Ken.G

What is aventurine glass associated with? The name, exotic for some, has nothing to do with Advent - it is a term for glaze that was invented on the Italian islands of Murano, creating them by chance ("per aventura"). Metal filings got into the molten glass mass, which gave the glass a unique flash. Another name for a beautiful synthetic is the stone of a thousand suns, golden red is called "sand of the desert", while dark blue is called "Cairo night". Isn't it romantic? As befits the work of Italians.

The glass islands of Murano

Located in the south of France, the Midi-Pyrénées region is associated with green parks (including the Pyrenean National Park and three smaller regional parks) and the peaks of the Pyrenees mountain chain. Its capital is beautiful Toulouse, a student center sometimes called a pink city because of the slightly pink shade of brick that can be seen on the facades of many buildings. It is a building material found only in this region. Explore other towns in the region on a tour of the Midi-Pyrénées outside of Toulouse. An important center is Cauterets, which is crowded especially in summer. It is a great starting point to the surrounding forests, lakes and rivers. Moreover, it is a skiing center and a health resort. Approx. It is 32 km from Lourdes and the borders of the Pyrenees National Park. Another interesting city is Montauban, which in 2015 was classified as "Ville d'art et d'histoire".

A journey to green France

Located in Austria, in the federal state of Salzburg, Lake Zeller See is a popular tourist destination. They are headed by Zell am See, the city that is the seat of the county of the same name. It is the second largest city in the county (after Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer). It is beautifully situated, on the eastern side it is surrounded by the Kitzbühel Alps, on the south by the Hohe Tauern, and in the north-east by the Salzburg Alps. It is only 30 km away from the country's highest mountain, Grossglockner (3798 m above sea level). The second as much - from Salzburg.

Reflected Alps in Zeller See

The fame of the Eternal City attracts thousands of tourists every year. Sometimes - especially on exceptionally hot summer days - the crowds pouring through the streets of Rome can tire so much that both the residents and visitors want to escape from it. In search of shade and refreshment, driven by the desire to avoid crowds, they reach about 40 km north of Rome, where the town bearing the same name lies on Lake Bracciano. For its small size, Bracciano has a rich history. It is not fully known when and for what purpose it was established, according to one of the theories it was an ancient settlement on Via Clodia, a Roman road of great importance. It was probably also the point of defense of the nobility against the Saracens (10th century), and in the 14th century it passed into the hands of the church authorities. A century later, it became the refuge of Pope Sixtus IV, who fled Rome from the plague. Legend has it that the city's buildings, which we can admire today, are only a small fragment - the main part of Bracciano is hidden under the surface of the lake. Today, the town is an enclave of greenery and peace, attracting people looking for rest and relaxation. The lake on which it lies was born as a result of the merger of several extinct volcanoes. Its depth reaches 165 meters, and there are hot springs on its shores. It is surrounded by a lot of greenery - a regional nature park (Parco Naturale Regionale di Bracciano - Martignano) has been created around it. There are several holiday resorts by the lake: apart from the largest one, Bracciano (with a tourist area by the coast), there are also Trevignano Romano and Anguillara Sabazia. People who spend their holidays in Bracciano can go on excursions around the lake, get to know the mentioned towns and the beaches created nearby.

Holidays on the shores of Bracciano

Those who want to get to know Croatia from its strict, "wild" side will probably plan a traveling vacation or a vacation in places that have not been too commercialized. By "sightseeing" they mean admiring the rugged coast with a lot of corners difficult for tourists, as well as driving through areas that are not at the top of national attractions. Which, of course, does not equal the fact that they are not attractive. There are certainly many beautiful and tempting corners on the island of Krk, which is becoming more and more popular with tourists every year, but fortunately still not crowded. A good example of an interesting, but underestimated point of the island is the town of Omisalj.

Travel through Krk

While exploring other attractions of Slovenia, we will find a number of places where the influences of different cultures intertwine with each other. Due to the fact that it is inhabited by representatives of many nations, one can get the impression that it is actually several countries in one. This is not surprising, however, given the turbulent past of the country that is today the most prosperous of all the countries of the former Yugoslavia. A good example of cultural diversity is Lendava, where three nations live side by side, and the municipality is officially bilingual.

Lendava - a healthy mind in a healthy body

The second largest island of Italy, a stop halfway between Europe and Africa, offers wetlands that attract nature lovers (and cyclists), over 1,800 km of coastline in various, fanciful forms, and the remains of an ancient civilization that they saw in water is the power to heal not only the body but also the soul. It is about the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by the emerald waters of Sardinia. The capital of Sardinia and at the same time the largest center of the island, Cagliari, is a beautiful city, which today can be easily reached, for example, by low-cost airlines from Krakow. Beautifully located in the Bay of Angels, it guarantees a successful holiday for both lovers of lounging on the beaches and tourists who like spending time actively. When planning a visit to Cagliari , it is worth considering climbing Monte Urpin, from which there is a wonderful view of the entire city and the surrounding area. In the resort itself, sooner or later legs will lead us to Castello, the Old Town, where there are attractions such as the Elephant Tower or several museums with interesting exhibitions. The greatest interest of the visitors is aroused by the finds from the times of the Nordic civilization (including the statues of the Mother Goddess), which can be seen in the National Archaeological Museum. If someone would like to learn more about the history of the mysterious Nuragians, during trips around Sardinia, he will encounter more than one holy well and the so-called nuragi, which are especially abundant in the central part of the island, around Paulilatino. The wells, apart from obtaining water, served as a place of prayers and - according to one of the theories - as a source of energy. The nuragi, on the other hand, are towers built over a stone altar. One of the best-preserved, Su Nuraxi , can be found near Barumini.

Sardinia sour and salty

The story of Florence is like a cake - you can't eat the whole thing, you have to limit yourself to one piece, and even that one piece can be sweet until your teeth ache. The capital of Tuscany is a city so rich in terms of tourism, culture and history that it is impossible to list all its attractions without a long lecture. Because why pay attention to this monument and omit this one? Why take the reader through these squares and not mention them? And the cradle of the Italian Renaissance can become the subject of a story that winds like a ribbon for many hours, sometimes until the listeners doze off.

One piece of cake, that is, we taste Florence

The Babin Kuk peninsula is located in the immediate vicinity of the old part of Dubrovnik. Every year it is visited by thousands of tourists attracted by a wide range of active leisure opportunities. It is also liked by those who just want to relax in one of the greenest areas near the city considered to be the most visited resort in Croatia. Non-motorized people can move freely between the peninsula and the rest of Dubrovnik thanks to public transport or rent a car from one of the agencies. Babin Kuk is located on the northern tip of the Lapad Peninsula, approx. 4 km from the historic center of Dubrovnik, which is completely inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. It is intersected by many bicycle paths and promenades - it is a place created for long walks and practicing various types of sports, from sweating on a bicycle to water sports (swimming, windsurfing, water skiing, banana rides, canoeing etc.). Babin Kuk is also a great place for families with children and the elderly. Tourists who spend their holidays in Dubrovnik are impressed by the beauty of Copacabana Beach, the longest beach in the city. It is a pebble beach with shallow, perfectly clear water. Beach-goers can rent a deckchair or an umbrella, there are also beach volleyball courts and two cafes. Disabled people can also count on all kinds of amenities. Copacabana is very liked by the little ones, who are waiting for, among others, slide. The beach provides great views of the nearby islets - tourists resting on deckchairs can relax and enjoy the beautiful landscapes. Those who want to see as much as possible can take advantage of the paragliding option.

Green Babin Kuk

The Veneto coast is full of attractions, the most beautiful and famous of which is, of course, Venice itself. Together with numerous islets, it creates a tourist region rich in wonderful landscapes in the form of a crescent lagoon. South of Venice lies a resort called Chioggia . Due to its beauty, color and fascinating atmosphere, it is sometimes called Little Venice . It is crossed by numerous narrow streets, canals and bridges thrown over them. Tourists who willingly visit the town enjoy the atmosphere of a typical sailing town with a rich past, many traces of which remain to this day. One of them is the gate that is part of the former fortifications - Porta Garibaldi. Inside, we can see a plaque commemorating the passage of Pope Pius VII. Chioggia is distinguished by its large fish market, and its marina is lined with numerous fishing shops and taverns. Fishing plays an important role in the life of the inhabitants. The most important buildings of the resort stand on the Vena Canal , which is the axis of the old part of the city. Parallel to it runs Corso del Popolo , the main street of the historic center, ending at the port in a square called Piazzetta Vigo.

Little Venice - Chioggia

Ardèche is a French department famous for the oldest vineyard in the country and works of cave art. It is situated in the south-eastern part of the country. Chauvet's Grotto, discovered at the end of the last century, is not open to tourists - the wall drawings can only be admired by scientists - but this does not change the fact that the region is a tasty treat for thrill-seekers. The term "tasty morsel" in the case of Ardèche is absolutely appropriate. The department, located in the Rhône-Alpes region, is famous not only for the attractions you can see, but also for its delicious cuisine and excellent wine. Nowadays, the products of local wineries are known as part of the second wine region of France after Bordeaux - Côtes du Rhône. The vineyards that enter it stretch on both banks of the Rhône in a 250 km long strip. Ardèche, as one of the six departments of the region, is the heart of the area. What can we taste after arriving in this wine paradise? It is definitely worth getting acquainted with chateauneuf du pape with its root and spice dominance, as well as saint-joseph with the tart taste of forest fruits (red), fragrant with iris and rose (white). Red cornas is also worth attention, rich but wild, definitely not for everyone, and certainly not for lovers of delicate flavors. They should reach for the light, sparkling white Saint-Péray. Ardèche cuisine is aromatic, colorful and rich. It tastes of chestnuts - the region's dishes include a strongly herbal caillete with chestnut purée, pork stewed with chestnuts, duck breasts with chestnut porridge and figs, and also candied chestnuts. While traveling through the villages of the Côtes du Vivarais (southern part of the Rhône), it is worth trying aromatic scrambled eggs with truffles.

Chestnut basin of France - Ardèche

One of the great strengths of Caorle is its location - and it's not just about the beauty of the area. The popular Italian resort is located roughly halfway between two lagoons: the first encircles Venice and its islets, and the second breaks into a gentle semicircle at Marano and Grado, starting at Lignano Sabbiadoro. It is sometimes called the twin of the Venetian Lagoon. Caorle needs no introduction. Despite the great interest it enjoys among tourists, the resort has not lost its charming character and has not been "stifled" by commercial, unlike its neighbor, Lido di Jesolo. It is a great place to relax for couples in love, singles eager for adventure, as well as for families with children. Holidays in Caorle are pleasantly spent both by sunbathers who intend to lie blissfully on a sun lounger and catch a tan, as well as amateurs of squeezing maximum impressions from each day. For the former there are wide, clean beaches with well-organized infrastructure, for the latter - aquaparks. Romantics can stroll for hours along the seaside boulevards, wander through the yacht harbor and head towards the beautifully restored old part of the city. Without a doubt, Caorle is one of the most beautiful resorts of the northern Adriatic coast.