Why 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
The most extreme journeys to school are a powerful reminder that something many of us take for granted can demand extraordinary determination from children elsewhere in the world.
Continue reading “The most extreme (and deadliest) journeys to reach school”Taktsang Palphug Monastery – 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.
Continue reading “Taktsang Palphug Monastery – Tiger’s Nest”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?
Continue reading “Unbelievable Phuktal Monastery in India”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