Silent Wednesday 58 - A Glimpse at the World Beneath

Silly but "SECRET". Hidden London Sightseeings!

The Neal's Yard clock

This cute creation  of Andy Plant and Tim Hunkin has been a special feature of Shorts Gardens since the early 80's. The property itself is a Holland and Barrett health shop at the moment. It is a bit sad but the clock does not work properly right now..

At the time when it was in full working order water used to fall down the wall every 60 minutes and thus filling 5 cans, held by the figures at the bottom. All except one water a plant. It is the  fifth one that pores water either down on the street either upon your head.

Five roof terraces guaranteed to give you holiday envy

Hotel roof bars and pools are all well and good, but the roof terrace is private to just you (and whoever's worthy of an invite). Whether you want to host an after party or create a romantic hideaway for two, villa rooftop terraces provide some of the best holiday-porn going:

La Trasita, Amalfi Coast

One of the most unique roof terraces belongs to the La Trasita property in Positano, Italy. The distinctive apartment occupies the top level of a 14th century Saracen tower, complete with a private circular rooftop terrace. Sleeping two people, La Trasita is an exceptional romantic retreat, with curved staircases taking you from one floor to the next and incredible sea views from arched windows.

Ca’n Castello, Ibiza

Set in rock strewn gardens, Ca’n Castello is a fine example of modern architecture with a chic design that heavily features natural elements of stone and wood. Built with glass walls, the exquisite roof terrace makes the most of the 360° panoramic views over the ocean, villa’s private pool and Balearic countryside. The terrace has a docking station – ideal for after parties or recreating the magic of Café del Mar during the day.

Missing the Tour de France? Take your own European cycling trip

Now that the Tour de France has finished, with Italian Vincenzo Nibali donning the yellow jersey, many cycling fans may be left dreaming of their own two-wheeled tour of Europe.

If your love of cycling has been reignited and the Tour de France has left you wanting more, this may be the perfect time to consider your own cycling trip. Whether you like cities, hillsides, wining and dining or would rather just stay closer to home, there are plenty of fantastic tours you can make on your own two wheels. Here’s a selection of some of Europe’s most impressive cycling regions to whet your appetite.

For Tour de France fans: The Pyrenees

Image courtesy of kingArthur_aus

One of the key routes of the Tour de France, the Pyrenees offer challenging routes and winding pathways between the area’s many peaks. These hefty climbs reward cyclists with high speed descents and awe-inspiring views of mountains, forests and high altitude lakes.

Beginners could start with the Col des Ares climb, which offers gentle gradients of 310m in total, with winding turns throughout. Cycle 6.7km from la Moulette to the summit, where you’ll be able to celebrate your journey with a cooling beverage.

Another great climb, and one of the most popular, is Guardader d’Arres, which can be started on the Spanish side of the border. This winds through tall forests before offering jaw dropping views across the valley. Following the moderately steep, but steady climb, cyclists can enjoy a fun descent, speeding through the village of Arres, with plenty of hairpin bends to get the heart racing.

The Grand Budapest Hotel guide to Eastern Europe

Director Wes Anderson’s highly anticipated latest creation, TheGrand Budapest Hotel, boasts an all-
star cast including Ralph Fiennes, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe and Jude Law. This 1930s caper is set in an imaginary Eastern European principality called Zubrowka, in the striking pink alpine hotel that lends its name to the title.

Whilst you may not be able to visit Zubrowka in real life, the movie presents a glimpse into the ambience of some of Eastern Europe’s most historic destinations and a sense of nostalgia for a time between the two world wars, when the region thrived and flourished. To learn more about the movie and its inspirations, here’s a look into some key destinations for The Grand Budapest Hotel tour of Eastern Europe.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin was not only the launch-pad of the movie, which opened at the city’s film festival, but it was also one of the key filming locations. Visitors to the city can enjoy their own tour to learn about the city’s colourful history.

 

Learn about the East/West split at the Berlin Wall by visiting Checkpoint Charlie, where many East Berliners tried to escape to the West. The monumental Brandenburg Gate has been a key site for a number of major historical events and is one of the city’s most impressive landmarks – it’s now seen as a symbol of Germany’s tumultuous past as well as European peace and unity.

Best Of The Internet - Week 1

As we're working for the Internet (he's a person, don't even start to argue with me), me and Geoff find tons and tons of amazing content each week. And, while we can't write for you as much as we want (this blog being a personal side project for us), we decided we can at least compensate you with something. 

Like the Silent Wednesday post, which offers no words, but images and animations for you to interpret however you wish, we'll be adding a new weekly (scheduled) post on Fridays. 

We'll aggregate and collect the best of what we stumble upon throughout the Internet and on Fridays, present it to you, with a small description and commentary. 

I hope you guys enjoy it and I leave you with our first catch :)

7 Must Visit Theme Parks

Holidays and vacation getaways are never complete unless a trip to a theme or amusement park is planned. With all the excitement, amenities, fun activities and the opportunity to bond with the entire family, there’s a whole new world in stored for anyone who enters a theme park! Ready? Check out the best theme parks around the world.

Cedar Point, Ohio

If you want to scream and shout in excitement with all the twisting and twirling that a rollercoaster ride has to offer, then, Cedar Point in Ohio is where you should hit! Considered as the second oldest theme park in the US, Cedar Point is also the rollercoaster capital of the world, boasting a record of 17 (the most) rollercoasters in just one park! That’s enough to give visitors and adventure-seekers the adrenaline rush that they’re looking for. Any Trip to Cedar Point will never be complete without checking out the 3 water rides or a visit to the petting farm. Live shows, a peanuts playground and a challenge park all add up to the excitement in this 364-acre property.