A Couple Fresh Ways To Expand Your Cultural Scope

Maybe we don’t always realize it, but all around us are ways to turn into a more culturally aware person. There is more than just local movie theaters, sports games, and group restaurants in your neighborhood.

One of the easiest approaches to experience a foreign sort of culture is through music. Sorts of music particularly belong to each era and are forgotten by most of the age group that comes after. By buying classic vinyl records or CDs from your community record location, you can understand the previous age group yourself. The way of listening to music will be unlike anything being experienced today. Being transported to a different era can be as easy as setting on a Rolling Stones vinyl record.

Galleries and museums are packed with the art culture you may be really lacking. Every museum has its specialty and its own compilation of unique art, so you can go to every museum and gallery in the area and never get bored. Your art encounter can be bettered by taking part in one of many tours and seeing exhibits in a museum.

You can pick from many Pulitzer Prize winning books to read. This prize is given to the very best literary works, so it’s doubtful that you won’t enjoy the time you spend with the book. Nearly every genre you can think of-fiction, non-fiction, journalism, poetry, drama, history, or biography-gets presented a Pulitzer Prize, so you can usually find something to read.

Experience local theater for yourself. See something very fresh instead of a presentation of a show that you are already accustomed to. You get double cultural points if you choose to see a community program that was written by a local personality put on by a small theater group.

Go to a restaurant that you are completely unaccustomed to. Trying a new ethnic restaurant is sure to be more exciting than going to the tried and true chain restaurant. A restaurant that is out of the mainstream may also be an exciting use of your night. Tasty, unfamiliar restaurants may be listed in the local newspaper. Starting there is definitely going to get you some fantastic results.

No matter what you decide to do, whether it is to listen to your classic vinyl record from the comfort of your residence or to go take in the art scene, at least you are constantly striving to be a more well-rounded person. And that is more than most people can state.

Luxury Hotels in Germany – Top 5 Hotels Recommended

Germany has a unique blend of historical landmarks, magnificent old towns, amazing landscapes and trendy modern city life. There are numerous luxury hotels in Germany, most of which are centred in popular tourist cities like Berlin, Hamburg and others.

Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg

True to its name, the Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg is certainly a magnificent, grand building, located on a beautiful, quiet hilltop in Bensberg, Cologne. This luxury hotel makes a great getaway from the bustling city life, with pampering services like its first-class Beauty & Spa, its 3 Michelin-star restaurant Vendome, and many more.

The hotel’s 120 spacious rooms and suites are very classy and elegantly furnished, with modern amenities for the best comfort. With more amenities life well-stocked business centre, the hotel can also accommodate the business guest.

Excelsior Hotel Ernst

Being a grand landmark in Cologne, the Excelsior Hotel Ernst has stood in the heart of the city centre since 1863, hosting many VIP guests. The world-class luxury hotel boasts its magnificent traditional interior and antique furnishings and artworks.

Each of the 142 rooms and suites are tastefully decorated, equipped with first-class luxury amenities. The hotel has some famous restaurants, a classic Piano Bar, a fitness hub, and refreshing spa treatments, among lots of more facilities.

Gastwerk Hote

The Gastwerk Hotel in Hamburg is an establishment of impressive architecture and interior. The luxurious hotel is nestled only minutes away from Hamburg City and Ottensen, with an array of dining spots, pubs, shopping, entertainment and destinations.

The 141 rooms and suites are incredibly spacious, comfortable and beautifully furnished and decorated, equipped with modern amenities. The hotel also has top-notch meeting and conference rooms, a highly-acclaimed restaurant, a luxurious spa and other facilities and services.

Villa Kennedy

The Villa Kennedy is a remarkably classy, luxurious hotel, conveniently located in the financial centre of Frankfurt. This high-end business hotel occupies a refurbished historic building and is easily accessible to many museums, restaurants and bars.

The 163 rooms and suites are very luxuriously furnished of contemporary design. Each room is also equipped with first-class amenities. Housed in the hotel is the elegant Restaurant Gusto, the comfortable JFK’s Bar & Lounge, a spa and fitness centre, business and meeting facilities, and more.

Sofitel Hamburg Alter Wall

Set in the heart of Hamburg city is the first-class Sofitel Hamburg Alter Wall hotel, easily accessible by public transport. The luxury hotel boasts a very modern, geometric design, and has wonderful views over the Alster river.

Each of the 241 rooms and suites are tastefully furnished and impeccably luxurious with top-notch amenities. The hotel has a well-equipped business centre, a spa with a sauna, steam room, and indoor pool, a French bistro and an elegant fine dining restaurant, amongst many other facilities.

Germany has numerous luxury hotels of extreme comfort and hospitable service, scattered around the country. Many noted hotels here are equipped with expected up-to-date amenities and facilities, appropriate for both business and pleasure guests.

Train Travel Italy – A Great Way to Get Around

If you are planning a trip to Italy, or anywhere in Europe for that matter, you should consider taking a train. Train in travel Italy is fast, economical, clean, and efficient, allowing you to see the countryside while getting from one location to another. Most Trains take you directly from city center to city center delivering you close to the sites as well as lodging and dining spots. You won’t need to fight local traffic (a really horrible experience for most) or waist time at airports.

A great side benefit is meeting the locals. Italians are a warm, expressive people and they love to their towns, regions, and country very much. You will get great tips on places to eat and sites to see on your trip. You can even practice up on your Italian. If you would rather, just sit back and enjoy the Italian countryside while you travel between your vacation sites.

Train travel is very easy if you know just a few important things:

• Plan your vacation and determine whether you need individual tickets or one of the various flex-passes available for Italy train travel. Once you know what your best value is you can purchase your tickets from the ticket window, the ticket kiosk, online at Trenitalia, or through your travel agent (where there will be a handling charge)

• Before you board your train, validate your ticket. Un-validated tickets can lead to stiff penalties. Validation is fast and easy. Look for the yellow box at the track and place the end of your ticket into the slot provided. Your ticket will be stamped with the time and date, presto, your ticket is validated, board your train and relax

• Trains are widely used in Italy and can get crowded during commute time. Travel off peak where possible and when possible reserve your seat

• As with anywhere in the world, watch your wallet and baggage. There is no need to be paranoid, just be conscious of your surroundings. We use money belts for our passports, credit cards, and cash reserves. To make travel easier we all travel with one bag and a carry on

Most stations are located in the center of town with lodgings close by. There are also baggage lockers in larger stations and baggage checks in all to make day tripping or finding a hotel easier. You can safely leave your bag at the station and wander until you are ready to go to your hotel.

When planning whether to use the train or a rental (or leased) car decide what your travel goals are. Trains are great for hitting towns but will force you to take tours to reach the events in the smaller communities and countryside. On the train you will not worry about parking costs or fighting traffic, but you will be on someone else’s schedule and routes. A train will cost more for families (each having to buy a ticket versus all sharing in the cost of the car). You really need to match your travel needs with the style of travel you prefer.

So whether you are a seasoned traveler, or on your first adventure to Italy, trains are a great way to get around. As stated above, trains are economical (about $55 from Rome to Venice), fast (4h30m to travel the 330 miles), relaxing and fun.

Ciao