subscribe to the RSS Feed

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Upcoming Art and Design Fairs – Paris, London, Vienna

Posted by Nick on September 12, 2010

If you’re going to be doing some traveling in Europe this fall, there are some great art and design fairs you may want to check out.

In Paris, you can catch the 25th Biennales des Antiquaires from September 15, 2010 through September 22, 2010. It takes place under the glass dome of the Grand Palais. Expect to see old masters, jewels, midcentury modern furniture and more. Visit the official website at bdafrance.eu

In Vienna, Design Week happens October 1, 2010 through October 10, 2010. Visit the official website at viennadesignweek.at

In London, the eighth Frieze Art Fair takes place October 14, 2010 through October 17, 2010. It takes place in Regent Park, where you can see commissions from 16 up-and-coming artists. There is also a free film series in the theater pavilion.

Alicante Central Market

Posted by Nick on August 5, 2010

The Alicante Central Market was just listed as a top Alicante must see for travelers. In Alicante, it is known as the Alicante Mercado Central. The market takes place each week from Monday through Saturday, with no operation on Sundays.

Locals visit the Alicante Central Market mostly in the mornings to stock up on fresh fish and local fruits and vegetables. There are even flower sellers out back.


Image: camera_obscura [busy], Flickr

The building where you will find the Alicante Central Market is a two story art deco building that will be hard to miss. The top of the building has a circular dome of sorts, called the “La Rotonda.” And it also has a nice grand entrance, as pictured below.


image: Zador Spanish schools Spain, Flickr

You can find the Alicante Central Market at Avda. Alfonso X el Sabio, 1. Hours are Monday to Saturday: 7:30am – 2:30pm. If you want to mingle with some of the Alicante locals, this is the best place to do it.

5 Must See Attractions In Alicante, Spain

Posted by Nick on June 27, 2010

Alicante, Spain is perhaps best known for its beaches. Located along Spain’s sunny southeastern coast, there is more to Alicante than just beaches.

If you find yourself in Alicante, here are five must-see attractions from Alicante Travel Guide that you won’t want to miss out on.

1. The Old Town Section of Alicante

The wide, cobbled streets of Old Town Alicante are home to stunning old world architecture, museums, shops and churches. Things to see include the Basilica of Santa Maria, Gravina Museum of Fine Arts, the Santa Faz monastery and the Cathedral of St. Nicholas of Bari.

2. Catamaran to Tabarca Island

If you want to escape the city of Alicante, just hop on a catamaran to Tabarca Island. Tabarca Island used to be a pirate hideout. When you visit Tabarca Island, enjoy a hike along the coast or a picnic by the sea.

3. Alicante Nightlife

The Old Town Barrio is a centrally located nightlife hotspot in Alicante. Popular bars include Carpe Diem, Mulligan’s and Dos Gringos. Happy hour in Spain begins a lot later than it does in the United States. Cheap drinks and the occasional free shots of Alicante’s happy hour start around midnight. Around 3am or 4am, the hotspot moves to the clubs in the Puerto district. Locals hang out by the water, or in the casino, and watch the sun rise. Then, everyone heads home between 7am and 8am.

4. Postiguet Beach

Located in the heart of Alicante, Postiguet Beach is the main beach in Alicante. Streetlights keep the beach safe at all hours, which makes it a popular place both day and night. There are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby, which makes it easy for you relax while watching the waves or the sunrise.

5. Castle of Santa Barbara

Built by Moors in the 9th century, the Castle of Santa Barbara is of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain. The castle was built into Mount Bencatil, which is just north of the city. To get to the castle, walk the streets of Alicante or take the elevator by Avenue de Juan Bautista Lafora. There is no admission fee.

List of Famous Paris Hotels

Posted by Nick on April 23, 2010

If you are planning a trip to the “City of Lights” you may be looking for some famous Paris hotels to stay in. There are some hotels in Paris that you may have heard of before. Here are a few of them.

Hotel de Crillon
The Hotel de Crillon is one of the oldest hotels in the world. It was built in the 18th century and has played host to Ernest Hemingway, Woodrow Wilson and Madonna, among many notable others. Located in the Place de la Concorde, the Hotel de Crillon is near both Tuileries Gardens and the Champs Elysees.

L’Hotel Paris
The L’Hotel Paris is where Oscar Wilde died in 1900. This 19th century Left Bank hotel has also hosted famous names such as Elizabeth Taylor, Salvador Dali and Princess Grace.

Hotel Regina Paris
The Hotel Regina Paris might have been featured in a recent movie you watched. The Paris hotel was built in 1900 on the site of the Louvre Palace stables. It is near the Tuileries Gardens and the Louvre.

Val Tidone, Italy for Tourists

Posted by Nick on April 2, 2010

Val Tidone, Italy is located in the Emilia-Romagna Region of Italy.

Val Tidone is a good area for wine enthusiasts to visit. Start by going through Borogonovo. There you can check out the impressive castle. In fact, there is no shortage of medieval castles in Val Tidone. There is a vineyard in Ziano. Ziano is the capital town of Val Tidone.

If you go south to Olgisio, you can see a massive fortress.