Germany Travel Tip - The English Garden In Munich

The Englische Garten or English Garden is a large urban public park that stretches from the city center to the northeastern city limits of Munich, Bavaria. With an area covering 3.7 square kilometers the English Garden is one of the world's largest urban Public Parks. One of the most famous Beer Gardens of Munich is located in the English Garden at the Chinese Tower, which was built during the years 1789 - 1790. Another very popular Beer Garden is the Seehaus, Lake House. It is beautifully situated next to the big lake, the Kleinhesselohe See, in about 1 km distance to the Chinese Tower, also in the English Garden. Why not rent a pedal boat to discover the Lake Kleinhesselohe?

Since 1789 Munich, in Bavaria, owns his English Garden, a green oasis in the heart of the city. Munich owes the English Garden to an American, Benjamin Thompson. He was a Bavarian minister of war and a social reformer. What a combination! Originally the northern marshy land of the River Isar was intended as a military garden; invested by the gardener Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell. However, the thought of a national park was soon realized. Agricultural use and education was given to the people in the park. Thus model farms, tree schools, a sheep farm and an agriculture school were founded. In 1989 the English Garden celebrated his 200 year old existence with a spectacular cultural program. The English Garden has retained its natural beauty and romantic wildness as a garden for the citizens.

One of the most famous and popular Beer Gardens of Munich is located right in the heart of the English Garden, around the Chinese Tower or Pagoda. This is also the most colorful Beer Garden and has a lot to offer for ones eyes and ears. Often you will hear the sounds of a Brass band playing live from the first floor of the Chinese Tower. As soon as the warm sunbeams appear, local folks will enjoy their first Maß beer of the season. (In Bavaria it is common to order beer by a Maß and this means a liter!) As it gets warmer, more and more visitors from the nearby university, locals and international guests will enjoy the weather, companionship, the great local food and off course dive into the ancient tradition of the Bavarian beer drinking style.

Take a walk to the nearby Kleinhesselohe See, a large lake and the next, beautiful Beer Garden with the name Seehaus, Lake House, awaits you here. In the old days, the gardener and investor Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell enlarged this lake and a small Beer Garden, as the forerunner of the current one, was established on the edge of it. Today, after restructuring, it can host up to 2,500 guests and is an all year round popular place to see and to be seen. Especially on the weekends you should come early, if you want a prime seat at the lake side and intend to stay a couple of hours. Overall it is the bit younger crowd that prefers this Beer Garden and families will enjoy sun-bathing, paddling on the lake, or feed the swans and let the children play with the corsair in the backside of the garden. This is also the first address in winter during foehn periods, where all the seats at the lake might be taken although the lake still carries ice. In summer you might like to sit in the shady backside of the Beer Garden or come later in the evening, after exploring the beauty and tranquility of the English Garden.

This is an example of what you can do in Munich while traveling in Germany. If you want learn more about Munich we compiled a more comprehensive Munich travel guide in collaboration with local residents that provides unique travel insider tips which you can use during you Germany vacation.

This article has been written by Monika Petra. She likes to write Germany related travel articles on Live Like a German - a site for exploring Germany, to learn more about its culture / language, and to find great Germany vacation rentals or holiday apartments when going on a Germany vacation.

Scandinavia Attractions

Scandinavia denotes the countries within the northern European peninsula, namely Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland. These nations have similar cultural characteristics, and they even have flags and languages that are much alike. Collectively, they are likewise termed the Nordic countries.

A tour of Scandinavia is liable to afford a single using a splendid view of the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis. That is a beautiful pure phenomenon in which the sky looks like a surreal, multi-colored curtain of lights. It normally happens in the months of March, April, September and October.

But if a single isn't lucky enough to witness the Northern Lights, you will discover tons of other, less ephemeral attractions that Scandinavia delivers. The hot springs of Iceland, the fjords of Norway, the mountain ski resorts of Sweden are a just few of those attractions. There too are numerous stunning sights: parks, castle ruins, cathedrals, gardens and museums. Different activities like skiing, hiking and participating in Scandinavian festivals are very fashionable and pleasant.

Also worth mentioning is the one other healthy phenomenon distinctive in the area: the midnight sun. This is seen throughout the endless summer days in the northernmost regions, particularly Norway.

Norway, the "Land from the Vikings", is an archipelago popular for its deep fjords (extended thin inlet with steep sides) and wooden churches. Its funds is Oslo, in which one can visit the well known Akershus castle and fortress, many museums and botanical gardens.

With the Scandinavian countries, Denmark may be the smallest and most southernmost. A lot of Denmark is low and flat, with some hilly areas. The country comprises of the Jutland peninsula and much more than 400 islands. It is in addition encompasses the Faroe Islands and Greenland. Notable sights in Denmark are its windmills and conventional conventional thatched cottages, scattered across the nation.

Sweden is the largest Scandinavian state, both territorially and in terms of population. Like Norway, it also consists of a several islands. The funds is Stockholm, which boasts of a charming medieval town referred to as Gamla Stan, and an open-air museum/park termed Skansen. Sweden has a few mountains, lakes and ski resorts.

A trip around Scandinavia can ideally begin in Copenhagen, Denmark, this being one of the most accessible point and also the southernmost. Copenhagen is a pleasant town, the cash and cultural center of Denmark. It has a pleasant style park called the Tivoli Gardens. Christiania, an distinct "free city" within Copenhagen, is in addition worth a pay a visit to.

Just one can then proceed to the Swedish cash of Stockholm, preferably by train. Then the next stop would be Oslo, Norway. Its many museums are interesting, such as the Kon-Tiki Museum and the Viking Ship Museum. One particular must also remember to stop by the City Hall, noteworthy as the venue for awarding the Nobel Peace Prize.

After Oslo, go to Bergen, a scenic coastal town that's Norway's second biggest city. Bergen is lauded as a European Town of Culture in 2000, along with a Entire world Heritage Town. Despite its size, Bergen is really a strolling town having a rural really feel.

Then a single can take a trip to Helsinki, Finland via ferry from Stockholm. Helsinki can be a contemporary harbor town, with many enjoyable parks and churches.

If you enjoy traveling and would like to read more on some of the most famous places in the world, visit famouswonders.com and also check out things to do in Scandinavia.

How to Spend One Day of Shopping in Barcelona

Shopping in Barcelona is a favorite pastime. Whether strolling along the elegant Paseo de Gracia or nipping in and out of trendy botiques in the Born, to go shopping here can be one of many things. Here you will find beautiful clothing, unique footwear, and interesting artwork as a herald to the city's cultural and artistic demographic. Not only do the Spanish have an impeccable eye for style, but they are beautiful craftsmen as well. Thus, there are endless options for every taste. From designer purses to handmade scarves, antique books to original Picassos, this city by the sea does seem to have it all. The mission then, is to go out and find it! But, if you have limited time while visiting the beautiful city, then you need to know where to go to get your shopping fix. The best option for a time-stressed traveller who wants to do some shopping in Barcelona, is to head straight to the shops around Plaza Catalunya.

The Plaza Catalunya serves as a great starting point for many outings, and most certainly for a day of shopping. From here, along the many streets that sprawl out from the square like spider's legs, you can do your shopping for shoes, clothes, and accessories at many of the country's national brands. Stores like Zara, Bershka, Mango, and Blanco all offer good essential finds at very reasonable prices. The main avenue of the Ramblas, the Ronda Universitat, and the Puerta del Angel are all main thoroughfares for fashion-finders. Of course if you'd rather get your exercise in the mountains, the mega department store El Corte Ingles can be found in the very Plaza Catalunya and requires no more than hopping on the escalator to explore its 7 floors of goods.

Dirt Cheap Barcelona [http://www.dirtcheapbarcelona.com] is a budget travel guide with decent advice for budget travellers. The site contains a massive guide to Barcelona shopping.

Germany Travel Tip - Passion Play In Oberammergau

From the 15th of May until the 3rd of October 2010 the eyes of the world will once again focus on Oberammergau, the small town in the Ammengauer Alps, Upper Bavaria. The preparation for the 41th world renowned Passion-Play is well on its way and if you like to witness this mega event, it is time to make your travel preparations and bookings now!

The play runs for 5 consecutive months at the end of each decade and every performance runs for 6 - 7 hours with a meal served during intermission. The Passion-Play is a dramatic reenactment of the Passion of Christ. The history of the Oberammergau Passion-Play started in 1633, in the middle of the most destructive Thirty Years War and after months of suffering and death from the plague, the citizens of Oberammergau swore an oath, that they would perform the Play of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ every ten years. Legend has it, that thereafter not one more citizen died of the plague.

It all started back in 1633 when the black death reached Oberammergau during the Thirty Years War and the citizens turned to God for help. Nearly every other family had deaths to mourn and so they all came together at the cemetery and swore an oath to portray the suffering and death of the Lord every 10 years. They also erected a symbol of Christ on poles and crossbars, etching by the Oberammergauer artist Hans Schwaighofer. At Pentecost, in the year 1634, they fulfilled their pledge for the first time on a stage, constructed above the fresh graves of the plague victims.

The Passion-Play shows the trial, suffering and death of Jesus Christ in a dramatic fashion. The play is linked to the Lent, an important time before the Easter celebrations for Christian denominations, primarily in the Catholic Church. What makes this Passion-Play so outstanding in the world is the fact, that it is only held once every 10 years. The actors, directors, scriptwriters, stage set coordinators, technicians, musicians and all other supporting members of the production are solely citizens of Oberammergau and in this way still honoring the pledge of their ancestors, given nearly 380 years ago. Over 2,000 people take part in this play and auditions start 2-3 years before the actual event. The men start to grow their hair to look the part when applying for a role and the most prestigious part is of course the role of Jesus Christ.

In 1830, the 22nd Passion Play year, Ludwig I granted permission for the play under the condition that the stage would be no longer erected over the cemetery. This is when the stage was set up on a meadow on the northwestern edge of town. Its ground plan determined the structure of the Passion Play Theater to the present day. At that times 5,000 spectators could be accommodated in front of the stage. From 1830 to 1850 a more romantic view of the play was discovered in line with the Zeitgeist and widely publicized. Since 1870 people from all over the world started to come and witness the Passion-Play in Oberammergau and an ever growing popularity turned it into the mega event, which it is today.

In the year 2000 the Passion-Play was sold out and the same is projected for the year 2010. If you like to join this event, you should make a decision soon and maybe you like to combine your trip to Germany with other, great destinations and things to explore in Bavaria.

This is an example of what you can do in Oberammergau while traveling in Germany. If you want learn more about Oberammergau we compiled a more comprehensive Oberammergau travel guide in collaboration with local residents that provides unique travel insider tips which you can use during you Germany vacation.

This article has been written by Monika Petra. She likes to write Germany related travel articles on Live Like a German - a site for exploring Germany, to learn more about its culture / language, and to find great Germany vacation rentals or holiday apartments when going on a Germany vacation.

Shopping in Birmingham

Oh no, are you a budget traveller visiting Birmingham, but you get offended by the prices of clothes? Pricey high fashion has made an impact on Birmingham the last few years. Despite popular belief, Birmingham is actually drowning in fashion and its designers are leading lights within the UK fashion scene. Local designer Jacob Kimmie recently had an exhibition at prestigious London Fashion Week and Central Saint Martins graduate Usefzada, also from Birmingham, has been dressing Thandie Newton lately. But, this type of fashion is not wanted by today's value for money shoppers in a financial climate that is catastrophic.

So where to go for some Cheap shopping in Birmingham? For downtown chic head to The Custard Factory's flea market in Digbeth (nearest Station Moor Street) on a Saturday for vintage clothes or for the lads try Sunday when the wares are more geared towards vinyl. If there's no spare time in your dairy on weekends t then head to Urban Village, also at The Custard Factory, any time. It's literally a warehouse rammed with second hand clothes!

Also rammed with garb is The Oasis Market on Priory Square is thankfully about as far away from the high street chain as you'll get. It sells Gothic clothes, clusters of silver jewellery, posters, bondage bits and bobs and dope labels such as Dready. And it's also the best place to buy Dr Martins and Wrangler jeans which never go out of fashion.

Hopefully these tips makes it possible for you to enjoy some affordable shopping while visiting the former industrial powerhouse of Britain.

Is your budget tight? It's allright, travel guide Dirt Cheap Birmingham [http://www.dirtcheapbirmingham.com/] shows you where to eat, drink, sleep and shop. Contains many tips about cheap shopping opportunities in Birmingham.

Bullfighting in Madrid

While there's no doubt that it's a big difference from watching a Knicks game or cheering on Manchester United, that is precisely why you should head to a bullfight when you're in Spain. Once you get past that whole cruel-to-animals thing, you really have to look at bullfighting as the art that it is.

Madrid's bullring's official name is La Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas. It is amazing from an architectural point of view, an impressive red brick and ceramic tile múdejar-style structure exploding out of the ground in a residential neighborhood.

From the suits the matadors wear, to the whole spectacle with the audience waving their white handkerchiefs, to visit a bullfight is a great opportunity to have an up-close encounter with a very unique and extraordinary (albeit somewhat barbaric) tradition. When you go to a bullfight you will either be very interested and jump up and shout "Olé!" along with the die-hard locals, or feel that the whole thing is a barbaric and unjust setup that you would want to distance yourself from. Many tourists visit the bullring only to leave after half an hour.

Las Ventas is located at they eponymous metro stop (Ventas, L2). You literally can't miss it. Bullfights take place every Sunday from March to October.

A ticket to a bullfight can be very expensive. The closer to the bullring you are sitting, the more expensive it is. The price range is usually 200-15 euros. The cheapest tickets are towards the top of the stadium and there is no shade. But, you get a great overview of the whole spectacle.

Bullfighting in Madrid's Las Ventas bullring is a bloody spectacle which is heavily covered in the budget travel guide Dirt Cheap Madrid [http://www.dirtcheapmadrid.com/].