France: Strasbourg, popular tourist destination

Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace region of France and is most widely known for hosting a number of important European institutions. It is also famous for its beautiful historical centre

This city is one of the nine largest cities in France with nearly half a million inhabitants in a metropolitan area spanning across the river into the German city of Kehl, on the eastern bank of the Rhine.

The city itself is the seat of the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Ombudsman, the Eurocorps, the European Audiovisual Observatory and, most famously, the European Parliament, which also holds sessions in Brussels.

strasbourg street

Strasbourg is a popular tourist destination primarily thanks to the beautifully preserved and pedestrian friendly city centre, which can be explored on foot or bicycle in a few days. Don't forget that Strasbourg's appeal now brings tourists to the city throughout the year, with large tour groups especially frequent during the summer months and during the annual winter market. Staying for a few days will allow you to see the city when it's calmest, first thing in the morning and during the evening.

strasbourg france

strasbourg france

strasbourg cathedral

strasbourg cathedral

strasbourg street

strasbourg france

strasbourg france

strasbourg france

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Scotland: Port town, Oban

Oban is a town in Argyll and Bute. It is known as the Seafood & Sea Kayaking Capital of Scotland and probably the whole of Europe It is also shopping and drinking capital of the west coast of Scotland, and home to the excellent whisky of that name. Ferries run from here to Mull, Colonsay, Kerrera, Lismore, Islay, Coll, Tiree and the Outer Hebrides. Hence the tag Gateway to the Isles.
When the sun sets dramatically over Oban Bay and the surprising landmark of the McCaig's Tower amphitheatre lights up on the hilltop above the town, it is easy to see why Oban is such a popular resort.

Until the Glasgow to Oban railway line opened in 1880, Oban was a fishing village but since then it has grown into the largest port in north-west Scotland. The sheltered harbour brims with fishing and pleasure boats and ferries off to the Outer Hebrides. If you're not rushing off on a ferry, be sure to sample some of the local seafood fresh off the boats. McCaig's Tower, which was built between 1888 and 1901, affords the visitor magnificent views across the bay to the islands of Kerrera and Mull. 

Dunollie Castle

Standing close to the shore is the ruined Dunollie Castle, stronghold of the MacDougall Clan. Two miles away is Dunstaffnage Castle which has belonged to the Campbells since 1470 and is open to the public all year round. There is also the Oban Distillery, built by Hugh Stevenson in 1794. Kids will love a visit to the Scottish Sea Life & Marine Sanctuary near to Oban on the shore of Loch Creran.






Other:

oban port town

oban

oban

sunset in oban

sunset in oban

night in oban

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Iceland: what are you waiting for?

Mývatn is a lake near Akureyri in North Iceland. The lake was formed during a massive eruption 2300 years ago. Today the area is best known for the huge numbers of birds that visit in the summer, and for the weird and inspiring volcanic features that surround the lake. The name "Mývatn" is derived from the vast numbers of midges that gather at the lake and are sure to leave an impression on all who visit! 



In general the area's weather is less severe than what is found elsewhere in Iceland. The average temperature in January is -0.2°C, and in July the average reaches 10.2°C. The area is also one of the sunniest in Iceland, and annual precipitation is only 0.4m.


The easiest and most flexible way to visit the lake is by automobile. There are also numerous buses from Akureyri, Husavik or Egilsstadir. For those looking for more of an adventure, visiting by bicycle entails a 90 kilometer pedal from Akureyri. 

There is not much of a public transport system. If you came to Myvatn by bus, walking, biking and hitchhiking are you best options but beware as it can get quite chilly in the winter. The road around the lake is approx. 36km. so biking is a good option. There are some local trips available at Skútustaðir, Vogar and Reykjahlíð

Myvatn

Myvatn

Seydirsfjordur is were the ferry comes from Europe. Many take there cars with them on the ferry and travel on there own. 

Seydirsfjordur

There is a weekly ferry run by Smyril line - to Denmark and the Faroe Islands. The schedule is complicated but it generally departs once per week at 8AM during the summer half the year (April-June and August-October) , and at 1PM during high season (June-August). Check website for details. Due to the limited market, and rough conditions, prices are very high. A return journey to Denmark for instance will set you back €280-590 with a car or €120-250 per passenger, depending on the season, excluding a supplement fare for a cabin or bed. 


By, bus,he nearest Airport in Egilsstaðir, about 30 minutes away, has regular flights to the capital, there is a daily bus to Seyðisfjörður connecting with the flights stopping in central Egilsstaðir on route. From central Egilsstaðir there are one or two additional departures per day during the summer, as well as the option to change to several bus lines connecting to other parts of Iceland. The buses are run by Ferðaþjónusta Austurlands which has no website, but the city administration website maintains a an updated schedule. 

Seydirsfjordur

Seydirsfjordur

Seydirsfjordur

Northern lights are only visible at the winter and only on a cold winter night will they expose them self’s. It savory to see such a beautiful lights dance in the sky.

Northern lights

Northern lights

Northern lights

for details: iceland-vacation-information.com

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Greece: The Meteora

The Metéora  is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece, second only to Mount Athos. The six monasteries are built on natural sandstone rock pillars, at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains, in central Greece. The nearest town is Kalambaka.

Studies suggest that the pinnacles were formed about 60 million years ago during the Tertiary Period.  Weathering and earthquakes then shaped them into their present shape.

Beside the Pindos Mountains, at the western region of the Thessaly plain in the middle of northern Greece, these sandstone rocks rise from the ground. The rocks are composed of a mixture of sandstone and conglomerate. They were formed about 60 million years ago. A series of earth movements pushed the seabed upwards, creating a high plateau and causing many fault lines to appear in the thick layer of sandstone.
Continuous weathering by water, wind and extremes of temperature turned them into huge rock pillars, marked by horizontal lines which geologists maintain were made by the waters of a prehistoric sea. Greek historian Herodotus wrote in the 5th century BC that local people believed the plain of Thessaly had once been a sea. If this was accurate, there was most probably an inundation at the end of the last Ice Age, around 8000 BC. However, he failed to mention the rocks of Metéora, and nor are they recorded in the writings of other ancient Greek authors. This has led to the belief that the pinnacles did not exist 2000 years ago; a theory dismissed by modern geologists.

The cave of Theopetra is located at the foot of the cliffs. Excavations and research and have discovered petrified diatoms, which have contributed to understanding the Palaeo-climate and climate changes. Radiocarbon data evidences human presence dating back 50,000 years, The cave is closed to the public.

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Italy: Tuscany, Countryside with Beautiful Landscapes

Tuscany  is a region in Central Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres (8,900 sq mi) and a population of about 3.7 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence.

Tuscany is known for its beautiful landscapes, its rich artistic legacy and vast influence on high culture. 

Tuscany is widely regarded as the true birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, and has been home to some of the most influential people in the history of arts and science, such as Petrarch, Dante, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei, Amerigo Vespucci, Luca Pacioli and Puccini. Due to this, the region has several museums (such as the Uffizi, the Pitti Palace and the Chianciano Museum of Art). Tuscany has a unique culinary tradition, and is famous for its wines (most famous of which are Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano and Brunello di Montalcino).

Six Tuscan localities have been designated World Heritage Sites: the historic centre of Florence (1982), the historical centre of Siena (1995), the square of the Cathedral of Pisa (1987), the historical centre of San Gimignano (1990), the historical centre of Pienza (1996) and the Val d'Orcia (2004). Furthermore, Tuscany has over 120 protected nature reserves. This makes Tuscany and its capital city Florence very popular tourist destinations, attracting millions of tourists every year. Florence itself receives an average of 10 million tourists a year by placing the city as one of the most visited in the world (in 2007, the city became the world's 46th most visited city, with over 1.715 million arrivals).

Roughly triangular in shape and situated between the northern part of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the central Apennines, Tuscany has an area of approximately 22,993 square kilometres (8,878 sq mi). Surrounded and crossed by major mountain chains, and with few (but very fertile) plains, the region has a relief that is dominated by hilly country. Most of the work done here is farming.

Whereas mountains cover 25% of the total area — 5,770 square kilometres (2,230 sq mi), and plains a mere 8.4% of the total area, almost all coinciding with the valley of the River Arno, summing for 1,930 square kilometres (750 sq mi), — overall hills make up two-thirds (66.5%) of the region's total area, covering 15,292 square kilometres (5,904 sq mi).

The climate, which is fairly mild in the coastal areas, is harsher and rainy in the interior, with considerable fluctuations in temperature between winter and summer giving the region a soil building active freeze-thaw cycle in part accounting for the region once having served as a key breadbasket of ancient Rome.

Tuscany has an immense cultural and artistic heritage, expressed in the region's numerous churches, palaces, art galleries, museums, villages and piazzas. Much of these artifacts are found in the main cities, such as Florence and Siena, but also in smaller villages scattered around the region, such as San Gimignano. The UNESCO estimated that Tuscany has 10% of the World Cultural Heritage! 

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England: St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Come and experience the glory of St. Paul’s Cathedral and see how it’s iconic dome dominates the London skyline. Built between 1675 and 1710, the catherdral has gone through a £40 million programme of cleaning and repair work for its 300th anniversary and the work has transformed the exterior and interior of the building.

There is so much to discover throughout this vast cathedral including The Aspe, an American Memorial Chapel dedicated to servicemen and women who died during World War II. Also there is The Quire, where the choir and priest sit during services and is home to the cathedrals grand Organ and High Altar.

The highlight of St Pauls' Cathedral is the remarkable Whispering Gallery, situated 30 metres above the cathedral floor and is famous for its acoustics. Another 55 metres above the Whispering Gallery is the Golden Gallery which offers breathtaking panoramic views of central London for those with the energy to climb the 530 steps.

Below the cathedral in the elegant and spacious crypt, are the tombs and memorials of such historical luminaries as Admiral Lord Nelson and the Duke Of Wellington.

How do London Pass holders benefit at St Paul's Cathedral?

- Free entry worth £14.50
- 10% off in the shop on purchases over £10
- Fast track entry to skip the lines. London Pass holders can use any admissions desk - look for the pre-paid tickets signs

 






















 

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England: Thames River.

A Thames river cruise is without doubt one of the best ways to see London, weaving through the heart of the city and past so many of its most famous attractions. See and experience the sights and splendour of this great city from the relaxed comfort of a City Cruises modern, all-weather boats with open upper decks and spacious lower saloons with panoramic windows

Highlights of a Thames river cruise include the site of the Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the retired battle-cruiser - HMS Belfast; St Paul's Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe and the Tate Modern. From the boat you get a closer view at Millennium Footbridge, controversially built for the turn of the new century; and of course Westminster Abbey and Big Ben, both recognized worldwide as iconic buildings of London.


How the London Pass helps
- Free all-day hop on hop off cruise ticket worth over £13
- Fast track and free entry to many attractions along the river Thames

Whichever way you look at it a Thames river cruise with the London Pass and City Cruises should be a must on your London sightseeing trip. And don't forget there is still plenty to see with the London Pass.

 
 

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