The country of Greece can best be summed up as a wholesome destination that offers so much more than just a pretty picture that can be hung on a wall. There are experiences and activities that are thankfully beyond one's confines of imagination. The past has been glorious, and the present, well, let's just say it has the dubious distinction of throwing a curve ball every once in a while. The main reason for such a situation is that the past is worshipped and admired so dedicatedly that nobody, not even the locals, seem to appreciate the rapid strides the country has taken in the present as far as development in every possible sphere of life is concerned.
Ever since Greece was inducted into the EU, its transformation from an agrarian society known only for its beaches, olive oil and islands has been tremendous. However, the development has come at a price, with faster sea travel replacing slow and romantic short voyages and home cooked food is now replaced by stir fried lamb, tacos and sushi. However, despite all these sacrifices, so to speak, the country and its people enjoy the attention they are getting, and it's pretty easy to see why. The hospitable nature of the Greeks has been in their culture for generations, and is also a pleasant thing for the tourists, who love a destination where the people are welcoming them, and not treating them as hostile strangers.
Thessaloniki: The cultural capital of Greece is probably the only spot in Greece where one would like to wilfully splurge money, and not regret it! Sure, there is also a great repertoire of other lucrative things like sumptuous desserts, fine dining, scintillating nightlife and a great shopping scene. But the real deal here is not all this. In fact, what keeps people coming over, over and over again, is the collection of symbols from the shining past of the city. Be it the 4th century Church of Agios Dimitrios, a fine display of architecture, or the White Tower adjoining the Byzantine walls, or for that matter, the sculpted Arch of Galerius in Kamara, the art and cultural heritage is simply amazing! It scores over Athens in many parameters. It is not as crowdy, the air is much cleaner and is a fun place to be.
Patmos: Known mostly for its effervescent spirit of gaiety, the moment one steps off the ferry on the northernmost Dodecanese island, the joy of being at a place that has so much substance comes rushing in. A bit of history 0 John the Divine wrote the book of Apocalypse on this island, and that is just one of the reasons why it is a place of pilgrimage for Western and Orthodox Christians, besides being the best place to experience Orthodox Easter. Getting over spirituality, there are fantastic beaches, reasonably affordable accommodation and great dining options.
Matrix international sim cards, the trusted communication services providers across the world, allows a tourist in Greece to get fantastic voice clarity to talk his/her heart out with friends at the most economical prices.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
A sojourn to Germany
Besides the usual fetish for beer, there is a lot more that Germany has to offer. And believe it or not, people from all parts of the world swarm to the country, a significant portion of them waiting to indulge in the Oktoberfest. Although much of beer flows like a river at one the world's greatest parties as well, the point is, while one is enjoying liquor from green stemmed glasses, there are quite a few questions that are floating around the environs, like whether one should buy a BMW or Mercedes, hand out at the club, or soak in royal ambience at the castle, revel in Munich, or burn the roof in Berlin! All this, and more, awaits the visitor who takes the sojourn to Adolf Hitler, the Führer's fatherland.
Munich: A lot has been said about this vibrant city, and for all the right reasons. Munich, or München, has a lot many different time zones existing simultaneously. On one side, there are shining BMWs and chic designer boutiques, while on the other, locals still practice the age-old traditions with fervour. The music and cultural environment has always been happening, and for those who appreciate the finer things in life, Munich's museums have the world's finest antiques on display. However, provincialism certainly retains most of its charm, and the prevailing attitude is 'live and let live. The metropolis is kind of like a global village, and the concept is reinforced by the fact that during Oktoberfest, the whole planet seems to come down here!
Sylt: Shaped like an anchor that is hooked on to the mainland, Sylt is having the aggressive surfs on its west coast that charge fiercely at the shoreline that constantly changes shape. Owing to the strong winds, the place is often the meeting spot of the best windsurfers from across the world, who convene here every September for the final Surf World Cup of the tour. However, totally in contrast of this picture, the Wadden Sea's serene shoreline, with the water retreating twice a day to reveal the sea bottom, is an invigorating and unique experience par tranquillity. Towards the northern side of the island, one can find sand dunes shifting shape and location alongside lighthouses guarding over 'streams' of yellow rape flower. Owing to its stunning and picturesque landscape, Sylt has been the favoured destination of celebrities from Germany and the world, a fact that is reinforced by the scores of expensive restaurants, plush homes, expensive cars and designer boutiques on the street.
Bremen: The name of Germany's smallest state is derived from the description of a Hanseatic city, although many would like to think of it more as a town, or for that matter, two towns, the reason being that the terrain is divided between riverside Bremen and industrial Bremerhaven at the mouth of the Weser River. The destination is the perfect resting spot while on a long tour of Germany, with its peaceful and enchanting setting.
Going to Germany is incomplete without a reliable communication partner, and Matrix international sim cards, with calls 80% lower than other service providers are certainly the best one could ask for. Now, one can stay in touch with friends and family without having to fret about expensive bills.
Munich: A lot has been said about this vibrant city, and for all the right reasons. Munich, or München, has a lot many different time zones existing simultaneously. On one side, there are shining BMWs and chic designer boutiques, while on the other, locals still practice the age-old traditions with fervour. The music and cultural environment has always been happening, and for those who appreciate the finer things in life, Munich's museums have the world's finest antiques on display. However, provincialism certainly retains most of its charm, and the prevailing attitude is 'live and let live. The metropolis is kind of like a global village, and the concept is reinforced by the fact that during Oktoberfest, the whole planet seems to come down here!
Sylt: Shaped like an anchor that is hooked on to the mainland, Sylt is having the aggressive surfs on its west coast that charge fiercely at the shoreline that constantly changes shape. Owing to the strong winds, the place is often the meeting spot of the best windsurfers from across the world, who convene here every September for the final Surf World Cup of the tour. However, totally in contrast of this picture, the Wadden Sea's serene shoreline, with the water retreating twice a day to reveal the sea bottom, is an invigorating and unique experience par tranquillity. Towards the northern side of the island, one can find sand dunes shifting shape and location alongside lighthouses guarding over 'streams' of yellow rape flower. Owing to its stunning and picturesque landscape, Sylt has been the favoured destination of celebrities from Germany and the world, a fact that is reinforced by the scores of expensive restaurants, plush homes, expensive cars and designer boutiques on the street.
Bremen: The name of Germany's smallest state is derived from the description of a Hanseatic city, although many would like to think of it more as a town, or for that matter, two towns, the reason being that the terrain is divided between riverside Bremen and industrial Bremerhaven at the mouth of the Weser River. The destination is the perfect resting spot while on a long tour of Germany, with its peaceful and enchanting setting.
Going to Germany is incomplete without a reliable communication partner, and Matrix international sim cards, with calls 80% lower than other service providers are certainly the best one could ask for. Now, one can stay in touch with friends and family without having to fret about expensive bills.
France - The lover’s paradise
Love it, hate it, but one just can't ignore it. These lines seem to fit perfectly for France, popular for love, food, fashion, wine... whatever one can think of, it's all here. The royal châteaux line the lands as elegantly as the designer-wear boutiques. Art and romance can be enjoyed like nowhere else at the banks of the River Seine, while the past comes to life at Versailles. A sojourn to the south is advised for getting to know the Roman civilisation up, close and personal, while skiing dreams can be fulfilled at the Alps, and last but not the least, the beaches of Normandy are sunny, sandy and scintillating with all the right ingredients of a world-class sea-side.
Paris: Besides romance, there's also a lot of eloquence and intellect at the 'City of Light', a moniker given to Paris which not many people are aware of. In short, it's many cities in one for different kinds of people. In spite of the fact that the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame have been countlessly described by poets and authors. However, what they have not been able to capture and convey is the grandeur which can only be experienced if one is present there. Since there has been such a clichéd image of Paris, first-timers often expect to see the most expected things – intellectuals arguing over deep matters, haughty locals who speak only French, parties at the nightclubs and magnificent vistas. Every one of these things can be found, but it's best to let go of all the preconceived notions and starts off exploring the city just like any other, for that is when one will truly uncover the magic that lies in the backstreets and avenues.
Mont St-Michel: The first and most prominent impression of the island is the sky high turrets of the abbey and the sleek towers that signify this signature town's superiority over its counterparts, or siblings, however one might like to see them as. Sitting atop flat white sands, the abbey is surrounded by battlements and ramparts that are connected via a causeway to the mainland. It is said that the abbey was founded in the 8th century when the bishop of Avranches, Aubert, was visited in the dreams by archangel Michael, and as a memento of sorts of this occurrence, a copper statue of Michael slaying a dragon crowns the abbey to depict the victory of good over evil. Moving on, the extraordinary tides that overwhelm the Mont St-Michel bay are more famous than probably any other sight here, following the gilded statue mentioned earlier. A height of 15m is regular, depending on the gravitational pull of the moon and the season, while the island is completely surrounded by sea at the time of the seasonal equinoxes.
Matrix international cards offer great savings on every call form destinations like France up to 80%, making them the best possible communication companion for tourists travelling to any part of the world.
Paris: Besides romance, there's also a lot of eloquence and intellect at the 'City of Light', a moniker given to Paris which not many people are aware of. In short, it's many cities in one for different kinds of people. In spite of the fact that the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame have been countlessly described by poets and authors. However, what they have not been able to capture and convey is the grandeur which can only be experienced if one is present there. Since there has been such a clichéd image of Paris, first-timers often expect to see the most expected things – intellectuals arguing over deep matters, haughty locals who speak only French, parties at the nightclubs and magnificent vistas. Every one of these things can be found, but it's best to let go of all the preconceived notions and starts off exploring the city just like any other, for that is when one will truly uncover the magic that lies in the backstreets and avenues.
Mont St-Michel: The first and most prominent impression of the island is the sky high turrets of the abbey and the sleek towers that signify this signature town's superiority over its counterparts, or siblings, however one might like to see them as. Sitting atop flat white sands, the abbey is surrounded by battlements and ramparts that are connected via a causeway to the mainland. It is said that the abbey was founded in the 8th century when the bishop of Avranches, Aubert, was visited in the dreams by archangel Michael, and as a memento of sorts of this occurrence, a copper statue of Michael slaying a dragon crowns the abbey to depict the victory of good over evil. Moving on, the extraordinary tides that overwhelm the Mont St-Michel bay are more famous than probably any other sight here, following the gilded statue mentioned earlier. A height of 15m is regular, depending on the gravitational pull of the moon and the season, while the island is completely surrounded by sea at the time of the seasonal equinoxes.
Matrix international cards offer great savings on every call form destinations like France up to 80%, making them the best possible communication companion for tourists travelling to any part of the world.
China: Defining Asian tourism
Surprising as it may seem to many, China is among one of the top travel destinations in the world, and the inflow of tourists has been at an all time high ever since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Stretching from the conflicted Tibet's wide open skies to the hustle and bustle of Shanghai, the spicy delicacies of Sìchuān to the tranquil environs of the undiscovered parts of this land, if ever there was a contest for personification of diversity, China would not even have competition. The variations start from the terrain itself – one one side there are noisy cities filled to the brim with people (and surprisingly, even more keep pouring in!), and on the other, there are Ming Dynasty villages located on the top of mountains where one can hear so much as even a feather drop on the ground. Home to the world’s oldest continuous civilisation, one will encounter history at every curve and bump on the road, so to speak. However, it's not all art and culture here, for the massive development has resulted in the country having some of the most dynamic cities in the world.
Guǎngdōng: The province is both China's richest, as well as its fastest developing one. Owing to its mountainous terrain, it was isolated from the mainland for many centuries, which comes as a surprise as it is located in the fertile Pearl River Delta. The development began with foreign merchants coming in from the 800 km coastline of Guǎngdōng. However, the real deal breaker, so to speak, was Deng Xiaoping’s ‘open door policy’ that led to the establishment of three Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and opening of trade links to Hong Kong. However, it's not all out-and-out development, the capital, Guǎngzhōu, is very well known for its Cantonese cuisine. Kāipíng, located nearby, is famous for watchtowers. Also, the ancient temples of Fēilái and Fēixiá, that can be visited via a downriver journey from Qīngyuǎn is also a fantastic experience.
Lìjiāng: Hiking along the trail to get a feel of the northern Yúnnán region is worth all the hype in this marvellous location, and the Hǔtiào Xiá gorge, which is the deepest in the world, is an intriguing sight, measuring 16 kms in length and 3.9 kms in height from the Jinsha River, and stretching to the peaks of the Haba Mountain in the west and Yùlóng Xuěshān towards the east. The ideal time to travel are the months of May and June, as the hills are full of the most exotic flowers and wildlife. The best thing to do while one is here is to go for a mini-trek, and the cafés are the best place to get information on the weather and how it may affect the journey. At most of the cafés, one can even get a hand-drawn map, although it is not always accurate to the T, and never to scale!
While in China, one of the most important things to do is to stay in touch with family and friends all the time. Also, in order to ensure that the telephone bills do not go out of hand, and there are no problems related to network coverage, the right thing to do would be to go for Matrix international sim cards.
Guǎngdōng: The province is both China's richest, as well as its fastest developing one. Owing to its mountainous terrain, it was isolated from the mainland for many centuries, which comes as a surprise as it is located in the fertile Pearl River Delta. The development began with foreign merchants coming in from the 800 km coastline of Guǎngdōng. However, the real deal breaker, so to speak, was Deng Xiaoping’s ‘open door policy’ that led to the establishment of three Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and opening of trade links to Hong Kong. However, it's not all out-and-out development, the capital, Guǎngzhōu, is very well known for its Cantonese cuisine. Kāipíng, located nearby, is famous for watchtowers. Also, the ancient temples of Fēilái and Fēixiá, that can be visited via a downriver journey from Qīngyuǎn is also a fantastic experience.
Lìjiāng: Hiking along the trail to get a feel of the northern Yúnnán region is worth all the hype in this marvellous location, and the Hǔtiào Xiá gorge, which is the deepest in the world, is an intriguing sight, measuring 16 kms in length and 3.9 kms in height from the Jinsha River, and stretching to the peaks of the Haba Mountain in the west and Yùlóng Xuěshān towards the east. The ideal time to travel are the months of May and June, as the hills are full of the most exotic flowers and wildlife. The best thing to do while one is here is to go for a mini-trek, and the cafés are the best place to get information on the weather and how it may affect the journey. At most of the cafés, one can even get a hand-drawn map, although it is not always accurate to the T, and never to scale!
While in China, one of the most important things to do is to stay in touch with family and friends all the time. Also, in order to ensure that the telephone bills do not go out of hand, and there are no problems related to network coverage, the right thing to do would be to go for Matrix international sim cards.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)