On the historic Island of Sardinia, there are many towns and cities that contribute to the beauty, culture, and life of the land. The island as a whole is known for its beauty, natural landscapes, and history. Below are five of the best places to visit in Sardinia along with well-known resorts, restaurants, and attractions.

Cagliari – The Capital at the Bay of the Angels

Cagliari Panorama libarium

As the capital of Sardinia, Cagliari is located on the Bay of the Angels and is the most populated town area in the province. While much of the island is known for history and nature, the capital is more of a tourist area with nightlife, bars, restaurants, music, and other entertainment. There are many hotels and resorts in the province like the resort called Forte Village as well as must-see beaches and even the ruins of the oldest town in Sardinia.

Cagliari

Nuoro – A place of Tradition

With a variety of landscapes like mountains, valleys, plateaus, and beaches, Nuoro is a beautiful area for anyone that loves the outdoors. The province is located on the eastern side of the middle of the island and has everything from caves to museums of culture as well as exclusive beaches for relaxation with resorts within a close distance.

Sassari – A blend of Nature and History

If you love to see Mother Nature in the huge variety of her manifestations, then head to the north-west side of the island to a province called Sassari. There are some great lodging choices in and lots of hotels in Alghero near the Castle of Doria. There are many ways to enjoy the area with national parks, castles, an archaeological museum, and even a rock that is shaped like an elephant trunk.

Oristano – A place of Simplicity and Beauty

As a beach lover’s paradise, Oristano has a different beach for every day and is a great place to visit if you want to get away from the noise of tourism in the more populated cities. With a relaxing and charming bed and breakfast, you can start your day off right. The province is located near the ancient city of Tharros, on the western side of the island, which was the origin of the Phoenicians. The ruins are mysterious with two solitary large columns that stand alone with no roof or anything to support.

Olbia-Tempio – Archeological Paradise

Olbia, also known as the “happy city” by the Greeks, houses the most famous carnival parade on the island called “Carrasciali Timpiesu.” With many different archeological sites, the area is one of the biggest tourist centres in Sardinia. The province is located on the north side of the island.

There are so many sites to see in Sardinia that it would be hard to visit them all in one trip. The island offers modern tourism with bars and restaurants as well as ancient and natural sites for the history and environment lover.

photo credits

About Giulia: Giulia is an Italian travel lover living in Sardinia. She works in tourism field for CharmingSardinia.com and runs the blog CharmingItaly.com, where she shares information about Italy.

Guest post by Laura

Sometimes it’s better to here where to go from the locals. Here are four alternatives for tourist attractions in NYC.

1 – Instead of seeing the Empire State Building, go to the Top of the Rock

The line to go to the top of the Empire State Building is incredibly long (at times 2+ hours) whereas the wait to go to the Top of the Rock is significantly less. You also have an unobstructed view 360 degrees of the city and you can get a photo of the Empire State Building.
http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/

2 – Instead of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), go to P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center

If you’d like to go to the MoMA, then go on a Friday afternoon when it’s free admission however, as are most attractions in NY it is packed and the line extends well around the block. Instead head to P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center which is an affiliate of the MoMA and houses artwork of future artists. The admission cost is more affordable at $10 for adults, rather than the $25 for the MoMA and it is located in Queens which is a great borough to explore.
http://momaps1.org/visit/

photo credit

3 – Instead of taking a cruise around Manhattan, take the Staten Island Ferry

The main reason to take the Staten Island Ferry is it’s FREE. Just catch the ferry at Whitehall and Water St and you’ll have a beautiful view of the skyline. Once you get to Staten Island, you can either hop back on and turn back or check out a Yankee game – the Staten Island Yankees are a farm team for the New York Yankees so you may see the next Derek Jeter in action.

4 – Instead of going to FAO Schwarz, go to the Toys “R” Us in Times Square

FAO Schwarz has a long history and was shown in the movie “Big” which attracts plenty of tourists, however if you’re going to go to a toy store – go to the Toys “R” Us in Times Square. It’s unique in that there is a working ferris wheel in the middle of the store and among other interesting displays there is also a life size Barbie house that visitors can actually go in (adults included!).
http://www.toysrusinc.com/about-us/times-square/

About Laura: Laura is a travel enthusiast from New York currently living and working in Australia. Her spare time activities include reading, checking things off her bucket list and trying her hand in blogging at http://gogoodlife.com. You can also follow her on twitter at: @Tweeting_Laura.

Guest post by Laura

Paddington is an inner-city suburb of Sydney located just 3 kilometers outside of Sydney Central Business District referred to locally as “Paddo”. It’s an area rich with history and plenty to see and do. Spend an afternoon exploring beginning on Oxford Street.

Start your afternoon by grabbing a Mars Bar thick shake at Micky’s Café , cross the street and find a bench to enjoy the Paddington Reservoir Gardens. You’ll also have a view to the left of historic Paddington Town Hall built in the late 19th century and straight in front is the oldest home in Paddington built in 1822.

Paddington Reservoir Gardens

Photo Credit

Next, stroll down Oxford Street taking in all the different shops and boutiques before making a stop at the Australian Centre for Photography where you can browse free exhibits.

Oxford St

Continuing on you’ll come across the Paddington Markets and maybe pick up a bracelet made of recycled wine bottles from the Simon Harrison Designs stall or any other treasures you’ll find.

Paddington markets

Finally, pack a blanket and some snacks to catch a Moonlight Cinema at Centennial Park to end your day in Paddo. Movies include new releases as well as classics like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

moonlight cinema

About Laura: Laura is a travel enthusiast from New York currently living and working in Australia. Her spare time activities include reading, checking things off her bucket list and trying her hand in blogging at http://gogoodlife.com. You can also follow her on twitter at: @Tweeting_Laura.

Ramnicu Valcea is the capital city of Valcea County, located in central-south area of Romania.

The area has been inhabited since Roman times and was the site of a castrum. It was first attested during the rule of Reigning Prince Mircea cel Bătrân, as “the princely town of Râmnic“, but if you are passionate about astrology you may know the city as the center and peak point of the path of total darkness of the Solar Eclipse that took place in 1999.

Also, here you can visit one of the most important and popular touristic attractions and cultural landmarks of the city:  The Anton Pann Memorial House. Anton Pann was a Wallachian poet, musicologist, an influential folklorist and collector of proverbs. The building is a beautiful example of 18th century traditional urban architecture and it still is well preserved. It hosts the exhibition dedicated to the life, work and times of Anton Pann.

Ramnicu Valcea was a very picturesque city, but in the 1980s it was completely rebuilt in a socialist architectural style. It still keeps the communist feeling as you may see in some of the photos I’ve took. How do you like them?

1989 Revolution Monument

Ramnicu Valcea city

Ramnicu Valcea city clock

Ramnicu Valcea city hall

Palace of Justice

Ramnicu Valcea market

Ramnicu Valcea Police headquarters by night

Romanian War of Independence monument built in 1915

Trinity Monument

There are days in which you simply don’t want to stay in the city. You want to go somewhere and see something.

My husband and I, we have some days like that. We choose sometimes to go somewhere with the dog and our son. Usually it’s a trip at the airfield – where Andrei flies his RC airplane. But we weren’t in the mood for such a trip this day.

It was December 31st. The final day of the year. I wanted to go somewhere I’ve never been before. A one day trip somewhere relatively close to Bucharest – for in the evening we should get back, pick Eric from my mom’s and spend New Year’s Eve together. So Andrei suggested to go see the church made of one tree, than to visit a cave and then Hurezi Monastery.

Giving that the route involved passing through (or near) Ramnicu Valcea, a city where we have some friends, we gave them a call on December 30th to see if they are in Ramnic in the morning of the final day of the year. And they were. So we planned to visit them too

6 o’clock in the morning. 31st December. We got up:D. We eat, took a shower, walked the dog – and left home (we left Maxie, the dog, at home this time).

The first thing we noticed on the road?
The fog. And I really mean fog! Look:

morning fog

The car’s mirrors had some frost on them.

frost - car mirror

But we kept going and had some amazing views:

amazing sky

forrest

through village

forrest 2

sky 2

road

top of mountain with snow

top of mountain with snow 2

road 2

sky 3

fog again

houses near Ramnicu Valcea

One tree church entrance

The first objective for the day: The Church Made Of One Tree. I was happy. Giving the fact that this church has a special story – and some very interesting curiosities – I choose to dedicate it a special article here on the blog. So for now I’ll only show you the entrance – but soon the whole story!

After visiting the monastery, we were back on the road. The first thing we saw was a small railroad – for small trains

small railroad

and then many lovely places and landscapes:

through village 2

Horezu entrance

souvenir ceramic shops

landscape

landscape 2

Gorj

road 3

road sky

road sheep

road 4

And we’ve arrived at the second touristic objective of the day. Peştera Muierii – Womans’s Cave. We knew that the final entry was at 4 P.M. And we arrived there at 2.30 P.M. But guess what: it was the last day of the year, so the cave was closed at 2 P.M. It will be open on January 1st – but we won’t get back. We’ll definitely see it however on another occasion.

We took a photo of the mountain where the cave is:

Pestera muierii

and then we got on the road again.

We reached Hurezi Monastery – there were nuns there, and a priest, but the actually monastery was closed But we discovered also an interesting thing – I’ll also present it in a special post dedicated to the monastery. For now here’s a photo with a general view of this monastery:

Hurezi Monastery - entrance

After this we got back home – reached Bucharest in the evening:

road back - Bucharest - night

picked up Eric and then enjoyed the New Year’s together. You can see here some photos with Eric and his first fireworks

I wanted a day to remember – and I definitely got one What did you do on December 31st?

Ocnele Mari salt mine is located in Valcea county, in central-southern part of Romania. The exploitation has developed a strong community, starting from ancient times until today, when much of the county’s economy depends on the operation of salt from Ocnele Mari.

So, Ocnele Mari salt mine is arranged at 225 meters above sea level, lies on an area of 10,000 square meters and it includes recreational areas, playgrounds, a museum and the largest underground church in Romania.

I really think that things could go better in the salt’s events management, guidance and exibitions. The authorities promised some specific investments in the following years, so we will live to see if Ocnele Mari will become one of the biggest salt targets in Europe. It surely deserves this name if the investments will work properly.

Diseases that can be treated in salt (via http://www.salinaocnelemari.ro/therapy.html) are:

- Bronchial asthma
- Respiratory infections
- Bronchitis asthmatiform
- Bronsiectazie
- Pneumoconiosis
- Chronic tracheo
- Chronic Rhinitis
- Maxillary sinusitis / chronic
- Bisinoza
- Silicosis gr I and gr II
- Throat polyps
- Chronic tonsillitis
- Restrictive respiratory failure
- Pulmonary emphysema
- Various types of allergies
- Neurosis
- Chronic fatigue
- Allergies

I must apologize for the low quality of the pictures I’ve took, but my camera was feeling a little bit “ill” in that day

Ocnele Mari Salt Mine exterior

Ocnele Mari Salt Mine Welcome

Ocnele Mari Salt Mine Cinema

Ocnele Mari Salt Mine Karting

Ocnele Mari Salt Mine kids area

Ocnele Mari Salt Mine lovers area

Ocnele Mari Salt Mine Massage

Ocnele Mari Salt Mine Restaurant

Souvenirs and good luck

Organized for the past 10 years, the marché de Noël in Brussels is considered “the most original European Christmas market” by the British tour operators. Under the generic name Plaisirs d’Hiver, from the 25^th of November to 1^st of January Place Sainte Catherine is hosting different attractions stretching over 2 km. Let’s go and explore some of them!

240 chalets with various products

Sales people from different cultures are mixing in a splendid combination of tastes, smells and colours. From Spanish to German food, from Russian matryoshkas to Murano glass jewels, there is plenty of choice. You can buy some fabulous products that you might not even expect to find such as Amerindian decorations or retro Lithuanian notebooks made out of leather and recycled paper. Of course, all these temptations can be visited while having a glass of traditional glühwein (mulled wine).

Le manège magique and Big Wheel

Children have not been forgotten either. Since 1990, the magic merry-go-round has been welcoming them and tempting them to try a ride in a retro-style plane, on the back of a lizard or an insect. I must admit it is not my infancy dream manège, but kids seem to enjoy it. For the nostalgic ones, the Big Wheel of our childhood is here and it offers the opportunity to have a unique view over the colourful Winter Market.

Skate Rink and Ski Track

Brussels has now an offer for winter sports fans: a 60-meter long skate rink in Place Sainte Catherine hosting some ice shows as well and a ski track in Mont des Arts. The shows are entertaining and actors manage to attract both children and adults with their funny pantomime sketches.

Special guest: Greece

Every year, the fair draws the attention upon a special guest. Now it’s time for Greece to be in the limelight. 8 chalets – one per province – are showcasing the expertise of its artisans, attracting their guests with gastronomic specialties and Greek protected designation products, such as certified olive oil.

Electrabel Nights in Grand Place

The traditional Electrabel Nights are featuring new technologies, special illuminations of the City Hall, the surrounding buildings and the Christmas Tree and a sculpture in light forming a spiral. The Rendez-vous Electrabel shows take place each weekend starting 20.00, 21.00 and 22.00 and star creative artists, a crystal musician wearing costumes made of mirrors, a giant-winged butterfly, a fire-dancer, a moon-climbing acrobat, and a magical choir on Christmas Eve. The shows promise to create an unforgettable Christmas atmosphere, bringing magic to life.

Enjoy the winter holidays wherever you are!

Without doubt, taking a tour of Paris by boat is a very romantic experience not only because you can enjoy a romantic dinner on the Seine, but also because it is a great way to get familiar with some of the city’s most stunning monuments like: Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, Musee du Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, Assemblée Nationale (The National Assembly building), Hotel des Invalides, Pont Neuf (Paris’ oldest bridge, dating to the 16th century), Pont Alexandre III (Art Nouveau bridge dating to 1896) or Grand Palais.

There are 37 bridges within Paris and the Banks of the Seine were added to the UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 1991, fact that can be considered an extra point. Long ago this river was the main route of transportation and protection for Paris and it is also related with many legends. For example, Joan of Arc was burned in 1431 and her ashes were thrown into the Seine.  Furthermore, according to his will, Napoleon, who died in 1821, wished to be buried on the banks of the Seine, but his request was not granted.

Below you can see some photos I’ve took of the Seine, the river which inspired many artists of the 19th and the 20th centuries, including: Claude Monet or Camille Pissarro.

Boat on the Seine 1

Boat on the Seine 2

The Seine by day

The Seine by night

There are many incredible places on Earth and many amazing experiences created by the nature.

While the Mongolian legends say that the desert is magic for it speaks, singing the bravery acts of the ancestors, the science agrees and proves that there is a part in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia, that literally sings. The name is also relevant: Khongoryn Els – the Singing Dunes.

Khongoryn Els - the Singing Dunes 1

How is that possible?

Well, legends aside, it seems that the sand particles in this particular area of the desert are round and smooth. When the wind blows it creates a magical sound and it seems that the dunes are really singing.

This is quite an experience for the first time visitor! (and not only, I might add)

Khongoryn Els - the Singing Dunes 2

Khongoryn Els - the Singing Dunes 3

The Khongoryn Els are up to 200m tall and many km long and they attract many visitors each year.

To convince you that the dunes really sing I’m inviting to see a video.

Have you visited these singing dunes? Did you liked Khongoryn Els in the Gobi Desert? Were you impressed?
Are you planning a visit there soon?

photos source

I love nature and parks. I discovered recently a park in Canada called Bois-de-l’Île-Bizard Nature Park and I wanted to present it to you today through some photos from our friend Dan Mitea.

Île Bizard is an island near the Island of Montreal in the Hochelaga Archipelago region.

It was formerly a separate municipality named Ville de L’Île-Bizard, but is now part of the city of Montreal, in the borough of L’Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève. Bois-de-l’Île-Bizard Nature Park is a 201 hectare park which contains marsh lands and several kilometers of nature trails, accessible year round. There is also a small beach at Pointe-aux-Carrières that faces the Lac des Deux-Montagnes. (source)

This park includes sugar maples, cedar groves and marshes, offering a natural decor of exceptional natural wealth. By bicycle or on foot, you can explore the many paths of this large star-shaped park. More info here.

Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard Nature Park 1

Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard Nature Park 2

Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard Nature Park 3

Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard Nature Park 4

Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard Nature Park 5

Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard Nature Park 6

Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard Nature Park 7

Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard Nature Park 8

Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard Nature Park 9

Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard Nature Park 10

Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard Nature Park 11

Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard Nature Park 12

Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard Nature Park 13

Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard Nature Park 14

Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard Nature Park 15

Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard Nature Park 16