This blog is joining Travel Diva’s Tuesday Travels meme. My first entry is my Travel Photos in Macau, taken last May 2009 with my family and a few friends.
Monthly Archives: October 2011
Travel Tips | Sweden
The fourth cleanest country according to the Environmental Performance Index of 2010, Sweden, is a Nordic Country located in the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. The country shares its borders with Norway to the west, by the east is Finland and the Oresund Bridge connects it to Denmark. It is the third largest country in the European Union with a land area of 450, 295 square kilometers. Though the country is highly urban, it still maintains its cleanliness by using renewable and clean energy. The countryside and the sophisticated cities are places to go if you want to experience the best of both urban and rural lifestyle. There are thousands of lakes in Sweden and the country is covered with lush forests making it biologically diverse. The islands are the most beautiful part of the country and one must not miss visiting them. The capital city of Sweden is...
Travel Tips | Spain
Reino de España or the Kingdom of Spain is located in the southwestern part of Europe. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea on the south and east, France, Andorra and the Bay of Biscay to the north and the west by the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal. Spain also has some territories in the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands and some islands in the Atlantic Ocean, it also has two autonomous cities in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla. Inside the French territory is its exclave called Llivia. It is Western Europe’s second largest country after France with its 504, 030 square kilometers. This country is known for its flamenco dancers and bullfights. Summers are hot, the best place to visit the country is during spring, fall and early summer. Spanish and English are the main languages spoken in the country. The country has adapted modern ways to go with...
Travel Tips: Romania
Its history is considered to be the darkest by many, ruled by the Ottoman Empire for centuries, now this country is slowly emerging from its dark past. Romania or Rumania lies on the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, bordered by Ukraine and Moldova in the northeast and east, the west by Serbia and Hungary, and the south by Bulgaria. The capital of Romania is Bucharest, the northern half dominated by Transylvania and Moldavia. The Black Sea Coast, Carpathian Mountains and Transylvania are the country’s main attractions. White sandy beaches are the most popular attractions in the Black Coast while dense forests are what cover the Carpathian Mountains that make it a premier skiing location. Romanian Spas are famous in Transylvania; it is known for its health resorts and has many healing powers. To experience Romania through food, one must try the ciorba de perisoare or soup with meatballs,...
Travel Tips | Portugal
This country was a world power during the 15th and 16th century. It was destroyed because of natural and manmade causes: earthquake and war. From the Portus Cale, Porto’s Latin name, comes the country’s name Portugal. Officially called the Portuguese Republic is located in the southwestern part of Europe, it is the westernmost country of the continent. The only country sharing its border is Spain in the south and east while the other directions are surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. Porto is the second largest city while the largest and capital city is Lisbon. It has a warm and sunny climate, perfect for tourists who are looking for sand, sea and sun. Travelers love this country because of its picturesque and charming towns. While part of the modern world, Portugal has still preserved its rural dwellings and historic places. Its culture and traditions are still upheld by their citizens...
Travel Tips | Poland
The Republic of Poland or commonly known as Poland is one of the ancient nations in Central Europe that was formed during the 10th century. It is located east of Europe with Germany flanking it on the west, the south are bordered by Czech Republic and Slovakia, the east by Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania and the north by the Baltic Sea and a Russian exclave, the Kaliningrad Oblast. It is the 69th largest country in the world and the 9th in Europe with an area of 312, 679 km. The country was totally devastated during the World War II, it was home to the most ravaged city in the world during that time, Warsaw. They were able to rebuild the country from scratch, some castles that were completely destroyed was reconstructed and now is a must see attraction. The biggest city in Poland is Warsaw and also its capital....
Travel Tips | Norway
Officially called the Kingdom of Norway, Norway is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It lies on the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The eastern border is largely shared with Sweden while the northern part is flanked by Finland, Russia occupies the west and the southern part of Norway stops at the Skagerrak Strait. The fjords of Norway are housed by Norway’s coastline. This coastline faces the Barents Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. The capital and largest city of Norway is Oslo. The country’s beauty lies in its wild forests, historic towns and beautiful fishing villages. The residents are very welcoming and warm to the tourists. The midnight sun of the Arctic is what brings the tourists here. Not only would Norway please the eyes of the nature lover but also make the cultural buff stop in wonder. There are two official languages in Norway: Bokmal Norwegian...
Travel Tips | Luxembourg
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg or more commonly known as Luxembourg alone is one of the smallest sovereign states in Europe. Because the country is small it has some advantages especially to the tourists, all tourist attractions are just reachable. The country has rolling green hills and it provides a wonderful view. Winters constitute snow but the weather is better than the neighboring countries. The months of May to September means a warm climate. Their official language is Letzeburgesch though French and German are also widely understood and spoken. A handshake is the traditional greeting. Bringing along gifts and flowers is an appropriate gesture when visiting someone. The dress code in the country is smart casual but a more formal outfit is expected when attending social functions or eating at fine restaurants. Smoking in public places is not allowed. Shopping in Luxembourg is fun since there are a lot...
Travel Tips | Italy
Officially called the Italian Republic, Italy is the birthplace of pizza and pasta. It is also a favorite among struggling and thriving artists, musicians, and writers. Their winters are relatively cold but their summers are unforgivably hot. Autumn and spring are the best seasons to visit as they present you with panoramic view and beautiful weather. During this time, the place is not so busy with tourists. Italy is located in the south-central part of Europe. It shares its northern borders with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia along the Alps, the southern part is bordered by the Italian Peninsula. Italy has two enclaves within the country, the states of San Marino and Vatican while they have one exclave, Campione d’Italia, in Switzerland. Italian is their national language and is widely spoken in the country. Their residents do not speak English. Italians regard families and their ties as very important...
Travel Tips | Ireland
The Republic of Ireland or more commonly known as simply Ireland shares its only border with Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom. The country is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. It ranked 5th in the Human Development Index and also ranked high in press freedom, economic freedom and democracy and political freedom. Summers in the country are warm while winters are not that cold but with snow. The sunniest months are from May to June. It always rains unexpectedly in Ireland so do not forget to bring umbrella or coats whatever the season it is. English is widely spoken here and preferred by most locals. Men and women both shake hands when greeting. There is no need to worry on being welcomed because the Irish are warm and sociable people. They tend to talk even to strangers and they go out of their way to make you...