Few weeks ago I visited Svartholma. It is 15 minutes by boat from Valco, Loviisa. It was an old place where you can see old canyons. It was actually an old military place used long time ago. History remains and people are trying to preserve it.
Last weekend we went to Särkjärventie lake, few minutes away from the city. The weather was so beautiful as so as the lake. It was so nice being there enjoying the hot sunshine. And the warm water that makes you want to swim. It was so nice being away from the busy city for awhile. You know time to relax your body and mind just enjoying looking around the beautiful beauty of nature. I am a type of person who loves to see trees around rather than big buildings. I love nature places. I love lakes, seas, mountains, etc. They are a perfect place to relax.
The Association of Samba Schools in Finland (ASSF) is an umbrella organization uniting all Finnish samba schools, whose purpose is to promote samba in Finland.
The main event organized by ASSF is the annual Helsinki Samba Carnaval - a Rio de Janeiro style street carnival right in the center of Helsinki, the capital of Finland. The first carnival organized by ASSF took place in 1991 in the city of Turku, but since 1993 the event has been organized in Helsinki every summer. On carnival Saturday in June every year, the streets of Helsinki are filled with dancers and drummers presenting their samba in colorful fantasias as tens of thousands of spectators enjoy the show!
I was blessed to be able to witnessed the carnival. It was held on my birthday (June 11) so for me that day was amazing and full of fun. Here are some photos of the events.
The main event organized by ASSF is the annual Helsinki Samba Carnaval - a Rio de Janeiro style street carnival right in the center of Helsinki, the capital of Finland. The first carnival organized by ASSF took place in 1991 in the city of Turku, but since 1993 the event has been organized in Helsinki every summer. On carnival Saturday in June every year, the streets of Helsinki are filled with dancers and drummers presenting their samba in colorful fantasias as tens of thousands of spectators enjoy the show!
I was blessed to be able to witnessed the carnival. It was held on my birthday (June 11) so for me that day was amazing and full of fun. Here are some photos of the events.
For more information visit this website.
P.S. I have so many photos but i just choose few to post here. I hope you like them.
Turkey's West coast is full of picturesque resort towns, offering visitors both a vibrant nightlife
and some great historical sites. Although most American tourists spend most of their vacation
time in Istanbul, few are aware of the hidden gems on the West coast. Don’t get me wrong,
Istanbul is one of my favorite cities. You can really find anything you are looking for in this
thriving metropolis: amazing Anatolian cuisine, modern, chic cafes and bars, and some of the
most hospitable people in the world. I would recommend staying in Istanbul for four or five
days. You will definitely have to go back again to explore the rest of city. However, after five
days, you may want to get out of hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the resort towns before
you leave the country. Here are some must dos in both Istanbul and Olympos, one of my
favorite cities bordering the Mediterranean. You can call this an itinerary, lacking a bit of detail.
Happy travels, or Iyi yolculuklar (as you would say in Turkish)!
Istanbul
Sultanahmet (Old Istanbul): This area holds some of Istanbul's most prized historical treasures.
Be sure to check out the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar.
Try to do all of these in a day, as this disctrict is very touristy. With the large number of tourists,
food and drink can be pretty expensive here!
Taksim Square and Beyoglu: Be sure to take a stroll on Istiklal Caddesi, one of the most
cosmopolitan streets and centers in Istanbul. Try some Turkish liquor called Raki and some
seafood appetizers (mezzes) at Cicek Pasaji (Flower passage), located in the center of Istiklal
Caddesi. Beyoglu also hosts some of the best museums in the region. Two of my favorites are
the Istanbul Modern (an art museum) and Pera Muzesi (a history and art museum).
Bebek: Bebek is one of the richest neighborhoods on the European side of Istanbul. The
neighborhood has beautiful cafes and bars, with breathtaking views of the Bosphorous! Another
great neighborhood, which is a must see in Istanbul, is Nisantasi.
Fish Market on the Asian Side: Take a ferry from Europe to Asia, and try out some restaurants
close to the Balik Pazari (fish market). If you are a seafood lover, Turkish calamari (kalamar)
and the catch of the day/season will never disappoint!
Antalya
Ok, once you see and do those activities in Istanbul, take a bus or plane to Antalya! Turkish
buses are reasonably priced and can be more luxurious than actual airplanes. However, the travel
time by bus from Istanbul to Antalya can be long, anywhere from 5-7 hours (depending on
number of stops). My favorite bus companies are Kamil Koc or Ulusoy, and tickets are usually
less than 40 dollars each way. Once you get to Antalya, check out the kale (old castle) and the
main city center, or downtown. This should take about half a day. Then take the next bus to
Olympos, which is about an hour and a half outside the city.
In Olympos, you will find old ruins from the Roman Empire, beautiful views of the
Mediterranean, delicious fish restaurants and a great nightlife in the summertime. All of this is in
a concentrated area, so your hotel concierge can give you more details, if necessary.
Bon Voyage, and enjoy your time in Turkey!
Guest Blogger: Alvina Lopez
is a freelance writer and blog junkie, who blogs about accredited online degrees.
She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alvina.lopez @gmail.com.
and some great historical sites. Although most American tourists spend most of their vacation
time in Istanbul, few are aware of the hidden gems on the West coast. Don’t get me wrong,
Istanbul is one of my favorite cities. You can really find anything you are looking for in this
thriving metropolis: amazing Anatolian cuisine, modern, chic cafes and bars, and some of the
most hospitable people in the world. I would recommend staying in Istanbul for four or five
days. You will definitely have to go back again to explore the rest of city. However, after five
days, you may want to get out of hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the resort towns before
you leave the country. Here are some must dos in both Istanbul and Olympos, one of my
favorite cities bordering the Mediterranean. You can call this an itinerary, lacking a bit of detail.
Happy travels, or Iyi yolculuklar (as you would say in Turkish)!
Istanbul
Sultanahmet (Old Istanbul): This area holds some of Istanbul's most prized historical treasures.
Be sure to check out the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar.
Try to do all of these in a day, as this disctrict is very touristy. With the large number of tourists,
food and drink can be pretty expensive here!
Taksim Square and Beyoglu: Be sure to take a stroll on Istiklal Caddesi, one of the most
cosmopolitan streets and centers in Istanbul. Try some Turkish liquor called Raki and some
seafood appetizers (mezzes) at Cicek Pasaji (Flower passage), located in the center of Istiklal
Caddesi. Beyoglu also hosts some of the best museums in the region. Two of my favorites are
the Istanbul Modern (an art museum) and Pera Muzesi (a history and art museum).
Bebek: Bebek is one of the richest neighborhoods on the European side of Istanbul. The
neighborhood has beautiful cafes and bars, with breathtaking views of the Bosphorous! Another
great neighborhood, which is a must see in Istanbul, is Nisantasi.
Fish Market on the Asian Side: Take a ferry from Europe to Asia, and try out some restaurants
close to the Balik Pazari (fish market). If you are a seafood lover, Turkish calamari (kalamar)
and the catch of the day/season will never disappoint!
Antalya
Ok, once you see and do those activities in Istanbul, take a bus or plane to Antalya! Turkish
buses are reasonably priced and can be more luxurious than actual airplanes. However, the travel
time by bus from Istanbul to Antalya can be long, anywhere from 5-7 hours (depending on
number of stops). My favorite bus companies are Kamil Koc or Ulusoy, and tickets are usually
less than 40 dollars each way. Once you get to Antalya, check out the kale (old castle) and the
main city center, or downtown. This should take about half a day. Then take the next bus to
Olympos, which is about an hour and a half outside the city.
In Olympos, you will find old ruins from the Roman Empire, beautiful views of the
Mediterranean, delicious fish restaurants and a great nightlife in the summertime. All of this is in
a concentrated area, so your hotel concierge can give you more details, if necessary.
Bon Voyage, and enjoy your time in Turkey!
Guest Blogger: Alvina Lopez
is a freelance writer and blog junkie, who blogs about accredited online degrees.
She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alvina.lopez @gmail.com.
Australia is a land full of geographical wonders. There are destinations for every taste and budget, whether you are a type that likes cruises, backpacking or hotel accommodation each one of the destinations in Australia can suit your needs.
Tasmania
This large island is also referred to as The Apple Isle and it boasts several national parks, alpine wilderness, lavender and fruit farms, and amazing trout fishing. Taking a day or two to explore Tasmania and its offerings will delight any traveler. Hiking the Overland Trail is an excellent way to see some of the best natural wonders that Tasmania offers. Situated amid Lake St. Clair and Cradle Mountain, the trail takes hikers through dense rainforests, mountains, and highland moors. A trip to Port Arthur allows visitors an opportunity to see the site’s ancient stone ruins. Another great destination on Tasmania is Freycinet National Park, which has stunning vistas of pink granite protrusions, backed by the bright green sea.
Queensland
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest draw that brings visitors to Queensland, and is home to the world’s most spectacular colorful coral reef and interesting tropical sea life. The Whitsunday Islands are 74 uninhabited islands that line the reef, and are great places for snorkeling, water sports, and hiking adventures. Queensland is also home to the Daintree Rainforest, which is nearly 110 million years old, and makes for a great day outing. Another great site of interest is Lamington National Park, which is a mountainous rainforest and home to unique wildlife.
South Australia
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia, and offers visitors the best opportunity to sample the local wines in the region. Just outside of the city, big name labels such as Penfolds and Wolf Blass can be found, as well as several smaller vineyards that should not be missed. In this region, another amazing site is Kangaroo Island, south of the city. Here, visitors can commune with the native species of Australia, including kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, penguins, and sea lions.
Victoria
Melbourne is the capital of Victoria, and it is the second largest city on the country. Here is where travelers will find the most dynamic fashion industry and shopping opportunities. Visitors will want to take a trip to Phillip Island around dusk, when the infamous Penguin Parade occurs daily. There is no experience comparable to watching several hundred small penguins make a mad dash to the shore for their burrows. One of the Victoria areas most inspiring day trips is to hit the open road on Great Ocean Road, which travels 66 miles of the most beautiful coastline in Australia.
Western Australia
This area of the country is one of the least visited, thus it is one of the wildest and best-preserved places for visitors to get a feel of The Outback. Traveling here gives visitors an opportunity to experience Australia’s second barrier reef, Ningaloo Marine Park, which is one of the few reefs in the world that is located on a western coast. With over 160 miles of virtually untouched reef to explore, the scuba diving here is just as exceptional as it is on the Great Barrier Reef. Here, travelers can swim with manta rays, dolphins, and view whale sharks during their time of migration.
Visiting Australia doesn’t have to be expensive even if you are travelling from a great distance. There are cheap flights available for any destination you prefer.
Guest Blogger: Shawn Richards
Website: Australia Tour Travel
