Wine Tourism In Italy

I wrote different posts about the wines of Campania, Italy in my other travel blog (listed in the bottom) and plan to describe some of the wines in next posts. That is why I was attracted by the news notice about strange use of the wine in Nord of Italy. One of the enterprises decided to attract persons offering them baths of wine (not wine-wine but extract from the must), massages with creams made with wine/must, rooms made inside the "barrels" (not natural). They say, there are queues months and months long to enjoy this invention. Yes, it's interesting.



I wonder if the wine-makers from Sud Italy, those that love their wines so much, those that make everything possible to occupy their good place among the world known leading figures would create something similar if they could. Speaking with some of them in the testing I understood, they are very proud of their wines because they are born there, because they continue the millenary tradition, because their vines are so special while growing in the National Park of Vesuvius... I think, this, from North Itlay, attraction, devalue the high level of appreciation that wine-makers wanted (at least I understood it so) to create.

What do you think about it?

These are my articles:

• Wine And Ceramics
• Genuine Products From The Slopes Of Vesuvius
• Great Vegetarian Diet -Wines From Campania, Italy
• Passion For Wines From Vesuvius
• Sanctuary Of The Modern Pompei
• Wines Of Sud Italy
• Healing Drink -Liquor China China Pisanti

Strange Museen

The videos here are not for sensible persons.

There are different strange museen all over the world. One of them is situating in Holland, Oegstgeest. It's a look inside the human body interesting for adults and children too. I found one video where you can see some interesting moments of the visit. There is a slide show in the official site Corpus -very impressive.

Unfortunatelly I could not insert the video, so you have to pass to YouTube

I just wanted to make a roundup of scientific museen. Some of them I vesited. For example, the museum of the medicine in Riga, Latvia. I walked through the rooms with the mouth open, I remember. It was many years ago. The other from the historical scientific meseen is Kunstkamera, S. Petersburg, Russia, collected by Zar Peter I. The video here shows the most shoking and old part of the collection, so, if you are too sensible is better if you pass DO NOT WATCH these video.



The other similar museum is "Dupuytren" in Paris. The museum of the patologic anatomy.



We are afraid of these sides of the life. But it's reality. And it's good maybe to see all this to appreciate the life we have and the body the good God gave us.

The Pirates' Paradise Island

This is the last post from the series about pirates of the Caribbean sea and their treasures. The first post I wrote on the 2/28/10 and there were other 5 posts.

We found sure places where the treasures wait for us.

«Нассау» на Яндекс.Фотках

Nassau, the last place related to pirates we are discuting here, is the capital of Bahamas, a 29-islands country. These islands were very popular place where pirates had their meetings in XVII-XVIII centuries and there are surely treasures to discover here too. But I have instantly disappoint you, if you as me dream about a trunk full with coins and jewelry. The government of Bahamas banned ANY treasures searching activities and you will have a bed result if you try it.

So, the only treasures we can enjoy there are Paradise Island with that incredible hotel with enormous aquarium, different tours that offer agencies and the glance of the nightlife.

One more consideration. Some parts of the capital, Nassau, are not very sure till today, so it's better to visit only those parts where there are not problems with security of the persons.

Посмотреть на Яндекс.Фотках

Hakone Open Air Museum

Open Air Museum, Hakone.

Once in late winter some time ago, I had a wonderful experience that I visited the Hakone Open Air Museum in Japan. It's an outdoor museum that displays works by both Japanese and western artists, such as Picasso, Matisse, and many others. It attempts to create a harmony of nature and art by exhibiting various sculptures on its spacious grounds with breathtaking views of the surrounding valley and mountains of Hakone. If you like art and nature, this is the place for you.
Besides the outdoor sculptures, the museum features various indoor galleries. There is a sizable Picasso collection, consisting of paintings, prints, sculptures and ceramic creations.

Colorful Diamond Shapes.

Big head in water.
Reflective Ball.

Lake Ashi, Hakone, Japan.

Hakone is a popular destination among Japanese and international tourists looking for a break from Tokyo, which I highly recommend if you're in the neighborhood. It's not too far and easy access from Tokyo by train. Hakone is famous for hot springs, outdoor activities, and natural beauty. You can reach the Hakone Mountains by ropeway and enjoy spectacular views from the top. When you're here, do not forget to visit Ashi lake, one of my favorite parts of the trip.

Lake Ashi (Japanese: Ashinoko) is absolutely beautiful and romantic, and is known for its views of Mt.Fuji, the symbol of Hakone. There are several sightseeing boats cruising the lake, providing scenic views for tourists. However, the view of Mt.Fuji tends to be better during the colder seasons of the year than in summer, as told by my tourist guide.

Mt.Fuji seen from the lake. On the right hand side of the pic is a torii in the water.

This view is from the rope way ride to Hakone moutains.
This is a famous torii in the water of lake Ashi which is a very popular tourist attraction

And now, me, in Dallas, wearing F21 turtle neck top and sunglasses, CdG deconstructed skirt, Alexander wang wedge, Yigal bag.
Thank you so much for your visiting and comments!!
Wishing you all a wonderful day ahead!!Kisses...Hanh ;-)

Dead Sea Treatments And Attractions

An other marvel of this world I want to tell you about today is the Dead Sea, situating between Israel and Jordan. This salt lake is the deepest in the world, but the most interesting peculiarity of this place is that it's situating 422 m below the sea level! And if you look now at the map, you will notice that it is not so far from the Mediterranean sea. How is it possible, I asked myself? Probably it's because from both sides of the lake there are mountains protecting it from all the other world: winds, climatic changes. Imagine that not far from it there is a desert too!

These position of the Dead Sea makes it very interesting for travel. A visitor can pass relaxing days near the lake healing maybe his/ her rheumatism or arthritis or respiratory disorders, inspiring the aerosol of the minerals of the evaporating water and taking water and mud baths. Tourism is the main industry there, and Dead Sea hotels have very friendly staffs and home like atmosphere. Some of them are situated directly on the beach of the lake.

Staying in these hotels you can visit Jerusalem distant only one hour journey from there, or, riding a camel, reach one of the next oasises. Among the other activities you can climb the rocks or watch animals that live only in this area. There are many important sight-seeings in this zone too. It's enough to mention the Massada fortress where 1000 men, women and children prefered to die to avoid slavery in Roman Empire. As you see, Dead Sea promises us not only unforgettable vacation but good health too. Where do you find an other place like this?

Would you like to visit Vietnam?

This incredibly beauty is UNESCO World Heritage Site -Halong bay in Vietnam. 1960 isles! Could you imagine how it had to be to see all this from the boat?

I've watched the documentaries about this area many times but every time I have the impression it is not real. These photos were taken by "normal" persons that travelled there! So, I have to believe them.

Did you notice that the most beautiful places in the world are where the civilization could not put it's foot? When you watch the documentaries next time, look at the persons in what conditions they live. Maybe I'm not right, when I look at their life from my European point of view. We often thik, we have to change the conditionds of others -humans, animals - to make them more happy. In the last years I read that many of the persons that lived in "primordial"conditions turn back to their origins after they learn our style of life because we do not live naturally. Well, probably everybody has to live where he/she is born. The ancient wissdom says: happy is who finds his place where he is born. I envy such persons...


«Ха Лонг на закате» на Яндекс.Фотках


«Водными маршрутами» на Яндекс.Фотках

Cayman Islands -Everything For Tourists

I was really shocked when I've seen this photo. I looked for information and photos for my next post about the Caribbean Pirates and the Cayman Islands. Those were desert islands in XVIII century but many ships, specially English ships, visited them to add tortoises to their menu. There was an enormous population of tortoises in that period there.

Well, when I saw the photo I remembered Steve Irwin.It seems to me, it was the same species of ray-fish that killed him... Oh yes, you are right, is unprobably that somebody would allow the tourists to come near these fishes if they were dangerous but...


«Кормление скатов на Каймановых островах» на Яндекс.Фотках

And here is the tortoise from the species living on these islands. The residents of the islands grow them now. In fact, I found different reviews where the persons that visited these islands tell about it. The stories in those reviews are so enthusiastic, that I began to dream about such a vacation too. Interesting cruises and swimming in this clear water every day -what could be better?


«Большие черепахи с Каймановых островов» на Яндекс.Фотках

Your Breakfast In Italy

I just wrote about the breakfasts in Italy and practically now I'll repeat my opinion. It is because different persons claimed the breakfasts in Italian Hotels, this time. Personally I don't like hotels because they seem to me ...I don't know how to express it... they have not a soul. They don't like you. Hotels -buildings, not the persons. That is why I do everything possible to avoid them if I can. But the brekfasts in hotels are a special side of the story. They are terrible. It's not only my opinion, it's what different persons think about this theme. And not only about the low cost but middle-high level hotels too.

The solution, if you are in Italy, is very simple.
Go out in the street. Look right and left. Find a bar. Look inside if they have "cornetti" and, if those they have, you like them. It's besser if they are warm like in this photo.



Enter in the bar and ordine "un caffè (cappuccino) e un cornetto ( con marmellata/chocolata)" -about euro 1,00-1,40/ 1,80 in our zone.
If you want more coffee, ask "caffè lungo makkiàto (it's pronunciation, you have to write "macchiato") -on my second photo (the same price of normal coffee), a coffee cup full with coffee with a drop of milk. "Kapuchchìno"(cappuccino) is coffee with milk in a little tea-cup. You can ask milk with coffee and it will be a big glass with much milk and some coffee ("latte con caffè").

Believe me, it will be a great breakfast specially if you found a bar with very good "cornetti". If you want more, eat the second "dolce" ("sweety") that you like.

Tei Tei for Japanese cuisine // Creamy

Creamy.

I love my old silky, creamy Giambattista Valli for Moncler blouse, especially the puffy sleeves which made the statement. When I saw this Yigal skirt some time ago, I thought about the top; they would go perfectly together. Until now, I haven't had a chance to share with you this look, an elegantly soft-sophisticated-yet-chic look.

I love the beaded details at the skirt's waist. Cross bracelet from The Woods. Other cuffs from brand ???

Tei Tei

If you ask me what is my all time favorite restaurant in Dallas, I have to say it's Tei Tei. It's a mixture of traditional and contemporary Japanese cuisine, and is billed as a Robata Bar. If you're looking for a restaurant that has a fair price, excellent service, fun/hip/chic environment, deliciously fresh food, Tei Tei is the perfect restaurant for you. You'll find many dishes that are casual and simple, such as the king crab legs or giant shrimp, which are simply grilled with a little salt. It's absolutely fresh, of the highest quality, and has a natural taste. They have incredibly fresh sushi and sashimi selections; my favorite is Spanish mackerel with deep fried its bone. Too many good things to say about this place. We love TeiTei and always have a delightful experience there..

Appetizer plate created by the chef to complement our glasses of Rose'.

I love the texture of ice-fish. It's kinda crunchy.

Slow braided cooked snail, my favorite. I love to try exotic food.

Fresh grilled big eye golden fish. This is just simply grilled because it's the high quality and freshness of the fish that's important. Naturally sweet, it melts in your mouth..yum!!
This is my hubby's favorite dish, scallops with sea urchin.
A glass of Merriman Pinot Rose, selling by the glass at the Tei Tei bar. It delightfully complements the food.

Rose' wine is just the perfect drink for the spring and summer. It's so sexy, chic and sophisticated. It's like a party in every glass. Ready to rock!!

Thank you so much for your support and comments!

Wish you all a happy Sunday!!!

Big hugs....Hanh ;-)

Ps: TeiTei restaurant

2906 North Henderson Ave

(214) 828-2400

Springtime in Edinburgh

Finally the spring is here and we can enjoy the sun, the mild wind and the beauties of Edinburgh that seems to become younger too. Our Edinburgh apartments allow us to see all the magnificent views of the city in the morning shine, and they call us to go out and to permit to the sun to caress the skin. Edinburgh has many places to visit in any period. Some of the most important museums of the UK, for example. Don't you know them? The National Gallery of Scotland where you can see the works of Velazquez, Cézanne, Monet and Gauguin. I adore Impressionists and this attraction is irresistible for me. The other is The Modern Museum of Scotland where you can learn more about culture and the history of Scotland. In the Royal Museum of Scotland you can "meet" famous sheep Dolly, and many other scientific discoveries will present you the world from the side you've never thought about.

 

But we do not want to enter the buildings in this splendid spring day. What is better than an airing in the Gardens of the Princes Street? There are only two steps from our Edinburgh accommodation till this shopping district of the Old Town. The street divides the historical center in two parts. The gardens were planned together with the streets in XVIII century and built in XIX century, and that is why they have that fashion of that gorgeous fine age. Standing in the shadow of the Castle we have a great look on the city. Tourists and townspeople are here too. It's the place of the meetings for all those who are in Edinburgh in any period, but spring sun makes it so that nobody can stand aside and do not come here.

The Winner of Fashion Blog World's Inspiration

Hi everyone,

I finally had some time to blog. It was so exciting to moderate your comments and your votes for the contest, Fashion Blog World's Inspiration. I was nervous to know who got the most love from my readers. To be honest, all contestants look fabulous, which made it hard for my readers to vote. Numbers 1, #2, #3, #5, #6, #9, #18, and # 20 received lots of love from the readers. # 8 got many kind comments because she is not only a hot mama but also she is a sweet person. To me, I love them all in different ways.

Now, allow me to announce the winner of the contest who will get $125 US dollars giftcard of the store of her choice or cash...Congratulations to # 5, Frida ,who got the most votes 89/ 337 votes, and there were a sum number about 67, 384 readers in those 10 days of the contest.

I truly enjoy this kind of contest, and I hope I will have another contest coming up soon. Thank you to all the contestants and a special big thank you to my readers who took the time to help me vote and choose the winner.

Please, stay tuned for " Creamy" post coming up.

Wishing you a lovely time with your family, friends, and your loved ones this weekend!!Kisses...Hanh ;-)

Pompei, Italy: Explanations On The Streets

This post continue the talk about my trip in Pompei, Italy (region Campania) Now I want to show you an interesting peculiarity of this town. I liked it very much.



On the main streets that diverge from the Sanctuary I found great signs with the descriptions from the life in the Roman age. Written in Italian and English but with beautiful and clear pictures if you don't know both of them. I think, it's very good innovation (it did not exist when I was there last time). Every visitor of the excavations, like me, could not imagine what was here before. The ruins are only the ruins -they are the same in all the times, they are not interesting if you do not understand what it is.

I invented this photographing of the signs when I have not time to read them, than I come home and can read them clearly with zoom. They are full of interesting information normally.

How To Be Sure To Take Bus Or Train In Campania, Italy

When you travel in other country or in an other region of own country, you have to solve a problem with tickets. I just wrote, it's comfortable to buy all the possible tickets online, if tere is this possibility. Tickets of trains, airplains and museums-shows-exhibitions are often avilable online. It's completly different, if you have to waste time looking for a ticket office and than wait your turn to buy that ticket, or when you just have a ticket and can only explore the timetable and the place where you have to take your bus/train and maybe visit the toilet or a bar.



I could not understand the system here, in Campania, where to find that damned ticket, so I'll describe it here if you suddenly need this information. You will read my next posts about the wines of Campania and will decide to come here urgently to taste them together with me. ;-))) Well, if together, you don't need to read this post because you will have me as a guide, and I just know everything.

On the photo over here id the railway station of Pompei. It was my latest trip, so, this is the most fresh photo I have. Why I did not take a photo of the railway station of Nocera Superiore -is a mystery that nobody could explain today.

In any case you hacve to know that many of the stations DO NOT HAVE ticket offices. That of Pompei has it, but that of Nocera Superiore has no ticket office neither timetables. Here you have to know just what train you have to take and to be just with a ticket.

If there is a ticket office, you have not to be toooooo happy about it. Because you have to be sure that it will be open when you come there.

Once I had to visit one of the near villages. It was the period when the new system to buy tickets was introduced here. I had not tickets. The bus driver waited for me till I bought the ticket in the bar, and I could happily arrive in that village I had to go. About an hour later I finished all my tasks there and wanted to go home... when I discovered all the shops, bars, offices etc etc were closed for lunch. And they will be open at 17:00. Point. It was at 13:00. This village is about 10 km far from my home... I stopped the bus (the same -I was happy that day) and prayed the driver to take me on board. I don't want money, he said, I'm not a ticket collector. But he allwod me to enter.



These are the new (for today) tickets you can use in most busses and trains of the region. The same for the bus and for the train. Valid for that period of time written on it. It means, if you need to take first bus than train, than another train (if you go from Nocera in Pozzuoli for example), you can use one ticket till you reach the place where you are going.

If you don't find a ticket office in the station, you have to look for "Tabaccaio" or a nearest bar or news stall. Look for a such sign:

The Madonna of the Rosary Sanctuary of Pompei

I told you, I wanted to visit a manifestation where were presented the wines of Campania that took place in Pompei on Marz, 25. It happend so that I came an hour earlier and had time to visit Sanctuary too.

This Sanctuary is very important for all the residents of Campania and there is a day in May,I think, when they go to visit it at feet. A sort of pelgrinage. I know persons that walk 12 km till Pompei every year to thank Madonna for received grace. Once I has to go in Naples with the bus that passed through Pompei on that day and there were hundreds of persons walking in Pompei long all the road.



I just described the sanctuary in my post Sanctuary Of The Modern Pompei and invite you to visit it for more information and photos.

Budapest -- My latest Centropa column, a guide to the Seventh District

In my latest travel column for Centropa.org, I provide a guide to some of the restaurants and cafes I like to patronize in Budapest's new "bar vortex" -- the former Jewish quarter. Venues I profile include the cafes and restaurants Siraly, Szoda, Szimpla, Dupla, Szimpla kert, Carmel (kosher), Hanna (kosher), Spinoza, Kadar, Barladino -- and more.

By Ruth Ellen Gruber

BUDAPEST -- The last time I wrote about Budapest on Centropa I provided an itinerary of Jewish sights and resources, most of them in and around the city's Seventh District, the old downtown Jewish quarter anchored by three grand synagogues forming a so-called "Jewish triangle."

That was eight years ago, and the former Jewish quarter still had the reputation of being one of the city's poorest inner districts. There were some signs of incipient gentrification, but World War II bullet holes pocked many crumbling facades, vacant lots yawned, and the grimy streets were dark and uninviting.

A lot has changed since then. Much of the District is still neglected. But already at the end of 2007 the New York Times ran a travel story called "Out of Darkness, New Life" that described how the district's "history and recent rise to trendiness" evoke "comparisons to the Lower East Side of New York." A recent issue of Time Out Budapest magazine went even further, terming the Jewish quarter a major city "bar vortex."

In fact, the district burgeons with new cafes, clubs, bistros and wine bars that attract a young, hip -- and often Jewish -- crowd. At the same time, though, this type of growth has been paralleled by controversial urban renewal projects that have seen many old buildings torn down and replaced by rather soulless modern structures.

A citizens group, OVAS, has been formed to lobby for the protection of what remains -- particularly in light of real estate corruption involved in some of the development schemes. The Mayor of the Seventh District himself, in fact, was jailed last year on suspicion of bribery and abuse of office related to property transactions.

I've maintained a small apartment in the Seventh District for more than a decade. Though I only spend part of my time here, I've been observing the changes in the quarter up close; after all, it's my neighborhood.

In particular, I enjoy the new venues and Jewish haunts that have nothing to do with a nostalgic sense of a vanished past but everything to do with how Jews in Budapest -- and particularly young Jews in Budapest -- are experimenting with ways to build a lively present and, one hopes, a sustainable future.

With this article, I would like to introduce readers to some of the haunts in and around the Jewish quarter that I tend to frequent: whether for breakfast cappuccino or afternoon espresso, for an inexpensive lunch, or for dinner or late night drinks and conversation. Or simply as somewhere to sit and use the free WiFi internet that most venues in the district seem to offer.

Read full story

Ebuzzing UK For Bloggers And Advertisers

Bloggers, earning money with ebuzzing in the UK is now a reality!  The platform announces it's launch and invites all us bloggers to earn money by blogging and inserting videos and banners in our blogs. It's a good idea, I would say, to connect different possibilities to monetize our blogs in one project. Personally I don't like when the things become too complicated. Not only because I'm lazy, but also because the earnings of every single banner or block of ads can be not very significant. When they come from different companies, you have to wait for a long time to reach the sum before you can transfer to your bank. In this case, when all the payments contribute to create this sum, the payment's date is not that far away.  

Here I'll explain to you how it works. 

First of all register on ebuzzing.com to control the new opportunities you can take advantage of in order to earn money by writing articles for existing campaigns. You can read about the previous campaigns in the post "Why you should join ebuzzing", visiting ebuzzing's blog.

The other possibility is to add players for  the video campaigns to the sidebar. It's not difficult. Select the video by language, if there is a campaign in English, and add the code to the HTML-widget of your blog. On the photo you see how it will appear once finished the installation.

On the photo below is the example how you can insert banners in your blog. After that you will earn money every time somebody watches the video.

Monetisation of a blog was never so easy, clear and effective. Join our community of bloggers on Ebuzzing and enjoy all the great possibilities it offers to you.



Sponsored Post

Rodarte For The Night

Worn this outfit a few weeks ago for the night out with my hubby to see Dallas symphony performance. I usually like to wear a nice dress for the symphony night, but it was a casual Friday night at Myerson Symphony Dallas center.

Rodarte jacket and shoes, Yohji grey top, F21 black top, The Row leggings.

I love the details, the different textures and leather materials on this jacket.

Wishing you all a fabulous day!!

Thank you for visiting and your comments!!

Please, stay tuned for the next post to announce the winner of The Fashion Blog World's Inspiration contest. Kisses...Hanh ;-)