Lake Tahoe Recreation and VacationsCool and clear water with beautiful surroundings; Lake Tahoe has all this and much more in store! Here’s a look at the various kinds of recreation facilities and how to make the most of your vacation at Lake Tahoe.
United States sure does have many interesting and gorgeous locales that sure would make you want to take a break more than often! One such place worth a mention is Lake Tahoe. This beautiful freshwater lake is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains and has a depth of about 514 m. Tourists can have a fun time with various activities in store. Besides, one can find a great number of rental lodges and cabins along with some suave ski resorts for a very comfortable stay! Lake Tahoe vacations sure do mean a whole lot of fun and if this locale is on your list, check out some of things you can do out here. Lake Tahoe Recreation and Vacations: Things to do out here Lake Tahoe ski resorts are generally buzzing with activity during the winters. When it’s the time for skiing, people throng to this place in thousands as the slopes out here are amongst the best in the world. One such place that is worth a mention is the Heavenly Mountain Resort, which attracts loads of tourists every year. This resort is the highest resort located out here. Heavenly Mountain resort has state of the art facilities for all skiing enthusiasts. Apart from this ski resort, there is also the Squaw Valley, which is the second largest resort. Lake Tahoe ski resorts thus are aplenty that provide some really good facilities for sport lovers. Water sports at Lake Tahoe is yet another major attraction for tourists from all over. Lake Tahoe proves to be an apt location for trying out various water sports. Boating therefore remains to be the most popular option and as a means of recreation as well. Besides, the beautiful Lake Tahoe is dotted with some of the best restaurants seen in this area. Lake Tahoe has loads of water sports activities such as sailboat racing and cruises over the lake that helps tourists to know about Lake Tahoe. Apart from this, the surrounding areas of Lake Tahoe prove to be inviting for all lovers of the outdoors. Tourists can have a fun time hiking in the mountains or biking amongst the trails. The most popular of all trails is the Eagle Lake Trailhead. The beautiful Lake Tahoe is also an attractive hotspot for those interested in fine dining. Some of the best and the finest restaurants that offer the most sumptuous food are located out here to woo the foodies at heart. Besides, one can even have a fun time gambling out here. The very famous Cal-Neva lodge and casino was part owned by Frank Sinatra. Apart from this, Harvey’s Lake Tahoe is a very popular and famous resort, which includes a casino as well. Gambling is legal in areas of Nevada, close to Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe also hosts lot of events throughout the year. The Tahoe Shakespeare festival takes place in the month of July through August. This festival is hosted in an open-air venue and the beautiful ambience draws loads of visitors. Apart from this activity, events such as the Lake Tahoe art festival, which showcases Italian paintings, or the Lake Tahoe music festival, which includes performances by various artists, are very popular. Recreation time at Lake Tahoe can be planned in various ways. From shopping to sightseeing, skiing to biking, this place has it all! It is ideal for an outdoor enthusiast and even for those who love to pamper themselves. Vacations at Lake Tahoe would always leave you asking for more!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Costa Rica Vacation
Costa Rica VacationA vacation in Costa Rica would be a memorable one if it were well planned well. This article gives a brief idea about Costa Rica Vacation.
Costa Rica is an ideal destination if you are planning for vacation comprising of isolated beaches and lush green jungles. Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful places on the earth. The capital of this country is San Jose Costa Rica. There are many places of attractions you would love to visit when you are vacationing in Costa Rica. You could go horse riding on the secluded beaches, enjoy the rain forest canopy by taking a gondola ride. Costa Rica has wonderful wildlife too. Scarlet Macaws, crocodiles, sea turtles and so on are a common sight in Costa Rica. There are many silent volcanoes whose craters are filled with water. A few of Costa Rica vacation packages include beach tourism, bird-watching packages, honeymoon packages and many more. Costa Rica Vacation - Attractions Costa Rica is a tropical island with many popular tourist attraction spots. There are pristine beaches, national parks, churches and wildlife. There are many tourist packages which offer different kinds of sightseeing opportunities. A few interesting and a must see destinations are listed below. Arenal National Park This is one of the major attractions of Costa Rica. Arenal National Park has one of the active volcanoes of Costa Rica – Arenal Volcano. This place is surrounded by rainforest and houses Tabacon Hot Springs. Tourists flock here mainly to take a dip in the hot springs. This is one place where a tourist could stay overnight to watch the mini-eruptions Arenal volcano. Other attractions of this park are hiking, canopy tours and rafting. Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles This church is one of the famed ones of Costa Rica. It is built using the Byzantine style. It has La Negrita, which is the name of a statute of the Virgin. It is a major attraction for religious oriented people. August 2, is the date on which Central Americans pay homage at this church. Playa Samara Playa Samara is one of the famed beaches of Costa Rica. People indulge in kayaking, diving, snorkeling and other activities. The beach has got white sands and tranquil waters. Many more attractions will be of interest to the avid traveller. Costa Rica Vacation - Rental Remember, Costa Rica enjoys moderate tropical climate. A vacationer could either stay in a hotel or a motel. If he planning to stay for a longer time in Costa Rica with his family or close friends it would be ideal to rent out a vacation villa or a cottage. Here are a few rental tips that could be useful before renting out a vacation home of your choice or a car. The reason is a vacation home is "a home away from home". Make a checklist of the amenities important to you. This checklist would be useful when you check out the various rental homes listed on the Internet. A few of the amenities you could include in your checklist are a well-equipped kitchen, furnished bedrooms and a living room. Remember, to include bathrooms with running water (include hot water taps). A few outdoor amenities such as barbecue grills, a tennis court and a swimming pool could be included in your list. It would be a good idea to move around Costa Rica in your own vehicle. Renting a car is a good option. There are many companies offering car rental and hiring services. You could negotiate your rates with them. When you plan for sight seeing, keep in mind the condition of the roads. The roads are not only rough but also curvy. For instance, if you plan to visit Tortuguero National Park one day, never plan a drive to another national park the next day. The reason is many of the places of tourist interests would require at least 12 hours drive on a rough road. Get a help of a travel agency to chart out your Costa Rica Vacation. They would be in a better position to plan a Costa Rica travel diary for you.
Costa Rica is an ideal destination if you are planning for vacation comprising of isolated beaches and lush green jungles. Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful places on the earth. The capital of this country is San Jose Costa Rica. There are many places of attractions you would love to visit when you are vacationing in Costa Rica. You could go horse riding on the secluded beaches, enjoy the rain forest canopy by taking a gondola ride. Costa Rica has wonderful wildlife too. Scarlet Macaws, crocodiles, sea turtles and so on are a common sight in Costa Rica. There are many silent volcanoes whose craters are filled with water. A few of Costa Rica vacation packages include beach tourism, bird-watching packages, honeymoon packages and many more. Costa Rica Vacation - Attractions Costa Rica is a tropical island with many popular tourist attraction spots. There are pristine beaches, national parks, churches and wildlife. There are many tourist packages which offer different kinds of sightseeing opportunities. A few interesting and a must see destinations are listed below. Arenal National Park This is one of the major attractions of Costa Rica. Arenal National Park has one of the active volcanoes of Costa Rica – Arenal Volcano. This place is surrounded by rainforest and houses Tabacon Hot Springs. Tourists flock here mainly to take a dip in the hot springs. This is one place where a tourist could stay overnight to watch the mini-eruptions Arenal volcano. Other attractions of this park are hiking, canopy tours and rafting. Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles This church is one of the famed ones of Costa Rica. It is built using the Byzantine style. It has La Negrita, which is the name of a statute of the Virgin. It is a major attraction for religious oriented people. August 2, is the date on which Central Americans pay homage at this church. Playa Samara Playa Samara is one of the famed beaches of Costa Rica. People indulge in kayaking, diving, snorkeling and other activities. The beach has got white sands and tranquil waters. Many more attractions will be of interest to the avid traveller. Costa Rica Vacation - Rental Remember, Costa Rica enjoys moderate tropical climate. A vacationer could either stay in a hotel or a motel. If he planning to stay for a longer time in Costa Rica with his family or close friends it would be ideal to rent out a vacation villa or a cottage. Here are a few rental tips that could be useful before renting out a vacation home of your choice or a car. The reason is a vacation home is "a home away from home". Make a checklist of the amenities important to you. This checklist would be useful when you check out the various rental homes listed on the Internet. A few of the amenities you could include in your checklist are a well-equipped kitchen, furnished bedrooms and a living room. Remember, to include bathrooms with running water (include hot water taps). A few outdoor amenities such as barbecue grills, a tennis court and a swimming pool could be included in your list. It would be a good idea to move around Costa Rica in your own vehicle. Renting a car is a good option. There are many companies offering car rental and hiring services. You could negotiate your rates with them. When you plan for sight seeing, keep in mind the condition of the roads. The roads are not only rough but also curvy. For instance, if you plan to visit Tortuguero National Park one day, never plan a drive to another national park the next day. The reason is many of the places of tourist interests would require at least 12 hours drive on a rough road. Get a help of a travel agency to chart out your Costa Rica Vacation. They would be in a better position to plan a Costa Rica travel diary for you.
Attractions in Los Angeles
Attractions in Los AngelesLos Angeles is a famous city with famous attractions. LA offers a peek into the life styles of the rich and famous. This location is ranked high in the list of tourists. Read on to know about the attractions of the city.
Los Angeles is a major trade and business center and the second largest city of the United States. It is also dubbed as the "City of Angels". It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and thronged by tourists. LA is also renowned as the home of Hollywood. It is truly an enchanting and unique city. Los Angeles has restaurants offering diverse cuisine and boasts of spectacular buildings. The noveau rich reside in the elite Beverly Hills area. Los Angeles is famous in every corner of the world. A Few Attractions in Los Angeles Attractions in Los Angeles cater to every kind of tourist and provide for age group. There are museums, amusement parks, beaches, theatres and shopping complexes. RMS Queen Mary The RMS Queen Mary is an ocean liner and World War II warship converted into a major historic attraction. It has facilities for organizing weddings and banquets. It was in war service from March 1940 to September 1946. There are a few restaurants which serve continental and popular Californian food. Sea food joints and salad bar are also a part of the historic attraction. The Queen Mary is one of landmarks of LA. A few of the attraction in and around Queen Mary are Little Tokyo, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles Galaxy, Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood and many more. Hollywood Hollywood is a center of movie making and is located in the west of Los Angeles. It houses a few famous theaters such as Kodak theater, Egyptian theater and Chinese theater. Hollywood one of the main attraction in LA features Hollywood Walk of Fame, which honors the celebrities who have made major contributions to the entertainment Industry. The Hollywood Sign is a prominent landmark and famous all over the world. Santa Monica Pier The Santa Monica Pier dates from 1908 and is world famous. It provides a glimpse of the glorious days of yore. The pier is today a renowned beach resort boasting of great food and entertainment. The Santa Monica Pier is famous for the "Twilight Dance Series" in which popular artistes perform. It also offers a puppet show and jazz music to the tourists. J. Paul Getty museum J. Paul Getty was one of the wealthiest philanthropists in the world. Getty trust operates the famed museum which was established in 1997. J. Paul Getty museum features paintings, sculptures, drawing and photographs. Rare and prized antiques are found here. It is built on 750 acres of land at the foothills of Santa Monica. The museum houses the works of legends such as Van Gogh, Cezanne and Monet. You should plan your stay to visit the maximum attractions possible. Spend quality time enjoying the attractions in Los Angeles. It is a better option to savor a few attractions than rushing from place to place. Other attractions of Los Angeles are Disney Land, Venice Beach, Fashion District, Museum of Tolerance and Huntington Botanical Gardens.
Los Angeles is a major trade and business center and the second largest city of the United States. It is also dubbed as the "City of Angels". It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and thronged by tourists. LA is also renowned as the home of Hollywood. It is truly an enchanting and unique city. Los Angeles has restaurants offering diverse cuisine and boasts of spectacular buildings. The noveau rich reside in the elite Beverly Hills area. Los Angeles is famous in every corner of the world. A Few Attractions in Los Angeles Attractions in Los Angeles cater to every kind of tourist and provide for age group. There are museums, amusement parks, beaches, theatres and shopping complexes. RMS Queen Mary The RMS Queen Mary is an ocean liner and World War II warship converted into a major historic attraction. It has facilities for organizing weddings and banquets. It was in war service from March 1940 to September 1946. There are a few restaurants which serve continental and popular Californian food. Sea food joints and salad bar are also a part of the historic attraction. The Queen Mary is one of landmarks of LA. A few of the attraction in and around Queen Mary are Little Tokyo, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles Galaxy, Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood and many more. Hollywood Hollywood is a center of movie making and is located in the west of Los Angeles. It houses a few famous theaters such as Kodak theater, Egyptian theater and Chinese theater. Hollywood one of the main attraction in LA features Hollywood Walk of Fame, which honors the celebrities who have made major contributions to the entertainment Industry. The Hollywood Sign is a prominent landmark and famous all over the world. Santa Monica Pier The Santa Monica Pier dates from 1908 and is world famous. It provides a glimpse of the glorious days of yore. The pier is today a renowned beach resort boasting of great food and entertainment. The Santa Monica Pier is famous for the "Twilight Dance Series" in which popular artistes perform. It also offers a puppet show and jazz music to the tourists. J. Paul Getty museum J. Paul Getty was one of the wealthiest philanthropists in the world. Getty trust operates the famed museum which was established in 1997. J. Paul Getty museum features paintings, sculptures, drawing and photographs. Rare and prized antiques are found here. It is built on 750 acres of land at the foothills of Santa Monica. The museum houses the works of legends such as Van Gogh, Cezanne and Monet. You should plan your stay to visit the maximum attractions possible. Spend quality time enjoying the attractions in Los Angeles. It is a better option to savor a few attractions than rushing from place to place. Other attractions of Los Angeles are Disney Land, Venice Beach, Fashion District, Museum of Tolerance and Huntington Botanical Gardens.
Ploiesti – The City Of "Black Gold"
Ploiesti – The City Of "Black Gold"Situated in the south – eastern Romania, with a population of over 250,000 inhabitants, Ploiesti is one of Romania’s most important cities, on the second place after Bucharest as for the industrial production. Find out more!
At a 60 km distance from Bucharest, crossed by the 26° meridian and the 44° 55’ parallel, Ploieşti is the petroleum industrial citadel. Ploieşti is also known for the production and exportation of the petrochemical, chemical and petroleum equipment, heavy – duty bearings, cables, detergents, cloths, furniture, as well for the civil and industrial engineering made abroad. The economic potential of the city is remarkable, due to the tradition and professionalism of the designing companies (Petrostar, Raytheon Engineers & Constructors, IPIP, Comproiect 92, Maad International, in the domain of the chemical and petrochemical equipment, IPCUP S.A. in the domain of drilling and exploitation equipment, ICERP in the domain of petrochemical products, Consproiect in the civil and industrial engineering) due to the activity of some important companies, beginning with the four refineries (Petrotel – LUK Oil S.A, Astra Romana, VEGA and S.N.P. Petrom Petrobrazi), and continuing by the distribution firms for petroleum products (S.N.P. Petrom Peco Prahova, Shell, MOL Romania), by those in the chemical and petroleum equipment branch (Upetrom 1 MAI, UZUC, Uztel, 24 Ianuarie, Flintab Romania), by the heavy – duty bearings plant that has just been bought by the American company Timken (Timken Romania), by the steel cables plant Cablul Romanesc, by the pipeline oil transport Conpet, by the polyethylene products plant Politeh, by the detergents plant Dero lever, by the cloths factory Dorobantul, by the ready – made clothes factory Modexim, by the furniture plant Anteco, by the food and drink plants Societatea De Îmbuteliat Cola – Cola, PROLA, EFES PilsnerI, Extrapan, DI Apollo Industria Carnii, the tobacco industry – British American Tobacco, in the printing industry - Mayr Melnhof Packaging Romania, in constructions (Ciprom, Inspet, UMO, Contrasimex, ASCM., Constil). The private initiative led to the creation of some important firms in the construction sector (Rool Construct, NOVA – Cons) and in the computer manufacturing (Sprint Computers, Platin Systems) The municipality As any settlement, Ploieşti has always had a leader of its own. First, there were a magistrate and town councilors, afterwards a chairman and an executive committee and finally a mayor and a town council. All of them did their best to solve the town’s problems concerning the aspect, the constructions, the public utilities, the salubrity and contribution to the local economical development, social protection, culture, education and local patrimony. At first, the municipality did not have premises of its own, renting various buildings. Later on they afforded to get two buildings constructed. The first one ("The Old Town Hall"), which used to be situated on the present – day "Prahova" Hotel, housed the Town Hall between 1868 and 1894. It was demolished after 1940. Between 1894 – 1972, the Town Hall was to be found in the "New Town Hall". The edifice, designed to become a museum of the city after 1972, had to be demolished after the 1977 earthquake. Since 1972, the Town Hall has carried out its activity in the building of the Administrative Palace. Besides this building, the public services carry out their activity in other premises as a result of the development and diversification of the activity: inside the Central Market – which has been administrated by the municipality since 1997 – the Patrimony Board and the Fiscal Board carry out activity; the former house of the mayor Radu Stanian which has became the Weddings’ House, houses the Registry Office. At present, trade has developed also in smaller or bigger companies in the private sector, keeping the up–to–date standards. Ploieşti has also been an important business center under the leading of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, having even a local Stock Exchange for a while. The banks from Bucharest opened branches in Ploieşti in short time, joining the existing ones, such as: "Central Bank" (Max Schapira), "Prahova", "Kogălniceanu", the "Romanian General" Bank, which used to finance the petroleum industry. Today, banks have revived in Ploieşti, some of them have found their formerly premises, others have created modern impressive buildings. Among those banks we must mention: the National Bank, the Romanian Commercial Bank, the Romanian Bank of Development, Bank Post, the "Transylvania" Bank, the Agricultural Bank, the Commercial and Industrial Credit Bank, the "Ion Ţiriac" Commercial Bank, ABN AMRO Bank, City Bank, Romextra Bank, Ing Barings Bank. Because oil was also called "Black gold", this city outstands as a representative for this name in Romania. The "black gold" and Ploiesti are practically synonyms.
At a 60 km distance from Bucharest, crossed by the 26° meridian and the 44° 55’ parallel, Ploieşti is the petroleum industrial citadel. Ploieşti is also known for the production and exportation of the petrochemical, chemical and petroleum equipment, heavy – duty bearings, cables, detergents, cloths, furniture, as well for the civil and industrial engineering made abroad. The economic potential of the city is remarkable, due to the tradition and professionalism of the designing companies (Petrostar, Raytheon Engineers & Constructors, IPIP, Comproiect 92, Maad International, in the domain of the chemical and petrochemical equipment, IPCUP S.A. in the domain of drilling and exploitation equipment, ICERP in the domain of petrochemical products, Consproiect in the civil and industrial engineering) due to the activity of some important companies, beginning with the four refineries (Petrotel – LUK Oil S.A, Astra Romana, VEGA and S.N.P. Petrom Petrobrazi), and continuing by the distribution firms for petroleum products (S.N.P. Petrom Peco Prahova, Shell, MOL Romania), by those in the chemical and petroleum equipment branch (Upetrom 1 MAI, UZUC, Uztel, 24 Ianuarie, Flintab Romania), by the heavy – duty bearings plant that has just been bought by the American company Timken (Timken Romania), by the steel cables plant Cablul Romanesc, by the pipeline oil transport Conpet, by the polyethylene products plant Politeh, by the detergents plant Dero lever, by the cloths factory Dorobantul, by the ready – made clothes factory Modexim, by the furniture plant Anteco, by the food and drink plants Societatea De Îmbuteliat Cola – Cola, PROLA, EFES PilsnerI, Extrapan, DI Apollo Industria Carnii, the tobacco industry – British American Tobacco, in the printing industry - Mayr Melnhof Packaging Romania, in constructions (Ciprom, Inspet, UMO, Contrasimex, ASCM., Constil). The private initiative led to the creation of some important firms in the construction sector (Rool Construct, NOVA – Cons) and in the computer manufacturing (Sprint Computers, Platin Systems) The municipality As any settlement, Ploieşti has always had a leader of its own. First, there were a magistrate and town councilors, afterwards a chairman and an executive committee and finally a mayor and a town council. All of them did their best to solve the town’s problems concerning the aspect, the constructions, the public utilities, the salubrity and contribution to the local economical development, social protection, culture, education and local patrimony. At first, the municipality did not have premises of its own, renting various buildings. Later on they afforded to get two buildings constructed. The first one ("The Old Town Hall"), which used to be situated on the present – day "Prahova" Hotel, housed the Town Hall between 1868 and 1894. It was demolished after 1940. Between 1894 – 1972, the Town Hall was to be found in the "New Town Hall". The edifice, designed to become a museum of the city after 1972, had to be demolished after the 1977 earthquake. Since 1972, the Town Hall has carried out its activity in the building of the Administrative Palace. Besides this building, the public services carry out their activity in other premises as a result of the development and diversification of the activity: inside the Central Market – which has been administrated by the municipality since 1997 – the Patrimony Board and the Fiscal Board carry out activity; the former house of the mayor Radu Stanian which has became the Weddings’ House, houses the Registry Office. At present, trade has developed also in smaller or bigger companies in the private sector, keeping the up–to–date standards. Ploieşti has also been an important business center under the leading of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, having even a local Stock Exchange for a while. The banks from Bucharest opened branches in Ploieşti in short time, joining the existing ones, such as: "Central Bank" (Max Schapira), "Prahova", "Kogălniceanu", the "Romanian General" Bank, which used to finance the petroleum industry. Today, banks have revived in Ploieşti, some of them have found their formerly premises, others have created modern impressive buildings. Among those banks we must mention: the National Bank, the Romanian Commercial Bank, the Romanian Bank of Development, Bank Post, the "Transylvania" Bank, the Agricultural Bank, the Commercial and Industrial Credit Bank, the "Ion Ţiriac" Commercial Bank, ABN AMRO Bank, City Bank, Romextra Bank, Ing Barings Bank. Because oil was also called "Black gold", this city outstands as a representative for this name in Romania. The "black gold" and Ploiesti are practically synonyms.
Amanresorts Set to Open in Beijing Adjacent to the Summer Palace
Amanresorts Set to Open in Beijing Adjacent to the Summer PalaceAman at Summer Palace is a peaceful retreat from which to explore the many exciting faces of China’s capital.
Beijing today is one of the world’s most remarkable cities, offering visitors a kaleidoscope of Old and New China. Many ancient monuments stand in pristine condition in elegant juxtaposition with modern buildings. One such historic site is the Summer Palace, a 250-year-old World Heritage. And here resides The Aman at Summer Palace. Built in 1750, The Summer Palace is a beautiful garden estate dotted with palaces around the contemplative Kunming Lake. It long served imperial retreat, used to escape the summer heat of the Forbidden City. The Summer Palace covers some 290 hectares, encompasses a variety of palaces, gardens and other classical-style architectural structures and is considered a must-see site for visitors to Beijing. And just steps from the East Gate of the Summer Palace grounds is Aman at Summer Palace covering a series of dwellings, some of which date back over a century. And it was Amanresorts which was granted the opportunity to renew and conserve them. In the restoration process it showed respect and sensitivity to their history, original architecture and original materials. Now set to open in September 2008, The Aman at Summer Palace in Beijing offers suites and rooms which harmoniously blend modern comforts with classic fabrics and finishes, paying homage to traditional Chinese design. In addition, the property offers a variety of dining areas, a comprehensive Spa and a range of recreational facilities. The Aman at Summer Palace will offers a variety of accommodation, Suites surround an internal courtyard, crisscrossed by stately pathways separating formal gardens and shaded by established trees. There are eight Guestrooms and 10 Courtyard Guestrooms, most of which feature king-size four-poster beds and Ming-style armoires. The 25 spacious Suites also feature furniture pieces inspired by the Ming dynasty, and while some have a combined bedroom and living area, others have separate bedrooms, and all feature king-size beds, daybeds, reading chairs and writing desks. The seven Courtyard Suites are identical in design to the Suites but even more spacious, while The Imperial Suite comprises three separate dwellings: the private dwelling, the living/study dwelling and the formal dwelling. Every Room and Suite has its own unique layout and orientation with cool, roomy bathrooms featuring island bathtubs and separate shower and toilet areas. Simple and redolent of the past, the Rooms and Suites also feature traditional wooden screens and bamboo blinds, creating a mysterious sense of peeking through the veil of time to the romance of another era. The Aman at Summer Palace Beijing will offer guests its own extensive selection of dining options. Open all day, the Lounge is located in the reception of the main building and is characterized by relaxed seating overlooking a traditional courtyard of trees. The courtyard restaurants consist of two dining rooms each dedicated to a different cuisine. In Naoki, open for lunch and dinner, Chef Naoki Okumura will serve original French Kaiseki, cuisine which combines the best of French techniques with a Japanese artistry. The Grill, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, will serve Western fare, specializing in grilled-to-order prime cuts of beef, lamb, game and fish. The Chinese Restaurant with its elegant Ming Dynasty-inspired design is spread throughout nine different dwellings with six private rooms. Open for lunch and dinner, it will serve traditional Cantonese dishes, as well as other regional dishes such as Peking duck and other "imperial dishes". The Bar which overlooks a peaceful pond and garden, and features a Cigar Room is perfect for quiet moments. Beyond the pond is a Music Pavilion where Chinese instrumentalists will perform on balmy afternoons and evenings. The Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing will offer guests easy access to Beijing’s wealth of diversions and historic sites. Private excursions will be arranged for guests wishing to explore the beautiful Summer Palace. Guests will also have the opportunity to marvel at The Forbidden City, the Great Wall, The Temple of Heaven and a host of other cultural landmarks. The Spa features nine double treatment rooms, as well as a dedicated pilates/ yoga room, a beauty and hair salon, and will offer a world-class menu of spa treatments, including massages, facials and other holistic body delights. The hotel also offers a fitness facility including a sleek, 25 m indoor lap pool, a 300 square-meter gym with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, two squash courts, and a juice bar. On-hand fitness consultants will be available for personal training. The library is another secluded haven. It houses an eclectic selection of books on various subjects in several languages. A Chinese calligrapher will be on hand to showcase the ancient art. Wireless internet connections are available. The Boutique will offer rare Chinese artifacts and exquisite gifts. ABOUT AMMAN RESORTS AmanResorts was founded by Adrian Zecha who envisioned a collection of intimate retreats in beautiful surrounds with the unassuming, warm hospitality of a gracious private residence. The first resort, Amanpuri (Place of Peace) in Phuket, Thailand, introduced the concept, and since then, Amanresorts has grown to encompass 20 resorts located in Bhutan, Cambodia, China, France, French Polynesia, Indonesia, India, Morocco, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Turks & Caicos Islands and the USA. For more information mail anihalchand@amanresorts.com Picturing: All set for the opening in September 2008 - Aman at Summer Palace in Beijing
Beijing today is one of the world’s most remarkable cities, offering visitors a kaleidoscope of Old and New China. Many ancient monuments stand in pristine condition in elegant juxtaposition with modern buildings. One such historic site is the Summer Palace, a 250-year-old World Heritage. And here resides The Aman at Summer Palace. Built in 1750, The Summer Palace is a beautiful garden estate dotted with palaces around the contemplative Kunming Lake. It long served imperial retreat, used to escape the summer heat of the Forbidden City. The Summer Palace covers some 290 hectares, encompasses a variety of palaces, gardens and other classical-style architectural structures and is considered a must-see site for visitors to Beijing. And just steps from the East Gate of the Summer Palace grounds is Aman at Summer Palace covering a series of dwellings, some of which date back over a century. And it was Amanresorts which was granted the opportunity to renew and conserve them. In the restoration process it showed respect and sensitivity to their history, original architecture and original materials. Now set to open in September 2008, The Aman at Summer Palace in Beijing offers suites and rooms which harmoniously blend modern comforts with classic fabrics and finishes, paying homage to traditional Chinese design. In addition, the property offers a variety of dining areas, a comprehensive Spa and a range of recreational facilities. The Aman at Summer Palace will offers a variety of accommodation, Suites surround an internal courtyard, crisscrossed by stately pathways separating formal gardens and shaded by established trees. There are eight Guestrooms and 10 Courtyard Guestrooms, most of which feature king-size four-poster beds and Ming-style armoires. The 25 spacious Suites also feature furniture pieces inspired by the Ming dynasty, and while some have a combined bedroom and living area, others have separate bedrooms, and all feature king-size beds, daybeds, reading chairs and writing desks. The seven Courtyard Suites are identical in design to the Suites but even more spacious, while The Imperial Suite comprises three separate dwellings: the private dwelling, the living/study dwelling and the formal dwelling. Every Room and Suite has its own unique layout and orientation with cool, roomy bathrooms featuring island bathtubs and separate shower and toilet areas. Simple and redolent of the past, the Rooms and Suites also feature traditional wooden screens and bamboo blinds, creating a mysterious sense of peeking through the veil of time to the romance of another era. The Aman at Summer Palace Beijing will offer guests its own extensive selection of dining options. Open all day, the Lounge is located in the reception of the main building and is characterized by relaxed seating overlooking a traditional courtyard of trees. The courtyard restaurants consist of two dining rooms each dedicated to a different cuisine. In Naoki, open for lunch and dinner, Chef Naoki Okumura will serve original French Kaiseki, cuisine which combines the best of French techniques with a Japanese artistry. The Grill, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, will serve Western fare, specializing in grilled-to-order prime cuts of beef, lamb, game and fish. The Chinese Restaurant with its elegant Ming Dynasty-inspired design is spread throughout nine different dwellings with six private rooms. Open for lunch and dinner, it will serve traditional Cantonese dishes, as well as other regional dishes such as Peking duck and other "imperial dishes". The Bar which overlooks a peaceful pond and garden, and features a Cigar Room is perfect for quiet moments. Beyond the pond is a Music Pavilion where Chinese instrumentalists will perform on balmy afternoons and evenings. The Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing will offer guests easy access to Beijing’s wealth of diversions and historic sites. Private excursions will be arranged for guests wishing to explore the beautiful Summer Palace. Guests will also have the opportunity to marvel at The Forbidden City, the Great Wall, The Temple of Heaven and a host of other cultural landmarks. The Spa features nine double treatment rooms, as well as a dedicated pilates/ yoga room, a beauty and hair salon, and will offer a world-class menu of spa treatments, including massages, facials and other holistic body delights. The hotel also offers a fitness facility including a sleek, 25 m indoor lap pool, a 300 square-meter gym with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, two squash courts, and a juice bar. On-hand fitness consultants will be available for personal training. The library is another secluded haven. It houses an eclectic selection of books on various subjects in several languages. A Chinese calligrapher will be on hand to showcase the ancient art. Wireless internet connections are available. The Boutique will offer rare Chinese artifacts and exquisite gifts. ABOUT AMMAN RESORTS AmanResorts was founded by Adrian Zecha who envisioned a collection of intimate retreats in beautiful surrounds with the unassuming, warm hospitality of a gracious private residence. The first resort, Amanpuri (Place of Peace) in Phuket, Thailand, introduced the concept, and since then, Amanresorts has grown to encompass 20 resorts located in Bhutan, Cambodia, China, France, French Polynesia, Indonesia, India, Morocco, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Turks & Caicos Islands and the USA. For more information mail anihalchand@amanresorts.com Picturing: All set for the opening in September 2008 - Aman at Summer Palace in Beijing
The Hottest New Trend in Travel: The Staycation
The Hottest New Trend in Travel: The StaycationAs gas prices hit sky-high, more and more vacationers are opting to create a home away from home in their own backyards: welcome to the "staycation."
By Anastacia Mott Austin There’s a great new travel destination you simply must try. It’s affordable, relaxing, and you don’t have to drive very far. In fact, you don’t need to drive at all. That’s because this great locale is right in your own backyard – literally. In these times of economic uncertainty and rising gas prices, travelers are turning to a new trend in vacationing: the stay-at-home vacation, or "staycation." Before you snort "boring!" think about it for a minute. When was the last time – if ever – you explored your town or those nearby through the eyes of a tourist? Travel costs are increasing daily. Traveling by air, especially with kids, seems like more hassle than it’s worth, and the skies are getting more and more unfriendly. Don’t get me started on the $5 can of ginger-ale they’ll serve without a smile and the increasing list of add-on charges. And while many families opted for car travel this year, staying a bit closer to home, with gas costs topping out in some places at $4.50 a gallon, driving cross-country isn’t the bargain it once was. The solution? Stay at home. "We want to give the kids the full experience [of a vacation], but you don't have to travel out of the city to enjoy what we have here," said Lisa Rich, a San Jose mom, to reporters. The Riches decided to stay home this summer and planned a staycation. Some folks decide that home really is too close to home, and plan to stay in a local hotel, in order to get out of the house. Even so, they still save on gas and other travel expenses. But some say to get the true benefits of a staycation, you really need to stay home – just pretend it’s not your home. Experts have compiled a few tips to help you truly unplug and enjoy your staycation. There are definitely some rules to follow: Plan your staycation as if it were a regular vacation. Pretend you’re going out of town, and pay your bills in advance, take care of business, mow the lawn, answer important emails before you "go." Once you’re on your staycation, don’t you dare do chores or work. Unplug your computer or store away your laptop for the week. Don’t tell your boss you’re at home; all she needs to know is that you’re on vacation. Do only the bare minimum of chores, plan to go out to eat at least several times, just as you would on a regular vacation. Plan activities as if you were out of town on a trip. If you don’t plan things, you might fall into the trap of just doing nothing (which is fine for a day or so), and vegging out in front of the television. That’s not a vacation! Do something really different and fun, like hot-air ballooning or taking a horse-carriage trip around the town square. Get one of those touristy brochures from a nearby B&B and rediscover your town. Go to movies at the park or outdoor Shakespeare theater. Visit the local museum you’ve never been to, go to a ballgame, a local lake, the seashore, you get the idea. Because you’re saving money on gas and lodging, plan to splurge a little on activities or meals out. You don’t have to go hog wild to enjoy a nice dinner out or a slightly extravagant activity you normally wouldn’t do. Plan a budget so you can do something special without spending too much. Take pictures. You’ll want to look back on them and remember what a great time you had on your family staycation. Maybe it’ll become an annual tradition!
By Anastacia Mott Austin There’s a great new travel destination you simply must try. It’s affordable, relaxing, and you don’t have to drive very far. In fact, you don’t need to drive at all. That’s because this great locale is right in your own backyard – literally. In these times of economic uncertainty and rising gas prices, travelers are turning to a new trend in vacationing: the stay-at-home vacation, or "staycation." Before you snort "boring!" think about it for a minute. When was the last time – if ever – you explored your town or those nearby through the eyes of a tourist? Travel costs are increasing daily. Traveling by air, especially with kids, seems like more hassle than it’s worth, and the skies are getting more and more unfriendly. Don’t get me started on the $5 can of ginger-ale they’ll serve without a smile and the increasing list of add-on charges. And while many families opted for car travel this year, staying a bit closer to home, with gas costs topping out in some places at $4.50 a gallon, driving cross-country isn’t the bargain it once was. The solution? Stay at home. "We want to give the kids the full experience [of a vacation], but you don't have to travel out of the city to enjoy what we have here," said Lisa Rich, a San Jose mom, to reporters. The Riches decided to stay home this summer and planned a staycation. Some folks decide that home really is too close to home, and plan to stay in a local hotel, in order to get out of the house. Even so, they still save on gas and other travel expenses. But some say to get the true benefits of a staycation, you really need to stay home – just pretend it’s not your home. Experts have compiled a few tips to help you truly unplug and enjoy your staycation. There are definitely some rules to follow: Plan your staycation as if it were a regular vacation. Pretend you’re going out of town, and pay your bills in advance, take care of business, mow the lawn, answer important emails before you "go." Once you’re on your staycation, don’t you dare do chores or work. Unplug your computer or store away your laptop for the week. Don’t tell your boss you’re at home; all she needs to know is that you’re on vacation. Do only the bare minimum of chores, plan to go out to eat at least several times, just as you would on a regular vacation. Plan activities as if you were out of town on a trip. If you don’t plan things, you might fall into the trap of just doing nothing (which is fine for a day or so), and vegging out in front of the television. That’s not a vacation! Do something really different and fun, like hot-air ballooning or taking a horse-carriage trip around the town square. Get one of those touristy brochures from a nearby B&B and rediscover your town. Go to movies at the park or outdoor Shakespeare theater. Visit the local museum you’ve never been to, go to a ballgame, a local lake, the seashore, you get the idea. Because you’re saving money on gas and lodging, plan to splurge a little on activities or meals out. You don’t have to go hog wild to enjoy a nice dinner out or a slightly extravagant activity you normally wouldn’t do. Plan a budget so you can do something special without spending too much. Take pictures. You’ll want to look back on them and remember what a great time you had on your family staycation. Maybe it’ll become an annual tradition!
Museums in Ploieşti
Museums in Ploieşti"Museums enable people to explore collections for inspiration, learning and enjoyment." Read about "The National Oil Museum" and "The History And Archaeology Museum", located in Ploieşti, a beautiful city in Romania.
Museums can be a great source of information about cultures and history. There are many types of museums, from very large museums in major cities, covering many of the categories below, to very small museums. Categories include: applied arts, fine arts, craft, archaeology, anthropology and ethnology, history, cultural history, military history, science, technology, children's museums, natural history, numismatics, botanical and zoological gardens and philately. In Ploieşti we can find: The National Oil Museum In 1857 three international events took place in Romania: 1.Romania was the first country with an output of 275t officially registered in international statistics; 2.The first refinery in the world was built in Ploieşti by the Mehedinţeanu brothers; 3.Bucharest became the first town in the world having public lightning with kerosene. In 1957, in Romania was celebrated one century of Romanian oil industry, and that was the moment when the foundation of the National Oil Museum was decided. The main activity of the museum consists of illustrating the history of Romanian oil industry and the science and technique of petroleum. There is also mentioned the contribution of this industrial branch to the economic and social progress of the country. The subject matters of the museum consist of: a. History of exploitation and petroleum utilization, laws and rules, social and political events related to; b. The beginning and evolution of geological investigations; Evolution of techniques and tools for drilling, exploitation and processing. Based on these aspects, the main exhibition was put in place and the museum was inaugurated on October 8th, 1961.The main exhibition displays in a modern arrangement its patrimony in a big hall having more than 500 m². Original documents, geological maps, technological documentation, photos and functional small – size copies are some of the most important exhibits. The second exhibition consists of a park of tools in the open air nearby different equipment used in the oil industry over 80 years ago.The third showroom is a hall presenting tools, small size equipment and apparatus used principally in extractive industry. The museum has also got a storehouse of original documents, photos and videocassettes. The library consists of more than 3,000 volumes, an important collection of ancient books about oil technique and science. We notice there "Moniteur du Petrole Roumain", a very important bilingual publication (Romanian and French) issued in the period 1900 – 1948. Among the most valuable exhibits, the museum has got a collection of oil lamps, original documents and documentation concerning great scientists of the oil industry. Some of them are: Gregoriu Ştefănescu, Grigore Cobălcescu, Ludovic Mrazec, Valeriu Patriciu, from the geology department; Ion Tănăsescu, Virgiliu Tacit, Ion Basgan, Andrei Dragulanescu, from the drilling and exploitation department; Lazăr Edeleanu, Nicolae Debie, from the chemistry department; The National Oil Museum is due to enrich its collections by acquisitions, donations and to leave this national patrimony to the future generations. Throughout its existence the museum had over 1 million visitors: students, foreign delegations, politicians, etc. The History and Archaeology Museum This institution started up its activity in a different building on 25, N. Bălcescu Street on 1 May 1953. That used to be a superb house; the Great Tsar Nicholas was lodged in 1877, having a different utilization today, as library, restoration studio, depository, etc. The present – day edifice housing the "History and Archaeology" Museum, formerly called the "Old Secondary School", conceived by the architect Alexandru Orăscu and raised between 1865 – 1866, is a large building, with white facades which cast subtle shadows and lights. After 1968, as a result of prof. N. I. Simache’s efforts, the building was assigned to the museum. The edifice has been repaired and restored several times, the latest being a radical restoration (1992 – 1997), giving back the whole authenticity to the exterior and the "aspect of palace" to the interior. In this excellent expositional space, there have been organized, pursuing the most efficient museological techniques, the numismatic and archaeology halls entitled "Michael the Brave", "1848", "I. A. Basarabescu" as well as many other rooms containing other exhibitions. The aesthetical and scientific value of the establishment has increased considerably due to the arrangement of its precincts and especially to the very inspired "Lapidarius" from the back yard. A visit to a museum it’s a great way to spend free quality time.
Museums can be a great source of information about cultures and history. There are many types of museums, from very large museums in major cities, covering many of the categories below, to very small museums. Categories include: applied arts, fine arts, craft, archaeology, anthropology and ethnology, history, cultural history, military history, science, technology, children's museums, natural history, numismatics, botanical and zoological gardens and philately. In Ploieşti we can find: The National Oil Museum In 1857 three international events took place in Romania: 1.Romania was the first country with an output of 275t officially registered in international statistics; 2.The first refinery in the world was built in Ploieşti by the Mehedinţeanu brothers; 3.Bucharest became the first town in the world having public lightning with kerosene. In 1957, in Romania was celebrated one century of Romanian oil industry, and that was the moment when the foundation of the National Oil Museum was decided. The main activity of the museum consists of illustrating the history of Romanian oil industry and the science and technique of petroleum. There is also mentioned the contribution of this industrial branch to the economic and social progress of the country. The subject matters of the museum consist of: a. History of exploitation and petroleum utilization, laws and rules, social and political events related to; b. The beginning and evolution of geological investigations; Evolution of techniques and tools for drilling, exploitation and processing. Based on these aspects, the main exhibition was put in place and the museum was inaugurated on October 8th, 1961.The main exhibition displays in a modern arrangement its patrimony in a big hall having more than 500 m². Original documents, geological maps, technological documentation, photos and functional small – size copies are some of the most important exhibits. The second exhibition consists of a park of tools in the open air nearby different equipment used in the oil industry over 80 years ago.The third showroom is a hall presenting tools, small size equipment and apparatus used principally in extractive industry. The museum has also got a storehouse of original documents, photos and videocassettes. The library consists of more than 3,000 volumes, an important collection of ancient books about oil technique and science. We notice there "Moniteur du Petrole Roumain", a very important bilingual publication (Romanian and French) issued in the period 1900 – 1948. Among the most valuable exhibits, the museum has got a collection of oil lamps, original documents and documentation concerning great scientists of the oil industry. Some of them are: Gregoriu Ştefănescu, Grigore Cobălcescu, Ludovic Mrazec, Valeriu Patriciu, from the geology department; Ion Tănăsescu, Virgiliu Tacit, Ion Basgan, Andrei Dragulanescu, from the drilling and exploitation department; Lazăr Edeleanu, Nicolae Debie, from the chemistry department; The National Oil Museum is due to enrich its collections by acquisitions, donations and to leave this national patrimony to the future generations. Throughout its existence the museum had over 1 million visitors: students, foreign delegations, politicians, etc. The History and Archaeology Museum This institution started up its activity in a different building on 25, N. Bălcescu Street on 1 May 1953. That used to be a superb house; the Great Tsar Nicholas was lodged in 1877, having a different utilization today, as library, restoration studio, depository, etc. The present – day edifice housing the "History and Archaeology" Museum, formerly called the "Old Secondary School", conceived by the architect Alexandru Orăscu and raised between 1865 – 1866, is a large building, with white facades which cast subtle shadows and lights. After 1968, as a result of prof. N. I. Simache’s efforts, the building was assigned to the museum. The edifice has been repaired and restored several times, the latest being a radical restoration (1992 – 1997), giving back the whole authenticity to the exterior and the "aspect of palace" to the interior. In this excellent expositional space, there have been organized, pursuing the most efficient museological techniques, the numismatic and archaeology halls entitled "Michael the Brave", "1848", "I. A. Basarabescu" as well as many other rooms containing other exhibitions. The aesthetical and scientific value of the establishment has increased considerably due to the arrangement of its precincts and especially to the very inspired "Lapidarius" from the back yard. A visit to a museum it’s a great way to spend free quality time.
Religion And Tourism - Tismana Monastery
Religion And Tourism - Tismana MonasteryTismana Monastery - also named "the Star of Orthodoxy" - is one of the oldest and the most representative orthodox monasteries in Romania. See more about it in this article.
The word "Tismana" is of Thraco-Dacian origin and means "Place fortified with walls". The founder of the monastery is St. Nicodim (1310-1406), who chose the place, the architecture and the ornamentation. St. Nicodim was a Vlach from the south of Danube and he was a relative of Basarab rulers and knez (ruler of the land) Lazar of Serbia. The wish of dedicating his life to God, lead him to leave his home, in Prilep, Macedonia at age 16. With the help of a few monks he reached Mount Athos's Hilander Monastery. Here, he learns Greek, Slavic, and becomes initiated into: architecture, calligraphy, painting, making of silverware, masonry and barrel making. St. Nicodim came in Walachia as his mission was to build a monastery here. After a temporary Hungarian occupation of Severin, St. Nicodim, the Wallachian, and a group of monks from Vodiţa Monastery came to Tismana. It was here, on the foundation of an old monastery destroyed by invaders that he built - with the material support of Voievode Radu I (1377-1383) - the actual church. In 1375, St. Nicodim mediated the reconciliation between the Serbian Church and the Patriarchate of Constantinople. As a reward, the ecumenical patriarch Filotei gave him the rank of archimandrite. The church of the monastery was dedicated on 15 August 1378 having "Assumption of the Virgin Mary". Initially, the church had a monochrome painting of simple, geometric or floral drawings that can still be seen. After the monastery was built, St. Nicodim initiated a "cultural stage". He founded a calligraphy school with copyists of ecclesiastical books in different languages. Besides the organizing and spiritual activity St. Nicodim was in correspondence with many people. From his correspondences, the answers received from Eftimie, the Patriarchate of Tarnovo are the only ones remaining. Their dialogue had an impressive cultural and theological style. A conflict arose between Metropolitan Athanasie of Severin and Nicodim. Than St. Nicodim had to leave the monastery he had founded. He went to Prislop, in Silvaşul de Sus, a Romanian center in Haţeg Country. There, on the foundation of an old church, he built a new church, the only one monument in Transylvania with a "three cone" design. After the death of Metropolitan Athanasie of Severin (1404), St. Nicodim returned to Tismana in 1406. On December 26, the same year, he passed away. He was buried in the tomb from the church porch that was dug by him. Like other monasteries, Tismana knew times of severe persecution. So, after numerous destructions caused by the Turks, the monastery knew more periods of restoration and change achieved with the help of Basarab rulers. In 1520, Neagoe Basarab covered the church with lead. In 1541, Radu Paisie made the frames and the doors of the big church. Matei Basarab built not only a small church for the hospital of the monastery (1650) but also the steeple, and he bestowed a big bell. Cornea Brailoiu, the great ban (ruler of the land) of Craiova, next to his big donations, he helped to rebuilt a few of the monks rooms. Lady Stanca Glogoveanu restored the paint (1733 and 1766) and the church doors (1782). Constantin Brancoveanu also brought important financial gifts and worship objects. This is the place where Tudor Vladimirescu conceived the Proclamation from Padeş (22 January 1821) of "Justice law". The Tismana Monastery Thesaurus The monastery had an artistic thesaurus according to its beauty and originality. A great part of it has been lost. From the remaining objects, a part of them may be found in The National Art Museum. In the Monastery Museum there is a great collection of murals, old wooden icons, worship objects, old books, vestments and the former doors of the church which date back to 1782. In the memory of his son Alexandru, George Cosbuc the poet, donated for the Chapel built by Matei Basarabov, two colored glass windows. Being inspired by the beauty of this region, Cosbuc ended the translation of Dante's work "The Divine Comedy" here. The Church of Tismana's Monastery is an impressive "art monument" due to its gilded icons with floral ornaments which was realized in a post-brancovenesc style in 1766; its gilded small icons carved in lime wood (1742); its lecterns carved by the monks in 1731; its metallic bell board having the bi-cephalic eagle from the Basarab ruler's coat of arms. In 1949, the monastery became a cohabitation community for nuns having a communal life that combines work and prayer. The services are held according to the traditional ritual: the daily Holy Liturgy, in the evening the Vesper, at midnight Matius and Midnight service. There are now approximately 60 nuns and sisters at Tismana Monastery, five of them are living in the hermitages of the monastery. The abbess Stavrofora (cross-bearer) Ierusalima Gligor has been the abbess of the monastery for 40 years. During her pastorship, due to the hard work and the contribution of the nuns, the monastery was renovated many times.
The word "Tismana" is of Thraco-Dacian origin and means "Place fortified with walls". The founder of the monastery is St. Nicodim (1310-1406), who chose the place, the architecture and the ornamentation. St. Nicodim was a Vlach from the south of Danube and he was a relative of Basarab rulers and knez (ruler of the land) Lazar of Serbia. The wish of dedicating his life to God, lead him to leave his home, in Prilep, Macedonia at age 16. With the help of a few monks he reached Mount Athos's Hilander Monastery. Here, he learns Greek, Slavic, and becomes initiated into: architecture, calligraphy, painting, making of silverware, masonry and barrel making. St. Nicodim came in Walachia as his mission was to build a monastery here. After a temporary Hungarian occupation of Severin, St. Nicodim, the Wallachian, and a group of monks from Vodiţa Monastery came to Tismana. It was here, on the foundation of an old monastery destroyed by invaders that he built - with the material support of Voievode Radu I (1377-1383) - the actual church. In 1375, St. Nicodim mediated the reconciliation between the Serbian Church and the Patriarchate of Constantinople. As a reward, the ecumenical patriarch Filotei gave him the rank of archimandrite. The church of the monastery was dedicated on 15 August 1378 having "Assumption of the Virgin Mary". Initially, the church had a monochrome painting of simple, geometric or floral drawings that can still be seen. After the monastery was built, St. Nicodim initiated a "cultural stage". He founded a calligraphy school with copyists of ecclesiastical books in different languages. Besides the organizing and spiritual activity St. Nicodim was in correspondence with many people. From his correspondences, the answers received from Eftimie, the Patriarchate of Tarnovo are the only ones remaining. Their dialogue had an impressive cultural and theological style. A conflict arose between Metropolitan Athanasie of Severin and Nicodim. Than St. Nicodim had to leave the monastery he had founded. He went to Prislop, in Silvaşul de Sus, a Romanian center in Haţeg Country. There, on the foundation of an old church, he built a new church, the only one monument in Transylvania with a "three cone" design. After the death of Metropolitan Athanasie of Severin (1404), St. Nicodim returned to Tismana in 1406. On December 26, the same year, he passed away. He was buried in the tomb from the church porch that was dug by him. Like other monasteries, Tismana knew times of severe persecution. So, after numerous destructions caused by the Turks, the monastery knew more periods of restoration and change achieved with the help of Basarab rulers. In 1520, Neagoe Basarab covered the church with lead. In 1541, Radu Paisie made the frames and the doors of the big church. Matei Basarab built not only a small church for the hospital of the monastery (1650) but also the steeple, and he bestowed a big bell. Cornea Brailoiu, the great ban (ruler of the land) of Craiova, next to his big donations, he helped to rebuilt a few of the monks rooms. Lady Stanca Glogoveanu restored the paint (1733 and 1766) and the church doors (1782). Constantin Brancoveanu also brought important financial gifts and worship objects. This is the place where Tudor Vladimirescu conceived the Proclamation from Padeş (22 January 1821) of "Justice law". The Tismana Monastery Thesaurus The monastery had an artistic thesaurus according to its beauty and originality. A great part of it has been lost. From the remaining objects, a part of them may be found in The National Art Museum. In the Monastery Museum there is a great collection of murals, old wooden icons, worship objects, old books, vestments and the former doors of the church which date back to 1782. In the memory of his son Alexandru, George Cosbuc the poet, donated for the Chapel built by Matei Basarabov, two colored glass windows. Being inspired by the beauty of this region, Cosbuc ended the translation of Dante's work "The Divine Comedy" here. The Church of Tismana's Monastery is an impressive "art monument" due to its gilded icons with floral ornaments which was realized in a post-brancovenesc style in 1766; its gilded small icons carved in lime wood (1742); its lecterns carved by the monks in 1731; its metallic bell board having the bi-cephalic eagle from the Basarab ruler's coat of arms. In 1949, the monastery became a cohabitation community for nuns having a communal life that combines work and prayer. The services are held according to the traditional ritual: the daily Holy Liturgy, in the evening the Vesper, at midnight Matius and Midnight service. There are now approximately 60 nuns and sisters at Tismana Monastery, five of them are living in the hermitages of the monastery. The abbess Stavrofora (cross-bearer) Ierusalima Gligor has been the abbess of the monastery for 40 years. During her pastorship, due to the hard work and the contribution of the nuns, the monastery was renovated many times.
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