The Bridge of Love

When you visit the Montaza Gardens, don't forget to go over to the Bridge of Love. 

It's believed that if a couple kiss on this bridge, their love will last forever.

Visiting a mosque

Tourists can visit most of the mosques in Alexandria, but they should dress modestly and women must cover their heads with a headscarf.

As for the mosque of Mursi Abul Abbas, women can only visit one of its side rooms.

Remember to leave your shoes at the entry (you’ll get a piece of paper with a number) and collect them on your way out by making a donation (usually 1 Egyptian pound).

Festivals

Different festivals take place in Sinaia:

• International Violin Competition - May
• Classic guitar contest - July
• The Autumn Festival 'Sinaia Forever'-September
• The Winter Festival

Medieval Festival

the clock tower and Deer house

Every summer, usually in July, a Medieval Festival takes place in the old citadel. It involves music, dance, exhibitions, crafts, concerts, etc.

The festival started in 1992.

Website: http://www.cetatea-sighisoara.com

The Famous Ravens

To the west of the White Tower, the Tower of London, is Tower Green where you'll see the famous ravens. There are 8 of them today and they all have names.

It's said that if they leave the Tower, the Kingdom will fall.

But a nicer thing is that if you see a raven you'll come back again.

Changing of the Guards

The Changing of the Guard presents a colourful spectacle. It takes places daily at 11.30.

Accompanied by a band, the new guard marches from a nearby barracks to the palace, where the troops form up facing the old guard.

As the changeover takes place, the officers of the old and new contingents advance and touch left hands to symbolize the transfer of keys.

August Fair

August is the time when people of Hotton organise a big fair. The place is then packed with people walking from 1 stall to another, eating fries, lollypops or cotton candy, drinking beer or wine, singing or dancing to the sound of live music...

There are also merry-go-rounds, dodgem cars, all kinds of shakers and roller coasters...

The Police

The Valley of the Kings

The police are everywhere, along the roads, on the bridges, at the sights...Their job's to make the tourists feel safe.

Herbal Tea

Alf Leila Wa Leila hall

If you choose to go into a shop in Hurghada, especially the 1 selling perfumes, you'll be asked to drink a cup of herbal tea with the owner. Don't refuse! It's their way of saying 'welcome'.

Where're You From?

street scene

Try to get used to being asked where you are from! You'll be asked that same question wherever you go. You can answer it, and prepare yourself for more personal ones, or ignore it, and be left alone! You choose! 

The Venice Carnival

The Carnival celebrations officially begin on 17 January.

Venetian craftsmen developed their characteristic forms of carnival mask, and today these remain 1 of the principal symbols of the city.

People who wear masks over their faces no longer belong to the everyday world, but are symbolically shifted to a different, spiritual world, returning only when the mask is removed.

Until the mask reveals their face, they live in the underworld through a personal transformation and regeneration.

It's symbolic that the carnival's celebrated in winter, when life itself is to be found underground, renewing itself for spring.

The Historical Regatta

Nobody can say for sure when and why the 1st regatta was held, but in the 13th and 14th centuries the race had become customary.

As is still the case today (4 September), the race was preceded by a procession of all kinds of boats, all decked out and bearing symbolic images. After the parade, the races began. Originally the boats were divided into categories according to the number of rowers (once even 20 or 50), but now there are only 2 per boat.

The route to be covered in the least possible time goes from the Motta to Castello and Santa Chiara on the Grand Canal and back to the Ca' Foscari where a floating pavilion marks the finish line.

The winning team's awarded with a banner while a piglet's jokingly 'conferred' on the loser.

The Wishing Bell

ring the bell

When you come to Bled and visit the island on the lake, don't miss to ring the bell and make a wish. It'll come true...at least mine did!

The bell's from 1534 and it's in the upper roof above the church nave. It was made by Patavina from Padova.

Events

• New Year Concert of Classical Music-1 January
• Easter Concert of Classical Music-Easter Sunday
• Alpine Night-2nd Saturday in May
• Medieval Days in Radovljica-1st weekend in June
• Bled Nights-2nd week in July
• Rikli Days tourist event-4th weekend in July
• Okarina Folk Festival-1st 2 weeks in August
• Radovljica Festival-3rd and 4th weekend in August