Travelling Experiences

Already the Greek called the French island of Corsica one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean Sea.

600 kilometres of uncrowded coastline with beaches and cliffs, hills, mountain lakes and forest are waiting to be explored.

You can get to Corsica either by ferry or by plane and on the island itself you can go by car, bike, bus or train. And Corsica also is perfect for hiking and kayaking.

The first you see when arriving by plane is Bastia the second largest town on the island and you should really visit the old harbour and the the Museum d’Ethnograghie Corse. The museum is located next to the Mole Jatee Fortress and from there you have a great view of Bastia.
In Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte was born and there you can not only find the Napoleon House but also the Napoleon Museum. In the Musee Fech visitors can see a collection of Italian Art housed in a neo-classical palace.
The town centre of Ajaccio starts at the harbour and is really vivid. Worth a visit is the morning market and the narrow streets and alleyways around the fortress.

Not only Dover has white cliffs, also Bonifacio the most southern town of France. High above the sea on top of the cliffs lies the town and from there stairs lead down to the sea. From up there you have a great view of the sea and some beautiful beaches are not far.

Black sand instead of white cliffs is what Nonza has to offer. From the town, influenced by the Genoese, no less than 1000 steps lead down to the black sandy beach. Considering the great view you have from every single of these steps that is not too much.

The Golfe de Porto offers its visitors not only wooded hillsides but also a great view of the deep blue sea and the white cliffs are very close to La Scandola and Girolate.  The Scandola Nature Reserve is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
In the hinterland you can see weird shaped red rocks and waterfalls at Les Calanche.

Visitors interested in history should visit Alignement de Pagliaju as there you can see a collection of menhirs dating back to 1900 to 1000 BC. 258 granite monoliths can be found there. Also historical monuments are Alignement de Stantari and Alignement de Raenaggiu. In Filitosa the megalith monuments are up to 4 metres high. You can see engraved faces as well as armed warriors.

The cuisine on Corsica is great. You get meat, herbs, goat’s cheese, Honey, chestnuts and of course wine.

And the climate is mild, with long summers and early springs, boasting with flowers,  and less than 100 days with rain per year.

First founded in 789 by Idriss I, the official foundation of Fès took part in 808 by his son Idriss and since 1976 it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In 859 the University of Al-Karaouine was founded, which is the oldest continuously functioning madrasah in the world and makes Fès the religious centre of Morocco.

Fès is divided up into three parts the old town (Fès-el-Bali), the new town (Fès-el-Djedid) and the part that was built during the French protectorate, the Ville Nouvelle. In the old town you can wander through souks and alleys, that are unchanged since the Middle Ages. One monument you should really visit is the Bou Inania Medersa, with its cedar woodwork, its sculptured stucco and its marble and onyx decoration. Particularly interesting are the instrument makers’ souk, the cabinetmakers’ souk and the kissaria where jewellery and fine fabrics are on sale.

From Fès you should go on an excursion to the ruined city of Volubilis and to the nearby Meknès. Volubilis is said to be the mystic capital of Mauritania, but there is no proof to it. After the Romans the Arabs came to Volubilis. After being destructed in an earthquake in the 18th century the city was abandoned at last.

Meknès is another of the imperial cities and strongly affected by the Alaouite sultan Moulay Ismaël who wanted to make Meknès one of the most beautiful and powerful imperial cities. Still today it is protected by 40 kilometres of walls and has preserved imposing monuments and mosques. It is nicknamed ‘city of the hundred minarets’. The Great Mosque, which probably was founded in the 12th century, is famous for its gates.

When you arrive in Marrakesh you can easily step back in time. Between the souk and the Koutoubia Mosque, with its splendid minaret, the Jemma el Fna Square is located. Here you can see hundreds of dealers, fortune tellers, jugglers and snake charmers but also pickpockets and cheaters.  You simply have to experience the narrow alleyways of the souk yourself; they will enchant you in no time with their colour, atmosphere and smells.

A sightseeing tour in Marrakesh you should do in a horse drawn carriage or by bike. Must sees are the Saadian Tombs, the numerous palaces, like the El Bahia Palace, the museums and the magnificents gardens. In the beautiful ‘Jardin Majorelle’ you can find peace after a day in the busy city and simply enjoy your stay.

On a trip to the Ourika Valley with its ditches, fruit and nut trees you can enjoy a traditional tea drinking ceremony in one of the Berber villages.

The coastal town of Essaouira with the picturesque fishing harbour has become a home for many artists and some of the country’s most famous craftsmen. At the end of the morning the boats return with their baskets full of fish and you should really try the grilled sardines or small lobsters in this very special atmosphere. From the Squala of the Kasbash, the artillery platform of the ramparts, you have a great view of the medina, the harbour and the ocean.
Essaouira also has beautiful sandy beaches where you can go for a swim in the Atlantic Ocean before you go back to the starting point of this round trip, to Casablanca.

The Kingdom of Morocco located in North Africa on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea is only a short hop away from Europe, but culturally a much further distance to travel.

It is an oriental world full of historical evidences, with the ‘imperial cities’ of Fès, Meknès, Rabat and Marrakesh being the artistic and cultural centres.

To see as much as possible during your stay you should go on a round trip.

When you arrive at Casablanca, which now is one of the largest North African cities, you will notice pretty quickly that it has no longer anything in common with the film ‘Casablanca’ starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. A sightseeing tour will lead you to the Hassan II Mosque, which is visible from afar due to its minaret with a height of 175 metres, making it the highest religious building in the world. It was completed in 1993. Today Casablanca is the residential city of Mohammed VI.

The landmark of Rabat is the Hassan Tower. Located on a hill it is outlined against the sky. Worth a visit are the Mohammed V Mausoleum, a little palace in which also Hassan II is buried, the Oudayas Kasbah, the fortress erected at the edge of the Rabat medina, and El Atiqa, the city’s oldest mosque built in 1150. You also shouldn’t miss the colourful and lively shops in the medina. There you can get gold, silver, carpets, herbs and much more. This is a very special experience for your senses.

You should also make sure to visit the Chellah necropolis. This peaceful place is the last residence of the Merinide sovereigns and protected by imposing walls. And as it is also the site of the old Roman city of Salé, you can see the ruins of a triumphal arch, the forum and thermal bathes.

From Rabat you travel to Chefchaouen along the Rif Mountains, where you have spectacular views of the region. Chefchaouen is cut into the sides of the Djabal Kelaa Mountain and the Djabal Meggou Mountain and probably is one of the most beautiful cities of the Rif region. As it had been ruled by the Spanish for more than 30 years most people here still speak Spanish. The white houses built in Andalusian and Arab style traditionally have beautiful blue doors.
In the Outa el Hammam Square you can really feel the powerful charm of the city and enjoy the attractive view of the Tarik-Ben-Ziad mosque with its octagonal minaret which was inspired by that of the Torre de Oro in Seville.

You should also visit the Kasbah de Moulay Ismail built in the 17th century. It now houses a museum where you can see jewellery, pottery, weapons and musical instruments as well as the typical traditional costumes of the region. South of the Outa el Hammam is the Souika Quarter with its narrow alleyways where you can buy gifts and get enchanted by the atmosphere.

This was part one of the round trip, part two will follow soon. Don’t miss it!

Marbella is located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Andalusia, Spain. It is a popular beach resort of the Costa del Sol and an exclusive destination for wealthy tourists from the UK, Ireland, Germany, Northern Europe and the US.

The heart of Marbella old town is Orange Square which dates back to 1485. It is surrounded by historical white washed buildings, the town hall, the Old Governor’s House and the Chapel of Santiago. Right of the Old Governor’s House is a stone fountain built by the first Mayor of Christian Marbella in 1504. The town hall with a sun dial at the front was erected in 1568. Some of the stone inscriptions on the building date back to 11 June 1485 when Marbella was re-conquered from the Moors.

The Church of St Mary is the town’s most important building and was built in the 17th century. The main façade has a magnificent Baroque style entrance made of red stone. The church’s organ is one of the most important organs built in Spain.  It was built from 1972 to 1975 made up of 5000 pewter, copper and wooden pipes, four manual keyboards of 56 notes, a 36 note pedal and various other special features. An old tower which used to be part of the wall that surrounded the Moorish town still stands in the church square.

The Roman Baths first discovered in 1926 date back to the 3rd century and are built around an octagonal patio which in its time was encrypted. The octagonal pool was 1.2 metres deep.  Visitors who are interested in visiting the baths located next to the beach in Guadalmina can get the keys from the San Pedro de Alcantera tourist office.  Also remains of Roman times are the Roman Villa Mosaics. The well preserved floors date back to the 1st and 2nd century. The most beautiful of the mosaic floors shows a Medusa’s head with four snakes on her head and 2 more around her neck.

The Marbella Mosque is not a remainder of Moorish times but the first mosque to be constructed after the re-conquest in the 15th century.

Also really magnificent and worth a visit are the numerous parks and gardens of Marbella. Almost all the towns open spaces have been plated with beautiful flowers and plants. The larger parks and gardens are Nagueles Park, Parque de las Medranas, Parque de la Constitution, La Alameda and King Fahiad Gardens.  If you take the road to Ojén you get to another beautiful park named Juanar. Here you can find pine, walnut and olive trees as well as wild orchids and even animals. From ‘El Mirador’ at the highest point you have one of the most spectacular views of Marbella.

Worth a visit for lovers of plants also is the Bonsai Museum of Marbella with its exquisite exhibit of bonsai trees. And if you are rather interested in the works of Picasso, Miró, Tapies, Chillida and others you should visit the Museum of Spanish Contemporary Engravings in the former palace of Don Alonso de Bazán.

If you like to haggle and want to buy a nice souvenir you should visit the great flea market next to the bullring of Puerto Banus. There you can find almost everything.  And after you have bought something nicely how about watching the luxury yachts at Puerto Banus Marina while having a nice meal in one of the open air restaurants.

Marbella not only offers superb shopping facilities but also splendid restaurants, cafés and bars. If you walk along the promenade of Marbella which is one of the most attractive of the Costa del Sol you will find many pavement cafés and restaurants not only offering good food but also the possibility to watch the people passing by. And the town also is famous throughout the world for its glamorous night life the most exclusive clubs, discos and music bars can be found at Puerto Banus and the Golden Mile.

Marbella also is a good starting point for day trips to Morocco, Gibraltar, Seville and many other destinations.

Sardinia ist the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea after Sicily and about three times as big as the French island of Corsica.

Together with a few smaller islands it is an autonomous region of Italy. The capital of the region is  Cagliari.

Sardinia is one of the most ancient cultures in the Mediterranean Sea and also geologically one of the oldest bodies of land in Europe; on the island also live the oldest people. More than 300 people are 100 years of age or even older.

Well know especially with tourists are the costal regions Costa Smeralda, Costa Rei, Costa Verde or Costa Paradiso.  But the Sardinia has a lot more to offer. There are many historical sights that are worth a visit.

The town of Alghero has architectural sights that are typical for a medieval town and has one of the most beautiful historical town centres of the island. With it harbour it is one of the touristical centres and you can visit numerous churches, squares, towers and museums. Alghero als so has many good hotels.

One of the most important necropolis in Sardinia is Anghelu Ruju, about 10 kilometres north of Alghero. The necropolis was discovered in 1903 and excavated. It is of such and importance because up to the day it was found it was still untouched. You can get into the chambers via stairs or shafts.

Probably the oldest town in Sardinia is Nora which was founded by the Phoenicians. Vandals occupied it and in the early middle ages it was left because of to many attacks by pirates. Today only ruins are left but they are nevertheless interesting.

Very old too but in a better condition are the numerous churches on the island; either in Pisan or Provencal style or Byzantin.
Visitors who rather like the nature can visit one of the many parks in Sardinia. There are 4 National Parks and 26 regional parks. From famous Capo d’Orso on the northern coast oft the island you have a view of Corsica. The rock is shaped like a bear and that is where it got its name from.

About 900 metres of the flowstone caves of Bue Marino are open to the public but they can only be reached by boat.

The Sardinian cuisine is excellent. You can get lots of fresh seafood of course but also the famous sheep cheese called Pecorino, traditional bread, grilled pork and of course traditional pasta. And of course you can also get the typical wine of the region and even Sardinian beer.

Madagascar is the forth largest island in the world and truly worth a visit as it is like no place on earth.

The island split from Africa about 160 Million years ago and ringed by golden beaches and palm trees offers a variety of grassy plateaus, volcanoes, forests and natural reserves.

Madagascar was first inhabited sometime between 300 BC and 500 AD by Austronesian peoples. There have been many Bantu and Arab influences since and from 1890 to 1960 Madagascar was part of the French colonial empire. Malagasy, the language spoken by a majority of the population is an Austronesian language. Besides Malagasy French and English are official languages too.

The island’s capital is Antananarivo founded in the 17th century. It is situated in the central highlands with its highest point being 2643 metres above sea level. Most of the city though sits at around 1400 metres. Antananarivo is a lively place and you can easily explore the cultural, historical and architectural sights by foot if you’re willing to climb hundreds of stone steps. About 30 kilometres from Antananarivo there is the Ambohimanga, the birthplace of the Malagasy state and ancient sovereignly residence.

In the South of Madagascar you find the dry deciduous forests, and spine forests with lots of succulents. A breathtaking landscape with Toliara being the capital of the province. The town has no beaches but a small harbour. Toliara is a good starting points if you either want to go to a beach nearby or on a trip to discover the island. The southernmost point of Madagascar is the Cap Sainte Marie Park where you can see bird elephant bones and egg fragments and watch migrating humpback whales between August and November. There you also find the largest number of rage tortoises. Most rain is falling from December to February and the streets get so bad that you really should visit the region at some other time of the year. The ideal means of transportation in that area are busses and taxis but if you want to visit the capital Antananarivo, you should rather go by plane as a trip by bus would last about 24 hours.

In the West of Madagascar you find savanna-like plains with the typical Baobabs and of course lots of succulents too. This region is the least developed of Madagascar but still has to offer some interesting places. In the Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve you can find preserved mangrove forests and wild bird and lemur populations as well as the famous tsingy, the sharp limestone pinnacles that may reach 150 feet in height.

From the capital you can get  to Morondava and Mahajanga on two roads but it is advisable to take the plane.
The population  of Mahajanga is a mix of Arabs, Africans, Indians and Europeans and also inhabitants of the Comoros live in the city. From there you can see the imposing mough of the Bebsiboka River and even cross it by boat and you can visit the grottos in Andranokobaka.
The Andranomena Special Reserve is located about 30 kilometres north of Morondava and is an area of dry forest. It is home to 11 species of reptiles and amphibians, 48 species of birds and ten species of mammals, including 7 lemurs. Andranomena can get very hot!

In the East of Madagascar you find tropical rainforests and the region is called Madagascan Riviera. The Pangalanes Canal is pretty unique as only a few metres of sands separate it from the Indian Ocean.

St Marie is a former pirate coast and today the right place if you seek a rest. In the 16th century many ships landed there and in the 18th century coffee, pepper and cloves were cultivated there.

The narrow gauge railway from Antananarivo to Tamatave is magnificent and runs parallel to the coast for more than 120 kilometres. Many of the bridges had been damaged for quite some time but that changed when the railway was privatised in 2004. The best travel season for this region is from May to October.

The North is the most fertile region of Madagascar. Hot and humid with daily rain showers. Vanilla, cacao and sugarcane are cultivated there.
The Tsarantanana mountain range is of volcano origin. The extinct Montagne d’Ambre is about 35 metres in diameter and is about 1400 metres high.
Worth a visit is Joffreville established in 1902 as a pleasure resort for the French Military. Even Though today it is little more than a small village with battered signs it is also home to excellent hotels. It is often used as starting point for trips to the Montagne d’Ambre Park. There you find montane rainforest, mid-altitude rain forest and dry deciduous forest in a region equipped with broad trails and camping areas.  The weather is mostly cool and windy and especially at night it can become really cold.
Ambilobe lies in the valley of the Mahavavy River about 100 kilometres south of Diego Suarez. It is a good starting point for trips to the Ankarana Special Reserve. There you can also see the karst pinnacles called tsingy and also a large cave system and network of underground rivers. The reserve also has the highest density of primate of any forest in the world. A variety of chameleons and leaf-tailed Uroplatus geckos can be found too.

When you are in Madagascar you should also visit the small islands Nosy Be, Nosy Komba, Nosy Tanikely and Nosy Lava.

The English seaside town of Blackpool, Lancashire is situated on the coast of the Irish Sea.

During the 19th century it became popular as a major centre of tourism, especially for the inhabitants of northern mill towns. After the arrival of the railways the seaside resort really boomed.

And as in England a seaside resort is nothing without a pier, Blackpool has even three of them.

North Pier was built in 1863 and is famous for its theatre and seasonal shows. It is also Blackpool’s favourite sunbathing spot and offers amusements, shops, restaurants and bars. From the Carousel Bar you have a great view of Blackpool’s promenade and the annual illuminations.

Central Pier was built in 1868 and is now newly-refurbished. The Big Wheel is very is not only world famous but also very popular with tourists. On Central Pier visitors also find a show bar, amusement arcades, shops and kid’s amusements.

South Pier has a circus marquee style frontage and its theatre is an attraction for the whole family.

Blackpool Tower rises to 158 metres (518 ft 9 inches) and was opened to the public in May 1894.  Inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, it can be seen from anywhere within a 30 mile radius and of course is one of the UK’s most famous tourist attractions. During WW2 it was used as a radar station for the RAF and now regularly features TV programmes and films. During the annual illuminations the tower is spectacularly lit up.
Unlike Eiffel Tower it is not free-standing but surrounded by the building which is home of Blackpool Tower Circus. The Tower Circus opened to the public in 1984 and some of the world’s greatest circus stars have performed there.
The Tower Top has three different levels and is home to Britain’s highest post box. On a clear day visitors have a great view of places as far as Wales or the Lake District. The glass floor in the lower platform allows visitors to see the streets below.

Fish and chips, ice-cream, candyfloss, silly hats and T-shirts are seaside favourites offered on the Golden Mile. It is also Britain’s slot machine capital and home to the Sea Life Centre with its ‘shark tunnel’ and the Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks. From the Golden Mile visitors also have a great view out over the famous golden sands of Blackpool’s beaches. Even on a hot day there are always refreshing breezes rolling in from the Irish Sea.

Blackpool Illuminations date back to 1879 when the UK’s first electric street lights (eight arc lamps) were switched on and to 1912 when Princess Louise opened a new section of the promenade and a display of lights was used to decorate the long promenade. The visitors were so impressed that the light show became a regular event.  The only times that the Blackpool Illuminations have ever been cancelled were during the two World Wars.

With over six million visitors every year Blackpool Pleasure Beach is one of the UK’s most popular travel destinations. It was founded in 1896 by William George Bean who wanted to create an ‘American Style Amusement Park’. It is home to 125 rides and attractions, including one of the world’s fastest, tallest, and steepest roller coasters – The Pepsi Max Big One. Blackpool Pleasure Beach provides a perfect day out for any age.

Tourists who would like to slip away to tranquility after so many exciting attractions should visit beautiful Stanley Park situated less than 2 miles form the seafront. The park offers bowling greens, 18-hole putting greens and a 26 acre lake partly enclosed by woodland. There you can go on a cruise by motor-boat, rowing or pedal boat.

Also well established as one of the leading shopping centres of North West England, Blackpool’s town centre offers an excellent selection of shops. If you fancy an independent clothing store then there are a few sprinkled through the usual high street shops. For those who don’t want to risk the Saturday shopping crowds, shopping online is always an option for quick and easy buying, Esprit fashion has a good online site that you might consider looking at after a visit to Blackpool’s town centre.

The right time to pay Alaska a visit certainly is between July and August, but also in May and September temperatures are still moderate.

Alaska is not only the largest state in the United States; it also has a lot to offer. You can discover fjords, glaciers, forests, tundra, lakes, rivers, and high mountains too.

Especially nature enthusiasts will love the magnificent nature and the numerous animals like Dall sheep, bears, moose, caribous, seals, sea lions, or salmons.

Juneau is the capital of Alaska and located in an area with fjords and glaciers and therefore is a good starting point for trips to the Glacier Bay National Park and other glaciers. Besides glaciers 32 gold mines can be found in the region too. The orthodox St. Nicholas Church is the oldest Russian church of Southeast Alaska.

The economically most important city of Alaska probably is Anchorage. From there you can get everywhere. In Anchorage visitors find a great variety of restaurants and shopping facilities. Great sports events take place in the city which got the title ‘All American City’ in 2002.

The Denali National Park and Preserve, which is home of Mount McKinley which stands at 20,320 feet (6,195 metres) and is North America’s tallest mountain, is not far from Anchorage.  Healy, Cantwell or Talkeetna are starting points for hiking, rafting, camping, and mountain climbing tours. The park is located in Inner Alaska and covers more than six million acres.  Besides 750 species of flowering plants you can see 39 mammal species, 165 bird species and 10 species of fish. Mostly spotted are grizzly bears, moose, Dall sheep, caribou, and fox. You can easily get to the Denali National Park and Preserve by car from Anchorage or Fairbanks.

Kenai Fjords National Park is located on the southeast coast of the Kenai Peninsula near the town of Seward, about 130 road miles south of Anchorage. 60 percent of the park is covered by snow and ice and you can go on a boat tour to watch calving glaciers, seals, sea lions, and wales. The 700-square-mile Harding Icefield is one of only four ice fields in the United States. In summer cabins are available along the coast and authorized commercial guides provide camping, fishing, and kayaking tours.

Sitka lies on Baranof Island and used to be the capital of Russian-America until 1867. The Russian influence is still obvious in the multicultural city. St. Michael’s Cathedral was the first Russian church built in America (1844-1848) and has magnificent onion-shaped domes and gold crosses.  It was destroyed by a fire in 1966 but is rebuilt now and many of the precious icons and religious artifacts saved from the fire are displayed today.

In the Sitka National Historical Park visitors can see a large collection of totem poles which represent traditional Native art. The park also commemorates the 1804 Russian and Tlingit Battle.
Tlingit artists perform their native craft at the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center and can be observed by visitors.
The first concrete building of Alaska was the Sheldon Jackson Museum which hosts one oft he largest collections of Alaskan Native artifacts. There visitors can learn a lot about Native culture and Alaskan history.

With about 580,000 inhabitants the Finnish capital Helsinki is the country’s largest city.

6 % of the city’s population speak Swedish and the city officially is bilingual.
Helsinki is located in the south of Finland at the Gulf of Finland opposite the Estonian city of Tallinn and due to the Russian influence it is different to other Scandinavian cities.
The metropolitan area of Helsinki includes the city of Helsinki and three other cities.

From the 12th century on the region of Uusimaa, where Helsinki is located was under Swedish rule and in 1550 Helsingfors (Swedish for Helsinki) was founded by the Swedish king Gustav I. It was supposed to compete with Reval (Tallinn).
After the Swedes the Russians ruled Helsinki and when Finland got its sovereignty it became the country’s capital.

At the Market Square you find the old Market Hall which is the oldest in Finland. There you can buy fresh food. Only a few steps away is Esplanadi Park where you can relax and try some of the good Finnish ice cream. From there you can also to the islands by ferry.

The largest Orthodox Church in Scandinavia is the Uspenski Cathedral which was completed in 1868. It has a redbrick façade and golden cupolas and is richly decorated in the inside.

From almost everywhere you can see Helsinki Cathedral which was designed by C.L. Engel in neoclassical style. It was built between 1830 and 1852. From Senate Square steps lead up to the shining white cathedral. In summer you can sit there to watch people or just relax.

The most famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto designed the Finlandia Hall. It is one of Helsinki’s major architectural sights and used for political and cultural events.

One of the most visited sights is the Temppeliaukio Church quarried out of the natural bedrock and with a copper dome. Due to its excellent acoustics the church is a popular venue for concerts.

Suomenlinna Fortress, founded in 1748 and built by Augustin Ehrensvärd, is one of the largest sea fortresses in the world. It is situated on islands off the coast and is one of the most popular attractions and an important example of European military architecture.

In the heart of Helsinki you find Lake Töölonlahti. In the park at Töölönlahti Bay there are the Winter Gardens with hundreds of plants. It also is an interesting place for bird watchers.

A highlight for families certainly is the Linnanmäki Amusement Park which has entertained families since 1950. It has an enormous selection of fun rides and the wooden rollercoaster is more than 50 years old. It still is the most popular ride.
Another interesting place to go is Sea Life Helsinki where visitors can go on a trip from tropical oceans to the Arctic Sea. Crabs, starfish, sharks, rays and many more can be seen there. Visitors can even step inside the ocean tank in a transparent tunnel.

The tower of the Olympic Stadium of Helsinki with a height of 72 metres offers a great view of Helsinki.

Tuscany is one of the most beautiful and the most popular travel destinations in Italy.

The region lies in Central Italy with Florence being its capital.

But not only Florence is worth a visit, there are also Pisa and Siena and a beautiful landscape with hills, stone pines, cypress trees, olive trees and vineyards.

Florence on the Arno River is the city with the most visitors in Tuscany and has a lot to offer. There are not only sights but also art treasures. The world’s greatest museum of Renaissance art probably are the “Uffizi Galleries” and Michelangelo’s “David” is the most famous sculpture in the world.

Sights you should really see in Florence are the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore. The Gothic “Duomo” was built on the site of a 7th century church. The exterior is covered with pink, white and green marble and the interior by contrast is pretty plain. The Dome is egg-shaped and was built by Filippo Brunelleschi. 463 steps take visitors up to the top where they have a great view of the city. Inside the dome you can see the frescoes of the “Last Judgement” designed by Giorgio Vasari.
On the Piazza della Signoria visitors can see Michelangelo’s David and the Palazzo Veccio. Not far from the Piazza you can see the Ponte Veccio, the medieval bridge over the Arno River that still has shops built along it.
Typical palaces in the style of Florentine Renaissance are the Palazzo Strozzi or the Palazzo Rucellai. The Medici family once bought the Palazzo Pitti on the south bank of the Arno River and created the Boboli Gardens.
The first churches built in Renaissance style are the San Lorenzo Church, the Santa Maria Novella Church and the San Miniato Monte Church. Pretty unusual is the Orsanmichele Church which used to be a granary.

Pisa too is located on the Arno River and famous for its Leaning Tower. In the city visitors can see more than 20 historical churches and magnificent squares. Remarkable are the Santa Maria Cathedral  and its Baptistry. Pisa was the birthplace of the early physicist Galileo Galilei.

Another beautiful city is Siena. Siena lies in the hilly heart of Tuscany and is well known for the Palio horse race which takes part twice a year. The horse race is held on the Piazza del Camp where you can also see the city hall, Palazzo Pubblico with the Torre des Mangia. The Santa Maria Cathedral, “Duomo”, of Siena is one of the great examples of Italian Romanesque architecture. Pretty unusual for a cathedral is, that its axis runs north-south.

But besides the beautiful cities Tuscany also has a magnificent landscape. One of the most beautiful Tuscan regions probably is the Val d’Orcia. There you find flat plains as well as the typical cone shaped hills and cypress trees. Renaissance artists were inspired by the Val d’Orcia and well known to wine lovers certainly is the town of Montalcino as this is where the famous Brunello diMontalcino wine comes from.
Visitors of Tuscany who like to go swimming can go to one of the beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean coast or on the island of Elba.