Europe Explored » square kilometers https://europeexplored.com Travel through the most beautiful places in Europe Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.6 Calpe – one of the most expensive resorts in Costa Blanca | Spain https://europeexplored.com/2011/12/09/calpe-one-of-the-most-expensive-resorts-in-costa-blanca-spain/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/12/09/calpe-one-of-the-most-expensive-resorts-in-costa-blanca-spain/#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:47:15 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=5561 The town of Calpe is a symbol of the entire Costa Blanca. It is built around 332 m high limestone cliff called Peñón de Ifach, which is located on a small hook. In 1987, the rock has been declared a nature reserve and the smallest protected area in Europe, because it covers an area of […]

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The town of Calpe is a symbol of the entire Costa Blanca. It is built around 332 m high limestone cliff called Peñón de Ifach, which is located on a small hook. In 1987, the rock has been declared a nature reserve and the smallest protected area in Europe, because it covers an area of ​​4,7 square kilometers.

Calpe, Sea site resort in Spain
Photo by admin

You can find there a number of endemic species of plant. The rock is also a home to sea gulls and falcons. If you manage to get onto the top, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the countryside. Peñón de Ifach is widely popular among climbers who test their strength and abilities here. The number of tourists is regulated due to the protection of site.

Otherwise, the resort of Calpe looks, of course, like any other local sandy beach resort with crystal clear Mediterranean Sea. You can try a wide range of water sports here. You can also visit The Old Church (Iglesia Antigua) here which was built in 14th century and is located just in the town centre.


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It is the oldest monument in the town and the only example of Gothic-Mudéjar architecture in this region. Another interesting sight is the fortress Torre de la Peca, which was built in the 14th century as part of a defensive fortress. Tourist attraction can also be the district Arabal formed by narrow streets and white houses. Do not miss Paternina street, which is adorned with dozens of flowering pots and houses with colorful mosaics. On the hill above the town is the Shrine of St. Salvatore, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside.

Calpe is one of the liveliest resorts on the Costa Blanca. It holds a lot of interesting cultural events. History lovers should not miss the Archaeological Museum or the Museum of the festivities. However Calpe is considered one of the most expensive resorts in Spain, you still can find cheap restaurants here and the access to the beach is free.


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Snowdonia National Park – one of the most visited locations in the United Kingdom https://europeexplored.com/2010/07/26/snowdonia-national-park-in-north-wales-united-kingdom/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/07/26/snowdonia-national-park-in-north-wales-united-kingdom/#comments Mon, 26 Jul 2010 05:17:49 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=785 Covering an area of 2,132 square kilometers, the Snowdonia National Park is the third largest national park in the United Kingdom. The park stretches the vast distance between the Cardigan Bay to Conwy Valley. Along the southern boundary of the park, you will find the River Dyfi and the northern edge is formed by the […]

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Covering an area of 2,132 square kilometers, the Snowdonia National Park is the third largest national park in the United Kingdom. The park stretches the vast distance between the Cardigan Bay to Conwy Valley. Along the southern boundary of the park, you will find the River Dyfi and the northern edge is formed by the Conwy Bay.

Tryfan, Nant Ffrancon Valley, Snowdonia, Wales, UK
Tryfan, Nant Ffrancon Valley, Snowdonia, Wales, UK by Stuart

Named after the 1,085 meter tall Snowdon peak which can be found within the park’s boundaries, the park is a popular destination in the area. Originally known as the Great Throne, Yr Wyddfa is filled with legends that have been formed throughout the ages. In the old days, the region was part of the Kingdom of Gwynedd which was considered by many to be the heart of Wales.

There are a total of nine mountain ranges that can be found within the park’s boundaries. As a result, more than 52% of the area is covered by ragged rocks and mountain peaks; some as high as 915 meters above sea level. You will also find more than sixty kilometres of coastline within the park; some of which are sandy beaches.

The Snowdonia National Park is currently inhabited by more then 26,000 people. Most of the residents of the park speak Welsh. Those numbers soar as more than six million visitors make their way to the park every single year. Since there are a number of places and ways to sleep within the park, many visitors choose to visit the park for longer than just a simple day trip.

Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia National Park, Wales, UK
Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia National Park, Wales, UK by Les Haines

One will notice is that in the centre of the Snowdonia National Park, there is a region which has not been included as actually part of the national park. This hole as some refer to it includes the prosperous town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. The town’s main industry is its thriving slate quarry. The town was purposefully left out of the development of the park so that it could continue to grow in the future.

You could spend more than a week just visiting the park and seeing the many sites throughout. You will find ancient castles and ruins that date back to the earliest known settlements in the region. There are also several archaeological sites that can be found within the park’s boundaries.

Known for its beauty and splendour, the Snowdonia National Park is one of the most visited locations in the United Kingdom.

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Lužnice – enjoy canoeing on the river in real nature paradise in Czech republic https://europeexplored.com/2010/06/02/luznice-enjoy-canoeing-on-the-river-in-real-nature-paradise-in-czech-republic/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/06/02/luznice-enjoy-canoeing-on-the-river-in-real-nature-paradise-in-czech-republic/#comments Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:22:35 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=578 The Lužnice river (204km in Czech republic) is starting in Austria (4 km). It flows into the Vltava river in the town of Týn nad Vltavou (approximately 50 km north of the city of České Budějovice). The river drains 4,226 square kilometers and was first mentioned in sources in the year 1179. Several places on […]

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The Lužnice river (204km in Czech republic) is starting in Austria (4 km). It flows into the Vltava river in the town of Týn nad Vltavou (approximately 50 km north of the city of České Budějovice). The river drains 4,226 square kilometers and was first mentioned in sources in the year 1179.

Several places on the river are popular destinations for recreation and canoeing in the Czech republic. The most recommended part started from Suchdol – Majdalena – Stará řeka (Old river) – Lužnice but there are also other great parts suitable for canoeing.

The river is ideal for beginners and suitable for a family holiday. The river flows slightly, the dangerous can be just silty or fallen trees, which you must outflank, and thus slows down a ride. However if you want to experience a romantic vacation in nature, just go to Lužnice.

We recommend you to start in Suchdol early morning (9:00-10:00am) and then – after a daytrip (11.5km) – stay in a campsite at Majdalena. The following day start again early in the morning and ride down through the most beautiful part of the river (protected areas + large lake) to another campsite in Lužnice (22km). Here you can stay for another night or return your canoes. However if you have more days available, you can continue on the water trip in the morning. Be aware that those two camps are the only here, so do not miss them!

Staying in the camp-sites are very cheap (1Eur/person + 1Eur/tent) but do not expect Italian or Austrian luxury. For the canoeing you could need to rent a canoe, barrel for your wears and personal stuff, safety vest and paddles of course. You can rent it really cheap (approx. 10Eur/day) from one of the following rental services:

Veronica https://www.pujcovna-lodi-raftu.info/luznice/ (in czech only)

Dušan Jakubec https://www.pujcovna-lodi.com/ (in czech only)


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Gran Paradiso National Park, Valle D’Aosta in Italy https://europeexplored.com/2010/06/01/gran-paradiso-national-park-valle-daosta-in-italy/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/06/01/gran-paradiso-national-park-valle-daosta-in-italy/#comments Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:08:15 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=567 In the Graian Alps situated in the Valle D’Aosta you will find the Gran Paradiso National Park. The park is named for the mountain which is found within the borders of the park. While originally created to protect the Alpine ibex, today the Gran Paradiso National Park is also responsible for protecting many different species […]

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In the Graian Alps situated in the Valle D’Aosta you will find the Gran Paradiso National Park. The park is named for the mountain which is found within the borders of the park. While originally created to protect the Alpine ibex, today the Gran Paradiso National Park is also responsible for protecting many different species of flora and fauna.

Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy
Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy by Lexe-I

The Alpine ibex was a popular animal to hunt throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. As a result of this hunting, only 60 of them were said to have been left. People hunted the ibex for sport as well as for their various body parts. There is a cross-shaped bone that can be found in the ibex which has been used as a means of protecting people from dying a violent kind of death.

It was Victor Emmanuel who would first make steps to prevent the further decline of the ibex population. Set to become the king of Italy, Victor designated the area as the Royal Hunting Reserve of the Gran Paradiso back in 1856. Then in 1920, King Victor Emmanuel III set out to make the area the first nation’s park. Today there are more than 4,000 ibex living in the Gran Paradiso National Park.

Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy
Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy by SNappa2006

There are 57 glaciers in the Gran Paradiso National Park as the area includes more than 703 square kilometers of land. Some of the park is used today for agricultural purposes and much of it is for leisure. The Gran Paradiso Mountain stands 4,000 meters above sea level which makes it one of the tallest mountains in Italy. From its peak, you can see both the Matterhorn as well as Mont Blanc. When combined with the Vanoise National Park just across the border in France, you have the European Union’s largest protection area. The French park is also dedicated to the Alpine ibex.

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Penyal D’ifac – the smallest protected area in Europe | Spain https://europeexplored.com/2010/05/05/penyal-difac-in-spain/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/05/05/penyal-difac-in-spain/#comments Wed, 05 May 2010 02:38:37 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=337 Peñón de Ifach is a rock formation and protected Natural Park situated above the bay of Calpe, in Valencia region. It is also a symbol of this seaside town and also of the whole Costa Blanca. In earlier times, this rock was, thanks to the excellent strategic location, used as a watchtower. Currently, the Peñón […]

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Peñón de Ifach is a rock formation and protected Natural Park situated above the bay of Calpe, in Valencia region. It is also a symbol of this seaside town and also of the whole Costa Blanca. In earlier times, this rock was, thanks to the excellent strategic location, used as a watchtower. Currently, the Peñón de Ifach is a great refuge for many plants and bird species. Unfortunately, due to the large number of tourists an access to this exceptional rock is limited. There is a marked trail leading to the top of the mountain, where you can get in 40 minutes. Peñón de Ifach in offering magnificent views of the surroundings, so it is worth visiting. During nice weather it is even possible to see the island of Ibiza from here.

Peñón de Ifach, Spain
Photo by admin

In 1987, the rock was declared a nature reserve and the smallest protected area in Europe, because it covers an area of ​​4,5 square kilometers. There is a number of endemic species of plant and animals such as sea gulls and falcons.

Peñón de Ifach is a distinct visual attraction on the Mediterranean coast, reaching a height of 332 metres.


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Greece – Metaxa and olives https://europeexplored.com/2010/04/28/greece-metaxa-and-olives/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/04/28/greece-metaxa-and-olives/#comments Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:26:05 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=85 Greece (or also Hellenic Republic) is a country situated in southern Europe on the south of Balkan Peninsula and on Corinth Peninsula. It has more than 11 million inhabitants in an area of ​​131,000 square kilometers. Population density is around 81 inhabitants/km2. The highest point of Greece is Mount Olympus, with its height of 2,919 […]

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Greece (or also Hellenic Republic) is a country situated in southern Europe on the south of Balkan Peninsula and on Corinth Peninsula. It has more than 11 million inhabitants in an area of ​​131,000 square kilometers. Population density is around 81 inhabitants/km2. The highest point of Greece is Mount Olympus, with its height of 2,919 m. The capital is Athens. Greece is a member of Eurozone and the currency is Euro.

Official language is Greek, which used Greek alphabet. It is the oldest still in use alphabet in Europe (since the 8th century BC). Majority of Greeks speak also English and German.

If you love nature and do not like excessive heat, the ideal time for you to visit Greece is June (or May, but the sea is still quite cold) or September and October. The water temperature is pleasant and it is also possible to plan your trips and hiking. However the main tourist season in Greece is July and August.

Greek cuisine
Greek cuisine is typically Mediterranean, and famous worldwide. The food must not miss olive oil, fresh vegetables, fragrant herbs and seafood. Greek Restaurants are called taverns.

Hors-d’oeuvre
Everyone will certainly be surprised by a number of appetizers, which mostly consists of various salads, spreads or light sauces. The most famous are the tzatziki appetizer, or roasted peppers. Tzatziki is a spread made ​​of thick Greek yogurt, which is often from sheep’s milk, shredded cucumbers, garlic, olive oil and salt. Tzatziki spread is usually served chilled with Arab bread or as a flavoring for food. Greek salads of fresh vegetables are excellent. Another interesting appetizer is dolmades, which are young leaves of cabbage, filled by rice, pine nuts and minced meat.

Main Dishes
Very popular local delicacy is gyros. Another popular delicacy is grilled souvlaki. If you do not like gilled meat, be sure to taste musaka. Muska are slices of eggplant baked with minced lamb, onions, tomatoes which is covered with béchamel sauce. Among the most popular vegetarian dishes you can find saganaki, which is a fried slice of feta cheese coated in bread crumbs.

Desserts
After the meal it is definitely a good idea to taste some desserts such as baklava, galaktoboureko.

Alcohol
Greece offers a wide range of delicious wines. Greek favorite drink is Metaxa, which is a good cognac. The local traditional drinks include Ouzo.

Greek Islands
Greek Islands, which are more than 2000, will welcome you with their unique culture (pure white houses with blue shutters and roofs), its history and pure nature, remote from the industry.

The most famous islands of Greece include Corfu, Lefkada, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodos, Samos, Kos, Lesbos.

Greek cities
Among the most important and best Greek cities you can find such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Kavala, Patras, Sparta, Heraklion and Corinth.

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