Unesco World Heritage Site

Lyon, capital of gastronomy

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lyon
Lyon is a city in France somewhere between the major cities of Paris and Marseille. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its major landmarks and is also known as a gastronomic capital of France.

It is the home of cinematography which was developed there by the Lumiere brothers. The city is also home to the Festival of Lights. For those who like sport there is French Ligue 1 football in the Olympique Lyonnais club.

Some of the best sights in Lyon include the Pont Bonaparte, Pont Lafayette, Place Bellecour, Basilique de Notre Dame de Fourviere, Tour Metal, Saint Francis of Sales, Opera Nouvel, trompe d’oeil, African Museum of Lyon, and the Museum of Resistance and Deportation.

As a capital of gastronomy some important cuisine to the city includes the wine region. The Beaujolais and Cotes Du Rhone are important wines from the region. Charcuterie, saucisson de Lyon, coq au vin, gras double, marrons glaces, coussin de Lyon, and sabodet are some of the most famous dishes.

Some places to try the Lyonnais cuisine include the Archange, le Danton, Le Musee, and Glacier Terre Adelice.

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Amalfi, coastal love

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amalfi
The town of Amalfi is high in the mountains on the Italian coast in the province of Salerno. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and used to be a stomping ground for the British upper classes.

Main sights in Amalfi include the cathedral of Sant Andrea, the campanile, the convent of Cappuccini, Chiostro del Paradiso, and the Museum of handmade paper. Amalfi is rich in culture and is famous for its lemon liqueur Limonocello and high quality hand-made paper. Festivals held annual include the feast day of St. Andrew the city’s patron saint the Byzantine New Year’s Eve and the regatta.

Country-style cooking is famous all along the Amalfi coast and some tidbits to try include cornetto which is an Italian Croissant, sfogliiatella, follarelli, pizza, mozzarella di bufala which is mozzarella cheese balls, and insalata caprese or Caprian salad.

Seafood is also a must when eating along the coast. Shellfish with pasta is just spectacular.

Some places to try along the Amalfi coast include Pizzeria Trianon da Ciro, Pasticceria Scaturchio, La Tradizione, A’Sciula, and L’Antica Trattoria.

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Rio de Janeiro is the second largest city in Brazil and is partly a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city is famous for its carnival and music as well as its beaches but it also boasts a current modern world wonder in the statue of Christ the Redeemer high above the city on the Corcovado Mountain. Other sites to visit in Rio include Sugarloaf Mountain, Sambodromo, Botafogo Cave, Maracana Stadium, Paco Imperial, Municipal Theatre, Museu Nacional de Belas Artes, Barra da Tijuca, and the Museum of Natural History.

There are many historic churches all over the city including the Candeleria Church and Rio de Janeiro Cathedral. Rio is known for the samba and bossa nova music traditions. Famous beaches worth visiting in the city include Ipanema and Copacabana.

Typical food of Rio include feijoada which a black bean stew with pork and pepper and orange peel, chirrasco which is meat roasted over an open ground pit, leao veloso or shrimp head soup.

Some places to try Brazilian cuisine in the city include Cachambeer, Rio Scenarium, and Olympe.

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Bordeaux Beauty

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Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a city on the southwestern coast of France; the city where the wine comes from and is the world’s largest wine industry capital. The city sits near the Garonne River and is capital of the Aquitaine Region.

Both red and white wines are popular to the region with some of the major names being Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit verdot, and Calbec.

The city s also classified as a “City of Art and History” and many parts of Bordeaux are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the sites in Bordeaux include the Bourse Palace, Saint-Andre Cathedral, Bordeaux Tramway, Allees du Tourny, Maison du Vin, and the Meriadeck Commercial Centre.

Also worth viewing are the Tour Pey-Berland, Rue Sainte-Catherine, Musee des Beaux Arts, Musee Aquitaine, and Musee d’Histoire Naturelle.

Where food is concerned there is great variety in Bordeaux. It’s possible to enjoy seafood such as oysters, cassoulet, foie gras, lamb, and charolais beef.

Some places to enjoy great Bordeaux cuisine are the Le Landais, L’Agneau, and Brasserie Bordelaise.

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Vienna, home of the music

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Vienna is the capital city of Austria and one of the most famous cities in the world for its musical history.

Some of the most famous persons in classical music history – Mozart, Strauss, Schubert, Beethoven, Haydn, and Brahms all worked in Vienna.

Vienna is also the base of many international organizations such as the United Nations and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site over a decade ago.

Some of the most important sites in Vienna include the Schonbrunn Palace, Sisi Museum, Leopold Museum, Liechtenstein Palace, Military History Museum, and the Castle Belvedere.

The city also has several very important parks such as the Schloss Belvedere which is home to the city’s botanic garden.

Weiner Schnitzel is the national dish of Austria and can be had in Vienna. Also popular is the tafelspitz, sausages, and strudels such as apple strudel.

Some places to try Viennese cuisine include the Le Ciel, Hans Im Gluck, and Mini. Das Schick serves excellent Austrian cuisine.

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Genova, city of history

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genova
Genova is a city in Italy most associated with the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus.

The port city is the capital of Liguria in Italy and is the sixth largest city in the peninsula. The city is one of the largest on the Mediterranean Sea and also one of the largest seaports in Italy. Much of the city is surrounded by an ancient wall, parts of which still exist today.

It has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is important for its art, history, ,music, architecture, and food.

Among the city’s main sights are the San Matteo Square, San Lorenzo Cathedral, the city’s Lanterna or lighthouse, the fountain in the Piazza de Ferrari, the Doge’s Palace, and the Royal Palace of Genoa.

The city also has a number of parks that are suitable for relaxing such as the Villa Durazzo Pallavicini while the old harbour is one of the most ancient in Europe.

The city is famous for also its artwork and several important European artists such as Ruben Van Wyck and Strozzi had bases in Genoa.

The Genovese cuisine, like that of much of Italy is special and pesto sauce originated there. Some fish dishes are also unique to the city such as pansoti. Places to try Genovese cuisine in the city include the Gran Ristora and Profuma di Roso.

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Milan Fashion City

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Milan is the second largest city in Italy and is known as a major city of the Italian fashion industry. In fact, it is considered the world’s capital of fashion.

Milan Fashion Week is a must do on the annual calendar. Among the sights to see in Milan, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site are the Milan Cathedral,Santa Maria Delle Grazie which is home to Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting The Last Supper, Colonne Di San Lorenzo, Sfroza Castle, and Galleria VitoriaEmanuelle, which is the oldest shopping mall in the world.

The Natural History Museum of Milan, Velasca Tower and Pirelli Tower are also interesting sights in the city while the Pinocoteca di Brera is possibly Milan’s most important art museum.

Music is very important to the city’s history and several major operas have been performed in Milan. The city also has a symphony orchestra and music conservatory.

Milan has its own distinct cuisine. Among the flavours of the city are the cotoletta alla Milanesewith is breaded veal which is pan-fried; cassoeula, ossobuco, and risotto alla milanese.

Places to enjoy great Milanese cuisine include the Caffe Cova and the La Briciola.

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Bruges, Venice of the north

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bruges
Bruges (read here other news) in Belgium is known as the ‘Venice of the North’ because of its many canals and is a Unesco World Heritage Site as much of its medieval architecture remains intact.

The city is beautiful to walk around in. Among its main sites is the Church of Our Lady with its outstanding brick tower. The church is home to the sculpture Madonna and Child which is thought to be the only Michelangelo sculpture that left Italy in his lifetime.

The city’s most famous landmark is the 13th-century belfry with a carillon of 48 bells. Other notable sites worth visiting are the Beguinage, Basilica of the Holy Blood, Saint Salvator’s Cathedral, the Groeningemuseum, City Hall on the Burg square, and the Provincial Court.

Bruges is also home to a number of festivals including the European Youth Film Festival of Flanders and the September Jazz Festival.

The city is served by the Bruges National Airport and the railway provides connections to other cities in Belgium as well as The Netherlands and France.

Belgium is famous for its waffles, fries, and beer and the Markt place is a good place to go to have a drink. The 3 star Michelin restaurant De Karmeliet is expensive but the meals are tasty while Den Dyver is less expensive but also good.

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Valencia, the sea of ​​Spain

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valencia
Valencia is the third largest city in Spain and is its third largest city in Spain behind Madrid and Barcelona.

The city is on the Mediterranean Sea and the banks of the Turia River.

Major monuments in Valencia include the Valencia Cathedral, Torres de Serranos, Torres Quart, Llotja de la Seda which is a Unesco World Heritage Site, Museu de Belles Arts de Valencia, Ciutat de les Arts i la Ciences, and the Valencian Institute of Modern Art.

The city is well known for the Falles local festival, the La Tomatina tomato fight, and several other catholic festivals held each year. The city is also host of the European Grand Prix Formula One race.

Valencia has a subtropical climate with mild winters and long warm to hot summers.

Valencia is home of one of the traditional Spanish dishes the paella and the cuisine is also world renowned in the city. Other specialties include the fartons, bunuelos, Spanish omelettes, rosquilettas, and squid.

Places to eat include the Raco de Turia which is close to the city’s river banks and is ranked among the top fifty restaurants for Spanish cuisine in the city.

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Florence, history’s new birthplace

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Florence_italy

Florence is a city in Italy’s Tuscany region famous for being the fashion capital of the country as well as the heart of the Renaissance. The city is famous for its history and architecture and is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Among the most famous museums in Florence are the Uffizi Gallery and the Pitti Palace. Other sites which may interest tourists are the famous Santa Maria Fiore cathedral, the Campanilewhich sits nearby, and the Baptistery and the Palazzo Vecchio and Ponte Vecchio. ThePiazza della Signoria is in the city’s centre.

The city is on a basin near the Senese Clavey Hills and the Arno River. The city has a humid sub-tropical and Mediterranean climate and has hot humid summers and cool damps winters.

Food is very important in Italian culture and also in Florence as well as wine. The city sits in Italy’s Tuscany region famous for its wines. Not far from Florence is the Chianti region.

The Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapari is the most highly recommended restaurant in the city where reservations are mandatory. Food includes tripe and lampdredotto, antipasti, and salt less Tuscan bread. The city is served by the Amerigo Vespucci Airport and also has a city bus and tram and railway stations.

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