The majestic city of Poland is an open-air museum, with palaces, cathedrals and historic homes.

Krakow has been the capital of the country for more than 500 years and was a cradle of medieval commerce and a great center of arts and sciences in the 16th century.

The gem of Poland with its inexhaustible history is a dynamic European metropolis with youthful culture and passion for the arts.

According to the legend, the first inhabitants of the city lived in the cave of a dragon that killed the mythical King Krak.

The myths around the city do not stop there, as it is said that once, the Hindu god, Shiva, threw seven magic stones in seven different parts of the world. And since then, every place where a stone fell is considered to have a separate energy. Krakow was one of these places.

The Old Town is a true architectural masterpiece of great historical monuments and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Basilica of Virgin Mary is built in the 13th century and overlooks its twin bell towers on the central square of the Agora.

The rocky Wawel hill rises 20 meters above the center of the city and has been for centuries the seat of the Polish kings. The visitor will see the homonymous 16th-century castle and a national identity for the Poles. Next to the castle dominates the Royal Cathedral, with a history of 900 years.

Kazimierz Jewish Quarter experienced the devastating consequences of the Second World War and became known to the general public through the Sidler List.

The traveler will find today the most bohemian neighborhood of the city with stone paved alleys and numerous old synagogues, and hosts the Jewish Museum of Galicia dedicated to the Holocaust and the Jews of Central Europe.

It is worth visiting the historic Schidler’s Factory Museum, which is housed in the old enamel factory of the legendary Oscar Sindler and the Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology, on the banks of the Vistula River.

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Its area is larger than that of Skiathos, however, its residential part is only a very small percentage of its territory, which is limited mainly to Patitiri, its picturesque harbor and to the Old Town, which is on a hill with spectacular views, while the population does not exceed 3,000 inhabitants.

The beaches of the island are many and with great beauty. Typically, if a traveler stays on the island throughout the summer there will be a beach to discover every day! The most famous of them is Chrissi Milia, the idyllic oasis with fine sand and crystal clear water that is also offered for water sports.

Equally impressive and organized, is the beach of Agios Dimitrios, which is considered to be the most beautiful beach on the island. It occupies a large area on both sides of a small peninsula. Also, the White Gialos with the small pebble is the most suitable choice for the younger age as it has a beach bar with a DJ choosing the best dance music of the summer.

The evening life on the island of Alonissos is located mainly in Patitiri with many places of entertainment and in Old Chora.

Specialtie of the island is the Alonissos typical cheese pie with feta cheese and crispy leaf, a delicious, tasty feast that no one ought to miss. However, the tourist character of Alonissos is not as intense as its natural, ecological character and is therefore a pole of attraction for friends of nature tourism.

The entire attitude of the locals moves around the protection of the environment, respect for nature and contact with it. On the island, you will find the International Academy of Classical Homeopathic Medicine and, with a little luck, will have the chance to swim next to dolphins and seals located in the sea park, the largest marine conservation site in Europe.

Regarding accommodation and transportation to the island, there are many lodgings both in the port and the smaller villages. The hospitality is of a high standard and the locals are polite and helpful.

One option is the 4-star Yalis hotel, with astonishing view and a swimming pool: http://www.yalishotel.gr/

and Ikion Eco Boutique Hotel: http://www.ikionhotelalonissos.com/

You can move from the harbor to the Old Town by public bus that runs frequently throughout the day, while a day trip is organized on one or two of the countless coach beaches starting at 9am and returning to the harbor at 4pm. There are also alternative travel choices, such as sailing boats to many beaches and hiking trails for fit buddies.

So, if you love nature and you are looking for a quiet destination with crystal clear seas and magical landscapes, what are you waiting for? Prepare suitcases immediately! Alonissos is waiting for you!

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Unique experiences await you on our exclusive private beach. All you need to do, is relax and enjoy the calm blue waters of the Mediterranean, and soak in the uncompromised luxury of Monaco. Experience total disconnection at Le Méridien Beach Plaza, for a new perspective of Monaco, where your wellbeing, is the only thing that matters.

Le Méridien Monte Carlo is the only beach resort in Monte Carlo with its own private beach directly connected to the hotel, so guests can easily access their very own private piece of heaven without having to think about transportation.

Discover all the amenities of a luxury beach resort with a breathtaking panorama looking out towards a unique horizon. The services of the private beach at Le Méridien Beach Plaza are fully dedicated for the enjoyment and relaxation of the mind and body during the entirety of the stay.

In addition, Le Méridien Beach Plaza is the only hotel in Monaco that offers a private beach and a full list of sports activites such as: jet ski, fly fish ride, banana ride, boat rental with captain.

You can find more information and check availability here:

http://www.lemeridienmontecarlo.com/

Photos from the hotel’s facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/lemeridienmontecarlo/

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Riomaggiore is one of the five villages of The Cinque Terre province in Liguria and is perched on the cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Its insurmountable natural beauty is reflected in the fishing boats that rest in its calm blue waters, in its narrow alleys that reflect the midday sun and in the colors of the sunset.

Dating back to the 13th century and beyond, its impressive tower houses, it is known for the wine it produces. It is built between two steep cliffs and the Colombo village’s main street is located in its shops, cafés and restaurants.

The famous Street of Love (Via dell’ Amore) joins the five seaside villages and starts from Riomaggiore and you can discover it by walking through a picturesque path.

The multicolored mosaics are scattered in the village, while near the station and the walls of the town hall you will see the frescoes of the artist Silvio Benedetto.

It is worth visiting the Gothic church of San Giovanni Battista dated back to 1340 and the medieval castle built in the 13th century, today used for cultural events.

Castle of Riomaggiore: you can reach the fortification from the town, climbing the steep road from the railway station. It began to be built in 1260 by the Marquis Turcotti, lord of Ripalta and feudal vassal of this part of the coast, who gave up all these properties to Nicolò Fieschi who, after some years, transferred them to the Republic of Genoa, which completed the defensive system of Riomaggiore. The castle has a square base with the longest sides overlooking the sea. The boundary wall has two circular towers. The entrance is located between the towers, and a narrow external stair leads to the tower controlling the town, where a big clock is built. Not far from it there is the oratory of San Rocco, built in remembrance of a plague which stroke the community in 1480. During the times the castle suffered not only the usual wear of atmospherical agents but also a modification which changed the original setting up. In fact, until few years ago, the internal part of the fortress housed the town cemetery.

Food and Wine

Among the typical products we find several choices of dry white wine and of course the wine specialty of the Cinque Terre, the “Sciacchetrà”. This wine is famous all over the world and it is made by grapevines from “Bosco”, “Fermentino” and “Albarola” grapes. The Sciacchetrà is a suave wine of which we find two selections: Sweet and Strong Sweet.

You can easily recognize the wine by its golden-yellow colour with amber reflections and the scent of apricot and acacia-honey.

With info from http://www.cinqueterreriomaggiore.com/en/

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Trieste is on the border with Slovenia and its art nouveau and neoclassical architecture looks almost parable with the Mediterranean environment of the Adriatic.

Unità D’italia is one of the largest squares in Europe and one can admire the elegant neoclassical buildings and villas built by wealthy merchants of the 19th century.

It is worth visiting the museums and the theaters located between Unità D’italia Square and della Liberta Square.

The Civico Museo di Storia di Arte, the archaeological museum of the city, hosts Roman, Greek and Egyptian exhibits, while the Museo Del Mare gives the traveler the opportunity to discover the history of Trieste.

Dedicated to the patron saint of the city, San Giusto Cattedrale Di San Giusto cathedral dates back to 1300.

Built in Gothic style, the visitor is impressed with its imposing and 14th century bell tower.

Agios Nikolaos is the Greek church of the city where in 1797 Rigas Feraios and his comrades were arrested and then handed over to the Turks of Belgrade.

One should not miss to visit the magnificent Castello Di Miramare, eight kilometers away from Trieste.

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It is known for its medieval city. The lower town (“Unterstadt”) and upper town (“Oberstadt”) are reserved for pedestrians only and connected by two stairways and a steep street (“Steigstrasse”).

The town is home to two castles, the Old Castle and the New Castle. The Old Castle, built by Merovingian King Dagobert I in the 7th century, accepts visitors. A self-guided tour is available. German poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff lived there for eight years. The New Castle was built in the 18th century. Originally the residence of the Bishop of Constance, it was used for various purposes after the Secularization of 1803. It is now a museum.

There is an entity of Half-timber houses.

Also two medieval town-gates can be seen, which are the remainders of the fortification.

Info source: wikipedia.org

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The Český Krumlov in southern Bohemia surrounded by the meanders formed by the River Vltava and stems from the area.

The historic center is full of buildings in gothic and romantic lanes ideal for walks.

It is worth visiting the Renaissance style town hall with its beautiful arches and domes of the city’s main square and the Gothic church of St. Vitus, which dates from 1439.

The imposing Castle is the second largest in the Czech Republic and is part of a medieval fortress.

Built in the late 13th century and has vast gardens, ponds and ditches.
There are plenty of museums to choose the visitor, as the waxworks museum, the Museum of Torture, the local historical museum with finds from the region of Bohemia and the museum dedicated to the painter Egon Schiele.

Throughout the year various festivals are organized with the most important festival of the five-petaled Rhodes with traditional theater and music.

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Its name probably comes from a cove now called Vågen.

The city combines modern architecture with 18th century buildings and the port is the commercial center of the region.

Visitors can wander the old town with its picturesque cobblestone pavements, whitewashed wooden houses and the market square.

Major attractions are Norwegian Petroleum Museum, Archaeological and Naval Museum housed in an old merchant’s house in Nedre Strandgate region.

Tower Valberg is located on the hilltop behind the colorful buildings in the harbor, where it can move up to take some pictures of the city from above.

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With 750 years of history and rich cultural life, Stockholm offers a huge variety of museums and sightseeing. Most of city’s sightseeing can be visited by foot.

Let the tour begins!

1. Gamla Stan (The Old Town)

The town dates to the 13th century, and consists of medieval alleyways, cobbled streets, and archaic architecture. North German architecture has had a strong influence in the Old Town’s construction. Stortorget is the name of the scenic large square in the center of Gamla Stan, which is surrounded by old merchants’ houses including the Stockholm Stock Exchange Building.

As well as being home to the Stockholm Cathedral, the Nobel Museum, and the Riddarholm church, Gamla stan also boasts Kungliga slottet, Sweden’s baroque Royal Palace, built in the 18th century after the previous palace Tre Kronor burned down.

The restaurant Den gyldene freden is located on Österlånggatan. It has been in business since 1722 and according to Guinness Book of Records is the oldest existing restaurant with an unaltered interior.

2. Royal Palace

Stockholm Palace or The Royal Palace is the official residence and major royal palace of the Swedish monarch (the actual residence of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia is at Drottningholm Palace). Stockholm Palace is located on Stadsholmen, in Gamla Stan in the capital, Stockholm. The Palace has 600 rooms, 5 museums including the royal arsenal museum with royal costumes and armor. Don’t miss the change of the guards that takes place every morning.

3. Vasa Museum

The Vasa Museum is a maritime museum in Stockholm, Sweden. Located on the island of Djurgården, the museum displays the only almost fully intact 17th century ship that has ever been salvaged, the 64-gun warship Vasa that sank on her maiden voyage in 1628. The Vasa Museum opened in 1990 and, according to the official web site, is the most visited museum in Scandinavia.

4. Skansen Open – Air Museum

Skansen is the first open-air museum and zoo in Sweden and is located on the island Djurgården in Stockholm. It was opened on 11 October 1891 by Artur Hazelius to show the way of life in the different parts of Sweden before the industrial era.

5. Fotografiska

Fotografiska (The Swedish Museum of Photography) is a center for contemporary photography in the Södermalm district of Stockholm that opened on 21 May 2010. The museum hosts 4 large exhibitions and 20 smaller.

6. The City Hall

Stockholm City Hall is the building of the Municipal Council for the City of Stockholm. It stands on the eastern tip of Kungsholmen island, next to Riddarfjärden’s northern shore and facing the islands of Riddarholmen and Södermalm. It houses offices and conference rooms as well as ceremonial halls, and the luxury restaurant Stadshuskällaren. It is the venue of the Nobel Prize banquet and is one of Stockholm’s major tourist attractions.

The City Hall, owns the characteristic bell tower with the three gold crowns, which is one of the most famous buildings in Stockholm. It is built from eight million bricks and has a tower that reaches the 106 meters. The City Hall is open to the public. You can also climb inside the tower and enjoy a fantastic view over the city.

7. Moderna Museet

Moderna Museet (“the Museum of Modern Art”), is a state museum for modern and contemporary art located on the island of Skeppsholmen in central Stockholm, opened in 1958. It hosts a huge collection with paintings of Picasso, Dali, Matisse and other great painters.

8. Nationalmuseum

Nationalmuseum (or National Museum of Fine Arts) is the national gallery of Sweden, located on the peninsula Blasieholmen in central Stockholm. The museum was founded in 1792 as Kungliga Museet (“Royal Museum”), but the present building was opened in 1866, when it was renamed the Nationalmuseum.

The museum is home to about half a million drawings from the Middle Ages to 1900, prominent Rembrandt and Dutch 17th-century collection, and a collection of porcelain items, paintings, sculptures, and modern art as well. The museum also has an art library, open to the public and academics alike.

9. Royal National City Park

The first national park in the world. The park is forming an arc more than six miles long, stretching around and through the city.

In the park, you can meet many animals, such as deer and hares, foxes and even moose, rare birds, butterflies and insects. There is an abundance of things to see: museums, an amusement park, theaters, castles, hotels, sports facilities, numerous residences from different historical periods, hills with centuries-old trees, oak, ponds, streams, marshes and canals, meadows with grazing cows, horses and sheep, secluded spots for swimming, rocky hills and areas with wild nature that you won’t believe. And all these, in the middle of a big city!

10. Boat Ride

The exploration of Stockholm from water is an enjoyable experience. Fortunately, there are many tours to choose from depending on your interests (Under the bridges of Stockholm, the Royal Canal tour, Historical Canal Tour and early Good Morning Stockholm Tour). All focus on central Stockholm and last from 50 minutes to 2 ½ hours.

Sources: goo.gl/zcNI7S / goo.gl/0NNneD

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Phi Phi Don was initially populated by Muslim fishermen during the late-1940s, and later became a coconut plantation. The Thai population of Phi Phi Don remains more than 80% Muslim.

The islands came to worldwide prominence when Ko Phi Phi Leh was used as a location for the 2000 British-American film The Beach.

Watch the 4K video:

With info from wikipedia.org

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