Sibiu the German Heritage

In the lands of legends, a certain city stands out nowadays, being the best preserved medieval settlement and a cultural reference for the whole region - Sibiu or Hermanstadt. Sibiu has been the center of the German minority since the medieval times and nowadays it is a major tourist attraction in Transylvania.




Sibiu is located about 300 kilometers away from Bucharest, but it has its own international airport, therefore it’s reachable by plane, car or train. The medieval charm, the amazing food, the surrounding landscapes (The Carpathians) and the friendly people made Sibiu one of the top destinations in Eastern Europe, in just two years after being nominated as the cultural capital of Europe.



The city center, also the historical center, is packed with attractions and museums, so you don’t need a car to explore this wonderful town. Walking or riding a bike will do fine. You can guide yourself using the Council Tower, an impressive structure erected in the 12th century and the tallest tower in town. If you choose to climb up in the tower through the dizzing stairs, you won’t regret the view.



Make sure you don’t miss the Brukenthal Museum and the Gallery of Arts, hosted in two buildings in the Main Square that used to be the home of the most famous baron that lived in Sibiu. Original pieces of furniture and crockery, as well as famous paintings of Romanian, Austrian, German and Italian painters are available in the museum.



Just steps away, in the Huet Square, you can admire the most impressive church in Sibiu. The Evangelic Church was raised in the 14th century and it has the tallest church tower in Transylvania (74 meters). It’s the only place in Sibiu where you can enjoy organ concerts, in the summer and on Wednesday nights.



Also, take some pictures on or underneath Sibiu’s landmark: the Liars Bridge. It’s Transylvania’s oldest cast iron bridge and no one knows for sure why the people named it this way. Some say that it’s the translation from the German lugenmarchen, which also means “lie”. Others say that the dishonest merchants were thrown off the bridge in the old times, but most of the people agree with the following theory: the bridge was a popular walking place for all lovers, especially for the military cadets and lots of promises were made there, most of them being lies.

Nova Scotia Genealogy

For centuries, Nova Scotia has been the gateway to Canada, and many Canadians can trace their family tree to here. From the arrival of the earliest explorers like John Cabot, to Samuel de Champlain’s band of hardy adventurers determined to settle an untamed world, to waves of Scottish immigrants and British soldiers, to German farmers from the Rhine Valley - Nova Scotia has welcomed them all.


Canadian’s Immigration History

With easy access to the Atlantic and one of the world’s largest natural harbours, there’s a reason why Nova Scotia has been the entrance to millions of Canadian immigrants – and is important to so many people while tracing their family trees. You can still see the immigration sheds of Pier 21 National Historic Site in Halifax where over a million immigrants, troops, war brides, and evacuee children started their new lives.

In Nova Scotia we also live our history. You can explore the colourful fishing town of Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and still home to many hard-working fishermen today. Or you can relive a day in the life of 1744 at the Fortress of Louisbourg, the largest reconstruction of its kind in North America.

Trace your Nova Scotia genealogy at the Halifax Archives back to a quiet churchyard in a small town, or explore the living poetry of Acadia at the Grand Pre National Historic site. Make our history your own by:

Visiting the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site of Canada in Baddeck on Cape Breton Island, and discovering how he and his associates produced the fastest boat in the world, made improvements to the phonograph and, of course, invented the telephone.
Taking in the pageantry of Pipefest as part of the International Gathering of the Clans or visit communities that have hosted musical events for generations during the Celtic Colours International Festival.
Transporting yourself back to 1780 by joining in the encampment at Liverpool’s Privateer Days.
Experience the noon day cannon at Citadel Hill
Day trip or full immersion, a trip back in time is a vital part of many Nova Scotia vacations.

NOVA SCOTIA

Tour Canada’s Bay of Fundy

A billion tons of water moving in and out of Canada’s Bay of Fundy twice a day for eternity has created a remarkable and unique seascape between Nova Scotia and its neighbour, New Brunswick. The Bay of Fundy tide, the highest in the world; as high as a four-storey building, is five times higher than the Atlantic Coast average, gives rise to beachcombing for sparkling amethysts at low tide, to fascinating tours, and to fun-filled Tidal Bore rafting when the rising waters cover hundreds of meters of ground in only minutes.

Having caused steady erosion over millions of years, the tides historical impact on the terrain is evident. The waters have carved overhanging sea caves and cliffs, and low tide is a perfect time for fossil hunting. Nova Scotia vacations to the Bay of Fundy should include a stop at The Joggins Fossil Centre on the Fundy Shore, where you will find the world's largest collection of 300 million-year-old Joggins Fossils.

The nutrient-rich Bay of Fundy is home to some amazing marine life. The finback whale, the second largest animal on earth, comes to the Bay of Fundy to feed and play along with the Right whales, Minke whales and Humpbacks. A whale watching tour will give you a new definition for "awesome".

There are amazing experiences to be found along the Fundy Shore & Annapolis Valley that unwind along the land and sea of the Fundy shoreline. Visit the Cape d’Or lighthouse located on a panoramic point of land where the Minas Basin meets the Bay of Fundy, or simply spend an afternoon sunbathing on sands of Five Islands Park.

Tour the Ocean Floor

One of Canada’s ecological wonders, you can walk on the Bay of Fundy seabed at low tide, which only hours before held waters as high as a four-storey building. You can also hike to the trails of Cape Chignecto Provincial Park to see the Three Sisters, one of Nova Scotia’s most famous rock formations, accessible only by boat or trail. Kayak the waters of the Bay as you spy on the shorebirds and diverse marine life.

Climb to the top of Palatine Hill (Monte Palatino).
Legend has it that the ancient city of Rome was born atop Palatine Hill. Well-preserved samples of Roman era palaces and temples still stand, incorporated into the natural landscape by trees and vegetation that grow out of the ruins. Today these sites -- which include the Baths of Septimus Severus -- feel more like a park than an archeological site. Quiet paths shaded by slanting maritime pines give the place a serene feel. For a treat, visit Palatine Hill at early dusk, and watch the sun set on the center of ancient Rome -- from Circus Maximus, to the Forum, to the Colosseum.

Stroll the grounds of the Roman Forum (Foro Romano).
You won't have to strain your imagination to picture the Forum as the political, commercial and religious center that it once was, Columns, arches and temples built between 500 B.C. and A.D. 400 -- including the Temple of Vesta, where virgins once guarded the sacred fire -- are artifacts of its ancient prominence. This center fills the valley between Capitoline and Palatine hills.

Imagine yourself a gladiator at the Colosseum (Colosseo).
The Colosseum is the most recognizable symbol of Rome. Once called the Flavian Ampitheater, it was built from A.D. 72 to A.D. 80 -- in just eight years. Here, up to 50,000 spectators -- protected from the sun by an ingenious system of shades -- packed the stands to watch Roman gladiators fight it out in the ultimate combat. Today, the only wild animals haunting visitors are stray cats that make their home in the shadow of this monument.

Make a wish at Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi).
Squashed into the corner of a small piazza, Trevi Fountain's statue of Neptune seems ready to burst forward from the ancient Acqua Vergine aqueduct. The recently cleaned, and gleaming, 18th-century fountain is one of Rome's most famous sights. It draws throngs of tourists, who crowd into the tiny square to toss coins into the water over their left shoulders; legend says this assures a return trip to the city.

Take a break on the Spanish Steps.
A grand outdoor staircase, the Spanish Steps offer a fabulous view of city monuments and rooftops. But they are also a great vantage point for people watching. The Spanish Steps are the meeting place in Rome, filled daily with guitar-playing city dwellers and stylish shoppers descending on the piazza's world-class boutiques. When you've had enough rest, head next door to the Keats-Shelley house, and take a look at memorabilia from literature's Romantic period. Or take a sip and a photo in front of the piazza's azalea-trimmed Fontana della Barcaccia (Old Boat Fountain).


Admire Rome's best-preserved monument, the Pantheon.
An architectural wonder in simplicity, this domed temple was built in 27 B.C. as a tribute to all gods and then rebuilt in the second century A.D. by Emperor Hadrian. It is one of Rome's best-preserved monuments, despite the removal of its marble walls, and bronze ceiling during the Renaissance. The round temple includes a series of columns topped by a dome, which boasts a 30-foot opening to let in light. It remains the burial site of the first ruler of the Kingdom of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II, and artist, Rafael.

Take an evening stroll at Holy Angel Castle (Castel Sant'Angelo).
The Castel Sant'Angelo's is a distinctive round building, nestled between the Tiber and the Vatican. It was built in A.D. 135 as Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum. Later it was used as a fortress and a prison, even providing an escape route for popes via the connected corridor running atop the wall encircling the Vatican. Inside, the castle not only serves up fabulous views of the city, but also houses medieval cells, frescoed halls and a museum of arms and armor. And if you want to experience the romance of Rome, you can't beat a stroll across the Ponte Sant'Angelo at night. Newly installed floodlights dramatically illuminate the 10 angel statues flanking this approach to the castle.


Visit St. Peter's Square and Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro).
As the largest church in the world, St. Peter's Basilica features stunning architecture, works of art and a chance to see the pope, who addresses the public in the square on Wednesdays and Sundays when he is in town. Inside, the bronze statue of St. Peter draws crowds, as does Michelangelo's 1499 depiction of the Pieta. And ascending St. Peter's 435-foot dome provides a great vantage point for viewing the city and the pope's gardens. But not to be missed is the ancient necropolis, or "city of the dead," beneath the basilica. Plan ahead, because the small tours of St. Peter's scavi (excavation) require reservations through the Vatican offices. St. Peter's bones are believed to be buried there; the burial site is preserved, along with the Constantinian-era basilica and Nero's Circus.

Visit the Vatican Museums, and see the Sistine Chapel (Cappella Sistina).
A journey through the 4.5 miles of displays in the Vatican Museums begins at the foot of an impressive double helix stairwell. Because it is one of the largest collections in the world, seeing all of the Vatican Museums is a near-impossible task for the casual tourist. But no matter how short your time, you don't want to miss the frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, or Michelangelo's Last Judgement fresco behind the chapel altar. The museum also is home to artworks of every age, from early Egypt to the present day.


Walk along the Ancient Appian Way (Via Appia Antica), and visit the catacombs.
The Appian Way, or "queen of roads," was the first and most important of the Roman Empire's great roads. Built entirely from cobblestone in 213 B.C., today it is scattered with ancient monuments and, most notably, a series of catacombs. These burial sites are underground labyrinths dug out of volcanic rock, outside the city walls due to laws forbidding burial in ancient Rome. Be sure to visit the Catacombe di San Callisto, one of the oldest and best-preserved, and the Catacombe di San Sebastiano. Unlike most catacombs, San Sebastiano also contains pagan tombs. But it once housed the remains of St. Peter and St. Paul, and its basilica still contains the basalt Domino Quo Vadis footprint, made, according to tradition, by the foot of Jesus Christ. .

trains in Korea....

The KTX (short for Korea Train eXpress) is easily the fastest - but most expensive - way to travel by train. Offering a trip from Seoul to Busan in just under three hours at a top speed of 300 kph, you're paying for speed and convenience to major destinations. KTX trains make fewer stops, but run more trains to the major destinations than the other classes of trains. A new high-speed line is currently under construction in southern South Korea; when completed at the end of 2010, it will reduce the Seoul-Busan trip time to approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes. (Source: Wikipedia)

The Saemaeul-class (새마을) trains can be considered Korea's second-class trains. Until recently, this was the fastest way to get from point A to point B, and still maintains a good balance between speed and number of stops. The name 'Saemaeul' comes from the Saemaeul Undong, a movement in the 1970's to make rural South Korea more modern.

The Muganghwa-class (무궁화) trains can be considered Korea's third-class trains. Although these trains make more stops than the other two classes of trains combined, the train's comfort and cost of tickets may actually make this the preferred mode of transportation for some. While these trains will take the longest, these are the only trains that stop at some train stations. The name 'Muganghwa' comes the national flower of South Korea of the same name.

The Tonggeun (통근) or 'commuter-class' trains only run a couple specific routes. These trains will make many stops during their runs, and only serve smaller or more rural communities that have a train connection. The few lines that still use Tonggeun-class trains primarily run to the northern Gyeonggi-do areas, including the Gyeongwon Line (Dongducheon-Sintan-ri) and the Gyeongui Line (Munsan-Dorasan). Don't confuse this with the subway line of the same name - that line terminates at Munsan. To go any farther north you'll need to hop on the Tonggeun train.
The Nooriro-class (누리로) is a new class of trains that compromises between the Muganghwa-class train and the comparatively slower Seoul subway. While it runs on the same line as line 1 of the subway system, it makes fewer stops than the subway does (stops include Yeungdeungpo, Anyang, Suwon, Pyeongtaek, Cheonan, Asan, Onyang Oncheon, and Sinchang). While you pay the same for the Muganghwa-class train, you get there a little faster. This class of service is expected to replace the now-aging Mugunghwa trains, but they don't yet seem to have a lot of demand.

Famous examples of Islamic Architecture

During the Islamic civilization, around 10th century, the activity of exploring pattern and symmetry truly blossomed. For a period of about 400 years there was vigorous creativity. This resulted in a large number of sophisticated geometrical patterns and two of the most sublime monuments to symmetry that have ever been built- namely, the Nasrid Palace of Alhambra in Granada in Spain and the Taj Mahal in Agra in India.

The Alhambra is a walled city and fortress in Granada, Spain. It was built during the last Islamic sultanate on the Iberian peninsula, the Nasrid Dynasty (1238-1492). The palace is lavishly decorated with stone and wood carvings and tile patterns on most of the ceilings, walls, and floors. Islamic art does not use representations of living beings, but heavily uses geometric patterns, especially symmetric (repeating) patterns.

As for the Taj Mahal, Western historians have noted that its architectural beauty has never been surpassed. The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. It was built by a Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan (died 1666 C.E.) in the memory of his dear wife and queen Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal (meaning Crown Palace) is a Mausoleum that houses the grave of queen Mumtaz Mahal at the lower chamber. It is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. It is an "elegy in marble" or some say an expression of a "dream."

famous building in Moscow

Saint Basil´s Cathedral is traditionally perceived as symbolic of the unique position of Russia between Europe and Asia. The cathedral was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible and built between 1555 and 1561 in Moscow to commemorate the capture of the Khanate of Kazan. Saint Basil´s is located at the southeast end of Red Square, just across from the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin. Not particularly large, it consists of nine chapels built on a single foundation. The initial concept was to build a cluster of chapels, one dedicated to each of the saints on whose feast day the tsar had won a battle, but the construction of a single central tower unifies these spaces into a single cathedral. A popular but untrue legend says that Ivan had the architect, Postnik Yakovlev, blinded to prevent him from building a more magnificent building for anyone else.