| Capital | Rome |
| Government | republic |
| Currency | euro € (EUR) |
| Area | 301,230 sq km |
| Population | 58,133,509 (July 2006 est.) |
| Language | Italian (official); minor German, French and Slovene-speaking communities |
| Religion | predominately Roman Catholic (official) with mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community |
| Electricity | 230V/50Hz (European or Italian plug) |
| Calling Code | +39 |
| Internet TLD | .it |
| Time Zone | UTC +1 |
Source: Wikipedia
For sailors and non-sailors alike: Italy is best approached from the sea and it is more convenient and comfortable than traditional onshore “tours”. A yacht charter to Italy is the most fulfilling way to experience this magnificent country. Although the yacht charter industry is smaller than one would expect for this incredibly popular tourist destination, there are many reasons to choose a yacht over a more conventional onshore approach. The Italian coast, like the French coast, attracts luxury yacht charters of the highest standards. “Touring” Italy from a private yacht is surprisingly convenient and comfortable. Experience the breathtaking scenery, fascinating history and the unrivaled Italian lifestyle as local Italian people do when on their vacations. Italy’s dramatic coastline is best appreciated from the sea and the Italians know it! In between visiting the numerous cultural destinations for which Italy is renown, there is always time to take a refreshing swim. Most enjoyable, is relishing the fact that from a private yacht you have a certain relief from the crowds and traffic that are traditionally unavoidable in Italy’s most popular destinations. There are major distinct nautical regions in Italy: Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Sardinia and Sicily. Each has its own flavor and focus. Be sure to plan your itinerary carefully as each region is rewarding in its own particular way.
Source: Wikipedia
The Dick Bruna House Museum has opened in Utrecht, at the Centraal Museum in February, 2006. Dedicated to the life and work of perhaps Holland’s most favorite contemporary artist, this unique space is a joy to visit for children and adults alike.
Dick Bruna is the creator of the cartoon characters Miffy the Rabbit (known as Nijntje here in Holland), Poppy Pig, Snuffy the Dog and Boris Bear. Beginning in 1952, this artist has been delighting children of all ages with his unique, colorful style. Mr. Bruna was the son of a publisher, and he started his graphic arts career creating book covers.
In fact Dick Bruna is just as famous for his book covers as he is for his cartoons! Some authors he has worked for are Georges Simenon (Maigret) and Leslie Charteris (the Saint). He is also known for his incredible posters, stamps and other graphic designs.
Mr. Bruna said that “it is like a dream come true. And to have this during my lifetime! With most artists, this only happens after they’re long dead.”
Dick went on to say “in the earlier days, going to a museum was different. You had to be very quiet and all. With this museum, children play if they want, there are computers, they can draw, there’s lots of reading to do. But at the same time, the parents can see all the different things I’ve made for adults, book covers and posters and whatever.” Continue reading
In AD 79 the Romans mention meeting the Celtic tribe of Votadinii in an area now known as Edinburgh.
This was about the furthest north the Romans made it, and the Celts were not amused by the Roman antics, and harassed them considerably. The Romans retreated to positions behind Hadrian’s Wall around 211 AD, and left Britain entirely by the year 410.
By the sixth century four kingdoms controlled what is now Scotland, and Duncan I became the first King of a unified Scotland in 1035. King Malcolm III built the castle at Edinburgh before he died in 1093. His son David I built an Abbey at Holyrood, at the other end of the so-called “Royal Mile.” This became the focus of the thriving town of Edinburgh, and Leith nearby became its port to the outside world via the sea. Robert the Bruce granted the city a Royal Charter in 1329, and by the 1500s Edinburgh was the capitol of Scotland.
In fact the entire town was at one time on the hill surrounding the castle on its steep and craggy hill. It wasn’t until the 1700s that the Loch below the castle was filled in and the expanded outward for the first time.
An age of “enlightenment” ensued, lasting through the 1800s when Edinburgh grew into the beautiful city it is today.
The Romans founded London in the year 50 AD, and the city burnt to the ground just ten years later when Queen Boudicca from present-day Norfolk led a major anti-Roman rebellion.
However, the Romans rebuilt, and administered Britain through this capitol city until AD 410. Then the Dark Ages descended on Britain, and London was mainly in ruins for hundreds of years hence. The scattered Roman survivors clung to hordes of old Roman coins lived in hiding until they died from plague or pestilence.
Fiji is an island group in the South Pacific located northeast of New Zealand, near the International Date Line. A long-time British Colony, Fiji has enjoyed independence since 1970. Captain Bligh once found refuge here after the “Mutiny on the Bounty.”
With the most landmass in all of Polynesia, Fiji boasts 333 islands, but only about 100 are actually inhabited. The islands are mainly volcanic, with some smaller islands being made up from coral atolls and reefs. Viti Levu is the biggest island, with an interior highland plateau mostly over 1000 feet in elevation, and villages and towns scattered around its coastline.
Suva is the capitol of Fiji, and the largest city with a population of several hundred thousand. Vanua Levu is the second-largest island, and is mainly residential, filled with native villagers living in a tribal society.
The islands were once covered with lush virgin rainforest, but this has been heavily logged over the years. Almost all the native sandalwood trees are long gone, and mahogany is the next victim of the lumberjacks. You’ll see the logging trucks as you drive around Viti Levu. In the drier areas of the islands, people have been growing sugar cane for decades, and the destruction of the native flora and fauna continues. There are very few pockets of original rainforest left, but there is an active campaign to reforest the island with pine trees.
It is wonderful to see the many thousands of beautiful fern trees of Fiji thriving. They seem to be growing everywhere, and not just being used as the timbers in the traditional Bure huts the Fijians build.
Bats are the only native mammals to the islands, and the mongeese you see were imported from India in a vain attempt to control the snake population on the islands. Otherwise, Fiji is known for the thousands of bird varieties that are to be found here. The best islands for birdwatching are Taveuni, Kadavu and Vanua Levu. Species to look for are Fiji petrels, peregrine falcons, silktail and long-legged warblers, and of course the many parrots of the islands.
Fiji is a wonderful place to go on holiday, with a variety of hotels and resorts willing to put you up, feed you, and entertain you. Bula is the word for welcome, and it drips off everyone’s smile quite readily! Fiji is a welcoming place with a beautiful climate and friendly people.
To get to Fiji you will fly into Nadi International Airport on the west side of Viti Levu, the main island. There is another international airport near Suva, the capital, but it serves fewer flyers, mainly inter-island hopping flights.