Everyone in Amsterdam is "gay". Or so says the city advertising in the United States. It is the vision of joy, colorful people who enjoy around the canals of the Dutch capital. And as you may have already guessed, this is a play on words because "gay" in English means happy and playful. But advertising alluded to two very typical Amsterdam characteristics - Diversity and tolerance. No one here sees crookedly as different to look even a matter of honor to oddball.

However, this is the city that has become activities that are considered criminal offenses in many other countries, legally and in daily lives tourist goldmine.

Most Europeans and Americans come here to smoke weed of will and undisturbed washes to eyes (and not only) in the bare flesh on "Red Light." But Amsterdam is more than legalized soft drugs and legal prostitution and gay marriage.

Red Light

The city of canals is an architectural jewel with a unique charm and comfort, unique small local traditions, colorful nightlife with great types of beer and smiling, talkative, open and always ready to help the Dutch.

Place that can not pass is square "Dame." He's transport junction in the city center and here is the biggest tourist flow. Open space with lots of street performers, the Royal Palace, the museum "Madame Tussauds" and "Magna Plaza" - shiny mall.

My advice is as faster and less of going there because the place is captured very little of the authentic atmosphere of Amsterdam.

 Easily and quickly by "Dame" leads to the Square "New Marks". During the day you will hit the nose smell of raw fish because it is one of the most famous locations for the sale of fresh seafood.

The whole square, in whose center is typical Amsterdam market, there are restaurants exotic cuisine and Dutch cafes and bars. This is your place for coffee and beer. One of the small streets that leave from here is the so-called "China Town" where there are dozens of Asian food restaurants and massages salons - a compulsory stop on your stay.

Two other square, famous for its many and varied establishments, " Rembrandt" and "Lytse" Both are located south of the "New Brand", are equally alive, full of energy and sparkling nightlife. And if you are looking specifically coffeeshop, they are everywhere. Will orient the specific smell of weed is an omnipresent and permeated the walls of all the buildings in the center.

Locals claim it's fun selling mushrooms. This is the main reason to "hate the French - hallucinogenics they are no longer legal because of the many incidents of French tourists who fell in the canals after use.

Amsterdam city center is small and perfectly suited for long walks. Can not go wrong wherever you go on the streets around the main channels. Here just to see you that you have opened a tourist map and look for the signs on the streets, you will immediately find a Dutchman polite to ask if you need help. and if he does not know will stop another passerby to hold your hand and lead you where you're going.

 

You can explore Amsterdam by bike, but my advice is, if you are a good rider, you did not. Bicycle traffic is nightmarish.

Will only be stressful and nervous locals who rush to work or to a meeting. They do not recognize the rain, snow, wind and roll off the their bikes in the most bitter weather.

Commercial shopping street is "Culver" in the southern part of the center, close to the statutory flower market channel "singles". But I personally recommend you to go and channels "Prince", which is perhaps the most typical Amsterdam destination.

All in small shops for jewelry and nice galleries and many cafes and bars. Also do not miss the Saturday markets. Make sure you're in Amsterdam, so I can take weekend. Particularly picturesque are the markets, "Nord" and those on the streets, "Wester" and "Linden". All of them are located west of the Channel "Prince" in one of the best quarters "Jordan." It is very close to the center and at the same time away from the tourist hubbub. Quiet, charming, very Amsterdam, complete with authentic restaurants. Markets have them only on Saturday and are part of the mandatory local custom: shopping and then eat and libation in one of the restaurants around the colorful stalls. Cheeses, meats, fresh fruit and vegetables, cakes, flowers, clothes, shoes, jewelry, antiques, everything you can think of can be found here. And no clothes and vintage.  The whole charm is to walk between the busy and noisy stalls with bread with herring and onion in hand, to dig into piles of different widgets. Be sure that you will find a great treasure.

Speaking of food, the local claim that their typical dishes are slip and chips (not that they are not in the UK), nachos with various sauces (also Netherlands is not exactly their homeland) and biterbolen - small juicy meatballs. But the lack of specific local food is offset by the fact that in Amsterdam you can find any other cuisine, and very tasty prepared. Of course, everything has to be thoroughly sprinkled with beer - white, dark, alcoholic, Dutch, Belgian, German ...

I recommend the Museum Square. For convenience all the great and interesting museums here. Absolutely essential is that of Van Gogh. It is not only the richest collection of his paintings, but also exposure to artists of whom he influenced and who influenced. Here is the museum of the Dutch art "Reichs" where you will see many of the paintings of Rembrandt and Vermeer. And the curious thing - the museum of diamonds.

Barcelona

The town in which you forget where you come from and where you are going and willingly let yourself be discovered, rediscovered, painted, Flattered and ravaged by the throes of a typhoon, whose eyes are ... You.

There are two ways to write the first chapter of the adventure called Barcelona in their lives. The first and

Antoni Gaudí

most standard is to arm yourself with duty travel guide, to embark on the flow of people and absorb so much flavor of the most European city sex for a few days so that even after months discreetly will feel residues artistic erotica and the mysterious magic of the city that speaks with equal clarity with magical messages of Antoni Gaudí and modern strains of modern architecture. 


The second is to forget travel instructions and guides and to leave most faithful compass - heart. Barcelona is a witch who calls you and lures to "undress" everything you know about yourself, leave it to the joyful about Barceloneta beaches (coastal neighborhood streets) and to open your heart so wide as to allow miracles begin to happen to you at every corner. It is recommended that the first day of your stay does not begin with adventure Antoni Gaudi, because of the great Spanish architect who turned the town into a ghostly decor fantasy, you will not get any week or month or year. Gaudi opens and reveals a sip of portions of moans coveted. Visionary created the famous church "Sagrada Familia", and some of the most impressive buildings in Barcelona, ​​including Casa Batllo and Casa Mila, is haunted by bad serendipity throughout his life and at the end of his days meeting death street - where it draws its inspiration and restless. On June 6, 1926 and the opening of the tramway in Barcelona Antoni Gaudi was hit by the train and died at the hospital for the poor, because in the pockets of his clothes did not find any documents or money. Like a ghost from another dimension or as a fallen angel in my entire life Gaudi overcomes human being in itself, to lift the spirit. And succeeded - the church "Sagrada Familia" breathtaking thoughts and erase your memories and find grace in himself just to protect your innocence ....     

Casa Batllo

Church "Sagrada Familia"

Does not matter which of all possible routes you choose - whether traditional tourist attraction La Ramba, which is the oldest and longest medieval street in Europe and crosses the vast area of ​​the old part of town, or to immerse yourself in the artistic environment at the living and beating the rhythm of teenage hearts neighborhood El Born Barrio, or gather the courage to climb a 213-meter peak El Monjuic, who many centuries inhabited the Iberian Celts - anywhere you lurking unexpected adventures. Barcelona is like a mythical game that takes you where else your foot will not set foot - a little faded and had earned enough dust of time and frustrations of unfulfilled dreams and missed opportunities magical world. Where forget where you come from and where you are going and willingly let yourself be discovered, rediscovered, painted, Flattered and devastated, but the wind of a hurricane whose eye - You !

Hungary

Baroque and romantic in Hungarian capital

  

 

 

In Budapest, almost every building is an architectural landmark and every corner has a story. Although it was founded relatively recently - in the late XIX century, when it unites Buda, Pest and Óbuda, today two millionth city is home to 20 percent of the population of Hungary. However, it does not become a gnomish metropolis, and remains one of the greatest cultural centers of Europe. Almost all attractions are located around the river and the locals kindly destination for visitors to the city symbols. The more ambitious adventurers try to remember the names of Hungarian, which, believe me, is a hopeless task. Bet on good old map and that of the destination with your finger.  

In Pest each will first take you to view the magnificent and extremely beautiful Parliament building, one of the most impressive buildings in Budapest that bears the characteristics of the Renaissance era. Stops are required basilica "St. Istvan" and "St. Stephen." In contrast to many similar sites in Europe, here is permitted cameras.It is imperative to shoot in Heroes' Square with pompous colonnade and a 36-foot pole, crowned with a sculpture of the Archangel Gabriel. Immediately behind it is the city park with the castle "Vajdahunyad" that combines all the architectural styles in Hungary.On the opposite bank of the river - in Buddha's hill fortress that is the most romantic place in Budapest. Winding streets and old houses keep a Middle Ages mystery behind the splendor of its Gothic windows and arches. 
  
Only baroque elements remind of the reconstruction after the Turkish invasion.
In the southern part of the hill is the former royal palace and residence of archdukes. Ground part of the medieval building was destroyed during the war with the Turks, but in 1790 the palace was restored. During the Second World War the palace was burned to the ground and having the whole hard-to be repeated.

 It now houses the Museum of the History of  Budapest, the Hungarian National Gallery, the Museum of Contemporary Art and other cultural arts.

History museum

Another landmark is the Cathedral "Matthias" in the Gothic style, named in honor of the king, who twice wedded to it. The construction of the church lasted from the XIII century to the fifteenth century. Beauty is disarming!  Even the Turks conquered Buda in 1541, do not give them a heart to destroy the church, but whitewash the frescoes.

Fishing towers

 


Next to the temple in 1905 were built Fishing towers known by all flyers snow-white walls. Fort was built on the site of a medieval fish market, hence you have it. The towers can be seen throughout the city-view, particularly impressive when the evening thousand  lights  illuminate the bridges of Danube.

Residents of Budapest have a passion that brought them closer, if you like to Orient or ancient Rome. This is the bathroom. The city boasts over 123 public baths, which are visited less in order to maintain hygiene as a place for relaxation, socializing and entertainment.   

Rudas

The most famous are the " Rudas" at the foot of Gellért Hill, the bathroom in the hotel "Gellert" and the pool in sections where the water comes from a depth of 1,256 meters and its constant temperature is 72 degrees. Guests come here to admire the beautiful pavilions, decorated in baroque.

The traveler should be aware that the distances in Budapest are quite large, so it is best to travel by subway. It is in the Hungarian capital was built Europe's first subway station, which operates to this day and the card is marked with a yellow color. It's worth a ride on it, if only to admire the beautiful retro decoration stations preserved in their original form. But the real attractions, paraphrase Exupery is "seen only with the heart". Some of them look to the atmosphere of the evening Budapest. Favorite places to live in the city, similar to pubs where you can sit on a soft drink, but it can also book goulash or paprikash. Despite being home to the legendary Tokayi, Hungary firmly oriented beer. This is the most common drink and local brands are not bad.
As to Tokaji as is particularly desirable souvenir is important to know where the original beverage is required semi-dry and saturated amber color. In gift packaging offering famous Hungarian salami and national cake "Dobush" far more interesting than a magnetics for
fridge :)