Saturday, July 11, 2020

July 11, 2020

WHERE TO SKI IN AUTUMN: SÖLDEN, AUSTRIA

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Vienna Austria Travel Guide - Architecture // RG Daily Blog


The ski resort of the Ötztal , valley of the Austrian Tyrol, is the first to appear at the starting gate of the 2019/2020 ski season and not only for the now classic opening of the men's and women's World Cup.
Since September, the slopes of the two domes skiable on the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers , at over 3000 meters above sea level , are available to enthusiasts . The novelties also include the 10-seater gondola gondola lift in Hochsölden , which can also be used by non-skiers, which leads to the Giggijoch ski area and its gourmet restaurants.



The largest skiable area on glaciers in the whole of Austria

Sölden first! Not far from the Brenner border, the skiable domain of the Tyrolean valley of the Ötztal proposes itself in pole position for the 2019/2020 skiing season allowing, already at the beginning of autumn (ski lifts opening on 13 September), the first fantastic descents thanks to the perfectly prepared slopes on the two glaciers, the Rettenbach and the Tiefenbach (connected by a spectacular ski tunnel), both at an altitude of over 3000 m: this makes the area, 20 km², culminating at 3340 m of the Schwarze Schneid, the largest Austrian glacier area dedicated to skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts.
But you don't have to wait long: on November 14, shortly after the vernissage of the Ski World Cup at the end of October - because all 31 ski lifts in Sölden and its appendix at altitude, Hochsölden, are open giving access to 144 kilometers of routes for all abilities with absolutely guaranteed snow. With the possibility of relying on a network of hundreds of accommodation solutions among hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfasts, apartments etc.
Pleasant moments of rest in a spectacular alpine environment are also ensured by more than 30 mountain huts and restaurants. And on the top of Gaislachkogl (3,048 m), reachable in just 12 minutes from Sölden thanks to a comfortable cable car, a gastronomic must is represented by Ice Q, the highest gourmet restaurant in Europe , futuristic glass and steel structure, flanked by an option for a spectacular après-ski: the 007 Elements interactive installation, dedicated to the most famous secret agent in the world and in particular to the latest film, "Specter", which right here, in a breathtaking location among the peaks of the Ötztal saw some exciting scenes filmed.



From 25 to 27 October on the slopes of the Rettenbach the Ski World Cup begins with the giant male and female slalom

The first stage of the Ski World Cup circuit cannot fail to have Sölden as its inaugural date (this has been happening since the 93/94 edition) and in particular the snows of the Rettenbach glacier. Here, from 25 to 27 October, the weekend will be dedicated to female and male giant slalom. Among the blue and red doors of a very steep track, all the best specialists will compete: in the first season that does not see two absolute myths like Linsday Vonn and Marcel Hirscher at the starting gates , who will be their emuls? And for fans there will be a way to measure themselves, after the races, on the tracks crossed by the champions.
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July 11, 2020

The Colonia Tovar

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Angel Falls Boat Trip, Venezuela | Audley Travel


It was 1843. A group of German immigrants, specifically 145 men, 96 women and 117 children from the German cities of Wyhl, Edingen and Oberbergen, embarked for Venezuela to give life to that colonization plan created by the Italian cartographer Agustin Codazzi on the specific will of the local government, a project that aimed to revitalize the country's economy after the gap created by the war for the independence of Venezuela .

Not everyone knows the history of Colonia Tovar , a pretty village with a typically European style nestled on the first offshoots of the Andes in the state of Aragua. A story of good wishes but also of suffering. The Germans, in addition to carrying the tools of the rebirth, such as seeds, seedlings and equipment, also brought with them a fearsome disease, at that time highly fatal, smallpox. As many as 70 people died during the trip and only after 40 days of quarantine inside their boat were they able to settle in that corner of Venezuela wanted by Codazzi, as suggestive as it is isolated, both for geography and for internal rules that prohibited marriage outside outside the colony. So it was that for over 100 years all their traditions were passed down from generation to generation, including language.

I reached the Colonia Tovar by bus, leaving from the ground terminal of the city of La Victoria. Easy to understand why a city like this had remained isolated for a long time. Asphalt roads have now been built for a location that has become the staple in the tourist economy of the area but once it had to be an ordeal: an inexorable climb between hairpin bends and precipices for a jump of over 1300 meters in 35 kilometers. The Colonia Tovar is located at an altitude of over 2000 meters above sea level and the climate here becomes an opportunity to escape the high temperatures of other areas of Venezuela. Suffice it to say that here the average annual daytime temperature is around 16 degrees centigrade while the night temperatures are around 5 degrees Celsius. A perfect climate for growing vegetables and fruit trees. That's why walking here it is very frequent to see colorful stalls adorned with fresh fruit. A tip: try the strawberries or peaches accompanied by a delicious pastry cream.

The atmosphere in the city is different from other destinations I have touched in the country. The architecture refers to the traditional German one with reddish roofs and half-timbered facades, the food sees typically German dishes with frankfurters, sauerkraut and beer, people show mixed somatic features and it is not difficult to find men and women with blond hair and blue eyes. Clearly, isolation is now only a memory and all German descendants speak Spanish and the population has rapidly grown, from 1300 inhabitants in 1963 to over 20,000 today.

If you can, try to come here during the week when there are few tourists and it is pleasant to walk. On holidays and weekends, in fact, the Colonia Tovar is filled, above all with "caraqueños" that from the capital Caracas, just 50 kilometers away, come here to escape the frenetic rhythms of the metropolis. 

What to see in Colonia Tovar:

  • Historic center . The heart of the town is Plaza Bolivar, around which most of the most important buildings are located, such as the Iglesia de San Martín de Tours, the Casa Codazzi and the Old School. 
  • City museum . It offers an insight into the history, customs and traditions of the Germanic people in Venezuela. 
  • Breikanz Mall . a series of shops offering particular crafts in Germany and typical of the region. 
  • Tovar Brewery : the first Venezuelan beer produced here since 1843. Since then the production has been the same since then and the quality standards are those required by the Bavarian purity law of 1516. 

Unfortunately, the economic crisis that is currently going through is also felt here. Local residents are forced to wait in long lines to purchase basic necessities or simply to withdraw current money from an ATM. The city is quieter than other cities in Venezuela, however especially when traveling it is good to take the necessary precautions (do not flaunt wealth, do not bring valuables etc.) and remember to take out travel insurance for a more peaceful stay.
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July 11, 2020

Marrakech and southern Morocco in eight days

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Dubai, UAE
If a friend were to ask me for advice on a possible destination to visit, as long as it is economic and culturally different from Italy, the first place that would come to mind is Morocco . In recent years, low-cost airlines have made it possible to reach the country in a few hours of flight and with increasingly accessible expenses, only a few tens of euros. By integrating the beauty and hardness of the African continent with the charm of Islamic culture, Morocco proudly represents its role as a meeting point between Africa and the Middle East, with a view of the nearby European continent.

I have visited Morocco on two different occasions and yet these have not been enough for me. In the future I would like to go back deepening areas along the Atlas chain that I have only touched on the itinerary that I will recommend in this post. By following my advice you will be able to discover the heart of this nation and go to the desert, passing through a thousand and one night kasbah and traditional Berber villages. Starting point, the teeming Marrakech .

DAY 1 | Marrakech

The impact with Marrakech is inevitably very strong, especially if you have decided to stay inside the medina in a characteristic riad. To start, take a walk in the lively square of Jemaa El Fna , declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You can dine here in one of the many kiosks set up every day from the afternoon or choose one of the restaurants with panoramic views. Accompany everything with a steaming tea.

DAY 2 | Marrakech

Pick up where you left off the day before, or place Jemaa El Fna dominated by the imposing bulk of the nearby Koutubia mosque . Immerse yourself in the intricate maze of narrow streets of the souk to reach what was once the largest Koranic school in the Maghreb, the precious Medersa Ben Youssef , one of the highest examples of Moroccan art and architecture. Move to the only surviving building from the Almoravid era, the Koubba El Badiyn , and visit the Marrakech Museum. Continue the walk in the souk, time will fly by observing the goods of the colorful shops. A word of advice: if your intention is to buy something, always try to negotiate the price.

DAY 3 | Marrakech - Essaouira - Marrakech

By bus you can reach the coastal city of Essaouira and  return to Marrrakech in the evening. About three hours to reach this center overlooking the Atlantic ocean. Visit the port area and observe it from the top of the Skala du Port , a crenellated bastion dominated by two imposing towers that offer a splendid view of the city and the piers below. Enter the old area by crossing place Moulay Hassan and immerse yourself in the souk. Climb the Skala de la Kasba , another fortification dotted with Spanish cannons that will give you another perspective of the ocean and the Iles Purpuraires in front.

DAY 4 | Marrakech - Kasbah Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate - Dades Gorges

With only eight days available, it could be an idea to participate in an organized excursion of three days and two nights to reach the south of the country and thus have a taste of the Moroccan desert. Almost all agencies in Marrakech offer standard excursions whose prices change according to the type of accommodation chosen during the nights. The first day is expected to cross the High Atlas mountain range along the Tizi'n Tichka mountain pass at an altitude of 2,260 meters. The various stages of production and its benefits for the human body are illustrated in an Argan oil cooperative. With a detour you reach the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. In Ouarzazate, the "gate of the desert", there is the possibility to choose whether to visit the ancient Kasbah of Taourirt or the famous Cinema Museum. Traveling through the beautiful Rose Valley you will reach the last stop of the day, the suggestive Dades Gorges in the vicinity of which there are several accommodation facilities.

DAY 5 | Dades Gorges - Tinghir - Todra Gorges - Merzouga

Resuming the march towards the Draa Valley crossed by one of the longest rivers in Morocco, you will have the opportunity to observe along the road ancient Kasbahs hidden in the mountains. In Tinghir there is a stop at the lush palm grove that surrounds the village. Next stop are the spectacular and perhaps too touristy Todra Gorges that precede Merzouga , in the heart of the desert. The sunset is the ideal time to go by dromedary and reach one of the camps at the foot of the Grande Duna which will host you for the night.

DAY 6 | Merzouga - Marrakech 

Crossing the desert in daylight you will return to Merzouga by dromedary. A tiring and long journey back will await you until you return to Marrakech which you will reach only in the late afternoon.

DAY 7 | Marrakech - Ourika Valley - Marrakech

If the night has served you to overcome the tiredness accumulated in these days you can take part in another organized excursion. The Ourika Valley is only an hour from Marrakech. In Tnine-l'Ourika you will stop to visit Les jardin bioaromatiques de l'Ourika, an aromatic biological clock garden in which officinal plants grow from which massage oils are obtained. The road ends at Setti Fatma . An easy uphill walk awaits you to observe some of the Seven Waterfalls . You will have lunch in one of the tourist restaurants along the river before returning to Marrakech for a well-deserved rest.

DAY 8 | Marrakech 


It is the last day on Moroccan soil. If your flight is scheduled in the afternoon, you can take advantage of the morning to get to know two other symbolic places in Marrakech. At the southern end of the medina stands the neighborhood once inhabited by the Jewish community, the Saadian tombs with its well-kept flower garden and the Bahia Palace .
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July 11, 2020

Sharm El Sheikh. Organize an excursion

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#Cairo and #Sharm El Sheikh #Honeymoon_Packages with Maestro Online Travel is one of our #Egypt_Honeymoon_Holidays that give you an opportunity to start your everlasting Love Story with Romantic tours to explore the greatness of the Egyptian history and relax some days on the beach.



Hands up who has never dreamed of a trip to Egypt . I in the first place. Land of pharaohs and millennial history. Mild climate, always warm sea and avant-garde resort, at least in the part I have known, Sharm El Sheikh , an international destination in the panorama of relaxing holidays. The position is enviable: in the southern end of the Sinai peninsula, where the desert and the Red Sea find their meeting point. Those who choose Sharm probably do so for its crystal clear waters, embellished with one of the best preserved coral reefs, yet the city has a lot to offer in terms of fun too.

That's why with this article I would like to clarify all the possibilities offered by this location by describing one by one all the day trips available to guests. You will see how the choice is so varied as to satisfy any type of tourist. But first it is good to make some clarifications, starting from the necessary documents.

Do I need a visa?

Those who intend to spend their vacation in the resort area of ​​the southern coast of Sinai (including Sharm El Sheikh) for a period of less than 14 days do not require an ordinary tourist visa. If you opt to travel outside the resort area, a visa becomes mandatory. My advice is to always ask for it, the temptation to make a stop in Cairo or the pyramids of Luxor will be very strong. Clearly take into account at least one night out of Sharm. You can apply for a visa at the Consulates and the Embassy of Egypt or, only in the case of tourism, directly at the airports. Alternatively, E-visa, electronic travel authorization that can be used at the intended entry point, can be a good time-saving option. There are specific sites to request it, one of allhttps://vistoelettronico.it/ .

Ras Mohammed National Park | Half Day or Full Day

The National Park of Ras Mohammedit is probably the site where to meet the most beautiful coral reef together with Ras Umm Sid. It is no coincidence that it is called "Garden of Allah" for the richness and majesty of its seabed. Since 1983, the protected area has been declared for a total of approximately 480 sq km. Sand dunes alternate with mangrove forests and gravelly plains. The desert landscape crosses the turquoise of the sea, ideal for underwater activities. The main dive sites are Shark, Ras Ghazolani, Jack fish Alley, Za'ater and Yolanda. You can choose between two different excursions, the first half day, the second half day. The first program includes a visit to the Allah gate (entrance gate to the park), photo stop in the Barracuda bay, mangrove forests, the "magic lake", plus two snorkeling stops in the crystal clear waters of the protected area. In the one-day excursion, the program is wider: on board a pleasure boat equipped with all services, stops are available in the main diving sites. Lunch is also served on board and prepared by the crew.


Neverland

Excursion aboard a boat to ... the island that is not there. At low tide moments, in the Ras Mohammed National Park, a small island emerges which is not marked on any map. This is the destination of the day. While sailing there are also stops to practice snorkeling accompanied by a guide, in three of the most beautiful points of the Gulf of Suez and thus admire the beautiful reef rich in fish and corals. Lunch on board.

Tiran island

Tiran is located at the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba, between the coasts of Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Just see some pictures to understand why the island is considered one of the most beautiful spots for snorkeling and diving. There are four coral reefs: Jackson Reef, Gordon Reef, Thomas Reef and Woodhouse Reef. Of these the only dive site where it is possible to find a sandy bottom of a few meters, also suitable for snorkeling is the Gordon Reef. Right here is one of the main attractions, the wreck of the merchant Louilla, which ran aground in 1981.


Safari in the Nabq National Park

The Nabq National Park was declared a protected area in 1992 and covers approximately 600 sq km. It is a region made up of sand dunes, flood plains and salt marshes. It is here that you can meet the largest mangrove forest in Sinai. The excursion starts early in the morning to visit the desert, continues by 4x4 Jeep and after a stop in the Gold valley, continues with a camel ride. Stops are planned in the most beautiful points of the coral reef, relaxation included.

Dromedary riding in the Nabq National Park

A different experience always within the Nabq National Park. On the back of dromedaries and in the caravan there is the possibility to go through the dunes of the protected area. It will be possible to know the stories and secrets of the Bedouins who live in the desert and try the typical Bedouin tea at sunset.


Ascent to Mount Sinai at night

Night excursion to the sacred land theater of important Biblical events. Three hours of walking are necessary to reach the summit of Mount Sinai , at an altitude of 2295 m, time necessary to enjoy a spectacular panoramic view at the first light of dawn. Subsequent descent to the Monastery of Santa Caterina whose visit takes place just after having eaten breakfast.

Old City

A guided tour of what is the oldest part of Sharm El Sheikh. Accompanied by a guide, walk inside the souk and free stops in the bazaar, spice shops, boutiques and shops with local handicrafts. There is also the opportunity to relax in one of the many cafés while smoking a typical hookah. The old city is dominated by the Al Sahaba mosque, an impressive building of recent construction built in the Ottoman style. Continue by bus for a panoramic tour of Naama Bay and stop for an aperitif at the famous Hard Rock Café.
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