Venice is a world-famous city on the water, the river crosses, dinghies become the main means of transportation, equal to the car on the street.
The Venetian dinghy is 20 to 30 feet long, narrow and deep, somewhat like a canoe. Their bows and sterns rise upward like crescent moons in the sky, and they move as swiftly as water snakes in a field ditch.
We were seated in a cabin with soft leather cushions like a sofa. The dinghy passes through a different form of ancient buildings, and says hello to the ships that come and go, and there is no end to the fun.
The boatman's driving skills are particularly good. The speed of the boat is very fast, a lot of boats, he maneuvered freely, without fumbling. No matter how crowded, he could always turn left and right and squeeze through. When he encountered a very narrow place, he was always able to pass through it smoothly and with great speed, and he could also make a sharp turn. The buildings on either side flew backward, and our eyes were too busy to know where to look.
Merchants, with large bags of goods, hurried out of their dinghies to do business along the river. Young women talked and laughed loudly in their dinghies. Many children, accompanied by their nannies, ride out into the countryside in dinghies to get some fresh air. Solemn old men with their entire families, Bibles in hand, go up in their dinghies to say their prayers.
At midnight, the theater broke up. A large crowd poured out and stepped into their respective hired skiffs. The clustered dinghies dispersed a moment later and disappeared into the middle of the curving river. Only the shadow of the moon could be seen bobbing in the water. Tall stone buildings towered over the river, old bridges crossed the water, and boats of all sizes were moored at the docks. The economy enveloped the city on the water, and old Venice fell asleep again.
Mark Twain, "The Boats of Venice"
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic
A beautiful and ancient mountain city. The city is surrounded by mountains and water, with numerous monuments and more than 2,000 historical relics under state protection. It is no exaggeration to say that in the old town every street and alley, almost all can be found since the 13th century in various forms of buildings, such as the famous St. Vitus Church, built in 1344, built in 1357 on the Vltava River, the iconostasis, artistic value of the Charles Bridge, built in 1348, the oldest institution of higher learning in Central Europe Charles University, as well as the glorious Prague Palace and the historic National Theater. the historic National Theater, among others. Some of the quieter streets in the Old Town still retain their medieval appearance, with stone paved streets, old gas lamps and many houses with religious frescoes. With the development of transportation in the city, many of the streets in the Old Town have become too narrow, allowing only cars and trams to pass one way. The Old Town Square in the center of the Old Town has existed for more than 900 years and is a meeting place for the masses. On the square is the Old Town Hall, a Gothic building built in 1338. South of the square is the famous Carolinum Palace, the oldest building of Charles University. Near Carolinum Palace is the famous Bethlehem Church. The Gunpowder Gate House, the only remaining of the 13 gates of the Old City. On the square is the Clock Tower, built in 1410, which is famous for its beautifully chic autoharp, even though the outer wall siding of the clock tower has partially peeled away due to its age. Visitors to Prague always go to the Old Town Square to see the old clock tower, and Prague citizens passing by the clock tower often stop to check their watches. Every hour, the clock on the window door will automatically open, the bell rings, 12 icons such as a lantern like one in the window, bowing to the people. This complex and marvelous autoharp bell was built in the middle of the 15th century by a pincer with a hammer, pliers, files and other tools, and to this day it keeps time accurately and has become a treasured piece of art for people's viewing pleasure.
Vienna
Vienna is the capital of Austria
Vienna is known as the "Goddess of the Danube". The environment is beautiful and the scenery is attractive. Mild winter and cool summer. Eastern Alps branch of the Vienna Woods Mountain stretches in the western suburbs, green forests. West of the mountain is a gorgeous residential area, gardens and vineyards around. The Danube River flows through the city, the water is blue and the mountains are beautiful, picturesque. Climbing the foothills of the Alps in the west of the city, the undulating "Vienna Woods" as far as the eye can see; east of the city facing the Danube Basin, you can see the Carpathian Mountains shining green peaks. North of the wide meadows like a large green felt, the sparkling blue Danube River meandering through the middle. Houses are built along the mountains, with heavy buildings and distinct layers. Climbing high and looking far away, various styles of church buildings to the green hills and blue water of the city covered with a layer of ancient and solemn color. The city streets were radial ring, 50 meters wide, both sides of the shade of the ring within the avenue for the inner city. The inner city cobblestone streets, crisscrossed, few high-rise houses, mostly Baroque, Gothic and Romanesque buildings. The spires of the medieval St. Stefan's Cathedral and the Twin Towers Church soar into the clouds, and their south tower, 138 meters high, overlooks the city. The Chambrun Palace, the summer residence of the Habsburgs, has Greek architecture, statues and fountains. There are large parks on the Danube River and on the island between the Danube Canal, the State Opera House built in 1869, known as the world's center of opera, and the 57-meter-wide, 4-kilometer-long Ringstrasse built in 1857, lined with museums, city halls, the Parliament, the University and the State Opera House, making it one of Europe's most scenic urban corridors. Between the ring road and another parallel ring road for the middle layer, this area for the commercial district, residential areas, but also palaces, churches and other interstitial construction. Outside the second ring road is the outer layer, with elegant parks, beautiful villas and other palaces in the western part of the city. Among these palaces, the Sch?nbrunn Palace in the southwestern part of the city attracts attention as a relic of the prosperous period in Austrian history. In the south-east of the city, the "Belvedere Palace" was built in the early 18th century by the Emperor Karl for Prince Eugen, who fought against the Turkish invasion. Tourism is well developed. The northeastern and southern suburbs are industrial zones with metallurgy, machinery, automobiles, railroad cars, chemicals and other sectors, and more than half of the country's clothing and printing output.
The name of Vienna has always been linked to music. Many musical masters, such as Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Johann? Strauss and his son, Gliuk and Brahms all spent many years of their musical careers here. Haydn's Emperor Quartet, Mozart's Marriage of Figaro, Beethoven's Symphony of Fate, Pastoral Symphony, Moonlight Sonata, Heroic Symphony, Schubert's Swan Song, Winterreise, Johann Strauss's Blue Dorado, and many more. Schubert's "Swan Song", "Winter Journey", Johann Strauss's "Blue Danube", "Tales of the Vienna Woods" and other famous music were born here. Their statues stand in many parks and squares, and many streets, auditoriums and conference halls are named after these musicians. The homes and graves of the musicians are visited and honored all year round. Today, Vienna has the world's most luxurious State Opera House, the famous Music Hall and the first-class level of symphony orchestra. A New Year's concert is held every year on January 1 in the Golden Hall of the Vienna Society of Friends of Music.
Venice
So-called "Pearl of the Adriatic", Venice (English: venice, Italian: venezia) is surrounded by the sea, is located in northeastern Italy on the Adriatic coast of Veneto Province (Veneto). From the map, Venice seems to be a crystal embedded in the waist of the wonderful boots, glittering in the waves of the Adriatic Sea.
There is a four-kilometer long dike in the northwest corner that connects it to the mainland, and it is not only an important port in Italy, but also an ancient city of culture and art. Venice and its lagoon, consisting of 118 islands. It is known as "Water Capital", "Water City", "Bridge City" or "City of a Hundred Islands", and is the capital of the province of Venice, Italy. It is the capital of the Italian province of Venice (another source: the capital of the Veneto region) and the main port of northern Italy. The world's unique city on the water with beautiful scenery, unique scenery, historical monuments abound in the city, is a picturesque and ancient charm of the historic city. Venice is connected by 117 rivers (another source: 177 canals), which are linked by 401 bridges. Venice waterway is the city's road, the city has no cars and bicycles, there is no traffic lights, boats are the only transportation in the city.
Venice is a beautiful city built in the most unlikely place to build a city. A city of less than 7 square kilometers, it was once the most powerful city in Europe in terms of manpower, material resources and power. The history of Venice is said to have begun in 453 A.D., when the peasants and fishermen of this part of the world turned to this small island in the Adriatic Sea in order to escape from the nomads, who had a taste for swords. Fertile alluvial soils, locally sourced stones, and boats made of wood from the neighboring inland; in the silt, on the water, the ancestors built Venice. Venice began to develop in the 10th century, around the 14th century, it has developed into Italy's busiest port city, known as the Mediterranean Sea, the most famous set of business, trade and tourism in one of the water metropolis; 14-15 century for the heyday of Venice, Italy's most powerful and richest sea "**** and the country", Since the 16th century, with Columbus discovering the American continent, Venice gradually declined, and was annexed by the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1797, and won the War of Independence against Austria in 1849. It was not until 1866 that it became part of the Kingdom of Italy.
French customs
Focus on the splendor of the dress and style of renewal. Women regard make-up and beauty as a necessity of life. They have a strong sense of time, plan their work well, and follow the principle of "ladies first". It is customary to perform the handshake salute, and those with a certain social status perform the kissing salute. Young girls are often curtsied
Spain
Basic Overview of Spain
Spain is a country of romance and passion, and its history, its art, and its temperament continue to attract curious people. Bullfighting, dancing, guitar.
① Geography:
Spain is located in the southwest of Europe, the Iberian Peninsula, the Atlantic Ocean (Mar Cantabrico) and the Mediterranean Sea (Mar Mediterraneo) shipping lanes of the throat of the mountainous (Cantab, Llanos, Goledo and Guadarrama and other mountain ranges), multi-river (Ebro R. Ebro, Duero, Tahoe R. Duero, Tahoe R. Ebro, Tahoe R. Duero, Tahoe R. Tahoe, Tahoe, Tahoe, Tahoe R. Tahoe). Duero, R. Taje, and R. Gualguivir), and high source countries. The central Meseta high source area covers about 60% of the country and has a continental climate. The northern and northwestern coastal zone has a maritime temperate climate. The south and southeast have a Mediterranean subtropical climate. Most of the area receives between 500 and 1,500 millimeters of precipitation. The south is almost frost-free all year round. The total area of Spain is more than 500,000 square kilometers. The population is more than 38.71 million. Most of them are Castilians Castilla, minority Catalans Catalu?a, Basques Valencia and Galicia Galicia. the official language is Spanish. 94% of the inhabitants envelope Catholic.
②Political and Economic Environment:
Spain is a parliamentary monarchy, with the throne being hereditary to Juan Carlos and his direct descendants. The king is the head of state and supreme commander of the armed forces. The government is a one-party government of the Socialist Labor Party (PSOE), which is overseen by Parliament. Madrid is the capital of Spain. Spain is a relatively developed capitalist industrial country. Because of the lack of power and industrial raw materials, the economy is more dependent on foreign countries,
The oil, iron ore, coking coal, etc. needed are imported. Exports include small cars, steel, cement, ships, textiles, mercury, fertilizers, alcohol, and olive oil. The European ****similarities and the United States are Spain's main trading partners.
Spanish cities and places of interest
① Madrid
Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a famous ancient city in Europe. Madrid is located in the center of the Iberian Peninsula, Guadarrama Mountain towers over it to the north, located in the high source of the Meseta, 670 meters above sea level, is the capital of Europe's highest terrain. Manzaneros River R. Manzanalis flows around the city. The city is well connected, with many lakes and shady trees and a pleasant climate. The center of Madrid is formed by the triangle of "Puerta del Sol, Plaza del Centro and Plaza de Espa?a". "Puerta del Sol" is the central square of Madrid, from which radiate out avenues in all directions, forming its dense urban structure like a spider web. In the middle of the square flower beds, erected on the head of a climbing in the berry tree on the robust brown bear sculpture, which is the city of Madrid micro. This sturdy and robust brown bear shows the indomitable and stubborn character of the people of Madrid. From the Puerta del Sol to the streets in all directions can see many ancient and medieval palaces, churches, sculptures, these buildings and works of art have Gothic, Arabesque, but also many forms of convergence in one. Especially the frescoes inlaid with various stones and glass are brightly colored and very beautiful.
"Columbus Square" - the navigator Columbus statue is located in the center of the square, pointing in the direction of South America, seems to be like the spirit of his discovery of the Bahamas County Island in October 1492, the round fountain surrounded by the statue, spraying a few meters high water columns, the night mapping out red, green and purple At night, it reflects red, green and purple lights, which is very attractive. There is a Columbus Museum built underground for people to visit.
"Plaza de Espa?a" - Plaza de Espa?a is home to a statue of the famous 17th century Spanish writer Cervantes and two of the main characters from his famous novel Don Quixote. Quixote" in his famous novel "Don Quixote" in the two main characters - the Lamanite knight Don. Don Quixote and his faithful servant Sancho Panza. Pansa.
"Central Plaza" - The Grand Plaza in the center of the city is a 16th- and 17th-century Renaissance building, completed in 1619. The main Christian church near Piazza Comillas is also a Renaissance building (built in 1535). The present Municipal Museum, the Library, the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs near Piazza dei Provincia and the Segovia Bridge over the Manzaneros River are all late 17th-century Baroque buildings. The General Post Office building, built between 1907 and 1917, was the first luxury building of the 20th century.
"Prado Museum" - Madrid **** has more than 30 museums, including the world-famous painting exhibition hall - Prado Museum has The Prado Museum is one of the world's most famous exhibition halls for paintings and drawings, and is known as the "treasure house of European classical art". The museum has 30 exhibition halls and collects the world's most precious works of Spanish art and more than 3,000 works by famous Italian painters from the 15th to 19th centuries. In addition, there are many materials from prehistoric times and relics from the Roman, Moorish and Middle Ages.
"Palace of the Orient"-The Palace of the Orient, one of the most complete and exquisite palaces in the world, is situated on a hill on the left bank of the Manzaneros River, west of Madrid. The Palace of the Orient is one of the most complete and exquisite palaces in the world. Its majesty in the British capital of Buckingham Palace above, can be compared with the French Palace of Versailles. It was built in accordance with the most popular architectural style of the 18th century. Its appearance has a typical French style, majestic; interior decoration is authentic Italian mood, luxury absolute theory. It is a jewel of the Spanish tourism industry, the palace's large and magnificent halls, beautifully furnished, so that visitors marveled at. Tapestry Pavilion contains the world's rarest and most valuable large tapestries. In addition, the Palace of the Orient also has a collection of 45 clocks and watches from various countries, which are still very accurate.
② Barcelona
Located in the northeast of Spain on the Mediterranean coast of Barcelona, is the second largest city in Spain, the "Iberian Peninsula of the Rose of Pearls," said before 1833, Spain's richest region of Catalonia's capital. The beaches are flat and wide, and the climate is favorable for people. In the old district, there are the remains of ancient Roman walls and 6th century palaces. The Gothic Catholic Church stands in the center of the old town and contains the crypt of St. Eulalia, the patron saint of Barcelona, where a white marble coffin is placed. There is also the Plaza de la Reina (14th to 16th century) and the Plaza de la Paz (near the harbor). In the harbor there is a replica of a sailing ship from Columbus' discovery of the New World, and the Columbus Monument in the plaza overlooks the harbor.
"Flower Market Street," the largest flower market, is connected by Peace Square and Ramblas Street in the center of the city's Catalunya Square. Catalonia Square has a stone statue of the goddess and a fountain. West of the city's Spanish Square, "Bright Spring", Montevideo Park, the cascading waterfalls, water and light into the night. 14th century remains of the city's largest Spanish "Holy Family Church", every Sunday at noon there are folk dance performances.
Barcelona is the cultural center of Spain. There are the University of Barcelona (founded in 1430), the Liceo Theater and a variety of museums (Picasso Museum, Catalan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Wine, Spanish Village) more than 20. The rose show and bullfighting and the largest international trade show are very attractive four times a year.
Suburban Costa Brava, is the Mediterranean coast of the famous resort.
③ Seville;
Located in the southwest of Spain, it is a famous cultural city with a history of more than two thousand years. The beautiful gypsy music, flamenco dance and bullfighting are famous throughout Europe. The Tower of Gold (12-sided, 30-meter-high curved top), is located on the banks of the Rio Grande. Because the Rio Grande is the only inland river that is passable in Spain, Columbus sailed into the sea from here. Gothic Seville Cathedral (built in the 15th century), is the most beautiful church in Spain, allegedly after St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul's Cathedral in London, in the world's Christian churches in the third place (slender steeple, five chancel nave and ten side chapels and ancient enclosure).
④ Balearic Islands (La.Baleares);
Lansalote Island (the northernmost point of La.Baleares) geothermal water to cook lamb, Las.parmas port small plane to go to 50 minutes to Lansalote Island. The whole island is very small and rainy, but everywhere bananas green space, teach side swimming, ocean fishing fleet.
Spanish customs
① Spain's folk festival
Spanish people in the "New Year's Eve", the whole family gathered together to treat the 12 o'clock church bells ringing at 12 o'clock to eat 12 grapes, which symbolizes that the New Year every month, everything is as expected.
Spain's "Mérida", every year in early October, is the Gypsy Women's Day (intermarriage within the tribe, free to find, but subject to parental consent, the wedding ceremony presided over by the matriarch, cut the bride and groom's back).
"Faye Festival" is one of the largest festivals in Spain, every year from March 12 to 19, in the eastern part of Spain on the Mediterranean Sea, the ancient city of Valencia held a fire in the image of realistic paper shapes (locally known as the Faye), in order to expose the social phenomenon of evil. During this period from all over Spain and the world to visit a lot of people, to the 19th activities reached a climax, from morning to night, the streets of the crowd, singing and dancing, in the afternoon, held in the City Hall Square selection of awards, people dancing and revelry, 12 midnight began to burn the city's paper shape, a huge paper shape in the burning fire, gradually turned into ashes.
Spain can be called "olive kingdom", olive groves, rolling hills. The olive fruit, olive oil (Aceite de olivo) is the world's largest. In addition to food, applied to the whole body of the ancient health and beauty techniques have been used to this day (bodybuilders also used).
"Spanish bullfighting", originated from Spain's ancient religious activities (kill the bull for the gods to sacrifice). 13th century Spain King Alfonso X began to this sacrifice to the gods evolved into a bull race show (real bullfighting show is the middle of the 18th century). Now there are more than 300 bullfighting stadiums in Spain (the largest is the Ventas bullring in Madrid, which can accommodate 25,000 people). Every year from March to November is the Spanish bullfighting festival, usually Sunday and Thursday for the bullfighting day (using the weight of 4,000 kilograms of purebred African bulls).
"Spanish cockfighting" is even more peculiar, a 3 square meters of round cage, put two roosters fighting each other. Cockerel weight shall not differ 1 two, each fight 30 minutes. Outside the cage is surrounded by more than 200 gamblers each bet on a chicken to train a chicken, it takes a year, a year can fight 8 games, trained cockfighting can be sold for up to 500 U.S. dollars, but also a large number of exports.
②Spanish life and etiquette
Spain is an ancient civilized country, civilized, polite. Warm, hospitable, kind-hearted people
Life, housing (farm villas, swimming pools), matriarchal society (women hold the home, many children, hygiene, the girl becomes a housewife personality differences - men fixated on the money clip, 10 o'clock at night to go home story), birthdays, Bar Mitzvah invitations to the story, to earn a dollar to spend two dollars, there is no red-eye. Wine bar, body odor, smell of olive oil (Aceite de olivo) in food. Poor sense of time (Asta ma?an), come late and no one says sorry/No hay importa