Beauty beaches

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[ad_1] Thinking about visiting Bergamo in Italy? Here’s what you need to know! Quick Facts: Location: Lombard, Italy (40 km northeast of Milan)Language: ItalianCurrency: Euro Short History: The Celts (people from central Europe) founded Bergamo 2000 years ago. It’s UNESCO listed on the World Heritage List as an important historical town of Italy. It’s full of historical buildings, the Citadel (fort), Saint Maria church and library being only a few of them. A guide to visiting Bergamo, Italy City Guide – Visiting Bergamo, Italy The city of Bergamo truly is a little hidden gem in northern Italy, about an hour away from Milan. While it often gets overlooked given its close proximity to Milan, Bergamo Italy will enthral you with its gorgeous cobbled laned, euphoric weather and historic atmosphere! Better yet, this beautiful Italian city is also fondly referred to as the city of art, and it certainly is beautiful in a rare and unique way. Now in all transparency, the only reason we knew about the place and thought of visiting Bergamo was that it was the closest city from where our flight was leaving. So, it seemed like the convenient choice at the time! We had actually first planned to stay in Milan, but since none of us really wanted to go there – we googled visiting Bergamo instead. Some lad called ‘Irish Tony’ convinced us right away – and we are so happy we listened to his advice! We ended up embarking on one of our best travel experiences, but more on that later… The City Bergamo is divided into two parts – an old part, Cítta Alta (upper town), and a new more modern part, Cittá Bassa lower town. The old part of town is really something extra and should be your main destination. So, make sure to give yourself adequate time to explore all that it has to offer. When you step out of the little ‘funicular’ that takes you up the hill from the newer part of town, it straight-away feels like you’ve traveled back in time. Bergamo has a long history that dates back about 2000 years. It used to belong to the Venetians, so the architecture is very similar to what you can find in Venice. We were immediately enchanted by the medieval character of this city. The best way to enjoy Bergamo is to simply walk along the street. The old town is pretty small, so you will probably see everything by just walking around. It looks old but very well preserved. It’s a cosy feeling strolling around on the winding, narrow cobbled stoned streets, looking into little chocolate and cheese boutiques, wineries and cafés selling their own specialties. All shops and restaurants blend in well with the houses. They really look like they have been there since forever, and many of them almost have. In restaurants they have old photos showing the same restaurant in the 40’s and older. The city is set on a hill with a great view over the newer part of Bergamo (Citta Bassa), and (on a clear day, which we never had) a view of the alps. Bergamo city guide Food in Bergamo The food prices in Bergamo are pretty much the same in all restaurants. Margheritas are about 4 euro, and pizzas with more stuff on it about 8. But it is so worth it. I never thought I would ever think a pizza tasted fresh, let alone healthy..! What wasn’t a huge success to me were the cakes… In every café window you see these yellow little Polenta cakes in all sizes. They look delicious, but as most cakes and chocolates in Italy it looks better than it tastes. Tip: Here’s a great food tour of Bergamo that includes traditional dishes from rural Lombardy to contemporary Italian dishes from Bergamo. Talking about that, one thing here that does look better on the inside than outside are their cathedrals. I’ve never seen so many incredible churches all squeezed into such a small place. Usually a city tends to have one nice church and a bunch of boring looking ones. In Bergamo, every church we went into was an overabundance and extravagance of gold, beautiful really old paintings and architecture that would make anyone become religious. If you are to visit only one cathedral, let it be Il Dumo and colleoni’s chapel at the Old Square in the old town. This is an urban church and inside you will find the architectural marks of the different periods that came one after the other since the time of the construction. They started already in 600 BC building a small one, and from then they built more and more and the church grew larger and larger. You can join a walking tour of Bergamo to discover the Upper Town of Bergamo and its hidden cultural and architectural heritage. Book here. Piazza Vecchia This is the old square, in the heart of Citta Alta (the old town). Here you’ll find the 400 year old library Biblioteca Civica, the 12th-century Venetian Gothic Palazzo della Ragione (Court of Justice) and the 12th-century Torre Civica (Civic Tower). If you walk up the 230 steps to the top of the 54m tower you’ll get a 360-degree view of Bergamo. The 15th-century bell rings 180 times at 10pm each night to commemorate the town’s medieval curfew. Getting around Bergama It’s quite pleasant getting around by foot, walking from the train station to the funicular takes about 15-20 minutes. Otherwise bus number 1 goes from the train station to the funicular that takes you up to Cítta Alta (the old town). The funicular connects Citta Bassa with Cítta Alta. You can get a day pass where you can travel with all buses and the funicular as much as you like for a whole day (24h from the time you purchase it). The price isn’t much more than a one way ticket, so it’s most likely the best deal. You can also buy a range of other tickets, such as 3-day passes or

[ad_1] The north west of Ireland can boast some great waterfalls, with high annual rainfall these waterfalls in Ireland are often flowing wildly and offer great viewing—and the perfect photo—opportunities. Often paired with great walking trails, these waterfalls in Ireland give a great glimpse of the Irish countryside at its best as well as offering the best views. Irish sights like these often have well maintained and pathed walking tracks. We have seen a few ourselves and we have to give a run down on our best waterfalls to see in the north west of Ireland, we hope you may visit one or two. See also: Walking Tracks of Ireland’s Mid West A few of the best waterfalls in Ireland’s North West If you’re visiting the north west of Ireland, make sure to visit a few of these waterfalls. See also: Exploring Belfast and the Coast of Northern Ireland Glencar Waterfall Located just off Glencar Lough and a short walk into the trees you will find Glencar waterfall. This waterfall stands at 50ft high and is ever flowing. The fall has viewing platforms to get close to the fall and for photo opportunities. Glencar waterfall The waterfall also has a short walking track of 0.48 km through trees and lush green area, in a loop track around the fall and back to the beginning. At the end of the track, you’ll find a café for all your refreshment needs complete with children’s play area and a little shop. You can also enjoy the sights of Glencar Lough. Set in between the hills, the Lough provides fantastic views and is also home to many water activities like stand up paddle board and canoeing. The Glencar waterfall is also known to be the inspiration for Irish poet William Butler Yeats and features in his poem ‘The Stolen Child’. Glencar lough The Devil’s Chimney At 492ft, the Devils Chimney is the largest waterfall in Ireland. Located only a few minutes drive along the Glencar Lough just before Glencar waterfall, this waterfall has a tougher track than its neighbour with a 30 minutes moderate grade hike to get to it. The name Devil’s Chimney means stream against the height, meaning that during certain weather conditions the waterfall is blown upward and back over the cliff from which it falls. You’ll get fantastic views of the hills on the way up and on the way down the sight over Glencar Lough in amazing. The view down from the Devils Chimney walk Fowley’s Falls Fowley’s falls is a unique looking waterfall as it is not a single-drop waterfall. Instead the waterfall cascades into numerous smaller falls over the exposed bedrock, producing a picturesque sight you have to see. The name is taken from the apparent original owner of the land in great tribute to him and his family. Poll An Easa Poll An Easa waterfall is a waterfall in the Ballinamore region of County Leitrim, it’s unknown to many due to its rural location and access through windy country roads. The waterfall has access to its own little stream to walk along and enjoy the Irish countryside. A picnic area is also situated on the site and even a couple of local donkeys grace the land opposite for photo opportunities. Poll An Easa waterfall Assaranca Waterfall Assaranca Waterfall is a stunning waterfall in the northern regions of Donegal, set in between lush Irish greenery making this waterfall even more beautiful. The waterfall starts off at the top of the hill in small streams, winding down and coming together in a lovely wide powerful waterful and landing in a little pool at the bottom. The waterfall is easy to find as it can be seen from the road side parking, although a walk up close is still a better option to admire this spectacular fall⁠—you’ll get to hear the crashing of the water and feel the force yourself. Respect the land As mentioned, these sights are kept in good condition and it’s our hope that people keep them the way they are. There are people who go off track to find the best photo or another reason, but the land should be respected. It’s also worth noting that a lot of fields adjacent or sometimes within these areas are private. Often, live cattle is free to roam and can be unpredictable, especially during lambing season, so pay attention to all paths and signs. More waterfalls in Ireland If you’re travelling around Ireland and want to take in some more waterfalls then we recommend checking out a couple of the popular ones. Firstly, and probably Irelands most popular, is Powerscourt in Co Wicklow. Set in the stunning Wicklow mountains, a beautiful scenic drive in to this 121 metre waterfall is worth the visit. Secondly, Torc waterfall in County Kerry is a fascinating 20 metre high, but 110 metre cascading waterfall. See also: Top Experiences and Things to Do in Ireland When is the best time to see waterfalls in Ireland? With a high average rainfall in Ireland, most of the year is great to see waterfalls. But, our preference would be during spring as the winter cold has gone but the summer crowds haven’t arrived yet, so it’s not so busy—allowing you time to see and explore more of the waterfalls. Spring is also a great time to go camping in Ireland! Chalk and Cheese Travels In our posts, we share with you our top picks in food and cultural adventures as well as any general tips we figured out, (usually the hard way!) on our travels. As a recently married chef and teacher, together we have visited 5 continents and been travelling the world for over 10 years. [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] The Acropolis in Athens is one of the most famous monuments in the world. It’s a universal symbol of an ancient civilization and represents immense architectural and artistic innovations created during Greek Antiquity, which happened between the 8th century BC and ended around the 6th century AD.  As history recalls, during the second half of the 5th century BC, Athens was victorious against invasion from Persia and became the first place to establish democracy. As such, it took a leading position amongst other nations that were prominent at the time.  Because of its massive historical and cultural significance, this is one monument that you don’t want to miss when you visit Greece. We’ll show you everything you need to know about getting Acropolis Athens tickets for your visit.  See also: A Guide to Athens, Greece Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece Why should I visit the Acropolis?  The Acropolis symbolizes Ancient Greece and its former glory, which found its prime over two millennia ago. It stands high above modern Athens and includes the Parthenon and many other ancient ruins at the site.  When visiting, you will follow in the footsteps of ancient Greek philosophers and thinkers, such as Socrates, Pericles and Sophocles, that helped shape Western Civilization as we know it.  Get your Acropolis Athens tickets here! You will find all of these historical sites at the Acropolis: The Odeon of Herodes Atticus The Parthenon The Beulé Gate The Monument of Agrippa  The entrance, Propylaia  The Temple of Athena Nike Porch of the Caryatids at the Erechtheion Old Temple of Athena Polias The Legendary Olive Tree of the Pandroseion The Acropolis Museum  The Theatre of Dionysus  There is a reason that the Acropolis is one of the most critical sites in the Western world. You won’t want to miss out on all of these significant sites.  Visiting the Acropolis in Athens We will help you get most of your visit to the Acropolis.  The Acropolis is open almost every day of the year. However, Acropolis Athens opening hours change with each season. In summer, it’s generally available from 8am to 7pm. In winter, it’s open from 9am to 5pm. Make sure to double-check the Acropolis Athens opening hours when you visit.  You will probably spend at least two hours visiting, so make sure you leave enough time to truly enjoy your trip. Suppose you want an Athens combined ticket. In that case, you may spend even longer here to account for travel with your group and transit to your next destination.   The best time to visit is in the late afternoon in Summer, as the sunset here is incredible with views over the city of Athens. Alternatively, you could visit in the off-season when lines are much shorter.  You can buy Acropolis Athens tickets online or at the window upon arrival. Remember that queues at the window can be pretty long, so buying Acropolis Athens tickets online could save you some time.  While new paving has been added around the Parthenon, you may still find some uneven areas, which could become slippery. You are advised to remain cautious of uneven surfaces when visiting. A good tip is to wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes with rubber soles.  Drinks are not readily available, so bring along an adequate water supply, especially if you are visiting during the summer. The Acropolis Museum has a cafe and restaurant with amazing views of the ancient ruins. The northern exit is near the neighbourhoods of Anafiotika and Pika, which have many restaurants and cafes within their winding streets.  The main entrance is on the western side of the Acropolis. There is also a smaller entrance at the southeastern corner, mainly used for skip the line and private guided tours.  A guide to getting tickets for the Acropolis, Athens Athens Acropolis tour: Which one should I choose?  You can get many different kinds of Acropolis Athens tickets for your visit, so it would be wise to decide what you want to do before buying!  Some of the most popular types of Acropolis tickets include: Visiting the Acropolis in Athens as a tourist Getting Acropolis Athens Tickets When you’re going on an Athens Acropolis tour next time you visit Greece, ensure to get Acropolis tickets in time to enjoy the majestic beauty of the Acropolis. You do not want to miss out on the sacred Parthenon. No matter what, you should get Acropolis Athens tickets that suit your itinerary. Some of the available options include an Athens combined ticket for the best sightseeing or Acropolis skip the line tickets for jet setters with limited time! Remember to double-check the Acropolis Athens opening hours to ensure you get the most out of your next visit. Before you know it, you’ll be walking in the same place that Socrates walked in during the peak of the Ancient Greek era.  We hope you enjoyed this guide on getting Acropolis Athens tickets for your next vacation. Travel Dudes I’m sure you’ve had similar experiences I had whilst traveling. You’re in a certain place and a fellow traveler, or a local, tip you off on a little-known beach, bar or accommodation. Great travel tips from other travelers or locals always add something special to our travels. That was the inspiration for Travel Dudes. [ad_2] Source link

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[ad_1] Madrid is a city fueled by coffee and cañas that never sleeps and never stops eating.  Whatever brings you to Madrid, whether you are a tourist, an English teacher, a volunteer or a gap-yearer, you’ll soon get caught up in the wonderful world of tapas in Madrid. See also: Unique Things to do in Madrid on a Sunday Facade of traditional tapas bar on Gran Via in Madrid, Spain – depositphotos.com Here are 5 of our favourite places to enjoy tapas in Madrid Make sure to also check out our post on the best tapas bars in Barcelona! Casa Labra – Croquetas de bacaloa Stepping into Casa Labra is like stepping back in time. Order your delectable croquetas from the small counter to the right, then head to the bar to order a thimble-sized glass of beer or wine to accompany the oozy, creamy morsels. Fatigas del querer – Patatas dos salsas This tapas bar in Madrid is always buzzing with Spaniards and guiris alike. The free nibbles that arrive with your drinks are a delicious start. Then move on to the huge raciones of patatas dos salsas or gambas al ajillo and you won’t regret it. Brilliant, but often-chaotic service! Fatigas del querer for tapas in Madrid Lateral – Tortilla de patata One portion of this melt in the mouth tortilla at Lateral is never enough; you’ll be back for more. The tortilla has a soft gooey middle of caramelized onions and is absolute heaven on a plate. Taberna Txakolina – Pintxos If you’re in to your pintxos you won’t be disappointed at Taberna Txakolina. The tapas bar in Madrid is lined with beautiful and delicious pintxos combining all sorts of good quality ingredients. A personal favourite is what we like to call the Salmon Tower. Taberna Txakolina in Madrid La musa – Tempura de langostinos y aguacate verde This is such a personal favourite we almost didn’t want to share it! La musa has everything you could want in a restaurant including a delicious selection of BBQ tapas! Try the Tempura de langostinos y aguacate verde for a zingy appetizer. El Tigre At El Tigre, you order a glass of vino tinto (red wine) for two euros and then the Tapas God behind the counter hands you a plate piled high with tapas of every kind — tortilla, patatas bravas, jamon, queso … you name it — to accompany your drink. The best part is every time you order your cheap drink, you get another plate of deliciousness to soak up all that alcohol. Mercado Plaza San Miguel For a more varied experience, there is Mercado Plaza San Miguel near the Sol Metro. This gorgeous old building is PACKED with little stands featuring some of the freshest and tastiest food, including oysters, fruits and veggies, and tapas. Lots and lots of tapas. Again, if you want to snag a seat, get there early. Otherwise, start practicing balancing a plate of tapas and a glass of vino tinto and eating/drinking at the same time. For an explosion of wonderful sites and smells head to Mercado de San Anton in the buzzing neighbourhood of Chueca. On the lower floor there is a traditional market with fruit and veg, fish, hams and cheeses of the best quality. Floor 2 offers a great selection of international stalls where you can get anything from sushi to cured duck to ceviche.  A personal favourite is the Greek stall offering delicious stuffed aubergines and warm pitas with home-made hummus. Head up to floor 3 for a drink on the roof-terrace with fantastic views over the city or a meal in the modern restaurant. If you want to explore of Madrid’s markets, check out: El Rastro: The Most Popular Sunday Flea Market in Madrid Travel Dudes I’m sure you’ve had similar experiences I had whilst traveling. You’re in a certain place and a fellow traveler, or a local, tip you off on a little-known beach, bar or accommodation. Great travel tips from other travelers or locals always add something special to our travels. That was the inspiration for Travel Dudes. [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] When we say Zamboanga City is colorful, we’re not just referring to the color-blocked sail of the vinta or the rosy glow of Santa Cruz Grande Island’s Pink Beach. The vividness of Asia’s Latin City goes beyond what the eyes can see. Its intricate history as a settlement and kaleidoscopic mix of cultures are best experienced through another fundamental sense — the sense of taste. Zamboanga City is one of our most-loved food destinations for the sheer range and diversity of what it can bring to the (dining) table. From the saucy red-orange sticks of satti to the motley flavors of knickerbocker, here are some of Zamboanga’s most sought-after culinary delights and where to find them. WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE? Ever heard of curacha? If it sounds familiar, it’s probably because it reminds you of La Cucaracha, a Mexican folk song about a cockroach that also became pretty popular in the Philippines. Curacha (in Chavacano) and cucaracha (in Spanish) mean the same — cockroach. And it’s no surprise given that Chavacano, Zamboanga’s dominant language, is a Spanish-based Creole. But before you lose your appetite, know that we’re not going to ask you to go full Fear Factor in Zamboanga. Instead, we’re inviting you to have a taste of the most mouth-watering crustaceans that the region has to offer — spanner crabs! Curacha got its name because of its spiky, hairy appearance that kinda resembles you-know-what. But if you look closely, it kinda appears like the love child of a wide crab and a long lobster. And because it packs more meat and more flavor than the crabs we’re used to, they are sought after. Thankfully, they thrive in the waters surrounding the region. For many, the best place to have a taste of curacha is Alavar Seafood Restaurant, which serves curacha cooked in and doused with its famous specialty sauce, which is made from coconut milk, aligue (crab roe paste) and various spices. This super rich sauce combined with the seafood umami bombs that are curacha, you’ll never taste other crab dishes the same way again. But be warned: It’s not cheap. You can order curacha by the kilo (minimum 1 kg). The last time we dined here, a kilo of it in alavar sauce costs P1500 to P1700, depending on the size of the crabs. The sauce alone is unforgettable. It’s so popular that tourists drop by Alavar on the way to the airport to take home frozen packs of it. But if you’d rather take home freshly caught curacha, head over to Aderes Flea Market in Guiwan. You can purchase uncooked curacha at a lower price here, along with lobsters and other seafood. How familiar are you with Moro dishes? A little bit? Not quite? Not at all? If you live in Metro Manila or nearby areas, you probably haven’t tried it. (Or in my case before my Zamboanga trip, not even heard of it.) We’re used to dishes from Luzon and Visayas. Many of us are even more acquainted with foreign fare. So when in Zamboanga, have a taste of Moro cuisine! More than a third of Zamboanga City’s population practice Islam. The Moros, Filipino Muslims, have developed a food culture that is fascinatingly different from other regions. While garlic, onions and ginger remain common ingredients, the Moros like to also use spices like galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime and turmeric, which are more usual in our maritime Southeast Asian neighbors. Tiyulah itum at the center, surrounded by (clockwise from the top) cucumber sambal, piyassak, chicken kiyaliya, utak-utak, beef adobo, fried fish, beef kulma, chicken piyanggang, fried shrimps. You’ll also notice that the Tausugs love using coconut milk and — get this — burnt or charred coconut, which gives many of its dishes its black appearance. It does look a little bit intimidating at first glance, but trust me, it’s super delicious. It doesn’t taste burnt at all, but it provides depth and complexity to its taste that is quite hard to describe. You’ve gotta taste it yourself. In Zamboanga City, the most convenient place for tourists to sample Moro dishes is Bay Tal Mal. It’s because they serve latal (P749), which is a platter of various Tausug dishes including the following: Tiyulah itum (tiyula itum or tiulah itum, literally “black soup”), beef in black broth made with burnt coconut and spices. Beef kulma, beef cubes stewed in a curry sauce. Piyassak, beef liver cubes cooked with pounded spices, charred coconut and coconut milk Chicken piyanggang, chicken marinated in burnt coconut and various spices and then grilled. Chicken kiyaliya, chicken stewed in coconut milk with lemongrass, turmeric, ginger and other spices. Beef adobo Fried fish Fried shrimp or squid Kiyaliya kapaya, papaya; or cucumber sambal (the sambal is so fab delish!) Although not on the menu, I think one of the dishes on our platter was utak-utak (fried fish cake). You can enjoy this platter of delicacies with rice. But we usually add a plate of mee goreng (P189), which is served with hard boiled egg. We just love mie goreng so we order it whenever we spot it on the menu. (LOL.) But they have a lot more items on its menu. When I tried it for the first time, Bay Tal Mal was still located along Mayor Jaldon Street. But it has since moved to the 4th level of SM Mindpro. Another restaurant that serves this Tausug tray of goodness is Dennis Coffee Garden, situated near the airport. Here, they call it dulang (P950), but it’s basically the same. But while Bay Tal Mal’s platter has 10 different dishes, Dennis’s has six. Speaking of Dennis Coffee Garden… Dennis Coffee Garden‘s roots can be traced back all the way to 1962 Jolo, Sulu, where a small cafe called Omar’s Place was established. Sixty years later, the name has changed and multiple branches have sprouted including this one in Zamboanga City. We already mentioned the dulang or latal that they serve here. But it is

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