Monday, April 27, 2009
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Thursday, April 23, 2009
Switzerland:
The safety, security, and scenic beauty of the country for walking, hiking, and skiing, give it a strong and robust tourism sector.
Goethe summed up Switzerland eloquently as a combination of 'the colossal and the well-ordered'. You can be sure that your trains will be on time. The tidy precision of Swiss towns is tempered by the majestic splendors of the landscapes that surround them.
Must See Places in Switzerland before die
1.Zurich
2.Bern
3.Geneva
4.Interlaken
5.Zermatt
6.Lucerne
7.Lugano
These places to visit in Switzerland it is hard to list them all. But if you get the chance, here are some of the places that you should not miss. Even if you have to come back (and you will want to, again and again) make an effort to see these beautiful places.
Zurich:
One of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Zürich is a favorite tourist destination. When you visit the city, make sure to take a tour of the Grossmeunster church, a magnificent example of the Romanesque architectural style. Do yourself a favor and walk up the steps up to the top of one of the spires for a breathtaking view of the old city, and Lake Zürich. Speaking of the lake, another thing you must do while in Zürich is take a cruise on Lake Zürich. You have several options in types of boats, and each will give you an unforgettable experience. From Buerkliplatz tours leave every half an hour. I recommend the paddleboat tours myself.
Bern:
Travelling west from Zürich you will reach Bern, the city of clocks. It is imperative that while in Bern you take some time and visit the beautiful clocks such as Zytglogge. You will not be disappointed, especially if you are there to witness the display of marching mechanical figures that begins 4 minutes before the hour. Another thing that Bern is known for is fountains. Take a stroll through the city and visit these intricate pieces of art. If you are interested in wildlife, make sure to visit the Bear Pit near the Nydeggbrucke bridge.
As you reach the western edge of Switzerland you will encounter Geneva. While in this spectacular city, make sure to visit the mausoleum of the Duke of Brunswick. It is one of the most beautifully ornate monuments in Europe and is located on the Quai de Mont Blanc on the Square des Alpes. Although technically in France, Genevan's mountain is a must see for anyone visiting Geneva. Take the Mont Salve cable car to the summit and you will have an unforgettable view awaiting you.
For the romantic in all of us, take a walk out along the Pont des Berges to Ile Rousseau, and have lunch at the pavilion there. If you like the outdoors you might consider taking some time to swim at Les Bains des Paquis. Another little restaurant I enjoy is nearby, the Buvette des Bains. Are you interested in chess, perhaps? Then spend an afternoon at the Parc des Bastions and participate in a live chess tournament on a massive scale.
Interlaken:
As you tour through Switzerland, take a trip to the mountain town of Interlaken. The mountain is the main attraction here, and thousands come to see Jungfraujoch each year. Take the railroad up the mountain for an extraordinary view while you travel, but beware this is the most expensive train ride in Switzerland. When you get on board you will agree it is worth the cost. Inside Jungfraujoch mountain, make sure to visit the Ice Palace, an entire interior structure sculpted of frozen water. Bring a jacket for your tour though, it's very cold! While up on the mountain take the ten minute trek out the Sphinx Observatory and take a tour to see the latest in astronomical observations made in Switzerland. For one of the best views available of the Swiss countryside be sure to visit Schilthorn, a mountain observation area that allows you to see much of the country surrounding it.
Lucerne:
Lucerne is the second-most popular destination for tourists visiting Switzerland. Lucerne itself is surrounded by water, since not only does it sit on Lake Lucerne, but it also is split in two by the River Reuss. All along the river you will find elegant bridges, the most beautiful of which is KapellbrŸcke, the Chapel Bridge. I recommend seeing this spectacular bridge along with your camera, since you will be able to take some great photographs.
Lucerne at its heart is a medieval city, and still retains much of its buildings from that era. Explore the Old Town of Lucerne and you will feel as if you have stepped back in time. My favorite place in Lucerne is the Lowendenkmal, the Sleeping Lion. This monument to Swiss bravery in the service of the French royal family is carved right into the rock face. It is a solemn reminder of those that died protecting King Louis XIV, and isn't far from Hofkirche.
The Hofkirche is considered by some to be the most beautiful renaissance church in Switzerland. Right behind the church is a lovely little neighborhood that looks like it has been plucked out of the Swiss countryside and plopped into the city proper. Before leaving the city make sure to take the walk up the hill to Chateau Gutsch, a recently closed hotel. From the terrace there you will be able to fully view the breathtaking expanse of Lake Lucerne.
Lugano:
The center for the Italian culture in Switzerland, Lugano is a lovely place to sky and sight see. The architecture of the city is reminiscent of Venice or Rome. An excellent example of this is the Piazza Riforma, the center plaza in town. If you go on a Tuesday or a Friday you will able to experience the open air farmer's market as the local farmers sell their produce in the square. The best way to see the city is from the train known as "La freccia rossa." Starting at the Piazza Manzoni this round trip journey takes 40 minutes and circles the entire city, a distance of about ten kilometers. With your ticket you can get on and off the train in order to see the sights in town, or take the trip without stopping. Either way you will have an excellent view of this marvelous city.
For a lovely view of the lake take a stroll through the Parco Civico Villa Ciani planted in the Italian style. The sunniest place in Switzerland is Monte Bre, accessible by a funicular train up the slope. For a lovely view of Lugano I recommend taking the train up to San Salvatore and having lunch with the valley below you. There are several lovely trails for running and hiking in this area as well.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Here are some of the most iconic sights that our small island has to offer. Please feel free to add your own suggestions to the bottom of the lens.
Stonehenge :
Top Place to see in the UK
Stonehenge is a prehistoric stone circle and is believed to have been constructed around 3100BC. No one knows exactly what purpose it served, but it is thought to have been a centre of pagan worship.
The site is managed by English Heritage. The stone circle cannot be accessed during normal opening hours, although they do hold regular Stone Circle Access visits in the early morning and late evening.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
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Thursday, April 16, 2009
The United Kingdom is one of the beautiful places in the world.It is consisting of Great Britain (England, Wales, and Scotland) and Northern Ireland, is twice the size of New York State. England, in the southeast part of the British Isles, is separated from Scotland on the north by the granite Cheviot Hills; from them the Pennine chain of uplands extends south through the center of England, reaching its highest point in the Lake District in the northwest. To the west along the border of Wales—a land of steep hills and valleys—are the Cambrian Mountains, while the Cotswolds, a range of hills in Gloucestershire, extend into the surrounding shires.
Important rivers flowing into the North Sea are the Thames, Humber, Tees, and Tyne. In the west are the Severn and Wye, which empty into the Bristol Channel and are navigable, as are the Mersey and Ribble.
Government
The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, with a queen and a parliament that has two houses: the House of Lords, with 574 life peers, 92 hereditary peers, and 26 bishops; and the House of Commons, which has 651 popularly elected members. Supreme legislative power is vested in parliament, which sits for five years unless dissolved sooner. The House of Lords was stripped of most of its power in 1911, and now its main function is to revise legislation. In Nov. 1999, hundreds of hereditary peers were expelled in an effort to make the body more democratic. The executive power of the Crown is exercised by the cabinet, headed by the prime minister.
History
Stonehenge and other examples of prehistoric culture are all that remain of the earliest inhabitants of Britain. Celtic peoples followed. Roman invasions of the 1st century B.C. brought Britain into contact with continental Europe. When the Roman legions withdrew in the 5th century A.D., Britain fell easy prey to the invading hordes of Angles, Saxons, and Jutes from Scandinavia and the Low Countries. The invasions had little effect on the Celtic peoples of Wales and Scotland. Seven large Anglo-Saxon kingdoms were established, and the original Britons were forced into Wales and Scotland. It was not until the 10th century that the country finally became united under the kings of Wessex. Following the death of Edward the Confessor (1066), a dispute about the succession arose, and William, Duke of Normandy, invaded England, defeating the Saxon king, Harold II, at the Battle of Hastings (1066). The Norman conquest introduced Norman French law and feudalism.
