France Vacation
Published September 25, 2009 | 
There are many beautiful places in Fhance must be visited. So, we tried this summer to visit some of them including in our travel plan one of the most beautiful one – Chateau de Villandry, famous The Castle of Villandry. Its rich history started in far 1189 when Philippe II August (“the Conqueror”) who was a brilliant warrior and a master strategist, demanded to meet the king of England, Henri II Plantagenet, after having defeated him at the battle of Azay-le-Rideau earlier that year.
Philippe II August informed him of the terms of the peace treaty that would require him to relinquish part of his land holdings in France. Legend has it that the king of France was so moved by the English sovereign’s poor state of health during their meeting that he offered him a seat, but Henri II refused and kept standing, held up by his guardsmen.
His fragile and already angry condition was no doubt exacerbated by the wrath incurred at the sight of his son, then Count of Poitou (and future Richard Lionhearted), who had fought at the king of France’s side. King Henri II had vowed to avenge this slight in blood, but died 3 days later, damning the son who had betrayed him.
Jean le Breton (“the Briton”) was Minister of Finances under king François I. He had the castle of Villandry built in the early 16th century, on the foundations of a medieval fortress on the left bank of the river Cher. His trade may have been business, but he also had exceptional architectural experience: he had been the construction manager for the castle of Chambord for many years and had also been the French Ambassador to Italy, where he had studied landscape design. Originally, the village and the estate were together known as the “Colombiers” (“Dove Roosts”) but the minister found it too common a name. As he was in the good graces of the royal family, he was allowed to change not only the name of the village and castle, but also his own. Jean le Breton soon became “Monsieur de Villandry”.
This castle, just like the one at Azay-le-Rideau, was a means for its owner to acquire important social standing, so Jean le Breton and his family didn’t hesitate to invest their entire fortune to improve the castle and its park. Whether it was due to his honesty or his cleverness, Jean Le Breton was never dishonored or dispossessed of his belongings as were the owners of Azay-le-Rideau and Chenonceau. In 1619, Jean le Breton’s grandson, Balthazar, was even conferred a title of nobility and became the “Marquis de Villandry”.
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history facts via
http://www.francemonthly.com/ which I used being preparing to visit France
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Welcome to Ukraine
Published July 19, 2009 | [youtube="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqqLNNhhzuU"]
Wherever you travel, whenever you leave the house, travel insurance is the important thing you have to care before. For instance traveling trough the England you can use coach hire that is more than just transport, it’s probably must-have accessory then visit
Planning your next trip to Lyme use lyme regis accommodation for picking up among various of Dorset hotels, guest houses, self catering, bed and breakfast and more the most suited one.
2 Trav 2 Estonia
Published June 28, 2009 | What might be better than 2 travel 2 Estonia to take part in one of the most exciting European annual musical events as a Song and Dance Celebration. I dream about then plan my July vacations with this wonderful festival of Estonian traditional singing. Tickets available yeat!
The Song Celebration tradition started in the middle of the 19th century and it has survived all of the twists and turns in Estonia’ s history.
It has defied the hardest of times like a frail plant that pushes its way through concrete with its inner strength and then bursts into bloom. Preceded by some local Song Celebrations, the first nationwide Song Celebration was held in Tartu in 1869.
At the time this was seen as the first attempt at national self-determination, manifested before the Baltic-German rulers: See, we can do something too! Fifty choirs and musical ensembles from all over Estonia performed before an audience of thousands, who experienced a blissful sense of belonging, enhanced by the beauty of the music and the songs.
This celebration evolved into a tradition that still flourishes today. The small nation which started the tradition has had to prove to foreign authorities, even in the 20th century, that they are a fully fledged nation with its own rights and resolves.
Song and Dance Celebrations were not just big festivals of singing and music but a way to demonstrate the national spirit and to strengthen the sense of belonging.
The age of foreign rulers is past but Song and Dance Celebrations are still alive – both local and nationwide.
And this proves how deep and strong is the core, spirit and meaning of Song and Dance Celebrations. It is definitely not only the spirit of protest and resistance that brings hundreds of thousands of Estonians – and an increasing number of guests from around the world – every five years to Tallinn. The total number of performers in the last Song and Dance Celebration in 2004 was 34 000 and they performed before an audience of 200 000.
Rather, it is the unique combination of the sublimity of music and human warmth that a rather distrustful northern nation dares to show during Song Celebrations, much to the surprise of others and its self..
Song and Dance Celebration – this is a joy. Because Song Festivals are irreplacable and unique, they can only be experienced on site.
Many thanks to all who have contributed to this Celebration!
Do not be sad, the next Youth Celebration of Song and Dance is in 2007 and nationwide Song and Dance Celebration in 2009!
Estonian Song and Dance Celebration Foundation
July 2-5, 2009
Programme
2 July, Thursday
at 15 – Folk Music Celebration on Town Hall Square
3 July, Friday
at 19 – First Concert of Dance Celebration – on Kalev Stadium
4 July, Saturday
at 11 – Second Concert of Dance Celebration – on Kalev Stadium
at 14 Festive Parade of Song and Dance Celebration
at 19 – First Concert of Song Celebration – on Song Celebration Grounds
5 July, Sunday
at 11 – Third Concert of Dance Celebration – on Kalev Stadium
at 14 – Second Concert of Song Celebration – on Song Celebration Grounds
Tickets available: www.piletilevi.ee/
