It's as if I have woken up in a WHITE CITY! This morning -6°C
The Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts is a museum, repository of manuscripts, and a research institute in Yerevan, Armenia. It is the world's largest repository of Armenian manuscripts. It was established in 1959 on the basis of the nationalized collection of the Armenian Church, formerly held at Etchmiadzin. Its collection has gradually risen since its establishment, mostly from individual donations. One of the most prominent landmarks of Yerevan, it is named after Mesrop Mashtots, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet, whose statue stands in front of the building.
The earliest mention of a manuscript repository in Armenia was recorded in the writings of the fifth century historian Ghazar Parpetsi, who noted the existence of such a repository at the Etchmiadzin catholicosate in Vagharshapat, where Greek and Armenian language texts were kept.
It was built in gray basalt from 1945 to 1958, however, construction was put on hold from 1947 to 1953 due to unavailability of skilled laborers and carpenters. Designed by Yerevan's chief architect Mark Grigorian, it is influenced by medieval Armenian architecture.
December 19, 2018
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Singapore at night looks magical
December 18, 2018
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A destination that is on many people’s bucket list. Its really breathtaking, it was definitely worth to go there. I was in Beijing and it was very easy to rent a taxi for a short trip to the Great Wall.
Contrary to common belief, the Great Wall of China cannot be seen from space without aid.
As early as the Qin Dynasty (221-207BC) when building the Great Wall, glutinous rice flour was used in making the binding material to bind the bricks.
The labor force to build the Great Wall includes soldiers, forcibly recruited peasants, convicts and war prisoners.
Although the official number of the length of the Great Wall is 8851.8 kilometers (5500 miles), the length of all the Great Wall built over thousands of years is estimated at 21,196.18 kilometers (13,170 miles). The circumference of the Equator is 40,075 kilometers (24,901 miles).
Jiankou section of the Great Wall, known for being steep and winding, enjoys the most frequent appearance on picture books and post cards of the Great Wall.
December 12, 2018
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Lotte Village is an exciting coastal community with colourful houses, home to warm-hearted and eccentric inventors: rabbits, dogs, cats, weasels, and many others based on the successful Estonian animated film of Heiki Ernits and Janno Janno Põldma.
In 2000, they created the TV series, Lotte Goes South, which was warmly received, and so in 2006 they made a feature-length animated film called Lotte from Gadgetville. This was followed by a second feature-length animated film in 2011 called Lotte and the Moonstone Secret.
Lotte Village is open to visitors in summer, but also in winter during the festive season. It is an exciting place for young and old alike. Gadgetville’s residents spend their time playing games, doing handicrafts, practicing sports and talking to younger visitors and their parents. Lotte Village also has a lively theatre scene. Every day, there are around 10 performances of big and small theatre pieces. Because every Lotte Village resident has their own worldview, temperament, and role, the characters show children how to deal with complicated issues through their own words, eyes, and humour.
November 30, 2018
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When it comes to planning a wedding, the first thing that couples consider is the venue. Venues can make or break your wedding--it can help you provide high-quality, stunning photos, provide you with enough room for the guests, and give you the right space for logistical planning for your event.
According to the freelance photographer and expert D. Scott Carruthers, there are many reasons why it is good to prioritize your wedding's venue: • It can save you from potential weather-related disasters. Your venue can be your life-saver when the time comes that a storm, rain, or anything unforeseen may come your way. Your venue should be accommodating to your needs depending on the season that you're going to have your event.
• It can help you create beautiful memories - aside from your graduation, another milestone that you will have in your life is getting married. These moments are frozen in time, with pictures to seal the memory of the event. Making sure that you pick the best venue for something that's once-in-a-lifetime should be a priority.
• It can help you with the rest of the planning - the right venue will be beneficial to your budget, will be accessible to your guests as well as suppliers around the area. By considering these factors, you can decide on a picture-perfect venue.
D. Scott Carruthers shares his insights on the top wedding destination for beautiful photo shoots for a wedding.
8 Wedding Destinations For The Best Photo Shoots
1. Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is otherwise called the American Riviera. It is a great destination to hold a wedding because the weather seems to be storm-proof. It provides enough daylight for warm pictures, and the sites to see are effortlessly elegant and yet very relaxing. The top resorts to be in Santa Barbara are the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara because it is strategically located with an ocean view. Guests can enjoy the relaxing view of the ocean, and photographers can effortlessly capture a stunning picture of the wedding with the blue sea as the background.
2. Ischia, Italy
There will always be something romantic about Italy. Its charming establishments, grandiose skyscrapers, and a rustic look always makes couples fall in love with the sights and sounds of the Italian architecture. This area is Italy is quite different though because Ischia is located at the Gulf of Naples. It is a volcanic island with many luxury hotels to choose from. One of the most popular ones is the L'Albergo Della Regina Isabella, which offers an outdoor space which is romantic and magic for photos. This venue is also located by the sea and can be very beautiful when paired with a sunset ceremony and an evening reception within the starry skies.
3. Phuket, Thailand
A lot of people may feel skeptical about going international for a wedding. However, it can be truly a unique and magical experience. A great example of an affordable wedding destination is Phuket, Thailand. It gives customers the value they paid for, and the views are just majestic. There are available venues such as Rosewood Phuket, which offers the beautiful Thai architecture that can be very stunning for photos. Additionally, Phuket is also filled with white sand beaches that look very pristine in photos. Plus, you get to taste awesome Thai food during your reception.
4. Colorado
If you want something close to home, Colorado is a good choice. Colorado offers a very diverse landscape that's incomparable to other areas in the US. Some of the best resorts and venues in Colorado are located along its mountainside and canyons, which is a view to die for. D. Scott Carruthers recommends the Dunton Hot Springs area for a great venue. This area is a mix of nature and modern, which is a perfect way to get great photos without too much hassle regarding being remote. Additionally, people can also quickly take a vacation in this area because there are over 1,700 acres of private land to explore and unwind.
5. Saint-Symphorien, France
Some people love a fairytale wedding. France is home to venues with elegance and class, which is perfect for those who want a classic wedding look. Couples can look over online catalogs of Chateau d'Esclimont, a popular private Manor which can be a great venue for those who want a sophisticated French-inspired backdrop. The sprawling garden, as well as the lovely castle, is a perfect combination for your photos to look like a wedding of a princess.
6. Sintra, Portugal
Another ideal destination for the wedding, Portugal offers a lot of intricate architectures that would make your photos one-of-a-kind. Portugal offers the most lovely of churches, wedding halls, and different backdrops for your wedding shoot. The most recommended location in Portugal would be Monserrate Palace. This venue is an elegant yet rustic establishment surrounded by exotic gardens. It is perfect for photos as guests can stand on the balconies of the palace with the backdrop of the lovely nature.
7. Mallorca, Spain
Spain is a lovely country in itself--and so are its wedding venues. For photos, you can think out of the box and skip Barcelona, and head on to Mallorca instead. This lovely island in Spain is a perfect, quaint destination for your wedding. You can have stunning photos by the sea, and the beauty of the island can send you shivers of enchantment. The recommended resort in this island is Son Marroig, which has a beautiful white stone dome that could serve as a lovely place where you can take photos of your wedding vows.
As you weigh in your checklist for a destination wedding, consider these four great options. These can make your wedding photos look like they came straight out of a magazine.
As you weigh in your checklist for a destination wedding, consider these four great options. These can make your wedding photos look like they came straight out of a magazine.
August 02, 2018
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There are many ways to protect oneself, but most of them entail escalating an already threatening situation. Travelers also lose many of the options otherwise available to them, as the TSA will not allow firearms or sharp blades on board. If you're looking for protection that you can take with you on a plane, then Siren Guard is for you.
Travel Dangers
Traveling is fun, and most people like to think that they are safe while they do it. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. Travelers are often in unfamiliar surroundings, sometimes alone, and may struggle to communicate with the local population effectively. Criminals couldn't ask for an easier mark.
Why You Need Siren Guard When You Travel
Siren Guard is a great way to protect yourself. The device is a key chain capable of producing up to 130dB of sound reminiscent of a siren for up to 30 minutes, so it's very likely to scare off an attacker as soon as it's activated. The noise it produces is piercing, so other people are likely to rush to your location if you require additional assistance. These two factors combined make it very likely that you will be able to avert catastrophe.
In addition, the device is easy to setup and use. Unlike competing products, there are no complicated apps or internet demands to figure out. Instead, you just pull out a pin from the side of the device to activate it, while pushing an easily visible button to turn it off. Personal protection has never been so easy!
Why These Traveling Entrepreneurs Chose Siren Guard
Siren Guard has already generated a buzz for itself online thanks to several testimonials written by traveling entrepreneurs. For example, Michael Asimos has a wine wholesale company that imports and exports quality wines around the globe. He has to travel a lot to sample foreign wines, sometimes forcing him to return to his hotel late at night with a little bit of a buzz. Siren Guard gives him peace of mind because he knows that he can use it to protect himself even while exhausted, according to his personal website.
Andrew Dorko also wrote a positive Siren Guard review on his website. He stressed how easy and inconspicuous it is to use, allowing people to protect themselves even if they're uncomfortable with the latest gadgetry.
Likewise, digital media expert Agam Berry praised the product in his recent Siren Guard Review on his personal Medium account. He gets up early in the morning, so he's out and about while it's still dark outside. Siren Guard allows him to feel safe without carrying a weapon, freeing him up to concentrate on his work.
Get A Siren Guard for Every Bag
Siren Guard is not available in stores, but you can purchase it today on SirenGuard.com. Since travelers often carry more than one bag on their trips, the manufacturer offers deep discounts on bulk purchases. If you purchase one for $42.90, you'll get a second one free! This is perfect for individuals who travel alone or with their spouse.
If you have more people to protect, buy two for $82.90 and get three more free! This is great if you have kids who shouldn't attempt to defend themselves in an altercation. You can also get a total of 10 for $122.90 or a whopping 20 for $202.90, allowing you to protect your entire extended family!
The Siren Guard is the perfect travel companion, so make sure to grab one before your next trip!
July 27, 2018
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Based in Portland, Oregon, Michael Asimos (Mike) is one of the top exporter, importer and wholesaler of wine in the Pacific Northwest region. His strong passion for wine has led him to learn everything there is to learn about wine and the wine industry. Thanks to his vast knowledge of wine and great pallet, Mike can provide his customers with the best wines from around the world. In addition to his passion for wine, Mike loves to travel and listen to jazz music. In fact, Mike has visited some of the top wine destinations in the world. His favorite wine destinations include Santa Barbara, California and Europe. With that in mind, here are Michael (Mike) Asimos' top five summer 2018 wine destinations.
Maipo Valley, Chile
Located just south of Santiago, Maipo Valley is the birthplace of Chile's viticulture and winemaking industry, producing some of the country's finest and most famous wines such as the fruit-driven Cabernet Sauvignon. Because of this, it is one of the most important wine-producing regions in the country. Based on wine production activities, the Maipo Valley can be divided into three sub-regions. These sub-regions include Alto Maipo, Central Maipo, and Pacific Maipo. Out of these three regions, Pacific Maipo is the youngest wine-producing region, whereas Central Maipo is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in Chile. Wineries in Maipo Valley use a wide variety of red and white grapes to produce wine including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carmenére, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc.
Corsica, France
With nine Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AoP) wine locations, including the Patrimonio region on the north coast, which was established in 1968 and received its AoC designation in the same year, the mountainous island of Corsica is an oenophile's paradise. What's more, Corsica has an island-wide Vin de Pays de l'Île de Beauté designation. The most common types of grapes used to make wine in Corsica include traditional grapes such as Nielluccio (red wine), Nielluccio (white wine), and the red Sciacarello, which is unique to the island.
Alentejo, Portugal
Located in the southern part of Portugal, the Alentejo wine-producing area covers nearly a third of the country's total land area. This vast region is sub-categorized into eight wine-producing sub-regions including Borba, Redondo, Portalegre, Vidigueira, Granja-Amareleja, Reguengos, and Evora. With a region-wide Vinho Regional designation Alentejano VR, which is like the French vin de pays, wineries in this region produce fine wines from a wide variety of grapes including Alicante Bouschet, Abundante, Alfrocheiro Preto, Arinto, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Rabo de Ovelha. In addition to the region-wide Alentejano VR designation, some regions have the higher Denominação de Origem Controlada (DoC) designation.
Hunter Valley, Australia
With summer temperatures ranging anywhere from 35 °C to 40 °C this is literally one of the hottest wine-producing regions in the world. All the major wine producers here including McWilliams, Stonehurst, and McGuigan make wine from a dark-skinned grape called Shiraz, which does well in this harsh environment.
Santorini, Greece
This wine-producing region is home to nine indigenous grape varieties, including the famous Assyrtiko. To protect grapes from the winds that blow in the winter, vineyards in this area twist young vines to form a wreath around the grapes.
Stay Up to Date with Mike's Travel and Wine Tips
To learn more about the top wine destinations in the world or wine in general, subscribe to Mike Asimos' blog (michaelasimos.com) and follow him on social media including Facebook, and Twitter.
April 25, 2018
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Easter in Hungary is observed in accordance with the rituals of the Eastern Orthodox Church. On Holy Saturday, worshippers congregate in the church for midnight resurrection ceremonies. After the church service people carry a statue of Christ and religious banners in a procession through the parish, singing appropriate hymns.
Easter in Budapest
In the villages, sprinkle water on women by boys or men are
still practised. Sometimes perfume, sometimes cold water. Women give chocolate
eggs in return. About 100km drive out from Budapest, you can enjoy a Day trip
to the beautiful heritage site Holloko for Easter Festival
Village people in folk costumes to revive the Easter
traditions. Do also enjoy the Easter meals and folk programs.
If you have family with children, there are some programs on
Easter for you. In the Buda Castle is a festival called Budavari Husveti
Sokadalom, happening from 19 til the 21st of April 2014. There are
folk, craft and culinary fair, programs for children, artisan wines and a
traditional Easter fare. The other place you can go is the City Park where the
Hungarian Agricultural Museum (Magyar Mezogazdasagi Muzeum) is located, the
Vajdahunyad Castle.
You may also want to check out the exhibition about Easter
traditions in Hungary from 10am til 5pm. It is opened on the Easter Monday. If
you like to see the giant painted Easter eggs, this is where you should go.
Family tickets is 4500HUF (this is for 2 adults and 2 children). The single
adult tickets is 1350HUF and kid ticket is 1150HUF.
40-day lent
Meatless meals on Fridays when people rarely eat meat during
the 40-days before Easter. The whole house is clean, windows washed, cakes and
pastries baking. Also the preparation of Kocsonya which is a jellied soup with
pork meat, spices and smoked meat.
Egg Painting
In the villages, people stilled do egg painting. On Good
Friday, religious people goes to the church to commemorate the crucifixion of
Jesus Christ. On Sunday, the day of resurrection, the church bells rang. On
Holy Saturday, you can see a religious procession.
Milk-loaf
The traditional Easter dishes includes smoked ham with
pickled horseradish, hardboiled eggs, fresh white bread and milk-loaf.
Easter Sunday is when the little ones receives presents. A
basket with eggs, ham, milk-loaf, horseradish and a bottle of wine will be
brought to the church for the priest to bless it. Family eats them for
breakfast with the belief that these blessed food; not leaving a single crumb;
belief that crumbs of milk-loaf for the hens could lay more eggs due to its
magical power.
Easter Sunday, people eat mainly meat dishes such as pork,
poultry, lamb and rabbit. Beigli are pastry rolls with poppy seed or walnut
fillings. Palinka is the Hungarian fruit brandy enjoyed by the men.
The Hungarians call Lent the Great Fast (nagyböjt). Since meat is forbidden during Lent, the day before Ash Wednesday is called húshagyó kedd, meaning meat abandoning Tuesday. On Holy Saturday or Nagyszombat, people take food baskets filled with kalács, red eggs and salt to the church to be blessed by the clergy. The blessed food is eaten after the resurrection ceremonies.
On Easter Monday, also known as Water Plunge Monday, boys sprinkle girls with perfume or perfumed water. While once young men used to pour buckets of water over young women's heads, today they spray perfume or cologne or just plain water, and then ask for a kiss and a red egg.
(photo: gdraskoy)
April 01, 2018
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Bill Michelon is well known in business circles as a successful digital media buyer and mentor. He boasts a lengthy career in digital marketing and this has enabled him to establish a business that helps organizations achieve their sales goals. Bill keeps a delicate balance between work and play by taking time to relax and unwind in the best travel destinations around the world.
Some of the Bill's top holiday spots to unwind include:
1. Myrtle Beach, SC, USA
Myrtle Beach is a fascinating destination on the East Coast of the United States. It is ideal for anyone looking to enjoy sandy beaches and a wide variety of aquatic activities. These include jet skiing, parasailing, bird watching, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking and more.
No less than 62 miles (100 kilometers) of coastline awaits you at the seaside resort that appeals to outdoor enthusiasts. It is also well suited to families interested in activities like miniature golf, water amusement parks, wax museums, and aquariums.
2. Begur, Spain
Begur is a village full of charm and one of the most beautiful destinations located along the Costa Brava coastline. It is well known for its natural and tranquil settings. Begur is an ideal place to enjoy outdoor sports, including mountain biking, hiking, tennis, and water sports. Its many trails situated in the middle of the forest offer a natural and pleasant environment. Holidaymakers enjoy time under the shade of trees.
Begur also boasts beautiful coves and beaches along the coast. You will find many equipment rental services for water sports.
3. Atlantic City, NJ, USA
Atlantic City is famous for casinos and entices adult audiences. It is a dream destination when looking for an alternative to Las Vegas. You can also visit the city without having to play poker. Other activities include going for a walk on the pier and visiting amusement parks for both the young and old. The Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum is perfect for a fun family activity. For adults, there are several spas to relax and unwind.
4. Lloret de Mar, Spain
Lloret de Mar is a nightlife paradise and an ideal destination to enjoy many water sports or relax in the sun. The seaside resort's creeks, coves, golden sand, and crystal clear waters provide a privileged setting for your holiday by the sea. In the evening, its sea promenade comes alive and welcomes thousands of tourists to party in bars, pubs, and discotheques. You can also discover a remarkable green space like the Gardens of Santa Clotilde where you take a stroll.
5. Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Virginia Beach is a popular spring break destination and one of the most beautiful seaside resorts on the East Coast. Its three beaches stretch over 34 miles (56 kilometers) of coastline. From the relaxed atmosphere at Chesapeake Bay Beach, to a fun atmosphere at Resort Area Beach, to the tranquility settings of Sandbridge Beach, there is undoubtedly something for everyone.
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy fascinating water sports, including sea kayaking or surfing and dolphin watching. The First Landing State Park is a must-see park situated close to the seaside with no less than 19 miles (30 kilometers) of trails for hiking. Children can have fun at the city's aquarium or Ocean Breeze Waterpark.
Learn More about Bill and Get His Travel and Entrepreneurial Tips
To connect with Bill or discover more expert tips on entrepreneurship and travel, visit his blog. You can also follow him on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on all his adventures.
March 08, 2018
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Discover amazing, unique experiences and tours in Africa with Tiketi. Africas's best things to do, tours, activities and tickets.
January 10, 2018
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