Trip to Sandberg

Trip to Sandberg is one of the most beautiful trips in the vicinity of Bratislava. Sandberg is a unique location, protected site where you can find today Neogene fossils. They come from the sea, which have been located here 16 to 14 million years ago. Certainly you are interested in prints of molluscs, shellfish or other marine animals. Sandberg rocks are sandy. Be sure to Take with you your camera, as this is the site of a European format. Children will admire a small cave and a variety of rock formations. The Sandberg nature trail leads to the upper limit of reefs with information panels. The path is well marked and blue mark reliably introduce you to the Devin.

Sandberg - protected site, by Vladimír Marônek

Sandberg - sandy beauty, by Vladimír Marônek

How to come to Sandberg - easy route:
The Sandberg can be easily reached by bus. Probably the most beautiful way is from the bus stop "Na hriadkach". There is the bus stop of the line Nr. 28, which runs here from the center of Bratislava. It comes from the bus stop under the New Bridge (called also Most SNP). Get off the bus at the bus stop "Na hriadkach" and walk along the Primoravska street. After about 300 meters turn right at the intersection of the street Slovinec. Walk to the end of the street.
The last house is a National Nature Reserve boundary Devinska Kobyla (Devinska Kobyla NPR). Almost immediately you will see a sandy terrace, from which a magnificent view of the paleontological paradise - Sandberg. It sounds unbelievable, but you're really here. Children will enjoy talk coarse sands that glisten like gold pieces. If you find a fossil, so this trip will be surely long in your memory.

Sandberg - fossils, by Iveta Marônková

Sandberg, by Vladimír Marônek

The second option is to walk by foot along the blue trail from Devin or continue in a trip to Devin Castle. One can only recommend to visit these two sites in one trip. So, follow the blue marked tourist trail. Along the educational trail you can read the boards of the National Nature Reserve Devinska Kobyla.

Sandberg - the blue label, by: Lukáš Albert Marônek

National Nature Reserve Devinska Kobyla, by Vladimír Marônek

If you decide to proceed, go ahead along the nature trails. The trip is undemanding, minimal elevation. If you go with small children, be careful not to slip on the edge of the sidewalk, some places are suddenly on the edge. The path leads along the steppes, meadows, rock formations, and finally through the forest and gardens. After some time you have a wonderful view of the other attractions trip to the ruins of the Devin castle.

The path from Devin to Sandberg, by Vladimír Marônek

New Year´s Eve celebrations

Where are you planning to go for Silvester 2011 and New Year´s Eve 2012?
Maybe you have heard about Bratislava as Partyslava.

Bratislava (the capital city of Slovakia) has over recent years joined the ranks of European and world cities with a tradition of hosting spectacular celebrations to welcome in the New Year. The visitors and local people prefer the city squares to dance, to listen great music. Everybody loves the vibrant atmosphere and midnight fireworks.

The lovely street party are organized in Bratislava are organized many years. The great attraction for foreigners is New Year’s Eve. It is the largest street party of all in a small big city. You can enjoy street party or cultural celebrations in pubs, restaurants and hotels.
One of the best programmes in Bratislava on 31/12/2011 is prepared in Hotel Radisson Blu Carlton with Bratislava Hot Serenaders.

Hotel booking online in Bratislava

Have a nice stay.

Christmas markets in Bratislava 2011

Have you been to Bratislava for Christmas and New Year Celebrations?

It is a beautiful place. The most favorite market is on the Main Square in front of the Old City Hall. Here I can enjoy the wonderful Christmas atmosphere with a wonderful Christmas tree.

If you want to buy Christmas presents, traditional food as gingerbread, sweet chestnuts, toasted almonds baked potato pancakes and most important hot punch and tea, typical heated sweetened wine, you are on the right place.

What is really amazing? Christmas Fair stages in the pretty small downtown, romantic street markets with pubs, restaurants and promenade. You can sing Christmas carols everywhere.
This year Bratislava Christmas Markets is available from Nov 25th till Dec 23rd 2011. 

Lovely Christmas presents

Come to Bratislava (the capital city of Slovakia) with your friends and enjoy the advent season.
Where to stay in Bratislava - click here to book online. 

A Christmas tree - Hviezdoslav´s Square in Bratislava

There are many squares with live music. Enjoy a pleasure for all the senses with the smell of homemade cakes, hot wine and cinnamon. Look for typical Christmas handicrafts.

Christmas markets - Eurovea Square in Bratislava

Heddal Stavkirke - Heddal Stave Church - a fairy tale wooden attraction

Heddal Stave Church is one of the most amazing churches in Norway. After landing in Oslo Airport Gardenmoen has every tourist relevant information about the top attractions in Norway. Oslo is a very pleasant city with many sightseeing. The list of places of interest are quite long: Viking Ship Museum, Museum Kon-tiki, Vigeland Park, Oslo Opera House, Fortress Akershus, The Royal Palace and a very busy street Karl Johans Gate. This a a favourite place of local people. You can admire Royal Palace (Slottet) University, the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget), the National Theater and park Studenterlunden.Everything is worth to see.

After a nice stay in Oslo I choose one attraction that is for me really amazing. Heddal stave church, the largest of all Norwegian stave churches.

The route from Oslo to Heddalsvegen in Notodden  takes approx one and half hour by car (118 km) without stops. You can stop and see Dramen and Kongsberg. The old city center in Dramen is located around the main square Bragernes Torg. In the city Kongsberg you can find the greatest Norwegian Baroque church Kirketorget and The Mining Museum because city´s history is connected with the silver and silver mines. After shot breaks you can continue to Heddalsvegen located 5 km north-west from Notodden.

Heddal Stavkirke (Heddal Stave Church)
author Andrea Mokráňová

 

Now I am finally here. I like this stave church. It is a basilica with 12 large and 6 smaller supporting pillars. The church has four entrances with a ostentatiously decorated portal and interior pink paintings from the 17th century. I was told there is even a legend telling of five farmers of Heddal, Raud Rygi, Stebbe Strånd, Kjeik Sem, Grut Grene and Vrang Stivi, who together decided to build a church here.Who knows? For sure, the church is a unique wooden masterpiece.

Discover the wonder of the seven wonders (Part Two)

Are you relaxing in Bodrum? After visiting the Mausoleum in Halicarnassus, one of the wonders of the ancient world you can think about the attractions and activities in Bodrum.

What to do directly in Bodrum?
Visit the little port, yacht harbour, Bodrum Castle. But in the evening you have to feel the Turkish atmosphere in local bars and restaurants as well as night clubs and disco clubs. You will enjoy the narrow streets and bazar under the shadow. Whare to start? Of course, the best place is in the Cumhurriyet Cd (Republic St). This a lovely pedestrianized street with amaizng bars, cafes and restaurants. If you love disco, this is the right place for you. After sundown you can admire Bodrum lights up with fantastic laser show. This is a place for never ending party.

Bodrum, Holiday resort
author Vladimír Marônek

What to eat and drink?
We suggest to try dolmas and donerkebab. For drink you can try strong Turkish coffee, ayran from yogurt and raki, a local alcoholic drink. Buy local spices.

Turkish spices
author: Iveta Ostrowska

Where to go for a trip?
Our list starts with Pamukkale and Hierapolis. Do not miss to see the natural white petrified cascade. It is a real beauty. Next to Pamukkale is located Hierapolis, marvelous ancient remains. The second tip is Ephesus (Efez), the location of the one of the wonders of the world - Temple of Artemis in Ephesus. The third one is Daylan, amazing rock tombs. This unique Lycian toms are carved high on the cliffs. And the last one is a trip along Bodrum Peninsula. This is usually a bonus to the trip ordered by local travel agencies. Bodrum Peninsula is a gorgeous place with many known, traditional and arising tourist centres and holiday resorts: Gümbet, Bitez, Ortakent, Yahsi, Turgutreis, Kadikalesi, Yalikavak and Torba.

What to buy?
Our shopping tips are Turkish carpets, sandals, leather and cotton products, water pipe and small souvenirs from ceramics.

Discover the wonder of the seven wonders of the ancient world in Turkey (Part One)

Wow, it is a chance to see one of the real wonder of the world. Everybody knows great pyramids in Egypt. But do you know that you can see The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus now? In Turkey? Yes, it is located in Bodrum. No other area on the Turkish Aegean coast provides the visitor with the opportunity to enjoy traditional Turkish life, to explore the wonder of the ancient world and relax on the beach only a few minutes away from an amazing tourist center.

Of course, the mausoleum is not fully unimpaired. Anyway, it is a marvelous possibility to see the masterpiece as the parts from the Mausoleum are still visible.

Image: Mausoleum of Halicarnassus

The question is how to find the way to the wonder itself. It is not so easy, there are no signals how to get there. Here you can find the shortest way from a tourist attraction Bodrum Castle to the Mausoleum.  Start directly in front of the castle. Head northwest toward Dr. Alim Bay (you can see the harbour) and continue to Muftu Yakup Ones Cd, then Neyzen Tevfik Cd. This is a nice route along the yacht harbour. After a short walk turn right to Gerence Sk. This street is going left to Mausoleum of Mausolos. This route is about 700 m and it takes approx 10 minutes.

Image: Mausoleum in Bodrum
author: Iveta Marônková

Image: Mausoleum in Bodrum, ruins
author: Iveta Marônková

What do you want to know before the visit:
History: King Mausolos decided to built himself a monumental tomb. The project was introduced by his wife and sister Artemisia. The Mausoleum was completed around 350 BC, three years after Mausolos death.
Details: The Mausoleum was almost square. The total periphery was 125 m. It was bounded by 36 columns and the top was made by 24-step pyramid. The burial chamber and the sarcophagus of white alabaster was decorated with gold. The monument was decorated with statues. A statue of a chariot pulled by four horses adorned the top of the tomb. The total height of the Mausoleum was even 45 m. 
Nowadays: Parts of the massive monument still stands in Bodrum.  You can imagine the monument thanks to  the foundation of the once magnificent wonder. Some of the sculptures were relocated and are exhibited at the British Museum in London. 

View more (Part Two) 

Christmas Markets in Vienna 2010

Have you been to Vienna for Christmas?

It is a sweet-smelling and amazing place. My favorite market is Christkindlmarkt directly on the square in front of the City Hall. Here I can enjoy the wonderful Christmas atmosphere. I like small huts with lovely Christmas presents, food as gingerbread, sweet chestnuts, toasted almonds and most important hot punch and Gluhwein, typical heated sweetened wine.

Vienna´s Christmas Market - Rathausplatz

What is really sensational? Christmas Fair stages and concerts, friendly atmosphere in the downtown, romantic street markets with a long history.
This year Vienna Christmas Market is available from Nov 13th till Dec 24th 2010, daily 10am to 10pm. My suggestion is to come in the evening, it is more magical.

Come to Vienna with your friends, with your family and enjoy the advent season surrounded by the historical Vienna buildings, decorated trees and Christmas tradition.

Where to stay? In classic hotels in Vienna - click here to book online.