Shopping and lake cruises in Zurich!

Zurich has many things to offer to the tourists visiting it. Some of the best attractions of this town include the streets with stylish window shops, chic cafes, elegant restaurants and lake cruises. 

Shopping in Zurich 

Tourists visiting Zurich shouldn’t miss the shops on the Bahnhofstrasse, the main commercial artery of the city. A veritable parade of luxury opens here for the passersby. One can find the latest collections of fashion designers, jewelries and expensive watches. The headquarters of the most prestigious Swiss banks rises on the same street, which is opened now only for pedestrian traffic. Even if one is traveling on a budget it costs nothing to take a look. The Niederdorf area, located in the old town shouldn’t be missed. It will impress the tourists with picturesque alleys and clothing and accessories shops. This area will be a stop not only for those who seek the fashion, but also for the tourists interested in nightlife bars and clubs. Andorra Bar is highly appreciated by jazz and beer lovers, and the nearby bar Corazon is famous for its finest wines. 

Tourists can enjoy a breathtaking view of the neighborhood in Tina Bar, and eat a cheap lunch at the Cantina restaurant on ground level of the same building. Shopping can be a fascinating experience in Rosenhof market. Opened from March to December, the market is located close to the historic town hall and two steps away from the river Limmat. The Rosenhof market is known for the many stalls with antiques, objects brought from distant countries or products of local artisans. Although it looks like fair, Rosenhof can be the best place to find gifts for friends with expensive tastes: clothes, jewelry, precious stones, pottery, and local culinary delights. 

Cruises and fun activities for kids 

If a city tour seems to be exhausting, one can find amusement in a cruise on Lake Zurich and the Limmat River. From early spring until late autumn, tourists enjoy boat rides on the river. Most of them have a glass roof, so the scenery is stunning. A boat tour on the lake or river takes about one and a half hour. Zurich Zoo can be a perfect place for a quiet stroll away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Founded in 1929, the Zoo Park is one of the favorite attractions of families with children. It hosts hundreds of species and a recreated rainforest in the outskirts. Kids can take part in workshops and may assist in the parade of penguins.

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$101 flights to London from USA

Yes, it's true. There are 101 US Dollar flights out there from Boston to London! "Wow!" you say. "I can do that!" you say. Guess what, though? There aren't. Well, there are. But that is the base price. $568 and some change will pay the taxes and fees required to get an AIRLINE TICKET TO LONDON FOR $101. See how that works? You put the part of the information that seems interesting in capital letters and the rest of it in smaller letters and it looks like an amazing deal. This means that $678 will get you to London from Boston. This AMAZING DEAL is actually better than the one at which we were looking a couple weeks ago in a great article about cheap travel to Europe. It is exactly $21 better! Not much difference.

I'm actually very interested in cheap flights from Indianapolis, or other places in the mid-west. So KLM's flights from Indianapolis caught my eye. They are also advertised at amazing prices $252 dollars, I believe. However, there is one or ten more catches. Of course, the prices advertised are, for one, hard to find, and second without any taxes or fees added in. It is actually possible, however, in this case, to get pretty cheap travel from Indianapolis to London. There are flights in November available for 769 dollars round-trip on US Airways. These flights, connect through Charlotte and arrive into London Gatwick. This is a good airport as far as public transit in London is concerned, and will not require you to get an expensive bus or train like some of the outlying airports do (such as Luton and Stansted).

Does this meet your standard for cheap travel to Europe? I will let you decide. If you are headed farther into Europe, using London as a gateway city, you may decide that almost $800 is too much to get you to a place to "begin" your travels in Europe. If you are spending your time in London and going no farther, it might suit you. If you are going deeper into Europe (most of my friends are farther East, as well as cheap travel deals), you will want to keep in mind that at this point tickets from Indianapolis to Vienna are a good deal at $866 per person on United. Try to get from London to Vienna round-trip for 97 US Dollars, and you will probably barely cover your bus or taxi fare both ways to and from the airport! Happy travels and I wish you great success in finding cheap travel to Europe!

Introducing Vienna

Vienna is the capital of the central European country of Austria. The city has a long history that dates back nearly 1,000 years. The first time that Vienna was mentioned as a city was in a chronicle dating from 1137. 

About two decades afterward the city became the home of the Austrian dukedom. About a century later, in 1278 with the defeat of Czech king Ottokar II, the Hapsburgs maintained their control of the city, a situation that was to be maintained for the next 640, until the end of WWI. After the fall of the Hapsburg’s rule, the city went through several changes perhaps the most notorious being brought into the German Third Reich by Austrian Adolf Hitler. 

Vienna is well-known for its musical history. The classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, although not born in the city, moved there in 1781, as did the famous composer Franz Joseph Haydn and the German-born Ludwig van Beethoven. Other noted composers and conductors either came from Vienna or made the city their home. Such notables include Franz Schubert, Johann Strauss, Johannes Brahms, Gustav Mahler and Herbert von Karajan. Even today, there are many musical groups and events which take place in the city. Home to the Theatre an der Wein, a famous opera house, the Herbert von Karajan Centrum Vienna, the Vienna Boys Choir and the Gustav Mahler Jungendorchestra, there are many places to experience music in the city. But there is more than classical music which lives there. Annually, the city hosts a jazz festival with international artists. For instance, the Jazz Fest Wien 2011 included Liza Minnelli, British music star Seal, and singer Cesoria Evora from Cape Verde. There are various jazz clubs as well such as the Blue Tomato and Club Ost. There are also many electronic music-related artists and clubs such as the Elektro Gӧnner and Europa and Lager. Established electronic producers and DJ’s include Patrick Palsinger, Peter Kruger and Richard Dorfmeister. Electronic music festivals include Waves Vienna and the Day & Night Festival.

Besides musical events, there are many other activities to do in Vienna. In the first district of the city, near the State Opera House is the Haus of Musik, which allows visitors to hear a presentation about the history of music as well as try out various instruments. G-town which opened in 2001, is an urban entertainment center. It boasts a myriad of various buildings including an event hall for over 4,000 people, a daycare center, a dormitory for students, a 12-screen cinema, over 600 apartments, the Vienna National Archive, and 70 bars, stores, restaurants, cafes and a vinotheque. 

Many historical sites can be seen in Vienna such as Figarohaus, where Mozart lived over a period of about ten years. Other historical sites in Vienna including Judenplatz, the Holocaust memorial which is a sculpture consisting of The Nameless Library. The names of Holocaust victims can be seen at the memorial along with the names of the Nazi death camps. There is also a Jewish museum which details the extensive history of Jewish people in the city. Famous Viennese residents of Jewish heritage include Sigmund Freud, Gustav Mahler, and Hedy Lamarr, an inventor and famous Hollywood actress. Josephinum, or the Institute for the History of Medicine, in Vienna was established by Emperor Joseph II. It houses a wax collection of anatomical body parts commissioned by Joseph II and later used by doctors to study the human body. Vienna is also home to the Kriminalmuseum which provides information to visitors on how killers, past and present, go about their deeds. Information is supplied by Vienna police archives. Details about murder from the Middle Ages to the present day is on display. There is also an exhibit dedicated to the city’s criminal underworld.

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Yacht Wedding in Cyprus

Cyprus boasts a pleasantly warm climate with sunshine blanketing the land. You will experience an eclectic mix of cultural influences wherever you go from the pristine beaches to quaint and charming villages, and not forgetting the friendly and hospitable locals which captivate the hearts of every visitor.

Where would be a more fitting destination than Cyprus the island of love and birthplace of the Greek Goddess Aphrodite? This would be the most romantic symbol being blessed right where the true meaning of love originated. 

And just to take it one step further, why not exchange vows whilst sailing in this idyllic setting on your very own private yacht. This is such an intimate and secluded environment to celebrate your new and exciting journey as you sail the stunning coastlines. You will be blessed by the most captivating surroundings with your day being uniquely tailored bringing all of your childhood dreams to life. This destination will without a doubt create a magical and unforgettable experience for both you and your guests. 

A yacht wedding will provide you with glamour and style whether it is a 2 hour sunset cruise with cocktails and canapés for a small and intimate gathering, or a 6 hour expedition including a sumptuous buffet dinner for a celebration for 150 people. Sail the magical crystal blue seas as the sun slowly sets over the horizon while you and your guests kick off your shoes and dance the night away. To top of this truly special day, farewell your guests as you surrender to the luxurious Honeymoon Suite where classy champagne and decadent chocolates await. Yacht wedding packages are a popular choice, for a simple ceremony only package you will pay around £799-£1399 for 20 guests and £15 for each extra person. However if you would like all the trimmings including honeymoon suite you will pay around £1299-£1799 for 20 people. 

Wedding regulations vary slightly depending on which island you are having your ceremony. In some cases you may be required to be staying on the particular island for a nominated time frame before the wedding. You are required to submit your application at least 2 months beforehand along with your birth certificate, declaration of freedom to marry, and passports valid for 10 years. You are required to bring all original and legalised documents with you to Cyprus. Your marriage certificate will be in Greek therefore it will need to be translated to your native language once you are back in your home country. 

Accommodation in Cyprus will provide you with pure luxury while maintaining their original beauty. You may like to take up residence in a private bungalow within a resort village where you will be privy to all the amenities and facilities. Private Holiday villas are also a fantastic choice and provide a home away from home. Traditional style villas still exude their character and charm featuring splendid displays of architecture from the past.

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Anthropomorphic Standing Stones. Religio-Centric Interpretations

 Anthropomorphism in Standing Stones;
and Religio-Centrism

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Stonehenge,  standing stone, outside the perimeter, Wiltshire, England

This standing stone at familiar Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England, is a favorite because it is approachable, outside the main perimeter; and expressive. Great look.
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Standing stones:  Western Religion and those looking for its roots too often ignore the standing stones in the rest of Europe, unrelated to Judaea.  See, for example, Biblical Archeology Review, March-April 2006, Mysterious Standing Stones, by Doron Ben-Ami, at 38ff.  In the Near East, standing stones appeared by 10,000 BCE; they came later in the colder climates. The Hebrew word for a standing stone was "Massebah" -  see it many times in the Bible. A standing stone has positive and negative connotations.
The article focuses on a collection of them at the site of an ancient Canaanite city, Hazor. Age:  Middle Bronze, 1800-1550 BCE. Size: some 25 acres.  Huge for the day. Ritual use?  unknown.

But in all the article's words are none mentioning the fact that standing stones are common in Europe as well. Memorial, as to individual stones?
These were common in Scandinavia, see Glavendrup, Denmark at http://www.denmarkroadways.blogspot.com/#!http://denmarkroadways.blogspot.com/2011/07/glavendrup-tryggevaelde-rune-stones.html; and Anundshog in Sweden, at http://swedenroadways.blogspot.com/2011/02/anundshog-viking-burial-mound-at.html#!/2011/02/anundshog-viking-burial-mound-at.html.

Witness to treaty or vow? Commemorate special event? Cultic object?  See them also at the Hebrides, Orkney, Ireland. Europe Road Ways


It is also a favorite, because it is honest.
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It shows its reaction to the site wrecked by over-mowing, chain-link fencing, roadways. These measures may well be needed because Stonhenge is right on the motorway from London and people can get there in a blink. There is a pedestrian tunnel beneath the road for all the tourists. So there are lots of people. And among people, enough will be irresponsible, so the site suffers.
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This is a stone in a zoo, its spirit gone.
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Then see the standing stones, not an old construct, but built in the 1930's by Nazis who wanted to show support for a tradition of the local population:  honoring 4500 Saxon prisoners who were executed one by one, whack, whack went the swords down the lines, until all were dead in one day, or was it a night?

See http://germanyroadways.blogspot.com/2011/02/sachsenhain-saxons-grove-charlemagnes.html.  Some even appear, in settling, to be huddling together.  We like anthropomorphism and think the idea should be given more respect.  Inanimate in structure is not inanimate in aura, is that so?