Charleston - South Carolina - USA

For general information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charleston,_South_Carolina










General


South Carolina reflects a part of the darkhistory of the United States. The southern states build theire wealth, huge farms and local emipres on using slaves as a cheap labour. I assume you may said that every nations has their skeleton in their closet.This dark history should not prevent you from visiting the charming southerns states. They has a lot to offer, and we would like to bring you presentation of one of the most beautyfull city in the region - Charleston. This beatyfull city is located on seaside. It has many historical buildings from 1700- and 1800 centurie.

The reason why we pick Charleston as or favorit is the combination of location, atmosphere, the markeds, the historic buildings and the surrounding area. You may spend several days here, make daytrips to nearby attractions. When we was visiting the southern states, Charleston was not a planed destination. We arrived there as a stroke of luck. Now for you it might be different.


Now rember that the US history is not as old as the european, so this area reflect an important monument of their history. Of course when visiting the southern east coast, you should also visit Williamsburg (http://www.history.org/), a villages that is like a live museum. If you are interestet in the US independent history, Williamsburg is a natural choice. Now, just a small detail - Williamsburg is located in the neighbouring state Virgina.



Now back to Charleston. Its location in beatyfull surruondings by the seaside, whith beatyfull parks, historic south state buildings and many interesting sites to visit in a few kilometer drive.



What to do
The main part of your stay should be to feel the atmosphere of the city. Take a walk in the beatyfull parks, view the old historical buildings, sit down on to pirs that runs far out in the ocean. Their is also local marked that sell lots of local art, item, juvellry, clothes an so on.

You should also visit sorrunding atrraction like an historic like Fort Moultrie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Moultrie) and many other sites. Please take a look at the following link that should provide you whith a weeklong "to do" list. http://www.sciway.net/tourism/chashistoric.html

Where to stay

To find accommodation is not a problem in the US as there are a lot of roadside motels. To put it simple - you get what you pay for. If you are a member of a car owners club (like AAA) you normally get discount on every motel. Remeber to bring at card that has an AAA freindship logo. Some of the houses in Charleston offers B&B. It is quite expensive, but if you can afford it a stay in the city would be recommendable.

Usefull links:

http://www.celebratecharleston.com/
http://www.charleston.com/

Füssen - Germany

For general information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Füssen







General

Füssen is located just at the end of the route called "Romantishe Strasse" that runs from Würtzburg to Füssen. The distance on the whole route is about 300 kilometers. During the summer of 2007 we was looking forward to drive this route with such a beautyfull name. The highlight of this route was Rothenburg am then Tauber and Füssen. Now it may be others will have chosen other places, but this villages was amazing. We would chose Füssen as or number one.

What to do in Füssen

We think the most important attraction in the area is Neuschwanstein, the castle of King of Bavaria - King Ludwig II (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuschwanstein). It is to most beautyfull Castle their is. It is said to be the model of Walt Disney castle in Disneyland. You will understand why, when visiting the castle. Now remember that this is a main attraction in the region so be early. Then you can choose your own time for guide tour. The lake in the valley closed to the castle is also beatyfull. Bring your swimsout as well during the summer time. You can also rent boats for a romantic ride on the lake.

There are also a quite smaller castle near Neuschwanstein, and many lovely and special buildings. You should allow one day here. The Castle is not for disabled persons.

In the village of Füssen there ar many beatyfull historic buildings. On the hill top there is a Barrack and a castle, in the main area of the villages many beautyfull and old building. Also the river that flowes thrue the city, in it's light green colour - whith the beatyfull alps in view.

Füssen is located near the border of Austria.

Where to stay?

We stayed in a lovely four star hotell called "Hotell Hirhs". This is a hotel we would like to recommend. It is located in the center of Füssen, with beatyfull interior (Antique) and exterior. The rooms are by all means nice. Lovely staff as well and great breakfast.

Verona - Italy

For general information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verona


General
Verona has everything for a romantic weekend. We would recommend to visit the city in july or august.

What to do
The reason for going in summer periode is that you should se an opera in The Arena. Now, i don't like opera - but this is different. The Arena is an outdoor arena, like Coloseum in Rome. The only difference is that The Arena is in fact in use...! This is not a ruin. We did see "Aida" in this facility and was amaced. We ordered or ticket at: http://shop.cosi.it/tol4arena/cosi.asp. The ticket was prepaid and we just picked up the ticket at The Arena. If you are not an opera lover, just chose the cheapest ticket. You will have a nice view form the top of stonesteps in The Arena. Remember to bring a pillow to sit on, something to drink and maby a pair of binocullars. Many people also bring in food and wine inside, but we would recommend to eat in the restaurant outside The Arena before the show.

Know about Shakespares Romeo and Juliette? Well, discover the balcony of Juliette in Verona. Write your a romantic message to your Romeo or Juliette on the walls of balcony. It is said to bring luck to your marriage.

The streets of Verona brings you many lovely sites. You can really feel history and the importance of this city when you walk around. Take a rest at one of the many outdoor restaurant, grab a lovely italian icecream in one of the many icecream bars.

One thing is for sure, you will not be be hungry in Verona. My first wish would be a reset button for the stomack, and then start over agian. If you visit the city during July, you will probably have great opportunities to buy many items on sale.

Verona is not a small city, in fact it is one of the largest in Nothern Italy. At least during summer season, you should expect people everywhere, anytime. One reason is the main magnet in the city: The Arena.

Just half and hour by car from the city you can take a bath in Lake Garda.

Where to stay?
We would recommend to stay in the city center of Verona. To grab a taxi is not so easy when thousens of other is thinking about the same. We stayed in a hotel 2 km outside the city, but this hotel had actually free shuttlebus to/from the city during the evening. See: http://www.hotelleopardi.it/. It is a nice hotell and was recommended by many people on our booking site http://www.hrs.com/.

Useful links
http://www.world66.com/europe/italy/veneto/verona

Strasbourg - France

For information about history and general informaton about the city please use: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strasbourg.

General
This over 2000 year old city with many interested historic site is on of my favorit cities in France. Its population of about 650 000 makes it not to big, nor to crowdy. It should serve both people who has interest in hitory and shopping, as there is a few large shopping center whitin city center. I have been to Strasbourg several time, and always enjoy my stay here.



What to do
First, the city it self is very charming, whith many restaurants, pubs, museums and of course the beautiful "Petit France". "Petit France" is the old part of city. You can easily see that there is a great german influence in when walk around in the city.

Now, to stay in the city I would recommend a couple of days. You should be abel to walk to main attractions whitin the city itself, but i do recommend to also use the tram system. Purchase a 24 hours ticket, an use the modern and efficient system as you like.

In strasbourg you should at least see:
- The Chatedral (you must see the atronomic watch)
- "The petit france"

And tast "Flambre Tarte" when you are in Strasbourg. This is a kind of local pizza that locals eat a lot of. I did learn how to make this i Strasbourg and have great success at home with the dish.

Strasbourg is also a good spot for making day trips. Near attraction are:
-Alsace wine vally (car ride, http://www.tourisme-alsace.com/index.php?lg=en)
-Europe amousment park (car ride, German side, http://www.europa-park.de/lang-de/c87/default.html)

Sirmione - Garda

For general information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirmione

General
Sirmione must be one of the most charming villiages in North Italy. The main reason is of course its location whith Lake Garda on all sides. I have been to most of the cities sorrounding Lake Garda, but none is like Sirmione. We stayed at a four start hotell for about 120 euros (2007) whitin the city walls (http://www.hrs.com/). The prices for eating and dinning are to some extend more expensive than the normal prices in Italy, but thats pretty normal in such a popular sites. First, let me show you some from Sirmione:

What to do

Sirmione is located on south end of Garda Lake. It is a beatyfull small little village on a natural pir or half iceland. The most charming part is that the village is located whitin a castle or city walls. It has small narrow streest which only allow limited trafic. As we did stay on a hotell whitin the villiage - we was allowed to enter by car. There are also a small beach and cliffs where you can sunbath or go swimming. I do recommend to stay at a hotel whitin city walls.

During the day, nomerous of tourists enter the city by ferries from other villagers sorrounding Lake Garda. Some stay here only for a couple of hours, others return to stay for days. You should allow at least to nights here. Then you can experience the romantic and charming villages in dim light.

Now, the most natural thing to do around Lake Garda is of course to stay in the sun, and to enter the lake itself from tim to time. Also during afternons and in the evning it is great just to walk in the small village or on the cliffs at end of the pir. The view is very nice. Also you may visit the marked, shops or walk by the promonade.

Where to stay?

You should stay within city walls. We stayed at a nice hotel called hotel Eden (http://www.gardalake.it/hotel-eden/). This four star hotell is located just onshore, has sunbed and steps for those who want to take a swim. The rooms are not perfectly up to date, but the location is perfect. Also good breakfast that you may enjoy outside. The hotel has parking facilities.