The country for travel and trips

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Malta island attractions

sergiy February 26, 2019

Many people ask what can be seen and what to do in Malta, because usually knowledge about this

 country is not as great as about other European countries. And this is understandable. Honestly,

there is no such thing as “the best route to Malta” - on this small island you can easily see and

implement everything that was planned. So, if you want to spend a weekend in Malta or are planning

 a longer stay in Malta for 5 days, 7 days or more, there are many opportunities for cheap holidays

in Malta if you know where to look for them and how to plan your pastime. All the necessary

information you can learn from just one article! Here is our guide to help you get your perfect

Malta route.

Before we dive, the country of Malta actually consists of three islands: the main island of Malta, which is the largest, smallest island of Gozo in the north-west, to which you can take a ferry, and the smallest island of Comino in between Malta and Gozo (also available for visiting only by boat). Driving a car - you can get from the southernmost edge of the main island from where the ferry

leaves for Gozo, to the north-west in about an hour. This is the entire length of the main island.

One hour!

However, the whole
island is very easy to get around. Many places and attractions can be visited
in half a day or even in a day from anywhere in the island, depending on where
you are staying. Many attractions are available from the so-called “central
points” - Valletta and Slim. A walk through these cities will allow you to see
the entire capital and visit the most populated part of Malta if you do not
have a lot of time. If you are just planning
to spend up to 2-3 days on the island and only in Valletta or Sliema, you will
not need a car, since you can safely move around the city on foot or take a
taxi in case of emergency. By taxi to the airport you can get at a fixed rate,
and in fact it will be all your needs in the car. See below the section
“Official and private taxis”.

Ah, these buses are in Malta. If you were here before, you probably also smiled. If you didn’t know yet - the bus is a great, cheap way to drive around the whole island. BUT - this, at least, will also be a test for you. We mean that, although new buses are absolutely safe, you will often be amazed at the speed they develop and the constantly evolving situations along the route and sudden braking, and most interestingly, for some reason they DO NOT get into accidents.

If you plan to travel to Malta, you will need a place to stay. Although this article is more focused on “what to see and do”, we thought it would be useful to also provide you with the necessary information about booking a home. The suggested routes below also include hotels and hostels, so some of them will be useful for you too! To search for budget hotels and hostels, we recommend using our search for budget accommodation.

Hotels in Malta you can see here - bookingbuddy.

If you are not interested in a beach holiday, skip Golden Bay and go straight to the medieval city of Mdina. We will look at each of the above places in a little more detail and tell you what you can see and do there! Let's start with the capital of Malta, beautiful Valletta.

travel to bavaria

sergiy February 26, 2019

How to plan a trip to Bavaria by yourself?

One of the most popular destinations for tourists traveling in Germany is Bavaria. This is not surprising, because it is here that you can observe not only the famous castles of Bavaria all over the world, not only beautiful alpine meadows and real “Alpine cows”, as if from the Milka ad, but also just beautiful mountain landscapes and other beauties, like descended from the picture guide. However, Bavaria is practically an independent world and at first glance it may seem that you can

conquer it only by purchasing a tour of the castles of Bavaria. However, this is not the case - a little

desire and time will help you plan your dream trip.




For travelers who have decided to conquer the magic of
Bavaria, I want to give some tips:

- firstly, if your main goal is Bavaria, then select
Munich as your destination (arrival).

Personally, I did it differently, and bought a ticket
to Berlin. I can not say that I regretted this afterwards - after all, my goal
was to get acquainted not only with Bavaria, but with Germany as a whole. That
is why in my route there was also a place for Berlin, as well as Potsdam and
Dresden. However, such a route is physically difficult. That is why I would
recommend starting your journey around Bavaria from the arrival in Munich: you
will spend less time on the road and you will have more time to explore
Bavaria.

Of course, you can purchase an excursion tour
"Castles of Bavaria". This will deprive you of the need to book a car
and develop a route for visits However, in my opinion, booking a car is much
more convenient and economical.
The only thing I
insist on is very strong - do not travel around Bavaria by public transport. Do
not be surprised, nobody canceled the possibility of traveling by regular
buses! However, the impressions will still be not the same, and you will spend
a lot of time on travels. The price of this card
for 2015 is 45 euros for one visitor, and for two (the so-called “family
ticket”) - only 65 euros. As I have already explained, the validity of this
card is 14 days from the date of the first visit to one of the landmarks from
the list.

You can purchase this
card at the checkout of any of the castles that you can visit on it. Please
note that this map does not apply to all the castles and sights of Bavaria. In
addition, if you are staying initially in Munich, then it will be more
convenient to purchase a ticket right here - the map also applies to many of
the attractions of Munich. 
So, after you have decided on the place and time of your
stay, you should immediately accept the fact that if you go to Germany not for
half a year, but only for a short holiday, you will not be able to see the
whole Bavaria. Therefore, you have to make a choice: which of the castles to
inspect, and which ones can be left until the next trip. And also it is
necessary to make a specific trip route.

For myself, I
determined the following plan for visiting Bavaria: 

- Munich (in spite of the fact that we flew to Berlin, we
could not not see this beautiful city. That is why we set aside a couple of
days to get to know Munich). In addition, one of the evenings in Munich, we
dedicated to visiting this football game with the participation of the world
famous club "Bavaria". 

Munich is a very special city, for inspection which is not enough
a couple of days. We also managed to visit Oktoberfest, so there was very
little time left for sightseeing. The
village of Oberammergau is famous for a completely unusual painting of houses -
the artist Franz Seraph Zwink, who was born here, laid the foundation for a
special direction of painting. These were religious frescoes, the first of
which he painted on the facade of his own house. However, they were also liked
by another villager, and orders soon fell on the young man.

In Bavaria, Oberammergau is not the only village where houses of this style have 
survived. However, here they are the most. By the way, when you arrive here, get
 ready to empty your wallet - in the village there are a lot of craftsmen selling 
wooden souvenirs. In addition, there are wonderful shops of Christmas toys. 
The two most famous Bavarian castles in Germany. In my opinion, the first of 
them owes its popularity not only to its beauty and grandeur, but also ... to the f
amous screensaver with the image of the castle, which begins the cartoons 
produced by Disney Studio.


Yes, it is this Bavarian castle that became the
prototype of the Sleeping Beauty Palace, painted in Disneyland Paris. Of
course, to visit this pearl of Germany is, I would advise to spend the night in
one of the hotels near the castle. Believe me, the breakfast overlooking
Noshvshanshtayn will be remembered for all your life.

It is easiest to
combine his visit with a tour of the castle of Heuschwangau, which is within
walking distance of the first. Heuschwangau is not as famous and more
restrained than Neuschwanstein, but in the evening in the light of the lights
it looks no less majestic. Yes, and the decoration of the halls is very
interesting. 
This is only a small tour of the castles of Bavaria, designed
for 5-6 days. In fact, there are much more objects here, but it takes much
longer to study them. Build your individual route through the castles of
Bavaria based on your budget and personal interests. I hope that small
recommendations from me will help you with this.

Saturday, February 16, 2019

Independent trip to Vienna

sergiy February 16, 2019

Vienna is a beautiful European city with a rich history. The mild climate, developed infrastructure, a huge number of attractions attracts a huge number of travelers from around the world. It is a pleasure to relax here, as evidenced by at least the fact that Vienna is recognized as the best place in the world for quality of life. And this article is just devoted to how to go on an independent trip to Vienna to fully enjoy the magnificence of this city.

Organizing a trip to Vienna alone is quite simple. This can be done in a few hours, but it is better to approach planning more thoroughly and spend a little more time on it, read reviews about interesting places, compare hotels, find out which area is better to stay and the like. This article is entirely devoted to the topic of travel, this information is enough to go to Vienna at least tomorrow. And so, to specific actions to rest without the help of travel agencies.

Housing
It is cheaper to book a hotel not in the central areas of the city. Since Vienna's transport network is well developed, you can get to any place very quickly and fairly cheaply, especially if you buy a travel card.

sights
The correct solution would be to purchase a guide to Vienna. With it you will be better able to navigate in the city and will be able to quickly understand what a particular place or object means, and you will always know what to see and where to go. In general, do not spend money on a guide, it will definitely come in handy.

Renting a car in order to go to the suburbs of Vienna and in different parts of Austria, in order to see even more interesting places - this is a great solution. If the budget of the trip allows you to rent a car, then do it, there will be much more vivid impressions.

It’s worth taking the euro and a bank card on an independent trip to Vienna. And it does not matter much in what currency the card account is opened, when paying for purchases the amount is automatically converted into the necessary currency.

Be careful when withdrawing money from an ATM on the street. Although Austria is one of the safest countries in the world, there are even thieves there (mostly people from non-EU countries).

The cost of independent travel to Vienna depends only on the travelers themselves. Goals, priorities, opportunities, style of rest, dates of beginning and end of holidays - all this affects the price of the trip.

If, however, money is not very much, then thanks to the course of 7 steps to travel, you can cut costs several times, only you need to understand that the less money is spent on rest, the less comfortable it will be. Although it all depends on the person and his vital attitude, it will be more comfortable for someone to travel around the world, living in mediocre hotels, preparing meals on their own and saving on much more than sitting all day in a stuffy office in their homeland. But still budget rest is real.

Independent travel through Vienna can be inexpensive. Tips and recommendations written in this section will help save up to 70% of the money, the only thing you need to do is decide where to draw that line, after which savings will damage rest, because someone will be in a bad mood if they live in the cheapest hotel and eat fast food. But even without such extreme measures, you can significantly save money without losing your level of comfort.

Friday, February 15, 2019

Trip to mongolia

sergiy February 15, 2019

Few travelers visit Mongolia, and those who visit call it one of the most impressive countries they have ever seen. This was the first reason I went to this country. The second - in June, there was held the “House for All”: the project of the Academy of Free Travels, which is periodically organized in different countries of the world. In this house any traveler can live for free. I was attracted by the opportunity to talk with different travelers and learn something new from them.

Russian travelers and tourists do not particularly indulge Mongolia. I met with those who lived near the border with the birthplace of Genghis Khan, but had never been there. And in vain! A wanderer will have something to see in this country, and the bonus will be that the majority of the population speaks Russian (many in conversation with me called Mongolia the 16th USSR Republic).

They use those tugriks as currency. The banknotes depict the founder of the Mongol Empire - the great Genghis Khan. In general, with his name or image you will meet all the time in Mongolia - in the names of hotels, shops, beer and various dishes. The Mongols are still very much loved and honored by Genghis Khan.

Most of the hotels in Mongolia are concentrated in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, where you can find accommodation for every taste and budget. So, the cheapest hostel will cost from € 3, and the “presidential suite” in the hotel “Ulaanbaatar” will cost € 500. In general, the country’s couchsurfing is also worth looking for only in Ulaanbaatar. True, they can try to sell you a tour around the country through couchsurfing - either to the desert or to real nomads, do not agree. I personally received many such requests (I even remembered Morocco, where there was exactly the same situation with couchsurfing), but ordinary Mongols also wrote, who happily invited me to their home.

You cannot write a lot about transport in Mongolia, simply because it is missing. You can get around the city and for short distances with the help of buses, but if you want to go to the Gobi Desert or to some other interesting cities, then the only option is a car (either hitchhiking or rent).
In my opinion, hitchhiking in Mongolia is beautiful, people pick up very willingly. But here you will have to face three difficulties at once - sometimes these same wonderful people will ask you for money, the second - in parts of the distant parts of Ulan Bator, traffic is much less busy. Once I even had to wait one car for two hours. The third difficulty is that in some parts of Mongolia there are no roads at all.

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park

We spent a little bit in the city and that's enough, it's time to go to nature! Good in Mongolia, only one nature is, as well as many national parks. You can get to Gorkhi-Terelzh by bus, which will cost a little less than a euro, take about two hours.

The park is very beautiful: camels themselves graze between the mountains, and some even offer to ride them. The most famous park brought rocks of extraordinary shape, created by nature. Also inside the park is a Buddhist temple Aryabal, where you should definitely look! This is a place of power, a place where the soul and body rest. During the ascent to the temple you will have to overcome 100 white and 8 black steps, at this time you will be surrounded by wooden tablets on which Buddhist wisdom is written.

Elsen-Tasarkhay National Park

If you, like me, do not want to spend a lot of time and money to visit the Gobi, go to the park of Elsen-Tasharhai, where you can see a piece of the desert. It takes about four hours to get from Ulan Bator here, and public transport does not go here, so you have two options: hitchhiking or renting a car. Huge dunes and whistling wind - this is what will allow you to feel yourself in the real desert. At night, the stars here shine brightly as ever. To see it all, take a tent with you, or beg for a night to the local nomads.

Saturday, February 9, 2019

Pizza in Italy - my impressions

sergiy February 09, 2019

Pizza in Italy - my impressions.

Pizza in Italy is undoubtedly one of the most popular dishes in this country (along with pasta and the famous Italian ice cream). And, of course, traveling in Italy, I could not help but try this national dish. And today I want to share with you my impressions.

Many of us, arriving in Italy, have already heard that no other pizza can match Italian. And so that, after the first slice, there is no disappointment, carefully select the place where to taste this famous national dish. Today, pizza production is on stream. Pizza in Italy is sold at every step. The only question is the quality of this dish.

There are many restaurants, pizzerias and street cafes and snack bars, where you can buy pizza. And sometimes the elegant sign of the place does not mean that here you can taste the most delicious pizza in the city. Sometimes, in long, small, unremarkable pizzerias, huge queues are lined up, since they serve exactly real homemade pizza, the preparation of which takes place right before your eyes.

This homemade pizza is cooked in a wood oven. In Italy, this is not uncommon. Dry heat makes the crust crisp, and the filling allows you to remain tender and juicy.

Real pizza in Italy is cooked at a temperature of 485 degrees and baked there for only 2 minutes.
In street eateries, which are very popular with tourists, prices, of course, are much lower than in restaurants, but the quality leaves much to be desired. Very often in Italian restaurants there is an extra charge for a seat at the table (about 1-2 euro per person). And you will know about it only when they bring you an account. Therefore, if you do not want to overpay, then when choosing a place, be sure to see that it says: “NO CHARGE FOR SEATING” (without a fee for a seat). But since this often scares off tourists, many restaurants already refuse this additional fee.
Italian Pizza Varieties
Traditional pizza in Italy has a round shape. The main component of Italian pizza is Mozzarella (young cheese). Today in Italy more than two thousand types of pizza. Pizza is “stuffed” with anything: fish, ham, garlic, onions, peppers, mushrooms, eggplants, seafood, sausages, sausages, meat, greens, cheeses, dairy products and much more.
Traditional pizza in Italy is Pizza Margherita (Margherita), which includes tomatoes, basil, and, of course, mozzarella. Pizza Salami (with smoked spicy sausage) is very popular among tourists.
Pepperoni Pizza (with red and green pepper) is equally popular. Moreover, if the menu is written Pepperoni, then you will be served a pizza exclusively with pepper. It will not have any additives in the form of the same pieces of sausages, to which we are used to ordering Pepperoni pizza in Russian pizzerias. For example, I really liked Pizza con funghi e pancetta (pizza with mushrooms and bacon), and Pizza con tonno (pizza with tuna).

Friday, February 8, 2019

My trip to Milan: what to see, how to get to Milan

sergiy February 08, 2019

Milan, Italy is the 15th largest city in the European Union and is recognized worldwide for being the capital of world design and fashion. The city consists of several so-called parts of charm and passion - football, opera and fashion.

Nevertheless, as long as there is brilliance, fashion and several historical monuments, for me this city served as an excellent place to stay for only a few days. I cannot say that I liked the city very much, since even its local residents stated to me with confidence that it was a city, first of all, for work, but not for tourism. However, in my opinion, the city is still worth a visit, only if not for long. Let's start with the most common method that has found recognition worldwide. Given the importance of the city, I can please you with the fact that planes fly from Moscow to Milan. If you are going to go to conquer Milan independently and independently, then it is better to buy tickets to this glorious Italian city through the online ticket service. It will be more convenient, easier, and, of course, cheaper. In general, I planned to arrange a budget trip for myself, and that is why I tried to live in Milan as cheaply as possible. I began, of course, with the purchase of air tickets. Moreover, I booked cheap tickets to Milan through the aforementioned service for the sale of tickets and a few weeks before departure. After buying tickets in Milan, I started searching for a suitable accommodation for me. By the way, I had to choose between several places to sleep at night (by type, of course). I began to consider first hostels. For a hostel be prepared to pay from 20 to 30 US dollars for staying in a common room and 80 US dollars for a private double room in a hostel. With regards to prices for a cheap hotel, you have to pay at least $ 50 per night in a cozy hotel for a double room. Prices increase dramatically during the summer months, so keep in mind.

Try to pick up housing with your own kitchen, because food in cafes and restaurants will definitely cost you a lot of money. And so, if you have your own kitchen, you can live a fortune of fifty dollars for a week. Then, as only one trip to the restaurant will have to pay about sixty US dollars.

What to see in Milan

Visit the Cathedral. Let's start with the historical sites of Milan. Massive gothic cathedral hanging over Piazza del Duomo. Here you can count about 3500 statues, 135 spiers and 5 bronze doors, which is not surprising, given that this architectural wonder has been built for almost five hundred years. You will definitely lose the gift of speech from its magnitude. Take the elevator to the roof, and if you are really lucky with the weather, you may see the Alps (I'm not talking about the city of Milan and its surroundings). The Madonnia city symbol, also located on the top of the roof, may be subject to detailed inspection at will. Admire the Last Supper. This masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci is located in the church of Santa Maria della Grazie. The picture, of course, speaks for itself, as it captures the moment when Jesus reveals the fact that one of his disciples will soon betray him. Despite all the trials and tribulations that this work of art had to overcome, the fresco looks wonderful to this day. Book a visit to the mural a few months in advance if you want to get there during the peak season. If you are traveling on a budget, then at least buy yourself a cup of coffee and watch the high society of Milan pass by you.

Visit the opera. Do you like opera? Want to see the opera in all its glory? Then, of course, you have definitely heard about La Scala. Of course, you have to starve for the next few days to allow yourself to buy one of these "golden" tickets and experience the best acoustics and performers in the world with your own eyes and ears. Or maybe you just want to look at this fantastic theater from the inside? Visit the theater museum of La Scala, and at the same time walk along the corridors of this magnificent structure.

Explore the Sforzesco Castle. Get a piece of fine art at Sforzesco Castle. Built in the 15th century by the famous Francesco Sforza castle, at this stage of time there are 12 mini-museums and an extensive archive, which, in essence, serves as a visual feast for the eyes! His collections include everything from the Renaissance, the unfinished latest work of Michelangelo and the famous Civiche Raccolte d’Arte Antica (world-famous sculptural gallery) and ending with the museum of musical instruments and ancient art.

Go to the football. If you consider yourself an avid football player, then pre-book your tickets for the match at the San Siro stadium in advance. Like any other football fanatic, you should know that San Siro is one of the world's most famous stadiums, while Milan itself is home to two football teams - Milan and Inter. Look at the water canals of the city. Surprised to hear that similar channels exist in Milan? Actually, there are, more precisely, two, to be exact. Do not expect, of course, that they will replace Venice for you, although they also deserve attention. According to the project of the great Leonardo da Vinci, the Milanese channels had to repeat exactly the same structure, known throughout the world, thanks to Venice. Originating in the Navigli area, these channels are incredibly charming and accessible to tourists during the summer months.

It is at this time that you can take a "lazy" boat trip looking at charming artists, perhaps painting you as their works on the shore. You can also spend your time dining at one of the dozens of restaurants located along its perimeter. In fact, this is a very large area and for the most part, it is designed for a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Wander through flea markets. Milan is famous not only because it is home to many fashion giants - the city is also home to huge flea markets that can be good news for your wallet!
Fiera di Senigallia is considered the most popular and ancient flea market in the city, where you can buy absolutely everything, from disco equipment to antique American comics. You can also visit the Papinian market, located a few steps away, where you can buy cheap shoes and clothing.
Visit the Brera Art Gallery. Although this place cannot be compared in size with the Sforzesco castle, the gallery certainly has its grandeur, displaying many of the best works of art by Raphael, Mantegna and Rembrandt. Visit the park Idroskalo. Yes, this is the real urban jungle. One of the most iconic places recognized by local residents is the artificial lake Idroskalo. Here you will find beautiful parks and you can even have a barbecue. Here it is almost the same as on the Italian coast.
Take a walk along Corso Magenta. Located in the northwestern part of Milan, this street is home to several cafes, shops and palaces built in the Baroque style. It is noteworthy that the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and the nearby monastery are exactly the place where the Last Supper was once held. Get on a sightseeing tour here will be better from the subway station.
Relax in Semipone Park. This park is so huge that it is considered the location of several ancient, majestic attractions such as Sforzesco Castle, the City Aquarium, Torre Branca, as well as dozens of different esoteric bars and much more.

You can see the hotels on a

Monday, February 4, 2019

PRAGUE

sergiy February 04, 2019

A magical city with an amazing architectural ensemble, which harmoniously combines
medieval castles and modern buildings. The heart of old Europe with the magical charm
of narrow streets and picturesque landscapes. The European capital, which every year
attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. All this, of course, Prague!

Sprawling on both sides of the Vltava River, Prague seems to symbolize the separation

between the past and the future of Europe. Moreover, the Czech capital surprisingly combines

these two worlds.

Like many European
cities, in Prague there is the Old Town and the new districts, only here they
do not contrast, but harmoniously combine and create an amazing architectural
symbiosis - on some of the narrow streets you can meet the existing water mill
and right there, looking away , stumble upon a futuristic television tower. To
understand this city, its rhythm of life and atmosphere, we advise you to get
closer acquainted with the history and modern life of Prague.

The exact date of the founding of
the city is unknown. It is believed that Prague was founded by the ancient
Slavs around the VI century BC. e. It has always been the main city of the
region: in the 10th century - the capital of the Czech state, since 1918 - the
Czechoslovak Republic, since 1993 - the independent Czech Republic.

Prague practically did not suffer
during the Second World War, therefore medieval cathedrals, castles and other
architectural monuments are preserved here. Today the city is experiencing a
construction boom, and modern buildings appear next to old buildings.

Prague Castle
Prague Castle is a fortress in Prague (similar to the East Slavic Kremlin), the
residence of the Czech president (formerly the Czech kings, some emperors of the
Holy Roman Empire, the presidents of Czechoslovakia, the imperial protectors
of Bohemia and Moravia). The largest presidential residence in the world, possibly
also the largest castle in the world.
Located in Hradcany on a high hill, towering over Prague. Exceptionally rich in architectural, artistic and historical treasures.

In Grad there are many houses, although it contains many very famous
buildings. Including in it are located: St. Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane,
Church of All Saints, Basilica of St. George. Next to the Castle is the Royal
Garden, which houses the Summer Palace of Queen Anne.

Golden Lane
Golden Lane - the old street of Prague, located in Prague Castle, is one of
the symbols of the city. The appearance of the street is characterized by dwarf
two-story houses, built into the arches of the former fortress wall. The street is a popular tourist destination, miniature houses converted into
souvenir shops with galleries and expositions. Entrance fee, the visit is
included in the price of a comprehensive ticket for the Prague Castle.

Fair Palace

The fair palace was built in
1925-1928, located in the Holešovice district, Prague-7. The palace is the
first building in Prague built in the style of functionalism. Previously, fairs
were held here, offices of international companies were located, but in 1978
the building was transferred to the National Gallery. Nowadays, the complex is
used to house the exhibition of contemporary art, famous for paintings by
Picasso, Renoir and Van Gogh, as well as the “Slavic epic” by Alphons Mucha.

St.Vitus Cathedral

St. Vitus Cathedral is a Gothic
Catholic cathedral in Prague Castle, the seat of the Archbishop of Prague. The
cathedral is ranked among the pearls of European Gothic, is an artistic and
national-historical shrine of the Czech Republic. Czech kings and archbishops of
Prague are buried in the chapels of the cathedral, and the coronation regalia
of medieval Bohemia are also kept there.

The present building of the cathedral was built in several stages: 1344-1419,

1490-1510, 1556-1593 and
1873-1929 (the western part). Finally, the construction of the cathedral was
completed only at the beginning of the XX century. The length of the main nave
of the cathedral is 124 meters, the height of the Great South Tower is 96.5
meters. On the western side, there are two 82-meter neo-gothic stone towers
with a 10-meter round window in the form of a rosette between them. Three
portals of the cathedral are richly decorated with sculptures, stone and bronze
reliefs.