Up On Europe Skies

Good evening Europe! Half an hour more and we are coming to the the last day of September. I can't imagine that time passes-by so quickly now. I can still remember the month of August when me and a friend from the United States had a tour in Europe. That was also the reason why I have this image here taken in Europe skies while we were heading to Rome last August 11, 2010. Seeing the "Eternal City" was a very great experience for me.
Off topic: I want to click here later to get some information about a certain plan that is playing in my mind.

We were boarding Air Berlin when I took this image. It was the first time that I experienced boarding this plane. It was quite a good plane compared to Ryan Air. I had a very bad experience with the latter. I hope not to board in it again. Goodnight folks! More travel experience to some soon!

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The Trocadero in Paris, France

The Trocadéro, site of the Palais de Chaillot, is an area of Paris, France, in the 16th arrondissement, across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower. The hill of the Trocadéro is the hill of Chaillot, a former village.

a fountain in front of Trocadero. taken during our visit last August 2010.

The old Palais du Trocadéro

The hill of Chaillot was first arranged for the 1867 World's Fair.

For the 1878 World's Fair, the (old) Palais du Trocadéro was built here (where meetings of international organizations could be held during the fair). The palace's form was that of a large concert hall with two wings and two towers; its style was a mixture of exotic and historical references, generally called "Moorish" but with some Byzantine elements. The architect was Gabriel Davioud. The concert hall contained a large organ built by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll; the first large organ to be installed in a concert hall in France (it has since been modified twice, and eventually moved in 1977 to the Auditorium Maurice Ravel in Lyon, where is still in use today). The building proved unpopular, although the cost expended in its construction delayed its replacement for nearly fifty years.
more here

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Must-See Christmas Gift Fairs in the UK

1) BANKSIDE WINTER FESTIVAL - LONDON

This UK gift fair allows you the privilege to shop right alongside the River Thames in London's West end, just outside the Tate Modern Museum. This festival promises nearly 50 stalls displaying the perfect stocking stuffers for any taste. You'll find gorgeous Christmas crafts, handmade goods of leather, wood and ceramic, as well as jewelry at the Bankside gift fair. A large main bar supplies mulled wine and ale, while individual booths sell festive and seasonal food to keep you warm. The location can't be missed. Parades, tours, and performances aplenty make the Bankside Winter Festival a must-see.

2) BATH CHRISTMAS MARKET - SOMERSET

Set in a stunning location between the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey, this historical spot is the perfect atmosphere for a spectacular Christmas fair. The 2010 market will run for an extra 7 days, totaling 18 days for the longest running Bath Christmas Market thus far! Beginning on the 25th of November, the market will stretch into the second week of December, ending December 12th. More than a hundred traditional chalets offer everything from handmade gifts to uncommon items you won't find anywhere else. Decorative items will inspire and impress. This is definitely a gift fair not to miss!

3) LINCOLN CHRISTMAS MARKET - LINCOLNSHIRE

The Lincoln Christmas Market is the largest of its kind in the EU. While this market only runs for three days, vendors and visitors alike from across the world come each year to display and amass the perfect variety of Christmas wares. Carolers in costume, several hundred stalls, and a myriad of goods both locally produced and brought from afar make this a very special gift fair, indeed. The fair is set between Lincoln Cathedral and the city's Norman castle. Lincoln's Christmas market was the first German-style traditional market held in the UK.

4) THE FESTIVE GIFT FAIR - MIDLANDS

This exciting gift fair held annually in Birmingham will run this year from the 18th to the 21st of November. Over 30,000 shoppers are reported to enjoy this Christmas gift fair each year, and nearly all report it to be an excellent shopping experience. The fair includes a welcoming, festive ambiance inside with gift categories for everyone on your list. But not only that, those waiting in queue are entertained with performances of Christmastime favorites before even reaching the doors. Inside, talented musicians serenade shoppers as they merrily select presents. Many new vendor stalls are added yearly.

5) OXFORD CHRISTMAS MARKET, OXFORD CASTLE - OXFORDSHIRE

While the Oxford Christmas Market is a smaller market at approximately 30 stalls, it is held in the Oxford Castle and promises delightful performances by brass bands and school choirs. Handmade and fair trade items are sold from traditional wooden vendor stalls, and there is a small Victorian carousel for the children. If you're looking to skip the massive crowds, but still get an eyeful of English culture and architecture, head to Oxford for your shopping this year! The gift fair takes place from November 26th to December 12th.

Photo by:Mike Fleming

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Five Typically ‘British’ Hotels You Can Stay In

When you travel to London or any area in England, you'll want to stay in a typically British hotel to really get the feel for British life, instead of a basic chain hotel. England is well known for its bed and breakfasts, which are usually small, cosy houses that only serve a handful of guests and offer them a home cooked breakfast.

There are also other hotels in England that have more of a traditionally British feel to them. Hotel pr experts recommend the best hotels you can stay in to really get a taste of British culture:

1) Marygreen Manor

Located in Brentwood, just outside of London, Marygreen Manor offers the vacation experience of a lifetime. It's a 4 star hotel dating all the way back to the Tudor period, as you may be able to tell from the architecture of the building. Although they have been around since the 16th century, you don't have to worry about not having all of the modern conveniences and luxuries. The rooms are quite comfortable and all of them have air conditioning and high speed internet access. In addition, Marygreen Manor has a garden and conservatory, where you can go for a stroll or enjoy some tea. They also have the Tudors Restaurant, for a delicious bite to eat.

2) Lainston House

This lovely 17th century house is right near Winchester, and only about an hour from London. In addition to great accommodations and high quality service, Lainston House is known for their food. They have hard working chefs that use all local produce and food items, and make everything from scratch.

3) Taplow House Hotel

At the Taplow House you'll find an absolutely stunning building, as well as tons of beautiful gardens and grounds. It is located near both London and Windsor, so you'll find plenty to do there. Berry's Restaurant is located inside the hotel for some great food, and well known restaurants and pubs are also abundant in the area.

4) The Macdonald Randolph Hotel

Visitors to Oxford will be amazed at luxurious accommodations they can find at the Randolph. They have great rooms, delicious food, and even a spa. It is also located right in the heart of Oxford, so you can simply walk out of your hotel and into the attractions of city life. And don't forget to go to their infamous afternoon tea.

5) Pelham Street Bed and Breakfast

This beautiful hotel was built in 1823 and is located in the South Kensington area of London, so there are many attractions and things to do right nearby, within walking distance. It has three rooms, giving the place a very intimate feel, and you also receive a free organic home cooked breakfast with your room.

Photo by:Jonathan

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Scotland's Top 5 Must-Visit Destinations

1) Edinburgh Castle and its Royal Mile

Edinburgh Castle is built on the remnants of an extinct volcano and provides breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. From the royal mile below, the
Scottish castle is a grandiose spectacle especially at night whilst illuminated. A thousand years worth of history sits atop this rock as evidenced by the statues guarding the gates of the castle. These statues represent two of Scotland's most famous historical characters, Robert the Bruce and William Wallace.

August is the best time to visit the castle and mile because that is when the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is held. During the festival, the Military Tattoo is staged at the castle for 3 weeks. The over 50 year performance is a parade of the pipes and drums of the Scottish regiments.

Edinburgh’s Royal Mile leads up to the castle and boasts the world's first skyscrapers, the Scottish Parliament building and Giles Cathedral.

2) Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum

This free gallery/museum has recently become the number one tourist attraction after completing a 3 year remodeling effort in 2006. Found in Kelvingrove which is located opposite of Glasgow University, this museum hosts a broad collection of paintings and artefacts. The building itself is constructed using the finest Victorian (red sandstone) architecture and shows off Scotland's rich history through an extensive collection that has been accumulated over more than two centuries.

Additionally, there are sections focused on education such as the Study Centre, the History and Discovery Centre and the Multimedia Object Cinema. Exhibition halls featuring major fields of study like Archaeology and Zoology (with relative exhibits) are also available.

3) The Falkirk Wheel

Completed in 2002 in the town of Falkirk, the waterway structure connects Edinburgh and Glasgow via canal; making it easily accessible from both cities. An extraordinary feat of engineering, it is the only rotating boat lift in the world. Carrying eight or more boats at a time, the wheel scoops them out of the water and places them either up or downstream on the waterway between the two cities.

The Visitor Centre provides a great view of the wheel in action and is free of charge. Along with the standard food court and gift shop, the centre also possesses an interactive exhibition and a "fun factory" for children. For those tourists looking for an up close look, the centre provides a hour long boat tour.

4) Glasgow Science Centre

300 hands-on exhibits, interactive workshops, live science shows and an IMAX Theatre can be enjoyed this tourist attraction. But the highlights are the 105m tall Glasgow Tower which is the only tower in the world to rotate 360 degrees from the ground up and the Science Mall that houses the Scottish Power Planetarium and a climate change theatre, along with three floors of interactive exhibits.

5) The Royal Yacht Britannia

Visits to the yacht start at the Visitor Centre. Located on the 2nd floor of the ocean terminal, tourists can learn of the yachts incredible history before boarding. The tour can last up to 2 hours and provides insight into the life of the royal family and those that worked aboard the ship.

Guests are first welcomed through the Royal Brow and taken on a personal tour, they are then herded into the State Apartments for cocktails and whatnot. Afterward, special events are held including a speech given by one of Britain's past admirals and a viewing of the Royal Collection. A tour of the ship from the bridge to the engine room is also provided

Photo by:Shadowgate

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Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United Kingdom

Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United Kingdom from 16 to 19 September 2010 was the first state visit by a pope to the United Kingdom (Pope John Paul II made a pastoral, rather than state, visit to Great Britain in 1982). The visit was in response to an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II, with the beatification of Cardinal Newman as a "pastoral highlight".

The pope was received in Edinburgh by Elizabeth II; by meeting her in Scotland the pope avoided greeting her in her religious capacity as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. His visit included meetings with First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader David Cameron, and leaders of the other main political parties.

The visit comes at a time when incidents of sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests have received prominent media attention: during the visit, Pope Benedict apologised for that and met five abuse victims. more here

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Brussels Specialties

Good evening folks! I am here again to share a quick update. This happened during our visit in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium. Me and my friend were asking that time, what are the specialties of Brussels. A friend from Brussels told us that chocolates in this country taste good. I ended up buying some packs of Leonidas chocolates as presents for hubby. I am just reminding you guys that if you want to know how to lose weight quick, you better avoid eating sweets like chocolates, candies, ice cream and anything that has a lot of sugar. That is also the reason why I am trying my best to avoid such food. Here is an image of the different delicacies and specialties from Brussels, Belgium. You better click the image to enlarge.

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Tillyfest In Breitenbrunn, Germany

Breitenbrunn is a municipality in Neumarkt in Upper Palatinate, Bavaria, Germany. You can witness the famous and historical event here called Tillyfest. It is held every year during the month of September. This year's celebration took place last September 11-12, 2010. Breitenbrunn is probably a friend of the gods of weather because during the celebration, the weather was friendly. There was no rain during our visit on the second day. The highlight of the celebration was the Festzug or the historical parade where you can see participants wearing colourful and attractive Medieval costumes.

Here are some of the images I took during this year's celebration.

young kids are bringing with them animals like goats during the parade.

The two days celebration was another success. Here you can witness a huge medieval army camp. Wherever you look around, tents, soldiers, both young and old are wearing beautiful Medieval costumes. Bavarian crusaders, Swedish dragon and other participants like minstrels and gypsies are enjoying this historical event.

Tillyfest has been a trademark of Breitenbrunn.

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The Siegestor

The Siegestor in Munich, also known as Victory Gate in English is a monument which has a three-arched triumphal arch crowned with a statue of Bavaria with a lion-quadriga. If you have been to Rome, Italy, you will see that it is almost the same structure with the Arch of Constantine and in Paris, it is similar to the The Arch of Triumph.

Highlight for today: If you trying to lose weight, you can browse online for the fast weight loss pills that will help and guide you in losing weight.

This Victory Gate was originally dedicated to the glory of Bavarian army during the time of King Ludwig I of Bavaria. It is also a symbol and a reminder of peace. It is 21 meters high, 24 meters wide, and 12 meters deep. I will share next time an image of the Arch of Constantine in Rome taken during our Europe tour last August 2010. I guess, I already share some images of the Arch of Triumph here. See you next time again.

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Vatican City in Rome, Italy

Vatican City is a city within a city. It is very simple because it is located in Rome, the capital city of Italy. It is called as Stato della Città del Vaticano in Italian language or simply "State of the City of the Vatican". According to wikipedia, "Vatican City is an ecclesiastical or sacerdotal-monarchical state, ruled by the bishop of Rome—the Pope. The highest state functionaries are all Catholic clergymen of various national origins. It is the sovereign territory of the Holy See (Sancta Sedes) and the location of the Pope's residence, referred to as the Apostolic Palace."

Sad to say, we don't have the chance to see Pope Benedict VI during our visit last August 11-14, 2010...wink! Here is an image I took as we where on top of the cupola in St. Peter's Cathedral. You can also see the Saint Peter's Square very clear in this image. I would love to visit Rome again next time.


Vatican City, one of the European microstates, is situated on the Vatican Hill in the west-central part of Rome, several hundred metres west of the Tiber river. Its borders (3.2 kilometres / 2.0 miles in total, all within Italy) closely follow the city wall constructed to protect the Pope from outside attack. The situation is more complex at the famous Saint Peter's Square in front of St. Peter's Basilica, where the correct border is just outside the ellipse formed by Bernini's colonnade, but where police jurisdiction has been entrusted to Italy.

The Vatican climate is the same as Rome's; a temperate, Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters from September to mid-May and hot, dry summers from May to August. There are some local features, principally mists and dews, caused by the anomalous bulk of St Peter's Basilica, the elevation, the fountains and the size of the large paved square. more here

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Dine-Out in Bonn, Germany

There is a story why we landed in Bonn, Germany. As we were on our way from Brussels to Cologne last August 20, 2010, we cannot find a cheaper hotel for overnight. The nearest hotel in Cologne train station named Ibis was so expensive that time because there was a so-called Messe, a kind of gathering that was going on. Imagine the cost of the double room was doubled to 198.00 Euros. It was too much.

To make the story short we had an overnight in Bonn, a city in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. After taking some rest in our hotel that afternoon, we decided to find a restaurant in the city. I believed I need dietary supplements for weight loss if I will eat everyday what we had eaten in that Chinese restaurant in Bonn. The food were good and the service is great. The Chinese guy even helped us where to go for the main sights in Bonn. Here is one of the foods we ordered in Nan King restaurant in Bonn. I forgot now how it is called.

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European Parliament Quarter in Brussels, Belgium

I finally had the chance to visit Brussels or Bruxelles, the capital city of Belgium where you can also see the European Union Quarter. I am not really an expert about European Union so I consulted the expert to give you more information about European Union and Brussels. Please continue reading below. I also have a snapshot of a part of the European Union Quarter below. This was taken during our visit last month.

Brussels (Belgium) is considered to be the de facto capital of the European Union, having a long history of hosting the institutions of the European Union within its European Quarter. The EU has no official capital, and no plans to declare one, but Brussels hosts the official seats of the European Commission, Council of the European Union, and European Council, as well as a second seat of the European Parliament.

the different flags of some member countries of European Union in Brussels, Belgium. taken during our visit last August 19, 2010.

Most of the institutions are located within the European Quarter of Brussels, which is the unofficial name of the area corresponding to the approximate triangle between Brussels Park, Cinquantenaire Park and Leopold Park (with the Parliament's hemicycle extending into the latter). The Commission and Council are located in the heart of this area near to the Schuman station at the Schuman roundabout on the Rue de la Loi. The European Parliament is located over the Brussels-Luxembourg station, next to Luxembourg Square. more here

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Lebkuchen Herzen in Regensburger Herbsdult

If you happened to visit a German festival like Oktoberfest, Herbstdult, Volksfest and any other form of fairs in Germany, for sure, you had already seen a so-called Lebkuchen Herzen. Lebkuchen is normally a traditional German biscuit baked especially during Christmas. I remembered during my first three years in Germany when hubby always baked some Lebkuchen and other German cakes and biscuits before Christmas comes.

Four years ago, I told him to stop baking those stuffs or else, I need earlier to look for diet supplement reviews. I believed I really need one right now. I always wanted to lose weight the past months. Since I live in Germany, I already gained around 15 kilos which is too much for me. Now I realized that I really need to start losing weight.

Lastly, for more information about Lebkuchen, its is somewhat called as gingerbread in English. The one you see in my image here is a non-traditional decorated Lebkuchen Herzen or Gingerbread hearts. These are the ones that you see in Oktoberfest and any other festivals in Germany. I took this image during our visit to the Regensburger Herbstdult the other weekend.

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Piazza del Popolo in Rome, Italy

I want to share more images taken during our Europe tour last month but I just don´t find enough time to do it. Please be patient for now because I will slowly share some snapshots from our travel. Let´s go back to Rome this time. I already posted some images last month and now I am sharing another one again. This is one of the famous square in Rome, the Piazza del Popolo.

Piazza del Popolo is a large square in Rome, Italy. The name in modern Italian literally means "People's Square", but historically it derives from the poplars (populus in Latin, pioppo in Italian) after which the church of Santa Maria del Popolo, in the northeast corner of the piazza, takes its name.

The Piazza lies inside the northern gate in the Aurelian Walls, once the Porta Flaminia of ancient Rome, and now called Porta del Popolo. This was the starting point of the Via Flaminia, the road to Ariminum (modern Rimini) and the most important route to the north. At the same time, before the age of railroads, it was the traveller's first view of Rome upon arrival. For centuries, the Piazza del Popolo was a place for public executions, the last of which took place in 1826. more infos here

Here is an image I personally took during our visit in Rome last August 2010.

An Egyptian obelisk of Ramesses II from Heliopolis stands in the centre of the Piazza.

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Travel Insurance Can Be A Lifesaver

When you're traveling to other countries, it's important to understand that many people's health plans don't travel with them. It is possible to obtain emergency funds when you are traveling to be wired into your bank account via a loan direct deposit, but why not be prepared? People in Britain may have to carry supplemental travel insurance that can pay for medical emergencies that aren't covered by their own national plans. Even Americans may have trouble receiving treatment overseas or find they get a large bill upon returning, if they suffer a medical problem while on vacation.

Medical Costs

If you have a pre-existing condition, like asthma, and don't know how you'll fare overseas and can't get coverage with a regular plan, different types of travel insurance can give you that supplemental protection, although some will deliberately exclude pre-existing conditions. So, don't forget to ask. In addition, you may be covered for a regular doctor's visit, but if you have to be evacuated by helicopter or ambulance you may end up paying the full cost of that without the right travel insurance. If you are pregnant, you can be sure you will want to look into what is covered by your regular health plan and what needs to be planned for using travel insurance.

Travel Insurance Is a Bargain

When compared to the types and risks associated with medical treatment, travel insurance is a bargain. You may never have to use it, but when you do it can really keep you solvent when you return, not to mention open your options for treatment should you need it. Travel insurance varies in cost depending on what you want to include, but it's almost never ore than 7% of the actual cost of the trip. It can give you peace of mind that wherever you go and whatever happens, you've taken care of yourself and your loved ones the best way you can.

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Experiencing Live Jazz in London: Where to Go

Jazz music fans traveling to London will find no shortage of great places to go to experience top notch live jazz performances. There are a number of jazz bars throughout London, all of which provide good entertainment and music. Below is a list of some recommended places to go if you want to experience London jazz:
1) Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club

This is one of the oldest jazz clubs in the world, having been around since 1959, and it is host to a lot of the well known names in jazz. They feature acts from the United States as well as well known groups around Britain. There is a main club room where the acts perform, and you can also order food and drinks there. In addition, they have a bar upstairs where you can go if you just want a drink.

2) Boisdale of Belgravia

If you want the best combination of exquisite food and good music, you'll find a lot to be happy about at Boisdale, in Belgravia, London. This members club (open to the public) looks a little like a traditional Scottish pub, but they have live jazz or blues acts every night of the week, with frequent tasting events and Scottish celebratings. And they feature anything but traditional pub fare. If you want regular bar food, you can get that, but their menu also has a amazing array of Scottish cuisine, all sourced from Scotland and prepared by their famous chef. They have a selection of Cuban cigars and a smoking terrace above. So if you're looking for a really and some good jazz music to go along with it, Boisdale is worth checking out.

3) Vortex Jazz Club

For live jazz music seven nights a week, the Vortex is a great place to go. They have been around for approximately twenty years, and feature great contemporary jazz artists. You'll find some well known artists as well as lesser known up and coming groups playing here. They have a full bar in the main club area and if you are hungry and desire some food, you can go downstairs to their Downstairs Cafe.

4) Jazz After Dark Ltd

Jazz After Dark Ltd is a small, intimate place to hear some great jazz music and have some good food. They have a jazz club, a full bar and a restaurant. They are open four days a week and are located right in the middle of London Soho for easy access. They feature typical New Orleans style jazz and it is a popular hangout for London's students.

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Top Four Eco-Friendly Holiday Destinations in Europe

Today, most of the people are intensely aware of their individual environmental responsibilities, even when on a vacation. Three major areas such as travel, accommodation and behavior, in which tourists should effectively reduce any impacts on their surroundings and help the holiday destination to become an Eco-friendly one. As a favorite tourist destination, Europe has also officially declared many sustainable holiday destinations:

1) Scotland

In Europe, Scotland is a fabulous place for tourists and one among the top ten eco-friendly tourist destinations. With wonderful lush greenery giving a stunning picturesque view, unique wildlife, beautiful beaches and a lip smacking Scottish cuisine, Scotland attracts many visitors to enjoy a green vacation. With many visitors coming by train from other parts of the UK and Europe, Scotland’s tourist carbon footprint needn’t be high. Scotland looks best in autumn and offers some of the exceptional leisure options on foot, bike and wild horse; hence, harmful carbon emissions during Scottish holidays are almost a zilch. Scotland gives a choice to even fish for your own dinner.

2) Cornwall

Cornwall is a city in England and an excellent place to enjoy nature. The city has some of the prettiest holiday cottages in wild and desolate coastal regions. Famous for its sustainable and Eco-friendly tourism, Cornwall actively encourages the tourists to use horses, bicycles and walking to travel around. With two coastlines, the city is famous for its longest stretch of seashore in UK with a stunning view. Cornwall has also amazing landscapes in the country side with distinctive characters and gorgeous natural scenic spots. Cornwall hotel and travel pr experts recommend Cornwall’s Eden Project, which is Cornwall’s biggest visitor attraction, welcoming over a million people per year. The Eden Project encompasses programs and campaigns to educate and remind people of our dependence on the natural world.

3) Nice

Nice is a city in the southern France, which is situated on the large bay of French Riviera. Again, it can be reached by ferry or train from other parts of Europe, negating the need for air travel. With a sunny and tropical climate, the city appeals many tourists coming from all corners of Europe and the world. The city has endless stunning beaches, attractive seaside boardwalk, remarkable museums and several ancient landmarks that draw many attentions. There are many eco-friendly boutique hotels, such as the HI Hôtel Eco Spa & Beach, which also offers organic food and vegetarian options. While enjoying an oyster lunch at Cote d'Azur or relaxing on a beach, you still can experience a green vacation in this eco-friendly holiday destination.

4) Bruges

In one corner of Europe, Bruges a mesmerizing splendid medieval city, is one of Belgium's circlet jewels. Burges or Venice of the north is a famous spot for tourism yet keeps the environmental impact in check. The Belgian tourism promotes TGV travel in the city and the fantastic local cuisine among the visitors while helping in keeping the city clean and green. During your vacation in Bruges, you will certainly observe the carefully cherished architectural and artistic treasures in this historic city, which can seem like you’ve gone back in time.

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Top 5 Most Beautiful Cities in Europe

1) Venice, Italy

Venice is a city unlike any other. The lights from the venetian homes and marble churches bounce off the canals making the entire town glisten. This sinking city is a masterpiece of engineering and architecture. Venetian beauty can be seen at its best Doge's Palace where oriental inspired Venetian styles are blended with classic gothic architecture to create a look that is uniquely Venetian. Water taxis and gondolas take place of automobiles in this romantic tourist destination.

2) Tallinn, Estonia

The capital of Estonia is Tallinn and it lies on the sparkling Baltic Sea. Famous as a port for Baltic cruises, Tallinn is a gateway to beauty both off its coast and on its own soil. The old town is a medieval glimpse of Tallinn from days of olde and features centuries-old cobblestone streets. At Christmas time, Tallinn is transformed into a winter wonderland and hosts one of the most popular Christmas markets in all of Europe. Tallinn has many museums, cathedrals and art galleries. Colorful buildings, outside eateries, English castles and church towers help to make Tallinn one of Europe's most unique and worthwhile cities to visit.

3) Vienna, Austria

Vienna is home to some of the most beautiful parks in the world. The Vienna State Opera House is a famously beautiful arena for the most celebrated musical performances. Marvel at the wonders of UNESCO world heritage listed Schönbrunn Palace and explore its breathtaking manicured gardens. For some natural beauty, visit nearby Danube Island, where you can go swimming, cycling or simply sit and watch the pretty world go by.

4) San Gimignano, Italy

Located in breath-taking Tuscany, San Giminano features impressive towering building surrounded by Tuscan countryside. The Duomo, an impressive example of Romanesque architecture, houses beautiful altars, chapels, paintings and frescoes. This medieval town is surrounded by a great wall that encompasses the town's fourteen towers of varying heights that make up the landscape of the city.

5) Paris, France

Beautiful gardens, castles, cafes and boulangeries make up the unforgettable capital of France. From atop the world-famous Eiffel Tower the entire city seems so petite and sparkling. The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is an architectural masterpiece of gothic architectural style. Some of the world's most beautiful artistic creations are housed with-in the Louvre Museum in Paris, which is an architectural wonder in its own right. The Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo are just two of the thousands of pieces on display at the Louvre. Paris is the city of romance, and with all of the beautiful art, monuments, architecture, and scenery, it is not hard to understand why.

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The Best Ways to Buy Travel Insurance

Have you decided you need travel insurance? If you want travel insurance, then you need to find the right company to supply it and come up with the premium on the policy you buy. There are several methods for obtaining travel insurance, but not all of them will be the best. We’ll be looking at some of the better ways to buy travel insurance here.

Use some of your company revenue to purchase the travel insurance rather than obtaining a loan or merchant cash solutions. It is best not to incur more debt in any business if it can be avoided.

Now that the monetary consideration has been discussed, we can look at online companies. Online companies with travel insurance make it easier to purchase your travel insurance. However, you have to be wary with online sites. Before you make any purchase research the company you have found. Is the travel insurance company a comparison site, independent, or is it part of a nationally recognized chain? You want to make sure the company is not a scam. Unfortunately, the internet tends to breed scams that are hard to recognize until it is too late.

You are better off sticking with a local or national company that you recognize. The downside is paying a little higher than you might through a different internet company, but at least you know they will pay out if you must make a claim.

It is important to compare even the local and national travel insurance companies to find the right deal. You want to buy affordable insurance for traveling, meaning you have to know what the competition is selling their product for. Comparison sites are handy for this, but you should consider calling the top three companies to double check their quotes.

Sometimes by speaking with an agent in person or on the phone you can learn about other discounts that would help lower the travel insurance. You can also work out a more affordable plan. Custom products can be obtained if you ask.

Travel insurance should cover medical, dental, any emergency transportation, rentals, trip delay or cancellation, and accidents. Travel insurance can also cover more than this if you decide you want more than one person covered. For example, if you are in an accident that was your fault you might need travel insurance to cover the other person involved. This type of policy is more expensive and only necessary if you do not have car insurance that covers the other motorists.

Once you have determined what company has the best insurance you are ready to buy with the best method, which is cash or check from your business.

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Summer Shopping in Europe

I had some shopping escapades last month with my friend who visited me here in Europe. In every cities we visited like Rome, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Luxembourg, we always find things to shop especially for souvenir shirts, postcards, magnets, shot glasses and a lot more. I remembered when we went to Munich and she bought some nice petite clothing. She is so thin that she needs the extra small size. I cannot imagine how small she is and how big I am compared to her. Some friends from Brussels were telling her that her body size is the dream size of most women in their city. She also loves to shop and I believed she is a wise shopper. We had a great time together during our Europe tour. Here is one of the images we took in Brussels, Belgium.

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Oktoberfest 2010 is Coming Soon in Munich, Bavaria, Germany

I already posted some images and information about Oktoberfest in my other site, Travel and Explore Germany. Feel free to click the link to read more infos about the largest fair in the world that is held every year in Theresienwiese in Munich, the capital city of Bavaria, Germany. This year's celebration commemorates the 200th anniversary and will run from September 18 to October 3, 2010.

Here are some of the snapshots I took during our visit last September 2009.

Around six million of people visit Oktoberfest every year. Be careful if you are bringing your kids with you because there are truly a lot of people in the festival.

The original "Oktoberfest" occurred in Munich, on October 18, 1810: For the commemoration of their marriage, Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen (namesake of the Theresienwiese festival grounds) organized a great horse race (the marriage took place on October 12; the horse race on October 17—therefore, there are different dates named as being the first Oktoberfest).


MODERN FESTIVAL

Since 1950, there has been a traditional festival opening: A twelve gun salute and the tapping of the first keg of Oktoberfest beer at 12:00 by the incumbent Mayor of Munich with the cry "O'zapft is!" ("It's tapped!" in the Austro-Bavarian language) opens the Oktoberfest. The Mayor then gives the first beer to the Minister-President of the State of Bavaria. The first mayor to tap the keg was Thomas Wimmer.

By 1960, the Oktoberfest had turned into an enormous world-famous festival. After this foreigners began to picture Germans as wearing the Sennerhut, Lederhosen, and the girls in Dirndl. Horse races ended in 1960.

It is customary for people during the Oktoberfest to wear cowboy shaped hats, which contain a tuft of goat hair. In Germany, goat hair is highly valued and prized, making it one of the most expensive objects for sale. The more tufts of goat hair on your hat, the wealthier you are considered to be. But now, due to textiles and cheap imitations, this tradition has been ending because it is so easy to fake goat hair with the technology at our fingertips. more here

striking a pose during our visit last September 2009. You can see the tower of the Paulaner beer tent in my background.

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Driving in Rome, Italy

I just wanted to share about an experience that me and my friend had during our trip to Rome, Italy last month. I find it there quite a chaotic place especially the driving on the streets of Rome. We arrived at night in Rome Fiumicino airport that time. After getting our luggage, we tried to find a means of transportation or shuttle going to our hotel. Some taxi drivers are offering very expensive charges. We finally found a shuttle who drove us to our hotel. It only cost 15.00 Euros per person which is quite fair compared to taxis who are charging for up to 100.00 Euros. The driver was always telephoning while driving. It was quite scary because we were on the highway and it was night time. Sometimes the driver is already out on the street marking. As we passed-by at the center of Rome and the traffic light happened to get red, he still continue driving even there were passers-by on the middle of the road. I don't know what kind of car insurance he has that he can do such kind of driving. It was truly very scary. For a driver who has a lot of accidents, finding cheap car insurance rates is quite difficult. I can't imagine how many accidents did that driver had with that kind of driving he has. I am just thankful that we arrived in our hotel safely and most of all we came back home whole and safe. Here is an image I took at the streets of Rome. This was taken some meters away from Colosseum. If you are driving to Rome, be very careful and drive safely always.

an image I took during our visit to Rome, Italy last month.

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The monument to Ferdinand Foch in Paris, France

I already heard and read the named Ferdinand Foch since last year. I am trying to remember where and how but now it finally came to my mind. During my first visit in Paris last March 2009, the bus where we rode during the trip passed-by at the monument of Foch. I remember that our tour guide mentioned his name. That is the reason why I took an image of him during my second visit. I can't really elaborate more about him but you can continue reading below about what this person had contributed to France during his time.

The monument to Ferdinand Foch in his native Tarbes in Paris, France. I took this photo during my second visit in Paris last August 2010.

Ferdinand Foch (pronounced "Fosh") OM GCB (2 October 1851 – 20 March 1929) was a French soldier, military theorist, and writer credited with possessing "the most original and subtle mind in the French army" in the early 20th century. ] He served as general in the French army during World War I and was made Marshal of France in its final year: 1918. Shortly after the start of the Spring Offensive, Germany's final attempt to win the war, Foch was chosen as supreme commander of the Allied armies, a position that he held until 11 November 1918, when he accepted the German request for an armistice.

He advocated peace terms that would make Germany unable to pose a threat to France ever again. His words after the Treaty of Versailles, "This is not a peace. It is an armistice for twenty years" would prove exactly prophetic; World War II started almost twenty years later. more here

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The Tall Buildings in Brussels, Belgium

We happened to pass the Northern District of Brussels which is known to be the central business district in this city. This is where you can see the collection of skycrapers' steel building rising to the sky. I was inside the bus while I took this image. We were on the way to Luxembourg during this time. I also read that the buildings in this area are mostly 100 meters tall. I am trying to find an image of a building with WTC name in my file but I can't find it at the moment. I just have thousands of images which I took during our three weeks Europe tour. I still have to organize them. More images to be posted from Brussels.

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Featured Article: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart toured Italy

It took me awhile to upload this image here. I guess my pc needs a replacement soon. Finally, I was able to upload it. That yellow house you see here is the birthhouse of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a famous musician and composer. This was taken during my second visit in Salzburg, Austria last November 2008.

I decided to share the featured article below because it seems to be very interesting sharing the life of one of the famous people of all times. Feel free to find me in the image below. Have a great weekend too!
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart toured Italy with his father Leopold three times between 1769 and 1773. The first, financed by performances for the nobility and by public concerts, was an extended tour of 15 months to a number of major Italian cities. The second and third journeys were to Milan, for Wolfgang to complete operas that had been commissioned there on the first visit. From the perspective of Wolfgang's musical development the journeys were a considerable success, and his talents were recognised by honours which included a papal knighthood and memberships in leading philharmonic societies. Each of Wolfgang's operas written for Milan's Teatro Regio Ducal was a critical and popular triumph. In the course of the three visits he met many leading musicians in Italy, including the renowned theorist Giovanni Battista Martini, under whom he studied in Bologna. Leopold also hoped that Wolfgang, and possibly he himself, would obtain a prestigious appointment at one of the Italian Habsburg courts. more here

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Planning for Your Europe Travel

I was talking to a friend last weekend about traveling in Europe. She was surprised how we were able to visit a lot of cities and countries in around three weeks. She also loves to travel but now that she just gave birth to a baby boy, traveling is not her priority. Besides that traveling can be very stressful sometimes especially if you have a little baby with you. Probably with the help of
phil and teds explorer stroller, traveling can be lighter because you don't need to carry your baby or toddler all the time. I also told her that she need to plan her travel ahead. Early booking for flights and hotels can be of great advantage because you can have it cheaper most of the time. I told her that we planned our Europe trip since last March of this year. That is also the reason why we had it cheaper. Thanks to the invention of computers and internet because searching for cheap vacation online has been very easy and faster now.

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The Cinquantenaire in Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, written in French Bruxelles and Brussel in Dutch is the capital city of the European Union (EU) and the largest urban area in Belgium. It comprises 19 municipalities, including the City of Brussels proper. The City of Brussels is the constitutional capital of Belgium, the seat of the French Community of Belgium and of the Flemish Community.

I have here an image of the Cinquantenaire Park which is a large public, urban park (30 hectares) in the easternmost part of the European Quarter in Brussels, Belgium. It is also known as Jubille Park of "Park of the Fiftieth Anniversary".

I took this image while riding on a bus going to Luxembourg. I wish to share more images from Brussels in my future post. The triumphal arch was planned for the National Exhibition of 1880 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the independent state of Belgium.

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Do You Need an Insurance When Visiting Europe

I already received a lot of inquiries in my inbox asking me about the necessity of getting a travel insurance when visiting Europe. I am not very sure if all of the countries in Europe require a travel insurance when visiting anyone of them. I know for sure that when you are a non-EU citizen and wishes to visit Germany as tourist, one of the visa requirements is getting a travel insurance. How about life insurance and What is life insurance? I mean the difference between travel insurance and life insurance? For all I know, Life insurance provides a monetary benefit to an insured person's family or a form of income for the payment of burial, funeral and other final expenses of the insured person. Travel Insurance on the other hand is an insurance that is intended to cover medical expenses, financial and other losses incurred while traveling, either within one's own country, or internationally.

For any travel or visa requirements you need when visiting any Europe countries, I suggest you better visit their own website. Simply google it and I know for sure, you will get more information online.

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