Archive for January, 2007

21 January, 2007 | No comments

London (Part 2)

Tower Tower is an ancient fortress and prison which gloomy walls saw a lot of blood including royal. It is necessary to pay attention to security guards of a Tower - Beefeaters - in magnificent uniforms. 

Tower Bridge Above dark waters of the river Thames you will see a well-known Tower Bridge, which is, probably, famous all over the world. It became the same symbol of London, as Tour d’Eiffel in Paris, a statue of Freedom in New York. It seems even banal, how close its image is connected with the capital of England. Nevertheless, again and again it shakes the spectator by the grandeur and severity of forms.  

At night the medieval gloom of Tower Bridge disappears and, owing to modern illumination, it appears at us as a certain fantastic construction.  Buckingham palace  

England is the country of traditions which are supported by its inhabitants with love and even ridiculous meticulousness. Probably, monarchy is the most ancient and favorite national tradition.  Buckingham palace is the residence queen Elizabeth II. Nowadays it is opened for general public.  

St. Paul’s cathedral In the western part of London there is one of the most well-known monuments of London - St. Paul’s Cathedral (аrchitect-Christopher Wren). This Protestant temple has been conceived and constructed as the opposition to St. Peter’s Catholic Cathedral in Rome in 1666-1711.  

After a strong fire (the Great Fire of London) on a place of the burned down church of VII item, almost 8 years later works on restoration of a temple have begun. Christopher Wren has put the first stone in the basis of the future temple (on June, 21st, 1675) and has written about it the following - “the Temple will rise again”. He needed 35 years to construct a new temple. What is especially remarkable is that all people worked practically free of any charge. Cathedral’s decorative furniture does not contain any plentiful molding, gilding, sculptures, but architectural forms, their details are executed at a high level.   From the end of XVIII century St. Paul’s Cathedral is a traditional burial place of English celebrities (a tomb of Lord Nelson). Christopher Wren (has died in 1723) is also buried here. The inscription on a gravestone of the architect says that if you are looking for a monument you should look around.  

20 January, 2007 | No comments

London (Part 1)

Today we are going to start our trip to one of the most remarkable cities of the world! You are absolutely right-we are going to London! London is a unique mixture of interesting and surprising places what you will not meet in any other city of the world. The city, with its more than 2000 years history, has gone through rises and fallings, fires and epidemics. It was a capital of the most powerful empire of the world. Many London traditions take their roots in deep olden times, but they still remain interesting and surprising at the same time.  London plays the leading role in the political and cultural life of the Great Britain. The parliament, the government and the supreme bodies of justice are situated here.  As the cultural center of the state London has got its popularity due to the museums and art galleries, theatres and musical life.   The city is also known also for numerous ancient churches in which national relics of English people are stored.  London is center of the international business life.  Samuel Johnson said that “if you are tired of London this means that you are tired of life because London has everything that it is possible to wait from the life”.  You will get unforgettable impressions from the changing of the guard at the Buckingham palace (daily at 11.30 a.m.) and the parade of horse Guards (at 11.00 a.m., on Sundays - at 10.00 a.m.). We strongly recommend you to go for a walk in Picadilly Street and Trafalgar Square, and then to have a rest in the Hyde Park.  Westminster Abbey   Westminster Abbey is the place where the royal destiny begins and comes to its end: in its walls the British monarchs are crowned, here they find eternal rest. The Westminster Abbey is well-known for the Poet’s Corner. Many famous British poets and writers are buried in The Abbey. Westminster Cathedral is the chief Roman Catholic Church of the country. In general, Westminster Abbey is one of the oldest monuments of the Great Britain and it is one of the religious centers of the world.  Big Ben  It is impossible to pass by the well-known Big Ben, the clock on which the time is being kept since 1859. Actually Big Ben is a name not towers and not the clock itself, but of the clock’s bell.       

 

19 January, 2007 | No comments

Some facts about Hungary (Part 2)

Budapest is separated into two parts. Its hilly part is called Buda and it stands on the western bank of the river. The flat part of the city is situated on the east bank of the river Danube. There was a time when these two parts of city were separated in two cities and they have been merged together only in 1873.
The city centre begins on the Vörösmarty Square. The main street of the lower city is Váci Street, here you will find two best known cafes of Budapest - old Gerbeaud and Art Café. Vörösmarty Square is always noisy and always full of people.
You should obligatory visit the Inner City Parish Church is a small museum, it is the best display of various architectural styles of ages, and it is a true representation of Budapest’s history.
The Hungarian Sacred Crown and Jewelry of the Crown have been kept The Hungarian National Museum and then were moved to the Parliament.
The other places of interest are the Trinity square, the Matthias Church and the Fishermen’s Bastion.
Trinity square is a basic subject of the Castle District, that shows the statue of the Saint Trinity, cautiously kept in the ancient Buda City, and Saint Matthias Church.
The Fishermen’s Bastion, built 1905 on site of the former fish market, was used for the protective purpose: it is an excellent point for observation. In 1988 the Fishermen’s Bastion was brought to the World Heritage of UNESCO.
 

 

18 January, 2007 | No comments

Some facts about Hungary (Part 1)

This small country acquires one of the most beautiful cities in the world - Budapest, specific culture and beautiful nature. It is possible to say that Hungary is an alive encyclopedia of architecture; here you will find Catholic two-thousand-year-old monuments and churches, neo-Gothic and modern Art buildings. Here, any fairytale becomes alive.
So, what is it possible to find in Hungary? For those who loves nature wed advise to visit the Lake Balaton, which is also known as the “Hungarian Sea”. It is the largest freshwater lake in the Europe!
If you like spa and water procedures then go to Hungarian thermal waters. For those who like to eat something tasty and delicious, Hungarian cuisine offers paprika chicken, Goulash soup, letcho, sour-cherry strudel and many other delicacies.
You can’t leave the country without buying a bottle of Tokaj wine!
If you like architecture monuments, history and nature, you should remember the following Hungarian sites: Pécs, Pannonhalma, Budapest, Hollókõ, Hortobágy, Aggtelek, Tokaj, Fertõ.
Here is a list of hotels which we recommend you when your stay in Hungary: Hotel Parlament, Opera Apartment, Hotel Taverna, Adina Apartment Hotel, Boutique Hotel Andrassy, Aquinqum hotel etc.

17 January, 2007 | No comments

In 2007 the number of the international tourists will grow on 4%, and by 2020 their quantity will increase up to 1, 5 billion in comparison with 800 million in 2006!

Due to the forecasts of the The World organization of tourism resulted by the news center of the United Nations Organization (UNO) in 2007 the number of the international tourists will grow on 4 percents.
As it was mentioned before, The General Secretary of the World organization of tourism has made the offer to include tourism into the agenda of the international development as the key tool for the achievement of the UNO’s Purposes of Development.
As it has been marked, 2007 will become a major landmark on the way of transforming tourism into the effective tool of struggle against poverty and achievements of stable development.
In 2006 traveling abroad has made almost 800 million people.
In comparison, in 1950 the number of international tourists was about 20 million persons. It is expected, that by 2020 this number will grow up to 1, 5 billion a year.
It is interesting, that the profit on the international tourism has grown for 5 times within the last three decades. Every year tourists spend 682 billion dollars for trips and the charges connected with traveling.
 

16 January, 2007 | No comments

The Alps are loosing skiers

Because of the warm winter skiing is under the threat.
The European mounting skiing resorts are threatened with the fast disappearance because of the global warming. This year the abnormally warm winter has already made the majority of resorts open much later than usually, and the permits have a little risen in price, as it was necessary to compensate the lack of the natural snow by expensive artificial snow.
According to the first scale research of a climate in the Alpine region, lead by the European Organization of economic cooperation and development, the Alps are especially sensitive to climatic changes. So, the warming here three times surpasses the average temperature rise on the planet. Now, according to the research, about 10 % of mounting skiing resorts of the Alpine region is in «the unreliable climatic zone». It means that the temperature in these areas is above the traditional level. Approximately 600 resorts have stable climatic parameters. However, this number will be considerably reduced even in case of the slightest temperature fluctuations.
According to the experts, the increase of the average temperature on one degree on Celsius will lead to the reduction of number of safe mountain-skiing slopes from 600 up to 500, and - up to 400, if the column of the thermometer will rise on two degrees. If the temperature rises for four degrees, there will be only 200 Alpine slopes available for skiing.
Germany is the most vulnerable to the temperature fluctuations; its mounting skiing resorts are located below the others. In case of warming on one degree, 60 % of the Alpine slopes in the country «will be deduced out of use». Hardly this process will occur in Switzerland, whose skiing resorts are considerably above the others.

15 January, 2007 | No comments

Great Britain has introduced a new system of hotels’ standardization

After many years of mess in the variety of categories, symbols and criteria, the system of Great Britain’s hotel classification has finally got a clear format. Since January, in all guidebooks of the country the information on hotels will be given on the basis of new standards which are based on a five-star system and for the first time in history classify all hotels on the same scale. All the regional tourist offices of the Great Britain will follow the “National standards of the quality assurance” by means of which all the hotels of the United Kingdom will be reclassified until the end of 2008. Simultaneously, these changes have caused the occurrence of new categories of hotels. For example, so-called «metro hotel» will represent the hotel, located in the centre of the city which provides to the visitors accommodations and services, but due to its economic inexpediency, has no its own restaurant. According to the Great Britain’s tourist industry representatives, due to the new system the tourists will be completely informed about what exactly they will receive, visiting this country. 

14 January, 2007 | No comments

Some facts about Tallinn (Part 2)

There are two opportunities to see Tallinn from the height of the bird’s flight: while walking in the streets of Wishgorod (the top city), it is obligatory to visit 4 viewing platforms or, to admire ancient Tallinn from the church Oleviste’s viewing platform. The church remained the highest building (159 m.) in Northern Europe till the end of 19th century. Since spring 2005 it is possible to rise on a roof of the church. You may also to observe the city from 64-meter height of the Tallinn Town hall tower. The octahedral Gothic tower is a symbol of medieval city.  No story manages without a wind vane Old Thomas (Vana Toomas) -the symbol of Tallinn, hung on a spike of the Town hall.
The city has a number of museums for all tastes. The Museum of mines seems unusual from the extensive list of the historical, architectural, sea, natural museums, the museum of an applied art etc.
 Here are some useful advices for tourists. As well as in many cities of the Europe, in Tallinn the city card (Tallinna Card) has actively started to operate from this year. This preferential city ticket enables to use public transport, to visit museums, exhibitions; some discos, having paid once cost of the HARDWARE.
If you have got hungry and have decided to have dinner/supper, there are a lot of opportunities and on the different price. In the center of Old city the price will be the highest, and they not always can correspond to the quality of the cuisine and a level of service. We advise to depart from central areas. The openness and goodwill of the stuff to the attendants will be the good check, and if they come to you with a smile, you may stay without any hesitation, and we are sure that you will be satisfied both with service, and with the meal.
Many tourists like to order the personal guide. In this case you will have the opportunity to look at the city with eyes of the person who lives in it, who perfectly knows it and loves it.

13 January, 2007 | No comments

Some facts about Tallinn (Part 1)

How often do we feel that there is no pleasure of life and energy of the sun, a salty sea wind and silence of green pines? And what if the rhythms of the big city and everyday problems have absorbed you completely? Can it be necessary to change the situation considerably?  Wish to come to be in small silent small town, waking up in the morning listening to a peal of medieval churches, and watching red tile roofs and peaked spikes of Gothic cathedrals? Wish to feel magnetism of medieval city, to have a rest from vanity and noise of a huge mega city? Then you should go to Tallinn! Tallinn, a capital of Estonia, is small city, even to the European measures, and on the American scales it is simply small. The population of the city is less than 400 000 citizens. 

The airport is in 2 km from the center, sea passenger port is on a distance of the pedestrian walk from the Town hall square, and a strongly cut in the sizes in the sizes within the last decade railway station is under the fortification wall of the Old city.  You should always remember that the heart of Tallinn is in the Old city. It was perfectly kept and brought into the register of the World heritage of UNESCO. The old medieval city amazes with the fabulousness, labyrinths of narrow winding streets, cafes, and charming visitors with a spicy smell of coffee and appetizing fancy bread, the restaurants, offering to the visitors the masterpieces of national cuisine.  

 

11 January, 2007 | No comments

When you travel alone

Everyone who travels alone, and especially women, should be able to protect themselves from a different sort of crimes. Depending on a place where you go, these crimes can vary from a banal theft of money or other valuable things up to a sexual attack. Today we’ll try to make the list of the most stressful and dangerous situations and to give you some piece of advice how to avoid unpleasant situations and what to do, if some of them happen to you. 1. Not far from the house - does not mean that you are in safety It is not necessary to show your carelessness if you are near to the house. Eventually, you can fall a victim to the villain even in own court yard or an entrance. At the trip to the car block doors and do not open completely a window from the driver. Be especially careful on traffic lights. It is a matter of a several seconds for the robber to open a door of the car and to pull out you out of it and to drive away. 

2. Park correctly Try to park the car in crowded, and at night - in well lighted places. It is not necessary to park in dark deserted lanes, especially when you are in the unknown district. It is even better to leave the car at the parking. 3. Keep your money more close to a body 

While traveling far from the house, and especially, abroad, do not hold anything valuable in handbags and hand luggage. Use a purse, fastened to a belt, and hold it ahead. Or put money and the passport in internal pockets of clothes.  It is better for you to carry a part of money in traveler’s cheques or credit cards. Thus write down serial numbers of checks and coordinates of the agency which have given out them or phone of the bank which has given out a credit card. The lost or stolen checks will be replaced within 24 hours. Put your credit card separately from other money. And you should always take money with you even if go to a toilet. 4. Do not relax when you are in the hotel 

It is necessary to lock the door of your hotel room not only when leaving, but also when you are in the room. Keep your money and documents in the safe-box. 5. If the airline has lost your luggage Before starting to pack things, check up a condition of your suitcases and bags. If you will need to buy a new suitcase, choose the lightest and spacious, and also strong enough to keep the luggage. It is good, if the luggage has the lock or a code. However remember, that in some countries the search of the luggage without the presence of the owner is allowed and the lock can be broken. 

If luggage is not new, in advance take off any pieces of paper attached to them in order to prevent a probable mess owing to which your suitcase can go on absolutely other destination. Write your name and your home address or phone number on special luggage labels. If your luggage is lost, immediately inform on it your airline. We advise you to put all subjects of first necessity in the hand luggage. 6. Try to be confident and firm 

If you choose a car trip, plan carefully the route and try to be supplied with local road maps in order to avoid extra stops and looking for someone to tell you the right way. Hold your head highly, eyes opened widely and if you are mistaken or got lost, do not try to look like a potential victim or cause a panic. Good luck!  

 

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