The Roman civilization victory itinerary

On the Tunisian Mediterranean shore, the sun and the light blue sky have joined forces to protect the most spectacular history of Mare Nostrum. This is how the Romans called the sea between Europe and Africa, after they conquered all the nearby regions. We’re talking about Cartagina, where grains, oil and wines were leaving towards all zones of the globe. Cartagina’s culture survived and the bad gods have been changed with the Christianity beliefs.

The charm of the place stays in the remaining history of people like generals Hanon and Hanibal, author Lucius Apuleius or theologian Augustin having their fingerprints deep inside the culture. The hedonism of Sidi Bou Said, the beaches of La Marsa a Gammarth, the white towers and the streets of Hammamet or the Roman amphitheater of El Djem are all memories of the rich air coming back from the old times of Cartagina.

20 kilometers away from the capital city, Tunis, you will find Sidi Bou Said, a small town also known as Jabal el-Menar. The name is the abbreviation of the Muslim saint’s name who lived here. His full name was Abou Said ibn Khalef ibn Yahia Ettamini el Beji. The great white houses , with blue painted windows are part of the superb and genuine mediteranean scenery. You can take the TGM train from Tunis to La Marsa to visit it.

About Hammamet you should know that it’s a popular destination for swimming and water sports and that is because of its sunny beaches. Used to be the first tourist destination in Tunisia, south east of the northern peninsula of Cap Bon in th Golf of Hammamet.

Another thing that makes it very popular is that it’s famous for jasmines and it’s the place where the Tunisian president spends his vacations. Here you will find the Kasbah of Hammamet, best enjoyed from outside with a close eye on the ocean and the beaches, the villa of George Sebastian, a cultural center nowadays, one of the most beautiful house in Hammameth. Take the nightlife tour, to get the air of a mystical town at night, when almost all tourists are gone and you can inspect every little corner. About restaurants and bars you should know that there are enough bars or discos where you will feel safe and concerning the food you will be delighted by both charm and good taste. Will make your money worth it.

The El Djem town is in the Mahdia Governorate and it’s the living evidence of the Roman remains in Africa. It is famous for its 35,000 seats amphitheater being the 3rd biggest after Rome’s Colosseum and the theater of Capua. It’s a World Heritage site since 1979. Until the 17th century the architecture remained whole but since the Ottomans times when they used to banish the rebels out of it with cannons, it changed. Underneath the El Jem Colosseum there are places for animals, prisoners and gladiators. These two passages shouldn’t be avoid when visiting El Jem. You won’t find here night life bars and there is only one hotel in the city. It’s all about culture and history.

Convinced of going to Thailand, you should know that the best period of visiting Thailand is off the raining season, which is during the winter months. Pimalai Resort & Spa is more than just a hotel, it’s a luxurious refugee between the jungle and the ocean.

It’s situated in the south-west part of the Koh Lanta island, on the shore of Ba Kan Tiang golf, in Krabi. The Pimalai Resort & Spa has 70 apartments, villas, and rooms most of them with a view to the ocean. Everything here can be enjoyed at the max and will fill your photo albums with joy and happiness. Visit the small island of Koh Lanta Yai situated just nearby. You will be able to scuba dive, take your photos with the monkeys or walk on the nice dressed elephants.

The Pimalai can offer huge villas with the comfort of your own house, up to 350 sq.m. and for 2 persons, an impressive living, private pool with a Andaman panorama. This is a perfect hotel suited for your honeymoon or for renewing your vows. Actually any reason is good for some relaxing time in the Pimalai Resort in Thailand.

You will be welcomed just like you see in the movies. With a bunch of orchids, with a local drink based on lemon and a perfumed napkin. It’s the staff of the hotel that makes such a nice holiday at the Pimalai Resort. You will feel like staying at the Ritz but in the middle of the forest and near the ocean with lots of trees, water and great colors. They are going to satisfy any wishes no matter how unusual it is and you should know that prices are not as big as you may think they are here at the Pimalai Resort. Take your trip there.

The enormous depression near the lake Chott El Djerid is the meridional border of the Mediterranean world and Sahara. Due to the fact that the underground is full of underground water, Tozeur is an oasis and a city in central Tunisia. The area is not very well advertised and not many know about it, a special world in the big Sahara desert, with no modern buildings and an old civilization breath.

El Djerid is the country of the date trees, the largest part of the local economy, but it’s becoming less and less appealing to the young and that is because they are focused on tourism which is much more fun and sometime less work. For these reasons Tozeur is more and more promoted becoming the desert tourism center.

7,000 years before Christ, in Tozeur has been a great civilization. The descendants of the Arabian tribes from Tozeur have changed into a live and wealthy culture of those living in this large oasis, traditions and culture representing the possibilities for the future. Mountainous oasis like Chebika or Tamerza are two towers offering great panoramic views to endless horizon of rocks and sand.

Tozeur’s medina, which is the old town is like an open museum of traditional architecture, fashion and workmanship. In Tunisia it’s a common thing for locals to be very hospitable with the tourists. There are also many tourist facilities. You can take a camel trip from Tozeur and explore the Sahara Desert to see Chott el-Djerid, a place where you can see Fata Morgana’s, which is a mirage, and optical illusion.

Tozeur, and the Jerid region, is famous for the yellow (or dark yellow) brick architecture, for the geometric designs on walls and doors, and actually the front parts of most buildings in the old town, and if you ever visit this area it is a must to see the exquisite example of brick works, the old town of Ouled El Hwadef.

One last thing is about weather. Usually they have pleasant temperatures, but during the summer they can go up to 45 Celsius degrees. The best time to come to Tozeur in the fall or the winter. Hotels are not full and dates are being harvested. It’s a famous ritual. During this period you can also take part in some of the international festival of the oases. Tunisia is a great destination, but without visiting Tozeur you will miss a lot!

Dog sledding are becoming more and more popular among the winter attractions, and it became popular especially as a sport in Austrian or Swiss winter resorts. For dog sled amateurs, a very popular destination in Europe is is Obertraun/Dachstein. It’ one of the smallest resorts in Austria but it’s but it’s very popular for skiing and for dog sledding. At over 2000m altitude and with a season full of snow you will be delighted with the 16 ski-runs and 11 ski lifts.

A race with the sled pulled by one or more Husky dogs towards the famous Hallstatt Lake, begins at the Haus am See hotel right near the lake with a great view over it. The sleds have up to 16 dogs to run with, and you should take about a day off if you want a lake tour driving the sled. The price can go up to €100 for a day, but if you are here, don’t miss it. Can be the experience of your life.

Famous for skiing and hot thermal spas

The hot spring thermal water of Bad Gastein and Gastein Valley is known for hundreds of years, with temperatures of about 42-43 Celsius degrees. From these springs the water is collected and sent to the thermal spas. It’s very refreshing both for the mind and for the body. The water has great benefits because of the inert gas called Radon. Hot radium-rich spring releasing radon is great for the body accelerating metabolism, stimulating the immune system and improves circulation. It’s indicated for back pains, wounds, rheumatism, aging, fertility or potency or osteoporosis.

Imagine how relaxing would be to sit in a hot water pool, near the full of snow slopes, very well equipped skiers envious on you. Can anything else be more than relaxing? Negative ions from the air are also benefiting to your calming state of mind.

About the small city of Bad Gastein you should know that it was a very famous resort for those rich and famous. Since the `60s the town lost its popularity and it’s trying to get it back through the winter sports and of course with the thermal spa of the Gastein Valley.

In Bad Gastein, you should try the Alpen Therme Gastein on Sen-W.-Wilfingplatz 1, spread on over 32,000 sq. m with superb Alps panoramic view and sectioned in 6 worlds you will not miss anything here: sauna world with a mountain lake, leisure and wellness areas, multimedia adventure dome, impressive water slides, geysers and a glass sky bar. All elements are natural rock, wood and water from the natural Alpine environment.

Plaza Mayor witnessed all of the greatest Spanish history: parties, pilgrimages, bullfights, public executions or royal proclamations. It’s a central plaza in Madrid, Spain a few minutes walking from another famous plaza Puerta del Sol.

It’s been built during the Austrian times with the central building Casa de la Panaderia dominating the whole center. The first with the idea of remodeling the old Plaza del Arrabal, was Filip II of Spain and he asked Juan de Herrera to do the project. Construction started in 1617 under Filip III of Spain. Juan Gomez de Mora was the second architect to work on th Plaza Mayor of Madrid but the one that offered the baroque and classic air of the plaza is Juan de Villanueva.

Every evening the Madrilenos or the tourists gather in Plaza Mayor for a drink, some time out, free concerts or to buy things. The large square is sided by a beautiful building with lots of arches and arcades. Sustained with its four sides, Plaza Mayor is the place where numerous roads start, and near it it’s the famous Arco de Cuchilleros. If you ever go to Madrid, take some photos and spend some time in the famous Plaza Mayor, breath of ancient.

The mother of the occidental cuisine, country of Arquestrato, first author of gastronomy articles, Athens is the place for a good meal in the presence of a God. Greek cuisine is said to be the source of Mediterranean cuisine because it consists of healthy products: olive oil, fish, aromatic herbs and fresh vegetables.

The results are delicious and you will feel like having lunch with the Mount Olympus Gods. Bacchus blesses us when tasting a fine Greek wine and Demetra puts the fresh baked bread on the table. Poseidon is offering the special fish types like herring, tuna or sardines and Apolo has a plate with steaks.

Usually the Greeks have lunch in restaurants where they are able to visit the kitchen and choose from various meals by sensing the flavors. Nothing can beat the famous appetisers, mezedes. They are usually served with a good wine or with the national drink, uzo.

Country of salads, the Horiatki salad (Greek salad) is served with almost any dish you choose. You also shouldn’t miss the Greek moussaka a traditional Balkans and Middle East dish. The Greeks love fish,pork, chicken, swordfish or shrimp and they usually grill them, to make souvlaki. You will have to taste tzatziki, the famous yoghurt, cucumber and smashed garlic puree. Don’t forget feta cheese, also called tyropita, it’s very tasty.

Surely, you’re hungry right now. Therefore we need to supply some restaurants in Athens to satisfy one’s hunger. Here they are. Restaurant Dafne on Lisicratus 4. Here you will be able to eat the restaurant’s menu : moussaka. Great wines. Platanos Tavern on Diogenus 4 in Plaka, within walking distance from the Acropolis. You will be able to get traditional food here. Zefiros restaurant in Piraeus. Quality and delicious sea food cuisine. Great fish dishes.

You can Spa in any season but taking care of your body when the roads are full of snow and the temperature is 30 Celsius degrees below zero is more than a pleasure. Summer procedures are much different from those in the winter.

In Siberia every small or larger village or any luxurious hotel has a banya. A Russian banya is supposed to be a health source and the Russian pride of those living there. The russian steam bath, the banya, is a little different from the Finnish sauna and that is because it’s less heated but compensates with more steam and higher humidity. There are usually three rooms, the steam room, the shower room and the entrance room where you usually sit and hang your clothes.

Take a shower and make sure you don’t wet your head, then enter the banya. It’s supposed to be better to lay down rather than sitting because the heating distribution is equal on all your body. By tradition the Russians use bushes of dried branches and leaves from white birch or other suitable wood moistened in hot water, to massage their bodies. Some even hit themselves and they are doing it to improve blood circulation. After you have refreshed yourself like that you should head to the cold as ice pool or if the banya is not equipped with something like that, roll in the snow or take an extreme cold shower. You will feel warm again.

Russian banya benefits

• Internal cleansing. Healthier, cleaner and refreshing skin. Softens skin ageing
• Improves metabolism by influencing internal burning
• Efficient during dieting by eliminating excessive fat
• Better immunity system. Better resistance to viruses
• Stress relief and sleeping regulation. Calms rheumatic pains.

Advices for Russian banya

• Don’t ever go into a banya with your stomach full or empty, you will feel sick. Eat some fruits before going in.
• Make sure you are not wet when you get into the sauna. The water on your skin will delay sweating, so after the startup shower, use a towel to dry.
• If it’s your first time in a sauna make sure you are accompanied by someone that knows the Russian banya.

Situated on the shore of Lake Atitlan, a huge lake at a high altitude surrounded by volcanoes, Panajachel is by far the tourism center for those crossing the lake or just coming for some days here.

It was discovered by the hippies since the `60s but a lot of them have been flicked by the civil war from the `70s-`80s. During those times about 1 million Mayans were exterminated by the democrats forces helped by the USA, mostly women and children. Once the peace reinstated the town got his old tourists back. Because of the people that got blocked during the war here, and got married, Panajachel is also known as Gringotenango, meaning “place of the gringo”.

Panajachel has two main streets converging to the lake. One has shops and restaurants being very live and the other one is relaxing, with houses. Of course the commercial street is very colored and very luxuriate with Mayan ladies selling their products, fruit salesmen or tourists. Only by visiting the Atitlan lake you would know why that town’s called Gringotenango. A calm water lake, surrounded by volcanoes. You can take a small boat from here to the nearby villages.

In Santiago Atitlan, the villagers worship Maximon, a combination of a pre-Colombian Maya god Mam, Pedro de Alvarado (the conquistador of Guatemala) and catholicism influences. It’s also known as San Simon and is usually dressed with scarfs, has a tie, hat on the head and a cigar in his mouth. Near the wood statue there are lighted candles and the locals come here to offer him money, cigarettes and alcoholic drinks. Tourists pay for a picture with it. His favorite gifts are usually Payaso cigarettes and Venado rum.

If you are about to visit Guatemala, be it Antigua or Guatemala City, think of going to Panajachel to visit the old town and the Lake Atitlan. You are going to enjoy it …

Hong Kong have always been synonym with abundant, lush, glowing, luxurious but also with fabulous shopping. Today, after 10 years since the British gave back to the Chinese that territory, these facts are still valid. In 1997 the Beijing Government have promised to the Great Britain not to interfere with Hong Kong’s lifestyle and the way business is made here for the next 50 years and they kept their promise.

Hong Kong continued having it’s own currency, own life standards and tried to develop further the British experience for the last 100 years of occupancy.

Nowadays, people go to Hong Kong to enjoy China, without communist barriers and of course for high quality shopping. Hong Kong is the paradise of extremely expensive malls and boutiques. Every known designer, be it Armani or Versace, expose their latest creations in limited editions for the bigoted. Hong Kong is the city of markets with fair flavours or ad-hoc booth with British taste where the cheapest and funniest Chinese products can be bought. You should allow about three days of shopping to satisfy your desire and to be able to see about everything this town can offer.

Kowloon, capital of bargains

The night markets are the most renowned to be in Nathan Road. You can get here almost everything from statues to flashlights, batteries or Mao books. You will also find here very cheap restaurants with authentic Chinese food. In Kowloon you will also find themed fairs with birds, fashion fish or flowers. Be there in the morning to get the best deals and the best products.

If you are searching for something else to shop you should head to Tsim Sha Tsui, a place where shops are one near another with cheap clothes, fragrances (authentic or not), gold, CDs, DVDs or silk and other materials. Prices are very accessible. Allow one day to shop here.

Hong Kong Island

It’s the capital of malls and authentic designer shops. You will be able to buy electronics without taxes, famous designers collections and lots of books. Actually in Hong Kong are printed lots of books in English, with low prices being some of the best gifts and souvenirs. Even if the island is not big, it will take a you a full day of shopping.

Hong Kong - New Territories

Tired of the center and islands? Then you should visit the suburbs of Hong Kong if you are trying to find antiques, old furnishings, old statues and fine art. The prices are not low, but you should be assured about the quality and ancientness of the products. It’s heaven for an antiquary or a collector.

Hong Kong is one of the best shopping destination. Be sure it’s worth it!