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Showing posts from September, 2022

GAUDI’S BARCELONA: A UNIQUE WAY TO SEE THE CITY

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You can’t visit  Barcelona  without seeing Gaudi’s influence everywhere you go. He’s the city’s most famous architect and helped shape the design of the city during its booming 19th and early 20th century. His influence  still  shapes the city today. Born in 1852, Anton Gaudí belonged to the Art Nouveau movement, with his first designs being centered around Gothic and traditional Catalan architectural styles. However, it wasn’t long until he developed his own style that has set him apart from all others. Referred to as “God’s Architect” for the religious themes in his work, several of Gaudi’s creations have actually been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. His most famous work, La Sagrada Familia is not only the most popular attraction in Barcelona but the most visited monument in all of Spain. Gaudi died tragically in 1926 after being hit by a streetcar on his way to church. He was knocked unconscious and, because he didn’t have any identification on him, people assumed he was a beg

3 Best Places to Live in the Algarve

If you're interested in the best places to live in the Algarve, Portugal's sunny southern-most region, here are some great options to consider. Also find information on why some like the region, and others choose to opt elsewhere. Some expat in Portugal   choose to live in the  Algarve  for a variety of reasons.It is safe, warm, and it is inexpensive relative to the rest of Europe. Like most of  Portugal , it has a high-caliber  health care system . Additionally, as noted above, it's got an impressive community of expats - literally tens of thousands - that seem to be very open to helping others adapt to life there. The Algarve is located on the southernmost part of the Iberian peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean and has been popular with British expats and tourists for over 50 years. With all of that in mind, read below to explore some of the places to consider in the Algarve! Lagos Lagoa Carvoeiro  LAGOS: is in the western part of the Algarve and situated at the mouth of Bens

ELMINA CASTLE, CENTRAL GHANA

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  Elmina Castle   was erected by the   Portuguese   in 1482 as   Castelo de São Jorge da Mina   ( St. George of the Mine Castle ), also known as   Castelo da Mina   or simply   Mina   (or   Feitoria  da Mina ), in present-day   Elmina ,   Ghana   (formerly the   Gold Coast ). It was the first trading post built on the   Gulf of Guinea , and the oldest European building in existence south of the   Sahara . [1]   First established as a trade settlement, the castle later became one of the most important stops on the route of the   Atlantic slave trade . The   Dutch   seized the fort from the Portuguese in 1637, after an unsuccessful attempt in 1596, and took over all of the   Portuguese Gold Coast   in 1642. The slave trade continued under the Dutch until 1814. In 1872, the   Dutch Gold Coast , including the fort, became a possession of Great Britain. [2] Elmina Castle UNESCO World Heritage Site Official name Elmina Castle (St. George's Castle / Fort St. Jorge) Location Elmina ,  Cent

2 BOOKS TO TAKE YOU AROUND THE WORLD

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  2 BOOKS TO TAKE YOU AROUND THE WORLD At a time when we can’t travel the world, the next best thing we can do is pick up a good travel book. As Emily Dickenson said, to shut our eyes is travel. Books transport us to distant lands and cultures. They nourish our wanderlust, entertain us, inform us, and provide us with a reservoir of potential trip ideas. In short, they’re magic. I love reading travel books . Without them, there would be places and cultures I’d never have heard of. Travel books have added depth to my travels and helped me develop much more nuanced perspectives of different countries and cultures. They’ve also inspired me to visit tons of new places all around the globe. Of course, I love traveling even more than reading but since we can’t do that right now, books are our window out into the world. If you’re are itching to get your fix but are stuck in lockdown or self-isolation, here are some suggestions to get you started and keep your wanderlust stoked:   1.  The Atlas

Where is hot in November? Top 2 destinations

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  With   November ’s cooling temperatures come time-honoured markers: misted breath mixing with bonfire smoke, feet scrunching through leaves in the park. But while   Britain   is reaching for its scarves, other places are basking, so why not travel into the light? It’s the ideal time to explore a favourite destination off-peak, try out a sunshine lifestyle in   California   or   Australia   or go tropical, from the Indian Ocean to the Arabian Sea. Getty Images 1. Crete, Greece Average November temperature: 20℃ One of the southernmost  Greek islands ,  Crete  enjoys a warm climate well into winter. And with peak-season crowds all firmly stuck in term-time, this is an excellent chance to explore an underrated charmer in all-too-rare repose. Admittedly, Crete’s not a secret, but you needn’t travel far from the well-worn track to find unspoiled villages with locals happy to invite you to the party (an evening in a taverna always feels like one). By day, hike the monumental Samaria Gorge,

This Stunning Caribbean Island Is Easy to Reach From the East Coast — and It Has Beautiful Beaches and World-class Snorkeling

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  This Stunning Caribbean Island Is Easy to Reach From the East Coast — and It Has Beautiful Beaches and World-class Snorkeling St. Thomas is the cosmopolitan gateway to the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix. By   Lindsay Cohn     Published on July 27, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email PHOTO: STEVE HEAP/GETTY IMAGES The easiest of the  U.S. Virgin Islands  to reach, St. Thomas is both the gateway to  St. John  and  St. Croix  and a beloved vacation destination in its own right. Tourists primarily flock to this popular Caribbean paradise for its  beautiful beaches  and world-class snorkeling. It's also steeped in maritime history and pirate legends, which make for some interesting attractions. The frequency of international travelers has left a mark over the years. As a result, St. Thomas exudes a cosmopolitan atmosphere, especially in the bustling capital of Charlotte Amalie, which is brimming with Danish colonial architecture, duty-free shops, and cultural landmarks. WALTER

SANYA, CHINA

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  Sanya   ( Chinese :   三亚 ;   also spelled   Samah ) is the southernmost city on   Hainan Island , and one of the four   prefecture-level cities   of   Hainan Province   in   South China . Sanya 三亚市 Prefecture-level city Sanya Bay Location Sanya City jurisdiction in Hainan Sanya Location of the city centre in Hainan Coordinates (Sanya municipal government):  18°15′12″N   109°30′13″E Country People's Republic of China Province Hainan Landform Hainan Island Government  •  CPC  Municipal Secretary Jiang Sixian Area  •  Prefecture-level city 1,905 km 2  (736 sq mi)  • Urban 1,905 km 2  (736 sq mi)  • Metro 1,315.3 km 2 (507.8 sq mi) Population   (2020 Census)  •  Prefecture-level city 1,031,396  • Density 540/km 2 (1,400/sq mi)  •  Urban 1,031,396  • Urban density 540/km 2 (1,400/sq mi)  •  Metro 801,020  • Metro density 610/km 2 (1,600/sq mi) Time zone UTC+8  ( China Standard ) Postal code 572100 Area code 0898 ISO 3166 code CN-HI-02