By the fall of the great Roman Empire, the area where present day Opatija stands was under the control of the Byzantine Empire until the Slavs arrived in the area around the 7th century. By the 12th century, the Franks arrived and with them, the city flourished. However, it was not until the construction of the St. James monastery during the 15th century that the present day Opatija would be born.

Opatija, Istria, Croatia by Vzach

In 1844, the city of Opatija became one of the first resort towns along the Adriatic Sea when the Villa Angelina was constructed and opened its doors to guests for the first time. Soon after, the Grand Hotel Kvarner would open its doors and help mold the city into the resort town it is today.

The Villa Angelina still stands today and one can even visit it as it has since been turned into a museum. It is located in the middle of the town’s botanical gardens which are simply an awe-inspiring place to visit. The gardens cover 3.64 hectares and are home to more than 150 plant species. The Grand Hotel Kvarner still accepts guests on a regular basis and is still one of the most popular hotels in the city.

There are many medieval buildings located throughout Opatija as well as several prehistoric ruins to see while you are in town. In the nearby Učka Natural Park, artifacts dating back to the 1th century B.C. have been unearthed. There are many great locations of historical importance to visit when you are in Opatija.

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St-Jacques’s Path, Midi-Pyrenees

There are four paths leading pilgrims to St. Jacques de Compostelle, through southern France and northern Spain. Rumor has it that the most beautiful is the via Podensis, in the Pyrenees. Starting from the medieval town of Figeac, the walk will take you through fields of safran, among herds of goats and sheep, and you will come across many interesting monuments along the way.

St-Jacques’s Path, France by Hk kng

The calanques, Bouches-du-Rhône

Situated between Marseille and Cassis, in southern France, the calanques are steep and uneven limestone formations, which bright pale color contrasts beautifully with the deep blue Mediterranean sea. The panorama is spectacular. Piece of advice: do not forget to bring sufficient amount of water since the heat can get intense and there is no fresh water available anywhere in the calanques. Preferably, choose to go there off-season, between March and May. The temperature will be fresher, and you’ll avoid most of the calanques’ annual 2 million visitors.

Sentier des muletiers, Puy de Dôme, Auvergne

Highest point of the Chaîne des Puys, a chain of extinguished volcanos in Auvergne, center of France, the Puy de Dome used to be an important place of worship in the Roman empire. You can hike up to the top using the historic sentiers des muletiers, the ancient path that once conducted worshipers to the temple of Jupiter, which ruins are still existing on the summit. The sentier des muletiers is a fairly easy hike that can be achieved within an afternoon, back and forth. The view from the summit is amazing; but brace yourself for crowds of tourists. The Puy de Dome is one of the most visited spots of France, which is the most popular destination of the world. So do not expect to be alone up there!

Mont Dore, Chaine des Puys, Auvergne, France by Sébastien Bertrand

While you are in Auvergne, seize the occasion to explore the surrounding Chaine des Puys. There are countless mountains hiking tracks, all more beautiful than one another: breathtaking panoramic views, waterfalls, pristine lakes, etc. It is well worth it.

Contentin Peninsula, Normandy

With over 436 km in total, the path that takes you around the Cotentin Peninsula, in Normandy, would take over 20 days to be walked completely. But you can easily choose to walk short sections of the path. The landscapes are splendid, the air is fresh, the view, panoramic, arouses an incomparable feeling of freedom and peace.

About the author:

Mireille Mayrand-Fiset is a travel, music and theater enthusiast. She writes for the stage and television, and is working as a freelance blogger for Tourism Montreal, which provides all kind of information to plan your trip in Montreal. You can find more information here.

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Windsor castle, England, UK by gailf548

The Tower of London

Just half an hour from Gatwick airport, the Tower of London is one of the oldest historical monuments in London. Dating back to the Roman empire, this fortress has been the home of royalty, a stronghold against invasion and a prison. It’s open year round, but the crowds are thinnest in the late spring and early summer.

Windsor castle

This is the oldest inhabited castle in the world, and is currently the weekend home of the Queen. Located in Berkshire, the castle is just a 30 minute drive from Gatwick airport, and it’s also near historic Stonehenge for an easy day trip. Because the castle is occupied during the summer, it’s best to avoid the area from June through August, but it’s open to visitors throughout the rest of the year.

Lewes castle

Located in Sussex, Lewes castle is one of the closest monuments to the airport. It’s next to the Babican House Museum, which provides a comprehensive view of Sussex history, and the castle walls provide the best views of the surrounding countryside. Both the castle and museum are open year round, but it may be best to avoid hotter months due to walking and climbing needed to explore the castle keep.

Lewes castle, Sussex, UK by Charlesdrakew

The Royal Pavilion

A palace, not a castle, the Royal Pavilion is home to a museum and beautifully-cultivated garden. The palace sits on a pier filled with carnival-like festivities year round. The best views of the garden are during the spring and summer months when everything is in bloom, but the palace and grounds are open throughout the year.

Arundel castle

Built in the 11th Century, this castle is located an hour away from Brighton in the quaint town of Arundel. The castle towers over the city and provides a stunning view of Arundel and nearby Sussex. Arundel castle is open to visitors only from March through October.

There’s so much to see and do near Gatwick airport that you’re sure to find something to appeal to your tastes. If you’re looking to tour castles, it might be best to book a trip in the spring as there are fewer crowds and most attractions are open at this time. If you can’t make it out during the spring months, however, you can still see many of the year-round attractions that the countryside has to offer. While you explore, be sure to choose a centrally-located hotel that will give you access to all of the attractions near Gatwick airport.

Georgie Little is a guest writer for www.gatwickairporthotels.com where you can find out more about Gatwick hotels.

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Milreu Ruins, Algarve, Portugal / photo released under public domain

During the 2nd century BC the Algarve came under the control of the Romans and they spread throughout the Iberian Peninsula. The Roman Empire ruled throughout the Algarve until it was conquered by the Visigoths and many Roman ruins still stand in the region today.

There are many sites to view Roman ruins in the Algarve, so here are some of the most impressive historical hotspots:

Milreu Ruins – Unearth Buried Treasure

One of the best places in the Algarve to see the remains of Roman civilization is at the Milreu Ruins, which are located only a few kilometres from Faro. There are some of the most significant ruins from Roman times in all the Algarve and their archaeological site has been designated a national monument.

If you were to transport yourself back in time at this spot, you would be able to walk into a gorgeous luxury rural villa on a wealthy farm, complete with ornate sculptures and elaborate tile mosaic floors. Later in the 6th century it was converted into a Christian church and later the site of an Islamic cemetery. The vaulted ceilings of this impressive building collapsed in the 10th century and the site was abandoned, but it has since been recovered and its heritage has been preserved.

The site is now known as the Casa Rural das Ruinas or the “Country House of the Ruins” and it has been extensively preserved and turned into a visitor’s centre and museum. As you walk through where the manor house, farm buildings, baths, temple and wine press would have been, you will have a chance to see what life would have been like during the time of the Romans.

Cero da Vila – Ancient Villas in the Sunshine

The coastal holiday resort of Vilamoura is well known for its gorgeous harbour lined with high quality restaurants and shops and populated with top-of-the-line sailing ships. However, this glitzy resort also holds some ancient treasures in the form of the Cerro da Vila Roman Ruins.

Like the ruins at Milreu, these were also once a large rural villa on a prosperous farm. As you stroll through the historical site you can see where the reception room, bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen would have been. Some of the mosaic tiles depicting decorative scenes have been preserved beautifully.

Quelfes Roman Bridge – Standing the Test of Time

It appears at first glance to be a modest, simple bridge structure, but the history behind Quelfes Roman Bridge is astounding. This bridge was constructed in the 1st century AD and is thought to be one of the most important road structures of the Roman occupation period in the Algarve.

This bridge also played an important part in another historical time. On June 18th, 1808 it was where the troops of Napoleon were defeated which was a point of uprising for the entire Algarve region. Restored in 2005, this old bridge is definitely worth a closer look.

The Algarve region has a long and fascinating history and many ruins remain from past inhabitants of this region. These are just a few of the places in the Algarve where you can see and touch the remnants of Roman times and learn more about what life would have been like so many centuries ago.

While you are staying at Four Seasons Fairways in the beautiful Algarve region of Portugal, here are some locations where you can spot ruins from Roman times.

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Campidoglio, Rome / Photo by admin

Top Spots to Visit in Rome

The first things that usually come to mind when you mention a Rome vacation are explorations of the famous city of the Roman Empire. Roma is the capital and the largest city in Italy where everyone gets to live La Dolce Vita. The centre of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and this is the place that my heart is set to see. Some of the must-visit spots here include the site of the ruins in the Colosseo. It’s said to connect the Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum, with the structure being built as far back as the early 1930s.

The Pantheon which dates back to 125 A.D. is another thing that I’m looking forward to seeing. There’s also the Seven Hills of Rome, the piazzas and the sumptuous local cuisine that I’m looking forward to sampling.

Other Events Held in Rome that You Should Not Miss

Now, if you’ve already had your fill of some of the most famed tourist attractions in Rome, there are events that you absolutely should not skip. Schedule your Rome vacation in time for these events so that you can have your fill of everything that the city and its people have to offer:

The summer festival in Rome

Starting from the month of June and extending all the way through September, the summer festival in Rome is one of the most sought-after events in the city. Here, you will have your fill of some of the most awesome sporting events, sample what the music and film industry has to offer, and maybe even rub elbows with celebrities!

Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome / Photo by admin

The La Festa di San Silvestro

If you would like to welcome the New Year in the Eternal City, you’ll be just in time for this luscious feast in Rome. Fireworks will usher in the New Year at the Piazza del Popolo, and you can have your fill of delicious Italian wines.

The Rome Film Festival and the Rome Jazz Festival

Held annually every October, the Rome Film Festival showcases hundreds of local films from Italy and around the world. During your Rome vacation, you can also enjoy jazz music during the jazz festival. Famous jazz singers and musicians from all over the globe flock to the city to enjoy a common interest which is music.

These and more are the events that you should definitely look forward to when visiting Rome. If you’re anything like me, book a flight now and have a grand time exploring one of the best and most beautiful cities in the world.

Now you know what are the must see sights, so the only thing left is to actually plan your trip to Rome (interesting to know is that the Danish term is rejser til Rom). In case you need some more travel tips, drop by my blog – Channel Voyager.

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Paphos Mediterranean Coast / Anton S.

Ancient History of Cyprus

Humans have lived on Cyprus since the stone age, keeping animals such as cows, goats, and pigs for their milk and meat. The modern city of Lanarca stands on the site of an ancient bronze age city, Kition. Many of Kition’s treasures, including giant pithoi jars and beautifully decorated pottery, are preserved in the Lanarca District Archaelogical Museum. An ancient text describing the Assyrians’ rule over the Cypriots, who were forced to pay steep taxes to their conquerors, was found in this region in 1845. After the Assyrians left in 669 BCE, Cyprus enjoyed just one century of independence before being taken over by first the Egyptians and then the Persians. The Greek king Alexander the Great liberated the island from Persian rule in 325 BCE.

Cyprus and the Greek and Roman Empires

Cypriot culture flourished during the Hellenistic period of Greek rule. A temple to the Greek goddess of love and fertility, Aphrodite, was built just outside the city of Paphos on the south-west coast of the island. This sacred site still attracts many visitors every year, who come to learn about Greek mythology and browse through ancient artifacts in the nearby Palaipafos Museum. In 58 BCE, Cyprus changed hands once again to become part of the Roman Empire. During its time under Roman rule, Christianity became widespread in Cyprus, as evidenced by the large number of churches on the island. The painted churches of Troodos are fantastic examples of the architecture of the Byzantine period, which followed the break-up of the Roman empire.

St Lazarus Church in Larnaca / Martin Belam

Cyprus as a British Protectorate

Britain’s first interaction with Cyprus occurred in 1191, when Richard the Lion Heart landed at Limassol during a storm. After conquering the island, Richard held his wedding to Queen Berengaria of Navarre in Limassol castle. This is the only British royal wedding to have taken place outside of England. Cyprus returned to British control in 1878. Under the protection of the British empire, peace and prosperity reigned in Cyprus – until some groups of Cypriots began demanding independence for their nation, which was finally granted in 1960.

A Divided Nation

A conflict with invading Turkish forces in 1974 resulted in a still-disputed nation in the northern part of the island. Visitors to the capital city of Nicosia can see the border, known as the Green Line, that separates the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus from the rest of the island. Nicosia is a fantastic place to visit to experience the island’s long history, since many of the cultures that have ruled Cyprus are represented here. Visitors wandering through old Nicosia will see Ottoman mosques, Venetian city walls, and Roman architecture. A trip to the Byzantine Museum is a must for anyone interested in learning about the island’s culture and religion during this period.

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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!

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Prešov features Observatory and Planetarium where you can enjoy a variety of audio-visual programs, lectures, video projections, exhibitions, but also observing the evening sky with a telescope.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Janos Korom Dr.

Prešov region was already inhabited in prehistoric times. Settlements have been here already at the time of the Roman Empire. Slavs migrated here in the 6th century. The first written document about the city dating back to 1247, and in 1347 Prešov was a free royal city. During this period, the major trade routes crossed here, so the city grew up. Its first decline came around the 16th to 17th centuries. Further development of the city came with the establishment of Czechoslovakia.

The historic city centre is a national cultural monument, where are situated all architectural landmarks of Prešov. The most significant historical landmark of Prešov is undoubtedly the Church of St. Nicholas, which is also the oldest and only surviving Gothic building in the city. During the 18th century, its interior was completed with several Baroque fragments.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Janos Korom Dr.

Neptune Fountain is the only surviving original urban tank. It has a statue of Neptune with a trident, surrounded by sea creatures, whose author is a stonemason and sculptor from Košice – Vincet Staviarský (1784 – 1847). The statue of Neptune was ordered in the early 19th century by Jewish businessman Mark Holländer as an expression of gratitude for the city council allowed him to settle and do business in Prešov.

If you spend more than just a day in Prešov, you can visit Sigord, which is the best known holiday resort and a good starting point for hikes in Prešov surroundings. Not far from Prešov, you can also visit extensive ruins of Šariš Castle, which is one of the largest Slovak castles.

Prešov is also a birthplace of many famous Slovak singers and bands, like Ivan Tásler (I.M.T. Smile), Katka Knechtová (Peha), Peter Nagy, Chiki Liki Tu-a, Komajota and others.

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The city is mentioned for the first time at the beginning of our era, during the reign of emperor Augustus. The city was the base for Roman troops. Even the Emperor Marcus Aurelius stayed here for 3 years (172-175), during Markoman Wars. The city was destroyed by the Germans in the 4th century and Valentinian I. tried to restore it. But the city has never achieved such fame again and later, in the Middle Ages, was completely destroyed by the Hungarians.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Ulrich Latzenhofer

Now it is possible to visit the Archaeological Park Carnuntum in 3 different parts: Civilian part, Military part and Museum Carnuntinum.

The civilian part
The first is the civilian part, which are the foundations of the former city and several reconstructed buildings, amphitheater and Heidentor (Pagan Gate). Everything is located on the western edge of Petronell. Refurbished buildings – public baths and dwelling house – were reconstructed using the methods that were typical for the Romans. The park area is such an interesting mix of the excavated ruins with renovated Roman buildings.

A few minutes walking from the excavated ruins you can find the amphitheatre, which at that time can serve for up to 15,000 people. Reportedly it was the fourth largest amphitheater in the Roman empire.

Then you can see Heidentor – Pagan Gate. The monumental gate, which was located at the entrance to the fortification of Carnuntum. At the middle of it is a statue of Emperor Constantine II., built between 354 and 361.

The military part
The military part of the city contains only the ruins of the second amphitheatre, located on the outskirts of the town of Bad Deutsch-Altenburg. This amphitheatre was special because it could be filled with water and so there could be even naval battles. There is now also a small gladiator museum.

Museum Carnuntinum
The museum is also in the town of Bad Deutsch-Altenburg, a few meters from the shore of the Danube river. Here you can see the most interesting excavations of the area.

Museum is opened daily from 16 April to 15 November 2011 at 9.00 to 18.00 and the basic admission is €9. For further details visit the official site of Open Air Museum Petronell-Carnuntum.

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Most impressive and largest aqueduct at that time was undoubtedly the Pont du Gard in Provence, in southern France. It dates from Roman times – was built 2000 years ago. It is not only beneficial structure, but also an architectural gem. It can certainly be called wonder of the ancient world. This building has been preserved almost in working conditions until today.

Aqueduct transferred water from the Eure spring to the wells in Nimes (48 km). Noteworthy is that the height difference between spring and wells is only 17 m, which proves truly outstanding calculations of the whole system.

A part of the aqueduct is a huge, three-storey bridge over the river Gard, which is also the most interesting part. The bridge is 275 meters long, 49 meters high and at the highest part it is 3 meters wide. It consists of three rows of arches – the arcades. Blocks of stone are embedded into each other with millimeter accuracy while no fasteners were used.

At the time of the Roman Empire the city of Nimes had approximately 50 000 inhabitants. Aqueduct was able to supply about 400 liters of water daily for each person.

The bridge is now a major tourist attraction and one of the most visited monuments in France with more than 2 million tourists per year. In 1985 it was included in UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You can even stay in camping which is situated right bellow the Aqueduct.

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