Much to my surprise, I found out that many guided tours to the ancient site of Ephesus do not include a visit to the Ephesus museum. That’s why I decided to make this particularly appealing and beautiful location today’s Europe travel tip.
The Ephesus Museum, located near the tourism office in the town center of Selcuk, is like no other archaeological museum I have ever visited. Artifacts and statues, recovered from the nearby ancient town of Ephesus and other excavations were scattered all over the world, in the British Museum in London and the Ephesus Museum in Vienna to name but two. Finally, the Turkish government forbade the export of antiques and the Ephesus Museum in Selcuk came into being.
Rather than displaying the items in chronological order, the museum is divided into ‘Rooms with a Theme’. The effect is to bring history to life in a very attractive way.
First from the entrance is The Terrace Houses Room. Mosaics from walls and floors have been recovered and integrated into a room which shows ancient life. The room is populated so to speak by life size cut outs of a Roman patriarch reclining on his bench, surrounded by his wife, children and slaves. What could have been rather garish and Disney-esque has resulted in a tasteful combination of old and new.
The Burial room exhibits plans of burial sites, Roman as well as Greek and several touching childrens’ sarcophagus.
Sarcophagus of a child
The most famous artifact is of course exhibited in the Artemis Room, the over life size statue of the Anatolian fertility goddess Cybele (Artemis) dating from the 1st century AD. A smaller version of the same statue stands opposite her.
Fertitlity goddess Cybele (Artemis)
The museum is relatively small and the rooms allow for close access and inspection of the works of art. So you can admire the many smaller sculptures of Eros and Psyche or Eros with a dolphin, dating from the 2nd century.
Eros and psyche dancing
Eros and dolphin
Center piece of the building is a courtyard with a fountain around which more Roman statues and sarcophagus are arranged. Dolphins spew water into the basin and plants and flowering bushes create to illusion of walking in the garden of a house in ancient Greece.
Water basin and spewing dolphins
Tired and thirsty from admiring all that art, you have a chance to take a rest and have a Turkish coffee or tea in the café. Water, plants and trees make for a wonderful, shaded retreat.
Cafe in Ephesus Museum
But there is more. What I have never found mentioned anywhere is that three rooms in a separate wing are dedicated to modern Turkish art. Paintings, prints and sculptures of three contemporary Turkish artists are on display and some of them you can actually buy.
Painting by a modern Turkish artist
The museum which, in its present form, exists since 1983 has managed to build a bridge between ancient history and today’s output in a fascinating way, making it one of the best places to visit in Europe if you’re interested in Turkish history and archaeology. In this case you’ll also enjoy reading the Europe a la Carte post ” Archaeological Sites of Eastern Turkey“.
Written by Travel News on March 11th, 2010 with no comments.
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One of the (many) reasons I like living in Rome is the wonderful year-round climate. Still, come winter time, I do miss seeing snow – if not actually shovelling it – so I am happy to be close enough to the mountains to enjoy nice weekends skiing in Italy.
One of my top Europe travel tips is to visit the mountains close to Rome, the Apennine mountains in the neighbouring region of Abruzzo. Although Abruzzo skiing is not as good as that in the resorts of northern Italy, the proximity and convenience of the Abruzzo resorts make them extremely popular weekend destinations for Romans and a great Europe destination.
Abruzzo is an ideal travel destination in all seasons. In the winter there is downhill and cross-country skiing, sledding and ice skating. In the summer, there is fantastic hiking, biking and horseback riding. Abruzzo is still a fairly undiscovered Italian region and tourist masses never descend upon the charming mountain towns in the same numbers as they do in neighboring regions such as Tuscany and Umbria. Yet the towns are lovely, the food and wine extremely good, the mountain air rejeuvenating and the nature breathtaking.
One of the most popular Abruzzo skiing resorts for Romans also happens to be one of the closest and easiest to reach by highway, the town of Ovindoli. Ovindoli is about a 1 ½-hour drive from Rome and all but the last 15 km is easy highway driving. It is equidistant from the airport in Pescara, on the Adriatic coast. The town itself is small, with plenty of hotels and apartment rental options and many restaurants serving up hearty mountain fare.
Food in Abruzzo is simple, but excellent. Regional specialties include the chitarra pasta, fresh egg pasta – thicker than linguine, but narrower – served with the local saffron sauce, delicious gnocchi (especially good in this potato-producing region) with ragù (tomato sauce with meat), sausages, scamorza (melted cheese) or arrosticini (lamb skewers), all of it perfectly accompanied by the regional red wine, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
My family and I often enjoy Abruzzo skiing at Monte Magnola , just 3 km from the center of town. If you are driving up with your own car, head up early as the parking lots fill up quickly. There is also a frequent shuttle bus which departs throughout the day from the town square.
The mountain is panoramic and is popular with skiers and snowboarders. There are also easy slopes for children and beginner skiers and lessons can be easily arranged.
Just a few kilometers from Ovindoli is a second ski resort, Campo Felice . The closest towns are Rocca di Cambio (at 1434 meters from sea level, this is the highest town in the Apennine mountain range) and Rocca di Mezzo.
This isn’t an area used to lots of foreign tourism, so fewer people will speak English or other foreign languages. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to make yourself understood and will most likely have a great time in this unspoiled region. Enjoy your Abruzzo skiing holiday!
Written by Travel News on March 11th, 2010 with no comments.
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Most people have romanticised notions of Paris, in both senses of the word. Paris has long been thought of as a city for lovers, and this is something that is constantly reinforced in contemporary popular culture. Also, tourists flock there in their millions (this European city welcomes some 45 million tourists each year) to see for themselves the iconic historical landmarks that have made Paris so famous. Paris is undeniably one of the best places to visit in Europe, if not the world, even for families with young children. But, as with any popular tourist destination, without even some basic travel planning your visit could so easily be a disappointment. While there is much to see and do, even off the well beaten paths, if you are visiting Paris I strongly recommend taking a day trip or two out of the city.
One day trip well worth considering is a train or bus journey to Chartres to visit Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres. You may well be wondering why I suggest Chartres for those who are seeking to escape the throngs of tourists in Paris. Chartres is definitely one of those places that is World-renowned for one attraction – and here it is the stunning cathedral, with its amazing carvings and medieval stained glass windows that have survived many wars.
Chartres is a beautiful town with some pretty medieval timber-framed buildings, and only about 60 kilometres outside of Paris. It is easy to get a train there, from Montparnasse train station for about €20, and so avoid the tour buses. Of course you should head to the Cathedral, but after your visit take some time to explore this wonderfully picturesque town that, were it not for the Cathedral, would be an average rural town in the French countryside.
There may well be many tourists visiting the Cathedral, but it really is worth a visit. The cathedral was built on a commanding hill on the left bank of the Eure River. From a distance, it looks as if it hovers above the surrounding wheat fields. There have been at least 5 Cathedrals on this site, all destroyed by war or fire. Of particular note are the amazing stained glass windows, some of which date back to the 13th century. During the Second World War these were removed from the cathedral to the countryside for safekeeping.
Other Paris day trips include Château de Compìegne, Le Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, the Palace of Versailles and Claude Monet’s house and Garden at Giverny.
Written by Travel News on March 10th, 2010 with no comments.
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Sometimes the best places to visit in Europe are off the beaten path. Way off the beaten path. Smack dab in the middle of Sweden off the beaten path. That’s where you’ll find the village of Järvsö.
Järvsö has a population of less than 2000 people and has an unmistakable small town feel. Spend a weekend in town and you are sure to stumble across the same person once or twice. But with that small town feel comes the requisite small town charm beautifully displayed at Järvsö church.
The founding of the church is a matter of debate, but remnants of a stone church from the 1200s have been found at the site of the current church. Like so many churches in Sweden, this one too has a rune stone in the vicinity. Just behind the church is a rune stone dating to the 11th century, about the time that Christianity began to take hold in Sweden.
Along with the history though comes a stunning setting. Järvsö church sits on an island in the middle of the Ljusnan River, the church spire rising up above the surrounding area. Take the opportunity to wander around the church yard and admire the natural beauty of rural Sweden.
A great time to visit Järvsö is for traditional midsummer celebration in during the weekend closest to the summer solstice.
If you’re doing your European travel planning, be warned that Järvsö’s official website is only in Swedish.
Written by Travel News on March 10th, 2010 with no comments.
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Hackesche Höfe, a busy and popular place to shop in Berlin, was designed in the early 18th century. It’s not a common site that tourists visit, however it is a bustling area for locals. The rich history of the area might be interesting to tourists so it’s my Europe travel tip for those who want an experience off the beaten path.
The Spandau city commander, Count von Hacke, wanted a market built to extend Berlin’s urban area during the 18th century. The apartments surrounding the market became popular and respectable addresses. The tenants were proud of their large complex with eight rear courtyards.
The market progressed after it’s construction and by 1900, the market was a prime example of the Art Nouveau period. The façade facing Hackescher Markt included a large, round arch and long, skinny windows. The market included many courtyards and shops with a mixture of services offered. The courtyards especially show the age of Art Nouveau, with many green vines mixed with modern, artistic shapes of glass to enhance the courtyard. Today the Hackesche Höfe has a very lively atmosphere. Rebuilt to emulate the original market, it offers many shops, courtyards and coffee shops to add to the busy atmosphere. A great way to experience Berlin.
Hackesche Höfe is also the home to the first ever S-Bahn station in Berlin. The fact that this is where the first train station was built shows the amazing popularity and high traffic that moved through the market during earlier days. The S-bahn station is a great example of the Historicist movement. Often when we think of Historicism, we think of grand buildings such as the Reichtag or the Berliner Dom. These buildings are truly Historicist, however Berlin hides many more examples of Historicist architecture that we often overlook. The S-Bahnhof at Hackescher Markt is a prime example of this kind of architecture. In 1882 the first S-Bahn train traveled, with Emperor Wilhelm I as the guest of honor, through a new railway route. The urban railway station at Hackescher Markt was an impressive station built to excite Berliners about the new train system. The hall measures about 100 meters in length and 16 meters in width. It has a low-arched roof and originally offered a skylight in the middle. The side facing Hackischer Markt is richly decorated with low arches above shops and an upper story with round windows. The side panels of the walls are ornate and detailed. Hackescher Markt was built to reflect the beauty of the Renaissance.
Hackescher Markt is not only a beautiful structure revealing aspects from the Renaissance, but it also is home to one of Berlin’s most important historical milestones. The addition of a street train was essential for the rapidly growing Berlin. The railways allowed Berliners to travel from easy to west without causing traffic. The new railway line symbolized Berlin’s movement to become an ultra modern city. There was a demand for public transportation, due to the population increase. Hackescher Markt and the first ever S-Bahnhof stands today as a reminder of the beginnings of a well thought out city.
If you’re interested in exploring Berlin further and stepping away from the typical sights, take the S-bahn to Hackescher Markt to see the beginnings of a bustling city.
Written by Travel News on March 10th, 2010 with no comments.
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Darren Cronian of Travel Rants, the independent UK travel consumer blog and I will be hosting a Travel Learning Camp in Leeds on Thursday 22 Apri 2010. Darren held the first Travel Learning Camp last month in Leeds which received great feedback from attendees. However we reckon that two heads are better than one so we’ve teamed up to co-host the session. We’re two of the most experienced UK travel bloggers with more than 10 years experience between us. We also use social media such as Twitter and Facebook to effectively promote our brands.
Travel social media can seem like a bit of unfathomable whirlwind, so we’d like to get you thinking about the most effective social media strategy for your travel brand. The emphasis of the Travel Leaning Camp is learning, sharing and networking. There are ten places available so please contact us if you’re interested in attending.
photo by joiseyshowaa
Written by Travel News on March 10th, 2010 with no comments.
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The Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum and the Imperial Silver Collection are all co-located in Vienna, a truly beautiful European city, as part of the Hofburg Palace in the centre of the city. It’s a place to visit when you want to see how the other half lived, because everything here is decadent. You’ll see the restored rooms of the apartment where Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth – “Sisi” – lived, plus there is a museum devoted entirely to Sisi herself. Finally, you get to the silver collection, which was less interesting to me although still quite astounding.
My strongest memory is actually losing a colleague amongst the collection – fortunately he showed up later at our hotel – but it is true that it’s a rather winding, rambling collection, divided a little confusingly into separate sections, although this layout gives it a kind of “wonderland” feeling, appropriate since for most of us it’s utterly unrealistic to think we could ever live in such style or with such belongings.
Check the Hofburg website for visiting details if you want to experience this decadence yourself – it’s open every day so easy to fit into your Vienna sightseeing itinerary. At the moment €9.90 gets you in and even includes an audio guide in your language, so it’s a reasonably priced way to spend an afternoon. Try not to get lost like my colleague did!
[Photo from simononly via Creative Commons]
Written by Travel News on March 9th, 2010 with no comments.
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Croatia continues to top the list of most favoured Europe destinations. And if you too are planning to visit to these shores, one of my most recommended Europe travel tips is to make time for at least one meal at a Konoba.
The Konoba is a traditional Croatian tavern. It comes with rustic features like stone walls (with picture frames of Croatian heroes and Adriatic creatures), wooden tables (simple, chunky and sturdy looking, usually with a blue or red chequered tablecloth), a shaded courtyard with tables under giant trees, an open-hearth fireplace, and hidden from view, a cool, delicious cellar.
The menu is limited but rich in local flavour and easy on the wallet. The ingredients are fresh and sourced from the surrounding region, if not from the backyard, and everything is freshly prepared by the inn-owners, from the olive oil to the wine and bread on offer.
The experience is refreshing too. Chances are you’ll share conversations and receive recommendation from friendly inn-owners. Feel free to ask questions and learn more about the recipes and region. At the end of the meal, don’t be surprised to receive an invitation to share some rakija, a fruit-herb brandy, with the regulars. These shots are not only delicious, but they also double up as digestives.
Konobas grace every corner of the country and are very easy to find. If you’re looking to get away from the pizzas and sandwiches, in favour of something richer and more traditional, a Croatia konoba is where you need to be.
Written by Travel News on March 9th, 2010 with no comments.
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We visited the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island or Lndisfarne , in north Northumberland in early March 2010 on a beautiful sunny day. Holy Island is reached by driving over a tidal causeway, so it’s important to check the safe crossing times when planning your trip.
Looking toward Lindisfarne Castle
St Aidan travelled from the island of Iona in Western Scotland to Holy Island in 635AD to establish Christianity in northern England. Lindisfarne Priory is built over the original monastery founded by St Aidan. The island was invaded by Vikings at the end of the 9th century. Lindsifarne Castle was built in 1550, on the highest point of the flat island.
The drive over the causeway is one of the most scenic parts of a visit to Holy Island. You’d be amazed at how many times we read in the local paper about motorists being stranded by the rising tides, some having to abandon their cars to take refuge in the wooden tower. There were eleven rescues in 2009.
There are wonderful views across to the mainland from Holy Island. We could even see some snow on the Cheviots in the distance.
View over to the mainland from Holy Island
You can watch a panorama of the views toward the mainland, the Castle and the Priory in the video below.
In the photo below Lindisfarne Castle looks more like a volcano rising up from the rocky flat lands.
View toward the volcano like Lindisfarne Castle
Leaving well before the latest safe crossing time, due to the high Spring tides, we drove back across to the mainland.
It was a perfect day for a visit to Holy Island, the first day in 2010 of some warmish Spring sunshine, very little wind, blue skies and mirror like sea. Holy Island has to be one of the most scenic Europe destinations.
Written by Travel News on March 6th, 2010 with no comments.
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I was doing some Europe travel planning for the autumn (yes, I do realise that’s over six months away, but do you know my calendar is already full until then), and one of the options was to travel via the Orient Express.
It seemed like a nice option but it wasn’t the Orient Express I was thinking of. Well – did you know the Orient Express is actually a collection of several train routes? I didn’t and was surprised to find this delicious travel luxury available in a number of options throughout the world:
- The Royal Scotsman: A Scottish icon and the only way to see the Scottish Highlands
- The Northern Belle: Another British train route, covering the heartlands of mid and northern England.
- The British Pullman: Leaving London and exploring the countryside in original 1920s carriages
- The (Original) Orient Express: Probably the route you were thinking of when I mentioned this, which takes you from London to Rome via Paris and Venice
This is an excuse to take the slow route, stop and smell the roses, and enjoy yourself in some of the best places to visit in Europe. Why not splurge? We all know about the merits of travelling by rail, so go in style.
You can find out more about all the Orient Express trains, including those in Peru and Southeast Asia, on the official website.
Photo by Generalnoir
Written by Travel News on March 5th, 2010 with no comments.
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