This fantastic destination film takes us on one unique journey in Malta – from lounging on St.Peter’s pool beach to discovering the colorful village of Marsaxlokk, mingling with the fishermen and relaxing on the traditional Luzzu boats marked by “Eye of Osiris”, there is a whole island of stunning views to wake up to.
READ MOREWhy are Oxford’s dreaming spires and architecture so fascinating
Possibly the most obvious thing that has endured in Oxford is the architecture. That’s partly down to Oxford being lucky to face very little damage during the Second World War, unlike so many other of Britain’s medieval cities. Where, for instance, the medieval centre of Coventry was almost completely destroyed, Oxford survived. READ MORE
Verbalists’ La mia Roma Italian language travel guide (VIDEO)
La mia ROMA Italian language travel
As legend has it, Rome, Italy, was founded by the twin brothers, Romulus and Remus, in 700 B.C. The former Caput Mundi, or Capital of the World, sits beneath Palatine Hill, where the ruins of its original incarnation are open for exploration.
Continue reading “Verbalists’ La mia Roma Italian language travel guide (VIDEO)”The most delicious festival in the world, the Venice Carnival
This year, the Venice Carnival (the Carnevale) will take place from January 31 – February 17, and will open with a triumph of flavors, exquisite tastes and the pleasures of good food, wine and conviviality: “The most delicious festival in the world!” under the artistic direction of Davide Rampello.
Continue reading “The most delicious festival in the world, the Venice Carnival”English favourite – Spotted dick
Spotted dick
They’ve tried calling it “sultana sponge” and “spotted Richard”, but why? It’s always been spotted dick! This soft suet sponge studded with currants is even better smothered in custard. And it was served at Hogwarts. Must be magic.
Steam this traditional British pudding until well risen and firm (no laughing at the back, please), then smother it in warm golden syrup and custard. Yum READ MORE
Education abroad and studying in Germany (VIDEO)
Germany is the third most popular destination among international students in the world. More than twelve percent of students at German universities come from abroad – just like you. And studying in Germany makes more and more sense.
Continue reading “Education abroad and studying in Germany (VIDEO)”The most popular universities for foreign students in Germany
Germany is the top higher education destination among non-English speaking countries. Deutsche Welle recently published the list of the most popular universities for foreign students. READ MORE
The most extreme (and deadliest) journeys to reach school
A lot of kids have the luxury of being driven in a warm car or bus to a good school nearby. This is not the case for the children in this gallery.
The following photos are snapshots of the treacherous trips kids around the world take each day to get an education. Considering there are currently 61 million children worldwide who are not receiving an education—the majority of which are girls—these walks are seen as being well worth the risk.
The most remote school in the world – Gulu, China
5-hour journey into the mountains on a narrow path to probably the most remote school in the world, Gulu, China. Image credits – Sipa Press
School in Zhang Jiawan village, Southern China
Anxious parents of ‘Zhang Jiawan’ village have no other choice rather to let brave school-children clamber down these dangerous ladders if they want to get an education .. as the school situated in valley below. Image credits – Imaginachina/Rex Features
Kids traveling to a boarding school through the Himalayas
Kids traveling to a boarding school through the Himalayas, Zanskar, Indian Himalayas. Image credits – Christoph Otto
125-Mile journey to a boarding school in China
125-Mile journey to a boarding school through the mountains, Pili, China.
Pupils crossing a damaged suspension bridge in Lebak, Indonesia
Pupils crossing a damaged suspension bridge, Lebak, Indonesia. Image credits – Christoph Otto
After the story spread, Indonesia’s largest steel producer, PT Krakatau Steel, built a new bridge, so that the children could cross the river safely.
Pupils canoeing to a school in Riau, Indonesia
Pupils canoeing to school, Riau, Indonesia. Image credits – Nico Fredia
Riding auto rickshaw to a school in Beldanga, India
Riding a tuktuk (auto rickshaw) to a school in Beldanga, India. Image credits – Dilwar Mandal
School in Pangururan, Indonesia
Children traveling on the roof of a wooden boat in Pangururan, Indonesia. Image credits – Muhammad Buchari
Schoolchildren riding a horse cart back from a school in Delhi
Schoolchildren riding a horse cart back from a school in Delhi, India.
Students crossing Ciherang River on a makeshift bamboo raft
Students crossing Ciherang River on a makeshift bamboo raft, Cilangkap Village, Indonesia.
Pupils walking on Tightrope
Pupils walking on a tightrope 30 feet above a river, Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia. Image credits – Panjalu Images/Barcroft Media
Elementary school students crossing a river on inflated tire tubes in Rizal province
Elementary school students crossing a river on inflated tire tubes, Rizal Province, Philippines. Image credits – Bullit Marquez/AP
Staying above water to get to a classroom at an elementary school in the Philippines
Students wearing rubber boots use chairs as a makeshift bridge to get to a classroom at their elementary school in the Taytay, Rizal province, north of Manila in the Philippines. Teachers claim that the school grounds, built on a former garbage dump site, have no drainage and are constantly inundated with water. Image credits – Romea Ranoco/Reuters
Kids flying 800m on a steel cable 400m above the Rio Negro River
Kids flying 800m on a steel cable 400m above the Rio Negro River, Colombia. Image credits – Christoph Otto
Kashmiri children cross a damaged footbridge built over a stream in India
Kashmiri children cross a damaged footbridge built over a stream in India. The kids are on their way back home from their school in Srinagar. Image credits – Danish Ismai/Reuters
According to UNESCO, progress in connecting children to schools has slowed down over the past five years. Areas that lack suitable school routes can often flood, making it even harder for kids to commute. Dangerous paths are one of the main reasons why many children decide to quit school.
Tiger’s Nest
Paro Taktsang (spa phro stag tshang) is the popular name of Taktsang Palphug Monastery (also known as Tiger’s Nest), a prominent Himalayan Buddhist temple complex consisting of seven monasteries. Taktsang can be dated back to 1692 and is one of the most important religious sites of pilgrimage in the entire Himalayan region. The name Taktsang means “The Tiger’s Nest”.
The monastery is located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to the north of Paro and hangs on a precipitous cliff at 3,120 metres (10,240 ft), about 900 metres (3,000 ft) above the Paro valley, on the right side of the Paro Chu (‘chu’ Bhutanese means ”river or water”). The rock slopes are very steep (almost vertical) and the monastery buildings are built into the rock face. The monastery is surrounded by scenic woodland with amazing blue pine trees and rhododendrons. The view from the temple is absolutely breathtaking.
Flower Viewing and the Stunning Blooms of Sakura in Japan
Flower Viewing: Every year in Japan, people flock to different cities to witness the blooming of the pink sakura, or cherry blossom trees.
Continue reading “Flower Viewing and the Stunning Blooms of Sakura in Japan”Unbelievable Phuktal Monastery in India
Do you want to visit the most incredibly situated, let alone remote, monastery in Ladakh? Then put on your hiking boots. Only those on foot can get to Phuktal Monastery at 3,970 meters/13,024 feet. Phuktal is a 5km/3.1 mile hike in each direction just from Purne campgrounds.
Phugtal Monastery or Phugtal Gompa (often transliterated as Phuktal) is a monastery in south-eastern Zanskar, Ladakh in northern India.
Founded by Gangsem Sherap Sampo in the early 12th century, the monastery is a unique construction built into the cliff-side like a honeycomb. It is located on the mouth of a cave on the cliff face of a lateral gorge of a major tributary of the Lungnak (Lingti-Tsarap) River.
Home to about 70 monks the monastery has a library and prayer rooms. A stone tablet reminds of Alexander Csoma de Kőrös author of the first English-Tibetan dictionary who explored Ladakh and visited in 1826-27.
Happy Saint Patricks Day! And Dyeing the Chicago River Green
Saint Patricks Day: St. Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. He was born in the fourth century and is famous for bringing Christianity into Ireland.
Continue reading “Happy Saint Patricks Day! And Dyeing the Chicago River Green”Guide to British Tea Drinking Etiquette
A Visit to the Masterpiece-packed Uffizi Gallery (VIDEO)
The Uffizi Gallery is a museum in Florence, Italy. It is one of the oldest and most famous art museums of the Western world. Building of the palace was begun by Giorgio Vasari in 1560 for Cosimo I de’ Medici as the offices for the Florentine magistrates—hence the name “uffizi” (“offices”).
No trip to Florence is complete without a visit to the masterpiece-packed Uffizi Gallery. On a single floor, travelers experience a thrilling sweep through art history, spanning the 12th through the 17th centuries. In high season (particularly in July), waiting times can be up to five hours. Visitors who reserve a ticket in advance have a substantially shorter wait.
The language network’s most traveled member Rick Steves takes us on a tour through the Uffizi Gallery.
Traveling across Malta (excellent video)
A chance to explore the Maltese Islands, the history and the landscape, with this great video made by Dave Byford.
Traveling across Malta by bus, ferry, Gulet (traditional Turkish yacht) and on foot, the film captures some of the highlights including Valletta, the Grand Harbour, Blue Grotto, Blue Lagoon, Mdina and all three Islands.
The Old Ferry Boat Might Be the Oldest Pub In the UK
The Old Ferry Boat makes a reasonably good claim to being the oldest pub in Great Britain. They have been serving fermented beverages here since the 6th century and parts of the Inn date to the 10th century. Alcohol was definitely served on the site from 560, and archaeological records date the foundations back at least a further hundred years. But beyond that, it’s difficult to get conclusive proof of its actual age.
A little girl’s grave stone is ten feet from the corner of the bar and dates to the 11th century. The pub is right on the river and boaters turn up with some regularity.
Address: Back Lane, Holywell PE27 4TG, England
Experience Winter at its Best – in Vienna
Music, balls, coffee houses, cakes and culture come wrapped in a small but beautiful package during a Vienna city break in winter.
“Perhaps I’m still saturated with pleasure and am feeling biased, but if you want to start the year fulfilling lofty resolutions by spending a few days surrounded by great art and architecture, dipping into coffee houses between museum trips and at night going to concerts or the ballet, I think Vienna can beat any of its art-city rivals. Particularly in winter,” Adriaane Pielou, Telegraph
The Knights of Malta (VIDEO)
How the Knights of St. John managed to attract to Malta the greatest artists of the XVII Century.
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The Lighting of the Most Famous Christmas Tree (VIDEO)
Topping the 12-ton Norway spruce is a 9 1/2-foot-wide Swarovski star
If there’s anything more iconic than the New York City skyline, it’s the New York City tradition of the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
With a flick of the switch, a 76-foot Norway Spruce officially became the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree Wednesday (December 04) night after it was illuminated for the first time this holiday season with some 45,000 lights in a ceremony that’s been held since 1933. The tree, which made the 70 mile journey to its new home on the bed of a tractor-trailer, will remain on display until Jan. 7.
Performers appearing at this year’s event were Mary J. Blige, Jewel, Mariah Carey, the Goo Goo Dolls and Leona Lewis.
The workers who were building Rockefeller Center set up the first Christmas tree in 1931 with the first tree-lighting official ceremony held in 1933.
The tree pictured above was erected during construction of the building, when workers decorated a 20-foot balsam fir tree with a “string of cranberries, garlands of paper, and even a few tins cans.”
Rockefeller Center Lights 2013 Christmas Tree
Pantheon – the Eternal City’s Best-preserved Monument (VIDEO)
The magnificent Pantheon, built by the Romans as a temple to all of their gods is the Eternal City’s best-preserved monument. Engineers still admire how such a mathematically precise structure was built without modern technology. Standing under the massive solemn dome, you’ll gain a new appreciation for the grandeur that was – and still is – Rome.
Verbalists exclusively represent in the Balkans the leading Italian language educator. Our partner, school Dilit (Divulgazione Lingua Italiana), established in 1974, was the first school in Rome to teach Italian as a foreign language. Dilit is situated in the center of Rome and conveniently placed for travel to every area of the city.
The Verbalists Language Network has prepared with Dilit a set of unique courses that will give you the opportunity to learn and improve Italian in a creative and stimulating way, while immersing in the Italian art and culture. READ MORE