Archive for unesco world heritage

The “Dreamstate” Experience of Bamberg, Germany

Saturday, September 4th, 2010

Little Venice - Bamberg GermanySometimes visiting a city is like being in a dreamstate, where fantasy seems to cohabitate with reality.  That happened to me when I visited a Bavarian city that’s a 2 hour train ride from Frankfurt and that doesn’t always get mentioned in guidebooks on Germany, even though it’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.

A Sense of Déjà Vu

The first night and ensuing morning while taking my jogs in a city that has been described as “Franconian Rome” (because of its seven hills), I felt as if I knew what was going to be around every corner, experiencing a noticeable sense of déjà vu, even though in this lifetime, I’d never visited the city that’s been in some form of existence for the last 14 centuries.

I have often dreamed of wondering around the corridors of hospitals though I’ve not been in one as a patient since childhood.  Well, I bunked down at the Hotel Residenzschloss, which once housed Europe’s first modern hospital, built in 1789 through the efforts of the benevolent Prince Franz Ludwig von Erthal.  He really cared about his subjects, so much so that he even provided health insurance for those employed in trades.   Now, the building features work tables longer than hospital beds and nightwatchmen who often stand guard at the entrance and entertain guests with guided tours.  They make sure you don’t have wander around directionless like I have in other dreams.

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Discovering the Charm and Beauty of Prague

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Prague sunsetHaving emerged as one of Europe’s greatest destinations, Prague is attracting many visitors to its charming streets and interesting atmosphere each year.

Chock full of cathedrals, museums, church domes and bridges, the architecture in Prague is thought to be some of the best found in Europe, and it’s not hard to see why. The city has become a very popular destination in Central Europe, thanks to its wide range of activities and attractions.

In fact, the city centre of Prague has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is now home to around 1.2 million people. The city is also largely considered a “walkable” destination, where visitors don’t have to rely too much on other forms of transportation. But as there is so much to see and do in Prague, visitors may want to take a longer stop in the city than originally planned. One of the most popular sites is Prague Castle, which rises above the city and is considered one of the biggest ancient castles in the world.

The city is divided into an Old Town and New Town, with plenty of interesting attractions on each side. The Old Town boasts a number of historic buildings including the Astronomical Clock, theTown Hall and the old Estate Theatre. The New Town is home to Wenceslas Square, which is a centre for many shops, stalls and restaurants. What’s more, the National Museum, parks and arcades can also be found on the New Town side of Prague.

Charles Bridge is also a draw in the city, as it stretches across the river and is considered one of Prague’s most beautiful attractions. The bridge is very busy during the day, where visitors can find tradesman and entertainment.

Those looking for a museum to learn more about the history of Prague and the Czech Republic won’t be disappointed: the Czech National Museum, Prague City Gallery and Czech Museum of Fine Arts are all located in Prague. And, if you are looking for something a little bit different then there are night boat tours, jazz theatres and performances to enjoy.

While Prague is considered an old destination, the city does boast many modern amenities. In addition to old architecture and accommodation, there are also a wide range of modern places to spend the night, such as serviced apartments Prague, for example.

As you can see, when on a trip to Prague there are opportunities to experience what the old and the new have to offer this historical city.

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Paul McIndoe writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/discovering-the-charm-and-beauty-of-prague-896014.html