Mediaeval armour and porcelain; period European dresses and clothes worn by soldiers from the Far East… All this can be found in the museum-house dedicated to Frederick Stibbert (1838-1906), an Englishman born in Florence who devoted his life and fortune to converting his home into a Neo-Gothic castle in which to house his extensive collection of historical objects that he gathered on his numerous travels all over the world.

The museum is a fine example of the eclectic taste for collecting historical objects, which range from the Middle Ages to Napoleon’s time and on to the most wealthy classes of the late 19th Century. Worth highlighting is the collection of mediaeval armour to be found in the Sala della Cavalcata, which is set against the colourful and elegant clothes worn by Japanese warriors of yesteryear.

The museum is open every day of the week except Thursday and only closes its doors on certain specific public holidays. An adult ticket costs €6 and children can get in for €4 (4-12 years) or €2 (0-3 years).Guided tours are available for groups (25 people max.) and visits to the Japanese collection must be booked in advance.

Picture by sailko

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Munich Oktoberfest, the world's biggest beer festival, attracts every year to the Bavaria capital around seven million people. Here everything is celebrated on a large scale: millions of roast chicken are prepared to go with the huge number of beer being served.

With more than 200 years of history, Oktoberfest is an acclaimed tradition that has imitations all over the world, but if you want to live it's genuine spirit, you'll have to go to Munich from the 20st of September to the 65h of October 2014. Traditionally, celebrations start the first saturday before 15th of September, when Munich's mayor opens the festival fisrt barrel shouting "O’zapft is!" which means, "it's already open".

2014 programme highlights

Saturday 20 September Procession of brewers and their families to the Oktoberfest and official opening by the mayor of Munich.
Sunday 21 September. Traditional parade with colorful Bavarian costumes.
Tuesday 23 September Family day with reduced prices for children and parents.
Sunday 28 September Half time at the Oktoberfest.
Sunday 28 September Concert by Wiesn bands on the Bavaria statue steps Sunday 5 October at 12 noon Traditional gun salute on the Bavaria statue steps.

Photo: Oktoberfest by Dilankf

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Donostia is a fascinating city, with its unique gastronomy and outstanding beauty. But its privileged location on the Cantabrian coast has also turned it into the habitual destination for all lovers of surfing looking to take advantage of the best waves without having to leave the whirl of the big city.

While the La Concha beach is one of the more glamorous and traditional images of San Sebastián (its shell is replicated in the awards that are presented at the annual film festival), the La Zurriola beach has set itself up as one of the great paradises for surfers that live in the capital of Guipuzcoa. Flanked by the delightful Kursaal building and by the esplanade of the Gros district, this 800 metre long beach has also been the setting for some of the concerts of the San Sebastián Jazz Festival and the huge events taking place during the Semana Grande, in addition to surf and skate competitions and other events.

Por David Moreu

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Just 10 kilometers from Stuttgart, you will discover Esslingen, a beautiful city that keeps in its old town several medieval monuments. You’ll be fascinated by walking beside the romantic canals and quaint alleyways which will take you back in time to perceive medieval rustic charm.

Stands out among its buildings the former House of Trade and Taxes, the Kauf-und Steurerhaus, which is now the Town Hall. On its facade is situated the astronomical clock, one of the oldest in Germany and the only one that has retained its original 1951 mechanism, which drives clockwise and funny figures.

Furthermore, Esslingen still retains that importance as winemaking, it had in the Middle Ages and produces wines really appreciated. You must try the Württemberger variety!

And if you visit Esslingern in December, do not miss the spectacular Christmas market, with its traditional Renaissance fair where artists, craftsmen and merchants, dressed in medieval costumes, look like they are really coming from ancient times.

Image:XerKibard

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