Incredible Places of Attraction in Palanga!

Posted in Lithuania, baltic region | by Amy
May 3rd, 2012

Palanga is located on the shore side of Baltic Sea. It is a resort town with a number of busiest resorts along the beach and some attractive sand dunes. Some years ago the Tiškevičiai Palace’s park was rehabilitated into a botanical garden. Now this botanical garden consists of two hundred diverse types of trees as well as shrubs. The palace was transformed into Palanga Amber Museum. This museum has wide range amber jewelry and many other artifact collections. Symphonic concerts and music festivals are held during summers. Palanga is the place where the Šventoji and Raze rivers run into the Baltic Sea. The name Palanga was derived from Alanga (Raze) River. The transportation is only by means of road way and there is no rail route. More number of flights is operated in summer from June to September in order to meet the demand of tourist’s heading to the resort town.

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A carnival is centered on Jonas Basanavičius Street during summer season. Since the place is located near the sea shore it has a very pleasant climate. A number of good restaurants, bars, rides are available here. Many other forms of entertainment also exist in Palanga. Sculptures Garden is a major attraction in this place. It houses 28 modern Art statues by artists throughout the world. The statues by the artists of Armenia, Lithuania and Ukraine are also present. There are many Spa’s located in this region that offer good service. Basanavicius street is the busiest street where the most restaurants, bars and clubs are located.

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Going around the Palanga pier at evening times gives a peaceful evening walk. Birute Hill is a forested sand dune which is also an important tourist destination. Things made of amber are very famous in this coastal area. Artistic items and jewelry are the two things that attract the tourists. This kind of beach with white sand and dunes can be seen nowhere else along the Baltic Seacoast. The place is surrounded by a few fishermen’s village. The Church of Saint Mary is also a significant tourist spot.

Vilnius - The City of Beauty!

Posted in Uncategorized | by Amy
April 6th, 2012

Vilnius is one of the largest cities in Baltic States and it is the capital of Lithuania. The name of the city originated from Vilnia River. Vilnius underwent a rapid growth and emerged as a modern city in Europe. Most of its buildings were renovated. ‘New City Centre’ has been built for business and commercial purposes. Europa Tower is one of the famous buildings in this city. The city elegantly situated along the sides of two rivers called Vilnia and Neris Rivers. The city has an interesting pastime called the ice-fishing. The climatic conditions are similar to the other places in the Baltic region which has extremely cold winters and hot summers. The city has 65 churches. The city has many historic and cultural sites. The city of Vilnius has different styles of architecture. Vilnius is called Baroque city. The Old Town of Vilnius was listed in UNESCO World Heritage List. Royal Palace of Lithuania is one of the major historic sites in the city.

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Lithuanian Art Museum has a great art collection. Gediminas Tower, St. Anne’s Church and Cathedral Square are some of the important religious sites in the city. Vilnius annually hosts the largest book fair in Baltic States. The city hosts many trade fairs, partying, music, movies, theatre, art and many other events. Vilnius is one of the major contributor and largest financial centers in the Baltic States. The city is a big Sports hub. In Vilnius the transportation is facilitated by Rail route, motorways and public transport systems. Three Crosses Hill is one of the famous tourist spot in this city.

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Frank Zappa Statue is the first statue in the world that was built in remembrance and in honor of a great musician. Hot air balloon tour is a well known tourist activity in this region. The city is famous for amber, Lithuanian alcohol, wool socks and cap cigarettes and flax ware. Vilnius has a number of delicious restaurants and has a number of pubs and bars. Dawn Gate is also an important tourist spot. The city of Vilnius offers great pleasures to the tourists all over the world.

Shopping in the Baltics

Posted in Uncategorized | by Amy
March 13th, 2012

Every tourist would never miss one section of the travel itinerary – Shopping. Every body would want to explore local shops and museums to purchase memoirs and souvenirs to display at their homes or gifts to loved ones or simply memorabilia to remember their delightful tour by. Hence, at every tourist attraction, one can see an array of shops selling local wares, handicrafts and baubles to entice the visitors.

For shopping during a winter vacation in Latvia, one must never miss the Latvia Christmas Market. Come November, till Christmas, the Riga’s old town festive cheer is hard to miss. Complete with a Christmas tree, the market provides the tourists everything from folk crafts and decorations to traditional food of the area. Riga is believed to be the place where the first Christmas tree was originated, so it is considered a factually edifying location to shop at, for the Christmas.

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The Latvia Christmas market includes a group of wooden huts that cater to the tourists from 10 am to 8 pm. There are various stalls that sell crafts and other merchandise are operable from November until Christmas night. Besides these, lots of entertainment like jugglers, men dressed as elves and Santa Clauses and other street entertainers are also delight the visitors.

The prices of the goods sold here are very low, much to the joy of the shoppers. They can choose from a collection of silks, sheepskin, leather and wax apparels and products. Paintings and crafts made of wicker and birch are also sold here. Baskets, gloves and other archaic goods that remind one of the good old days enchant everyone. The old-world craftsmanship charms the shoppers in the form of ornate hand woven linen products.

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Shopping is an exhaustive process and those who shop need to be frequently re-fueled to keep up their energy levels. This concern is well taken care of by the eateries and food tents in the Christmas market. Many stalls sell food products like snacks, wine and cocktails. Salamis, other meats and cheeses are most popular amongst the tourists. Smoked eel is a local favorite as is the pig barbecue roast where a whole pig is cooked.

The Tallinn Christmas market is also popular and it is visited by thousands of people every year. Located in the historic Town Hall Square, the market looks antique, adding to the charm of the festival. Crafts and food that capture the hearts of the tourists are found here.

Riga - A Magical and Inspiring City of the Baltic Region!

Posted in Holiday Tips, baltic region | by Amy
March 12th, 2012

Riga is the capital city of Latvia which is elegantly situated in the Baltic region. This is the largest city in Baltic States and is about 800 years old. It is a blend of modern and medieval eras. The city was originally built by German crusaders and the churches were built in Romanesque and Gothic styles. The city has the most distinct Art Nouveau Buildings all around and is in fact called Europe’s capital of Art Nouveau. Riga’s largest building project of the Latvian National Library “Gaismas Pils” (means The Castle of Light) is under construction. St. George Church, Mentzendorff’s House, Cinema “Riga”, The Powder Tower, National Museum of Fine Arts, Swedish Gate, Riga Dome Cathedral, Alberta Street, Church of Maria-Magdalen are architectural masterpieces of the city. These places have an astonishing history to their credit. This is one of the most recommended tourist spot which has a number of unique places to visit.

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Old Town in Riga is a huge hub for shopping. Local crafts, foodstuff and alcohol are available at a comparatively lower cost from the rest of Europe. Many malls have also been set up in recent times. Baltic jewellery, and silk scarves with the art nouveau designs are some of the famous items sold here. Coming to the weather conditions, Riga has extreme cold winters and warm and humid summers. According to the tourists Riga is a city of parks, small Paris and the city of beautiful women. Jurmala beach resort adds charm to the city. The city’s night life constantly has a number of music concerts, film festivals, bars & clubs and some finest restaurants in Europe. Riga has a famous and one of the busiest seaports in Europe. It is situated along the river Daugava. It is even said that the city is named after the tributary of this river called Riege.

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Riga also has a number of oldest and famous bridges namely the Railway Bridge, the Stone Bridge and the Island Bridge. The transportation is facilitated by the operation of trams, buses, trains and trolleybuses. The city can bring pleasure for people with a variety of tastes. Riga International Airport is the largest airport in the Baltic States. Cheap flights and hotels with good service are available in Riga. What else can stop you from visiting this beautiful city?

Spa in Baltic Countries

Posted in Uncategorized | by Amy
February 20th, 2012

When you feel your body at ease, your mind gets lightened up. ‘The body is an instrument, the mind its function’ says a popular quote. Yes, nothing can conflict with this truth. Experiencing at a spa, that too in places like Baltic countries gives immense pleasure. In Latvia the most recommended spas are located in the town of Jurmala. There are a wide range of relaxation techniques and treatments available. Economical as well as five star and luxury spas are available here. You can choose your destination according to your requirement. You can have a long walk at the white sand beach nearby and enjoy the scenic gift of nature. Many bars, pubs and café are also present along the costal side. These coastal spa resorts sometimes overflow with tourists and hence are to be booked well in advance. Lielupe River is yet another beauty of this place. These resorts are jammed with sea and river on either sides and which serves as a great treat to the eyes.

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If you are visiting Estonia, don’t leave the place without having a spa holiday. Tallinn and Pärnu are the places that have the best spas in the country. The luxury spas are located on the coastal areas of the white sand beach and are lined up with linden trees. Mud therapy centers are a major tourist attraction here. The spa tradition in Lithuania dates back to centuries. These spas offer top notch treatments and therapies done by experienced professionals. The peaty mud, pure water and the climate are the main ingredients for the massage treatment done here. Health tourism here is is very prominent in these regions.

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Treatments for heart, nervous system, spine, digestive, gynecological and skin aliments are done here. Good care is given to the patients and many delicate aliments are treated. This gives great relief to body and mind. Palanga and Druskininkai are the coastal towns that have the best spas in the region. Every place has its unique way of treating its customers and all aimed in customer satisfaction and relaxation. Whatever Baltic state you visit, along with the Art Nouveau architecture never miss to enjoy the spa holiday and give your mind and body a time to relax. You are what your mind says and your mind is what your body says.

Winter in Baltic States

Posted in Holiday Tips, baltic region | by Amy
February 20th, 2012

Spending a winter in Baltic countries is nothing less than a boon. Visiting these countries during December would be a great fun. Every European country celebrates Christmas in different unique way. Latvia’s Christmas market is something a tourist should never miss. Shopping malls, streets and every nook and corner of Latvia is decorated like heaven. Winter Solstice celebration in Latvia has now become a part of Christmas celebrations. Dragging out the Yule log and Christmas tree decoration are the traditionally here. Easter egg decoration is also of great interest in Latvia. Christmas celebration in Lithuania starts with a countdown. People gather in Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania and celebrate the eve. Pubs, bars and hotels organize special events and are almost found overflowing during this time. Ship race is conducted as a part of Klaipėda Sea Festival. Many music and sports festivals are held in Lithuania. Kaziuko mugė a fair dedicated to folk arts and crafts is held here every year.

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Usgavenes Festival is one of the traditional festivals held here on which customary food, music and dance are vital part of it. Now coming to Estonia, it’s the Black Nights Film Festival that attracts many tourists to the country. Birgitta Festival, Beach Party Festival and Estonia Song and Dance Celebration are the major music festivals held here. Many tourists visit Baltic countries mainly to witness these musical days. Apart from the traditional Christian festivals few other new festivals are celebrated in Russia. The Jewel of Russia Festival is one among those new arrivals. Scarlet Sails is celebrated to mark the end of school year. It’s Poland our next destination.

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Silent Film Festival, Wawel Evenings and Fat Thursday Festival are the exclusive festivals celebrated in Poland. The one now left is Scandinavia. Boxing Day is the notable event held here. Hanukkah the most famous Jewish celebration held here. Though the type of festivals are similar in Baltic countries the way of celebration is exclusive everywhere. Apart from these entertainments there are a number of winter activities available in common in all these countries. Skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, dog sledding, ice skating are the best way to spend your leisure time. To put simply, the Baltic countries are heaven for art and music lovers throughout the world.

Celebrate your life in Latvia

Posted in baltic region | by Amy
February 20th, 2012

Deciding a place wonderful place for your tour alone won’t make your trip exciting but knowing about the place before deciding would help to explore the place to the core. In specific knowing more about the carnivals and festive seasons can add beauty to your memories. For a change you can make your holidays interesting with a festive tourism. I will now give a brief account of entertainments and festivals celebrated in Latvia. Latvia is like a land of folk, music and cinema festivals. If you are the one to bind up with this kind of entertainment, then yes, Latvia will be your destination. Apart from Christmas and New Year celebrations there are a few more festivals to be enjoyed in Latvia. “Lielais Kristaps” is a Latvian cinema festival which stages the best movies for the Latvian people. This festival is most welcomed by the Latvian audience. The next most distinct festival celebrated here is ‘Midsummer festival’ which is loved by almost every Latvian citizen. It celebrated during the longest days of the year.

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Visiting Latvia in a lovely summer would be wonderful and you can witness so many happenings all around the country during these days. Music is a part of life in Latvia. Latvian musical history dates back to several centuries. Song festivals are held in Riga, which is considered to be the cultural Capital of Latvia. Latvian song and dance festivals are now world famous events. Name Day is also celebrated here like many other European nations. Few other unique celebrations take place in Latvia every year. ‘Salsa Festival’ is celebrated every year in Riga. This is one of the important Salsa festival Baltic countries. Studentu Paradize is held every year to mark the beginning of new academic year. Students of different stages and from various universities participate in this ‘Studentu Paradize’.

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Students from other Baltic countries also take part in these celebrations. Here comes another event you never would have heard before, it’s the ‘Go Blonde festival’. This involves parade of blond women dressed in pink. They go around the streets of Riga cheering up people and also to promote economic growth of the nation. These festivals and events form a major part of tourist attraction in Latvia. Music and entertainment lovers can a wonderful time in Latvia if they plan to visit the country at the time of these festivals.

Exotic Fishing Locations In Russia

Posted in Baltic Region Facts & History, baltic region | by Amy
January 6th, 2012

Russia has many entrancing locales to visit and bask in. The exciting country provides many interesting things to do and a variety of places to visit and relax at. The wonderful sights and tours help one enjoy the voyage thoroughly as it is worth every penny spent. One such fun thing to do in this country is fishing. Russia has many water bodies that cater to the fishing interests of the locals as well as tourists. Some of which are,

The Volga River:

The national river of the country, the Volga is the longest, passing through various cities and townships. More than half the cities in the country along with its capital Moscow are located on the banks of this river. Multitudinous fish varieties are found in this river, of which the most popular are the Pike, Eelpout, Catfish and the Perch. These varieties are found in and around Moscow. Some fish that are caught here are very distinct in their characteristics, some weigh around 100 kilos!

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Volga Delta:

A Delta is a triangular piece of land that houses deposits from rivers. The Volga river’s Delta has some rich soil and pellucid waters that are a habitat to many fishes that include aforementioned varieties and even the Tench, Asp and the Zander. Hence this place also is a famous tourist fishing spot.

Lake Baikal:

The world’s second largest lake is the Lake Baikal. This freshwater lake is also a domicile to many freshwater fishes. Hucho Taimen, Grayling and so many other fish types are found here. The rare fish, the Omul Whitefish is found exclusively here, which draws tourists and locals to the lake.

Kamchatka Peninsula:

The Salmon is found particularly in the Kamchatka Peninsula. This region is located on the eastern side of the country. Covered by water on all sides but one, this piece of land is a glorious sight. Overlooking the mountains, this stretch is calm and picturesque. It draws amateur and professional fishermen, to catch the different varieties of Salmon available in these waters. Some popular ones are the Pink Salmon, King Salmon, Cherry Salmon and a dozen others.

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Caucasus Region:

Those who truly enjoy the outdoor adventures cannot miss the Caucasus region in Southern Russia. Located near the Georgian border, the territory houses the Brown Trout. A guaranteed catch of at least a dozen fish can be obtained in one day.

With all these beautiful and scenic locations, Russia is the perfect place for a taintless fishing vacation.

All about St. Petersburg

Posted in baltic region | by Amy
June 4th, 2011

Exploring Russia? Your trip is pointless if you miss the most stunning city of St. Petersburg. This majestic city is situated in the banks of Neva River. It is the Second largest city and an important Russian seaport on the Baltic Sea. Well, ‘what do we have here to see?’ is your question the answer would go for several pages. The city’s architectural legacy, fusing Baroque, Neoclassical as well as time-honored Russian-Byzantine architectures adds beauty to the place. St.Petersburg is one of the important cultural centers in European region and is even called as “Window to Europe”. Let’s start with The Hermitage museum. It is a destination for art-lovers and the largest art museum in the world. The has more than two hundred museums of which the ‘Museum of Water’, ‘the Russian Museum’ and ‘the Central Naval Museum’ are more familiar.

St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg

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St. Petersburg has a number of gardens and parks, monuments and decorative sculptures on every nook and corner of it. The Bronze Horseman monument of Peter the Great stands on the ‘Senatskaia Ploschad’ in front of the Neva River. The city was originally built over 100 islands formed by a network of rivers, creeks, lakes and canals that pour into the Baltic Sea at the mouth of Neva River. St. Petersburg has two more great things to be explored; world’s biggest tram system and the world’s deepest subway are situated here. Winter Palace and the Summer Garden are exquisitely known for its architecture. The Imperial palace and park ensemble are also a major attraction of this city. Isaac’s Cathedral is believed to have the biggest gold-plated dome in the world. St. Petersburg is poetically called as the “Venice of the North”.

The Russian Museum

The Russian Museum

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The White Nights Festival is celebrated once in a year during the period of the midnight sun. This festival alone attracts thousands of tourists to the country. A number of traditional ballet, opera and music events are conducted during this season. As many as 50 theatres are present in the city among which The Mariinsky Opera and Ballet Theater are most famous. The Scarlet Sails carnival known as “Alye Parusa” festivity is celebrated at the end of the White Nights season. Nearly an average of one million people witnesses this celebration. This carnival is known for its fabulous fireworks and a massive show party at the end of the school year. Aurora, the historical ship which is docked near the Cabin of Peter the Great is modified as a museum. Visiting Russia in festive times would make the trip more enjoyable.

NORWAY - A TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE PLACES TO VISIT AND THINGS TO DO

Posted in Uncategorized | by Amy
May 18th, 2011

JOSTEDAL GLACIER NATIONAL PARK:

The Jostedal Glacier National park houses the Briksdal glacier that is 1200 meters above the Briksdal valley and is one of the most breathtaking sights in the country. At the base of the glacier, food and accommodation are available. The spectacular scenes can be captured in photographs taken early in the morning.

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HOLMENHOLLEN SKI MUSEUM AND TOWER:

The Holmenhollen ski jump hosted the 1952 olympics and other famous International ski events. The 60 meter high tower provides a thrilling perception to the tourists. It is the oldest ski museum in the world and has an artificial stimulator to experience ski jumping effects.

TUSENFRYD FAMILY PARK:

This amusement park is situated in Vinterbro and has various rides to cater to every family member. Apart from the thrilling rides, new ones are built almost every year. One such ride is the Speed Monster that is a roller coaster capable of astonishing speeds in a couple of seconds. Also present here are carousels, restaurants and many other gaming outlets.

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VIKING MUSEUM OF BORG:

This middle aged, reconstructed museum consists of a forge and a Viking ship called the ‘Lofotr’. History can be revisited here, which is also a famous archaeological excavation site.

Things to do – Outdoor Activities:

1. Kayak through a Fjord: A package of kayaking and camping is offered by many Travel companies.

2. Summer Skiing: From the month of June onwards, the Galdhopiggen Mountains can be visited to enjoy the incredible skiing experience.

3. Fishing in the serene lakes: The largest lake in Norway, the Oyeren Lake is the located in the outskirts of Oslo and has around 26 species of fish species in it.

4. Walking under a waterfall: Hiking in the Geiranger fjord is an amazing encounter, that takes one behind the Storseterfossen waterfall.

5. Drive through a mountain pass: The Jotunheimen National Park that contains the highest peaks in the country and the world’s largest fjord, the Sognefjord can be seen on the National tourist route.

6. Glacial Hike: The blue ice of Nigardsbreen glacier is perfect for a glacier hike even for the entire family. Even children can take part too.

7. Zoos and amusement parks: The Kristiansand zoo and Amusement Park is located in southern Norway is not to be missed!

8. Amazing Waterfall: The 600 feet high waterfall is the most visited one in Norway.

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