Tenerife

Climate
Tenerife is known internationally as the “Island of Eternal Spring” (Isla de la Eterna Primavera). The island, being on a latitude of the Sahara Desert, enjoys a warm climate year-round with an average of 20° – 22°C in the winter and 26° – 28°C in the summer and high sunshine totals. The moderate climate of Tenerife is controlled to a great extent by the tradewinds, whose humidity, principally, is condensed over the north and northeast of the island, creating cloud banks that range between 600 and 1,800 meters in height. The cold sea currents of the Canary Islands, also have a cooling effect on the coasts and its beaches and the topography of the landscape plays a role in climatic differences on the island with its many valleys.
The average temperatures, however, can fluctuate between 17-18°C and 24-25°C in the winter season. Evidently there are climatic contrasts which do occur on the island, particularly during the winter months when it is possible to enjoy the warm sunshine on the coast and experience snow within just miles, 3000 metres above sea level on Teide. There is also a contrast in climate between different parts of the island at a lower altitude, even in proximity, notably between the cities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Santa Cruz generally experiences a warm climate throughout the year with temperatures noticeably greater than at the bordering La Laguna, where frequently it is colder with a greater chance of rainfall.

tenerife - spain

The north and the south of Tenerife similarly have different climatic characteristics. The windward side of the island receives 73% of all precipitation on the island, and the relative humidity of the air is superior and the insolation inferior. The pluviometric maximums are registered on the windward side at an average altitude of between 1.000-1.200 ms, almost exclusively in the La Orotava mountain range. However, although climatic differences in rainfall and sunshine on the island exist, overall annual precipitation is very low with some of the summer months often not receiving any days of rainfall. In June and July in particular it is rare to receive any. The wettest season is during the winter, but in December, for instance, an average of five days of rainfall can be expected, and even this is partly attributed to snowfall on Teide.

Temperature for Tenerife

Temperature in Tenerife

Water
The volcanic ground of Tenerife, which is of a porous and permeable character, is generally the reason why the soil is able to maximise the absorption of water on an island of low rainfall, with condensation in forested areas and frost deposition on the summit of the island also contributory causes.
Given the irregularity of precipitation and geological conditions on the island, dam construction has been avoided, so most of the water (90%) comes from wells and from water galleries (Horizontal tunnels bored into the volcano) of which there are thousands on the island, important systems that serve to extract its hydrological resources.

Airports
Tenerife is most easily reached by air. There are two airports: Reina Sofia, in the south, and Tenerife North Airport, also called Los Rodeos, near Santa Cruz. Each has flights to the capitals of the other islands and to cities throughout Europe, as well as to Caracas, Dakar, and Miami. Overall, Tenerife has the highest annual passenger count and the greatest number of aarrivals, made more popular by the frequency of cheap flights from many European destinations. Tenerife North Airport was the site of the deadliest accident in aviation history: in 1977 two Boeing 747s collided on a runway, killing 583 people.

tenerife - spain - 2

Buses (Guaguas)
Tenerife has an extensive system of buses, which are called guaguas in the Canary Islands. The bus system is used both within the cities and also connects most of the towns and cities of the island. There are bus stations in all of the major towns, such as the Intercambiador de Transportes de Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Tramway
In 2007 Metropolitano de Tenerife founded Tranvía de Tenerife, a tramway that connects the cities of Santa Cruz and La Laguna with the suburb of Taco. There are 20 stops and it covers a distance of 12.5 km (7.67 miles) in 37 minutes. It calls at some points of interest including Tenerife’s two major hospitals, the university complex of Guajara, and a number of museums and theatres. Concerning its power supply, it will support development of further wind farms to provide it with 100% clean energy

Rent a car in Tenerife

Usefull links:
http://www.tenerifecar.net/
http://rentacar.canarias.com/car_hire.html

Map of Tenerife:

map of tenerife

It is considered one of the most beautifull islands of europe.

National Geographic experts cannot be wrong – recently the Isle of Skye has been voted the 4th best island in the world by 650 professional travel specialists.

The isle of skye

The reasons it has been rated so high are clear. The wild landscape of Skye, the second largest island in Scotland, is dramatic, vibrant and breathtaking. The inland mountains, cliffs, inlets and endless beaches create spectacular scenery capable of amazing even those thick-skinned urban enthusiasts insensitive to the nature’s charm.

Wildlife abounds on the Island, with birds from the tiny Goldcrest to magnificent Golden Eagle, mammals from Pygmy Shrew to Red Deer and fish from Saithe to Salmon. If you are lucky you might catch sight of the elusive Otter playing on the shore. The wide range of geology and topography provides habitats for many wild flowers.

As you travel around the Island it’s not unusual to hear snatches of Scottish Gaelic, the indigenous language of the area. Gaelic culture and heritage pervade the atmosphere, each part of the Island having its own tales of times past and plans for the future.

Cortina d'ampezzo

Cortina is situated more or less to the center of the Ampezzana valley, encircled nearly completely on four sides by the high Dolomites. Originally it was composed of numerous frazioni, isolated villages and hamlets, but with the advent of the tourism it grew rapidly from the 1950s. Only the furthest villages and hamlets in the commune have remained secluded and isolated from the main town, which today is known for its shopping. Cortina is home to some of the most prestigious names in fashion including Bulgari, Benetton, Gucci and Geox and various artisan shops, antiquarians, and craft stores. It is also home to many stores which specialize in mountaineering equipment.

In the winter, Cortina is an endless source of activities and fun.
The Cortina Ski World, in one of the most beautiful settings in the Alps, offers a total of 120 kilometers of ski trails and 52 lifts, all of which are inserted into the grand Dolomiti Superski circuit. Naturally, there are also many possibilities to enjoy other winter sports: cross country skiing, Alpine skiing, off track skiing, telemarking, excursions with “snow shoes”, even paired up with a descent on a sled.
In the Olympic Ice Stadium of Cortina, you can ice skate, play hockey and curling, and practice many other winter sports. With the professionals at the Cortina Adrenaline Center, thrills and chills are available to everyone: taxi-bob, snow rafting, crazy sledge; the Alpine Guide Group of Cortina organizes extreme skiing excursions along the steep slopes of the Dolomites.
All year long, Cortina is home to big events, sports-related and otherwise:
• January – World Cup Women’s Skiing: Super G, downhill and giant slalom races.
• February – Gran Fondo Dobbiaco-Cortina: an international cross country skiing 42 kilometer race from Dobbiaco to Cortina.
• July – Cortina-Dobbiaco: an international 42 km mountain bike race.
• September – the Dolomites Gold Cup: an international race for vintage cars.

official website of Cortina d’Ampezzo is: http://www.cortina.dolomiti.com/

Mont Blanc

Elevation
The summit of Mont Blanc is a thick, perennial ice and snow dome whose thickness varies, so no exact and permanent summit elevation can be determined. But accurate measurements have been made. For a long time its official elevation was 4,807 m (15,770 ft). Then in 2002, the IGN and expert surveyors, with the aid of GPS technology, measured it to be 4,810.40 m (15,782 ft 2 in).

Panorama Mont Blanc

Mont Blanc

Protection
The Mont Blanc massif is being put forward as a potential World Heritage Site because of its uniqueness and its cultural importance, considered the birthplace and symbol of modern mountaineering. However not everyone shares this goal and it would require the three governments of Italy, France and Switzerland to make a request to UNESCO for it to be listed.
Mont Blanc is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, and for this reason, it is threatened. Pro-Mont Blanc (an international collective of associations for the protection of Mont Blanc) published in 2002 the book Le versant noir du mont Blanc (The black hillside of Mont Blanc), which exposes current and future problems in conserving the site.
In 2007, Europe’s highest outhouses (two) were helicoptered to the top of France’s Mont Blanc at a height of 4,260 metres (13,976 feet). The dunny-cans are emptied by helicopter. The facilities will service 30,000 skiers and hikers annually; thus helping to alleviate the deposit of urine and feces that spread down the mountain face with the spring thaw, and turned it into ‘Mont Noir’.

History

Peles Castle - winter view

Peles Castle

Peles Castle

peles castle

The castle was featured in the 2009 film release The Brothers Bloom. The exterior of the castle is used to represent a large estate in New Jersey, the home of the eccentric billionaire Penelope played by Rachel Weisz.

Description
The first architect was the Viennese Carl Wilhelm von Doderer (1825-1900) and then German Johannes Schultz (1876-1883). Later additions were made between 1893 and 1914 by the Czech architect Karel Liman, who added designed the towers, including the main central tower, 66 m in height.
By form and function, Peleş, is truly a palace but affectionately and consistently called a castle instead, by all. Its architectural style is a Neo-Renaissance of romantic inspiration that can find a corespondent in 19th century ideals with the monumental Gothic Revival of Schloss Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, ironically called a castle as well. A Saxon influence can be observed in the interior courtyard facades that have rich and ornated fachwerk similar to northern Europe alpine architecture and allegorical hand painted murals. Interior decoration is mostly a Baroque influence with heavy carved woods and exquisite fabrics.
Peleş Castle has 3200 sq. meters of floor plan, over 170 rooms,30 bathrooms, many with dedicated themes from world cultures (in similar fashion with other Romanian palaces, like Cotroceni Palace for example), themes that can vary by function (offices, libraries, armouries, art galleries) or by style (Florentine, Turkish, Moorish, French, Imperial) all extremely lavishly furnished and decorated to the slightest detail. The establishment hosts one of the finest collections of art in East and Central Europe, consisting of statues, paintings, furniture, arms and armour, gold, silver, stained glass, ivory, fine china, tapestries and rugs; the collection of arms and armour has over 4000 pieces, divided between Eastern and Western war, ceremonial or hunting spreading over four centuries in history. Oriental rugs come from the finest sources: Bukhara, Mosul, Isparta, Saruk and Smirna, porcelain from Sevres and Meissen, leather from Córdoba but perhaps the most acclaimed are the hand painted stained glass vitralios, mostly Swiss .
A towering statue of King Carol I by Raffaello Romanelli overlooks the main entrance but many other statues are present on the seven Italian neo-Renaissance terrace gardens, mostly of Carrara marble executed by the Italian sculptor Romanelli. The gardens also host fountains, urns, stairways, guarding lions, marble paths and other decorative pieces.

Peleş Castle shelters one of the most important and most valuable[citation needed] painting collections in Europe, almost 2,000 pieces. An interesting account about Peleş Castle remains the one that comes from Angelo de Gubernatis (1840-1913), an Italian writer who arrived in 1898 in Sinaia as a guest of the Royal Family:
Inaugurated in 1883, Peleş Castle is not only a pleasant place during summer time; it has been conceived to be also a national monument, meant to keep the trophies of the Plevna victory, which explains the simple but majestic style. The castle’s courtyard – Bramantes type – with a fountain in the middle, in the most accurate Renaissance style, pleasantly surprises the visitor. The courtyard has a merry decoration, made out of plants and flowers; all round, the building’s facades are animated by elegant drawings. The interior of the castle is a true wonder, due to the beauty and richness of the sculpted wood and the stained glass windows. As you get in the vestibule, you are on the Honor Staircase, in front of the most important rulers of old Romania: Holy Stephen the Great, and Michael the Brave. In a proud attitude, wearing whether a fur cap or with the gold crown on their heads, they impress through the brilliant dressing, in which the white of ermine blends with the emerald green or the red of the large mantle. On the right and on left side of the two rulers, as servant knights, four shield bearers carry the Romanian Provinces escutcheons. Inside the Queen’s library, over the groups of children symbolizing poetry and science, there is the image of Ulfilas (311-383 a.d.) a Goth religious ruler, from the northern side of Danube River, translating the Bible in their language and bringing his contribution in spreading Christianity, a Christian apostle of the Romans, and the image of Dante Alighieri, the creator of western poetry. Passing the library and getting into the dormitory, we will meet the image of Genies and Allegories of Painting and Music, as well as a series of legendary themes. Inside the apartments reserved for the honor guests, a number of coat-of-arms were shining through their heraldic abundance, speaking about the ancestors of the Royal Family. But among all, the glass paintings from the Peleş Castle are, beyond any doubt, the most profound and shining. Here, the subjects are taken out of Alecsandri’s poetry.

Location
Northwest of the town of Sinaia, 60 km from Braşov and 135 km away from Bucharest, Romania’s capital. Nested in the south-eastern Carpathian Mountains, the complex is composed of three monuments: Peleş Castle, Pelişor Chateau and Foisor Hunting Chateau.

The Ischgl-Samnaun skiing area always achieves top marks in Europe-wide tests and the Silvretta Arena is regularly voted one of the top ten skiing areas. The excellent international reputation of Austria’s most famous winter resort is not left to chance – there are many important reasons for choosing an exciting skiing holiday in Ischgl, the top ‘lifestyle metropolis’.

ischgl ski run

The first reason is the guaranteed snow. You can carve your turns on the slopes the Ischgl-Samnaun skiing area from early December to the end of April. The slope conditions are, of course, perfect – after all, countless helpers work on Ischgl’s mountains every night, using the latest technology. Even in winters with little snow, you are guaranteed to ski since the snowmaking machines in Ischgl are some of the best and most reliable in the world.

Total length of ski-run is about 235 km, 38 km are low difficulty , 132 km are meddium difficulty, 45 km are high difficulty and 20 km are ski-route.
Visitors from all over the world are thrilled by the variety of slopes in Ischgl. The wide runs make for many hours of first-class winter entertainment on skis in Ischgl. There are more than enough slopes to suit every level of ability, all offering top conditions when it comes to maintenance and safety. Of course, snowboarders get their money’s worth too with the fun park and runs.
Another key reason for Ischgl’s first-class reputation worldwide is the ultramodern lift and cable-car system. Queuing is almost a thing of the past, thanks to the high transport capacity of the lifts and cable cars. The individual lifts also offer a high level of comfort and countless extras, such as heated seats in the new cable car.

map of ischgl

Strokkur Geyser - South Iceland

Mainly attractions of Iceland are naturalistic and natural, it has a spectacular dramatic landscape born from volcanic eruptions and carved out by glaciers, Iceland offers striking landscapes, young lava fields, roaring waterfalls, majestic glacial ice-caps, whale watching, bird watching.

Strokur Geyser - South Iceland

One of the most attractive place is Blue Lagoon, a unique natural pool of geothermal seawater (37-39°C) in the middle of a moss-covered lava field.

blue lagoon - iceland

Midnight sun is another attraction, in the month of June the sun never fully sets in the north. There are even special excursions to the island of Grímsey on the Arctic Circle where you can experience the midnight sun. Aurora borealis is another Icelandic nature show, during the winter nights, the northern lights are often visible in Iceland.

Aurora borealis (Northern lights)

Thingvellir (site of the oldest parliament in the world), Gullfoss (Europe’s largest waterfall) and Geysir (the one for whom geysers around the world are named). Vatnajökull in Southeast Iceland is the largest of the glacier caps in Europe.

Gullfos - Iceland

more details http://www.icetourist.is

The island is named after the mythological figure Cephalus (Ciphalis), although some hold its name literally means “island with a head”, referring to the island’s shape; the name “Ciphalis” is derived from the Greek word for “head”.

kefalonia

The capital of the Kefalonia prefecture is Argostoli. The island’s population is nearly 45,000; it previously was home to the fastest growing population in Greece, with a growth rate of 35% to 40% during the 1990s. It was officially 36,404 at the census of 2001. The size of the island is ca. 800 km² (300 mi²), and the present population density is 55 people per km² (140/mi²), with Argostoli home to one-third of the island’s habitants. Lixouri is the second major settlement, and the two towns together account for almost two-thirds of the prefecture’s population.

Kefalonia is located in the heart of an earthquake zone, and dozens of minor or unrecorded tremors occur each year. In 1953, a massive earthquake almost destroyed settlement on the island, leaving only Fiscardo in the north untouched.

Harbours and ports

There are five harbours and ports in the prefecture: four main harbours on the island, Same or Sami, and a major port with links to Patras and Ithaca. Poros, in the south, has ferry routes to Kyllini; Argostoli, in the west, is the largest port, for local boats and ferries to Zante and regularly to Lixouri; Fiscardo, in the north, has links to Lefkas and Ithaca. There is room for about 100 small boats in Argostoli, where the port stretches 1 kilometre around the bay, while Lixouri is situated 4 km across the bay from Argostoli, on the Lixouri peninsula. There is a road connection to the rest of the island, but driving from Lixouri to Argostoli involves a 30 km detour.

Towns

Since 1997 the island is divided into 8 communities or towns. These are:

Flights:

Kefalonia can be reached by plane from many international airports via Athens. Daily flights are effectuated to and from Athens and the flight time is about 45 minutes.

kefalonia

There are also some charter flights from and to European cities in summer.

Ferries

Being one of the top three destinations of the Ionian Islands, the island of Kefalonia is linked with various ports.

Daily ferries connect the harbour of Patras, in the centre of Greece, to Sami, 22 km to the east of Argostoli, and the trip takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. There are also ferries from Killini, on the western Pelopenessian coast, to Argostoli (4 hours), Poros (1 hour and 30 minutes) and Lixuri (2 hours and 30 minutes).

There aren’t ferries to connect directly Kefalonia to Piraeus.

Kefalonia ferries also offer regular connections to Patras, Ithaca and Corfu as well as to some harbours of Italy (Venice, Ancona, Bari, Brindisi).

Moreover, there are ferries connecting Kefalonia to the Ionian islands of Lefkada and Ithaca. These ferries are handled directly by:
NAUTILUS TRAVEL, Fiscardo Kefalonia
tel. (+30) 26740 41440/ fax. (+30) 26740 41471

If you want to see the schedules of the two ferries of Nautilus Travel that run the itineraries between Ithaca, Kefalonia and Lefkada click here http://www.greeka.com/ionian/kefalonia/island/kefalonia-nautilus-schedule.htm

Airport

The Kefalonia airport is situated in the area of Minies, about 9 kilometres from Argostoli, the capital of the island. It receives domestic flights from Athens and some charter flights in summer. The flight from Athens takes about 45 minutes.

The transfer time between the airport and the capital is only a few minutes by car. No public buses are available from or to the airport but cars can be rented there to help you explore the island. Taxis also wait outside the terminal to serve the visitors.

map of kefalonia

Buses
The network of roads of Kefalonia is of quite good quality and covers the entire island. Regular buses are available for numerous destinations.

The central station is located in Argostoli, the capital of Kefalonia, nearby the bridge of Trapano.

The daily buses leave from the town of Argostoli and serve : Fanari- Minia- Svoronata- Domata- Kaligata- Sarlata- Kourkoumelata- Metaxata- Lakithra- Spilie- Kombothekrata- Peratata- Moussata- Vlahata- Lourdata- Simotata- Platies- Valriano- Hionata- Mavrata- Kato Katelios- Markopoulo- Ratzakli- Skala- Poros- Razata- Sami- Poulata- Haliotata- Karavomilos- Agia Evfimia- Makriotika- Ferendinata- Potamianata- Divarata- Assos- Messovounia- Markoulata- Fiskardo- Vari- Plagia- Karia- Komitata- Patrikata- Neohorio- Karavados- Pessada- Keramies- Spartia- Lixouri- Mihalitsata- Vouns- Mantzavinata- Havriata- Havdata- Favetata- Kaminarata- Damoulianata- Agios Vassilios- Skinea- Loukerata- Kouvalata- Agios Dimitrios- Kontogenada- Atheras- Valsamata- Mihata- Epanohorio- Faraklata- Dilinata- Davgata.

Taxis
The taxi centre is located in the capital of Kefalonia, Argostoli, nearby the central square called Plateia Valianou. Rates are given by metre but, for popular destinations, there is usually a standard rate given by the driver.

A Radio Taxi service is also available at this telephone number: 226710 28545.

The city is well known for its sporting opportunities, especially alpine sports, as it is located in the Alps and surrounded by mountains. Several ski resorts are situated inside the city territory or within short distance.

innsbruck

The Climate

Innsbruck’s fair distance from the coast and altitude lead to a continental climate. Winters are cold and snowy; summers are generally warm, with highly variable weather. Hot and dry days, with temperatures hitting 30°C, are quite common; but can be followed by a cool and rainy spell, with temperatures only around 17°C in the day. Be warned, however, at any time, summer nights are cool and temperature often drop quickly after sunset, sometimes falling below 10°C in early morning.

How can you get in Innsbruck

With the plane: there are  regular scheduled flights available from Amsterdam, Antwerpen, Frankfurt, Gothenburg, Graz, Hannover, London, Rotterdam, Vienna.

The Munich Airport, 2.5 hours away, is another alternative. There are vans that will meet you at the Munich Airport and take you directly to your lodging in or around Innsbruck for the price of a comparable train ticket.

By train

Despite being a smaller city Innsbruck has fantastic train connections to all major cities in its neighborhood. The main station, Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof, is located at Südtiroler Platz (South-tyrolean square) in the east of the city center. In addition there are several stations which serve suburban and regional train connections.

By car

Innsbruck is reachable through both of Tyrol’s motorways: Inntalautobahn (A 12) and Brennerautobahn (A 13).

By Public Transport

Public local traffic (buses, trams) is operated by Innsbrucker Verkehrsbetriebe and a couple of private operators. All public services are organized in Verkehrsverbund Tirol , which means that tickets are valid in every public transport line (including buses, trams and trains). Only recently new tram vehicles have been acquired which go into service in March 2008. A major extension of the tram network is planned and will be carried out in the following years.

Visitors should be aware that there sometimes are bus lines that split up into different destinations (the bus line O, for example), and so it’s important to pay attention to the destination displays (outside and inside) and the spoken announcements. Tickets are 1.70 euro in the city fare zone, which you can pay to the driver. Regardless of the door you enter, go to the driver and pay, exact change not necessary. Daily tickets are 4.00 euro and weekly ticket 12.30. Buy these from the machines at some bus and tram stops (just outside of Hauptbahnhof/main station for instance) or at a tobacco shop. You must validate the ticket when you get on your first bus or tram.

The special bus line “TS” (”The Sightseer” connects the major sights like Schloß Ambras, Bergisel and Alpenzoo to downtown. However special fares apply for this line

Two tram lines also go to villages in the neighborhood of Innsbruck. Tram line 6 connects Innsbruck and the mountain village Igls, which is worth a visit. The line goes through mountains and woods and provides some nice views for travelers. Igls lies within the city fare zone, so no additional ticket is needed. Tram line STB is 18 kilometers long and connects Innsbruck with several villages in the Stubaital valley.

To be noticed

The Innsbruck-Card offers free entrance to all of Innsbruck’s sights, free use of public transportation (including the TS line). It also includes a one-time ascent&descent to Nordkette, Patscherkofel and Axamer Lizum and free entrance to Swarovski Kristallwelten in Wattens. The Innsbruck-Card is valid for 24/48/72 hours and can be purchased at Innsbruck Information (Burggraben 3), the TI in Hauptbahnhof, and several museums and tourist offices. Tip: The Innsbruck card is pretty expensive, 25/30/35 euro for 1/2/3 day cards. And daily or weekly public transport cards are cheap – the “all inclusive” sales pitch is alluring to disoriented travelers, but make sure the discounts are worth the initial price. If you are not seeing these major entrance-fee sites, remember that you may buy more than one daily card at a time, as the 24 hours only starts once validated. Be sure to compare with the price of a weekly ticket too.

The bus line Sightseer (TS) connects the major sights in Innsbruck. However it there is always a cheaper public transport line going to the same destination, though it might take you more time.

You can download all details about Innsbruck Card from here Download all details about Innsbruck Card
Details about Innsbruck Card you can find here See details

Source: http://wikitravel.org/

Dubrovnik Croatia

The city of Dubrovnik/Ragusa was built on maritime trade. In the Middle Ages it became the only city-state in the Adriatic to rival Venice. Supported by its wealth and skilled diplomacy, the city achieved a remarkable level of development during the 15th and 16th centuries. Furthermore, Dubrovnik was one of the centers of the development of the Croatian language and literature, home to many notable poets, playwrights, painters, mathematicians, physicists and other scholars. Today Dubrovnik is the proudest feather in Croatia’s tourist cap, an elite destination and one of the most beautiful towns in the Mediterranean. Dubrovnik used to be an independent republic, surviving mostly on trade. It managed to survive many centuries, with constant threats to its territory, particularly from the mighty Ottoman Empire and Venice. As early as 19th century, it was discovered by celebrities as a place to be seen. George Bernard Shaw once said that “those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik and find it”. Royalty, presidents and diplomats have all favored the city. The late Pope John Paul II was a fan of Dubrovnik and was even made an honorary citizen. Out of the 18 top luxury hotels in Croatia, 11 are located in Dubrovnik.

dubrovnik croatia

Dubrovnik is steeped in stunning architecture and sculptural detail, and boasts spectacular churches, monasteries, museums, fountain. A multitude of typical towns and excursions include: The Elafiti Islands, the attractive town of Cavtat, Mljet Island, Korčula Island and Peljesac Peninsula. The neighboring towns of Kotor in Montenegro or Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina also make for intriguing day trips. How you can go to Dubrovnik ?

By plane

Dubrovnik airport (IATA: DBV) (ICAO: LDDU),   is located about 20 km to the south of the city. Croatia Airlines is the Croatian flag-carrier and Dubrovnik is one of its hub airports. Numerous flights operate both domestically (numerous times daily to Zagreb, seasonal to Osijek, Zadar and Pula) and internationally to the UK, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

• Aer Lingus flies from Dubrovnik to Dublin in the summer season.

• Hapag Lloyd Express flies from Stuttgart, Hanover and Munich to Dubrovnik.

• Estonian Air flies every Wednesday and Saturday from Dubrovnik to Tallinn.

• British Airways fly from Gatwick at competitive rate.

• Thomsonfly from Luton and Flybe from Birmingham are good charter options.

• Iberia flies from Madrid, Barcelona, and other Iberian cities directly to Dubrovnik.

• Easyjet to Dubrovnik from London Gatwick, Liverpool, Berlin Schoenefeld, Paris Orly, Milan Malpensa and Geneva. Additionally they have routes from London Gatwick, Bristol, Milan Malpensa and Geneva to Split.

• SkyEurope to Dubrovnik from Bratislava, Prague, and Vienna. Does not fly everyday.

• Ryanair from Stansted to Zadar, from which an 8 hour bus ride will get you to Dubrovnik.

Vueling flies the relation from Dubrovnik to Barcelona and back. If you need a taxi in Dubrovnik you cand find all details here: http://www.taxiservicedubrovnik.com

By train

There is no train to Dubrovnik, although you can take a train to Split and then travel by bus to Dubrovnik. The bus station in Split is located right next to the train station on the wharf.

dubrovnik view

Alternatively, one can take the train from Sarajevo or Mostar which heads to Ploče on the Croatian coast, and travel the last section (under 2 hours) by bus. The scenery is spectaclar, and the trains aren’t normally crowded. Ploče is the closest railhead to Dubrovnik.

By car

The trip from Split is a beautiful journey along the coastal roads through small, quaint villages and other tourist destinations. Just know that in the summer months the trip is likely to take several hours longer than anticipated. What looks like a short trip on a map can take six hours.

By bus

The new bus station is in Kantafig, northern part of the city, a distance from the old city (near the northern approach and the Tudjman bridge), with domestic and international departures, as well as services heading to the airport (check times with Croatia Airlines). To get there, use the local bus service (operating around every 15 minutes, e.g. bus Nro 7) to take you into the Pile Gate (entrance to old town). The bus station has an enclosed waiting room, ticket office, and tourist information – though be advised of people trying to offer a private room in their home as accommodation as soon as you get off the bus – often these can be a good deal, though check the location with these people on a map before walking with them or you may be some distance from the bus station, or the old city. It is a fairly long journey, but it is possible to take a bus directly from Zagreb. These take up to 12 hours, and some run overnight, but the bad climate control on the buses and the cramped conditions make for an uncomfortable night. Alternatively, if you are already on the Dalmatian coast buses run directly and every hour from Split to Dubrovnik, a journey which takes 4 and a half hours and costs upwards of 100 kn, depending on the operator. Some busses follow the big high roads (eg. A1) while others use the low roads along the coast, which are more scenic but a bit slower. Other international services operate to cities such as Trieste in Italy, and there are daily services to Mostar and Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herceg Novi and Kotor in Montenegro. Costs As of Jan 2009, Kotor, Montenegro costs 100 kn, Mostar, Bosnia costs 78 kn. The Airport bus costs 35 kn. When traveling into Montenegro and the Airport sit on the right hand side (not behind driver) for best views, and vice-versa for the return. Traveling to Bosnia, sit on the left hand side (behind the driver) for best views. A departure listing for the international bus station is available at the website of the city bus operator: On all intercity buses you pay a separate fee for luggage. This fee of 2 € per piece of luggage is paid to the driver upon boarding. Some drivers are rather picky about being paid in exact change in the correct currency (sometimes a local currency, at other instances requesting to be paid in euros) and sometimes also refuse to be paid in small coins. So keep some change ready.

By boat

• Jadrolinija runs ferries down the coast from Rijeka. Calling at Split, Stari Grad, Korčula and Sobra on the way. Journey time is up to twenty hours, so consider getting a cabin. The restaurant serves up some decent food at surprisingly reasonable prices, but bear in mind that the 22% tax is not included on the menu. While the journey is scenic, there is nothing in the way of entertainment so come prepared with a good book.
• Jadrolinija also offers nightly crossings to and from Bari, Italy but either the dull engine vibration or the swaying of the boat from high winds are likely to keep you awake.

Get around

Stradun The old town is completely pedestrianised and easily small enough to get around on foot – some of the streets are a little steep though!

By bus

If you are not staying in the Old Town, it’s relatively simple get there by bus, as just about every one leads to the Old Town. However, it might be advisable to get a timetable just in case. Timetable available here .It costs 8kn (just over €1) for tickets bought at any kiosk,or 10kn bought on the bus; ticket valid for 1hr. At selected kiosks (including the international bus station) you can purchase a day pass for 25hr. This pass is valid for 24 hours of unlimited travel on the city bus network, starting from the first validation. The easiest way to get from the Main Bus Station to the Old Town is by using the (mostly modern and air-conditioned) buses number 1, 1A and 1B, which circulate almost constantly.

Car rental

• A Marker Car Rental-Dubrovnik, Tel +385 91 739 75 45  http://www.carhiredubrovnik.com/ Car hire Dubrovnik Airport and Downtown.

• Car,Van,Motorbike-Motorcycle,Scooter, Oldtimer and Buggy Rental-Pile Gate Old Town +385 91 739 75 45

What must be seen in Dubrovnik:

Dubrovnik was heavily bombed by the Montenegrin Navy during the Croatian War of Independence from 1991 to 1995. Almost all of the damage has been covered over but if you look closely around the old town you can still see the damage from mortars in the cobblestone streets and bullet marks in the stone houses.

• Roland’s Column, in front of the Bell Tower, A slender stone flag staff of the legendary knight. Also known as Orlando’s Column. Ever since its foundation in 1950, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival is officially opened by raising a flag (carrying the city’s motto LIBERTAS) on Orlando’s staff.

• Bell Tower, after the Ploče entrance to the city, On top of the tower are the famous ‘Zelenci’ (The Green Ones), bronze statues which strike the gigantic bell every hour. They have been recently replaced with copies and the originals are in the atrium of the Sponza Palace.

• Sponza Palace, west of the Bell Tower, Gothic Renaissance palace, one of the few buildings that has maintained its form from before the catastrophic 1667 earthquake. Hosts historic archives. Memorial room of defenders. Open 10AM-10PM. 20 KN

• Rector’s Palace, Pred dvorom 1, +385 20 321 437. Formerly the palace of the Major Council, now houses a museum dedicated to the city’s history.

• War Photo Limited, Antuninska 6. An exhibition center of war and conflict photography. Exhibits change during the season. Stunning images by world renowned photo journalists. Open 9AM-9PM

• Pile Gate, at the beginning of the Placa Thoroughfare (Stradun) (Old town). The most convenient starting place for your stroll through the City is Pile. Before entering the Old City, Lovrjenac Fort is the first among many sites worth seeing in Dubrovnik.

• Placa Stradun, (Old town). The Stradun (Placa) is the central street of the city of Dubrovnik and is the place where the old city comes to life. During the day, explore the shades of the peripendicular streets and alleys on its sides, and during the night, take walks up and down the Stradun with an ice-cream in hand. The uniform Baroque architecture of the houses in Placa, with shops on the street level and their ‘knee-like’ entrances, got its present-day form in the restoration of the City taking place after the disastrous earthquake in 1667, when a large number of luxurious Gothic and Renaissance palaces had been destroyed. The architectural design of Placa reveals effective solutions and the business sense of the Dubrovnik Republic in those difficult times. Today, Placa is still the shopping centre and venue of major events.


dubrovnik

• Big Onofrio´s Fountain. In the western (Pile) entrance of the old town, The fountain stairs are nowadays a favourite meeting place of the youth, where both the tourists and pigeons take rest and refresh themselves with cool water.

• Old Port, (Old town).

• Old City Walls. 8-19. Walk on the walls around the old town, great views! Warning – it’s extremely recommended to visit the walls during the early morning hours or the late afternoon hours, as it can become hot during the day!

• Fort Lovrijenac. The monumental fort rises above 37 meters high rock. It changed roles in the course of history. The main purpose of its construction was defense, and the main idea was to protect the freedom of Dubrovnik.
• Aquarium. 8 AM – 9 PM. 30 Kn.

Churches

• Franciscan Monastery, Placa 2, +385 20 321 410, 9AM-6PM. This beautiful monastery with Baroque Church, houses a Romanesque cloister and the third oldest pharmacy in the world.

• Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Kneza Damjana Jude 1, +385 20 323 459, M-Sa 8AM-8 PM, Su 11AM-5:30 PM. This impressive building is in the Poljana Marin Držić. Supposedly, the original church was built with money donated by Richard the Lionhearted who survived shipwreck on his way home from the Third Crusade. The current Roman Baroque cathedral dates from the 18th Century.

• Church of Saint Blaise (Crkva Svetog Vlaha). Baroque Church dedicated to the city’s patron saint.

• Church of St. Ignatius and the Jesuit College. Beautiful Baroque church located on a small hill within the old city.

• Dominican Monastery, This is an exceptionally valuable historic complex, which, besides its religious purpose, also represents the important artistic treasury of ancient Dubrovnik. Open 9AM-6PM.

• Church of St. Sebastian

• Serbian Orhodox Church and Museum of Icons

Museums

Entrance fees for 2009 year:

• Franciscan Monastery Museum Placa 2, 9AM-6PM. Check out artifacts from one of the world’s oldest pharmacies. Entrance fee:30 Kn
• Sigurata Convent Museum Od Sigurate 13,tel:+385 20 321 467, Opened upon request. Entrance fee:10 KN
• Synagogue and Jewish Museum Zudioska 5,tel:+385 20 321-028 Open :10AM-8PM Entrance fee:15 KN
• Dominican Monastery Museum Sv. Domina 4,tel:+385 20 321 423, 9AM-6PM. Paintings and artifacts from Dubrovnik’s past. Entrance fee : 20 KN
• The Sponza Palace Museum (Museum of the State Archives)Entrance fee :20 Kn
• The Rector`s Palace Museum Pred dvorom 1,tel:+385 20 321 437, 9AM-6PM. Artifacts, paintings and furniture dating back from the time of the Dubrovnik Republic. Entrance fee :40 KN
• The Treasury of Cathedral Kneza Damjana Jude 1,tel:+385 20 323 459, 9AM-6PM. The Treasury has 138 reliquaries which are carried around the city during the Feast of St Blaise. Entrance fee:15 KN
• Maritime Museum St. John Fort ,tel:+385 20 323 904. Open:9AM-6PM Entrance fee:40 KN
• The Home of Marin Drzic Široka 7,tel:+385 20 420 490, M-Sa 9AM-1PM and by appointment. Memorial house of Marin Drzic, one of Croatia’s most famous writers.
• The Museum of Icons (Serbian Ortodox Church) Open:9AM-2PM Entrance fee: 10 KN
• The Etnographic Museum (Rupe Granary) Open:9AM-6PM Entrance fee :40 KN

What you can do in Dubrovnik

• Dubrovnik Summer Festival,. Music and theatre festival held since 1950 from 10th July to 25th August. Famous nationwide for its exquisite selection of drama, classical music and ballet. Be sure to book in advance and don’t miss a chance to see some of the open-air performances, even if they’re in Croatian!

• Walk down the Stradun and enjoy a drink at a cafe on the main through fair of the old town.

• Dubrovnik Film Festival,. International film festival held since May 2003, hosts many world famous film stars such as John Malkovich, Kevin Spacey or Catherine Zeta Jones. Seems that the last time it was held was 2006 though.

• Libertas Film Festival,. Film festival held from August 25-30.

• Walk Dubrovnik city walls.It`s a must do when you are in Dubrovnik.There are several entrances/exits but the main entrance to the city walls is located at the beginning the main street Stradun near Pile Gate. Open:8AM-7PM. Entrance fee: 50 KN adults, 20 KN children.

• Dubrovnik Tourist Guide,Walking tours in the Old Town and other tailor-made tours in Dubrovnik region. Led by recommended Dubrovnik Tour Guide Denis,licensed guide with great knowledge and experience in conducting the tours.These tours can be tailor-made for you.You can book this tour guide in Dubrovnik directly at denisdubrovnik@yahoo.com.

• Take a ferry to the Island of Lokrum, which houses a monastery, a fort with great views of Dubrovnik, botanical gardens, and a naturist beach. Preserved as a Nature Park, this small island is reachable in 10 minutes boat-time from the old city port. It offers unparalleled serenity, beauty and peace. A definite must see (and feel!)

• Walk up the winding footpath to the fortress on Mount Srd, the hilltop 400 meters above Dubrovnik for a great view of the town and along the coast. The fortress contains a small museum describing its history. Walking up from the old town takes about 90 minutes.

• Lazareti (arl@du.htnet.hr), Frana Supila 8 (Ploce, just out side of the east entrance to the Old town), ☎ 385 20 324 633,. Old quarantine hospital serves as a cultural center for concerts, exhibitions, workshops, theater, film, night clubs and literature. The concert hall/bar is a very cozy place with a decent sound system. Gallery Galeriya Tutunplok is open daily 12PM-9PM. Films and theater showings range from 20-40KN Concerts cost 40-100 KN. A nightclub is open here from 10PM to 4AM and will cost you about 30 KN. Gathers a mostly alternative crowd.

• Banje Beach. A well located pebble beach. There’s a concessioned part with an entrance fee, but also a public part which is always livelier and more relaxed. Great way to beat the heat in the middle of the town.

• Visit the Fortress Lovrijenac. It was an essential fortification to the defense of the city from both ground and sea attacks. In order to prevent possible mutiny by the commander of the fortress, the walls facing the city are only 60 cm thick compared to those exposed to enemy fire which were 12m thick!. Above the entrance to the fortress is an inscription that says “Non bene pro toto libertas venditur auro” which translates to “Freedom is not sold for all the gold in the world”.

• Lapad Beach. A sandy beach where you can relax in the shade of the numerous trees.

Sailing

Dubrovnik is an excellent starting point for exploring southern Adriatic coast primarily Elaphite islands, Korcula, Pelješac and Mljet. There are many charter agencies where you can charter a sailing or motor yacht which are based in Dubrovnik. Majority of them operate from ACI marina Dubrovnik (42°40,3’ N 18°07,6’ E) which is based in Komolac. When you charter a yacht through charter agency and arrive to designated marina there are a few things that need to be done. The most important thing is the yacht check in (usually Saturday around 04:00 PM). Take your time doing yacht check in. Familiarize yourself with the chartered yacht and with the yacht equipment. The rule of thumb is: the more time you take for the yacht check in, the less time you will need for the yacht check out. After that you have to do the shopping for the charter vacation. Don’t neglect the groceries shopping because the sea is unpredictable and you don’t want to get stuck on the boat without anything to eat or drink. You can do the shopping in a marina (although the prices are usually much higher there) or you can order from yacht provisioning services who usually deliver the products to the marina at no extra fee. In Jam Yacht Supply  online provisioning catalog you can order from a large selection of groceries and other products months in advance and everything you order awaits for you in the marina. This is convenient because it takes the load of you and the things you must do when you arrive at the marina for your sailing holiday. Some of charter agencies operating from Dubrovnik:

• Adria Coral
• Aurora Maris
• Discover Dubrovnik
• Ultra Sailing
• Way point

source of article : http://wikitravel.org