Gay Travel In Europe

By Michele De Capitani

 The exhibition will take place at Istanbul Modern, the citys first private museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art, which was created in 2004 to support various forms of art by displaying important works to the public. The museum hosts both a permanent and various temporary exhibitions, and it gives space to different artists and to all forms of art: in the museum, indeed, visitors can find paintings, pictures, sculptures, as well as videos and other works realised with innovative tools.

The museum is divided into two main areas: in the first one the permanent exhibition is held, which is always worth a visit. The themes and the organization of the works, indeed, change annually, to permit visitors to try a new path every time they enter the museum. The second area of the museum is where temporary exhibitions take place: every year the museum hosts around 3 or 4 exhibitions, including retrospectives, Turkish modern art and international contemporary art works.

The exhibition Pureblood Reflections is one of the first temporary events hosted in the museum in 2009. It is a particular exhibition, and it is based on the works realised by the photographer Peter Mller Peter that are dedicated to the Yeguada de la Cartuja horses, a particularly well-known breed which was present at the courts of Europe ever since the 12th century. This type of horse, also known as Cartujano, is considered as the purest strain of the Andalusan breed, and is characterised by beautiful proportions, graceful movements, a noble and docile nature and energy. These horses are usually grey (but some of them are black or chestnut), they have small ears and a broad forehead. It is probably thanks to their noble proportions, and to their presence at the main European courts, that several artists have decided to portray them in their works. An evidence of this is given by the exhibition held at the Istanbul museum of modern and contemporary art.

The work realised by Peter Mller Peter is particularly interesting, because with his works he portrays this breed in a new way, but also because the artist shows how it is possible to mix two different kinds of artistic expressions: painting and photography. Mller, indeed, took some photographs of those horses, and then he joined them to some famous paintings realised by important artists, such as Rubens, Velzquez, Goya, Macke and Carpaccio, who portrayed horses of to the same breed. In this way we can find images of horses watching frescoes with interested and attentive eyes, or other horses taking their place inside a painting, creating in this way an odd optical illusion.

The exhibition includes 40 pictures and 6 installations, through which the artist shows how it is possible, starting from 2 different kinds of art, to create a third, brand-new form of art.

If you want to visit a particular museum and exhibition, spend some days in a cheap hotel in Istanbul and visit the Istanbul Modern Museum.

Date: 4th February -26th April 2009

Location: Istanbul Modern, Istanbul, Turkey

This article was written by Michele De Capitani with support from great hotels Istanbul for any information, please visit 4 stars accommodation Istanbul or for travel insurance visit guesthouse in Istanbul.

Travel

adventure travel

By Roger Munns

 January and February is traditionally when millions of British people decide upon their annual holidays - some suggest that up to half of all holidays are booked in the first two months of the year.

In the past British people have been seen as viewing class as important, more than most other countries- and that’s true of holiday destinations as well as life in general.

Once an area has a reputation - that’s it. Often for generations.

An opinion poll has revealed that many British holidaymakers are ashamed to admit where they are going on holiday. - some popular destinations are deemed to be too low class by British society, including many popular areas of Spain.

In fact, holidaymakers often lie about going on an expensive, classy trip when they actually go somewhere less expensive and common. What’s strange about all of this is that most of these locations are actually not what they were like in the 1970’s when reputations were largely made or lost, and have over the last decade invested in new tourist infrastructure and facilities.

Topping the list of shameful holiday spots is Benidorm, a coastal town in the Alicante province of Spain, on the Costa Blanca.

Benidorm is lined with skyscrapers. It’s sometimes called the Manhattan of Spain. For this same reason, it’s also referred to as the 11th Belgian province.

Before tourism became a large industry in the town, it was a tiny coastal village. It began to cater to tourists, especially British tourists, in the 1960’s.

Today it contains four-star hotels, several family-oriented theme parks and three major beaches which were granted the highest award for quality by the European Union. Benidorm also hosts the Benidorm International Song Festival, a renowned songwriting contest. Julio Iglesias became famous because of this festival.

Second on the list of shameful destinations is Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands. Tourism is concentrated on the southern part of the island, as it features highly developed resort areas and a drier climate suitable for those taking traditional type holidays in Tenerife.

A moratoria act passed by the Canarian Parliament keeps resort standards high by forbidding any new construction unless the hotel is five star quality.

The Costa Adeje in Tenerife contains world class entertainment centres, nine golf courses and good shopping centres, as well as having some of the best Tenerife hotels.

Though tourism is mainly an industry of the southern part of the island, the north is catching up, especially in the town Puerto de la Cruz. Somehow this Tenerife town manages to be highly developed, yet retains much of its old, harbour town charm.

Other destinations that are looked down upon are party island Ibiza, holiday island Magaluf and Cyprus’ area of Ayia Napa.

These areas are shunned because of their associations with party goers and the clubbing scene. Though they may not have the high end features of Benidorm and Tenerife, they are still full of great places to visit.

Mediterranean views greet holidaymakers at every turn, and many of the finest clubs and restaurants of Spain and Cyprus are located in these destinations. Ayia Napa, in fact, has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, great for water skiing and scuba diving.

All of these destinations offer world class facilities, yet they are viewed in a negative light by British tourists who see them as somewhere you go when you want the cheapest holidays possible.

The top places to visit in the poll include Paris, New York, Portugal, Australia and Thailand.

For some reason, Benidorm and Tenerife, which originally catered to the British, don’t match up to these destinations in modern British eyes. But hot spots are cyclical, and some day soon these areas might be on the top of the British holiday destination charts.

Tenerife is doing well already in the last few years, and given time perhaps Benidorm might too.

Travel information guide yourtenerife has details of cheap holidays in Tenerife

Other Tenerife holidays information is also available, a map, a Tenerife weather forecast with todays weather in Tenerife and hotel suggestions.

Travel

travel tour

By Roger Munns

 Low-cost airlines, package tourism and massive discounts make ski vacations more affordable; now they’re even more convenient. Austrian Airlines recently launched a Skibus service that connects skiers directly to Innsbruck. This service is designed to offer seamless service from the airport to St. Anton, Ischgl and Soelden.

The Skibus offers a timely alternative to other forms of public transportation. For example: passengers leaving London at 6 a.m. will arrive at the resort of their choice shortly after 1 p.m. and may be on the slopes withn the hour.

Skiing in Tyrol

Tyrol is located in western Austria. The state itself is easily identified by its two parts: North Tyrol and East Tyrol. Along the northern border is Bavaria, with Vorarlberg to the west and Italy and Switzerland to the south. Salzburg Austria is directly to the east. Carinthia also shares a border with East Tyrol.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is the capital of Tyrol and one of the most popular ski areas on Austria. The two primary sports in the area are skiing during the winter and hiking during the summer. Several ski resorts and glacial skiing make this one of the few areas in the world to offer year-round skiing. Innsbruck has hosted the Winter Olympic Games twice. The first was in 1964 and again in 1976. Only two other areas have had the privilege of hosting the Winter Olympic Games twice: St. Moritz, Switzerland and Lake Placid, New York.

Bidding has begun for the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics. Innsbruck recently became a finalist in the battle to host the first of many Winter Youth Olympic Games.

St. Anton

As one of the more populated areas in Tyrol, St. Anton has a busy nightlife and even busier ski slopes. The St. Anton area is well-known as a resort for ’serious skiers.’ Although it has a reputation for being a hard core ski resort, families and beginners are coming to enjoy all there is to St. Anton. Ski instruction is available for beginners or those wishing to simply improve their abilities.

Ischgl

What was once a farming village is now one of the largest ski areas in Austria. Situated near Vorarlberg, the village of Ischgl has changed its entire image in the last two decades. Travel to the village can be strenuous, and those travelling by car should keep in mind that the village is surrounded by very high, snow-covered mountains. Appropriate snow equipment is necessary to ensure a safe journey. Ischgl has three large ski lifts, intermediate ski runs, great hotels and a busy nightlife.

Soelden

Situated at the base of the Tiefenbach and Rettenbach glaciers, Soelden offers lots of off-slope ski action. Winter and summer skiing are available here due to the location of the glaciers and popularity of ’ski-in, ski-out’ convenience. Year-round skiing is becoming very popular among ski lovers around the world. Soelden doesn’t have the nightlife some of the other Austrian ski resorts may have, but for skiers looking for great year-round glacial skiing, it’s perfect.

Skiing in the Alps

The Alps have a long-running and well deserved reputation for being some of the best ski territory in the world. Beginners and experienced skiers alike can find the ideal ski terrain to fit their ski style. Ski resorts in the Alps often get the opportunity to work with skiers year-round, so they understand what skiers want and how to deliver it in the most convenient way possible.

More skiing information for Austria is available with yourandorra.com

For Andorra the travel guide has hotels in Andorra and for France, ski holiday companies who have ski holidays in France

Travel

travel tour

By Margaret Cowan

 On a late May morning on the hydrofoil in the Aeolian Islands off the northeast coast of Sicily, we were approaching the remote little island of Filicudi that looked like a rustic outpost with its tiny port. One street overlooking a stony beach ran between a high mountain and its foot hills on the right and a skinny peninsula with a lower hill on the left, all covered mainly in green Mediterranean scrub.

I’d traveled to the bigger, busier Aeolian Islands of Stromboli, Vulcano, Salina and Lipari. My curiosity about the smaller, outer islands led me to explore Filicudi, a haven of tranquility of 250 residents about one hour by boat from the main island, Lipari.

Little did I know Filicudi would give me unexpected pleasures.

The tourist season started in two weeks, so a handful of people got off the boat. Some restaurants and bars at the almost deserted port looked closed.

In the Rough Guide to Sicily, I’d discovered three star Hotel La Canna with 10 rooms in typical Aeolian style, brilliant white houses with big shaded patios overlooking the sea and a restaurant. I reserved three nights online at lacannahotel.it, pretty sure I could rely on my guidebook.

At the dock, the smiling hotel owner, Vincenzo picked me and an Italian couple up and drove us to the hotel set on a hill above the port. Arriving at my room door, I stood glued to the spot, stunned by the beauty saying, “Yes!” My room opened onto a huge patio with breathtaking, wide views of the port and sea all the way to islands of Salina and Stromboli. Entering my room, I smiled even more at the professional decor with pretty fabrics, interesting art and very comfy double bed.

What would I do alone in this quiet little place especially when a “scirocco”, extra hot weather of 38 degrees C, had descended? I’d live slowly in the present with no computer, let nature envelop me on walks and swims, eat good fish and pasta washed down with Sicilian wines, read books and share conversations with people.

At least once a day I walked about 20 minutes down the stone step path from the hotel to the port, main street with a few grocery stores, restaurants and bars, and beach. Very laid back, nothing fancy except the lovely clothes in the one tourist boutique. I bought cheese, bread and fruit for picnics and lay in the sun on the deserted stone beach, taking dips in the refreshing water.

One evening, I walked one hour up and down a trail along the hillside at the sea towards Zucco Grande, where vegetation covers collapsed houses of a deserted village. I was enjoying the wide views, the olive trees and the quiet, but about halfway the path got narrower with loose stones. Alone and wearing only running shoes, I decided not to run the risk of slipping and rolling down a steep hill to the sea.

From the port a short walk leads you to a stone path winding up the low hill of Capo Graziano past remains of pre historic stone huts in a closed archaeological site. You can continue to more challenging paths around the cape to a rocky coast but I was happy lingering above the ruins, admiring the splendid panoramas of the port and two coasts of the island.

One morning I walked for an hour from the hotel along the winding, main road, looking down at the sea and around me at cacti in bloom and white washed homes with colourful gardens. At a church I descended a long, narrow, stone pathway between houses to the pretty hamlet of Pecorini a Mare on the sea.

Small, white washed residential buildings and a restaurant with a shady patio and a tempting menu of local dishes, line its picturesque little piazza overlooking a stone beach. I was wishing I’d brought my bathing suit and could hang out there, but with the very hot weather, I wanted to get back to my shady hotel patio by noon.

After picnicking on the hotel patio, I lay in the peaceful shade outside for a few hours on a sun bed enjoying the hot wind gently blowing across me and gazing at the sea. I hadn’t done absolutely nothing for that long in months and vowed I’d do that more at home.

I thrive on variety so avoid eating all meals in one restaurant, but Hotel La Canna’s food was too delicious. I happily succumbed to dinners there all three nights. The outstanding pasta with pesto of capers, almonds, basil, parsley and olive oil will remain in my memory forever. A close second is their pasta loaded with wild fennel, sardines, raisins and pine nuts. Local fish were very tasty with a good choice of Sicilian wines. Fresh fruit made a perfect ending.

In the cozy hotel restaurant, I first dined alone. How to strike up a conversation? All tables were occupied by two people, except for one with two men and a woman. At breakfast by the coffee pot, I made a silly quip to the woman. This effervescent Italian invited me to join her, her Swiss journalist husband and his photographer on assignment for an article on Filicudi for a Zurich newspaper.

Over breakfasts and dinners we talked about writing, photography, what they’d discovered that day about Filicudi and laughed over our goofy remarks. I’d found a tribe of fellow creative souls!

At the hotel, I met two Swiss sisters there for the third time. One day I’ll return to Filicudi and Hotel La Canna too!

Since 1995 Margaret Cowan has owned a tour company, Mama Margaret & Friends Cooking Adventures in Italy.

For a free report on finding the right Italy cooking school tour for you, see http://www.italycookingschools.com

Travel

adventure travel

By Dominic Donaldson

 Sometimes, if you’re reading the sports reviews in the back pages of any of the national newspapers, you might find yourself thinking that the only sports that anyone’s interested in are football and cricket. From September through to May, the subject given the most coverage by all the red tops and many of the broad sheets as well is football; come to think of it from May to September there’s still the coverage just less actual sports reviews concerning games and results!

During the summer months the obsession with football eases off slightly and thoughts turn to cricket; with no less vigor and disregard for other sports that are just as worthy of news coverage. With the monopoly that these two sports have on the nations daily reading habits it’s hardly surprising that activities like swimming, basketball and hockey are sometimes referred to as ‘minority sports’.

The only time we get a break from this blanket coverage and don’t seem to be bombarded with the same regurgitated sports reviews is during the Olympics. The Olympic Games comes as welcome relief from the over hyped and overpaid footballers and cricketers who seem to have forgotten how privileged they are to be doing something for a living that many millions dream about but never achieve.

The Summer Olympics, and to a certain degree The Winter Olympics, offer a chance to see events and read sports reviews that focus more on the activity in hand than all the peripheral issues that seem to dominate the bigger sports like advertising, money and girlfriends. From this perspective they so called minority sports, it could be argued, are far more thrilling for spectators and so deserve more coverage and more sports reviews in the national papers. So what are the most thrilling and therefore deserving minority sports?

Skiing - In many European countries skiing completely eclipses the coverage given to any other sport. Switzerland, Austria, Italy and the Scandinavian countries all obsess about it and the sportsmen and women who represent those countries are treated like film stars. In the UK the sport only garners the odd paragraph once in a while; sports reviews about anything to do with skiing or winter sports usually involve a brief run through of the winner’s names and little else.

A good place to start looking for skiing coverage is on the internet. There are sites dedicated to following the skiing season and many show live or recorded footage of recent events. One of the biggest occasions each year in the skiing calendar is the downhill racing at Kitzbuhel in Austria. The course is known as the Hanenkamm and is one of the toughest on the circuit. The race scores more sports reviews in Europe than any football or cricket match ever could.

Baseball - Although traditionally an American game there are variations on it, and similar sports to it, played throughout the world; most notably cricket in the UK. But the similarities end with the bat and ball comparison as Baseball wipes the floor with cricket in terms of entertainment and excitement.

It’s becoming more popular outside the USA but the majority of sports reviews concerning the sport are still to be found in American newspapers, so again, for all the information you’ll need on the sport it’s worth going online. There are however a few late night programmes, and programmes on satellite and cable channels appearing, due to the growing interest in the sport.

The highlight of the baseball season is the World Series. This seven match play off between the two top teams in the US takes place every autumn and some of the country’s best writers submit sports reviews to newspapers and magazines while it is taking place.

Dominic Donaldson is an expert in the sport and leisure industry.

Find out more about Sports Reviews and world sports.

Travel

travel tours

Understanding and Preventing Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are common in men and women who have or had abnormal amounts of chemicals in their urine, or for those who have had lower levels of fluid intake for an extended time. You can help your body by making sure that you drink plenty of fluids, and make sure that you see your doctor at the first sign of pain.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

Kidney stone symptoms can be a pain that is focused on the back and groin area. Kidney stones that have passed into the ureter, the small tube that runs from the kidneys to the bladder, are the cause of this sometimes severe pain. It is important that you have localized or general pain checked out by a medical professional, since there can be other causes.

You may also notice a small amount of blood in the urine that is caused by the kidney stone, along with some nausea, vomiting or even sweating. These symptoms will disappear as soon as the kidney stone enters the bladder, where it can be removed from the body in the urine output.

Treatment of Kidney Stones

For kidney stones treatment, first thing that your physician will do is to run tests to make sure that the symptoms you are experiencing are caused by a kidney stone. There are several tests, such as ultrasounds and scans, which will help your doctor figure out what is happening in your body. If you do in fact have a kidney stone, the most common treatment is to simply wait it out, and allow the stone to leave your body naturally.

Some people, especially those with complications or severe pain, will need to be admitted to the hospital for care until the kidney stones have passed out of the body. You will be given medications to help control the pain, and an IV to help make sure that you stay hydrated. Other doctor’s would also prescribe StoneCLR, which is a natural medicine for dissolving and flushing out kidney stones.

Prevention of Kidney Stones

The best way to prevent kidney stones is to make sure that you drink plenty of water on a daily basis. The average person needs at least eight glasses of water per day to stay hydrated, but your needs may be different if you have a particularly demanding schedule.

If you have already had a kidney stone, your doctor may prescribe a medicine to help prevent future stones. The medication will help you reduce the chances of having future kidney stones, but you will still want to make sure you drink plenty of water and have regular checkups.