Discover the Historic Treasures of Toledo, Spain

The City of Toledo is located in the center of Spain, just 70km south of Madrid. Built on a mountaintop above the Tagus River, it is a fortified city that has stood for thousands of years. It was the capital of Spain until 1560 when Philip II moved the capital to Madrid. It is still the capital of the province of Toledo.

In medieval times, Toledo was well known for its steel and sword making. It is still a production center for the manufacture of steel implements and knives.

The Culture of Toledo

Toledo is known as the "city of three cultures." For centuries Arabs, Christians and Jews have lived together in these walls and shared their cultural and artistic talents. Synagogues, mosques, and churches all share space in the narrow streets of the city.

The city of Toledo is one of the best-preserved historical cities in Europe. See the great diversity of styles in the well-preserved monuments, old buildings, walls, gates, and traditions. It is like a vast outdoors museum.

The most famous person from Toledo is the artist El Greco. Some of his best works are found at the House Museum. This former palace still maintains the period's atmosphere from his time.

Enter the city through one of the many artistic gates that open into the center. The Bisagra Gate is the main access to the city, built by Muslims and includes a central courtyard. The Alfonso VI Gate was built in 838 and reflects more Muslim artistry. In the 13th century, the Sol Gate was built, which contains the remains of a sarcophagus. One of the busiest places in the city since ancient times is the Plaza de Zocodover where festivals, markets, and social events are still held.

Historical Buildings and Museums

The most outstanding building to see in Toledo is the Cathedral. The construction of this monumental building took two and a half centuries. As a result of the time elapsed in building, there is an extreme mixture of the artistic styles throughout the building.

The main doorway of the Cathedral is an outstanding work of art made up of three doors called Hell, Forgiveness, and Judgment. The two cathedral towers outside reflect the Gothic and Gothic-Renaissance styles. Several renowned artists devoted works of art to the adornment of the walls and doors. The Cathedral Museum houses a collection of works by painters like Goya, El Greco, and Van Dyck.

The medieval Fortress is still watching over the city with is impressive structure. It was built in the 10th century and later was almost destroyed during a siege. Franco had it rebuilt as a military museum and one of the largest libraries in Spain. It was once a royal residence and still maintains the central courtyard and imperial staircase. From the walls you can see the Tagus River and the surrounding city.

More examples of the varied architecture are found at the San Martin Bridge, with its 13th century towers, and the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes. The Hospital de Tavera is now a museum with artistic works from El Greco, Titian and Ribera, among others. The outstanding features are the courtyard, the tomb of Tavera, and the pharmacy in its original appearance.

Before the 1500s, there were many Jewish residents and eleven synagogues. During Ferdinand and Isabella's reign, the majority of the Jewish population was deported. All that remains now are two synagogues that have become museums, the Sinagoga de Santa Maria la Blanca and Sinagoga de El Transito. These feature various works of art and objects used in worship. They are richly decorated in ornate architecture and have Hebrew inscriptions on the walls.

The Duque de Lerma Museum displays a selection of works that are not generally known to the public. These exclusive treasures come from the El Greco Museum and the Nobility Archives. It is a collection of the best paintings, noteworthy period furniture, sculptures, and choice Talavera ceramics.

Castles and Events in Toledo, Spain

The province of Toledo was an important area in medieval times, and there are many castles still standing. Guadamur is one of the most beautiful fortresses in Spain, and in Barciense you will find a Gothic castle. The Colegiata is in Torrijos with its remarkable portal. The castle of Maqueda was built in the 15th century and was the scene of many famous battles.

In the south of the province, the Cabaneros National Park sits at the foot of Mount Toledo. It is protected woodland that combines mountains and plains. Make plans for outdoor activities while you are in the area.

The biggest event held in Toledo each year is the procession of Corpus Christi, which is held nine weeks after Easter. It has been declared an international tourist event with thousands of people coming to take part in the procession around the city.

At this time, the gold and silver masterpiece, Arfe Processional Monstrance, is taken from the Cathedral and carried through the city. It is 2.5 meters tall and weighs over 160 kilos and takes a leading role in the parade. There are monthly festivals held celebrating the olive harvest, friendship, pilgrimship, and traditions.

Toledo Hotels

The hotels in Toledo are all quaint establishments hidden between the historical downtown buildings or just outside. It will be a unique and enjoyable experience to stay in this novel and old-fashioned city. The Hotel Silken Cigarrel El Bosque is a five star hotel just across the river from downtown. Set in an old country house, it has all modern facilities and a swimming pool. Each room has access to the gardens or a balcony with wonderful views of the city.

The Hotel San Juan De Los Reyes Secotel is in the center of the city among the Jewish landmarks. It is in the restored flourmill with all modern conveniences. Each room has a hydromassage tub, and some rooms have a Jacuzzi. Also, a buffet breakfast is served. The Hotel Abaceria is in one of the prettiest and greenest areas of Toledo. Most rooms have a terrace with a great view overlooking the center of the city. Rooms are very comfortable with air conditioning and Internet connections.

When you visit Toledo, you will see sites you have never seen anywhere else in the world. It is an extremely well preserved city rich in history and tradition. See the mixture of cultures and a way of life that no longer exists. Toledo is definitely full of masterpieces and museums that you don't want to miss.

See the Heart of Eastern and Western Canada in Winnipeg, Capital City of Manitoba, Canada

As the capital of the Canadian province of Manitoba, Winnipeg is the largest city in the province and connects the eastern and western portions of Canada. Winnipeg is the prime spot for travelers from either direction, whether by railway or car. The city is often called the "Gateway to the West" and is a center for finance, transportation, manufacturing, education, and agriculture. It is also a cultural center with the world famous Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Winnipeg offers travelers delightful sights, scenic waterways, historic buildings, parks, and lovely neighborhoods.

Winnipeg, the home of the man who drew Pooh

No other Canadian city can boast a namesake as beloved as Winnie the Pooh. Winnipeg was the home to artists Earnest H. Shepard, original illustrator of the beloved children's book. While Winnipeg is a rich city as a jumping off point for other more Northern points, it is a wonderful place in its own right.

Winter Travel

For travelers on their way to Churchill for Polar Bears or Northern Lights, they will most likely pass through Winnipeg. Winnipeg is a wonderful city with great open spaces, a wonderful river walk and places for many summer sports, but you might be surprised how much fun it can be in the winter.

If you are going to Churchill at the optimum time to see Polar Bears and thinking of skipping Winnipeg, we think you should consider a couple of days to enjoy Picturesque Winnipeg.

The bustling Academy Road district brims with ultra-chic retailers, while offering a postcard-worthy picture of the traditional holiday season. We love that many of the snow covered storefronts along Academy Road have a common Holiday look, right out of Dickens. This historic thoroughfare was originally a streetcar route that serviced the surrounding residential area of River Heights. Its namesake is the century-old private girl's academy that lies at its eastern end. Shopping choices are never-ending. Academy Road's variety of fashion, beauty, specialty foods and gourmet eateries provide gift ideas by the sleight full.

As for a place to stay in bad weather, we recommend The Inn at he Forks, as it sits at the middle of the city and is walking distance to most everything you will want to do in the winter or summer. Six thousand years ago this spot, “the Forks” was a great place to meet, and Centuries later it still is.

The Forks is rich with the history of people who all came here to meet. It is Winnipeg's number one tourist area. Year round you can find many events, a fresh food market, heritage attractions, open green spaces, a children's museum, Skateboard Park, boutique hotel, theatre, over 70 shops, skating trails and much, much more. Winnipeg is truly Canada's “Great Plains” city.

Things to See and Do in Winnipeg anytime of the year

The history buff will enjoy one of the many museums in Winnipeg. There's the Winnipeg Railway Museum www.wpgrailwaymuseum.com/ that features the Countess of Dufferin, which was the first steam locomotive to travel to Winnipeg in 1877. Museum guests can learn about Winnipeg's amazing railway heritage. The Winnipeg Police Museum features artifacts and interesting displays that depict the history of the Winnipeg Police Force. Admission is free to this museum.

Other museums include the Transcona Historical Museum, St. Boniface Museum, Royal Winnipeg Rifles Museum, Seven Oaks House Museum, and the Ross House Museum.

Historic sites in Winnipeg are abundant with the Forks National Historic site of Canada, Bishop Velychkovsky Martyr's Shrine, Grant's Old Mill, Grey Nuns Walkway, Louis Riel's Tomb, Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site, Scots Monument, and St. Andrew's Rectory National Historic Site.

Walking Tours

There are several walking tours to see Winnipeg on foot. Exchange District Walking Tours www.exchangedistrict.org/ give you a glimpse of early 1900s Winnipeg. The relaxing Forks Historic Port and Riverwalk is along the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. Or, you can rent a canoe or paddleboat and enjoy the scenery on the water. Also, enjoy the Muddy Water Tours, or for a good scare near Halloween, take a Haunted Winnipeg tour with ghosts, cemeteries, and other "things that go bump in the night!" To tour the French Quarter of Winnipeg, take the Old Saint Boniface Walking Tour.

Inspiration at the Winnipeg Gardens

Winnipeg offers several beautiful gardens to inspire all its visitors. The Assiniboine Park Conservatory has a Floral Display Gallery with special shows and a lights display during the Christmas holidays. It features gorgeous tropical trees, a gift shop, and the Garden Restaurant.

A lovely heritage floral garden can be explored at the Captain Kennedy House and Maple Grove Tea Room. At Kildonan Park, enjoy a formal garden, old and very large trees, an outdoor theater, picnic areas, and an ice skating pond in winter. Also visit the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden while in Winnipeg.

Family Attractions

Winnipeg makes a great family vacation spot with plenty to see and do with kids. The Maze in the Corn is the region's leading corn maze and features horse hayrides, a huge bale pyramid, and a petting zoo. For a fabulous family adventure, be sure to visit the Assiniboine Park www.winnipeg.ca/cms/ape/zoo/. It has a zoo, conservatory, gardens, a pavilion, and many walking trails and picnic areas. At the park's zoo, kids can visit with more than 1700 animals including cougars, polar bears, bald eagles, tigers, leopards, and many others. In winter, the park offers plenty of outdoor fun with cross-country skiing, skating, tobogganing, and more.

For the little golfers, visit the Fun F/X Miniature Golf Course. Or, take the family to Fun Mountain Waterslide Park for a summer splash. It features water slides, bumper boats, a tropical theme mini golf course, food concessions, and a gift shop. Also check out Grand Prix Amusements, the Manitoba Children's Museum, IMAX Theatre, Winnipeg Karting, and other great family attractions.

For a more relaxed setting, spend a day at Grand Beach, the glistening shore of the fifth largest lake in Canada. It's a wonderful place to swim, hike, wind surf, or take relaxing walks along the trails.

Shopping and Dining in Winnipeg

If you love to shop, Winnipeg is not lacking in shopping districts. The most popular districts are Academy Road, Corydon Avenue, Osborne Village, Exchange District, Chinatown, and the Forks Market. These districts offer a variety of items such as jewelry, clothing, antiques, souvenirs, crafts, cultural gifts, etc. There are a number of shopping malls and factory outlets to meet your needs.

At the end of a busy shopping day, it's time to whet your appetite at one of the fine restaurants in Winnipeg. There are many cuisine choices such as Australian, Caribbean, American, French, Greek, German, Italian, etc. You can try a new delight or opt for a hamburger or pizza. The city offers hundreds of restaurants to satisfy every taste bud!

For nighttime entertainment, visit one of the many clubs featuring dance, live music, theatre, and comedy.

Where to stay when weather is good

Winnipeg offers a variety of hotels, hostels, and bed and breakfasts for accommodation. You can choose according to budget, location, or amenities. Here are just a few bed and breakfasts: A Country Garden, A Fraser's Grove, A Home Away from Home, A Swan in the Town, Ellie's, Fulham Castle, Hidden River Country House, Waterloo, West Gate Manor, and Heritage (Homes of Winnipeg).

If you prefer a hotel, there are the Quality Inn and Suites, Nor-Villa Hotel, Comfort Inn, Canad Inns, Norwood Hotel, and many others. Or, you can even go camping during your stay if you love the great outdoors!

When visiting Winnipeg, you'll likely run out of time before visiting all the interesting attractions. So, plan to visit this fun city many times!

Micronesia, What's in a Name?

Since we have reported several articles from Micronesia, we thought it best to help our readers understand what this description actually means today, and some of the history of what would become “Micronesia”.

Micronesia, from the Greek, micros (meaning small) and nesos (meaning island), is a sub region of Oceania, comprising hundreds of small islands in the Pacific Ocean. The Philippines lie to the northwest, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Melanesia to the west and southwest, and Polynesia to the east.

This region consists of many hundreds of small islands spread over a large region of the western Pacific. The only empire known to have originated in Micronesia was based in Yap. The term “Micronesia” was first proposed to distinguish the region in 1831 by Jules Dumont d'Urville; before this the term “Polynesia” was in use to generally describe the islands of the Pacific.

Politically, Micronesia is divided into eight nation-states and territories: Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (sometimes referred to simply as Micronesia”, or abbreviated as “FSM”), Nauru, Northern Marina Islands, Palau, and Wake Island.

Much of the area was to come under European domination quite early. Guam the Northern Marinas, and the Caroline Islands (what would later become the FSM and Palau) were colonized early by the Spanish. These islands territories were part of the Spanish East Indies and governed from Spanish Philippines since the early 17th century until 1898. Full European expansion did not come, however, until the early 20th century, when the area would be divided between: the United States, which took control of Guam following the Spanish-American war of 1898, and colonized Wake island: Germany, which took Nauru and bought the Marshall, Caroline, and Northern Mariana Islands from Spain: and the British Empire, which took the Gilbert Islands (Kiribati).

During the First World War, Germany's Pacific island territories were taken from it and were made League of Nations Mandates. Nauru became an Australian mandate, while Germany's other territories were given as mandates to Japan. This remained the situation until Japan's defeat in the Second World War, when its mandates became a United Nations Trusteeship ruled by the United States, The Trust of the Pacific islands. Today, all of Micronesia (with the exception of Guam and Wake Island, which are U.S. territories, and the Northern Mariana Islands, which is a U.S. Commonwealth) are independent states.