Plovdiv Bulgaria

Ancient history
Plovdiv is one of the most ancient towns not only in Bulgaria, but also in Europe. It was a contemporary of Troy and far exceeded the system of chronology in Rome, Athens and Constantinople. Its system of chronology started as far back as 6 000 BC with the formation of some Neolithic settlements that existed until the Bronze era. From the year 2 000 BC on, the settlement of Nebet hillock was surrounded by a stone wall and some 1 000 years later was established the most ancient town in the region – Evmolpiya. It stretched over 82 acres and encompassed the present Three-Hillock and the archaeological traits of the constructions from that time can still be seen today. The later history of the town was connected with the Roman Emperor Phillip II – 341 BC and the Thracian king Sevt III. From the 1st century BC the town was included in the Roman Province of Thracia. It than became known as Pulpudeva, Philipopolis, Trimontzium. More than a century later, it turned into a metropolis with the right to cut coins. The preserved ruins of the Stadium for 30 000 people, theatre, Forum, temples, stronghold wall, two aqueducts of 23 kilometers in length are all symbols of its flourishing history.

Middle ages
After the subsequent destructions by Huns and Goths, from the north towards Thracian came the Slavs and the Bulgarian armies of Khan Krum reached in the year 812. Plovdiv was under Bulgarian rule at the time of prince Malamir. In the year of 970 Prince Vladimir of Kiev destroyed the town. In the XI-XII centuries Plovdiv was under Byzantine rule. In the year of 1189, the armies of the Third Crusade leaded by Fridrich I Barbarossa remained for six months. The fourth Crusade settled the so-called “Plovdiv Dukedom” in the year of 1204. Only a year after the victory of the Bulgarian king Kaloyan the town fell prey to the Byzantines and then to the Latin’s. This struggle continued from 1206 until 1344. A few decades later the armies of the Ottoman sultans entered.

Revival
The 18th and 19th centuries turned Plovdiv into a centre of the Bulgarian National Revival. Until this day, when one starts climbing the Three-Hillock area on the side of the Djumaya mosque one needs to make only a few steps on the cobbled streets, before he/she gets into the Bulgarian National Revival atmosphere of Ancient Plovdiv. Up to the famous Hissar Gate, one can see many houses and churches, all unique in their own names – the house of Hindliyan, Balabanov, Kuyumdjiev, and in the latter is located the Ethnographic museum and in its yard is held the International Festival of Chamber Music. One can also be captured by the enormous beauty of the ancient church “St Constantine and Elena” and the Cathedral temple “St Mother of God”. It is now clear to see why Ancient Plovdiv was honored with the UNESCO gold medal for contributions in the cultural monuments preservation.

Ancient theatre
It was found by chance, only a few decades ago, while executing strengthening work upon the southern stronghold wall. The Antique Theatre unfolded for the audience an impressive construction of the Roman times. The amphitheatre consists of two or three rings of 14 rows, each with the capacity to host close to 7 000 spectators. A curious fact is that the names of the town headquarters have been carved onto the benches of each sector. The stage is on two levels with rich architecture and decoration. After all the exhausting restoration work and conservation it has been turned today into the Antique Theatre of Plovdiv, a cultural focus for a great number of Bulgarian and foreign festivals, concerts and spectacles. Its most common everyday function is as a place for relaxation for tired tourists who can sit on the benches and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view.

Under the Hillocks
From the Three-Hillock area one has the opportunity to see that Plovdiv has three other big hills around it – Bunardjik, Sahat Hill and Djendem Hill. In the past there was also a smaller hill, called Markovo Hill. Beside the hills is the large river “Maritza”. A walk alongside its bridges will bring you into the newest part of the city, or in front of the gates of the Plovdiv Fair. Plovdiv can show you many more sites of interest – the Archaeological museum with invaluable antique collections of the Museum of the Unification, dated back to 1885 when the Kingdom of Bulgaria joined Eastern Roumelia, the rich Arts gallery, the exposition of “Zlatyo Boyadjiev”, the church “St Marina”, the Catholic church “St Ludwig” from 1863. Passing through the tranquility of the Town Garden formed by Swiss gardeners in the beginning of the last century you will find yourselves in the bustling and most favorite place for the citizens of Plovdiv – the pedestrian Main street.

New York City on bike

Bicycles is one of the best ways to explore new cities and places. It is pretty comfortable and yet relatively fast. Nowadays NYC is considered to be bicycle friendly city and each year more and more people prefer bicycle to explore this amazing city. Central Park, Hudson River bicycle path, Battery Park, Brooklyn Bridge cannot be walked, but on bike one can explore them in one day. Just choose sunny day and make sure you bring your camera with you! For those who prefer guided tours we encourage to take on of NYC bike tours. Joining international groups is a lot of fun! Central Park bike tours , Brooklyn Bridge tours are probably the most famous. For those who prefer make their own plan you can choose of NYC bike rentals companies. Weekends are probably the best time to ride NYC. There is not so much traffic and if the weather is good it will be really unforgettable experi ence. If you looking for some thing new try Central Park Pedicab Tours . It's remarkable way to explore Central Park. Whatever way you choose don't miss New York City, it is truly phenomenal place which is worth visiting!

Wines of Cyprus

With a history of wine making going back to at least 2000 BC, it is hardly surprising that the Cypriots know more than a thing or two about viticulture. In the past, Cyprus’ wine was considered to be so delectable that the Pharoahs of Egypt consumed it, King Solomon praised it in his poems and its fine quality did not go unnoticed by the ancient Greeks and Romans. In fact, great wines such as Madeira, Masala and Hungarian Tokey are said to have originated from transplanted Cyprus wines. Today in Cyprus, grapes still play a major part in agriculture. With the reliable climate of long, hot summers to ripen the grapes, it is not surprising that vines thrive. But up until thirty years ago all the wine was made from just two grape types, Mavro, a black grape for red wine, and Xynisteri for white wine. Since the 1950’s the Government has introduced a range of new grapes to Cyprus and the customer can now choose between a large range of wines from light sparkling whites to full bodied red wines. The vast majority of grapes grown in Cyprus are processed by four large ultra modern wineries in Limassol – Keo, Etko, Loel and Sodap. Experts in oenology monitor the progress of the grapes from the first pressing up to the ageing of the bottled wines in isothermic cellars. But there are some breakaway groups of wine producers who are practicing wine making on a smaller scale, and many villages now produce and market their own wines as do some of the monasteries. The most ancient wine of Cyprus is undoubtedly the wine now as Commandaria, which, in the distant past, was consumed in great quantities at the springtime festivals of Aphrodite. The world’s oldest named wine, Commandaria derived its name from the Grand, Commandarie a huge estate at Kolossi belonging to the Knights Hospitallers of the 12th -14th centuries. Richard the Lionheart enjoyed the wine so much that he called it “The Wine of Kings and the King of Wines”. Commandaria is a sweet dessert wine, and is made in a designated region in the foothill mountain villages of the southern Troodos range. The grapes are picked late and dried in the sun to enchance their sugar content and give the wine that mature, almost burnt flavor. Peculiar to Cyprus, Commandaria is certainly worth a taste, but then so are so many of the Cyprus wines, and at very reasonable prices, so I suggest you try a range. Stin iya sou, skol, health to you… the wine industry in Cyprus is definitely looking rosy.