Tuesday 30 June 2009

Rome City Guide

Chic, cultured and immersed in ancient history, Rome is where is the art is...

RomeExplore Rome from: Rome Historic Centre, Colosseo, Vatican, Villa Borghese Park, Trastevere and Janiculum Hill, Piazza Navona, The Vatican Museums, Pantheon, Porta Portese Flea Market, the churches, etc.

Rome's historic centre is compact and sight-packed, making catching culture between appointments so much easier.

The real city centre of Rome is the centro storico, or historic centre, which makes up the greater part of the roughly triangular knob of land that bulges into a bend in the Tiber, above and below Corso Vittorio Emanuele, to the west of Via del Corso, Rome’s main street. This area, known in Roman times as the Campus Martius, was outside the ancient city centre, a low-lying area that was mostly given over to barracks and sporting arenas, together with several temples, including the Pantheon. Later it became the heart of the Renaissance city, and nowadays it’s the part of the town that is densest in interest, an unruly knot of narrow streets and alleys that holds some of the best of Rome’s classical and Baroque heritage and its most vivacious street - and nightlife.

The main square (piazza) and transport hub of Piazza Venezia is a good orientation point: to its north lies the main body of the old centre of Rome, with the graceful oval of Piazza Navona and the great dome of the Pantheon at the heart of its tangle of streets and churches; to its west is more of the same, focusing on the busy squares of Campo de’ Fiori and Largo Argentina, and fading as you move towards the river into Rome’s ancient Jewish Ghetto. To the south is the Capitoline Hill and its museums, on the edge of Rome’s ancient centre.

Where to stay: at the top of the Spanish Steps, the Hassler Roma (Piazza Trinita') has been owned by the Wirth family since 1939 and has personal touches that big chains find hare do privide. The 95 bedrooms are individually decorated, the public areas elegantly welcoming. The sixth-floor restaurant received its first Michelin star this year and offers simply spectacular views. Doubles from €300.
Otherwise, you can refer to Rome Hotels on Booking.com.

Monday 29 June 2009

June in London, is the best time to travel

Although every month and every season in London has its own special beauty which tourists can not forget, but there are certain months which should be avoided if you are planning to come to the city with the purpose of having a good time and to tour the whole city.

As a London resident, I suggest you to visit London on June, is the best time to travel. You will experience lesser rain during this month, and you probably get the most sunshine day in your travel. It is the best time to roam around the streets of London, savoring the relaxing fresh air, and the hint of fragrance in it from the wild flowers.

LondonThe Weather on June in London:
Average High: 20°C;
Average Low: 13°C;
Average daily sunshine increases to 7 hours;
Sunset around 21:00, the longest daytime in the year.
London Hotels: find the best deal online on Booking.com.

Sunday 28 June 2009

Prague Travel Guide

WHY Arguably the most beautiful of all the eastern European capitals, Prague has retained its elegant feel in spite of the crowds. And it’s still at affordable at 30.68 koruny to the pound.

EXPLORE The best way to discover the city is on foot. Head cross the Charles Bridge and explore the bohemian quarter of Mala Strana before heading up to Prague Castle. Opt for a traditional Czech diner (you have to like pork) and you’ll eat heartily for around £15 for two;
Mateje Krejcika (Vejvodova 4) does spiced sausages, ribs and pickled brie. Beer halls are a Czech tradition, with many located in cavernous cellars. Try the characterful U Dvou Kocek (Uhleny trh 10). Just don’t get too carried away with the cheap prices.

SHOP Shopping in Prague (in Italian, Praga) is eclectic and fun. Window-shop on Pariska, the city’s answer to Bond Street, but dip into shops such as Ceska Keramika (Celetna 4) for hand-glazed kitchenware and Fauna Liko (na Perstyne 17) for traditional wooden toys.

STAY The Dahlia Inn has stylish doubles from £55, or research Hotels in Prague on Booking.com.


GETTING THERE German Wings flies from Stansted to Prague from £124 rtn.


Friday 26 June 2009

Sassi di Matera, Italy

MateraMatera is Ancient Rock City, located in the southwestern of Italy, the capital of Basilicata Province.

Matera was created from a rocky ravine and the many natural caves in the area–called the "Sassi di Matera" - were the first houses of the Neolithic inhabitants of the region. The caves create a labyrinth of houses, and it's practically impossible to distinguish the natural rock formations from the ancient architecture. The houses seem to sprout from the rock in an organic way, creating somewhat of a tourist attraction from what was in the mid 20th century a ghost town. Matera was notably the setting for Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ".

MateraMatera is the only place in the world where people can boast to be still living in the same houses of their ancestors of 9,000 years ago. Sassi




Visit Matera, to discover its mystery and attractiveness.

Local Food Reccomend: local cheese, vegetables and salame, Tagliolini, grilled lamb.

Hotel in Matera: featured Hotels in Matera from Booking.com.