Sunday, May 31, 2009

Backpacking in Paris: European Centre of Art and Culture


No backpacking holiday to Europe can be complete without a trip to Paris. The city is termed to be the ‘City of Light’ and it can be your Mecca if you are a lover of peace, music, fashion, jewellery, dance and much more. Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with a long and rich history stretching back around 1000 years, and the multi cultural society that it holds adds to cultural diversity and overall unique beauty of the city. It is considered to be of the hot and favorite tourist places to visit around the globe with its structural marvelous and ethnic beauty.

As with most budget backpacking trips, your holiday in Paris can be best enjoyed by touring the city on foot. Travelers can get the maximum enjoyment from the city with the bountiful attractive places which are so close to each other. Indeed, most of the places of interest are within a walkable distance from one another if you are fairly fit. I found even going out for a cup of coffee in one of the city’s many cafes or bars is a nice experience or the serene walk along the coast of the river in the middle of the city can be so romantic for young couples.

The famous galleries and museums are the best part of the city. Some of the much celebrated and high profile museums are The Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay, the Centre Georges Pompidou, the Musee de Louvre, the Picasso Museum, the Rodin Museum, the Invalides. They symbolize the European art tradition as well as housing the more contemporary arts and collections.


The Eiffel tower is considered to be the embodiment of engineering and is an iconic structural monument. The skyscrapers present in the city are awesome to behold. Walking around the Eiffel tower can be a pleasure in itself. It is estimated that around 6 million people come to pay their visit here making it among the world most popular tourist attractions. Some fitter people cover the ascent by foot or you can alternatively choose to take some of the steps and then complete the rest by using the tower’s lift. The bird’s eye view of the city while climbing up the tower will take any person to paradise and is quite breathtaking.

The Pere-Lachaise cemetery, the catacombs, the Arc de Triomphe, which is a huge arch built by Napoleon to celebrate his victories speak volumes about the history of the city and country of France. The Sacre Coeur, the Sainte Chapelle, the Pompidou Center, the Panteon, the Grand Arche de la Defense are of serene beauty and are not to missed under the light covers. Notre Dame Cathedral and the Basilica of the Sacre C’ur are some of the notable and renowned churches in the city and are worth a visit even for non Disney fans! The Jardin de Luxemberg is a good place to relax and enjoy the nature at its best without having to move to the suburb.

Not to forget the fact, an artwork that many consider to be the epitome of painting is housed in the city: the Monalisa is kept in the museum here in Paris. The boulevard Champs-Elysees is considered to be the hub of high cultured society.

The city night life activities are also truly enjoyable for you party animals. The places around the Bastile prison has now been transformed into a center for night life activities. Far removed from what it must have been like in pre revolutionary France, this is now a great place to go out with a wide range of restaurants, clubs and bars all to be found here.

The city is also famous for its shopping. There are wide range of products available right from perfume, jewellery, wine, gifts and much more to keep you amused - be careful with the price tags though!

Paris is certainly unmissable when traveling around Europe and it can be a fine experience which no body will forget in their life. Paris city can be called as a dream city for many couples as well as for all tourists those who wish enjoyment and pleasure in their life.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Naples to Rome: Giro d'Italia Reverse Grand Tour - All Roads Lead To Rome

The final weekend of the Giro'd Italia begins this morning with Stage 20 departing on the panoramic Bay of Naples under Mt Vesuvius in the giant and stimulating city of Naples, Italy where the cyclist will head toward Rome in the region of Lazio, as the 100th Giro d'Italia comes to a close in what might be considered a reverse grand tour from Naples to Rome.

The Giro d'Italia spent yesterday crossing the region of Campania, which is the region of Italy where many of today's Italian-American fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers immigrated from in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This gorgeous region of Italy includes such famous destinations like the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Pompeii, the giant port city Salerno and the ancient Greek's site of Doric Temples Paestum. Many people are unfamiliar with the area of Stabiae, which is an excellent art destination in the Naples area just outside Pompeii, where well preserved homes of ancient Rome's oligarch's and emperor's were recently uncovered. The cyclist finished the day climbing Mt Vesuvius, which may have stolen the legs of many before the final two days of racing from Naples to Rome.

Food from this region includes everyone's favorite the pizza margherita, which is made with the local mozzarella di bufala which hails from the Campania region. Visitors to Campania this time of year will smell the tress flowering with lemons and oranges among other variations. Limoncello is a drink that comes from the Sorrentine peninsula and Amalfi Coast and of course the famous tomatoes from San Mazano ar grown on Mt Vesuvius.

Map fo Stage 20 Giro d'Italia Naples to Anagni:

























Giro d'Italia Standings, as of Saturday May 30, 2009 - before Naples Departure:

1 MENCHOV Denis RUS RAB 81:13:55 0:00
2 DI LUCA Danilo ITA LPR 81:14:13 0:18
3 PELLIZOTTI Franco ITA LIQ 81:15:34 1:39
4 SASTRE CANDIL Carlos ESP CTT 81:16:35 2:40
5 BASSO Ivan ITA LIQ 81:17:28 3:33
6 LEIPHEIMER Levi USA AST 81:18:50 4:55
7 GARZELLI Stefano ITA ASA 81:22:43 8:48
8 ROGERS Michael AUS THR 81:23:27 9:32
9 VALJAVEC Tadej SLO ALM 81:24:37 10:42
10 BRUSEGHIN Marzio ITA LAM 81:25:27 11:32

Today's stage and tomorrow's stage in Rome provide little chance for Di Luca to catch the Russian Menchov who leads by 18 seconds that may have sown the Giro d'Italia victory for Menchov after 80 hours in the saddle.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Eating Out In Madrid – It’s Good For The Locals, It’s Good For You

It’s almost unheard of to have a bad meal whilst in Madrid. The city is very diverse and it’s restaurants, cafés and bars cater to all tastes and budgets. A good way of determining which are the best eating places in Madrid is by finding out where the locals go out to wine and dine. If the locals like the place, chances are that you will love it too.





One place that is certainly popular with the people of Madrid is known as the “Tienda de Comunista”. It is located in Chueca by the square. It is always a good idea to get there as soon as it opens for business at 9pm every night, as it is always packed to capacity with happy diners. I highly recommend it.



If you want to lunch like a true Madrilenian, the place to be is “La Playa”. Having lunch at this place has become a tradition among many residents that has been going on for generations.

If you like to eat well while you take your beverages, then Bar Melo is the place to be. It is a very well-known bar also known for its awesome cuisine.



Do you have a sweet tooth? If you answered “yes” then you definitely need to visit Café del Real. It offers a wide variety of chocolate and carrot cakes, served with some lovely local coffee. It is a good place to hang out on a Sunday afternoon, like the locals do.



On Saturday evenings, many Madrilenians head to La Taberna de San Bernado. This exquisite restaurant is start off on a quieter note but becomes bubblier as the locals begin to file in.



Casa Perico restaurant is a hidden gem, known only to individuals like an insider secret. Upon entering Casa Perico, you may wonder whether you are in a restaurant or not, but do not be deceived because the food there is marvelous.





You maybe be visiting Spain, but that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t like to have some Asian food made in Spain. If you are not running on a very big budget then I would recommend Wok Chinese Restaurant in Madrid. Yes, you guessed right, the food is cooked in a Wok!

If you would like to partake in history then you will definitely want to visit Restaurante Sobrino De Botin. It is said to be the oldest restaurant in the world, according to the Guinness Book of records. More to this, it offers really delicious food too. However, due to the astounding number of tourists desiring to eat here, you may have to eat your meal in a bit of a rush.

All in all if you travel to Madrid you will certainly not be let down by the huge range of places to eat out!



Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Rome UEFA Champions League Final: Barcelona Outplays Manchester United to Win Final 2-0














Rome UEFA Champions League Final: Barcelona Outplays Manchester United to Win Final 2-0

Barcelona Simply Outplayed Manchester United today in Rome to win the UEFA Champions League in a 2-0 shutout. Barcelona adds Rome to a winning streak that is now a European Capital tri-fecta that includes London, Paris and Rome. Is Madrid next?

The fact that Manchester United couldn't put one ball in the net speaks to Barcelona's perfect playing and the great shape of each Barcelona player. 7 of the 11 Barcelona starters rose up from the junior level teams.

Xavi Hernández, Barcelona's 29-year-old crowned a memorable 12 months in Rome by setting up Barça's second goal for Lionel Messi in the 2-0 win against Manchester United FC and was selected as the man of the match by the UEFA Technical Study Group, yet another personal accolade for the midfielder who was also named the player of the tournament at UEFA EURO 2008™. "I'm very happy, especially for the team and for my personal prize – we're very content," he said. "This is historic, for Barcelona and the squad."

Homegrown heroes
Xavi, one of seven homegrown players in the Catalan club's starting lineup produced by the famed academy at La Masia, encapsulates the club's philosophy and has no doubts the Blaugrana's family spirit had been a crucial factor. "I feel very comfortable; I've said for a long time that it is wonderful with these team-mates around me. We worked hard and pressured United by attacking so they wouldn't feel comfortable. Apart for the first ten minutes, we dominated most of the game."

"Xavi was outstanding, he epitomised the outstanding Barcelona midfield performance; the passing of the ball, the movement," Technical Study Group member Roy Hodgson told uefa.com. "There were a lot of other candidates, but Xavi was the midfield motor, ran the match and dictated the tempo. United started really well but the first goal is so important at this level. When Barcelona got that their confidence rose, Manchester United had to take more risks getting forward and that played into Barcelona's hands, especially as skilful as they are. Their defending was also very good; they quickly got back into shape and when the back four was called upon they did very well."

Hodgson reserved most praise for Barça's fluidity, explaining: "Most important of all is the tempo of their passing and their ability to change that. If you pressurise them they're very good at playing it first time and they've always got lots of players around the ball willing to receive it. But if you don't get around them they hold the ball and suck you in and the moment you come forward they pass it. They work very hard and it looks simple, but the front players and the midfielders do an awful lot of running to create space. There's so much movement from wide positions coming infield with the full-backs getting forward, and it's not easy to find an antidote to that."

Friday, May 22, 2009

Florence Italy: Map to Authentic Tuscan Food in Florence

















Florence Italy - Map to Where to Eat Authentic Tuscan Food in Florence, more coming all time!

Florence is bursting with fabulous Tuscan restaurants, tucked in around every corner.

In honor of the Giro d'Italia making its way to Florence, Motorino Man brings you Italy maps in Google maps to authentic Tuscan ristorante in Florence. These restaurants in Florence are Motorino Man's favorites because they are consistently excellent!


Teatro del Sale
Via Dei Macci 111R, 50122 Firenze

An Italian-style supper club, the marvel of Fabio Picchi, the founder of Cibreo Ristorante Firenze, Cibreo, Trattoria Cibreo, Cibreino , Caffe Cibreo. Spectacular.

Reservations a must. Get there for 7:30 opening, eat as you never have before. About 10, the show begins. Tell Fabio http://www.webvisionitaly.com/ sent you and you may get a real treat!


La Hosteria da Mimmo
57/R, V. S. Gallo
50129 Firenze (FI), Italy

Beyond the Medici Chapel, is buzzing at lunchtime [1pm-3pm]. Farro soup and pork roast are fabulous. Atmosphere just makes you want to eat a terrific meal, drink, and be merry all afternoon.

I Fratellini
Via dei Cimatori, 38-red, 50122 Firenze

Literally a hole-in-the-wall,on Via Cimiterio, 2 blocks from Piazza Signoria towards Piazza della Repubblica. Wondrous panini and wine. On-site over 100 years. Look for the photo of us above Armando's head.

Oltrarno - Stroll across the Arno at the Ponte Vecchio for:

Celestino
piazza santa felicita, 4/r, 50010 firenze

About 150 feet on the left from bridge, Vasari Corridor goes over it. Ask for & tell the owner Bruno that WebVisionItaly.com sent you before you order. Bruno may then plan your lunch/dinner as he did for us: tagliarini with shaved trufles, bistecca alla fiorentina, macedonia di fruta, wine during the meal and vin santo at the conclusion. Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.

Ristorante Mamma Gina
Borgo S. Jacopo, 37/R, 50125 Firenze

After crossing Ponte Vecchio, take a right on Borgo San Iacopo, about 50 feet down on your left in Mamma Gina. Prides itself on giving its clientele an authentic Tuscan experience. Their wine cellar is amazing, as well as priced so that everyone can taste fine wines, not just the well-healed wine enthusiast. They believe eating is an entire experience. Tell them www. WebVisionItaly.com sent you and you will be treated as family.


View Florence Walking Map-Restuarants and Trattoria in Florence in a larger map


WebVisionItaly.com publishes a series of Italy walking maps in Google maps inlcuding maps to trattorias in Rome and a walking tour of Bernini's Baroque Rome.

Click for more of Motorino's Walking Maps to Italy, Walking Maps of Rome, and Walking Maps of Florence.