Monday, 28 January 2013

Burj Al Arab, Dubai - Officially Rated a Seven Stars Hotel

The Seven Star team’s most recent travel agenda included a review of the “world's most luxurious hotel,” Burj Al Arab. The Seven Stars team presented the Seven Stars Award in December 2012 after an review of Dubai's most iconic building to the management and staff of Burj Al Arab. "The level of service we experienced during our stay at Burj Al Arab was what one would expect from a true Seven Stars hotel," said Mr. Buehrmann, President of Seven Stars and Stripes.

Burj Al Arab, Dubai - Officially Rated a Seven Stars Hotel
New York, NY, January 24, 2013 --(PR.com)-- www.sevenstarsandstripes.com/magazine.asp

Burj Al Arab, Dubai, UAE Received the Seven Stars and Stripes Award

The Seven Star team’s most recent travel agenda included a review of the “world's most luxurious hotel,” Burj Al Arab (Tower of the Arabs). Although no longer the world’s tallest hotel, Burj Al Arab is still Dubai's most iconic building, featuring the world’s tallest atrium (180 meters = 590 ft), residing on its own man made island and resembling the billowing sail of a dhow. The Seven Stars team presented the Seven Stars Award in December 2012 after an review of Dubai's most iconic building to the management and staff of Burj Al Arab. "The level of service we experienced during our stay at Burj Al Arab was what one would expect from a true Seven Star hotel or resort. This hotel is uncompromisingly well managed by GM Heinrich Morio and his team is impeccably well trained; definitely living up to its reputation," said Mr. Buehrmann, President of Seven Stars and Stripes. The Seven Stars team has been reviewing the finest hotel, resorts, spa and restaurants around the globe for over a decade and were on their way home from South Africa where they filmed the Seven Stars Travel Show at "Karkloof," Africa's first Seven Stars "Safari Spa."

10 Of The Coolest Hotel Suites In The World

10 Of The Coolest Hotel Suites In The World

Ever wondered what the most expensive hotel suite in the world is, the most extravagant, with the most beautiful natural scenery, a celebrity hotspot, or the most off-the-wall? This list of the coolest hotel suites on the planet will answer all of these questions, as well as give you a visual look at these awesome hotel rooms with photos and video, and maybe even help you start planning your next trip. If you are after a holiday with a difference, then check out these stunning hotels!


The Over-Water Bungalows at Le Meridien, Bora Bora

The Over-Water Bungalows at Le Meridien

The Over-Water Bungalows at Le Meridien
The Over-Water Bungalows at Le Meridien: Located in the Pacific Ocean, Bora Bora is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. To take full advantage of this natural beauty, the over-water bungalows at Le Meridien are a great choice. Each private bungalow is built upon stilts just above the ocean, so you can literally take a few stairs down from your bungalow to the ocean for a swim in the warm, turquoise water. Each bungalow features all the basic amenities: air conditioning, phone, satellite TV, mini-bar, bathtub, and walk-in shower. You also get your own private deck for soaking-up some rays or for viewing the world renowned Mount Otemanu. Another great feature is the large glass floor in each bungalow which gives visitors an awesome view of the ocean beneath you. A nice, relaxing vacation at the Le Meridien Bora Bora's over-water bungalows will set you back about £370 per night, well worth it if you're in need of a relaxing, secluded vacation.

Playboy Sky Villa Suite at The Palms Casino and Resort, Las Vegas

Playboy Sky Villa Suite at The Palms Casino and Resort
Playboy Sky Villa Suite at The Palms Casino and Resort
Playboy Sky Villa Suite: This two-story 9,000 square foot suite at The Palms in Las Vegas is where Kanye West performed during MTV's 2007 VMAs. He's not the only celebrity who has partied here, not by a long-shot. Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, and of course Hugh Hefner are just a few of the many celebrity party-goers who have stayed in this suite. This awesome suite features an outdoor cantilevered jacuzzi pool with glass sides, and the best view of the Las Vegas strip anywhere. There's also a media room, full bar, huge living room with fireplace, pop-up plasma TVs, glass elevator, rotating beds with ceiling mirrors above them and a fully-equipped gym. The Sky Villa suite will accommodate up to 250 people for parties. The Playboy suite is currently the most expensive hotel suite in the world costing upwards of £20,000 for one night of partying. But hey, if you get together 250 of your closest friends, and each of you chip-in £80, you can spend a night partying at the Playboy suite in Las Vegas and live like a celebrity for one night in one of the coolest hotel suites on the planet!

The Ice Hotel's Fireplace Suites, Quebec

The Ice Hotel's Fireplace Suites
The Ice Hotel's Fireplace Suites
The Ice Hotel's Fireplace Suites: This has to be considered one of the 'coolest' hotel suites in the world, because the Ice Hotel is made of 15,000 tons of snow and 500 tons of ice! Despite the chilly conditions inside and out, the Ice Hotel in Quebec, Canada attracts 4,000 overnight stays every winter. If you're lucky enough to get one of the two fireplace suites, you'll get a good-sized room made of ice and snow with a queen size bed and lots of beautiful ice carvings throughout. To stay warm you can sit by the fireplace, use one of the heated wash rooms, or lounge in one of the hotel's hot tubs. Each suite features beautiful and colourful lighting that provide a cool ambient glow throughout each room. To stay in the fireplace suite at the Ice Hotel, it will cost you between £225 - £390 per night on the weekends, depending upon the package you select. Each of the four packages at the Ice Hotel are all inclusive, offering a host of amenities such as a dog sledding tour, skiing, massages, and even a £100 shopping spree in nearby towns. The Ice Hotel even has its own dance club, and the lighting looks cool against the ice walls.

The Villas at North Island, Mahe

The Villas at North Island
The Villas at North Island
The Villas at North Island: This small island resort consists of only 11 villas, so needless to say, it's a very secluded and private tropical island retreat. Each villa is raised off the ground in order to give visitors an even better view of the beautiful turquoise waters. At North Island it's all about bringing the outdoors in: retractable doors can be opened to allow the warm ocean breezes to flow throughout the villa. Each villa contains two air conditioned bedrooms, bathroom with marble tub and showers, outdoor plunge pool, plenty of deck space, and a living area. Despite the fact that this getaway is miles from modern civilisation, each villa is still equipped with all the modern conveniences including TV, CD/DVD player, phone and Internet access. The nightly rates at North Island range from £2,000 - £3,500. It may be expensive, but this is surely one of the most relaxing tropical island retreats in the world.

The Presidential Bungalow Suite at The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills

The Presidential Bungalow Suite at The Beverly Hills Hotel

The Presidential Bungalow Suite at The Beverly Hills Hotel: If you want to see one of Beverly Hill's greatest historical landmarks, or you just want to spot some celebrities, you need to check out the Beverly Hills Hotel. This hotel, also known as 'The Pink Palace', has accommodated some of the most famous celebrities in history including Sharon Stone, Richard Gere, Whitney Houston, Angelina Jolie, Marilyn Monroe and Liz Taylor just to name a few. This hotel is famous for its 21 lavish bungalows, and the most elaborate of these is the Presidential Bungalow. For a mere £2,000 a night, you can stay in the private Presidential Bungalow overlooking Sunset Boulevard in Beverly Hills. This suite features 4 bedrooms, king-size bed, fireplace, huge living room, marble bathroom with jacuzzi tub, 2-stall shower, a grand piano and a private balcony. In all, this popular suite is about 1,932 square feet in size - bigger than many houses!

Source: ProTraveller

Russia's Ten Ritziest Hotels

Russian hotels regularly top “world’s most expensive” lists, so it should come as no surprise that rooms across the country take luxury to new levels.

Here are 10 of the most over-the-top experiences that money -- lots of it -- can buy.

The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow

The Ritz-Carlton, MoscowEven breathing here can cost a fortune. 

Forget vodka. At the O2 Lounge crowning the Ritz-Carlton you can order shots of oxygen to go with your sushi, while looking down on Red Square and the Kremlin.

Rooms come with polished cherrywood furniture, Frette linens, feather bedding and heated marble bathroom floors.

The Ritz-Carlton Suite has a grand piano, library and sauna, as well as drop-dead-gorgeous views of St. Basil’s Cathedral.

Gothic iron staircases and black pillars lead to the Lobby Lounge, where the who’s who of Russian society eat caviar: beluga, salmon, golden.

The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow, Tverskaya St. 3, Moscow; +7 495 225 888; from RUB 29,000 (US$931) per night; www.ritzcarlton.com


Hotel Baltschug Kempinski, Moscow

Hotel Baltschug Kempinski, MoscowRoyal designers and majestic views.

The Kempinski isn't only host to royalty, it was in part designed by royalty.

HRH Princess Michael of Kent and David Linley are the talents behind the Princess and Linley suites respectively. The former is decorated with lace and chintz and the latter is done up in a masculine combination of Italian marble and sustainable hardwood furniture.

The breakfast spread in Restaurant Baltschug Grill is one of the most lavish in town -- scrambled eggs with caviar, for starters -- while the spa offers yoga sessions overlooking the Kremlin, massages incorporating rose quartz and Philippine seashells plus royal grooming treatments by Truefitt & Hill.

Hotel Baltschug Kempinski, Moscow, Ul. Balchug 1, Moscow; +7 495 287 2000; from RUB 21,000 (US$674) per night; www.kempinski.com

Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow

Ararat Park Hyatt MoscowOne Bath time the kids won't mind. 

Book a Russian bath at this Moscow stunner and you’ll be presented with a selection of oak, birch and eucalyptus branches for the sauna component of your treatment, followed by a full body peel and organic honey mask and, two hours later, a soap massage.

The bliss continues in Café Ararat, the hotel’s Armenian eatery, where delicacies such as ryazhenka and Armenian cognacs are served in a palatial dining room designed with marble columns and traditional carvings.

The Presidential Suite features priceless artworks strung across the living/dining areas and bedroom, replete with a four-poster bed, while the Winter Garden suites have glass walls and rooftop terraces commanding views over the city’s Bolshoi Theatre and State Duma.

Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow, Neglinnaya Street, Moscow; +7 495 783 12344; from RUB 25,200 (US$809) per night; moscow.park.hyatt.com

Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya

Hilton Moscow LeningradskayaWith all the billionaires it hosts, this much head room is a necessity.

It may be located in one of Moscow’s so-called Seven Sisters skyscrapers, built in the 1950s in a Stalinist neoclassical style, but the Leningradskaya is more posh than proletariat.

The heritage lobby has 12-meter-high bronze ceilings draped with enormous chandeliers. Bronze statues, marble pillars and gilded cornices complete the dramatic entrance.

From here, guest rooms are accessed via a sweeping staircase overhung with another chandelier -- this staircase was, until recently, the longest of its kind in the world.

The Gothic-style Janus Restaurant is also a festival of marble and dark oak, and offers Russian specialties such as okroshka soup with kefir, sparkling water and vegetables.

Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya, Kalanchevskaya St. 21/40, Moscow; +7 495 627 5550; from RUB 11,700 (US$376) per night; www.hilton.com

Corinthia Hotel St. Petersburg

Corinthia HotelMuseum included.

Formerly the Nevskij Palace Hotel, the Corinthia reopened in 2009 following the extensive restoration of two adjoining 19th-century buildings, now home to suites and executive rooms.

The makeover retained heritage elements, including black marble floors and a lavish staircase in the glass-encased lobby.

Guest rooms and suites, however, were given a contemporary retouch and now come with polished blonde-wood floors, colorful throws and artwork spotlighting St. Petersburg; some suites also come with private balconies and round-the-clock butler service.

In a nod to the building’s history, the hotel is also home to a small museum paying homage to the Samoilov family of actors who lived here in the 1800s.

Corinthia Hotel St. Petersburg, Nevsky Prospect 57; St. Petersburg; +7 812 380 2001; from RUB 5,890 (US$189) per night; www.corinthia.com

Barvikha Hotel & Spa

Barvikha Hotel & SpaSimple doesn't mean cheap.

Coffee, chocolate, cream … the color scheme at this resort on the outskirts of Moscow is a tasty entrée for the dramatic design flourishes of Italian Antonio Citterio, also behind the Bulgari hotels in Milan and Bali.

Rooms feature private terraces with heated stone floors -- perfect for al fresco lounging during bone-chilling Russian winters -- and custom furniture by Citterio and B&B Italia.

Four fireplaces throughout include one in the Fire Place Suite, which also comes with a steam cabin and massage table.

Still, it’s hard to beat the hydro- and fangotherapy (heated mud) cabins in the spa itself, where you can also book in for weeklong packages incorporating calorie-reduced cuisine.

Barvikha Hotel & Spa, Barvikha Luxury Village, Moscow; +7 495 225 8880; from RUB 13,600 (US$436) per night; www.barvikhahotel.com

Hotel Astoria St. Petersburg

Hotel Astoria St. PetersburgHospitality centurion.

Celebrating 100 years in 2012, the Hotel Astoria has hosted illustrious guests such as Prince Charles and Pavarotti, no doubt sipping drinks in the Kandinsky Bar (replete with a genuine Kandinsky painting) or indulging in red and black caviar at Davidov Restaurant, where live piano music entertains diners three nights a week.

Named after Russian composers, the suites come with a packing/unpacking service and views over St. Isaac’s Cathedral. The Royal Suite is also decorated with antique artworks and chandeliers from the Astoria’s original collection.

Hotel Astoria St. Petersburg, Bolshaya Morskaya 39, St. Petersburg; +7 812 494 5757; from RUB 9,000 (US$289) per night; www.thehotelastoria.com

Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg

Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. PetersburgLuxury just got better.

Opening in early 2013, the Four Seasons occupies a 19th-century palace, just around the corner from the Hermitage and the Mariinsky Theatre in Russia’s capital of culture.

Once home to Princess Lobanova-Rostovskaya, the lemon-yellow 1820 building has been given an artful overhaul, its dramatic double marble staircase and ornate stucco ceilings set with gold and bronze accents and elaborate gilded candelabras.

Fifth-floor rooms have private rooftop terraces overlooking St. Isaac’s Cathedral.

Even if you’re not checked in here you can enjoy light and warmth in the glass-enclosed spa, spanning four levels and home to a vitality pool and Russian-style sauna.

Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg, 1 Voznesensky Prospekt, St. Petersburg, Russia; rates yet to be announced; www.fourseasons.com

Grand Hotel Europe, St. Petersburg

Grand Hotel EuropeWhere Bond once bedded down.

This handsome hotel was the perfect choice to feature in the James Bond movie “GoldenEye” -- it’s glamorous and luxurious and has a fabled history of hosting the likes of Strauss and Tchaikovsky.
Dostoyevsky also checked in, and there’s a suite named after him overlooking Arts Square.

Built in 1875, the art nouveau property is a collage of marble, exotic woods, floral wallpaper and sweeping staircases.

L’Europe restaurant also features a jaw-dropping stained-glass ceiling, under which guests dine on a dozen varieties of oscietra and beluga caviar accompanied by “little water” poured by a dedicated vodka sommelier.

Reserve a table here on a Friday evening to enjoy live ballet.

Grand Hotel Europe, St. Petersburg, Nevsky Prospekt, Mikhailovskaya Ulitsa 1/7, St. Petersburg; +7 812 329 6000; from RUB 8,900 (US$286) per night; www.grandhoteleurope.com

W St. Petersburg

W St. PetersburgDesigned for drama. 

Most W Hotels don’t shy away from drama in design and the outpost in St. Petersburg is no exception.

Milan-based Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel Partners decked the place, taking their inspiration from the city’s architectural past as well as the Fabergé egg.

The result is a patchwork of bespoke artwork, jewel tones -- lipstick pink, purple, fire-engine red -- and designer lighting, including disco ball-shaped, 24-carat-gold-plated Orten’zia Very Very Gold lamps.

The E-WOW Suite is, as you’d expect, special, with heated limestone floors in the bathroom, a Jacuzzi and fireplace.

The drama continues outside the window where you can glimpse the golden dome of St. Isaac’s Cathedral.

W St. Petersburg, 6 Voznesensky Prospect, St. Petersburg; +7 812 610 6161; from RUB 7,321 (US$ 231) per night; www.starwoodhotels.com

Source: CNN

Amalfi Coast, Italy Travel Guide

The Amalfi Coast lies in the southwestern region of Campania, Italy. For its extraordinary beauty and its iconic medieval cliffside Mediterranean fishing villages, it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A View of Positano
Positano looking back along the coast to Praiano. Amalfi Coast, Italy - photo by Atilla2008

Declared one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites for its undisputed beauty and the uniqueness of its natural landscape, the Amalfi Coast is the land characterised by the oxymoronic combination between mountain and sea, the farmer and the fisherman. The mountain, that thanks to the intense work of man, has been adapted to the demands of life over the ages. It plunges steeply into a sea, creating charming coves, deep fjords, cliffs, caverns, bays, natural arches and small pebble beaches; natural elements that have created, over the centuries, an enchanting, sinuous and seductive landscape: it is certainly not a coincidence that this area is known as the land of the Sirens, in the Homer's epic poem "Odysseus". Typical houses, painted in warm pastel colors, follow the natural slope of the foothills of Mounts Lattari, leaning against each other, creating a very picturesque landscape. From the characteristic terraces, built with dry stone walls, expands the intense scents of the lemon groves, the vineyards, the broom, the bright colors of bougainvillea which, combined with the smell of salt air, creates a unique sensory experience.

Thirteen are the pearls of this land, located along a stretch of road among the most scenic in the world, ripped from the bare rock, which give the tourists strong emotions, pleasant memories and a strong desire to return as soon as possible to this little piece of heaven on earth:

- Vietri sul Mare, the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, coming from Salerno, famous throughout the world for the production of ceramics, with its intense and vivid colors, and the beautiful hill towns of Albori and Raito;
- Cetara, a small fishing village, that has become famous over the years for its fishing related products, creating culinary specialties appreciated world-wide, such as the salted anchovy sauce and red tuna, for example;
- Maiori, the ancient Reghinna Major, which, despite the wide promenade and appearance of the new town, hides a very charming old town, made up of narrow streets and alleys, dominated by the imposing castle of San Nicola de Thoro Plano, to the north, and the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria a Mare, to the west;
- Tramonti, a group of villages and districts set among the green mountains, covered with vineyards, away from the clamor of the other coastal countries, well known for its authentic flavors, the excellent wines and dairy products;
- Minori, the ancient Reghinna Minor, with the remains of the Roman Villa of the I century A.D., the magnificent Basilica of Santa Trofimena and the tasty hand-made pasta, gastronomic specialty of the town;
- Atrani, one of the smallest municipalities in Southern Italy, with its picturesque square and the ancient church of San Salvatore de' Birecto (X century), where during the times of the ancient Maritime Republic of Amalfi, the Dukes (Dogi) received their official investiture;
- Ravello, which, with its breathtaking views, at the top of its 350 meters above sea level, with its beautiful patrician villas (Rufolo and Cimbrone), the cathedral of San Pantaleone and its architectural treasures, have enchanted over the centuries important writers, artists and chiefs of state, such as: Boccaccio, Wagner, DH Lawrence, V. Woolf, Gore Vidal, Ingrid Bergman, Greta Garbo, Humphrey Bogart, JF Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline, and many others;
- Scala, full of fascinating corners over the coastline and important monuments. It is the oldest town of the Amalfi Coast and was the birthplace of Fra' Gerardo Sasso, founder of the Knights of Malta;
- Amalfi, the first of the four Maritime Republics in Italy, with its imposing Cathedral entitled to St. Andrew, preceded by an imposing staircase, the ancient arsenals of the Republic, the Cloister of Paradise and the Paper Museum, in which tourists and curious can admire the antique methods of production of the precious handmade paper of Amalfi;
- Conca dei Marini, a village overlooking the deep blue sea with the spectacular Emerald Grotto, the scenic church of San Pancrazio, the austere convent of Santa Rosa, perched to the rock, where the famous "sfogliatella Santa Rosa" was realized for the first time;
- Furore, also known as "the town that does not exist", with its deep fjord characterised by a wild beauty, the "en plein air" murals and the small villages scattered along the slopes of the mountain;
- Praiano, with its narrow streets scented of geraniums, the beach of La Praia, the Saracen towers, the majolica dome of the Church of St. Luca the Evangelist, the impressive Monastery of Santa Maria a Castro and its romantic sunsets, admiring the bay of Positano, the Sorrento Peninsula and the Faraglioni of Capri;
- Positano, the pearl of the Divine Coast, with its typical "Moda Positano" sandals and linen clothes craft shops, the charm of its old noble palaces, the Church of the Assumption (near which were recently unearthed the remains of a Roman villa) and the charming panorama of the "Li Galli" islands in the background.

Positano
Positano, Amalfi Coast - photo by oןɹɐɔcarlo

The Amalfi Coast (Italian: Costiera Amalfitana) is a stretch of coastline on the southern coast of the Sorrentine Peninsula in the Province of Salerno in Southern Italy. The Amalfi Coast is a popular tourist destination for the region and Italy as a whole, attracting thousands of tourists annually. During the 10th–11th centuries, the Duchy of Amalfi existed on the territory of the Amalfi Coast, centered in the town of Amalfi. The Amalfi coast was later controlled by the Principality of Salerno, until Amalfi was sacked by the Republic of Pisa in 1137. Since then the Amalfi coast has experienced a crisis. But after the unification of Italy the Amalfi coast has enjoyed a huge economic revival, prompted even by the international tourism. In 1997, the Amalfi Coast was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a cultural landscape.

Like the rest of the region, the Amalfi Coast lies in a Mediterranean climate, featuring warm summers and mild winters. It is located on the relatively steep southern shore of the Sorrentine Peninsula, leaving little room for rural and agricultural territories. The only land route to the Amalfi Coast is the 40 kilometres (25 miles) long Strada Statale 163 which runs along the coastline from the town of Vietri sul Mare in the east to Positano in the west. Thirteen municipalities are located on the Amalfi Coast, many of them centered around tourism.

The Amalfi Coast is known for its production of limoncello liqueur as the area is a known cultivator of lemons, known as sfusato amalfitano in Italian, which are grown in terraced gardens along the entire coast between February and October. Amalfi is also a known maker of a hand-made thick paper which is called bambagina. Other renowned local products are a particular kind of anchovies (local Italian: alici) from Cetara, and the colorful handmade ceramics from Vietri.


Panoramic view of the town of Amalfi seen from the pier with the Amalfi Cathedral in the center.

What To See

The Amalfi coast is renowned for its diversity; every town has its own character and interesting sites. The most noticeable places to visit on the Amalfi coast are:

- The Duomo (the cathedral) in Amalfi, and its cloister (Chiostro del Paradiso in Italian)
- The church of Santa Maria Assunta in Positano
- The churches of San Salvatore del Birecto and of Santa Maria Maddalena in Atrani
- Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo in Ravello
- The churches of San Luca and San Gennaro in Praiano and their viewpoints
- The church of San Pancrazio in Conca dei Marini and its viewpoint
- The church of Santa Trofimena and the ancient Roman villa in Minori
- The Fjiord of Furore with the Mulino Cartiera (Paper Mill) and the "Monazzeni" of Anna Magnani & Roberto Rossellini Furore

Positano - Italy
Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy - photo by MorBCN

Nearby Places Of Interest

- Visit nearby Herculaneum and Pompeii.
- Climb Mount Vesuvius
- Visit Paestum
- Visit Naples
- Visit Capri
- Visit Ischia, an island outside Naples.
- Visit Praia a Mare, about 150 km south of the Amalfi Coast

Source: Wikipedia, Wikitravel

The Ten Best Castles in Europe

Castles originated in Europe over a thousand years ago. These fortresses were one of the original defense systems, and erecting the structures on hills or just beyond moats was a functional choice. Castles were built to house rulers, impose power, and above all, spurn would be attackers. Conforming to these basic principles of utilitarian design, the strongholds now appear solitary, majestic, and frozen in time. The attackers are long gone, and now a steady stream of camera clutching invaders breach the castles daily, ready to inspect the epic grandeur of the past.



While Europe has hundreds of excellent castles, these ten all have design, character, and history that sets them apart. Some occupy the center of bustling cities, while others lurk in forgotten countrysides. Spanning eight countries across Europe, each of these castles has a story to tell.



best castles in europe
Prague Castle
Location: Prague, Czech Republic

Nearest airport: Prague Airport

Year originally built: 870

Inhabitants: Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors, and presidents of the Czech Republic

Interesting fact: According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Prague castle is the largest castle complex in the world.




best castles in Europe

Bran "Dracula's" Castle

Location: Bran, Romania

Nearest airport: Henri Coandă International Airport in Otopeni, Romania near Bucharest

Year originally built: 1212

Inhabitants: Teutonic Knights, Mircea the Elder, Vlad III, and Romanian royalty

Interesting fact: In 2007, the castle was put up for sale for $78 million. It has since been taken off the market.




castles in europe

Neuschwanstein

Location: Schwangau, Germany

Nearest airport: Munich International Airport

Year originally built: construction began in 1869

Inhabitants: King Ludwig II

Interesting fact: This castle has been visited by over 60 million people and is the template for Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle.



best castles in europe

Leeds Castle

Location: Maidstone, Kent, England

Nearest airport: Kent International Airport

Year originally built: 1119

Inhabitants: King Edward I, Henry VIII, and other notable British royalty

Interesting fact: Leeds Castle hosts a large garden maze and a dog collar museum.



best castles in europe

Windsor Castle

Location: Windsor, Berkshire, England

Nearest airport: Heathrow Airport

Year originally built: 11th century

Inhabitants: William the Conqueror, Henry I, Edward III, and many other British rulers

Interesting fact: Windsor Castle is the longest-occupied palace in Europe.



best castles in europe

Mont Saint-Michel

Location: Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy, France

Nearest airport: Rennes Britanny Airport

Year originally built: 10th century, though the earliest abbeys in the fort date to the 6th century

Inhabitants: Currently 41 people call the Mont Saint-Michel home, and the structure has been home to monks to over a thousand years.

Interesting fact: The tides around Mont Saint-Michel vary by almost 50 feet, and many people have drowned approaching across the sands.



best castles in europe

Château de Chambord

Location: Chambord, Loir-et-Cher, France

Nearest airport: Paris Charles de Gaulle

Year originally built: 1526

Inhabitants: King François I, Louis XIV, and the Ducal family

Interesting fact: Though the original designer of the châteaux is widely disputed, some insist it was Leonardo Da Vinci.



best castles in europe

Hohenwerfen

Location: South of Salzburg, Austria

Nearest airport: Salzburg Airport

Year originally built: 1078

Inhabitants: Salzburg rulers and prisoners

Interesting fact: The misty castle served as a prison for hundreds of years.



best castles in europe

Buda Castle

Location: Budapest, Hungary

Nearest airport: Budapest Airport

Year originally built: 1265

Inhabitants: Hungarian Kings

Interesting fact: You can visit a portion of the 6 mile subterranean labyrinth under Buda Castle.



best castles in europe

The Alhambra

Location: Granada, Spain

Nearest airport: Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport

Year originally built: 14th century

Inhabitants: Muslim Emirs from the Nasrid Dynasty and Charles V

Interesting fact: It was in the Alhambra's Hall of Ambassadors that Columbus made his pitch to sail to the orient by heading west from Spain.



Source: Gadling

Top 25 Hotels in the World - Travelers' Choice 2013

Here are the most beautiful hotels in 2013, as voted by Trip Advisor's Travelers' Choice 2013.



Resort pool and beach

1. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka'upulehu - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii


“The site of the hotel is beyond lovely—nestled on the shore among the blackened lava flows and banyan trees. I can't speak to the area around the resort, because it's so beautiful that honestly, you don't feel the desire to venture out.”



Suite with Marina Views
2. Cape Grace - Cape Town Central, South Africa

“My husband loves Cape Grace so much, he wants to live there. I always feel like a guest in a hundred-room mansion with extremely gracious hosts.”


Onyria Pool
3. Onyria Marinha Edition Hotel & Thalasso - Cascais, Portugal

“If you cannot find happiness during your stay here, stop looking. There isn't a better place you'll find. The staff will go above and beyond to meet any expectations you may have. The accommodations are second to none.”

Wednesday, 23 January 2013

The Most Beautiful Pictures of Inca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Inca is a town on the Spanish island of Majorca. The population of the municipality is 25,900 (2004) in an area of 58.4 km².

There is a junction station Majorca rail network with trains to Palma, the island's capital, to Sa Pobla, and to Manacor.

Inca is home of the footwear company "Camper".

Inca is known for its wine cellars. The town, like its neighboring municipality Binissalem, was a mass producer of wine from the 17th to 19th centuries when phylloxera destroyed the industry and its inhabitants turned to other activities such as tanning and leather craftsmanship. Many old wine cellars are being used as restaurants for serving traditional Mallorcan dishes like sopes mallorquines, tombet and gató d'ametlles.
FIND HOTELS IN INCA, BALEARIC ISLANDS, SPAIN

Red, like Ferrari.

Lugares Comunes I

Estació de Enllaç: 61-27/61-28 & 81-07/83-04/81-08

La Lambretta de Manolo

fog and swing  boira i engronsadora

atardecer desde mi casa 16-1-10

Carnaval de corazones

Jigsaw

Ajos y Pimientos.Garlic and Peppers

streetportraits#19

81-07, Sortint de S´Enllaç, cap a Palma.

Amanece

No hay ventas

Spanish Tapas 11

Spanish Tapas 01

Spanish Tapas 12

Spanish Tapas 08

Spanish Tapas 09

Oeste y Sur

Angel caigut

Arnau -Gent d'In-K#5

So many stalls...

Colors de Carnaval

Pastura a les vinyes .-444

puesta de sol

Sobrassada

Viñas en Inca, Mallorca -210

Rectoría de Santa María la Major d'Inca

Conversation

primeros colores

El cielo se asoma./ The sky looks at.

Las columnas del claustro./ The columns of the cloister.

DSC_7063[1]

Alcachofa

streetportraits#25

streetportraits#20

streetportraits#4

streetportraits#3

streetportraits#27

streetportraits#5

streetportraits#1

Correfoc a Inca

El dios, el otro dios, la salida de aire.

Girgoles (Fires d'Inca)

Correfoc a Inca

Es tiempo de frambuesas

B. Bolivia Baila :D
Tags: Mallorca, Majorca, Spain, Inca, Balearic Islands, Palma, Europe