happy steps

Castles, churches and other historical buildings are usually on my top travel destinations. Aside from being interested with the architecture of the building and the exterior details, going inside can be even more breathtaking. For instance the interiors of the cathedrals such as the St. Vitus Cathedral and the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul at the Vysehrad Castle are elaborately done, with the detailed chapels at the sides decorated with statues or paintings and other interesting artifacts. Not to miss are the beautiful hanging lamps and chandeliers which provide a subdued mood.

Chandelier inside the St. Vitus Cathedral at the Prague Castle

Hanging lamps provide a quiet atmosphere mood for contemplation at the church of Sts. Peter and Paul at the Vysehrad Castle

Chandeliers and other stylish lighting fixtures lend an artistic touch to a room, aside from providing mood lighting. They’re even considered as art centerpieces to hotels and some homes. Finding one for your home can’t be that easy though since they should complement the room’s look.
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Yesterday, we headed off to Kutná Hora, a town about few hours travel from Prague and with its historical town center listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site together with the Church of St. Barbara and the Cathedral of Our Lady at Sedlec.

We stopped first at the famous Cemetery Chapel with Ossuary (a place to keep the bones of the dead) which was built during the late 14th century. The unique interior of the cemetery chapel contrasts its simple exterior design. Inside the chapel, you can see bones intricately made into a massive chandelier, as wall moldings and other decorations. These bones were estimated to come from the 40,000 people who died during the epidemic in the 14th century and during the Hussite wars early in the 15th century.

Inside the Ossuary, tourists inspecting the details of the bone decorations

One of the Baroque candelabras (candle holders) at the middle of the chapel, decorated with skulls and with an angel sitting on top

The intricate arrangement of skulls and bones as ceiling decorations

The main altar

The Schwarzenberg coat-of-arms with the pyramid of bones behind

The simple chapel exterior

Stepping inside gave me a bit of a creepy feeling especially seeing the piles of bones, though I can’t help but admire the creativity of the artist, Czech wood carver František Rint, with the skeletal art work and arrangement particularly the elaborate Schwarzenberg coat-of-arms.

One of my dream destinations in southeastern Europe is Greece, a place which abounds in history and charm. How nice it would be to visit the Acropolis and climb until its summit where the ancient ruins of sacred buildings and especially the Parthenon is located. It would be such an experience to be walking over such historical site. The Greek Islands are interesting destinations as well. These top tourist destinations can be visited via Greek island cruises, where you get to be onboard a luxury vessel with all the amenities of a hotel while enjoying a nice view of the sea and islands from afar.

The Greek Islands are made up of over 6,000 islands and are grouped into the Saronic islands, the Northern Sporades, the Ionian islands, the Dodecanese islands, Aegean islands, the Cyclades, Crete and surrounding islands, Euboea and surrounding islands, and some islets near the mainland. For instance, Santorini which is part of the Cyclades group is famous for its beaches – the Perissa, Kamari black pebble beach, the white beach and red beach. This volcanic island boasts of natural and scenic beauty and has been the usual choice as TV and video location for Greek and Brazilian shows. Even some Hollywood movies such as Tomb Raider II were filmed in Santorini. Another island worth visiting is Crete, which is a unique mixture of modern and ancient buildings and architecture.

Going on a cruise is like staying on a floating resort. Cruise lovers can also check out other destinations (ports of call) such as the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Florida and more from Carnival Cruise Lines. Travel bugs who would like an Eastern Caribbean or South America cruise can have it via Celebrity Cruise Line which is a premium cruise line for couples, families and bigger groups.

Photo credits: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:192869736_c3090f211d_o-1-.jpg

My 40-day Finland vacation will soon be over and it’s time to say bye to the cold summer weather, the midnight suns, and so much more. I am grateful for having stayed here in Pori at my big sis’ flat which is located right at the heart of the city, near the Eetunaukio Square which has an open stage where shows and programs are regularly held. On Tuesday afternoons, we can even hear the music of the brass band playing.

My stay here has added more to my travel memories such as having a picnic at the Kirjurinluoto Park and walking by the Kokemäenjoki River, dropping by the Central Pori Church (Keski-Porin kirkko), checking out the Jazz Street during the recently concluded Pori Jazz 43rd Festival, learning about Pori’s history at the Satakunta Museum, enjoying a sunny Sunday afternoon at Yyteri Beach and shopping around some of the department stores and shops in the city center.

With niece Az and nephew Rj at the Satakunta Museum

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It was a sunny Sunday when we went to Yyteri beach, one of the well-known holiday resorts in Finland. Yyteri is a district in Pori and is just few minutes’ drive from my big sis’ flat in the city center. The place is not just famous for its long stretch of beach but is also a haven for campers, hikers and sports enthusiasts who would like to indulge in other outdoor activities such as surfing, cycling, horseback riding and beach volley.

Bringing with us picnic food and supplies, we went in two groups – mom, dad, cutie sis, baby C, and sis’ hubby in one car and big sis, the three kids, me and their family friend (who’s gracious enough to drive us there with his car) as the other group. Arriving at the parking area, I noticed the many vehicles lined up and most of them were campers. There’s a wide camping ground nearby where you can see many tents pitched.

On our way…who would have thought that there’s a beach waiting behind those thick trees?

Ahhh… I see it now… the blue waters are calling!

Still more walking… on foot on a long wooden plank through the dunes to reach the beach.

We’re finally here!  :)

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“If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.”
Louis Armstrong

One thing that Pori is famous for is its annual international jazz festival which started in the year 1966 and since then is known throughout Europe as a prestigious music festival. This year is the 43rd festival which kicked off last July 12 and will end until the 20th. Various concerts are held simultaneously in different locations within Pori, with the main stage and arena at Kirjurinluoto Park, and more concerts held daily at the JazzStreet along the Kokemäenjoki river, the Radio Nova stage, Klubi, Theatre, Otava Factory and other venues.

Being an international music festival, it has drawn many notable performers such as Miles Davis, Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Sting and lots more. This year’s event highlights performances by Santana, Bob Geldof, Shaggy and Mary J Blige and tickets are already sold out.
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Visiting castles would always be on the travel itinerary of tourists when going to Europe. It’s like stepping into the days of kings and queens, or imagining you’re part of a fairy tale. Getting inside the medieval castle of Turku acquaints the visitor of Finland’s rich culture and history, each stair or doorway leading to more interesting rooms and displays.

The Renaissance castle exterior (or bailey) was constructed during the 15th to 16th centuries, while its main building (or keep) dates back to the early 14th century. The castle was subjected to some damage during World War II, but was gradually restored to its original grandeur through the years, afterwhich its ownership was entrusted to the Finnish state and presently managed by the City of Turku.
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What do you do when you only have few hours to spend for sightseeing around a picturesque place such as Turku?

Along the Aura River

It was late in the afternoon when we arrived, so we lost no time in dropping by one of its famous landmarks, the Turku Castle. Being the oldest city of Finland and one of its former capital, Turku (Abo in Swedish) boasts of a rich history particularly in the Middle Ages as well as being designated as one of the future European Capitals of Culture (2011).
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The Rauma Biennale Balticum 2008 art festival is currently ongoing at the Rauma Art Museum in Old Rauma, Finland. The exhibition, which started last June 14 and will end on September 21, features prominent Biennale artists such as Aija Zarina, Krista Leesi, Lutz Mommartz, Malgorzata Markiewicz and many others with this year’s theme ‘Flower Power’ which showcases a blend of contemporary art and tropical inspiration.
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Situated in the Satakunta Province, in the western part of Finland, Old Rauma is a UNESCO World Heritage site since it represents the history of Scandinavia’s early towns constructed in wood. Notable buildings/sites are the Old Town Hall, Marela Museum, Kirsti Museum, Rauma Art Museum, Church of the Holy Cross and the Ruins of the Church of the Holy Trinity.
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We’ve been thinking of touring Pori during weekends and even possibly going to Helsinki. Too bad my big sis got sick and I got the rashes. Another concern is going around the area with a bigger vehicle since all of us can’t fit in their car. Good thing my big sis’ flat is located in the city center and everything is just within walking distance – the shops, grocery stores, market square, schools and other tourist attractions, though the idea of car rental for weekend family holiday trips is also good.
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My body’s circadian rhythm seems to be disrupted. Ugh… a case of ‘jet lag’ as they say when the body clock’s natural patterns (for eating, sleeping, hormone regulation and other functions) are out of sync as one travels to a different time zone. In my case it’s a 5 hours time difference, so it’s quite a lot of getting used to and it proved to be more challenging than I thought especially since I come from the tropics and find myself now in a Nordic country with cold outside temperature even when it’s summer. Brrrr! How I envy those locals wearing their sleeveless shirts and shorts while I wrap myself in sweater under the  sun.
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Meeting in cafés have become part of the Viennese culture, where prominent writers used to be seen together exchanging ideas with contemporaries and some even find it a comfortable place to write their thoughts, thus the terms ‘coffee house literature’ and ‘coffee house poets’. Coffee is one beverage most people consume to stimulate their minds.
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Finland, being one of the members of the Schengen states was easier for us (Dad, Mom, cutie sis, baby C and me) to travel from Czech Republic without needing a visa. Since it’s where my big sis is based with her family, going there from Prague was an idea we were toying about and we’re glad to have finally visited this part of Northern Europe.

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This Sunday morning while looking out the window, I noticed that the streets are deserted and there was just one guy walking his dog. It’s the usual scene here in Pori during weekends when most families spend it somewhere away from the city such as a vacation in a summer house. Weekends are great for relaxation and family get-together.

I’ve been browsing over some sunny French holidays in Western Loire and it would be nice to stay at the La Pergola, a four-bedroom barn conversion in Vendee, France which is just perfect for families and small groups with outdoor heated swimming pool, daily maid service, a garden and it’s just near the beach.

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A French holiday home for rental is known as a gîte, one of the popular types of accommodations in France. Originally, gîtes are cottages and barns owned by farm owners and used to provide shelter for guests. Nowadays, gîtes vary from budget apartments with basic facilities to luxurious holiday villas equipped with modern amenities. The owner usually lives within close proximity to provide welcome and assistance to the needs of their guests and make them feel at home.
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Yesterday my cutie sis in Prague showed me some pics of my parents posing by the trees at the park nearby their flat. It’s spring time there and the photos look so refreshing especially this:

Spring flowers in Prague

It left me green with envy (kidding!) – they’re finally in Prague and I’m still here - but I just tried to cheer myself up with the fact that next month I will be going there too. I can just imagine those hotels in Prague filled up with tourists for the summer.

One of the must-visits in Prague for tourists especially Catholics is the Church of the Infant Jesus or the Church of Our Lady Victorious where you can visit the famous statue of the infant Jesus (Pražské Jezulátko). Another tourist attraction is the Charles Bridge which crosses the Vltava River and is a historical landmark of Prague.

Tourists at the Charles Bridge
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I met a friend in Austria who gave me this treasure of a book:

A Photographic Guide to Prague

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Finally I bought myself a ticket to one of my dream destinations in a continent far far away. It’s a place of charming architecture, cool and subdued dreamy-like ambiance. Soon I will be eagerly stepping on its ground, ready to explore its many attractions.

Aha…where in the world could this be? Oh well, I’d rather keep it a secret for now. *winks*

Photo credits: rainydazeee.com

My European vacation dream is still very much alive. Hmmm… aside from visiting my big sis and cutie sis in Finland and Prague respectively, I am also thinking of hopping by to other nearby countries such as France. This country is known not just for fashion and romance but for having interesting architecture and beautiful landscapes as well.

Tourist attractions in France include the world famous Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, Arc De Triomphe, Centre Pompidou… and so much more! Continue reading »

Going on a cruise and getting a breathtaking view of the ocean is one relaxing option for a vacation. Whether you go for a Caribbean or South Asian cruise, being at sea is a romantic venue for couples and a fun place to be for families and groups. When booking for a cruise, it’s good to take advantage of cruise specials to get the most out of your vacation budget and save some for your next dream destination.

I’ve been browsing over some luxury cruise packages at Cruise Locators. I like their Baltic Cruise package from Stockholm to Copenhagen which features the fascinating city of St. Petersburg where the Hermitage Museum is, one of the world’s largest museums. The cruise starts at Stockholm and includes Tallinn, Helsinki, Visby and finally disembarking at Copenhagen.

Photo credits for the St. Petersburg Cathedral: CruiseLocators.com

One of the places in Europe which I want to visit again is Italy with its beautiful architecture and romantic ambiance. Don’t you just wish you’re on a European holiday and staying in one of those luxurious Italy hotels with your loved ones? My training companions and I stayed in Milan and were housed in fully-furnished rooms at walking distance to shops and stores. Thus we would usually tour around a bit after our classes.
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Torre de Belém, Portugal

One of the places to visit in Europe is Portugal attracting over 12.8 million tourists worldwide with most of them coming from the UK, Spain and Germany. Hmmm…not much from Asia, huh? Maybe because we’re too far from Europe and it really needs longer vacation period for trips to places such as this to make the most of your time and budget.
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