Cascate delle Marmore, Italy by Zumzum

Initially built as am means of reducing the threat of malaria back in 271 B.C., the Cascate delle Marmore was formed when a canal was created to drain the wetlands over the edge of the cliffs. The flood waters drained into the Nera River which can be found at the bottom of the cliffs. The falls are now a very popular tourist attraction in the area.

The Cascate delle Marmore can be found about 8 kilometers from the city of Terni. The falls are fed by the Velino River which also flows through the nearby hydroelectric power station. The flow of water through the Cascate delle Marmore is controlled based on a preset schedule. This is so that the tourists can still marvel at the falls, while not overly affecting the power generation of the plant. Most tourists to the area make their plans ahead of schedule to ensure they are there the moment the gates are opened and the water starts gushing down the Cascate delle Marmore.

Built back in 1929, the Galleto power plant is fed by Piediluco Lake and produces 530 megawatts of power for the cities around the area. During the slow times of the day, when power generation is not as important, the falls are turned on. This occurs daily between noon and 1 as well as between 4 and 5 in the afternoon.

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Famous Balcony, Juliet’s House, Verona, Italy by Elliott Brown

In ancient times, there was a Roman colony at the site of Verona, which over time turned into a prominent city-state’s and a capital of the whole region. Greatest importance, however, Verona got in the Middle Ages, when the invaders’ king Theodor changed its status to a royal city. At that time the city was under rule of Scaliger’s, later Milanese Visconti’s and finally it fell under the Venetian Republic, and remained so until the advent of Napoleon. Then the city came under the power of Austria, which lasted until the unification of Italy in 1866.

Verona currently has around 270 thousand inhabitants, it is a very prosperous city and a center of culture. It is also one of the most beautiful historic cities of northern Italy and has a lot to offer. It is often referred to as the “Gateway to Italy”. If exploring the city, you will be surprised as the most of the monuments and museums are located relatively close together, so it is pleasant and easy walk.

Verona Arena, Italy by Kevin Poh

The most visitors begins their tour at the famous Arena in Piazza Bra. Arena comes from the 1st century AD and after the Roman Colosseum and Capua, near Naples, it is the third largest amphitheater in Italy. The arena is very well preserved, it lacks only the third layer, which was destroyed by the earthquake in 1183. It has stone seats and can holds more than 20 thousand spectators. The amphitheater was used for public executions, fairs, theater and opera performances and bullfighting. At present, this amphitheater is mainly used for the famous summer opera festival.

Then you can take a walk through the pedestrian zone of Via Mazzini, which is lined with many souvenir shops. This street leads to Piazza delle Erbe, which is the medieval heart of the city. Long ago there was a Roman Forum, now you will find bustling marketplaces here, cafes and buildings of different styles. There is e.g. a beautiful brick house Casa dei Mercanti of 1301, which served as a exchange and later as warehouse for buyers. The centre of the square is decorated with several monuments, such as Capitello, Berlina, Colona di San Marco and a beautiful fountain from 1523 with the statue “Madonna Verona”.

Piazza dei Signori, Verona, Italy by Richard, enjoy my life!

Once you walk through the arch, you get to the Piazza dei Signori, which was in the past the main square of Verona. It is dominated by banded Palace Palazzo del Comune, whose construction started in 1193. It served as a city hall, but later was used as the Court. On the right you can see the tower Torre dei Lamberti, of which you can enjoy a superb view of the city. Other important monuments are the brick palace Palazzo degli Scaligeri and Renaissance Loggia del Consiglio. In the middle you can see a statue of Dante from 1301.

What to visit in Verona

• Piazza dei Signori
• Porta Borsari
• Verona Arena
• Basilica di San Zeno
• Ponte Scaligero
• Statue of Dante Alighieri
• Sant’Anastasia church
• The Balcony of Juliet’s house

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Bohemian Switzerland not only offers the marvellous natural beauty of the National Park and the opportunity to set your mind at ease while there, but also the chance to experience adventures that you will never forget.

Bohemian Switzerland is located in the north-western Czech Republic. It lies on the Czech side of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains north of Děčín on both sides of the Elbe River. It extends eastward into the Lusatian Mountains and westward into the Ore Mountains. Its highest elevation is the mountain Děčínský Sněžník at 726m above sea level. It has been a protected area (as ChKO Labske Piskovce) since 1972.

The region along the right side of the Elbe became a national park on January 1, 2000, the České Švýcarsko National Park. The National Park is adjacent to the Saxon Switzerland National Park (Sächsische Schweiz) in Germany.

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The three hundred kilometres of trails will take you through amazing gorges and canyons, with lots of lazily flowing rivers, bubbling streams and gurgling waterfalls. You will need to pass through the installed ladders or metal grids on the certain parts of the limestone rocks which adds some flavor to your trip adventure. Yet there is nothing to worry about, since there is no extreme climbing performance waiting for you on the way. Therefore you can in good conscience take some of the popular routes, leading e.g. through one of the most romantic gorges – Suchá Belá, or through Hornád Canyon (Prielom Hornádu), Veľký Sokol, Kláštorska gorge or Sokolia valley, where you can enjoy the beauty of the highest waterfall in Slovak Paradise – Závojový waterfall (75 metres high).

Most of the Slovak Paradise is covered by forests, which is a home to many animals. Among the most famous inhabitants are such as the brown bear, gray wolf or lynx. But do not worry, they live in inaccessible areas, and the likelihood that you meet them during your trip is almost zero. However you will be accompanied by butterflies, birds and hares and if you will have a luck you should also meet basking otters. Right thanks to this diversity of animal and plant species Slovak Paradise became the first protected area in Slovakia already in 1964 and 24 years later was declared a national park.

Very popular are also local karst caves, whose concentration is here undoubtedly the largest from all over Slovakia. However only one cave is open to the public from the three hundred discovered underground caves. It is Dobšinská ice cave, which in addition to its fabulous formations boasts the title of the first electrically lit cave in the world. Today’s 1km long guided tour is already equipped with modern facilities. Looking at the beautiful ice decoration you will understand why it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The caves in the Slovak Paradise were discovered many thousands of years ago by ancestors of modern man. Several prehistoric tools were found here from the Stone Age and Palaeolithic Age, while the age of others is estimated at 45 million years.

The ideal starting point for your tours around this beautiful national park can be Čingov village, Podlesok, Dedinky or Hrabušice. For higher security there are mainly one-way trails so the map should really not be left at home. When planning a trip do not forget the appropriate footwear and be always prepared for the rain. Never leave the marked trails, otherwise you can get lost easily.

If your ways lead to Slovakia, Slovak Paradise National park should not be missed.

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