Victorian San Francisco: An Architectural Tour

Victorian San Francisco: An Architectural Tour

North America

If you’re travelling halfway around the world to San Francisco, you can’t leave without taking in some of the sights the city is most famous for: its Victorian buildings. Victorian architecture is as iconic to San Francisco as the Golden Gate Bridge. When you’re planning to stay in San Francisco, your holiday would be incomplete without a visit to at least one, if not all, of these famous Victorian sites. 

The Haas-Lilienthal House 

Located at 2007 Franklin Street, the Haas-Lilienthal House is a private residence open to the public for a few hours on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. This 1886 home, done in Queen Anne–style Victorian architecture, includes period furnishings on the inside, so you can get a glimpse of life as it was over a hundred years ago. This is the closest you can get to seeing a true Victorian house both inside and out, as it’s the only private residence in the area open to the public that has these antique furnishings intact. 

The price of admission is only $8 USD for adults, and $5 USD for children and seniors. Call ahead before you go; sometimes tours get booked up or the house is closed for the residents. 

The Octagon House 

A national historical landmark, the Octagon House at 2645 Gough Street, dates back to 1861. It has actually been moved across the street from its original location and restored. Inside the house is a collection of Colonel and Federal period memorabilia, including furniture, art and dinnerware. 

The Octagon House is open every month except January, but only on the second and fourth Thursdays, and the second Sunday of the month, and it’s closed on holidays. Call ahead to confirm it will be open or to arrange a special group tour. Admission is free. 

Alamo Square 

Alamo Square is comprised of an entire row of Victorian houses on a sloped street that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. One of the windiest parts of the city—but offering a spectacular view—Alamo Square dates back to 1856, when the mayor at the time dedicated the 13-acre area as a public park. The houses on nearby Alamo Hill came shortly thereafter, the most famous of which are “the Six Sisters” or “the Painted Ladies”—six identical, differently colored homes in a row (sometimes called “Postcard Row”). The exterior of these houses has been used for a number of productions, including the American TV series “Full House.” 

If you want a guided tour, there are some free ones available. Just be sure to call ahead to reserve your place; booking special tours may be necessary for groups of eight or more. 

Page Street 

Close to the Alamo Square Painted Ladies is Page Street, another area resplendent with Victorian-era homes, including sprawling corner mansions. Although some of the buildings have been painted in colors that aren’t quite reminiscent of the Victorian era, the houses are still worth a look. Look for Page Street on a Victorian architecture walking tour, particularly one covering nearby Alamo Square. These are private residences, so you’ll have to view them from the outside.

Pacific Heights Mansions 

This San Francisco neighborhood saw its first homes built in the 1870s. Although many of these homes were damaged or destroyed in subsequent years and events such as the 1906 earthquake, much of the Victorian architecture remains. Rather than aiming to tour a specific building—most of the area still consists of private residences, after all—plan a walk through the neighborhood for authentic Victorian exterior photos. There’s shopping and dining on nearby Fillmore Street, too. Since you can view the exteriors of the Pacific Heights mansions at any time, this is an ideal stop if you’re not in San Francisco when one of the museums is open. Free walking tours of Pacific Heights are available, but call ahead to reserve your spot. If you’re happy with the tour, you might want to donate to the organization sponsoring it, as a token of your appreciation. 

About the Author: Vicky Jackson is a contributing blogger and interior designer who writes for various travel publications. She moved to San Francisco from her hometown of Hobart after her first visit to the city.

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How to Prepare Yourself for International Travel

How to Prepare Yourself for International Travel

Africa Asia Europe North America South America

If you’ve only traveled domestically, you’ll quickly discover that international travel is an entirely different beast. Between passports, luggage, travel insurance, customs and immigration – it’s a new experience. Begin preparing yourself for international travel months in advance to guarantee that you have a seamless travel experience. 

However, be ready for unforeseen issues; since you will likely be dealing with different airlines, countries and governments, you must have a certain degree of flexibility and patience. Fortunately, by planning as much as possible, you’ll be ready for your international trip. 

Prepare Your Passports and Visas 

Immediately after deciding to take an international trip, begin applying for your passport and any required visas. Passports can take some time to receive depending on your home location and the time of the year. Visit government websites to find information regarding how to apply for your passport. It will typically require a fee, paperwork and passport pictures. 

Visas are stamps within your passport that allow you to enter your destination country. Depending your country of origin and destination, you may not require a visa. Alternatively, you may not even be able to board the plane without a visa for your destination. Again, visit the government’s website for your destination to view their rules for entry. The rules can vary dramatically for each country. However, generally, you will receive your visa by taking your passport (or safely mailing it) to that country’s consulate within your own country. Depending on your age, you may also require a medical release and travel insurance to enter the country. 

Airfare, Packing and Lodging 

Once your visas and passports have been approved and received, you can safely assume you’ll be able to travel to your destination country. You will then be able to proceed with making the necessary travel arrangements: airfare, packing and lodging. 

• Airfare – Typically, you will be flying to your international destination. If you are traveling by boat, car or train, you will need to make reservations on your desired mode of transportation as soon as possible. Otherwise, you will need to begin browsing flights to your destination. As a rule, the sooner you purchase your ticket, the better. 

- One element to consider when flying internationally is the possibility of interacting with different airlines. When flying domestically, switching between airlines is seamless; however, when it comes to international travel, it can be much different. At any international layover, you may have to completely leave the airport, obtain your checked back, and check back in to your new airline. 

• Packing – Consider the amount of time you will spend in your new country. Pack as lightly as possible, and remember you’ll be able to do laundry at your destination. You will likely be fine with two or three articles of each clothing type. Packing lightly not only means you have to carry less around with you, it will also save you money on bag check fees. When packing your carry-on, make sure it is an appropriate size for the airline you will be flying. 

• Accommodations – This step is perhaps the most similar between domestic and international travel. Put quite simply: you will need to find affordable and available accommodations for the duration of your trip. 

Familiarize Yourself with Your Destination 

While the above steps are all that’s required to travel internationally, you can go the extra distance by researching your new destination. Investigate the local laws, customs and cultures. Your destination country evolved differently from your home, so it will be a striking contrast. Familiarize yourself with these differences by visiting travel forums and the destination country’s website. This may alleviate some awkward interactions, but it also may keep you out of serious trouble. 

International Travel Can Be Easy 

With proper planning, your international trip will be stress-free and an enjoyable experience. Begin preparing as far in advance as possible so that you can deal with any issues that may arise. Have your passport, any required visas and reservations at every step of the way taken care of beforehand. Go a step further, too, and familiarize yourself with your destination’s laws and customs to effortlessly travel around the region. 

About the Author: Owen Collins is a contributing writer and jetsetter from outside of Portsmouth. Ever since he got his first job after college, he regularly saved up money to travel to exotic destinations. As an adult, he has visited nearly every continent, booking Expedia flights and his accommodations ahead of time.

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Cote d’Ivoire - Travel Guide and Travel Info

Cote d’Ivoire - Travel Guide and Travel Info

Africa

Cote d’Ivoire or Ivory Coast is a country known for ivory trade that occurred during the ancient times. Ivory Coast is at the western side of the African continent, and it orders other states such as Ghana, Liberia, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Cote d’Ivoire territory is rich in agricultural resources thanks to the favorable climate in the region and the existent of extensive forested areas. The large number of heritage sites that shows the evidence of linking West Africa to the ‘white-man-world’ several centuries ago through ivory trade is in Cote d’Ivoire. The historic sites; nice, vibrant beaches, supported fun activities, peaceful environment, and remarkable hospitality services to visitors visiting the Ivory Coast, makes this country one of the top tourist destinations in West Africa. 

Many parts of the world are connected to the Ivory Coast by three reliable means of transport. The Felix-Houphouet Boigny International Airport operates international flights between Cote d’Ivoire and other places: Paris- France, Brussels, and many cities of West African countries. If you choose to entre Cote d’Ivoire by car from neighboring Africa states, it is advisable to use the Ghana border crossing. This means that coming from Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, and Liberia by car is unsafe, but the border between Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, which is at a place called Elubo, is safe. When passing through the border, visitors should always have all their identification documents, failure to which they will pay a fine. From Elubo, they can board a taxi to Aboisso, and then take a bus to the capital city of Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire). If you opt to have a ride straight from Ghana’s capital of Accra to Cote d’Ivoire’s city of Abidjan, then you can board an international bus at the bus terminal of Accra to arrive at the bus terminal of Abidjan. 

Spending a couple of days in Cote d’Ivoire is an easy task when searching for a hotel room, apartment, or beach resort to spend the nights. There are luxurious hotels and hotels of lower price but still comfortable. Examples of luxurious hotels in Cote d’Ivoire are Tiama Hotel and Licorne Hotel, which offer gorgeous swimming pools, internet access, and a restaurant alongside their various delicacies and hospitality services. Many other hotels, apartments, and beach resorts can be researched in the internet to be able to choose the suitable facility for your holidays in Cote d’Ivoire. 

Cote d’Ivoire has a good selection of restaurants and hotels that offer local and foreign cuisines. To bring in the light of the local dishes, the recipes to find in all the dishes can be plantains, and most of them are spicy. Fish and chicken are also available in the eateries. Hamburgers can never be missed out if just visit the Hamburger House and Sofitel Hotel. Clubs and bars are present, but make sure that whichever you visit has stable security for its clients. 

Touring Cote d’Ivoire opens you to a wide variety of places to visit and fun activities. Cote d’Ivoire is rich in wildlife. It has over 20 nature reserves and nine national parks. Some of these national parks also carry the important history of this country. These parks include the Comoe National Park, Tai National Park, and the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve. Mount Nimba Nature Reserve is home to unique and indigenous, flora and fauna species. One of the indigenous animal species to find in this mountain are the chimpanzees. Cote d’Ivoire has nice beaches facing the Atlantic Ocean. The most popular ones are less than 100 KM east of the capital city of Abidjan.

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Washington D.C. - The Beautiful American Capital

Washington D.C. - The Beautiful American Capital

North America USA

The capital of the United States of America is full of architectural delights and brimming with history. It is one of the most interesting places in the USA regardless of in what context and respect. The area cannot be described as anything but beautiful. There is so much to see and do in Washington that you can’t see it all in just one visit. It is not only the center of the American empire but also a place of immense interest to the world. It should be regarded as one of the beautiful tourist destinations in the country.

The architecture of Washington D.C. is just amazing. It has many of the very interesting places, nice sights, superb museums and the list goes on. The White House is the most popular piece of architecture in the American capital. But there are other notable mentions like the Capitol Building, Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument – a stunning obelisk that towers above Washington.

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Minorca (Menorca) - Travel Guide

Minorca (Menorca) - Travel Guide

Europe Guest Post Spain

Minorca or Menorca is an island located in the European region. It is a constituent of the Balearic group of Islands that lie east of the main land of Mallorca. Minorca Island is popular for its high population of beaches that operate throughout the year and the accompanying beach resorts and fine dining centres to enjoy the local unique recipes. Minorca Island presents a wide range of tourist attractions and the major ones being its vibrant beaches and the historic centers within it. There are three languages spoken in Minorca Island. The Menorquin language is mostly spoken by the locals, Spanish is widely spoken, whereas English is rarely spoken but can be communicated in the tourist centres.

There are two ways of getting into Minorca Island. Minorca has only one international airport that serves international flights between the island and; Spain, Ibiza, Mallorca, Manchester, and London. Airlines serving the airport are Easyjet and British Airways. Tourists from Spain and Majorca can use ferry transport to arrive at Minorca’s harbor of Mahon. 

Minorca’s range of accommodation facilities consist of hotels and holiday apartments. The services and leisure facilities you will find in the hotels include fitness gym, swimming pools, sauna, Jacuzzi, a restaurant and bar, and conference rooms. The hotel rooms and apartments are excellent and have remarkable hygiene standards and hospitality services. 

As an island, Minorca offers a wide variety of locally designed seafood dishes. There are restaurants and hotels around the island, and their services and food are acceptable so everything is secure in terms of dining. You can also get to enjoy a drink or more at the bars and cafes, alongside the lobster dishes. American and Asian restaurants are also within the island to give people the chance to enjoy Asian and western dishes. Cruising in Minorca is something that every tourist should try. The beautiful Mediterranean scenery is something that will take your breath away. 

Despite the small size of Minorca Island, touring the island is more than a day adventure! There is a wide variety of places to visit, which include the huge, unique landmarks, the historic sites, the towns, and the beaches to hang around in the summer sun. The best point to have a general view of the whole island of Minorca is at Monte Toro. A visit to the Museu de Minorca unfolds the long history of the island dating back from the 15th century. Other destinations are the leisurely plaza known as the Placa Alfons III, which has unique, attractive restaurants and cafes to enjoy the local Spanish dishes and drinks with the locals. If you are part of a cruise around the Mediterranean and it happens that you come to Minorca, do your best to explore the most of the place. You won't regret it.

As you walk around the capital of Mao, get to the center of the city where a gorgeous green park lies with well-organized flower decorations around the park. The Es Freginal Park is not only a resting park, but also a facility to support and stage cultural events of the Minorca people. Within the park is a stage where musicians display their music talents, and it is a major attraction in the park. A visit to the Xoriguer Distillery gives visitors to the place a chance to learn the way local liquors are manufactured from resources such as juniper berries. 

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Lalakhal - An Evergreen Place in Bangladesh

Lalakhal - An Evergreen Place in Bangladesh

Asia Bangladesh

Lalakhal is a beautiful location in Sylhet, the northeastern region of Bangladesh. The place is renowned for the greenish-blue water of Sharee River, hilly tracks, tea-gardens and the lush of greenery. In the winter season, the river bed resembles a white sea beach with crystal clear water. It is ideal for swimming, boating and lying on the beach in the sun. In the monsoon Lalakhal becomes greener and it is a beauty to watch.

Lalakhal is accessible through Sharee River, which is famous for its high-quality sand for construction. The water in the river is greenish-blue and appropriate for river cruising. The boat journey to the Lalakhal through the this river can be an amazing experience to anyone. You can watch the mountain range of Meghalaya from the boat journey.

Lalakhal is somewhat unfamiliar to the tourist but undoubtedly an ecstatic place of interest. However, the place is gaining popularity to tourists from both home and abroad. Nazimgarh Resort in Lalakhal provides its private hilltop camp site and observation point. For those who like to trek, there are miles of interesting paths among the hills and tea gardens.

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As estradas mais instigantes do mundo

As estradas mais instigantes do mundo

Pinturas/Fotos

The Overseas Highway – Florida Keys

Red Rock Scenic Road – USA

Iroha-zaka – Japan

 Atlantic Road – Norway
 
Oberalp Pass – Switzerland

North Yungas “Road of Death” – Bolivia

Trollstigen – Norway

Guoliang Tunnel Road – China

San Bernardino Pass – Switzerland
 
Los Caracoles Pass – Andes

Col de Turini – France

The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road – UAE

Lysebotn Road – Norway

Stelvio Pass – Italy

Transfagarasan– Romania


Fonte: http://carsroute.com/top-15-most-beautiful-roads-in-the-world/

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Pamukkale - An Unusual Place in Turkey

Pamukkale - An Unusual Place in Turkey

Europe Turkey

Pamukkale is a natural site in Denizli Province in southwestern Turkey. The city is remarkable because of the fact that it contains an array of hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. These provide a unique appearance of the area and make Pamukkale one of the most unique places in the world.

Calcite-laden waters in Pamukkale have made an unreal landscape, made up of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls and a series of terraced basins. The waters were derived from springs in a cliff almost 200 meters high overlooking the plain.

The name 'Pamukkale' literally means ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish. Present Pamukkale is located in the site of ancient city of Hierapolis. And the city was in fact built on a castle. Moreover, Pamukkale itself appears to be a mass of soft, lush cotton.

Pamukkale is one of the most important highlights of Turkey and a unique place in the world. It is an unusual natural and historical site with the sparkling white castle-like cascades. The appearance of the area is extraordinary and it offers a perfect spot to bathe in.

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