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Friday 27 January 2017

HUNGARY ( EUROPE )

15 PLACES TO VISIT IN HUNGARY
















What can you do in HUNGARY

Following centuries of successive habitation by Celts, Romans, Slavs, Gepids and Avars, the foundation of Hungary was laid in the late 9th century by the Hungarian grand prince Árpád in the conquest of the Carpathian Basin. His great-grandson Stephen I ascended to the throne in 1000, converting the country to a Christian kingdom. By the 12th century, Hungary became a middle power within the Western world, reaching a golden age by the 15th century. Following the Battle of Mohács in 1526 and about 150 years of partial Ottoman occupation (1541–1699), Hungary came under Habsburg rule, and later formed the great power Austro–Hungarian Empire together with Austria.

Hungary's current borders were established in 1920 by the Treaty of Trianon after World War I, when the country lost 71% of its territory, 58% of its population, and 32% of ethnic Hungarians. Following the interwar period, Hungary joined the Axis Powers in World War II, suffering significant damage and casualties. Hungary became a satellite state of the Soviet Union, which contributed to the establishment of a four-decade-long communist dictatorship (1947–1989). The country gained widespread international attention regarding the Revolution of 1956 and the seminal opening of its previously-restricted border with Austria in 1989, which accelerated the collapse of the Eastern Bloc. On 23 October 1989, Hungary became again a democratic parliamentary republic.







1. Budapest

Budapest is the capital and most Populous city of Hungary, one of the Reviews largest Cities in the European Union and sometimes Described as the primate city of Hungary. It has an area of ​​525 square kilometres (203 square miles) and a population of about 1.8 million within the administrative limits in 2016. It is both a city and county, and forms the center of the Budapest Metropolitan Area, the which has an area of 7.626 square kilometres (2,944 square miles) and a population of 3.3 million, Comprising 33 percent of the population of Hungary. Budapest Became a single city occupying both banks of the Danube river with the Unification of Buda and Óbuda on the west bank, with Pest on the east bank on November 17, 1873.The history of Budapest Began with Aquincum, originally a Celtic settlement that Became the Roman capital of Lower Pannonia. Hungarians arrived in the territory in the 9th century. Their first settlement was pillaged by the Mongols in 1241-42. The re-established town Became one of the centers of Renaissance humanist culture by the 15th century. Following the Battle of Mohács and nearly 150 years of Ottoman rule, the region entered a new age of prosperity, and Budapest Became a global city after its Unification in 1873. It also Became the co-capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a great power that dissolved in 1918, following World War I. Budapest was the focal point of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, the Hungarian Republic of Councils in 1919, the Battle of Budapest in 1945, and the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.

 


 

 
2. Aggtelek National Park

Aggtelek National Park is a national park in Northern Hungary, in the Aggtelek Karst region. It was founded in 1985. It contains 198.92 km ² (of the which 39.22 km ² are under Increased protection). It has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 1995. The largest stalactite cave of Europe is situated in this area: the Baradla cave (26 km long, of the which 8 km is in Slovakia, known under the name of Domica).

The first written documentation from the caves can be dated back to 1549. Since 1920 it has been used as a tourist attraction. Several of the caves have different specialties. For example, the Peace Cave has a sanatorium roomates help treating people Suffering from asthma.


  





3. Holloko

In the middle of the 13th century, in the aftermath of the Mongol invasion, construction of Holloko castle first Began as a means to protect the area against future attacks. At this time, the area around Holloko was held by the Kacsics noble clan. The castle was first Mentioned in records in 1310. The original village was built just below the castle walls. The Ottomans captured the castle in 1552 and for the next 150 years, control alternated between Ottoman and Hungarian forces. At the end of the Ottoman era (1683) the castle and the village were finally abandoned and the present village grew up below. Many of the existing houses were first built around this time. The houses, roomates Contain wood in their structure, have had to be rebuilt many times throughout the years due to periodic fires, the last being in 1909. In 1987, the village, castle ruins, and surrounding area were Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.


  




4. Siofok

Siofok is a city in Hungary on the southern bank of Lake Balaton in Somogy County. The city is one of Hungary's most popular holiday destinations, famous for its beaches and nightlife. Siófok is one of the richest municipalities of Hungary due to tourism. Often Hungarians call the town "the capital of Balaton", as it is the Reviews largest city on its shores and acts as the commercial and touristic hub of the region.


 




5. Debrecen

Debrecen is the second Reviews largest city in Hungary after Budapest. Debrecen is the regional center of the Northern Great Plain region and the seat of Hajdú-Bihar county. It was the Hungarian Reviews largest city in the 18th century [1] and it is one of the most important cultural centers of the Hungarians. Also Debrecen was the capital city of Hungary during the revolution in 1848-1849. During the revolution, the dethronement of the Habsburg dynasty was declared in the Reformed Great Church. The city also served as the capital of Hungary by the end of the World War II in 1944-1945.

 





6. Sziget

The Sziget Festival is one of the Reviews largest music and cultural festivals in Europe. It is held every August in northern Budapest, Hungary, on Óbudai-sziget ( "Old Buda Island"), a leafy 108-hectare (266-acre) island on the Danube. More than 1,000 performances take place each year.The week-long festival has grown from a student are relatively low-profile event in 1993 to Become one of the prominent European rock festivals, with about half of all visitors coming from outside Hungary, especially from Western Europe. It also has a dedicated "party train" service (with resident DJs) that transports festivalgoers from all over Europe. The second event (1994), labeled Eurowoodstock, was headlined by performers from the original Woodstock festival. By 1997 total attendance surpassed the 250,000 mark, reaching an all-time peak in 2016 with 496 000 visitors from 95 countries (the daily capacity having been raised to 90,000). Increasingly it is now being labeled as a European alternative to the Burning Man festival due to its unique features ( "an electronically amplified, warped amusement park that has nothing to do with reality")


 




7. Buda Castle

Buda Castle is the historical castle and palace complex of the Hungarian kings in Budapest, and was first completed in 1265. In the past, it has been called Royal Palace (Hungarian: Kiralyi-palota) and Royal Castle (Hungarian: Kiralyi Vár, German : Königliche Burg).Buda Castle was built on the southern tip of Castle Hill, bounded on the north by what is known as the Castle District (Várnegyed), the which is famous for its Medieval, Baroque, and 19th-century houses, churches, and public buildings. It is linked to Clark Ádám Square and the Széchenyi Chain Bridge by the Castle Hill Funicular.The castle is a part of the Budapest World Heritage Site, which was declared a Heritage Site in 1987


  




8. Tokaj

The wine-growing area was first Mentioned by the name Tokaj in 1067. The town itself was first Mentioned in documents in 1353. Its first castle was a motte, which was destroyed during the Mongol invasion of Hungary. By the 14th century the town already had a stone castle, belonging to the Diosgyor estate.

After 1450 Tokaj was the property of the Hunyadi family, so after Matthias Hunyadi Became king, the town Became a royal estate. In 1705 Francis II Rákóczi ordered the castle to be destroyed.

After the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 the town prospered, but when the world wars Came, it Suffered a lot, lost its importance and its town status. Even its role in wine trade was taken over by satoraljaujhely.

Tokaj was granted town status again in 1986 and it started to prosper again. Now the town is a popular tourist attraction.



 




9. Balaton-felvidek

The Balaton-felvidék (Balaton Highlands) wine region is located in the northwestern part of Lake Balaton on the southern slopes of the volcanic hills between the Káli Basin and Aszófo. Although situated a bit further away from Lake Balaton, the climate is mostly determined by the proximity of this large body of water. Viniculture Dates back to Roman times in the Balaton-felvidék region. This area is rich in white varieties producing elegant white wines with pleasant acidity and aromas. 







10. Esztergom

Esztergom, is a city in northern Hungary, 46 kilometres (29 miles) northwest of the capital Budapest. It lies in Komárom-Esztergom county, on the right bank of the river Danube, which forms the border with Slovakia there.

Esztergom was the capital of Hungary from the 10th till the mid-13th century when King Béla IV of Hungary moved the royal seat to Buda.


Esztergom is the seat of the prímás (see Primate) of the Roman Catholic Church in Hungary, and the former seat of the Constitutional Court of Hungary. The city has the Keresztény Múzeum, the largest ecclesiastical collection in Hungary. Its cathedral, Esztergom Basilica is the largest church in Hungary.








11. Szentendre 

Szentendre is a riverside town in Pest county, Hungary, near the capital city Budapest. It is known for its museums (most notably the Open-Air Ethnographic Museum), galleries, and artists.
Town centre in January

Due to its historic architecture and easy rail and river access, it has become a popular destination for tourists staying in Budapest. There are many facilities, including souvenir shops and restaurants, catering to these visitors.





12. Orseg

Sights, natural resources, historic reminiscent values, rich cultural and sacral regions in our country. Iron County, southwest corner found in this landscape, where the conquering Hungarians to protect the western gate guard's play was installed, who knew the heights pay attention to the line, who received various privileges minds work, fell directly under the authority of the king. From here the scenery name: Guard.

 





13. Disznovagas / Pig

The pig is an integral part of Hungarian culture. For those who have not participated in a pig-happy country, you do not know what will be left out. The old habits felevenítve winter season we offer you a genuine pig program where thatch and wood Porzsolt the swine, the kettle boiled loop of interest. Come to Lajosmizse, a small disznólkodás still not a crime! The Geréby Manor this year is disznóvágós program offers a variety of individual guests and companies alike.
 






14. Hortobagy National Park

Until recently it was believed that this alkaline steppe was formed by the clear cutting of huge forests in the Middle Ages, followed by measures to control the course of the Tisza River, allegedly resulting in the soil's current structure and pH. However, Hortobágy is much older, with alkalinization estimated to have started ten thousand years ago, when the Tisza first found its way through the Great Hungarian Plain, cutting off many streams from their sources in the Northern Mountains. The formation was finished by grazing animals and wild horses during the Ice Age, followed by domesticated animals.

 



15. Pecs

Pecs is a bit of a smaller city, but it still knows how to have fun. This is why it starts our list of best places to visit in Hungary. Pecs, which is located on the north side of the country, has exciting nightlife, great food, and wonderful things to do and see. While visiting Pecs, you will want to check out one of the many wineries, the Pecs Cathedral, the Zsolnay Museum, and the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter.








  

Thursday 26 January 2017

KAZAKHSTAN ( EUROPE )

15 PLACE YOU CAN VISIT IN KAZAKHSTAN
















The best place in Kazakhstan
 
Kazakhstan, officially known Respublikası Qazaqstan Federalsanı (Республикасы Қазақстан Федералсаны) is a state Antarbenua that most areas are included in the Central Asian region and the other fraction is included in the Eastern European region. Territory that stretches from the ranks of the Altai Mountains in the east, to the Caspian Sea in the west, make this country as the 9th largest country in the world is the 2nd largest in the former Soviet Union after Russia. Kazakhstan is often referred to as "Virgin lands", because some of the region has not been touched at all. Most of the area is directly adjacent to Russia, particularly in the north and west. In the east, directly adjacent to the People's Republic of China (Xinjiang province). On the south side is bordered by Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and the Caspian Sea. In this country there are many ethnic Russians. The place of Russia's space rocket launch, Baikonur, also located in Kazakhstan.






1. Almaty Zoo

Almaty Zoo covers an area of 21 hectares, and has, in its collection, examples of the unique and diverse wildlife of Kazakhstan, in particular, deer, wild ram, wolf, beaver, golden eagle, and others.
The collection of animals also exibits animals from further afield including white and Himalayan bears, tigers, jaguars, Persian and Far Eastern leopards, elephants, zebras, yaks, deer, markhor, American condors, vultures, horned crows, snakes, crocodiles. The total number of species is more than 350 and about 6,000 different animals.
The zoo is well attended and loved by the local people, particularly in holiday periods.



Opening hours: Daily, 10:00-17:00 in winter, 9:00-19:00 in summer.


 




2. Nur-Astana Mosque

The Nur-Astana Mosque (Kazakh: Нұр-Астана мешіті, Nur-Astana meşiti), is a mosque located in the city of Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. It is third largest mosque in Central Asia. The 40-meter (131-foot) height symbolizes the age of the Prophet Muhammad of when he received the revelations, and the height of the minarets are 63 meters (207 foot), the age Muhammad was when he died.

The mosque is located at the left riverbank in the city of Astana, construction first started in March 2005. The mosque was a gift in accordance with the agreement of the Kazakhstan President, Nursultan Nazarbayev and the Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa. It has a capacity of 5,000 worshippers inside the mosque, including 2,000 for worshippers outside the mosque. The structure is made of glass, concrete, granite and alucobond measures.


 





3. The State Theatre of Opera and Ballet

The theatre was built at the request of magnate Daniel Mailov and funded by magnate Zeynalabdin Taghiyev. In 1910, famous Russian soprano Antonina Nezhdanova visited Baku giving several concerts at various clubs and performance venues. On a ball organized on the occasion of Nezhdanova's departure at the local casino, she was asked whether she would like to visit Baku again. Her response was negative followed by a concern that in a city of so many wealthy people no one would fund the construction of a decent opera theatre where singers could fully demonstrate their musical talent. Daniel Mailov who had grown to admire both Nezhdanova's voice and persona during her tour decided to use this opportunity and offered her to revisit Baku in one year to attend the opening of a new opera theatre, which he would order to build in her honour. According to an urban legend, Mailov and his brother were not invited to a housewarming ball of a famous opera singer from Baku whose new house (now the head office of SOCAR) was one of the most outstanding pieces of architecture in the city. The Mailovs therefore decided to erect a building of their own outdoing the "tactless" singer.







 
4. National Museum of Kazakhstan

The museum has been created in the framework of the "Cultural Heritage" State Program on behalf of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. July 2, 2013 the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan № 675 was issued on the establishment of the Republican State Institution " National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan" of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan. "


 





5. Charyn Canyon

Sharyn Canyon (also known as Charyn Canyon) is a canyon on the Sharyn River in Kazakhstan, 200 kilometres (120 mi) east of Almaty, close to the Chinese border. The canyon is 80 or 90 kilometres (50 or 56 mi) in length. It is within the Sharyn River valley and is part of the Sharyn National Park, which was established on 23 February 2004, and is located within the territory of the Uygur District, Raiymbek District and Enbekshikazakh District of the Almaty Province. Over several millennia of weathering action, the canyon has gained colorful formations of varying shapes and sizes. Though it is much smaller than the Grand Canyon, it has been described as being equally impressive.

One part of the canyon is known as Valley of Castles (Dolina Zamkov) for its unusual rock formations, and its length is 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) with a depth of 100 metres (330 ft).


 




 
6. Indulge in Besbarmak

Like Sangeeta in yesterday’s blog, picking a cross-cultural art blend was difficult. Not for lack of choices, but for the diversity of art forms in multicultural societies. Yesterday evening, I finally sat down to write about the evolution of salsa and timba music and dance, and instead found myself indulging in a six-hour jewelry destruction, creation, rearrangement and repair extravaganza. I’ve been planning this for years with little momentum, other than a growing collection of stray beads, rings with missing gems, broken chains, and piles upon piles of beautiful clip-on earrings from my grandmother that either pinch my ears or fall off and lose their partners.








7. Big Almaty Hike

Surrounded by mountains and giant Tien Shan firs, Big Almaty Lake is a scenic place. It’s worth a drive, and it looks like in the pictures. You can definitely enjoy the atmosphere up here, as long as you remember a few basic pointers left out of most travel guides.
When to go

Avoid weekends at all cost. The proximity of Big Almaty Lake to the city and the perfectly maintained road towards the lake mean it has become a very popular place for locals to pick-nick and show off their cars. Summers are busiest. The best time to visit are May – June, when the road is clear but the lake is still a frozen beauty and the mountain freshness is incomparable, and September– October, when glacier melts turn the water a dazzling turquoise.








8. Baikonur

Baikonur formerly known as Leninsk (also, see Tyuratam), is a city of republic significance in Kazakhstan on the right bank of the Syr Darya river, rented and administered by the Russian Federation. It was constructed to service the Baikonur Cosmodrome and was officially renamed Baikonur by Russian president Boris Yeltsin on December 20, 1995. During the Soviet period, it was sometimes referred to as Zvezdograd (Star City).

In 2009, the population of Baikonur was 36,175 (2009 Census results), while in 1999, it was 28,776 (1999 Census results).



The rented area is an ellipse measuring 90 kilometres (56 mi) east to west by 85 km (53 mi) north to south, with the cosmodrome situated at the area's centre.








9. Tamgaly Tas

Tamgaly is a petroglyph site in the Zhetysu of Kazakhstan. Tamgaly is located 170 km (by road) northwest of Almaty. The majority of the 5000 petroglyphs are in the main canyon, but there are a number in the many side canyons. The petrogylphs are mostly Bronze Age, but in some cases have been overlaid with Medieval or later etchings. There are some petrogylphs from the Iron Age.

The name Tamgaly in Kazakh and other Turkic languages means "painted or marked place".

Tamgaly became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. (See List of World Heritage Sites in Kazakhstan)





 



10. Shymbulak

Shymbulak also known as Chimbulak (Russian: Чимбулак) is a ski resort near Almaty, the largest city of Kazakhstan. It is located in the upper part of the Medeu Valley in the Zaiilisky Alatau mountain range, at the elevation of 2,200 metres (7,200 ft) above sea level. The resort area is about 25 kilometres (16 mi) south of Almaty city by the Medeo road. It is popular for its mild climate, large quantity of sunny days and great amount of snow through the winter (from November till May).
Shymbulak in summer.

Almaty hosted the 2011 Asian Winter Games, bid for 2014 Winter Olympics, considered a bid for 2018 Winter Olympics, but decided to bid for 2022 Winter Olympics instead; Shymbulak was a venue for the Alpine Skiing events (both speed and technical), and would have been for the latter.









11. Singing Barchan

The Singing Barchan in the territory of the Altyn-Emel Reserve is one of the unique phenomenons of nature. A lot of legends and sagas are connected with it. Scholars were not able to understand this phenomenon for a long time. And people who lived in the Middle Ages hearing the barchans singing believed that it was a yawl of the shaitan of desert.

This phenomenon of nature is located on the right river-bank of the Ili, 182 km from Almaty. The barchan reaches almost 3 km in length and 150m in height. This is the largest one among the known barchans. It stretches several kilometers perpendicular to the Big and Small Kalkan ranges. From the top of the barchan a beautiful sight is greeted to the surrounding countryside: the Ili River, mountains and Altyn-Emel Reserve.
However the barchan unicity is not only in its “singing”. The fact that it is formed in the place among Rocky Mountains is also rare. The reason for it is blowing out of sands from the Ili sandbanks during fresh gales, which rise sandy dust from the river sandbanks. At the Big and Small Kalkan, spreading under a small angle to each other, the sand forced by the winds smashes against the rocky ridge and subsides forming beddings. A huge sandy mountain being stationary as long as several millenniums has been built up over many centuries.








12. Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre

Astana, the new capital of Kazakhstan, lies in an austere eastern landscape with an inhospitable climate that can generate temperatures of -35 degrees Celsius in winter and +35 degrees in summer. The Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center is designed to provide the city with a range of civic, cultural and social amenities all sheltered within a climatic envelope - 'a world within' - that offers a comfortable microclimate all year round, whatever the weather. The building's tented structure has great resonance in Kazakh history as the tent is a traditional nomadic building form - Khan Shatyr translates as 'the Tent of the Khan'.


 





13. Green Bazaar

Today Green bazaar (Zelyony bazaar or Green market) in Almaty on the crossroad of Zenkov and Jybek Joly streets looks like a usual oriental market where you can purchase everything: starting with meat, spices and fruits up to textile and furniture. Anyone should bargain here, vendors praise their goods and try to treat the customers; and customers, in their turn, prefer to choose and socialize; life is on. For those tired and hungry during shopping, there are places to rest, drink tea and have a snack. Green bazaar amazes some with its abundance of goods and colorful atmosphere of the East, and some remain indifferent. Tastes differ.

Green bazaar is inseparable part of Almaty tours for its rich history too. The first prototype of the trade center appeared on its current place more than hundred years ago, and since then it has remained an important central trade point of the entire Almaty. In 1875, according to the order of Rafikov, an influential merchant from Semipalatinsk, there was built a Guest Yard. Almaty then was named Verniy, and Vernenskiy Guest Yard served as a haunting place for traveling merchants and caravans; local vendors opened market stalls there. The Guest Yard consisted of two medium pavilions located along the Trade Street. As today, customers had a big choice of fresh fruits, vegetables and grains there. Rare things like Chinese tea could also be found. The stalls were filled with raw materials, household items and many others. Like current taxi-drivers, there were coachmen standing at the market ready to drop off.




 



14. Zenkov Cathedral

Is located in Panfilovets’ Park and is probably the only wooden Cathedrals in the world. The cathedral is built without using any nails, which again, makes it pretty unique. The Cathedral was used as a museum after the ‘Revolution’, but was again restored to its original use as a Russian Orthodox Cathedral in 1990. The idea for a cathedral in Almaty was initiated by the bishop of Turkestan and Tashkent and was constructed between1904 and 1907. It was believed that an ‘act of God’ saved the building from the devastation of the 1911 earthquake. The inside of the church is as elaborate as its exterior and is a member of the Russian Orthodox church. If entering the church, visitors should respect the customs of the church as this is a very active religious building.

Views from all four sides are different and a walk around is worth doing. On one side is an open area where stalls are laid out for children’s activities and rides.

As the image opposite shows, the Zenkov Cathedral stands proud in the middle of Panfilovets’ Park and is well with a visit.








15. High-mountain Medeo Skating Rink 

The Medeu is outside of speed skating and bandy rink. It is located in the mountain valley (Medeu Valley, or Valley of Malaya Alma-Atinka River) in the south-eastern outskirts of Almaty, Kazakhstan. Medeu sits 1,691 meters above sea level, making it the world's highest skating rink. Medeu holds this distinction during rinks like Stephen C. West Ice Arena in Breckenridge, Colorado (elevation 11,300ft / 3,445m) were not considered due to a significantly higher elevation. Having 10,500 square meters of ice and freezing and utilize advanced watering system to ensure the quality of the ice. Mountain valley was named in honor Medeo, a nomad who lived in the last century and established themselves in this beautiful aul. situs.Pembangunan stadium began in autumn 1949, and the first competition took place at the stadium on February 4, 1951. Medeu switched to the current system of artificial ice in 1972 by a team of engineers Soviet.The Medeu Dam, built in the late 1960s, stood up immediately south rink skating, protect it - and the city of Almaty itself - from potentially devastating mud flows. Viewpoint above the dam gives a view of the stadium. dam has three height levels respectively. Special water reservoir enables holds about 6 million cubic meters of water. Stairs known to townspeople and tourists consisting of 842 steps leads to the dam. Contests on the rise along the stairs of this unique regularly dilakukan.Medeu has seen many world records in all distances speed skating from 1951 until the 1980s: 500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m, 3000 m, 5000 m and 10000 m. In 1972, the arena made a highly successful transition from a natural ice rink to rink buatan.Tim crooked Dynamo Alma-Ata played his homegames in Medeu and won the Soviet Championship in 1977 and 1990 and the European Cup in 1978.