Corfu Travel Information,Attractions in Corfu,Greece

Corfu Travel Information,Attractions in Corfu,Greece

The sunny Greek island of Corfu is home to beautiful beaches and lush Mediterranean nature. The blue waters of the Adriatic Sea offer excellent chances for water sports such as surfing and diving in Corfu, while the green countryside of the island is ideal for hiking and biking with olive trees, cypresses, wild flowers, valleys, hills and mountains. In the numerous taverns in the historic towns and villages of Corfu you can taste the world-famous Greek cuisine.

Blue sea in Corfu

Beaches and outdoor activities in green Corfu

The green island of Corfu in the northwest of Greece is a fascinating combination of sunny beaches, rural landscapes and Greek and Italian architecture, offering something for everyone. There are beaches in Corfu suitable for every taste: small and quiet, big and crowded, beaches with golden sand, and beaches with colorful pebbles. The shallow, sandy beaches in the southeast coast of the island are best for families with small children. The east coast of Corfu has quiet waters and rich underwater world good for swimming, snorkeling and diving in Corfu. Other water sports such as sailing, surfing and kayaking are also available on Corfu.

Aerial view of Corfu town

Land activities. The lush vegetation in Corfu consists mostly of olive trees, cypresses and wild flowers. The green hills, valleys, mountains and the historic villages are ideal for walks and hiking on Corfu. The natural beauty of Corfu can also be explored by biking on Corfu. Families will children will certainly enjoy a day in the exciting water theme park Aqualand with a multitude of wild slides and rivers. The green landscape of the island provides also good settings for golf on Corfu.

Busy street in Corfu

History & culture. The island of Corfu has been occupied by Greeks, Romans, Venetians, and French, which all have left their marks in the colorful history of the island. The small Corfu Town (Kerkira/Kerkyra) is the largest town on Corfu. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic Corfu town is home to beautiful architecture, monuments and forts. To get in touch with the rich history of Corfu you can visit the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Far Eastern Art. In addition, there are several fascinating museums scattered throughout the island. For those interested in culture there are several cultural festivals in Corfu, such as the Corfu Festival with ballet, opera and theatre performances during the summer months. Corfu town is also the centre of shopping in Corfu.

Practical information for your stay in Corfu

The island of Corfu is located in the Adriatic Sea off the northwestern coast of Greece.

Corfu enjoys a pleasant, sunny Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild, rainy winters. The most rainfall can be expected from November to March.

Corfu buildings and street

Hotels & services. Corfu offers excellent facilities for tourists, and English is widely spoken by those locals working in the island’s tourism industry. The numerous excellent taverns and restaurants in Corfu serve both Greek specialties, Italian and international cuisine. There is a wide selection of colorful apartments, hostels, and hotels in Corfu. There is a lively nightlife in Corfu as well, with many bars, cafes, clubs, and discos.

Flights to Corfu arrive at the Ioannis Kapodistrias International Airport which serves flights from Europe. While most international flights to the island are charter flights during the summer season, there are domestic flights to Corfu from Athens available year round. Corfu can also be accessed by ferries from Italy and Greek mainland, or by your own yacht. There are seaplane connections to Corfu from other Ionian Islands, and bus connections from major cities in Greece. Car rental in Corfu is a good option for getting around on the island by your own. Taxis are also easy to find.

One of the most famous beaches in Corfu

Safety. Corfu is a safe travel destination with no major problems with crime. However, it is advisable to keep an eye on your belongings. The traffic in Corfu may seem chaotic for a foreigner.

Angkor Wat-7th World Wonder ,Cambodia

Angkor Wat-7th World Wonder ,Cambodia

INTRODUCTION TO ANGKOR ARCHEOLOGICAL PARK This section as intended as a guide for visiting the monuments at Angkor. It can be either read in advance of a visit or afterwards to reinforce the experience, or used at the sites to enable the visitor to be an active spectator. Historical quotes from early visitors to Angkor are included where appropriate to try to capture the spirit of its past glory. Legends and symbolism are also included whenever feasible to give the visitor additional background for a better appreciation of Angkor. VISITING THE MONUMENTS It is based on the amount of time the visitor has to spend at Angkor and take into consideration the roads, proximity of the temples, and favorable light conditions.

For some temples it is important to begin at the principal entrance to perceive the space and decoration as the builder intended, and entrances are indicated in the text. The monuments are oriented according to the four points of a compass which can be used as a point of reference. the temple of Angkor Wat is covered in detail in this book because of its importance, complexity and size. Angkor provides wonderful photographic opportunities. the monuments and the surrounding jungle afford unlimited textural and lighting opportunities for composing a picture.

Clouds are common and tend to diffuse the light which is somewhat flat even though it is intense. As most of the temples face east the best lighting conditions are in the morning except for Angkor Wat where the best light is in the afternoon because it faces west. the temples surrounded by jungle such as Ta Prohm and Prah Khan can be photographed with good results when the sun is directly overhead and shining through the foliage. Just as one is never prepared for the enormous size and overwhelming beauty of Angkor, one is never ready to leave it. With photographs and visions etched in memory, one need never say good-by to Angkor, for its magic will go with you wherever fate and the gods may take you to colour your thoughts and dreams to life’s very end. The name of the monuments at Angkor are often modern ones designated by Cambodians or early European travellers. In publications by the French the enclosures of a temple are numbered starting from the central sanctuary and progressing towards the enclosing walls. The system used in this book reverses the order for the convenience of the visitor. Thus the first enclosing wall the visitor encounters when entering a temple is number one. the numbers ascend from the exterior to the interior of the monument. In many distances, though, only traces of the enclosing walls, particularly the outer one, remain.

THE ANGKOR ARCHEOLOGICAL COMPLEX LIST Ak Yum Krol Ko Preah Palilay Angkor Thom Krol Romeas Preah Pithu Group Angkor Wat Kutisvara Roluos Group Bakong Lolei Spean Thma Baksei Chamkrong Neak Pean Srah Srang Banteay Kdei Phimeanakas Ta Keo Banteay Prei Phnom Bakheng Ta Nei Banteay Samre Phnom Krom Ta Prohm Banteay Srey Phnom Kulen Ta Prohm Kel Baphuon Prasat Bei Ta Som Bat Chum Prasat Kravan Tep Pranam Bayon Prasat Prei Terrace of the Elephants Beng Melea Prasat Suor Prat Terrace of the Leper King Chapel of the Hospital Prasat Top (East) Thma Bay Kaek Chau Say Tevoda Prasat Top (West) Thommanon East Mebon Pre Rup Wat Athvea Kbal Spean Preah Khan West Baray Kleangs (North and South) Preah Ko West Mebon

ADMISSION FEES

You must possess an admission pass (an ‘Angkor Pass’) to visit the temples and sites in the Angkor Archaeological Park. Passes may be purchased at the main entrance on the road to Angkor Wat. One-day tickets only can be purchased at the secondary tollgate on airport road entrance near Angkor Wat and at Banteay Srey.

Passes are sold in one-day ($20), three-day ($40) and seven-day ($60) blocks that must be used on consecutive days. Photo taken on the spot with free of charge is required at time of purchase.

Visiting hours are 5:00AM – 6:00PM. Angkor Wat closes at 6:00PM, Banteay Srey closes at 5:00PM and Kbal Spean at 3:00PM. Always carry your ticket. It will be checked upon each park entry and at major temples. There is a significant fine for not possessing a valid ticket inside the park. A regular admission ticket is not required to visit Phnom Kulen, Koh Ker or Beng Melea, but there is a separate entrance fee of $20, $10 and $5, respectively.

Information by http://www.tourismcambodia.com

Romantic Getaways in Italy(Lake Como)

Romantic Getaways in Italy(Lake Como)

Lake Como Introduction:

Lake Como, Lago di Como in Italian, is Italy’s most popular lake and also its deepest. Lake Como is shaped like an inverted Y giving it a long perimeter. The lake is surrounded by beautiful villas and resort villages as well as hiking paths and it’s popular for boat trips and water activities.
Lake Como, a popular destination since Roman times, is a top romantic travel destination and a great spot for photography.

Lake Como Location:

Lake Como is in the northern Italian Lakes District. Lake Como lies between Milan and the border of Switzerland. It’s southern tip is about 40km north of Milan. It is surrounded by mountains and hills.

Transportation to and from Lake Como:

Lake Como lies on the Milan to Switzerland train line. The train stops in the town of Como, the main town on the lake, where there is a tourist office in Piazza Cavour. The Ferrovia Nord Milano, a small train line that leaves Como from via Manzoni, runs only between Como and Milan. Milan’s Malpensa Airport is 40 miles away. To get to Como from the airport, take the Malpensa Express Train to Saronna and transfer to train LeNord to Como.

Lake Como Transportation – Getting Around the Lake:

Ferries link the major villages and towns of Lake Como, providing both a good form of public transportation and a good way to do some sightseeing from the lake. There is also a bus system to villages around the lake. There are several funiculars to take you into the hills. You can rent cars in Como (Auto Europe rentals in Como) if you want to explore other nearby areas on your own.

Lake Como – When to Go:

Lake Como is a popular weekend destination for people from Milan so the weekdays may be less crowded. July and August are the most crowded months. Spring and Fall are the best times to visit as it is less crowded and the weather is usually pleasant. During the winter, some services may be closed, but you can ski in the mountains nearby.

Como and Lake Como Average Temperatures and Precipitation

Lake Como Festivals:

The Sagra di San Giovanni is celebrated the last weekend of June in the town of Como with folk arts and fireworks and in Ossuccio with a festival, boat procession, and boat race. The Palio del Baradello, a historical re-enactment, is the first week of September. Also in September is a traditional rowing race, Palio Remiero del Lario. There are music festivals around the lake in spring and fall, gastronomic festivals in fall, and drama from January – April.

Lake Como – Where to Stay:

Lake Como has a variety of lodging options, from campgrounds to elegant villas. Here are the Top User Rated Lake Como Hotels on Venere, 1-5 stars, around the lake. The elegant 5-star Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni read reviews and book direct in Bellagio is a top luxury hotel on the lake and one of the oldest.

Lake Como Map and Pictures:

Our Lake Como map shows the major towns around the lake. For a look at the town of Como and the lake from there, see our Como Pictures or take a look at Bellagio, the Pearl of Lake Como, with our Bellagio Pictures.

Lake Como Shopping:

The town of Como has many silk factories so if you want to buy silk Como is a good place to go. Prices are low on designer fashion fabrics. Como also has a Silk Museum dating from 1900 where you can see the entire silk-making process.

Lake Como Attractions:

• Bellagio, known as the pearl of the lake, is in a beautiful setting where the three branches of Lake Como come together. It’s easy to get to by ferry or bus from other cities on the lake. Read more in our Bellagio Travel Guide.

• The walled town of Como has a good historic center and lively squares with nice cafes. There are several walking paths near town. Como makes a good base if you’re traveling by train. From Como you can take the funicular to the village of Brunate, 720m above Como, for hiking trails and beautiful views of the lake and the Alps.

• Villa d’Este, in the village of Cernobbio on the west coast, is the most famous of Lake Como’s villas. The villa is now a luxury hotel on a wooded peninsula. Each of its 161 rooms is unique.

• Menaggio, against the mountains, is a lively resort with a lakeside promenade. Menaggio is popular with outdoor enthusiasts for walking or hiking, swimming, windsurfing, and rock climbing.

• Villa Carlotta, south of Menaggio, has beautiful gardens. You can tour the inside with its original 18th century furniture and art works.

• Villa del Balbianello, in the village of Lenno, is also worth a visit and has some unusual treasures. The villa was used as a set for one of the Star Wars movies.

• The fishing village of Varenna has picturesque narrow alleyways and streets below a castle and a lakeside walking path.

• Outdoor Activities – Biking, mountain biking, hiking, boating, paragliding and windsurfing. In the winter, you can ski in the nearby mountains.

• Cruises – there are some interesting cruises around the lake on commercial boats, mainly on weekends in the summer season.

• Camping – there are a number of campsites around the lake.

Information by http://goitaly.about.com