Friday, March 11, 2016

Prague

This fairytale land is a bit overrated. Although the architecture is a marvel it’s important to go there during the season and not in winter. In winter it’s really cold around -6 during day and it snows occasionally.  The other set back is the money conversion. It’s important to convert it at the right places. The official change offices are the blue ones and the ones next to the tourist info places. But always remember to ask for the rate before you change and check the conversion paper before you sign it.
One last last back are the taxis. No matter what company unless you set for a price for they charge you extra by taking you around the city.


Top Must-see Places

1) Old Town Square: There are multiple things to do in this square. First of all there are 2main churches and one astronomical clock tower.

The view of Old Town from the balcony of Astronomical Clock Tower

Astronomical clock tower is one of the most magnificent piece of art with a long history. The clock mechanism itself is composed of three main components: the astronomical dial, representing the position of the sun and the moon and displaying diverse astronomical details; "The Walk of the Apostles", a clockwork hourly show of figures of the Apostles and other moving sculptures such as the figure of a skeleton that stands for the death and is striking the time; and a calendar dial with medallions representing the month. On the gothic façade there are 4 sculptures that shows four types of sins.  The sculpture admiring himself in a mirror represents vanity. Next to it there is the saver holding a bag of gold represents greed. On the other side the skeleton stands for death that will strike every one day and lastly. Next sculpture represents earthly pleasures and lust.

Close up of sculptures

Astronomical Clock Tower at night

2) Prague Castle: This isn’t an actual castle. It’s a district composed by several components. It encompases St Vitus CathedralRomanesque Basilica of St. George, All Saints Church, Old and New Royal Palaces, Powder Tower and Golden Lane. Golden Lane is a street and Franz Kafka lived there for 2years in order to write in peace. The entrance of the district is free however to enter to the churches, palaces and Golden Lane ticket is required. Ticket prices are 350 CZK at full rate and 250 CZK for discounted.

Entrance of Prague Castle

3)    Charles Bridge: Built in 1357, the bridge is 506m long. The distinctive thing about this bridge is the sculptures on it. During spring there are many sellers here and street artists.

Charles Bridge

4)    Jazz Nights: Jazz is an important part of Prague life. It’s everywhere, on the street, at the bars… Some nice ones to try:Agharta,


5)    Museums: Prague is made by museums even Apple has a museum. Even if you aren’t a museum person here some to try: Sex Machines Museum, Beer Museum, Chocolate Museum even Apple has a museum!

Ad Campaign of Apple Museum in Prague

Entrance to Sex Machines Museum


6)    Drink Beer: Pilsener Urquell is their official beer and there are many more to try!



7)    Jewish Quartier: Jewish Quartier is actually 7min walk from the Old Town. It’s called Jewish Quartier because it was inhabited by Jews before Hitler invaded the country. There is an old Jew cemetery, synagogues and nice bar & cafes. There are six synagogues including the famous Spanish Synagogue and Old-New Synagogue, plus the Jewish Ceremonial Hall and the Old Jewish Museum. Adolf Hitler desided himself to preserve the Jewish Quartier as a “Museum of an Extinct Race”. Indeed Nazis gathered Jewish artefacts from other occupied countries, transporting them to Prague to form a part of the museum. The tickets are 300CZK for adults but a separet ticket is need for the Old New Synagogue.

Old New Synagogue
8)    Zizkov Area: This district is the hipster part of the town. There are many bars, beer halls, cafes and vintage boutiques. ıts better to go there after 18 where all bars are open. It’s a vivid neighborhood full of young people. Bars are crowded with people enjoying their beers. It’s rather easy to do bar hopping here since there are around 300 bars in 5sq km. some nice places to try here; Café Pavlac, Coffee Corner, Malkovich Bar, Beer Geek.

Street View of Zizkov 

9)    Petrin Hill: It’s the observation tower which was built in 1891 for the Jubilee Exhibition. It’s the small version of Eiffel Tower built in Paris. It’s set in a garden where there is also a church, a mirror maze and a rose garden. The entrance fee is 120 CZK for adults and 65 CZK for students and children. From here you can take the funicular down to Lesser Town where you can enjoy a cup of a coffee and a desert in one of the oldest cafeshops such as Café Savoy in this old town.
Petrin Tower

10)Lennon Wall: After John Lennon’s death this white wall has been filled with John Lennon-inspired graffiti and pieces of lyrics from Beatles' songs. Located near Charles Bridge in Mala Strana area.

Lennon Wall

11)Kampa Island: This nice island is connected to the shore by bridges is one of the most romantic places in Prague. The island located between Lesser Town and Charles Bridge offers serenity and the giant baby sculptures done by David Cerny are worth seeing.

Sculptures of David Cerny

12) Kampa Museum: The biggest modern art museum in Prague. It’s worth seeing if you are interested in giant sculptures or abstract art. The pieces of František Kupka are worth seeing.

View of the museum from the bridge nearby

13) Communism Museum: This museum reflects country’s near history. It’s rather interesting to see what Czech people have been through.

Entrance of the Museum
14) Wencelas Square & Jan Palac: This Czech hero is everywhere. He has burnt himself in Wenceslas Square for the sake of his ideologies. He was protesting against the invasion of  his country in 1968. It’s possible to see his photos in the churches all around Prague.


Wencelas Square











Thursday, January 14, 2016

Zurich: Top 10 List

As soon as I landed in Zurich I was amazed by the civilisation. It's rather a small town that you can see almost everything on foot in 2 days. So let's start our tour:

1) The richest shopping street and the longest street is Bahnofstrasse starts form the station and ends at the lake. By walking on this street you also reach Old Town: Alstad.



2) As you wonder in Old Town you pass the small bridges to cross one side to another. In the opposite side of Bahnofstrasse there are two iconic churches: Grossmünster and Fraumunster. Fraumunster has this stained glass made by Chagall in 9th century. Climb up in Grossmüster to reach the amazing view of Zurich.
Stained Glasses

Grossmünster
3) Nierdorf and Nou Market: These are two amazing streets to wonder around and feel the Zurich sprit.

4) Kunstahaus: One of the best modern art museums in the world. Here you can spend at least 4hours without noticing.

5) Lindenhof: To have the view of the Old Town, Grossmünster, City Hall, Limmot River it's the best spot. It's worth the stairs!

6) Down from Lindenhof you reach Gaisse are where there is a huge garden that you can chill.
The View fromLindenhof
7) The lake of Zurich is very big and calming you can go to the dock Bürkliplatz to relax or to take a tour with the boat.

The View from Bürkliplatz
8) Langstrasse: This area is also known as the contemporary town situated in the west side of the city.

9) The local food to try: Bratwurst-- it's their type of hot dog which is WHITE!!! You can have it Bellvue Platz.



10) The best coffee house to try La Stanza; here you can have a similar taste of Italian coffee.












Sunday, December 20, 2015

Top Brioche + Coffee Places in Milan

Okey if you're in Italy the chances to drink a bad coffee and have an untasty brioche is nearly impossible. But there are some places that just makes your day. Sometimes I wake up earlier just to enjoy my brioche and capuccino... There you go the list:
1) Bar Due Spade: This bar cooks freshly brioches every morning sometimes they are just out of the oven and when you take a bite out if you feel as if you are in heaven.



2) Bar Cimmino: This bar at the behind of  Duomo offers an amazing coffee very tasty brioches and also pasticerria. Definetly worth trying and the prices are normal.


3) Panini Durini: Although it's a chain it's very successful. They have a waste variety of brioches, muffins, toasts and paninis. They serve good quality of coffee and reasonable prices. If you like brioche con crema this is the place to go.


4) Bistrot Milano Centrale: This place is my favorite when I'm in Centrale. The inside decoration is amazing, the brioches are warm and tasty and the coffee is really good. They have recently opened a store in Duomo.


5) San Carlo: This little corridor bar in San Babila is my favorite. Just looking at the brioches will make you hungry. It's slightly over priced but at least once you should try it. If you like morrachino, have it here to have a different kind of experience.



6) Cioccolati İtaliani: Okey this place is famous for its extraordinary ice creams but you should definitely try the coffee and the brioches in this place. Plus they are almost everywhere in Milan! But my favourite is the one on Via Torino!



7) California Bakery: This place is famous is for the food so why not start the day with a freshly baked cake and a hot American coffee?







Thursday, October 22, 2015

Top 6 Must Go Bars in Milan

Milan is full of bars, aperitivo places, places to chill and hang. But some of them are just too good that you should visit at least one time. Here's the list:

1) Mag Cafe: This bar is my favorite in Milan in Naviglio Grande. Their drinks are so good, the bartenders are so experienced and even tho you just tell them what a kind a taste you want they'll create something authentic just for you. No extra costs. The inside decoration is very warm and welcoming. You feel like home while you are there. The price of drinks change between 5-12€ and from 18.30 to 21.00 they serve a cheese and salami plate at each table and refill when finished.





2) Nottingham Forest: The seocnd bar famous for the drinks. The menu is like an encyclopedia and you have too many choices so you might need to go there several times just to taste different options where you can't find anywhere else. The bar is on Viale Piave where tram 9 passes.






3) Rita's Bar: Another cool bar with cool cocktails located in Naviglio Grande. If you are lucky you can find a place to sit and enjoy the dishes which are very delicious or you can take your drink and chill outside the bar with many other people.


4) Blue Note: If you like jazz this is the bar to go.It's a bit far in Via Pietro Borsieri, but the atmosphere and the music is really good. Trust me you won't regret!


5) Ugo: This bar is always full there is this long queue, not enough tables so everyone enjoys the drink standing up but they literally enjoy because it tastes awesome!!! Try this bar when you feel like walking around with your drink in your hand.


6) Atomic Bar: This bar offers good music, super nice environment and good drinks. Try this place in Porta Venezia especially on a Thursday night!







Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Top Places To Study in Milan

If you want to study somewhere else beside the library of the uni or your home Milan offers some good opions
1) Open: It's a book store, a cafe, study place. they have everything inside. Located in Porta Romana you can easily go there, chill and enjoy a cup of coffee while studying. If you subscribe yearly for 18€, you can book the rooms as well as to enter the silent rooms.


2) Gogol and Company: If you are familiar with Shakespeare and Company in France, this place has adopted the same mentality. First floor is reserved for books and coffee and second floor is reserved for studying.

3) Design Library: Located in Via Savona, this library offers such creative environment that you couldn't resist. You can meet people while studying enjoy an aperitivo or a coffee.


Friday, October 9, 2015

Top 4 Pizza Places in Milan

1) Fabbrica Pizzeria: Fabrica is a very well known pizzeria located in Naviglio Grande and Corso Como. Their pizzas are so good you can't resist the temptation of not finishing that big portion.


2) Bocconi Giusti: This is a popular spot especially for Bocconi students. It's 2mins away from the uni on Viale Bligny. They serve slices of pizza. If you want the whole thing you may need to wait for a while. This small spot has no tables inside basically you need to have a take out. In a nice weather you can enjoy your slice in the park which is nearby Parco Ravizza.


3) Spontini: If you are longing for a fat, thick slice of pizza then Spontini is the answer for you. They have multiple spots around the city. The most popular one is in Duomo again it's better to have a take away because there are no seats basically you enjoy your pizza on foot indoors. You can have a half or whole pizza as take away. If you want the restaurant atmosphere then try Spontini in Corso Buenos Aires or Piazza Cinque Giornata.


4) Princi Bakery: This place is famous basically for everything. What they do labels as focaccia but trust me on this one you won't be sorry. The amazing taste will blow your mind. You can check the one in Corso Como or Via Italia.