During the reconstruction of the city of Nantes in the ’50s, after World War II, and having the idea of relieving the housing shortage at that time, Le Corbursier conceived La Maison Radieuse, one of the unité d’habitation (unit room) that have become a landmark in the twentieth century’s civil architecture which later, served as inspiration for many European cities.

The first of these Unité d’habitation was built in Marseilles. Later on, in 1955, was built a very similar version but slightly refined in Rezé, just 3 or 4 miles from Nantes.

At first sight, it is surprising that this building with symmetrical structure and vivid coloured windows in contrast to the gray of its structure was so revolutionary at that time. The idea was that the 294-duplex-apartments building would work formally and functionally independent as a boat. For that purpose, he included games communal areas and gardens.

Nowadays, most of the apartments are inhabited, but a few can be visited in this sort of original House-Museum.

Imagen de Pymouss44

A place well worth discovering! Check out our flights here.

A forty-minute by bus ride from Palermo takes you to the Cathedral of Monreale. This cathedral was constructed during the reign of William II of Normandy, between 1172 and 1190, and is a living example of the fusion of cultures and religions that existed in Sicily during that period. It boasts a syncretic style as it was built by combining Norman architecture with aspects of Moorish art. It consists of a main nave with two wings and an apse. The most surprising features are the interior walls, as they are covered with more than 6,000 m2 of Byzantine gold mosaics inspired by those in the Palatine Chapel in Palermo. The mosaics recount episodes from the Bible, from the creation to the passion of Christ in chronological order from left to right. An impressive Christ Pantocrator crowns the apse leaving visitors speechless.

Adjacent to the cathedral can be found the cloister and its 228 columns, each one supporting a different ornament, along with a number of Arab-inspired arches.

You can travel to Monreale by bus (number 389), which passes by the Piazza Independencia in Palermo. It costs nothing to get into the cathedral but you can hire an audio-guide for 5 euros. Entry to the cloister costs 6 euros.

Image:Urban

By Isabel Romano from Diario de a bordo

A place well worth discovering! Check out our flights here.

German writer Johann Wolfgang Goethe on August 28th, 1749. The same house where he lived and wrote some of his masterpieces, right on Frankfurt’s oldtown, can be visit nowadays, after more than two centures, restored and in perfect condition. The four floors of the house are an invaluable testimony about society and life in Frankfurt in the 18th century.

Many of the exhibitis were removed for safety during bombings on the World War II but, after the house was rebuilt, these pieces returned in perfect condition.

All the information panels audio guides, on German and English, provide all the insights necessary to immerse the visitor in the Age of Romanticism.

The museum next to the house also worth a visit: beautiful artworks by Goethe and other artists from the same era, a a surprisingly good collection of late-18th and early-19th century art.

The house and the museum are open every day, from 10am to 6pm, Sunday and holidays till 5:30pm. Tickets cost 7€ (general) and 3€ (reduced price). Group prices and tours are available.

Picture by  Mylius

A place well worth discovering! Check out our flights here.

Kos, the third largest island of the Dodecanese is located just 4 kilometres from the coast of Turkey. It offers infinite possibilities with its turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea, hot springs and ancient monuments.

In the Kardamena port you can take one of the ships that will take you in approximately 45 minutes up to Mandraki, the main port of the island Nisyros. . According to Greek mythology, the island was formed when Poseidon, God of the sea, cut off a part of Kos and threw it on the giant Polyvotis to prevent her escape.

The island of Nisyros is a great place for hiking lovers. It has a long cultural history and is a good reflection of the innate wild beauty of Greece. Inside is one of the largest and most ancient volcanoes of the Mediterranean. Stefanos is the larger and imposing of craters and, therefore, which arouses greater interest of tourists.

Once on the island, don’t forget to visit some of its beautiful villages, like Nikia, at the southern end of the crater.

A place well worth discovering! Check out our flights here.

Picture by Simpsonfreak