Scottish Games, Sychrov, The Czech Republic by Jaromír Zajíček

Traditional Scottish Games at Sychrov Castle are among the largest Scottish Games in Europe and are held under the auspices of Her Excellency Sian Macleod, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Czech Republic.

Really a rich program can be seen in two stages – primary and secondary, Games are hosted in a neo-Gothic castle Sychrov and its beautiful park. It is located about an hour driving from Prague.

Busy Scottish Games Programme includes

• Traditional and non-traditional Scottish and Irish music performed by famous Czech and foreign artists
• Demonstration and teaching of Scottish dances
• 2nd Whisky Festival – tasting scotch whiskey (single malt and blended)
• Classic Scottish Weightlifting competitions
• Children’s competitions throughout the day
• Theatre performance for children
• The show of the British veteran cars (Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Aston Martin, etc.)
• Historical camps with regular demonstrations and lectures
• Fencing
• Trained birds of prey demonstrations
• Market stalls with traditional and modern Scottish jewelery, kilts (skirts), music and small souvenirs

The basic admission fee is 400,- Czech Crowns (around €16), children up to 15 years for free. For further information about Scottish Games at Sychrov Castle can be found on the official website.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Debarshi Ray

In truth there are an equally large number of people all over the world who prefer colder destinations. From explorers to mountain climbers to athletes who ski and snowboard their way to that coveted adrenaline rush. They don’t get as much publicity though, probably just because those photos aren’t quite as stunning or appealing.

In much the same way, cities like Helsinki, Finland don’t receive as much attention (at least here in the United States) as many more popular southern destinations like Italy, Greece or Australia do. The biggest mistake you can make when planning a vacation though is to make a decision based on a photograph. Beauty is so much more.

Assume that you are planning a vacation to Helsinki though. What is there to do amidst all the snow and cold weather? Turns out there is much more than you think and guess what? It’s not as chilly as one might imagine either. In fact it is a very charming city and all you have to do is be willing to give it a chance to impress.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Leo-setä

The Fortress of Suomenlinna is one of the most popular places to visit and is only a couple minutes away from Helsinki harbor. It has received the designation of a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the military architecture and was used as a fortress to defend the city from Russian attacks in the 1800’s and during the century before from other attacks.

If you are at all religious, or just appreciate great architecture and design, you will be impressed with the infamous Rock Church located a few minutes outside the city center. There is no admission fee and on the weekends you’ll usually find special events and concerts that are open to the public. This goes hand in hand with the Cathedral of Helsinki where you’ll find a charming Christmas market during the early winter months.

If you love to explore the outdoors you’ll love the Sibelius Monument, 600 metal organ pipes that have been welded together to create one of the most amazing pieces of outdoor art in the world. There are also places like Esplanadi Park which is quite small but located right in the middle of the city for easy access.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Christine

If immersing yourself into the local culture is your thing then you’ll no doubt appreciate the extensive lineup of festivals that call Helsinki home. The Finland Lantern Festival is held here to make the Chinese New Year, Helsinki Pride Week is held in June and December marks Independence Day in Finland.

Perhaps most interesting is just exploring the city via its public transportation options. The Tram goes almost anywhere you would want to visit (and is especially useful in bad weather) and last time we checked Nr. 3 passes the most important sights (at least according to that guidebook in your luggage). The ferry is also an excellent option.

Traveling to Helsinki can really be one of the most rewarding vacations of your life if you are open to new experiences. Who would have ever imagined that forsaking the sunny beaches of Florida or the magnificent coastlines of Italy could be so amazing? Everyone in Helsinki already knew.. add yourself to the list.

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The Gothic appearance of the castle was changed by several reconstructions, especially interior which is now more in Baroque or Rococo style. The tour leads through fifteen rooms, richly furnished mostly with stylish furniture, with valuable paintings and carpets. Visitors can see here a unique collection of 545 copper engravings, depicting the entire history of the Thirty Years’ War, but also a collection of historic weapons, art porcelain, hunting trophies, and many other attractions. During the season there are thousands of tourists, who have the opportunity to use also hiking and biking trails. Today the castle is owned by the Sternberg family.

The castle in open from April to October and basic admission fee is 100CZK (€4). It is situated only about 40km from Prague, so if you have one free day while visiting Prague, this castle is a great idea to spend it.

For further information visit Official website of Český Šternberg Castle

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Gouffre de Padirac cave has a depth about 100 meters and is more than 100 m wide. Visitors can see impressive underground lakes here, as well as beautiful formations of stalactites and limestone waterfalls. The tour through the cave takes about 1.5 hour and it is divided in both walking and partially on boat. The huge number of visitors during the summer season is quite a big disadvantage.

Gouffre de Padirac cave is best accessible by car or by train. The nearest train station is located about 10 km west from the cave. Till now, more than 20 million visitors saw the cave.

Gouffre de Padirac is open daily from April to November. Basic admission fee is €9.40.

For more information about the cave, please visit official website here.

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Santa María de León Cathedral was built of golden sandstone, in the Gothic style in the 13th Century. Master Cathedral architect was Enrique. It was built in the place where originally (in the 2nd century BC) stood Roman Spa, which was about 800 years later converted into a palace.

León Cathedral was completed in the 16th century. Today it is a wonderful building and since 1844 it is Spanish National Monument.

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Right at the entrance of the León Cathedral there are three decorated portals. Inside the cathedral there are more than 250 magnificent stained glass windows and a large circular window. Stained glass windows occupy more than 1800 m2.

In León Cathedral you also find cathedral’s museum. You can see there La Virgen Blanca, which is a Gothic statue of the Virgin Mary. Then the treasury of the 16th century and the cloister decorated with frescoes by Nicolás Frances. Cathedral Museum is in the summer (July-September) open from Monday to Friday, from 9:30 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 19:30. On Saturday it is open from 9:30 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00. Cathedral is closed on Sundays and public holidays.

But the museum is open all year round, however opening hours are changing, it is better to look at the official site of the León Cathedral. Basic admission fee is 4 €.

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Parque Warner Madrid, Spain by Jeremy Thompson

Parque Warner Madrid is suitable for all ages. It is divided into themed worlds, according to Hollywood models. You can find here DC Superhéroes World (become your favourite superhero for a few hours), Cartoon Village (meet your favourite characters in mad situations), Old West Territory (stroll down the dusty streets of the Old West), Hollywood Boulevard (Take a stroll down the magical streets of Hollywood) and Warner Bros. Studios (a real movie set with real live action).

The perfect solution for the lovers of adrenaline is the Super Heroes World. The smallest visitors will love the Cartoon Village. Among the most popular attractions is the roller coaster “Superman: la Atracción de Acero”, which has 7 inversions and is 50 meters high. Furthermore, there are other roller coasters “Batman La Fuga” with 5 inversions and “Stunt Fall” with 3 inversions.

Very interesting is also a wooden roller coaster “Coaster Express” which is located in the section of the park called “Old West Territory” (formerly known as the “Wild Wild West”). If you like free fall you should try “La Venganza del Enigma”. The three water rides belong to the best one in the category.

Parque Warner Madrid is open from early March to December, but opening hours vary, so it is best to check Parque Warner Madrid official website before visiting the park. The basic daily admission fee is 38,00 €.

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The capital of Denmark is located on the island of Sjæland, which lies east of Denmark. Half a million inhabitants live here and 600,000 others live in the metropolitan area. Copenhagen Centre, which is full of sights, lies to the very shores of the Baltic Sea.

Copenhagen is a royal city and really has a royal looking. You will find the seat of kings here, gardens, parks, many ancient churches, towers, and especially beautiful harbors. In the following sections we will present the most interesting places in Copenhagen.

Botanisk Have – botanical garden
Nature lovers shouldn’t miss this large botanical garden, founded in the late 19th century, which is full of all kinds of plant (both exotic or Danish). Through the garden leads many paths. In one section there is a beautiful stream with a rock, in others the lake with wetland plants. You should visit also a large greenhouse full of plants – most interesting is a greenhouse with orchids, cacti and palm house, where you can go to the top and see the palm trees from above.
There is no admission, the access is free.

Statens Museum for Kunst – national gallery
If you are art lovers, do not miss this gallery, which contains one of the most interesting collections of European art. You will find works by such artists as Rubens, Rembrandt, Picasso and Matisse, but the works of Danish painters as well.

Rosenborg Slot – Royal Palace
The royal palace is on of the symbols of Copenhagen. Without the admission fee you can enter the walls and see the Palace from the outside, or see it from the Royal Garden (Kongens Have). If you pay the entrance (40 DKK), then you can visit the underground treasure (where are the crown jewels), a marble hall, long hall, a Chinese salon, mirrored cabinet and stair tower.

Kongens Have – Royal Garden
This garden, immediately adjacent to the Rosenborg Slot, was founded in 1606 and is thus the oldest park in Copenhagen. You can find there beautiful roses, trees, fountains, and the various statues. One of the most famous is the statue of Hans Christian Andersen.

Kastellet fortress
Another well-known sight of Copenhagen is Kastellet fortress, which was founded in the early 17th century. This building, now open to the public, is interesting for the 5-pointed star layout, with an ancient windmill in one part. In the 19th century, the building served as a prison. Kastellet is now used by Danish army – you can meet the members of army inside.

Sankt Albans Kirke (church) and fountain Gefion
Beautiful church, called St. Albans Kirke, is built in Gothic style and it is located near Kastellet fortress. The church was built in the late 19th century and is located near the impressive fountain Gefion. This fountain is one of the most important sites of Denmark, although it was built in 1908. In the middle of the fountain there is a statue of the goddess Gefion, which has four oxen hitched to have a character from the famous Scandinavian legend.

Den lille havfrue – The statue of Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid statue, which sits on a rock and staring sadly at sea is one of the most famous symbol of Copenhagen and a major tourist attraction as well. The statue sits on a rock in the Copenhagen harbor in Langelinie.

“The Little Mermaid” is a fairy tale written by the Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen about a young mermaid willing to give up her life in the sea and her identity as a mermaid to gain a human soul and the love of a human prince.
Originally it was written as a ballet, the tale was first published in 1837 and has been adapted to various media including musical theatre and animated film.

The statue was commissioned in 1909 by Carl Jacobsen, son of the founder of Carlsberg, after he had been fascinated by a ballet about the fairytale. The sculptor Edward Eriksen created the statue, which was unveiled on 23 August 1913. His wife, Eline Eriksen, was the model.

The statue has been moved to Expo 2010 in Shanghai for the first time ever.

Amalienborg Slot – Royal Palace
Another of the royal residences in Copenhagen is Amalienborg Slot, which is the current official residence of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. The Palace is the seat of the royal family already from the late 18th century. The palace consists of several buildings which in the middle of is the square with the statue of Frederic V. From this square you can see on one side the Amaliehaven park, which borders the sea and opposite the Marmorkirken church.

Kongens Nytorv – King’s new square
One of the most famous squares throughout Copenhagen is located in its heart. There are several interesting buildings. One is a theater – Det Kongelige Teater, where you can see drama and ballet. Then there is the Hotel d’Angleterre, which belongs to the most luxurious hotels in Scandinavia. Most interesting is Nyhavn harbor.

Nyhavn – New harbour
It is 300 meters long channel, from the 17th century, with beautiful color buildings on both sides. Nyhavn is a place where people love to meet, sit in cafes or on the channel trims and enjoy the atmosphere of this place. Many boats leaves from Nyhavn on scenic routes across the Channel and the coast (hour cost approx. 30 DKK).

Other important squares – Nytorv a Raadhuspladsen
Nytorv is another famous square, where you can see a fountain of Caritas Springvandet from the beginning of the 17th century. There is also Raadhuspladsen’s Square, which is the second largest square in Copenhagen after Kongens Nytorv. It is important because there is the so-called Raadhus Hall, built of red bricks in the early 20th century.

Tivoli – amusement park
Another frequently visited site is the Tivoli amusement park. Unfortunately, the entrance is about 100 DKK + 25 DKK per adult/trip. Park operates from April to late September, then on Halloween (which is celebrated here) and on Christmas.

Vor Frelsers Kirke – church
Other attractions of Copenhagen is the church with remarkable tower from 18th century. You can enjoy beautiful view from this tower. The total height of the tower is 90 meters and it is the second biggest view point in Copenhagen.

Christiansborg Slot – Royal Palace
Another of the castles and royal residences of Copenhagen is Christiansborg Slot, which is 90 years old.

Christiania
Do not forget the Free State of Christiania, which is a special place of this city. It was founded in 1971, when squatters occupied several local branches of the barracks and the government decided not to intervene. Today there live nearly a thousand people and is certainly a place that attracts many people. Entrance to Christiania is free, but it should be noted that you can not make pictures there.

One weekend in Copenhagen
Due to the fact that Copenhagen is full of great sites, it is impossible to list them all. Nor is it possible to walk all in one afternoon. Nevertheless, we recommend the use of offers to spend a weekend in Copenhagen, as monuments are located in close proximity and all of the above listed you certainly be able to see.

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The Mini Europe park is located just few steps from Atomium and is the most popular tourist destination in Brussels. With 300,000 visitors per year and a turnover of 3 million euro, Mini Europe Park is one of Brussels’ leading attractions.

In the area of the park you can enjoy e.g. the animation of the earthquake during the eruption of Vesuvius.

The basic admission fee in 2010 is €13.10
Openning hours

• From 20/03/2010 to 30/06/2010 from 9:30 to 18:00 (cash desk untill 17:00)
• From 01/07/2010 to 31/08/2010 from 9:30 to 20:00 (cash desk untill 19:00)
• From 01/09/2010 to 30/09/2010 from 9:30 to 18:00 (cash desk untill 17:00)
• From 01/10/2010 to 09/01/2011 from 10:00 to 18:00 (cash desk untill 17:00)
• 24, 31/12 – from 10:00 to 17:00 (cash desk untill 16:00)

During summer months you can visit the Park also during the night.

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Schönbrunn Palace

Schönbrunn Palace is a beautiful Baroque palace, which served as a summer residence of Maria Theresa and Franz Josef I and was also a favorite place of Empress Sisi. It is the most visited sight in Vienna and one of the most important cultural monuments in Austria.

The castle is located near the underground line U4 (green) “Schonbrunn”. The whole area is large, you can often walk free of charge, but at the entrance to the inside there is an admission fee (basic adult €9.50). The castle has a total of 1,441 rooms, of which only 40 rooms are opened to visitors. You can also visit the zoo, palm glass house or castle park.

There is a Schöner Brunnen fountain, and according to legend, whoever drinks from it will become pretty.

Originally, the castle was located just outside Vienna, but with time, the city has grown and it is now a part of the city center. When visiting Vienna, do not miss the castle – it is considered as one of the symbols of the city.

Hofburg

The Hofburg was the residence of emperors and it is now the seat of the Austrian president. The oldest part was built in 1279. The Hofburg is located in the heart of Vienna on the Ringstrasse near the underground station “Museumsquartier”.

In the area there is Sisi Museum, Jewel Box, Black Chamber, the Spanish Riding School, the Austrian National Library, the Museum of Ephesus and two large gardens.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral (German: Stephansdom)

St. Stephen’s Cathedral is a gothic cathedral located on the Stephen’s square (Stephenplatz) in Vienna’s historic center near the underground station Stephenplatz. Cathedral is from the 12th century. The temple is open to the public daily and admission is free.

Townhall – Rathaus

Rathaus is located on the Ringstrasse next to the metro line U2 Rathaus. The building was completed in 1883. It is possible to take a tour of the townhall.

Parliament

The parliament building is located near the town hall and near the Hofburg. It was built in the late 19th century, inspired by ancient Greece. In front there is a statue of the goddess Athena. Parliament is open to the public.

Belvedere Palace (Schloss Belvedere)

Belvedere Palace is the second largest palace complex in Vienna after the already mentioned Schönbrunn. The palace is situated near the metro station U4 (green) “Stadtpark” and “Karlsplatz”. The palace was built between 1714 – 1723 as a summer residence for Eugene of Savoy.

In the lower part of the castle there is the Austrian Museum of Baroque Art. There is a castle garden inspired by gardens of Versailles and the Alpine Garden. Belvedere is open to the public every day and admission fee to all parts for the adult is €14 and €9.50 to separated part.

Karlskirche

Karlskirche or Church of St. Charles Borromeo is one of the most important Baroque buildings. The church dates from the 18th century and is located near the underground station “Karlsplatz”.

The church is dominated by copper dome which is 72 meters high. The building combines several architectural styles, such as the entrance area with antique portico, the Roman elements and Baroque features as well. The church is open every day and admission for adults is €6, the price also includes entry into the dome. During the Mass the admission is free.

Further interesting places in Wien

The Wiener Prater

The Wiener Prater is a famous amusement park (there is a free entry but you have to pay for the attraction separately), which is based in the same-name park, established by Joseph II. already in 1766.

The Wiener Prater is open all year round, but attractions are in operation only since mid-March to late October. You can find it near the metro station “Praternstern” on the underground line U1 (red), which is only three stops from the central station “Stephenplatz”. In Prater there is a giant bicycle, which was built in 1897.

Everyone can find something interesting in the Prater, for expample classic carousels, attractions, houses of horror, shootings, game rooms as well as casinos. Entrance to the grounds is free and entry to various attractions ranges from €2 to €10.

Albertina

Albertina is the most famous art gallery in Vienna, located near the Hofburg. The collection is placed here since 1795 and was founded by Duke Albert von Sachsen-Teschen. Thanks to him, visitors can admire works by Albrecht Dürer, Rubens and Manet. There are also temporary exhibitions here. The gallery is open daily and admission is €9.50.

UNO City

UNO City is the center of the modern city as well as Stephansplatz is the center of historic Vienna. Nearest subway line U1 (red) is the “Kaisermühlen – Vienna International Center”. There are skyscrapers and the building of the United Nations. The whole area is constantly growing.

The Donauinsel (Danube Island)

The Donauinsel island stretches along the whole of Vienna. You can get there from the center when you stop off at the station “Danube Island” of the subway line U1 (red). The island is over 20 km long and is artificially constructed to protect against flooding. It’s true sporting paradise and home to cycling, inline skating and 42 km of beaches. There are various events and music festivals.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Kristina D.C. Hoeppner

Vianden castle has been owned by the family of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg until 1977 when it was donated to the state. Since then it has undergone extensive exterior and interior refurbishment. For its scenic beauty it is often visited by huge number of tourists, but also by Hollywood filmmakers. Vianden castle has a beautiful view to the medieval town of Vianden, which was, in the past, very fond of French writer Victor Hugo. Local museum and a copy of a bust by Roden remind writer’s visits on the river Our.

Vianden is the birthplace of King John the Blind (John of Luxembourg). In 1310 he became Count of Luxembourg and after the marriage to Elisabeth of Bohemia (Czech: Eliška Přemyslovna) he became King of Bohemia. John of Luxembourg is today a popular historical figure in Luxembourg and weighed very much like his son Charles IV. in the Czech Republic.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Roger Wollstadt

Vianden castle is accessible through the whole year.

02.01 – 28.02 10.00 – 16.00
01.03 – 31.03 10.00 – 17.00
01.04 – 30.09 10.00 – 18.00
01.10 – 31.10 10.00 – 17.00
01.11 – 31.12 10.00 – 16.00

Basic admission fee is €7,50 (2010). There is also interesting culture programme that includes exhibition, jazz concert etc…

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