Gaza Resist

European equities markets were mixed Thursday after the European Central Bank held Eurozone interest rates at 1 percent and issued a higher growth outlook for the region, while Sweden’s central bank hiked rates there to 0.75 percent from 0.5 percent, the second consecutive increase from Riksbank.

Better economic news from the US helped gains in some markets as the US Labor Department reported that first-time unemployment claims in the US fell 6,000 last week to 472,000, while the National Association of Realtors said that pending home sales rose 5.2 percent in July.

The FTSE 100 was up 0.09 percent to 5,371.04 in London, while the FTSE 250 added 0.8 percent to 10,140.97.

The travel and leisure was mostly higher, led by a gain of 7.08 percent for public transport company Go-Ahead Group (LSE: GOG), while restaurants and pubs operator Restaurant Group (LSE: RTN) added 6.17 percent, hotels and restaurants operator Whitbread (LSE: WTB) was 3.7 percent higher and cruise ships operator Carnival (LSE: CCL) gained 3.01 percent.

There were only two decliners in the sector, as brewer and pubs operator Marston’s (LSE: MARS) was up 0.78 percent and caterer Compass Group (LSE: CPG) gained 1.2 percent.

The best performer on the 100 was Man Group (LSE: EMG), which added 5.77 percent after Numis raised its recommendation on the investment manager from “reduce“ to “buy, while the best performance on the 250 and in London came from Yell Group (LSE: YELL) on rumors that the directories publisher could be for sale.

Tullow Oil (LSE: TLW) dropped 4.13 percent for the biggest decline on the 100 and in London and the worst performance in the energy sector, while wind turbine gearbox manufacturer Hansen Transmissions International (LSE: HSN) had the best day in the sector, gaining 4.12 percent.

COLT Group (LSE: COLT) was the biggest loser on the 250, falling 3.53 percent, while Cable & Wireless Worldwide (LSE: CW) was 2.99 percent lower.

Autonomy Group (LSE: AU) added 5.21 percent on rumors that the software manufacturer could be the focus of a bidding war between Microsoft (NAS: MSFT) and Oracle (NAS: ORCL), while aerospace and defense contractor BAE Systems (LSE: BA) gained 3.74 percent after it won a contract worth $629 million to update its Caiman MRAP armored vehicles.

Miners were mixed on the session, with Talvivaara Mining Company (LSE: TALV) up 4.28 percent for the best performance in the sector while Gem Diamonds (LSE: GEMD) had the worst day in the sector, falling 2.99 percent.

Some miners dropped on analyst downgrades from Citigroup, which cut both Lonmin (LSE: LMI) and African Barrick Gold (LSE: ABG) from “buy” to “hold” and downgraded Hochschild Mining (LSE: HOC) from “hold” to “sell”.

The FTSE Eurofirst 300 was down 0.06 percent to 1,055.04 while the Dax fell just 0.05 of a point to 6,083.85 and the IBEX was down 0.07 percent to 10,537.6 but the CAC-40 was up 0.21 percent to 3,631.43.

Markets in the Asia-Pacific region saw gains on new investor confidence after US manufacturing activity grew more than expected in August, and after yesterday’s big advances on Wall Street.

The Nikkei 225 was up 1.52 percent to 9,062.84 in Tokyo, while the Topix index added 0.99 percent to 819.42, but the Mothers market dropped 1.09 percent to 364.05.

Camera and copier maker Canon (TYO: 7751) added 1.2 percent while consumer electronics giant Sony (TYO: 6758) was up 2.2 percent.

Among carmakers, Honda Motor (TYO: 7267) was 1.9 percent higher while Nissan Motors (TYO: 7201) gained 3 percent.

Japan Petroleum Exploration (TYO: 1662) was up 1.1 percent and Inpex Corp (TYO: 1605) added 3 percent on gains in oil prices yesterday.

Elsewhere in the region, the Straits Times Index was 0.13 percent higher to 2,986.66 in Singapore while India’s Sensex added 0.18 percent to 18,238.31, the Kospi was up 0.63 percent to 1,775.73 in South Korea and Taiwan’s Taiex gained 0.69 percent to 7,720.82.

The Sydney Ordinaries added 0.8 percent to 4,563 in Australia, while the S&P/ASX200 was up 0.82 percent to 4,532.7.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was 1.19 percent higher to 20,868.92 while the Shanghai Composite added 1.25j percent to 2,655.78 on gains for China’s carmakers after car sales there were reported to have gone up by 55.7 percent in August over last year’s sales.

Wall Street was mixed in early afternoon trade, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.38 of a point to 10,269.09 but the S&P 500 had added 0.32 percent to 1,083.79 and the Nasdaq Composite was 0.45 percent higher to 2,186.69.

Prices for crude oil and metals were higher in afternoon trade in New York.

Although there are many interesting places to visit in Slovakia, most tourists spend their time exploring Bratislava, as it is the best place to visit in Slovakia.

• Bratislava

  • Sitting near the western border of Slovakia, Bratislava is near  Austria and Hungary and wears these associations proudly.  The Old Town, its palaces, museums, and castle should be the focus of your visit.
  • The photograph at the upper right is the Old Town Hall, which dates from the 15th century and is now a museum. It is surrounded by a pleasant square with many attractive buildings.
  • The city is known for its castle which crowns the town and is visible throughout the city.  Parts of the structure date from the 16th century, although a fortified castle existed on the hill before the present castle was constructed.
  • Below is Bratislava viewed from the Danube.  The bridge is the Nový’ Most Bridge (New Bridge) and the cathedral in the center of the image is St. Martin’s Cathedral  on Staromestska.

  

• The city’s the Old National Theater formerly housed the opera, ballet and symphony, although these performances have now move the New Slovak National Theater near the Danube.

Monaco Destination Guide describes the best places to visit in Monaco.  The tourist information in this section will help you find the destinations in Monaco that are worthy of your time and eliminate those not as rewarding.

Monaco (Monte-Carlo) follows the Mediterranean formula by creating a delightful town on a limited shoreline and imbuing it with an interesting history, beauty and an attractive cachet.  There are many colorful, but small public gardens throughout the city and strolling the Old Town (near the Palace) can be a delight.

When you see the map symbol, click for a detailed street map identify the location of interest.  In addition, the map includes as “satellite” button that will let you explore Monaco using a highly detailed satellite image.

• The Casino (Le Casino de Monte Carlo)

  The Casino (and Opera House) is a beautiful building architected by Charles Garnier, whose creations include the Paris Opera House.  Of course, the attractions are the high-stakes gambling and “beautiful” people who sometimes make an appearance in the evening, but the building adds its own special touch of class.  The Casino is open to those 18 and older. Suitable attire is required.  The Casino is connected to the Salle Garnier, the beautiful auditorium of the Opera House.

The Place du Casino is the “place to be” in Monte Carlo.  In addition to the Casino, you will enjoy visiting the elegant and internationally renowned  Hôtel de Paris, which, like the Casino, dates from the mid-19th century.  If you are looking for exceptional dining, this is the place – but is it quite pricey.  Another famous “eatery” is the Cafe de Paris, just across the street, which offers indoor and outdoor dining, as well as featuring fabulous seafood and incredible desserts.  Next, you will find the Sun Casino, a Las Vegas type of gambling hall that provides a more relaxed environment than “the Casino”.  Finally, if you are looking for upscale shopping, just follow the crowd and you will soon be in designer row.

By the way, the Casino is located in an administrative areas of Monaco that is called Monte Carlo.  This area is, also, where the famous Grand Prix De Monaco, the Formula One grand prix, takes place. The proposed dates for the race are as follows:

2011,  May 26 – 29
2012,  May 24 – 27

Some uncertainty surrounds the future of Formula One racing,

• Monaco-Ville

  The Prince’s Palace and Palace Square

  • Originally built in the Thirteenth century, the Palace was  updated in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth centuries.  Parts of the Palace are open for tours  The Palace Square (at the front of the Palace) hosts the changing of the guard for the Prince’s Palace at 11:55am, seven days a week.
  • The Old Town
    • Though small in size, the Old Town is a pleasant place to walk and see the sights.  You will discover numerous shops and pleasant places to eat or gather food for a picnic.  You might want to spend some time at the Condamine Market   and the Rue Princess Caroline pedestrian mall.
  • The Monaco Cathedral is worth a quick visit.  It houses the remains of most of the former Princes of Monaco (including those of Prince Rainier), as well as those of his wife, Princess Grace (the former actress Grace Kelly – with whom the Prince had a famous and fairytale-like romance).  The Cathedral is approximately 100 years old and its interior is quite striking.
  • The Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium
    • Made famous by its past curators, including Jacques Cousteau, the building houses a museum, an exceptional aquarium, and an internationally famous research institute.

    Consider stopping at the  restaurant “La Terrasse” on the top floor of the building  for lunch and a fantastic view of Monaco and the coast neighboring Italy.

  • Monaco has numerous restaurants and discos, which are frequently crowded  and fun places to party. Action usually starts later in the evening as the crowd filters in from the Casino.
• A great way to get an overview of Monaco and its attractions is to take a ride on the Azur Express: a small tourist train (tram), running every thirty minutes.  The route starts at the Oceanographic  Museum, passes the leading attractions, then returns to the Oceanographic Museum.  The Azur Express features multi-language electronic consoles that describe the sights of interest

This section of the ThereArePlaces Destination Guide for the United Kingdom (UK) provides you with our choices for the best destinations to visit in Scotland. If you are already sure you want to visit Scotland,  simply choose one of the links in the box to the right to begin exploring Scotland’s regions.

If you have not yet decided to visit Scotland, consider reading the short section below that describes why Scotland should be on your list of places to visit.

Why choose Scotland for a vacation? We think there are several good reasons.  First, Scotland and its inhabitants have made a mark on the world far exceeding the size or status of their country.  We think that Scots have created a unique culture that is worth knowing and understanding.  Second, the country’s history is interesting, provocative and to some degree familiar to all travelers. Mary, Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie, Clan McDonald and the Stuarts are names familiar to all and their stories are on display over the Scottish countryside.  Finally, Scotland, filled with glens, lochs and greenery, is just plain beautiful. It is one of those unique places where the landscapes and the people seem to merge together.  Scotland offers some of the most beautiful vistas in the United Kingdom.

Unlike England, Scotland is countryside occasionally interrupted by villages, and infrequently interrupted by cities.  Tourists thinking about visiting Scotland need to be mentally prepared for a trip to a country whose natural beauty and interesting people outweigh the quality of its cultural attractions.

The Scottish countryside consists of mountains, moors, lochs and coastal plains with numerous attractive islands thrown in for good measure.  The landscape is rugged in both the Highlands and the northeast and more gently rolling along the border with England.  The coastal areas are cool and damp most of the year and uncomfortably so in winter. The highlands are often windy and rainy during the summer and snow-filled in winter.

During spring and early summer, the country is alive with impressive flora and the rhododendrons will startle you with their size and dramatic color, particularly in the Highlands.  For many tourists, the west of the country, including its islands, is a great place to walk, hike, and climb.  The east and south of Scotland lend themselves to touring, stopping, shopping, eating and relaxing.  Scotland is a country with  a million things see.  Most of them are interesting and uniquely represent Scotland, but the leading attraction of Scotland is its extraordinary landscapes.

Scotland is a place to pace yourself.  Often it is hard to stop the day’s touring because there will always  be a historic abbey, a castle visited by Mary, Queen of Scots or something that you would like to see, just over the next hill.

Much of the country is sparsely populated and village life is a dominant feature in the rich quilt of Scottish heritage.   Scotland’s culture is unique and its people are hardy and, often, serious. There are a number of regions in the country and each is uniquely different, though all are enjoyable. We think that the “Highlands” will leave its mark on you if you choose to visit, but Edinburgh, the Borders, and the Grampians are equally attractive.

Touring Scotland will familiarize you with Robert the Bruce (14th century), Mary Queen of Scots (16th century), Bonnie Prince Charlie – The Young Pretender (18th century) and the country’s recurrent attempts to throw-off the rule of the Britons.  Although Scotland won many battles in the fight for independence, the effort sapped the country’s strength while forming its history and influencing the nature of its culture.

Many tours of Scotland start in Edinburgh or Glasgow (the country’s major airports) and proceed northwest to the Highlands, eventually looping east and down the east coast before returning to Edinburgh or Glasgow.  We have followed the circle route model in creating our Scotland Guide and start you in Edinburgh and the Borders, proceed to the Highlands and, then, pass into the Grampians and the northeast.

We have created new road maps of Scotland based on routable Google maps to show the location of the Best Places to Visit in Scotland.  In each of our five section on Scotland, we present a map showing only the attractions in that region of Scotland.

The French countryside is rich with architectural treasures, ranging from historically important châteaux and cathedrals to incredibly lavish palaces. If you prefer art, you can wander the collections of France’s great museums and best-known art galleries.

Of course, there are innumerable French cities that are delightful, memorable, and whose  wonderful food, wine and ambiance reflect the unique culture of the French. And, then, there is Paris, the City of Light, one of the favorite destinations of travelers worldwide.

Many travelers forget that France has been blessed with a photogenic natural landscape that includes a wide range of topography, some of it stunningly beautiful.  We hope that you find time for this “hidden” France, which is often masked by the incredible cities and cultural regions, both historical and current, created by the French people.

Paris and Ile de France

Ile-de-France is a region of France that includes and surrounds Paris, the country’s capital. Ile-de-France is the country’s most populated area, but one with numerous charms and many outstanding attractions.

Paris

• The City of Light is one of the world’s great cities and a  trip to Paris is, for many, the vacation of a lifetime. Paris offers the tourist numerous attractions that are unique and without match.  The best art, fabulous architecture, visible history, leading museums, and romantic settings surround you when visiting Paris.

Château de Versailles

• The splendor, architecture, and grounds of Versailles are unequalled in the modern world.  The opulence of Versailles can be appreciated only by visiting this historic and unique home of the French monarchy.

Chartres

• Notre Dame of Chartres, a remarkably preserved Gothic-style cathedral, dates from the late 12th century and was built over a religious site previously used by Druids. Chartres Cathedral towers above the surrounding plain and is a remarkable architectural achievement.  The cathedral’s structure is magnificent, while its interior contains some of Europe’s best stained glass windows.   Chartres Cathedral is a spectacular package and well worth a visit.
  • The cathedral’s construction marked a unique point in the evolution of the engineering required to  build a cathedral with the height and size requirements of Chartres (its tallest tower is as tall as a 38 story building).
  • During your tour of the interior be sure to see the immense, but beautiful Rose Window and its five lancets dating from the 13th century.
  • The Cathedral is well-known for its unusual circular labyrinth that dates from the late 12th century.  Scholars believe that walking the path of the labyrinth was considered a  mini-pilgrimage for the forgiveness of sin.
  • If you visit on the weekend, you might be lucky enough to listen to one of the cathedral’s famous organ concerts.