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Il labirinto in Siracusa

November 19th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

The Siracusa B&B “Il Labirinto” arises in the heart of Ortigia Island, at the interchange between Via Dione, – a well known alleyway, holy to the ancient Greeks – Via Roma, Via Amalfitania and Via Maestranza leading to a stunning seafront.
The Island appears today as the result of innumerable ages’ superimpositions due to the continuous use of the same fabric of the city. Its baroque glamour can be seen through Via Delle Maestranze e Via Roma, characterized by the feature of luxurious façades of noble buildings inherited by the Aristocracy during the Spanish period. The B&B Il Labirinto is located into one of the neighbouring alleyways.
The B&B in Siracusa is about thirty metres from Archimede Square and its magnificent fountain named after “Diana”, the Greek divinity representing the Hunting Goddess. The area is considered by tourists one of the most favourite meeting point. It is situated within an easy walk to the Cathedral (the ancient Acropolis) and very close to Aretusa Spring where papyrus plants grow. In this area, just by the Big Sea Port over the glittering Mediterranean Sea, it is possible to admire one of the most striking sunset of Sicily.
The property, dates back to the 16th century and has been made out of an ancient building once belonged to a noble family, undergoing a refined work of restoration and it. It still keeps intact all the characteristics of the Sicilian houses at that time. The surrounded area is quiet although pubs and all sorts of attractions are very easy to find.
The rooms are well structured and furnished with extreme care. Equipped with private bathroom provided with hairdryer and showers; linkup sat TV; telephone; heating system and air conditioning.

A typical Mediterranean Breakfast can be enjoyed either in the breakfast room on the top floor, under a gazebo or even in a relaxing atmosphere of a cosy and verdant terrace, served by our attentive staff. A customer care service is offered to anyone who needs information or assistance on cultural visits. Besides, during the summer season, it is possible to do boat excursions, run directly by the property. The sea is within reach. There is a tiny sandy beach past the Aretusa Spring and a cliff provided with cat-walk leading directly to the sea from where most of the tourists love diving. An extraordinary landscape!

Public Utilities: Post Office, Banks, newspaper shop, bookstore, tobacconist’s shop, restaurants, boutiques, beauty centre and movie theatre.

How to reach us
Coming from Catania: follow the signs leading to Siracusa South; at the ring road turn left and keep going straight ahead. Having passed by the railroad station, reach for Morconi Square; then follow the sign to “ ORTIGIA”. Reach for Via Malta where a bridge ( Ponte Umberto) connects the City to the Island. Cross the bridge and keep walking all the way down to Archimede Square. Get into Via Maestranza and on your right you will find the Sign B&B Il Labirinto***.

Comfortable 3 star Hotel on Ionian sea

November 19th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

A comfortable 3 star Club Village located in a Mediterranean Park on Ionian sea in Calabria between Crotone and Capo Rizzuto Protected Marine Area.
Opened all year round.
Equipped with every comfort and everything you need to have a fantastic vacation in Calabria: two restaurants, a wood oven pizzeria and grill in the garden front of the sea, two swimming pools, 4 bars, one beachside and one at the swimming pool garden, wine bar, TV lounge, nursery, baby feeding room, tennis courts, mini soccer courts, fitness, wellness, mini club, outdoor playground, horseriding in the nearby.
Club Village rooms are air conditioned, as well as common areas, rooms have satellite tv, direct call telephone, fridge, hairdryer, and balcony with a view of the sea, or garden.
Our chefs prepare regional recipes of the coast and the inland using quality ingredients, fresh fishes and products of local agriculture and breeding, revitalizing with creativity traditional flavours.
At Club Village lunch and dinner buffet, with mineralized water and local wine.
At the Club Village once a week a ‘Calabrese Dinner’ with typical food, and a ‘Festa Paesana’ with dances and games.
A private beach of fine red sand, equipped with cabins, umbrellas and shorebeds, is just 300 meters from the hotel, after the road.
A mini bus service between hotel and shore helps those doesn’t want to take a little walk.
In Summer an entertaining staff takes care of guests, with several kind of activities: sport, dance lessons, music, shows, parties, games, cabaret.
A mini club for 4 to 12 years old guests.
Welness club with massages, olistic therapies, and a fitness centre.
Many possible tours: wine and gastronomy, cultural, sea and mountain.
Big Game Fishing, sail, underwater activities in the Capo Rizzuto Marine Area.
Stages of Mediterranean cooking, various levels of sommelier lessons.
In September the harvest at Cirò.
Inland and coast are full of historic places to visit: the temple of Hera Lacinia in Capo Colonna, the XIII Castle in Le Castella, Santa Severina.
The favourable geographic position is the best from where to start to discover the territory: Sila National Park, Capo Rizzuto Protected Marine Area.
During May in the province take places The Aurora Festival, a music festivals that ends with a concert for orchestra at dawn in front of the sea in Capo Colonna.
Sports: 2 swimming pools, tennis courts, mini-soccer courts, windsurf, fitness centre.
Structures and Activities: private beach, 900 seats amphitheatre, disco, miniclub, nursery, babyfeeding room, outdoor playgrounds, entertaining staff, parking, front-office 24 four hours.

To pay: Baby sitting, horse-riding, fitness centre, tours.
Wellbeing treatments and massages, fishing.
Baby 0-3 years bed free, free little bed, meals from the menu.
Pets admitted -10€ per day
Congress services.
Meeting rooms from 10 to 400 seats.

For an unforgettable stay in Florence

November 18th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

For an unforgettable stay in Florence, our Florence Bed and Breakfast provides the romantic atmosphere of a beautiful and comfortable apartment situated close to the historic centre.
Access from the motorway is simple and we are only a few minutes away from the airport and railway station.
The position is ideal for whoever visits Florence.
in fact it is well connected to the historic centre by bus which arrives directly to the Stazione Centrale de SMN (Central Station) , to the Duomo, the Pala-Congressi and to the Fortezza da Basso - some of the most important places in the city.
Our particular location means that you don’t have to endure the all the difficulties of the historic centre such as the traffic limit zone and the difficulty of finding a parking close to the central zone close to Santa Maria Novella station, al Palaffari (around 5 minutes away) and the airport (around 4 minutes).
All the rooms are quiet, large and bright.
Some also have a terrace.
The recently completed restoration has provided each bedroom with:

Private complete bathroom en-suite with shower and hair dryer
Set of towels and soaps
Central heating
Adjustable air conditioning
Small Fridge
Internet connection Wi-fi
Safe in room
Tea and coffee making facilities
Colour television
Those arriving by plane or train can be collected, if requested, from the station or airport by our taxi service, as well as taking you back after your stay.
This is an additional service.
Once you have arrived we will take care of everything with no timetable, as if you were in your own home.
On your request, we will provide you with tourist information and facilitate your stay.
We can reserve entry tickets for museums or shows, organize tours, guided visits of Florence and excursions to nearby towns such as Chianti or to Siena and San Giminiano.

Our Bed and Breakfast is situated in a beautiful area of Florence on Via di Novoli, one of the wider and best known streets of the city, on the 6th floor of a beautiful modern palace accessed via a lift.
The apartment is spacious, bright and from the window you can see a panoramic view of the north of the city and surrounding hills.
The position, adjacent to the historic centre and close to all the main monuments, is strategically positioned in that you can arrive anywhere in just a few minutes.
From the exit of the A11 motorway, North Florence (4 minutes by car)
From Florence airport ‘Vespucci’, Peretola (4 minutes by car)
From the central railway station (10 minutes by car or by the number 22 bus infront of the Bed and Breakfast)
From the exit of the superstrada FI-PI-LI (5 minutes by car)
From the Palazzo dei Congressi, of Fortezza da Basso (10 minutes by car or in the number 22 bus)
From the Duomo (12 minutes with the number 22 bus)
From the University Hospital Complex of Careggi (10 minutes by car or with the number 56 bus)
From the university campus of Sesto Fiorentino (12 minutes by car)

Comfortable 4 star Hotel on Ionian sea

November 17th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

A comfortable 4 star Hotel located in a Mediterranean Park on Ionian sea in Calabria between Crotone and Capo Rizzuto Protected Marine Area.
Opened all year round.
Equipped with every comfort and everything you need to have a fantastic vacation: two restaurants, a wood oven pizzeria and grill in the garden front of the sea, two swimming pools, 4 bars, one beachside and one at the swimming pool garden, wine bar, TV lounge, nursery, baby feeding room, tennis courts, mini soccer courts, fitness, wellness, mini club, outdoor playground, horseriding in the nearby.
Wonderful Calabria Hotel: Hotel rooms are air conditioned, as well as common areas, rooms have satellite tv, direct call telephone, fridge, hairdryer, and balcony with a view of the sea, or garden.
Our chefs prepare regional recipes of the coast and the inland using quality ingredients, fresh fishes and products of local agriculture and breeding, revitalizing with creativity traditional flavours.
In the Hotel restaurant ‘Le Ninfee’, choice from the menu and table service.
A private beach of fine red sand, equipped with cabins, umbrellas and shorebeds, is just 300 meters from the hotel, after the road.
A mini bus service between hotel and shore helps those doesn’t want to take a little walk.
In Summer an entertaining staff takes care of guests, with several kind of activities: sport, dance lessons, music, shows, parties, games, cabaret.
A mini club for 4 to 12 years old guests.
Welness club with massages, olistic therapies, and a fitness centre.
Many possible tours: wine and gastronomy, cultural, sea and mountain.
Big Game Fishing, sail, underwater activities in the Capo Rizzuto Marine Area.
Stages of Mediterranean cooking, various levels of sommelier lessons.
In September the harvest at Cirò.
Inland and coast are full of historic places to visit in Calabria: the temple of Hera Lacinia in Capo Colonna, the XIII Castle in Le Castella, Santa Severina.
The favourable geographic position is the best from where to start to discover the territory: Sila National Park, Capo Rizzuto Protected Marine Area.
During May in the province take places The Aurora Festival, a music festivals that ends with a concert for orchestra at dawn in front of the sea in Capo Colonna.
Sports: 2 swimming pools, tennis courts, mini-soccer courts, windsurf, fitness centre.
Structures and Activities: private beach, 900 seats amphitheatre, disco, miniclub, nursery, babyfeeding room, outdoor playgrounds, entertaining staff, parking, front-office 24 four hours.
To pay: Baby sitting, horse-riding, fitness centre, tours.
Wellbeing treatments and massages, fishing.

Baby 0-3 years bed free, free little bed, meals from the menu.
Pets admitted -10€ per day
Congress services.
Meeting rooms from 10 to 400 seats.

The Palace of Justice - Pretoria

November 16th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

When you feel settled in your place of accommodation in Pretoria, make sure to go to Pretoria’s Church Square to see one of Pretoria’s most elegant historical buildings. It is the Palace of Justice, on the northwest side of the Square. The building was built on the same site where the first house of Commander General Marthinus Wessel Pretorius stood earlier. The cornerstone of the Palace of Justice was officially laid on 8 June 1879, by the then State President, Paul Kruger.

 

The majestic building was designed in 1895 by the Dutch architect Sytze Wierda in typical Italian Renaissance style. Just before Wierda came to South Africa, he was nominated as a member of the Royal Institute of Engineers in the Netherlands, on 8 November 1887. He arrived in South Africa in late November 1887, and without delay President Kruger appointed him to the two posts of Chief Engineer and Architect to the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR).

 

A prominent builder of that time, John Munro, laid the first stones of the building in 1896. The sandstone from Pretoria was found inappropriate, upon which sandstone had to be imported from Scotland and Germany. The sandstone was chiselled by hand to construct this impressive building. The construction period was from 1896 to 1899.

 

The outbreak of the Anglo Boer war in 1899 however halted the construction of the building and it was turned into a hospital for British soldiers. It became known as the “Irish Hospital”. At the end of the Anglo Boer war in 1902, the building could finally be completed and used for its original purpose.

 

The Palace cost around 115260 British pound, of which a large amount was spent on the elegant pillars, balcony rail, and glass dome in the lofty entrance hall.

 

Several high profile cases were held here, including the well known Rivonia trial of Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners in 1964. It was during this trial that Nelson Mandela was sent to life imprisonment.

 

Today the building is the headquarters of the Gauteng Provincial Division of the Supreme Court. It is used to hear high-profile criminal cases. The building houses numerous offices, meeting rooms, libraries, holding cells and three criminal courts.

 

The tower of this building is approximately twelve metres high and consists of a sink dome, supported by sandstone arches above four plastered brick pillars. The walls show off interesting balustrades of hand carved sandstone. The black and red floor tiles and the giant chandelier round off the grandiose interior.

Between 1993 and 2002, the building underwent massive restoration work, which cost around 40 million Rand. The entire interior was renovated, except for the holding cells underground where Nelson Mandela was kept during the trial. On the walls in the cell, one can still read some of the old messages left by the prisoners who were part of the Rivonia Trial. Messages by other political prisoners can also be seen on the walls.

 

When in Pretoria, make sure you find comfortable accommodation. And then make sure you go see this graceful Palace of Justice.

Pretoria - The Jacaranda City

November 15th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

 

You are in the right place if you are in search for spectacular accommodation in Pretoria. The Jacaranda City is the name by which Pretoria is familiarly known, because of the spectacular show of Jacaranda during October and November. When entering Pretoria at the start of the summer season you are welcomed by the breathtaking purple display of thousands of Jacaranda blossoms.

 

Yet, how many of us know the story behind this attraction in Pretoria? In spite of popular belief, the Jacaranda is not native to Pretoria and South Africa, but to South America, and in particular to Brazil and Argentina. The Jacaranda is also found in Australia, Mexico and Zimbabwe.

 

In 1830, Baron von Ludwig, a Cape Town tobacconist, imported Jacaranda trees from Brazil to Cape Town. In 1888, a visiting horticulturalist from Cape Town by name of Tempelmann, imported two Jacaranda trees from Brazil and planted them in front of market-master Japie Celliers’ house, Myrtle Lodge, in Sunnyside. This house and garden now forms part of Sunnyside School at 146 Celliers Street.

 

In 1903, James Clarke, the then state horticulturalist, was assigned to cultivate trees for the State Nursery in Groenkloof. He ordered seed from Australia, and found that a packet of Jacaranda seed was accidentally included in the batch. Clarke then cultivated the seed and in 1906 donated a few of the trees to the municipality of Pretoria. These Jacaranda were planted in Bosman street and their display was so spectacular that it was decided to start with a big scale planting of Jacaranda. In due course, the Jacaranda became so popular and extensively planted that Pretoria became known as the Jacaranda City.

 

Different sources estimate the number of Jacaranda trees in Pretoria between 40 000 and 70 000 trees. An official guide to Pretoria stated in 1952 that 250 miles of streets in and around Pretoria were lined with Jacaranda.

 

A well-known tourist attraction is the less than 100 white Jacaranda that line Herbert Baker Street in the suburb Groenkloof. A white Jacaranda was found in a jungle of Peru in 1952. Cuttings were taken to California and one was implanted on a purple Jacaranda. The first white blossoms appeared in 1957. In 1961, the then South African director of parks, received one of these trees from Los Angeles, which he gave to the then mayor of Pretoria, Mr IR Bester.

 

The University of Pretoria holds a legend that if you are a student studying for your final year exams and a blossom falls on your head, you will pass with flying colours. In general, there is also a legend that the shade of the Jacaranda tree symbolises the maintenance of good order in the community.

 

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