Venice, Italy / Photo by admin

Velvet

You may not need too many yards of this fine clothing, but discovering Antica Tessitura di Luigi Bevilacqua in the District of Santa Croce will enchant you with its velvet and damask produce. Let its luxurious texture adorn your chairs and footstools and bring the elegance of Italy to your home.

The Witches Mirror

This item may have been influenced by the Medieval Period when witches were believed to have roam Europe. You will find this crafted by an artisan in the Dorsoduro District. Find him and be amazed by the convex mirrors that transfix the images of those who gaze at it.

Original Venetian Beads

Do not be tricked by mass produced beads that are sold cheaply in souvenir shops. Go for the real beads of glass by visiting Anticlea Antiquatario at calle San Provolo or Paropomisa at Frezzeria, San Marco. Be more charming and the storeowner may consider showing you a glimpse of their own private collection, a rare treat given to those who are patient enough to look for the best Venetian beads in the region.

Featherweight Glasses

Technology may have improved over the decade, but the world’s lightest eyeglasses are made and created at Micromega in Venice. This would be quite a gift for those wearing eyeglasses and you will value it more since it is created by no other than Roberto Carlon, a popular and only creator of feather-weight titanium frames.

Venetian Books

Amazon and Ebay may have given opportunities for people to purchase books online, but classic guidebooks and Venice themed volumes of readings can only be purchased at specialist bookshops in Venice like Linea d’Acqua, Mare di Carta, and Libreria Acqua Alta.

It would require you to do a couple of walks and a few conversations with the locales before you find these shops; but you can always check the addresses online and find their stores addresses. If you have a friend knowledgeable of the area, then it would be a breeze finding these stores. Moreover, you may even find interesting places that are rarely explored by tourists because it is less known to the public.

About the Author:
Shaiya is a freelance writer for Venice Airport. Learn more exciting trips to enjoy in Italy by hiring cheap and affordable car hire deals in the city.

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Old Town harbour at night, Dubrovnik, Croatia by hozinja

There are so many awesome places to visit and fabulous things to do in Croatia that you would never be able to pack them all into one trip. However, while you’re there, don’t miss out on these three outstanding places and activities.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is among the most romantic cities in the world. The southern-most point in Croatia is even more romantic than Paris. It’s surrounded by the clear, beautiful waters of the Adriatic Sea. The walls of the city were built in the medieval period. During the Croatian War of Independence, Dubrovnik was bombed heavily from 1991 to 1995. Most of the wreckage has been repaired, but you can still see residual mortar damage and bullet holes in the stone houses. While you’re in Dubrovnik, check out the Bell Tower. Bronze statues on top of the tower strike a gigantic bell on the hour. Rector’s Palace is home to a Croatian historical museum. Placa Stradum, also called Old Town, is in the center of the city. The perpendicular streets are lined with tourist shops and sidewalk cafes. Many of the buildings date back to the mid-1600s. At night, Placa Stradum is filled with people enjoying the pleasant weather and the excitement of the city.

Marina Kremik

After visiting Dubrovnik, go to Marina Kremik for a Croatia yacht charter from “The Split,” which is right in the center of the coastline. You’ll never forget leisurely sailing across the crystal clear Adriatic waters. Marina Kremik sits in a picturesque bay surrounded by vineyards that are hundreds of years old. These are the vineyards that produce the famous Babic wine. Kremik is one of the nicest ports in the entire world. It is well-lit and secure. If you love the sea, you will absolutely love Marina Kremik. The Kornati National Park and Split Airport are only about 30 km from the marina. Kremik has shopping, a seaside restaurant and all the facilities you need to sail around the Adriatic Sea.

Mljet, Croatia by Bruno

The Island of Mljet

The third must-see destination in Croatia is the Island of Mljet, which is famous for world-class SCUBA diving. Mljet has underwater caves, coral reefs and an abundance of unique, exotic sea life. It is home to the largest stony coral reef in the entire Mediterranean Sea. The elongated island is parallel to the Peninsula of Peljesac and directly across the Mljetski Channel, which is only eight km wide. Mljet is very close to Dubrovnik. Some people believe that Mljet is Homer’s fabled island of Ogygia, which was mentioned in his epic tale “The Odyssey.” It is where the goddess Calypso enchanted Odysseus and kept him as her lover for seven years when he traveled home from the Trojan War. There is a cave near Babino Polje that resembles Calypso’s lush hideaway. It is uncertain whether Mljet was Homer’s inspiration, but it is beautiful enough to be a mythical paradise.

Jesse Dugan and his team of expert writers guest blog for sites all over the web in several different categories. Follow him @JesseDugan

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Carcassonne festival, France by Jean-Baptiste Bellet

Carcassonne Agost Medieval Festive

You will be thrilled to enter the premises of Carcassonne Medieval City full of decoration solely for this event. Come and visit it from August 3 until August 5 and witness various conferences, shows, artistry, changing of guard, medieval civilian life, and fights. This three-day festivity will fill your ears with sound of swords and armor, songs, and coats of arms. It is likened to a travel machine that will transport you into the time of the Medieval Period without charging you a fortune. All you need is your ticket to Carcassonne this August and you are free to enter its gates for a magical adventure in its midst.

Square André Chénier and the Troba Kung-Fu

This is not a martial arts tournament, but an individuals uniting to produce an irresistible blend of rumba, rai, reggae, and alternative electro music. The party begins at 10:15 in the evening on August 4. Prepare to dance the night away because you will definitely be swaying your hips all night long until dawn because of their warm and fragrant music. It will be more enjoyable with your friends accompanying you through the night while you share your wonderful adventures in France.

Carcassonne festival, France by Jean-Baptiste Bellet

Square André Chénier and Staff Benda Bilili

Arrive earlier on August 2 and drop by Square André Chénier to experience a unique Kinshasa performance of street musicians. However, these are not your average street band because they have captivated the public and the media with their astounding music, hip-swinging reggae grooves, eternal Kinshasa rumba, and wild funky grooves. Prepare to be enchanted by their music the moment they strike a chord because the audience is expected to rise on their feet when Havana crooners, Godfather of Soul Himself, and Kingston toasters begin to share their superb voices. It is one treat you shouldn’t miss, especially when it is offered free.

It is certainly a rare opportunity to find places in France offering free music entertainment. Although concerts that require entrance fees are also available during this two-month celebration, it is refreshing to learn you can enjoy free music at Square André Chénier. Consider it a great discount provided by the city of Carcassonne to attract more tourists to flock their region. It is a catch you shouldn’t miss, so why remain idle. Go ahead and make a move to catch a flight towards Carcassonne today.

About the Author:
The article has been provided by Shaiya Ong from https://www.frenchairportguide.com/, a helpful guide for travelers who wishes to have the best rates for their car hire at French airports.

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Roman Colosseum / Photo by admin

History

The Colosseum was commissioned by the Emperor Vespasian in the year 72 A.D. and later completed under the rule of his son, Titus in 82 A.D. The final modifications were completed during the reign of Domitian, the brother of Titus, who ruled from 81-96 A.D. The original name for the Colosseum was the Flavian Amphitheater, which was derived from Flavius, the family name of the emperor and his sons.
Unlike other amphitheaters built before it, the Colosseum was built in the heart of Rome as opposed to in the outskirts. It was literally erected in place of the lake that Emperor Nero had designed in the landscaped gardens of his villa Domus Aurea. The area was previously densely inhabited but after the Great Fire of Rome of 64 A.D. destroyed the homes in the area, Nero commandeered the land to build his villa. The choice of building site represents a symbolic return of the land to the people after it had been appropriated by Nero.

Uses

In ancient Rome, the Colosseum was used to host gladiatorial contests, wild animal fights, executions, dramas, reenactments of battles and other public spectacles. At the inaugural spectacle in 80 A.D., over 9,000 animals were killed in wild animal fights. The gladiatorial contests and animal fights continued for several centuries. The last known gladiatorial contests were in the year 435 and the last known animal fights were held in 523.

During the medieval period, the Colosseum served as a castle, a cemetery and a workshop. Later, during the 16th and 17th centuries, the Catholic Church began to show interest in the Colosseum. One church official proposed setting up a wool factory in the amphitheater to provide employment to prostitutes. Another official managed to authorize its use to host bullfights though the authorization was later revoked. Pope Benedict XIV consecrated the Colosseum because he claimed it was the place where Christian martyrs had died years before although no historical evidence supports this claim. Subsequent popes and Benito Mussolini promoted restoration and excavation projects as well.

Structure

The size and excellent preservation of the Colosseum rarely fails to impress the visitor. The amphitheater is elliptical, measuring 88 meters long and 156 meters wide. The 80 arched entranceways provided access to the 55,000 spectators who could be accommodated in the amphitheater at any time. The seats are arranged in tiers. Spectators in ancient Rome were distributed among the tiers according to their social strata. Separate areas were proportioned for senators, the non-senatorial noble class, plebeians and wealthy citizens. Interestingly, actors, gravediggers and former gladiators were banned from the Colosseum.

The Colosseum Today

Today, the Colosseum is one of Rome´s principal tourist destinations, attracting millions of visitors per year. It is one of the most well-known symbols in Rome and is well worth a visit for any tourist in Rome.

While you enjoy your travels around Rome, you’re going to need somewhere to stay. Why not check out some of the beautiful Rome vacation rentals listed on Worldwide-Accom.com as they’re all fully inspected by the website operators to ensure you’ll be booking in to a safe and secure apartment!

View The Roman Colosseum – one of Rome´s most iconic sites Italy in a larger map

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The entire region not only includes the peninsula, but covers an area of more then 188 kilometres. In the north, you will find the Loughor Estuary and to the east one can find Swansea Bay.

Gower Peninsula, Wales, UK by Mike Mantin

There are numerous caves that can be found along the edges of the peninsula. The most popular of these caves includes the Minchin Hole Cave and the Paviland Cave. The central portion of the peninsula is agricultural land. While there are some villages in the area, very few have been developed extensively.

It has been well known that the area of Wales has been inhabited by civilizations dating back to the Upper Palaeolithic Era. Over the years, a number of archaeological discoveries on Gower Peninsula have been made. Back in 1823, an archaeologist uncovered the skeleton of a male who had lived in the peninsula more than 33,000 years ago. Several burial chambers that have been successfully dated back to the Neolithic period have also been uncovered.

Out of the original nine stones Bronze Age menhirs that once existed on the peninsula, eight of them are still standing upright today. It is here that one will find the infamous Arthur’s Stone which weighs in at a massive twenty-five tons. To imagine that these massive rocks were cut and moved to the area during the Bronze Age is simply amazing.

Three Cliffs Bay on the Gower Peninsula, South Wales, UK by Walter Daw

You will not only find a castle in the peninsula that dates back to the medieval period, you will also find the Roman fort of Leucarum. The Roman built fortress can be found where the River Loughor’s mouth existed back in the first century. Today a Norman Castle exists in the location.

You will find that the area is home to a total of six castles. You will find the Bovehill Castle on the Gower Peninsula as well as the Oxwich, Oystermouth, Pennard, Weobley and Penrice Castles. While not all of them are in the best conditions, they are nonetheless a very popular part of visiting the area.

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