Festivals of Kyrenia
October 31, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Kyrenia holidays are about more than just pretty scenery, swimming in the sea and lying on the beach. Of course, you’ll want to do this too, but there are plenty of cultural activities which are great to engage in at the same time, adding a whole new element to holidays spent in this beautiful area. Music lovers will revel in the jazz, classical and folk performances held here, and food lovers will enjoy the wide variety of traditional food that lies at the heart of most of the festivals. And those who like a good night of partying will enjoy the traditional drinks and generally festive spirit. Here are some of the best festivals celebrated in Kyrenia.
The Kyrenia Jazz Festival
The Kyrenia Jazz Festival is an annual event held at the Rocks Hotel and Casino, and jazz lovers from around the world flock to Kyrenia for the jazz extravaganza. The festival hosts world class musicians, giving it accreditation in the world of jazz as a top notch event. But even if you’re not a jazz connoisseur and you’re just looking for some entertainment on your Kyrenia holiday, you are sure to enjoy some vibrant performances and get into the spirit of the festival. Musicians such as Tony Jones have performed here, spreading the word of the festival through their international recognition.
The Kyrenia International Olive Festival
October is a great time to plan a Kyrenia holiday, where you will be able to attend the fantastic Kyrenia International Olive Festival. Aside from the obvious focus on olives, the festival is all about entertainment. You can feast on local foods and drink, and watch entertaining local parades go by. Traditional dancers will wow you with local Turkish and Cypriot performances, and folk music concerts will fill the air with traditional tunes.
Classical Music in Kyrenia
The International Bellapais Music Festival begins towards the end of May each year, at the Bellapais Abbey which is not too far from Kyrenia. But the festival is not limited to Bellapais itself, and during this time a number of fantastic performances can be enjoyed in the surrounding towns. Performances are usually classical, but with a distinctly Turkish flavour. Music lovers are sure to enjoy being in the area at this time, as the music is interesting and fresh, both intriguing and beautiful to listen to.
Peace and Freedom Day Celebrations
The 20th of July is a day close to the hearts of the Turkish people, and large celebrations are held around the country in its remembrance, celebrating the peace and freedom of the Turkish people. The 20th of July is now known as Peace and Freedom Day, and it is celebrated each year with much festivity on and around this day. July is therefore a great time to go on a Kyrenia holiday, giving you the opportunity to participate in the local celebrations. The streets will be filled with merry locals, delicious local food and plenty of drinks – a guaranteed recipe for evenings of fun.
Shereena Lingiah is the Marketing Manager for Anatolian Sky, a specialist travel company that provide the very best Kyrenia holidays in Turkey at extremely competitive prices. They provide tailor-made holidays to Turkey,North Cyprus and Egypt, including the entire Anatolian region.
An Art Lover’s Camping Holiday to Paris
October 31, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Paris – City of Love, home of the Eiffel Tower and birthplace of the beret and baguette. But Paris is also home to some of the world’s most extensive collections of priceless art treasures. A trip to the city would not be complete without spending time in at least one of the magnificent galleries. Camping holidays to France are the perfect way of blending a little nature with a lot of culture. You can spend your days exploring the galleries of the city, then return to the serenity of your rural campsite to recharge. Many galleries have free entry for at least one day a month, so if you time your French camping holidays well you can visit some of the most spectacular artwork in the world for free.
The Louvre
When you begin your camping holiday in France and arrive in Paris, the first gallery you will probably want to visit is the Louvre. It is arguably the most famous gallery in the world and the sheer size of the building is overwhelming. Exploring the maze of rooms and annexes is a confusing but delightful experience. Over 35,000 works of painting and sculpture are housed within, and you could spend many days wandering the shadowy rooms of the Louvre and still not scratch the surface.
The architecture of the Louvre itself is almost as famous as the art it contains. The faceted glass pyramid added in recent years, although the source of much debate, has somehow melted into the landscape of the forecourt and become an integral feature of the much-loved building.
On your visit to the Louvre you will see such icons as the Mona Lisa, the exquisite sculptures of the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. The French are justifiably proud of their “piece de resistance”, and it deserves much more than a brief visit to appreciate the collections within its hallowed walls.
Musee D’Orsay
Famed home to the great Impressionists of France, the Musee D’Orsay is set on the left bank of the Seine with picturesque views over the city and up to the Sacre Coeur. A visit to this beautiful gallery is like walking through the pages of an art history book, and you will see many works from some of the world’s most acclaimed artists; Monet, Renoir, Degas and Cezanne to name a few.
The building in which the gallery is housed is an old train station and is as much admired as the artwork which lines the walls throughout. The high domed glass ceiling gives it a wonderful diffused light and, when you enter, you feel like you are in a giant conservatory.
Musee Rodin
The most serene museum that you can visit on your art lovers camping holiday to France would have to be the Musee Rodin on Paris’ left bank. Dedicated entirely to the work of artist Auguste Rodin, he once lived in the building which is home to the museum. Several years before his death, Rodin put a plan to the State to bequeath his entire collection of art on the premise that the house be turned into a museum. Unfortunately he died before the plan came to fruition, but two years later it became a reality.
Rodin was enchanted by the house and its lovely gardens, and filled them with his sculptures and other art work. Everything – down to the furniture and inkwells – is from Rodin’s personal collection, and they are the tools of his work and his life.
It is wonderful to wander the rose gardens which are peppered with many of Rodin’s bronze sculptures. His final opus on which he spent 37 years, “The Gates of Hell”, takes pride of place and is an awe-inspiring accomplishment to witness. But the highlight of a visit to the Musee Rodin is to sit on a quiet seat in the beautiful gardens and admire perhaps the most exquisite of all Rodin’s work – the pensive “Thinker”.
Combining a trip to the any magnificent galleries of Paris with a camping holiday to France will give you a wonderful cross section of the experiences available to you in this fascinating country.
Lorraine Waddell is the brand and advertising manager of Canvas Holidays, a leading European camping operator that provides the best selection of camping holidays in France . With over 40 years of experience, Canvas offer superb camping holidays to France, Spain and a total of 9 European countries.
Romantic Camping Holidays in Venice
October 31, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Camping holidays in Italy are not exactly synonymous with romance, but they are a great holiday option for couples. You can spend quality time together and visit one of Europe’s most romantic destinations – Venice. Then after a days sight-seeing you can snuggle up under canvas, there you have the perfect Italy camping holiday for two.
The Romantic Role Models
If you think Italy is romantic then you’re not alone, Shakespeare was so taken with the romance of Italy that he used it as the setting for his most romantic novel; Romeo and Juliet. Verona is the official home of the star-crossed lovers and the city can be found an hour’s drive from Venice, making it the perfect place to spend a day trip on your camping holidays in Italy. The tragic story of Romeo and Juliet is told through two key locations, Juliet’s house and her tomb. Juliet’s house dates back to the 13th century, where it belonged to the Dal Cappello family, whose coat of arms is still visible on the door. The most famous aspect of the house is the balcony, where Juliet first spoke to her Romeo. On an Italy camping holiday you and your loved one can recreate the famous scenes before continuing down the road to Romeo’s house at Via Arche Scaligere. Although the house can not be entered, the door is inscribed with the famous words “Romeo, Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo?” alerting lovers to its presence.
The Romantic Restaurant
Even the most seductive camping holiday in Italy isn’t complete without a candlelit meal. If you want to wine and dine your loved one, then only the most romantic Italian restaurant will do. Therefore, we recommend making reservations at the Cippriano Hotel Restaurant. The restaurant even has its own gondola to take diners across the Grand Canal and the setting is truly magnificent. Not only does the hotel’s Fortuny Restaurant offer fantastic views over the lagoon but the use of sumptuous fabrics and traditional hand-blown glass creates the perfect setting for a candlelit meal for two.
The Romantic Experience
A camping holiday in Italy’s most romantic city needs a quintessentially romantic experience, and in Venice you have gondolas. Hiring a gondola can be pretty expensive; the official rate set by the government is 80 euros for a 40 minute journey. However, your loved one deserves to be treated and renting a gondola on an Italy camping break is the perfect way to show your affections. Gondola rides are best in moonlight when Venice’s canals are slightly less crowded. If you wish to serenade your lover with the most slushy Italian love songs, such as O Sole Mio and Ti Amore, amongst others, then you’ll also need to hire yourself a baritone. Gondola rides are always best in the moonlight when Venice’s canals are slightly less crowded. You can also arrange to have a champagne picnic on your gondola ride, where you can enjoy champagne and truffles whilst being serenaded beneath Venice’s starry skies.
Lorraine Waddell is the brand and advertising manager of Canvas Holidays, a leading European camping operator that provides the best selection of Italy Camping holidays that the internet can offer. With over 40 years of experience, Canvas offer superb camping holidays to France, Spain and a total of 9 European countries.