The Paris of Hemingway

Hemingway wrote some of his most important works in Paris, including Fiesta also known as The Sun Also Rises. That book details a group of British and American expatriates who Journey from Paris to Pamplona to see the world famous Bull Run during the festival of San Fermin. The book tells of the decadence of pre-war Parisian life. If you start at the crossroads of Montparnasse you can see the great Paris Cafes of the age of Jazz; Le Dôme, La Coupole, Le Rotonde and Le Select. These are where you can almost smell the tobacco smoke and hear the arguments, see Fitzgerald reading The Great Gatsby aloud.

All of these great Paris cafes offer the cuisine that makes this city so famous. Drinking and eating in Art-Deco splendour, sitting in seats that may have been used by literary giants, what book lover could want more?

More to Discover

Of course there is more to Hemingway’s Paris and the visitor will want to see the world famous Brasserie Lipp, from where he wrote his pre-war dispatches. Every diner can see evidence of the history of this place and the famous people who have frequented it. In Rue De Cardinal Lemoine you can see the small apartment where Hemingway lived very modestly but happily. This is above and old Music hall which is featured in The Sun Also Rises. This area in particular is littered with hotels and bed and breakfasts, meaning that finding accommodation in Paris is never a problem.

Then as befits a traveler looking for this most American of authors it is to Harry’s New York Bar, the place where Gerswhin played. That, like so many other Paris cafes, are so typical of that age of splendour and age of art-deco and the imagination of some of the greatest 20th century writers.

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Barcelona

When it comes to beautiful architecture Barcelona has to be one of the finest cities on the planet, and the art nouveau style it is so well known for is characterized best by the works of Antoni Gaudi. The most iconic Gaudi building in the city is the magnificent La Sagrada Familia which has some of the most impressive spires imaginable. Other notable sites in the beautiful Spanish city include the Park Guell and Casa Mila.

Florence

If you are a fan of renaissance architecture then Florence has to be one of the most impressive cities in the world. As far as historic landmarks are concerned, it is unrivalled in its beauty, and is home to the most iconic religious buildings in the whole of Italy. The city is a shrine to the renaissance movement which was born there in the 14th Century, and some of the most beautiful historic landmarks include the Duomo and the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. The city is full of decorative geometric and dome shaped buildings, all of which have been impeccably restored and rebuilt over time.

Dubai

Whether you like modern architecture or not, there is no denying that Dubai is simply breathtaking and it has some of the most impressive displays of contemporary architecture anywhere on the planet. They do not do things by half in Dubai, and you will find the tallest, most expensive, and of course the most luxurious buildings in the world, all of which have been built within the last 50 years. With underwater hotels, the largest man made archipelago in the world, and many other exciting projects, this is the place to go if you are looking for modern design inspiration.

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The Legacy of Many

Bulgaria has had many influences impacting on its cultural landscape and from very early on in history it has left treasures for all to see. The Varna Necropolis yielded some of the earliest worked Golden treasure known to humanity. The Thracian culture has left many artifacts and also paintings and frescoes. Some of the finest can be seen at the toms in Svestari and Kazanlak. The Bulgars left a beautiful legacy of musical tradition and with all the other cultures combining it has left Bulgaria with one of the finest folk music heritages in the world.

Sofia: A Treasure Trove

The capital of Bulgaria is this beautiful city which reflects the many cultural influences that has been placed on it. From the foundation of the city 2400 years ago to the present day, the rich history and culture can be seen there. Among such treasures there are the remains of Serdica and the St George Rotunda, other highlights include Christian Roman architecture and medieval Bulgar fortresses. Sofia is in many ways the beating heart of Bulgarian culture and from the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral to the museums, theatres and art galleries, this city is the first stop for anyone looking for the culture of Bulgaria. All of this will make Bulgaria a fascinating place to visit and Sofia will be fist on the list to see the many and varied wonders within. Bulgaria is a reflection of the complexity and variety of Europe and remains a glorious jewel waiting to be discovered.

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