People travel for many reasons.  Some want a break from everyday life; others want to discover other countries and cultures; and still others travel based on their passions: architecture, gastronomic, sports, art, or even religion.

Religious or spiritual tours are widely spread.  Sometimes it is organized by the individuals themselves and other times by their church or congregation.  Some religious locations that are renowned include the Holy Land, the Vatican, Lourdes, Easter Island, or the Daphni Monastery.

Spiritual vacations are sought by those who either wish to learn about the history of different spiritual and religious beliefs or for guidance and spiritual growth.  These types of trips are filled with breathtaking monuments and stories.  They are heartwarming to the faithful and educational for the curious minded.

The extra virgin oil in the Province of Siena is one of the best products of this Region and the people of Siena are deeply linked to this kind of oil. This union is due from the relationships between the producers and the product in the past that means the oil preparation was really a ritual and has an important role in the community. All the phases of life are accompanied by dishes where olive oil is fundamental, this product has good elements for the people’s health. That’s why the quality of life in Tuscany is due to the quality of their olive oil. So if you are planning a trip to Tuscany and you are looking for an accommodation in one of  Siena hotels or other Tuscany hotels, you can also plan a special tour in the oil valley! There are some hotels in Tuscany that organize or can give some suggestions about this way to do tourism. Enjoy your holidays in hotel and in the same time enjoy the taste of the olive oil in Tuscany.

The transport system in Prague is not complicated at all. The main element of the system is the Prague Metro (another word for ‘subway’) which contains 57 stations. In general the Metro is the fastest way of transportation specially during rush hours. An over-ground substitute to the Metro is the Tram. There’s a historic tram called the ‘nostalgic tram’ that carries the number 91, you’d be lucky to catch it!

Also, there are the usual buses with their lines and schedules available at some websites (but I couldn’t find any in English unfortunately).

As for the Railway system, the city is an important station in the Czech republic. Not only in the internal transportations that serves many areas and neighborhoods, but it’s also considered as a port to many European cities. For the external services there are two international railway stations, Hlavní nádraží and Praha-Holešovice.

If you decide to take a Taxi you should know that there are 2 main taxi in Prague. The first one is organized by many private taxi companied that allow you to order a taxi anytime you want by phone from your hotel in Prague, or you can find them at taxi stands.

The other system is private also but depends on individuals rather than companies. I don’t recommend them at all because they are said to charge more than the usual and target tourists that don’t know they have other options. Also there are many crime stories that begin with ‘I took a cab and the driver was weird’.. so be aware!

Although Czech is known for its high content of animal-protein famous foods, yet there’s hope for vegetarians! Introducing today 2 famous dishes for the tourists visiting Prague, that you may look for in case you’re a vegetarian or can’t eat the available animal protein there for religious reasons.

The first is “smazeny syr” and the second is “ovocne knedliky”. Although there names sound weird, but they surely are tasty!

Let’s start with the first one which is “Smazeny syr”. This means in English: fried cheese. This is very popular and professionally made there to the extent that many Czechs claim now the there country has got to get a trademark on it! If you are not familiar with the usual additives to fried cheese, I suggest ordering potatoes or fries as side dishes (they usually come as default in restaurants there) and adding some ketchup.

As for “Ovocne knedliky” which means fruit dumplings, they are not the same ‘dumplings’ as those you know. Instead, they are fruity and sweet! They are circular in shape and filled with the fruit of choice. You may choose between strawberry, apricot or plum. To increase the ‘yummi!’ factor in Prague, the dumplings are served with chocolate or sweet cottage!

Attention to the weight-watchers, although these are vegetarian food yet they are far from being low-caloric! 

Brandenburg gate

Symbol of a reunified Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate stands just on the border between West and East Berlin in Pariser Platz.
Brandenburg Gate was built between 1778 and 1791, while the victorious quadriga on top of it was built in 1793. When France occupied Berlin, Napoleon ordered the quadriga to be transferred to Paris. It was taken back to Berlin after Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo, as a symbol of victory.
Brandenburg Gate, 60 meters high and once the main entrance to the city, is the only gate left of the ones of the old city walls.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall on the 9th of November of 1989, the Brandenburg Gate, previously a symbol of a divided city, became the symbol of a unified country.

Pergamon museum, Berlin

The Pergamon museum was first opened in 1930; it suffered the bombings during World War II but fortunately enough many items had been safely stored elsewhere while the bigger pieces were “walled in” for protection. Part of Pergamon Museum original collection was taken to Russia, from Pushkin Museum and Hermitage, and although many pieces were returned in the late 1950s, some are still in the Russian museums. Of the 3 sections (Antiquity collection, Islamic Art Museum and Near East Museum), the one containing Greek and Roman antiquities is still considered the most magnificent one. An entire room is required for the Pergamon altar to Zeus (180-160 B.C.) The Near east Collection is home to pieces from ancient Babylonia, Persia and Assyria, masterpieces being the Ishtar Gate of Babylon and the facade of the hall where King Nabuchadnezzar had his throne. Pieces of Islam’s art from the VIII to the XIX century (jewelry, ceramics, textiles, metalwork, wood carvings, etc) build up the Islamic art Museum.

prague castle

In Prague Castle walls the two hearts of the Bohemian State keep on beating together: the religious and political one. St. Vitus Cathedral and the presidential palace, along with former Prepositura and the entrance to the old Royal Palace, trace the perimeter of the third courtyard of Prague Castle, where the current arrangement is to be in of Jože in Plečnik Thirty years. At the center of the area, a 18-meter obelisk to honor the fallen of the Great War.