St. Petersburg is the second largest city of Russia (4.6 million), and also their “tourist capital.” It is an imperial city, founded in 1703 by Russian Emperor Peter the Great as the new capital of Russia in the Neva River delta, full of history of Russian tsars, court intrigues and revolutions. Following the political changes, the city changed its name several times and is also known as Petrograd and Leningrad.

Now St. Petersburg is a fascinating place that captivates the eye of visitors with its numerous examples of architecture, museums, palaces, parks, wide avenues, spectacular bridges and elegant monuments. St. Petersburg was the capital of the Russian Empire for 206 years, and was built and planned by leading European architects and artists, invited by the czars, so its architecture is heavily influenced by Italian, French and Netherlands. In the early twentieth century also develops the modernist style.

The historic center of St. Petersburg has been declared World Heritage by UNESCO. The Neva river and canals through the city and allow boating and enjoy the view from its shores. St. Petersburg was the place of residence and inspiration for many writers and musicians. Apart from its classic attractions, cultural visits (museums, palaces, cathedrals, theaters), in recent years has developed a wide range of leisure, entertainment, restaurants and shopping. St. Petersburg can be an ideal place to start learning modern Russia, the Russian people and culture in general. If you like art, history and culture, St. Petersburg is going to impress.

What to do in St Petersburg?

Cultural tourism: visit the famous Hermitage Museum and other museums, palaces, cathedrals and summer residences of the tsars, or just strolling around town, enjoying its plazas, wide avenues, groups of buildings, canals, parks and spectacular views from the jetties Neva River.

Source: www.san-petersburgo.com/guia.htm
image source: www.icehotel4u.com/images-cms/ST._PETERSBURG.jpg

Located at the corner of the intersection of crowded streets of downtown Seoul, Deoksugung Palace is, among other things, a palace famous for its elegant path of stone wall. As the only palace that stands alongside modern buildings adds uniqueness to the landscape.

Deoksugung Palace originally belonged to Prince Wolsandaegun (1454 ~ 1488), the older brother of King Seongjong (1469 ~ 1494) of the Joseon Dynasty. He was promoted to the rank of proper palace when Gwanghaegun (1575 ~ 1641) ascended the throne and gave the name of building Gyeongungung Palace in 1611. After those days, the name changed to Deoksugung palace.

Entering the Palace Deoksugung Daehanmun portal appears in the pond Geumcheon Geumcheon bridge, wide enough to place him as the coach of the monarch. Beopjeon Building, Junghwajeon, stands with authority as containing the long history that leads to it. The building was named for Jeukjodang Gwanghaegun and Jo both monarchs were crowned here. The front sign was written by Gojong Jeukjodang in 1905 after he ascended the throne. Hamnyeongjeon was where Go in Hamnyeong Jong slept, and was named so for wanting Gojong have lasting peace. The East Wing served as the King’s room and the west wing of the Queen.

Jeonggwanheon was the first western style building built in the palace in 1900. Jong enjoyed drinking coffee and spending his free time here. At the rear of the building had, and even today there are secret passageways to the Russian Emissary Residence. Seokjojeon is another Western-style building that still remains to this day in Gyeongungung Palace, which was being built by an Englishman for his company in 1905 but later in the hands of the Japanese government to build it ended in 1910.

After the death of King Gojong, Seokjojeon became a Japanese art gallery opened its doors to the public, and after Independence, the U.S. Joint Commission and Russia was held here in May 1946. The east wing of the building now serves as headquarters Seokjogwan Exhibition Treasures of the Palace, and the west wing is used as part of the National Museum of Contemporary Arts.

Source: http://spanish.visitkorea.or.kr/spa/TR/TR_SP_3_1_2.jsp?cid=334519
images sources: www.knowledgerush.com/wiki_image/4/40/Korea_south_seoul_deoksugung_palace.jpg; http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2098/2258993497_d8dcbf121c.jpg; www.dailytravelphotos.com/images/2009/091003_seoul_korea_deoksugung_palace_daehanmun_changing_royal_guards_drum_MG_2535.jpg

However, once it reaches the throne room of the Pavilion Gyeonghoeru Geunjeongjeon, found forty-eight resting on granite pillars that rise above a lake of lotuses, such efforts have proven, even more, worth worthwhile. Other notable aspects include high-rise pagoda resting on top of the National Folk Museum of Korea and Hwangwonjeong Pavilion, which is centered on a beautiful pond.

Literally meaning “The Palace of the Prosperous Virtue”, the gardens of the Palace Changdeokgung are arguably the most beautiful of the five palaces. Ras Located within a large park in Jongno-gu, is sometimes referred to as the East Palace, given the situation with respect to the Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Curiously, it is reported that the palace was Changdeokgung most favored among the large kings of the Joseon Dynasty, and since then it has retained many traditional Korean elements dating from the Age of the Three Kingdoms-elements that were not taken into account during the Building Gyeongbokgung neighboring buildings. One such notable differences is the fact that the architecture of Changdeokgung harmonizes beautifully with the surrounding nature, without seeming intrusive or destructive to the process.

The precious Biwon secret garden is particularly beautiful. Packed with pavilions, ponds and wooded areas, the Palace Gardens are beautifully Changdeoksugung imbued with all things natural, almost hidden deep between the trees and foliage hiding dampens the noise and bustle of the nearby town.

Source: http://koreahouse.forumcommunity.net/?t=24471592

It has often been said that Seoul remains a virtual outdoor museum of precious historic relics, a recreational, monumental attraction for both visitors and natives alike. However, from all cultural signpost that dot the city, nothing is more often visited or most greatly admired the “Big Five Palaces.” Built by the kings of Joseon, all remain remarkably well preserved, ideally located and easily accessible. And although one could say that spring is the most ideal time to visit, since all the gardens of the palaces are decorated with cherry blossoms and azaleas, the units remain regularly as a superb break away monotony of urban life that emanates from beyond the stone walls surrounding elegant.

No visit to Seoul would be complete without a stroll through the actual paths Gyeongbokgung, Changgyeonggung or Gyeonghuigung. The opportunity to marvel at the magnificent architecture and beautiful structure, learning first hand of a country so full of history, is an opportunity not to be missed.

Of particular interest are the lonely gardens Changgyeonggung large-scale grandeur of Gyeongbokgung and Deoksugung architectural diversity. Anyone wishing to escape the hectic pace of urban life should consider a visit, is the perfect way to get out and enjoy the warm climate.

Composed of several buildings, all varying in construction, Deoksugung Palace units were once occupied by various Korean royalty until the Japanese took control toward the beginning of the twentieth century. Beyond the entrance of Daehanmun prominent, notable architectural aspects include Junghwajeon, the throne room and the audience, and Seokjojeon, the only building that has to do with the lines of Western design. Also, characterizing the premises, is an art museum that plays host to several trade shows, a retired pleasantly wooded garden, a statue of King Sejong the Great, and Jeonggwanheon, the attractive building filled with European structures and the residence where King Gojong held parties and entertaining guests.

Source: http://koreahouse.forumcommunity.net/?t=24471592
image source: http://kevinjames.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/seoul_palace_unpainted.jpg

Located in the east of the city. There is the Sensoji temple, 1400 years old. The entrance to the temple is located just outside the subway station. Nakamise have to cross a huge market with 87 shops, where you can find everything: food, as in Shimizu-Ya-Do Bairin Jewish, kimonos and yukata in Kazusa-Ya, umbrellas and parasols Nishimija Shoten, toys in Inaba, T-shirts, baseball caps, takeaways, etc.

Temples and Shopping Arcade

Legend has it that in 628 two brothers were fishing in the Sumida River. and took the statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. They decided to return the statue to the river, but do what they did, the goddess appeared again. Sensoji Temple was built in honor of this goddess, and is considered the oldest church in the city.

They say that burning incense is good luck here, so there are always dozens of people with their hands on a kind of ovens where incense is burned, and then passed his hands over his head. Outside the temple there is a kind of stalls where the faithful write their wishes on a wooden plaque (Ema) and strung on a thread. They seek favors from the gods: from adopting a test, to the healing of a family. Sometimes you can read some like: “I play video games all day” or “I belong to the musical group Morning Musume.” No comments …

Asakusa Temple

In many temples you’ll see a swastika decorating flashlights and lanterns. Nothing to do with the Nazi emblem. In Japan this symbol dates back to prehistoric times and represented the sun. He also appeared in ancient books of alchemy. That is, long before the Nazis took as its emblem, the swastika already had another meaning for Japanese and Hindus. It also appears in many drawings sleeves without necessarily referring to National Socialism.

This temple was destroyed during the Second World War, so it was almost entirely rebuilt. The temple always open and admission is free. This takes place during the carnival samba August. It has three entries, but the best known is Kaminarimon.

Source: www.viajeajapon.com/asak.htm

For over 1200 years, since the transfer of the capital to Kyoto in 794. Until the twentieth century, a culture originated splendid, delicate and unique in the world that is considered the mother culture of Japan. That is why often referred to Kyoto “the Heart of Japan” and said it would be impossible to know the country without visiting this wonderful city, home to some 1,600 temples, 250 shrines, 60 gardens, 24 museums, two imperial villas the most photogenic places in the country.

Many of its churches were founded about a thousand years ago but have been destroyed by earthquakes, fires and wars, to be rebuilt again and again. Because of its historical significance, the city was spared some bombing during the Second World War.

Kyoto can be subdivided into five general areas. Those general areas of Kyoto: Rakuhoku (north), Rakusei (west), Rakuchu (center), Rakuten/Higashiyama (east) and Rakunan (south). There are multiple ways to enjoy the unique features of this historic city, its architecture, gardens, Buddhist traditions, festivals, Kaiseki (tea preparation), arts and crafts. One of the best ways to get around the city is on foot and trying to get out of routes. It goes where you go, always enjoy its charms.

Source: www.viaje.jp/destinos/kioto/ciudad_de_kioto.html
image source: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1020/1221830006_ff26db15cc.jpg

Close to Ueno station, in the Metropolitan Tokyo Imperial Gift Park, the National Museum displays the largest collection of Japanese art in the world. The museum consists of five buildings with numerous galleries showing collections of antique kimonos and delicate pottery, wood carvings and archeological remains. The vast collection is displayed on a rotating basis, with at least 4,000 objects visible at any time, so the museum always has something new to show.

The Shinjuku district is without a doubt, the most animated of Tokyo. Only by passing subway station two million people daily. The two areas of Shinjuku, east and west are very different but live in armonoa. While the west is the commercial center of the city, well ordered, with skyscrapers, great boutiques, bars and restaurants, this is chaotic, laberantico and is full of fast-foods and small businesses.

Tokyo Tower was built in 1958, in imitation of the Eiffel Tower, only 13 m. higher, with exactly 333 m. high. It has two balconies from which you can enjoy panoramic views of Tokyo and Mount Fuji on clear das.

The area of Ueno-Koen was the last bastian of the Shogunate to the imperial army. Currently it is a large park filled with museums, temples and a zoo.

The Sin of Tsukiji Market is one of the largest in the world. The ships come here from 3:00 am to download your mercancÃá from different parts of the world (the Pacific, Africa and even America) with enough power to meet the needs of a country where fish is king, especially tuna. Between 5:00 and 7:00 are held auctions for wholesalers, who then mercancda venderon their usual customers: fishmongers and restaurants. Visit is an experience.

Source: www.viaje.jp/destinos/tokio/ciudad_de_tokio.html
images sources: www.virtourist.com/asia/japan/tokyo/imatges/43.jpg; www.japan-i.jp/explorejapan/kanto/tokyo/ueno/4oa00l00000048y1-img/4oa00l00000048yj.jpg; www.wired.com/images/article/magazine/1509/1Cbillbords.jpg; www.attictours.ph/images/tokyotower.jpg

Tokyo, Japan’s capital, is located in the southwest of the Kanto region on Honshu Island. It is a city full of more s world, with around 12 million inhabitants.

Since the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu established his government here in the early seventeenth century, the city began to develop around Edo Castle. Although much of the city was destroyed during the earthquake of 1923 and under the bombs of the Second World War, returned to restore.

Tokyo is not only the politicians and economic center of Japan, also offers a number of attractions that appeal to visitors as the districts of Ginza, Shinjuku, Asakusa, Shibuya, Akihabara and more.

Ginza is the most popular shopping complex in Tokyo. Here you can stroll among the most modern and expensive boutiques, plus a number of bars and restaurants and the famous skyscrapers of Sony, which offers the latest technological developments.

The Hama Rikyu Detached Palace Garden, south of central Tokyo, is a green area which occupies about 25 acres on an island. During the seventeenth century was the hunting ground of the Tokugawa shogunate and becomes a public park after the Second World War. As this is an island, so you can only access the park through Nanmon Bridge.

The Imperial Palace is the soul of Tokyo, located in the same area where the remains of the old Edo Castle. The current palace was built in 1888 and is the residence of the imperial family. The palace is surrounded by beautiful parks, such as Higashi Gyoen (Jardin d’Este), where the Castle of Edo, open to the public. On 2 January and 23 December, allows visitors to enter the inner garden, where you can see the imperial family, leaving the balcony to greet. Guided tours are available to the palace, which must solicitarsecon advance. In spring, the gardens are displayed in all its glory, with the cherry blossoms.

Source: www.viaje.jp/destinos/tokio/ciudad_de_tokio.html

The Eiffel Tower was built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889 to be held in commemoration of the centenary of the French Revolution. Gustave Eiffel and his company were the entrepreneurs of such a project starting in 1887 was completed in March 1889, just over two years later. The work generated no little controversy, especially among artists of the time, who thought of the tower as an “iron monster” in the middle of the city of romance.

When talking about technical features, the tower is a huge metal structure weighing about 10,000 tons and its height was originally 300 feet, is now 324 meters, including radio and television antenna was added much later. Employ some 200 workers who joined more than 18,000 pieces of iron with 2 million bolts. The foundation measure 30 meters in depth, due to the proximity to the river and the nature of the subsoil.

It consists of three levels, can be accessed through the first two steps, should be encouragement to join the 1665 steps up! Otherwise you can take the elevator, which normally have long queues …

In the first level, 57 meters, operate a post office, where you can send postcards with the special stamp “Paris Tour Eiffel,” the restaurant “Altitude 95″, a souvenir shop, the reception hall and conferences “Gustave Eiffel”, the Cineiffel, exhibitions with photos of the tower, and of course the gallery from which you can take panoramic pictures of Paris.

The second level is 115 meters above the ground and from there partly lift to the third level. There are a few souvenir shops, restaurant Jules Verne and above all, the views of the city are spectacular.

At 276 meters, after rising 160 meters into the lift, you reach the third level, where the views are absolutely extraordinary. At this level there is a recreation of workplace Gustave Eiffel, with wax figures of Eiffel and his daughter Claire to receive the inventor Thomas Edison, and of Gustave Eiffel and his two engineers Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier.

When it authorized the construction of the tower, Gustave Eiffel was to undertake the project with its own funds and the city government would allow the operation of the tower during the term of 20 years, after which the tower would become part of heritage Paris. The play was a successful first year, but these were no better or even equal to the first.

The fate of the tower after 20 years seemed to be none other than destruction. That’s why Eiffel emphasized the great scientific benefits of such a structure could provide (to the construction of the Chrysler Building in New York in 1930 the tower was the tallest building in the world) and made to install a weather station top and, later, a telegraph antenna, whose benefits were highly tested at military level. Thus saved Eiffel tower. From 1921 he began to broadcast radio and television time came.

Only since the ’60s becomes a tourist attraction with the influx of the international public. Of all the sights of Paris, one can say that the Eiffel Tower is one of the few that remain far from immutable over time evolves and innovates, either with changes in paint color, either with lighting effects.

When opened to the public in May 1889 visited until the end of the year about 2 million people currently are 6 million tourists who visit annually. Since its inauguration and the end of 2005 are being counted more than 220 million visitors!

Source: www.mundocity.com/europa/paris/torre-eiffel.html
image source: www.world-city-photos.org/Paris/Eiffel_Tower/Pictures_of_Eiffel_Tower_black_and_white.jpg; http://funguerilla.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eiffel-tower-paris.jpg; http://viterbivoices.usc.edu/evans/files/2010/05/Beneath-the-Eiffel-Tower_-Paris_-France.jpg

From the twelfth century this vast space had been occupied by factories “tuiles” (a kind of tiles, from which it derives its name) and orchards. In 1564, Catherine de Medicis had built there a palace, the Tuileries Palace, surrounded by a large garden Florentine style, where fountains adorned with sculptures stood out, a maze, lots of ornamental and fruit trees, lawns, potted flowers, garden and even a vineyard …

Large lavish receptions and parties were held in these gardens, which by then were the queen’s personal gardens and were surrounded by high walls. In 1594 they planted cypress trees and lots of mulberry trees for silkworm rearing. Stables and cages with birds also had their place in this small paradise.

In 1664, Louis XIV commissioned André Le Nôtre to redesign the garden, opening it to people of high society, was the first public garden in Paris. Its tree-lined avenues, where alternating maple, horse chestnut trees, cypresses and elms, they were populated by statues. Tulips and carnations filled with color spring and summer. Later came the pond, big pond first round, then two smaller ones and finally the west octagonal pool in 1669.

When the court was established at the Palace of Versailles made only at the Tuileries maintenance. On the way back in 1715, it trayeron many statues scattered in the garden.

At the time of the Revolution, the palace and gardens were the center of Republican power. A restructuring plan transformed the Italian garden in English: Increase lawns and pots were replaced by trees and shrubs with fragrant flowers … some, thinking it was too luxurious, suggested use as a garden. The idea did not prosper, but on the contrary, they thought of embellishing with porticoes, lectures, Propylaea … After the fall of Robespierre, this project was abandoned.

In the late eighteenth century garden poured into the neoclassical, full of classical statues restored and taken from the nobility. Orange trees were planted citrus plants and flowers are sold at auctions, while public access was restricted. Napoleon continued the real plan to raise the Louvre to the Palais des Tuileries and built the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, while large parties in back gardens.

In 1862 he built the Jeu de Paume, a sort of space dedicated to a game that could be called the predecessor of tennis.

The events of the Commune in 1870 ended up setting fire to the Tuileries Palace, which was never recovered and finally decided to raze. By the end of the century, the gardens regained their public character and developed important social events such as the “Motor” and celebrations of important dates. The World Wars seriously affected the state of the garden, which was gradually restored to its role festive.

The bicentenary of the revolution in 1889 marked the end of the festivities, to consecrate the Tuileries Gardens as pure space walk. The restoration project tried to respect the history of the garden, retaining ponds, vegetation and sculptures, making a veritable museum of outdoor art.

Source: www.mundocity.com/europa/paris/tullerias.html
image source: www.planetware.com/i/photo/jardin-des-tuileries-paris-f1206.jpg; www.ecole-st-martin.fr/wp-content/themes/mimbo2-1.2/images/2009/10/paris-jardin-des-tuileries-011.jpg