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Vineyards in France – Best Destination to Visit and Taste

December 9, 2014

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Vineyards in France – Best Destination to Visit and Taste

It is the country that produces some of the finest wines in the world and choosing the best French wine is not an easy task, as the selection criteria is very subjective and it all depends on the tastes of each individual.

One reason for the importance of France lies in the extraordinary range of wines produced. The diversity of climates and soils allows you to draw from light white to powerful reds creating rich environments for the vineyards in France.

Each region has its typical vineyards in France and associated wines closely with the local cuisine. If you are in search of good wines, then I propose you next selection of French wines.

Or, even if you’re not in the mood to buy, or can’t like most of us due to their costs, these places are so worth the visit. The land is extraordinarily beautiful, many of the vineyard in France offer tours, and it really makes it worth going to these cool places.

Château Rayas

Year: 1990; 1995; 2005

Price: $800

Occasion: Great day in the market; Expense account

Where virtually all wines of the famed Châteauneuf-du-Pape are blends, Château Rayas goes against the grain and makes a 100 percent Grenache that can be opulent with pronounced flavors of licorice and lavender.

This creates a unique atmosphere for one of the top and most beautiful of vineyards in France.

Domaine Leroy Musigny

Year: 1999; 2003; 2005 (but really any would do)

Price: $4,500

Occasion: You accidentally discovered precious gems in your already highly profitable gold mine while simultaneously curing cancer

Coche-Dury is best known for its white wines, but Domaine Leroy is best known for red of the vineyards in France. The Grand Cru vineyard of Musigny is one of the best plots for Pinot Noir in all of Burgundy, and this wine is liquid power and finesse in a bottle. If you do ever come across one, well…you get the picture.

Domaine Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne

Year: 2004; 2005

Price: $2,700, give or take a few dollars

Occasion: You struck oil!

While I did single out the Corton-Charlemagne, any wine by Domaine Coche-Dury is a pure treat. Best known for its world class Chardonnays, all the wines display a level of purity and honesty that is becoming less and less common today.

Château-Grillet

Year: 1999; 2000; 2005

Price: $100

Occasion: Dinner at Le Bernardin or equivalent foodie destination

Château-Grillet is an appelation unto itself of all the vineyards in France. Producing just one wine from the Viognier grape with notes of honey and apricot, a bottle can be challenging to come by because of its small production.

Alphonse Mellot Sancerre Rouge Génération XIX

Year: 2003; 2009

Price: $85-plus

Occasion: Milestone birthday

Sancerre is probably the most famous Sauvignon Blanc appellation in the world, but the region also produces red wine. Red Sancerre is always 100 percent Pinot Noir, and Génération XIX has all of the depth and complexity you’d expect from world-class Burgundy.

Jacques Selosse Substance

Year: NV

Price: $300

Occasion: Accepted marriage proposal; made partner; just ballin’

Many great Champagnes are on the market, but Jacques Selosse “Substance” is in its own class. Made with a mixture of aged and young wine, the resulting Champagne is fresh yet complex.

Rene Rostaing Côte-Rôtie “Côte Blonde”

Year: 1988; 1990; 1991; 1999; 2000; 2001

Price: $135-plus

Occasion: Romantic dinner

I love Syrah from the Northern Rhone, and Rostaing’s line finds a way to stay true to tradition while incorporating some modern flair. Accessible yet ageable with dark fruit, herbs, and spices, I’ve never had a bottle that I didn’t enjoy.

Yes, these wines are expensive! Really expensive! But the history, the land, the homes, the area’s, the food, it’s all worth a visit up to see these vineyards in France.

Italian Transport Network – Endless Ways to Visit and Explore

December 5, 2014

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Italian Transport Network – Endless Ways to Visit and Explore

I love traveling around Italy with a backpack. It’s exciting, it’s real, it’s pretty easy, fun, and always some place to go just a bus or train ride away.

Italy is not a huge country, and its major cities are all very well-connected creating the Italian Transport Network. Using: motorways, buses, railway networks and national flights. Driving in Italy can take a little getting used to since the roadways are different and so is the driving methods. But once you’ve got it, it’s like being on a grand prix!

Here’s a breakdown of the normal methods for getting around the Italian Transport Network:

Trains

The top mode of the Italian transport network would be the train. Especially in the north of the country, generally eliminates any need to travel by bus or air.

All of the major cities are connected by high-speed train which is fast, reliable and affordable. Italian trains have a reputation for almost always being on time. There are occasional 10 – 20 minute delays on the longer distance trains, and the night trains can frequently be delayed by up to an hour.

But generally speaking, regional and national train services do run more or less on time. You can check www.viaggiatreno.it for up to date information on train scheduling.

High Speed Train Network

There are two high-speed rail lines in Italy which connect all of the major cities in the country and are part of the Italian transport network.

One line runs from Milan to Salerno, and calls at Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples along the way. The other line connects Turin and Venice and also stops at Milan along the way, although part of this line is still under construction.

This high-speed railway is designed to withstand speeds of up to 190 miles per hour. At this speed it is possible to travel the 360 mile journey from Milan to Rome in just under 3 hours. This journey would typically cost you about $80.

InterRail Pass

If you are planning to visit a few different cities within Italy it may be worth your while buying an InterRail pass. This pass will give you unlimited train travel on either 3, 4, 6 or 8 days within a month.

It can work out much cheaper than the cost of all of the train tickets between cities added together. Be aware that in order to travel on night trains or on the high-speed trains you may have to reserve a seat which could come at an additional cost; this has caught me out in the past. However, these passes are of great value and certainly part of the Italian transport network.

The InterRail pass also gives you flexibility; you don’t have to book a specific day on which to travel so if you fall in love with Naples or Milan, you can stay a few extra days without losing out.

Buses

The bus will work out to be the cheapest way to travel between Italian cities. However, the services are not at all frequent and the journeys often take twice the time and are half as comfortable as traveling by train.

There are quite a few companies which offer bus travel between cities but there is no one website which will compare all of the times and prices for you, so it can be a fairly long process of comparing them all. If you are traveling on a budget, though, it will be worth the effort as you are guaranteed to save money.

The main bus companies are Sais, Interbus, Sita, Autostradale and Baltour, all of which have websites which clearly list their timetables, routes and prices.

Personally, I’ve always enjoyed this part of the Italian transport network, especially inner-city buses. They’re lively, fun, meeting interesting people, and see the cities up close.

Driving in Italy

Italy has one of the highest ratios of vehicles to people of any country in the world making it a must part of the Italian transport network. The motorways are called Autostrade in Italian. Driving from one city to another can be a relatively stress-free experience.

The motorways connect all of the major cities and tourist destinations in the country and you will be able to find a car hire company office extremely easily, wherever you are. However, driving within the cities is a nightmare! You have been warned!

In Rome, no matter what the time of day, a chorus of car horns can be heard constantly. There are often gridlocks in the town centers and tons of traffic elsewhere. But the experience driving outside of the cities and across the country are some of the most beautiful in the world.

Taxis

If you do need to travel by car, taking a taxi is probably the best bet for short distances and in integral part of the Italian transport network. You should still leave plenty of time if you have an appointment to get to, as traffic jams in Italy are a constant issue and seem to arise from nowhere. There are a few things which you should know before taking a taxi in Italy.

If you call a cab from a company it will cost you a bit more as the drivers start the meter from the minute they receive the call, not from when you get in. This is not the driver attempting to make a couple of extra euros from the tourists; it is just the way the system works. This is especially important if you’re staying in a hotel in a remote part of town and the hotel must call a taxi for you.

It is also common in cities across Italy for Taxi’s to only pick up at marked locations. First time I was in Milan, I flagged down at least 10 taxi’s and didn’t understand why none would stop for me. I was eventually led to an area down the road where people were waiting for a taxi.

However, I did notice a few times that some taxi drives will pull the stunt “I don’t have enough change” routine. Trust me, they always do, they just want a few more euro’s. Stick to your guns and pay the meter. If he can’t break your bills, you’re in the right.

Metro

7 of Italy’s major cities have their own metro systems making it one of the most convenient of the Italian transport networks.

These cities are Brescia, Catania, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Rome and Turin. Rome has the busiest metro network in Italy. It currently has 2 lines, but a third is under construction and there are plans to build a fourth as well. The Metro is the fastest and the easiest way to get around Rome if your hotel is not directly in the center.

The stations are easy to find and well-connected and there are information desks which are usually manned by English-speaking staff to help you should you have any questions.

All of the cities in Italy are well-connected to one another creating an exceptional Italian Transport Network. They are not too far apart so journeys by road and rail are perfectly feasible. I would really recommend using the trains over hiring a car simply due to the traffic. But driving the country is breathtaking.

Enjoy!

Haunted Locations in England – The Doorway to Another World

December 4, 2014

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Haunted Locations in England – The Doorway to Another World

England has a reputation of being one of those places that have various haunted houses and dwellings (check out the secret places of Paris!). I decided to visit some of the haunted locations in England myself to witness the evil that people claim to have seen there.

Some of the haunted locations in England were places where tragedy had struck and the ghosts of the dead did not intend to leave.

Others apparently, had murdered witches still lurking around in the dark to take revenge.

I am a big fan of Ghost Hunters which is why I decided to go on this adventure. So I took to the road early one Saturday morning and started my journey towards the horrors and haunted locations in England!

Here I list some of the places that truly fascinated me.

Borley Rectory

Probably the most famous in whole of England Borley Rectory was one of my top choices of the places I wanted to visit. Suspected to be haunted ever since it was built this old, gothic Victorian mansion was constructed in 1862.

Burnt to ground by a fire in 1939 the mansion was remodeled in 1944. Footsteps had been heard all over the place. This did not frighten me as almost all haunted houses do have cases of unexplained knocks, whispers and footsteps.

What did make my hair stand on end was the fact that a Reverend’s wife had found a woman’s skull wrapped in brown packaging and stashed inside her cupboard. I found the incident very creepy indeed. However, I did not experience any paranormal activity, though the mansion did have a sense of loss and a heavy feeling of sadness.

And I was very glad when I finally stepped out of the gloomy mansion and into the bright sunlight! This one definitely took the cake as being the top haunted locations in England.

Berry Pomeroy Castle

The ghosts of the Blue Lady and the White Lady haunt the Berry Pomeroy Castle, believed to be one of the most eerie castles in England.

This picturesque castle has the reputation of concealing sinister secrets behind its pretty façade. The White Lady haunts the dungeons and is harmless according to the locals. It is the Blue Lady we should be afraid of.

She haunts the tower and attracts passersby to it, who plunge to their death if they succumb to her. The place itself is very beautiful and I personally did not feel threatened by it.

Ancient Ram Inn

This Ancient Ram Hotel easily makes the top list of haunted locations in England.

The hotel has been owned by many people since 1145 and is believed to be one of the most haunted inns. This did not surprise me because history revealed that the house had been a location where different disturbing incidents had taken place.

Black magic and child sacrifices are a big part of the house’s past so the eerie feeling the inn gives off does not feel bizarre. You feel once you get inside that it is unsafe and you feel like you are being watched.

John Humphries, the current owner of the hotel believed that the lodge is haunted by various spooks including a witch, orbs, two demons and various other ghostly presences. No wonder the inn gave me the heebie jeebies!

Do you believe in haunted houses? Well, whether you do or don’t, these haunted locations in England are sure to give you a sense of excitement!

Enjoy

Top Business Hotels in Paris – Making Your Stay Exceptional

December 3, 2014

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Top Business Hotels in Paris – Making Your Stay Exceptional

Ah.. Paris! Food, sites, history, culture, cruises, shops, Eiffel Tower, and luxury!

All of the best business hotels in Paris have a great location, world-class service and modern facilities in addition to their unique personalities. For those that can afford the lap of luxury, here is a handpicked collection of luxury hotels, identified the best business hotels in Paris.

The best business hotels in Paris all strive to ensure that guests are as stress-free as possible while working away from home.

High-speed Internet should be easily available, the business center should be staffed around the clock, conference rooms are accessible, and you’ll find convenient transportation.

La Defense, New Business District of Paris.

Hotel Baltimore Paris | Paris, France

This handsome building was transformed into a luxury hotel in the 1920s, taking on the name of its famous first guest, Lord Baltimore. With distinctly Parisian charm, the Hotel Baltimore Paris invokes the art de vivre a la francaise with a Champagne bar, fine cuisine, library lounge and fitness room.

The attentive and dedicated services offers a personalized and high-quality welcome combining respect, discretion and a constant desire to meet guest expectations.

All of these combines traits ensure this is one of the top business hotels in Paris

Hotel de Crillon | Paris, France

Designated as a unique historical monument, the Hotel de Crillon is an elegant 18th century luxury hotel situated on the world famous Place De La Concorde in the heart of Paris. Only a few steps away from the Champs-Elysees, the Faubourg Saint Honore shopping area and all major museums, the Hotel de Crillon is the place to stay in Paris.

This mythical hotel is rich in history and culture. Decorated in a Louis XV style, the hotel’s 147 guest rooms and suites include Presidential apartments and the exceptional Louis XV and Leonard Bernstein suites.

With 140 square meters of terrace, tall windows allowing abundant light, warm colors and wood-paneling, these renowned suites offer magnificent views of Paris, the Eiffel Tower proudly visible from a luxurious bubble-bath. Offering its guests the highest level of personalized service is the ultimate goal of Hotel de Crillon.

Hotel Le Bristol Paris | Paris, France

Hotel Le Bristol Paris is an exceptional luxury hotel. With a large “a la française” garden, it is ideally located on the rue du Faubourg Saint Honore. 102 rooms and 85 suites filled with sumptuous fabrics and refined woodwork.

The Restaurant offers exceptional and innovative cuisine by 3 Michelin star Chef Eric Frechon. The bar, elegant and spontaneous, welcomes you for an afternoon tea, or less formal lunch or dinner. Exceptional? Absolutely. Best business hotels in Paris? True, too!

Hotel Plaza Athenee | Paris, France

Hotel Plaza Athenee deploys a palette of colors and light in its guest rooms and suites with elegance, charm, and sophistication so that guests can enjoy a unique, refreshing atmosphere. As you move from one window to the next, your eyes follow the line of sweet chestnut trees on avenue Montaigne.

Then sweep across the rooftops of Montmartre to the Eiffel Tower before coming to rest on the Garden Courtyard with its Virginia creeper and geraniums.

Hyatt Regency Madeleine | Paris, France

Hyatt Regency Paris-Madeleine is a fine luxury boutique hotel in Paris, ideally situated in the area of La Madeleine, in the midst of the most fashionable shopping district and close to the historical centre.

Located on the typically Parisian Boulevard Malesherbes, this five-star hotel is few minutes from the haute couture, fashion and jewellery shops of the famous streets Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Rue Royale and the department stores Printemps Haussman and Galeries Lafayette on Haussmann Boulevard.

Given the resources, these hotels are truly amazing. If there is time on your trip, I’d even recommend just walking into them, especially the Hotel de Crillon, truly a remarkable place just to see.

Enjoy!

Romantic Paris Dinner – Top 5 Spots for Pure Enjoyment

November 29, 2014

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Romantic Paris Dinner – Top 5 Spots for Pure Enjoyment

There is nothing like the quiet of sitting on a balcony somewhere and taking in everything around you, the sounds, the people, and the look of your sweetheart, gazing back at you. While this might seem like a dream, it is just a night out on the town in Paris.

There has never been a city more prone to lovers of every kind and people just looking for a pleasant and fun evening.

Romantic Paris Dinner – Passage 53: Is an ideal location for some sushi and sake. In addition to its very French décor, this restaurant also has some of the best chefs in Paris. Straight from Japan and also from Spain the food has been raved about by every critic between those two different countries.

The head chef boasts two Michelin Stars and the cuisine, is to die for. If you are looking for a perfect fusion of French culture and amazing cuisine, this is your location for a savory experience.

If you have been dreaming of traditional French opulence, with its gold and crème splendor, you will want to dine at Benoit. This is a beautiful traditional French restaurant replete with velvet winged back chairs and frescoes ceilings; this is the perfect place to take a someone for an anniversary or a proposal and an ideal place for a romantic Paris Dinner.

As a part of the Hotel de Ville it is one of the most coveted locations in Paris for opulence, luxury and a great location on the periphery of Marais which will allow you to enjoy the swanky district around the restaurant for the perfect champagne after dinner.

Le Train Bleu is a perfect experience for a romantic Paris Dinner.

Le Train Bleu is for anyone who wants the traditional French cuisine as well as an excellent location to allow you to kick back and relax in perfect old world style. The restaurant is designed to make you feel as though you are in a train station waiting on a train.

There is no better way to be able to kick back and enjoy a traditional meal than in this location with this Victorian surrounding. You will marvel at the food as well as to the cuisine you will be able to experience.

Spring is another location which is perfect for a romantic Paris dinner evening out, although it looks rather unassuming on the outside of the restaurant; this is an excellent place for a cozy menu for two.

The food is prepared completely from scratch every day and it is a mid-range price which means that you will be able to enjoy the very best at an affordable price.

Plan on getting ready to settle into one of the best locations for romance and price, run by an American chef, all of the ingredients are local and offer the best prices as well as the best fare in Paris.

Another hidden gem is Le Chardenoux is also an excellent location for having dinner with your sweetheart. All of the creations on the menu are sourced daily and the menu changes every day depending on what the chef can find in the market. This is right in the middle of the arts district and the perfect place for a night out.

With plenty of amazing choices to choose from, you’ll always be able to find some unique place for a perfect romantic Paris Dinner.

Enjoy!

Restaurants mentioned:

Le Chardenoux is one of my personal favorites and every time my wife and I go to France, we make sure to eat there. Service is great, food even better.

Secret Paris – 4 Hidden Events in the City History

November 24, 2014

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Secret Paris – 4 Hidden Events in the City History

Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world! Incredible foods. Incredible sites! Incredible places to discover. An amazing history! And I like to consider myself a bit of a student of history so let me say that I was… intrigued… by these few facts that a friend told me about. So much so I wanted write an article about them.

Paris is a city of many mysteries, one thing that you may not be aware of is the fact that there are many events which have happened that have disappeared somewhere in the history books. Here are the top 4 for your enjoyment.

Secret Paris – Nazi bunkers were created in the Paris Catacombs.
1. The catacombs below Paris are the home to over 6 million Parisians. Of those 6 million most of them are ancient. During the French Revolution many people used to meet in the catacombs and hide to plan their strategies.
2. In addition to that there are people now who meet down there as well to have catacomb parties. The Nazis saw the distinct advantage to ensuring that their men had a place to hide in the most secure area of the city.
3. Nazi Bunkers, courtesy Messy Nessy
Secret Paris – The French-Algerian Massacre of 1961.
1. In 1961 on the tail end of a disagreement with the government. The French government got into a disagreement with Algerians who were seeking and looking for political asylum. The government decided to crack down on the people and a massacre ensued.
Secret Police – Napoleon escaped twice.
Secret Paris – Paris had human zoos.
1. France has always been a country of conquest and while they were working hard to expand the empire they also decided to bring it back to Paris for national display. Over 35,000 people were brought back to the city and were then put into local villages which recreated the lifestyle of the locations where there were very were from.
2. Now there is a location that is available and abandoned in the middle of Paris. It stands in the heart of the city as a testament to all of the things that were wrong with colonization. One thing that is truly amazing as well is the fact that there are many people as well who have gone back to the site and have contemplated tearing it down.
3. That however, is not an option since the site has been a part of the history of the city.

Every city has its secrets and there is nothing different about Paris.

Within the dark streets and the locations which have been populated since Roman times lurks a new kind of secret which is the driving force of history as well as of innovation; Secret Paris. When you head to Paris you will be able to find locations in which you want to stay and have an experience of a lifetime. Make sure you are ready!

Enjoy!

Ski Italy – The Picture Place for Winter Fun

November 23, 2014

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Ski Italy – The Picture Perfect Place for Winter Fun

Northern Italy, along the border with Switzerland, is dotted with ski resorts and is the best place to Ski Italy. There are some which are well-known for being extremely challenging, offering intriguing and tricky runs for expert skiers all through the winter.

But there are also resorts with much more open slopes perfect for families and beginners. I have yet to come across one which perfectly encompasses these two elements, they all seem to be blend well towards one or the other.

Ski Italy – Arabba

Arabba is a small village located in the Dolomites. It is surrounded by ridges which provide access to other ski areas so there is no shortage of pistes and slopes. There is guaranteed snow throughout the winter months and plenty of challenges for experienced skiers.

The village itself is very small but you really get the sense of being immersed in the mountain environment. There are a variety of black runs which are tricky and exhilarating. It’s not the best resort for beginners, so perhaps not a great choice for a family vacation. A great choice for a couple’s vacation if you are expert skiers, or a boys’ trip away.

The Ornella run which goes down to Pescoi. It is one of the biggest sources of entertainment for locals and is extremely tricky even for the most expert of skiers. It’s totally worth it as the ultimate adrenaline rush and is a local challenge for visiting skiers.

Ski Italy – Passo Tonale

Passo Tonale is where the Italian national ski team goes to train. There is guaranteed snow from October all the way through to May and so is a favorite amongst ski addicts.

There are two ski schools and the nursery slopes are perfect for learning to ski from scratch.

The marked pistes are not very challenging at all so are much more suited to beginner and intermediate skiers. There are numerous bars, cafés and restaurants for après-ski fun and relaxation.

There is a supermarket should you prefer to cook in-house and plenty of leisure facilities. The resort is really geared up for families and has a lot of deals offering free ski passes for kids and really great value family accommodation.

It is typically not as attractive to young people or couples as there is not a huge amount of exciting nightlife.

Ski Italy – Cervinia

Cervinia is a resort located at the base of the Matterhorn with very open slopes. It is high up and there is little protection from the bright sun so sunscreen is an absolute must. On a clear day it is a beautiful place to ski. The pistes are well-marked and relatively well-maintained.

But, when the weather turns bad, there is no protection from the elements and the slopes can become pretty dangerous. Most of the lifts in Cervinia are fast, they have replaced most of the old, slow lifts so very few of these remain.

Cervinia is a family resort really, making it one of the best places to Ski Italy.

There is also plenty exciting for expert skiers. The few black runs may be a little easy for the most advanced skiers, but they’re tough in their own right.

The off-piste skiing would be more attractive to experienced skiers and heli-skiing is an option.

Cervinia has over 50 restaurants, so you will never be stuck for somewhere to eat. There is a natural ice rink which is pretty cool and a fitness center. Some of the hotels have pools but there is little entertainment for non-skiers. It’s a great resort for a first-time family skiing vacation, as long as all of you plan on hitting the slopes.

Cervinia was the first place I took my wife, whom was my girlfriend, Katy to Ski Italy.

We were living in Israel at the time and it was quite an experience to get there. I’ll be writing about the entire story in another article. But the place is really beautiful, great teachers, awesome food, sights that take your breath away, and perfect places to stay.

And the other cool thing of Cervinia, you can ski down the backside to Switzerland! But be careful, the lifts do close at a certain time and it may not be the best thing to be stranded for the night!

Oh, and depending upon when you come to Northern Italy, The Dolomites are an incredible place to see.

Enjoy!

Lizard Peninsula Cornwall – Visit of Grandeur and Tranquility

November 21, 2014

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Lizard Peninsula Cornwall – Visit of Grandeur and Tranquility

The Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall England, a destination as exquisite as its name, stands proudly in the sea. Paradoxically, the peninsula presents a rugged face to the rudiments but the climate is probably one of the warmest in Britain.

Unpolluted by industries the air is crisp, clear and fresh, making breathing so much easier than it is out in the cities at Lizard Peninsula.

Small villages protected by the giant cliffs and towering rocks make you travel back in time and experience what you cannot in today’s busy world. Since it has flat terrain, exploring it on foot or on a bike is ideal.

porthlevencyclehire.com is a great place to rent bikes and you can do it online.

Hiking has always been one of my most beloved hobbies. Hiking through The Lizard Peninsula with my wife was my dream.

It is recognized in Britain as one of the most important pieces of land where more than fifteen of Britain’s rarest plants can be found.

Stunningly beautiful throughout the year it can be quite rightfully said that there is no place like it in the whole of Britain. The area is also famous for the wildlife that it proudly boasts of. The Lizard has remained an inspiration for artists and writers who were spellbound by the stunningly beautiful scenery that it had to offer.

When we visited The Lizard Peninsula we could see seals and even basking sharks. This left me open mouthed. The imposing cliffs have a beauty of their own. The views from this stretch of Cornwall are breathtaking. You will get to witness everything imaginable once you visit The Lizard Peninsula. From the storm ragged harbors in the west to the small but sheltered villages in the east there are a number of locations you can visit.

The colorful boats pulled up on the beach and the cluster of houses with thatched roofs gave the surroundings a peaceful look. To get outside the routine hustle bustle of the city and into the serene exquisiteness of insignificant fishing villages such as Cadgwith and Mullion Covecome where people depended so highly on the sea for their daily livelihood left me wondering about the lost tranquility in our lives.

The most prized possession of The Lizard Peninsula by all means is the Kynance Cove.

The tough climb downwards is worth the clean yellow mounds of rolling sand the gigantic red and green serpentine rocks polished by the sea over centuries and the magnificent roaring blue sea. BBC describes the coast as “one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the South West.” And my wife and I could not agree less.

cadgwith harbour and bay fishing village and port cornwall england uk

Helston is one other such place that I would like everyone to visit. To experience the Furry Dance, a prehistoric pagan festival, visit The Lizard on May 8. The dance celebrates the passing of winter and the arrival of spring. The dancers wear the Helston’s symbolic flower Lily of the Valley to follow the tradition. This experience will always be one of the very best.

My trip to The Lizard was one of those breath taking experiences where time flies fast but leaves a long lasting impact on your mind for days to come.

The Lizard Peninsula remained a topic of discussion for many days in our house. Reliving the memories refreshed us. Planning a trip again would not be a bad idea come to think of it!

Enjoy!

Milan Tourist Ultimate Guide When Short on Time!

November 18, 2014

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Milan Tourist Ultimate Guide When Short on Time!

I think Milan is my favorite (modern) city in all of Italy. While Rome is a glorious city filled with illustrious and extraordinary history, Milan has this energy to it that makes it easy to be swept up in. I’ll always remember taking my wife several years ago, she was my girlfriend then, there for the first time. Sitting at a quant little cafe at the Piazza watching people paint, sing, and be really well dressed!

Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery. Milan, Italy

Milan is the second largest city in Italy and is the capital of the region of Lombardy, and as such, has a lot to see for any Milan tourist.

It has a really rich history, having being founded by the Celts, conquered by the Romans and has served as an important commercial center since the middle ages. It became a center for resistance against the Nazis during the Second World War and today is known as an international fashion hotspot.

Milan Tourist – Duomo (Milan Cathedral)

Milan Duomo - Italy — Milan Duomo – Italy

The front of the cathedral is so intricate and so big it is impossible to take in all of the details from the photos. You really do have to see it to believe it. On my first day in Milan I climbed right to the top of the roof to look out over the city of Milan. You do have to pay a small fee to be able to take photos, but this money goes towards the upkeep of the cathedral itself, so I would recommend paying it.

I didn’t find the climb to the top too bad at all, but there is an option to pay twice as much and take the elevator. The stairs weren’t busy at all even though we were there at a busy time of day, so you have time to take a break if you need it. For me, the views from the top made the climb completely worth it.

Being a Milan tourist, it’s a real experience climbing the stairs and emerging onto the fantastic roof with incredible details and designs.

Be inspired by The Last Supper

Arguably Milan’s most well known attraction, Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper is the place to visit.

L'Ultima Cena di Leonardo da Vinci — L’Ultima Cena di Leonardo da Vinci

But! Getting tickets to go is like getting front row seats to Lady Gaga or another world famous singer! Sometimes it’s tough being a Milan tourist…

If you’re lucky enough or purchase tickets in advance are allowed to enter the hallowed refectory. Normally visiting time is limited to 15 minutes, but those inside get to witness the expression of hostility, despair, and conservation on the faces of Jesus’s disciples moments before his betrayal.

Although here Leonardo used an experimental technique, meaning the painting or fresco is flaky, the quality and experience is superb.

La Scala Opera House

La Scala, an opera house in Milan, Italy

The outside of the Opera House doesn’t look that impressive. Don’t be put off by this because inside it is just as grand and decadent as you would imagine. There is a fantastic museum inside which will talk you through the various different superstars who have conducted and performed in shows at La Scala over the last 200 years.,

If you are an opera fan, see if you can book ahead to get tickets to a performance. Even if you’re not an opera fan, you won’t be disappointed; the standard of everything performed at La Scala is simply world class. Just make sure you adhere to the dress code, the locals can get a bit upset if you don’t.

Milan Tourist – Shopping

Fashion lovers, beware! Relatives of fashion lovers beware even more! Milan is an amazing place to shop for all of your favorite Italian designers. The best part is you won’t even need to go traipsing all over the city to browse all of the different stores.

All of Milan’s top boutiques and designer stores are all on one square which is known as the Quadrilatero d’Oro, (the rectangle of gold). Here you will find stores such as, Armani, Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu, Prada, Moschino and many, many more. The amazing thing is, is during off seasons, the price of the clothing can be really inexpensive!

These places are only some of the awesome places to visit in Milan! Can you do all of these in a day? Absolutely. But to really see the city, you’ll need a few days. Here are a few more places you can visit and I’ll be writing about each one at length:

Get some culture at the Teatro alla Scala
Hop on (and have dinner) on a tram
Step into a time capsule at Villa Necchi Campiglio
Patronize the Sant’Ambrogio
And more!

So whether your interests are in opera and ballet, religious architecture, panoramic views or high-end fashion, you will have an amazing time enjoying everything that being a Milan tourist has to offer.

Heathrow Airport – Unexpected Adventure to my Terminal

November 17, 2014

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Heathrow Airport – Unexpected Adventure to my Terminal

So this little unexpected adventure I had happened a few months back. I had to fly to Berlin from London on a business trip for the company I work for. Anyway, as a habit I generally leave early whenever I have to fly overseas.

I took a cab to the Heathrow Airport, which is quite accessible by road and public transport. The airport is around 15 miles from West London along the M4 motorway.

Anyway, I got off at terminal 2 and there I was told at the check in by an attendant that I ended up at the wrong terminal, as my British Airways flight will depart from terminal 5. Oh man, I just stood there wondering how I could have made such a silly mistake.

The attendant looked at me and even asked, “Sir, are you alright?
I didn’t quite answer but after my little shocking experience, I knew that I was in for a trip!

For those who haven’t yet been to the airport, the Heathrow Airport is massive. It is the busiest airport in UK and Europe. The first three terminals share the same entrance, the fourth terminal is at the southern part of the airport, and the fifth terminal on the Western Perimeter Road with its own separate access road.

After asking around, I found out that the two possible ways for me to get to the fifth terminal is through the Heathrow express or the London underground. So today seemed like a good day to check out the Heathrow express.

While on the train it finally hit me, last time I flew to Berlin from London was through a German airline called the Germanwings, which departed from terminal two. Anyway, upon reaching terminal 5, I went through the check in and went straight to eat. I found a sandwich place and got myself a delicious yet healthy sandwich.

I’ve always had this affinity for airport food and nothing beats the top quality food in the UK.

Finally, I was on the plane and my favorite part of flying from the Heathrow airport had arrived, I simply love looking down at the six runways, arranged in certain angles that it looks like a hexagram.

So for those who have not yet flown from Heathrow Airport, here is a quick guide:

There are 5 different terminals at the airport, the first three terminals are all walking distance but the fourth and fifth terminal both have different road routes for entrance.
You can access the airport from Heathrow express, a nonstop service direct to the airport from Paddington station.
There is a central bus station serving terminals 1 and 3. Both terminals 4 and 5 have their own bus station.
Several large duty free shops are available for traveler.
Decent eatery is available at the airport.
A number of play areas are available for kids.

While I am confident that this is useful information, you will still find yourself a little overwhelmed on your first visit to Heathrow Airport. The size of the airport and the foot traffic here is simply a sight to behold. However, the experience is extremely enjoyable and I recommend you enjoy yourself while you are there.

Enjoy!

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