Las Ventas Bullring in Madrid, Spain

Christmas parties are over but we have to bear in mind that Christmas happens everyday. No matter how it is. I just home that everyone had a wonderful one especially during Christmas Eve.

I guess it is time to share another travel experience. I am starting with Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, commonly known as Las Ventas. Its is a famous bullring in Madrid, Spain. This is one of the sights we visited during our Spain trip recently. Our bus had a short stop here. I guess a 15- minutes stop. It is better than nothing. At least I have some images of it.

According to our tour guide Las Ventas can occupy 25,000 people. It is located in the Guindalera quarter of the district of Salamanca. It was inaugurated on June 17, 1931.

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas in Madrid, Spain during our visit last Dec. 10, 2011. This bullring was designed by the architect José Espeliú in the Neo-Mudéjar (Moorish) style with ceramic incrustations.

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Sightseeing in Andalusia, Spain

Vacation is over for this year. The last one I had was in Spain particularly in the region of Andalusia. It is a stunning region truly worth to visit in Spain. It is located in the south of the Iberian peninsula.

We had an all-inclusive holiday package during that vacation and it was really cheap. Included in that holiday package were the flights, hotels, tourist guides, hotel transfers, breakfast and dinner, trips to the different places in Andalusia and the entrance to some museums and churches. Until now, I can't really get those places we visited out of my head. It was truly a wonderful and memorable vacation for me. So far, the best travel I had this year.

Here are some of the interesting places we visited in Andalusia, Spain.

Seville- known as Sevilla in Spanish, it is not only the capital but also the regent queen of the region of Andalusia. It is also the cultural and financial center of Southern Spain. Our sigthseeing tour in Seville took only around a half day. Not so much time to see and to experience everything but at least we visited some noted sights in this city.

Among the few sights we visited were the Cathedral of Seville, La Giralda, The Jewish Quarter or Barrio Santa Cruz, Plaza de España, the Alcazar (but only outside) and some other more.

the entrance to the Cathedral of Seville. This is a very amazing architecture in Sevilla.

Cordoba- This is a beautiful city. Cordoba was once the capital of of a Roman province, the capital of an Arab State (Al-Andalus) and a Caliphate. I cannot forget the beauty of architecture of Mezquita, the biggest attraction in Cordoba and a truly must-see building. We did had a tour inside this building and I was truly amazed by its history and beauty. The Mezquita is a massive former mosque-turned-cathedral famed for its "forest" of columns topped with Islamic-style red and white striped arches. Another best known facet of the city is its Roman bridge.

the interior of Mezquita, also known as the Great Mosque of Córdoba, during our visit last December 6, 2011. such a lovely architecture!

Other Roman remains include the Roman Temple, the Theatre, Mausoleum, the Colonial Forum, the Forum Adiectum, an amphitheater and the remains of the Palace of the Emperor Maximian in the Archaeological site of Cercadilla, among others.

The historic center of Cordoba is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Granada- I can never forget Granada especially after our visit to Alhambra, a palace and fortress occupying the top of the hill of the Assabica on the southeastern border of the city. This place is truly a must to see when visiting Granada. The Alhambra is an Arabic word which literally means "the red one". It is also called as "The Red Fortress."

The view of the Alhambra from the Generalife. I love this place!

There are a lot of things I experienced in Granada. The visit to the different sights like the Plaza Isabel la Catolica, the Cathedral of Granada, the Generalife,the Alcaiceria, the Puerta and other sights in this city simply added excitements to our sightseeing.

We also had the chance to visit Albayzín by night and was able to witness a flamenco dance in this area. It was quite interesting. The highlight of our holiday was the visit to Spain's capital, Madrid and a day trip to Toledo city.

After that 8-days trip we had this month, I am planning to visit Spain again in the future. I was even browsing for cheap airlines going to Barcelona, Malaga or any destination in Spain. I actually found some affordable Easyjet flights to various airports for January 2012. I am thinking of booking it this week or before the end of the month.

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Christmas in Europe 2011

It's been eight long years now since I am celebrating Christmas in Europe. It is always great and I am thankful for everything. I am also very thankful to all my family and friends who are always around celebrating with us. Thank you so much for your love and goodness. I truly appreciate everything. There are just a lot of things to be thankful this year. I hope that the year 2012 will bring us more success, love, peace, happiness and good health too!

Lastly, I would like to greet a Happy Birthday to my BFF Jesus! Once again Merry Christmas and and a Happy New Year to one and all!

A Baby is born on the manger and mankind was save!
Happy Holidays to one and all!

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Visit to Ephesus, Turkey

The dream of visiting Turkey especially in the ancient Greek city of Ephesus finally came true. It was last September this year when we had a 10-days vacation in this country.

Ephesus is a very interesting ruins located near Selcuk in Izmir, Turkey. It was amazing how they did those architecture during those ancient times.

The image you see here are the latrines in Ephesus and you can still see it today. These are actually public toilets of the city and our tour guide said that there was an entrance fee to use them during those times. There were still no hydraulic hose or pumps during those times but the people of Ephesus still had a good source of water to supply to the people living in this ancient city. The latrines were part of the Scholastica Baths and built in the 1C AD. There was a drainage system under the toilets.

Ephesus is truly a must when visiting Turkey. Such a fascinating historic place to see!

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Christmas Greetings To Everyone

May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;
The spirit of Christmas which is peace;
The heart of Christmas which is love.
~Ada V. Hendricks

Have a Very Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year 2012!

Keep your Christmas-heart open all the year round.
~Jessica Archmint

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Shopping in Neumarkt

I guess some of you might still be busy for a last minute Christmas shopping. Not for me! I am finally done today after a little shopping in Neumarkt. I did not really find what I want but I bought almost the same stuff that I have been looking for. For my last minute New Year's shopping, I wanted a yoga block next week. I already have a yoga mat, a CD for training and even a yoga book. I am good to go for a real diet starting 2012. I believed I can do it this time. I just need to get rid of those excess pounds that I gained since living here in Europe.

The shopping I had in Neumarkt today was quite good. Besides getting some discounts I also had fun shopping under the snowy rainy day. Once the snow hits the ground, it melts immediately. Have a very Merry Christmas everyone!

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Sigthseeing in Cordova, Spain

In so many places and countries I visited in Europe and other parts of the world, I would say, Spain is different and simply unique for me. I really can’t get that place out of my head! It’s really stunning!

One of the places we visited there is Cordoba. It is a city in the Andalusian region of southern Spain. Since our hotel was located in Granada that time, we need to ride a bus in going to Cordoba. If I am not mistaken, it is around 200 km away from Granada.

The Gate located near the historic Roman bridge in Cordoba City. I was happy and contented to visit a UNESCO World Heritage site like Cordoba. We were there last Dec. 6, 2011.

The highlight of our visit to this city was the tour we had inside the Mezquita, the Cathedral and former Great Mosque of Córdoba. A day of visit in a lovely city like Cordoba is not enough to see everything. At least, I had the chance to visit and experience it. Who knows I will be there again someday.

walking along the shopping street of Cordoba looking for souvenirs.

It has been estimated that in the 10th century and beginning of the 11th century, Córdoba was the most populous city in the world, and during these centuries became the intellectual center of Europe. Today it is a moderately-sized modern city; its population in 2008 was 325,453.

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Christmas Market in Regensburg, Germany

Now is the time for Christmas markets in Germany and in some other places in the world. I have been to some Christmas markets in Europe and I always love it. This year, I visited some of these markets in Germany and yes in Madrid, Spain also.

It was my second time to visit the Christmas market in Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany last Dec. 20, 2011. It is not so big compared to the one in Nuremberg but it is fine. Visiting have fun visiting it to. As usual you can find a lot of Christmas decors and ornaments, handmade items, toys, books, nutcrackers, variety of German foods and many others in any Christmas markets in Europe.

It is always good to see and to experience the custom and tradition of a certain place or country.

the Christmas Market in Regensburg, Germany during our visit last Dec. 20, 2011. You can see the towers of St. Peter's Cathedral in the background.

Christmas decors in one of the stalls in Regensburg.

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Shopping in Madrid, Spain

Visiting Madrid without shopping can be a boring experience especially for women. I hope you agree with me ladies. As we were still in Granada, we were already asking if there is an El Corte Ingles (The English Cut) department store nearby.

Finally during our visit to Madrid on our 6th day of trip to Spain, we finally had the chance to go inside El Corte Ingles. I was looking for puma coupons before we left to Madrid but I was not able to find one. My friend was also searching for Burberry bags but the El Corte Ingles where we went to in Madrid don't have it. The saleslady told us that they have it in their main department store. We were not able to go there due to shortage of time. I just bought a winter cap in this famous department store in Spain. Of course, I did bought some souvenirs from postcards to magnet, Spain travel guide, shot glass and some shirts.

I love Spain's capital city and I wish to go back there sometime in the future. The image here is one of the department stores of El Corte Ingles in Madrid.

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Trajan's Forum in Rome, Italy

A friend of mine was asking me last time to mention to her if I can find a cheap trip to Rome, Italy. I found one but at the time I called the travel agency, it was already fully booked. Around two weeks ago she told me that she finally booked a trip to Rome. I am very glad for her because she can finally visit the so-called "Eternal City".

I had been to Rome last August 2010. It was only a 4-days visit including the flights and the sightseeing and I still find it too short to see everything. At least, I finally visited and experience the capital city of Italy.

One of the sights we visited was the Trajan's Forum, called in Italian as Foro di Traiano. It is an ancient structure in Rome, Italy and known as the last of the Imperial fora. It was constructed by the architect Apollodorus of Damascus.

Trajan's Column on the far left of the photo..I took it during our visit last Aug. 2010.

This forum was constructed on the order of Emperor Trajan with the spoils of war from the conquest of Dacia, which ended in 106. The Fasti Ostienses states that the Forum was inaugurated in 112, while Trajan's Column was erected and then inaugurated in 113.

To build this monumental complex, extensive excavations were required: workers eliminated the sides of the Quirinal and Capitoline (Campidoglio) Hills, which closed the valley occupied by the Imperial forums toward the Campus Martius.

the plan of Trajan's Forum.

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Delightful Christmas Markets I Visited in Europe

December is finally here! This means that the holiday season is also starting. It is one of the best seasons of the year to visit Europe and experience the beautiful Christmas markets. If you are planning to visit the most interesting Christmas markets in this continent, you better start finding for cheap flights to any Europe cities that host Christmas markets. There are always affordable offers you can find online.

Christmas markets has been a tradition in Germany, Austria and the Alsace region where it was first mentioned and said to have been originated. It is now held and celebrated in the different parts of the world.

Here are a few of the most interesting Christmas markets I visited in Europe.

Leeds, England

I did not expected that the Christmas market in Leeds started so early that time. I was there on the second week of November last 2008 and their market was already opened. It is a German Christmas market and there you will find traditional German delicacies. On offer include gluhwein, snitzels, soups and goulash, stollen, gingerbread, bratwurst sausages, roasted nuts and many others.

This year's ‘Christkindelmarkt’ is held in Millennium Square from November 11 to December 18, 2011. I had a great time in Leeds during my trip. I booked a very cheap flight during my England holiday last 2008.

I am happy to be in Leeds last 2008.

Strasbourg, France

Since living in Europe, I was dreaming to visit Strasbourg. Finally that dream came true after our visit last December 2010. It was again another perfect time to experience one of the oldest Christmas markets in history.

Strasbourg's Christkindelsmärik is held around its cathedral since 1570. Over the years, the cities’ reputation has grown throughout Europe. It attracts a large number of tourists not only from Europe but from other corners of the planet as well. The market takes place annually. This year's market started last November 26 until December 31.

I had a wonderful time in Strasbourg last year. I had only a short sightseeing there but I truly enjoyed it. Don't also miss to visit the markets in Place Kléber, Place Broglie and Place du Marché aux cochons de lait.

a market stall in front of Strasbourg Cathedral. I love this place.

Zurich, Switzerland

I had the chance to visit Switzerland's largest city last December 2010. It was a perfect time to witness the biggest indoor Christmas market in Europe. It is located inside the main train station of Zurich. There are over 160 decorated stalls in that covered Christmas market. You can also find inside a majestic Christmas tree which is decorated with over 5,000 crystals.

During our walk in the Old Town, stalls can also be found. Along the river Limmat, some stalls were also standing. They are selling goods of various kinds.

That visit in Zurich's Christmas markets was a delightful experience. This year's event will take place on December 3-21, 2011.

the imposing Zwarovski Christmas tree in the main station of Zurich. I was there!

Nuremberg, Germany

One of the world's most famous Christmas market is finally opened. This year's celebration started last November 25 and will last until the 24th of December. The Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg is held every year in the Hauptmarkt or main square. It is located just in front of Frauenkirche or Church of Our Lady.

As usual you will find various goods on over 180 wooden booths in Nuremberg, Germany's "Number One Christmas City". Traditional Christmas goods such as spicy gingerbread, mulled wine, roast sausages, Zwetschgenmännle (little prune people), toys, Christmas decorations and arts and crafts are found there. Don't miss to taste the famous Nuremberg bratwurst.

One of Nuremberg's stalls that sells the famous Nuremberg bratwurst, a kind of sausage.
An image I took last 2008.

There are still other Christmas markets I visited in Europe especially in Germany. I was also in Salzburg, Gut Aiderbichl, Regensburg, Birmingham, Neumarkt i.d. Oberpfalz and a lot more. If you are planning to catch up with these special events in Europe, be sure to read first the airline reviews online. Sometimes you can also find related articles about Christmas markets in Europe.

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