Ljubljana

One train station, one main square with a Church and one castle. That is what the capital city of Slovenia – Ljubljana – has to offer. And I am not saying it in a bad way at all! I was quite impressed by this small town where everything is well organized. My suggestion is to visit Ljubljana on Saturday and, on Sunday, by bus from Ljubljana, head to Bled to enjoy the quietness of its beautiful lake. The photos show both places.

For more information check: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ljubljana



My rate (1-10): 5


The pictures below can also be seen @
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London

London is a metropolis where you can find everything. It is one of the cities where I really love to go to as many times as I can! A city where I never feel unconforable and where there is always something new to discover.

Actually, now that I am writing this article, I am thinking about so many places to go and so many things to do there…in 3 words: Just visit it!

For more information check: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London



My rate (1-10): 8


The pictures below can also be seen @
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Amsterdam

The first idea that comes to mind when someone talks about Amsterdam (Netherlands) is “red light district” It is certainly a place to go to when visiting the city. However much more places are well worth to see: Van Gogh’s Museum, Anne Frank Museum or Heineken Museum are definitely some of these places.

A walk by foot around the city (a bike is also a good option) and a boat trip along the river should also be included in the visitor’s to-do list.

For more information check: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam



My rate (1-10): 6


The pictures below can also be seen @
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Helsinki

I found Helsinki (Finland) a nice city but, unfortunately, not a marvelous one. Maybe because it was raining, maybe because my expectations were too high…Nevertheless, it is a city to go at least once in a life time.

Helsinki Cathedral, Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral or, the Helsinki Market Square are places where the visitor should go when visiting Helsinki.

To call the day off, nothing better than visit the restaurant Lappi where it is possible to taste moose meat (other delicious dishes are also available). After this meal it is time to head to “Ice Bar” to have a glass of vodka (caution: it closes at 10h30pm).

For more information check: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki

My rate (1-10): 6

The pictures below can also be seen @
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Vienna

Even though the Austria is not a large country, everything is large in its capital Vienna: Large boulevards and streets, large monuments, large…city

Also large, elegant and graceful are places like the Schönbrunn Palace, the Cathedral, Secession building or, the Austria Parliament.

Vienna it is definitely a city of culture where a visit to the Opera House or to Modern Art Museum is mandatory.

After walking around the city it is time to make a pause and head to the Sacher Hotel. Here one should get a seat and taste the world famous “Sachertorte” (dry chocolate cake with apricot jam)…by the way…take the chance and buy some “Mozart Chocolats” to take away…!

For more information check: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna

My rate (1-10): 8

The pictures below can also be seen @
http://www.slide.com/r/bD_lvl7E5j8XD9oQvp6nadvCcdo-ZB4P?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original

Budapest

The next destination is also a city located in the heart of Europe. The river – Danube – splits only 1 city into 2 sides. On the right bank of the river: Buda. On the other side: Pest. Together, located in Hungary, I found a very nice city called Budapest!

Budapest is a city with too much things to see where I would like to highlight The Hungarian Parliament, the Thermal Bath, the Cathedral, the Heroes square, the Castle, the Citadella, the Chain Bridge and so many other great places…definitely a place to visit!

For more information check: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest

My rate (1-10): 7

The pictures below can also be seen @
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Prague

Right in the Heart of Europe, Prague is a city which is clearly divided into 5 different districts: Castle district, Little Quarter, Old Town, New Town and the Jewish Quarter. Each one showing their unique monuments, each one telling its own story.

I did all the five areas by foot and I don’t regret. For me it was the best way to “feel” the city. The innumerous churches and buildings all over the city living together with much more modern construction like the “Dancing House” (a fantastic mix between architecture and art – photo below). From the Castle which observes the entire city to the Jewish Quarter telling the story of thousands of people. From the “John Lennon” memorial whith so many peace messages written mostly in graffiti; to the river and squares around the city.

Last but not the least, I would like to let here a last note about the food: good & cheap! Some of the meals to be tasted are: The typical “pork knee”, the goulash with dumpling as a side dish, or the soup served in a bread.

Finally just a last tip: always agree with the taxi driver the best price for the run before he starts driving specially from/to the airport…!

For more information check: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prague

My rate (1-10): 8

The pictures below can also be seen @
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Luanda

Let’s change from Europe to a different continent and fly towards Africa. Next destination is Angola and its capital…Luanda!

I had lived there for one year, day-by-day, discovering all the contrasts that only a city like Luanda can show and offer.

On one hand, people searching into the garbage cans for some food, asking money and/or food and whatever one can offer to make their basic needs satisfied. On the other hand, there are excellent private condominiums, hotels and buildings, great restaurants, discos & bars, excellent  beaches like “Praia da Ilha”, Mussulo or Caboledo (I’ll always remember about our trips to Caboledo, where after one hour by car, we could go for swimming and eating lobsters afterwards!!!) …I will never forget about the time spent taking sun-baths on the “Ilha” or at Caboledo, THE disco “Paolos”, where a bottle of vodka was the “entry fee”, restaurants like Pimms, Veneza or Baia, bars like “Miami” or “D.Quixote”, the “Marginal” road along the river, and the music which, when listened there, has a complete different tune…

I could talk for hours and hours about this city…some bad things but mostly good things…However, the truth is that everyone who goes there once, wishes to go back there again…

For more information check: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luanda

My rate (1-10): 6

The pictures below can also be seen @
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Oslo

It was the last weekend of October 2007…after some (too many!!) flight issues and problems, I finally arrived to Oslo.

The first word that come up to my mind when trying to define Oslo is, definitely, “expensive”. It’s an expensive city to visit as a tourist. 8 Eurs for a regular glass of beer or, the 15 Eurs asked for a medium-size “margarita” pizza is just too much.

Anyway…after going through this first big shock, I decided to forget everything I knew about EURO and NOK (Norwegian Korona) exchange rates. All my attention was now focused on the city itself…

First day: walking through the city.
From the Royal Palace to the city center, lots of shops were open and waiting for the crowd which was passing by enjoying the sunny day.
Not so far away, other monuments were also waiting for the visitors. The Akershus Fortress, with its nice view towards the Fiords; the river side walk where the Nobel Peace Center is in or; the Harbor area full of restaurants and people walking around are just some fine examples.

Second day: Bus Sightseeing around Oslo.
After a quick sightseeing through the city of Oslo, the bus first stop was the Holmenkollen Ski Jump. After “dreaming” about how a professional ski jumper feels when he’s flying in the air, we left this place, heading to the Vigeland Park to visit the bronze sculptures created by Gustav Vigeland. Last stop was the Viking Ship Museum. Here, really old Viking ships were part of a self-explanatory Viking life style exhibition.

For more information check: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oslo 

My rate (1-10): 7

The pictures below can also be seen @
http://www.slide.com/r/7RnFLoOH6D83hggBa6cCml8OCZa2jbxy?view=small

Krakow

The 3rd largest city in Poland, Krakow, is a city that surprised me mostly because of the so friendly people I could find there. Of course, I have to stress and send a BIG “thank you” to the polish friends who have spend their time to show me most of the “corners” of Krakow.  Definitely, because of you, the city became much more interesting!!! 

Places that the visitors cannot miss, in my opinion, are: the Market Square with the street market right in the middle of it, the University oldest building called Collegium Maius and, the Wawel Castle with its magnificent view over the town. A little bit further away from Krakow the Wieliczka Salt Mines can be found and a trip inside of it is a must!!!

For more information check: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/karkow

My rate (1-10): 7

The pictures below can also be seen @
http://www.slide.com/r/2g_m24xC1z-8uZq6g7SPTcZIEgCP9zD9