Tag Archives: medieval

Tavira guide

Tavira

The town of Tavira, Portugal is a beautiful and elegant settlement, some consider it almost surreal in some aspects of it. Tavira is still an Algarvian fishing town, that much stays the same, however visitors might find what they see at odds with that particular notion seeing how unique this town is from most of the surrounding resorts.

Just like the rest of the region, Tavira spent quite a few centuries under Arab rule, in this case it was between the 8th and 13th centuries, after which it was conquered by the Knights of the Order of Santiago in 1242. Then between the 16th and 18th centuries, Tavira was the main trading port in the region. As you can plainly see, a very rich history, and we’ll try to give you a general overview on the place with this short Tavira guide.

What makes the town of Tavira stand out from most of the other Algarve towns is that it managed to somehow stave off the influence of mass tourism and preserve its unique traditions and handsome character. Part of this character is the seven arch bridge which spans the Gilao river; while its current appearance dates from the 17th century, the bridge itself is believed to have been built by the Romans. Severe floods affected the bridge back in 1989 and ever since it has only been open to pedestrian traffic, so you can still get to cross it, only you’ll be doing it on foot and some might argue that this is a much better way.




Alcoutim guide

Alcoutim Portugal

The city of Alcoutim is located on the Guadiana river, which separates Portugal from Spain. It is hence a border town, but it is also part of the Algarve and this makes it a valid travel destination for many holidaymakers.

Situated in the eastern part of the Algarve and in the south of Portugal, it is one of the relative few inland resorts but despite this it still features a beach, thanks to the river. The city proper offers a lot of interesting features including accommodations, gastronomy and various events. The city’s surroundings are also very rich with opportunities thanks to places like the Vila Real de Santo Antonio and Castro Marim to name a few of the major ones.




Mysore Town Manual – Going to the town of Gardens and Palaces

Anybody that has visited Mysore would attest to the charm the town desires to supply. Regarded as to be a town of gardens and palaces, it can be most of them to flaunt. The complete town has a feeling of tranquility into it and also the pace here is relaxed and laid-back. A historic city, Mysore has inherited much from the past which displays with its structures, but the culture and way of life from the city.

Mysore Construction is a area that defines the town and stands tall becoming an emblem too. Carried out superbly in Indo-Saracenic design the structure has lavish inside of and it is embellished by way of the performs of artwork from the regal household. Almost certainly the most striking attribute this is actually the Durbar Hall getting a Golden Throne which weighs in at a thing about 200 kilos.

Other rooms & halls inside the construction have things from the construction on exhibit. The Doll’s Pavilion is intriguing and homes some distinctive & antique conventional dolls. The Residential Museum is putting on screen points utilized by royalty. The royal armory can also be on show here. The framework has as significantly as twelve temples inside its walls. The optimum time to savor the very good factor about the construction is at night when it’s illuminated with 90 seven 1000 bulbs.

You will locate a excellent number of other places in Mysore that are well worth viewing also. The Mysore hotels prove best for their services. The Jagmohan Framework was the venue of royal Dussera festivities. The Jayalakshmi Vilas Construction has become the administrative workplace of Mysore. Lalitha Mahal is but an additional very popular and visited construction and it is now a group hotel. Vasantha Mahal was the university of youthful princes.

The Chamundi Hillsides in Mysore actually are a key tourist in addition to religious attraction. Primarily based on stories, Goddess Chamundeshwari, a symbol of Durga, wiped out the demon Mahishasura about this hill. The temple could be arrived at by means of a flight of 1000 steps. The hill hosts a 15 ft large Nandi Bull statue as well. The idol shrined at Chamundeshwari Temple consists of pure gold and also the gates are made with silver. Mysore has possibly the most properly-recognized spots of worship too.

The St. Philomena Cathedral right here is between the greatest areas of worship in South India. A medieval framework it is acknowledged for its stained glass residence windows and substantial spires.  An additional noted tourist attraction in Mysore may be the Brindavan Gardens. They’re a delight to search at for that spectacular fountains and also the musical present. Anticipate a distinctive buying knowledge much more Mysore.

The extremely finest products to store listed right here are silk sarees & sandalwood items. Ayurvedic goods created from sandalwood genuinely are a need to acquire here. Go to the Kaveri Emporium on Sayyaji Rao Street which are much more genuine goods. If you are preparing to appear about the roads, make certain you bargain nicely.




The Silves Medieval Festival 9-11 August 2011

Around the second week of August, the town of Silves in Portugal plays host to a Medieval Festival and it is an ideal place for this type of even as the town’s cobbled and narrow streets lead up to a medieval castle and during the Festival these streets turn into what they used to be centuries ago: a medieval market place.

Step back in time a few hundred years back to sometime between the 12th and 14th century and enjoy the particular atmosphere offered by the wandering troubadours, jugglers and barbecues and spit roasts at every couple of meters one from each other.

The Silves Medieval Festival takes place between the 9th and 15th of August in 2011 and is amongst the most popular festivals that the Algarve sees during the summer period and everybody can get into the action by hiring period costumes so as to better fit in with the rest of the medieval folk.

Silves Medieval Festival

Silves Medieval Festival

Most of the activities that take place are free except for the jousting tournament and the wicked Black Knight which your children will surely want to see but there is only one show per night so make sure that you’re there when it happens. Talking of free, while in the Festival ground you will have to exchange your modern day Euros for the medieval currency of Xelbs; this can be done under the main gates and it’s all meant to add to the fun and immersion of the event.

Ideally you will want to grab dinner sometime around 7 PM as it will surely get really crowded after 9, despite the large number of places where you can eat rest assured that they will rapidly fill up at around that hour.

One could hardly find a better setting for such an event in the Algarve than the Moorish city of Silves its preserved old town and the castle play a huge role in taking you back in time.