Hola from Barcelona!

Las Ramblas: This tree-shaded, central walkway to the seafront is the most famous street of Barcelona. Taking in the mansions, shops, and cafes, the street is thronged by street vendors, tarot readers, musicians and mime artists.

Notes on Barcelona:

It was a nice change to fly from from a "boiling hot" Rome to a pleasantly warm Barcelona!. The nice weather together with the blue torquouse waters of the Mediterranean sea attracted us immediately. Here are some brief notes on Barcelona city;

- Rivals capital Madrid

- The 1992 Olympic Games were staged here, in an awesome area called "the Parc de Montjuic".

- Many historical buildings in the old town but the city is known for its modernistic buildings mainly by the world famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi.

- The most famous street/walkway is called Las Ramblas: This tree-shaded, central walkway to the seafront is the most famous street of Barcelona. Taking in the mansions, shops, and cafes, the street is thronged by street vendors, tarot readers, musicians and mime artists. Among its famous buildings: The Palau Guell (by Gaudi), Gran Teatre del Liceu (the city's fine opera house), the Huge Marcat de Sant Josep (a colourful food market), Placa Real (a lively square dates from the 1850s) and Museu de Cera (wax-work museum)

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Prague - Part 4

Have you seen the first 3 sections on Prague yet? If not click here-> Prague1 ; Prague2 ; Prague3




































Notes on Prague continue:

- The Prague old town is the largest medieval heritage zone in the world.

- Although the Czech Republic is part of the European Union since 2004, the currency is still Crown. One crown (CZK) made up of 100 hellers. At the time of this writing 1 Euro is equal to 29 CZK and 1 US dollar is equal to 24 CZK.

- We thought so too, and were told that the Czech language is one of the most complicated languages in the world. This is apparently not only due to its pronunciation, but also to its grammatical rules.

- The most famous Czechs of all time include, Antonin Dvorak, Vaclav Havel and the much loved personality, Czech King Charles IV (the 14th Cent.) He was also the Holy Roman and German Emperor.

- Austrian Habsburgs take over the Czech crown on the 16th Century.

- Independent Czechoslovakia is established in 1918. The Czech Republic is established in 1993 . Vaclav Havel was the first president.

- The Prague Castle is the largest castle complex in the world to house the head of state.

- The Wenceslas Square is considered as the center of the city by the locals.

- The most significant Art Noveau buildings in Prague are the Municipal House and the Main Train Station.

- Unlike Brisbane or Istanbul --(!)--, the public transport is well organized and extensive in Prague. The train and the metro systems completed by the trams and buses which all work in sync and harmony to provide the inhabitants a quick and easy way to move from one point to another in the city.

-republished-

Bonjour from Monaco!

Monaco / Monte Carlo [10 Sept. 2007]

We had a day trip to Monaco when we were staying in Nice. (40 min. by train)

Not so much from the sea level, but Monaco was spectacular when watched from its hills...

A microstate, the Principality of Monaco is a city state located along the French Riviera between the Mediterranean Sea and France. (For more, scroll down to the end of the page)


...Watching the harbour from the hills, where the palace is...



The Palais Princier (The principality's palace)



The Monaco Cathedral
Princess Grace Kelly's tomb in the Cathedral

Gorgeous mix of blue and green ...




A fountain in Monte Carlo


Monte Carlo's famous Casino: "Casino Monte Carlo" or the "Grand Casino"


Some details on the Casino building...




The Hotel Paris, located next to the Casino Monte Carlo. So that you don't have to travel long to bed, after a long night of gambling... :-)

You didn't know, but I actually own this...

and this...


The casino at night...
The casino (left ) and the hotel (right) look more glamorous at night...




Among the ones we saw, we decided to get those two... :-)

Another view of the Cathedral.


Notes on Monaco

- Covers 1.9 sq km (485 acres) (an area smaller than New York's Central Park), with a population of ~35000.

- the city is only a narrow coastal strip. Its physical geography includes a long beach and steep cliffs that rise vertically upwards to heights of 63 meters above sea level.

- The ruling monarchs of Monaco in the 20th century ("The house of Grimaldi"): Prince Rainier(died 2005), Grace Kelly(died 1982), and their children; Princess Caroline, Prince Albert, and Princess Stéphanie.

-The best known section of Monaco is Monte Carlo with its famous Grand Casino. Designed in 1878 and set in formal gardens.

- Palais Princier: 13th century palace was open to the public when we were there, so we had the chance to see the furniture and the frescoes...

- The famous Marine explorer Jacques Cousteau established his research center here in Monaco, at the Musee Oceanographique. The aquarium of the museum has rare species of marine plants and animals.

- Monaco, a tax haven: has no income tax for individuals... This obviously had led to a considerable number of wealthy "tax refugee" residents from European countries, who earn the majority of their income from activity outside Monaco. (ie: Formula One drivers and various business people ).

It is once alleged that Monaco has lax policies with respect to money laundering, including within its famed casino, and that the government of Monaco puts political pressure on the judiciary so that alleged crimes are not properly investigated... (just an allegation!..)

- A world leader in glamour and money, it is said that Monaco is one of the most expensive places on Earth. As of February 2007, Monaco had Europe's most expensive real estate, ahead of even London. (remember, most of its inhabitants are millionaires from other countries!.)

Enough of my gossip.. Auroir from Monaco! :-)