Main Market Square (Rynek Glowny), Krakow, Poland

Main Market Square (Rynek Glowny), Krakow, Poland

Europe

Rynek Glowny is the central Grand Square of Krakow and is also popular by the name Main Market Square. It has been the city’s busiest place, probably due to the interesting grid-like streets that attract locals and tourists alike. The historic Main Market Square was structured in 1257 and the design was inspired by a castrum or Roman military camp. Encompassing a huge 10-acre square, Main Market Square is the largest among all of Europe’s medieval cities and no doubt the most beautiful among all the squares in the world.

As the name suggests, commerce was the main purpose why the Main Market Square was founded. In addition to witnessing the city’s early trading industry, Main Market Square also had the privilege to observe historical happenings, such as the Royal Road’s regal ceremonies participated by dignitaries and diplomats going to the Wawel Castle. The Main Market Square served as a venue for victory parades, as well as the public execution of prisoners.

Because of commerce and trade it housed from centuries ago, Main Market Square can be aptly called the first shopping mall of the world. But more than just a place for merchants and buyers, the square also served as an iconic structure due to the perfect architecture it owns. The chief landmarks of the Main Market Square comprise of the 16th-century Renaissance Cloth Hall at the center that was used for trading fabric and cloth, the 13th-century Gothic Town Hall Tower, and the awe-inspiring 14th-century Basilica of the Virgin Mary alongside its grandiose Great Altar. The buildings that stand in all the corners of the Main Market Square have a historical appeal attached to it, and the beauty equally possessed by each is a virtue that cannot be denied.

UNESCO includes the Main Square as part of the Old Town Kraków and on 1978, it joined the prestigious list of World Heritage Sites. Because the square exudes such breath-taking appeal, it received recognition from the Project for Public Spaces in 2005 as the World's Best Square. The city of Krakow is synonymous to the rich culture and colorful traditions and up to this day, the Main Square serves as a venue for lively festivals. Annually, the Kraków szopka Festival is held in the Main Square, as well as Military Bands Festival and Poland’s Largest New Year’s Eve Celebration.

When you visit Poland and go to the city of Krakow, you surely won’t dare miss the Main Market Square experience. Not only you witness the beauty of the world’s largest plaza, you also get to enjoy the sights that define the modern-day Main Market Square. The surrounds are colorful and lively courtesy of the cafes, restaurants, gift shops and galleries that line in its walkways. 

You tour its entirety either by walking or do the traditional way of adoring the attraction through a horse and carriage ride. Come in the morning to appreciate the majestic architecture of each of the buildings and stay up to the night to partake on the lively and upbeat nightlife. Whether you are in the Main Market Square to start or to end a Krakow trip, visiting this historic, stunning square makes the memories of Krakow trip worth keeping.

Ditulis Unknown Pada 02.08 Komentar

A Day at the Races: The World’s Must-See Horse Races

A Day at the Races: The World’s Must-See Horse Races

Australia and Oceania Europe Italy North America USA

Whether you’re an avid equestrian or a traveller looking to try something different on your next trip there truly is nothing quite like the thrill of experiencing a world-class horseracing event. The buzz and adrenaline, the sounds and the crowds, horse racing remains a highly popular sport all over the globe.

We’ve gathered together some of the world’s most esteemed races, from the USA to Italy, to give you some ideas for your next globetrotting adventure. These races really stand out from the crowd and are true highlights of the horseracing calendar – and each and every one will provide you with an experience you’ll never forget.

Royal Ascot

One of the most distinguished races in the world, Royal Ascot has been taking place in Ascot in the UK since 1711. More than just a horse race, this race has always been a major part of the British social calendar, with the Royal Family always in attendance. Besides the horseracing itself, you’re guaranteed to see some highly extravagant fashions, as this event encourages ladies to get outlandish with their headwear, and traditionally attracts the cream of British society out to show off their finest outfits. Royal Ascot takes place every June and you can find details of tickets and places to stay in the area in this blog.

Royal Ascot courtesy of Jane Marwood

The Kentucky Derby

Billed as “the most exciting two minutes in sport”, the Kentucky Derby is the most famous race that takes place in the USA. It’s a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The first leg of the US Triple Crown, the derby is also known as “the run for the roses”, as a spectacular blanket of roses is draped over the winner. 

The Kentucky Derby courtesy of John Athayde

The Melbourne Cup

This one draws the crowds like no other, handing out one of the biggest prizes in horseracing – more than $6million at the last count. The biggest race Down Under, it’s known as “The Race that Stops a Nation” and has been held at the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne every first Sunday in November since 1861. 

Flemington Racecourse courtesy of Tim Bayman

Palio de Siena

Famously one of the most dangerous horse races in the world, the Palio is also one of the most breathtaking. Taking place every July and August, here the horses and riders race around the town of Siena itself! Huge crowds come to see the spectacular race each year around the Piazza del Campo, and if you’re planning a visit to the Tuscany region it’s well worth adding this unique race to your itinerary.

Palio courtesy of Pedro Prats

Ditulis Unknown Pada 01.21 Komentar

Bellagio Fountains, Las Vegas, Nevada – Travel Guide

Bellagio Fountains, Las Vegas, Nevada – Travel Guide

North America

Las Vegas is known for its casinos, bright lights, and variety shows. Entertainment is one of the inviting features of this busy Nevada city, and from musical concerts to Cirque the Soleil, you will experience it in the upbeat streets of Las Vegas. But there is this kind of entertainment so extraordinaire that every tourist wishes to see, and to leave Las Vegas without taking time to view it is such a shame. For the discerning traveller, the casinos of Las Vegas can be politely put aside, but never the magical show of the Bellagio Fountains.

The Fountains of Bellagio, an extremely large, tastefully-designed musical fountain is probably your best source of entertainment that makes use of shooting waters, soothing music and rhythmically-moving lights. To sit in front of the famous and luxurious Bellagio Hotel may add appeal to the fountain, but the Fountains of Bellagio exudes a tempting beauty it calls its own. The massive fountain covers an entire 8.5 acre manmade lake, so huge that the fountain show can be seen in numerous vantage points of The Strip and its neighboring establishments. 

The Fountains of Bellagio is a musical fountain that makes use of aesthetic design built for entertainment purposes. The Bellagio Fountain Show is a one-of-a-kind experience not attained anywhere else 1,214 spritzers shooting water up to 460 feet high. The water sways to the streams of colorful lights and gracefully dances to a selection of music, from Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me to the Moon to Michael Jackson’s Billy Jean. 

The enchanting fountain showcases its extremely impressive choreography half-hour between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and shifts to every 15 minutes from 8p.m. until midnight. The Bellagio Fountains’ series of shows takes place every day, so there is no chance of missing its awesome performance.

The lake where the Fountain of Bellagio erects used to be a golf course. The water of the fountains comes from freshwater well drilled decades ago, the same well that serviced the golf course, which contradicts the urban myth implying that the water used in the Bellagio Fountains is treated wastewater coming from the luxurious hotel that faces it. The Bellagio Fountain is a proud concept of WET, a company known for its innovative fountain designs and animated water displays. A network of system that makes the fountain show possible consists of the following: pipes with more than 1,200 nozzles, 4,500 lights, and of course, a $40 million budget. 

Every performance of the Bellagio Fountain is unique, which makes a fascinated spectator look forward to the next show. The musical background does not just make the water dance - the line-up of music can definitely soothe the mind and romance the senses, a kind of sensation that can only be felt within the grounds of the Bellagio Fountains. And with beaming lights accentuating the lavender Las Vegas sky, the Fountains of Bellagio serves not just as entertainment but a moment to be cherished for a lifetime.

Ditulis Unknown Pada 02.28 Komentar