From Europe to the World

Photos of cities I have visited and their beautiful moment. All the photos are taken by me and only me. It is a beautiful world out there, one must see as many places as they could. My mission is to see the world and to show you with me...

[frombarcelonatoeurope]

Nice la Belle

Nice, South of France.

One of the most turquoise, beautiful pebble beaches in the world. It's beautiful in the morning and at night. With the art created here and there, Nice is a beautiful city to see.

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Paris, France.

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The paradise land called Plitvicka lake in Croatia.

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Rovinj, Croatia.

Rovinj is one of the most beautiful, romantic getaways one can ever imagine. It's a small, unique and colorful town on the Adriatic sea of Croatia. Beaches there are just impeccable. It could get extremely hot in the summer, therefore a splash in the fresh turquoise waters is just what you need to cool you off. It's a fisherman village as well, so expect to eat lots of sea-food for little amount of money and small bars are located in each corner. Make sure to get lost in the small allies, you'll be surprise to how beautiful and colorful the landscape is. 

[frombarcelonatoeurope]

Yes, heaven does exist.

Plitvicka Jezera in Croatia, I think that this was one of the most beautiful scenery I have every seen in my life. It is a wonder one must see at least once in a lifetime. Unfortunately, you cannot just dive into that turquoise water, and yes no matter how hot you feel. It is one of the greatest reasons this place is paradise till today. It is one of the oldest national parks in Eastern Europe and it has been added to UNESCO world heritage in 1979.

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The Right Moment. Plitvicka Lakes, Croatia.

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The beauty of Prague, Czech Republic.

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Like Father like Son. Barcelona, Spain. 

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Love grows old with you

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Pigeon courtship rituals

Feral pigeons are the kind of domesticated pigeons, the one we observe in parks, gardens and the street.

Pigeon mate any time of year. A male pigeon is usually with a thicker, more colorful neck and a bigger body than that of the female, thus the attractions and the impressing attention.

When a male pigeon spots a single female, he singles her out and uses all of his magical tactics.

As he approaches the chosen one at a rapid pace he produces repetitive notes, often bowing and doing pirouettes.

After persistence from the male, the female finally gives in. He then mounts her while flapping his wings to support himself on top of her.

It is usually a very brief moment, but it is a naturally beautiful act, especially if they beak lock together. 

[frombarcelonatoeurope]

Cataluña

http://www.gencat.cat/catalunya/cat/index.htm

Last summer I was taking my last two courses in Barcelona, in Ramon Llul University in particular. Barcelona is a great beach city, amazing architecture by Antonio Gaudi, one of the famous Catalan architects.

Barcelona is a unique city, not like anywhere else. It is the capital of a civilization that does not exist out in the open but rather in the hearts of its ancestors and the current generations.

Here is a little history about Barcelona; it is inspired from another article because I think it was explained beautifully. It is just to explain the battle of survival Catalonia had to endure and since when it all started.

Cataluña’s source is combined by history and legend at the same time. Given that the origin of Catalonia is linked to a real person, who is also considered a hero; Guifre el Pelos also known as Wilfred the Hairy.

This nobleman, legendary for his chivalry act and his value in battle, he linked the tradition of the four bars on the flag, which was once really marked with his own finger and blood on his golden shield.

The flag nowadays has four red bars with a yellow background and a blue triangle with a white star. The red bars obviously represent his four bloody fingers on his golden shield. While the blue triangle and white star was inspired from the Cuban revolution.

Unfortunately After Wilfred’s death, Catalonia after starting to expand in the Mediterranean and by having the strongest army, it still started deteriorating slowly over the years.

During the Napoleon wars, Bonaparte started segregating Catalonia in to two parts, the Spanish part and the French part.  This alteration actually gave Catalonia a chance to stand up on its feet again. Which it did after the Generalitat Government was restored and the Statute of Autonomy was accepted.

Then the Civil War from 1936-39, started which eliminated any chance of prosperity, and sadly following it was the WWII, which set them back many many years.

Most of Catalonia’s history was eradicated at that time, books, language, historical artifacts; the law was destroying everything. Catalonia was not to exist.  But the future brought bits and pieces of fortune. Well not the whole country, but at least the acknowledgment that the culture exists. 

''Catalonia was the largest nation in the world. Catalonia had the first Parliament, long before England. And it was in Catalonia where there was a 'United Nations' principle. All of the authorities of Catalonia came together in the 11th Century to discuss peace. Yes, in the 11th Century! Peace in the world, because Catalonia was already anti-war, against everything inhumane related to wars. That was Catalonia!'' Cellist Pau Casals stated this in the Assembly of United Nations in 1971

After watching how people are in Barcelona and how they interact was a minor mouth opener to me.  Apparently till this day the whole match of Catalan versus Spain is still ongoing.

It all started with my professor being extra Catalan since the day he was born, his parents and their parents, it is like a gene in them.

Despite all living among each other in one big country, they don’t want to speak the same language.

Professor Joan Albert is one extreme Catalan; ‘’I am a real Catalan I am not Spanish. I always speak Catalan; I know everyone will understand me. But if someone tells me speak in Spanish, that is it for any positivity between us.’’

Spanish speak Spanish but Catalonians speak Catalan. And what is Catalan? It is a mixture of Spanish and French.

Even though Catalonia does not exist now, it existed over a century ago; Barcelona still is the capital of Catalan.

If you are in Barcelona the motto is ‘’Catalonia forever’’, if you go to Madrid it will be there is only one Spain.

I thought this was very peculiar and I wanted to know more, so I went and asked students, teachers, workers, employees, waiters, anyone local.

After asking an employee in Barcelona Activa, a Spanish corporation whether he is Spanish or Catalan?

His reply was rather inspiring, ‘’Spanish is by blood, but being Catalan is by heart. We are all Catalan but we can’t all be Spanish’’.

I wanted to know, after all these years, Catalan does not exist anymore but they just act so determined and patriotic, it’s inspiring.

[frombarcelonatoeurope]

Benicassim is vicinity that belongs to the province of Castellon in the Azahar Coast of Spain. Benicassim is very strategic. It shares a border with Tarragona from the north, Teruel from the west, Valencia and the Mediterranean from its east.

 Benicassim is a metropolis that merges the mountains and the sea together giving the opportunity to enjoy both aspects of this beautiful natural surrounding. The coastline is 6 kilometers of sandy beaches.

 Many people go scuba diving, windsurfing or sailing… sports and serenity.

 However, many people also go to the famous annual festival over there, the FIB Benicassim, which takes place is July. So try to plan your trip. 

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BARCELONETTA: For all you sea-food lovers out there!

Barcelona is a beach city, and just like all beach cities, it is famous with its mouth-watering, sensational sea-food. The second people arrive to Barcelona they sit on Les Rambles to eat a sea-food paella or a sea-food tapas, NO, this is not the place. For a good sea-food dish and restaurants you should head to 'Barcelonetta', which used to be the fishermen village before Barcelona became a hot touristic city. Barcelonetta is very famous you can go by metro (Yellow, Line 4) or you can take a walk down where the Columbus statue is and walk  it from the port, it is a beautiful place to walk by, especially at sunset. You can find cheap restaurants, but many of them are a little bit pricier BUT with bigger portions. Expect to pay around 30 euros for a good sea food plate and a sangria to go with it.

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Man Vs. Seagull

Seagulls are suppose to be pretty cool and harmless….NOT in Barcelona. When the sign states ‘’do not feed the birds’’ YOU DO NOT FEED THE BIRDS’’. Those are not cute birds, or birds. Those are monsters that fly by and prey on anything that moves. I love animals so much, but never feed a seagull! First of all they are enormous, they are like twice or even thrice the size of a big pigeon, then they look at you with their evil eyes.

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Re-FRESH-FRUIT-ments

Walking down Les Ramblas or down Barcelona allies in the midst of this summer-beach weather, having drops of sweat coming down your face just making you wish that it was more of a cold drop of water scrolling down your skin. Barcelona is on the Mediterranean, like any other country on the Med, it is rich with fruits… every corner you turn your face to, you will find street vendors selling fresh fruit juice. Cocktails with unique flavors- this shop right here mix their own fruits and make you try it out before you buy it. This fruit shop is located at la Boqueria Street off les Ramblas. It is worth visiting, the ally itself is just beautifully rich with culture.

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Sitges is a special diversified town not like any other Mediterranean towns. Around 30 kilometers along the rocky coast of Barcelona, lies this élan seaside town along the Costa Daurada.

 It was a former fishing village with progressing streets defined by palm trees everywhere and a mellow vibe.

It has almost 25,000 inhabitants which of coarse is multiplied in the summer.

The bohemian spirit that is laid-back credentials were established in the 18th century when wealthy traders set up holiday villas, attracting artists like Picasso who his set began chilling out here.

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Parc Guell- Antonio Gaudi and Eusebi Guell's masterpiece.

Park Guell is a must see. If you are in Barcelona, it is essential to spend one of you sunsets in Park Guell as it is high on a mountain. Therefore you have the entire view of the city, which is breathtaking. 

Eusebi Guell, Gaudi's patron planned to build a suburban city up on a mountain in the middle of a park.

They both started building it in 1900 and finished it by 1914. It was and still is a wonderland with the colorful ceramic colonnades and nature theme that is induced.

However, the real estate plan has failed and instead the government bought it in 1922 and made it a national park, that still is one of the biggest attractions until now in Barcelona.