**Nuggets of Information from the Extracts:**

- Historically, there were dedicated spaces just for women in Europe, such as Beguinages, which now hold UNESCO World Heritage status; originally designed for privacy and spiritual focus, these places provided solitude and a sense of belonging for the women who lived there.

- Personal reflections describe a search for deeper meaning, spiritual connection, and self-knowledge, echoing the experiences of the Beguines who valued direct, personal spirituality over traditional romance or societal expectations.

- Modern cultural tourism in Europe often connects historical sites and cityscapes to their literary and artistic heritage, offering visitors not just visual beauty but also the intangible experience of stories, legends, and myth.

- Cities like Copenhagen and Bremen are steeped in fairytales and myths: Copenhagen is home to Hans Christian Andersen’s legacy and iconic places like Nyhavn, while Bremen celebrates the Brothers Grimm with the Bremen Town Musicians statue, a tangible connection between place and story.

- The intertwining of myth and urban space can be seen in public art and statues which immortalize tales for locals and tourists alike, shaping the identity of a city and providing ready-made narratives for cultural exploration.

- The overall sense is that European urban environments layer history, myth, art, and personal experience, offering visitors opportunities for both external adventure and internal reflection.

- Besides fairy tales, other European cities like Florence and Salzburg are highlighted for their contributions to art, music, and literature, reinforcing the idea of Europe as a patchwork of cultural highs.

- There’s a sense of discovery and awe in exploring these environments—from walking towns rebuilt after war, to standing on windswept piers, to seeking out “roots of history” in ancient or reconstructed places.

- The intimate relationship between people and place is a recurring theme: both in terms of collective memory (e.g.

war-time rebuilding, world-famous Poles like Copernicus) and personal reminiscence (seeking meaning, forming attachments to places).

- Tourism encourages this sense of journey, adventure, and planning to “enjoy even a small portion of the delights on offer,” blending entertainment, culture, history, and introspection.

- The guide hints that travel is not just about seeing, but about experiencing, understanding, and sometimes reclaiming bits of self in the process.

Here’s a summary of key nuggets from the extracts provided:

- **University of Bologna**: It is the oldest secular educational institution in Europe, with a thousand years of history.

The tour includes sites such as the building of the National Council, Monument to Svyatopluk I, and the old town hall complex.

Advance booking is required (at least 6 hours before the visit).

- **Rijksmuseum Amsterdam – Jan Vermeer Exhibition**: The museum hosts an unprecedented exhibition featuring 23 out of the 37 known Vermeer paintings.

Notably, all four of Vermeer’s “thrones” feature pearl earrings and distinctive hats.

- **Florence – Mosaic Art Tours**: Tours introduce the history and tradition of Florentine mosaic art, demonstrating its origins and historical uses.

The walking tour offers an introduction to Florence’s religious center and is recommended for first-time visitors.

Groups are small, up to 6 people.

- **Gastronomy Tours in Brussels**: Food tours in Brussels allow visitors to explore Belgian cuisine and culture.

The tours are typically paid partially in advance with the balance settled with the guide.

The tours aim to foster an appreciation of Belgium by sampling national dishes.

- **Brussels City Tours**: Various walking excursions available, covering topics such as the city’s role as EU capital or culinary highlights (“Brussels on a plate”).

Pricing is mentioned (e.g., 65 for 1-4 people).

- **Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg**: The Hermitage is highlighted as a major attraction containing artworks from various eras; touring the collection can be time-consuming due to its size and scope.

- **Barcelona and Montserrat Combined Tour**: The tour covers Barcelona landmarks (including Plaza de España and Gaudí’s work) and an outing to Montserrat.

The trip involves train/cable car (approx.

€25/person), with additional costs for guide and optional car transfer (€125).

Private tours with up to 5 people; booking and payment terms are flexible, with the possibility to ask questions before confirming.

- **Postcards – Historical Context**: The adoption of postcards was resisted by postal services worldwide.

The tradition of postcards led to widespread cityscape and landscape printing.

- **News Items**:
  - A girl in Shymkent who was hit by a bus is recovering.

- The Ice Age is starting in East Kazakhstan (possibly a local event or climatic note).

- EU leaders have decided on the recognition of rape as a European crime, pushing forward the ratification of the Istanbul Convention.

Some member states have not yet ratified it, but optimism remains for progress, especially regarding the importance of feminist education to combat gender-based violence.

- **Festival of Lanterns – "Dragons, Myths and Legends"**: The fifth annual lantern festival is taking place at a manor estate, promising to be the largest so far.

Annual features include flower and light festivals, along with recreations of 19th-century manor life.

**General themes:** European urban culture, history, culinary and art tours, major museum exhibitions, evolving legal and feminist issues, unique local festivals, and landmarks.

Tours emphasize local history, art traditions, culinary experiences, and flexible, personalized experiences for small groups or individuals.

Certainly!

Here is a summarized nugget report, based on your request (however, the provided extract did **not** include relevant information about The Little Mermaid statue’s repeated damages or attacks; instead, it contained mostly unrelated descriptions about traveling exhibitions, Paris and Hurghada tourist attractions, and cultural events involving puppetry and art museums):

---

**SUMMARY OF EXTRACT:**

- No references to the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen or its vandalism events are present in this extract.

- The text features several stories about touring exhibitions and cultural initiatives across Europe and North Africa, including:
    - A “floating museum” ship called Cerso traveling to various Mediterranean cities to raise awareness about refugees, with associated events like the arrival of a giant puppet (Amal) symbolizing displaced Syrian children.

- Displays and events at the Cernucci Museum (ancient Chinese painting), as well as activities and practical tourist guidance about visiting Paris (Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Seine boat cruises).

- Coverage of cultural attractions and tourism in Hurghada, Egypt, like Giftun Island, diving, and the Aquarium Museum.

- Details about the “In Search of Light” art exhibition, and mention of high-value Picasso artworks in major museums.

- The only reference to statues in this extract is about Amal—a large puppet operated for refugee awareness—not related to Copenhagen or Scandinavian culture.

- There is no mention, direct or indirect, of:
    - The Little Mermaid statue’s history or cultural symbolism
    - Specific incidents of destruction or vandalism (dates, circumstances, or motivations)
    - Perpetrators or the societal context of such attacks.

---

**Conclusion:**
**The text provided contains no information about the destruction/vandalism of the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen.

If you require an incident-by-incident report on the statue’s repeated damages—when they occurred, the nature of the damage, involved parties, and background stories—please supply an extract containing such details or request a general summary from other sources.

**

If you’d like, I can provide a factual summary from authoritative history regarding the Little Mermaid statue’s attacks in Copenhagen.

Here is a synthesized report on the repeated intentional damages to the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, designed for your walking guide on Culture and Counter-Culture in Copenhagen:

---

**The Little Mermaid Statue – Icon and Target**

The Little Mermaid statue, unveiled at Langelinie Pier in Copenhagen in 1913, has become a quintessential symbol of Denmark and the city itself.

Yet, this iconic figure has also been at the center of numerous episodes of intentional vandalism and protest, each reflecting deeper undercurrents in Danish culture, politics, and public discourse.

Here are the most notable incidents:

**1.

1964 – First Decapitation**
- *Incident*: In April 1964, the statue was found decapitated.

- *Damage*: The entire head was sawn off and stolen.

- *Who/Why*: The group responsible was associated with Situationist artist Jørgen Nash.

Their act was interpreted as an artistic or political statement challenging bourgeois values and institutionalized culture.

- *Aftermath*: The head was never recovered and a new one had to be cast.

1984 – Arm Removal**
- *Incident*: In July 1984 the statue's right arm was sawn off.

- *Damage*: Clean removal of the arm.

- *Who/Why*: Two young men later confessed to the crime as a drunken prank.

- *Aftermath*: The arm was returned anonymously and reattached.

1998 – Second Decapitation**
- *Incident*: On September 6, 1998, vandals sawed off the Little Mermaid’s head again.

- *Damage*: Head removed and disappeared.

- *Who/Why*: Perpetrators were never caught.

The act was assumed to be another protest but motive was never clarified.

- *Aftermath*: The head turned up anonymously at a local TV station and was reattached.

2003 – Toppled Into Water**
- *Incident*: On September 11, 2003, the statue was found blown off its base and into the harbor.

- *Damage*: Severe – separated at the ankles, statue found lying underwater.

- *Aftermath*: Statue recovered and restored.

- *1984*: Painted in various colors after the arm was removed.

**Nuggets of Information from the Extracts:**

- Historically, there were dedicated spaces just for women in Europe, such as Beguinages, which now hold UNESCO World Heritage status; originally designed for privacy and spiritual focus, these places provided solitude and a sense of belonging for the women who lived there.

Title:

Content: They Used to Be Places Just for Women. Now They’re UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

By the 13th century, many major European cities had established beguinages, or enclosed communities for women looking to live in relative freedom. What remains of them today?

Ghent is a city of canals, its bridges studded with bursts of flowers. The Gothic architecture rises against the sky like elaborate sandcastles. As I navigate the cobbled streets, morning commuters whiz by me on bicycles, and the bells of St. Bavo’s Cathedral toll. I have traveled far and woken early to visit this first beguinage, a historic site that once housed spiritual medieval laywomen called beguines.

Our-Lady Ter Hooyen, known as “the little beguinage,” was built in 1234, but what stands today was mostly constructed five or six hundred years later. A classic court beguinage, it is surrounded by a high white wall and has one gated entrance. By the mid-13th century, many major cities in the Low Countries had established beguinages: enclosed communities of adjacent buildings protected by high walls and sometimes moats. This design was intended for privacy, as well as to keep intruders out. Women living, or even walking, alone were vulnerable to assaults by men. Beguinages locked their gates each night and most leaders insisted that their members venture out only in pairs. Although the informal nature of beguinages prevents us from knowing how many total existed, at the movement’s height, there were tens of thousands.

I first learned of the beguines in 2016, when I began attempting to live in closer accordance with my values. I had been in consecutive monogamous relationships from 15 to 35, and though independent and ambitious in my work as a writer and professor, in less visible ways my life had always been defined in relationship to romantic others. I didn’t know myself alone, and over the years had a growing sense that I was missing something. My abstinence began with three months, and I called it celibacy because I didn’t know what else to label it. I extracted myself entirely from any kind of romantic or erotic intimacy. No dating, no flirting, no charged “friendships.”

Before, I had assumed celibacy an experience characterized by deprivation and motivated by asceticism—a prudish, dry impulse. But that time was among the most sensuous and intimate of my life. As it unfolded, I researched female celibacy to better understand my circumstances. I read the ancient Greek comedy Lysistrata, about the desire for sex, and the pamphlets of radical feminist sects. I studied the Shakers, the religious leader Father Divine—whose followers were committed to abstinence—and the Dahomey Amazons, an all-women regiment that existed in what is now Benin. But no celibate women generated a more kindred feeling in me than the beguines.

These religious laywomen captivated me with their commitment to independence. Rather than submit to the imposed domestic script for women of their time, which supposed marriage, children, and housework, they lived communally, earned their own wages, and dedicated their lives to service. I was so moved by them that I made a pilgrimage to the Flanders region of Belgium, where the largest number of former beguinages exists. Thirteen of them are UNESCO World Heritage sites, “considered havens of tranquility, as they were in the past,” with “simple functional architecture that gives them their particular atmosphere of a utopian setting, in which a sense of community and respect for individuality are finely balanced,” per UNESCO. These beguinages—now mostly residences and monasteries—are today visited by thousands of travelers annually. Some six years later, I have returned.

Inside the walls of this little beguinage is an elegant courtyard framed by lime and beech trees, surrounded by the beguine housing; this is protected by another white wall that connects small green doorways, some adorned with tributes to Catholic saints. The buildings themselves, which now serve as subsidized housing for residents, are red brick with white accents. Through the windows I spot glimpses of the lives inside: neatly stacked dishes, a bowl of fruit.

Harder to describe is the feel of the place. I have arrived at exactly the right moment for the rising sun to spill its light down the cobbled walkways, through tree branches whose shadows it casts along the wall. It is quiet but for the rustle of leaves. I savor my aloneness and imagine how much more precious it would have been 800 years ago. I imagine the woman who would have stood here, having defied social expectation, to live free of children and husband.

My draw to beguines has always felt like an odd preoccupation for a queer memoirist and college professor who has never been religious. Now married, on the heels of publishing my fourth book, I find myself circling back to them. Why still this pull to a medieval order of laywomen? What insights do they offer me now? These questions have driven me here, and the way I feel standing in this courtyard seems like a kind of clue.

Unlike nuns in the Middle Ages, who often came from wealthy families that could afford the dowries required by abbeys, beguines emerged from all backgrounds. Any woman could join. Beguines didn’t take permanent vows but made promises like those of nuns: always of chastity and obedience, others varying by community. These promises could be abandoned or retaken at any time. Women sometimes left beguinages to marry or have children, and they would be welcomed back, though without their families. Sister Laura Swan, a Benedictine nun and author of The Wisdom of the Beguines, told me that joining the beguines was also “a way for a woman to walk away from a husband that she had no need for anymore.”

Marie d’Oignies (1177–1213), the Belgian mystic saint, is often cited as the first beguine, but there is no official founder of the movement, and it is impossible to pinpoint its inception, as communities sprung up in multiple locations around the same period. In addition to the religiosity overtaking Europe and the larger population of men than women, the proliferation of beguine communities was due to the burgeoning European literacy movement: In the early 13th century, two sister countesses of Flanders invested in secular coeducational schools, believing education would benefit the economy. Other European leaders soon followed suit.

As a result, from around 1200 until the 1600s, the beguinal movement spread across northwestern Europe. It’s an apt word—movement—not only because it describes the rapid growth of their communities but also because they achieved what so many subsequent movements of women have sought—independence, social change, and sustainable communal life. Scholars have located 111 medieval beguinages in Belgium alone, many having once housed hundreds of occupants apiece while subsisting independently upon their own business savvy.

Each beguinage operated independently, and its inhabitants frequently held jobs outside beguinage walls. Many communities also ran their own businesses—often in textiles or as launderesses—because financial independence was a priority for beguines; their economic savvy kept them free of clerical rule. Beguines administered to the sick and dying, and they ran orphanages, hospitals, and schools.

The beguines’ primary work was spiritual, too, as they thought everyone capable of a direct relationship with God. At that time, the Catholic liturgy was conducted in Latin and thus only accessible to male clergy and scholars. The beguines believed in unmediated access to spiritual texts and teachings, so they began preaching in the vernacular, writing their own meditations, and translating the Bible into common language—radical enterprises for laypeople, and especially for women. They understood spiritual truth as an encompassing love, one that manifested psychically, somatically, and in the practices of daily life. Influenced by the 12th-century French invention of romantic love spread by troubadours, the beguines adopted that language and often referred to God and divine experience as the female-gendered persona of Love.

I asked another scholar of the beguines, Silvana Panciera, why she was so drawn to them. “Because I felt in them the root of my history,” she said. “The root of feminism . . . they made the first step toward independence.” Silvana has been studying the beguines for almost 30 years. She has written a book, adapted it into a documentary (All Om All), and made all her findings available in multiple languages.

It is harder to research beguines than it is more formalized religious movements. Partly, this is because female monasticism has been largely ignored by male historians, and partly, this is because the beguinal movement was repeatedly stamped out by the Catholic Church, which persistently branded them heretics. Despite it all, the “gray women” as they were sometimes referred to (due to their plain garb of a dark cloak and headdress), lived more freely than most women have throughout human history. They seem to have lived in closer accordance with their own convictions than most people I have ever known.

It is often said that the last beguine, Marcella Pattyn, died in her beguinage in Kortrijk, Belgium, in April 14, 2013. Many, however, including Swan, say that a modern movement is on the rise, with communities thriving in multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, and Germany. But for history, there’s nowhere quite like Belgium.

It is a short train ride from Ghent to Bruges and a 15-minute walk from the station to the beguinage. Due to its beauty, Ten Wijngaerde, a Benedictine abbey since 1927, is one of the most photographed beguinages in the world. The main gate is reached by a stone bridge, and inside the complex are houses built between the 16th and 18th centuries. Throughout the courtyard are posted signs urging visitors to be quiet. In the extensive gift shop, pleasantly grumpy elderly women sell figurines and crucifixes.

I push open the heavy door to the church. I have never attended church regularly, but I have always been moved by the buildings’ interiors. This one is not particularly ornate, but I take a breath as the door eases shut behind me and survey the white ceilings, racks of red votive candles, and flower bouquets that sit before the altar to the Virgin Mary.

Though it is not my place of worship, as I sit in one of the wooden pews in the church, I feel at home. I light a candle and leave a donation. When I step back into the courtyard, the light has sunk, and I begin to make my way back toward the train station. It has been years since I relinquished my vow of chastity, but I sense now that I have kept something of that time: an awareness of belonging not to any one person but to myself and what calls me. I think of my wife and the mutual respect and autonomy that undergird every aspect of our union. Like me, she is an artist and understands the independence necessary to lead fully actualized lives within a partnership. I would not have been capable of such a relationship—not choosing it, nor cultivating it—had I not taken that time to reflect. Had I not taken the time to consider the beguines, whose lives were built upon principles of independence, creativity, service, and love.

It has been years since I relinquished my vow of chastity, but I sense now that I have kept something of that time: an awareness of belonging not to any one person but to myself and what calls me.

After Bruges, I travel to Brussels and meet Graham Keen. An English retiree, he gives tours of beguinages across Belgium, where he lives and is now a citizen. He translated Panciera’s book into English and it is she who introduced us. In one email, she referred to Keen as a beghard—the term for a male beguine; they were of small number and quickly evolved into formal monastic orders. On the train to Mechelen, he mentions his wife and son, and I think perhaps there has been a misunderstanding.

In Mechelen we walk through the picturesque village center to a neighborhood lined with the tall white walls now familiar to me. Like others, the beguinage is a beautifully preserved historic site occupied by private citizens that contains a few commercial enterprises. Keen points out the grand magistra’s quarters and shows me pictures of it before the bricks were painted. We admire medieval doorways and then eat lunch in Het Anker, a historic brewery founded in 1471 by the beguines and purchased in 1872 by the family who still runs it.

Our final stop is the church, whose interior is painted pastel and crowded with wooden prayer desks that the beguines would have used. Standing there, I remember the end of my last conversation with Panciera. “I think you are a person looking for a deep love. Is that right, Melissa?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said and recalled the years I spent looking for it in other people. I had first come here hungry for another kind of love, a connection to myself that has nothing to do with romance. Now, I stand in the church and feel it inside, like some echo of the past that rings in me, a reminder of deep rootedness, an ancient drive to live with meaning and care.

I think that Keen and I might make an odd pair—me, a petite American in athleisure, he a tall British man 30 years my senior—as we stroll back into the village center, where a train will take me to Leuven. We sit for coffee and chat about his children and grandchildren and my students. Panciera wasn’t wrong: Keen embodies the spirit of a beghard. Though he is married, he has cultivated a life devoted to beguine principles. He tends his passions, his good work, as one does a beloved: with careful attention, humility, and consistency.

We walk the final blocks the train station and shake hands before parting. As my train pulls away, I notice that the comfort I feel with him is the same I’ve felt with Panciera and Swan. Our passion for the beguines is a commonness among us, despite our obvious differences. Like the gray women, we have a thirst for meaning.

Later that day, in Leuven, I stand in the Groot Begijnhof. Founded in 1232 and bought in 1962 by the Catholic University of Leuven, it has been carefully restored. The arched doorways are accompanied by plaques announcing faculty lounges and academic departments, and students push bikes along cobbled pathways. It feels correct that these spaces are now where women live, learn, and teach independently.

This time, instead of imagining myself transported to the past, I imagine showing this place to the beguines. As Panciera put it: “They are our history, our roots of emancipation, and independence from a male direction.” I consider how my creative freedom is the legacy of their vision. I write about feminist and spiritual topics and translate histories like that of the beguines for an audience that is unlikely to encounter them otherwise. This, I realize, is the best method of sustaining my connection to them, to that lineage of independence and creativity to which I feel such a sense of belonging.

In The Wisdom of the Beguines, Sr. Laura chronicles the common practice of beguines’ vitae: autobiographical stories, usually recorded by their confessors, in which the narrative and its moral takes primacy. She describes them as “stories of women’s search for a genuine self, seeking to put into language the process of discovering that self, and inviting others to join her in that search.” Reading it, I was startled to find such a perfect description of my work. It reminded me of standing under the trees in that first courtyard, how I expected to feel a stranger and instead found myself at home.

Melissa Febos is the author of four books, including the nationally bestselling essay collection, Girlhood, which has been translated into seven languages and was a LAMBDA Literary Award finalist, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism, and named a notable book of 2021 by NPR, Time, the Washington Post, and others. Her craft book, Body Work (2022), was also a national bestseller, an L.A. Times bestseller, and an Indie Next Pick. Her fifth book, The Dry Season, is forthcoming from Alfred A. Knopf.
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- Personal reflections describe a search for deeper meaning, spiritual connection, and self-knowledge, echoing the experiences of the Beguines who valued direct, personal spirituality over traditional romance or societal expectations.

- Modern cultural tourism in Europe often connects historical sites and cityscapes to their literary and artistic heritage, offering visitors not just visual beauty but also the intangible experience of stories, legends, and myth.

Title:

Content: Egemen Mustafa Şener Explores Historical Sites of Famous Literary Works

Egemen Mustafa Şener believes that literature, with its profound ability to convey ideas, emotions, and stories, has consistently held a pivotal role in shaping our world and culture. Through the written word, books have the power to inspire, educate, entertain, and provoke deep thought within us.

It’s not uncommon for certain literary works to resonate with Egemen Mustafa Şener so deeply that they leave an indelible mark on his heart and mind.

Indeed, there are times when the settings described within these cherished books become as significant to us as the characters and narratives themselves.

We find ourselves yearning to step into the footsteps of the authors, to breathe the same air they once did, and to behold the landscapes and landmarks that ignited their imaginations.

Thus begins a journey, not just of physical exploration, but of intellectual and emotional discovery—a journey to the very heart of literature itself for Egemen Mustafa Şener.

This is a pilgrimage to the historical sites that served as the backdrop for some of the most celebrated literary masterpieces in history.

United Kingdom: Following in Shakespeare’s Footsteps Around London

Let’s embark on our literary journey with a visit to the United Kingdom, a land steeped in literary history. Here, amidst the picturesque landscapes and historic cities, lie numerous places that have served as the inspiration for famous literary works.

Our first stop takes us to Stratford-upon-Avon, a charming town in Warwickshire that holds a special place in the hearts of literature enthusiasts. It is the birthplace and final resting place of none other than William Shakespeare, the Bard of Avon himself.

As we wander through the cobblestone streets and quaint Tudor-style buildings, we can’t help but feel transported back to the Elizabethan era.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers a unique opportunity to immerse ourselves in the life and times of Shakespeare, with his birthplace meticulously preserved as a museum for visitors to explore.

But our literary journey in the United Kingdom doesn’t end there. Just a short journey away lies Gloucestershire Palace, a majestic historical site that served as a significant source of inspiration for Shakespeare’s works.

The grandeur and splendor of this ancient palace continue to captivate visitors, offering a glimpse into the world that fueled the imagination of one of history’s greatest playwrights.

And of course, no literary tour of the United Kingdom would be complete without a visit to its bustling capital, London.

Here, amidst the hustle and bustle of city life, you’ll find numerous landmarks and locations immortalized in the works of Charles Dickens.

From the foggy streets of Victorian-era London depicted in “Oliver Twist” to the iconic setting of “A Tale of Two Cities,” London is a treasure trove of literary inspiration waiting to be discovered.

France: In Search of Victor Hugo and Monet’s Traces

Our journey now takes us to France, a country renowned for its rich cultural heritage, artistry, and romance. As we traverse its charming streets and scenic landscapes, we encounter landmarks that have left an indelible mark on both literature and art.

Our first stop is the illustrious Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture that has captured the imagination of generations.

Immortalized in Victor Hugo‘s classic novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,” this iconic cathedral stands as a symbol of resilience, faith, and human endeavor.

Its majestic towers and intricate façade not only mesmerize with their grandeur but also serve as a poignant reminder of the timeless themes of love, compassion, and redemption explored in Hugo’s work.

But our exploration of France’s cultural heritage doesn’t end there. For those with a passion for art and beauty, a visit to Giverny is an absolute must.

Tucked away in the picturesque Normandy countryside, Giverny was the home and sanctuary of the renowned Impressionist painter Claude Monet.

Here, amidst the lush gardens and tranquil ponds, Monet found inspiration for some of his most iconic works, including his famous series of water lilies.

Walking through the vibrant gardens and admiring the play of light and color, visitors can’t help but feel transported into the world of Monet’s paintings, where nature comes alive in a symphony of hues and textures.

Italy: Rome and Florence in The Context of Dante and Bertolucci

Our journey now leads us to Italy, the historical epicenter of culture, where every corner exudes a sense of grandeur, beauty, and artistic expression.

Here, amidst the enchanting landscapes and centuries-old architecture, we uncover the literary and cinematic treasures that have immortalized Italy’s rich heritage.

Our first destination is Florence, often hailed as the cradle of the Renaissance and a veritable open-air museum of art and history.

It was within the labyrinthine streets and majestic piazzas of this magnificent city that Dante Alighieri, one of Italy’s greatest poets, set his magnum opus, “The Divine Comedy.”

As we wander through Florence’s narrow alleys and cobblestone streets, we are transported into the vivid landscapes and allegorical realms depicted in Dante’s epic masterpiece.

Every corner reveals a glimpse of the poet’s vision, from the imposing Duomo to the serene banks of the Arno River, immersing us in the timeless atmosphere of his work.

But our exploration of Italy’s cultural riches doesn’t end in Florence. Our journey continues to Rome, the eternal city steeped in history, mythology, and artistic splendor.

Here, amidst the ancient ruins and Renaissance palazzos, we discover the cinematic landscapes immortalized in the works of acclaimed filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci.

From the iconic Trevi Fountain to the majestic Spanish Steps, Rome serves as a living backdrop for Bertolucci’s masterpieces, including the timeless classics “La Dolce Vita” and “The Devil Wears Prada.

Walking through the streets of Rome, visitors can’t help but feel the spirit of those bygone eras come alive, as they unravel the cinematic tapestry woven by Bertolucci’s genius.

Russia: Strolling Through St. Petersburg and Moscow with Dostoevsky and Tolstoy

No exploration of literary landmarks would be complete without a journey to Russia, a land that has produced some of the greatest literary masterpieces in history.

Among its luminaries are Fyodor Dostoevsky and Leo Tolstoy, whose profound insights into the human condition continue to captivate readers worldwide.

Our first destination is the majestic city of St. Petersburg, often hailed as Russia’s cultural capital. It was within the grandeur of this historic city that Dostoevsky set many of his iconic works, including “Crime and Punishment” and “The Brothers Karamazov.”

A leisurely stroll through St. Petersburg’s elegant streets, past landmarks such as Palace Square and the tranquil Alexander Garden, offers a glimpse into the atmospheric world of Dostoevsky’s novels.

The city’s rich history and architectural splendor serve as a fitting backdrop for the profound philosophical and existential themes explored in his works, inviting readers to ponder the complexities of the human psyche.

But our literary journey in Russia doesn’t end in St. Petersburg. Our next destination is Moscow, the bustling metropolis that serves as the country’s political and cultural hub.

It is here that Leo Tolstoy set his epic masterpiece “War and Peace,” a sprawling saga that chronicles the lives of Russian aristocrats during the Napoleonic Wars.

As we wander through Moscow’s vibrant streets and historic landmarks, we encounter numerous sites mentioned in Tolstoy’s magnum opus, from the opulent halls of the Kremlin to the serene beauty of Patriarch’s Ponds.

Moscow offers a unique opportunity to fully immerse oneself in the greatness of Tolstoy’s literary work, as readers traverse the same landscapes and architectural marvels that inspired the author’s imagination.

For Egemen Mustafa Şener, traveling to the historical sites of famous literary works is not just a journey to beautiful places but also an opportunity to immerse oneself in the world of literature, feel the atmosphere of the book, and better understand the context in which it was created.

The experience of visiting such places enriches our cultural heritage and makes our adventures more fulfilling and memorable.

- Cities like Copenhagen and Bremen are steeped in fairytales and myths: Copenhagen is home to Hans Christian Andersen’s legacy and iconic places like Nyhavn, while Bremen celebrates the Brothers Grimm with the Bremen Town Musicians statue, a tangible connection between place and story.

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Grimm’s fairytales come to life in downtown Bremen

Enter the realm of fairytales, a place where beautiful architecture mixes with local myths and legends. A chocolate box town brimming with history with an important connection to the Brothers Grimm. Learn about the Bremen Musicians and marvel at the medieval, gothic and renaissance architectural influences. There is so much to be found in this small town in the region of Lower Saxony that marks the end of the Grimms Brother’s Fairytale route. This is Bremen in north-west Germany.

In the town’s medieval heart, you’ll find the famous Bremen Town Musicians statue, which immortalises a children’s fairy-tale from the Brothers Grimm about a donkey, a dog, a cat and a cockerel who go off in search of their fortune after being classed as tired and old by their masters. On their road trip to Bremen, they take a rest in a forest but see a light shining and come across a robbers’ house. To scare off the robbers, they all stood on top of one another to look fierce and ended up frightening the robbers away, taking the house for themselves. Although they never made it to Bremen, a bronze statue by Gerhard Marcks was erected of the Bremen Town Musicians next to Bremen Town Hall in 1953. It is said that anyone who grabs the front hooves of the donkey shall have their dream come true. The moral of the tale is that you are always stronger when acting together.

Old Town and the Ratskeller

A menagerie of historical buildings forms Bremen’s old town dominated by the Cathedral, dedicated to St. Peter, situated in the Market Platz in the centre of the town. Adjacent to this is the ancient Domsheide – a magnificent medieval square hosting several important buildings. There’s the main post office, the courthouse, the cathedral precinct with its bell, and the annex to the stock market building as well as the town hall and the seat of power for the government of the municipality and nestled in the depths of the 600-year-old town hall, next to the Bremen Town Musicians statue is the Ratskeller open house and restaurant where princes and merchants once drank and dined. Even today, this is the best place to sample Germany’s best wines. This upmarket restaurant and pub is steeped in history. Drinkers congregate at the small tables and soak up the atmosphere in the hall, while diners converse in their groups on long tables, their laughter echoing around the ornate hall. The best tables are found in the secluded booths, known as Priölken clustered around oak barrels where barons and merchants once bartered their trade deals. The walls are adorned with unique frescoes telling the history of the town. Down in the cellar, Germany’s oldest cask wines mature undisturbed. Lit only by candlelight, the smell of the centuries-old wine within the casks pervades the nostrils. The most precious of all wines lies beneath a rose painted on the ceiling – the vintage Rüdesheim from 1653 which can be sampled only by the cellar master and the current mayor of Bremen. Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain tried a thimble’s worth during her state visit to Bremen in 1978.

Four star hotels

Several upmarket four-star hotels can be found amid the winding streets in the heart of old Bremen. Just one-minute walk from here, in the Böttcherstraße, the heart of oldtown Bremen, is the Atlantic Grand Hotel Bremen with a range of rooms and suites. Cocoon yourself away from the cacophony of the streets with soundproofed windows, a comfortable seating area and work desk. The spacious bathrooms have a bath or shower. The hotel has a spa area with sauna, steam room and gym with modern fitness equipment. Enjoy German and French specialties at alto restaurant and relax in the lobby bar and smoking lounge. Alternatively, the modern DesignHotel ÜberFluss is a stark contrast to all the history of the city. Minimalistic yet elegant it can be found by the river Weser with a wonderful rooftop terrace. It offers a place to rest in designer rooms and also a sanctuary for the senses with a spa and indoor pool, sauna and historic relaxation room.

Staying in these central locations allows one to further explore the historic city and for many, the journey begins at the Haufenbahff Central Station, a beautiful example of architecture. Inside are food and drink stalls including some of the most delicious pizza for just over two Euros before you catch a train or tram further afield. Conveniently located next door to this grand station is the favourite hotel of business travellers – the Inter City Continental. Flemings Brasserie restaurant offers a selection of seafood, vegetarian and grilled items and just a 15-minute stroll from the old town.

An advantage of staying in the heart of Bremen is you are always close to the shops. Nearby shopping experiences include the Böttcherstraße – a 330 ft long walkway, famous for its unusual architecture and ranks among the city’s main cultural landmarks and visitor attractions. Built between 1922 and 1931, after Ludwig Roselius, a Bremen-based coffee-trader, charged Bernhard Hoetger with artistic supervision over the project. The street and its buildings are a rare example of expressionism and are protected.

Other areas of interest include Dechanatstraße – home to Breman University of the Arts music faculty and Violenstraße – where memorials to persecuted Jewish people from World War Two can be found in the ‘stumbling stone’ brass plaques in the pavement in front of houses where they lived. All these sites are easily connected from this square by foot, tram or Uber.

The Arena Messe Hall is home to the Bremen football team and a convention centre that hosts many exhibitions, such as the International Fish Show where you can sample weird and wonderful marine dishes including curried cod, smoked herring, salmon, octopus and caviar cocktails once a year.

If you are prepared to explore further, Villa Linnenschmidt offers elegant and luxurious classical-style hotel rooms in a quiet suburb of Bremen, about 30 minutes by foot, car or by public transport from the old town. Set in an attractive red-brick building, the generously sized rooms at the property feature elegant décor and antique-style furnishings and soundproofed rooms with modern flat screen televisions.  Guests are welcome to use the on-site fitness centre at Villa Linnenschmidt. There is also a golf course nearby. The train station 1.2 miles from the property and the A27 motorway can be reached in 5 minutes, with free parking available on site.

Eating out

There are plenty of places to eat in Bremen. Begin with a restaurant serving meatless dishes called Vegefarm on Hamburger Street – the irony is not lost. Serving Chinese and Taiwanese alternatives for vegans and vegetarians, they have seemingly invented the vegetarian prawn which tastes just like the real thing as well as veggie pork and chicken. Meanwhile, just around the corner from the cathedral is Kervan, a Turkish restaurant offering the tastiest grilled meat. Simplicity and budget food is freshly cooked as you wait.

Those looking for a treat will enjoy the Suedtirolerhuette offering authentic South Tyrol Austrian food in the heart of Bremen, which evokes the feeling of an mountain hut in the heart of the city. Cosy up on the warm fur lined chairs and feast on authentic Italian from the Tyrol region.

If you are feeling flush and after fine food, the town has three restaurants mentioned in the Michelin guide. Al Pappagallo serves classic Italian in its winter garden, while Das Kleine Lokal, a small basement restaurant with only 34 seats serves fine dining cuisine with delicious dishes of duck, game, lamb and fish as well as vegetarian options. Finally, Wels is renowned for its catfish (Wels) aquarium, from which it takes its name. As well as catfish, its specialities include Bremer Knipp sausage, labskaus hash and Oldenburg duck.

Bremen at Christmas

During the colder months Bremen becomes a winter wonderland. Families glide on the ice rink created in Bremen’s medieval square and a festive market presides over the historic square. The air is filled with the aromas of freshly roasted almonds, traditional gingerbread cakes and mulled wine and over a hundred stalls. In the weeks before Christmas, the popular riverside promenade becomes the setting for the historic Schlachte-Zauber winter and maritime market. From organ recitals to nativity plays, magical theatre shows and festive exhibitions: a varied programme of festive events for all ages is organised each year by Bremen’s cultural institutions.

If you are staying longer than a weekend, then get out and explore the Grimms Brothers Fairytale Route. This route begins in the birth city of the Brothers Grimm Hanau, where a monument to Jacob and Wilhelm stands on the market square Neustädter Marktplatz on a journey to more than fifty places celebrating fairy tales and legends all the way to Bremen.

How to get there

A trip to Bremen, which is just a short flight from London Stansted Airport, makes a perfect weekend trip. You can enjoy the beauty of this magical city and its rich heritage for less. A direct budget flight is easily affordable and accessible in just under an hour-and-a-half.  Once you arrive, everything is accessible by a direct and frequent tram service to almost anywhere. Famed for its excellent transport connections, everything feels local.  From the airport take the number 6 tram towards the Universitat and get off six stops later at Domsheide – a major square located east of the MarktPlatz and south of Bremen Cathedral and explore from there.

Donna can be contacted on [email protected] check out her other work at https://muckrack.com/donna-richardson-3

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Europe

- The intertwining of myth and urban space can be seen in public art and statues which immortalize tales for locals and tourists alike, shaping the identity of a city and providing ready-made narratives for cultural exploration.

- The overall sense is that European urban environments layer history, myth, art, and personal experience, offering visitors opportunities for both external adventure and internal reflection.

- Besides fairy tales, other European cities like Florence and Salzburg are highlighted for their contributions to art, music, and literature, reinforcing the idea of Europe as a patchwork of cultural highs.

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Content: Fairytale-like European city is 'spellbinding' and has 'something for everyone'

A beautiful European town is a destination full to the brim of exciting and interesting things to do.

By Paul Tregunna, Travel and Lifestyle Reporter

Nyhavn has become synonymous with Copenhagen (Image: Getty)

The Nordic countries are perhaps the closest opportunity travellers have to transport themselves into their very own fairy tales.

With beautiful cities and charming locals, they are some of the finest countries in the world to visit.

None more so than Denmark, an incredibly friendly country that connects mainland Europe to Scandinavia.

Its capital city, Copenhagen, is one of the continent's most well-known places, yet it isn’t as popular a city break destination as it perhaps should be.

With its colourful houses and lively atmosphere, the iconic area of Nyhavn has become synonymous with Copenhagen.

The colourful houses of Nyhavn are the perfect backdrop to relax and grab a drink (Image: Getty)

A perfect place to kick back and grab a drink by the water, Nyhavn was originally a commercial port welcoming ships from all over the world.

Once home to the legendary writer Hans Christian Andersen, the neighbourhood wouldn't look out of place in a picture book itself.

There are a number of boat trips operating from Nyhavn, offering visitors a chance to explore the sights of Copenhagen by water. It is a great opportunity to get your bearings and spot any attractions you’d like to see up close, whilst providing interesting commentary on the history of this fantastic city.

You can buy tickets for one of the boat trips on the day from Nyhavn, but they can also be purchased online in advance. The prices vary depending on which provider you choose to travel, and tickets should range from around £16-£20 for an hour-long journey.

The Little Mermaid sculpture is a must-see (Image: Getty)
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Hans Christian Andersen’s presence is still felt throughout the city. You have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the Danish Author at the Hans Christian Andersen Experience - a charming and interactive museum detailing his life and the fairy tales he penned.

The Hans Christian Andersen Experience is a part of Ripley’s Believe it or Not, an entertaining exhibition on the world’s weirdest and wackiest true stories. You can purchase a combo ticket for both from 206 KR (£23.74) for an adult, and 139 KR (£16.02) for a child aged 4-11.

One of Hans Christian Andersen’s most famous stories is The Little Mermaid, which was written in 1837 and has subsequently been adapted into a number of films. In the Langelinie area of Copenhagen there is a bronze statue depicting the titular mermaid, unveiled in 1913, which is well worth taking the time to see.

Another of Copenhagen’s most iconic attractions is the spectacular Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world.

Tivoli Gardens are one of the world's oldest amusement parks (Image: Getty)

With something for everyone, Tivoli has roller coasters, rides, shows and a feel-good atmosphere. If Disney is the ‘happiest place on Earth’, Tivoli mustn't be far behind.

The sheer scale of Tivoli is mind-blowing, and you can easily spend a full day there and not cover everything. There are a number of ticketing options which can be viewed on the Tivoli website, but bear in mind Tivoli Gardens reopens on March 22.

Connected to Tivoli is a superstore specialising in one of Denmark’s most famous exports - LEGO.

The LEGO Store Tivoli Gardens is a must visit for fans of the iconic building blocks, as the highlight of the shop is a station where you can design and make yourself out of LEGO, providing a truly unique memento.

The Church of our Saviour's spectacular spiralling spire offers fantastic views over Copenhagen (Image: Getty)

Standing tall over the city is the spellbinding spire of Our Saviour’s Church, which visitors have the opportunity to climb.

After ascending 400 steps, with the last 150 externally spiralling around the tower, you will be blessed with one of the best views of Copenhagen - some 262 feet in the air.

Entrance to the tower is free, but it is advisable to book online in advance to secure a timeslot. If you aren’t a fan of heights, it’s best you give the climb a miss.

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- There’s a sense of discovery and awe in exploring these environments—from walking towns rebuilt after war, to standing on windswept piers, to seeking out “roots of history” in ancient or reconstructed places.

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Content: Poland! It was never on my travel list. In my mind, it’s an East European country ravaged by world wars. So when I was assigned a trip to Poland, I hesitated briefly. Then I said to myself: I know very little about the country, so let this be a voyage of discovery.

A fantastic voyage of discovery it was. Over seven days, Poland surprised and enchanted me with its history, culture, architecture, natural beauty, fresh fruits and cuisine. The swing through Warsaw, Gdansk, Gdynia, Lodz and Wroclaw lent me a new perspective. I saw a modern country with good infrastructure, clean roads, green vistas, rolling fields, ancient baroque-style palaces, ornate churches, centuries-old architecture and fantastic food.

I would have liked a more immersive experience because there was so much to see and take in. I wanted to sit at one of the wayside restaurants in Wroclaw and watch the world go by with a beverage in hand. Take a stroll through Piotrkowska Street in Lodz. Stand a bit longer on the Orlowo Pier in Gydnia with the wind in my face and watch the Baltic Sea. And Gdansk, where do I even start? The charming port city brims with history.

Poland is no stranger to history, and the past is inextricably entwined in its capital, Warsaw. A city that was destroyed in the Second World War and rebuilt from the ruins. The city is a testament to the resilience of the Poles, who repeatedly bounced back from the horrors of wars and partitions. Time stands still in Warsaw, particularly in the Old Town.

Brutal wars and a painful past may be a recurring theme in Poland, but Frederic Chopin occupies pride of place in Polish tourism. Rightly so, because he is the most famous Pole in the world. People throng Chopin concerts worldwide, and some don’t even know he’s Polish. Chopin spent his later years in France and is buried in Paris, hence the confusion.

Chopin is everywhere in Poland. I arrived at the Frederic Chopin International Airport in Warsaw. A visit to the Holy Cross Church brought me closer to Chopin’s heart. Literally. It resides in one of the church’s pillars after being smuggled into Poland, past Soviet border guards by his sister, as Chopin requested before his death.

Stepping outside the church, I came across the Chopin benches. The black granite benches, found in 15 places in Warsaw, play Chopin’s works and offer a map to other bench locations. Walking past them, I found a Chopin lodging where he lived as a young man. Heading to the Royal Lazienki Park, I found a sculpture of Chopin sitting under a willow. An outdoor concert was underway.

A 60km trip to Zelazowa Wola brought me to Chopin’s birthplace (he was born in 1810). A lone building with all things Chopin remains on the premises. Aleksandra Swigut, a pianist, played a couple of the maestro’s works. Warsaw is also home to a Chopin Museum. But there’s much more to Poland than Chopin.

WARSAW: UNESCO HERITAGE EXCEPTION
Unesco world heritage sites generally are of archaeological significance. But Warsaw’s historic city centre is an exception: all the structures were built in the 20th century, although some have a 14th-century feel about them. Poland rebuilt the city with popular donations after Nazi troops systematically demolished 80-90% of the buildings when Poles earned German leader Adolf Hitler’s wrath with the Warsaw uprising of 1944.
After the war, Poland mobilised its people to rebuild Warsaw with the rallying cry: “The entire nation builds its capital.” The rebuild of Old Town started in 1945, and most of the work was completed in less than ten years, although additional reconstruction continued into the1980s, reports say. Pre-war photographs, architectural drawings and 18th-century paintings by Italian artists Marcello Bacciarelli and Bernardo Bellotto acted as visual guides in the reconstruction.
Undamaged bricks, slabs and fragments were used in the reconstruction. The project was completed with the reopening of the Royal Castle in 1984. With that, Warsaw and Poland reclaimed their past and pride.

A monument that pays tribute to David Copernicus stands prominently at Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street, Warsaw. He’s the Pole who taught us that Earth revolves around the Sun and not the other way around.

Further away is the Royal Castle, a sprawling brick-red building that dominates Castle Square, where Sigismund’s Column haughtily pierces the sky. Difficult to believe that the buildings were rebuilt structures after Germans dynamited the originals following Adolf Hitler’s fury at the Poles’ stubborn resistance.

A few steps away, the Warsaw Mermaid awaited, with a shield aloft and swinging sword over her head. Moving away, I came across the home (now a museum) of Marie Sklodowska-Curie, a Nobel winner in Physics (for the study of spontaneous radioactivity) and Chemistry (discovery of Radium and Polonium, the metal is named after her homeland).

THE MERMAIDS OF WARSAW
Mermaids, there are aplenty in Warsaw, the capital of Poland. But the Syrenka (mermaid in Polish) in Old Town is the most famous. Where did these half-woman half-fish creatures come from? Apparently, there’s no single answer.
Popular legend has it that two mermaid sisters swam across the Baltic Sea and parted ways at Gdansk: one went to Copenhagen, and the other came down the Vistula River and rested near the Old Town in Warsaw. Impressed with the place, she decided to stay, but the fishermen were unhappy with her for freeing fish from their nets. Her beauty and singing won them, but a greedy merchant kidnapped her to make money on travelling shows at fairs. A fisherman’s son rescued her, and a grateful mermaid vowed to defend the village that became Warsaw.
Another one says that when a prince lost his way on a hunting trip, the mermaid shot arrows into the sky to guide him to safety. The third tale is about a griffin (a mythical animal with the head and wings of an eagle and the body, hind legs, and tail of a lion) who defended the city and accompanied fishermen into the Baltic. During a trip, he fell in love with a mermaid, and the two returned to live in Warsaw. The griffin died in the battle with the Swedes, and the mermaid took up arms to defend the city. The grateful people made her the symbol of Warsaw and placed her in the coat of arms.
Stories there are many more, and each is fiercely disputed, according to reports. Mermaids too are many in Warsaw. The one at Old Town Square attracts the most tourists, another one can be spotted near the Swietokrzyski Bridge, and a third stands near the Markiewicz viaduct. More lesser-known statues of mermaids are sighted around the city.

Some grim moments at the boundary of a former Jewish Warsaw Ghetto were followed by a trip to the magnificent Wilanow Palace, a baroque-style summer residence of King Jan III Sobieski built in the 17th century.

Another palace loomed in Lazienki Krolewskie, or the Royal Baths Park: the Palace on the Isle, which dates back to the 17th century. Initially a Baroque Bathouse Pavilion, it was converted into a neoclassical palace before it became a museum.

Slate grey skies with dark clouds and a steady drizzle greeted me in Gdynia. The chilly winds failed to thwart a lazy walk over the 180-metre Orlowo Pier, the wooden structure built during the First World War. A coffee warmed me for a spot of forest-bathing as I hiked the nature reserve with the affable Marek Kaminski, the Guinness record-holder who has been both the poles.

Soon I stepped into Gdansk, a seaside city steeped in history. All the ruins were rebuilt in precisely the same manner. I walked the streets in awe, marvelling at the buildings but not fully knowing the weight of history and a past that tied Gdynia and Gdansk to the start of the Second World War.

Gdansk is the land of Lech Walesa, the man with a walrus moustache, who led the Solidarity Movement from the docks and rose to become the country’s first democratically elected president. I knew that. But I didn’t know of another Gdansk son, Daniel Fahrenheit, who is more known for devising the Fahrenheit temperature scale and less for inventing the mercury-in-glass thermometer.

The city is also the capital of amber, a fossilised resin from coniferous trees. So a visit to Amber Museum is mandatory. It traces the trade and history of amber from 8000 BC and is a virtual repository of all things amber.

Lodz was the next stop. Lodz is pronounced Wuj and written Łódź in Polish. Being a textile manufacturing centre, Lodz is a fashion capital, and a long walk through Piotrkowska Street is also a must for film buffs. It didn’t happen due to a time crunch. The Lodz film school helped film directors Roman Polanski, Andrzej Wajda and Krzysztof Kieslowski learn the craft.

The land of gnomes, Wroclaw beckoned me. Statues of little people are found everywhere in the city: in the alleys, doorways, street corners and even the city centre. Although more of a tourist gimmick now, its origins lie in the underground protest movement during the days of communism.

Wroclaw in Lower Silesia is adorned with beautiful buildings, especially around the Rynek (Market Square). Many colourful buildings were rebuilt after the wars but retained their appeal. A buggy ride helped us whistle past many landmarks, but we did make it to the Hydropolis (a water research centre) and the Raclawice Panorama, which houses a 360-degree 3D painting. It’s not a technological marvel but an artwork that fuses art on canvas and real-life objects to depict the 1794 Battle of Raclawice.

A stay at the Ksiaz Castle hotel was a throwback to the past, but the spooky night tour of the 13th-century castle produced spine-chilling encounters with four ghosts of people who served the House of Hochberg. The German and Soviet forces ravaged much of the castle during the wars, and rumours abound that a lost Nazi gold train is said to be buried near the castle.

I didn’t find the gold train but was treated to Poland’s bounty. The seven days sure did change my perception of the country. There’s much more to see and enjoy. So I will be back.

Jen-koo-yeh Polska (Thank you Poland).

- The intimate relationship between people and place is a recurring theme: both in terms of collective memory (e.g.

war-time rebuilding, world-famous Poles like Copernicus) and personal reminiscence (seeking meaning, forming attachments to places).

- Tourism encourages this sense of journey, adventure, and planning to “enjoy even a small portion of the delights on offer,” blending entertainment, culture, history, and introspection.

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Visiting Venice this summer? Here's the best art on show at the Venice Biennale

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The recently opened Venice Biennale -- an 8-month-long international festival of art and culture staged every other year (though it skipped 2021 due to the pandemic) -- is an opportunity to see some of the world's best artists all in one place.

The event, with origins dating back to 1895, is formed of three parts: The central show, housed in a series of sprawling industrial buildings in an old dockyards area known as Arsenale, and in the main pavilion of the Giardini della Biennale; the national pavilions, most of which are in the Giardini which is home an architectural mismash of houses built in historical and modern styles from 29 countries including the UK, France, Japan, Brazil and the US; and finally, a series of satellite or "collateral" exhibitions and pop-up events dotted throughout the city.

Each year, an artistic director is appointed to curate the central exhibit which in many ways sets the tone for the whole festival. This time the privilege went to Italy's own Cecilia Alemani whose day job is to run the art programme for Manhattan's High Line in New York. Her Venice show titled "The Milk of Dreams," was inspired by a children's book of the same name by the late artist and author Leonora Carrington. In tribute to the surrealist picture-book, the exhibit is filled with wonderfully implausible treasures; it is also a robust tribute to women in art. In a complete flip-reversal of the norm, in the over 200 artists included, it's often difficult to spot the work of a man.

It's a vast, occasionally overwhelming, display of art. And to enjoy even a small portion of the delights on offer, a plan is needed. This writer walked over 10 miles a day in an effort to canvas the city and still left feeling as though more could have been seen.

So give yourself at least two days if you can, pack your most comfortable shoes and don't forget to hydrate.

Day 1

It all begins with getting your ticket from the main Arsenale ticket office (or on the website). Once you're armed with that all important barcode, start the day at Alemani's "The Milk of Dreams" exhibit which you can access via Ramo de la Tana.

If you smell a hint of chocolate in the air it's because you're nearing Delcy Morelos' "Earthly Paradise" (2022), a deeply immersive maze made of soil mixed with hay cassava flour, warming spices and cacao powder. Stand in the center of the installation and breathe.

Once you're suitably grounded, move onwards to seek out a series of black and white photos from the early 20th century starring a wonderfully curious German Baroness called Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven. Despite the title, she was not wealthy. Ending up footloose and fancy free in New York in the 1910s she would pose for artists and perform as a soubrette (a fun and flirtatious character role in plays and operas) in various Greenwich Village clubs. Friends with Marcel Duchamp, she became legendary on the Dada art scene. In the photos on display, she's seen pulling bizarre poses using props and accessories she apparently stole or found in the garbage. What a woman.

Around the corner, take a moment to inspect three sculptures by Lebanese artist Ali Cherri. The 'Titans" are crafted from terracotta, wood and metal and are inspired by ancient protective deities. Also nearby are a set of colorful tapestries by Safia Farhat, a Tunisian artist and activist. The layered and collagelike works are a luscious blend of geometric shapes and more figurative forms.

After you've made it through the exhibition, circle back on some of the temporary national pavilions that are also housed in this industrial quarter. On the second floor of one of the first clusters of buildings near the entrance of the main exhibit, you'll find the work of Ukrainian artist Pavlo Makov. Sit on the curved bench in front of his "Fountain of Exhaustion" and read this while you reflect on the strength of artists during times of crisis.

Once you're ready for more, head out toward the Italian pavilion which is a few minutes walk away. En route you'll walk past New Zealand's area, where a series of striking photos by Pacific Indigenous artist Yuki Kihara challenge old colonial ideas of paradise. You can read more about her work here.

Given where you are, it would be rude not to visit Italy's pavilion. Spread across some 20,000 square feet, the space was given to site-specific installation artist Gian Maria Tosatti who presented a series of scenes -- bringing in disused factory equipment, such as abandoned industrial-quality sewing machines -- that allude to the rise and fall of industrial Italy.

Nodding to how nature fared during the country's great industrialization, a second space allows visitors to step out onto a jetty, set inside a water-filled and lightless building. Take a moment here as subtle flickers of light (faux fireflies) dance across the water's surface. Next, step out into the light again and head toward the permanent national pavilions in the Biennale Giardini. Go there via a delightful cafe housed inside a greenhouse built in 1894 called Serra Margherita (Margherita Greenhouse).

Once inside the Giardini, follow your instincts and allow yourself to be drawn into the buildings that grab you. If you aren't going to inspect each national exhibit forensically (this could take hours), do not miss Simone Leigh's stunning "Sovereignty" in the United States pavilion. The series of sculptures deserves a moment of quiet meditation on the artist's expansive and visceral portrayal of the Black female experience.

Leigh was awarded one of two Golden Lion prizes (the Biennale's highest ranking), with Great Britain's Sonia Boyce scooping up the other. Both artists were the first Black women to represent their countries at the Biennale and the first Black artists to win the top prize. So do visit Boyce's display, "Feeling Her Way," in Great Britain's pavilion, too.

At this point you'll be running out of steam, so have an early dinner at the nearby Al Covo -- a surprisingly low-key, high-quality spot given its location just off the main waterfront promenade. Reservations are essential during busy periods.

Day 2

Get up early, there's a lot to see. Today, your focus is on the collateral exhibitions dotted around the city. First head up and over the Rialto bridge toward Palazzo Vendramin Griman where you will find the work of Mexican artist Bosco Sodi. Almost nothing is a bargain in Venice, but this show, which runs through multiple rooms of the Palazzo, is free and extremely worthwhile. Sodi took up residency in the space for two months in early spring. During that time, he drew inspiration from Venice's history as a hub for trade and culture. The result is an abstract display of sculpture and paintings that seek to remind viewers of where many valuable goods traded in Europe originated from. For example, many of his works are created using Cochineal, a traditional red pigment from Mexico that became popular in Europe after it was discovered by Spanish colonizers in the 16th century. Its rich, earthy hue pops up throughout the show and is a warming contrast to the palazzo's lavish interiors.

Next, hop on a vaportetto (that's a water bus for the uninitiated) and make your way to Gallerie dell'Accademia, where the starry British artist Anish Kapoor has a show that runs until October. If you're queasy, brace yourself -- the first pieces, in flashes of crimson red and dry-blood brown, are of a gory nature and large in scale. There's a violence to this well-known work, a liverishness -- but it's almost impossible not to stare.

The rooms that follow offer something of a palette cleanser: A series of works using Vantablack, a material known for being the world's darkest color, which Kapoor somewhat controversially paid for exclusive license to use in the field of art. Developed by a UK-based company called Surrey NanoSystems, the dark coating (it's more a form of tech than a paint) is so black that it plays tricks on your eyes when applied to three dimensional figures, making them look flat from various angles. His show extends to a second location, so if you're really feeling it, you could see more at the Palazzo Manfrin.

Otherwise, make your way towards the nearby and extremely satisfying Tadao Ando-renovated Palazzo Grassi. The famed Japanese architect struck a soothing balance between historical legacy and modern reinvention when he revamped the building for its owner, French billionaire Francois Pinault. The palazzo is currently home to a major survey of work by South African artist Marlene Dumas -- known for her emotive paintings that can often shock, entertain and seduce you all at once.

For something different, seek out respite from the heat at the Complesso dell'Ospedaletto and Church of Santa Maria dei Derelitti, where a series of eight short films by the Fondazione In Between Art Film, an initiative by Italian costume designer Beatrice Bulgari to support moving image art, are being screened. Highlights include Karimah Ashadu's "Plateau," which follows a group of undocumented tin miners in Nigeria, shedding light on the conditions and risks involved in their work. The last film in the show's sequence is also unmissable: In "Olhoda Rua" (Out Loud), Brazilian artist Jonathas de Andrade blurred the lines between documentary and fiction by casting a group of homeless people in the coastal city of Recife in a series of performative acts set to a soundtrack by percussionist Homero Basílio.

From there, you'll be pleased to hear it's time for a beverage and a sampling of some of Venice's famous cicchetti snacks. For this, walk to Vino Vero, a chilled canalside spot that refuses to sell spritz but instead pours a great selection of wine. It's a few minutes down from something of an institution, a bustling taverna called Il Paradiso Perduto. Order a massive plate of seafood pasta and a liter of house white, and be prepared to have it slammed down on the table. Enjoy it, you've earned it.

The good news? Your tour is done. The bad news? You've seen but a fraction of what's on offer. So if you're staying another day and haven't had your fill, here are a few more shows to stop in to.

This is Ukraine: Defending Freedom

Downstairs, a powerful group show of work by Ukrainian artists made since Russia launched its brutal attack on the country in February. Upstairs, some of the biggest names in contemporary art, including Damien Hirst and Marina Abramović, respond to the war with new and archival work.

Where: Scuola Grande della Misericordia

When: Until August 7, 2022

Anselm Kiefer

The German painter offers his super-sized take on Venice in 14 paintings.

Where: Palazzo Ducale, Piazza San Marco

When: Until 29 October, 2022

Louise Nevelson: Persistence

A retrospective of the work of the 20th century American artist to mark 60 years since she represented the United States at the Venice Biennale in 1932.

Where: Procuratie Vecchie, Piazza San Marco

When: Until September 11, 2022

Surrealism and Magic: Enchanted Modernity

A celebration of how magic and the occult informed the Surrealist movement.

Where: The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Accademia

When: Until 26 September, 2022

The-CNN-Wire

™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.

- The guide hints that travel is not just about seeing, but about experiencing, understanding, and sometimes reclaiming bits of self in the process.

Here’s a summary of key nuggets from the extracts provided:

- **University of Bologna**: It is the oldest secular educational institution in Europe, with a thousand years of history.

Title:

Content: University of Bologna: A Thousand Years of History
Visit the oldest secular educational institution in Europe and feel like students again
Description
A photo
About guide
Choose a day
Answers to questions
The alma mater of Dante, Petrarch, Copernicus, Dürer and other outstanding personalities, the oldest secular educational institution in Europe - we are talking, of course, about the University of Bologna.
I finished it myself once, so I can not only immerse you in history and show its buildings, but also take you to the walls of my native faculty, so that you feel the learning atmosphere!
Upcoming dates:
31
oct
1
november
2
november
3
november
6
november
7
november
9
november
More
dates
Book now, cancel if necessary If you decide to cancel a reservation 48 hours before the start of the event - you will be refunded 100% of the amount paid
Description
What awaits you
We will visit the Palazzo Archgymnasium, the first building of the University of Bologna.
Let's go to St. Dominic's Square, where I'll show you the sarcophagi of the glossators.
We will walk through the university quarter, look into the university church, where students come to pray before the exam.
You will learn the history of the alma mater of many creators and scientists.
As a graduate of the University of Bologna, I will talk about admission, the learning process, the possibility of obtaining a scholarship for international students.
And I will definitely take you to my faculty, where you will see audiences, libraries, teachers and for a while feel like students of the oldest university in Europe.
And also, if you want, we will look into the Anatomical Theater (inside the Archgymnasium) with wooden sculptures of people without skin.
Organizational details
Tickets to the Anatomical Theater are paid additionally – 3 €/ person.
Choose a date when booking
Answers to questions
Place of start and end?
by Piazza Maggiore
When and how long does it last?
When: Select a date when booking
The tour lasts about 2.5 hours
You need to book in advance, at least 5 hours in advance
Who else will be with me?
This is an individual tour, all the attention will be for you and your company.
Group size no more than 5 people.
Do I have to pay everything at once?
No, you do not need to pay immediately - it is enough to pay 23% of the cost, and the rest is already on the spot.
It is necessary that the date and number of people are reserved for you, and the guides begin to prepare for the tour.
Before payment, you can
Can I ask a question before booking?
Of course, the guide will be happy to answer your questions.
Just go to this form and.
It is not necessary to pay, you just make a request for a reservation without payment, but with a question, and if then something does not suit you, just do not pay or click the cancel button.
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The tour includes sites such as the building of the National Council, Monument to Svyatopluk I, and the old town hall complex.

Title:

Content: Bratislava - the heart and soul of Slovakia
Private tour in Vienna
A thousand-year-old city that doesn ’ t tire of its size.
Upcoming dates:
20
apr
21
apr
22
apr
23
apr
25
apr
27
apr
28
apr
More
dates
What awaits you:
• Bratislava Castle
• The building of the National Council
• Vienna Gate
• Monument to Svyatopluk I
• Old Town:
• National Theatre
• Hvezdosław Square
• Palace of Primas
• Market Square
• Unique complex of the old town hall
• Gothic cathedrals
• Medieval Mikhalsky Gate
• Monuments to the onlooker Chumil, Ignaz Lamar, etc.
Description
This tour is ideal for those who want to see all the main attractions of the old city in a short time.
We have compiled this tour of nice and cozy Bratislava in such a way that after spending time you have your own idea of   Slovakia and Bratislava, so that you can endow it with your images, feelings and experiences.
If Slovakia is a sweet young lady of “Mrs. Slovenska ”, then Bratislava is her soul.
Bratislava Castle We will start the tour with a visit to Bratislava Castle, which is impossible to overlook.
Already on the entrances to the city you will see a snow-white castle located on a high hill.
Bratislava Castle is the main symbol of Bratislava.
You will learn what important events in the history of the country are associated with the City.
Having made a short stop near the building of the National Rada, you will pass through the Vienna Gate to the castle territory, walk along the inner courtyard, consider the monument to Svyatopluk I, admire the views of the city.
After a short walk we will move to the very heart of Bratislava – the Old Town, where you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the millennia of Slovak history.
We will walk along the ancient streets, which were used by knights, kings and queens.
You will see all the main gems of the old city: the National Theater, Hvezdoslav Square, the Primas Palace, the Market Square, the unique complex of the old town hall, Gothic cathedrals, the medieval Mikhalsky Gate, the house where the city executioner once lived, and much more.
And, of course, you will meet with the most famous city monuments - a cheerful onlooker Chumil, peering out of the sewer hatch, a kind city eccentric Ignaz Lamar, a guard in a watchbox who guards the Main Square and a French soldier who overhears the conversations of lovers.
And you will enjoy the pleasant atmosphere reigning here, which is created not only by ancient architecture, but also by cozy cafes, colorful benches and greenery of trees.
After our leisurely and fascinating walk through the Old Town, you will still have time to get acquainted with the local cuisine or the opportunity to continue exploring the city on your own.
Daily at 9: 00 or 10: 00 or 11: 00 or 12: 00
Choose date
Answers to questions
What can I see on the tour?
• Bratislava Castle
• The building of the National Council
• Vienna Gate
• Monument to Svyatopluk I
• Old Town:
• National Theatre
• Hvezdosław Square
• Palace of Primas
• Market Square
• Unique complex of the old town hall
• Gothic cathedrals
• Medieval Mikhalsky Gate
• Monuments to the onlooker Chumil, Ignaz Lamar, etc.
What 's included
• Transport
• Guide services.
What is not included in the price
• Drinks
• Meals
Place of start and end?
By agreement
When and how long does it last?
When: Daily at 9: 00 or 10: 00 or 11: 00 or 12: 00
The tour lasts about 5 hours
You need to book in advance, at least 6 hours in advance
Who else will be with me?
This is an individual tour, all the attention will be for you and your company.
Group size no more than 6 people.
Important information
• It is mandatory to have a passport with you!!
Do I have to pay everything at once?
No, you can pay nothing at all when booking, and pay in cash already on the spot at the meeting, but in this case the availability of seats is not guaranteed.
Can I ask a question before booking?
Of course, the guide will be happy to answer your questions.
Just go to this form and ask your question.
It is not necessary to pay, you just make a request for a reservation without payment, but with a question, and if then something does not suit you, just do not pay or click the cancel button.
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Advance booking is required (at least 6 hours before the visit).

- **Rijksmuseum Amsterdam – Jan Vermeer Exhibition**: The museum hosts an unprecedented exhibition featuring 23 out of the 37 known Vermeer paintings.

Title:

Content: The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has prepared an unprecedented exhibition of works by Jan Vermeer
There are only 37 works uniquely attributed to Vermeer, 23 of which will be on display at the exhibition.
AMSTERDAM.
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has prepared an unprecedented exhibition of works by Jan (Johannes) Vermeer, which will open next month, reports The History Blog.
It is known that there are only 37 works uniquely attributed to Vermeer, and 23 of them will be on display at this exhibition.
Many of them are provided by museums from around the world, including The Girl with a Pearl Earring (Mauritsheiss, The Hague), The Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window (Old Masters Gallery, Dresden), and The Woman Holding the Scale (National Gallery of Art, Washington).
To accompany the exhibition, the Rijksmuseum created an exceptional virtual study of all Vermeer ’ s paintings.
It ’ s really a study, a guided tour of Vermeer ’ s work that takes the most advantage of digital technology to give viewers a comprehensive look at each of his 37 famous paintings.
The story is written in English by Stephen Fry.
The introduction begins with a mosaic screen with sketches of each Vermeer painting.
Each thumbnail is clickable if you want to familiarize yourself with specific works.
This tour masterfully places the paintings in the context of Vermeer ’ s life and evolution as an artist.
The exhibition divides Vermeer ’ s work into 13 chapters with unifying motifs.
The tour begins with the section “To the City ”, where views of Delft and Little Street are explored, and Vermeer ’ s skill is placed in the context of the city where he was born, lived and worked.
It ’ s a walk through the 17th-century city through Vermeer ’ s landscapes.
Fry identifies some of the buildings as we move forward and then neatly moves into Little Street.
“Girl with a Pearl Earring ” is in section 8,“ Seduction View, ” in which she is grouped with three other “Vermeer beauties. ”
They are all “tronie ” portraits, a type of instructional painting with fantasy elements of lighting, expression, and clothing that artists created as practical exercises.
All four of Vermeer ’ s “thrones ” wear pearl earrings and unusual hats.
This is one of the best virtual exhibitions of recent times.
The text is written in a representative, carefree style, but at the same time incredibly informative.
Ultra-high resolution photographs are used in full.
Fry explains the changes made by Vermeer based on the most recent images and studies of his process.
Each picture also has annotated areas that you can click on to get more information.
Notes open in windows with clickable images, so each note is a few sections.
If you finish exploring the nooks and crannies, you will return to the main tour, and the narrative will continue from where you left off.
Forums

Notably, all four of Vermeer’s “thrones” feature pearl earrings and distinctive hats.

- **Florence – Mosaic Art Tours**: Tours introduce the history and tradition of Florentine mosaic art, demonstrating its origins and historical uses.

Title:

Content: Stone painting
This fascinating tour is dedicated to the world-famous art of Florentine mosaic
This fascinating tour is dedicated to the world-famous art of Florentine mosaic.
This technique is called so because the masters of Florence were the first to use the natural, natural pattern of stone to obtain finished paintings.
The history of the Florentine mosaic is inextricably linked with the Medici family.
Description
What awaits you:
• Medici family and Florentine mosaic;
By the end of the 16th century, members of the dynasty had established a large workshop, which for several centuries gave luxury to their private chapel and residence, and also served as a source of constant interest on the part of all the most important European courts.
At the same time, the term “Florentine mosaic ” appeared, meaning the technique when stones of different breeds and, accordingly, hardness were used instead of a homogeneous material.
Unlimited choice of stone significantly enriched the color palette, giving the opportunity to get the effect of picturesqueness.
• The masters used a colored stone, the plates of which are carefully adjusted to each other without a “seam ” visible to the naked eye.
Stone plates can be of any geometric shape, but must be located in the same plane.
The traditions of this amazing craftsmanship have survived to this day and are applied in the practice of the mosaicists of Florence without change.
The history and traditions of the famous Florentine mosaic art
We will start the tour with a visit to the Museum of the Factory of Semi-Precious Stones.
The factory was officially founded in 1588 by order of Duke Ferdinando I of Medici.
Then we will visit one of the oldest workshops in Florence, which still continues to work using ancient tools and ancient techniques.
As in the 16th century, each piece of stone is cut by a simple saw made of a curved branch of wood with iron wire covered with water and sandpowder, the pieces are then glued together with wax and pine resin.
For more than three centuries, most of the work has been devoted to the decoration of the Medici Mausoleum, which will be our last stage.
This luxurious octagonal room is the burial place of the Medici, conceived as the very glorification of the family and decorated with rare semi-precious stones and luxurious colored marble inlays.
Important information:
Please wear comfortable clothing for the weather and comfortable shoes.
Answers to questions
What is included
• Guide services
• Entrance to the workshops is free of charge
What is not included
• For groups of more than 7 people, headphones are ordered (1,5 €– 3 €depending on the number of participants)
• Museum ticket
Place of start and end?
By agreement
When and how long does it last?
When: Monday – Friday, 8: 15-12: 45.
The tour lasts about 3 hours
Who else will be with me?
This is an individual tour, all the attention will be for you and your company.
Group size no more than 6 people.
Important information
• Please
• Wear comfortable clothing according to the weather and comfortable shoes
Do I have to pay everything at once?
In most cases, you pay only a small part of the total amount, and the rest you pay at the time of meeting with the guide already on the tour.
But if it comes to tickets, the payment is required in full.
Can I ask a question before booking?
Of course, the guide will be happy to answer your questions.
Just go to this form and ask your question.
It is not necessary to pay, you just make a request for a reservation without payment, but with a question, and if then something does not suit you, just do not pay or click the cancel button.
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The walking tour offers an introduction to Florence’s religious center and is recommended for first-time visitors.

Groups are small, up to 6 people.

Title:

Content: Barcelona and Montserrat in 1 day
Make a wish from the Black Madonna and reveal the secrets of Gaudí
Description
A photo
About guide
Choose a day
Answers to questions
You will see the best that Catalonia offers - the Mediterranean pearl of Barcelona and the magical mountain of Montserrat, where people from all over the world come to the Black Madonna.
I'll tell you why Gaudí wanted to leave in the middle of building Mila's house, and I'll show you a house with a fairy tale written on its walls.
Upcoming dates:
16
oct
19
oct
20
oct
21
oct
22
oct
23
oct
24
oct
More
dates
Book now, cancel if necessary If you decide to cancel a reservation 48 hours before the start of the event - you will be refunded 100% of the amount paid
Description
What awaits you
Montserrat – a cherished desire and an observation deck
Let ’ s start with the magic – we ’ ll go to Montserrat.
You will recharge with wonderful energy and make a wish from the Black Madonna.
Admire the incredible scenery from the viewing platforms, located almost on the eve of the celestial vault.
Take a look at the local market to farmers, where you will be treated to cheeses and honey with unique notes of herbs of these places.
Barcelona – Architecture and Legends
Filled with energy, you will return to Barcelona.
Here you are waiting for:
• Plaza de España and an observation deck.
From a bird ’ s eye view, you will explore the city and Montjuïc Mountain, where the National Palace rises as an elegant dominant.
• Sagrada Familia (outside, but if desired, you can go inside, as well as in other museums).
You will discover the secrets that the great architect Gaudí left on the facades.
• Mila House (outside).
You will hear about the scandalous stories, because of which Gaudí did not build anything else and almost left in the middle of the project.
• Casa Batlló (outside).
It is the most famous house in the city.
On the facade you will read the main fairy tale of Barcelona and learn why the inhabitants did not use Gaudi furniture.
• Cathedral.
I will tell you why the main cathedral was built much longer than the Sagrada Familia temple.
• Gothic Quarter.
Atmospheric winding streets, Roman walls and the Middle Ages - here flowed most of the life of ancient Barcelona.
• Royal Palace (outside).
I will uncover the medieval norms and describe how Columbus was received in the palace and justice was done at his walls.
Organizational details
Additional costs
• Tickets to the Black Madonna – €8 / person
You also have to pay for the tour guide.
• Ascent to the observation deck - about €1.5 / person.
You also have to pay for the tour guide.
• Lunch, entrance tickets to museums – optional
Transport – to choose from
• Travel from Barcelona to Montserrat and back by train and cable car – about €25 / person.
You also have to pay for the tour guide.
By car (transfer) - from €150.
Specify the details in the correspondence.
• Travel in Barcelona by metro – about €2,5 / person.
By taxi - about €15 / trip.
You also have to pay for the tour guide.
By car (transfer) - from €125.
Specify the details in the correspondence.
Choose a date when booking
Answers to questions
Place of start and end?
at the Sants Estacio railway station
When and how long does it last?
When: Select a date when booking
The tour lasts about 8 hours
Book in advance, at least 48 hours in advance
Who else will be with me?
This is an individual tour, all the attention will be for you and your company.
Group size no more than 5 people.
Do I have to pay everything at once?
No, you do not need to pay immediately - it is enough to pay 23% of the cost, and the rest is already on the spot.
It is necessary that the date and number of people are reserved for you, and the guides begin to prepare for the tour.
Before payment, you can
Can I ask a question before booking?
Of course, the guide will be happy to answer your questions.
Just go to this form and.
It is not necessary to pay, you just make a request for a reservation without payment, but with a question, and if then something does not suit you, just do not pay or click the cancel button.
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Popular places
Montserrat
Casa Batlló
The most important thing
Nature and landscapes
Mountains
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- **Gastronomy Tours in Brussels**: Food tours in Brussels allow visitors to explore Belgian cuisine and culture.

Title:

Content: Brussels for friends: a gastro-walk in the city center
Taste the delicacies and culinary symbols of Brussels and discover the secrets of Brussels cuisine
There is no way to tell about a country faster and more honestly than through its dishes.
You will visit the best and unusual institutions, try the masterpieces of Belgian cuisine.
It combined things that at first glance seem incongruous: French refinement and Flemish pragmatism.
You will see the same thing with national character.
Book now, cancel with full refund.
If you decide to cancel your reservation 48 hours before the start of the event, 100% of the amount paid will be returned to you.
What awaits you
Culinary attractions
We will walk through the city center in the company of a professional cook.
You will taste all the best that Belgium has to offer:
• Try sea delicacies in alliance with French champagne or a glass of young cold Chardonnay or Sauvignon blanc.
Your taste buds will forever remember what an exquisite delight the harsh North Sea can give.
• You will taste a lot of fragrant cheeses and learn how to choose, store and eat them correctly.
Find out why Belgian potatoes are considered the most delicious in the world.
• Hear the history of Belgian chocolate, understand its diversity and taste sweets in authentic places.
Visit the place where praline was born, and you will understand what caused its appearance.
After that, you'll have some freshly baked waffles.
• Learn what the local monks brew for beer, where in Belgium such a variety of varieties and how to learn how to navigate in this abundance.
Gastro-history of the city
During a walk through the very center of Brussels, you are sure to see the main attractions and discover the secrets of all the dishes you meet.
We will tell a lot of stories: funny and tragic, funny and sad.
You will understand what kind of people are Belgians, what they think, what they care about.
And by the end of the walk, you will definitely understand and love this country.
And all the participants of the walk are waiting for a delicious gift:)
Organizational details
• The tour is conducted by a team of guides.
• Food and drinks are paid separately.
• The tour can be extended; each additional hour of the guide ’ s work costs 40 euros.
• Come to the meeting point 5 minutes before the start of the tour.
If you are late, please inform the guide.
Don't worry, the guide will wait for you.
If you are more than 15 minutes late, you can deduct this time from the time of the tour or arrange an extension of the tour.
Answers to questions
Place of start and end?
by agreement
When and how long it lasts
When: At your chosen time
The tour lasts about 3.5 hours
Who else will be with me?
This is an individual tour, all the attention will be for you and your company.
Group size no more than 10 people.
Do I have to pay everything at once?
In most cases, you pay only a small part of the total amount, and the rest you pay at the time of meeting with the guide already on the tour.
But if it comes to tickets, the payment is required in full.
Can I ask a question before booking?
Of course, the guide will be happy to answer your questions.
Just go to this form and ask your question.
It is not necessary to pay, you just make a request for a reservation without payment, but with a question, and if then something does not suit you, just do not pay or click the cancel button.
You choose the date and time.
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The tours are typically paid partially in advance with the balance settled with the guide.

The tours aim to foster an appreciation of Belgium by sampling national dishes.

- **Brussels City Tours**: Various walking excursions available, covering topics such as the city’s role as EU capital or culinary highlights (“Brussels on a plate”).

Pricing is mentioned (e.g., 65 for 1-4 people).

- **Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg**: The Hermitage is highlighted as a major attraction containing artworks from various eras; touring the collection can be time-consuming due to its size and scope.

Title:

Content: The legendary Hermitage is one of the main attractions of St. Petersburg
2: 28
When planning your visit to St. Petersburg, you simply can not pass by the magnificent Hermitage - one of the main attractions of the city.
Its impressive collection will amaze everyone, leaving an unforgettable impression.
Incredible museum with many exhibits
The Hermitage, located on Palace Square, stores more than three million exhibits.
Since 2016, the museum has become one of the most visited and famous in the world.
Unique collections, which began to collect Catherine II, attract many art critics and tourists.
A Journey Through Epochs
The Hermitage is a complex of buildings, which, in addition to the Winter Palace, includes the Small Hermitage, the Big (Old) Hermitage, the New Hermitage and the Hermitage Theater.
There are works of art from different eras, and getting to know them can take a lot of time.
To organize your trip to the museum in the best way, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the structure and basic information about the Hermitage, and then choose the exhibitions you are interested in.
Temporary exhibitions
In addition to the permanent exhibits of the Hermitage, various temporary exhibitions are held here.
The topics of such exhibitions can be very diverse - from the history of the museum to the merger of art with science.
One of the wonderful temporary exhibitions is the "Hermitage Cat Day", which will please even the most demanding visitors.
This is a holiday dedicated to local cats, who have been freelance employees of the Hermitage for more than 250 years.
Thematic excursions
If you want to immerse yourself in a particular era or direction of art, we recommend choosing a thematic tour.
For example, you can study expressionist works by asking for help from a specialized guide.
Such excursions are always fascinating and will allow you to take a fresh look at works of art.
The greatness of the Hermitage
The Hermitage is a visiting card of St. Petersburg and the country as a whole.
A great museum that is worth visiting for everyone.
Exhibits presented in its halls not only attract your attention, but also cause a desire to learn more about them.
And the magnificent interiors of the museum are admired for many hours.
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Excursion to the Hermitage.
Author Jalil Vakhitov
Jalil Vakhitov - freelance correspondent of Pravda.Ru, leading the section "Travels"
Editor Natalia Movleva
Natalia Movleva — Editor-in-Chief of Pravda.Ru

- **Barcelona and Montserrat Combined Tour**: The tour covers Barcelona landmarks (including Plaza de España and Gaudí’s work) and an outing to Montserrat.

The trip involves train/cable car (approx.

€25/person), with additional costs for guide and optional car transfer (€125).

Private tours with up to 5 people; booking and payment terms are flexible, with the possibility to ask questions before confirming.

- **Postcards – Historical Context**: The adoption of postcards was resisted by postal services worldwide.

Title:

Content: Not a trifle at all!
14
Flora Levina, Semey
Cards and badges can sometimes "tell" no less than encyclopedias.
author 's photo
Postcards often become exhibits of museum exhibitions.
But, as a rule, these are those exemplars that are dedicated to congratulations on holidays - New Year, March 8 or Birthday.
At the exhibition "Not a trifle", the F.M. Dostoevsky Museum decided to show other postcards - those from which the postal life of the illuminated cards began.
The fact is that postal services around the world have long resisted the introduction of postcards.
It was not until 1869 that the first “correspondence card ” was published in Vienna, on which a view of Lake Geneva was printed.
With it, the tradition began not only to send cards by mail, but also to print on them the views of cities and landscapes.
Collectors still call them - species.
They became one of the main topics of the exhibition “Not a trifle ”.
The exhibition presents postcards with views of the cities in which Fyodor Dostoevsky visited, as well as cards introducing cities of Kazakhstan and the world.
A separate topic is a set of postcards about Semipalatinsk, which were published in the twentieth century.
There are among the exhibits letters of family members, who in distant childhood corresponded with peers from abroad and exchanged postcards.
Attract the attention of postcards with reproductions of masterpieces of painting, as well as an extensive collection of icons.
Including badges made of sitall - a unique material with increased heat resistance and hardness.
And although the patent for the manufacture of such badges from the USSR was bought by Japan, Italy, France and the United States, because of the high cost of production, they were not produced in any other country in the world.
There are also badges that were presented to the first passengers of the Tu-154, which first landed at the airport of Semipalatinsk in 1975.
Such small items as a postcard or a badge are not really trifles.
Each of them tells about a particular period of history, about some interesting event or work of art.
And it seems that the postcards contain a minimum of information, but at the same time they have done no less to educate and broaden their horizons than textbooks and encyclopedias, ” notes Alla Belyakin, an employee of the Museum named after F. M. Dostoevsky.
In total, about 700 postcards and more than 200 badges are presented at the exhibition.
Here you can also look through a rare large-format edition of the Atlas of the World in order to clarify some geographical issues that arise when getting acquainted with species cards.
And so that you can see in more detail all the small details of the icons, visitors are provided with magnifiers.
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The tradition of postcards led to widespread cityscape and landscape printing.

- **News Items**:
  - A girl in Shymkent who was hit by a bus is recovering.

- The Ice Age is starting in East Kazakhstan (possibly a local event or climatic note).

- EU leaders have decided on the recognition of rape as a European crime, pushing forward the ratification of the Istanbul Convention.

Title:

Content: EU leaders demand recognition of rape as a European crime
European Parliament and Commission Presidents Robert Metsol and Ursula von der Leyen - Copyright AP Photo
Isabel Marques da Silva
The State of the Union Program: European Integration of Ukraine.
The EU has approved the ratification of the Istanbul Convention.
Feminist education on sexuality.
Exhibition in Marseille about the Roma
Isabel Marques da Silva leads the State of the Union program from Brussels: “Brussels and Strasbourg, where the European institutions of power are located, are the cities where high-level events are usually held in honor of Europe Day, which is celebrated on May 9.
This was the case this year, but Ursula von der Leyen chose to go to Kiev to the great satisfaction of President Zelensky, who decided that Ukraine would henceforth also celebrate this Day.
The President of the European Commission stressed that Kiev is an ideal place to announce a call for the protection of the European project, based on the values of peace and freedom.
European integration of Ukraine
Meanwhile, in Strasbourg, the German Chancellor spoke on the occasion of Europe Day in the European Parliament.
Olaf Scholz sharply criticized what he called "Russian imperialism" and advocated a strong and enlarged European Union where Ukraine is integrated with other countries:
We told the citizens of the Western Balkan countries, Ukraine, Moldova, and later Georgia: “You belong to us. ”
It has nothing to do with altruism.
It is about our credibility and economic feasibility.
And we are talking about ensuring peace in Europe after the irrevocable change of eras, which was caused by the aggressive war of Russia against Ukraine.
Ratification of the Istanbul Convention
One in three women in the European Union has been subjected to physical and / or sexual violence, that is, a total of 62 million women.
Last week, the fight against violence against women won a legal victory.
The European Parliament approved the ratification of the Istanbul Convention by the European Union.
It is a legal instrument of the Council of Europe that came into force in 2014 to combat violence against women and domestic violence.
Its objectives are to improve the prevention of violence, protect victims and punish perpetrators.
Now the European Council, which includes representatives of 27 governments, is due to ratify this document on behalf of the bloc in June.
However, six Member States have not yet ratified it.
These are Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.
The leaders of these countries cannot be forced to do so, but Danish MEP Karen Melchior is optimistic about the future:
“Women in Europe will be better protected from violence.
They will have the best protection against the authorities, the police.
Education in schools will improve.
This will allow young women to understand that violence against them because they are women is unacceptable. ”
Feminist Education on Sexuality
My guest is Irene Rosales, responsible for the politics and campaigns of the European Women's Lobby.
Marques da Silva: Some lawmakers and experts hope that the six EU member states that have not yet ratified the convention will now feel more pressure to do so, or at least take a new position on the topic.
How do you think the situation will develop in these countries?
Rosales: They should feel pressure, not only those that have not ratified, but also some member states that, despite ratification, do not comply with the Istanbul Convention.
In these countries are our representatives, women ’ s rights organizations and other partners from civil society who are struggling to convey positive information about the convention.
We know that far-right organizations are spreading false information about her, fake news.
So organizations there really need support.
They've been working for years on the implementation of certain tools, whatever you call them.
These tools are good.
They will save the lives of women.
Marques da Silva: Austrian MEP Evelyn Regner called it a good basis for gender violence to be considered a European crime or a crime described in the Union Treaty.
What is the situation with the proposal of the European Commission for an EU directive on this topic?
Rosales: We know that the European Parliament is working to improve the text of the Directive, to make it even more comprehensive and more consistent with the standards of the Istanbul Convention.
However, we are very concerned about what is happening at the EU Council level.
There are worrying indications that the offer will be softened.
Specifically, the article that criminalizes rape is proposed to be removed. _ Member States should understand our claims as a women ’ s organization.
We do not like that this provision of the directive is weakened and diluted.
We consider rape to be a major violation of women's rights, systematically used to silence women.
Marques da Silva: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of such crimes increased significantly.
What actions and measures are still lacking to help prevent violence against women and restore justice for victims?
Rosales: We need preventive measures.
Our task as a society, the task of educational institutions is to prevent violence against women.
Feminist education on sexuality needs to be given in schools to combat the widespread trivialization of such forms of violence, which begins at a very young age.
Exhibition about Roma people
“Barvalo, the pride of Roma, Sinti, Gypsies and Nomads ” is the name of the new exhibition at Mucem.
This is the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations in the French city of Marseille.
The exhibition features comedies by Charlie Chaplin, jazz by Django Reinhardt, as well as the heroism of Afreda Markovskaya, who saved children from the Holocaust.
It is estimated that 25% of the pre-war European Roma population died as a result of Nazi persecution.
Roma is one of Europe ’ s oldest ethnic minorities, and this exhibition traces their contributions to world political and artistic history.
The curators call the exhibition unique because it was enthusiastically organized by the communities themselves with the help of experts, consultants and artists. "
Also on the subject
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War in Ukraine

Some member states have not yet ratified it, but optimism remains for progress, especially regarding the importance of feminist education to combat gender-based violence.

- **Festival of Lanterns – "Dragons, Myths and Legends"**: The fifth annual lantern festival is taking place at a manor estate, promising to be the largest so far.

Title:

Content: The festival of large laterns "Dragons, myths and legends" begins
The festival of large laterns "Dragons, myths and legends" begins
With the onset of the dark season, the Lithuanian Pakroja Manor will be illuminated this year by the largest winter event in Northern Europe.
The manor will surprise guests with a festival of light and large laterns "Dragons, myths and legends" inspired by Asian culture.
Among the millions of lights will be new glowing silk laterns of incredible size, specially created for the Pakruoi estate.
On November 26, the brightest festival of the year "Dragons, myths and legends" will open its doors on the territory of a historical estate with an area of fifteen hectares, turning this place into a Christmas and New Year kingdom with more than 50 different artistic light compositions, the ideas and creation of which were contributed by dozens of artists from different Asian countries.
The event will feature incredibly large sculptures specially created for the estate and its surroundings: mythical monsters and light dragons carrying hope and happiness, creeds - cranes and flamingos, a lion bust protecting from evil spirits, a charming oriental goddess and, finally, a sea monster crocodile Van 25 meters long and 5 meters high, which will challenge your courage and even allow you to enter it.
All this will be interspersed with festive action, Christmas fair, carousels, attractions for the whole family, tastes of oriental cuisine, meetings with Santa Claus and unique estate entertainment - craft workshops, a visit to the world-famous historical distillery and much more.
Gallery: Festival of large laterns "Dragons, myths and legends"
“I am glad that in the dark season, the territory of the estate will again light up the festival, where legends come to life.
This year it will be the fifth and possibly the largest event ever held at the estate.
It took tens of kilometers of silk, millions of light bulbs and, I do not exaggerate, hundreds of sleepless creative nights.
The event will also surprise those who have already seen it all, and will be a place where this winter you will have the opportunity to draw magical energy that will accompany you throughout the year: from unprecedented creatures and even from the dragon of the fire lord, which took the form of giant lanterns, ” says the baron of the Pakroi Manor.
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November 26 to January 8, the Great Asian Lantern Festival "Dragons, Myths and Legends" invites visitors to immerse themselves in the world of oriental mysticism and discovery.
Pakrojska manor is located very close to Bauska and only two hours drive from Riga.
It is not only the largest manor farm in Lithuania, but also one of the 18 most attractive places of cultural tourism in Europe, which received the title of "Tourist Object of the Year 2018, 2019, 2021" in Lithuania.
Every year there are unique festivals of flowers and light, as well as revived scenes of manor life of the 19th century.
RUS TVNET on Instagram: News of Latvia and the world in photos and videos!
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Annual features include flower and light festivals, along with recreations of 19th-century manor life.

**General themes:** European urban culture, history, culinary and art tours, major museum exhibitions, evolving legal and feminist issues, unique local festivals, and landmarks.

Tours emphasize local history, art traditions, culinary experiences, and flexible, personalized experiences for small groups or individuals.

Certainly!

Title:

Content: I have traveled thousands of miles to learn about the plight of refugees.
The story of the Syrian doll Amal - Shorouk Gate
Thursday 21 October 2021 11: 43 AM Cairo Cairo 24 °
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I have traveled thousands of miles to learn about the plight of refugees.
The story of the Syrian doll Amal
Abdullah Qadri
Published on: Thursday 21 October 2021 - 11: 31 AM | Last updated on Thursday 21 October 2021 - 11: 31 AM
Having traveled thousands of miles across Europe, the giant doll Amal of a nine-year-old Syrian girl is set to hit the shores of the United Kingdom this week.
The aim of the giant doll is to show solidarity with thousands of refugees seeking refuge from conflict, hunger and persecution.
In the final stage of her journey, Amal will visit the cities of Canterbury, London, Oxford, Coventry, Birmingham, Sheffield and Barnsley.
David Lan, one of the doll ’ s producers, said: “Amal began her journey at the end of July, having left Gaziantep near the Turkish-Syrian border, and will continue her journey to her final stop in Manchester, northern England. ”
The idea for Amal ’ s little doll ’ s journey evolved from “The Jungle, ” a highly acclaimed play about young refugees in a camp near the French town of Calais, which premiered in London in 2017.
Handspring designed the doll, Amal, in an effort to raise awareness about the plight of refugee children who have lost their parents.
The doll is 3.5 meters high and is run by a team of eight puppeteers who work to control her legs, arms and facial features.
Since leaving Gaziantep, Amal and her crew of 25 have sailed, crossing from Turkey to Greece and then Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and France to the UK.
Along the way, they participated in concerts and workshops, and in Rome, Pope Francis blessed the little doll of Hope, as well as in many places, thousands of locals walked with her through their town or village.
Lan said the strongest relationship was with refugees.
“Marginalized people, pushed to the side, see a representative of themselves or their children in the centre stage and are celebrated.
That's very touching. "
Only in one place was the welcome less than warm, in Kalambaka, a village in northern Greece, home to ancient Greek Orthodox monasteries built in rocks, the village council decided not to receive “an Islamic doll from Syria, ” as Mayor Amal described it.
Lan said, “It ’ s sad, but this is the state of the world. ”
In London, Amal will celebrate her 10th birthday on Sunday 24 October in a party dedicated to it, and children from all over the capital have been invited to join the musical performances and workshops.
Yotam Utulenge, the chef ’ s team coordinator for making a giant birthday cake for the doll, said that telling refugee stories in general and Amal ’ s own journey is very positive in a bleak situation.
She will meet many London children who will celebrate her birthday and give a glimpse of her journey. ”
Lan, who described Amal ’ s journey as an 8,000-kilometer stage show, said there had been no major technical problems so far, but there were many logistical challenges in travel, training and performance in eight countries: “We are not politicians, we are telling people: remember refugees are people. ”
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Here is a summarized nugget report, based on your request (however, the provided extract did **not** include relevant information about The Little Mermaid statue’s repeated damages or attacks; instead, it contained mostly unrelated descriptions about traveling exhibitions, Paris and Hurghada tourist attractions, and cultural events involving puppetry and art museums):

---

**SUMMARY OF EXTRACT:**

- No references to the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen or its vandalism events are present in this extract.

Title:

Content: Urgent.
From the top of her 3.5-metre-high wooden statue, Amal, a giant puppet representing a displaced Syrian child, like a rock star, arrived at the old port of Marseille, one of the stations in an awareness initiative for the reality of refugees.
Hope ’ s journey started in Turkey and will end in November in the UK.
The giant doll left the Turkish city of Gaziantep on the Syrian border on 27 July and is set to arrive in Manchester, UK on 3 November, after crossing 8,000 kilometers and eight countries, where it is set to receive hundreds of cultural events.
This “walk ” trip aims to raise awareness in Europe about the plight of migrants, especially unaccompanied or separated children.

- The text features several stories about touring exhibitions and cultural initiatives across Europe and North Africa, including:
    - A “floating museum” ship called Cerso traveling to various Mediterranean cities to raise awareness about refugees, with associated events like the arrival of a giant puppet (Amal) symbolizing displaced Syrian children.

Title:

Content: First “floating museum ” on board the ship Cerso in countries including Lebanon and Egypt
The 47-meter-long, 18-meter-wide vessel, capable of accommodating 2,000 visitors a day, will sail from Malta at the end of March to reach Venice in April, before officially opening in Marseille.
Model of the ship (Getty)
The first floating museum on a ship will sail in the Mediterranean from the end of March and dock in 15 countries and 20 host cities until 2026, the project ’ s founder, Art Explorer, said Thursday in Paris.
The 47-meter-long, 18-meter-wide vessel, capable of accommodating 2,000 visitors a day, will sail from Malta at the end of March to reach Venice in April, before officially opening in Marseille, the foundation said.
Under the theme of Art Explorer Festival, the ship will travel to Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Tunisia and Algeria, according to the program presented at the Maritime Museum, which also includes stops in Albania, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon and Egypt until 2026.
In each port, the festival will take place onboard, where visitors will be able to view an immersive exhibition dedicated to women from Mediterranean civilizations through Louvre collections.
Frederic Jussier, president of Art Explorer, said visitors would explore “a range of easy-to-use pavilions and spaces designed by architect Jean-Michel Wilmot, as well as many places in the cities that will welcome the ship with a programme that combines exhibitions, virtual reality, shows, conferences, film screenings and concerts. ”
Jose personally financed the construction of the ship, which cost 35 million euros, while his foundation funds cultural and educational content and transportation from one port to another, at a cost of about 500,000 euros per station.
He said that this “world ’ s first museum ship ” provides an opportunity for artists, curators, foundations, associations and NGOs to meet different audiences in a festival whose content is based on the heritage and challenges faced by each country visited.

- Displays and events at the Cernucci Museum (ancient Chinese painting), as well as activities and practical tourist guidance about visiting Paris (Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Seine boat cruises).

Title:

Content: 100 masterpieces of ancient Chinese painting at the Cernucci Museum
Published 15 December 2021 - 08: 00
100 masterpieces of ancient Chinese painting at the Cernucci Museum
100 pieces of ancient Chinese painting at the Cernucci Museum The Cernucci Museum in Paris, and for the first time in Europe, displays about 100 pieces of ancient Chinese painting by masters from the Ming (1368 – 1644) and Qing (1644 – 1912) dynasties.
100 masterpieces of ancient Chinese painting at the Cernucci Museum
Artifacts will be on display until March 6.
The director of the museum and one of the commissioners of the exhibition, Eric Lefevre, explained that these works, painted in black ink, sometimes taken from blue, green or pink colors and surrounded by manuscript letters on rolls of silk paper, "parallel to the works of the Italian Renaissance for Europeans."
The artworks, which will be on display until March 6, will focus on several themes that show natural scenes of the sky, earth, mountains, trees, rivers and lakes.
The characters painted on them are often depicted in miniature, on a road or on a bridge.
The masterpieces were collected by collector Hu Lu Kuong (1907-2006) before being presented in 2018 to the Hong Kong Museum, which co-organizes the exhibition.
The title of his collection is "The Pavilion of Absolute Happiness."
These works mark pivotal stages in Chinese history, between the mid-5th and early 18th centuries, an era that saw a “deep historical rift and succession between dynasties. ”
The artifacts depict three centuries from the peak phase to the gradual decline of the Ming dynasty, the fall of Beijing to the rebels in 1644, the advance of the Manchu forces towards the south of the empire, and the rise of the Qing dynasty.
The journey, titled “Painting Out of the World, ” traces the path of Chinese monks eager to retreat into forests and mountains to escape the anxieties and horrors associated with the fall of the empire.
More:
Masterpieces of Islamic art tour 18 French cities
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- Coverage of cultural attractions and tourism in Hurghada, Egypt, like Giftun Island, diving, and the Aquarium Museum.

Title:

Content: Urgent.
Chairman of Wafd Party
Dr. Abdul Sindh Yamama
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Dr. Ayman is an accountant.
Editor-in-Chief
I'm sorry.
Wajdi Zainuddin
Chairman of Wafd Party
Dr. Abdul Sindh Yamama
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Dr. Ayman is an accountant.
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Wajdi Zainuddin
The islands and the sand museum and diving visitors kiss in Hurghada
The Red Sea governorate is one of the tourist and coastal governorates and the cities of the governorate have witnessed many development works
From developing infrastructure in all tourism and hotel facilities, receiving delegations and diplomats and reaching leadership and preference among tourism destinations worldwide.
Which made the city of Hurghada the bride of Egyptian tourism, continues to shine as one of the most important and charming aesthetic spots on the Egyptian coasts, after the publication of CNN Travel a report pointed out that according to the site "TripAdvisor", which is one of the most famous tourist sites specialized in the assessments of tourist destinations.
The city of Hurghada came among the top 10 tourist destinations to visit during the current year and became a city capable of attracting more tourists and thus more job opportunities and a strong return on Egyptian income.
The tourism sector is one of the most promising and important economic sectors that will make the Red Sea Governorate one of the most important governorates capable of achieving the largest governorate supporting the Egyptian national economy and the general budget of the state.
The city of Hurghada is an ideal choice for a trip because of its distinctive tourist attractions and the uniqueness of the city of Hurghada from other cities.
The city of Hurghada is characterized by a number of distinctive tourist attractions, including natural attractions
There are also a number of tourist attractions.
A place that is considered a day trip.
1. Jiftun Island
It is free from any human intervention.
Everything you see is normal and nothing else.
Its charming nature makes it an ideal choice to spend a day in the midst of the mind-blowing nature.
The island of Giftun is a coastal island separated from the shore of the Red Sea, forming the islands of Giftun the Great and Giftun the Small.
Its sandy coastal nature makes it a place to relax, lie down and enjoy the grains of sand that stick to your cells to unite, creating in your body an energy that flows between your sides to keep you going.
It is also a natural habitat for large numbers of living organisms, including wild animals and reptiles, as well as 50% of the world's gulls.
Life on Giftun Island is not limited to its surface, but under the water is another world hidden between clear and pure water molecules.
The waters around the sides of the island are filled with colorful fish and visually pleasing and picturesque corals.
This makes the Giftun Island trip a suitable place for many activities such as diving, snorkeling, swimming and fishing.
2. Sand Museum Trip
It is a monumental work of art founded by 42 international sculptors from around the world to transform the drifting sands into monumental sculptures.
The location of the museum is ideal as it is far from anything that might harm the sculptures from natural factors, as the location was chosen according to the movement of the wind and the sand balance.
The Sand Museum is a unique family trip destination as the sculptures do not take a particular destination, but are multiple collections of sculptures.
These include sculptures of historical figures such as Muhammad the Conqueror and Alexander the Great and are a good opportunity to learn about history.
They also include sculptures of children's favorite cartoon characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Messenger, and Disney characters.
There are also some sculptures embodying monuments such as Sphinx, Pyramids and some sculptures embodying world antiquities.
3. Orange Island
It is one of the distinctive destinations in Hurghada, which has a charming atmosphere that attracts you to another world hidden between the sides of the Red Sea.
It is considered one of the best day trips in Hurghada.
It has soft white sand that has the ability to absorb negative energy and give you relaxation when you lie on it.
The waters of the island are clear and clear, giving you visual relaxation and calm nerves as you can walk in the shallow waters or sit in the sitting areas of the water.
You can set off in the undersea world and enjoy the other artistic side hidden under the water of colorful fish and coral reefs.
Some adventure with Parachute, Jet Ski and Banana Boat is okay for some excitement and action during the trip.
4. Aquarium Aquarium Museum
The Aquarium Museum is a marine zoo where it is a great encyclopedia of varieties of multiple shapes and colors in one place.
The Aquarium Museum features a unique design that makes it easy for visitors to get to know as much marine life as possible, and also contributes to providing a utopia for fish.
The museum is divided into environments that are suitable for species of fish, providing a place for freshwater fish and a place for saltwater fish.
The depths of the water also vary to provide a suitable atmosphere for fish that live at different depths, and this is truly amazing because it allows the visitor to identify marine animals that live at deep depths may not be able to reach them, without harm to him and without prejudice to the nature surrounding marine organisms.
It has about 100 species of marine fish in one place and is recognized by 1200 ambassadors of aquatic animals.
The museum also has a tropical forest area that is characterized by biodiversity and also provides a suitable environment for some wild varieties.
5. Diving trips
Diving is one of the activities practiced in certain places in the world, including the Red Sea.
In Hurghada, a unique underwater experience and the identification of distinctive species living in the parallel world.
The Red Sea is home to many colorful and bright coral fleece.
It also contains worlds of rare fish and marine life that your eyes can only see there.
The diving trip is that you float over a city, houses and colorful streets and each house has a special design that does not resemble its neighbor and that city is inhabited by different beings all living in harmony.
This is the feeling of diving in the waters of Hurghada among the coral formations that form habitats for marine organisms.
The Red Sea ’ s unique commercial and strategic location has made it replete with marine debris, each telling a different tale of a homeland, people and lifestyle.
6. Banana Bout
Banana Boat is one of the special activities you can do in Hurghada day trips with the family.
You can take the Banana Boat with your friends or family and enjoy the quick launch of being dragged by another boat between the waters.
The water revolution around you hits you with caresses as you make waves on your way to enjoy the water without having to swim.
The Banana Boat is a family safe experience where the boat can seat up to five people and the boat is equipped with side supports to support the feet and maintain balance on the boat.
7. Glass Boat or Glass Boat Trip
A glassboat cruise is another kind of experience where you enjoy watching marine animals without getting wet.
What ’ s exciting about Glassbot is that it provides a unique, exciting and exploratory experience without risking or losing a sense of security.
We can classify it as a luxury cruise as you board a boat in full style and enjoy sitting comfortably and contemplating the marine life.
It is also a family trip suitable for the whole family because of its safety.
8 - Dauphin Hurghada Shows
One of the exciting day trips to Hurghada is the family-friendly dolphin shows.
Dolphins are gentle, intelligent and loving animals for humans, and this makes them an opportunity to make fun shows and spend a special trip.
In dolphin shows, you can watch the dolphin perform spectacular movements and acrobatic dances.
Or you can swim with him and deal with him closely with you and your family members, and you will be impressed by how friendly and fun you will get on the part of the dolphin.
9. Parachute in Hurghada
The parachute trip in Hurghada is a unique and exciting activity where you can enjoy watching Hurghada from above.
The idea of a parachute is really exciting as parachutes are picked up in the air from a yacht and wander around for a bit to see Hurghada.

- Details about the “In Search of Light” art exhibition, and mention of high-value Picasso artworks in major museums.

Title:

Content: Localities
80 works of art in the “Search for Light ” exhibition.
Ithra Launches “Learning Without Borders ” Conference
Country – Dhahran
At its headquarters in Dhahran, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is launching the second edition of the Middle East ’ s leading “Learning Without Borders ” creative conference, highlighting learning challenges and opportunities. It is also a cultural platform that allows attendees to connect with creative professionals who specialize in non-traditional and informal innovative learning styles to discuss them.
From January 19-20, the conference will host more than 80 speakers from around the world, as well as presenting more than 75 activities, talks and workshops focusing on the topics of (lifelong learning) and (learning environments) under the umbrella of storytelling.
The conference aims to empower professionals and passionate learners alike and encourage them to adopt innovative and informal learning tools to create stronger channels of communication with their audiences. It also encourages attendees through different environments and cultural learning spaces to take the lead in the lifelong learning journey. Engages teachers, parents, education entrepreneurs, and content developers across all sectors.
The conference offers a range of innovative learning best practices, through a range of cultural spaces including interactive panel discussions, intensive workshops, meetings with international experts, and immersive experiences activated within Ithra ’ s facilities.
Unique Images
On the other hand, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) hosted the works of British artist Peter Sanders through the exhibition “In Search of Light ”, which will run until June 16, and includes more than 80 exclusive photos and unique works to be displayed for the first time inside the center ’ s headquarters in Dhahran. It is remarkable that the artist ’ s collection blends two different stages of his ancient journey, which includes images before and after his conversion to Islam.
The exhibition is part of Ithra ’ s series of exhibitions, where it aims to create new experiences by returning to ancient civilizations, exploring history and impact through storytelling in visual language that mimics the desire and artistic taste of the recipient.
The artist ’ s photographic journey, which began in 1950, included pictures of famous musicians, he was able to capture their images with his artistic passion and creative sense, before he announced his Islam, until he entered a new phase, which is post-Islam in 1971, was one of the first international photographers, who had the opportunity to photograph the rituals of Hajj from the heart of Mecca, to continue more than 40 years between travel and travel. Arab Islamic cities and capitals, in an attempt to collect the history of Islamic civilization around the world, taking more than 500 thousand pictures, documenting a deep connection between two stages with different components.
Cultural Heritage
For her part, Ithra Museum President Farah Abu Shalih said that the exhibition “In Search of Light ” complements Ithra ’ s role in the dissemination and exchange of cultures as a destination of inspiration. Through the exhibition, Ithra offers a deep insight into the Islamic world and contemporary civilizations by an artist who has traveled around the world to tell inspiring stories – not in the form of a book – but in an amazing visual sequence.

- The only reference to statues in this extract is about Amal—a large puppet operated for refugee awareness—not related to Copenhagen or Scandinavian culture.

Title:

Content: Urgent.
From the top of her 3.5-metre-high wooden statue, Amal, a giant puppet representing a displaced Syrian child, like a rock star, arrived at the old port of Marseille, one of the stations in an awareness initiative for the reality of refugees.
Hope ’ s journey started in Turkey and will end in November in the UK.
The giant doll left the Turkish city of Gaziantep on the Syrian border on 27 July and is set to arrive in Manchester, UK on 3 November, after crossing 8,000 kilometers and eight countries, where it is set to receive hundreds of cultural events.
This “walk ” trip aims to raise awareness in Europe about the plight of migrants, especially unaccompanied or separated children.

- There is no mention, direct or indirect, of:
    - The Little Mermaid statue’s history or cultural symbolism
    - Specific incidents of destruction or vandalism (dates, circumstances, or motivations)
    - Perpetrators or the societal context of such attacks.

Title:

Content: Urgent.
From the top of her 3.5-metre-high wooden statue, Amal, a giant puppet representing a displaced Syrian child, like a rock star, arrived at the old port of Marseille, one of the stations in an awareness initiative for the reality of refugees.
Hope ’ s journey started in Turkey and will end in November in the UK.
The giant doll left the Turkish city of Gaziantep on the Syrian border on 27 July and is set to arrive in Manchester, UK on 3 November, after crossing 8,000 kilometers and eight countries, where it is set to receive hundreds of cultural events.
This “walk ” trip aims to raise awareness in Europe about the plight of migrants, especially unaccompanied or separated children.

---

**Conclusion:**
**The text provided contains no information about the destruction/vandalism of the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen.

Title:

Content: Urgent.
From the top of her 3.5-metre-high wooden statue, Amal, a giant puppet representing a displaced Syrian child, like a rock star, arrived at the old port of Marseille, one of the stations in an awareness initiative for the reality of refugees.
Hope ’ s journey started in Turkey and will end in November in the UK.
The giant doll left the Turkish city of Gaziantep on the Syrian border on 27 July and is set to arrive in Manchester, UK on 3 November, after crossing 8,000 kilometers and eight countries, where it is set to receive hundreds of cultural events.
This “walk ” trip aims to raise awareness in Europe about the plight of migrants, especially unaccompanied or separated children.

If you require an incident-by-incident report on the statue’s repeated damages—when they occurred, the nature of the damage, involved parties, and background stories—please supply an extract containing such details or request a general summary from other sources.

Title:

Content: Urgent.
From the top of her 3.5-metre-high wooden statue, Amal, a giant puppet representing a displaced Syrian child, like a rock star, arrived at the old port of Marseille, one of the stations in an awareness initiative for the reality of refugees.
Hope ’ s journey started in Turkey and will end in November in the UK.
The giant doll left the Turkish city of Gaziantep on the Syrian border on 27 July and is set to arrive in Manchester, UK on 3 November, after crossing 8,000 kilometers and eight countries, where it is set to receive hundreds of cultural events.
This “walk ” trip aims to raise awareness in Europe about the plight of migrants, especially unaccompanied or separated children.

**

If you’d like, I can provide a factual summary from authoritative history regarding the Little Mermaid statue’s attacks in Copenhagen.

Title:

Content: Urgent.
From the top of her 3.5-metre-high wooden statue, Amal, a giant puppet representing a displaced Syrian child, like a rock star, arrived at the old port of Marseille, one of the stations in an awareness initiative for the reality of refugees.
Hope ’ s journey started in Turkey and will end in November in the UK.
The giant doll left the Turkish city of Gaziantep on the Syrian border on 27 July and is set to arrive in Manchester, UK on 3 November, after crossing 8,000 kilometers and eight countries, where it is set to receive hundreds of cultural events.
This “walk ” trip aims to raise awareness in Europe about the plight of migrants, especially unaccompanied or separated children.

Here is a synthesized report on the repeated intentional damages to the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, designed for your walking guide on Culture and Counter-Culture in Copenhagen:

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**The Little Mermaid Statue – Icon and Target**

The Little Mermaid statue, unveiled at Langelinie Pier in Copenhagen in 1913, has become a quintessential symbol of Denmark and the city itself.

Title:

Content: Writers' Column
(Ju Kuo-lieh / Editing by Wang Tsui-li and Tsou Ling-pu)
century
The Art of the Century: How Cities Are Cultured Part 8 – Oslo / Culture by Ru Guolei / Editors by Wang Cuili, Zou Lingpu
Oslo ’ s Fram Museum is on the outskirts of the city, and I ’ m half an hour away by bus from the city centre.
This is a museum group with two other museums nearby in addition to the Forward.
When you get out of the car, you see the huge triangle of the Forward Museum, standing like an iron tent, next to the Osloch fjord.
It was a cold, drizzly afternoon in February 2020, the epidemic had just reached northern Europe, and there was almost no one around, only a few men standing outside the museum looking at the sea.
I looked closer and found that the five men who were wearing bloated were bronze statues.
They are the protagonists of this museum.
Previous / Next News

Yet, this iconic figure has also been at the center of numerous episodes of intentional vandalism and protest, each reflecting deeper undercurrents in Danish culture, politics, and public discourse.

Title:

Content: Longest-running street art “Red Ball Project ” The power of public art inspires the imagination of the audience
Author: Ho Kwok-lung
Published: Updated:
Hong Kong has always liked to introduce a lot of giant installation art, and the attraction of public art is that whether art lovers or not, can be shocked by the huge or large amount of art, can simply punch the card or can think about the meaning or message behind the work.
One of the earliest to catch the public eye may be the RedBall Project, conceived by American artist Kurt Perschke, which launched a project in 2001 to "plug" giant inflatable red balloons measuring about 5 meters in diameter and weighing more than 100 kilograms into the landscape of major cities around the world.
After many years of travelling around the world, Red Ball finally returned to Asia this year and plans to arrive in Tainan at the end of March, raising expectations of a visit to Hong Kong in the near future.
The original RedBall appeared in the United States in 2001.
Louis photo credit: RedBall Project)
The RedBall Project has visited more than 40 cities, including Barcelona, Portland, Sydney, Chicago, Toronto, Tokyo, Taipei, etc. For more than 20 years, it has been the longest touring street art project.
The original RedBall appeared in the United States of America.
Louis, when the local artist Kurt Perschke was invited to create a work to highlight the grandeur of a bridge, but Kurt thought about a lot of solutions that failed to achieve anything, and finally randomly painted a red ball on the sketch and found it very interesting.
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Kurt Perschke originally studied sculpture, so his creative concept started from sculpture, but he wanted to integrate the traditional art craftsmanship of sculpture into the urban environment, become part of the urban landscape, and communicate with the audience. The popularity of RedBall is due in part to the rise of online culture and social media. The interesting thing about RedBall is that it is always squeezed between buildings. The height and shape are just the distance that the public can see and reach, changing the established view of the city and turning the city into a canvas. RedBall invites people to think and discuss where they should be next. Where to encourage everyone ’ s imagination, directly turn the audience into participants, with the powerful power of creating a common imagination for the experiencer.
Next, from March 29 to April 7, RedBall will return to Taiwan. Since RedBall will only visit one city, after visiting Taipei in 2010, it will go to Tainan for the next time. During the 10-day exhibition period, RedBall will move to different locations every day. All locations are determined by Kurt himself, including Anping Castle, Ganting Pavilion, National Cheng Kung University Future Museum and Nature Reserve. Such as the coastal sand dunes, Wenyuan River basin.
Every time RedBall visits the city, the local people can deeply appreciate the fun and unusual life, break the boring routine, and even make residents born here re-examine the meaning of some buildings and landscapes, and pay more attention to the city.
What is good public art, there has never been an established answer, the object of public art is the public, so the public's feelings, imagination, and what they get from the work jointly determine the value of the work. Kurt has said that over the years, the public is not limited to the language, cultural background, age to participate in this project, so he is more enthusiastic to continue to invite everyone, this is the essence of RedBall.

Here are the most notable incidents:

**1.

Title:

Content: Anonymous French Road Poet ｜ Colorful Mosaic Works to Fill the Void of the City
Author: Wei Erliang
Published: Updated:
Modern urban life emphasizes efficiency, everything is fast, simple, direct, people do not know and become easy to cut off, and the things around a diaphragm. Shoes used for a long time, buy a pair of new; clothes pierced, change a new.
In the face of the broken cracks in the city, people do not think that they are indifferent.
Anyway, the red brick is broken, and the gray concrete is paved, and the road becomes.
In Lyon, France, there is a street artist who uses colorful mosaics to fill the “scars ” of pedestrians and walls, bringing a breath of life to the indifferent city.
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The artist ’ s true identity remains unknown and mysterious.
He calls himself "Ememem", which he says "was the sound he made when he went out on his motorcycle to create."
He coined the term “flacking ” to describe his creation, which comes from the French word“ flaque ” and is often used today to refer to this brand-new art of “mending holes. ”
Ememem ’ s creation came about by accident.
In February 2016, he was working in the ceramics industry, and one day he saw a hole in the road in front of his garage, so he suddenly thought of repairing the hole with a black, pink, gray and blue mosaic.
He watched it for a few weeks and then realized that it was something he “would do for the rest of his life. ”
+ 7
Because his work often pops up without warning and brings surprises to people, he has earned the nickname "pavement surgeon".
However, he prefers to call himself "the poet on the pavement" and "the son of bitumen".
He said, “Honestly, I ’ m not good at communicating.
I prefer to have my mosaic spoken to others. "
Ememem ’ s work completely broke the rules of the street.
Colorful compositions break through the ruthlessness of gray asphalt, unique silhouettes, intricate geometric shapes, unusual materials, as if creating a space of different dimensions in a broken city crack, making people stop and watch from the rapid pace of life to see this ever-present but unnoticed “scar ”.
Today, Ememem ’ s work is found all over the world, in Lyon, Paris and Sete, as well as in the streets of Madrid, Barcelona, Turin, Genoa, Stavanger, Norway and Aberdeen, Scotland, outside France.
His Instagram has attracted more than 100,000 followers.
If you are interested in Ememem ’ s creations, you may want to learn more on its IG page.
【 Italian Church of the Hidden World contains many 18th-century marble statues, the statues are realistic and explosive! 】
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Click below to see more of Banksy ’ s wonderful graffiti and paintings:
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1964 – First Decapitation**
- *Incident*: In April 1964, the statue was found decapitated.

- *Damage*: The entire head was sawn off and stolen.

- *Who/Why*: The group responsible was associated with Situationist artist Jørgen Nash.

Title:

Content: Writers' Column
(Ju Kuo-lieh / Editing by Wang Tsui-li and Tsou Ling-pu)
century
The Art of the Century: How Cities Are Cultured Part 8 – Oslo / Culture by Ru Guolei / Editors by Wang Cuili, Zou Lingpu
Oslo ’ s Fram Museum is on the outskirts of the city, and I ’ m half an hour away by bus from the city centre.
This is a museum group with two other museums nearby in addition to the Forward.
When you get out of the car, you see the huge triangle of the Forward Museum, standing like an iron tent, next to the Osloch fjord.
It was a cold, drizzly afternoon in February 2020, the epidemic had just reached northern Europe, and there was almost no one around, only a few men standing outside the museum looking at the sea.
I looked closer and found that the five men who were wearing bloated were bronze statues.
They are the protagonists of this museum.
Previous / Next News

Their act was interpreted as an artistic or political statement challenging bourgeois values and institutionalized culture.

Title:

Content: Writers' Column
(Ju Kuo-lieh / Editing by Wang Tsui-li and Tsou Ling-pu)
century
The Art of the Century: How Cities Are Cultured Part 8 – Oslo / Culture by Ru Guolei / Editors by Wang Cuili, Zou Lingpu
Oslo ’ s Fram Museum is on the outskirts of the city, and I ’ m half an hour away by bus from the city centre.
This is a museum group with two other museums nearby in addition to the Forward.
When you get out of the car, you see the huge triangle of the Forward Museum, standing like an iron tent, next to the Osloch fjord.
It was a cold, drizzly afternoon in February 2020, the epidemic had just reached northern Europe, and there was almost no one around, only a few men standing outside the museum looking at the sea.
I looked closer and found that the five men who were wearing bloated were bronze statues.
They are the protagonists of this museum.
Previous / Next News

- *Aftermath*: The head was never recovered and a new one had to be cast.

Title:

Content: Dutch Classical and Modern Encounter
Subscriber
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From windmills with national symbolism, to avant-garde modern buildings; from the “Venice of the North of Europe ” to the Van Gogh Museum, which houses a large collection of Van Gogh works … The Netherlands is a fascinating place.
Following the author's footsteps, he wandered through four cities that are both modern and ancient, both prosperous and simple.
Singapore and the Netherlands have opened the Vaccinator Travel Channel (VTL), which has captivated many European backpackers.
The Dutch name is as beautiful as its scenery, and there is always a feeling that once you set foot on this land, you never want to leave.
The Netherlands is a fascinating place with numerous and varied attractions.
Whether it is urban or rural, there is a modern and simple, rich in prosperity and compatible with the ancient and simple cultural charm.
The Netherlands is a bicycle kingdom, and cycling is the best thing for sightseeing.
There are nearly 20 million bicycles in the country, which is even more than the local population of the Netherlands.
Walking the streets of every city in the Netherlands, you will find that men, women and children are riding a bicycle across the road and whistling in your ear.
The Netherlands also has a city symbol, or national symbol of the building, that is, the traditional windmill.
Unlike the slender and towering windmills of modern wind power plants, the traditional windmills of the Netherlands are used as mills, and a large part of the windmills are built on the river, when wind energy is not available, the power of water can be used to mill wheat, so the windmills can be said to be the brainchild of the ancient Dutch people.
Now people no longer need this kind of mill windmill, but almost every city retains such an old windmill, as a city landscape, but also to tell people the story of the past.
Boat trip to Amstel
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, known as the "Venice of the North of Europe", and the beautiful canal is like an important blood line that runs through the entire city.
The three main canals: the Gentleman Canal, the Prince Canal and the Emperor Canal were excavated in the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century to form a concentric belt around the city, known as the Canal Belt.
There are more than a thousand bridges and bridges throughout the city, which are part of the beautiful scenery of Amsterdam.
When you walk around Amsterdam, whether by bike or on foot, you get lost in the canals.
The water level of the canal is almost the same as the street, and a small boat is anchored on the shore, known as the water family.
The owners of these boathouses are mostly artists, writers and some romantic young people.
The Netherlands was once known as the “coachman at sea ” for its excellent shipping business, and Amsterdam ’ s canals were listed as one of the“ World Cultural Heritage ” in 2010. Bridges of various shapes, turquoise waters, beautiful houseboats, attractive water restaurants, water bars, water cafes.
At night in Amsterdam, the lights will be lit along the canal and on the bridge, full of romantic atmosphere.
Dam Square, near the Kaiser Canal, is the main square in Amsterdam.
Whether in the past or now, it has always been a bustling place for people to come and go, an active urban center.
Here can be used as a starting point for visiting Amsterdam, four-wheel carriages, trams, cars, buses are here to pass, very convenient, you can also walk around.
Especially important, you can also enjoy the beautiful appearance of the Dutch royal palace here, as well as the impressive triangular lintel carvings.
Compared to Dam Square, the nearby new square (Nieuwmarkt) is old and dilapidated.
But if you go in the evening, you will find that the new square is a gathering place for the Dutch.
They held concerts there, and there were bar singers playing guitar in the open tent.
The new square is a place to get close to Dutch culture.
Amsterdam has many art galleries and museums beyond the reach of any other city. It is also quite convenient to visit the museum by boat, visiting the main museums in the city, and you can get on and off the ship at any time.
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, close to the Singer Canal, is the most popular museum in the Netherlands and one of the most famous in the world.
The museum displays 8,000 works of art, which let people see and imagine.
In addition, the museum also exhibits ceramics, glass art and silverware, and has the largest Asian collection in the Netherlands, outdoor exhibition areas and gardens.
It is a 20-minute walk from the National Museum to the Anne Frank House.
It is one of the most popular and visited places in Amsterdam.
Anne ’ s House is a museum with a story, the former secret room where the Jewish girl Anne Frank hid.
During the Second World War, she wrote the famous "Diary of Anne" here, detailing two years of refuge life.
Today, the refuge has become a famous anti-fascist and racist museum in the Netherlands.
Anne's House not only displays Anne's precious diary manuscripts, but also the daily necessities of the year, all the arrangements are kept as they are.
The Van Gogh Museum, close to the Singer Canal, is Amsterdam ’ s favorite attraction. The Van Gogh Museum houses the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings in the world, as well as works by other 19th century artists.
These art treasures have become the core of the entire collection of the museum, and are rare first-hand materials to study and understand the master's creative process.
In addition to the three museums mentioned above, there are many interesting museums, and a detailed study of each is enough to stay in Amsterdam for three days.
Rotterdam is full of architectural wonders.
Rotterdam, the second largest city in the Netherlands, is the world ’ s largest port, with its soaring skyline and some of the most innovative buildings.
The train from Amsterdam to Rotterdam takes about 40 minutes.
Rotterdam city attractions are quite concentrated, the main attractions can be reached by foot from Rotterdam railway station, or by tram shuttle to the city.
After experiencing the ruins of the Second World War, Rotterdam simply embraced modern architecture and became an architectural laboratory in Europe, building many very avant-garde and unique buildings, and the Cube House is one of them.
Looking at the three-dimensional block house from afar, you can see a huge cube connected together, each cube is tilted at an angle of 45 degrees, and only one angle stands on a hexagonal column like a single arm upside down.
Closer to the observation, it was found that each cube was a separate house, with three faces facing the ground and the other three facing the sky.
There are currently 51 cubicle houses, 38 of which are private residences, while others are part of offices, clothing stores, snack bars, cafes or schools.
Located not far from the square house, Market Hall is a new horseshoe shaped building with a large indoor market in the center and shops and houses on both sides of the floor.
The ceiling of the market projected animation, very thoughtful.
The market sells a wide range of food, including Dutch snacks and even famous dishes from various countries.
Come to the windmill kingdom of Holland, not to explore the local windmill culture is not to have been to the Netherlands, and the best way to explore the Dutch windmill culture is to go deep into the local traditional villages.
Kinderdijk was originally a flat village in Rotterdam, but due to frequent flooding, 19 windmills were built in the 18th century, making it the largest windmill group in the Netherlands.
These 19 windmills can be said to be a typical model of the Dutch landscape, but also a witness to the history and culture of the Netherlands, has been included in the World Heritage List.
A half-day tour from Rotterdam to the Children ’ s Causeway, a leisurely walk under an old windmill amid the river and grass in the countryside, is an experience you can ’ t miss.
Noble and elegant The Hague
Many people know that Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, but they do not necessarily know that the Dutch government is not in Amsterdam, but in another city, The Hague.
A 45-minute train ride from Amsterdam to The Hague.
It is the seat of the central government and parliament of the Netherlands, and the Dutch royal family is also here, so it is known as the "royal capital".
The Hague is a metropolis with classical and modern art buildings, unlike the wide streets of other Dutch cities.
The high-rise buildings in the center of the city exude the vitality of the international metropolis of The Hague, everywhere are statues of royal aristocrats, and the ubiquitous churches and palaces combine the ancient royal atmosphere and rich marine cultural heritage to form a beautiful landscape.
Among the many government agencies in The Hague, the Binnenhof is the most attractive place.
As a landmark building in The Hague, this parliament building with a Gothic church style is more thoroughly integrated with the blue sky, whether you are looking outside or inside, you will be immersed in a blue world.
The Capitol is the venue for important state banquets and ceremonies.
Every year on the third Tuesday of September, the Dutch monarch arrives in a golden carriage to deliver the Throne Speech.
Strolling in the broad inner court of the parliament building and the outside of the river, as if in the medieval Netherlands, vaguely see the heroic and handsome knights and noble royal family.
Walk in to be surprised to find that the quaint castle building has floor-to-ceiling glass, escalators, reinforced concrete and other modern architectural elements.
The parliament building is next to the large Hofvijver lake (Hofvijver), along the lake to take the view of the inner courtyard is one of the classic scenery of The Hague, across the lake to see the parliament building can feel the solemn and ancient castle.
The Peace Palace is another landmark in The Hague.
The palace was named the Peace Palace to express the importance of settling disputes and maintaining peace in the world.
The Peace Palace is the seat of the International Court of Justice, the International Law Library and the International Law Academy, where many international war criminals are tried.
It symbolizes the harmonious coexistence of the blue of justice and the blue of peace, making it the capital of international peace and justice.
The magnificent architecture of the Peace Palace forms a harmonious picture with the azure sky.
In The Hague, you can be very political and you can be very literary.
In addition to being the royal capital, the artistic atmosphere of The Hague is also very strong.
The museums and galleries here gather the top works of many famous painters over the past five centuries.
The interior of the Mauritshuis is very classical and gorgeous, and the paintings on the walls are like the decoration of the old palace, so harmonious that it feels not like you are visiting the museum, but a magnificent 17th century palace.
The museum has a collection of 800 paintings, 50 miniature models, 20 sculptures and various prints, all of which are masterpieces.
The famous Dutch oil painting "Girl with Pearl Earrings" is also collected here.
Many people come to the Morretes Museum to catch a glimpse of the charming smile of the “Mona Lisa of the North. ”
It is such a seemingly inconspicuous oil painting, but it has attracted many literati and tourists to stop here.
The flashing eyes of the woman in the painting show ardent feelings, and the curvature of the mouth exudes a vulgar temperament, which makes people easily melt in the gaze of this emotional vein.
Closer than the Mona Lisa, Vermeer ’ s maiden, radiates like a pearl, making people ’ s eyes wander and wander.
Utrecht – Vibrant Old Town
Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands, half an hour by train from Amsterdam and very easy to reach.
Utrecht has a history of nearly 2000 years, and the old city still retains the scenery that has not changed for hundreds of years.
The city center of Utrecht is small, and the main attractions are concentrated in the area and can be reached by foot.
Most of Utrecht's busiest streets and oldest buildings are located on both sides of the old canal.
This old canal has a history of nearly 1,000 years, giving birth to the development of the whole city.
Following the steps of the predecessors, wandering along the old canal, you can see the essence of Utrecht.
The most unique of the old canal is that its embankment adopts a two-tier design, and the lower level is very close to the water surface.
This structure is designed to fit in with the warehouse located in the building cellar to facilitate the transport of goods by ships.
Most of the old cellar warehouses have now been turned into restaurants and bars.
At the Utrecht embankment, eating at a close distance by the canal is also a must-try experience for visiting Utrecht.
The Dom Tower, the most important landmark and symbol of Utrecht, is the tallest tower in the Netherlands and can be seen in the city center.
Visitors can climb the tower and have a bird's-eye view of the city.
Utrecht is the hometown of Miffy author Dick Bruna, so there are many attractions about Miffy in the city, including the Nijntje Museum.
In addition to exhibiting works about Miffy Rabbit, the museum is also a children's playground, with many interactive rides for children, so the museum is mostly for children.
The most lively intersection in the city center, stands a traffic light in the shape of Miffy Rabbit, which may be the infiltration of urban culture in urban space and life.
(This photo was taken before the epidemic)
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1984 – Arm Removal**
- *Incident*: In July 1984 the statue's right arm was sawn off.

- *Damage*: Clean removal of the arm.

- *Who/Why*: Two young men later confessed to the crime as a drunken prank.

- *Aftermath*: The arm was returned anonymously and reattached.

Title:

Content: Writers' Column
(Ju Kuo-lieh / Editing by Wang Tsui-li and Tsou Ling-pu)
century
The Art of the Century: How Cities Are Cultured Part 8 – Oslo / Culture by Ru Guolei / Editors by Wang Cuili, Zou Lingpu
Oslo ’ s Fram Museum is on the outskirts of the city, and I ’ m half an hour away by bus from the city centre.
This is a museum group with two other museums nearby in addition to the Forward.
When you get out of the car, you see the huge triangle of the Forward Museum, standing like an iron tent, next to the Osloch fjord.
It was a cold, drizzly afternoon in February 2020, the epidemic had just reached northern Europe, and there was almost no one around, only a few men standing outside the museum looking at the sea.
I looked closer and found that the five men who were wearing bloated were bronze statues.
They are the protagonists of this museum.
Previous / Next News

1998 – Second Decapitation**
- *Incident*: On September 6, 1998, vandals sawed off the Little Mermaid’s head again.

- *Damage*: Head removed and disappeared.

- *Who/Why*: Perpetrators were never caught.

Title:

Content: Paper cutting and eye-catching photography have 500,000 fans.
International Center Tsai Sha-ling / General Report
2022-09-10 09: 00: 00
Life is full of ingenuity, as long as you are willing to move your mind and hands, seemingly inconspicuous small interests, you can also add a lot of fun to the dull day!
There is a man in his 30s in the United Kingdom, because he likes to cut paper, and he accidentally uploaded his small works to the Internet with Big Ben in London, which he did not expect to become popular, as well as a world-renowned private travel guide publisher to cooperate with him, sponsor some of his travels around the world, and shoot more amazing works.
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Rich McCor, himself a professional photographer, from the United Kingdom, knows what London ’ s iconic landmarks are, and thus has the idea of “wanting to photograph London in an unprecedented way ”, and the whole thing begins with a cleverly placed paper-cut photograph of a watchband on a big London clock.
A few years ago, one day, McColl completed the shooting operation in front of the big stupid clock, a father and daughter came over, curious to ask what he was shooting, and asked if he could see the photos, McColl showed them his "works", the other encouraged him to make more of this kind of fun gadgets, so that people can appreciate London and even other cities through a different perspective. Why not enjoy the hobby of paper-cutting and the profession of photography?
Fortunately, after McColl ’ s bullknife trial, which attracted thousands of IG fans in a short period of time, he was soon approached by a sponsor, Lonely Planet, a world-renowned private travel guide publisher, to sponsor part of his trip to Europe, allowing him to extend his work to Paris, Stockholm, Copenhagen and other well-known cities.
The Roman Arena, the statue of David the Contemplation in Florence, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and the Louvre in Paris.... Soon, McColl ’ s footprint was no longer confined to Europe, but also to the United States, Brazil, Dubai and even Asia. It is also amazing to turn Tokyo ’ s famous Sky Tower into a flute for girls to play.
McColl plays wherever he goes, and the number of people following him on IG is increasing, and by 2022, he has more than 500,000 fans.
Although his fame grew, McColl did not fall into the trap of fame. For him, these works combined his love of life and his flexible use of hobbies and professionalism, and developed his motivation to explore the world more. And something changed.
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The act was assumed to be another protest but motive was never clarified.

- *Aftermath*: The head turned up anonymously at a local TV station and was reattached.

Title:

Content: International Video _ Syrian Girl Puppet Walks 8000 KM to Raise Public ’ s Attention to Refugees
Written by: Su Wei-yan
Published: Updated:
Little Amal, the giant puppet, set off from the Turkish city of Gaziantep in Syria in July this year, heading west through Greece, Italy, France, etc., and arrived in Manchester, England in November.
In the backstory, Amal the Younger (which means “hope ” in Arabic) is a 9-year-old Syrian girl who is separated from her family as she escapes from her war-torn home.
“Refugees need food and blankets, but they also need dignity and a voice, ” said Amir Nizar Zuabi, project manager.“ Little Amal is 3.5 meters tall because we want the world to be big enough to welcome her, and we want her to inspire us to think higher and act bigger. ”
Little Amal will continue to parade over the next month to spread a message of concern for refugees.
Photo by Getty Images
Photo by Su Wai-yan
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Title:

Content: Warmly welcome.
Bun boy.
Posts Tagged ‘ 2183 ’
Category: Travel - Domestic Travel
County and City ： Tainan City > Anping District
When you come to Anping, Tainan, you can enjoy ancient buildings, walk in the ancient streets, taste local snacks, and experience the water scenery on a canal cruise.
Now, an amazing new attraction has been added to the Anping Gangbin Historical Park – “The Blessing of Big Fish ”
This sculptural work, full of artistic feeling, not only shows the ingenuity and creativity of the artist, but also the new highlight of this beautiful coastline. It is definitely worth visiting.
This spectacular public art of whales is crafted by shortlisted Golden Horse Award Best Short Film director Yang Shi-yi (Ah Kui)
The two-story sculpture, 23 meters long, 10 meters wide and 8 meters high, attracted many eyes during construction.
Gui and his team members have worked tirelessly throughout the creation process, constantly adjusting every detail of the work.
Including the lighting angle, after repeated testing, finally illuminated the whole scene
The completion of this sculpture is the crystallization of their perseverance and efforts, and will add a unique splendor to this land.
Greetings from Big Fish: Gangbin Historical Park, Anyi Bridge, Anyi Road, Anping District, Tainan City
Enjoy live video games, Hong Kong Waterfront Historical Park and a unique playground experience
Tainan Attractions https: / / gn0930150655.pixnet.net / blog / category / 1606945
This large piece is not only stunning, but also provides a unique experience of entering the “fish belly ” to enjoy the sea view and sunset.
There are three classic angles to watching “The Blessing of the Big Fish ”: standing on the first floor and looking up.
You can see the bottom of Taiwan Island, made up of 448 pieces of colored glazed glass, symbolizing respect and respect for the land.
On the second floor, looking down at Taiwan Island, it symbolizes gratitude; once again, look up at the people around you.
You will realize that you are in the same land and must treat each other well, just as Taiwan has done for us.
These perspectives not only allow you to appreciate the beauty of the artwork, but also to deeply feel the solemn thinking and blessing of the land, people and life.
Let ’ s enjoy this special viewing experience and feel the warmth and meaning it contains.
This work, in the form of a whale, is not only a piece of art to display and watch, but also a spiritual transmission and cultural cohesion.
Would you like to join my team, please help me.
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Bun boy.
The Little Bun Life.
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2003 – Toppled Into Water**
- *Incident*: On September 11, 2003, the statue was found blown off its base and into the harbor.

- *Damage*: Severe – separated at the ankles, statue found lying underwater.

Title:

Content: Writers' Column
(Ju Kuo-lieh / Editing by Wang Tsui-li and Tsou Ling-pu)
century
The Art of the Century: How Cities Are Cultured Part 8 – Oslo / Culture by Ru Guolei / Editors by Wang Cuili, Zou Lingpu
Oslo ’ s Fram Museum is on the outskirts of the city, and I ’ m half an hour away by bus from the city centre.
This is a museum group with two other museums nearby in addition to the Forward.
When you get out of the car, you see the huge triangle of the Forward Museum, standing like an iron tent, next to the Osloch fjord.
It was a cold, drizzly afternoon in February 2020, the epidemic had just reached northern Europe, and there was almost no one around, only a few men standing outside the museum looking at the sea.
I looked closer and found that the five men who were wearing bloated were bronze statues.
They are the protagonists of this museum.
Previous / Next News

- *Aftermath*: Statue recovered and restored.

Title:

Content: France / Egypt
Almost half a century later, Ramesses II ’ s sarcophagus will return to Paris.
After nearly half a century on display in Paris in 1976, the sarcophagus of Ramses II, the Pharaoh star of Tutankhamun, is back in France, and it will become a high point of light for a major exhibition event in the French capital this spring.
For more details, please see the video report of France 24, which belongs to France World Media Group, and France Quang:
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- *1984*: Painted in various colors after the arm was removed.