EPIDAUROS When we speak about holidays in Greece we often means Athens or the beautiful islands in the Aegean sea. But there are a lot of other places to spend a different day of your greek vacation: one of these is Epidauros, one of most ancient cities of Greece, situated on the western side of Gulf of Egina, near the eastern coast of the Peloponneso.
This city has been splendid during the affirmation of the cult of Asklepio God of Medicine, in the IV century b.C.; it was also an important trading center between the V and the II century when decayed completely because of one long roman empire’s domination.
Anyway something precious remains to remember its gold age: if you walk into its ancient theatre, majestic monument able to accommodate 14,000 places, you can live a full immersion in the glorious past of Epidauros. It’s considered a symbol of theatricalism and still today in the summer weekends (July and August), you can listen concerts and view at shows of prose, representations of classical tragedies and a festival of ancient greek repertory.
The acoustic of the theatre is so perfect that from the top of the flight of steps it’s even possible to feel the breath of the actors. But your peculiar day in the ancient’s Greece atmosphere it’s not still at the end: you must absolutely go and visit the Sanctuaries of Asklepio: during tha antiquity they were very active and “miraculous” centers of cure, something between our modern Beauty farm or Wellness center where came prescribed therapeutic diets and an hospital because ill people went to sleep inside one of the temples waiting the recovery action of the god.
And now we also can recover ourselves going to a good restaurant to eat souvlakia, tzatziki, keftedes, melitzanosalada and tharamosalada and to have a good glass of wine (Krasi), the sacred drink of Dioniso and then we’ll go to find an hotel in the near Nauplia. But this is another story.
If you are in Lazio you must absolutely visit Rieti, geographically the center of Italy. It’s a small town not very distant from Rome and characterized by amazing views and particular places like the the “Valle santa” with the four franciscan sanctuaries of Greccio, Fonte Colombo, Poggio Bustone e La Foresta where monks will guide you telling you anecdotes about S. Francisco’s life and travels and you’ll walk the same path he walked and see the places where he prayed an lived.
Above Rieti there is the Terminillo mountain, a touristic place where during the winter people from all the land spends their holidays (or simply a weekend) on the snow skiing and skating.
As in all this amazing land you can also find very good restaurants where you can eat typical dishes ( like spaghetti all’Amatriciana, brasato, coda alla vaccinara ) and you can drink good wine.
Enjoy your staying!
For a funny and suggestive day of your holidays in north Sardinia, you can go to Castelsardo, a characteristic small town erect on an headland near Golfo dell’Asinara: it’s a tiring walk but it’s worth visiting. The village is surmounted by an amazing castle called Castel-aragonese with an awesome view and an interesting story.
I think that Castelsardo it’s a very nice place because you can feel like you are living a few centuries ago thanks of his alleys where you can often see many old craftsmen weaving typical sardinian baskets and fishermen who tangle fishing nets!
After this unusual day you can be very hungry but don’t worry: you can easily find good restaurants where you’ll eat sardinian food (zuppa gallurese, pulligiones, seadas…), seafood and fish, drinking a good wine, liquor made by myrtle and a strong cleare spirit distilled from grapes called “Filu e ferru” .
Have a nice holiday
We all know Tokyo is a metropolis, a very large and populated city.
Tokyo is actually formed by 26 different cities, (go figure) plus (it does not end here) 5 towns and still 8 villages.
Imagine the contrast, the colors, the life of this crowded, big, busy, city.
Did you know Tokyo actually has two airports? But you need to try the trains! Even if you don’t plan to see other cities there is a big train line, going all around Tokyo, touching suburban areas and popular tourists destinations, connected to subways etc.
You’d need to try that. Trains are very fast, extremely clean and always on time.
And indeed there is so much to see and to do. If you are shopping for elettronics ( where better than here?) Akihabara is the place to go.
Talking about shopping…Prada has an “atelier” here. It is actually a six story building!
Shibuya if you’re up for culbs and nightlife.
Asakusa to immerge yourself in the atmosphere of the antique Tokyo.
From there there are so many temples to visit and markets on the street, museums and hot springs and spas.
Relax and take your time, Tokyo requires time but it’s unforgettable.
There is a lot to love about this City. Start with the awesome location : half way between New york and Washington, still close to the New Jersey shore.
Think soft pretzels with musturd, italian ice, and of course Philly stake.
Don’t miss it for the 4th of July, one of the best celebrations in USA.
Philadelphia offers a family fiendly historic district on the eastern side of center city.
The national constitution center, the Liberty bell pavillion, the Betty Ross house. The museum of art and the italian market,.
You’ll find plenty of history here but nughtlife as well. Philly people are among the most proud of their city and traditions.
Philly has a very peculiar appeal on family and adults, on Europeans and USA travelers.
It is currently under construction the biggest hugest hotel ever. Where? Dubai.
It will count something like 29 000 rooms, which will accomodate about 10 millions of tourist each year.
They plan to open in 2010, this hotel will incorporate the current biggest hotel, it will loose the Guinness having only a mere 6500 rooms.
Don’t have a picture yet for this one. But I can’t wait to find one.
Romantically remembered for its part in Gone with the wind, but in full gear growing, with new people, new building, new business.
It’s a city with relatively mild weather pretty much all year round, even August humidity is survivable.
Atlanta offers a user friendly public transportation service, and midtown has tons of attractions, restaurants and museums : The Atlanta botanical garden and the Civil War Museum, just to name a couple.
Nearby destinations worth it a short trip are Savannah and Charleston S.C.
Known for the best food, the first University in the world, lots of interesting Museums and a very active night life. Plenty of things to do and to see.
Besides you need to pass form Bologna if you’re going north to south or vice versa, either you’re driving or travelling by train.
I disover a very nice place, suited for kids as well. It’s a camping but it offers what they call Bungalows. Basically, small one story villas.
The brick bungalows come equipped with private baths, showers and hair-dryers, central heating, automatic air-conditioning, telephone, tv, is available for longer periods of stay cooking area with refrigerator, linen, and daily cleaning service.
They have public transportation right in front of the main entrance. On top of evrything I appreciated the pool, the small kids playground, a small front yard in front of each bungalow, friendly staff and atmosphere, and it’s not expensive !!
Highly recommended. I have been there several times, and I will go back for sure.
Her name is Jennifer Figge, she’s 57 y.o. and she is…well she is right now swimming across the Atalntic ocean.
She left Miami in December and she could be the first woman to ever accomplish something like this.
Born in Aspen, wealthy ( per her admission “I am blessed that I have time to dedicate to these kind of things cause I don’t need to work”) she was trying to quit smoking after his son convinced her.
It was so tough that she needed to replace the old bad habit with a new one. She started to travel by bike. A couple of miles here and there? Nope, a couple of States in a couple of summers. Then running and she ran for about 3000 miles. Then swimming, she has been swimming across 25 channels now. Did I mention she’s 57? And she looks like Sharon Stone.
ah and Charleston S.C.