Three of Positano's Most Remarkable Must-Visits You Should Know About

The iconic colorful houses tumbling down to the sea in a cascade of sun-bleached peach, pink, and terracotta makes Positano the most photogenic town on the Amalfi Coast. Flanked by wisteria-draped hotels and restaurants makes the town even more appealing to any social media savvy tourist. It is also rich in fashion history as moda Positano was born here and the town was first in Italy to import bikinis from France. So what are you waiting for? Download the Positano travel Guide and Offline Map now!

1.     Spiaggia Grande

You've most likely seen the picturesque beach umbrellas amidst the outstanding cliffside houses in the background. 300-meters long, the beach is one of the largest on Amalfi Coast and one of the most glamorous as well. So glamorous that it attracts artists, actors, and celebrities alike. If this grand beach is too crowded for you and you're looking for a more peaceful spot to enjoy the Mediterranean sun and sea then head over to Fornillo Beach, which can be reached via a coastal path from Spiaggia Grande.

2.      Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta

The beautiful church and its majolica-tiled dome can be seen from every corner of the town. It's most known for its Byzantine-inspired Icon of a black Madonna, dating back to the 18th century, is conserved inside the church. As an important part of Positano's culture, religion, and architecture, it is considered the towns most prominent and photographed sites. It is also considered the town's most iconic symbols.

3.     Island of Sirens

The three islets of Li Galli is the stuff of legends and it is said that Sirens once inhabited the islets just off the shores of Positano. The Sirens attempted to seduce with their song all those who sailed nearby. Among those who are caught in the spell of enchantment by the islets' allure is the famous ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev who spent his last years on the islets.

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Why You Must Visit Siena, the Epitome of Tuscan Culture

The city of Siena is where architecture shines most in Tuscany. Everywhere you look you'll be greeted by great Gothic architecture, spectacular secular monuments from the medieval times, and extraordinary art collection from the same period. As one of the most well-preserved 17th-century villages, you can expect it to be as colorful and vibrant as it once was. Explore the beautiful city of Siena with the Siena Travel Guide and Offline Map.

1.     Duomo

Built over a former Roman temple in 1179, Siena's iconic Duomo was constructed over the 13th and 14th centuries. The majestic cathedral showcases the talents of great medieval and Renaissance architects and artists. From Giovanni Pisano who designed its intricate white, green and red marble facade to Nicola Pisano who carved the elaborate pulpit just to name a few. Its intricate flooring took over 200 years to finish with 40 artists working on the depiction of the historical and biblical scenes.

2.      Piazza del Campo

Popular known as "Il Campo", the sloping piazza has been the city's civic and social center since the mid-12th century. What once was a Roman marketplace is now divided into nine sectors representing the number of members of the consiglio and these days acts as a carpet on which young locals meet and relax. Enjoy the view and marvel in its grandness by sitting in one of its cafes and have some popular Italian coffee or apertivi.

3.     Libreria Piccolomini

Commisioned by Cardinal Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini, archbishop of Siena who later on became Pope Pius III, in 1492, it houses books of his uncle, Enea Silvio Piccolomini Pope Pius II. But the books aren't the only things that draw in the crowds. Its vividly colored narrative frescoes by Pinturicchio that depict the life of Pius II is a thing to behold. In the center of the hall is a group of statues known as the Tre Grazie (Three Graces), a 3rd-century Roman copy of an earlier Hellenistic work.

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Top 3 Chateaus You Must Visit in Loire Valley

Loire Valley is considered so beautiful that kings, queens, dukes, and nobles came to establish castles and palaces in its fertile river valley. So it comes as no surprise that you will be greeted with extravagant fortresses in every corner of this jaw-dropping valley. These fortresses are surrounded by villages and vineyards so expect sumptuous food and wine to go with the great agrarian views.  Download the Loire Valley Travel Guide and Offline Map and see the entire splendor yourself.

1.     Chateau de Chenonceau

Spanning the Cher River the Chenonceau is one of France's most elegant châteaus. Sitting atop a gracefully arched bridge it is surrounded formal gardens and its magical architecture reflecting its colorful history of being shaped by a series of powerful women. As a result, it is nicknamed Le Château des Dames. Fabulous art fills the interiors. Works by Tintoretto, Correggio, Rubens, Murillo, Van Dyck and Ribera are among the many artworks.

2.      Chateau de Chambord

One of the notable achievements of the French Renaissance architecture, the Château de Chambord boasts 440 rooms, 356 fireplaces, and 84 staircases. It is by far the largest and grandest château in the Loire Valley. Construction began in 1519 by François and was initially built as a weekend hunting lodge. But it quickly grew into more than just that and turned into one of the most expensive architectural projects by a French monarch.

3.     Chateau Royal de Blois

Blois is indeed the epitome of royal living as seven French kings lived in the chateau. Its four grand wings were built during the four distinct periods in French architecture: Gothic, Flamboyant Gothic, early Renaissance, and classical. Make sure to set aside half-a-day to be able to truly immerse yourself in the chateau's dramatic and bloody history and its extraordinary architecture. One of its features that you must visit is the richly painted Hall of the States-General, from the 13th century.

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The Only Guide You'll Ever Need On Rotterdam, Europe's Rising Star

When we say Rotterdam is Europe's rising star, we are not kidding. The city is filled with the most spectacular initiatives by the locals themselves. Amidst the futuristic architecture lie these exhilarating initiatives such as inner-city canal surfing, a proliferation of art, and a busy drinking and dining scene. It is also the most diverse and multiethnic and so it comes to no surprise at how forward thinking the city is. Download the Rotterdam Travel Guide and Offline Map and explore Rotterdam now!

1.     Museum Boijmans van Beuningen

The Museum Boijmans van Beuningen is considered among Europe's finest museums. It has a permanent collection spanning all eras of Dutch and European art imaginable. Among the many highlights are The Marriage Feast at Cana by Hieronymus Bosch, the Three Maries at the Open Sepulchre by Van Eyck, the minutely detailed Tower of Babel by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, and Portrait of Titus and Man in a Red Cap by Rembrandt.

2.      Toko 51

As they say while traveling, do what the locals do. And one of the most happening places for the locals of Rotterdam is Toko 51. Not only is this concept store a melting pot for local creatives that showcases modern art, hosts live music events and sell vintage clothes, but it also is also a supermarket of sorts with Mexcian tacos from Sabor Sabor. And even makes rooms for aspiring barbers that offer haircuts.

3.     Kralingse Bos and Plas

The wooded park of Kralingse Bos and Plas lies just outside the city center and is the perfect combination of shaded forests, sparkling waters, and manicured grass. It's the perfect spot where locals go for their laidback excursions. Here, you'll find a variety of activities to enjoy such as cycling, sailing, rowing, and even barbecue with friends and family or work on your suntan on the sandy beach.

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Three Reasons Why You Should Visit Romantic Road in Germany

During the medieval times, the route was a trade route that connected the center of Germany with the south. Today this region is thought by many international travelers to possess "quintessentially German" scenery and culture. The Romantic Road is a "theme route" devised by promotion-minded travel agents in the 1950's. It describes the 350 kilometers of highway between Würzburg and Füssen linking numerous picturesque towns and castles. Enjoy the scenic route with The Romantic Road Travel Guide and Offline Map.

1.     Neuschwanstein Castle

One of the most famous castles in the world or also knows as the Sleeping Beauty Castle, Neuschwanstein Castle welcomes a whopping 1.3 million visitors annually. The 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria. The palace was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat until he died in 1886.

2.      The Wieskirche Church

The Wieskirche is also one of the most famous works from the Rococo period of art and architecture. Locates in the foothills of the Alps it was designed in the late 1740s by brothers J. B. and Dominikus Zimmermann. It is one of the most important places of pilgrimage in southern Germany. It also lies close to other religious attractions like the Oberammergau and the Passion Play making the Wieskirche Church a great stop along The Romantic Road.

3.     Lake Constance

Lake Constance is the biggest lake in Germany. Lying below the northern edge of the Alps it borders Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It offers a jaw dropping scenery along its 270-kilometer shoreline. The largest and deepest part of the lake, the Obersee, extends from Bregenz Bay to Konstanz and is lined by numerous old lakeside towns and attractive villages with incredible views of the Swiss Alps.

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Love to chill in cold places? Go to Québec, North America’s Winter Wonderland

If you love the cold, the city of Québec will be a paradise for you. Here are some convincing reasons why you should come to Québec City. Download the Quebec Travel Guide with Offline City Street Map so you’ll have an easy time exploring the city.

1.      The Ice Hotel

The Ice Hotel is the only one of its kind in North America and it is Québec City’s most famous attraction. This modern structural wonder, located on the lower slopes of the Laurentian Mountains, is made up of 500 tons of ice and 30,000 tons of snow. It has 44 rooms. Curtains are used as doors and the beds are made of blocks of ice fitted in a wooden frame. Guests are provided with sleeping bags designed specifically for the ice beds. The bathrooms are in a separate outhouse building. The average temperature inside the hotel is -4˚F so don’t check in unless you are confident you can handle the cold. When you make your reservation, you can also request for a custom suite to be carved for you if you so desire.

2.      Village Vacances Valcartier

The Village Vacances Valcartier is the largest winter playground in North America. It is the perfect place to set the child in you free. The attraction has more than 35 snow slides along with ice skating, ice rafting, ice tubing, and ice carting facilities. Its slope-slide sugar shack sells the most delicious maple candy-pop in the city. Once you’ve had enough of the cold, you can warm up in the park’s restaurant and reenergize your body with some hot soup and dishes. Thrill seekers can test themselves in the Himalaya, a tube ride that features a 90-degree jump during which the tube can reach a speed of 50 miles per hour.

3.      The Nordic Spa

The Nordic Spa operates based on a millennium-old Viking tradition of tempering the body by subjecting it to extreme shifts in temperature. The first stage involves bathing in an outdoor hot tub. Then the second stage of sweating it up in a sauna follows. And finally, the final step of immersing yourself in frigid waters. To help normalize your body, a 60-minute long Swedish massage caps off the experience.

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St Petersburg, Russia’s Window to Europe

The 350 year-old city of St Petersburg has become an epic of European revolt and intrigue. Its political and historical narratives can still be seen today all around the city. Below are a few convincing reasons on why you should check out this amazing city. The city is huge so prepare your St Petersburg Travel Guide and Offline City Map.

The Art

Art is deeply ingrained in the veins of St. Petersburg. This is made obvious the moment you set foot into the city. Almost all the streets are covered in amazing street art that conveys various political and personal views by the artists. The most famous among this marvelous works of art is Timofey Radya’s manifesto All I Know About Street Art he painted at a former plastics factory and dedicated to the St Petersburg Street Art Museum. If you are not that into street art, the world renowned Hermitage Museum houses invaluable works by Rembrandt, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Rubens, and other famous artists.

The Parks

St. Petersburg has several world class parks worthy of your attention the most famous one being the Lower Park which is also referred to as the Russian Versailles. Its location which is between the Grand Palace and the seashore allows for an enthralling scenery and soothing breeze. The Lower Park houses the largest system of fountains in the world. Its arrangement of over 140 fountains will definitely make your jaw drop. It has three major cascades, each one distinct from the others.

The Palaces

St Petersburg has no shortage of majestic palaces. The Pavlovsk Palace was designed by several of its era’s brightest architects to serve as the perfect summer residence for Great Paul I. inside of the palace is like a different world where cultures from all over the world converge. It has sections dedicated for a particular culture. Its most popular sections are the Egyptian Vestibule, the Italian Hall, and the Greek Hall. Also hanging all around the palace interior are priceless French paintings. The palace also has a serene garden where musical greats such as Strauss occasionally perform.

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Valencia, One of Spain’s Oldest Cities

The Spanish city Valencia is was founded over 2,000 years ago by retiring Roman soldiers using the land Caesar had given them as a reward for their bravery. Today, it is known as for the dish paella and the Calatrava’s City of Arts and Sciences. It is also said to have the best weather in the entire country. Below are even more reasons for you to visit Valencia. Make sure you have a Valencia Travel Guide and Offline City Map downloaded on your mobile device for the best experience.

Brilliant weather

Historians believe that the incredible weather is what prompted the soldiers to build a city on the land they were given. The location guarantees at least 300 sunny days per year and temperatures only reach 25 degrees during the hottest month of August and go down to only 9 degrees during the coldest month of January.

Amazing Beaches

Don’t let the city’s urban sparkle keep you away from its outstanding beaches, especially since the terrific weather keeps the water temperature in these beaches desirable throughout the year. Most of the beaches around Valencia are quite underdeveloped and that just adds to their appeal. It means less people and less noise. Most notable among these beaches are the Arenas beaches, the La Malvarorrsa Beach, and the La Garrofera Beach.

Grand Festivities

Fiestas are deeply embedded in Spanish culture. In Valencia, the annual Ninots Festival held from the 14th to the 19th of March is the most popular. In the said festival, each neighborhood creates a giant wooden effigy that is then paraded across the city. On average, the cost of building all of the ninots is around 22 million dollars. Just remember to book your accommodation in advance as the festival attracts half a million tourists each year.

Ancient Atmosphere

Numerous ancient relics can be found as you venture around the city. The city gates are the last remaining parts of the town’s original defensive wall built in the 14th century. The Plaza de Virgen is almost as old as the city itself. The plaza’s centerpiece is its fountain surrounding by sculptures of eight women, representing the eight irrigation channels that supplied water into the city since its foundation.

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