Travel Describe

Tuscany is one of the most beautiful regions in Italy. It excites with its beautiful countryside that looks as if it has been painted with the brightest colors of green, yellow, red and blue, and its historical towns that are lively places where one can sit in the town square and enjoy their espresso coffee in the morning and still breath in the story of the past times that comes out from every stone of the place. And, of course, there are the inevitable cities of art, some of the most beautiful places in the world that treasure some of the masterpieces of the world’s cultural heritage.

Top locations in Tuscany most certainly include the cities of art such as Florence, Pisa, and Siena. One cannot go to Tuscany and not visit Florence with its magnificent Cathedral made of marble, its Old Bridge where the Florentines have built the jewelry stores, many buildings made by the Medici family which was one of the biggest patrons of art and sponsored the work of many great renaissance artists, such as Michelangelo, whose sculpture of David became the symbol of Florence. It is their merit that Florence holds one the most beautiful and richest art galleries in Italy, the Uffizi Gallery.

The city of Pisa is renowned for its Leaning tower, which in fact is a bell tower and belongs to the Cathedral square which also includes a beautiful white marble cathedral and the baptistery, all of which are not only the architectural sight but have also entered the history of science since the famous scientist from Pisa, Galileo Galilei conducted his experiments in this same square.

One of the locations that the visitor should not miss in Tuscany is the city of Siena which is the world for itself. It is enclosed by the ancient walls and divided into 17 Contrade and each inhabitant of Siena knows very well to which part of the city they belong, and this is of great significance for the famous horse race called Palio, for which Siena is unique in the world. Palio takes place in Siena’s central square which has a particular shape of a shell and beautiful red-brick floor.

In the vicinity of Siena there are some of the top locations for the countryside vacations, there are hilltop towns, or special estates in the country, known in Italy as agriturismo, where the old houses have been preserved as they once were. Some of the most beautiful areas to enjoy the Tuscan nature and rest are the Chianti region where one can take pleasure in tasting the famous Chianti wine and Val d’Orcia with small town of Pienza, which is one of the examples of the renaissance architecture and the effort of building the ideal town. From Pienza one can admire the beautiful views on pastures and vines as well as enjoy the mildly undulating hills and the beauty of Tuscan cypresses.

Casino games are all time favorite for many people who love to bet or gamble. There are several types of casino games are played at the casino center. However some of the most popular casino games are blackjack, poker, baccarat, roulette, bingo and lots more. Blackjack is a card games, which is more popular next to poker games. After the introduction of the internet, the Blackjack game became very popular and started gaining more importance all over the world. The main reason for the popularity of the online blackjack is that it has provided the gambler or player the convenience of playing online blackjack games in the comfort of their home at any time of the day or night.

After the popularity of the online casino games, now live online blackjack is gaining more popularity. Now it is possible for you to play live blackjack in the UK through online. All that you need is a computer and a high speed internet connection. In order to play live blackjack online, you have to find a reputed live casino website which provides live dealer and then you have to register in their website by providing some of your personal details. Once you have registered, you could play live online blackjack in UK, just by sitting in the comfort of your home. You could watch real live action, send and receive feedbacks from the dealers and lost more. Playing live blackjack is more fun and exciting than the normal online games.

When it comes to good hotels there are different things to consider. For example, if you are looking for something romantic you can go for San Anthony Hotel that is going to give you the time of your life. If you want to be in the midst of things then a big city hotel will suit you too, like the one at the resort in kauai. On the contrary, some people like to stay in small inns and bed and breakfast places so they should be looking for something cosy and affordable. Therefore location is primarily important and it is not always something you decide in case of business trips, for example. Also your budget determines what you can spend on Park Central New York Hotel, The Edison Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton New York, Paramout Hotel NY and Marco LaGuardia Hotel or any other hotel of your choice. Draw it up beforehand and you will know what exactly you can and cannot afford. This way you will know how to plan everything. having some fun is also something people consider so think about entertainment too.

With the amazing internet technology, you will be able to play live baccarat from the privacy and comfort of your own home. There are many sites on the net, which are providing different types of casino games for the players. When you are playing these games online, you will be connected with a real live casino. Therefore, you will be able to take part in the real-life baccarat game provided on the net. Today, there are many sites on the net, which are most offering different types of casino games and betting options for the players.

When you are playing the live baccarat game online, you will be able to play with millions of other players, who are playing these games from different parts of the world. Most of the online casinos are providing different types of games for novice as well as for professional players. However, before you start playing these games, it is very important to know about the game and the skills and strategies you should use to become a pro. Most of the sites will provide you an introduction part in the starting of the game, which will give you information on the controls and rules of the game.

You should also look for a live dealer baccarat when looking online. This ensures that you are playing with a genuine source and place the bets without any worries. Therefore, make sure you are doing a proper research and selecting a dealer to have a flawless online gambling experience.

One of the best ways to add beauty and elegance to your home is to purchase European Tapestries and Wall art. These days most of the interior designs consider these as the most important things for their home decorations. Wall Art are available in several types and styles from mirrors to wall furniture to old paintings. Wall art is available in various theses, types, genre and styles. You could find traditional types of wall and modern types of wall art, realism types and abstract types of wall art are available in the market.

The traditional types general include art works which has history such as tapestries. The modern types generally come as minimalism, color paintings, Bauhaus and lots more. Realism types include artworks which are based on the reality of life. The abstract types include art works with the abstract expression like fauvism, futurism, cubism and many more. Many of the wall art are made from wood, paper, iron, canvas and other things.

Another decorative tool for your home is the European Tapestries. In order to add history and romance to your home walls or office, the European Tapestries would be the best option. The French cultural pieces are one of the most popular styles of European tapestries that are used in many of the homes.

These European Tapestries and wall art are very important for decorating your home or walls elegantly. They add color and unique of your home.

Make your way to the Maison de la Cascade (marked by a cluster of cypress trees), the most interesting of the villas. This large and obviously luxurious house (AD69-96) takes its name from the pool gracing its central courtyard. Off to the side of the courtyard, notice the triclinium (dining-room), distinguished by its handsome marble floor: the plain U-shaped border would have been covered by banquettes, obviating the need for any decoration. The house has a set of fish-theme mosaics in situ – lift the wooden lids to view. As you leave the house by the front door (note the notches which would have contained the roof beams), you face the Punic necropolis, the source of many of the grave goods in the museum back up the road.

When you leave Utica, instead of returning to the main Tunis-Bizerte road, carry on along the lane to Ghar el Melh (Cave of Salt) on the peninsula’s tip, turning left at the mosque with a silver dome and right at the following two junctions (both signposted). The one-time pirate lair of Ghar el Melh (formerly known as Porto Farina) lies sandwiched between the hilly ridge of Jebel Nadour and a slumbrous lagoon, the perfect slip for the shallow-draughted vessels of the corsairs. The road through Ghar el Melh proceeds along the densely-farmed edge of the lagoon, from where a left track leads to Rass Sidi Ali el Mekhi, a beach of soft white sands cradled by green headland. The tomb of Sidi Ali el Mekhi draws a thin trickle of old ladies on donkeys. If you fancy a picnic on the beach, buy provisions before leaving Ghar el Melh (the market is off the road tunnel in the village centre). Alternatively, mark the location of Restaurant du Port – it may not look that promising but the proprietor does a terrific chicken stew with good salad and bread – and adjourn here after your swim. The 3-km (2-mile) track to the beach is an easy drive, but muddy out of season.

From Ghar el Melh head for Bizerte via El Alia (turning just before Zouaouine).

Bizerte. a fledgling resort and an important port, underwent rapid development under the French, who wanted to counteract the strength of British bases in Gibraltar and Malta. Jules Ferry, the father of French colonialism, said: ‘If I have taken Tunisia, it is to have Bizerte!’ The Italians described the town as ‘a pistol levelled at the heart of Italy’. It was the last piece of Tunisia to be surrendered by the French.

If you intend to stay the night as I recommend. I suggest you first check in to Le Petit Mousse, overlooking the ocean on the Route de la Corniche on the north side of town, and then drive back to explore the centre ville. The chief attraction of Bizerte for the tourist is the picturesque old port, off to the left at the foot of Avenue Habib Bourguiba, with its peeling colonial-cum-Moorish architecture, painted fishing boats and sheltering kasbah.

After taking tea on the quay, head up Avenue Habib Bourguiba and follow the sign to the Monument of the Martyrs (not to be confused with the Place des Martyrs near the old casino). This gigantic concrete arch rising over a sea of headstones commemorates the Bizerte Crisis of 1961, when 1.365 Tunisians were killed by French troops following escalating disturbances over continued French presence in the town.

The evening is best spent over a meal on the terrace of Le Petit Mousse, cracking open a bottle of Chateau Mornag and listening to the surf breaking on the beach. The high standards of this small hotel and restaurant are rare in Tunisia, so I suggest that you splash out and dine in style (prices are very reasonable in any case). Next morning either head back to Tunis, or set off for the northwest of Tunisia via the lovely Lake Ichkeul, a haven for wintering and migrating birds.

The Roman ruins at Utica, the old pirate lair of Ghar el Melh and the beach at Rass Sidi Ali el Mekhi. Overnight stay at the Petit Mousse in Bizerte. A car is essential. Pack your swimming costume. This trip is not designed as a circular tour, but if you prefer to go back to Tunis rather than stay in Bizerte there shouldn’t be any problem covering the return distance in one day.

The peaceful countenance of the coastal region to the north of Tunis belies its long and eventful history at the cutting edge of Tunisian involvement with Europe: the Roman town of Utica sided with Rome rather than Carthage in the Punic Wars and was Pompey’s North African base in the Roman Civil War; Ghar el Melh, lying on a concealed lagoon just north of Utica, was a lair of Barbary coast pirates between the 16th and 18th centuries, and Bizerte was a key base for Axis powers (and a target for Allied bombs) during World War II.

This corner of Tunisia is practically untouched by package tourism; so far only the Tunisians themselves and a handful of French are familiar with its first-rate beaches, the excellent Petit Mousse restaurant/hotel in Bizerte, and Lake Ichkeul, a World Heritage wetland site.

The hoardings and high-rises that line the p8 from Tunis peter out at Pont de Bizerte (25km/15 miles) and the scenery settles into rural patterns, with agricultural workers busy in the fields and children selling produce to passing cars. About 5km (3 miles) beyond here, look out for the sign Utique Ruine, pointing right to the Roman town of Utica. The site (Tuesday to Sunday, winter 8am-5pm, summer 8am-6pm, closed Monday) lies some 2km (1 mile) down the lane, beyond the attendant museum. As a result, it is not unusual to have this peaceful spot all to yourself.

Before the Mejerda river silted up, Utica was on the sea. According to Pliny the Elder, it was founded as a way-station by Phoenician sailors from Tyre in about 1101bc, some 300 years before Carthage. It gained a reputation for treachery: Agothocles of Syracuse used it as a base from which to attack Carthage in 310bc, and in 146bc it was the Roman general Scipio’s base in the Third (and final) Punic War. In return for supporting Rome, Utica was briefly capital of Roman Africa.
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Afterwards set off for Ain Draham (Spring of Money), along the Babouch/Ain Draham road (signposted). The road runs straight as a die for the first 12km (7 miles), then spirals into the hills, nudging the Algerian border at Babouch. Watch out for kamikaze vendors of wooden bowls, ornamental hatstands and pine nuts/walnuts/strawberries (depending on season). At Ain Draham, the heart of the Khroumiria, stop off at Hotel Beau Sejour, an ivy-clad hunting lodge, for coffee and fresh air on the terrace. Past Fernana the sylvan scenery yields to the wheatland of the Tell. Bulla Regia (daily, winter 8.30am-5.30pm, summer 8am-7pm) is signposted off to the left about 10km (6 miles) before Jendouba. After a few more kilometres the site comes into view on the left-hand side of the lane.

Entering the site, proceed straight ahead, between the walls of two buildings. At the yellow signposts turn right. The entrance to the baths of Julia Memnia (3rd century ad), named after the wife of the Libyan-born Emperor Septimius Severus, are now on your right. As you step down into the complex, examine the vaulting where remnants of clay piping, an architectural device used to fashion vaulted ceilings and arches, can still be seen. Continuing along the main street beside the baths, you come to the Bibliotheque (library), complete with moat, and then the Temple of Isis (both on the right). The main route continues to a gem of a theatre, complete with a bear mosaic (restored).

Leaving the theatre, retrace your steps for a few metres and then take the route branching up towards the hillside behind the site. You will pass the market on the left and emerge at the forum with the Temple of Apollo up ahead and the basilica on your right. Bearing left past the capitol, continue until you come to another right-turn towards the hills. This leads to Bulla Regia’s most remarkable remains, the underground villas.

Why Bulla Regia’s inhabitants built underground can only be surmised. Respite from the heat is the most logical explanation, though hotter places in the Roman empire did not follow suit. One of the most splendid villas is the Maison de la Chasse (House of the Hunt) next to a small mound on the right-hand side. Note the well and the remains of an oil press inside the entrance. The flight of steps leading to the underground chambers emerges in a colonnaded atrium that is handsomely decorated with geometric mosaics.

Regain the main street and continue to the top. Here, turn right and at the next junction follow the yellow sign to the Maison de la Peche (House of the Fish), notable for its fish mosaics in situ. Afterwards proceed to the Maison d’Am-phitrite (signposted from the junction), which contains the lovely Triumph of Venus, a mosaic depicting Venus borne by Tritons and attended by Amor, astride a dolphin, carrying her crown, mirror and jewel box.

A leisurely morning in the seaside resort of Tabarka, followed by a seafood lunch and an afternoon drive through the Khroumiria mountains to the Roman site of Bulla Regia. A car is essential. Pack a bathing costume for the morning in Tabarka.

The wealth of early Christian mosaics from Thrabaca, the Roman forerunner of Tabarka, have been transplanted to a special room in the Bardo Museum in Tunis, so sights in the town are few, but it is easy enough to while away a morning; once you have explored the fort, taken a dip and priced the coral jewellery in the shops on Avenue Habib Bourguiba, it will be time for lunch.

Begin when temperatures are still reasonably cool with a walk up to the Genoese Fort. A causeway now connects the island with the mainland, but the easiest way to get to the top is to cross the small beach and scramble up one of the paths (they join the broad road leading to the fort’s entrance). A notice in Arabic forbids entry (the fort belongs to the Ministry of Defence), but anyone I have ever encoutered up here – usually the keeper of the lighthouse that occupies a section of the fort – has encouraged me to wander round providing I don’t take photographs.

This island was acquired by the Lomellini and Grimaldi families in 1542, when it was traded for Draghut, the ‘drawn sword of Islam’, a corsair captured by a Genoese galley some years before. The Genoese wanted the island on account of the highly lucrative coral reefs that lie off these shores. In spite of the proximity of the Muslim mainland, a community of some 1,200 Christians held the island until 1741, when they were expelled by Ali Pasha.

The peace and pine-scented breezes are soothing. If you fancy a cooling swim and an hour or so lying in the sun, clamber down the hill on the far side of the fort, where you will find good bathing off the rocks (beware urchins), or rejoin the beach and walk through the surf towards the new hotel developments across the bay. On your way back to town, follow the shore round to the right to see Les Aiguilles, a pack of needle-shaped stacks.

Tabarka’s main street is Avenue Habib Bourguiba, which runs to the harbour. The ex-president Bourguiba was, as a young nationalist, placed under house arrest in Tabarka’s Hotel de France. Coral shops dominate the street. Their keepers exert surprisingly slight pressure on potential customers and it is possible to browse at leisure. Asking prices begin at around $50 for a simple bracelet to $500 for a multi-stranded cut and polished necklace. If you are serious about buying, bargain hard.

Ready for lunch? Claim a table on the terrace of the restaurant of Hotel les Aiguilles (corner of avenues Habib Bourguiba and Hedi Chaker) which has a very reasonable menu offish and Tunisian specialities.
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A day covering the best of ancient Carthage (map overleaf) followed by an evening in the cliff-top village of Sidi Bou Said.

The ruins of Ancient Carthage (Tuesday to Sunday, winter 8.30am-5.30pm, summer 8am-7pm, closed Monday), the great maritime city founded in 814bc, are scattered along the coast to the northeast of Tunis. They lie across the Lake of Tunis, an unprepossessing expanse of water bordered by docks and factories but from late summer made lovelier by visiting flamingos. The strip from La Goulette to La Marsa, including Carthage, is populated by the city’s monied classes, whose salubrious, flower-clad villas ramble over the ancient remains. Ex-President Habib Bourguiba once vowed that if ever Tunisia struck oil on a large scale he would have the money to order the villas’ demolition and excavate Carthage properly.

Almost every guidebook stresses how disappointing Carthage is, but providing you prepare for the suburban setting and don’t raise your expectations too high, a day spent touring the dispersed sites can be very satisfying. Officially the sites are open 8am-7pm in summer and 8.30am-5.30pm in winter, though to be on the safe side I wouldn’t arrive before 8.30am and 9am respectively.

The first of Carthage’s sites as you approach from Tunis is the Tophet (Sanctuaire Punique), the open-air sanctuary where Carthaginian children were sacrificed to the gods Tanit and Baal Hammoum. (Get off the TGM at Carthage Salammbo station, cross the road – do not cross the railway line – and proceed straight ahead; at the stop sign bear left, following signs for Sanctuaire and passing Residence de Carthage en route.) The entrance is on the right; strictly speaking you need a ticket, but as these are currently only available at the Antonine Baths (Ther-mes d’Antonin) or at the museum, both 3km (2 miles) further on, it’s best to offer the custodian a small pour-boire in lieu to save backtracking.

As you enter the Tophet, turn right behind the ticket office and follow the path round. Among the weeds and rubble you’ll find scores of stelae, some bearing the symbol of the goddess Tanit and one or two the image of a priest carrying a child. The path leads to an underground chamber where the sacrifices took place. The urns containing the charred remains were buried underneath the stelae, often accompanied by amulets, beads and grimacing clay masks.

Child (and animal) sacrifice was practised in Carthage from the time of the city’s founding (814bc) right up until its fall to the Romans in 146bc, though only in times of national crisis. The victims were generally first-born infants up to the age of three; they were strangled first, then placed in the arms of the statue, the flames licking up from below. Afterwards their ashes were placed in urns with prayers of consecration.

Leaving the Tophet, turn right and go down Rue Hannibal towards the Punic Ports. There are two ports: the commercial port (so far not restored), which you pass on your right, and the military port, which comes into view straight ahead. Turn right around the edge of the military port and proceed through an avenue of oleander (again you may have to offer a tip if you don’t have a ticket). To appreciate the ingenuity of these ports, which may seem disappointing in view of the maritime supremacy of Carthage, take a look at the scale models inside the small hut. They show how the ports would have looked both under the Carthaginians and the Romans.

Originally the ports were linked to one another by a channel and had a common entrance, 21m (70ft) wide, from the sea. The military port had an island in its centre, and quays containing shipyards were set at intervals round both the island and the perimeter of the port, affording a capacity for 220 vessels. The whole structure was contained by walls so that the dockyardwas concealed from enemy vessels at sea

Out of the Punic Ports, turn right and carry straight on to the main road (Avenue Habib Bourguiba), and turn right again. Proceed along Avenue Bourguiba (a longish but mercifully shady walk) towards the rest of Carthage’s sites (if you can’t face a walk in the heat you could hop on the TGM and alight at Carthage Hannibal). On the left along the way is the Paleo-Christian Museum, containing mainly 5th to 7th-century finds from Roman Carthage, including a lovely statue of Ganymede with his lover Zeus disguised as an eagle.

After the museum the road passes cafes, a supermarket and several fruit stalls where you can buy provisions for a picnic lunch. Some may prefer to cool down on the pleasant terrace of Le Neptune, a restaurant signposted to the right slightly further down the main road. The restaurant offers a good medium priced fish and seafood menu and splendid views over the bay. Next door is the Quartier de Magon with pavements showing clearly the Punic influence on Roman mosaics. Follow the seashore to the Antonine baths, which are on the left, but before venturing through the entrance take a swim off the rocks. The classical backdrop of the ruins and the blissful peace of the spot endow a resonance lacking elsewhere in this suburban setting A swim and a picnic lunch are the perfect prelude to a hot afternoon of ruin-roaming.