Alexandria: Cradle of Egyptian History

Tourist visitors to Egypt are spoiled for choice when it comes to locations worth seeing, which should be no surprise when you consider the length and the depth of the country's history. However, there should be no doubt that Egypt is one of the most modern African nations too, and its cities stand up very well by comparison with most in the world.

The City of Alexandria

Behind Cairo, Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt, and is viewed by many as the cradle of Egyptian civilisation. In its time, the city of Alexandria was seen as being on a par with Athens and Rome in terms of global influence. This history has undoubtedly influenced the modern city of Alexandria which has remained a focal point for many Africans and people from beyond the continent. Its population of 4.1 million people is made up of a cosmopolitan spread of individuals. As a major port, Alexandria attracted many Greeks, Italians and Lebanese people to its shores during the 19th century and this has had an effect on the city.

Why Go To Alexandria?

While there is no doubting Alexandria's influence on the development of Egypt as a country, there are many people who would not think of it when it comes to listing Egyptian tourist destinations, thinking first of the beaches of Sharm-el-Sheikh or the pyramids of Giza. However, particularly among Egyptians themselves, Alexandria has come to be seen as a tourist destination on a par with these others. It has in its advantage the fact that it is the largest city lying directly on the coast of the Mediterranean. Its beaches are outstanding; many visitors choose to see the history of the city during the day and then relax on the beaches when it becomes cooler.

When Should You Visit Alexandria?

There is never a bad time to visit the city, but there are times when Alexandria may be more enjoyable depending on your tastes. Even in winter, the city remains warm and pleasant from a climatic point of view, although the sea is considered too cold for many to swim in. That's not a problem, of course, if you just want to see the city and its history. In the summer, it is hot and humid but, crucially, cooler than Cairo. This is when many Egyptians from elsewhere like to visit so if you are going then, make sure you book your hotel in Alexandria well in advance of visiting.

Many people will choose to go during the months of September and October when the city has cooled somewhat but retains enough heat to make swimming in the Mediterranean a pleasant pursuit. At any time of year the places that you cannot afford to miss out on as part of a sight-seeing tour include the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Library of Alexandria) as well as the spectacular Fort Qaitbey, which is located on the peninsula that once hosted the Lighthouse of Pharos. The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are also well worth a visit.

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Travel to Italy - Rome and Venice

Where does one begin to start when discussing Italy. Well, if you intend to travel there, Rome and Venice are good places to start.

Rome

Perhaps you've heard of it? It goes without saying that Rome has a rather prominent past. Lets see, in Rome you will find...[deep breath]...the Vatican, Coliseum, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Church of Saint Agnese, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and a guy name Allassandro. Just making sure you're paying attention. Indeed, Rome is filthy with historically significant attractions. It seems you can't turn around without bumping into something an Emperor built, captured or destroyed. For those willing to risk potential wrath, there are also the new Divinci Code tours, which take you to the locations found in the book.

In all serious, Rome is a city you should visit at least once in your life. No article could ever do it justice, so I'll just stop here.

Venice

I fondly refer to Venice as the floating city even though it is apparently sinking. If you've seen Venice is movies or televisions shows, the depictions are accurate. Piazza San Marco looks exactly the same, birds and all. The Grande Canal is, well, a grand canal with incredible houses lining it and boats putting up down this water way. Built on mudflats in a lagoon, the city doesn't really have much room to grow. It just seems paralyzed in time.

Once you've conquered the tourist attractions, it will be time to get serious about Venice. The best way to do this is stand in front of your hotel or hostel, determine which direction the tourist attractions lie and start walking in the opposite direction. While you may feel like you're driving the wrong way on a freeway for a few minutes, you'll eventually start getting into real Venice.

An entirely different side of Venice will appear and you'll love it. You'll find little cafes with locals happy to talk to you [and non-tourist prices]. In fact, the Venetians will tend to hold you in high regard since you're a tourist who is bypassing the tourist areas. This, of course, will logically lead to a whirl of introductions to this nephew, that son of a brother and so on. Next thing you know, you'll be complaining about Italian politicians and how things used to be better in the past.

While Rome and Venice are excellent travel destinations, you can't really go wrong in Italy. For the adventurous, set your itinerary with the old map on a wall and dart technique.

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Costa Blanca Villas

Villas in the Costa Blanca region of Spain have become very popular because this is a lovely spot for a vacation, with the added advantage that, when you are not using it yourself, you can rent it out. A good real estate agent can help you find a villa that will be a good investment over time. If you know people who own villas in Costa Blanca, find out which real estate agent does the best job.

When you rent out your villa during the busy holiday season, you can receive a good income from it. The income you receive will depend upon the size and location of the villa, as well as any amenities you offer.

The summer months of June through September are the months that are most popular for renters. You could probably rent out your villa continuously during this period, if you advertise it properly in the proper markets.

You can even ask for and receive higher rates of rent during the peak periods of July and August, and over the Christmas and Easter holidays. There are so many festivals and attractions in the Costa Blanca that there is always demand for rentals during these seasons, even among the non beach goers.

Over the winter months, your villa does not have to lie idle, because many people from northern Europe would welcome a break from their dismal weather and retreat to this mild climate. You may even be able to rent it out for an extended period, since some retirees like to get away for a while in the cold weather. The winter months do not command the same high rates as the summer months, but at least you will still receive an income on your property.

How do you find a Costa Blanca Villa? Consider the old real estate adage, location, location, location. Pick a popular tourist location that is close to beaches, transportation, restaurants, shopping, night life and attractions. These villas will be more expensive, but you will rent them for a higher rate and therefore worth the initial higher investment.

To compete with other villas in the area, you may have to offer special amenities such as maid service, a pool or tennis court and other such items. You will also have to decorate your villa tastefully and keep it well maintained. This is another item where putting money into your investment will pay off. Most owners advertise with photos, and you want to be able to display a beautiful villa, well decorated and in top condition.

Location will also be an important consideration when the time comes and you decide to sell your villa. A villa located in one of the popular tourist areas will be a lot easier to sell. Get to know the areas so you can see which ones are becoming more popular, so you can be sure that your villa will only increase in value.

Being interested in How to Find a Costa Blanca Villa, Robert Carlton has been authoring plenty of informative papers on this specific topic. Writing for works on Costa Blanca and Spain the writer established his depth of understanding in the field.

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The Romantic Road

The Romantic Road follows an old trade route and leads from the city of Würzburg (see a previous article of mine for a description) to the foothills of the Alps. Driving along the Romantic Raod, or part of it, gives you a chance to experience medieval towns, baroque palaces and King Ludwig's castle.

You can see a map of the Romantic Road at http://www.romanticroad.com/.

After driving south from Würzburg, your first stop should be the palace in the town of Weikersheim, with its marvelous baroque gardens. Further along the road, the town of Creglingen offers the Herrgottskirche, a church famous for its altar carved by Tilman Riemenschneider in the early 16th century.

The road then follows the Tauber river to Rothenburg (which I have described in an other ezinearticle). Take your time to walk around this charming town enclosed by a wall and towers. Among the main tourist attractions are the Crime Museum, St. Jacob's Church (with another altar by Riemenschneider), Käthe Wohlfart's Christmas Village, where you can buy Christmas-related items all year long, and the Doll and Toy Museum.

The town of Dinkelsbühl is similar to Rothenburg, as it has preserved its medieval character, though its is much less overrun by tourists. Further south, you reach Nördlingen, a walled town dominated by the 270-foot steeple of St. George's Church. Nördlingen is famous for a geological feature, as it is situated in the center of a 15-mile wide meteor crater. You can learn about it in the Rieskratermuseum.

The city of Augsburg, which was founded by the Romans 2,000 years ago, is the largest city on the Romantic Road, so be prepared for some heavier traffic here. Among the highlights are the town hall, the cathedral and the Fuggerei, a settlement that the rich merchant family Fugger created for poor citizens in the 16th century.

Further south, as you begin approaching the foothills of the Alps, you should visit the Wies Church, a perfect example of the Rococo style. And finally, near the town of Füssen, the is Castle Neuschwanstein, built by Bavarian King Ludwig II in the late 19th century.

Pamela Bruce lives in Austin, TX. She is the owner of Love Beads Unlimited and sells the sterling silver and Swarovski crystal bead jewelry she designs and creates both in her eBay store (http://stores.ebay.com/LOVE-BEADS-UNLIMITED) and on her website at [http://www.lovebeadsunlimited.com], where you can also download the free e-book "A Consumer's Guide to Buying Bead Jewelry Online".

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Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany

One interesting fact about Germany is that it is home to more than 150 castles. These castles used to be the home of noble families while some have been converted into hotels or restaurants, and unfortunately the rest are gradually dissolving into a state of oblivion.

The castles in Germany served as one the main tourist attractions in the country. Aside from being the homes of kings and queens, these castles were built to guard the country against its enemies. In fact, numerous war weapons were built and stored inside the castles. The structural styles of Germany's castles are of Baroque and Renaissance.

One of the most famous castles in Germany is Neuschwanstein Castle located just above the Hohenschwangau village, in the southwest region of Bavaria. This Castle is one of the main tourist attractions in the whole of Germany. This fairy tale castle is unique for it was neither constructed for defense or war nor very old. The Castle was designed by Christian Jank, a stage designer and the construction was led by the architect named Eduard Riedel. It was built in 1869 for the purpose of enjoyment and pleasure of Ludwig II of Bavaria.

The King Ludwig II of Bavaria was a fan of German composer named Richard Wagner hence the interior of the Castle portrayed various scenes of the operas that were composed by Wagner himself. Neuschwanstein Castle is also equipped with modern facilities such as heating system, toilets with flush, and hot and cold running water. It is believed to be the inspiration for castles in the Sleeping Beauty in Disneyland's theme park and Hong Kong Disneyland.

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Museums of Istanbul

Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Sarsyi) is one of the biggest attractions of Istanbul and one of the most visited museums in Turkey. For 400 years the palace was the center of government of the Ottoman state, one of three biggest empires of the world.

In 1453, after the conquest of Istanbul by the Turks, the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed, who lived in a small palace not far from the present Kapalycharshy, ordered to build huge buildings of the Topkapi Palace based on the remains of a Roman town. In the following centuries, until the late 19th century the palace was constantly rebuilt and its premises enriched. The original name of the palace was "Sarah-i-Jadid-e-Amir".

In 1856, after completion of the Dolmabahce Palace, Topkapi Palace was given as a residence to the wives of deposed or deceased padishahs. In 1923, with the establishment of the republic, Topkapi Palace like all other palaces was declared a museum by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the famous founder of the modern Turkish state. The Topkapi Palace Museum collection, along with collections of the Austrian Habsburg dynasty and the dynasties of Russian tsars is considered as one of the three rarest collections in the world. The number of items in the collection exceeds 65,000, but the exhibition only displays a tenth of the entire collection because of lack of staff and small exhibition halls. Fires (16th century) and earthquakes destroyed major parts of the palace. The palace had gone through several renovations. Due to this, between the 15th and 19th centuries the architectural styles of the palace have acquired some eclectic features.

At the front gate of the Palace of Topkapi, known as the "Bab and Humayun", there is a monumental building of the fountain built by padishah Ahmed III in 1728. The "Brilliant Gates" were built by an order of Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror (Fatih) in 1478. Entering this gate, you will see a spacious and rather long building of the "the first court" of the palace. On the right side of this courtyard you can see the gendarmerie headquarters, offices and residential premises of the palace, the palace mosque and the ruins of the bakery. Right behind these ruins you will see a picturesque panorama of the Marmara Sea. On the left, you find the church of St. Irene, the ancient mint of the Ottoman period, as well as the Istanbul Archaeological Museum.

After going through "the first court" you will come to the doors of the second main gate "Bab-Salaam". This is the beginning of the museum exhibition. The gate was built during the rule of Sultan Mehmed II, and had a second name, the so-called 'middle gate'. The left tower served as prison for high ranking officials. Through the gate of Bab-Salaam you walk into the courtyard decorated with a garden with century-old evergreen cypresses and plane trees. The second courtyard of the palace was closed to everybody but foreign visitors and the members of Divan (Supreme council). The garden was looked after by numerous servants and had gazelles, peacocks and other exotic animals, creating an atmosphere of paradise.

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Rio De Janeiro Carnival

The Carnival is Rio de Janeiro's main event, held at the peak of the Brazilian summer. A million tourists join millions of Rio de Janeiro citizens in revelry over a 4-day celebration. It begins on a Saturday and ends on Fat Tuesday, the day before the beginning of the Christian period of Lent, Ash Wednesday.

The highlight of the carnival is the Sambodromo, or Samba Parade. The parade is broadcast in many countries and all Brazilian states. Many people call it "the greatest show on earth". The Sambodromo is a 700-meter long strip flanked by spectator stands and luxury boxes. The main attraction is the sounds and sights of the parading samba schools that continue till daybreak. Only the 14 best samba schools are selected to parade through the Sambodromo. It can take over an hour for a single samba school to pass a given point along the parade route. Each samba school has an elaborately decorated float, often accompanied by sensuous females vibrating to the hypnotic music. The floats are accompanied by marching samba bands of up to 300 musicians surrounded by female dancers.

Those who don't make it to the Sambodromo, attend various street carnivals that are held all over the city. Banda de Ipanemais is one of the most traditional street carnivals. It was founded in 1964 and is now listed as part of the city's cultural heritage, attracting as many as fifteen thousand people.

Rio also offers a choice of Carnival balls. The Masquerade balls are celebrity-attended affairs where merrymakers wear designer costumes and party into the wee hours. The most famous ball is held at the Copacabana Palace Hotel. A typical Carnival Ball features live music. Bands take turns playing on stage, often accompanied by a guest vocalist.

Many similarities are observed between Brazilian carnival traditions and African dance, music and costume history. Africans used feathers on masks as a symbol of their ability as humans to rise above problems and grow spiritually. Feathers are often used in today's Brazil Carnival dance costumes.

Most tourists plan their Brazillian vacation around the Carnival dates, as it is considered a very delightful and unforgettable experience.

Rio De Janeiro provides detailed information on Rio De Janeiro, Beaches In Rio De Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro Hotels, Rio De Janeiro Carnival and more. Rio De Janeiro is affiliated with Caracas Venezuela [http://www.z-Venezuela.com].

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