, the prices in hotels are lower than in the insular part of the city. To get to the island of Venice is not difficult: it can be done either by boat or by a dam on the train or car.

If you decide to walk, it's better to wander through the labyrinth of Venice's streets. They say that on these streets on foot you can reach virtually any place in half an hour. The length of the city of about 4 200 meters and width - 2 700. It covers an area of 7 square kilometers, and if you include the island, about 13.7 square kilometers. In the six areas, which divided the city, home to about 100 000 inhabitants. Lagoon has six large islands, the most famous of these is the island of Lido , known for its beautiful beaches and casinos.

Surprisingly, the city almost no changes, everything remains as in the paintings of old masters, as if time stood still here. Venice is beautiful at any time of day and night and does not lose its splendor, in any time of year you may have visited her.

in Venice, start your tour with the main square, Piazza San Marco, which can be reached on the Grand Canal. This area is located Doge's Palace - a place where deciding the fate of the Venetian people. This building is the main museum in Venice. Also on the square of St. Mark's Cathedral and St. Mark's Campanile bell tower, buildings old and new Procuratie, the Golden Altar, Clock Tower.

Sailing along the Grand Canal

(better to do the gondola), you can admire the Rialto bridge and the chapel beside him, noble palaces of Venice, adjacent to the channel. If you are interested in museums, be sure to visit the Academy Gallery is the largest collection of paintings of Venice XIV-XVI centuries.
KAJI `Oro is also known as the Golden House - this museum presents sculptures and paintings of Italian and Flemish masters. You can also visit the Naval Museum, City Museum Corner, School of the Brotherhood of St. Rocco (palace influential in his time philanthropic organization). And this is not a complete list of attractions and museums of Venice. To describe them all, you need to spend a lot of time, and to visit even more!

Truly Venice is the most amazing and unique city not only in Italy but throughout the world.
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What is interesting about Cuba?

To get acquainted with the island of Freedom, first go to Havana . It is here most clearly visible contrasts of the country. Do not be surprised nearby luxury skyscrapers to dilapidated little houses. And be ready for a sincere joy of life of their inhabitants. Life Cubans opened, it passes on the street or on the balcony. Sit yourself talk through the wide-open windows and doors, porch playing dominoes, play music and dance.

And anyway, if you dance or want to see how the local dance (and look at what is), do not waste your time, dance in Havana. Peculiar extreme during the tour to Cuba can be found in the evening, when in some areas turning off the electricity. Entire streets and neighborhoods are immersed in darkness. But walking there, as assured already visited Cuba, quite safely.

Cuba - a country with unique culture

. Construction of socialism and poverty strangely combined with the resorts of international standards and general merriment. Wake up here under the rooster crows, look at the streets, hung with posters «We are well», sip a freshly squeezed juice from sugar cane and Rejoice life together with the inhabitants of the island. Call a horse with a cart instead of a taxi, and more on tour. It will look at that!

Is not it curious

to climb the 44-meter tower to oversee the slaves walk around the city, a labyrinth? Look to the guests in the crocodile nursery with an inscription on the gate «Growing crocodiles - the idea of revolution», to feed its inhabitants, and then eat the most fresh crocodile meat? Do not want to be in the 50's, seeing in the streets of «Volga» and «Lada»? A stay in «Soviet» stores, where goods are issued on cards? And go to the Museum of the fight against illiteracy, chopped cane, together with the Cubans, luxuriate on the beach with black sand, go to the world's only museum history of piracy ... And do not forget, of course, leave time for sunbathing on the Cote d'ashore, and bathing.

It is safe to say that Cuba - one of the world's best places for diving. This has a shelf the size of a decent continent, a great variety of coral reefs and islets. You will provide excellent visibility absence of strong currents.

During the rest

You can simply swim with mask and snorkel, and to arrange a night diving to observe the intricate coral reefs, mysterious sunken ships, caves, tunnels, vertical walls, and many others. At a depth you will find turtles, sharks, swordfish, blue marlin.

Especially attractive marine park and underwater caves, which lie at the bottom of the missile boat, aircraft and a frigate with awesome guns on deck. Flooded they're on purpose. In addition, these shores at various times there have been about 5000 of these shipwrecks. So the material for review is sufficient.

A lot of people sent to Cuba, not only for the long-awaited vacation, but also to cure many diseases, serious and not very. The island is famous for the most advanced medical and SPA programs. Are their individually for each patient. Here is the latest technology combined with favorable climate, unique nature and pleasant atmosphere at work miracles. Used latest developments gistoplatsentar therapy for treatment of serious and sometimes incurable diseases.

A nice trip and unforgettable impressions!

Karyunya Zaplatkina
http://traveldin.blogspot.com/

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What we know about Nairobi?

Kenya

- one of the most colorful of the African continent. Several centuries ago it was the capital city of Mombasa.

The current capital of Kenya in just one century has evolved from a desolate swamp into a thriving modern city. When the builders arrived here railways, they arranged a camp here under the simple name «327 Mile», and the local Maasai tribe Maasai call this place Evaso Nayberi - a place of cold water. Only by mid-1899 from Mombasa to Nairobi train roads 530 kilometers. The camp became a village, then a small town, in 1907 he became the East African capital of the British colonial empire, gradually became an important center of the colony, and an attractive destination for travelers, hunters and adventurers from all over the world.

Because of the inaccessibility of materials, rebuilt the city was more like a slum than the future business center. Also, wild animals wandering around, still represented a danger to people. In the city of Nairobi, soon collapsed disease. The real test for the city dwellers began to sweep them the plague. To stop the spread of infection, burned entire neighborhoods of the city. When, half a century later, they rebuilt, the city began to acquire more business and modern shape. From lost in the savannah tiny town Nairobi , thanks to the British, turned into a major metropolis and one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

British influence

in Nairobi felt everywhere. Even the central square is decorated with a clock tower, looks like a London Big Ben. Here in front of the Parliament of the tomb of the first President of Kenya Jomo Kenyatta, who was worshiped by the Kenyans. Videography is an insult to the memory of President and punishable by law. Kenyans anxiously keep everything connected with the first President. One of the main exhibits of the National Museum in Nairobi - a copy of his favorite elephant, made in natural size. The first President was so strongly attached to his pet, which gave him a single guard on duty 24 hours a day. When the elephant died, the president ordered to make a copy and install it in a museum ...

Now

Nairobi

one of the biggest and most interesting cities in Africa. Its population is 1,5 million people. This is a city of contrasts, where races and tribes merge and form the unique character of this city. The city does not forget its history, there are museums that will tell you its most interesting moments.

With elevations in the 1680 meters, which is Nairobi, offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes. A clear, cloudless day, clearly visible in two of the most famous peaks in Africa. One of these, Mount Kenya - the highest in the country and the second highest in Africa. Second, the same mountain, the highest on the continent - Kilimanjaro , its height is 5895 meters.


General, Kenya is located on the equator, which divides it roughly in half. Southeastern part of the country washed by the Indian Ocean, the western part of the famous Lake Victoria is restricted. Nairobi is one of the most unique cities in the African continent is because high-rise, high-rise buildings are whimsically coexist with the flora and fauna of equatorial Africa.

Alexander Grachev
http://traveldin.blogspot.com/

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What is interesting in island of Gran Canaria?

Gran Canaria

- the third largest island in the Canary archipelago. The name comes from the Latin Canard «Canis» - a dog. And then the Spanish conquistadors gave the name of Gran Canaria «island big Canarians»: the conquistadors were short people, and Aboriginal high. And the local gray bird, a tiny songstress, was brought here in Europe, called the canary, brought to the yellow color, which was turned into a singing lemon and sent back to the Canaries in a gilded cage. Now voluntary gray canaries sing under the balcony, where the cells them a second lemon and orange cousin.

As for the dogs, they are a match for aboriginal Guanches, were enormous. Strange people Guanches taken out a special breed, out of which turned out later mastiffs. The dogs were, and the Guanches disappeared, destroyed by the conquistadors. Weather on the island of Gran Canaria is very favorable to rest in Spain . The climate here is subtropical. Winter lasts from November to May, the day is about 25 ° heat, the evening about fifteen. Average temperature + 20 °. In summer the average temperature of + 25 °. Rainfall occurs only in winter.

To go on holiday in Gran Canaria, in the Embassy of Spain should draw a Schengen visa. You must have a passport valid for 6 months, a certificate from work, a certificate of purchase of foreign currency, form and 2 photos. Flight to Gran Canaria double. The easiest way - to Tenerife flight «Transaero» or charter from Tenerife Norte Airport to Gran Canaria local flight. Travel time to Tenerife 7 hours, between the islands - half an hour. From the airport of Gran Canaria in Maspalomas to 35 km.

To stay in Gran Canaria can use any option. Near the dunes there are hotels and apartments in different categories. Summer prices are falling, however, strongly raised in August. With flight from Moscow in a week «Playa Meloneras» 5 * costs from 905 euros (in May). At Playa Augustine popular hotel «Melia Tamarindos» 5 *. It is week from 800 euros in May, and from 925 in June. 3 * category hotel at Playa Ingles will cost from 710 euros per week. The most comfortable and quiet hotel coast - «Maspalomas Oasis» in Maspalomas. He is buried in a tropical garden where peacocks stroll around the pool and yell green parrots. If you want to combine vacation with treatment in the spa, you should choose «Gloria Palace» or «Costa Melaneras».

Canary Islands

- is a duty-free zone, so in this place Spain is very advantageous to buy. Especially good prices on liquor and perfumes. In general, prices in restaurants is lower than in mainland Spain. In the resort area are higher than in ordinary villages in the mountains or on the coast of Spain. Gran Canaria - an interesting island, there's something to see. Is therefore worth to rent a car, drive through the mountains to the north. Before Las Palmas and is easily accessible without a car: every half-hour walks shuttle bus, which stops at major hotels. At night he goes often. Map of the island can be obtained free of charge at the hotel.

Enjoy your stay!

Dmitry Kolpakov
http://traveldin.blogspot.com/

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What is fraught with the city of Grodno and is it worth it to visit?

Grodno - one of the oldest cities in Belarus. «As in Europe» - said many of Grodno. And really, the old part of town skillfully combined with modern decor. Here you can see the ancient buildings, enjoy the wonderful nature walk through the narrow streets, sit in small cafes - to rest body and soul, as they say.

History Grodno

has more than 800 years. Gorodnya, Goroden, Goradna - names, like the city itself, have changed over time. At the time of Ancient Rus city became an important bastion in the north-west frontier. Related to this is the origin of the name of the city, which arose from the word «piling».

If you walk along the stony road, looking at the old two-, three-storey houses, you can go to the Old Castle, who also has a long history. It was from this castle, situated on a high hill, originally was the development of the city. The relief of the city is rather complicated, so there is no definite system in the layout of the streets. The hills, ravines, river valleys - how could I not take into account these features of the natural landscape? Architects, by contrast, wanted to emphasize the natural beauty and ancient look of the city.

Today, old and new locks, which are located on a high hill, is a museum that visitors will please many and varied exhibits.

Surprisingly

, but in Grodno preserved buildings of different eras and styles, and these buildings reflect the complex history of the city. Preserved monuments of architecture, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque: the remains of the fortress walls and towers, Boris and Gleb Church, Bernardine Church and Monastery, the Old Castle, the Jesuit and Franciscan monasteries with churches, a Lutheran church and various other attractions.

Speaking of Grodno, it is impossible not to mention about Borisoglebsk or Kalozha Church - example of ancient architecture of the second half of XII century. It is situated on a steep bank of the river Neman, spectacular views. Keep the church is not fully: its arches and the head disappeared long ago, the southern and western part of the walls collapsed into the river by a landslide in 1853. Yet surprisingly, how could such an ancient building stand for so many centuries and save face virtually unchanged ... Even now, being near the church, you feel the power and mystical spirit of the past.

Yes, there is to see in the city of Grodno. And as for its contemporary decor, here the city does not lag behind others, and looks confidently to the future. There is more and more new housing estates, suburbs of the city built up intensively. Do not forget about the reconstruction, because Grodno - the so-called depository of cultural heritage of our ancestors.

«Come on, walk to the Niemen!»

- often you can hear from Grodno. Correct solution, because right here, on the waterfront, called the most beautiful view in town. Quietly, quietly, somewhere far away the music is playing, here and dream well, and a walk, listening to the rapid course of wayward rivers. The city of Grodno, as it were divided into two parts, the Neman, hence call it were: Old and New Town. You stand on one side, staring into the distance and think before you a large, modern city, with new buildings, the bustle. On the other hand - a quiet, tranquil old town. Here's how interesting are two different worlds are combined with each other.

As you know, Grodno is bordered on the west by Poland, on the north - with Lithuania. Through it runs a lot of international travel itineraries. You can often hear foreign speech, sitting in a cafe or just passing by.
Many people often go shopping just in Grodno. And all because you can buy things of good quality is much cheaper than other outlets.

It seems that everything here is: and ancient monuments , and beautiful nature, and you can buy something good. But what about entertainment? Then Grodno on the height! In the evening both times and the fun begins. On the streets there are many young people. And how many beautiful girls! In addition to the discos, bars and restaurants located in various parts of the Old and New City, you can join the merry crowd dancing right on the banks of the Neman - disco under the open sky, just like old times. For fans of discos and parties Grodno offers entertainment on a small boat, where the river tossing can drown in a company winding guys and beautiful girls.

Grodno - truly amazing city. So why travel to distant lands when all the fun you can find at home!

Tatyana Zhukova
http://traveldin.blogspot.com/

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Where can I rest in Spain?

In our time abroad, perhaps, nobody will be surprised. Many people have visited at least one country and realized how good it is - a rest abroad. Today we offer you a brief tour of Spain. Read and you'll see, decide to go to this country. Tour operators claim that on such a vacation can only dream of.
Spain is divided into mainland and island. It would seem that country alone, and the atmosphere is always different:

Weather. It may go off-scale for 40 degrees, but in Spain, all run by a temperate Mediterranean climate: the sea is warming, but not to the state of fresh milk, 23-24 degrees and the air is not heated up in July - 27-28 °, in August - no more than 30 ° , In Spain a good rest to those who do not want to drastically change the climate. You can bathe until October.
DINING . Spanish cuisine - one of the best in the world. Oma is renowned for its diversity. Virtually every region has its own particular cooking. For example, Catalonia, bordering the south of France, specializes in gourmet sauces, giving a unique taste of culinary masterpieces. Valencia is known as the birthplace of paella - rice dishes, seafood and vegetables. In the central regions of the country particularly popular are various types of roast. And, of course, in Spain you can try and taste of French, Chinese, Italian cuisine and much more. Dinner for one person in the cafes and restaurants, which abound vse resorts, costs about 5.8 euros (salad, main course, dessert). In Spain, makes a very tasty beer and wine. And you can buy them for a very low price. A bottle of wine on average costs 1.4 euros.
Infrastructure. In Spain, a lot of exchange offices, which work almost around the clock. All restaurants, cafes, department stores, located in the tourist area, working from early morning until late evening, and many around the clock. Approximately from 13.00-13.30 to 16.00-16.30 almost everything closes for siesta.
And now, more specifically:
Resort Costa Brava (north of Spain)
It is famous for coastal scenery, spacious beaches alternate with rocky tracts, covered with evergreen trees.
What to see:
• the capital of Catalonia - Barcelona, one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. The unique architecture of different times (the Gothic quarter, Cathedral of the Holy Family, etc.), the museum of Pablo Picasso, Toros bullfighting square
• Montserrat - a Benedictine monastery, built in the 11 th century on a mountain top
• Salvador Dali Museum in Figueres
• Medea Island - Marine Reserve, consisting of six rocky islands. An ideal place for diving
• one of the largest water parks in Spain
Who: People who prefer not only lie on the beach, but to go on various excursions.
Resort Costa del Sol (southern Spain)
Great influence on the development of southern Spain had the Arabs, so civilized Europe is bordered to the exotic East. Hotels in mostly 4 - and 5-star hotels.
What to see:
• Seville - the capital of Andalusia
• Cordova (the main attraction - the mosque Meskvita)

Balearic Islands

Insular Spain differs from the mainland. Also manifest a certain isolation from the «big land». On the islands of life more, calm. And yet, still shine, typical of Spain.
Mallorca
The largest island of Balearic archipelago. The continent in miniature.
What to see:
• Palma de Mallorca - the capital of the island, the combination of unique antique and fashion shops
• Giant Arta caves
• Nature Park Galatzo
• Park marine animals
• Spanish «Disneyland» - Europe's largest amusement park.
For whom: for people who want to combine a quiet island with a Spanish expression.

Ibiza

One of the best resorts for young people. It is called the Spanish Hollywood. On the island there are no restrictions in nothing: neither in the choice of clothing, nor in the behavior or lifestyle. Freedom and fun without boundaries.
What to see:
• «hippie»-market in the vicinity of Santa Eulalia
• best discos of the world, working in the mode of non-stop
• historical attractions.
For whom: party-goers from around the world.
Source: http://otdyhai.udm.net
http://traveldin.blogspot.com/

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Barcelona - good?

Barcelona - city and port in northeastern Spain on the Mediterranean coast. This famous city, which set a variety of people gave their love and part of his life to ever make it into the history of Spain.

What do you think is worthy Barcelona of love and glory, it deserves to be called the capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia? I believe that this city deserves more ...

Every corner of the earth, every country and every city in its own beautiful and ready to give us unforgettable moments and impressions. Barcelona stands out unique charm, its unique beauty. In this wonderful city have invested part of his soul a lot of people, among them -

Antonio Gaudi, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, Christopher Columbus

. Barcelona - this is the city which will bring pleasure to everyone, because in its architecture blended various styles and epochs.

What is there corners, which occur attractions? Log in Barcelona with the sea opens up a monument to Christopher Columbus, one of the greatest scholars. The monument was erected in white marble and gold. This monument is a reciprocal gift of Columbus, who loved to Spain and dedicated to her all his discoveries.

this is, Barcelona ...

Crossing the Old Town, the famous boulevard stretches La Rambla . He has the charm and beauty, charm and grandeur. La Rambla boulevard in Barcelona embodies the strength and immortality, thus attracting people of different ages and professions. Here you can meet people with different passions and principles. On the boulevard of La Rambla is a mobile gallery and theaters, you can sit in the cafeteria and listen to game music.


La Rambla

In the Barrio Gotic

- Gothic Quarter is also mixed different eras: there are medieval buildings and modern - cafes, bars. In Barcelona, more than 40 museums. The city will give the indelible impressions lovers of fish, because there is placed Barcelona Aquarium, the largest oceanarium in Europe, with more than 3000 species of marine fauna. And in Barcelona is the most famous creations of Antonio Gaudi - Cathedral Sagrada Familia ...


Sagrada Familia

Each district of Barcelona is unique, has its own unique energy. Every street is charming in its own way ... Internal structure of the city is remarkable for its simplicity. Streets near the sea - the historic core, Old Town (Ciutat Vella). In the ring boulevards, Rhonda, you can trace the outlines of the wall that surrounded the most complete Gothic ensemble in the world. Here are their names: Ronda de Sant Pau, Ronda de Sant Antoni, Ronda Universitat, Ronda de Sant Pere.

Old Town

contains two approximately equal parallel streets - Rambla (Rambla) and Via Layetana (Via Laitana). La Rambla - the liveliest place in Barcelona, and the Via Layetana - business place. What is common between these two streets? They both go down to the sea and are separated by the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic). Over the Via Layetana begins the ancient quarter of seafarers Ribera (La Ribera), and for Rambla - running Barrio Chino (Barrio Chino). Previously, there was another wall, she screened the Old Town. But times have passed, it no longer exists. At the present time, in its place is a park (Parc de la Ciutadella).

Near Eixample (Eixample) can find many works of Gaudi, a lot of buildings in Art Nouveau style, because the construction period Eixample coincided with the flowering of Art Nouveau. Eixample - a piece of Barcelona, where many beautiful buildings, this architectural reserve.

This city can be told for a long time, but, unfortunately, have to finish our excursion. What finally can say? This is the most commercial and industrial city of Spain, a Mediterranean city, many people have invested in him his love, which gave a rich culture, many traditions, history and the greatest popularity.


And best of all, not only to read a tour of Barcelona, a trip to this city of Spain, to see with my own eyes and understand that you want to go back and donate a portion of his own soul Barcelona! I already gave her his love, respect and thought: «Barcelona - the best city, which collected all times! All that was best in the world throughout its existence! »

Zlata Honey
http://traveldin.blogspot.com/

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What I remember aboit Holland?

Medieval architecture in the neon advertising, windmills and wooden shoes, red-light streets or crowded motley people and smoke clouds? Dutch cheese with holes, beer, sad violin and singing in the twilight of a warm rain, and maybe a bouquet of tulips in the hands of fair-haired old ladies?

Netherlands - picturesque little piece of north-western Europe, situated on the North Sea coast. A wonderful green country beyond the horizon which hides the most beautiful meadows, fields and poplar groves and flower plantations. The old mill is still on a par with modern windmills come to grips with the wind. The air is filled with fresh sea breeze, and friendly small towns and villages with neat little colored houses amaze with his obese Dutch cows that graze on «polders» - drained bay.

The land is crossed by dikes and canals. Netherlands - officially the Kingdom of the Netherlands (low land) - flat country, made by human hands. Many centuries ago, when this land came the ancestors of the Dutch, it was a lace of bays, creeks and swamps, and the water rose only a low island. People fought for the land: build a dam, with the help of windmills drained lakes and swamps. Today, Holland can be called a country Melo «Water», whose people cherish their past. Each of them is ready to tell many stories about the customs of his native town. In this small country that neither the village - then your way of life, their traditional costumes and their dialect.

A small Dutch fishing village: a succession of houses along the wharf, the harbor filled with boats and schooners, which are still a daily basis go to sea to fish. On shore, long-legged herons wandering, begging for a piece of fish with tourists. Involuntary smile causes funny, good-natured Dealers-barkers numerous shops. In the funny jackets and trousers with a vast buckle for large buttons and a round hat, they look like little "tremendous growth. Workshops, where the famous wooden shoes - Klomp, attract colorful signs. Shoes, what the soul wishes - large and tiny, painted, carved! Locals insist that klompenah much warmer and drier than in rubber boots.

Many restaurants to grumble, but the good Dutch housewives attract all sorts of delicious smells of sea delicacies. This salmon, and smoked eel, fried calamari, steamed mussels, and, of course, «Maches» - tender fillet fatty herring, which has been taken to send in your mouth completely, raising his fingers in a ponytail. As consumption of seafood country ranks first in the world! But this pride of the country is a great Dutch cheese. Dozens of varieties: young, old, with cumin, and pepper, dill, nuts ... In the country several hundred years thereafter, cheese auctions at which trade takes place according to the ancient ritual. Cheesemaker in folk costumes drag their works on special skids by ancient music, and the buyer and the seller during the auction beat each other's hand, offering a price for the cheese.

most scenic value of the Netherlands - the flowers!

They are everywhere: on the streets, the windows, in the hands of people! Most incredible: tulips, lilies, gladioli, daffodils, irises, hyacinths and crocuses - black, pale-green, fluffy, terry ... Raises them not for the beautiful flowers, but for the precious bulbs. Plantations flowering bulbs extending along the entire Dutch coast - multicolored carpet area of more than 17 thousand hectares. And almost half of the flowering surface occupied Dutch tulips.

The first tulips in Europe, appeared at the court of the Emperor of Austria in 1554. His botanist, Karolyus Klyusiyus, for religious reasons, had fled to the Netherlands, where it was found that along the coast on a rich sandy soil is excellent growing these flowers. It quickly became a popular tulip and expensive commodity. One of the flower bulb was worth as much as a mansion in Amsterdam. Today, as before, the Netherlands is the largest exporter of flower bulbs in the world.

Whatever the quiet and comfortable country life, the Dutch prefer the city. Famous Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht - masterpieces of medieval architecture, with magnificent cathedrals, picturesque canals and old houses.

picturesque Amsterdam

( «dam on the Amstel River»), capital of contrasts - a city of hundreds of channels through which, nowadays there are more than 600 scenic bridges, the city Gothic buildings and the ancient cobbled streets. The beautiful red brick building with a clock - Central Station (XIX century).. From him a fan scatter the streets and «grahty» - canals of Amsterdam, including the main street of the city - Damrak. On it you can get into the historic city center - «quarter for more channels» - this is the famous Dam Square, Royal Palace with a great museum, a church-Nieuwe Kerk (the place of the coronation of monarchs of the Netherlands) and the famous Madame Tussauds.

Amsterdam can be called a museum center of the world. Here is the Museum of Art - Reyksmyuzeu, one of the best in Europe, the Van Gogh Museum with the world's largest collection of his works, the Museum of the Tropics, the Cabinet of cats, Europe's only Museum of hashish, marijuana and hemp, as well as tattoos Museum, the Museum of Sex and the set other, no less than the original. Wandering musicians, «informal people», Red Light District, flower markets, streetcar and bicycle calls (the number of bicycles in the country exceeds the number of its inhabitants!), Without all that hard to imagine the real Amsterdam.

Rotterdam - the largest port in Europe and second largest city in the country. Here is the first «Skyscraper» Europe - Het Witte Hayes (45 m, 1898), the largest in the country Town Hall (1920), and a monument to Peter I. The Hague - seat of government, parliament and the royal court, the third largest and one of the oldest cities in the country. This city officials, diplomats and retired. There's the Peace Palace, built by Andrew Carnegie, which operates the International Court of Justice. The sights of the city is the park Madurodam, a unique outdoor museum, where a 1:25 scale represented virtually the entire country and all its monuments.

Multi-ethnic Netherlands, where the official languages are Dutch and Frisian, can be proud of their population, which communicates more in at least two foreign languages. Open culture of Holland made it a popular destination for people all over the world.

The streets of exotics: negros and Asians speak confidently on the Dutch port of slang. In a word - Europe! Free Europe, attracting tourists, idlers and adventurers. It is no coincidence, because honest and thrifty Dutch, winners of water, which never in no way show their superiority, have something to brag!


And not only first-class doctors and excellent roads, the longest swing bridge in the world or the greatest density of population in Europe, there is something more interesting! Free love, legal prostitution, with the famous brothels, the sale of soft drugs to all adults and the world's only monument to homosexuals - that's not all that is capable of Holland!

Katherine Balabanova
http://traveldin.blogspot.com/

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What is interesting about Romania?

This «country vampires» interesting to all, from its mysterious history to the fact that the country's president goes to the store without a bodyguard. A country in Europe, revered by one of the most criminal. So, all is not so? Let's start with history.

History
The modern history of Romania begins May 9, 1877. This year the country gained its independence. Shortly before, in 1859, united the two territories - Wallachia and Moldavia. Transylvania joined them in 1918. However, the history of the people has more than one millennium.

The ancestors of the Romanians Dacians were deemed Thracian people, akin to the Albanians. It was a very warlike people, who worried the outskirts of the Roman Empire under the leadership of the legendary Decebal. After two trips to the country of the Roman emperor Trajan established in 107 by the province of Dacia. In honor of this was created Trajan's Column, which shows Dacians. Costumes of Dacians very similar to the national costumes of modern Romanians some areas. However, in 270, Emperor Aurelian was already forced to leave the province. All the colonists were taken outside the territory.

After this, the country is flooded Gothic tribes, formed the new state. In the 13-14 centuries formed Wallachia and Moldavia. Transylvania is divided between the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary. All the surrounding land populated by Slavic tribes. Thus, the country is becoming isolated from their cultural homeland of Italy. Romania - the only countries that speak a Romance language, which is divorced from the historical homeland of the language.

Culture

The name of Romania (Romaine, as they say themselves Romanians) sends us to the historical name of Rome. And the culture of this country miraculously continues to keep the legacy of the ancient empire. This surprised many historians, especially if we recall that the Roman colonization lasted only a half-century and all the Roman colonists were fully withdrawn. There is even a theory that a tribe of Latins from the Lazio region migrated from the region of the Carpathians.

Language

First, kinship with ancient Rome can be traced in language. Romanian language belongs to the eastern branch of the Romance languages. Literary language is very beautiful and like-sounding Italian. However, it has several sounds closer to the Slavic and Germanic. In the language were also Dacian roots, although their numbers are few. There has strange parallels with the French language in the part of the nasal endings of words such as hand, bread, dog, etc. Although the actual nasals in Romanian language there. French language in nowadays distributed among the educated population.

By the same branch of the languages belong to a few living and one dead language. Latter - it dalmatsky language in which a couple of centuries ago, said in Dalmatia (the Yugoslav Adriatic coast). By living languages include Istra-Romanesque, vallahsky (Aromanian), Meglena-Romanesque style. Sometimes more isolated Moldovan. In all these languages are spoken limited populations in Balkan countries such as Greece, Macedonia, Croatia, Albania, Bulgaria and Turkey. This suggests that once the Balkans and Carpathians, there was extensive Romano-speaking community, adjacent to Italy.

Architecture and kitchen
Despite considerable Germanic and Turkish influence in the country saved the tradition of ancient Rome. For example, in housing made of stone floors and do not make the thresholds. In the kitchen, despite the significant influence of the Turkish (the majority of the names of dishes, Turkish), preference is given to pork and cabbage. Beef and chicken in the socialist time lying on the shelves, but the Romanians were told that there is nothing. Pork in the free sale was not. A potato for food and not esteemed at all. Not that that in Russia or Germany.

Thanks to foreign influences in Romania was a very interesting and diverse architectural environment. Here you can find monuments of different cultures, from ancient Roman and ending with Ceausescu's palace (the communist ruler of Romania). There are many very beautiful castles at very different architecture. As a nation of Orthodox (87% of the population), Romania has a large number of monuments of Christian culture, starting with cave temples. The capital Bucharest is called «little Paris» for her beauty and elegance of the architecture. Here you can see and boulevards, and the Triumphal Arch on grand «Champs-Elysées», covered with flowering trees.

Musical Culture
Musical culture of Romania is also extremely interesting. The country was created distinctive academic focus based on national traditions, but was best known folk music performed by gypsy ensembles tarafov (taraf - a group of people in Turkish). A set of tools in those ensembles of Turkish or Persian rather than European, and Oriental music soon. The most popular dance for some reason is the so-called Sârba (Sirbu - a Serb), ie, Serbian dance. Wide world famous violin virtuoso piece «Skylark» G. Dinicu, the founder of modern tarafov. This play is sometimes performed even by Chinese «violinists» national Chinese instruments erhu (bowed instrument). Widespread popularity are also gypsy brass ensembles. It is believed that they descended from the Turkish military bands.

The most interesting unique musical instrument, apparently very ancient. This telinka or skosivka in the Carpathian Slavs. It represents a simple tube, tapered on one side, without holes. With the game blow from one side (beveled), and on the other hand cover the hole with his finger, which creates a little hoarse sounds of different heights.

Popular culture is alive and well in national costume, which can be seen on real people in villages and folk crafts such as ceramics, wood carving (widely known for magnificent carving of a Romanian furniture), weaving.

Nature
One of the principal assets of Romania is its nature. In the first place - is the Carpathians - the mountains with the old peaks. However, they are still very high, and some previously covered with snow. Beautiful beech forests of the lower part of the mountains. Magnificent mountain passes, where the horses graze, surrounded by birch trees and junipers of 6-10 meters. In the town of Baile Herkulyane has thermal spring in a beautiful valley, and there is an old resort with houses, pressed together by the rock on the edge of the mountain stream.

Through the main ridge of the Carpathians dug a grand canyon of the Danube, the great European river, connecting the half of Europe. Danube river runs into the Black Sea, forming a huge delta. Her area of 5640 square kilometers In it you can find beautiful lakes and streams, majestic sand dunes and islands. More than 300 species of birds and 1150 species of plants inhabit in the delta. Organization awarded the UNESCO Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve status.

Black Sea coast - a magnificent beaches, places of entertainment and leisure resorts.

Also Romania is famous for its wines. Many famous wine region Murfatlar. However, not everyone knows that Romania has its own ancient and several varieties of grapes, as well as France, Italy and Germany. The origin of wine in Romania dates back to the Roman period.

On the plains country produces its own oil. Just among the fields are rocking and they get out of the ground the black gold.

Enumeration attractions is endless. Every single corner of the country is worthy of thorough story. However, the overall impression of this wonderful country, Romania, we have received. It turns out that it is good not only because they had lived Count Dracula, but these real miracles occurring there at every step. And in January 2007 the country became a member of the EEC. Now it is part of a united Europe.

Good luck to you in the study of all new and unknown!

Dmitry Shomin
http://traveldin.blogspot.com/

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How to gain experience in Italy and not regret them?

go to Italy - this is probably a cherished dream of almost everyone. According to statistics, last year, Italy became the third European country, attendance at the Russian tourists. Such amount attractions in Italy difficult to find anywhere else, especially those that may be about to disappear. So people are going to see Venice, until it sank, Coliseum - has not yet collapsed, leaning tower of Pisa - until she fell.

The Italians, in turn, as residents of any other country, annually hosting a large number of guests, trying to earn them. And do it skillfully combined with Russian emigrants, organizing our Italian vacation with you.

One can only wonder how the cost of tickets to museums, riding on gondolas and other such little things on the site are on average 5.6 euro higher against the statement before sending the price of tourism companies. But here, of course, there is nuance - the money you have pre-assembled guide. Therefore, if a trip to the museum you will pay 12-15 euros, but on the ticket, which you then receive will show off a much smaller amount - do not be surprised, guide must also be something to eat.

Another question

, that tourists do not usually lead to the same shops with souvenirs. Italian souvenirs - simply lovely. In Venice, you must purchase knick Murano glass or Venetian mask, in Florence - a statue of David. But, do not forget that little shop, which has led you to guide, not simple. You, of course, be sure to say that the products are the best, but in other places - Chinese forgery. Perhaps this is why products in this shop in two or even three times more expensive than in the shops in the neighborhood selling the same product. And after a tourist group, bought souvenirs, leave the shop, the guide would take a long time with the owners of the latest rescue.

Similar situation and with all sorts of tastings of cheeses, sausages, olive oil and wine, visits to restaurants. Therefore, if you do not want to overpay for someone else's enterprise, be vigilant and be aware that the goods that you are treated, sells almost all of Italy. The only difference is that the corner of this product will cost an order of magnitude cheaper than at the same quality, maybe better.

In addition, in Italy should be cautious about the use of plastic payment cards. In general, there should not be applied at all - the locals know a lot of ways to leave your card blank, so in Italy, the best companions are still the euro cash. To drive there with him rubles (just in case), too, should not - there is no sense. Ruble exchange rate to the euro just draconian, the same thing with other currencies.

Rome

, like any other capital city, will meet you a lot of homeless people and riders ready at any moment to break on the go with your bag - there is the most common type of crime. Therefore, the bag should be tucked away under a jacket, but better bring a backpack.

In general, the higher the kindness of the Italians, the smaller the town in which they live and the farther it from the capital. Another thing is that this observation applies only to the north, south, at the prevailing unemployment and poverty, the situation is reversed. Therefore, considering the age-old attractions and admiring their beauty, in any case do not lose their vigilance.

Lilechka Scientific
http://traveldin.blogspot.com/

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Why we are surprised about Japan?

I spent four months in Japan, and all that time never ceased to wonder how it's different in this amazing and mysterious Land of the Rising Sun. Format article does not allow to accommodate all that surprised me during my stay on the Japanese islands, therefore, confine myself to some observations on the transport.

First, cars

move contrary, that is, on the left side of the road that at first puzzling. In passing the road head persistently turned first left, then right (as taught in school). And only after two months of living in Japan, I developed a reflex to look first to the right, then left (which subsequently prevented me from returning to their homeland).

Secondly, a huge number of cyclists

. On two wheels move people of all ages - children, teens, boys, girls, women with shopping bags, men in expensive suits, retired. I swear, if I were in my hometown I saw my grandmother or grandfather on a bicycle, would have thought that the sun baked my head, that was the cause hallucinations!

At first I was terribly afraid bicycle bell could be heard everywhere. I thought I was the driver of a two-wheeled transport does not stretch on a narrow sidewalk path, and the accident is not avoided. I walked the streets in a wild strain, so as not to miss a single signal cyclist. But after a month or two I was so used to rushing around bikes that simply ceased to notice them.

Thirdly, traffic lights

. As my girlfriend, whom I, indeed, was a guest: «No dozhdeshsya green, give birth have time». If, intending to cross the road, you see a green traffic lights, even if he blinks, go! It will blink for at least another half a minute. And then the red lights common for vehicles and pedestrians, and you will have 20-30 seconds to cross the road.

If you miss this opportunity, once again the green will have to wait long. A few minutes under the scorching sun near the hot cars seem like an eternity. I decided to read the verses to himself, to kill time. And it turned out, during the switching of traffic lights can be an expression recite many works!

The second month of stay in Japan, I bought myself a new MP3-Player , who once was the culprit is not very nice stories. Once I walked along the street one-way traffic. Sidewalks - a rarity on the small streets, people walk right on the carriageway. I began to cross the street and then saw that some guy coming towards me waving his hand. Then, even through the headphones, I heard the squeal of brakes behind him and turned around. Car was about twenty feet from me, and sat behind the wheel of the terrified driver.

Then I realized what was happening. It turned out I just confused the direction of motion. The street was deserted, and I was sure that if it and the car will appear, he will go to meet me. Apparently, the driver signaled me in the back, but to no avail. I took off my headphones and babbled in Japanese: «Sorry», preparing for what is to me a barrage of fair in a situation of abuse and accusations. «Well, I do not know Japanese curses and I do not understand», - flashed through my head.

The driver opened the window and asked sympathetically «Are you okay?». Surprised, I replied that I was all good, and I'm very sorry, and pointed to the headphones. Japanese smiled and said: «The main thing that you're all right. And then I was so scared for you. Rode at high speed, I thought, signaled, and thou shalt go, barely had time to brake. Sorry ». I was shocked. In my hometown of motorists do not always stop the red lights, and there before me apologize for what I have, plugged ears, walking on the carriageway and not hear the signal!

Hai-Wei - another indicator of the order reigning in the country. According to one lane moving trucks and buses, on the other - cars. If you do not want to travel at a speed of 150-200 kilometers per hour - in the first strip! A huge number of cars on the highway do not interfere with each other, because everyone knows the rules, and nobody is going to violate them.

Bus stops and train stations - that I was particularly surprised. People take part! No one stormed the door, pushes forward, always go to the salon in turn. Of course, at first I did not know about that rule, but nobody blamed me and not sent to the end of the queue. «Foreigner» - probably thought the Japanese, and calmly came to the bus according to the order.

Japan - an amazing country, and have been there once, many dream of returning.

Olena Kravchuk
http://traveldin.blogspot.com/

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What is unique cruise holiday?

If you are a man diverse views and thinking, then go to the cruise trip. Not regret! During one trip you can visit several countries, many cities, every day waking up in the new port. Kaleidoscope experience you provided for the whole year, and, perhaps, for life. Walks on the open sea, the fresh sea air, sunsets and sunrises you will meet directly at the ship, admiring the unique scenery successive minute

Daily concerts

with local and visiting artists are arranged in the theater hall of the ship, right there, without moving from your visual space, you can enjoy our favorite cocktails and beverages.

On the ship you will find lessons in mind. Liberation and calm atmosphere for fans of quiet rest in the stern of the ship, where a relaxed atmosphere you can sunbathe, read a mystery or a romance, a cup of coffee or tea with cakes and sweet to chat with friends.

If you're an active person and brings a calm rest of you bored and yawn, you will need to go into the thick of events, where life abounds, where the quake the deck where cocktails and wines are poured over the edge, where the lights are not extinguished until the morning where all the dancing night until you drop. In numerous day and night bars, you will find what they needed, and the rest you will only dream about.


And for the active, restless man who diligently monitors its shape and is afraid to dial the extra pounds at his disposal - a gym with treadmills and weight lifting, then you can relax in the sauna and then to urge herbal tea with friends or a dip in the cool pool and swim its established distance.

If you're a gambler or a person with encyclopedic knowledge, do not miss the daily quiz, charades, puzzles, bingo and sparkling, alluring multi-colored lights of the casino.

If you have many children, and you're just tired of the daily household routine, and would like to change the situation, to escape from the realities of life, then you definitely need to take a cruise where you will forget about the time that you - unencumbered by children, and cares mother of many children. At ship there are special children's clubs for all ages, where children are engaged in their favorite business, who paints, who plays in the game, who is watching TV, and who bathes in the pool. And in the meantime you can relax, relax, do what you like.

If you

passionate traveler

and dream round the world, visiting many countries and cities are checked those countries in which you have visited - you cruise! On the boat at your service daily excursions to historical places in the port of arrival. Just do not book your excursions on every day, because they may be tiring you, especially if these trips for the day. Of course, you can contradict me. How to skip a new city in which you are arriving every day, and not dive into its atmosphere? What is the point at all to go on a cruise, if you sit on the board, not leaving the ship? I'll tell you straight. Look, do not overdo it with excursions! They start very early, and this means that you need to get up at 6 o'clock in the morning, take a shower, have breakfast and be ready to exit the city.

If you go on a cruise, you have to think in advance about the wardrobe. You will need a lot of different clothes: first, at least three or four evening attire, and secondly, a few comfortable, hiking options for excursions, and thirdly, bikinis and swimming gear for the pool, sauna and sea bathing, and fourthly, simple options for daily wear in the daytime on board and, finally, fifth, the corresponding set of shoes, handbags, belts, scarves and capes, too, would be superfluous.

Be sure to go through the visual instruction to the case of the sinking of the ship, life jackets must be in your cabin and match the number of passengers.

Meals on board

, as a rule, varied, to suit all tastes and preferences, meets all international standards and at your service 24 hours a day. You will find in many restaurants, meat, fish, vegetable and fruit dishes, and the food will not only delicious, but also aesthetic. On weekends arranged special culinary, fragrant fried poolside barbecues , starts flowing chocolate fountain, where you can dip selective fresh strawberries, fruits and mashmelou strung on sticks. Walk past it and not try simply impossible!

Enjoy your cruise holiday, gentlemen!
Queen Victoria
http://traveldin.blogspot.com/

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Vietnam. Back to the future or forward in the past?

When the passion for the East opens up for you all facets of Thailand - tourist, business and Aboriginal-native - was disappointed to notice that as not cool, and new variations of Thailand is not, and if they appear, then very, very long. Some connoisseurs of exotic immersed in prolonged depression and trying to brighten their existence movies with Jackie Chan. And those who are ready for new challenges, take and discover a new country. For example, Vietnam. Is what we already knew about Vietnam and the Vietnamese? Virtually all the key moments, such as Ho Chi Minh, balm «Asterisk» , fried herring and sneakers Reabouk , - are familiar even to those who travel in their passion not commit grand trips more Karavayevo experimental field. But if and tsimus, as they say, Odessa's Jews, that Vietnam - is not something there Italy, where everything is simple and clear: Bella - a beautiful and confused - no comments. Vietnam - a fine thing!

So, where usually begins «Today» journey abroad? Right - to obtain a visa and collect luggage. I do not know whether you'll be the happiest man on earth because the word «Visa» and the word «Vietnam» - two antagonistic concepts. For those who do not believe my own eyes, I repeat in other words - the only document required for entry into the communist paradise is maroon-red passport booklet Russia. This news did not lead you into a state of mad excitement, and you still do not shake in a taxi in the direction of «Sheremetyevo 2»? Well, it's the fact that your travel bags can be a little easier by ruthlessly left at home toothbrushes, shampoo, razors and other belongings, a chronic bachelor's decent, but not quite the life of the subject, it is able to lead you in the blissful state of mind. No, no, I do not suggest you become a Robinson Crusoe by growing hair on all possible places and clear teeth on the trunks of bamboo and small squirrels. Surprise in the fact that the service «Vietnam Airlines» quite able to outdo the boudoir of Paris Hilton. Judge for yourself: full lunch menu, individual brush-shampane-balzam and most courteous flight attendants, grown in special nurseries, which grow the most beautiful woman on Earth.

Arriving in Hanoi

, by fate the capital of a small, very friendly country, you can safely get on public display super expensive camera, trimmed with diamonds with the British Crown camcorder and other urgently needed items of luxury. Can imposing hung them like a Christmas tree and safely wander the back streets and lanes at any time of day. The only thing you risk - running into muffled laughter behind him, but no more. Look around: the clean streets, little pioneers run on sidewalks, trembling with the tips of the red tie in the wind, the slogans «Party - after intelligence and conscience of the era» of each post - if your plane accidentally pierced the space-time continuum and ended up in Soviet-era city of «A I go, walk across Moscow ». What kind Kriminale can speak in a country where only the majestic glass-steel HUGE hulks shopping center but flashes of advertising lights remind you of what sort of time you are!

And then ... then decide for himself what kind of recreation is most acceptable for you in this time of year. If your soul needs all night long rave - your home for the whole period of leave will be Hanoi, with its mad mix of traditional Vietnamese pagodas and monasteries, the colossus of concrete and steel, and exquisite French Empire inherited Vietnamese inherited from the colonialists friendly. Two days to acclimatize, and - forward!

Do you care about history - hence, first in

Museum of the Vietnam War

, where he stands with photos ingenious executions, invented by Vietnamese guerrillas against Forrest Gump, Young Pioneers - grandchildren, Ho Chi Minh grasp the basics «patriotism». The echoes of that war, in which Vietnam was just a springboard for the revels of the two superpowers, you'll still long to meet along the way - the disfigured face chemical weapons, legless cripples and other horrors. If there is irrepressible desire, you can visit the trail Ho Chi Minh, where guides will tell you clearly and show how the guerrillas were hiding in a whole pride of underground villages in which the terrible trap unwary opponent found himself, and which aroused the curious metamorphosis of the human body bamboo grenade.

However, if the soul is inexplicably not accept the brutality - then leave the place of military glory to American retirees, whom silently hated Aborigines, by the way, in Hanoi is very, very much. And he goes delight the soul and body in the famous Hanoi zoo with marvelous lotus in the middle of the pond and funny chimpanzees. Or the numerous Buddhist temples, where you can make a wish, write it on paper, and tied to a special candle, but you can just ship bought for a modest fee for employees of the cult of the bird, so that it brought you happiness. Then, as usual, followed by enthusiastic photo on the background of «Notre Dame de Hanoi», to the last stucco on the front of suspiciously reminiscent sung by Victor Hugo The Hunchback of Notre Dame, lightweight and unobtrusive shopping (after all, you have not forgotten where all sewn Adidas, Reebok, Kenzo and Gucci) and a deep dive into the depths of night life baby metropolis that combines traditional and trendy in the least, by the way, this does not suffer.

If in the process of active rest you will forget about food - it will be one of the biggest mistakes in your life, for lack of any travel to Vietnam to easily brightens up the local cuisine, which, strangely enough, not part of the mythical fried herring. But it includes a huge amount of seafood most of the first degree of freshness. They are trained on your eyes, and also served piping hot, not producing at the same obsessive odors taverns, koimi permeated the air of Thailand.

total genocide

lobster, lobster, shrimp and other decapod crustacean, accompanied by the same rice, beer and wine in a noisy group of friends, will cost you 30 dollars evergreen. Yes, it was a miserable 30 bucks, which house you easily keep in the bar to come home again thoroughly dinner. Here is a feint ears will not work. All of the above ingredients together with a pleasant dinner sized portion of soup appalling that you, among other things, be able to prepare themselves by throwing the «Chinese Samovar» whatever you please, turn the fruit of labor of any fitness center in an elegant cylinder, but again only for the next evening, for seafood, how not cool, - eating nutritious, but light.

As an alternative to marine invertebrates offer meat dishes, noodles, soup, fruit - every whim for just money. Want witty? Please! Want more sweet - no problems. People looking for an exotic but they will find, not leaving without addressing their most bizarre gastronomical needs. No kidding taste the dog halflive duck egg or a cobra, which shares the ritual specialists conjure immediately before the tourists, making the proud beast into a set of chips, kebabs, or infusions of blood, bile and other questionable taste value products.

They ate the soul require rest and relaxation, feel free to keep the path to the coast, in one of the many SPA hotel, where your body has repeatedly ascend to the summit of bliss of health care procedures.

The only thing that might initially dampen any movement in the country - is itself a direct movement. Imagine, if you stirred up a big forest ant, and then slowly and ants crawling on a bike. About this picture several times to visit your brain in the process of overcoming an eight-200km distance. Average speed in Vietnam - 30 kilometers per hour. Cult transport - motor scooter. If you want to ride, how that word applies to the Vietnamese movement alone - rent scooter. Want to get the comfort of a taxi - sit behind the driver on a scooter. Do you want to carry a haystack or a box of fruit - you take the cargo scooter. Not a country, and an amusement park, by God, where so well remember carefree childhood, in which «Be Ready - Always Ready» bore the karmic sense, the trees were large and delicious ice cream. The main thing is to take this country for what it is, and not be an American - for obvious reasons they are not very we, although in the back and not spit.

Speaking of ice cream - oriental organism Vietnamese extremely poorly tolerate lactose, so ordering a portion of cold delicacies, be ready for surprises, chief among which is the fruit ice. And finally a few more words about the ice cream - at the airport duty free in Hanoi, sells HyperCheap refrigerators. No one will say, why?

Sergey Yaskevich
http://traveldin.blogspot.com/

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How to get to the fjords? Nizhny Novgorod - St. Petersburg - Oslo

Norway in the representation of the traveler - is, first of all, fjords. Sea inlets cut into the coastline, of course, impressive. But my first impression of Oslo was a huge amount afro-norwey. Travel company has lodged us in the center of the northern capital. It turned out that it is the center of long-settled immigrants who are in the country for more than ten percent. Indigenous people prefer to live on the coast. For any self-respecting Norwegian must have a yacht or a boat. Yacht in this country, at first glance, much more than cars.

However, everything in order. Bus from Saint-Petersburg, passing Helsinki, plunged into the depths of the huge ferry « Silvia Line » and has been clean and well maintained Stockholm. The most striking impression - near the city hall huge afroswedish in pure Russian wondered whether to sell Russian vodka.
Met. My name is Oscar from Brazil,studied in Minsk. After coming to power, Gorbachev realized that the search in our country nothing and moved to Scandinavia. The main way to make money - resale of alcoholic beverages. Vodka him deliver bus drivers and tour guides. A very profitable business, as in the Scandinavian countries it is about ten times more expensive. Learning that I was from the Lower, asked how the conflict develops between Nemtsov and Klementevo (both famous characters). Looking at my stricken face, Oscar readily explained what was in our city to familiarize themselves with the opposite sex, but Nizhny Novgorod police owned him firmly on Pokrovka street. We had Russian-Swedish Brazilian tell you that in the lower long commanded by other people. Basically, from Moscow. Oscar, in addition to all, was a member of the Brazilian Communist Party and spoke to me mostly long-forgotten word - a comrade. What is certainly nice. But it is time to move on.

Sweden is beautiful , boring and predictable. So leave it without regret, and rushing to the goal of our trip - the Norwegian fjords.
To be honest, I had seen fjords deep in my childhood, because it I was on the shore of the Kola Bay in Murmansk. Just before I had no idea that this is also the fjord.

Norway managed to impress their hacked huge tunnels in the rocks. This complex technical facilities. The longest of them - 27 kilometers. When the two-story tour bus goes on the tunnel, and involuntarily imagine that over us kilometer cliffs willy-nilly start claustrophobia. Women begin to groan and exclaim, while men are drawn to emergency supply of alcoholic beverages purchased at the Moscow railway station in St. Petersburg.
By the way, I strongly advise during these trips to make the maximum purchase of liquor and cigarettes to the motherland. And, be sure to buy the usual black bread. You desired it immediately after crossing the customs terminal Torfianovka.

Vodka, beer and cigarettes

are in Norway is ten times more than ours. However, a few days you can bear. Beer is good. Vodka should try «Akva Vita». Its on the Norwegian legend, before selling them carry on a special ship around the world. Then she, according to the descendants of the Vikings, takes an unusual taste.

Very much impressed by the road from Oslo to the Sognefjord. This fjord carry the bulk of tourists. First we climb high into the mountains (or rather on the hill). Trees disappear completely and begins the tundra. On the roads of self-organized wandering sheep. Pastukhov not in principle, and the bus driver every now and then have to beat on the brakes. The most interesting thing starts during the descent. Each turn adds to the blood of a decent portion of adrenaline. Landscapes are very beautiful - the mountains, numerous waterfalls, houses with grass roofs.

At Sognefjord

you can first see the mountain-highest railway in the world. Views from the windows wagons simply amazing. At the midway of the stops and awaits submission. From the waterfall to the music she goes and dances. According to legend - lures a groom. In good optics shows that the girl had in years and it honestly tired of all these popular games.

Then travel by boat on the fjord. Many brazen seagulls and, if lucky, seals. The water is very clean and clear.

In Oslo after three hours on Friday, life stops. Weekend. All closed. Life goes on only at the local Arbat - the street between Central Station and City Hall. If you saw a beautiful woman - a tourist from Russia. In Norway, women's power prevails. Vikings this fact strongly depresses. In recent years become fashionable to bring wives from Russia.

There is a lot of museums, riding on rickshaws (students from Eastern Europe part-time jobs). Mandatory souvenirs in the form of trolls

Summary: The country is beautiful, but very expensive. A stay worth.

Dmitry Zotikov
http://traveldin.blogspot.com/

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What is interesting modern England?

England - the largest administrative part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The population is over 82,5% of the total population of Great Britain. England was formed through the merger of once-warring counties in the year 927. Name of the country comes from the name of one of the Germanic tribes - Angles.

Until 1707 The Kingdom of England was a separate country, and in the same year, the first of May, was concluded a political alliance with the Kingdom of Scotland to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

England

- quite a large industrialized country with a parliamentary democracy, scientific, is the parent of the pilot community. State takes 2 / 3 of the island of Great Britain and is bordered by Scotland and Wales.

In the past, major administrative entities in England was the county that have arisen from the kingdoms, duchies, principalities land gentry Berkshire. Due to lack of self-government within the county have not been precisely defined their boundaries. Only after the industrial revolution arose large industrial centers, resulting in a metropolitan county, and their centers are big cities.

At the present time in England there are 39 counties, 6 metropolitan counties and Greater London .

Geography

England is unique: the landscape consists of rolling hills, but the northern area of the country more mountainous. Mountains and plains areas conventionally divided along the line, which runs from north-east of the mouth of the River Tees to the mouth of the river Ex to the south-west. Slashes, which was located in the east of the state, was drained for agricultural use.

Grasslands dotted pale yellow daffodils, lilies, purple orchids and Primula. Mountains - heather, juniper, blueberries, snowdrops, bluebells and buttercups.

England is famous for its deposits of granite, rich pasture. In coastal rocks and islands you can see their residents - gray seals. The British Isles, there are about 130 species of birds.

under the seabed of the Channel

England is the longest railway tunnel. Today London Underground is the most developed system in the world.

London - capital of not only England but also the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The city is located on the zero meridian, which is called Greenwich. Capital - the most important economic and financial center. The main branch of the economy of London - banking services, insurance, asset management, etc.

The capital of England has many historical and cultural monuments: Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, Castle Tower, Royal Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, National Gallery, British Museum, Museum of Sherlock Holmes, etc.

London is famous museum cinema , a zoo, a school of balloons, mazes, amusement. Equally attractive and shopping streets of Oxford Street for its fashionable shops, large department stores and boutiques of the leading couturier of the world.


Due to the unique nature, history and culture in England is widely developed tourism. This infrastructure has a network of hotels, hotels of different levels of the financial situation of any tourist.

Igor Andrishak
http://traveldin.blogspot.com/

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What is the Caucasus at a glance of vacationer?

Do you love

Caucasus

as I love him? .. Of course, you can always reply that in Tahiti you were not, and you are well and fed, but only if you look at this very eyes Tahiti love it man. And if in this case I would be hard to help you, in the case of the Caucasus, the situation is much better.

The first thing is to see in the Caucasus, a mountain. Dark blue and blue in the haze of green covering of dense forest, black and dark brown at dusk. Mountains stretch along the horizon, silently recalling the fact that there are things of genuine human life, which appeared long before you and will still remain the same in his place.

Winds along the slopes of the narrow road route, where each turn you see your own neck, then the matter seriously afraid to finish his earthly way SBI on-one in the gorge. Around the nearly impenetrable jungle with garlands of vines, patches of sunlight on the earth, poisonous snakes and small nimble lizards green and brown. Mountain streams, almost perennial, asleep in their beds, sometimes waking up to the waterfalls.

But the most wonderful, that is in the Caucasus - Sea . Diverse and multi-colored, it can be calm, agitated, angry or playful. Emerald on a clear calm day, the blue on the horizon, a lead in the storm and the orange-red at sunset, it greets you every day, a contagious mood. It is calling for a walk under sail or have a lazy rocking on the waves, despite what the wind is blowing.

Caucasus in the season - is a human anthill swarming on a narrow strip between mountains and sea, whose lives are entirely subordinated to the rhythms of nature. It's beaches, rapidly empty on an overcast day or during a storm. This is not incomparable storm, causing a feeling the trembling of the knees, when the mountains repeats every peal of thunder, why it seems that the sky is about to collapse on your head. Torrential rains, under which you have the time wet to the skin, if any thread for you still remained.

This

tea plantations

in the mountains, mercilessly grills sun. This vine, twisting a balcony and climb the walls of houses. This ripening on the trees lemons and persimmon, on your eyes gradually change color from green to bright yellow and orange.

This southern markets, forcing imagine hundreds of such markets in hundreds of cities on the shores of the seas at all times, because the history of mankind, they seem to remain unchanged. Those scents of spices, mountains of fruit, vegetables and nuts, whole rows of fish and other sea creatures, many of which you first see with my own eyes. Peaches fist-sized adult male, who carefully big weigh Azerbaijani with a loud voice. Eastern sweets, it is unclear from what cooked, but one of its kind makes one want to taste them.

This is a plaque on the gate «

are dealt rooms

», alternating with signs «Free No rooms», which is significantly more in the summer. This cooking every two hundred meters of meat, pieces of which deftly turning the stern man with aquiline noses, and the bad eye. This wine is twenty varieties of hundred rubles per liter, which is trying, I remember «Fiesta» Hemingway.

Maybe you're lucky and you will not be deceived by travel companies, putting a beautiful room with a view to the city dump and facilities in the yard, not poisoned house wine or raw cat meat under the guise of a shish kebab. But even if you listed all the same to happen and, despite this, you will continue to rest in the Caucasus - that means you love him almost as much as I love him.

Marina Sereda
http://traveldin.blogspot.com/

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