Mon 20 Oct, 2008

Sightseeing in Corfu

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If you will be visiting Corfu on holiday this summer and fancy taking a break from the beaches and the bars, you will find there is plenty on offer to see and do. This is a guide to some of the most popular places of interest in Corfu for holiday makers.

If you are embarking on your first holiday in Corfu, Corfu town should probably be your first port of call. Corfu town is the commercial and cultural centre for the Corfiots and is a labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets. The town is dominated by a sixteenth-century fortress which offers splendid views over Corfu town. The shops found in Corfu town are diverse and plentiful with many of the shops selling good value jewellery, local ceramics, leather goods and sculptures crafted from olive wood. Also worth a visit in Corfu town is the striking Saint Spiridons church, where the mummified remains of Corfu’s patron saint Spiridon lie, with the exception of the four occasions during the year when his remains are paraded around Corfu town. Holiday makers visiting the church must dress respectfully and it is essential that women keep their shoulders covered and men wear t-shirts.

One of Corfu’s top attractions for holiday makers is the Achillion Palace, situated in the village of Gastouri in Eastern Corfu. Built in 1890 in the architectural style of Pompeii, Achillion was constructed as a summer palace for the Empress Elizabeth of Austria. The palace is an impressive, picturesque building both inside and out and features perfectly landscaped gardens filled with artistically sculpted statues of the Greek Gods. The palace is also famous as being the birthplace of Prince Phillip and appearing in the James Bond film, ‘For Your Eyes Only’.

On the west side of the island you will find Paleokastritsa, considered one of the most beautiful spots in Corfu. The area consists of six bays surrounded by steep cliffs and it is possible to hire a boat to explore the sea caves surrounding the bays. The seventeenth-century monastery built on the headland is one of the main attractions of the area and visitors should be sure to venture inside to view the famous ceiling carving of the ‘tree of life’. Again, visitors should ensure they are appropriately dressed. Around the headland you will find the Marina which will be of particular interest for the nautically inclined as it draws some extremely lavish yachts in the summer months.

The highest point on the island, Mount Pantokrator in the north east is nearly one thousand metres tall. If you have arranged holiday car hire you can drive to the summit to enjoy the views over the whole of Corfu, with Albania and Italy both visible on a clear day. The road leading to the top of the mountain passes through the village of Strinalas which is well worth stopping in. At the peak you will find Pantokrator monastery, rebuilt in the seventeenth-century on the site of an older Angevin monastery.

This article was written by Harry Lawrance who  is an experienced writer based in the UK.

Fri 10 Oct, 2008

Top 5 Things To Do When Visiting Istanbul

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Istanbul is one of the most ancient cities in the world, with hundreds of amazing things to see, do and experience. Here we’ve selected five of the best to help you make the most of your trip to Istanbul.

1. Sample the local cuisine

Of course, the first thing you’ll want to do after your long trip to Istanbul is fill yourself up on the fantastic local cuisine, and where better to start than with a Turkish Kebab House. Kebabs are typical South Eastern Turkish food and although you may be familiar with the western version, there is nothing like a true Turkish kebab. A traditional kebab may be cooked over a flame or grill, but if you prefer something in the form of a sandwich, look for a doner kebab – very thinly sliced roast lamb on flatbread, with vegetables and a delicious yogurt and garlic sauce. Alternatively, fresh fish and seafood can be found in abundance in Istanbul. You can wash your meal down with a selection of Turkish delicacies – Raki is a particularly strong distilled liquor made with anise and grapes (know to the locals as “Lion’s Milk”!), and Turkish Coffee is a real treat for any coffee lover. Just remember to sip it slowly and to not drink the muddy substance at the bottom of the cup (it’s those finely ground coffee beans) unless you really need a serious caffeine hit!

2. Go Shopping at the Grand Bazaar

At the world famous Grand Bazaar there are some 4,000 merchants selling their various wares on this series of covered streets. Anything you may want to buy in Istanbul can be found here, from gold and silver to carpets, slippers, boots, books, purses, foods and much more. And remember to haggle! Contrary to what you might be used to, merchants at the Grand Bazaar are generally offended if you simply pay the asking price. You’ll be expected to and try and talk them down, until eventually an agreement is reached. If you tire and walk away, don’t be surprised to hear the merchant calling after you with a fairer price.

3. Enjoy the Turkish Baths

Whether you’d prefer to soak, steam or to have a massage, a stop at a Turkish bath can be a wonderfully relaxing break. Just be sure to check the hours of the local bath according to sex. The sexes bathe separately according to specific hours for men and others for women.

4. See Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace was home to the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. Here, in addition to the amazing architecture and gardens, you will see swords and daggers, royal clothes, carpets, textiles, ceramics, jewels, armor, and many other wonderful treasures. Take a day to enjoy the splendor of the artistic and architectural delights that can be found in Topkapi Palace.

5. Visit the Hippodrome

The Hippodrome, on the square next to Sultan Ahmet Mosque, was built 480 meters long by 117 meters wide and could contain 100,000 people. This massive amphitheater occupied a very important place in Byzantine life. In Roman times, the chariot races held here were major social events. In Ottoman times, the hippodrome hosted polo games as well as circumcision ceremonies of the crown princes.

This article was written by Matt Davies

About the Author:

Matt Davies writes travel articles for HotelHippo.com, who offer cheap hotels in Istanbul.