AAH Travel Advice

I had the opportunity recently to spend some time traveling Europe. I found many cities grand and overwhelming but I also discovered some quaint and traditional villages that stole my heart. One of my favorite countries was Sweden and I wished that I’d had more time to discover it.

I decided to break from the stereotypical backpacker trail in Europe and try my hand at backpacking Sweden. As expected it was a bit more expensive than some other countries in Europe but I feel that the diversity that going to Sweden brought to my experience was worth the extra cost.

I spent much of my time in the lovely Stockholm. I enjoyed Stockholm because while it is a large city it still retains charm and approachability. Stockholm is spread out across 14 islands so it was interesting to explore each one by one. The city is very architecturally interesting showcasing modern Scandinavian architecture juxtaposed against the Old Town’s fairy tale towers. There are many parks and waterways, which make wandering around the city refreshing and invigorating.

Because I was in Sweden during the summer months I enjoyed the fairly warm temperatures of between 20-25 degrees Celcius (68-77 degrees Fahrenheit). I was fortunate not to have to endure one of the rumored heat waves that allegedly occur frequently in the summer. I like to sightsee when it is sunny and warm but not hot.
I found the extensive subway and public transportation system to be easy to use in Stockholm as well. I didn’t have to hail many cabs as I was able to navigate the various methods of transportation on my own. My favorite transportation option was riding the light rail system. I spent a couple hours just riding one of the light rail lines to get a look at the rest of Stockholm and its layout. I’m glad I ventured off the beaten trail of Western Europe to explore a little bit of Sweden.

If you are looking for a memorable holiday in India, Sterling Resorts can offer you a wide selection of luxury vacations in some of the loveliest places in India. You can take exotic holidays at the Sterling Resorts in Munnar and Kodaikanal. They are located in the flourishing green hill areas around South India, where you can experience some of the most beautiful scenery in South India.

The Kodaikanal Sterling Resorts

Visitors wanting to get away from the searing heat of South India summers flock to Kodaikanal to enjoy the cool refreshing climate. Kodaikanal also has wonderful scenic beauty, with its pine forests, mountains, and lakes. In Kodaikanal Sterling Holiday resorts offer two locations; the Sterling Lakeview resorts and Sterling Valley View.

The Lakeview resort is built in a more traditional Victorian style. It is surrounded by a beautiful scenario of mountains and forests. You can go for boat rides or even take hikes into the mountains. The accommodations are comfortable and relaxing. The Valley View resort on the other hand is more up to date with unique dome shaped rooms. Each room has a stunning view of the hills and valleys that surround the resort. Apartments for 1 and 2 bedrooms are also offered. Local Indian food or Continental cuisine is offered at the restaurants.

The adjacent airports are Coimbatore and Madurai, visitors usually hire a taxi service to get them to the resort from the airport.

Munnar Sterling Resorts

The Sterling Resort in Munnar can be found a little way out of the town of Munnar. It is actually in the small village of Chinnakanal, which has a backdrop of forests and tea plantations. There is a wide choice of accommodations ranging from studio apartments, cottages and guest rooms, with wonderful views.

Munnar can be found in the Western Ghats mountains located in Kerala. It is famous for its beauty and is a popular holiday choice. Because of its refreshing cool climate it offers visitors a welcome relief from India’s hot summer months. Its mountain scenery, coupled with beautiful tea plantations and forests beckon the tourists. Added to this is the fine cuisine of Kerala that invites tourists to sample the local food. This is created from spices like black pepper, cardamom, ginger and coconut that are grown in the surrounding hills. Tourists can walk in the cool forests or visit the picturesque tea gardens and spice plantations.

Nearby airports include Coimbatore, Madurai and Koch. From here you can take a taxi to the resort. The best time of year to visit this resort in Munnar is October to May, when you will not get trapped in the heavy monsoon rains, which come in June to September.

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History is the study of all cultures and civilizations. Many peoples preserve their history as a reminder of not only past mistakes but also of past grandeur and power. One method of preserving and displaying the history of a people are museums and exhibitions. There are very few countries in the world that do not boast a museum to display their history and origins. The city of Alcoy Spain is a city that shares the rest of the country’s profound roots in the past.

Beginning from the early Iberians, Alcoy has a diverse history of civilizations and rulers who have left their mark on the city’s architecture, culture, language, food and festivals.

Many museums in the city preserve and display the city’s historical artifacts and progress from the times of Iberian settlers to the present day. The Municipal Archeological Museum of Alcoy is a place that must be visited. The museum is located in the central historic part of the city and houses many ancient artifacts from the different past settlements. The Iberian and Roman artifacts, which were uncovered from excavations at the site of ancient settlements, are a source of pride for the locals. The museum is open from Monday to Friday for visitors.

The festival of the Moors and the Christians is one of Alcoy’s internationally recognized celebrations. Visitors from all over the world travel to Alcoy to attend this grand celebration of the battle between the Moors and the Christians. However, if someone is unable to visit the city during the festival in April, Alcoy has a museum dedicated to this important event. Costumes worn during the celebrations are on display at the museum de fiestas giving visitors an opportunity to relive part of the flavor of the battle. Apart form this, pictures and other items from past fiestas are also exhibited so visitors can view the grandeur and large scale preparations of the fiesta and make plans for a visit in April.

The above two are the most important museums of Alcoy, Alicante. Many other museums in the city of Alcoy boast of various pieces from the history of Alicante. Notable amongst these is the military refuge, which allows visitors a chance to review the Spanish civil war.