A Breath of Air
Sometimes, to leave all the troubles behind is only way to go to airport, buy the ticket and fly with no any special plans and directions. It cleans the mind, lets body to relax and to revive for the next life journey.
Rare Winter Sunset
The grey winter day unexpectedly ended with the beautiful sunset.
A little bit of late Summer
Sometimes it’s really necessary to escape from crazy life, forget about everything, and give your brain time to relax of all World’s troubles.
So
Immersive Van Gogh
Unforgettable event in Toronto take place even in our pandemic time with some restrictions. During the lock down it’s not working but when it is possible the organizers of this lovely event make it open to public.
It is absolutely amazing attraction. All of Van Gogh painting coming on the Walls of the huge hall following by nice classical music. All that creates the feeling to be right inside of the painting scene.
Here you can find yourself at Café Terrace at Night.
Or you can see yourself in the Sunflowers field.
Suddenly, you are at the Windmills near Zaandam.
Then you are among the Potato Eaters. It is really special journey, and to leave it takes efforts.
To see more pictures of this wonderful attraction go to gallery and follow by the arrow to walk through the magic world of Van Gogh.
Sagrada Familia – Church of Light and Air
Nonreligious people generally perceive all the temples, cathedrals and churches as of memorial to architecture and fine arts. Most of them are really a treasure of world architecture. Basically they were created by certain canons, although each of these structures have a unique recognizable “face”. Who, for example, does not know the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, or St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, the famous Cologne Cathedral, the Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican and other outstanding architectural monuments?! However, getting into the twilight of one of them, most of the people feel themselves as a grain of sand, the bearer of sin and eternal debtor to the whole earthly life. The only hope and symbol of the future happy life is the light in the high arches of the cathedral.
The brilliant creation of an outstanding artist Antonio Gaudi – Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, leaves in the visitor’s mind and soul absolutely different feeling. The church is permeated with light and filled with air. The sun’s rays, penetrated through the huge stained windows and rosettes, play the colourful game of light and shades on the numerous interior details. While Sun goes around the church during the day the picture appears in different guises. All this play of light creates the sensation of flight. Life is going on here and now, and we should be happy now, without waiting for a future that may never come.
Sagrada Familia is a hymn to Human in his unity with God!
Paris, Ontario
In front and behind the Paris window
If you missed one of the World’s famous city just look around. For sure you can find city, town, or village with the same name in your own country. Visit it and try to find there what you missed. I think there is something special almost in every replica that remind you the original one.
There is a small cute town Paris in the province of Ontario, Canada. If you turn on your imagination you can definitely feel here the rhythm of Big Paris. At least crowd of tourists will bring you there.
Rainy day in Paris
Rainy Day in Paris
Ten days of the last Paris visit have been passing with no any evidence of rain. There was a risk to miss it. However at the last day we were gifted with the lovely warm and quiet one.
It was a good chance to walk around the Rue Mouffetard street Market with its numerous patisseries, cheese, seafood, butcheries, fruit, flowers, wine shops and brasseries.
Market spreads along Rue Mouffetard from Place de la Contrescarpe to the Square Saint-Medard. It is the lovely place where you can loose feeling of time.
Fountains of Versailles
The gardens of Versailles were planned by André Le Nôtre, perhaps the most famous and influential landscape architect in French history. Behind the palace, the ground falls away on every side from a terrace adorned with ornamental basins, statues, and bronze groups. Directly west of the terrace is the Latona Fountain, designed by Le Nôtre and sculpted by Gaspard and Balthazard Marsy. The fountain depicts the events of Ovid’s Metamorphoses. The Royal Walk extends westward from the palace. A broad avenue centred on the grass of the Green Carpet, it is flanked by rows of large trees and ends at the spectacular Fountain of Apollo.
Karlsruhe Zoo
April in Karlsruhe, Germany was sunny, warm and enjoyable. After the winter cold and long sleep nature woke up and scattered the kaleidoscope of colours. In Zoo animals came out from their cages and celebrated Spring. The only one who missed Winter was the Polar Bear.
Sweet November
The November warm and sunny days are not associated with inclement late fall. Rare windy and rainy days with the flying fallen leaves only emphasize the beauty of this November and fall in general in the city of Toronto. Sunrises and sunsets are extremely beautiful. The afternoon sun still warms and caresses numerous stroll lovers, which are enjoying the last days of the outgoing autumn.
The next Friday in Toronto and nearby cities the Christmas trees will be lit, and we mentally say goodbye to the autumn. This is the beginning of preparations for the meeting of winter and expectations of all seasonal holidays.
Rue Laffitte, Paris
Lovely view on Sacre-Coeur Basilique.
Luxembourg
In 60th and 70th when the world was divided by the Wall the only source of information about America and Western Europe life behind the Wall was radio. Young people at that time in the Eastern side of the Wall were cut off from the world of music and desperately tried to get some information and listen the latest music hits through the noise interference and static.
Among the numerous of radio stations “Radio Luxembourg” was the most innocuous in terms of criticism of the closed socialist paradise. The musical program was punctuated with the innocuous news, which is sometimes provided the domestic issues. Once in the late 60th it rose the topic of only unemployed person, suddenly appeared in the country, which led to much discussion and concerns about the state of his employment. That was one of a kind amazing problem discussed at “Radio Luxembourg.”
But the greatest thing was on Friday nights the two-hour special program with wonderful music.
Since then, much time has passed, and the desire to look at this tiny country where so tenderly cared for one survived unemployed.
What is appeared before the eyes of a tourist, who happen to live at the both sides of the Wall for long time enough, to observe the Luxembourg life?
From the country, where the main source of income was the production of unique steel, Luxembourg became one of the capitals of the European Union. Three capitals perform their specific functions: Brussels – is the Parliament, Strasbourg – is the European Court of Justice, and Luxembourg – is the Finances. However, the parliamentary sessions held periodically, not only in Brussels but also in the other two capitals. The new part of the State/City of Luxembourg presents all the existing major global banks. Driving in this part of town you will definitely admire the modern architecture, urban sculpture, public gardens and thoughtfully and well-organized modern urban life.
Old Town holds a rich history since Roman Empire times and is represented by the remains of the fortress and the catacombs, built by the Romans. Beautiful squares and streets have retained their original appearance.
The daily life of Luxembourg goes slowly and methodically. There is no typical urban hustle of the big city. Even the shops and cafes here have their lunch break. Many of them are closed at 5-6 pm. However, this calm appearance does not imply a lack of business life. On our way from Luxembourg early in the morning, we saw a huge stream of oncoming traffic, delivering the residents of neighbouring France to the countless offices of banks, businesses and other organizations. From the country of single unemployed person Luxembourg became a huge employer for a neighbouring state.
Luxembourg has three official languages: Luxembourgish, French and German. French language for the foreign visitors sounds like prevailing, but in the places for leisure activities German and Luxembourgish languages can be heard as well. Once in a restaurant from the nearest table we heard a strange language, which sounded to our ears like spoiled French. The waiter explained to us that this is Luxembourgish language and it has been almost forgotten under the influence of the more powerful neighbouring languages. But twenty years ago, the government adopted the native language recovery program, and during this short period of time the population speaking in their mother tongue increased by 40%.
Luxembourg as a tiny state is rich in cultural treasures, museums, theatre and musical traditions. And “Radio Luxembourg” is still broadcasting here!
Thanksgiving Gift
On Thanksgiving Holiday we were gifted with the real summer weather. It was warm and sunny. On Thanksgiving evening the sky was covered with picturesque clouds, the sunlight played on them and created magnificent painting.
Nevertheless, the autumn appearance is everywhere. Bushes and trees have acquired fall colors, wildflowers are not so bright and numerous, birds are going on a long journey and arrange training flights in flocks and wedges.
Canadian autumn is beautiful, bright, and optimistic without admixture of depression and melancholy.
Niagara Falls Mist
The falling water of Niagara crashing on the rocks at the foot of the falls and flies high up in a misty cloud. It is almost always hides the base of the falls from the eyes of observers. In the summer time its mist creates a pleasant sensation of freshness, although sometimes it can be so thick that turns into a light rain. However, in the cool autumn weather it is very inconvenient, and here the mood depends on the right clothing. Nevertheless, Niagara Falls is beautiful in any season and in any weather.
Quebec City – So Europe. So close.
Quebec City – a city that seemed created for holidays. Everything looks elegant and fabulous. European architecture, countless sculptures and monuments, the house windows decorated with the flowers; the street performers and artists, lots of cafes and restaurants create a sense of festival. The small size of the city and the lack of hustle as in the most megacities, give to visitors the feeling of peace and calmness. However, despite its small size Quebec City filled with lots of amazing historical, cultural and sports facilities. Apparently, this is the basic requirements for a tourist town.
There is not even a thought to move around on some public transportation because everything is within walking distance. Is that for fun, you can ride horses in harness, so use the Funiculair de Vieux to move from the lower to the upper town.
The main pedestrian area and the most attractive place for the tourists, of course, the street Petit-Champlain, where plenty of the art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and cafes as well as it is a popular place for the street musicians and artists. And of course, the Terrace Dufferin, located in front of the Château Frontenac, with beautiful view of the St. Lawrence River, the Old Port and the lower town.
However, there is little inconvenience. Even in the summer here on the mountain can be cool and windy, while in Montreal it will be sunny and warm. Firstly, the city is located on a very high ground above the St. Lawrence River. Secondly, it is more northerly, thus the difference in the weather.
Nevertheless, all these inconveniences have no influence on the mood of the tourists. Just planning a trip to the beautiful City of Quebec, we must not forget a light jacket :-). Enjoy your trip!
In the photo gallery you can read a brief description of some of the places captured on the photo. And also you can see perfectly organized Quebec City web-site.
Shakespeare and Company
Shakespeare and Company is the name of two independent bookstores on Paris’s Left Bank. The first was opened by Sylvia Beach on 19 November 1919 at 8 rue Dupuytren, before moving to larger premises at 12 rue de l’Odéon in the 6th arrondissement in 1922. During the 1920s, it was a gathering place for writers such as Ezra Pound, Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce and Ford Madox Ford. It closed in 1940 during the German occupation of Paris and never re-opened.
The second is situated at 37 rue de la Bûcherie, in the 5th arrondissement. Opened in 1951 by George Whitman, it was originally named “Le Mistral” but renamed to “Shakespeare and Company” in 1964 in tribute to Sylvia Beach’s bookstore. Today, it serves both as a regular bookstore, a second-hand books store and as a reading library, specializing in English-language literature. The shop has become a popular tourist attraction,[4][5] and was featured in the Richard Linklater film Before Sunset and in the Woody Allen film Midnight in Paris.
World in your eyes 