Friday, February 19, 2010
Santorini Island, Greece, Southern Aegean Sea
Santorini (is a small, circular archipelago of volcanic islands located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast from Greece's mainland. The largest island is known as Thera (or Thira), forming the southernmost member of the Cyclades group of islands, with an area of approximately 73 km2 (28 sq mi) and a 2001 census population of 13,670. It is composed of the Municipality of Thira (pop. 12,440) and the Community of Oia (pop. 1,230, which includes 268 inhabitants resident on the offshore island of Therasia, lying to the west). These have a total land area of 90.623 km2 (34.990 sq mi), which also includes the uninhabited islands of Nea Kameni, Palaia Kameni, Aspronisi and Christiana (all part of the Municipality of Thira).
Santorini is essentially what remains of an enormous volcanic explosion, destroying the earliest settlements on what was formerly a single island, and leading to the creation of the current geological caldera.
A giant central lagoon, more or less rectangular, and measuring about 12 by 7 km (7.5 by 4.3 mi), is surrounded by 300 m (980 ft) high steep cliffs on three sides. The island slopes downward from the cliffs to the surrounding Aegean Sea. On the fourth side, the lagoon is separated from the sea by another much smaller island called Therasia; the lagoon merges with the sea in two places, in the northwest and southwest. The water in the centre of the lagoon is nearly 400 m (1,300 ft) deep, which it is a safe harbour for all kinds of shipping. The island's harbours all lie in the lagoon and there are no ports on the outer perimeter of the island; the capital, Fira, clings to the top of the cliff looking down on the lagoon. The volcanic rocks present from the prior eruptions feature olivine and have a notably small presence of hornblende.
It is the most active volcanic centre in the South Aegean Volcanic Arc, though what remains today is chiefly a water-filled caldera. The volcanic arc is approximately 500 km long and 20-40 km wide. The region first became volcanically active around 3-4 million years ago though volcanism on Thera began around 2 million years ago with the extrusion of lavas from vents around the region of Akrotiri.
The island is the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history: the Minoan eruption (sometimes called the Thera eruption), which occurred some 3,600 years ago at the height of the Minoan civilization. The eruption left a large caldera surrounded by volcanic ash deposits hundreds of feet deep and may have led indirectly to the collapse of the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete,110 km (68 mi) to the south, through the creation of a gigantic tsunami. Another popular theory holds that the Thera eruption is the source of the legend of Atlantis.
The name Santorini was given to it by the Latin empire in the thirteenth century and is a reference to Saint Irene. Before then it was known as Kallíste (the most beautiful one), Strongýle (the circular one), or Thera.
Beaches
The island is the remnant of a volcanic cone whose top was blown off. The outer beaches are smooth and shallow. Beach sand color depends on which geologic layer is exposed. There are beaches with sand or pebbles made of solidified lava of various colors: the Red Beach, the Black Beach, the White Beach, etc. The water at the darker colored beaches is significantly warmer because the lava acts as a heat absorber.
History
Minoan Akrotiri
Excavations starting in 1967 at the site called Akrotiri under the late Professor Spyridon Marinatos have made Thera the best-known "Minoan" site outside of Crete, the homeland of the culture. The island was not known as Thera at this time. Only the southern tip of a large town has been uncovered, yet it has revealed complexes of multi-level buildings, streets, and squares with remains of walls standing as high as eight meters, all entombed in the solidified ash of the famous eruption of Thera. The site was not a palace-complex such as are found in Crete, but its excellent masonry and fine wall-paintings show that this was certainly no conglomeration of merchants' warehousing either. This Bronze Age civilization throve between 3000 to 2000 BC, and reached its peak in the period 2000 to 1580 BC.
Pipes with running water and water closets found at Akrotiri are the oldest such utilities discovered. The pipes run in twin systems, indicating that the Therans used both hot and cold water supplies; the origin of the hot water probably was geothermic, given the volcano's proximity. The dual pipe system suggesting hot and cold running water, the advanced architecture and the apparent layout of the Akrotiri find resemble Plato's description of the legendary lost city of Atlantis, further indicating the Minoans as the culture which primarily inspired the Atlantis legend.
The Minoan eruption provides a fixed point for the chronology of the second millennium BC in the Aegean, because evidence of the eruption occurs throughout the region and the site itself contains material culture from outside. The eruption occurred during the "Late Minoan IA" period at Crete and the "Late Cycladic I" period in the surrounding islands.
The exact date of the eruption, however, is unknown. Radiocarbon dating indicates that the eruption occurred about 1645—1600 BC. These dates, however, conflict with the usual date range from archaeological evidence, which is between about 1550 and 1500 BC.
Ancient and Medieval Santorini
Santorini remained unoccupied throughout the rest of the Bronze Age, during which time the Greeks took over Crete. Over the centuries after the general catastrophes of 1200 BC, Phoenicians founded a site on Thera.
As with other Greek territories, Thera then was ruled by the Romans. It passed to the eastern side of the Empire when it divided - which now is known as the Byzantine Empire.
During the Crusades, the Franks settled it, while in the 13th century AD, the Venetians annexed the isle to the Duchy of Naxos and renamed it "Santorini", that is "Saint Irene". Santorini came under Ottoman rule in 1579.
Modern Santorini
Santorini became independent from Ottoman rule in 1821, during the Greek War of Independence and was united with Greece in 1830 under the Treaty of London. In 1956 a major earthquake and a volcanic eruption resulted in the demolishing of many buildings on the island, leading to the desertation of many of it’s villages. Nowadays due to the expansion of tourism, the island has gained great wealth and population. It’s major settlements include Fira, Oia, Emporio, Kamari, Perissa, Imerovigli, Pyrgos, and Therasia. Akrotiri is a major archaeological site, with ruins from the Minoan era. Santorini's primary industry is tourism, particularly in the summer months. The island's pumice quarries have been closed since 1986, in order to preserve the caldera.
Aridity
Santorini has no rivers, and water is scarce. Until the early 1990s locals filled water cisterns from the rain that fell on roofs and courts, from small springs and with imported assistance from other areas of Greece. In recent years a desalination plant has provided running, yet non-potable, water to most houses. Since rain is rare on the island from mid-spring till mid-autumn, many plants depend on the scant moisture provided by the common, early morning fog condensing on the ground as dew.
Wine industry
The island remains the home of a small, but flourishing, wine industry, based on the indigenous grape variety. The viticultural pride of the island is the sweet and strong Vinsanto (holy wine), a dessert wine made from the best sun-dried Assyrtiko, Athiri, and Aidani grapes and undergoing long barrel. White wines from the island are extremely dry with a strong, citrus scent and mineral and iodide salt aromas contributed by the ashy volcanic soil.
Agriculture
Due to its unique ecology and climate, and especially its volcanic ash soil, Santorini is home to unique and prized produce. The Santorini tomatoes are renowned. Santorini "fava" (a purée made of the hulled, then sun-dried, then boiled legume Lathyrus sativus - not from the yellow split pea as in the rest of Greece) is considered the best in the world. The white eggplants of Santorini are very sweet, with very few seeds, and can be eaten raw, as though they were fruit. The katsoúni is a unique local variety of large cucumbers which, if left unpicked when green, turn yellow and acquire a sweet taste almost indistinguishable from that of melon.
Recent volcanism
In 1707 an under sea volcano breached the sea surface, forming the current centre of activity at Nea Kameni in the centre of the lagoon and eruptions centred on it continue - the twentieth century saw three such, the last in 1950. At some time in the future, it will almost certainly erupt violently again. Santorini was also struck by a devastating earthquake in 1956. Although the volcano is quiescent at the present time, at the current active crater (there are several former craters on Nea Kameni), steam and sulphur dioxide are given off.
Hot springs
Architecture
The traditional architecture of Santorini is similar to that of the other Cyclades, with low-lying cubical houses, made of local stone and whitewashed or limewashed with various volcanic ashes used as colors. The unique characteristic is the common utilisation of the hypóskapha - extensions of houses dug sideways or downwards into the surrounding pumice. These rooms are prized because of the high insulation provided by the air-filled pumice and are used as living quarters of unique coolness in the summer and warmth in the winter and also as premium storage space for produce and especially for wine cellaring.
Airport
Santorini is one of the few Cyclades Islands with a major airport. It is about 6 km southeast of downtown Thira. Transportation to and from the air terminal is through buses, taxis, hotel car-pickups and rental cars.
Volcanic eruption
The devastating volcanic eruption of Thera has become the most famous single event in the Aegean before the fall of Troy. This may have been one of the largest volcanic eruptions on Earth in the last few thousand years with an estimated 7 on the VEI (volcanic explosivity index).
The violent eruption was centered on a small island just north of the existing island of Nea Kameni in the centre of the caldera. The caldera itself was formed several hundred thousand years ago by the collapse of the centre of a circular island, caused by the emptying of the magma chamber during an eruption. It has been filled several times by ignimbrite since then, and the process repeated itself, most recently 21,000 years ago. The northern part of the caldera was refilled by the volcano, then collapsing once more during the Minoan eruption. Before the Minoan eruption, the caldera formed a nearly continuous ring with the only entrance between the tiny island of Aspronisi and Thera. The eruption destroyed the sections of the ring between Aspronisi and Therasia, and between Therasia and Thera, creating two new channels.
On Santorini, a deposit of white tephra thrown from the eruption is to be found, lying up to 60 metres thick overlying the soil marking the ground level before the eruption and forming a layer divided into three fairly distinct bands indicating different phases of the eruption. New archaeological discoveries by a team of international scientists, in 2006, have revealed that the Santorini event was much more massive than previously thought. It expelled 61 km3 of magma and rock into Earth's atmosphere, compared to previous estimates of only 39 cubic kilometres in 1991, producing an estimated 100 cubic kilometres of tephra.
Beautiful sunset on Santorini
Caldera: A large crater caused by the violent explosion of a volcano that collapses into a depression
More photos
http://www.lencyka.com/gallery.aspx?cate...
http://www.lencyka.com/gallery.aspx?cate...
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Sunday, November 8, 2009
Samos Island, Greece, Eastern Aegean
Samos is a Greek island in the North Aegean sea, south of Chios, north of Patmos and the Dodecanese.
The island's population is 33,814, which is the 9th most populous of the Greek islands.
Samos is the most visited island of the North-Eastern Aegean Islands, keeping, nevertheless, its beauty and calm places. Samos is a particularly green island which, despite the catastrophic fires which burned an important part of it, has kept a big part of it's impressively green forests. Busy resorts, nice beaches, intensive nightlife but also with picturesque villages and peaceful places can be found in Samos.
History
In classical antiquity the island was a centre of Ionian culture and luxury, renowned for it's Samian wines and its red pottery (called Samian ware by the Romans). It's most famous building, was the Ionic order archaic Temple of goddess Hera - the Heraion.
Concerning the earliest history of Samos, literary tradition is singularly defective. At the time of the great migrations it received an Ionian population which traced it's origin to Epidaurus in Argolis: Samos became one of the twelve members of the Ionian League. By the 7th century BC it had become one of the leading commercial centres of Greece. This early prosperity of the Samians seems largely due to the island's position near trade-routes, which facilitated the importation of textiles from inner Asia Minor, but the Samians also developed an extensive oversea commerce. They helped to open up trade with the Black Sea and with Pharaonic Egypt, and were credited with having been the first Greeks to reach the Straits of Gibraltar.
Area
The area of the island is 478 km2 (184.6 sq mi), 43 km (27 mi) long and 13 km (8 mi) wide. While largely mountainous, Samos has several relatively large and fertile plains.
A great portion of the island is covered with vineyards, from which wine is made, including that from the Vathy grapes. The most important plains are Pythagorio in the southeast, Karlovasi in the northwest, and Marathokampos in the southwest. The Samian climate is typically Mediterranean, with mild rainy winters, and warm rainless summers.
The largest mountain is the Ampelos massif, which occupies the center of the island and rises to 1,095 metres (3,590 ft). The island's highest point is the summit of the Kerkis range, at 1,434 metres (4,700 ft). The mountains are a continuation of the Mycale range on the Anatolian mainland.
Villages
The island of Samos has an exceptional variety of villages. There are villages that have been cultivated in such a way that they have become commercial centers, while others are more laid back and traditional. While traveling to the many villages on the island you can not help but notice the ancient, medieval and modern structures that testify to the importance that the island has had in the past and in the present.
Beaches
The island of Samos has some of the most spectacular beaches in the east Aegean. There are a variety of beaches and amenities to suite everyone’s taste. There are secluded beaches where one can relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. For the sports enthusiast Samos offers beaches that are suitable for wind surfing. There are shallow beaches that are suitable for children and families or busy beaches lined with taverns, cafes and bars that are sure to keep you entertained, refreshed and well fed.
GPS location: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&q=37.649...
GPS location: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&q=37.802...
GPS location: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&q=37.794...
GPS location: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&q=37.698...
The Waterfalls of Potami
If you follow the road west from Karlovassi that leads towards the harbor, you will end up on Potami beach. It is a beautiful beach with pebbles and pristine waters on the northeast coast of Samos. If you walk about 2 kms further ahead, you will chance upon a lovely forest full of different types of trees that ends at a small lake. Just ahead are the amazing Potami waterfalls.
The area is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places to visit on Samos, one that will leave you enchanted, and definitely take your breath away.
Night life
The island of Samos provides an intense and varied nightlife and all kind of places to enjoy a relaxing or crazy night.
A plethora of restaurants, taverns, cafes, modern bars, bouzoukia (clubs with Greek live music) and huge or smaller clubs playing all sorts of music can be found in the capital of Samos, in Karlovassi, in Kokkari and in the attractive village in Pythagorio.
More photos
http://www.lencyka.com/gallery.aspx?cate...
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Tuesday, June 23, 2009
We've booked most of the hotels on http://www.hotels.com
They have two different web pages on the same domain: European and USA version.
The offer is the same, but USA version has some benefits. The biggest are Welcome rewards - you get free night for every 10 you book (booking value shouldn't be below $40 without tax). After you have stayed a total of 10 nights, they will automatically credit you with a free night at any hotel offered by hotels.com, up to $400 in value.
If you book a hotel from European version hotels.com, booking doesn't count in Welcome rewards, so you have to be carefull to be signed in into USA version.
If you want to access USA version from Europe destination, you have to choose on the top of the page, just under slogan Hotels.com Wake up happy "Our global sites:" and select "Unites states". Color of design will change from orange (European version) to red (USA version) and you will also see big Welcome rewards title.
USA version has very simple user interface for mobile phones. We have booked a hotel every single day with iPhone and Visa Electron, just a few hours before we arrived. Easy and simple!
San Francisco
- Crowne Plaza San Francisco International Airport
http://www.sfocp.com
Address: 1177 Airport Blvd, Burlingame 94010
Check-In: May 24, 2009 (check-in time: 3 PM)
Check-Out: May 25, 2009 (check-out time: 11 AM)
Room Type: Two Double Beds Non-Smoking, 4 Adults
Price: $90.00 (including tax)
- Francisco Bay Inn
http://www.franciscobayinn.com
1501 Lombard St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Check-In: Jun 4, 2009 (check-in time: 2 PM)
Check-Out: Jun 5, 2009 (check-out time: 11 AM)
Room type: Superior Two Double Beds, 4 Adults
Price: $49.08 (including tax)
- Sheraton Gateway San Francisco Airport Hotel
http://www.sheratonsfo.com
Address: 600 Airport Blvd, Burlingame, CA 94010
Check-In: Jun 5, 2009 (check-in time: 3 PM)
Check-Out: Jun 7, 2009 (check-out time: 12 AM)
Room type: Club Floor, 4 Adults (room for 6 persons)
Price: two nights $300.80 (including tax and $48.80 extra person fees)
San Luis
- Quality Inn Pismo Beach
http://www.qualityinn.com/hotel-pismo_be...
Address: 230 Five Cities Dr, Pismo Beach, CA 93449
Check-In: May 25, 2009 (check-in time: 3 PM)
Check-Out: May 26, 2009 (check-out time: 11 AM)
Room type: Standard 2 Doubles Non-Smoking, 4 Adults
Price: $92.38 (including tax and $18.66 extra person fees)
Ventura
- Best Western Inn of Ventura
http://www.bestwestern.com/innofventura
Address: 708 E Thompson Blvd, Ventura, CA 93001
Check-In: May 26, 2009 (check-in time: 3 PM)
Check-Out: May 27, 2009 (check-out time: 12 AM)
Room type: Two Queens-Standard, 4 Adults
Price: $79.48 (including tax)
Las Vegas
- Four Queens Hotel and Casino
http://www.fourqueens.com
Address: 202 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Check-In: May 27, 2009 (check-in time: 4 PM)
Check-Out: May 28, 2009 (check-out time: 12 AM)
Room type: 2x Standard rooms, 4 Adults
Price: $38,98 (including tax)
- Main Street Station
http://www.mainstreetcasino.com
Address: 200 N. Main Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Check-In: May 28, 2009
Check-Out: May 29, 2009
Room type: Two Queens-Standard, 4 Adults
Price: $80.00 (including tax and $20 extra person fees)
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Las Vegas Airport
http://homewoodsuites1.hilton.com/en_US/...
Address: 230 Hidden Well Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Check-In: May 29, 2009 (check-in time: 3 PM)
Check-Out: May 30, 2009 (check-out time: 11 AM)
Room type: 2-bdrm/2-bath Suite, 4 Adults
Price: $132.24 (including tax and $11.89 extra person fees)
Oceanside
- Best Western Oceanside Inn
http://www.bestwestern.com/prop_10212
Address: 1680 Oceanside Blvd, Oceanside, CA 92054
Check-In: May 30, 2009 (check-in time: 3 PM)
Check-Out: May 31, 2009 (check-out time: 11 AM)
Room type: Standard room with two double beds, 4 Adults
Price: $78.99 (including tax)
Chula Vista
- Best Western South Bay Inn
http://www.bestwestern.com/prop_05024
Address: 710 E St, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Check-In: May 31, 2009 (check-in time: 2 PM)
Check-Out: Jun 2, 2009 (check-out time: 11 AM)
Room type: Standard Two Queen, 4 Adults
Price: two nights $124.59 (including tax)
Sylmar
- Good Nite Inn Sylmar (Not recommended!)
http://www.goodnite.com/sylmar
Address: 12835 Encinitas Ave, Sylmar, CA 91342
Check-In: Jun 2, 2009 (check-in time: 2 PM)
Check-Out: Jun 3, 2009 (check-out time: 11 AM)
Room type: Standard Two Queen Beds, 4 Adults
Price: $53.40 (including tax)
Norwalk
- Best Western Norwalk Inn
http://www.bestwestern.com/prop_05402
Address: 10902 Firestone Blvd, Norwalk, CA 90650
Check-In: Jun 3, 2009 (check-in time: 2 PM)
Check-Out: Jun 4, 2009 (check-out time: 11 AM)
Room type: Standard Two Queens - Non Smoking, 4 Adults
Price: $115.87 (including tax and $13.34 extra person fees)
Published in category
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Saturday, June 6, 2009
Mexico... it's hard to describe that experienece. We didn't know what to expect. The first decision was, should we even go. Everyone around were telling us not to go, but we really had a wish to go to see it. So the decision was done. The first thing when we came there was really not expected. Everyone were telling us, buy this buy that, we almost couldn't go away from the sellers there. The status there from my experience is, that in the city Tijuana people doesn't earn much at all, the city is not so nice and the first thing I thought about it, was that I would never live there. But in one way it is nice to see the city, because then you aware what you have. We ate in a nice restaurant there with a beautiful view. People are kind, but different then in USA. On the way back we had to go out from the bus and show the passports there and they also checked our bags on the border. It was kind of scary feeling, because we didn't know how the things are going on there.
San Diego is a charming city. I would say it was the most fancy one which we saw here on our trip in USA. Downtown is full with bars, restaurants and many hotels. The beach is beautiful too, they also have many places for sport.
Los Angeles, well.. that's kind of hard to describe everything we saw. We went to see the Walk of fame (the stars) and the Sunset blvd, Hollywood sign and magnificent view over all the city. It was beautiful view and we were impressed. We also saw Bevery Hills houses and went to Bel Air.
San Francisco is really special too. All the cities we visited are special in one way. The streets in San Francisco are so different that we are used to it. High up and then back down and up and down. It's like in the movies, which you see on TV. We checked out Golden Gate Bridge, Fishermans Wharf, China town, Union square, Alcatraz. Well, it's just amazing.
Published in category
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Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Finally in San Francisco. Everything went without complications. The flight was 12 hours long, first from München to Paris and then from Paris to San Francisco. Now I'm in the hotel, pretty exhausted because of 36 hours without sleeping. Later I will add some photos.
Santa Cruz is really nice city to visit. There was a nice beach, where we saw a lot of Sea lions, who were laying on the sun and enjoying in an nice atmosphere. We also visited very big Funpark and went downtown to the centre of Santa Cruz. There were many shops and bars, where you could sit down and enjoy in a nice coffee or whatever you wished for.
San Luis is also very nice place to visit. You can go on the beach with Jeep and drive by the sea there. People were also riding a horses there, it was like in the movie.
Santa Barbara is a place you shouldn't miss it for sure. The atmosphere there is perfect, very long sand beach with order place where you can do all kind of sports, like football, rugby, beach volley, running, bicycling, rooling and so on. There were so many palms all around this sports park, very beautiful. We also went downtown and there was a big event going on. The firemans and policemans were in the city and people could say thanks to them, because there was a fire very close to Santa Barbara just a few days ago. So it was really relaxful moment there, because everyone were in good mood.
Ventura is not so big city, but there is also a very beautiful beach and very long walking road with palms around and the view to the ocean. It's not the place that you should miss it, if you are going to traveling like that.
Malibu is also not so big place, but it have a beautiful beach and the view from the road is magnificant.
Santa Monica if definitely a place to visit. It is similar like Santa Barbara, but in one way different again. This is a place where it was taken episodes of BayWatch. We had a picnic on the beach and it was awsome.
Viva Las Vegas... hmmm, what can I say? It's not possible to describe what I saw. You have to come there and see it by your self. It was so not what I expected, it was much much better. Before you come to the city, you can see on the sky that there is really a lot of light. You can see that in the night. But when you actually come in the city, it takes your breath away. So many hotels, casinos everywhere you look at, everything in lights. Well, it's just impossible to describe it. And you can get there a hotels for a very cheap price. Amazing!
Grand Canyon in amazing Natural park. I have to say that again! We went to see the South Rims of the Grand Canyon. It's like the view you can't describe it with words. I will better put some photos on when I come home.
Sea world-aquarium in San Diego is amazing. I was really impressed about it and we saw there also a shamu-big killer whale. If you go to this place, you shouldn't miss that for sure.
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Saturday, May 23, 2009
My trip to USA will start in less than a hour to München airport. We will park at long-term parking area P41 and then go with free train (s-bahn) or bus nr. 635 to Terminal 1. The way will lead us first to France on Paris airport and after two hours of waiting there, we will go straight to San Francisco. We already booked a hotel there for the first night for very cheap price ($90 for 4 persons, with breakfast and all taxes included):
http://www.crowneplaza.com/h/d/cp/1/en/h...
I will try to find some open WiFi when I will land there and write you again.
Published in category
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Monday, April 27, 2009
I'm prepairing for a trip to USA. I haven't found anywhere all informations on one place on the internet, that's why I wanted to share some informations with you.
1. Vizum and offical things you need for travelling from Slovenia to USA
Vizum
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html?...
Informations about Vizum
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/WebHelp/he...
Embassy in USA
http://www.mzz.gov.si/si/predstavnistva_...
Documents you need for traveling
http://www.potovanje.si/koristne-potoval...
If you fly to USA, it is good that you inform your consulate
obrazec_podatki_o_potovanju_.doc
2. Health insurance
http://www.zzzs.si/zzzs/internet/zzzs.ns...
3. Driving licence
You have to buy international driving licence for USA, if you are comming from Slovenia. It cost 22,96€.
http://www.amzs.si/?podrocje=37
4. Parking on the airport in München
The best and cheapest is to park on the airport on terminal P41 or in new parking garage P81. To go to the terminal you have to take the train (s-bahn) or the bus 635. The costs are about 64€ for 14 days or 66€ for 15 days.
http://www.munich-airport.de/de/consumer...
5. Places to visit
California
http://www.roadtripusa.com/routes/pacifi...
http://www.byways.org/explore/states/CA/
San Francisco
http://www.sftravel.com/fish.html
6. Camping
http://www.koakampgrounds.com/
7. American deserts
http://www.desertusa.com/
I will share more details about the trip with you later.
Published in category
Travels
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Corfu (Greek: Kérkyra) is a Greek island in the Ioninan Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian islands and lies off the coast of Sarandë, Alabania. The island is part of the Corfu Prefecture and includes twelve of the sixteen municipalities or communes in the prefecture and over Communities of Ereikoussa, Mathraki, Othonoi and Municipality of Paxoi, which are all separated islands.
The principal town have 28,185 population.
History
The island is steeped in history and perennially connected to the history of Greece from the beginning of Greek mythology. Greek name, Kerkyra or Korkyra, is connected to two powerful water symbols: Poseidon, god of the sea and Asopos, an important Greek mainland river. According to myth, Poseidon fell in love with the beautiful nymph Korkyra, daughter of Asopus and river nymph Metope and abducted her, as it was the custom among gods of the era's myths – Zeus himself was a serial offender. Poseidon brought her to the hitherto unnamed island and in marital bliss offered her name to the place: Korkyra, which gradually evolved to Kerkyra. There are also two of castles enclose it’s capital, which is the only city in Greece to be surrounded in such a way. As a result, Corfu's capital has been officially declared a Kastropolis (Castle city) by the Greek Government.
Area
With the island's area estimated at 227 square miles (588 km2), it runs approximately 40 miles (64 km) long, with greatest breadth at around 20 miles (32 km). Two high and well-defined ranges divide the island into three districts, of which the northern is mountainous, the central undulating, and the southern low-lying. The whole island, composed as it is of various limestone formations, presents great diversity of surface and views from more elevated spots are magnificent. Beaches are found in Agios Gordis, the Korission lagoon, Aghios Georgios, Marathia, Kassiopi, Sidari, Palaiokastritsa and many others.
Corfu's highest point is Mount Pantokrator (906 metres (2,972 ft)).
Camping
Camping areas can be found in Palaiokastritsa, Agrillia, with four in the northern part, Pyrgi, Roda, Gouvia and Messonghi.
Flora
They have a lot of fields with wild olive, olive oil, pear, promegranate, apple, fig and vine.
Agriculture
The island has again become an important port of call and has a considerable trade in olive oil. In earlier times there was a great export of citron.
Travel
I was traveling there with a boat Anek Lines from Italy, Venice. It was 24 hours long driving in one way. You can take a room on the boat, but this time we decided we will be a deck passengers. So we slept in the bar on sofas, when they closed it up. It is good if you take a sleeping bag with you.
Anek Lines
Hotel
We arrived there in the morning, so we had all day to arrange everything (hotel, scooter). We slept in a nice family Hotel Angela in the city Gouvia. Two sisters owned a hotel and they really tried to satisfy all we asked for. They arranged that we got scooter driven by hotel and returned on the day when we did not need it anymore. If I would go there again, I would choose the same hotel and city, because there were many things going on. Many restaurants with different food, taverns, many night clubs and nice atmosphere.
The hotel and room was clean, but it has very small bathroom. If you go to the islands in Greece, you can expect everywhere small bathrooms. They changed the towels everyday. The aircondition broke in our room and they take care of it the same moment. The pool was open till 20:00. You could eat the breakfast, lunch and dinner at a hotel. But we took only late breakfast, which they made only for us and a late dinner. The breakfast time was from 8-10 o’clock.
Hotel Angela
Beaches
The best beaches to visit there was Sidari, Palaiokastritsa, Nisaki, Glyfada, Aghios Georgios and Kassopei.
Bay of St. George in northwestern Corfu
Sidari in north of Corfu
Glyfada in west middle part of Corfu
Aqualand
There is quite big Aqualand. A lot of toboggans, the peaceful river and some other fun things. You have to try it if you go there. One toboggan is really high and very steep.
Main city
We went to see also the main city Kérkyra (Corfu). It was a beautiful city, with a lot of lane streets. There are also a lot of restaurants, small shops and many other things which is worth to see.
More photos
http://www.lencyka.com/gallery.aspx?cate...
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Travels