Movie scenes: live through them in the first person!

How many times have you seen a movie and have remained with desire of visiting the place of the shooting? How many times have you thought “I hope it should go …”? Well, we offer you next a local selection more important and memorable than three completely different movies and in completely different destinations: Paris, Tokyo and the Greek Islands. We hope to cheer you to visit up and live yourselves through the movie scenes that Amélie, Lost in Translation and Mamma Mia! they teach us.

Amélie, Paris from a different point of view

Amélie's movie, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, shows the city of Paris from a romantic, Bohemian and sweet point of view. The majority of scenes is rolled in the Montmartre quarter and there are the most emblematic places of the movie. Although it is true that Montmartre is the excellent Bohemian Parisian quarter, the director offers us a more romantic and delicate perspective, if it is possible to say to him this way, a little removed from the reality. Fortunately, there are many cheap hotels in Montmartre who will allow us to live in Amélie's own world.

Au Marché of the Butte
In this fruit store, probably the most famous of the city thanks to Amélie, the protagonist (interpreted by Audrey Tautou) speaks with Monsieur Colignon. Placed in the nº 56 of the rue of Trois Frères, still today preserves a badge used in the movie that he says “Maison Colignon, should drop anchor 1956”. Monsieur Colignon does not exist in the reality, but insurance that if you buy anything of fruit the proprietor will be more than been delighted of having a small chat with you.

Coffee give Deux Moulins
This small coffee that seems to have been invented for the movie exists really. The delight of the place perhaps was something exaggerated for the movie, but his extract and his character can still be seen today here, the place of work of Amélie in the movie. There is placed in the nº 15 of the rue Lepic and it is almost obligatory to try I cremated it brûlée.

Palace Video
In the nº 37 of Boulevard de Clichy finds the shop of pornography where there works Child (Mathieu Kassovitz), the masculine protagonist of the movie. It is placed in the quarter of Pigalle, where it is still possible to see the Moulin Rouge.

Métro Lamarck-Caulaincourt
The double staircase of this metro station is the stage where Amélie describes the market full of color, to a blind man. You will be able to find in the Line 12, of dark green color.

Pont give Arts
In this bridge (that appears in other movies like The Case Bourne), placed along with the Louvre, Amélie feels invaded by the love and the desire to help the humanity. A walk along this area really is worth it. Also, since the museum is very close, you can be useful and visit it. After all, the Louvre is also a stage of a movie, of The Code Vinci Gives in this case.

Lost in Translation, Tokyo of the hand of Coppola

This curious movie directed by Sofia Coppola moves us to a city not known by many of us and with an exotic touch and, because not to say it, something eccentric: Tokyo. The majority of the scenes is rolled between the lights, the noise and the bustle of the quarters of Shinjuku and Shibuya.

Park Hyatt Tokyo
This biggest hotel de luxe is where the protagonists of the movie, Bob (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), know each other. This fascinating hotel is of the most expensive of the city and the most economic rooms have prices from 420€, while the most luxurious can go so far as to cost more than 1.000€ in night. We already know that to see this hotel can be a good experience, but it is more than discarded for the accommodation. Fortunately there are many cheap hotels in Tokyo where you will find rooms from only 12€ in night.

New York Bar
Placed in the loft of the hotel Park Hyatt, this bar is one of the places where Bob spends more time. As in the hotel, the prices are raised exaggeratedly and a simple consumption might finish with the budget of the whole day. A beer bottle, the simplest drink for that it is possible to ask, costs a few 8€. Also, generally from 19:00 the service supposes an additional charge of a few 16€. Let's say that the experience turns out to be a little expensive …: truth? Of course, the conference perform the most spectacular thing.

Karaoke - Khan
It is a question of a chain of places of very popular karaoke in the city. The place placed in Shibuya is the chosen one by Charlotte to take Bill. For the movie 601 and 602 placed in the sixth plant used specifically the rooms. Do you cheer up to sing? Do not worry! The letters not only appear in Japanese. So if you love escaquear you will need another excuse …

Zen Shabu
Zen Shabu is a chain of restaurants shabu-shabu with multiple places in Tokyo, but the restaurant that appears in the movie, where Bill takes Charlotte, is placed in the low plant of Shibuya Creston Hotel. This restaurant is perfect to discover the authentic local gastronomy.

Temple Jugan-Ji
To try to find some peace you can visit the Temple Jugan-Ji. Although it is possible that it does not thrill you so much how to spill tears, as it happens to Charlotte in the movie, the temple will give you the sensation of being in a more ancient Tokyo, far from the pother and the bustle of the surroundings. His situation, in full city, is probably the most special of the temple.

My Mamma!, a paradise in the Greek Islands

This musical movie, based on the songs of the famous group ABBA and directed by Phyllida Lloyd, is placed in a fictitious island called Kalokairi, located in the reality in the islands Espóradas (basically Skópelos and Scíathos), in Greece.

Skópelos, church of San Nicolás
To the northwest of the Aegean Sea, in the island of Skópelos and with a view to the church of San Nicolás, it is where Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) orders the invitations of his wedding. The scenery is truly spectacular, so if you have occasion to go you should not get lost it. The scene goes accompanied by the song I Have to Dream.

Ancient port of Scíathos
The ancient Scíathos port is an idyllic place opposite to crystalline waters, an authentic paradise. In the port they can turn small crafts and it is the starting point of the ferries that speak to Skópelos. That's why Sam (Pierce Brosnan) and Harry (Colin Firth) come up to this point, in a completely identical taxi.

Beach of Glysteri
In the covered pines cliffs, along with the Glysteri beach, on the coast west of the island of Skópelos, Sophie there reads the newspaper to his two best friends to the rhythm of the song Honey, Honey. It looks like a slightly hidden, but sure corner that would be ideal for a romantic moment with your couple …

Beach of Kastani
Another scene rolled in the beach, and this time in the sand, is when Sophie and Sky (Dominic Cooper) are chatting peacefully and suddenly his friends appear to take it to his bachelor's farewell. To see the beach to the rhythm of Lay All Your Love on Me is already nice: but do you imagine to be able to be there really?

Chapel of Agios Ioannis Prodromos
Perhaps one of the most incredible places that appears in the movie is the chapel of Agios Ioannis Prodromos, close to the Glossa people in the island of Skópelos. Although it is true that the scenes rolled inside are not in the proper chapel but the studies Pinewood, the air conference that offer us in the movie of this small chapel at the height of hundreds of steps have no price.

Would you like living through the scenes of some another movie? Do you believe that it is a good idea that some movies base on fictitious places? To share your opinion you have only to leave a comment.

Thanks for the photos to 3DTopper, jon gos, freshfruit, RachelH_, robertpaulyoung, acme, cliff1066TM, Sjarrel D, gives taylor and Titanas in Flickr.

Music festivals: It finds the best accommodation

The festivals of music that are celebrated every year in Spain attract to thousands and thousands of assistants and year after year gain popularity, both at European and world level. Those of major magnitude perhaps are celebrated in Madrid and Barcelona, in addition to that of Benicàssim and, this year, that of A Coruna.

These urban festivals allow to enjoy, simultaneously, good music, good ambience and good tourism. Cities as Madrid or Barcelona are very requested tourist destinations, so although the principal motivation to visit them is the festival, a little of sure tourism that will not come badly: truth?

We are conscious of to that, precisely for being requested destinations, the prices in these cities can be somewhat high. That's why, the best thing that you can do is to lodge you in cheap hotels and this way to save little money in accommodation without having to resign from quality services like breakfast, towels, clothes of bed, box offices, Internet, kitchen, etc.

Next we present some of the best cheap hotels to you in the different cities where this year the biggest festivals will take place.

Madrid

Festimad is celebrated in different rooms of concerts of Madrid, and to go to the City of the rock Rock in Rio is necessary to take a free bus. For this motive, the best option is to stay at the center of Madrid.

Youth hostel Madrid. Placed in the center of Madrid, this hostel has 25 rooms from 21€. The price includes breakfast, clothes of bed, box offices, towels and baggage slogan. Also, it is equipped with air conditioning, lounge, safe, table of billiards, Internet, laundry and, basically, everything what you could need.

Bull's Hostel. Placed between the Puerta del Sol and the Square of the Callao, this cheap hotel is ideal to enjoy to the maximum the city of Madrid. It offers rooms from 20€ and the price includes breakfast and bed clothes. Also, the cheap hotel is equipped with slogan of baggage, bar, box offices, safe, laundry, … All the necessary services to enjoy a comfortable stay.

Stadmadrid. From 23€ in night, this cheap hotel in Big Route offers clothes of bed, towel, Internet, laundry and slogan of baggage. In the surroundings snack bars, bars and discotheques can be, but the proper building is worth it since it has a typical design of Madrid, with elegant front, big large windows and plaster of terracotta.

Barcelona

Although the principal spring head office Sound is the Parc of the Forum, also concerts are celebrated at metro stations and in different concerts rooms. As for the Sónar, it is necessary to say that the day Sónar is celebrated in the CCCB and the Macba, both placed to scarce minutes of the Boulevards, and the night Sónar in Fira Gran Route. Although the second place is slightly remote, there is a free bus that departs from Plaça de Drassanes, in the Boulevards. This way, since the best thing that you can do is to lodge you in the cheap hotels in Barcelona placed by the center of the city.

Barcelona Sea – Be Hostels. Placed in the center of Barcelona, in the quarter of the Raval and to 5 minutes walking of the Boulevards, the cheap hotel offers rooms from 18€. The price includes the breakfast, but the clothes of bed and the towels suppose an additional charge. The cheap hotel is equipped with air conditioning, Internet, safe, box offices, room of games, …: Quite!

Itaca Hostel and Apartments. This cheap hotel is placed in the heart of the Gothic quarter, in an adjacent calm street to the Square of the Cathedral. With prices from 18€, you will be able to enjoy accommodation clothes of bed and included slogan of baggage. Other services are a bar, he cooks, salts of games, breakfast, Internet, … Finally, everything necessary.

Equity Point Centric. This cheap hotel is placed in the famous person Passeig de Gràcia, one of the most popular streets of the city and in that they can I turned different Gaudí buildings. The rooms are from 22€ and the price includes the breakfast and the baggage slogan. Also, the cheap hotel has Internet, box offices, bar, kitchen, etc. Also it is important to mention that this property received the European award to “more popular” in the Awards HostelBookers to the excellence 2010.

A Coruna

For the first time, the festival Sónar will be celebrated simultaneously in two cities, in Barcelona and in A Coruna. Probably this initiative should to the fact that this year 2010 is the Xacobeo, that is to say, it is a Holy, made Year that will not be repeated even in eleven years.

The Poetess Residential. For prices from 21,67€, this cheap hotel offers rooms with private bath, icebox, WiFi, heating, clothes of bed and towel. The cheap hotel is equipped also with lounge and parking lot for those who go in car, and offers him collection service in the airport for a small additional charge for those who prefer to go in plane.

Benicassim

The Festival of Benicassim (FIB) is an event of big dimensions. It is true that camp site is offered but it can that some of you prefiráis to lodge you in the city, with more serviceability.

Hotel Boulevard. This hotel offers rooms from 25€ and the price includes slogan of baggage, towel and bed clothes. There exist other additional services as breakfast, bar, lounge, laundry and Internet.

Very well, we hope that all this information should serve to you as help. But of course, it is very important that you do your reservations with enough advance since the availability is usually much limited during the dates near to all these festivals. And remember! If you want to see more cheap hotels photos and be to the last one as for news and innovations, you can join our group in Facebook. This way you can be sure that it is not perderéis the best offers!

Music festivals 2010

The music festivals are equivalent to diversion, good weather and entertainment. Every year there are celebrated, in different points of Spain, some of the best European festivals and, perhaps, even on a global scale. It is true that still lacking for the summer, but from HostelBookers we want to begin you cheering up since the period festivalera, if it is that we can call it this way: be on the point of beginning!

And so, to begin warming engines, we offer you a small handlebar in chronological order of the principal festivals of the country.

Festimad, Madrid on April 23 – May 9

This year celebrates the 17th musical edition of this festival. With almost 100 performances distributed in approximately 30 rooms of concerts, theaters and clubs, the magnitude of the event is truly spectacular. With artists like The Romantics, The Child of the Mortgage, Juan Perro or Primital, this festival promises. Also, thanks to Festimad Taste, new groups and artists have the possibility of touching, of demonstrating his talent and of taking 8.000€ in awards.

Also it is important to bear in mind that, to come to Festimad, RENFE offers 30 % of discounts in his tickets. You will find more information in the official web of the festival.

Spring Sound, Barcelona 27-29 May

Barcelona celebrates this year the 10th edition of the festival San Miguel Spring Sound that, with more than 120 performances in only 3 days, turns into one of the most popular events of the Catalan capital. The performances will be distributed in different stages in the Parc of the Forum and it will be possible to see artists of the size of Pet Shop Boys, Pixies, Wilco or Pavement, between many others. Also, this year will celebrate also the concerts cycle in the meter of Barcelona (“Spring Sound Baixa to the Meter”) and in different clubs (“Spring Sounds als Club”).

And remember that the earnings are already to the sale!

Rock in Rio, Madrid 4, 5, 6, 11 and 14 June

The festival Rock in Rio was created by the intention of unifying and of being able to liberate the passions of each one. Roberto Medina, rock creator in Rio, affirms that the philosophy of the festival can be summed up in three words: the convergence, the coexistence and the permanence.

The festival takes place in the City of the Rock, an enormous enclosure with different stages, restaurants, attractions, services, … Finally, to be present at this festival is the whole luxury.

As always, in Rock in Rio Madrid different types of musician will be able to be listened and see the performances of artists as different as Rihanna, Shakira, John Mayer, Indolence, Bon Jovi and Metallica, between many others. At the moment there are already more than 30 confirmed performances but they are missing still some for confirming. And yes, the earnings also are to the sale.

Sónar, Barcelona 17-19 June

The Sónar of Barcelona, the international festival of advanced music and multimedia art, celebrates this year his 17th edition. With day, night performances and Sónar Kids, this event attracts the people of all the countries and all the ages.

This year there will be able to be seen artists of the size of LCD Soundsystem, The Chemical Brothers, the natives of Barcelona The Pinker Tones, the Basques Delorean and many other, since the cartel is composed by more than 60 artists. Also, the images and the visual art that appears in the Sónar is every year one of the most awaited events and it has turned little by little into mark and icon of the festival.

All the earnings are already to the sale.

Sónar, A Coruna 17-19 June

With a format very similar to that of the Sónar in Barcelona, this year celebrates for the first time the Sónar in A Coruna and in a simultaneous way. The festival also combines the music with the image and the exhibitions and one hopes that it should be a big success. Although the festival has a magnitude slightly minor than his "brother" in Barcelona (nearly 30 artists will act and they are still to confirm some), the quality of the performances will not be low: LCD Soundsystem, Air, Delorean and Hot Chip, between others, will take part in the festival.

The earnings also are to the sale.

Festival of Benicàssim (FIB), Benicàssim 15-18 July

The FIB Heineken is the most important event of the Coast of the Orange blossom and not only for the level of his performances, the dimensions of the enclosure or the design of his contents, but also for his commitment with the environment. Conscious of the environmental impact that can cause an event like this one, the festival promotes his initiative Clean and Green to try to develop a sustainable management.

In 2010 the 16th edition of the festival is celebrated and in cartel there appear artists like The Prodigy, Vampire Weekend, Dizzee Rascal, Ellie Goulding or Triangle of Brave Love, between many others. Approximately 100 performances will take place in 4 different stages distributed by the enclosure that occupies the festival, which has an area of some 120.000m2 and is provided with all the services that you could imagine.

The earnings are already to the sale.

Accommodation

The big advantage of these festivals is that they are celebrated in big cities so, in addition to enjoying a festival of international recognition, you will be able to do a little of tourism and spend a few nice holidays. We already know that the prices of the earnings are usually quite high so stay at cheap hotels can be one of the best options to reduce little expenses. There are many cheap hotels in Barcelona or in Madrid where you will find rooms for reasonable prices and quality services like breakfast, clothes of bed, box offices, kitchen, Internet, room of television, etc.

Very well: you already see it! In Spain every year there are celebrated different festivals that really are worth it and that insurance will be an unforgettable experience. Of course, bear in mind that the earnings stretch to become exhausted soon and the availability of the cheap hotels is much limited during the dates of the festivals, so do your reservations with enough advance.

The above mentioned: to enjoy the good weather and good music!

Will you be present at any of these festivals? Are you appearing what festival are you interested in more? Tell us! Leave your comment!

Thanks for the photos to Fitopaldi, vazzz, alterna2, michael morel and desaparezca.net in Flickr.

Trip to New Zealand, an unforgettable experience

This week we have another invited blogger. Francesca Noguera, of Even (Barcelona), tells us his trip for New Zealand. His sleep was to visit Australia and finally it has obtained it: it takes practically one year living there and has been useful to do a trip to New Zealand.

New Zealand is known for being one of the most spectacular countries of the world … and it is true, after spending there 3 weeks to me already, me no doubt fits.

The Maoris (the indigenous people of the country) called New Zealand “Aotearoa“, which means country of the long white cloud. One of the first things that it is necessary to bear in mind is that this is a country where it rains very much and most of the year is cold. I was there in summer (in January, the most warm month of the year) and nevertheless I spent cold and saw more clouds than the sun.

One of the first topics that is necessary to have account on having planned a trip to New Zealand is how to move for the islands. I was lucky to travel with another three persons so we could rent a car and do a route for our account. This way, the transport worked out for us very cheap. For the people who travels alone there is regular infinity of long-distance coaches and also prepared routes as famous Kiwi Experience, full of the young people.

To cover the biggest distances we move in plane. There is a web page where the local companies put his last free seats at low prices. It is a good tool to find flights at very good price, so you do not stop looking: www.grabaseat.co.nz.

Our first stop was Auckland. We devote ourselves to compile information especially what we could visit, but for the most part during the route we continue the ideas of the guide Lonely Planet. Auckland is the biggest city of the country and he is where most of the industry concentrate. The city seemed very modern to us but to the same moment it had very nice quarters that they were worth visiting, like Devonport.

It is necessary to remember that in New Zealand there are volcanoes throughout, even in the cities. That's why in this small and familiar quarter of the city we walk up to the high of a volcano to be able to contemplate a few spectacular conference of the whole sky line of the city. We do not remain great in any of the cities because it seemed to us that it was better to enjoy the nature.

The North Island is less spectacular than the South Island so only we happen there 5 days. We visit a little of beach in the Peninsula of Coromandel. Paradisiac beaches and good weather, any more we could not ask! The north also is famous for having beautiful lakes, so we stop in Lake Rotorua and Lake Taupo. The first one had thermal waters so we could bathe in water …: burning! And the second one, to part of being the biggest, is known for offering the best conference of the world from the air, so there is a big quantity of companies that offer parachuting.

We are useful the day to walk along the Nature reserve of Tongariro. It is an area for montañistas experts and to rise to see the craters of the volcanoes it is necessary to go in group and accompanied by a guide. But on the lower part there are some easiest routes that can be done in a pair of hours. For the fans of the movie The Lord of the Rings here is where there been recorded the scenes of the world of Mordor.

Last night in the north island we spend it in the capital, Wellington. It is a city known by his big culture of the coffee and his holidays. The ambience in Cuba Street was fantastic. We cross two islands in ferry. Only there are two companies of ferry that make the route 4 times a day, so it is necessary to reserve with advance because in summer epochs rapid enough fills.

Once in the south, we come to the Picton port and hence we went to Christchurch, the biggest city of the south. From way we pass to the city for Marlborough, the area most known about production of wine. We could not do any tasting but it is an obligatory stop if you like the white wine (they are the kings of Sauvignon Blanc!). We come to Christchurch on a Saturday evening, so we are useful to go out. Sol Square is a place full good of bars and clubs replete with the people, good drink and topcoat music for all the tastes.

Of the city we went away to the mountains, exactly to Franz Josef Glaciar. To do the walk of 8 hours was spectacular. It seemed that we were in the Antarctica! In the route you must spend for the way of a few walls of ice so narrow that if you do not walk of side you cannot continue, or tunnels that you bring in to four paws of children who are. Undoubtedly the best experience of the whole trip.

After the adventure we continue towards the city of Queenstown. There it is where all the young people meets backpackers to go out and to practise adventure sports. You can give a return for the city any day of the week and you are always going to find bars opened until evening and holidays. If you are a person whom nothing scares, this is your city.

One of my partners about trip only was speaking, since I her knew, of Milford Sound, the fjords. A remote place to the south of the island with a few sceneries that leave you without speaking. Him paying attention, we decide to drive to the most southern area to do a Tour in ship and to see it. There was offers quantity and all the companies were offering different prices but with a similar route, so with little information we decide on one of 3 hours.

To come to Milford Sound it is necessary to drive for a quite bad highway for some 2 hours, but the stops in the way are worth it. There are lakes, cataracts and forests for discovering. The nature in this area speaks herself. Milford Sound won the love of all of us and also we were one day old with the radiant sun that did that the experience was even better.

To finish our trip we visit two more places. We did a stop in Mount Cook, the highest mountain of the whole country. It was still quite covered of snow and the glaciers and lakes were truly spectacular. From way to Dunedin (our last stop), we saw the lakes of the mountains as Lake Tekapo, which has a color turquoise that it had never seen earlier. The city of Dunedin has a little of history so it has a cathedral and a town hall quite ancient. But the best of the area is to go in a Tour to see the wild animals. There we approach to see the penguins of yellow eye, the seals, the marine lions and the albatross.

We leave some points of the islands to ourselves for visiting that they are worth it. They told us that in the north there were paradisiac beaches in the area of Bay of Islands or that the caves Waitomo in the southern area of the North Island have no waste. Other areas to be born in mind would be Nelson and Stewart Island, in the South Island. But I believe that every person is interested in seeing different things, so the best thing is: to create your own route!

Sincerely, to do a trip to New Zealand the sorrow deserves very much. You surprise it in any moment. It is necessary to bear in mind that to save money in accommodation the best thing is New Zealand stays at the infinite cheap hotels quantity. But for me, the most useful advice would be: forget everything and simply enjoy the country!

Thank you Francesca for sharing your trip and your photos with all of us. Do you have planned to make a trip similar? Have you fallen in love with New Zealand? Leave your comment!

Enlargement of the period to receive in the nights and classes ski of gift in Interlakes

We inform you that the valid reservations period to choose to 3 nights in a double room in the Town Sonnenhof (Interlakes, Switzerland) and a class of ski or snowboard like gift on the part of HostelBookers and the property, has been extended.

Taking part is very easy! Simply it is necessary to do a reservation for two persons in the Town Sonnenhof and to order an e-mail with your number of reference of the reservation to competitions@hostelbookers.com. We will select a person so that he answers to a key question related to HostelBookers and receives three nights of accommodation in a double room with bath. The chosen person and his accompanist also will receive a bundle of one day for beginners that includes class of ski, ski pass, rent of the material and transport: completely free!

The valid reservations period is from Friday, the 12th of February until Sunday, the 28th of February, and the trip must be realized before April 21, 2010.

A lot of luck!

Thanks for the photo to brian.chu in Flickr.

Why to travel to Edinburgh?

This week we have an invited blogger. Patricia Cárcamo, of Las Palmas of Grand Canary, tells us his passion for Edinburgh. Do not get lost it! And pay attention, because he has lived in Perth and in Edinburgh, so quite what it tells us is an information first hand …

Edinburgh

The capital of Scotland is perhaps a slightly valued destination. It is not of the first ones that they appear being offered in magazines or webs of trips. But for me, and many other persons with whom I coincided with her, it is a magic city … not only for his history, but because it has something that catches who the visit. None we could have forgotten it. I worked and lived a few months in her, and for the one who wants to go of tourism, these are my recommendations:

First, to take a good overcoat and pea jacket. And second, to very want to laugh and be related with, for me, the nicest citizens of the whole United Kingdom.

It does not have big tourist attractions, but the simple fact of walking along Royal Mile (or the Golden Mile), deserves to visit it. It is the heart of the old town of Edinburgh, the avenue that communicates the castle of Edinburgh (dominating the city) with the Hollyroodhouse palace. One mile, or one kilometer of entertaining cobbled walk. During the walk, in the daytime, you can turn away and begin typical bars to take a beer or go down for streets replete with shops with Scotch products. It is necessary to take time in Royal Mile to discover all his mesenteries. And in the night … the underground world and histories of witches. There can be done holding a permit trips that the spiky hairs put.

Edinburgh can be covered, informs, on foot. Very close and parallel in Royal Mile there is Princes Street and his gardens. It is a shopping street and a green area where (if it is nice) it is ideal to lie down to relax, trying not to think that you are in the place where they were burning the witches. There Nelson is also the Monument in honor in this admiral, whom it is possible to raise for a spiral staircase.

It is not possible to allow rising to the hills of the city. Calton Hill is, undoubtedly, my favorite corner. There are a few wonderful conference of the city and of the sea. Also there is the National monument, based on the Acropolis of Athens and that was constructed to remember the fallens in the Napoleonic wars … but like many of the things that are begun in Scotland, the monument remained by half, and now they call him the Monument to the National Shame. Nevertheless this half of Acropolis in the top of a hill, with a sky azulísimo of fund, is a spectacle.

A very popular walk also is the one that rises to Arthur's Seat (Arturo's chair). It is very easy to climb and the panoramic sight of the city also is beautiful.

But the big beauty of Edinburgh is his people. Open, cozy, nice. Of course, up to someone who dominates English it will find it hard to him to understand his accent. In the bars they meet young and major, wealthy and poor … it Begins a typical bar to take a face and you will end up by chatting the whole night with some villager. Of course, they have his well gained reputation … drink greatly, too much.

To go out night there are bars for all the tastes. If you go with little money find out of what bar has offers every night, and you will be able “to suffocate” in rogues. He eats and drinks in the Tron, start the night in the Cabaret Voltaire, a bar - cave, if you want ambience more "heavy" enter the Opìum, get lost for the alleys and caves of the endless Espionage. You will not have problem in finding places moving for the center.

If you go enough days, from Edinburgh you can do visits to nearby cities. One is worth giving a jump to St. Andrews, with his university, his beach and golf courses. Dundee is a very animated city and Perth is also very agreeable. That, close to Edinburgh. If you want to cover the Highlands rent a car (there are the cheapest agencies) and sleep in cheap hotels. Also there are routes guided in bus from Edinburgh, but for my taste, they go too rapidly and stop only in the souvenirs shops.

A separate mention is deserved by the Festival Fringe of Edinburgh. From July until September there are small festivals, of Jazz and Blues, of scenic arts … certainly, although the cheap hotels get dearer, it is necessary to go in August to enjoy the city in all his splendor. Royal Mile becomes saturated of artists and the day one can happen in this street enjoying free street spectacles. Also there are concerts in the Princes gardens. Of course there are hundreds, thousands, of shows of payment for the one who could allow it to himself.

Also there is known Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which takes place every evening in the Castle. It is a quite curious spectacle of military bands.

The advantage of going in summer, in addition to the time, there are the hours of light. Practically you will not see the darkness. Nevertheless the winter is quite depressing because immediately it becomes night.

I recommend to visit this city, do not have the most minimal doubt that they will remain pleased for his magic.

Accommodation

In summer the city fills with tourists and artists come from the whole world, for what there are many cheap hotels in Edinburgh where you can sleep in berths sharing room, use the kitchen and common areas. It is a good way of having accommodation at accessible prices.

Meal

The meal is not the fortress of the Scots. The specialty of the house, for whom it dares (I have not proved it) is the haggis … by means of animals guts.

Otherwise there is greatly fish&chips, rolls (sandwiches) and hamburgers. They will end up by eating in Chinese, Turkish restaurants and McDonald's. But before the absence of variety, I recommend to eat in the Tron, in full center of Royal Mile, to go out of the step. And a teeny-weeny and familiar, but very good Sicilian restaurant, which is in Union Street.

Thank you very much Patrician for sharing your experience and your photos with all of us. We have liked very much: and we wait that to all our readership also!

Thank you also to bea and fredi for the photo in Flickr.

Classes free of tango in Buenos Aires

Are you thinking of doing a trip to Buenos Aires? Would you like learning to dance a good tango? Since you are of luck! HostelBookers offers you the opportunity to enjoy a class of free tango in the Argentine capital.

The tango is a dance of very sensual and complex origin from the River Plate region that is danced every time in more places of the world. The tango radiates passion, feeling, delivery. They say that it is addictive and is, obviously, an alternative entertaining and entertained to do exercise and to be in form.

Although we have just said that the tango is danced in many places of the world, his roots are in Argentina, in Buenos Aires, and it is an activity that we recommend to those who visit the city.

Milongas

Next we present a list to you with some of the best milongas of Buenos Aires, where you will be able to enjoy the tango in the pure state.

The Viruta. On Wednesday, Saturdays and Sundays in Armenia 1366

The Viruta is the biggest milonga of Argentina, it has 14 of years of experience and Soho is placed in the popular quarter of Palermo. It is a place with a very familiar ambience and the whole world is welcome, so to forget you of the luxury and the glamor if you decide to visit this milonga. If you are less bold and you do not feel like dancing do not worry, you will be able to observe other ballet dancers without any type of problem. There the same, also, you will be able to enjoy good meal and drink, but bear in mind that if it is a question of some special event you will have to reserve table with advance. And it do not forget: "entrás walking … you go out dancing”.

The Cathedral. Every Tuesday in Vine shoot 4006 “5“

This milonga is located in an ancient factory of slightly large and rambling aspect, but it is a part of the grace. Nevertheless, do yourselves to cheat; in spite of what the building could seem, the level and the quality of the tango that it is danced in this milonga is difficult to overcome. If you are beginners it will be slightly complicated to enter the track, but the simple fact of seeing dancing stars of the elite of the new tango is already worth it. Of course, we recommend to you to go in taxi because the area where it is is not very sure.

Ideal confectionery. From Monday until Sunday in Suipacha 380/4

The Ideal Confectionery has not anything in common with two milongas on that we have just commented. It is glamorous, luxurious, ideal. It has been considered to be an area of historical protection and place of tourist interest in the authorities of Buenos Aires. It was founded in 1912 and, during all these years, it has received to big personalities of the world of the politics, of the painting and of the music. Nowadays it is a very popular place to which every time there come more teachers and more ballet dancers, of more or less level, but with a thing together: the passion for the tango.

The Marshàll. On Wednesday in Maipú on 444 and Saturdays in Rivadavia 1392

We present in this case a milonga to you gay in whom the whole world is welcome. There they offer the possibility of dancing with the couple that each one chooses, without any type of discrimination, whenever there are respected the rolls that the dance demands. The ambience is very agreeable and perhaps slightly more intimate than in other places, so to feel at ease performs the easiest thing.

Madwoman! Every Sunday in Niceto Vega 5248

This milonga is relatively new but it has turned into a point of very popular meeting for many "milongueros". Soho is placed in the quarter of Palermo, one of the most animated and fashionable quarters of the city, so it is ideal to be able to go to have a drink earlier or after dancing, or to enjoy a good dinner. Often they organize holidays and special events: so you do not get lost it!

Tango shows

If you believe that this of dancing is not done for you or that these “alternative milongas” are not exactly the most suitable place: do not worry! We offer you next some tango shows so that you could enjoy to the maximum this Argentine dance but, in this case, like spectator. Of course, you have to be prepared to find many other tourists and somewhat high prices.

Carlos Gardel forms a corner

With something more about pomp and sumptuousness, this place will make you astonished. There receives the name of the famous person tanguero Carlos Gardel, whose voice was registered by the UNESCO in the program Memory of the World. The tango show includes live music and couples of ballet dancers who leave ensimismado the public. Also, for a few weight more, you will be able to enjoy a delightful dinner in stalls (for the wealthiest there is even a Menu VIP) before the spectacle this way to submerge of plenary meeting in the culture of Buenos Aires.

Mouth Tango

Mouth Tango offers you the possibility of discovering the tango, the conventillos and the history of Buenos Aires. Day and night open sea, there you will be able to enjoy a good meat roast and other Argentine specialties of the house. In the night, the spectacle includes a recreation of the everyday life in the streets of the Walk of the Conventillo and a show of tango in which you will surprise singers, musicians and ballet dancers. It is a very nice experience since it offers performances so much in lounges as outdoors.

Square Dorrego, San Telmo

Every Sunday in the Square Dorrego it is possible to enjoy a tango show. The tanguero of Buenos Aires Pedro Benavente, nicknamed the Indian, organizes the show in order to collect donations for charitable ends. It is outdoors and it is opened for all kinds of public, so it is a perfect way of happening a nice evening / night in the quarter of San Telmo. Also, if you do not feel like having left you in the square, you can always cover the streets of the quarter where sure you will find couples of ballet dancers who demonstrate his talent opposite to small groups of the people. It is true that the area is very tourist, but he is worth living through this experience.

Classes of free tango

Very well: you already see it! If there were no already sufficient ones, here you have another motive for which to visit the Argentine capital. And do not forget, if you travel with a slightly exact budget and do not want to spend a lot of money, the best thing is Buenos Aires stays at cheap hotels.

Also, as we have already explained to you, HostelBookers offers you the opportunity to enjoy a class of completely free tango. To obtain it is very easy! You have only to become fans of our group in Facebook and order an e-mail to competitions@hostelbookers.com indicating the following information:

- Finished name

- It dates in the one that you would like to assist to the free class of tango

- Answer to the question: In what year was the declared tango a Patrimony of the humanity?

Easy: no? And bear in mind that the deadline to receive the free class of tango is May 31, 2010. HostelBookers will choose the winners, who will receive a free class on the part of Constance Vecslir and Rolando Valdivia to learn to dance Argentine tango.

Do you like the tango? Would you like going to Buenos Aires and dancing? Tell us!

Thanks for the photos to Tokyo Tanenhaus, Alaskan Dude, mojitopt and Christian Haugen in Flickr.