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Labels: Art Tours, Fullday City Tour, History Tour, San Francisco
posted by blogger @ 4:30 AM
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Ancient cities
The old cities of Ouadane, Chenguetti, Oualata and Tichitt are a vestige of a rich past, that of the Trans-Saharan trade which made these cities part of the city-relays between North Africa and the Black Africa through the Sahara. These cities had a profound religious and cultural influence.
The Towns of Chenguetti and Ouadane are in Adrar, the town of Tichitt is in Tagant and Oualata in Hodh EChargui. These four cities were relays on the long routes of the caravans, by which passed part of the trade between North Africa and the Black Africa and lasted for centuries.
The arrival of Europeans on the Coasts of Africa gradually diverted commerce towards trading post’s which were created little by little on the coasts thus causing the ruin of these cities.
CHINGUETTI:
is 90 km from Atar, 90km and 120 km from Ouadane.
Atar is located less than 100 kilometres from, the capital of the area of Adrar, Chenguetti. It is now more accessible since the opening of the new trail, which is more viable than the old one, which goes through the Amogjar pass.
Regarded as the 7th Holy City of Islam, Chenguetti was a religious centre and famous intellectual with many Koranic schools and universities. The city attracted many scientists. A caravan city, Chenguetti played a significant commercial role. It was especially a stop over for the pilgrims going to Mecque.
The influence of Chenguetti largely exceeded the borders of current Mauritania. Its scholars were renowned as far as the Orient. As a matter of fact Mauritania was known as the “Bilad Chenguetti”. The city reached its apogee during the 17th and 18th century.
Today Chenguetti is a city mostly buried under the dunes. It offers an impressive spectacle for the visitor who will note the inexorable advances of the desert. Some rare constructions still remain in the old city, of which the Mosque which dates from the XIII century with its rectangular minaret.
The Libraries of Chenguetti contain hundreds of invaluable manuscripts and well preserved according to traditional methods. They are jealously protected family libraries.
Recommended places to visit: the Mosque and the Libraries, the colonial Fort (Fort Saganne known from the film)
OUADANE:
is 120 km from Atar, approximately 4 hours of trail to Chinguetti; Atar is 200km.
Ouadane, or the City of the “ two oueds” is an old city whose foundation would date back to 1140. It knew its moments of splendours as a flourishing caravan city for the Trans-Saharan trade. It was the most significant city of the Mauritanian Sahara . Its rich palm plantations were famous. It had seven mosques and large libraries. The city was visited by the Portuguese as early as the 17th century. They established trade with the inhabitants. Ouadane reached its apogee during the 17th century. Its decline started with the massive diversion of the trade to the coasts by the Europeans towards the end of the 17th century.
UNESCO classifies the city as part of the World Inheritance to humanity. In the middle of the desert, Ouadane seems lost in the great expanse of the Sahara. The disappearance of caravans brought about the decline of this city.
Ouadane offers exceptional landscapes because of its geographical situation. Ouadane attracts visitors by the architecture of its houses built in cliffs. Today, tourism offers to Ouadane a new chance to rise again.
The local economy benefits from this activity with the multiplication of inns and small restaurants (gargotes).
Recommanded places to visit: the old Mosque, the palm plantation, the old city. As far as other surrounding sites to see somee vestiges it is necessary to go to Tin Labbe, there is also the mysterious Guelb Errichat, and the meteorite studied by Theodore Monod, El Beyedh and the Fort of El Ghallaouya. All that within a radius of 80 km maximum.
OUALATA :
is 90 km from Nema, Tichitt is 400 km and Tidjikja is 700 km.
It is located north of Nema at less than a hundred kilometres. Oualata is and old city is famous for its libraries, its immutable architecture and its mural decorations. It is one of the most beautiful towns of Mauritania because of its environment; it is at the foot of the Dhar. The stone-built houses have an original architecture. Paintings with various motifs decorate the houses.
Oualata was an active city during the Middle Age. It was built on the sites of Birou, another old city. It is thought that Oualata was built at the beginning of the 11th century. It was a caravan city and a stop over city. Oualata knew moments of splendours. It was a great arts and religious centre, competitor to Tombouctou.
Recommended places to visit: the Koranic school, the fort of Oualata, the Library, the works of decoration at private individuals.
To discover is the local gastronomy which very appreciated by all the visitors.
TICHIT :
is 400 km from Tidjikja of Oualata and 490 km to Nema.
One day of travel from Tidjikja or 12 to 14 hours. It is the most isolated old city. Classified as Inheritance to Humanity, Tichitt is a very old city. But its history is best-known beginning in the middle of the 12th century.
Caravan city, Tichitt was a commercial metropolis in the Sahara. With its rich silos, its irrigated agriculture, Tichitt were visited caravans and merchants from Hodh, from Tagant but also of North Africa and Black Africa. The city was also famous for its libraries, its scholars and for its 7 century old mosque.
Tichitt is in fact less known because it was not visited as frequently as other old cities. It is however a city representative of the old architecture. On the road between Tichitt and Tidjikja, there are several canyons, cliffs and cave paintings.
Places recommended to visit: the Mosque, Chorfa and Massena districts and in July, there is the Guetna or curing of the dates .
32 km away there is Aghreijitt and there one can visit sites dating from the Neolithic era, burials sites as well as its ruins and Mosque. In the middle of the cliffs one finds the remainders of old villages: potteries, archaeological objects and dont forget the SALINES (EMERSAL), which are still exploited by the cameleers.
Labels: Africa adventure tours, Culural tours, Desert Discover, Desert Tour, Nouakchott
posted by blogger @ 4:30 AM
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Dublin Castle has a lot of history and is a very important historical sight in Dublin. However, it (and its environs)have a couple of aspects, which are mystery/esoteric related. So hear about them with me and maybe one will have to start a mini 'Da Vinci Code of Dublin'.
On my tours, there is always something different, and the above is such an example...
Labels: Cultural Tours, Dublin Castle, Entertainment, History Tour, Merrion Square Dublin, The Bailey Pub and Charlie Chaplin, Trinity College Dublin, Walking Tour
posted by blogger @ 4:30 AM
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On my Walking tours of Dublin, we pass through Merrion Square Park (one of Dublin's Georgian Squares); hear about how the Park was inextricably linked during the Great Irish Famine of the 1840's with a French Chef and his Soup Kitchen of the time! Quirkiness is never far away when one is narrating the story of Dublin!
Labels: Cultural Tours, Dublin Castle, Entertainment, History Tour, Merrion Square Dublin, The Bailey Pub and Charlie Chaplin, Trinity College Dublin, Walking Tour
posted by blogger @ 4:30 AM
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On my historical and literary tours in Ireland's capital city, I take people to hidden places; one example of such hidden places are haunted sights.
The list of haunted sights ranges from a Library, houses of a Gothic writer and a revolutionary patrio to a park! Small wonder, Dublin has a charm of its own and has a special pedigree. Also hear about Gothic writers who specialised in books with ghosts and hauntings as their theme, and how the vampire of Stoker's Dracula may have its roots in Gaelic mythology!
Labels: Cultural Tours, Dublin Castle, Entertainment, History Tour, Merrion Square Dublin, The Bailey Pub and Charlie Chaplin, Trinity College Dublin, Walking Tour
posted by blogger @ 4:30 AM
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In an untouched, largely unknown part of Co Mayo, West of Ireland, there are some hidden gems of interest for the Mythology, ancient history and history buff.
From Cong to Ballinrobe, includes the Abbey, in which the famous Cross of Cong was commissioned; one has the largest Cairn (mound of stones) in Connacht; was the source of the word 'Boycott' entering the English language itself (based on a real, historical event), and contains one of the most intriquing monuments in Ireland - 'The Gods of the Neale' monument.
I will bring you there and bring the land of lakes, myth, raindrops and rainbow to life!
Labels: Ancient Historical rambling, Ashford Castle, Cong, Culture, Lough Corrib, Private Tour, The Neale, Walking
posted by blogger @ 4:29 AM
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I offer self-experienced Bike and Hike tours in the Central Balkan range. My groups are up to 4 people and all my trips are personalized.
All I need to know is your idea and your physical conditions, then we can choose the right track for you and work together on the itinerary!
Labels: Adventure, Balkan mountain, Biking, Central Balkan range, Mountain Biking, Trekking, Troyan
posted by blogger @ 4:29 AM
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My name is Patrick and I am a personal independent tour guide based in Varna, Bulgaria. I work with small groups up to a maximum of 4 people in order to give a perfect and exclusive service to each one of my customers! I am fully fluent in English and Spanish. Highly experienced, I have a complete knowledge of Bulgaria- its history and legends and its traditions and culture! I organize private tours all around Bulgaria providing an exceptional service and at incredibly reasonable prices!
Join me on my tours and you will see the real Bulgaria - as only a native can show you!
Labels: Cultural Tour, Personal, Plovdiv, Private, Ruse, Sightseeing And Tour, Sofia Plovdiv Veliko Turnovo, Varna
posted by blogger @ 4:28 AM
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Let me organize your trip
I can only give information to optimize your time and know the city or I also company you for walking around, visit places , dinner , lunch, coffee while we chat about argentinean culture and history.
Learn all with a local and not with a regular tour with a lot of people and non personalized questions!
Labels: Capital, Dinner, Escort Guide, Tours, Walking Tour
posted by blogger @ 12:10 PM
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Enjoy BA as a local !
Walk around the city, take a bus or subway or taxi and learn how we really live.
Taste our food and wine , order for the right things at the right places.
Go to a tango show but don´t go with a big group , you lose the real taste of the tango.
Labels: Capital, Dinner, Escort Guide, Tours, Walking Tour
posted by blogger @ 12:10 PM
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Hiring Liz you can save time and money.
*go to the right places at the right time
*feel safe and relax to walk around
*buy things and make reservations for local prices in pesos
*focus shopping , if you want to buy sth go to the right places
*understand the culture and interact with others
*go to a tango show and understand what is about and the songs
*etc
Labels: Capital, Dinner, Escort Guide, Tours, Walking Tour
posted by blogger @ 12:10 PM
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Zanzibar being a traditional island still the local and old methods are still in big use to date.
The old wooden dhow styles are still on going and highly practised for daily activities.
To enjoy the dhow trips it is only in the north coast Nungwi where you will see where and how they are made and next board them either you may prefer sail or use the modern motor as they have both options but being in Zanzibar it is better you sail and enjoy the real olden golden taste and cruise the small islands around,stop for short snorkelling or make the full day trip to Mnemba atoll with BBQ lunch,Soft drinks available on board.
Very good for honey mooners and those who like privacy and luxury.
We welcome you on board.
Labels: Boat Tour, Diving Fishing Tours, east coast, northcoast, Sailing, Stone Town, Zanzibar Urban/West
posted by blogger @ 1:48 PM
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This section of reef and wrecks that we have here is often overlooked by divers. When people think of diving in Florida, they want to go to the Keys. The diving here is a jewel and a hidden secret from most divers. The reefs are beautiful and full of life and colour. It is a treasure that not many people dive on. The wrecks in this area have lots of marine life and have amazing coral growth. They are in 20 ft. of water to over 200 ft.
This is a drift diving heaven as the boats all follow you while you drift along the reef bottom admiring what the Gulf Stream brings so close to our shores.
Don't miss out on some spectacular diving.
Labels: Lake Worth, Palm Beach County, Scuba Diving, Sports
posted by blogger @ 1:44 PM
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The novel, Ulysees published in 1922, has been claimed to have changed the face of literature and to have revolutionised the novel in the 20th Century. The book is set on the day of June 16, 1904 and chronicles a day in the life of Leopold Bloom - a Jew - as he goes wandering around his native Dublin, much akin to the Greek epic, The Odyssey of Ulyssees (Odysseus) from whom the novel takes its name.
Joyce through the voice of Bloom, outlines the history of the Irish race, Ireland, Dublin, its streets, its sites, the commercial nexus of the city, its pulse, its epicentre, its veins and arteries; in essence every component and part of the fabric of Dublin - of its topography - in voluminous detail. James Joyce's research and erudition is truly awesome (he studied the old ‘Thom's Directories' and detailed maps for years, which gave him this colossal knowledge). colloquialisms.
Herein lies the power and the influence of Ulysses: Joyce changed fundamentally the structure of the novel, he used no punctuation, to give it an uninterrupted flow; the wordplay and punning is infinite, done in a totally unique way. To cite but one example, Bloom breaks up the word Castile into cast steel. It's these innovative verbalisings, fusions of linguistic expressions and colloquialisms, its encyclopaedic knowledge, which makes it one of the most influential novels that literature has ever been bequeathed. All that one ever wanted to know about Dublin and indeed Ireland, its history, its people, its culture, its idiosyncracies, its charms, its contradictions, its betrayals, its heartaches, can be found here narrated through the medium of Leopold Bloom in one solitary day.
Small wonder that June 16, has been immortalised in the annual calendar as ‘Bloomsday'. Ulysees is totally unique, a pioneering work in English literature produced by an Irish writer in exile, which contains a wealth of information, linguistic flair, a descriptive genius, an intricate awareness of the layout of Dublin, its heartbeats, its resonances, its good and bad, its charm. James Joyce gave the world a modern odyssey of his native Dublin.
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Labels: Dublin, Walking Tour
posted by blogger @ 1:44 PM
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