241 Search Results for "special"

• Stripes Times Two Stripes Times Two

  • From: donutdollie
  • Description:

    I saw these two beautiful zebras in Kruger Park in South Africa while on safari. I always dreamed of taking a safari so the words on safari have a special place in my heart.

  • 2 weeks ago
  • Views: 65

• Arriving at Sacre Coeur Arriving at Sacre Coeur

  • From: jorgeq
  • Description:

    After a few Metro rides in Paris, my wife and I arrive at Sacre Couer. The interior of the church hides a lot of treasures of its own: marble sculptures, stained-glass windows, and mosaics. You can literally spend hours admiring every nook and cranny of the place. The religious atmosphere and the feeling that you’re for that moment part of something special is difficult to describe..

  • 2 weeks ago
  • Views: 94

• King Henry VIII, Hampton Court King Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palace

  • From: amaze
  • Description:

    The wedding celebration of King Henry VIII and Kateryn Parr is a main attraction at Hampton Court Palace. King Henry and his bride-to-be parade throughout the palace and interact with visitors on their special day.

  • 2 weeks ago
  • Views: 53
  • Not yet rated

• A Special K A Special K

  • From: ozkoalalover
  • Description:

    Another Lion at Antelope Park, Gweru, Zimbabwe

  • 3 weeks ago
  • Views: 59
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• Cafe Slavia...the best and old Cafe Slavia...the best and oldest cafe in Prague!

  • From: evbk
  • Description:

     

    This stop on our "Cafe Tour" is the oldest cafe in Prague, and one that has the most significance to me because it's a cafe that my grandparents and parents frequented ever since they were youngins.  Whenever I visit we make sure to spend a leisurely afternoon here...sharing a palačinka (crepe) and a hot apple strudel accompanied by coffee or tea.  They have a special coffee that you must try!  We'll order one in just a bit... 

     

    My mom and I enjoying a summer afternoon at Café Slavia

    

     

    The cafe's location is wonderful ...it sits on the corner of Smetanovo nábřeží and Národní, right across the street from the National Theatre and overlooking the Vltava River, with a splendid view of Prague Castle.  It's truly a great place to grab a table by the window and just watch the world go by. 

    

    

    Café Slavia opened in 1881 (the same year that the National Theatre opened) and was always a meeting place for writers, artists, politicians, directors, actors and actresses.  The café closed in 1991 due to ownership issues, but reopened in 1997 after being restored to its 1930's Art Deco look.  It was always, and still is, one of those places where you might very well be sitting next to someone famous.  Probably the most famous guest is ex-president Václav Havel, who frequented the café during his dissident days.  Other famous guests include writer Franz Kafka, 1984 Nobel Prize Winner, Jaroslav Seifert, and composers Dvořák and Smetana.  

     

    Piano music fills the air...

    

    

     

    A painting that I fell in love with the moment I set eyes on it is entitled "Piják absintu", Absinthe Drinker, and hangs here in the cafe (you may have noticed it in the first photo above...hanging on the wall behind my mom and I).  The artist is Viktor Oliva, and this is his most famous painting (believed to have been painted  sometime around 1903). He was born in Bohemia in 1861, studied art at the Prague Academy of Art, was intrigued by Paris and thus moved there for several years before returning home to Prague.  While in Paris, he discovered "the joy of absinthe".  Lucky for him, there was an absinthe drinking culture in Prague too!  History states that Oliva kept a diary, and in one of his entries he stated that he was was drinking absinthe at Café Slavia, thus we know that he frequented the cafe.  You may very well be sitting in the same spot he sat!

     

    Viktor Oliva's painting of the green fairy brings us back to a time long , long ago...

    

    There was another diary entry stating that he was out celebrating with a lady friend, drinking Champagne. He held up his glass, looked at his lady friend through it, and mused, "As I looked at her through my glass, and saw her beautiful form, it looked as if the Green Fairy herself was swimming inside. What a wonderful pairing that would be!"  Hmm, champagne and absinthe...care to try it with me?

     

    So, are you ready for some apple strudel and my favorite coffee offering, Coffee Slavia?  Mmmm, coffee with absinthe topped with homemade whipped cream, delicious!!

    

    Do you like it?

     

    My love enjoyed it...

    

     

     

    Café Slavia...Smetanovo nábřeží 2, Prague 1

    
    

     

  • Blog post
  • 1 month ago
  • Views: 150
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• Island Car, La Pointe, WI Island Car, La Pointe, WI

  • From: openair
  • Description:

    Island cars are special with unique personalities and quirks that make them all the more lovable, especially when they're running!   

  • 1 month ago
  • Views: 63
  • Not yet rated

• Wanderlust Tales-Paris, France Wanderlust Tales-Paris, France

  • From: bevandlee
  • Description:

      .….Paris, France

      It had been 25 years since I had last visited Paris and this time I knew exactly what I wanted. Pastries.  I wanted to satiate my lust for tarte aux poires, pain au chocolat, millefeuille and meringues. From the tiniest little sable cookie to a towering Saint-Honoré, I was determined to go home having intimately experienced every gateau, tart and pastry that I met.

     

    My friend and I would leave the hotel in the morning and hurry up and around the block to our favorite boulangerie. The fresh breakfast pastries and breads were lined up like soldiers in their baskets and we would choose a couple to go with our café au lait. While we stood at the counter devouring our treasures, the clerks were busy assembling the window displays of the fancy desserts. Between bites, we would “ooh” and “aah” as each of the perfect confectionary creations were put out.

     

     

    We walked and toured, stopping at a boulangerie or patisserie to pick up marvelous baguette sandwiches and another pastry for a picnic at the foot of the Eiffel Tower or Le Jardin des Tuileries.  Shopping on the Champs-Elysées, we couldn’t resist the crêpe stands and would stop for one filled with Nutella and banana or butter with a squeeze of lemon.

     

    Five days later and five pounds heavier, it was time to board our plane home. I had managed to consume more than my fair share of the best Paris had to offer. I knew that soon after I had returned home, I would reach for the Lenôtre’s Desserts and Pastries cookbook on my shelf and relive those special moments.

     

  • Blog post
  • 2 months ago
  • Views: 139
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• Cafe Slavia Cafe Slavia

  • From: evbk
  • Description:

     

    This stop on our "Cafe Tour" is the oldest cafe in Prague, and one that has the most significance to me because it's a cafe that my grandparents and parents frequented ever since they were youngins.  Whenever I visit we make sure to spend a leisurely afternoon here...sharing a palačinka (crepe) and a hot apple strudel accompanied by coffee or tea.  They have a special coffee that you must try!  We'll order one in just a bit... 

     

    My mom and I enjoying a summer afternoon at Café Slavia

    

     

    The cafe's location is wonderful ...it sits on the corner of Smetanovo nábřeží and Národní, right across the street from the National Theatre and overlooking the Vltava River, with a splendid view of Prague Castle.  It's truly a great place to grab a table by the window and just watch the world go by. 

    

    

    Café Slavia opened in 1881 (the same year that the National Theatre opened) and was always a meeting place for writers, artists, politicians, directors, actors and actresses.  The café closed in 1991 due to ownership issues, but reopened in 1997 after being restored to its 1930's Art Deco look.  It was always, and still is, one of those places where you might very well be sitting next to someone famous.  Probably the most famous guest is ex-president Václav Havel, who frequented the café during his dissident days.  Other famous guests include writer Franz Kafka, 1984 Nobel Prize Winner, Jaroslav Seifert, and composers Dvořák and Smetana.  

     

    Piano music fills the air...

    

    

     

    A painting that I fell in love with the moment I set eyes on it is entitled "Piják absintu", Absinthe Drinker, and hangs here in the cafe (you may have noticed it in the first photo above...hanging on the wall behind my mom and I).  The artist is Viktor Oliva, and this is his most famous painting (believed to have been painted  sometime around 1903). He was born in Bohemia in 1861, studied art at the Prague Academy of Art, was intrigued by Paris and thus moved there for several years before returning home to Prague.  While in Paris, he discovered "the joy of absinthe".  Lucky for him, there was an absinthe drinking culture in Prague too!  History states that Oliva kept a diary, and in one of his entries he stated that he was was drinking absinthe at Café Slavia, thus we know that he frequented the cafe.  You may very well be sitting in the same spot he sat!

     

    Viktor Oliva's painting of the green fairy brings us back to a time long , long ago...

    

    There was another diary entry stating that he was out celebrating with a lady friend, drinking Champagne. He held up his glass, looked at his lady friend through it, and mused, "As I looked at her through my glass, and saw her beautiful form, it looked as if the Green Fairy herself was swimming inside. What a wonderful pairing that would be!"  Hmm, champagne and absinthe...care to try it with me?

     

    So, are you ready for some apple strudel and my favorite coffee offering, Coffee Slavia?  Mmmm, coffee with absinthe topped with homemade whipped cream, delicious!!

    

    Do you like it?

     

    My love enjoyed it...

    

     

     

    Café Slavia...Smetanovo nábřeží 2, Prague 1

     

  • Blog post
  • 2 months ago
  • Views: 109
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• Fournos Restaurant Australian Fournos Restaurant Australian Barramundi

  • From: trix
  • Description:

    Same dinner at Fournos Restaurant in Sedona, AZ. Special that evening of pan-seared Australian Barramundi with english peas, Japanese grapes, confit tomatoes, goat cheese & wasabi peas. Absolutley delicious! Chef Ivan Flowers cooked the fish perfectly and the sweet peas were a perfect pairing.

  • 2 months ago
  • Views: 51
  • Not yet rated

• Fast Food at Sunset in Damascu Fast Food at Sunset in Damascus

  • From: donutdollie
  • Description:

    When I was recently in Damascus, I learned that viewing the sunset over the oldest city in the word was a nightly event. It was not just an event for tourists. Most of the people who participated lived there. It was gathering place for young lovers. Families gathered as well. There was pink cotton candy for the children and grilled corn on the cob for everyone. The view was spectacular and the corn delicious.

  • 2 months ago
  • Views: 80

• Traveling without chicken nugg Traveling without chicken nuggets!

  • From: jacquie whitt
  • Description:

    We did it!  We spent over a week in Ecuador with a group of 10 year old girls and no chicken nuggets, nada!  Somehow, the girls did not wither away and we enjoyed 3 full meals (and many snacks) every day.  Adios Adventure Travel set up a special itinerary for kids and the food was awesome. The girls learned alot about Andean cuisine.
    The hands-down winning dish was Locro de Papa.  Cream of potato soup.  We ate it nearly every day.  It usually comes garnished with lettuce, avocado and maybe hard-boiled eggs.  The girls slurped it up willingly and learned how to order it themselves.
    As the week progressed, they became more comfortable practicing their beginning Spanish words and ordering food was the perfect opportunity to interact with local people.  They also loved the juices.  Guanava was a hard-sell, because it doesn't look or taste like anything we have in the U.S.  But Blackberry juice was popular.  So we tried Blackberry and Guanava mixed.  When poured together, the white guanava stays separated from the dark, rich color of the blackberry, so what arrives is a beautiful, parfait-looking drink.  (Juices do not come canned, frozen or bottled.  We noticed that our servers often had purple fingers from handling the berries during the juicing process.)
    Once the first girl took the plunge, the others were sold.  (who needs chicken nuggets?)  It was the same with the locro.  Our meals took place in restaurants and hostels surrounded by jungle or perched on the edge of a crater.  One meal was in a restaurant near Mindo and we ate while surrounded by glass.  On the other side, tanagers and other local bird species dined on bananas while we munched on lunch.   One step outside the back door and the girls were confronted with several species of hummingbirds flitting around a couple of strategically-placed feeders.  (the girls were up and down so much during this meal, I thought they were transforming into the creatures they were observing!)
    On our last day in Quito, we walked from our hotel to Libri Mundi, a local bookstore.  We found some birding books and surprisingly, the girls all wanted to take home an Ecuadorian cookbook.
    Here's our favorite recipe for you to try:   (taken from The Ecuador Cookbook, by Chrisiti Buchanan and Cesar Franco
    1 # potatoes, peeled and diced
    2 tbl oil
    1/4 Cup chopped green onion
    1 potato peeled and diced
    3/4 Cup milk, cow or soy
    1 tsp salt
    4-8 lettuce leaves (washed)
    1/3 pound cheese (Ecuadorian cheese is white and mild, but use whatever you like)
    1 ripe avocado
    Saute diced potatoes with oil & onion.  When onion is browned, add water until potatoes are just covered.  Add 1 more cup of water and bring to a boil.  Stir in cubed potato.  Reduce heat.  Simmer and stir until cubed potato is tender and diced potatoes are dissolved.  (about 20 min)
    Meanwhile, line deep soup bowls with lettuce leaves.  Slice cheese into 4 thick pieces (or crumble) and place in 4 bowls.  Quarter and peel avocado and place in bowls.  Cover with soup and serve.
    For those who enjoy zesty foods, consider adding salsa picante or your favorite hot sauce.

    
    ¡buen provecho

  • Blog post
  • 2 months ago
  • Views: 91
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• Franklin11

  • Points:652
  • Views: 48
  • Since: 3 months ago

• sorlis

  • Member
  • Points:2156
  • Views: 36
  • Since: 3 months ago

• yuange890827

  • Points:502
  • Views: 35
  • Since: 3 months ago

• The Strahov Monastery...and ma The Strahov Monastery...and magnificent views of Prague!

  • From: evbk
  • Description:
    Yesterday I took you to the Strahov Monastery Brewery (hope you enjoyed it!), thus I thought that today might be a good day to visit the Monastery itself.  I also have a little surprise for you... one of the best views of Prague can be seen from here.  Come along!
    
    
    The Strahov Monastery (Strahovsky Klaster) 
    
    
    
    The Basilica of Assumption of Our Lady
    
    
    
    
    
    The Royal Canonry of Premonstratensians at Strahov is one of the oldest monasteries of the Premonstratensian Order in the world.  The Premonstratensians are a religious order of canons founded in 1120 by St. Norbert as an independent part of the Catholic church.  The original building was almost completely destroyed by a fire in 1258.  It was reconstructed in a Gothic style, but that was not to last, as Baroque retouches were added during the beginning of the 18th century.   
    
    
    During communism, the members of the monastery were unable to live within its walls, but they gathered wherever they could and nurtured the spirit of their House until they were able to return.  After the fall of communism, the abbey was returned to the Premonstratensians in 1989.
    
    
    Ever since their establishment, the Premonstratensians have tried to live in the spirit of their order's five ends:  the singing of the Divine Office, the spirit of habitual penance, a special devotion to the Holy Eucharist, a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin, and zeal for the salvation of souls.  Strahov Abbey and its members also pursue this way of life.
    
    
    The Strahov Library is mindblowingly beautiful!  
    Theological Hall
    
    The Theological Hall was built in Baroque style in 1679 by Giovanni Domenico Orsi. The hall's name comes from the fact that it contains numerous editions of the Bible of parts of the Bible in many languages.  The Strahov library was carefully maintained then so the collections have stayed in tact for hundreds of years.  For instance, it was forbidden to enter the library with a light and to stay there past 7:30 pm.  There were also prohibited books that were kept in a special place.
    
    
    
    There are more than 18,000 volumes in this hall...
    
    
    
    The scenes on the ceiling are based on the hall's founding ideas that true wisdom is acquired through fear of God.  In fact, there is a legend above the iron gates in the hall that declares, "INTIUM SAPIENTIAE TIMOR DOMINI" - The beginning of wisdom is the fear of God.
    
    
    
    The Philosophical Hall
    
    
    
    The Philosophical Hall was built in 1782 because the library gained many books in the 17th & 18th century and needed another hall to house them.
    
    
    The beautiful walnut interior was brought over from another monastery and adapted to fit the hall.  This is a fun fact...the highest row of books is only accessible by a hidden staircase, which is, of course, hidden behind a set of false book spines.  This hall contains more than 42,000 volumes 
    
    
    The gorgeous fresco is called "Intellectual Progress of Mankind" and depicts science and religion as they have evolved over centuries.  
    
    
    
    The Strahov library has had some famous visitors too.  In fact, Napoleon Bonaparte's wife, Mary Louise, was so impressed by the library that she sent in a four volume work on the first Louvre Musuem!
    
    
    Unfortunately, visitors can only peek into these two spectacular halls from the corridor as apparently humidity fluctuations jeopardize the frescoes and books.  Beautiful nonetheless.
    
    
    The corridor that connects the two halls houses the so-called Cabinet of Curiosities.  Before modern museums there were...well, cabinets.  They store what the monastery calls "mysterious and remarkable" findings.  I'd label some bizarre as well!  You'll see a range of items...everything from weapons to insects to the remains of a Dodo bird.  Yes, a Dodo bird.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    So what did you think?  Pretty huh?  Well... the best view is yet to come. because behind the monastery sits a cafe overlooking the city...and it's patiently awaiting our arrival.
    
    
    
    Shall we?
    
    
    
    Did I not promise spectacular views?!?
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Petrin... perhaps we'll head there tomorrow
    

  • Blog post
  • 3 months ago
  • Views: 136

• kjedliko

  • Member
  • Points:1654
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  • Since: 3 months ago

• Holiday between Naples, Pompei Holiday between Naples, Pompei, Capri, Amalfi, Procida, Ischia

  • From: rickyshall
  • Description:

    Let me start from the beginning. My wife Sarah and I decided to visit the South of Italy to celebrate her 40^th birthday and some friends of ours had recommended doing everything through vesuvius vs pompeii

    Our aim was to get a good feel for the area and for me to give Sarah the special present she deserves without spending everything I had!!!. The important thing was to include something informative, something unique and above all, a lot of fun.

    This charming and enthusiastic team of local guides and historians suggested staying in the area of Chiaia as I was a little worried about Naples and its reputation. Well, what can I say, all my worries were unfounded and we ended up having the time of our lives!

    One of our Vesuvius Vs Pompeii representatives, Alberto, came to meet us at the airport and was extremely helpful about what to do, see and eat in Naples. Believe me, you could do, see and eat until the cows come home! Everything is delicious and tastes so different here.

    They booked a lovely hotel for us, Palazzo Alabardieri, which is situated right in the centre of Chiaia, a picturesque pedestrian street which is choc-a-block full of bars, restaurants and quirky shops. It is also very safe at night.

    Over the next few days we discovered just how amazing the Neapolitan architecture and the museums are: San Martino Museum, Capodimonte gallery and the Archaeological Museum. It seems that wherever you go in Naples today, you have constant reminders of the Kingdom of Italy before Unification. The San Carlo Opera House, the Sansevero Chapel and not to mention all the churches, the list goes on and on.

    Fiorella Squilante was the Art historian who showed us around the incredible heritage of Naples. She somehow managed to find that elusive key to inspire us and open up the doors of this incredible city, amongst which the Underground ruins remained arguably Sarah’s favourite.

    After a couple of days, we met Salvatore, another lovely VvP rep. He took us all around the very pretty towns of Sorrento, Amalfi, Positano and Ravello. Alberto was the other guide during our 2-day boat tour of the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida (my wife and I, both love the sea). He was not only very informative, but also a genuine person; a caring friend in Naples is not to be underestimated!

    Albert is a great cook himself, his choice of restaurants was the best: let me highly recommend the Conchiglia on Procida (!!!!!!), which is located right on the beach of Chiaia, or the romantic Terrazza Brunella on Capri.

    Of course we visited Pompeii, Herculaneum and Oplontis -with the cultured and delightful Fiorella Squillante- which was absolutely fascinating. But what we really fancied doing was something new and here comes the best bit. We launched ourselves into a 2-day full immersion of the secrets of Neapolitan cookery. We started off by making pizza. And we were the only ones with a whole, real-life pizzeria to play in! We prepared and baked our own pizzas, which were surprisingly good to eat. I confess to the assistance of the professional pizzaiolo, Paolo who couldn’t speak English – just as well Alberto was there to translate. But Paolo could communicate in true Neapolitan style, with his hands. Neapolitan gestures have to be seen to be believed!

    But perhaps the best part of our Neapolitan food and wine experience was when we went shopping to the local markets and took our ingredients up to a beautiful private apartment in order to prepare and eat our meal. In a real Neapolitan kitchen I prepared, with Albert’s assistance, pasta and potatoes with provola (smoked mozzarella) and anchovy tart with lemon and pink pepper and I made the best zucchini pasta ever! Alberto’s experience in cooking and focusing on what we could than remake once back home, was great.

    We realised just how important a part food plays in the culture here. Archaeology, history, art, the sea and friendships make up the rest. On our last night in Naples, we all went out together, along with our guides and some of their Neapolitan friends and some English ones that are now established in Naples. We felt at home immediately in a lovely place called Tofa. It is found in the so-called “dangerous” area of the Spanish Quarter yet this little trattoria offers you great food and wine served by rather charming waiters who really seem to love what they do. One of the main things we discovered about Naples is that it is very easy to eat well here, whether you go to an expensive restaurant or to a simple osteria. While we were visiting the centro storico of Naples we experienced first hand the utter madness of Neapolitan traffic, which I understood was not for those of a nervous disposition, but it turned out to be surprisingly safe!

    Going on the excursions and seeing city-life through Vesuvius vs pompeii might cost you a little more but you do have all the benefits of qualified tour guides, culinary-experts and generally well-educated and enthusiastic locals who know how to take care of you. However, the most important thing will always be the choice of travel companion and my wife Sarah is the best!

    Richard Shall NYC

  • Blog post
  • 3 months ago
  • Views: 199

• Mutianyu Great Wall Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall Beijing

  • From: beijingagent
  • Description:

    Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall is one of  the most popular section you would like to visit.

    Hi , I am john Ping a famous Beijing car driver in the world .

    I would like to offer my best car  driver & tour guide for you when you come to visit Beijing China, I special offer the tour to Great Wall at Mutianyu and other sections.

    feel free contact me via my email:pingxin008@yahoo.com.cn

     

    visit my webside for more details http://www.beijingcardriver.com

  • 4 months ago
  • Views: 96

• Barcelona artist at art fair Barcelona artist at art fair

  • From: travelgreen9
  • Description:

    1.  Palm Sunday in Barcelona is celebrated with many events and traditions.  These men were part of a band in a parade that ended at a church.

    2.  I purchased a water color painting of a window from this artist at a Barcelona art fair.

    3.  This gentleman was playing lovely Spanish music outside the Museo Picasso in Barcelona.

    4.  Outside a church on Palm Sunday in Barcelona, musicians were playing music and people just joined hands and began dancing in groups of 8-10. most being strangers to each other.  It was delightful to watch.

    5.  While most people were happily celebrating Palm Sunday in Barcelona, this woman appeared to be remembering a loved one no longer in her life.  Beautiful and unusual items are made from palms for this special day and street vendors offer them for sale to the public.  Perhaps this woman was feeling sad for a lost child or grandchild, as her decorative palm figure looks to be made for a child.  Her expression looks as though she is hurting emotionally. 

  • 4 months ago
  • Views: 58
  • Not yet rated

• Palm Sunday Marching Band Memb Palm Sunday Marching Band Members

  • From: travelgreen9
  • Description:

    1.  Palm Sunday in Barcelona is celebrated with many events and traditions.  These men were part of a band in a parade that ended at a church.

    2.  I purchased a water color painting of a window from this artist at a Barcelona art fair.

    3.  This gentleman was playing lovely Spanish music outside the Museo Picasso in Barcelona.

    4.  Outside a church on Palm Sunday in Barcelona, musicians were playing music and people just joined hands and began dancing in groups of 8-10. most being strangers to each other.  It was delightful to watch.

    5.  While most people were happily celebrating Palm Sunday in Barcelona, this woman appeared to be remembering a loved one no longer in her life.  Beautiful and unusual items are made from palms for this special day and street vendors offer them for sale to the public.  Perhaps this woman was feeling sad for a lost child or grandchild, as her decorative palm figure looks to be made for a child.  Her expression looks as though she is hurting emotionally. 

  • 4 months ago
  • Views: 58
  • Not yet rated