Lanzarote Is magic
Lanzarote is a spectacular place, almost magical with its volcanic landscapes that look like other planets, its quiet white sand clear watered beaches, small coves and palm oasis. Declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO for its protection and conservation of nature and the environment, it has natural areas of great beauty and interest, such as the Timanfaya National Park, the Natural Park of the Volcanoes or the Guinate Tropical Park.
An interesting option is to go visit the Graciosa, from which you can take excursions to the islands that belong to the Marine Reserve and their wonderful underwater world. You can also tour the island by bicycle and cross paths that will lead us to the most extraordinary places.
With 21 degrees Celsius on average and 4,800 hours of sunlight every 365 days! That is why Lanzarote has pleasant temperatures for most of the year that invite you to enjoy the sea and practice numerous water sports like surfing and windsurfing. You will also find out about its hospitable people -formerly called conejeros due to the large number of rabbits that were in the island- and their ingrained habits.
César Manrique, international artist, has taken advantage of the charms of the island to make them artworks. His work has been recognized as it should in Lanzarote, and he has the César Manrique Foundation which is in Taro de Tahiche. It is the former home of the artist – he designed it himself – were we can see, as well as representative works of César Manrique’s path, his private collection that brings together authors of the importance of Pablo Picasso, Miró, Chillida or Klee.
Do not forget your food! If you visit Lanzarote you have to try, apart from its delicious cheeses and wines, some of the traditional dishes like Sancocho – with fish, wrinkled potatoes, fish fritters or the bienmesabe-traditional dessert made with almonds, biscuits, egg, sugar and lemon-.
Download here the map of Lanzarote and start planning your trip to this magical island.
A place well worth discovering! Check out our flights here.
Picture By Pedro caba
more infoThe oldest brewery in Prague
Based on the statistics, we could say that the country’s national sport is beer consumption and the average 132 liters a year per person confirms it. Considered by many part of their national heritage, the Czech Republic has ideal conditions for growing hops and that is why the tradition dates back hundreds of years, being the oldest brewery in Prague "U Fleků".
Despite having become a place of pilgrimage for tourists (including a gift shop), this huge place has been opened since 1499 and still retains the atmosphere of yesteryear with live music and traditional food to accompany your jar. Find out how to go undetected, there are certain things you should know before ordering beer ... 'Jedno prosim pivo'!
1. Let the waiter keep serving you without saying a word: This applies to both Czechs and tourists. Of course, if you do not want to end up really wasted let them know that you have had enough or just put your coaster over your jug.
2. Their menu is measured in degrees. And this does not mean anything other than the amount malt. Keep in mind that the more degrees ... more alcohol.
3. After touching glasses with everyone you should touch the table and look into the eyes of your companions as you say "na zdravy". If you do not, your sex life will suffer. Or so says tradition.
4. The foam is a must. Do not even complain because for them it is very important and has to be very thick. If it continues intact once you are done the server did a good job.
5. Do not forget to tip. From a 10 to 15% is the usual, but they always thank generous customers.
Image from Zobacz Zasady
Makes you want to go, right? Do it! Check out our prices here!
more infoNational Tulip Day in Amsterdam
Windmills, wooden shoes, dykes, bicycles, canals, Gouda cheese –all of these symbolise the Netherlands, but the tulip has an even greater claim to emblematic status, and, along with other flowers, is one of the country’s main exports.
The tulip’s name is derived fromdulband, an old Persian word for “turban”, and the flower was originally cultivated in the region comprising today’s Turkey, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, where it had religious connotations and adorned the tents and palaces of sultans.
The Flemish scholar and pioneering horticulturalist Carolus Clusius (1526-1609) was the first person to manage to cultivate tulips in Europe, and is regarded as the founder of the Dutch tulip industry.
The tulip was initially a luxury item for which large sums were paid, and in the 17th C. a speculative “tulip bubble” expanded to gigantic proportions –a sale of 40 bulbs for 100,000 florins was recorded in a year when a Dutch workman earned about 150 florins a year. But the bubble soon burst.
Today, entire fields carpeted with the colourful flowers adorn the Netherlands, especially in the northeast, the Kop van Noord-Holland region, and Bollenstreek with its famous Keukenhof, the world’s largest floral park, with as many as seven million tulip bulbs sprouting every spring.
This year’s National Tulip Day falls on Saturday, 17th January. It is regarded at the start of the tulip season, which finishes when late tulips are picked and the end of April. It is celebrated throughout the Netherlands, but Amsterdam’s Damm square is the place to be.
Tulip growers show their best early flowers there, turning the square into a mosaic of colours and textures, to the delight of tulip fanciers, including many foreign visitors, who are regaled with bouquets to take home.
In the course of the tulip season Dutch growers will sell more than 1,700 million flowers. Most of them to export markets.
Serious tulip fans should also visit Amsterdam’s Tulip Museum, which tells the story of the tulip in its historical context. The museum is in the Jordaan neighbourhood, just across the bridge from the Anne Frank house.
Report by Scanner FM
Photograph by Kang-min Liu
more info
Festival of Lights in Leipzig
Leipzig is known as the capital of German music, classic music artists such as Strauss, Wagner or Bach were closely attached to the city. Nevertheless, is also known for being part of an important moment in history, playing a key role on the fall of the Berlin wall, reason why the city is considered as the birthplace for the Peaceful Revolution.
On October 9th 1989, 70.000 Leipzig citizens demonstrate carrying candles around the Leipziger Ring calling for freedom to the Federal Republic of Germany. Despite several threats by the police to open fire, the demonstrations were peaceful and became an important milestone on the way to the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification.
From that date, every October 9th the Festival of Lights is celebrated to remember that important date, taking history to reality by using audio, video and light. On 2014, the 25th anniversary for the Pacific Revolution is celebrated and, as every year, the Festival of Lights in Leipzig sets the start for a long weekend were many cultural organizations dedicate events, exhibitions and concerts to remember the events on 1989. On 2009, for the 20th anniversary, almost 150.000 people joined a great parade around the city centre and Leipzig became a sea of lights. For 2014, numerous activities are expected around the festival.
Furthermore, on October 9-13th, 2014, Leipzig will celebrate a long week of cultural events and, throughout the year, visitors can follow the steps of these historical events and visit places such as the museum and the bunker in Stasi or the exhibition “Freiheit! Einheit! Denkmal!” (Freedom, unity, monument) – from September 24th, 2014 to January 4th, 2015 – in the Leipzig City Museum, where the historical memory remains to debate the future monument to freedom and unity.
Under the slogan “Fall 89 – Democracy arrival” Leipzig will transform the streets one more year in a light show and cultural celebration that you shouldn’t miss if you’re planning to visit the city.
Image from Philipp
Perfect plan to go with friends! Check our flights and sign up!
more info