Chances are, you have probably never heard of Istria. Istria is one of Croatia’s best kept secrets. Istria provides some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. From rolling hills to snowcapped mountains to plush valleys, Istria is truly a place of diverse beauty. In addition to its amazing natural features, Istria is well-known for its hospitable towns and friendly inhabitants. You will never feel like a stranger when you are in Istria!

So what kind of activities does Istria offer? Because of its locations, the coast and beaches are one of the most obvious attractions. Istria has many different kinds of beaches, ranging from large bays to hidden coves filled with white pebbles. If you like being active, Istria offers much more than beautiful beaches to lay on. Thanks to its mild climate and pristine air, you can enjoy outdoor activities in Istria all year long. Throughout Istria, you can find horseback riding, bike trails and cross country tracks. If you are a thrill seeker, Istria has plenty of activities to take care of your adrenaline needs. You can take part in free climbing, mountain biking, parachuting, hang-gliding, mountain running, caving, paragliding or canyoning.

Once you have had your fill of outdoor activities, Istria has several thriving cities, which include Pula, Porec and Brioni. These cities are filled with excellent hotels that offer a variety of amenities, including indoor pools, fitness centers, spas, ice baths and massage programs. If you want to get out and explore the cities of Istria, you will be met with festivals, wonderful dining, wine cellars, cultural events and much more. So, if you are trying to decide on a location for your next vacation, make sure to give some consideration to Istria. If you go, it will be a trip that you never forget!

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

If you’re planning a Croatia holiday and want to find out more information about Croatia travel, Explore Croatia can help you plan your next Croatia vacation!

One of the most popular and well known tourist attractions in Southern California is the San Diego Zoo. Most people outside of California, however, aren’t aware of an even better wildlife experience which is just a short drive from the Zoo, in the northern part of San Diego County, the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Like the San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park is operated by the Zoological Society of San Diego which is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and education of endangered species and their habitats. I’ve been to the Park many times while growing up in Southern California, but my last visit was special because it was with my five year old daughter who has never been there before. It was an experience that yielded many cool pictures and a great time that I won’t soon forget.

The San Diego Wild Animal Park opened in 1972, and many of the attractions that were there for the opening are still around today. The Park is not set up like a traditional zoo because most of the exhibits are in an open area on acres of land. This allows the Park to keep herds of different species that interact with each other in an environment that simulates their natural habitat. Because of this, the animals display many of their natural behaviors, providing Park visitors with a better understanding of how they live.

The Wild Animal Park’s most popular attraction is the Wgasa Bush Line Railway which takes visitors on a 3 mile, 40 minute journey through most of the Park’s main areas and then into the San Pasqual Valley. The valley is divided into different areas, each representing different regions such as North Africa, South Africa, the Asian Plains, and the Mongolian Steppe. The tour also offers a live narration by the tram driver which really succeeds in educating the riders about each species on display. For instance, I never knew that a herd of rhinos is known as a crash. This attraction is perfect for older kids and adults, but younger children may become a little restless due to the ride’s length of time. In the spring of 2007, the old railway is going to be replaced by a new and more modern transportation system.

Much of the Wild Animal Park’s charm comes from the over 3,500 plant species on display along with the Nairobi Village theme. Our visit was on a somewhat dreary day which made the Park seem like a rainforest with babbling brooks and misty walkways. The one exhibit that my daughter couldn’t get enough of was Lorikeet Landing. For two dollars, you can buy lorikeet food (nectar) and the colorful birds will actually land on you when you enter the atrium. From there, we saw another one of my daughter’s favorites, Lion Camp. This new attraction lets you see the lions from several different angles and also provides an up-close view when you approach the glass barrier, which is the only thing separating you from the king of beasts. I’m a big fan of carousels and the Conservation Carousel was one of the most unique that I’ve ever seen. Instead of horses, it featured many of the endangered animals that can be seen throughout the park. Our final attraction of the day was an Animal Encounter, where we got to experience a Caracal Cat up-close along with its trainer.

For a little bit more than the price of a one-day ticket, you can purchase one of several packages that allow you to become a member of the Zoological Society of San Diego. As a member, you get such benefits as unlimited visits to the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park for one year, a ZOONOOZ magazine subscription, a membership card, and monthly member specials featuring discounts on food and merchandise. Since The Wild Animal Park is operated by a non-profit organization, a visit to the gift store not only gets you some really cool stuff, but also allows you to contribute to a worthwhile cause. This was the first of many visits that my daughter and I intend on making to the Park over the next year. Hopefully, on your next trek through Southern California, you take the time to experience the San Diego Wild Animal Park for yourself.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Michael A. Stazko is a Frisco TX real estate agent and founder of a website that provides infortmation on Escondido CA real estate and attractions.  Visit his website to see pictures of his trip to the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

There were two broad classes of Tuscan water fountains known in the fifteenth century: the freestanding or “isolated” type, designed for the center of a piazza, court, or garden; and the “engaged” or wall foun¬tain, placed against a wall at the end of a square or courtyard.

The only example of a Florentine wall fountain from this period is the handsome structure of pietra serena in the court of the Palazzo Orlandini, now the property of the Banca del Monte dei Paschi. This consists of a single niche crowned by an arch and framed by classical pilasters, the water falling from an ornamental spout within the recess into a basin placed at its foot.

Structures similar to wall fountains, known as lavabos, abound in Florentine churches and monasteries. These, although supplied with running water, are not true fountains; for the water, controlled by a tap, is turned on only when needed, not utilized for continuous display. The lavabo was a lava¬tory at which the celebrant washed his hands before consecrating the host. Consequently the basin was placed much higher than in the true wall fountain. The lavabo had its secular counterpart in the acquaio or lavatory of the private palace.

Few isolated fountains of the fifteenth century have been preserved intact. Museums and private collections contain scattered basins and figures in the style of the Florentine Quattrocento, pierced for the passage of water. With the help of contemporary Italian engravings, paintings, and drawings in which fountains are represented, we can recon¬struct the most common forms. From the small size of both statues and basins, it is evident that they were intended for private courts or gardens.

The Florentine fountain figures that survive from that period are mainly variations on the popular theme of the putto. However, repre¬sentations of fountains in contemporary Italian art indicate that a wide range of subjects, generally based upon classical prototypes, was known in the Quattrocento.

A jet of water was usually connected in some way with the statue. At times it fell from some accessory held by the figure, trickling from an urn or spouting from a fish or dolphin. Often it issued directly from the human figure in motifs scarcely acceptable to modern taste, but very popular in the Renaissance. See a selection based on Tuscan styles here: http://www.garden-fountains.com

In wall fountains and lavabos, sculptors simply adapted the forms of contemporary altarpieces and wall tombs. With freestanding fountains, however, they had to face new challenges. Chief of these was the necessity for a 360-degree treatment of figures. In most of the sculpture produced in the Quattrocento this problem did not arise, since freestanding figures of that period were usually given an architectural background, or set within a niche, where a frontal treatment sufficed. A statue decorating the summit of an isolated fountain, in the center of a court or garden, was another matter. It was approached from various angles, and called for a more complex handling which would make it in¬teresting from many points of view. This was a difficult technical problem, and was not solved at a single stroke. Rather, the skill apparently evolved over time, as evidenced in the surviving statuary from that period.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Elizabeth Jean writes water fountain and related articles for Garden-Fountains.com, the #1 destination for wall fountains and Distinctive Water Features.

The town of Huddersfield lies among hills, moorland and 300 million year old river valleys carved out by ancient tropical river deltas and glaciers. The steep green uplands skirting it to the South continue further on to become the Peak District while the coal rich land to the East tilts gently away towards the sea. Much of the land around Huddersfield rises to between 200 and 400m above mean sea level and the hills around the Holme Valley to the South and West of Huddersfield are among the prettiest to be seen in England.

Huddersfield is situated equidistantly between the cities of Manchester to the West, Leeds to the North and Sheffield to the South and is easily accessible from the M62 or the M1 motorways making it a great strategic stopover. However, the town and surrounding area has much to recommend it and is well worth a few days exploration.

History
Huddersfield gets a mention in the Doomsday book (Oderesfelt). Before the Norman invasion it was a small Saxon market town and the area is thought to have been continuously settled for at least 4,000 years. One place to view the full story of Huddersfield’s evolution from the Neolithic to the modern past is at the Tolson Museum just outside the town centre.

At Almondbury, a mile to the South East of the town are situated the remains of one of England’s most important Iron Age settlements, sharing a hill with the town’s most recognisable landmark, the Victoria Tower at Castle Hill – built to mark the late queen’s 60th year of ascendancy. The hill is an important historical focus for Huddersfield. The Saxons had a royal court in Almondbury and in the reign of King Stephen a castle was built there (hence Castle Hill) but this was demolished in the 14th century. The hill has the status of Scheduled Ancient Monument and from its summit can be gained fine views of the surrounding countryside.

Architecture
Huddersfield is famous for both the number and quality of its listed buildings and has some truly outstanding examples of Georgian and Victorian architecture. Its railway façade has been described by architectural historian Nicolas Pevsner as ‘the best neoclassical station façade in Europe’. At Horbury, some 9 miles outside Huddersfield lies the 18th century church of St Peter and St Leonard – recognised as being the finest Georgian church in West Yorkshire.

Even some of the town’s more modern and controversial buildings have their fans: Adrian Evans, Architect and lecturer at Leeds Metropolitan University believes the modern Market Hall, built in the late 1960’s, to be at least as significant architecturally as the station. Be warned though, others have called it plain, shabby and unexciting.

Industrial Heritage
The industrial revolution initiated Huddersfield’s transformation into a textile powerhouse, and that Georgian and Victorian legacy is still very evident today in the buildings, canals and old workings that make the town such a valuable historical resource. The Colne Valley Museum in Golcar, just outside Huddersfield is worth a visit to get a flavour of what life was like in the early Victorian, industrial heartlands of Northern Britain.

One industrial heritage must-see during your stay in Huddersfield is the 18/19th century Standedge canal tunnel near Marsden, some 7 miles outside the town centre. This tunnel, completed by Thomas Telford in 1811, is the highest (645 feet above sea level), deepest (638 feet under the surface) and longest (three and a quarter miles) canal tunnel in the country. It took 16 years to build, claiming many lives in the process. There is a full visitor centre there and from April to October you can experience the tunnel for yourself in a glass topped boat. The tunnel was reopened in 2001 after 50 years of neglect.

At Overton, some 7 miles outside Huddersfield, you can visit the National Coal Mining Museum, built around the former Caphouse Colliery which closed in 1985 and was superbly restored with heritage funding. There you can descend 450 feet into a real mine or discover the restored mining buildings, and the museum proper. The National Coal Mining museum will give you a real insight into Britain’s recent industrial heritage and the working lives of those who mined for coal here.

The Holme Valley
Some 6 miles South of the centre lies Holmfirth, the picturesque heart of the Holme Valley and stunning backdrop to the much loved television series ‘Last of the Summer Wine’. The BBC still films the series around the town and tour buses running out of Holmfirth can take you on an intimate journey around some of the best known locations from the series.

From Holmfirth and surrounding villages you can walk out onto the Moors or traverse the many trails that criss cross the area. Huddersfield is a veritable Mecca for walkers.

Country Parks and Houses
For those who prefer the relaxation offered by country parks and houses, the area around Huddersfield has an abundance. Try the 16th century Oakwell Hall and its 100 acre country park at Birstall, some 8 miles outside the town and a favourite haunt of Charlotte Bronte; or Longley Old Hall near the town centre, an architectural treasure trove of 14th century origins and later Elizabethan addtions.

How about another of Charlotte Bronte’s favourite places – the Red House at Gomersal, some 7 miles from Huddersfield; or the ancient Shibden Hall and its 90 acre park near Halifax built in the early 15th century and featuring rooms furnished from the 17th to 19th centuries. Other places guaranteed to excite you are the Georgian Cannon Hall & Country Park at Cawthorne featuring fantastic 18th century walled gardens, a museum and a wonderful farm where you are free to feed the many animals; and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and visitor centre in West Bretton with 500 acres of lush parkland featuring figures by Henry Moore, Anthony Gormley and others.

Nights Out
For nights out in Huddersfield, how about the modern Lawrence Batley Theatre in Queens Square or the Cragrats Theatre in Holmfirth. Near the home of Huddersfield football and rugby teams, the Galpharm Stadium, you can find a multiplex cinema and ten pin bowling alley.

If clubbing is your scene then check out the many great clubs in Huddersfield including the Camel Club, Tokyo, Livingstones and Billie Rox.

Dining Out
There are many places to go for a fine dining experience in Huddersfield and the surrounding area. Try the contemporary Vanilla V1 Restaurant in Lindley or the CragRats Brasserie in Holmfirth. Book in advance for a treat at the Three Acres at Roydhouse near Shelley or try the wonderful Olive Branch in Marsden. How about the award winning Weavers Shed in Golcar? For great Yorkshire food you might also visit the Woodman Inn at Thunderbridge. However, don’t stop there, in Huddersfield town there are many other restaurants and bars to choose from. Those mentioned are just some of the best.

Whatever you decide to do in Huddersfield you’ll be glad you came.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Paul Theato runs and manages The Business Directory for Huddersfield Huddersfield Huddersfield Business Directory

Munich is the third largest city in Germany and is the capital of the State of Bavaria. The city is renowned worldwide for its famous annual beer festival named the Oktoberfest. The Isar River cuts though the city and contains most of the attractions on its left bank.

Travelling There
Flying is easy as the Franz-Josef-Strauss Airport connects Munich with many other European destinations. The journey to the city centre is approximately forty minutes and can be made by train or car. The city’s rail links are excellent and connects to most major German and European cities. Road links within and around the city are also good and are cheaper than the rail service.

Accommodation Options
Accommodation options in Munich are vast and prices decrease towards the outskirts of the city. The busiest season in Munich is between October and May so be sure to book any accommodation well in advance. There are types of accommodation for all from hotels to bed and breakfasts, inns, hostels and campsites.

History
Over the years since Munich was first founded in the 12th century, it has grown in the reputation of being both cultural and artistic. National Socialism developed in Munich following the First World War. The city then got struck heavily during World War Two and has since had the damage repaired and had become a modern metropolis.

Sights and Attractions
Munich’s old town (known as the Altstadt) is a popular sightseeing attraction. Stroll through it towards the beautiful square (Marienplatz) and through the lanes that contain some impressive cultural and historic features. The Westend of Munich is a much more modern experience. This is the area where the Oktoberfest is held and is a great laugh for any party enthusiasts. Schwabing is home to Europe’s largest park where there is plenty to do and see.

Shopping in Munich
Munich has excellent shopping opportunities where you can pick up a variety of designer goods as well as traditional Bavarian handicrafts. There are piles of shopping malls and areas all over the city so you will never find yourself wanting more.

Dining Options
Munich has a great selection of places to eat out at ranging from restaurants to bistros, bars and takeaways. It is easy to find both traditional and international cuisine at the majority of restaurants. However, be sure to get cash out prior to eating as most restaurants in the city do not accept credit.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Dan writes for hirecars.co.uk and recently finished this article tourist guide to Munich from Budget car hire specialist Dan also works at selfcatering.co.uk The vacation House rental comparator