Hawaii is known as one of  Top ten most beautiful islands on the world. It’s unforgettable feeling, when you just arrive from a long journey on plane to this magical island, and locals are welcoming you with their famous greeting “aloha”.

And you are just waiting for a moment, when you will put around your neck this famous garland made of hibiscus. You can observe endlessly volcanoes on Hawaii, take advantages to surf all day long, and you can taste the fragrance of the most exotic orchids –and do all these things just for your own pleasure.

If you are searching and looking for perfect views do check out how is to see world from the highest Hawaiian volcanoes which you will find on island Kauia’i.

Mountain called Wai’ale’ale is the most important city on the island and we could also say, the most important city on the planet Earth.

You have a simple feeling, that here created all the humidity in the world. Kaua’i Island is so green, that producers have chosen, to film Spielberg’s film Jurassic Park here. If you wonder where to spend your honeymoon, and you are looking on net for Top ten most beautiful exotic islands, please do not forget about Hawaii -it would be love for ever.

When you visit it once, next time you are choosing destinations for your holidays, you have hard decision to make as Hawaii is please to visit numerous times.

Also people and their culture will get under your skin, and after that experience its really hard to get back to your normal everyday life.

Me myself, wishing to have more time, to spend it there –and maybe, on day, I will – as they say – you never know what tomorrow will bring.

Madagascar is an island, also known as one of  Top ten most beautiful exotic islands.

If you are proud parent, then you already know something about Madagascar from the same called film Madagascar. Madagascar’s forests are full of animals, especially monkeys- lemur, which are frisking around pillar of baobab, aloe, and the octopus tree.

Forests are unfortunately constantly exposed to destruction, but they are still so lush and beautiful, that you would be nicely surprised.

But, Madagascar other, different face is called “Tana” –with this I mean capital of Madagascar called Antananarivo, which I the same as other world capital. Antananarivo is known as noisy a filthy city, but still a place where you still have something to see.

A district, southwest of Analakely is ideal for night life and gourmet delights, and the old town and the remains of Rova, known as the former royal palace.

Nosy Be is the hotel complex known also as one of the jewels in Madagascar. Nosy Be is one of the best resort complex, the most elite, most luxurious, a perfect place for “resorts” fans. Ifaty is a quiet coastal area, where you can take time off, and relax in the villages Mangilly and Mandio Rano.

This tropical environment is perfect and very good for meditation and relaxation. The best time to visit Madagascar would be between November and March, where there is a good, dry and hot summer.

Madagascar, known as of the best Top ten most beautiful exotic island is unique place to  visit, and nit jut for all vegetations and animals, that you can see here and nowhere else in the world, but also because of the native people and their culture.

Aruba is one of  Top ten most beautiful exotic islands. Do you remember these lines: …. “Jamaica, ooo I wanna take you to Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama …. Bodies in the sand tropical drink is melting in your hand… “, lyrics form Beach Boys song called Kokomo, and song from the cult eighties film – Cocktail.

Just in case if you don’t know, Aruba is an island near to Venezuela, and take me for my word and do believe, has the most beautiful sunset among all sunsets all over the world. This one will definitely lure out this amazing “aaaaaaahhh”, from the moment you will saw it.

Like on every most touristic place, also Aruba will offer you various assortment of things that you cn do or see, places to visit, sightseeing worth not missing,… There are also various luxuries hotels, and on the other hand, you will have chances to see also very simple and poor places, where only goats and trees divi-divi life and grow.

But while you are visiting Aruba, please do visit Oranjestd, a pastel capital city, with Dutch architecture, combined with amazingly good possibilities also to do shopping.

The high season for European and American tourist is between December and April, although Aruba is known to be an island, which is warm and hot all year long.

We just like to visit it mostly when we have cold weather at home. Then we almost always, I know I do, remember, that we already hard about Top ten most beautiful exotic islands which would be worth visiting.

In these cold days I recommend warmly these ten most beautiful exotic islands, which I will describe further own in my post.

In consideration, what would be best thing to do, that we could feel all year long warmth and sun?

Wondering, how to avoid skiing, ski boots, simple because you are not skiing type – for all those questions I have chosen for you ideal places: islands, where they don’t feel winter.     Beside exotic islands, far distant islands, I have also found few more available islands, which are closer, intimate – islands, where you could avoid crowd of tourists.

1.    First one from ten most beautiful exotic islands is BALI

Bali is the most accessible tropic paradise. It has all that tropic paradise should have to be declared as one of most beautiful places.

It is colorful island with paddy fields, volcanoes, tropical humid forest, and sandy beaches with palm and with warm Indian Ocean.

You will live through Bali’s “flower power” in orchid garden, which are widely growing on volcanoes soil – growing so widely as nowhere else in the world.

Do visit these magic gardens with thousands of orchids and enjoy in blossom tropic fireworks.

Spending your days on a sandy beach, with some exotic fruit in your hand and under the straw-covered shade, you will have brilliant opportunity to forget about old cold continental, a faraway place, from which you came from.

While you there, do take a chance to visit local people, chat with them, go to the local market, and feel its energy.

Make the most of your visit and remember to come back someday.

Malta, also known as the heart of the Mediterranean

At Malta, also known as one of the ninth smallest countries in the world, which lies on three islands between the two continents, a lot of leaders of Mediterranean places have left much of its history here.  Although I would hard to say, that Malta and me were a love on first sight.

But this small piece of the world offers so many cultural treasures, preserved architectural gems, intact city areas, and archives which hold immense value for centuries.

The sun’s rays are resisting through large glass walls of the hotel breakfast rooms at Hilton Malta were I was staying. I was just having; crispy croissant, delicious jam, but the hotel coffee, which always spoils this magnificent taste. I am looking back over the large swimming pool on the terrace, which is surrounded by palm trees. But my view is breaking through the deep blue Mediterranean Sea.

The area of the hotel I stayed in, reminded me quite of Monaco. Slanted buildings with apartments are part of the hill in the area of Portomaso.

Below, on the port there are tied yachts, which could easily compete with those of Monte Carlo.

But only a few hundred meters away, there is a gulf, where small fishing boats are tied up. By thus view, there are numerous pleasant outdoor restaurants.

47 cents to get to Valette

Malta has many different images. Just a few minutes ‘walk from our hotel there is the bus station. We wait only a few minutes and one of those classic yellow buses came. This bus is nice and old, and it will take you at least half a century back in the past. And for 47 cents, it will take you to city Valette.

I watch a man who sits opposite me. He has a rounded belly, and to big trousers with a belt tightened, it looks a little bit funny. He stretched out his hand and pulled the cord which is on the ceiling; this trigger is a bell, which warns the driver that he wants to leave at the next station. There isn’t any door t the bus, so the driver does not need to open them. It’s quite a funny scene here. I just decided to go with the flow and to try as much as possible on my trip.

About the island

Limestone rock is present everywhere on the island, from these rock palaces were built, also city walls, and to say it in short, almost everything is build from this rock. The island does not offer us much green space in those summer months, already poor vegetation get burn from high sun. Unique sandy color buildings change it color slightly under the rays of the sun. These buildings are adorned with typical Maltese balconies, which are painted in bright colors, mostly in blue. These balconies give unique and real decoration to streets and neighborhood.

It would be a pity to spend holidays only at the beach side of Malta, eventough Malta is known as the sunniest European country. The beaches are rocky and there are only few little picturesque bays.

An island attracts many sailors, surfers and divers in particular. Furthermore, Malta is a popular spot for cruising. Cruises are usually tied at the edge of a vast natural port, which lies between the capital Valetto and three-tight-lying cities: Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua.

The magnificent view into the past

But Malta is an island, which gives much more and offers spectacular views into the past. When I was at Old-boat voyage I still could hear our guide words; Malta lies at the edge of Europe, but by her history we could have place it right in her heart. A Maltese language is much more reminiscent as one of the Arab languages.  They say that it is most similar to Lebanon, even though it has an influence also from Italian and French culture.

Malta in the Arab world resembles the architecture, only the faithful locals are mainly Christians, there is only one mosque on the island, but there are so many churches, that you could visit different one for each day of the year.  However, on the island where there are three islands make up the country (Malta, Gozo and Comino) it’s not hard to communicate.

The second official language is English, which has remained, like driving in the left lane and the typical red telephone booths, the legacy of the British, who have allowed the country until independence in 1964.

Malta’s strategic position

Thanks to its advantageous strategic position between Europe and Africa, with only about 100 km from Sicily and 230 from Tunisia, Malta has always been a springboard to Europe and Africa and a key power to the Mediterranean. There were living Phoenicians on Malta, which were followed by Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Germans and many others.

In middle Ages, there were members of the Knights settled on the island, known as the Knights of Malta, who have heart fought against the Turks and prevent them, to conquered Malta. Knights ruled only two centuries, then, Napoleon was on his way to Egypt, and then consequently Malta joined France. French rule lasted a short time, as the natives with the assistance of the British kingdom resisted.

Visit Argentina, to have a cup of cafe or mate in Buenos Aires.

Name Buenos Aires could be translated as “good, clean air” but I think its name relates more to the energy which the capital of Argentina exudes.
Beauty, coffee, antiquarian, connection, companionship, passion, temperament, hot temper, timelessness and Siesta, all of that and even more is Buenos Aires, so full of contradictions, and yet so simple.

Buenos Aires is a noisy and chaotic city, and the first impression you will get is very impersonal.

The streets are endless, buildings and houses reach the figure of 9000 or more, and most of them are quite dark and narrow, with the exception of the main avenues, which can be up to 12-lane.

However, Buenos Aires is a city that attracts travelers from near and far places. Buenos Aires is known as a city, which leaves an impression of familiarity on travelers.
Most buildings built in the Argentine capital have a European architecture, a style from 18th in 19th century.

That’s why; I didn’t have feeling that I was somewhere right at the other end of the world.  In fact, all Argentina is very European, quite modern, stylish and safe, but rather not mentioned this to local people, as they don’t see such as comparison as a compliment.

Buenos Aires and Beauty

Potreñosi, known as residents of Buenos Aires, are named after the port which is the largest in the country. They are friendly and hospitable people, men are the real cavaliers. They say that they are learning “cavaliering” from younger age, because their women are very complex and demanding.

Additional they say, it is difficult to understand the members of the weaker sex in general, but then there are also Argentinean women’s, especially townswomen’s, which are hard to understand (this was humorously said by a man in his thirties, which I have met in the city).

Men are open and communicative. They are making friends very quickly especially with tourists, as they exchange their free time and free entrance to the city for new acquaintances. They offer their acquaintances everywhere – in restaurants, on the streets or in commercial buildings. Women are more reserved and have considerable distance against tourist women. Argentina women love attention and commitment, therefore, they see competition in foreign tourist women.

Argentina women are also known as very competitive. Beauty is very important to them, so they spend much time in fitness centers, beauty salons, where they are looking after their appearance.  Especially in the prestigious areas of Buenos Aires, such as Recoleta or Puerto Moreno, women are always perfectly dressed with faultless make-up.

Their excessive concern for beauty is increasing with ages. For all this, you could see old ladies with inflated lips. And they are smoothing forehead and cheeks with help of cosmetic operations, so that not even one wrinkle and signs of aging is seen. But only hands and neck are telling the real truth about ages.  Faces of beautiful exotic girls are often hidden behind the ton of make-up, and you got feeling, that they don’t even realize, that Argentina women are one of the most beautiful women of the world.

In life of river Loire is the importance of wines immediately noticeable. On sunny slopes we could see carefully arranged vineyards which are spreading out 300 miles along the river, offering a wide range of very different wines.

On her long journey to the ocean, river Loire travels through different climate zones, from the mainland all the way to gradually wet climate, so consequently the vineyards in her banks receive far different meteorological conditions. This diversity is reflected in the characters of wines.

Loire Valley in France is in third place by the quantity production of wines, which by their quality and popularity could be contending with famous wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy.
On roads, we were accompanied with tags, offering wine tastings. This is a wine tasting as nowhere in the world.  In surroundings of Saumuria is organized an interesting tour about the complex method process by which they produce champenoise, which manufactures well known sparkling wine that cannot be champagne.

At mild climate, a land full of fruit from which they produced a number of alcoholic drinks, including the most famous “eaux de vie” water of life, which is similar to the cognac and it should be drink as a digestive, after a meal. The most popular appetizer by locals is called “kir”, which is a mixture of white wine with blackcurrant syrup.
Accommodations at the river Loire are as charming as her environment.

Dominated by family-run accommodation, with rustic bedrooms and dining room where excellent cuisine is also popular among the locals. Do not expect it to be luxury, because they are only basic accommodations, but they offer a real experience of life along the Loire.

If you want luxury, then you have a great opportunity to stay in a private castle, where hospitality is a serious business. Some of the castles and manors, ranked from the Renaissance to the fortress tower buildings are converted into luxury hotels, which stand in the middle of a beautiful sheltered gardens.

Families, who live in the castle for several generations, will welcome you and treat you as family friends.  All at a reasonable price. Near the town of Saumur, you can spend the night in hollowed caves, which are converted into modern dwellings. In the neighboring caves of soft tufa, there is the right climate for growing mushrooms.

This is a follow up post to article Top place to see castles in Europe – Loire Valley where I already start to present my traveling though this amazing country, with beautiful landscape and numerous breath taking castles.

Allow me to shortly describe our path and cities that we visit while traveling around Loire valley, and getting to know people and their habits and nature. Must say, this was one of my best visiting places, as I am slightly in love with castles.

We start our way from the south part, where the path has initially led us in the historic city of Bourges.  A mighty Cathedral of St. Stephen, from the thirteenth century, it is impossible to ignore.

It’s unbelievable and almost indescribable to say how masterfully are designed inlaid windows and how beautifully decorated are front! No wonder it is one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in France and with a surplus of Gothic art.

While we were strolling about, a lively atmosphere attracts us into the medieval quarter where we were very much temped into the home bistro to taste some homemade white wine known under name Sancerre with the famous goat cheese called crottin de chavignol. Oh, how I love those stinky French cheeses. Although that visiting this region had only take us an hour drive away from the metropolis of Paris, we notice that people have been wildly different, friendlier and more welcoming. Maybe this could be due to the past of this place or the mild climate, that effect so much on people’s character.

But, on the other hand, is also generally known, that people from villages and small towns are often more open and easygoing. This pattern we could find around al big cities around the world. Maybe, this is also because here people know how to enjoy life more with less stress.

The landscape is mostly flat surface with intermediate fields of sunflowers, corn and vineyards, which extends across all over, as long as our view goes. It’s actually quite amazing to see this landscape, especially in the spring and summer, when all nature is glowing and bursting.

The monotonous of rural landscape is variegated with white clouds, which are continually changing shape in the blue sky and wild river of Loire, which cuts the winding countryside and winds through the village with the typical dark slate on their roofs.It’s hard to believe that this calm pastoral landscape was once the very own heart of France!

After pleasant refreshment we drove to the town of Blois, which we were recommended by an owner of bistro. He said that this is a best starting point for tours through the valley of the Loire castles. Here is the beginning of a romantic heart of the gentle valleys, who won the French Renaissance kings.

The city boast itself in front of the neighbors the castle, which lies at the heart of the city. This is also quite unusually and rare for cities /towns that have grown beside river Loire. If you decided to do this path by river Loire, and you are not traveling by car, there will be available a range of tourist buses. If you are more sporty type, you will get chance to borrow a bicycles almost everywhere.

In the immediate vicinity of Blois, there are the three most beautiful castles. The largest and most spectacular is castle Chambord which embodies the power of the king Francis I. and Louis XIV. This castle also belongs under the UNESCO cultural heritage sites.

The second most beautiful castle is Chaverny, which is also known as one of the most beautiful castle on the Loire. And the third one is called Chaumont, which is known as one of most romantic castles.

At the tributaries of the river Loire, there are also, not so far away, two beautiful castles. On the small island in the middle of river Indre stands symmetrical Castle Azay-le-Rideau, and over the River Cher raises the gallery of elegant Chenonceau Castle. Through the history, the fate o this castle was created by six women, which is also well reflected in beautiful gardens.

In the valley of Loire have been preserved 300 castles and manors, which are, if we compare them, very different. Some are seen as remnants of military fortifications, others are elegant palaces.

Some of them are populated and well equipped with old furniture, the others are empty, but with beautiful exterior and symmetrical gardens in the style of English rural parks. However, there are too many castled in valley of Loire, to have time to see all of them. So it is necessary, to first to make a careful selection of which castles you would like to see. In the summer castles come alive in attractive performances which are hold outdoors. In the evenings castles evoke stories of palaces in the Son et Lumiere (sound and light) shows.

France – Simple and luxurious Loire Valley

Loire Valley has kept secrets of intrigue for four hundred years, since the aristocracy has built its castles on the banks of Loire valley.

These castles are among the pearls of French architecture. A former place of lavishes parties fascinate us with a magnificence architecture, the evidence of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance times, therefore, this is also an excellent destination for lovers of this period.

For others, a Loire Valley is the beauties wine growing regions on the world, where you will be able discover the charm and culture of the local wines.

The beauty of the Loire Valley, which was named after the greatest western wild river, long for thousands of miles which had through the century’s charmed number of sovereign, princes, queens, dukes and courtiers, who have transform the wealth of the nation and the family properties into an immense number of extravagant castles.

The first, who have moved its court to Loire Valley, was Charles VII. This was done in the first half of the fifteenth century.

Later on, a lot of his followers have joined him with their aristocratic and bourgeoisie escort.

What followed was a lively renewal of old mansions and luxurious setting of new dwellings, which still bear witness to the life of that time.

In addition to world-famous castles, the Loire Valley is also very known and rich with architectural value, which we could find in historical cities such as Amboise Angers, Blois, Chinon, Nantes, Orleans and Tours.

Innsbruck, a beautiful place in the middle of the Alps

Innsbruck likes to boast out, that Innsbruck is the capital of the Alps and their cultural diversity.

Therefore – even though you will choose to dress in a sports suit, tux or the famous “Lederhosen” – anything from this choice will be the right outfit.

Innsbruck has been known in history much before it become a winter sport center, which has already twice hosted a winter Olympic Games.
Taking walk through and around the city will have privilege to see Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance monuments, and you get the feeling like someone has turn time back. Also lovers for contemporary art will have opportunity to visit many galleries and exhibitions.

Something for everyone

Innsbruck is a city with 120,000 inhabitants which are »squeezed« in the valley between the German and the Italian border, and on the west side of Austria. Innsbruck is also known to be undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Alpine towns. It’s very famous for its snow-covered Alpine peaks, which has paved the way for River Inn.

Although the winters are very cold with plenty of snow, the weather in the spring is completely changing since the days appear to be very long, and often with a lot of sun. Cold winters and sunny and worm summers. This combination provides Innsbruck tourism throughout the year, it offers an excellent combination of history, picturesque nature and the many opportunities for sports activities. No wonder then that, on average, this alpine gem is visited by about five million people a year.

This  800-year-old city and its people do not facing anything serious is proven by a cursory look at the locals, who walk carelessly on the streets, also a look to all luxurious things that are offered in shop windows with high prices are proof for that.

We could walk through the center of the city without any problems as the old historic core of medieval is often colorful buildings which are rather compressed, but otherwise there is also available a modern tram, which can take you to desired destination in only few minutes.

Yes, “the one” with  golden caret

What are the most “IN” sightseeing spots?

Without doubt, the first caret Gold (Goldenes Dachl), not very big, a very special and amazing hallmark of Innsbruck.

It is a roof, covered with 2.657gilded copper tiles, which were made for Emperor Maximilian I. This was build for him so he culd stay under the roof of the balcony and enjoyed watching the events that took place in the market before it.
Among the churches, there have a special place a churche named Hofkirchen (Imperial Church).

This church was build between years 1553 and 1563 by a emperior Ferdinand I. as a monument to his grandfather, Emperor Maximilian I.  Maximilian’s I. sarcophagus is embellished with lotus leaves, which is considered as one of the richest remains of monuments to any European emperor. The sarcophagus are strung-finished statues of his predecessors.

The church is the tomb of Andreas Hofer, Tyrolean national hero.
The main city landmark is the City Tower (Stadtturm), which was built in the 15th century as part of City Hall. With this tower is a wonderful view of the town and mountains Nordkette.

Bergisel – a living legend of the city

Innsbruck has a special place among sports enthusiasts as it is due to the large number of modern sports facilities and ski logical choice for many sports competition.

All over the world is also very known and famous ski jumps Bergisel, also known as the third stop along the prestigious Christmas tour.

This is a sky jump place, which had hosted Olympic Games in years in 1964 and 1976. You could also see this Ski jump place from the city. If you want to visit is, the tram that goes through the city could take you there and then you have only a short walk to the ski jump place.

This ski jump place was already used in year 1925 when the brawest ski jumpers had used it. Its big renovation was done about eight years ago when they also built a 47 meter high tower, which leads to the gondola and it also a viewing platform with a restaurant, where you can eat and enjoying the view. And when you are up there, it looks like the whole world is beneath you, well, or at least Innsbruck is lying under your feet.

Christmas Fair

In December, A Christmas time in Innsbruck, and also in other Austrian and German cities, where this tradition is particularly present, enjoys its festive beat.

The main shopping street Maria-Theresia-Strasse is already from November overwhelmed with stalls, which are offering a wide variety of things, and they its closed later in beginning of January.

It is very crowded, especially on weekends is significant, but that does not interfere with the locals and foreigners, who enjoy shopping, and in between they get warmed up with a glass of punch and cooked wine.