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Sunday, March 3, 2013

Ronda, Spain

Situated in Malaga, a Spanish province, Ronda is an amazing city. Guadalevin River runs throught the city and forms the canyon upon which the city lies. Ronda is situated 750m above the sea level. The population of the city is 35 000 inhabitants.

Ronda, Spain

image source: Flickr Bert K

The main curiosities are the three bridges - Puente Romano, Puente Viejo and Puente Nuevo. The beauty of Ronda is not a fresh news. Famous writers like Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles spent time there and wrote about the amazing cliffside city of Ronda, Spain.

At first the city was called Arunda by the first settlers there, the Celts. Ronda la Vieja, Arunda or Old Ronda was the name the city received by the Phoenician settlers. Ronda as we see it now is of Roman origins, when it was a fortified post in the Second Punic War. Ronda became a city at the time of Julius Caesar.

Ronda, Spain

image source: Flickr, Ronnie McDonald

Ronda, Spain

The Tunnel of Love - Ukraine, Wonderful Places

One of the most beautiful tunnels in world can be found near the city of Klevan in Ukraine - The Tunnel of Love. This is in fact a train tunnel of trees. It's the main attraction in the area and also one of the most romantic places in the world. This amazing place is very popular among the lovers. They travel and come here in order to kiss and make a wish. It is believed that if the love is sincere their wish will come true. Everybody who visits the place says that this is the most beautiful in Ukraine. Extremely beautiful...

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Tunnel of Love, Ykraine, Klevan

source: curious-places

Saturday, March 2, 2013

The Beauty of Italy - Sorrento, Portofino, Tuscany, Verona, Venice and others

I'm pretty sure that everybody who likes to travel have already visited Italy or have plans to go there. It's such a lovely country....with so many amazing places. I can't name them all, but can show some of them - Sorrento with all its wonderful seaside views, Portofino, Verona - all of them are great, and of course - Tuscany...

Tuscany, Italy

Verona, Italy

The Rialto Bridge, Venice, Italy

Portofino, Italy

Lake Como, Italy

seaside-Villas-near-Portofino-beauty-of-Italy-travel

Villas near Portofino, Italy

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Weeping Willow Canal, Clitunno, Italy

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Abandoned Mill, near Sorrento, Italy

source: Places I'd like to go

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

The Beauty of Italy 2 – Venice - the most romantic city in Italy

Venice, Italy

image source:Arcangelo Giovanni Corelli, Pinterest

History

The name of Venice derives from the Veneto tribe that inhabited the region during the Roman Empire. Its spectacular lagoon reaches the Adriatic sea. An independent city in the Middle Ages, Venice was a centre of commerce and the arts. Silk, grain and species are among the many commodities traded here. Because of all that Venice was one of the most richest cities. Providing military help against the attacks of Normans and Turcs, the merchants from Venice were allowed to trade in some parts of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Venice, Italy, Piazza San Marco

image source: Lesley Stangl, Pinterest

Venice experienced zenith and became one of the leading forces at the time after the Fourth Crusade in 1204. At that time many valuable articles found their place in Venice. For example – the guilded bronze horses from the Hippodrome. They were placed at the entrance of the San Marco cathedral. After they were replaced by their copies, while the originals were placed in the cathedral itself. By the end of 13^thcentury Venice became the most prosperous European city.

Venice, Italy

image: Anna Haines, Pinterest

Later, Venice was helping Thessaloniki with ships in order to protect the city against the invasion of the Turcs. But after the conquest Venice was declared war by Mehmed II. It lasted 30 years, during that time the city lost control over most of its possessions in the Mediterranean. That was only the beginning of Venice’s decline. After, with the finding of the New World by Christopher Columbus, Portuguese sailors discovered the route to India by sea. The Venetians were no longer able to compete, to carry out long distance trips and to cross oceans, so they left behind in competition to conquer new colonies.

Venice, Italy

image: Elizabeth Britton, Pinterest

After a period of Austrian rule / Napoleon Bonaparte conquered Venice at the end of 18^th century/, followed with the Third Italian War of Independence, Venice finally became part of the Kingdom of Italy.

Nowadays Venice is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Italy. It is famous for the arts and culture, known as a home of Antonio Vivaldi. The very popular and interesting Venetian Carnival is being held every year here. Venice is also known for its glass because of the technique of its processing.

Venice, Italy

Monday, January 28, 2013

Carnival Time - It's the time of The Rio Carnival in Brazil

Hello everybody, it's such time of the year when in Brazil is getting hotter and hotter. Many Samba dance schools are seriously rehearsing for the show that is approaching. Yes, the Rio Carnival begins on Saturday, February 9 and ends on Tuesday, February 12.I just can't wait to see all the glamorous events.

Rio Carnival, Brazil, the winner, 2012

source:http://trailsurfers.wordpress.com

I will remind you who was the winner in 2012 Rio Carnival. The Unidos da Tijuca dance samba school were placed on the first place. Their sporting colours were blue and yellow. Those who finished second were the dancers from the Salgueiro school.