Travel & Trip Tips

Country Roads

2009-12-28T22:52:00.000-08:00

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A Guide Through the Uffizi Gallery of Florence

2009-06-01T02:31:00.000-07:00

The Uffizi Gallery was built in 1581 and is home to some of the world s greatest pieces of artwork known to man. From the moment you walk in, there is a sense of beauty and wonder. From the paintings in the ceiling of the main corridor to the Doni Tondo by Michelangelo, there is no end to the masterpieces you will find in this museum.

Originally built as the offices of the Florentine magistrates, the Uffizi museum is one of the first modern galleries. It has been open for public viewing since the 1765. The Uffizi gallery holds much more than just paintings. There are sculptures, scientific instruments, and statues which adorn two floors of the building.

The building in itself is a masterpiece of architecture. Designed by Giorgio Vasari, the Uffizi gallery is built next to the Medici palace. It over looks the Arno River. Great care was taken to enhance the beauty of the city when the gallery was built.

The art collection is vast and varies from time to time. Many pieces of the artwork have suffered damage throughout the years. They need to be restored with great care. As the restoration process becomes complete, the rejuvenated pieces are added to the collection where they belong. Each section of the Uffizi gallery is dedicated to certain pieces of artwork.

There are plans to expand the Uffizi gallery to show more of the great artwork that is in the collection. Many pieces are being stored in the warehouse at present because of a lack of display rooms. With the expansion, each piece will have a permanent home in the museum.

You will be able to see many of the magnificent pieces from Leonardo da Vinci and Hugo van der Goes when you tour the Uffizi museum. The infamous statue of David is also located in the gallery. Much of the artwork comes from the private collection of the Medici family. When the last heiress, Anna Maria Lodovica, went to France to wed the king of Lorena she signed an agreement that any of the artwork on display to the public would never leave Florence. The collection was quite extensive. Over the years it has grown even more. Many of the paintings have been donated by individuals and organizations.

The Uffizi gallery is open to the public from Tuesday through Sunday. The museum is closed every Monday. It is also closed on January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th. The hours of operation are from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased either on line or at the entrance. It is recommended to purchase them on line to avoid any waiting in lines. During the busy season, it has been as long as a five hour wait to tour the Uffizi gallery. The price of a ticket is 6.50 or about $10. People over 65 and those under 18 get in for free. There is a discount for European citizens who are between the ages of 18 and 25. When you make your reservations, you can ask for one of the many tours being offered on the day of your visit.

By : Andrea Cardelli

Author Resource:-> Roberta Leoni writes articles for http://www.virtualuffizi.com, which is the ultimate guide for the Uffizi Gallery of Florence, and she specialises in the Uffizi museum's art. Article From Travel Articles You Can Publish

Château de Vauvenargues opened May-Sept

2009-06-01T02:29:00.000-07:00

The Château de Vauvenargues is to be opened to the public between May and September in conjunction with the Picasso-Cézanne which is hosted at the Musée Granet in Aix-en-Provence.

Pablo Picasso's burial site opened to public - Telegraph.
By Jon Bryant in Aix-en-Provence

The French château where Pablo Picasso is buried is to be opened to the public for the first time, 35 years after his death.

The Spanish artist was buried in the grounds of a château that he bought on a whim in 1958 in the village of Vauvenargues in the south of France.

Picasso’s 17th Century Chateau Opens To The Public : Wicked Good Travel Tips.
The grand chateau will welcome pre-reserved tours from May 25th until September 27, seven days a week. Small groups of 18 will be hosted by a guide with entry each half hour. Tours will visit Picasso’s suite of private rooms including the diningroom, bedroom, bathroom (with Picasso’s painted wall above the tub), and of course his studio. Picasso and his wife Jacqueline have been laid to rest at the foot of the main steps on the terrace. Tickets can be purchased for 7.70 euros at the Aix en Provence Tourist Board and the Granet Museum.

A Summer of Picasso | Travel News from Fodor's Travel Guides.

May 27th will mark the first day the public will be admitted to Picasso's Château de Vauvenargues, which lords it over a tiny village of the same name.

Once inside, visitors will be able to view a suite of Picasso's private rooms. These will include his bedroom and bath (on whose walls he painted a mural of a faun), and, most pointedly, his studio, which has been left exactly as it was, down to the last errant splatter of paint.

If you've ever dreamt of making a pilgrimage to Picasso Country, this is your year.

With newly granted access to the grave of the father of 20th century art, art lovers everywhere are already making plans to pay their respects.

Top 10 Hotels for Party People

2009-06-01T02:21:00.000-07:00

The hotel price comparison site trivago has investigated the most popular cities in the world and has found the top hotels that are ideal for couples and singles alike. This top ten guarantees a boredom free holiday.

1. Andaz London

London is the top destination for party people worldwide and Hotel Andaz, the new luxury brand of the Hyatt Group offers trendy design in a Victorian building. There is no reception, the lobby is a spacious living room and check-in occurs on a laptop on the way to the room. The rooms are minimalistic, well equipped and include biological juices, an iPod and DVD’s. Tourist hot spots such as the Tower of London or the Tate Museum are in walking distance, and the closest underground station to the city centre is around the corner. A highlight for party people is the proximity to the East End and its galleries, bars and nightclubs.

2. Tres, Palma de Mallorca

The Hotel Tres in the old town of Palma de Mallorca offers a blend of old and new. In the remnants of the city palace a house has been cultivated with a pure style and exclusive roof terrace: it does not only offer a beautiful view of the cathedral, but also of the pool, the sundeck and the sauna. Alternatively guests can relax under palm trees in the inner court or in the lounge. The hotel is located in the party district La Llonja and the Abaco Bar is directly around the corner. Discotheques and clubs on the harbour promenade are only a stone’s throw away.

3. Villa Emilia, Barcelona

The Zinc Bar in Villa Emilia is the place to be seen in Barcelona; however the hotel also allures guests with its Zen style design and high-tech equipment with WiFi and Plasma TV. Close to the Plaça Espanya and the underground station, the centre of Barcelona is easy to reach. The sea is less than two miles away. In addition guests can sample wines from the hotel owned wine cellar, try Catalonian dishes or view the city from the sun terrace and from there begin the night.

4. Marmara Pera, Istanbul

Hotel Marmara Pera is located in downtown Istanbul, in Beyoğlu, where the nightlife is in full swing. This luxury accommodation has been designed with a retro feel. The roof terrace offers a swimming pool with a bar and a view over Bosporus. On the top floor of the hotel the panoramic restaurant "Mikla" serves Turkish-European food prepared by star chef Mehmet Gürs. Hotel Marmara Pera is where the designer scene in Istanbul meets. For travellers who want to dive into the nightlife, the hotel is close to Taksimplace and the party district Istiklal with bars, clubs and discotheques.

5. Hotel Ellington, Berlin

Whether in the 20s in the "Femina" swing palace or in the 70s in the discotheque "Dschungel" – in the Ellington Hotel dancing is a tradition, the new hot spot is the 5055Club in the lounge. The hotel with its historical facade takes its guests back to the „Golden Twenties“, and offers everything of a modern design hotel, with elegant rooms, a bar and the Duke restaurant. Besides this the hotel is located close to Kudamm which is an ideal starting point for tourists and night clubbers.

6. Hotel Panorama, Alanya

The Hotel Panorama is situated in the centre of Alanya, on the beach in the heart of the nightlife. The majority of guests who stay at this hotel are from Germany. The highlights include the pool which is close to Olympic sizes, the panoramic bar and the sports facilities which include a fitness studio and tennis courts. At night an entertainment programme is offered in the hotel, but the nightlife in the closely located club district also has a lot to offer. Travellers can visit the Auditorium – one of the largest open air discotheques in Turkey – to dance until the early hours of the morning.

7. Phoenix Hotel, San Francisco

The Tenderloin district in San Francisco is not necessarily a good neighbourhood, but the Hotel Phoenix in retro style makes it better than good. At the entrance visitors are greeted by a frog sculpture, art can be discovered everywhere, the mosaic pool is even an architectural monument of the city. The hotel is famous for its rock and roll clientele; Little Richard, Pearl Jam and Franz Ferdinand have been spotted here. The Bambuddah Lounge is a trendy meeting point and at the weekends and wild pool parties are a part of the standard programme.

8. Hotel V Frederiksplein, Amsterdam

In 2008 the Hotel V Frederiksplein opened in the centre of Amsterdam, a chique hotel behind a traditional exterior, close to the trendy Pijp Viertel with a tram stop in front of the door. The lobby is an "open space" with a rubber reception, wooden bar and leather lounge including a fireplace and soul music. Travellers can enjoy the hectic street life in peace or surf the internet on a Mac. The rooms are furnished with chrome, wood and retro objects. As a special the hotel offers an overnight stay with entrance to the world famous "Supperclub".

9. Hotel Eurostars Das Letras, Lisbon

Located in the centre of Lisbon, the lavish five star city hotel Eurostars Das Letras was opened in 2008: with an impressive lobby, nobly furnished rooms in walnut and marble plus a sauna and fitness centre. Travellers can end the day or start the evening in the restaurant or the cocktail bar. In the later hours of the night the nightlife starts in the trendy district Bairro Alto which is not too far away. A must see is "Pavilhão Chinês", a cult bar with a twist and city museum in one.

10. Hotel Gansevoort, New York

The meatpacking district is considered a hot spot in New York and those who can afford it stay in Hotel Gansevoort. Its silver exterior looks like a jewel and the interior is also stylish, whether in the lobby or in the rooms, the Gansevoort Spa or Restaurant Ono. However the actual jewel is on the roof: the pool with underwater music and the popular "Plunge" Bar with a DJ and a view over the Big Apple. Models, rock stars and trendsetters all meet here – an ideal starting point to explore the party district between Greenwich Village and Chelsea.

About trivago: The city ranking is based on the most popular search requests in March and April 2009 on www.trivago.co.uk as well as the best rated hotels. trivago brings together more than 15 million hotel reviews from different sources such as Tripadvisor and Holidaycheck to view on one site.

Travellers find the ideal hotel for the best rate on trivago. The online service compares the hotel rates of over 30 booking sites for 380,000 hotels worldwide. Additionally trivago has integrated over 15 million hotel reviews and shows the overall rating for each hotel. trivago does not just compare the prices of online hotel booking sites, but also the rates. Users can see whether breakfast is included and if cancellation and payment by credit card is possible. trivago has the first “Freestyle” meta search: travellers are able to search by holiday region, city or hotel name. trivago GmbH with its headquarters in Dusseldorf, Germany was founded in 2005 and currently operates eleven European country platforms.