ΕΘΝΙΚΑ ΘΕΜΑΤΑ-ΕΛΛΑΔΑ: ΚΑΙ ΠΑΛΙ Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥΡΓΕΙ - Ελληνικό καινοτόμο φάρμακο για τη θεραπεία 7 μορφών καρκίνου

ΕΘΝΙΚΑ ΘΕΜΑΤΑ-ΕΛΛΑΔΑ: ΚΑΙ ΠΑΛΙ Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥΡΓΕΙ - Ελληνικό καινοτόμο φάρμακο για τη θεραπεία 7 μορφών καρκίνου

CELEBRATE FRENCH GASTRONOMY AT THE AWARD WINNING PREMIÈRE

19/3/2015 19:30 – 00:00 hrs The ever promising Chef Jean-Charles Métayer invites you to our rooftop Première restaurant to savour a unique food & wine tasting experience offering an exclusive French dinner menu and premium quality wines backed by dazzling Acropolis views! On March 19th, Première hosts Goût de France and suggests…  Amuse - Bouche  Foie gras glazed with Indian coffee, redcurrant and crispy crane to cocoa  Crayfish from “Chalkida”, octopus carpaccio served with black sesame pasta  Turbot with roasted taro and truffle sauce  Lamb marinated for 24hrs in feta brine, olives powder and warm Greek salad  Goat cheese with honey and thyme  Pistachio éclair with mango, white chocolate crémeux and baydere ice cream  Mignardise €120,00 per person (including select French wines)

Το ST.MORITZ στο ΛΥΚΑΒΗΤΤO!!!
11-14/3/15

ΦΕΣΤΙΒΑΛ ΕΛΒΕΤΙΚΗΣ ΓΑΣΤΡΟΝΟΜΙΑΣ ΣΤΟ LA SUITE LOUNGE RESTAURANT
 

Στα πλαίσια της ιδέας «Κουζίνες του Κόσμου» το Ξενοδοχείο St.George Lycabettus σε συνεργασία με το πεντάστερο ξενοδοχείο Kulm  στο St.Moritz , υπό την αιγίδα της Πρεσβείας της Ελβετίας στην Ελλάδα παρουσιάζουν το
 
Φεστιβάλ Ελβετικής Γαστρονομίας
 
Οι πολυβραβευμένοι Ελβετοί chefs , Valère Braun & Joel Hösli έρχονται στην Αθήνα από το φημισμένο KULM HOTEL St.Moritz  με την 150 ετών παράδοση στη φιλοξενία  υψηλής ποιότητας και δημιουργούν ένα γκουρμέ δείπνο στο La Suite Lounge Restaurant στον 6^ο όροφο του St.George Lycabettus με την εκπληκτική θέα της πόλης μέχρι και τα νησιά του Σαρωνικού.
 
Το φεστιβάλ ξεκιναεί την Τετάρτη 11 Μαρτίου εως το Σάββατο 14 με αφορμή την Γιορτή της Γαλλοφωνίας 2015 .
 
Γαστρονομικό μενού  - 35€ κατ’άτομο

St. George Lycabettus Hotel
2, Kleomenous st., 106 75, Athens, Greece
Tel. (+30) 210-7416000
Fax. (+30) 210-7247610 or (+30) 210-7290439
      
  

ATHENAEUM  FESTIVE  CELEBRATIONS   ΦΩΤΟΓΡΑΦΙΕΣ ΥΨΗΛΗΣ ΑΝΑΛΥΣΗΣ & ΚΕΙΜΕΝΟ ΠΡΟΤΑΣΕΙΣ ΓΙΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ ΣΤΟ ΣΠΙΤΙ  Ψητή γαλοπούλα με γέμιση από κάστανα, κουκουνάρι και φασκόμηλο. Σερβίρεται με λουκανικάκια τυλιγμένα σε μπέικον, πατάτες rissolé, λαχανικά, σάλτσα ψητού και μύρτιλλου. 6-8 άτομα150€ 10-12 άτομα220€  Μοσχαρίσιο φιλέτο Wellington με σάλτσα φουά γκρα, πατάτες château, φρέσκα μανιτάρια του δάσους και λαχανικά βουτύρου. 6-8 άτομα150€ 10-12 άτομα220€  Γουρουνάκι γάλακτος με σάλτσα μήλων και μουστάρδας. Σερβίρεται με κυδώνια, κάστανα, πατάτες noisette και λαχανικά. 6-8 άτομα150€ 10-12 άτομα220€  Κορμός: Κάστανo, Σοκολάτα, Βανίλια-Πορτοκάλι, Black Forest. 60€ Οι παραγγελίες θα παραλαμβάνονται στις 24 ή 25 Δεκεμβρίου από το Cafezoe.   ΕΟΡΤΑΣΤΙΚΟ CAFEZOE  24η Δεκεμβρίου 21:30 - 02:00 80€ κατ’ άτομο Την Παραμονή Χριστουγέννων απολαύστε πλούσιο μπουφέ υπό τη συνοδεία ζωντανής μουσικής.  25η Δεκεμβρίου 12:30 - 16:00 75€ κατ’ άτομο Εντυπωσιακό συμπόσιο με παραδοσιακή γαλοπούλα, πάπια ψητή με κυδώνια και πολλές λιχουδιές.  31η Δεκεμβρίου 22:00 - 03:00 100€ κατ’ άτομο Καλωσορίστε τη νέα χρονιά με πλούσιο μπουφέ, εκλεκτό κρασί και ζωντανή μουσική.  1η Ιανουαρίου - Πρωινό του ξενύχτη 05:00 - 11:00 34.5€ κατ’ άτομο Ξεκινήστε τη νέα χρονιά με ένα απολαυστικό πρωινό μπουφέ.  1η Ιανουαρίου - Πρωτοχρονιάτικο γεύμα 12:30 - 16:00 80€ κατ’ άτομο Εορταστικά εδέσματα που θα μείνουν αλησμόνητα συντροφιά με ζωντανή μουσική.   PREMIÈRE ΕΠΙΛΟΓΕΣ  24η Δεκεμβρίου 21:30 - 02:00 100€ κατ’ άτομο Eπιλέξτε το βραβευμένο με Χρυσό Σκούφο Première για να απολαύσετε το δείπνο σας: • Ορεκτικό μπουκίτσα • Καβούρι με εκλεκτό ζελέ από φύλλα oysters, κρούστα λεμονιού & χαβιάρι Avruga • Σαλάτα με καπνιστή πάπια & vinaigrette από σαγκουίνι • Sorbet μανταρίνι • Μενταγιόν από μοσχαράκι γάλακτος με ριζότο βρώμης & μανιτάρια chanterelles • Crémeux σοκολάτας γάλακτος, κάστανο σε μπισκουί καρύδας & sorbet αγριοφράουλας • Καφές ή τσάι • Μικρές εορταστικές λιχουδιές  31η Δεκεμβρίου * 22:00 - 03:00 150€ κατ’ άτομο Υποδεχτείτε τη Νέα Χρονιά με έξι μοναδικά πιάτα & ζωντανή μουσική: • Ορεκτικό μπουκίτσα • Αστακός με πουρέ από καπνιστό καρότο, σερβίρεται με σάλτσα Ινδικού καφέ • Ψητό φουά γκρα με λάχανο, sauce από λεμόνι & σχινόπρασο • Sorbet από φρούτα του πάθους • Ελάφι με αφρό σελινόριζας & σάλτσα κόκκινων φρούτων • Dacquoise φουντούκι με σοκολάτα Gianduja, κέικ σοκολάτας & σοκολάτα γάλακτος • Καφές ή τσάι • Πρωτοχρονιάτικες λιχουδιές & Βασιλόπιτα * Περιλαμβάνεται 1 ποτήρι σαμπάνια κατ' άτομο.   ΓΙΟΡΤΙΝΕΣ ΑΠΟΔΡΑΣΕΙΣ Από 19 Δεκεμβρίου έως και 6 Ιανουαρίου, σας προτείνουμε εορταστικές προσφορές...  Festive Delight: Μονόκλινο ή δίκλινο Superior δωμάτιο και πρωινό στο Cafezoe 119€  Festive Luxury: Μονόκλινο ή δίκλινο Deluxe δωμάτιο και πρωινό στο Cafezoe 134€  Festive Exclusivity: Club InterContinental δωμάτιο και πρωινό στο Club Lounge 159€  I-Spa Pampering: To Ι-Spa προσφέρει ένα αναζωογονητικό μασάζ για 2 άτομα σε VIP σουίτα καθώς και χρήση σάουνας, χαμάμ και τζακούζι 85€ Επιλέξτε το Première ή το Cafezoe στις 24, 25, 31 Δεκεμβρίου ή 1 Ιανουαρίου και απολαύστε διαμονή* σε Superior μονόκλινο ή δίκλινο δωμάτιο με πρωινό. 89€ * Iσχύει για τις συγκεκριμένες ημέρες & για επιβεβαιωμένες κρατήσεις στο Première ή το Cafezoe ανά ημέρα διαμονής. Follow us on:       Forward:   Για κρατήσεις καλέστε 210 920 6000 ή αποστείλετε e-mail © 2014 Athenaeum InterContinental Athens

As The World Churns

By Bob Nicolaides

“The student,” according the daily Demokratia, “asked of his school’s administration that the Greek flag be raised and the National Anthem be heard once a week in the school’s courtyard. His reward for this request was a three-day suspension and characterizations such as ‘anarchist’ and ‘fascist.’”….Does anyone know what Middle Eastern country has the United States nicknamed ‘Little Sparta?’ You can answer the question by emailing my electronic address…. 

Here we go again Dept.: A Turkish cosmetics company is red-faced after it was discovered that a cosmetics ad featured a former al-Qaeda leader in a hair removal product.! The ad shows Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, one of the “principal architects” of the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers, alongside the slogan “The hair will not go away because you keep waiting!” The source of this information was the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet….One Sunday in November, Manhattan’s Upper East Side's Temple Emanu-El synagogue put biblical patriarch Abraham on "trial" for the attempted murder and endangerment of his son, Isaac. Famed defense attorney Alan Dershowitz represented Abraham, and former Gov. Eliot Spitzer will prosecuted. The synagogue used  the mock case to draw potential members at a time of declining attendance

The Mediterranean Sea's biodiversity is seriously endagered by exotic species that have invaded mostly via the Suez Canal and continue spreading and multiplying, according to a new European scientific research. The research stated that over 1,000 exotic species among them fish, algae, crustaceans have already become regular in the Mediterranean waters and depth. The Mediterranean Sea hosts at least 17,000 known species (some of them have not yet been catalogued). Over 20 percent of them do not exist in other seas of the Earth. The researchers sound alarm that this unique biodiversity is being threatened by the exotic species.

Port Said, Egypt-born George Skalenakis who died in Greece in September left Egypt for Prague in 1952 where he turned to journalism and eventually studied cinematography at that city’s famous Academy of Cinematography and Television with some elite classmates such as Coudera and Forman. During his stay in what then was known as Czechoslovakia he created a series of short films, four of which had been recognized in many Film Festivals of the time. His first regular length movie that he shot in 1963 was titled The Blues of Prague.   It is accepted that he established the musical review in the Czech Republic. He returned to Greece in 1966 where he began teaching in the Cinematography School L. Stavrakis and from 1981 devoted almost all his time on television. Some of the ten movies he made are Operation Apollo (1968,) Byzantine Rhapsody (1968, an Oscar nominee) and The Isle of Aphrodite (1969, with Katina Paxinou.)…

Petrakis

The Terry Poulos File: Harry Mark Petrakis honored by the Chicago Literary Society…..Anna Davlantes joins Andrea Darlas and Dean Richards Chicago at WGN radio…...Patricia Kara finds "puppy love" with Donnie Osmond…...Social media maven Zizi Papacharissi honored by University of Texas at 100th year celebration…..Andrea Hanis marks one year of gearing up Tribune "Innovation"…..Opa! Way author Alexandros Nicholas Pattakos and his wife appear at the Museum on December 4.. Katerina Sirouni, Founder and principal architect of K. Sirouni Architects invites you to a Greek Property Workshops on December '14 in Chicago on Greek Property Laws and Taxation

 

Myrto: Playing Musetta.

Soprano Myrto Papathanassiou will portray the role of Musetta in an upcoming performance at the Metropolitan Opera of New York…….They’ve been speculation recently that Lady Gaga and Taylor Kinney may have secretly tied the knot when a photo was posted to Instagram of the Chicago Fire wearing a ring on that finger. Now, the Daily Star claims to have inside knowledge that Gaga and Kinney hosted a devotion ceremony recently for their family and friends and that they will be headed down the aisle officially next year. The couple have been dating since 2011 and have kept their relationship largely out of the spotlight…Thanos Petrelis will be at the Melrose Ballroom(tixs at Nexus)on Friday, December 19 at 9 pm through Thursday, January 1 at 4 am.....Ioannis Lakis is the name of a Tenor, pianist-composer who soon is to hold a concert in New York…Hollywood make up artist Demetri Gianettos enjoyed a Halloween bash in LA along with actor Christo Vassilopoulos and singer-actor Panos Mouzourakis, the last two  made-up as ‘broad.’ while the first opted for a pirate’s costume and uploaded their shots on Instagram. Katerina Moutsatsou who happened to be at the same party got transformed into a China girl. Aside from being Maria Menounos’ make-up artist, Demetri works with several fashion mags, while Christo has appeared in many serials… …. Dancing with the stars 5 premiered with Doukissa Nomikou with the beginning of the show being an impressive chirography for the presentation of the guests by Galena Velikova.... It was three years ago that Zorzes Katris composed Ode To Alexander The Great….

Aniston: Neither pregnant not adopting.

Zach: Grills Jolie, Aniston.

Jennifer Aniston is neither pregnant nor considering adoption. The 45-year-old actress is often the subject of pregnancy rumors, and new reports claim she is also open to adoption. Life & Style magazine declared last week Aniston and fiancé Justin Theroux are thinking about adopting, but the star's publicist dismissed the rumor in a statement to Page Six. She recently revealed that it was 'so fabulous and so dreamy' to not have to wear any make-up on the set of her upcoming movie Cake…..…Zach Galifianakis ‘grills’ Brad Pitt about Angelina Jolie and Jen Aniston on Between two Ferns…Maria Menounos herself posted this snapshot you see of her Halloween get-up of a soldier. There was a caption too with thanks to those who helped with the costume, the make-up and all….George Drakoulias is the music supervisor in the flick the Secret Life of Walter Mitty starring and produced by Ben Stiller….

 

Mewnounos' Halloween

Porphyra

Greek version of 'Got Talent

Progress is finally being made on Matthew Stowell’s film project, Eleftheria - A Woman of Cyprus. This past weekend, Ioannis Christoforou, an award-winning filmmaker from Athens, came to Nicosia and made a video to be used in fundraising: on Kickstarter, local Cyprus TV, and in other media venues. Ioannis is a true professional (very demanding) and a consummate artist, and he gave it his all…..The second director in Wolverine is Debra Antoniou, Peter Lambropoulos did the sculptures and Nick Nicolaou the make-up effects….The Greek Cultural Center is looking for actors (male, 20-35 yrs old) for its next production, a caustic comedy by Helen Randou, Sara Ganoti and Nikos Stavrakoudis called My Convict. Call 718-726-7329 for interviews…And for one night only, Opa Productions  staged on November 20 at Chicago’s Pickwick Theater the hysterical comedy Oi Apelpismenoi.. Representing Greece, Porphyra's own “Shine” music video Angela Pandelis DJ-Aerialist, Won Third Place in the Amateur Silks Women’s Division “At The Aerial Performance Tournament 2014”!  Hong Kong’s Premier International Aerial Tournament.

Holiday Night at the Taverna, with live performance by 2010 "Greece Has Talent" winner Nikos Georgas was held Saturday November 22 at the National Hellenic Museum, by the Greek Media Club with input by Friends of the National Hellenic Museum, Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois, Hellenic Bar Association and Hellenic Medical Society. Event co-chairs were Marilyn Tzakis and Maria Brown

Word of the Month: Hilarious-Ιλαρός,cheerful, placid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Travelogue… with Bob Nicolaides

 

Take  in The Pearl of the Orient through Swan Hellenic

 



The Shwedagon Pagoda

Join Minerva in Singapore (Sri Lanka,) a dynamic modern city fusing Malay and Chinese cultures, before sailing to the island of Penang, the Pearl of the Orient, where the Chinese influence is particularly noticeable. Discover the highlights of Phuket. Thailand’s largest island with lush rainforests and exquisite beaches, before the captain navigates a scenic cruise among the tall limestone karsts of Krabi Bay, perhaps finding a beach on which to land.



 



Transit Yangon River to reach the old capital of Burma, (Myanmar) Yangon. An overnight in port allows plenty of time to discover this intriguing city, the golden Shwedagon Pagoda, Bago, ancient capital of the Mon Kingdom, and to view some of the best preserved British colonial architecture. From the capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, drive through the beautiful scenery of the Hill Country to Kandy and the lakeside Temple of the Tooth or enjoy a visit to the Pinnawela Elephant Sanctuary.

 

There are plenty of speakers onboard the cruise, such as Dr. Alan Borg, Dr. Robert Bradnock and Rosalind White to lecture you on what you visit, plus  a featured guest Robert Powell, English actor of film and television.

 

 

 

‘Rock in Rio’ site planned for Las Vegas



 



LAS VEGAS — A group including casino company MGM Resorts announced plans Monday to build a 33-acre open-air music venue on the Las Vegas Strip to host a four-day Rock in Rio, the  USA festival beginning in May 2015. MGM Resorts International officials said the “City of Rock” development to be built between the Circus Circus resort and Sahara Avenue would serve as home to what they expect will be one of the largest concert festival events in the world.

Rio in Las Vegas

 Rock in Rio began in 1985 in Brazil, where 600,000 tickets for the event last September sold out in four hours, according to organizers. Headliners included Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Metallica and Bruce Springsteen. The organization also produces festivals in Portugal and Spain.



 Rock in Rio founder Roberto Medina said he was excited to partner for the first Rock in Rio USA event in the heart of Las Vegas with casino giant MGM Resorts, multiple Las Vegas show producer Cirque du Soleil and developer Ron Burkle of the California-based Yucaipa Companies LLC.



 Bill Hornbuckle, president of MGM Resorts International, noted dramatic changes in the entertainment industry in recent years and said he believed the four-day music festival in Las Vegas would draw more than 300,000 people. The layout is expected to include five stages, themed streets featuring sights, sounds and foods of Brazil, the U.S. and the United Kingdom, plus thrill rides and shopping. ost figures and site plans for the City of Rock development weren’t made public and will need approval from Clark County lawmakers. Tickets are expected to go on sale in January.

The event will be separate from the three-night Electric Daisy Carnival electronic music festival, held in June at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It attracts more than 100,000 people, according to its parent company, Insomniac

 

The world's most well-travelled nations revealed

 

Scandinavian tourists

 

Scandinavia is the world's most well-travelled region, according to a new study, with Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway all in the top five countries. The average Finn takes 7.5 trips a year, topping the list compiled by Trimetic. The United States, coming in second, is the only non-Nordic country in the top five, with Americans travelling an average of 6.7 times per year.

Finland and the US are followed by Sweden (average six trips per year), Denmark (5.3), and Norway (5.2). The United Kingdom ranks behind Australia, Canada, France and Germany, coming 13th on the list. The average Briton takes 0.9 international trips and two domestic trips per year.  

The reasons for the Scandinavian enthusiasm for travel is due to a wealthier population and a wish to escape the harsh winter, according to Trimetic.

 

These are the most unusual honeymoons

 



If you fancy something different to relaxing at a beach resort, these could be just right for you. Explore the beautiful Irish countryside on a horse-drawn gypsy caravan. Or give something back by 'honeyteering' in Nepal to help out the less fortunate. See the stunning Northern Lights on a dog sledding adventure in Swedish Lapland. After months of planning your wedding, it's time to really have some fun. So, why not let loose and opt for a honeymoon that's a bit more adventurous than your standard all-inclusive beach resort getaway?

Honeymoon hideaways

 Whether you'd prefer to be treated like a queen in a luxury suite in a real French castle or give something back by volunteering with school children in Nepal, we've got you and your new significant other covered. For a truly unique means of travel, explore the Irish countryside in a horse-drawn gypsy caravan. Several companies offer week-long packages, like Mayo horse-drawn Caravan Holidays, which start at €720 (about £577) for seven days, and will take you around some of the most lush greenery in the world. There are options to fly into Shannon or Dublin, as airport transfers are also available. Ryanair flies regularly to both airports from London, starting at £45.99 one way.

Alternatively, rent a car and head south along the Pacific Coast Highway in California for breath-taking Big Sur views. Start your drive in Monterey (near San Francisco) and head south to Los Angeles to truly experience one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the country. Don't miss the many state reserves and parks, the quaint town of Carmel-by-the-Sea or the stunning Hearst Castle, located in San Simeon.

For the couple that prefers something off the beaten path, spend a week in the rain forests of Costa Rica at an eco-friendly resort. The Pacuare Lodge is nestled overlooking the Pacuare River and offers thrill-seeking partners the chance to raft down the river as part of their stay. Best of all, it's located on a private reserve that protects more than 1.2 million acres of Central America's tropical wilderness.

For those with winter weddings, your romantic getaway can be made even more memorable by checking into Canada's only ice hotel. Located only 20 minutes from Quebec City, Hotel de Glace is a must-see attraction each winter - open from January 5 until March 22, 2015.

The hotel's Romantic Getaway package is priced from $999 (about £550) depending on the month. More adventurous couples may prefer to travel to the Gobi desert to stay in a traditional Mongolian yurt. Three Camel Lodge offers twenty deluxe yurts, known as gers, which each include a private bathroom, a king size bed and even toiletries made from camel milk. The gers offer unobstructed views of the Gobi-Altai Mountains and there are also plenty of opportunities for eco-friendly relaxation with an on-site bar, restaurant and spa.

 With trips to suit all tastes, these are the most unconventional honeymoon options out there.

UNWTO commends Greece on strong tourism results   The number of international tourists visiting Greece in the first half of 2014 grew by 17%, driven by the strong demand from key European outbound markets such as Germany and the United Kingdom. A growing number of tourists for Greece Such results, which are well above the growth registered in Southern European destinations (+7%), consolidate the very positive performance of 2013 and confirm the importance of the tourism sector as a stronghold of Greece´s economy. In 2013, i nternational tourists in Greece reached 18 million (+16%) generating US$ 16 billion (+13%). Meeting with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras during his official visit to Greece, UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai commended the excellent results of Greece´s tourism sector, indicating that 2014 will come to an exceptional close. According to UNWTO the strength of the tourism sector in Greece is the result of a robust tourism policy, of the implementation of fundamental competitiveness measures and of the immense capacity of the private sector to adjust to a fast changing market. Prime Minister Samaras has expressed solid support to tourism recalling that Greece´s tourism sector is “the first locomotive that started and began to pull our economy out of a painful six-year recession.” During the meeting, also attended by the Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni, Mr. Rifai commended Prime Minister Samaras on taking key steps to support the tourism sector, including simplifying visa procedures to encourage travel to Greece, reducing the Value Added Tax (VAT) on hotels and tourism services, and supporting the cruise industry. “These measures enhance the competitiveness of Greece’s tourism while sending a very strong political message of support to the sector” said Mr. Rifai. On behalf of UNWTO, Mr Rifai underscored the importance of giving continuity to the current tourism policy as a means to ensure the sector continues to play a key role in the country’s economic growth and stability and committed to continue supporting Greece in advancing its tourism sector.

Hohenschwangau: Neuschwanstein Castle, true to Fairy tales.

Neuschwanstein Castle

 

You do not need get an excursion to Neuschwanstein castle as your time at the castle is limited.  Instead take yourself or get a bus or taxi.  You can get ticket reservations months ahead online at www.hohenschwangau.de to get the entrance times you want and so you won’t have to wait in line at the ticket center.   The only way to see the castle's interior is by guided tours in groups of 60.  Your ticket lists an entrance time and a tour group number which is posted when your tour is ready to begin.   Allow yourself lots of extra time before your tour time begins to get yourself up to the castle and enjoy the surrounding views. If you miss your allocated time then you will not get on another tour due to the pressure of numbers. Before your tour starts you have to get through a turnstyle gate which is actioned by the bar code on your ticket. You need to look for the number on your ticket to appear on a screen before you can go through.

The walk up to the castle takes around 30 minutes uphill. Getting a horse and buggy to take you to the summit for 5 Euros is a risk as they will not set off until the buggy is full. So if you are using this option allow plenty of time. There is still a 10 minute uphill walk up to the castle from  where the buggy drops you off.  There is also a bus that leaves not far from the buggy area and is the most reliable way to get to the castle especially if time is short but be prepared to queue especially if the whether is wet. The fare is 1.9 Euros eachway. The bus goes up past the castle to the Marienbrucke (bridge) above the castle.  This is the recommended route to get to the castle. There you can enjoy the most fabulous view of the castle, then have a downhill walk to the castle. After, you can walk the short distance down to the buggy area and take the horse and buggy down.  Or you can have a long but beautiful and peaceful walk down.

Be warned: tourists are herded through the rooms, to allow for tours following behind, and some of the rooms and lovely balcony view are not accessible.  The quality of guiding can be variable dependant on how confident the guide is in your chosen language. Also, you are not allowed to take photos, but you can buy a photo cd or postcards.  Also watch out for pickpockets near the bridge, as it can be very crowded.

Even though it looks medieval, Neuschwanstein was built between 1869 and 1886. Inspired by Wagner’s operas, only a third of the castle’s interior was finished by the time of Ludwig’s death in 1886 at the age of 41. Within weeks of his death, tourists were already paying to see this lavish castle and its furnishings.

 Tourist attraction Bras removal cause public anger     Bras lined-up in new Zealand     Activists vow to replenish Cardrona bra fence after officials remove garments. A Famous New Zealand bra fence has done another striptease, with hundreds of the undergarments once again removed. Snippers struck for the third time this year, cutting the bras from the roadside farm fence this week. This time they struck during daylight and locals vented their fury at a couple of women — who were supposedly caught on camera — on the Cardrona bra fence’s dedicated Facebook page. As in past instances, people promised to place more bras on the fence. The fence, in Central Otago’s Cardrona Valley, started attracting bras in about 1999. The council removed them in 2006 but people still put them up. There are fears tourists stopping to photograph the fence will cause an accident.