Archive - January 2019

Public art is the artist’s great gift to the world, and a way for big organisations to give back to the communities that support them. Rather than being fenced off in galleries, public art in parks and on the streets is available for everyone, not reserved for those who feel comfortable and happy to visit a museum.

Some of the most notable public art in the world are statues and sculptures that tower over everyone – not dominating the skyline like skyscrapers but ornamenting it. Today we’re taking a look at some of these giants of the art world, and hopefully giving you inspiration for a few places to visit in 2019!

Zurab Tsereteli

The modern master of the art of gigantic statuary is undoubtedly the Russian artist Zurab Tsereteli. His work adorns colleges campuses, Caribbean islands and even the streets of the City of London. If you want to see his work, you can easily put a list together of highpoints to take in!

If you’re in the United States, you’ll likely be aware of his ‘Tear of Grief’ (officially titled “The Struggle Against Terrorism”) which was gifted to America and erected in New Jersey as a commemoration of the lives lost in the 9/11 attacks – it’s an awe inspiring and humbling sight for any art lover.

Christ the Redeemer

No list of sizeable statuary would be complete without this modern day colossus, which is visible from almost every point in Rio de Janeiro. It’s one of the most famous images in the world, but as with so many of these much photographed locations, an image in a book, on a postcard or online is no substitute for seeing it in person.

It’s 98 feet tall, and mounted on a pedestal that is itself 26 feet tall which itself stands at the top of the 2,329 feet tall Corcovado Mountain and that sort of unimaginable scale simply needs to be experienced in person to be even slightly comprehended.

The Big Buddha

If you’re interested in giant statues, then Asia is a fertile hunting ground. There are lots of large monuments, often religious in nature than have been constructed throughout China, Japan, and the whole continent, but the one that’s perhaps most on the tourist trail is in Thailand. The ‘Big Buddha’ is the centrepiece of the Wat Muang Temple in Ang Thong Province. It’s a towering of 302 feet tall – with a cannily implied greater height, as the Buddha is depicted seated – and gleamingly golden. It’s a sight to behold and one you owe it to yourself to experience!

Guam is a tropical island that boasts gorgeous scenery and a rich history, but a lot of people don’t think of it when they are planning a getaway. It turns out that there are many great reasons why you should definitely have Guam on your list of must-see places as you plan future trips, and five of those reasons are listed below.

1. There Are Many Great Places to Book Your Stay

Booking the right hotel can be tough when you are heading to a tropical island, but when you are sorting through the details of your Guam trip, you will find it surprisingly easy to find a variety of great places to stay. From simple hotels to luxurious resorts, there really is something for everyone, so you can book the location that will suit your preferences and budget best. Take, for example, Guam hotels Tumon, where you will find clean, spacious rooms, fine dining, spas, pools, and more.

2. There Are Beautiful Beaches to Explore

Another one of the top reasons why tourists are quickly falling in love with Guam is because it is home to some of the world’s most gorgeous beaches. Basically, anywhere you go while you are on the island will lead you to a pristine beach, so you are never very far away from the water. In Guam, the water will be clear, warm, and comfortable throughout the year, and you will be able to go snorkeling and diving to see some incredible marine life as well.

3. There Is History

With a rich history that dates back thousands of years, Guam is also a great getaway destination for travelers who are interested in visiting many different historical sites that are intriguing and beautiful in their own unique ways. There are many sites to explore that will take you back to ancient times or back to World War II. You’ll never get bored, and you’ll always be able to learn something new.

4. There Are Natural Places to Explore, Too

In addition to historical sites and beaches, there are many other beautiful, natural spaces to explore throughout the island of Guam. If you are a hiking enthusiast, or you just like exploring rich, diverse landscapes, this destination will not disappoint. A few of the many places that are at the top of the list for those who want to take a hiking trip include Talofofo Falls, Pagat Caves, Sigua Falls, Cetti Bay, Marbo Cave, and Ague Cove.

5. You Can Relax and Have Fun

Probably the biggest reason to visit Guam is that it offers the perfect combination of things to do, so you can relax at a spa or on a sandy beach one day, go snorkeling and off-roading the next, and go zip lining or parasailing the day after that. There is no shortage of fun and exciting things to do to make your trip unforgettable.

Now that you know a few of the reasons why Guam is becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations for those seeking a tropical island getaway, what are you waiting for? Start planning your unforgettable trip today!

Bangkok might be the most popular place in Thailand for outsiders, but those that actually live in the country know that Krabi is the place to visit if you are looking for relaxation and a break from everyday life. In case you have not visited Krabi yet for some reason, or if you have only arrived in Thailand recently, here are three reasons why you need to spend some time in this South-Thai province on your next break.

The Luxurious and Relaxing Resorts

With some of the best views of the Andaman Sea and in close proximity to the stunning Koh Hong islands, the Krabi luxury resorts are all by themselves – reason enough for people to come to the province. Klong Muang, Ao Siew and Tupkaek are the three beaches where some of the best resorts in all of Thailand are located, with the likes of Dusit Thani, Ritz-Carlton and Sofitel operating in the area. If you want a truly refreshing and relaxing vacation at a world class resort, built in the middle of lush green forests and right beside gorgeous beaches, you just have to visit this part of Krabi.

The Street Food

While your resort will of course serve great food, it is recommended to make your trip more interesting by experiencing and experimenting a little with the local dishes as well. Once you decide to step out of your resort in Krabi and explore some of the local food, you will be pleasantly delighted, even if you have been living in Thailand for a while.

The street culinary culture of Krabi is among the best in all of southern Thailand, although Bangkok gets most of the spotlight. South-Thai food is quite spicy and hot though, so you may want to try a small portion of gaeng som or gaeng tai pla first, before committing to the whole dish. Khao mok gai, on the other hand, is a rice and meat-based dish that would be more tolerable (sort of!) for the unaccustomed stomach. For the western crowd, there are plenty of steak and grill options as well.

The Lovely Elephants

Thai people have an ancient connection with the local elephants, but modernization, hunting and commercialization almost destroyed the local elephant population once. Elephant sanctuaries all across Thailand have since managed to better protect the gentle giants in recent years and these sanctuaries are open to visitors as well. Unlike some places that still exploit and demean elephants by letting people ride them, the protective elephant sanctuaries of Krabi only allow friendly interactions with the animals. There is nothing more relaxing than spending some time cuddling with a baby elephant in the mud, or just observing them in close proximity.

This list was made mostly by selecting the most relaxing of all available activities in Krabi, but if you are looking for adventures in Thailand, there are so many options for that in Krabi. Travelers can canoe, speedboat, swim, snorkel, scuba dive, water raft, trek, hike and climb rocks in Krabi, which is not even the full list! There’s just something for everyone here in Krabi, and you will be glad you made the trip.

IMG Description: Tropical island with resorts – Phi-Phi island, Krabi Province, Thailand

Washington is the capital of the United States, as well as the main political, cultural and business center of the country. All the highest authorities are concentrated there. And though in size, Washington is inferior to New York, the political importance of the city contributes to its prosperity and development.

Most of the important historical and architectural monuments are situated in the US capital: the White House, the Supreme Court and the Congress are among them.

However, entertainment venues in Washington are not limited to museums and memorials. Due to the presence of the following places of interest, the capital of the United States will turn your vacation into truly an amazing and unforgettable journey…

Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon is the family plantation of the 1^st US President George Washington, which is located 16 km south of Washington. Travelers usually get there by bus № 101 from Huntington subway station, or by using car rental Enterprise at Reagan Airport.

George Washington inherited the plantation from his father, but remade everything in his own way, including a two-storey manor house. George Washington lived there all the time, until his death. He was buried in the family cemetery under Mount Vernon. Currently, there is a museum in which furnishing and personal belongings of the first American president are preserved.

Visitors can not only explore the mansion, but also visit farm buildings, a distillery, a forge mill, a Pioneer Farmer farm, as well as the burial site of George Washington.

The museum-historical complex is so large that you can spend the whole day there.

Address: 3200 Mount Vernon Hwy, Mt Vernon, VA

Admission: $15 for adults, $7 for    children 6-11 years old, kids under 5 years old are free of charge

Black Cat

Black Cat is the most famous nightclub in Washington, where alternative music concerts are held. The club is located in the northeast of the city, three blocks from the U Street-Cardozo metro station (green line).

The aim of the club’s founders was to revive the traditions of independent music, and they succeeded. Today the club has such musical directions as, punk, indie-rock alternative and experimental music. The doors of the club are open to representatives of various subcultures.

Concerts are held on weekends. Such celebrities as Nina Hagen-German punk rock singer, American rock band Foo Fighters, Swedish rock band the Hives and British trip hop musician Tricky appeared on the local stage.

The club has a bar where you can play billiards, listen to music, as well as relax in a cozy atmosphere.

Address: 1811 14th St NW, Washington, DC

Ford’s Theatre

Connoisseurs of history are given a unique opportunity to visit such a landmark in Washington as the Ford Theater, which is famous for the fact that in 1865, during the play “Our American Cousin”, American President Abraham Lincoln was mortally wounded.

On the first floor of the theater building there’s an exposition dedicated to that sad event. You can see there numerous items related to the murder of Lincoln, his personal belongings, portraits, as well as take a closer look at his biography.

Across the street you’ll find the Petersen House, where the American president died after being injured. By the way, theatrical performances are held daily. The theater building also features a shop where you can buy various unique souvenirs and books.

Address: 511 10th St NW, Washington, DC

Admission: $2.5/person

The National Zoological Park

Located in the territory of Rock Creek Park, a visit to the National Zoological Park in Washington will lead to indescribable delight. More than four hundred species of animals live in the Washington Zoo: bears, tigers, leopards, lions, giraffes, elephants, monkeys, reptiles and amphibians, wolves, pelicans, peacocks, eagles and many other animals and birds feel happy of being there. Large black-and-white pandas are especially popular among the visitors.

In case of getting hungry, on the territory of the zoo you’ll find numerous food kiosks, as well as shops where to buy a variety of gifts and souvenirs. A visit to the zoo can take you almost the whole day, because the number of interesting things provided on the territory just amazes.

Don’t forget to grab a video camera to capture these lovely animals!

Address: 3001 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, DC

Admission: free of charge

National Air and Space Museum

This landmark in Washington keeps the world’s largest assemblage of historical aviation and space flying exhibits. The museum exposition includes such thematic sections as the “Golden Age of Aviation”, “Early Flights”, “Early Jet Aviation” and many others.

In numerous exhibition galleries you will learn about the history of aviation, the solar system, satellite imagery, aerial photography, as well as studies of the universe.

By the way, here’re such rare exhibits as the Spirit of St. Louis aircraft and the Wright Brothers glider. Be sure to grab a camera to take photos of unique aircrafts.

A visit to the museum will take about two to three hours. Also, the museum offers a planetarium, IMAX cinema, flight simulators, a shop and a cafe. Admission to the museum itself is free of charge, but the price for tickets to the cinema and planetarium are $9 for adults and $7.50 for kids 2-12 years old.

Address: 600 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC

Admission: free of charge

Milan is traditionally considered to be the hackneyed center of shopping, where you need to take lots of money for purchases. But when looking at Milan from a different viewpoint you will see that a trip there may be not only capturing but also budget-friendly, especially in case you use rentalcars24h car rental, which is a good way to supply yourself with comfort transport for affordable price.

So, what other fun things can you do in Milan except for never-ending shopping? How to explore the city and relax there without spending a single euro? Read on the article to find it out!

Museums in Milan that have free admission hours (after 2pm on Fridays and the last hour before closing on the other days):

The Museum of Natural History

The Halls of this oldest city museum are divided into several categories: a “mineral” collection, represented by 30 thousand exhibits, the largest of which is a 40-pound topaz; a paleontological hall with skeletons of huge dinosaurs, terrifying the visitors. The museum also has a section devoted to insects, animals and human evolution.

The Museums of Sforza Castle

Currently there is a group of museums in Sforza Castle: an art gallery and a museum of arts and crafts, a collection of ancient sculptures and musical instruments, and even the museum of Egyptian and primitive art. By the way, the admission to the Sforza Castle is always free of charge!

Archaeological Museum

The museum is housed by the former monastery of San Maurizio, founded in the VIII century. You can learn there about the history and culture of Lombardy region and the whole Northern Italy. The museum houses a large collection of household items, glassware, jewelry and weapons of ancient peoples who inhabited the Apennines.

The museums, which you can always visit for free:

The Gallery of modern art

The museum exhibits a contemporary art with an emphasis on the works of Italian artists. The collection includes over 2,700 paintings and sculptures, displayed in almost fifty rooms. Among the artists, whose works were included to the collection are Auguste Renoir, Pablo Picasso, Modigliani, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Van Gogh, Umberto Boccioni and many other artists and sculptors.

Royal Museum (Museum della Reggia)

Once being home to Milan monarchs, this building currently houses various exhibitions and cultural events. You are always welcomed to visit the Royal Museum with its luxurious interiors for free.

Astronomical Museum and Botanical Garden in Brera Palace

The combination may seem strange but interesting. For those who take an interest in the science about outer-space it will be interesting to see the old instruments used by astronomers in XVIII-XIX centuries. For those who enjoy being close to the nature might love going to the botanical garden, founded a few centuries ago in the palace courtyard.

The house-museum of Alessandro Manzoni

If you are acquainted with the works of this writer it might be especially interesting for you to visit the place. The museum was established in the building where the famous Italian writer spent almost 60 years of his life. The unique spirit and interiors of the time have been well preserved there, especially the bedroom and Manzoni’s office, which remained virtually untouched since his death.

Milan Aquarium

Being not a typical representative of museums, the aquarium can offer nice exhibits. There are various species of underwater inhabitants that were brought to Milan from the surrounding lakes and rivers as well as from the Mediterranean and the Red Seas. This aquarium is one of the oldest in Europe, and it is located in a beautiful building, decorated with bas-reliefs on the marine theme.

Other free of charge entertainments

• Listen to the classical music

Apart from the museums in Milan, you can also visit for free the concerts of classical music performed by one of the best Italian youth band, the Orchestra of Milan University. The performances are held 1-2 times a month on Tuesdays at 9:00 pm. They are usually held at Giuseppe Verdi Music Conservatory.

• Get tickets to the performances for free

If you are young and love watching theater performances, then make sure you join Milan social project “Una poltrona per Te”, which means literally “a chair for you”. Here’s how it works: 30 city theaters allocate a certain number of free tickets to their performances and offer young people under the age of 35 to win one. You may book a seat on the official website of the project.

• Enjoy Milan Free Tour

You can examine the main city sights not only on your own, but also with the professional guides of Milan Free Tour. Daily sightseeing tours start at 10.45am at Fontana Pertini stone monument, opposite the Montenapoleone metro station. The tour is conducted in English and lasts for about 2.5 hours.

• Go to Milan outskirts

Just a few kilometers southward of bustling Milan there is a quiet and peaceful Chiaravalle Abbey. It is the country’s largest monastery complex of the Cistercian Order, and its church is considered to be one of the oldest Italian Gothic temples. You may feel almost a thousand-year old history in everything there: in the old church frescoes in shady galleries and in the cozy monastery courtyard.

• Guastalla gardens

This is the oldest and one of the coziest parks in Milan. Fortunately, this place is not a popular tourist destination, so you can enjoy there the solitude and the true spirit of the city. You may do that best of all around the elegant baroque pond, surrounded by white granite wall. The admission to the gardens is free.

As you see, there are really lots of alternatives to the major sights of Milan, which can bring you lots of joy without even inflicting any expenses. Hopefully, the ideas on inexpensive pastime in Milan mentioned above will help you to enjoy your dream trip to the full!