Archive for the ‘Amazing Europe’

  • Bletchley Park: Home of World War II’s talented minds: Part-I
    0
    Bletchley Park: Home of World War II’s talented minds: Part-I
    Also known as Station X during the World War II, Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire England, is famous for housing some of the country’s innovations whose abilities aided in fighting the war. Nestled in the village of Bletchley near Milton Keynes, this is now an interesting war museum accessible easily from London as a short day trip. Formerly being the private manor house, today, the Bletchley Park is a living testament to the talents of early 1940s. Just take up an audio guided tour that will aid you in passing through the collection of buildings as well as blocks scattered here. As you pass, you will come across the genuine cryptology machines that once deciphered the complex code such as the popular German Enigma machine along with the exciting stories of ploys and spies. In addition, you will be able to explore the permanent  [...]
    Posted at January 18th, 2011 at 04:01 am
  • Temple of Olympian Zeus
    0
    Temple of Olympian Zeus
    A tour to Athens is incomplete without the discovery of Temple of Olympian Zeus. It is nestled exactly in the heart of the city and is today only a site of a few still intact columns. After visiting the Acropolis, just walk in the southeast and you will spot a structure of some columns held together. Also known as the Olympieion, this Greco-Roman temple is a big ruined edifice of columns, which is devoted to Zeus – the king of the Olympian gods. So, it is one of the most sacred sites for the Athenians. Despite that only some columns of the Temple of Olympia Zeus remain, you can still recognize in no time about the fact that this was once a monster edifice. Commissioned by the Athenian tyrants who envisioned the structure to be the greatest in the world, the foundation was put in the 6th century B.C. But, unluckily, the temple  [...]
    Posted at January 17th, 2011 at 01:01 am
  • Langley Castle: 14th century’s luxury today!
    0
    Langley Castle: 14th century’s luxury today!
    Open the doors of inspiration and experience the stirring splendor of the 14th century colossal architecture by booking a stay in the Langley Castle. It is no more a castle now as it has adapted itself to meet the accommodation needs of the travelers in England. Yes, this Grade I listed edifice, formerly a medieval tower dwelling, is now a refurbished opulent hotel that is the crown of the Langley hamlet in the south Tyne valley of Northumberland. Erected in 1350 under the rule of Edward III, the Langley Castle has astonishingly preserved its structural reliability to such an extent that now it is among the handful of medieval Castle Hotels of the nation. Well settled in its private woodland estate, the fortified hotel’s thick walls acts as an insulator against the hustling life outside for ensuring a tranquil shelter inside in  [...]
    Posted at January 14th, 2011 at 01:01 am
  • Monte Corona: Lanzarote’s best hiking destination
    0
    Monte Corona: Lanzarote’s best hiking destination
    Regarded now as extinct, the Monte Corona is among the highest volcanoes in Lanzarote soaring as high as 605 m. It is nestled on the famous Canary Island and is close to the hamlet of Ye. Dominating the island’s northern part, the volcano will surely draw your attention from any corner. This exactly shaped volcano cone has erupted lava to such a extent that it met the sea and formed two most stunning geological highlights namely, the Jameos del Agua and the Cueva de los Verdes – the tunnels of which the former was transformed into a museum by late Lanzarotenian artist Cesar Manrique, whereas several-storeyed Cuevas de los Verdes is still intact with their natural state. If you are planning for Lanzarote walking trip, it is just not viable to miss Monte Corona – a giant wonder at the north end overlooking Órzola. I would  [...]
    Posted at January 13th, 2011 at 03:01 am
  • White Scar Caves: A subterranean world of wonderful nature
    1
    White Scar Caves: A subterranean world of wonderful nature
    Envision an underground setting that is lit strikingly with the voluble streams, fluent waterfalls, giant ice-aged grotto full of stalactites, and exotic cave formations. Deep down the Ingleborough Hill resides a mysterious world that is carved by nature in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Well, I am talking about the White Scar Caves nestled in the outskirts of the Ingleton hamlet below the Dales’ landscape. This attraction is certainly the Britain’s longest show cave wherein the travelers are enamored via the 80-minute guided walk for a mile underground. Do not worry of your safety as modern paths and lighting protect you from the risks of this 1000-year old untouched treasure. This walk takes you via the cascading waterfalls, rushing streams, flowstone banks, stalactites of cream- and carrot-colors, and cave formations such  [...]
    Posted at January 12th, 2011 at 12:01 am
  • St Peters Basilica: Gem of the Vatican City
    0
    St Peters Basilica: Gem of the Vatican City
    Welcome to the most holy Christian site in the Vatican! This is certainly the St Peters Basilica rising from the old spot where Peter, the first pope as well as apostle was crucified and buried, which holds much religious importance. Further, its original version was commissioned by Constantine in the 4th century and that today it is the home of many tombs of the popes. From the point of view of architectural attraction, this majestic structure is the home of some precious works of Michelangelo. Exterior Before I start to describe about its sweeping grandeur, you should know that this one is a pure basilica; it is not a cathedral. The present building of St Peters Basilica is of the 16th century whose adornments and art reveals the talents of the Renaissance experts like Bramante and Bernini. Speaking about its exterior, the vaulted  [...]
    Posted at January 11th, 2011 at 12:01 am
  • Alcazar of Seville: Royal palace and fort
    0
    Alcazar of Seville: Royal palace and fort
    Also known as the ‘Royal Alcazars of Seville’, the Alcazar of Seville is a treasure in the region of Andalucia. Formerly a Moorish fort, it then served as a royal palace until today, as whose upper levels are the residing areas of the royal family. This one is undoubtedly the amazing architectural masterpiece that even today reveals the past of Seville and is also an ideal model of dominating Mudejar structural style in Spain. First erected by the Almohades, the Alcazar of Seville witnessed many additions from the subsequent monarchs. Today, the beautiful gardens that are interestingly within the palace were only built in the 19th century. In fact, the ones in the east and close to the Amohad Wall were added recently in 20th century. This indicates that the palace has evolved architecturally over the years. Further, today, it  [...]
    Posted at December 16th, 2010 at 02:12 am
  • Raglan Castle: Its Majesty
    1
    Raglan Castle: Its Majesty
    Raglan Castle is a majestic castle comprised of sandstone, belonging to the Tudor dynasty. Defense seems to be a secondary function of the castle. This is in sharp contrast to other castles built in Wales. Raglan Castle was designed keeping in mind wealth and influence. The site that houses Raglan Castle was initially home to a manor. Later William ap Thomas acquired the site when he married in 1406. Thomas was a veteran who served in Agincourt in the year 1415. He received the patronage of Henry VI. He received knighthood in the year 1426. He wished to demonstrate his power and status. Hence, he ordered construction of Raglan Castle. In 1435, construction work began on the Great Tower. It was also called the Yellow Tower of Gwent. Thomas died in the year 1445 and never saw completion of the tower. His son, William, continued the  [...]
    Posted at December 3rd, 2010 at 12:12 am
  • Hadrian Wall: An exciting Roman tour in England
    0
    Hadrian Wall: An exciting Roman tour in England
    Accessible within 3.5 hours from London via the railway network, the Hadrian’s Wall is an ancient as well as the most famous landmark of the Roman Empire in northern England. This defensive fortification was named so after the emperor of the same name during whose era it was made (from 122 AD until probably 128 AD). Marking the northernmost Roman border, this Wall of Hadrian is today one of the main historical highlights in England gaining much importance as Stonehenge. More popularly, the entire region is known as the Hadrian Wall Country in which this Hadrian’s Wall has become the Roman pride. To add to your excitement, this wall is now no longer a wall, but has been transformed into a National Trail of 84 miles also known as the Coast to coast path. So, this time, I planned to visit this exciting fortification where there  [...]
    Posted at November 29th, 2010 at 12:11 am
  • Pont du Gard: Spellbinding Bridge
    0
    Pont du Gard: Spellbinding Bridge
    Pont du Gard is stone aqueduct comprising of three levels. It crosses the river valley of Gardon. It is situated 25 km to the west of Avignon. Pont du Gard was constructed in BC 19 by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, who was the son-in-law of Augustus. Pont du Gard was granted World Heritage Status by UNESCO in 1985. The aqueduct was designed for carrying water across the river valley of Gardon. The aqueduct stretches for 50 km bringing water from the springs of Uzes. The water was then transported to Nimes or Nemausus, which is an ancient Roman city. The aqueduct’s gradient consisted of 34 cm/km. It descends nearly 17 meters vertically. It delivers close to 20,000 cubic meters of water everyday. No mortar was used in the construction. Some of the stones used in the construction of the aqueduct weigh nearly six tons. Iron clamps are  [...]
    Posted at November 25th, 2010 at 01:11 am
Page 3 of 9123456789