CategoryDestinations

Bronze treasure of Southeast Asia – Bagan

Bagan, formerly known as Pagan is an ancient city in the state of Myanmar (until 1989 called Burma). It is located near the Irrawaddy River, the largest stream in Myanmar, and about 180 km southwest of Mandalay. Bagan has experienced many names, such as “Arid Place” or “Bronze Land”, which refers to the local extreme arid climate zone: Tadesse.

At the height of its glory, up to 10,000 temples

According to the Burmese chronicles, the city was founded in the 2nd century AD.
During its heyday, between the 9th and 13th centuries, Bagan was the capital of the Pagan Empire, which later united the areas belonging to modern Myanmar (Burma) and thus formed the first outlines of today’s state.

At that time, there were over 10,000 temples and about 2,200 have survived to the present day.
However, between the 14th and 18th centuries, people completely left this place. It was said that Bagan was ruled by evil spirits (Nata) and people were afraid to enter.
Only after the British came to the area did the Burmese slowly begin to return.

How best to discover over 2000 temples in an area of 42 km2? After all on a bike!

Probably the most authentic way to enjoy the charm of this place is to simply rent a bike and drive through Bagan. However, don’t expect an e-bike here. Rather, you will be driving through a reddish sandy landscape on something that will probably best resemble the old wheels of our grandfathers.
But the experience is worth it.

You will see magnificent temples like Ananda Pahto, or you can watch the sunset from the upper terrace at Pyathada Paya and when you long for peace and solitude you can always find your little temple in this vast place, where you will have a chance to discover that special peace of mind this magical place has to offer. Bagan sought to be inscribed on the UNESCO list for a long time and finally succeeded in 2019.

Resources:

https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagan_(Myanmar)

https://www.lidovky.cz/cestovani/bagan-spici-kraska-z-barmy-myanmaru-ktera-se-pomalu-probouzi.A140428_141710_ln-exotika_toe

North coast called Versilia. Suggestions, tips and attractions

If you plan to visit Tuscany, you should not miss Versilia. It is a relatively small area on the Tuscan coast, located in the northwest of Tuscany. The Versilia area includes the municipalities of Viareggio, Torre del Lago, Massarosa, Camaiore and the so-called “Versilia Storica”, consisting of four ancient municipalities: Forte dei Marmi, Pietrasanta, Seravezza, and Stazzema. This charming Italian region, enclosed by the sea and the Apuan Alps, hides many natural beauties.

Thanks to its strategic geographical position, the Versilia region is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It is well-known for its spa facilities and has become a popular destination for the summer holidays. Young people can enjoy the lively nightlife, and families with children appreciate the numerous excursions, cycling routes and, of course, great swimming opportunities. Below in the text, we present you with the best tips on what you can do in this region.

Relax on the beach

Enjoy relaxing on the beach. You can rent a beach hut or sun loungers for the whole day and enjoy a nice lunch in the restaurants. If you like wild and free beaches, we recommend Lecciona beach in Viareggio.

Shopping in Forte dei Marmi

Forte dei Marmi is a pleasant luxury seaside resort known throughout Italy and abroad for its boutiques, good restaurants, and bars. Every Wednesday morning, the rounded Piazza Marconi hosts the Forte dei Marmi market, where you can buy quality clothes and house utensils at great rates.

Take a walk through the artistic city of Pietrasanta

Pietrasanta is a beautiful city at the Apuan Alps’ foot, famous all over the world for its items made of marble and bronze. It’s also called Small Italian Athens because artists like Botero and Mitoraj decided to work and live there. You can find foundries, marble and mosaic workshops, art galleries, nice bars, and restaurants along its streets.

Learn more about the ancient Romans at the archaeological site

The archaeological area called Massaciuccoli Romana is situated to the east of Lake Massaciuccoli. You can discover there the world of ancient Romans under the supervision of experts and passionate archaeologists. You can even stop nearby for bird watching or take a walk along the wooden paths across the lake in the natural oasis of Massaciuccoli.

Go to the opera

If you like classical music, you can enjoy the Puccini Festival held at the Torre del Lago Open-Air Theatre on the opposite shore of the lake. The festival in honour of the great composer Giacomo Puccini, who spent most of his life there, takes place every July and August.

Hiking along Alpine trails

Discover the Apuan Alps with the highest peaks of Tuscany. The local nature park forms part of the global network of UNESCO geoparks. You can enjoy hiking along panoramic trails that lead to the mountains’ tops with breath-taking vistas of the sea.

Explore the underground of the Apuan Alps

Corchia is the largest complex of karst caves in Italy. A two-kilometre path takes you deep into the heart of the mountain, where you can admire beautiful stalactites – and it’s only a few kilometres from the beach.

Taste the traditional cuisine

Versilia is also known for its traditional food. As it is a coastal region, we recommend tasting seafood. Of course, there are many other dishes to enjoy, such as Tordelli (a type of ravioli stuffed with a mixture of different meats and herbs) or Scarpaccio (savoury vegetable pie).

Viareggio and the famous carnival

Viareggio is well-known not only for its beaches but also for its carnival. Every February, festivities are held along the seafront promenade, masks and confetti attract thousands of adults and children.

White marble quarries

If you drive along the coast, you will reach the city of Carrara, world-famous for its marble production and processing. You can visit the picturesque old town centre and admire the unique scenery of white marble quarries.

Medieval castles

The northern part of Tuscany, along its border with Liguria, is called Lunigiana and is well-known for its nature and the number of castles you can visit.

Nordic countries – where to go on a trip?

Do you want to go somewhere on an interesting trip, but do you like those classical and touristically frequented destinations? No Greece, Adriatic or Spain, but do you want to know other places? Try the Nordic countries who can offer a lot. We offer several interesting tourist sites, which are definitely worth a visit!

Martinique will delight exotic lovers

Martinique is a renowned Caribbean island, which falls under the administration of France and is part of the Small Antilles. Tourists will be especially interested in exotic scenery, offering first-class beaches. The official language is French, most of the local speakers also speak crestly (and do not expect trouble with English), of course the euro is the currency. The best holiday season is in the first half of the year, when the minimum rainfall falls, the rains are August and September.