STRASBOURG FRANCE

 

NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL

  

 

The monumental Strasbourg Cathedral is a huge tourist draw in this area. It is well worth seeing, but be advised that you won’t be alone.

Besides being a masterpiece of wood sculpture is also a popular for the restaurant and sidewalk cafes all around.

 

PETITE FRANCE

 

Walking through the Petite France district was a highlight of my visit to Strasbourg. Such a beautiful section of this historic city which retains the magnificent old homes and buildings.

A relaxing walk and I recommend you take the opportunity to have lunch or an afternoon coffee at one of the many restaurants along the waterway.

An alternative is to take a ferry trip through the waterway.

VARADERO CUBA

 

There are many beautiful beaches in almost every country, but the choice I would say is simple. Go to Varadero beach where boring is not a word. Varadero is a resorts town in Matananzas, north of Cuba. It is one of the many few beaches with a still clam sea. Varadero is called Playa which means blue sea in Spanish. Every year there comes around 300,000 people just in that area.

Ideal place for beach lovers, Varadero is one of the most important tourism destinations in Cuba, world famous for its all inclusive Hotels.

AKUMAL RIVIERA MAYA MEXICO

AKUMAL BEACH     The beach at Akumal is beautiful but more specifically, it is the water and lack of waves. Unlike other beaches around riviera maya, Akumal has a reef or barrier just off shore. You can see in the photos where the waves break. Because of this there are no waves near the beach.

ISTANBUL TURKEY

ULUS PARK

 

     

   

 

 

 

 

A beautiful park at “Ulus” district, high above hill point from which u can have a wonderful view of the Bosphorus.

My friend from Istanbul brought me in Ulus cafe which is just a couple of minutes of uphill driving from Ortaköy provides a wonderful view of the Bosphorus. The park also offers a pathway to walk and take pictures.

I think it is a must do in Istanbul just to rest and take some good panoramic pictures to take back home. Best time to be there is just before sunset. You can enjoy the day view, sunset and evening view and enjoy the lights of the Bosphorus Bridge.

 

SULTANHAMET

Blue Mosque – Sultanahmet

 

    

 

 

One of the most popular tourists sights and when visiting Istanbul a “must see”.

Give yourself time, minimum one hour, most people stay much longer. Expect to wait for entry, I recommend you visit early in the day.

 

Topkapi Palace

       

 

 

A beautiful building from the outside and well worth going inside where you will see a beautiful dome ceiling, excellent wall decoration, beautiful windows…

 

For me, the highlight of the entire palace complex was the Harem.

In a word, the Topkapi Palace is, magnificent. It is definitely one of the highlights in Istanbul. Topkapi Palace was the residence of sultans and their harems from the 1450’s until the middle of the 19th century. It was also the seat of the Ottoman rule.

BESIKTAS

 

Ciragan Palace Hotel Kempinski

 

 

 

I had the good luck of having dinner in Bosphorus grill in this hotel on my first trip to Istanbul.

I felt like a Sultan 🙂

 

Lots of details form the general feeling of luxury in this hotel, but the one sigle detail that stands out in my memory is the swimming pool. It is by the Bosphorus, in a beautiful garden, with a view of the old palace and its marble gate on one side. When you are in it you see only a white balaustrade to separate the water of the pool from the sea.

 

 

Four Seasons Istanbul at the Bosphorus

 

    

 

 

Four Seasons hotel is one of the best located hotel.

A beautiful old palace, spectacularly overlooking the Bosphorus

 

 

 

VIEW FROM Pera Palace Hotel  

 

 

 

This wonderful hotel is still in the style of the 1930’s. It was the destination for the passengers arriving on the Orient Express. It was also the hotel where Agatha Christie stayed when she went missing for a period of time. She stayed here several times and it was here that she wrote her famous novel “Murder on the Orient Express”.

JERUSALEM : THE ETERNAL CITY

WESTERN WALL

 

 

When I was in Jerusalem I of course visited the Western Wall. You have surely heard about it. It’s an important place for the Jews and many are praying there. You can write a prayer on a paper and put it into the wall if you want.

Friday evenings are the best time to visit as shabbat sets in, with many thousands flocking to the Kotel (Hebrew name), the sound of the faithful singing, their songs and prayers cutting through the air;

No doubt a  place where everyone should go and experience .

 

Ben Yehuda Street

 

Ben Yehuda St area is a very lively area especially at night, there are many pubs and restaurants in and around it and its one of the nicest areas to hang out in.

 

DAVID CITADEL HOTEL and Mamilla Mall 

   

 

It’s one of the most beautiful hotel in Jerusalem .

A great plus is the location…very close to the old city .

The view of the Old City was incredible.

The David Citadel Hotel on King David Street commands a prime site at the most desirable location in Western Jerusalem, across from Alrov Mamilla Avenue and overlooking the ancient walls of the Old City, the historical Tower of David and Jaffa Gate. 

GRANADA SPAIN

MIRADOR SAN NICOLAS

  

The Plaza de San Nicolas is situated in Granada Old Town, known as the Albaicin.
It is possible to walk to it form the centre of the town, if you’re the energetic type.
Alternatively, you can catch one of the little transit-style buses that rattle through the old town’s narrow cobbled streets.
The plaza has a wonderful view back to the Alhambra Palace, with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background.
There are also a number of bars and restaurants in the vicinity if you feel in need of refreshment.
When we were there there were musicians playing Spanish guitar which added to the atmosphere.
There’ll be plenty of other tourists there with you, but it is well worth the effort as you don’t get that view from anywhere else.

 ALHAMBRA

                 

No doubt that the Alhambra is a pearl in the heart of Andalucia. From the views over Albayzin across to the Medieval city walls hrough the beautifully-shaped windows of the Nasrid palaces to the views *of* the Alhambra from the Gerneralife, you will be spoilt for choice.

 

DOWNTOWN PLAZA NUEVA  GRANADA

     

                     

Plaza Nueva works on many levels. A beautiful linear square that runs along the Daro River. Gorgeous views on one side up the hill to the Alhambra and to the Albaicin neighborhood on the other. This is tourist central for Granada.

THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS LYON FRANCE DEC 2013

The Festival of Lights is probably the most popular as well as the most established event in Lyon occurs on December 8th. Lanterns adorn balconies and windows and streets a full of performers making the event quite a visionary display. Different events are organised in the different quarters. The Festival of Lights began around 150 years ago at the time when statue of the Virgin Mary was erected on Fourviere Hil and unveiled.

As well as the buildings being lit up, there is usually a theme and full displays of colours and light are everywhere. Take the time to explore the city, both in the afternoon (for shopping fun!) and then enjoy the colour and life of Lyon at night.

 

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CHRISTMAS IN JUPITER ISLAND , FLORIDA USA

 Jupiter Island is one of the wealthest towns in the United States. Jupiter Island is home to professional golfers Gary player and Nick Price, and Singers Alan Jackson, and Celine Dion. Much of the island is inaccessible to the tourist with the exceptions of Jupiter lighthouse park, Coral Cove Park, and Blowing rocks park.

I was at my friend ‘s house  during Christmas time.It was an amazing experience.

        

           

    

 

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MADRID SPAIN

Retiro Park, Madrid

Located ever so close to the Prado Museum, Retiro Park reminded me of Central Park in New York. It is huge both in dimensions and things to see. The area is particularly popular on weekends when the park appears to be taken over by the residents of Madrid.

The park contains many interesting features. There is a large lake in the middle of the park for boating. There is a gorgeous building called the Crystal Palace that was built long ago. There are spots with cool grass and tall trees for relaxing. There are countless areas to walk and jog around in and be sheltered from the warm sun. There are also an extremely large number of book stalls at the edge of the park selling books of all kinds.

Retiro Park just like it was some 200 years ago when it was opened by King Phillip IV is still a place to relax and forget about the pressures of life for a few hours.

La Castellana Avenue, Madrid

Madrid’s grand boulevard. I have so many memories of walking along it, at just about every section.

“The Paseo de la Castellana”a is a beautiful street with lots of apartment buildings and some stores .

Cibeles Square, Madrid

One of the most beautiful places in Madrid this square is dominated by the central fountain, created in 1782 and dedicated to goddess Cibeles. Around it Cibeles palace, Bank of Spain, Buenavista palace and Linares palace compose the “living room” of real Madrid supporters, and the main meeting point for tourists.

Plaza Mayor, Madrid

       

The Plaza Mayor is the central market square for Madrid, located within a rectangular plaza surrounded on all sides by buildings with balconies and windows and shops on the bottom floor.

In the center of the plaza is an equestrian statue of Philip III, who commissioned the building of the plaza. The statue was designed by the Italian sculptor Giovanni de Bologna, but was completed by his student Pietro Tacca in 1616. It used to be situated at the Casa de Campo but was moved to the Plaza Mayor in the mid-1800s.

On one of the buildings near the center of the plaza are some very beautiful paintings featuring allegories. Below these paintings is Madrid’s main tourist office.

Plaza Santa Ana, Madrid

This is one of the great plaza’s of Madrid, located east of the Puerta del Sol. The plaza Santa Ana is where the local’s come to relax and drink and eat.

CHRISTMAS IN MADRID

In December Christmas gets going with  open air events,street markets and concerts.

GOIKO GRILL

Goiko Grill is one of the best burger restaurants in Madrid.

Real Madrid Football, Madrid

Real Madrid is the main soccer team in Madrid and the sport is considered a religion!

It’s a huge stadium with seating capacity for about 80000 people.

I attended a great game Real Madrid/FC Barcelona 1/2 final Champion ‘s League.

Royal Palace, Madrid

   

Madrid’s original royal palace was at the site of Retiro Park. It was where the monarchy lived when Spain ruled the world. It was where Velazquez painted his masterpieces. Its architecture featured the square corners with the pointed tops that you can still find all over Madrid. It was truly Madrileño! However, that palace tragically burned, taking with it several masterpieces by Velazquez and Rubens, among other artists.

The palace was rebuilt in the Western corner of the city and it was designed by a French architect. This is why it looks like a mini Versailles. And although it’s still gorgeous, it’s more French than Spanish looking.

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WEST PALM BEACH FLORIDA USA

West Palm Beach is a city located near the ocean in southeast florida.

The downtown clematis street historic district and the city place development has scores of shops, restaurants and bars.

As for me West Palm Beach is simply beautiful…