Posts tagged journey

Letters from Uruguay: Montevideo, City of Wine, Football and Urban Beaches…

Adventure Travel

My dear travelers and lovers of unusual journeys, welcome to the new series of travelogues on the Mr.M blog. April, as well as the following months, will be dedicated to one unusual continent – South America, I will show you the countries that I had the opportunity to visit and I am sure that you will enjoy it and want to spend your vacation in one of the destinations. At the very beginning of today’s travelogue, where I will try to show you the capital of Uruguay – Montevideo, I would like to thank The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), local ministries of tourism, national tourism organizations, as well as other partners who selflessly supported my adventure in South America. With their help, travelogues from several countries were created, as well as numerous fashion stories that you will have the opportunity to read during this series of posts, and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the new adventure.

Posts from Uruguay were created with the selfless help of The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), The Ministry of Tourism of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and The Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco Hotel and Spa.

Uruguay, officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay (in Spanish: Republica Oriental del Uruguai) is a country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the west and southwest and Brazil to the north and northeast, while it borders the Rio de la Plata to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast. It is part of the Southern Cone region of South America. Uruguay covers an area of ​​approximately 176,215 square kilometers. This country has a population of about 3.5 million people, of which almost 2 million live in the metropolitan area of ​​the capital and largest city – Montevideo.

How was Uruguay formed? The area of ​​present-day Uruguay was first inhabited by hunter-gatherer groups 13,000 years ago. The predominant tribe at the time of European arrival was the Charrua people. At the same time, there were other tribes, such as the Guarani and the Chana, when the Portuguese first established Colonia do Sacramento in 1680, Uruguay was colonized by Europeans later than neighbouring countries.

The Spanish founded Montevideo as a military stronghold in the early 18th century due to competing claims to the region, while Uruguay gained independence between 1811 and 1828, after a four-way struggle between Portugal and Spain, and later Argentina and Brazil. It remained under the influence and interventions of foreign countries during the first half of the 19th century. From the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century, numerous pioneering economic, labor and social reforms were implemented that led to the creation of a highly developed welfare state, which made the country known as the “Switzerland of America”. However, a series of economic crises and the struggle against far-left urban guerrilla warfare in the late 1960s and early 1970s culminated in a coup in 1973, which established a civil-military dictatorship until 1985. Today, Uruguay is a democratic constitutional republic, with a president who is both head of state and head of government.

In 2023, Uruguay was categorized as a “full democracy” by the Economist Democracy Index and ranked highly in international measures of government transparency, economic freedom, social progress, income equality, per capita income, innovation and infrastructure. The country has fully legalized cannabis (the first country in the world to do so), as well as same-sex marriage and abortion. He is a founding member of the United Nations, OAS and Mercosur.

Montevideo is the capital and largest city of Uruguay. According to the 2023 census, the city itself has slightly more than 1,300,000 inhabitants on an area of ​​201 square kilometers. Montevideo is located on the south coast of the country, on the northeast bank of the Rio de la Plata. A Portuguese garrison was established in what is now the city of Montevideo in November 1723, the Portuguese garrison was expelled in February 1724 by the Spanish soldier Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amid the Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platinum region.

There is no official document on the founding of the city, but the “Diary” of Bruno Mauricio de Zabala officially mentions the date December 24, 1726 as the date of the city’s foundation, which is confirmed by the witnesses present. Complete independence from Buenos Aires as a real city was achieved only on January 1, 1730. It was also briefly under British rule in 1807, but the city was eventually retaken by Spanish Criollos who defeated a British invasion on the River Plate. Montevideo is the headquarters of the administrative headquarters of Mercosur and ALADI, the leading trade blocs of Latin America, a position that has drawn comparisons with the role of Brussels in Europe.

In Mercer’s 2019 Quality of Life Report, Montevideo was rated first in Latin America, a ranking the city has held consistently since 2005. As of 2010, Montevideo was the 19th largest city economy on the continent and the 9th largest revenue earner among major cities. In 2022, it has a projected GDP of $53.9 billion, with $30,148 per capita.

In 2018, it was classified as a beta global city that was eighth in Latin America and 84th in the world. Montevideo hosted every match during the first FIFA World Cup in 1930.

Described as a “vibrant, eclectic place with a rich cultural life” and a “thriving technology center and entrepreneurial culture”, Montevideo was ranked eighth in Latin America in 2013. The city has historic European architecture and is actually considered one of the cities with the greatest Art Deco influence. Montevideo is Uruguay’s center of commerce and higher education, as well as its main port and financial center, anchoring a metropolitan area of ​​about 2 million inhabitants.

What should you visit in Montevideo? Plaza Independencia (translation from Spanish for “Independence Square”) is the most important city square in Montevideo, laid out in the 19th century on the area occupied by the Montevideo Citadel. In its center is a monument to General José Gervasio Artigas, and below it is his mausoleum.

Located in the barrio Centro, on the border with Ciudad Vieja, the square has been used for numerous political demonstrations and official public events. Prominent buildings facing the square are Palacio Salvo, Solis Theater, Estevez Palace, and the Executive Tower.

The Andes 1972 Museum (Spanish: Museo Andes 1972) is located in the Old Town of Montevideo. It is a museum about the story of the famous Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 related to the plane crash in the Andes in 1972 involving a group of Uruguayan rugby players, their friends and relatives who were traveling to Chile when the plane crashed. Some of them belonged to Old Christians Rugby Club. Their story of how they survived the tragedy has been shared around the world through books, documentaries, pictures and conferences and has been the inspiration for the movie Alive and many books.

The museum honors the memory of the 29 people who died in the plane crash in the Andes and those who risked their lives to save the others. It is a reminder of those 16 Uruguayans who came back to life after 72 days in the Andes in harsh weather conditions without food and proper clothing. It is a private enterprise that has been declared of cultural and tourist interest by the MEC and the Ministry of Tourism and Deportation of Uruguay.

Salvo Palace (Spanish: Palacio Salvo) is an eclectic skyscraper at the intersection of Avenida 18 de Julio and Plaza Independencia in Montevideo. Completed in 1928, the 27-story Palacio Salvo is 105 m tall. For a short time it was the tallest building in Latin America, and upon completion it was the tallest reinforced concrete structure in the world. It was designed by architect Mario Palati, an Italian immigrant living in Buenos Aires, who used a similar design for his Palacio Barolo in Buenos Aires. Since 1996, the Salvo Palace has been a national historical monument of Uruguay.

Gateway of the Citadel (Spanish: Puerta de la Ciudadela) is the last remaining piece of the old wall around Montevideo. It’s just an archway with a fairly small piece of rock surrounding it, but overall it’s quite impressive and interesting. It is also set up to serve as the entrance to the Plaza Indepencia and is a great photogenic spot to photograph both the gate itself and the rest of the wall, as well as the view through it. The view towards the square, and in the background you can see the Palacio Salvo is really something special. This is a place you should not miss if you are walking around the old part of the city of Montevideo.

The Solis Theater (Spanish: Teatro Solis) is the most important and famous theater in Uruguay. It was opened in 1856. The building was designed by the Italian architect Carlo Zucci. It is located in the Old Town of Montevideo, right next to Plaza Independencia. The theater was named after the explorer Juan Diaz de Solís, who was the first European explorer to come to modern-day Uruguay.

In 1998, the Montevideo government began a major reconstruction of the theater, which included two columns designed by Philippe Starck. The reconstruction was completed in 2004, and reopened in August of the same year. The acoustic studies of the rehabilitation project were entrusted to Jerome Falala from the French studio Avel Acoustique. Thomas Giribaldi’s La Parisina, which is considered the first Uruguayan national opera, premiered in Solis on September 14, 1878.

The Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica is the main Catholic church in Montevideo. It is located in the Old Town, facing Plaza Constitucion or Plaza Matriz. It was listed as a national historical monument in 1975. The origins of the basilica date back to the colonial era, when a brick church was built in 1740 on the site now occupied by the cathedral. Later, in 1790, the foundation stone was laid to start the construction of a new building, which is in the neoclassical style and was designed by Thomas Toribio. The temple was finally consecrated in 1804, when the country had not yet gained independence, so in 2004 its bicentennial was celebrated.

Later, in 1870, it was titled as a small basilica, and on July 12, 1878, Pope Leo XIII elevated it to the status of a cathedral. In 1897, it was declared a metropolitan basilica, naming the suffragan dioceses of Salto and Melo. Important ceremonies are held in this cathedral presided over by the Archbishop of Montevideo. However, there is also a parish priest who performs his duties, as well as those who are in charge of other parishes. Weddings and choir concerts are often held in this spacious temple. As was the custom in the 19th century, here rest the remains of famous people who died in the city, whether they were religious or not.

Plaza de la Constitucion (Spanish for “Constitution Square”), also known as Plaza Matriz, is the oldest town square in Montevideo. Located in the barrio of Ciudad Vieja, from 1726 he was the mayor of the city fortress of San Felipe y Santiago de Montevideo, which was the only open public space. It is the center of the city’s historic district and is surrounded by important buildings, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo. It is one of the most important tourist spots in the city.

Founded in 1726, two years after Montevideo was founded, the square was a dusty plain until the late 18th century, when buildings were erected around it. From that moment on, official manifestations and celebrations, both civil and military, were held in the area, as well as bullfights, since the square also housed an arena. It is currently the tourist and commercial axis of the barrio together with the Pedestrian Sarandi. Offices, government buildings, banks, numerous shops and cultural institutions are nearby.

What is not known is that in 1868 the construction of a steam pumping plant and a 60 km pipeline to supply the city with water began. In addition, a water fountain was built on the square. On May 13, 1871, water pumped from the Santa Lucia River reached the Plaza Constitucion for the first time. Finally, the fountain was officially opened by President Lorenzo Batle i Grau on July 18. in 1871. The fountain was designed by architect Juan Manuel Ferrari, and consists of a circular pool with an ornate column in the center that takes the form of three dishes that open to a smaller size. In the center are four griffins alternating with different symbolic elements, such as the national coat of arms.

Montevideo Centenary Stadium (Spanish: Estadio Centenario) is a stadium in Parque Batlle in Montevideo, which is primarily used for football matches. The stadium was built between 1929 and 1930 to host the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930, as well as to mark the centenary of Uruguay’s first constitution. FIFA listed it as one of the classic football stadiums in the world. The turning point was on July 18, 1983, when FIFA declared it the first historical monument of world football, to this day the only building to receive this recognition in the world.

Estadio Centenario is the national stadium of Uruguay and the main home of their national football team. Uruguay have always been a threat when playing at their home stadium, consistently beating top teams. Even top-ranked Brazil have managed just three wins in 20 attempts, two of which were official games during World Cup qualifiers in 2010 and 2018, but one was Uruguay’s heaviest defeat at the stadium when they lost 4-0 to Brazil in 2009.

Old City (Ciudad Vieja in Spanish) is a barrio (neighborhood or district) in Montevideo. Located on a peninsula at the mouth of Montevideo Bay, it is the city’s historic district. It was founded in 1724 as a walled city by the Spanish Empire. After Uruguay’s independence, it became an expanding quarter of the city that quickly outgrew the original fortress, which was later demolished.

As one of the city’s central districts, it forms part of its central business district alongside Centro and Cordon. It serves as a key office district, housing several commercial banks and other financial institutions, government buildings, as well as museums, cultural venues, theaters and art galleries. The district also has a high concentration of Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Neoclassical buildings.

Until 1829, it was surrounded by a wall that protected it from possible invasions. After the wall was demolished, the only part of it that was preserved was the main gate of the Citadel, which remains the emblem of Montevideo to this day. Some street names recall the presence of the wall, such as Ciudadela (citadel) or Brecha (breach), named after a breach in the wall that the British managed to open to enter the city during the British invasion of 1807 and the brief occupation of the city before they were defeated.

In 1992, the main street of Sarandi was turned into a pedestrian path, which increased its commercial and tourist attractiveness. A few years later, in 2005, it was expanded beyond the Constitution Square. Ciudad Vieja has elegant buildings from the colonial era and the first decades of independence. The Cabildo (built between 1804 and 1812), the Solis Theater, the Metropolitan Cathedral and several museums, such as the Museo Torres Garcia are among the most impressive. Also, several designer shops and recycled loft floors flourish on the streets near the port.

Pocitos is an upscale seaside barrio of Montevideo. It is bordered by Buce to the east, Batlle Park to the north, Tres Cruces, Cordon and Rodo Park to the west and Punta Carretas to the south. Pocitos is politically included in the CH municipality of Montevideo, and located along the banks of the Rio de la Plata, it is one of the most famous beaches in the city. The neighborhood is an affluent area of ​​the city, characterized by the presence of high-rise residential buildings overlooking the Rambla and the main boulevards, along with old neoclassical and eclectic villas.

Punta Brava Lighthouse (Spanish: Faro Punta Brava), also known as Punta Carretas Lighthouse, was built in 1876. The lighthouse is 21 meters high, and its light reaches a distance of 24 km, with a flash every ten seconds. The lighthouse was modernized in 1962 and became electric. The lighthouse is important for guiding boats to the port of Banco Ingles Buceo or the entrance to the Santa Lucia River.

Batlle Park (Parque Batlle) is the main public central park, located south of Avenida Italia and north of Avenue Rivera. Along with Park Prado and Park Rodo, it is one of the three large parks that dominate Montevideo. The park and its surroundings form one of the 62 settlements (barrios) of the city. Barrio Parque Batlle is one of the seven coastal barrios, the others being Buceo, Carrasco, Malvin, Pocitos, Punta Karetas and Punta Gorda.

Barrio Parque Battle includes four former districts: Belgrano, Italiano, Villa Dolores and Batlle Park itself and borders the neighborhoods of La Blancueada, Tres Cruces, Pocitos and Buceo. It has a high population density and most of its households are middle-high or high-income. Villa Dolores, a sub-district of Parque Batlle, takes its name from the original villa of Don Alejo Rossell i Rius and Dona Dolores Pereira de Rossell. On their land, they started a private collection of animals that became a zoo and ownership was transferred to the city in 1919, and in 1955, the Planetarium of Montevideo was built within.

Parque Batlle is named in honor of José Batlle y Ordoñez, president of Uruguay from 1911 to 1915. The park was originally proposed by the Law of March 1907, which also designed wide boulevards and avenues. The French landscape architect, Carlos Thais, began planting in 1911, and in 1918 the park was named Parque de los Aliados, after the Allied victory in World War I. On May 5, 1930, after a significant expansion, it was again renamed Parque Batlle y Ordonez. Since 2010, the park covers an area of ​​60 hectares and is considered the “lungs” of the city of Montevideo due to the large number of trees planted here.

The Prado Park (Parque Prado in Spanish) was opened in 1873 and is the largest of the six main public parks in Montevideo with an area of ​​260 hectares. Located in the northern part of the city, the Miguelete stream flows through the park and the neighborhood of the same name. It is surrounded by Agraciada, Obes Lucas, Joaquin Suarez, Luis Alberto de Herrera avenues and Castro and Jose Maria Reyes streets.

The most visited areas of the park are the Rosedal, a public rose garden with pergolas, the Botanical Garden, the area around the Hotel del Prado, as well as the Rural del Prado, a seasonal livestock and domestic animal fair. Rosedal contains four pergolas, eight domes and a fountain; her 12,000 roses were imported from France in 1910. There are several jogging trails along the Miguelete River.

The presidential residence is located behind the Botanical Garden. Founded in 1930, the Juan Manuel Blanes Museum is housed in the Palladian Villa, a National Heritage Site since 1975, and includes a Japanese garden. The Professor Attilio Lombardo Museum and the Botanical Garden were founded in 1902, and the National Institute of Physical Climatology and its observatory are also located in the Prado Park.

In the next post, I will write about the Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco Hotel, which is a representative of classic Uruguayan luxury. Hotel Casino Carrasco is a historic five-star hotel and casino, located on the Rambla, the hotel is the center of the urban plan designed for the barrio Carrasco, in the first decades of the 20th century, by the French landscape architects Charles Thais and Edouard Andre.

My dear travellers, we have come to the end of this first special travelogue about the capital of Uruguay – Montevideo, where we had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this unusual country in South America. Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), The Ministry of Tourism of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and The Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco Hotel and Spa in collaboration with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of local culture and the beauty of everyday life in Montevideo. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Uruguay.

A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to collaborate with many companies and businessmen in the tourism sector and I would like to thank The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), The Ministry of Tourism of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and The Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco Hotel and Spa for this incredible adventure and for allowing me to feel the beauty of this unusual Uruguayan culture in a completely different way and to feel the beauty of everyday life in Montevideo.

How did you like my story about Montevideo and the presentation of the Uruguayan center of entertainment and hedonism that adorns the heart of this unusual country in South America? Have you had the chance to visit Montevideo and beautiful Uruguay so far?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!

With Love from Montevideo,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by the The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), The Ministry of Tourism of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and The Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco Hotel and Spa and other local partners. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.

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Letters from Brazil: Feel the Charm of Sao Paulo Skyscrapers with Hotel Emiliano…

Adventure Travel 2 Comments

My dear travelers and lovers of unusual journeys, welcome to the new series of travelogues on the Mr.M blog. April, as well as the following months, will be dedicated to one unusual continent – South America, I will show you the countries that I had the opportunity to visit and I am sure that you will enjoy it and want to spend your vacation in one of the destinations. At the very beginning of today’s travelogue, where I will try to convey the beauty of Hotel Emiliano, as well as the exciting Brazilian city that many say is the city of skyscrapers – Sao Paulo, I would like to thank The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), local ministries of tourism, national tourism organizations, as well as other partners who selflessly supported my adventure in South America. With their help, travelogues from Brazil (Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo) and other countries were created, as well as numerous fashion stories that you will have the opportunity to read during this series of posts, and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the new adventure.

Posts from Brazil were created with the selfless help of The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), EMBRATUR (National Tourism Organization of Brazil) – Visit Brasil, Visite São Paulo, Hotel Emiliano as well as numerous local partners that will be mentioned later.

If by any chance you missed reading the previous travelogues and fashion stories from Brazil or you want to remind yourself of some interesting things, take the opportunity to visit the following links:

  1. Letters from Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, a Wonderful City of Fun and Hedonism… (Travelogue)
  2. Brunello Cucinelli: A New Dose of Refined Spring Elegance…(Fashion Story)
  3. Letters from Brazil: Carnival in Rio, Discover the Magic of the Biggest Show in the World! (Travelogue)
  4. Letters from Brazil: Copacabana Palace Hotel, the Jewel of the Most Famous Beach in the World… (Travelogue)

Sao Paulo is the capital of the state of Sao Paulo, as well as the most populated city in Brazil, America, and also in the western and southern hemispheres. This city has significant international influence in commerce, finance, art and entertainment. São Paulo is the largest urban area by population outside of Asia and the most populous city in the Portuguese-speaking world. How did this city get its name? The city’s name honors the apostle Paul, and the people of the city are known as paulistanos. The city’s Latin motto is “Non ducor, duco” which translates to “I am not led, I lead.”

São Paulo was founded in 1554 by Jesuit priests, the city was a center of bandeirantes during colonial Brazil, but only became a relevant economic power during the Brazilian coffee cycle in the mid-19th century, and later consolidated its role as a major national economic center with Brazil’s industrialization in the 20th century, which made the city home to the largest Arab cosmos, the Italian cosmos. of the world, with ethnic settlements such as Bixiga, Bom Retiro and Liberdade and people from more than 200 other countries. The metropolitan area of ​​the city, Greater São Paulo is home to more than 20 million inhabitants and ranks as the most populous in Brazil and one of the most populous in the world. The process of conurbation between metropolitan areas around Greater São Paulo also created the macrometropolis of São Paulo, the first megalopolis in the southern hemisphere, with more than 30 million inhabitants.

São Paulo is the largest urban economy in Latin America and one of the world’s largest financial centers, representing about 10% of Brazil’s GDP and slightly more than a third of the GDP of the state of São Paulo. The city is the headquarters of B3, the largest stock exchange in Latin America by market capitalization, and has several financial districts, mainly in the areas around Paulista, Faria Lima and Berini avenues. São Paulo is home to 63% of established multinational companies in Brazil and is the source of about one-third of Brazil’s scientific output. Its main university, the University of São Paulo, is often considered the best in Brazil and Latin America. São Paulo is among the top 100 science and technology clusters in the world. The metropolis is also home to several of the tallest skyscrapers in Brazil, including Alto das Nacoes, Platina 220, Figueira Altos do Tatuape, Mirante do Vale, Edificio Italia, Altino Arantes Building, North Tower and many others.

The city is one of the main cultural centers in Latin America and is home to monuments, parks and museums such as the Latin American Memorial, Ibirapuera Park, São Paulo Museum of Art, Pinacoteca, Cinemateca, Itau Cultural, Ipiranga Museum, Catavento Museum, Football Museum, Museum of Portuguese Language and Painting and Sound Museum. Sao Paulo also hosts relevant cultural events such as the Sao Paulo Jazz Festival, Sao Paulo Art Biennial, Sao Paulo Fashion Week, Lollapalooza, Primavera Sound, Comic Con Experience and the Sao Paulo Pride Parade, the second largest LGBT event in the world. São Paulo has also hosted many sporting events such as the 1950 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, the 1963 Pan American Games, the São Paulo Indy 300 and the NFL Brazil Games, in addition to hosting the annual Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix and the Saint Silvester Road Race.

What should you visit in Sao Paulo? The Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and Saint Paul (Portuguese: Catedral Metropolitana de Nossa Senhora da Assuncao e Sao Paulo), also known as the Cathedral, is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brazil. Its current and seventh metropolitan archbishop is Dom Odilo Pedro Cardinal Scherer, who was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI on March 21, 2007 and installed on April 29 of the same year. The construction of the existing Gothic Revival style cathedral began in 1913 and was completed four decades later. It was ready for its dedication on the 400th anniversary of the founding of the then modest villa of São Paulo by the chief or Casico Tibiricha and the Jesuit priests Manuel da Nobrega and José de Anquieta. Despite its Renaissance-style dome, the Metropolitan Cathedral of São Paulo is considered by some to be the fourth largest neo-Gothic cathedral in the world.

The Municipal Market of São Paulo (Portuguese: Mercado Municipal Paulistano or Mercado Municipal de São Paulo) is a large public market in São Paulo. The market building was designed by architect Francisco Ramos de Azevedo and opened on January 25, 1933 as a wholesale and retail facility specializing in fruits, vegetables, grains, meats, spices and other food products. The market is located in the Mercado neighborhood, the name referring to the market, in the historic center of São Paulo. It is located near the Tamanduatei River in the old Varzea do Carmo, a river floodplain now primarily used as Dom Pedro II Park. The market was officially named Mercado Municipal Sao Paulo in 1995.

The first floor of the market is occupied by traders with stalls, while on the second floor the mezzanine serves as a restaurant. Mercadao occupies 12,600 square meters and has about 1,500 employees working in various jobs. What the guide told me as interesting is that over 450 tons of food in more than 300 boxes pass through this market every day.

The facade of the Municipal Market is the work of Felisbert Ranzini, an Italian-Brazilian who worked in the architectural office of Ramos de Azevedo. Mr. Ranzini, who also helped build the San Francisco Law School, used a mixture of Ionic and Doric columns on the Municipal Market building. The massive columns allow for large glazing areas in the market which in turn provide a large source of natural light.

The market building is famous for its 72 stained glass windows, arranged in 32 panels. These stained glass windows are the work of artist Conrado Sorgenicht Filho and his office Casa Conrado Sorgenicht. This artist is known for his work on the windows of the Sao Paulo Cathedral and 300 other Brazilian churches. Unlike the stained glass window produced as a sacred work, the market windows depict various aspects of food production in the greater São Paulo region.

Paulista Avenue (Avenida Paulista in Portuguese) is one of the most important avenues in São Paulo and represents the modern heart of the city. This incredible avenue stretches for almost 2.8 kilometers and runs from northwest to southeast. The northwest point is Praca Marechal Cordeiro de Farias at the intersection with Rua da Consolacao, while the southeast point is Praca Osvaldo Cruz at the intersection with Treze de Maio, Bernardino de Campos, Desembargador Eliseu Guilherme and Dr. Rafael de Barros. The main intersections are on Rua Augusta, Rua Haddock Lobo and Avenida Brigadeiro Luis Antonio. Parallel to this street are Cincinito Braga, Joaquim Eugenio de Lima on the Bela Vista/Paraiso side and Alameda Santos and Coronel Oscar Freire on the Jardins side. Avenida Paulista cuts through parts of the neighborhoods of Paraiso, Bela Vista, Jardim Paulista, Cerqueira Cesar and Jardim America, ending in Higienopolis.

The headquarters of many financial and cultural institutions are located on Paulista Avenue. As a symbol of São Paulo’s center of economic and political power, it has been the focus of numerous political protests beginning in 1929 and continuing into the 21st century. It is also home to a large shopping area and the most comprehensive fine art museum in South America, the São Paulo Museum of Art. Being one of the highest points in São Paulo, it is full of radio and television masts, primarily TV Gazeta. Paulista Avenue is the main hub of the city’s metro and bus lines.

Tenente Siqueira Campos Park, better known as Trianon Park, was opened on April 3, 1892, just one year after the opening of Paulista Avenue. It was designed by the French landscape artist Paul Villon. Trianon got its name because of the Trianon restaurant that opened in 1916, founded and founded by the brothers Vicente Rosati and Luigi Rosati, Italian immigrants in the premises of Belvedere da Paulista located in front of the park, where today the São Paulo Museum of Art is located. The owner of the elegant bar and restaurant chose the name derived from the Grand Trianon Palace in Versailles, which was owned by Marie Antoinette, because of the similarities between the buildings. From 1911 to 1914, during the administration of the Barons of Duprat, the architect Ramos de Azevedo developed the project for the so-called Belvedere, built in 1916 and demolished in 1951 to make way for the first edition of the São Paulo Art Biennale.

The park was purchased by the City Hall with the financial assistance of the City Council in 1911, and 20 years later, in 1931, it received its current name in honor of one of the heroes of the Revolution in the Copacabana Fort, during the Tenentist Rebellion of 1924, Lieutenant Antônio de Siqueira Campos.

The Paulista Museum of the University of São Paulo, better known as the Museu do Ipiranga is a Brazilian history museum located near the site where Emperor Pedro I proclaimed the independence of Brazil on the banks of the Ipiranga Stream in the southeastern region of the city of São Paulo, then the “Caminho do Mar” or road. It contains a vast collection of furniture, documents and historically relevant works of art, particularly related to the era of the Brazilian Empire. The most famous work of art in the collection is a painting by Pedro America from 1888 called “Independencia ou Morte” (Independence or Death).

A few months after Brazil’s declaration of independence, people began to propose a monument at the place where the declaration was made, although they were not sure what kind of memorial structure to build. Finally, in 1884, the Italian architect Tommaso Gaudenzio Bezzi, who was hired to develop the project, chose to build a building in an eclectic style similar to the French Palace of Versailles with impressive and perfectly landscaped gardens and a fountain.

The Independence Monument of Brazil (Portuguese: Monumento a Independencia do Brasil) is a granite and bronze monument located in Independence Park in close proximity to the Paulista University Museum (Museu do Ipiranga). It is also known as the Ipiranga Monument (Monumento do Ipiranga) or the Altar of the Fatherland (Altar da Patria). The monument is located on the bank of the Ipiranga stream, at the historical place where Prince Regent Pedro (later Emperor Pedro I) proclaimed the country’s independence on September 7, 1822. The monument was designed and built by Italian sculptor Ettore Jimenez and Italian architect Manfredo Manfredi to celebrate the first centenary of Brazilian independence in 1922.

Inside the monument there is a crypt and a chapel. The crypt was built in 1972 to house the remains of Emperor Pedro I (also King of Portugal as Pedro IV) and his wives, Maria Leopoldine of Austria and Amelia of Leuchtenberg. The crypt was consecrated as a Catholic chapel, as requested by the head of the Brazilian imperial family at the time, Pedro Henrique of Orléans-Braganza. He agreed to allow the remains of his ancestors to be transferred to the monument on the condition that the site be dedicated as a Catholic burial place, with a Catholic altar, where masses could be celebrated. The remains of Pedro I and Amelia of Leuchtenberg were transferred from the Royal Pantheon of the House of Braganza in Lisbon; while Maria Leopoldina was moved from the imperial mausoleum of the Monastery of Saint Anthony in Rio de Janeiro.

To end this travelogue, I would like to give you an honest recommendation and review for a hotel you can stay at in Sao Paulo. During the trip, the hotel where we stay is very important to all of us, because the hotel is our home in the new destination and therefore it is very important to choose a good hotel in each destination. During my stay in Sao Paulo, Hotel Emiliano was my home, adorned with style, comfort and a beautiful atmosphere in the modern heart of Sao Paulo.

Located in one of the most charming and trendy neighborhoods of São Paulo, Hotel Emiliano is located in the heart of the Jardins (Garden District) on Oscar Freire Street, which is also a symbol of the city. The hotel is surrounded by shops, art galleries, renowned restaurants, cozy cafes and large offices. It is located just two kilometers from the two main financial centers of the city, between Paulista Avenue and Faria Lima Avenue.

During my stay in Sao Paulo, I had the opportunity to feel the charms of comfort and luxury of a special type of Hotel Emiliano suite, called the Emiliano Suite. This apartment covers an area of ​​84 m², which is divided into an apartment and a living room. This exquisite suite features an LCD TV with DVD system as well as a 5.1 digital home theater located in the living room. There is also the possibility to relax in your favorite bath and watch movies because the LCD TV is located above the bathtub. At Hotel Emiliano, you always have access to high-speed WiFi.

The bathroom is decorated with Carrara marble with pressure showers. There is also a separate English Victorian style bath. Japanese seats with temperature control and electronic bidet. For complete comfort and enjoyment, there are Egyptian cotton sheets and Hungarian goose down pillows, as well as a Charles Eames armchair and an Italian leather sofa. What delighted me were the unusual windows and of course the King size bed.

Feel authentic Brazilian hospitality as Hotel Emiliano provides a unique and unforgettable experience, offering exclusivity and sophistication in every detail: through personalized service, a selection of special amenities, exceptional cuisine, a comfortable, minimalist decor, which combines designer pieces and artworks and the magnificent Cocoon art piece in the lobby by artist Siron Franco. Every detail is designed to provide more comfort and make you feel at home. The butler team is always attentive to meet and anticipate your every need. Located in the heart of Jardins, on Rua Oscar Freire, an address that is also a symbol of the city, the hotel is surrounded by art galleries, renowned restaurants and various shops, for easy access to what you need when you find yourself in São Paulo.

The Emiliano Hotel team always strives to provide all guests with an outstanding experience that will make their guests feel valued, behaving responsibly and in harmony with society and nature. In an environment of continuous learning, the Hotel Emiliano team constantly strives to awaken the potential and talent of each team member, so that the competition sees them as an inspiration for better further work and development of services.

In the next post, I will delight you with a fashion story from Sao Paulo, so that we will once again enjoy the beauty of this Brazilian metropolis, which is famous for its skyscrapers.

My dear travellers, we have come to the end of this fourth special travelogue from Brazil where we enjoyed a review of the Emiliano Hotel in a series of travelogues about Brazil where we had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this unusual country in South America. Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), EMBRATUR (National Tourism Organization of Brazil) – Visit Brasil, Visite São Paulo, Hotel Emiliano in collaboration with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of local culture and the beauty of everyday life in São Paulo. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Brazil.

A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way.

It is an honour to have the opportunity to cooperate with many companies and businessmen in the tourism sector and I would like to thank once again the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) and EMBRATUR (National Tourism Organization of Brazil) – Visit Brasil, Visite São Paulo and Hotel Emiliano for this incredible adventure and for allowing me to feel the beauty of this unusual Brazilian culture in a completely different way and to feel the beauty of everyday life in Rio de Janeiro.

How did you like my story about Sao Paulo and the presentation of Hotel Emiliano? Have you had the chance to visit Sao Paulo and beautiful Brazil so far?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!

With Love from São Paulo,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), EMBRATUR(National Tourism Organization of Brazil) – Visit Brasil, Visite São Paulo and Hotel Emiliano and other local partners. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.

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Letters from Brazil: Copacabana Palace, the Jewel of the Most Famous Beach in the World…

Adventure Travel 5 Comments

My dear travelers and lovers of unusual journeys, welcome to the new series of travelogues on the Mr.M blog. April, as well as the following months, will be dedicated to one unusual continent – South America, I will show you the countries that I had the opportunity to visit and I am sure that you will enjoy it and want to spend your vacation in one of the destinations. At the very beginning of this travelogue about Copacabana Palace Belmond Hotel, I would like to thank the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), local ministries of tourism, national and city tourism boards, as well as other partners who selflessly supported my adventure in South America. With their help, travelogues from Brazil (Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo) and other countries were created, as well as numerous fashion stories that you will have the opportunity to read during this series of posts, and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the new adventure.

Posts from Brazil were created with the selfless help of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), EMBRATUR (National Tourism Organization of Brazil) – Visit Brasil, Copacabana Palace Belmond Hotel.

Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel is one of the most luxurious historical hotels in Rio de Janeiro, which represents the real gem of the most famous beach in the world – Copacabana. It was designed by the French architect Joseph Guiret, and was opened on August 13, 1923. This hotel is owned by Belmond Limited. It has 243 rooms, of which 116 are luxury rooms and 127 suites in the main and annexes. The hotel has been declared the best hotel in South America several times, including in 2009 when it won the World Travel Award.

What is the history of this amazing hotel? The Copacabana Palace was built by Octavio Ginle and Francisco Castro Silva in the period from 1919 to 1923. year, on the initiative of President Epitasio Pessoa, who wanted Rio de Janeiro to have a large hotel to host eminent visitors attending the International Exhibition of the Centennial of Independence. The federal government granted the developers tax breaks and they received a license for the casino.

The hotel was the first large building on Copacabana beach, facing Avenida Atlantica, which had just been completed in 1919 by the engineer Paulo de Frontin. French architect Joseph Guiret drew inspiration from two famous hotels on the French Riviera: Hotel Negresco in Nice and Hotel Carlton in Cannes. The structure was built by the engineer Cesar Melo e Cunha.

The Copacabana Palace Hotel was opened on August 13, 1923, months after the exhibition closed, due to numerous delays in construction, caused by difficulties in importing Carrara marble and Bohemian crystal, as well as complex foundation works that required a special depth of fourteen meters, as well as the lack of modern technology and experience in the country for such construction. During the construction of this hotel, there were major problems with violent underwater water that destroyed Avenida Atlantica in 1922, causing damage to the lower floors of this hotel.

The opening ceremony was attended by the French singer, actress and star Jeanne Florentine Bourgeois, who was known by her stage name Mistinget. Despite having “the most beautiful legs in the world”, she is forbidden to show them at the party. Because of the delayed opening, President Arthur Bernardes tried to revoke the casino hotel license in 1924. After a 10-year legal battle, the Guinle family won the case. The hotel’s casino proved essential to the hotel’s success for decades to come.

This exceptional hotel witnessed many events, and one that is still remembered today is May 23, 1928, when President Washington Luís Pereira de Sousa was shot in this hotel by his lover, the 28-year-old Italian marquise Elvira Vichy Maurich. President Lewis was hospitalized, with what was officially shared in the media at the time due to “appendicitis”. Four days later, the young marquise was found dead. From the police report, the public could conclude that it was a suicide. A few years later, in 1934, the hotel added a swimming pool. While 4 years later, more precisely in 1938, the hotel’s “Golden Room” was officially opened, in which the French actor, cabaret singer and entertainer Maurice Chevalier performed.

In April 1946, President Eurico Gaspar Dutra banned gambling in Brazil. The casino was converted into a concert hall, and the hotel underwent a major renovation, designed by the architect Vladimir Alves de Sous, and the renovation was completed in 1949. Supervised by engineer Cesare Mello e Cunha, the renovation increased the hotel’s capacity by adding a side pergola and a rear annex.

The capital of Brazil was moved to Brasilia in 1960, and the hotel experienced an unexpected period of decline in guest visits, as more modern resort hotels overtook it in the 1970s. This hotel faced demolition in 1985, however the Copacabana Palace was declared a cultural asset, registered at the federal (IPHAN), state (INEPAC) and municipal (SEDREPAHC) levels.

Sometime later, in 1989, the Guinle family, represented by José Eduardo Guinle, sold the hotel to James Sherwood, chairman of Sea Containers, a London-based shipping company with a 42% stake in Orient Express Hotels, which took over management of the hotel. Sherwood renovated Copacabana Palace at great expense. What happened more recently is that in 2014, Orient Express Hotels changed its name to Belmond Limited and the hotel was renamed Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel. Belmond was sold to luxury goods conglomerate LVMH in 2018.

I managed to find out some interesting facts, which is that the guests of the Copacabana Palace Hotel were famous people like Walt Disney, Marlene Dietrich, Ginger Rogers, Brigitte Bardot, Jane Mansfield, Paul McCartney, Janis Joplin, Madonna, Mick Jagger, Princess Diana, Carla Bruni, Halle Berry, Lana Del Rey, Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus.

During my stay in Rio de Janeiro I had the distinct honor and pleasure of staying in one of the Penthouse suites that have full ocean views. Everyone who is familiar with the service of the Belmond Hotel knows that their penthouse suites represent a real crown jewel in the realm of hotel luxury. During my stay of a few days, I was able to discover what the ultimate enjoyment looks like at the top of one of the most glamorous resorts in Rio de Janeiro. Each of the suites has a private terrace, and the interior of each apartment is decorated with works of art and fine French fabrics that you will enjoy at first touch. What delighted me was the large marble bathroom that has a separate bathtub and a separate shower.

What can you expect in the Penthouse Suite? What will surely meet your expectations are a king size bed, perfectly decorated marble bathrooms, a private pool and a sun terrace, the size of these apartments starts from 105 square meters and you have the service of a personal butler. Enjoy a range of luxury services when staying in these suites, including access to the exclusive sixth floor pool, VIP welcome amenities with Moët Chandon champagne, as well as daily sunset canapés and a fully stocked bar with complimentary soft drinks replenished daily.

In Copacabana Palace Belmond hotel, you can feel the real nightlife and the beauty of Copacabana cuisine. Celebrating cosmopolitan Rio, Copacabana Palace flavours immerse you in the vibrant culture of Brazil and beyond. Try authentic South American food at Pergula, or indulge in Pan-Asian delights at Michelin-starred Mee Restaurant. I decided to enjoy an Italian feast at Ristorante Cipriani, which also has Michelin stars, but I didn’t forget to add a non-alcoholic cocktail to my Brazilian adventure at the Piano Bar, and I must admit that it was an exceptional pleasure.

I have to admit that I was blown away by the depth and richness of the Northern Italian flavours of Ristorante Cipriani, which proudly holds a Michelin star since 2019, while the menu of celebrated chef Nello Cassese is an extraordinary mix of cultures.

In the next post, I will write about São Paulo, an exciting Brazilian city that many say is the city of skyscrapers. What can definitely be said about São Paulo is that it is a megapolis, the largest city in Brazil and America, the largest in the southern hemisphere. This city is the cultural, social and economic center of modern Brazil.

My dear travellers, we have come to the end of this third special travelogue from Brazil where we enjoyed the review of the Copacabana Palace Belmond Hotel in the series of travelogues about Brazil where we had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this unusual country in South America. Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of the UN Tourism, EMBRATUR (National Tourism Organization of Brazil) – Visit Brasil, Copacabana Palace Belmond Hotel in cooperation with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of local culture and the beauty of everyday life in Rio de Janeiro. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Brazil.

A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way.

It is an honour to have the opportunity to cooperate with many companies and businessmen in the tourism sector and I would like to thank once again the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) and EMBRATUR (National Tourism Organization of Brazil) – Visit Brasil, Copacabana Palace Belmond Hotel for this incredible adventure and for allowing me to feel the beauty of this unusual Brazilian culture in a completely different way and to feel the beauty of everyday life in Rio de Janeiro.

How did you like my story about Copacabana Palace Belmond Hotel and the presentation of the Brazilian iconic jewel of the most famous beach in the world that adorns the heart of this unusual city in South America? Have you had the chance to visit Rio de Janeiro or maybe some other city in Brazil so far?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!

With Love from Rio de Janeiro,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), EMBRATUR(National Tourism Organization of Brazil) – Visit Brasil, Copacabana Palace Belmond Hotel and other local partners. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.

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Letters from Brazil: Rio Carnival, Discover the Magic of the Biggest Show in the World!

Adventure Travel 8 Comments

My dear travelers and lovers of unusual journeys, welcome to the new series of travelogues on the Mr.M blog. April, as well as the following months, will be dedicated to one unusual continent – South America, I will show you the countries that I had the opportunity to visit and I am sure that you will enjoy it and want to spend your vacation in one of the destinations. At the very beginning of this travelogue about Rio Carnival, I would like to thank the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), local ministries of tourism, national and city tourism boards, as well as other partners who selflessly supported my adventure in South America. With their help, travelogues from Brazil (Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo) and other countries were created, as well as numerous fashion stories that you will have the opportunity to read during this series of posts, and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the new adventure.

Posts from Brazil were created with the selfless help of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), EMBRATUR (National Tourism Organization of Brazil) – Visit Brasil, Carnaval Experience, as well as numerous local partners that will be mentioned later.

Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is the largest open-air party in the world, visited by several million people around the world every year. It is the manifestation by which Rio has become recognizable at the world level and therefore the carnival gets better every year due to the possibility of bigger budgets that samba schools invest in their performances every year. You are probably wondering what the organization of this famous outdoor party looks like?

The Carnaval Experience team is here to give you an exclusive peek behind the scenes of the organisation of the Rio Carnival! During ten years of rich experience, the Carnaval Experience team has perfected the organization of special tourist visits for all interested visitors who want to feel a unique and authentic experience suitable for all ages! The Carnaval Experience team came up with the idea to present the universe of Samba schools in Rio de Janeiro, to allow all visitors to see and feel the magic of the creation of a show like Carnival in Rio, as well as the history of Samba and Carnival itself.

This was made possible by the non-governmental organization Pimpolhos da Grande Rio. In partnership with its “mother school”, Academicos do Grande Rio, the Carnaval Experience team opens the doors of the Carnival’s playful universe for the general public to be enchanted by the characters of this beautiful world cultural manifestation. Pimpolhos da Grande Rio is a children’s samba school and non-governmental organization. Their mission is to promote social integration and education through carnival. The Carnaval Experience tourism program is part of the Pimpolhos da Grande Rio pillar of socio-economic sustainability and arises from the need to ensure the continuity of socio-cultural projects.

The Carnaval Experience is the only tour that allows you to peek behind the scenes of the Carioca Carnival, the most famous carnival in the world all year round, if you are unable to visit the carnival. When you’re in Rio, you simply have to experience Samba! This special tourist tour shows the artistry and imagination of all those who deeply believe and invest their true love and passion in creating the magic of Carnival and allows you to peek behind the scenes of the biggest show in the world! Allow yourself to live a unique and authentic experience, exploring behind the scenes, secrets and familiar people who make preparations for the parade.

During the tour, you will witness the process of creating and manufacturing floats and more than 3,000 costumes for the parade. Guided Tour of the 2022 Carnival Champions Warehouse – Samba School, Grande Rio. This tour offers an exhibition on the history of samba and carnival. Finally, don’t miss the opportunity to dress up in exclusive parade costumes, feel the rhythm of samba and enjoy the delicious caipirinha that is there to welcome you.

What you can expect from this Carnaval Experience tour:

  • Guided tour of the Academicos da Grande Rio warehouse – one of the main samba schools (30 min).
  • Lecture in the exhibition room: you will learn a little about the history of samba and carnival parades (20 min).
  • Entertainment: dressing up in costumes from previous parades and taking photos (20 min).
  • A taste of samba: Caipirinha welcome (10 min).
  • Little samba class with one of their dancers! (10 min).

Have you ever wondered how the preparation calendar for the Rio Carnival works? Do you know what it looks like behind the scenes? After completing a small carnival school with the Carnaval Experience team, I will try to explain to you step by step the conceptual creation process, as well as the organization of this world spectacle!

All fans of this world sensation called Carnival in Rio know that this parade takes place every year in February or March at the Sambadrome Marquis de Sapucai in Rio de Janeiro. Many people from Europe think that the Carnival with beautiful costumes takes place in the streets of Rio de Janeiro, that was once upon a time, but today all the main activities of the carnival and the presentation of the samba school are held exclusively at the Sambadrome. What you must know is the fact that Brazilians are extremely proud of this event and that for them it is not just an event but a way of life. Carnival in Rio represents a real explosion of emotions, colors, glitter and joy! What many do not know is that the preparation of the production for the biggest show on earth lasts all year long. Preparation for the next Carnival begins immediately after the Carnival is over and it looks something like this:

MARCH

Immediately after the last held parade, samba schools evaluate what worked and what needs to be changed for the next Carnival. In addition, work begins on the dismantling of floats and other used materials from the last carnival. During this period, samba schools also define what will be used and what will not be used during the next Carnival. Materials for recycling and sale are separated.

APRIL and MAY

During this period, the plot of the next carnival is chosen and the samba schools start the carnival planning process again. In short, the plot of the carnival consists of a story and a theme.

JUNE

Schools already have conceptually ready, sketched and drawn costumes and allegories.

JULY, AUGUST and SEPTEMBER

During this period, schools have already made samples (trial versions) of costumes and floats (parade floats). During this period, one can already see how the next carnival is slowly taking shape and getting its new form. If you visit a samba school with the Carnaval Experience team during this period, you can see the secrets and surprises of samba schools. I would just ask that you remember not to take pictures of the floats.

OCTOBER

The beginning of carnival fever in full swing: the official samba plot is chosen and filmed. Essays Begin and take place in samba schools as well as on the street. They involve community members who will parade: you have to have the samba theme on the tip of your tongue, be willing, excited and have a lot of love for the associations!

NOVEMBER

The beginning of the reproduction of costumes and sculptures, as well as the painting of fantasies and allegories.

DECEMBER

The production of costumes begins with an emphasis especially on those that will be on top of the floats and are very luxurious, opulent and special.

JANUARY and FEBRUARY

These are the two most intensive months during the organization of the carnival due to production work and numerous rehearsals that are in full swing. And then it’s time to start the parade!

Finally, after all these efforts and this extraordinary dedication, the samba schools can breathe a sigh of relief, at least for a moment. The sense of duty is fulfilled!

This festival, which takes place every year before Lent, is considered the largest carnival celebration in the world, with over two million people a day on the streets of the city. The first carnival festival in Rio was held in 1723.

A typical Rio Carnival parade is filled with parties, floats and decorations from the many samba schools located in Rio (approximately more than 200, divided into five leagues/divisions). A samba school is composed of a collaboration of local neighbors who want to attend the carnival together, with some kind of regional, geographic and common origin.

There is a specific order that each school must follow when registering for the parade. Each school starts with the “comissao de frente” (which means “Front Commission”), that is the group of people from the school that appears first. Made up of ten to fifteen people, the comissao de frente represents the school and sets the mood and style of their presentation. These people have choreographed dances in elaborate costumes that usually tell a short story. After the “comissao de frente” is the first float in the samba school, called “abre-alas” (“Opening the wings”).

Next come the Mestre-sala and the Porta-Bandeira (“Master of Ceremonies and Flag-bearer”), with one to four couples, one active and three spares, to lead the players, including veterans of the old guard and “ala das baianas”, with a battery of drums at the rear and sometimes a brass section and guitars. This brass section was included in the early 20th century as part of a more diverse musical ensemble that began to be offered at that time.

How did the Rio Carnival come about? The origins of the Rio Carnival celebration date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Carnival was brought to Brazil by the Portuguese colonizers between the 16th and 17th centuries, manifesting itself initially through the ‘Entrudo’, a popular festival where public games and carefree derision ran rampant through the streets. Over time, the festival acquired other ways of expression, such as the use of masks and costumes. O Moleque by Lima Barrett, depicts the emergence of a costume originally used in carnival, tracing its European cultural roots. The costumes are symbolic of the political and cultural themes of the time, which were then integrated into the carnival. The popularization of entertainment among the poor also contributed to the appearance of carnival societies created by the monarchical elite.

In 1840, the first masquerade ball was held in Rio, and polka and waltz were in the center of attention. Later, in the early 20th century, the Samba and Batucada rhythms classically associated with the Rio Carnival were introduced by Afro-Brazilians and Pardos, adapting various cultural inputs to create a new musical genre. During this period, Carnival assumed its position as the most popular festival in Brazil.

During the 1920s and 1930s in Rio, samba schools began to become popular as a way for the blocks to increase their legitimacy and prevent police oppression. Blacks at the time were often harassed by the police for any street carnival activities due to the city’s attempt to become a European-style capital at the time.

There was no carnival in the period from 1915 to 1918, due to the First World War, as well as during the period 1940-1945. because of World War II. This event was once again canceled with strict warnings against clandestine celebrations in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and postponed to 2022 for similar reasons. The carnival is back with a bang in 2023.

The previously existing traditions of ‘Entrudos’ and other popular festivities such as ‘ranchos’ and ‘Cordao Carnavalesco’ dating back to the Empire would eventually be combined into carnival blocks by the 1920s and evolve into their final form – the samba schools of Rio.

The Estacio de Sa, together with the Portel and the Estacao Primeira de Mangueira, first paraded in the city in 1929. All three were former carnival blocks that were transformed into schools with professional staff and city support. A little later, in 1930, seven schools were already operating in the city. With the works in Avenida Presidente Vargas, the parade moved there, and from 1942 to 1945 the parade was held in Sao Januario.

From 1952, temporary audience stands were assembled annually, and in 1961 paid tickets debuted to take advantage of growing international and national interest and increasing tourist arrivals. In 1974, due to subway construction, the parade was held on Avenida Presidente Antonio Carlos, from where it was also broadcast on color television for the first time. In 1978, the parade was moved to Avenida Marquis de Sapucaya – Sambadrome, where it remains until today. In 1983, the then Governor Leonel Brizola commissioned the architect Oscar Niemeyer to design a permanent local stadium for the parades in the same area, because until then the stands were still temporary and only assembled and disassembled for the event.

With the increase in the number of participating schools making the parade longer and tiring for the public, in 1984 the parade was split into two dates and categories: Friday evening to Saturday morning for the lower schools and Sunday evening to Monday morning for the main schools, including the more recognizable ones. That year, the school of “superchampions” was also announced after the parade of champions that took place the following Saturday, who had been awarded for the best results of the previous competition nights. Since this practice has never been repeated, Mangueira remains the only samba school ever to receive the title and dignity of “superchampions” of the annual event. Portela is the samba school with the highest number of championships.

Special Group schools under LIESA parade on two days (Sunday and Monday), while A series schools parade on Friday and Saturday under LIERJ, which also has a B series, which parades on Holy Tuesday. Both organizations were under the banner of AESCRJ before it lost its organizational rights, which also allowed the establishment of new organizations such as LIESB and Samba e Nosso for lower level divisions. The Golden Division (Serie A) champion school, who progress directly as participants in the Special Group for next year’s carnival parades, run on Carnival Monday, while the Special Group champion parades once more on the Saturday after Ash Wednesday.

As of 2018, the LIESB handed over the management of the E Series and its schools to ACAS, who now manage it as an entry-level organization for samba schools, in 2020, the C Series (Silver Division) fell under a new organization, LIVRES, with LIESB managing the divisions above and below it.

Since the main parade takes place at the Marquis de Sapucai Sambadrome and the balls at the Palace and Copacabana Beach, many carnival participants are in other locations. Street festivals are very common during Carnival and are very populated by locals. Elegance and extravagance are usually left behind, but music and dancing are still extremely common. Anyone can participate in street festivals. The gangs are very familiar with the street carnival, especially since you don’t need anything to join the fun except to jump in. One of the most famous groups in Rio is Banda de Ipanema. Banda de Ipanema first formed in 1965 and is known as Rio’s most outrageous street band.

Rio de Janeiro is “submerged”, almost “invisible” and this appears in full intensity during the carnival. Although it was clearly noticed only during the carnival, this city is occupied (especially in the central part) to a large extent by actors who play, sing and dance in different locations, giving a new meaning to their daily life and their relationship with the public spaces of the city. Incorporated into every aspect of the Rio Carnival are dance and music. The most famous dance at the Brazilian carnival is the samba. The samba remains a popular dance not only at the carnival, but also in the ghettos outside the main cities. These villages keep alive the historical aspect of the game without the influence of western cultures.

Music is another important part of all aspects of carnival. According to Samba City, “The samba carnival instruments are an important part of Brazil and the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, sending out irresistible rhythms and rhythms that explode the audience in a colorful fantasy festival of dance revolution!” The samba found in Rio is the Batucanada. “It was made out of a rhythmic need to allow you to sing, dance and parade at the same time.” This is why the batucado style is found in most of all street carnivals in Rio.

Street parades, blocks and gangs take place throughout the city of Rio during Carnaval, the most famous and largest carnival celebration in the world. More than 300 gangs can happen at any time. While the biggest street party takes place in front of the Sambadrome, the biggest organized street dance is usually found in Cinelandia Square in downtown Rio. During the 2012 Carnival, more than 2 million revelers took to the streets of Rio de Janeiro to participate in the Bloc of Cordão da Bola Preta. According to police estimates, more than 5 million people attended the block during the 2012 Rio Carnival and no crime was reported.

When the Sambadrome was built in 1984, it had the side effect of taking street parades out of the city center into a specific ticketed performance space. Some samba schools have since been motivated by a plan that focuses on reclaiming public space and using the carnival tradition to occupy the streets with parades or blocks. Many of them represent the local community of the area, but they are open to everyone.

Several of Rio’s street carnival blocks that hold parties are affiliated with the Federation of Carnival Blocks of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FBCERJ), founded in 1965.

In the next post, I will write about the Copacabana Palace Hotel, which is a representative of classic Brazilian luxury located in a refreshing natural environment. This exceptional Belmond hotel allows you to relax in the heart of Rio de Janeiro, which you should consider if you decide to visit Rio de Janeiro, the most colorful pearl of the South Atlantic Ocean. My dear adventurers, we have come to the end of this second special travelogue about Rio Carnival in the series of travelogues about Brazil where we had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this unusual country in South America. 

Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), EMBRATUR (National Tourism Organization of Brazil) – Visit Brasil, Carnaval Experience, Copacabana Palace Belmond Hotel in collaboration with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of local culture and the beauty of everyday life in Rio de Janeiro. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Brazil.

A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way.

It is an honour to have the opportunity to cooperate with many companies and businessmen in the tourism sector and I would like to thank once again the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), Carnaval Experience and EMBRATUR (National Tourism Organization of Brazil) – Visit Brasil for this incredible adventure and for allowing me to feel the beauty of this unusual Brazilian culture in a completely different way and to feel the beauty of everyday life in Rio de Janeiro.

How did you like my story about Rio Carnival and the presentation of the Brazilian center of entertainment and hedonism that adorns the heart of this unusual country in South America? Have you had the chance to visit Brazil so far?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!

With Love from Rio de Janeiro,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), EMBRATUR(National Tourism Organization of Brazil) – Visit Brasil, Carnaval Experience, Copacabana Palace Belmond Hotel and other local partners. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.

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Letters from Brazil: Rio De Janeiro, a Wonderful City of Fun and Hedonism…

Adventure Travel 6 Comments

My dear travelers and lovers of unusual journeys, welcome to the new series of travelogues on the Mr.M blog. April, as well as the following months, will be dedicated to one unusual continent – South America, I will show you the countries that I had the opportunity to visit and I am sure that you will enjoy it and want to spend your vacation in one of the destinations. At the very beginning, I would like to thank the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), local ministries of tourism, national and city tourism boards, as well as other partners who selflessly supported my adventure in South America. With their help, travelogues from Brazil (Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo) and other countries were created, as well as numerous fashion stories that you will have the opportunity to read during this series of posts, and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the new adventure.

Posts from Brazil were created with the selfless help of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), EMBRATUR (National Tourism Organization of Brazil) – Visit Brasil, as well as numerous local partners that will be mentioned later.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization or Tourism UN (formerly UNWTO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations that promotes responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. The seat of this organization is in Madrid. In addition to the head office in Spain, there are subsidiary other offices which include: the Regional Support Office for Asia Pacific in Nara, Japan and the Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Tourism UN serves as a global forum for tourism policy and a source of tourism research and knowledge. It encourages tourism competitiveness, innovation, education, investment and digital transformation. The organization also focuses on ethics, culture and social responsibility related to tourism, provides technical cooperation and includes the UN Tourism Academy and statistical work. This study-media trip was organized as part of a research and investment project in luxury tourism in South America. So in the coming period, I will show you the tourism development and potential of South America just to keep up with a goal of #BringingTheWorldCloser.

The first country I visited on this trip was the Federative Republic of Brazil, which is also the largest and easternmost country in South America. It is the fifth largest country in the world by area and the seventh largest by population with over 212 million people. The country is a federation consisting of 26 states and a federal district, in which the capital city of Brasilia is located. Its most populated city is Sao Paulo, followed by Rio de Janeiro, which you have the opportunity to see today. Brazil has the most Portuguese speakers in the world and is the only country in the Americas where Portuguese is an official language.

Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Brazil has a coastline of 7,491 kilometers. Covering roughly half of South America’s land area, it borders every other country and territory on the continent except Ecuador and Chile. Brazil includes a wide range of tropical and subtropical landscapes, as well as swamps, savannahs, highlands and low mountains. It contains most of the Amazon basin, including the largest river system in the world and the most extensive intact tropical forest. Brazil has diverse wildlife, diverse ecological systems and extensive natural resources that include numerous protected habitats. The country ranks first among 17 megadiverse countries, with its natural heritage the subject of significant global interest, as environmental degradation through processes such as deforestation directly affects global issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss.

Rio de Janeiro or simply Rio is the capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the second most populous city in Brazil, after Sao Paulo) and the sixth most populous city in America.

Founded in 1565 by the Portuguese, the city was initially the seat of the Captaincy of Rio de Janeiro, a domain of the Portuguese Empire. Later, in 1763, it became the capital of Brazil, a state of the Portuguese Empire. Not long after, in 1808, when the Portuguese royal court moved to Brazil, Rio de Janeiro became the seat of the court of Queen Maria I of Portugal. She later, under the leadership of her son, Prince Regent John VI of Portugal, raised Brazil to the dignity of a kingdom, within the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarve. Rio remained the capital of the pluricontinental monarchy until 1822, when the Brazilian War of Independence began. This is one of the rare cases in history that the capital of a colonizing country was officially transferred to a city in one of its colonies. Rio de Janeiro later served as the capital of an independent monarchy, the Empire of Brazil, until 1889, and then the capital of Republican Brazil until 1960, when the capital was transferred to Brasilia.

Rio de Janeiro has the second largest municipal GDP in the country and the 30th largest in the world. The city is home to the headquarters of Brazil’s oil, mining and telecommunications companies, including the country’s two largest corporations, Petrobras and Vale, and Latin America’s largest telemedia conglomerate, Grupo Globo. Home to many universities and institutes, it is the second largest research and development center in Brazil, accounting for 17 percent of the national scientific output. Despite the high perception of crime, this city actually has a lower crime rate than most major cities in Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most visited cities in the southern hemisphere and is known for its natural environment, carnival, samba, bossa nova and balneario beaches such as Barra da Tijuca, Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon. In addition to the beaches, landmarks include the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Mount Corcovado, named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World; Glava Šećera mountain with its cable car; Sambodromo (Sambadrome) permanent parade avenue with stands used during carnival and Maracana Stadium, one of the largest football stadiums in the world.

Rio de Janeiro hosted the 2016 Summer Olympics as well as the 2016 Summer Paralympics, making the city the first city in South America and the Portuguese-speaking world to ever host these events, and the third time the Olympics have been held in a southern hemisphere city. Maracana Stadium hosted the finals of the 1950 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2013 FIFA Pan American Games. The city hosted the G20 summit in 2024 and will host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027.

What to visit in Rio de Janeiro? The most famous tourist attraction in Rio is Christ the Redeemer (Portuguese: Cristo Redentor). This is an art deco statue of Jesus in Rio de Janeiro, made by French-Polish sculptor Paul Landowski, and built by Brazilian engineer Albert Silva, French engineer Castacootejn. Romanian sculptor Gheorghe Leonida sculpted the face. Built between 1922 and 1931, the statue is 30 meters tall, excluding the 8 meter plinth. The arms stretch 28 meters in width. It is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone. Christ the Redeemer differs considerably from the original design, as the original plan was a large Christ with a globe in one hand and a cross in the other. Although the project organizers initially accepted the design, it was later changed to the present-day statue, with outstretched arms.

The statue weighs 635 metric tons and sits atop the 700-meter Corcovado Mountain in Tijuca National Park overlooking the city. This statue is the largest Art Deco sculpture in the world. A symbol of Christianity around the world, the statue has also become a cultural icon of both Rio de Janeiro and Brazil and has been declared one of the new 7 wonders of the world.

One of the most beautiful views can be seen from the top of the Corcovado mountain, so you can enjoy the beauty of Rio de Janeiro and spend quality time at this famous viewpoint. Keep in mind that this tourist attraction is the most visited, so it’s always crowded, but that won’t stop you from taking a nice picture to remember. The only cost you have is the cable car ticket that goes directly to the statue.

Escadaria Selarón, locally known as “Lapa Stairs” (Escadaria da Lapa) because it is located in the “Lapa” neighborhood, is a set of world-famous stairs in Rio de Janeiro. These stairs are the work of the Chilean artist Jorge Celarón who did it as a sign of gratitude to the Brazilian people, for accepting him nicely. Almost more than 30 years ago, in 1990 to be exact, Mr. Selaron began renovating the dilapidated steps that ran along the front of his house.

At first, his neighbors mocked him for his choice of colors as he covered the stairs with fragments of blue, green and yellow tiles, the colors found on the Brazilian flag. It all started as a hobby and because of his great love for art and painting, but soon this venture became a real obsession. During the renovation of the stairs, Mr. Selaron ran out of money, so he kept selling his paintings to finance his work. It was a long and exhausting job, but he completed his idea, eventually covering the entire flight of stairs in tiles, ceramics and mirrors.

Running from Calle Joaquim Silva and Calle Pinto Martins, officially known as Calle Manuel Carneiro, the steps extend through the Lapa and Santa Teresa neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro. There are 215 steps 125 meters long that are covered in over 2000 tiles collected from over 60 countries around the world. As soon as one part of the stairs was “finished”, Mr. Selaron started working on another part, constantly changing it so that it is an ever-evolving work of art. Mr. Selaron considered the work “never finished” and claimed that “this crazy and singular dream will only end on the day of his death.”

Initially, the tiles for the works were collected from various construction sites and piles of urban waste found on the streets of the city, but later most of the tiles were donated by visitors from all over the world. Of the over 2,000 tiles, 300 were hand-painted by Selaron depicting a pregnant African woman. Many wondered why she was the muse for his work and on one occasion he stated that it was one of his problems from the past, there is no more information about his work.

Many curious passers-by and tourists admired this creative endeavor of artist Selaron during the day, while during the night hours he guarded the stairs from drunkards and selflessly received compliments for his work. He really loved those steps in front of his house because they were his home. At any time of the day, you could find Mr. Selaron hard at work, beautifying this poor part of town. There are many legends about his death, some say that he was killed by his assistant a young boy who joined him in working on the stairs, while some say that he was killed by a drunkard and that numerous burn marks were found on his body. The body of this artist was found on January 10, 2013 on the stairs in the early hours of the morning.

Today, the Selarón steps have become the second most visited tourist attraction in Rio de Janeiro and I strongly advise you to go there and enjoy the beauty of colors and unusual street art.

In the immediate vicinity of the stairs is the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, better known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro or as the Cathedral of Saint Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro de Janeiro. This religious building is the cathedral of the Catholic Church and the seat of the Archdiocese of São Sebastián. The cathedral houses the cathedral of the Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro. The church is dedicated to Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of Rio de Janeiro.

The cathedral was designed by Edgar de Oliveira da Fonseca in a modern style based on the pyramid style of Mayan architecture. The current cathedral was built between 1964 and 1979 and was replaced as the seat of the Archdiocese. A series of churches have served as cathedrals since 1676, the latest and most significant of which is the Church of Our Lady of Carmel of the Ancient See, now known as the Old Cathedral, built in the 18th century and declared the Cathedral of Rio in the early 19th century.

The new cathedral, as it is sometimes called, is located in the center of the city. It has a conical shape and an internal diameter of 96 meters and an external diameter of 106 meters and a total height of 75 meters. The interior has an area of ​​8,000 square meters and enough 5,000 seats, while it has a standing capacity of 20,000 people. The cathedral’s four rectilinear stained glass windows float 64 meters from floor to ceiling.

The next recommendation is the Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro or Jardim Botanico is located in the district of Jardim Botanico in the southern zone of Rio de Janeiro. The botanical garden shows the diversity of Brazilian and foreign flora. There are about 6,500 species (some endangered) that are spread over an area of ​​54 hectares out of a total of 130 hectares, as well as numerous greenhouses. There are monuments of historical, artistic and archaeological importance in the garden. There is an important research center, which includes the most complete library in the country specializing in botany with over 32,000 volumes.

It was founded in 1808 by the Portuguese king John VI. Originally intended for the acclimatization of spices such as nutmeg, pepper and cinnamon imported from the West Indies, the garden was opened to the public in 1822. The 140-hectare park of the total 350 hectares lies at the foot of the Corcovado mountain, far below the right arm of the statue of Christ the Redeemer, and contains more than 6,000 different species of tropical and subtropical plants and trees, including 900 species of palms. A 750-meter line of 134 palm trees forms the Avenue of Royal Palms leading from the entrance to the gardens. All these palm trees come from one tree, Palma Mater, which was destroyed by lightning long ago. Only about 40% of the park is cultivated, and the rest is the Atlantic Forest that rises up the slopes of Corcovado. The park is protected by Patrimonio Historico e Artistico Nacional, and UNESCO declared it a biosphere reserve in 1992.

The botanical garden has an important research institute, which develops a wide range of botanical studies in Brazil. The Institute has taxonomists who specialize in the identification and conservation of Neotropical flora. The gardens feature collections that include bromeliads, orchids, carnivorous plants and cacti. It includes Brazil’s largest botanical library and collections of dried fruits, rare Brazilian plants and many photographs. The painted cast iron fountain of the Muses was made in Derby, UK and until 1895 was located in Henrique Lage’s villa on Largo da Lapa, as part of a landscape design by the English painter John Tidal.

The park contains 140 species of birds, many of which have become accustomed to humans and are therefore much easier to observe than in the wild. These include the channel-billed toucan, rusty-edged guan and the endangered endemic white-necked hawk. Capuchin monkeys and tufted-eared marmosets are also frequently seen in the botanical garden. Features of interest include the old gunpowder factory, the Victoria Lilies in Lago Frei Leandro, the Japanese Garden and many sculptures and fountains.

Here you can spend a quiet and pleasant afternoon because this is an oasis of nature and peace, and you will also cool off a little since the temperatures in Rio are sometimes quite high.

In the immediate vicinity of the Botanical Garden, there is Parque Henrique Lage, a public park located in the Jardim Botanico neighborhood at the foot of the Corcovado, at the top of which is Christ the Redeemer. The land was previously the residence of industrialist Henrique Lage and his wife, singer Gabrielle Besanzoni. In the 1920s, Lage had the villa remodeled by the Italian architect Mario Vaudret, with interior paintings by Salvador Pajols Sabate.

The National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN) listed Parque Lage on June 14, 1957 as a historical and cultural heritage of the city of Rio de Janeiro. In the 1960s, the land became a public park, with walking trails through the subtropical forest. The Escola de Artes Visuais do Parkue Lage (School of Visual Arts of Parkue Lage) and a cafe open to the public operate from the former mansion.

The villa has been used as a catering house for the British Olympic team and was featured prominently in the 2003 music video for Snoop Dogg’s single “Beautiful”.

The Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading is a Lusophone library and cultural institution, located on Luis de Camoes street, in the center of the city of Rio de Janeiro. It is included in the list of the State Institute for Cultural Heritage. Voted the fourth most beautiful library in the world by TIME magazine, the Cabinet has the largest collection of Portuguese literature outside of Portugal.

This institution was founded in 1837 by a group of forty-three Portuguese immigrants, political refugees, in order to promote culture among the Portuguese community in the then capital of the Empire of Brazil. It was the first association of this community in the city.

The current headquarters building, designed by the Portuguese architect Rafael da Silva e Castro, was built between 1880 and 1887 in the Neo-Manueline style. This architectural style evokes the exuberant Gothic-Renaissance style in effect at the time of the Portuguese discoveries, called Manueline in Portugal because it coincided with the reign of King Manuel (1495–1521).

Emperor Pedro II (1831–1889) laid the foundation stone of the building on June 10, 1880, and his daughter Isabella, Princess Imperial of Brazil, together with her husband, Prince Gaston, Count of Eu, opened it on September 10, 1887.

Rio de Janeiro is Brazil’s primary tourist attraction and resort. It receives the most visitors annually of any city in South America with over 3 million international tourists annually.

Attractions in the city include about 80 kilometers of beaches, the Corcovado and Sugar Loaf mountains, as well as the Maracana Stadium. Rio de Janeiro is an international hub for a very active and diverse nightlife with bars, dance bars and nightclubs that stay open well past midnight. The city is an important global LGBT destination, with one million LGBT tourists visiting each year.

Copacabana Beach, located on the Atlantic coast, stretches from Posto Dois (Lifeguard Watchtower Two) to Posto Seis (Lifeguard Watchtower Six). Leme is in Posto Um (lifeguard tower one). There are historic forts at both ends of Copacabana Beach, Fort Copacabana, built in 1914, is located at the southern end by Posto Seis and Fort Duque de Caquias, built in 1779, at the northern end. There are many hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and residential buildings in the area. On Sundays and holidays, one side of Avenida Atlantica is closed to cars, giving residents and tourists more space for activities along the beach.

Copacabana Beach hosts millions of guests during the annual New Year’s celebrations, and was the official venue of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup for the first three editions of the tournament.

Now we come to the most famous event and the most visited tourist attraction, the true symbol of the city – Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. This festival, which takes place every year before Lent, is considered the largest carnival celebration in the world, with over two million people a day on the streets of the city. The first carnival festival in Rio was held in 1723.

A typical Rio Carnival parade is filled with parties, floats and decorations from the many samba schools located in Rio (approximately more than 200, divided into five leagues/divisions). A samba school is composed of a collaboration of local neighbors who want to attend the carnival together, with some kind of regional, geographic and common origin.

There is a specific order that each school must follow when registering for the parade. Each school starts with the “comissao de frente” (which means “Front Commission”), that is the group of people from the school that appears first. Made up of ten to fifteen people, the comissao de frente represents the school and sets the mood and style of their presentation. These people have choreographed dances in elaborate costumes that usually tell a short story. After the “comissao de frente” is the first float in the samba school, called “abre-alas” (“Opening the wings”). Next come the Mestre-sala and the Porta-Bandeira (“Master of Ceremonies and Flag-Bearer”), with one to four pairs, one active and three reserve, to lead the players, including veterans of the old guard and “ala das baianas”, with a battery of drums at the rear and sometimes a brass section and guitars. This brass section was included in the early 20th century as part of a more diverse musical ensemble that began to be offered at that time.

I will write a separate dedicated blog post about this experience, how I spent my time at the Rio Carnival 2025.

In the next post, I will write about the Copacabana Palace Hotel, which is a representative of classic Brazilian luxury located in a refreshing natural environment. This exceptional Belmond hotel allows you to relax in the heart of Rio de Janeiro, which you should consider if you decide to visit Rio de Janeiro, the most colorful pearl of the South Atlantic Ocean. My dear adventurers, we have come to the end of this first special travelogue in the series of travelogues about Brazil where we had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this unusual country in South America.

Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), EMBRATUR (National Tourism Organization of Brazil) – Visit Brasil, Copacabana Palace Belmond Hotel in cooperation with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of local culture and the beauty of everyday life in Rio de Janeiro. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Brazil.

A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way.

It is an honour to have the opportunity to cooperate with many companies and businessmen in the tourism sector and I would like to thank once again the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) and EMBRATUR (National Tourism Organization of Brazil) – Visit Brasil for this incredible adventure and for allowing me to feel the beauty of this unusual Brazilian culture in a completely different way and to feel the beauty of everyday life in Rio de Janeiro.

How did you like my story about Rio de Janeiro and the presentation of the Brazilian center of entertainment and hedonism that adorns the heart of this unusual country in South America? Have you had the chance to visit Brazil so far?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!

In the following stories from Brazil, we will discover some other interesting sights that you should visit if your journey takes you to this far away country!

With Love from Rio de Janeiro,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), EMBRATUR (National Tourism Organization of Brazil) – Visit Brasil, Copacabana Palace Belmond Hotel and other local partners. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.

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The Marylebone Hotel: A Luxurious Retreat Nestled in the Heart of Central London

Adventure Lifestyle Travel 5 Comments

My dear travellers and all lovers of unusual trips, welcome to the travelogue from the series of posts from London on the Mr.M blog. The month of March was dedicated to the unusual country in the heart of Western Europe and the largest constituent country of the United Kingdom, a country known for its royal family, traditional English breakfast, famous English accent, tea, rain, rain and more rain. At the very beginning of today’s post and review of The Marylebone Hotel, I want to thank you once again for the countless nice messages and emails you sent me with numerous questions both about London and recommendations for the best neighbourhoods in London to stay when you come to visit this amazing British metropolis.

For all those who haven’t read my travelogue from London or maybe you want to remind yourself of some details, visit the following LINK. You can read the Burberry fashion story from London on the following LINK.

London is the main and also the largest city of England and the United Kingdom, therefore it is important to make the right choice of a good location where you will stay during your visit to this extraordinary city.

During every trip, the hotel where we stay is very important to all of us, because the hotel is our home in the new destination and therefore it is very important to choose a good hotel in each destination. During my stay in the capital of England this time, The Marylebone Hotel was my home, adorned with style, comfort and a beautiful atmosphere in the heart of London.

The Marylebone is a 5-star hotel, ideally located in the heart of the English capital, one of the most exciting cities in Europe. This great hotel is just a moment’s walk from bustling Oxford Street and trendy luxury shopping and entertainment districts such as Bond Street, Hyde Park and Soho. Its location in the borough of Marylebone makes it the perfect base for those looking to explore central London, shop or sightsee with ease, while staying in one of London’s most cosmopolitan and stylish areas.

You are used to reading my honest recommendations of the hotels I stay in for years, and since London is a city that holds a special place in my heart, I will try my best to explain why Marylebone is, in my opinion, the best place to choose your hotel for your stay in London. If you want to spend your vacation or business trip in style, in an unusual neighborhood that is adorned with refinement, elegance and a sense of modern chic London and see what a stylish life in London looks like, I think Marylebone part of the city is the right place for you.

This district is located in the west part of London and is known as a beautiful neighborhood full of luxury boutiques and classy restaurants. Whether you are on holiday or taking part in some business activity, the Marylebone district can always offer you many amazing activities and attractions to enjoy during your visit to the English capital.

The streets of Marylebone area are decorated with beautiful Victorian architecture where you can enjoy the beauty of classical architecture and take great pictures to remember and convey to your friends and family the beauty of living in London in such a prestigious location. The main tourist attraction in the area is The Wallace collection, a wonderful museum filled with works of art dating mostly from the eighteenth century. Here you can see an impressive collection of works of art such as paintings, sculptures, furniture, weapons, porcelain and armour.

It’s important to note that the Marylebone area is more expensive compared to some of London’s other great areas in terms of hotel choices, but it’s well worth staying if you want to treat yourself to a luxury holiday and really be in the center of all the unmissable city action.

In this part of London you have a really magnificent and rich offer of hotels, but my final choice was The Marylebone hotel which belongs to The Doyle Collection hotel chain. This hotel is special because of the quality service and because of the special energy and true Londoner vibe and charm that this hotel has remained consistent with since its establishment.

The Doyle Collection is a group of luxury hotels formerly known as Jurys Doyle Hotels. It consists of hotel chains in Ireland, Great Britain and the USA.

In today’s post, you have the opportunity to see The Ethical Silk Company men’s silk pajamas, which are proof that elegance can meet comfort when sleeping in natural ivory with navy details. Made from 100% mulberry silk and tailored in a Fairtrade tailoring unit using environmentally friendly mulberry silk. These pajamas are breathable, lightweight and temperature-regulating for the best possible sleep.

These pajamas feature details such as trouser pockets, French seams, mother-of-pearl buttons and navy detailing. These pajamas are machine washable.

The Ethical Silk Company sleepwear is designed to be relaxed for maximum comfort. Since woven silk doesn’t stretch, if you’re ever in doubt about a size, I recommend choosing a larger sleepwear size to allow for extra wiggle room while you sleep. In this way, you will allow yourself maximum comfort so that you can truly enjoy the beauty and benefits of silk.

This time I have a surprise for all Mr.M blog readers so with this special code MRM10 you can get a discount of 20% and it can be used on the entire The Ethical Silk Company offer except gift cards and eye masks. This code cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or archive sale.

The Marylebone Hotel is known for its superior and quality service and what sets this hotel apart from others is the staff who try and make an extra effort to meet and fulfil all expectations and needs of even the most demanding guests. In this hotel there is a pleasant friendly atmosphere and the staff surprise you with small signs of attention, I can only be grateful and appreciate their effort how many times they just came to my room to leave packages or invitations that I received during my stay in London, while in some other luxury hotels I had to go to the reception desk to get my packages and ask if some of the packages for me arrived.

The vibrant and traditional charm of the Marylebone neighbourhood is reflected in the style and ambience of The Marylebone Hotel. This alluring tone begins in the hotel’s chic lobby and cocktail bar, characterized by inviting angles and the elegance that this hotel exudes. Then there’s the ever-popular 108 Brasserie and Bar, set on the cobblestones of picturesque Marylebone Lane – a lively forum frequented by both locals and guests of The Marylebone Hotel. The elegantly designed guest rooms and suites at The Marylebone Hotel, including the Roof Terrace Suites, represent modern comfort in the heart of London.

During my visit to London, I had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of comfort in a Luxury Suite 1 King Bed. This suite is adorned with a striking corner bay window which is also the centrepiece of this light and airy 44m2 suite, which has a separate living room with luxurious Eames inspired furniture and light wood decor. Other extras include a 55-inch Smart TV, a Bluetooth speaker, and a number of additional special benefits upon arrival at the hotel. I’m one of those people who gets excited about the little things and when I saw an adorable teddy bear with a royal blue The Marylebone T-Shirt, it really won my heart at first sight.

The Marylebone Hotel belongs to The Doyle Collection group of luxury hotels, where guests can always enjoy free access to the exclusive Third Space Health Club, which has a gym and an 18m swimming pool among other modern facilities.

Now we come to the most important item – the meals! Breakfast at The Marylebone Hotel is served in the 108 Brasserie and Bar located within the hotel. In addition to breakfast, you can book brunch, dinner or enjoy fantastic alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, which I had the opportunity to see for myself.

Discover the wonderful brunch experience at The Marylebone Hotel in a special way. I am convinced that you will enjoy the serene atmosphere where every dish is a symphony of flavors, made to touch your palate in a special way. Whether you’re looking for a light morning meal or a hearty midday feast, indulge in a carefully prepared menu with a perfectly complemented selection of drinks. You can always choose one of the tempting options with two or three courses, including a refreshing drink on arrival.

In addition to the rich offer of the self-service Buffet breakfast, you also have the option of an “A la carte” menu where you can choose your favorite meal. I can recommend their egg dishes and numerous omelette options, as well as their excellent Belgian waffles which can be made as a savory option or as a dessert. Friendly staff will always meet you and if you are indecisive they will be there for you to give you the best recommendation and make your experience better.

If you are on a special diet regime, feel free to ask the staff for a meal recommendation and be sure to get the best option for you. What is needed for a good start to the day is positive energy and a cheerful spirit, and the smiling staff will make you feel special and start your day with a dose of positive energy and optimism.

My experience with this hotel was extraordinary and I honestly cannot remember when I had a better quality stay in London, and I have visited this city more times than I have years and each time I fell more and more in love and attached to this city in a special way.

As for 108 Brasserie and Bar‘s fantastic cocktails, I had the opportunity to try their non-alcoholic cocktails and can give you my warm honest recommendations. Regardless of whether you are not a guest of The Marylebone Hotel, if you are passing through and have come for a shopping adventure in Oxford or Bond Street, you can stop by for a refreshing cocktail, brighten your day and celebrate a successful shopping!

I would like to share the important information with pet owners that it is possible to bring your dear four-legged friend to The Marylebone Hotel, so that they can enjoy with you in this luxury pet friendly property in Central London and experience the charms and beauties of London with you!

The Marylebone team will make all guests, furry and otherwise, feel right at home. Check in with your furry companion and you’ll get special access to several pet-friendly perks in addition to a free treat, and maybe two if they’re good.

The hotel’s amenities will provide the high level of comfort your pet needs to feel at home, including food bowls and a comfortable bed and blanket. Do you want to pamper your pet or simply tire him out before bed? The hotel’s ideal location in central London means that special requests can be accommodated with ease. It is important to speak to the reception staff to arrange additional services such as grooming, dog walking and more. Be sure that your pets will enjoy the luxury vacation they really deserve!

What is The Marylebone Hotel‘s pet policy? Although the hotel staff loves all animals regardless of breed and size, the hotel is only equipped for small dogs and cats weighing 10 kg or less, and you as the owner are fully trained and adequately trained to stay with your pet in the hotel. If you are staying with your pet at The Marylebone Hotel, please note that a cleaning fee will be added to your final bill.

If you planning to stay with your pet, it is important to note that it is important to contact the hotel by phone or via their email address before booking accommodation.

My dear travellers, we have come to the end of this special travelogue – a review of The Marylebone Hotel in a series of travelogues about London where we had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of comfort during my stay in the English capital. Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of The Marylebone Hotel and The Doyle Collection in collaboration with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of English local culture and tradition. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from London.

A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to collaborate with many companies and businesses in the tourism sector and I would like to thank The Marylebone Hotel and The Doyle Collection once again for this amazing adventure and for allowing me to experience the beauty of this unusual local English culture and tradition in a completely different way.

How did you like my story about The Marylebone Hotel, which is located in the heart of British metropolis? Have you had a chance to visit London so far?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!

With Love from London,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by The Marylebone Hotel and The Doyle Collection Group. This post represents my personal and honest review of the impression of the destination and the services provided during my stay in London.

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Letter from England: London, The City of Big Dreams

Adventure Travel 6 Comments

My dear travellers and all lovers of unusual trips, welcome to the travelogue from the series of posts from London on the Mr.M blog. The month of March will be dedicated to an unusual country in the heart of Western Europe and the largest constituent country of the United Kingdom, a country known for its royal family, traditional English breakfast, famous English accent, tea, rain, rain and more rain. At the very beginning of today’s travelogue about the capital of England – London, I would recommend you to take your favourite soft or hot drink, snacks or your favourite sweets, relax and enjoy today’s travelogue about the British metropolis where only big dreams are dreamed.

I believe that all travel lovers who have been following my blog for years know about my indescribable love for this European city, which simply cannot be described in words, but I tried to convey at least a part of the atmosphere that reigns in London every day through numerous travelogues on the Mr.M blog. This city is special, it has a million faces, but I am sure that everyone who visits London will definitely fall in love with one of the many faces of this British metropolis and find an additional reason to love this city.

London is a city where absolutely everything is possible and every dream can come true, a city that is so traditional, faithfully maintaining the image of its heritage and tradition, yet so modern and progressive. Many predicted that after Brexit this city would lose its popularity among tourists and that attendance would decrease significantly, but that did not come true, which is why I am extremely glad. In this post, I will try to describe this city to you once again, but also give some useful tips for visiting tourist attractions that I have not mentioned before on my blog.

London is the main and also the largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of almost 9 million inhabitants according to the data from the last census in 2022. An interesting fact is that it is London with its wider metropolitan area that is the largest in Western Europe, with a population of almost 15 million inhabitants. London is located on the River Thames in South East England, almost 80 km from the tidal estuary to the North Sea and this area has been a major settlement for almost 2,000 years. Its ancient core and financial center, the City of London, was founded by the Romans as Londinium and has retained its medieval boundaries.

The City of Westminster, west of the City of London, has been the home of the national government and parliament for centuries. London grew rapidly in the 19th century, becoming the largest city in the world at the time. Since the 19th century, the name “London” has referred to the metropolis around the City of London, historically divided between the counties of Middlesex, Essex, Surrey, Kent and Hertfordshire, which since 1965 largely comprises the administrative area governed by the Greater London Authority (GLA), colloquially known by the metonym of the City of London Borough.

As one of the world’s largest cities, London exerts a powerful influence on the world’s arts, entertainment, fashion, commerce, finance, education, healthcare, media, science, technology, tourism, transportation and communications. Despite the exodus of stock listings from the London Stock Exchange after Brexit, London remains a European economic powerhouse and one of the world’s largest financial centers. It has the largest concentration of higher education institutions in Europe, some of which are the highest-ranking academic institutions in the world: Imperial College London in the natural and applied sciences, the London School of Economics in the social sciences and the comprehensive University College London. It is the most visited city in Europe and has the busiest city airport system in the world. The London Underground is the oldest rapid transit system in the world.

London’s diverse cultures include over 300 languages. Greater London’s 2023 population of just under 10 million made it the third most populous city in Europe, accounting for 14% of the population of the United Kingdom and over 16% of the population of England. The built-up area of ​​Greater London is the fourth most populous in Europe, with around 9.8 million inhabitants as of 2011. The London metropolitan area is the third most populous in Europe, with around 14 million inhabitants as of 2016, making London a megacity.

What is interesting about this city is that four world heritage sites are located in London itself: Kew Gardens; The Tower of London, a site containing the Palace of Westminster, St Margaret’s Church and Westminster Abbey, as well as the historic neighborhood of Greenwich where the Royal Observatory defines the prime meridian (0° longitude) and Greenwich Mean Time. Other landmarks include Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and Trafalgar Square. The city has the most museums, art galleries, libraries and cultural facilities in the UK, including the British Museum, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, Tate Modern, British Library and numerous West End theatres. Important sporting events held in London include the FA Cup Final, the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and the London Marathon. It became the first city to host three Summer Olympics after hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics.

What tourist attractions should you visit if your trip takes you to London? In the previous pictures, you had the opportunity to see the most recognizable symbol of London – Big Ben. Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the Great Clock of Westminster and for the clock tower itself, located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. Originally known simply as the Clock Tower, it was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to mark Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. The clock is a strike clock with five bells.

The Palace of Westminster is the meeting place of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is commonly called the House of Parliament after the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two legislative houses that occupy the building. The palace is one of the centers of political life in the United Kingdom. The word “Westminster” has become a metonym for the British Parliament and the British government, and the Westminster system of government marks the name of the palace. Since 1970, the palace has been a Grade I protected building, and since 1987 it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Royal Horse Guards is a historic building in Westminster, between Whitehall and Horse Guards Parade. It was built in the middle of the 18th century, replacing an earlier building, as barracks and stables for the household cavalry. The current and previous buildings were, between the early 18th century and 1858, the main military headquarters of the British Empire. The Horse Guards originally formed the entrance to Whitehall Palace and later to St James’s Palace; for this reason, it is still solemnly defended by the King’s Life Guard.

Although it is still in military use, part of the building houses The Household Cavalry Museum, which is open to the public. It also functions as a gateway between Whitehall and St James’s Park. It is also a very popular tourist attraction because of the guard soldiers on horses and all the tourists take pictures with the horses and try to pet the horses, this is not recommended because the large number of people makes the animals nervous. My advice to you is to take a picture of the guard on the horse from a safe distance without approaching the horses and continue your tour of the city.

Each morning, the Royal Horse Guards ride from Hyde Park Barracks in Knightsbridge, via Hyde Park Corner, Constitution Hill and the Mall, to take up guard duties in a ceremony at 11:00 on weekdays or 10:00 on Sundays. The Guard is usually provided by the Household Cavalry Regiment, consisting of squadrons from each Household Cavalry regiment, Lifeguards wearing red tunics and white helmet plumes, and Blue and Royal wearing blue tunics and red plumes. However, some other cavalry units from Britain and other Commonwealth realms occasionally post a guard; The Royal Troop, Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Canadian Mounted Police are examples.

When the monarch is in London, the guard consists of one officer and twelve other ranks, including a trumpeter and standard-bearer; known as the Long Watch. When the monarch is not in London, the guard is reduced to two non-commissioned officers and ten soldiers; known as short guard.

The King’s Lifeguard Changing Ceremony takes place on Horse Guards Parade next to the Horse Guards Building. Two guards on horseback guard the entrance to the Horse Guards on Whitehall from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and change every hour. At 16:00 there is a parade with horses and two guards remain on duty until 20:00.

When you are done visiting this tourist attraction, I highly recommend you to visit the most visited park in London – St. James’s Park. This unusual park has a small lake, St. James Park Lake with two islands known as West Island and Duck Island, the latter named after the resident waterfowl that live in the lake. In the late nineteenth century Duck Island was considered a remote enough location for Scotland Yard to establish a bomb disposal facility there; the resident bird keeper was given the responsibility of taking care of the tools kept for dismantling the device. It now houses pumps and water purification machines for the lake and fountains.

A permanent colony of pelicans has been a feature of the park since the Russian ambassador presented them to Charles II in 1664. While most of the birds have their wings clipped, there is a pelican that can be seen flying, occasionally outside the park boundaries. In addition to birds, this is home to numerous other animals, the most famous of which are cute squirrels that cause positive reactions in people. This park is unfairly confused by many tourists with Hyde Park, but they are not the same parks at all and there are no famous swans and squirrels there, but only paths for walking and cycling.

The blue bridge over the lake offers a tree-framed view west towards Buckingham Palace. Looking east, the view includes the Swire Fountain on the north of Duck Island and next to the lake is the Horse Guards Parade Ground, with the Horse Guards, the Old War Office and Whitehall Court behind. South of Duck Island is the Tiffany Fountain on Pelican Rock; and next to the lake is the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with the London Eye, Shell Tower and the Shard beyond. The park has a children’s playground with a large sandpit.

There are numerous signs in the park telling tourists and park visitors that it is not allowed to feed the animals, but 99% of people feed them and the animals are used to it. If you want to make a nice memory and the famous picture with the squirrels in St. James Park, bring a small bag of hazelnuts and arm yourself with patience and be quick, the squirrels are used to the presence of people, but they are not completely tamed. Be considerate of the animals in the park and do not disturb them.

A leisurely stroll through this park takes you to the next very important London landmark, which is the famous Buckingham Palace. This palace is the royal residence in London and the administrative seat of the monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the center of state occasions and royal hospitality. This place has been the focus of the British people in times of national rejoicing and mourning.

Originally known as Buckingham House, the core building of today’s palace was a large town house built for the Duke of Buckingham and Normanby in 1703 on a site that had been privately owned for at least 150 years. It was bought by George III in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte and became known as the Queen’s House. During the 19th century, it was expanded by architects John Nash and Edward Blore, who built three wings around the central courtyard. Buckingham Palace became the London residence of the British monarch upon the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837. Today this palace is a famous tourist attraction of London.

London is an extremely large city and you can walk around the city to visit the tourist attractions, but in that case wear comfortable shoes. If you are not a fan of walking around the city, there is a diverse transportation system consisting of buses and metro lines, my recommendation is the bus – it is cheaper and you can get to know the city in a better way.

Of course, there is also the famous taxi, but trust me their services are overpriced. I’ve taken a taxi in heavy rain a couple of times and you don’t want to know how much their driving bills were.

If you get tired of visiting these attractions, I advise you to use transportation to visit the famous Kensington Palace, which is our next stop. Kensington Palace is a royal residence located in Kensington Gardens in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London. It has served as the residence of the British royal family since the 17th century and is currently the official London residence of several royal families, including the Prince and Princess of Wales – William and Kate Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, and Princess Eugenie, their two sons Jack Brooks and her husband, two sons Jack and Banks. The term “Kensington Palace” is often used as a metonym for the offices of the royal family who reside there.

Today, the State Rooms of Kensington Palace are open to the public and are managed by Historic Royal Palaces, an independent charity that operates without public funding. The offices and private living quarters of the palace remain the responsibility of the Royal Household. In addition, Kensington Palace displays a number of paintings and other artefacts from the Royal Collection.

Here you can also find the Statue of Diana, Princess of Wales located in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace. Commissioned by her two sons Princes William and Harry on the 20th anniversary of her death, the statue was designed and executed by sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley and placed in the newly redesigned Pip Morrison Garden before being unveiled as a memorial to Diana on July 1, 2021, which would have been her 60th birthday.

Kensington Gardens, formerly the private gardens of Kensington Palace, are part of London’s royal parks. The Gardens are shared between the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and are located just west of Hyde Park, in West Central London known as the West End. The gardens cover an area of ​​107 hectares. The open spaces of Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Green Park and St. James’s Park together form an almost continuous “green lung” in the heart of London. Kensington Gardens is listed as High Grade 1 on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.

If you’ve decided to visit Kensington Gardens and Kensington Palace on a Saturday, then let me help you complete your time in the right way! I am taking you to an area of ​​London that became incredibly famous because of a Hollywood production of the same name with an actress who captivates with her appearance, charisma and conquered the world because of her smile – Julia Roberts. I’m taking you to Nothing Hill! This area is located very close to Kensington Gardens, so I think you should not skip a visit to this interesting district.

You must be wondering why I advised the day of the visit to be a Saturday, it is because of the famous street market that is held on Saturdays from morning to afternoon, every Saturday of the month. Then the streets are lively and there are a lot of visitors, so you will have a better memory of Nothing Hill. I tell you this from my experience because I visited Nothing Hill several times on weekdays and there was not a soul on the street, so you don’t get the impression that the neighborhood is visited. This part of the city is lively only on Saturdays and during holidays precisely because of the street market.

To disappoint you right away, you won’t find the famous Nothing Hill bookstore here and there are no blue doors, but you can find interesting pieces of clothing, antiques and various gifts that you didn’t even know you needed in your life.

The main day of the antiques market is Saturday, the only day when all five sections are open: used goods, clothing and accessories, household goods, fruit, vegetables and other food, antiques. Remember Saturday is the ideal time for Portobello Road and the famous market on Nothing Hill which you must not miss.

The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington. It has a capacity of 5,272 seats. Since the hall was opened by Queen Victoria in 1871, the world’s leading artists from many genres of performance have appeared on its stage. It is the venue for the BBC Proms concerts, which have been held there every summer since 1941.

It hosts more than 390 events in the main hall annually, including classical, rock and pop concerts, ballet, opera, film screenings with live orchestral accompaniment, sporting events, award ceremonies, numerous school and community performances and banquets. An additional 400 events are held each year in non-public spaces. During its 153-year history, the hall has hosted people from various walks of life, including meetings held by suffragettes, speeches by Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle and Albert Einstein, fights by Lennox Lewis, exhibition fights by Muhammad Ali and concerts by regulars such as Eric Clapton and Shirley Bassey.

The hall was originally to be called the Central Hall of Arts and Sciences, but was renamed the Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences by Queen Victoria after laying the foundation stone for the hall in 1867, in memory of her husband, Prince Albert, who had died six years earlier. It forms the practical part of the memorial to the Prince, the decorative part being the Albert Memorial directly to the north in Kensington Gardens, now separated from Hall by Kensington Hill.

The Natural History Museum in London is a museum that exhibits a wide range of specimens from different segments of natural history. It is one of the three main museums on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, the others being the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. However, the main frontage of the Natural History Museum is on Cromwell Road. The museum houses life and earth science specimens that include about 80 million items in five main collections: botany, entomology, mineralogy, paleontology and zoology. The museum is a research centre specialising in taxonomy, identification and conservation.

Given the age of the institution, many collections have great historical and scientific value, such as specimens collected by Charles Darwin. The museum is particularly known for its display of dinosaur skeletons and ornate architecture , sometimes referred to as nature’s cathedral, exemplified by the large diplodocus that dominated the vaulted central hall before being replaced in 2017 by a blue whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling. The Library of the Natural History Museum contains an extensive collection of books, journals, manuscripts and works of art related to the work and research of the scientific departments; access to the library is by appointment only. The museum is recognised as an eminent centre of natural history and research in related fields in the world.

Although commonly referred to as the Natural History Museum, it was officially known as the British Museum (Natural History) until 1992, despite legal separation from the British Museum itself in 1963. Originating from the collections within the British Museum, the landmark Alfred Waterhouse building was built and opened until 1881, later incorporating the Geological Museum. The Darwin Center is a recent addition, designed in part as a modern facility to house valuable collections.

Like other publicly funded national museums in the United Kingdom, the Natural History Museum does not charge admission. The museum is an exempt charity and a non-departmental public body under the auspices of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It is important to note that the Princess of Wales is the patron of the museum.

One of the most famous and certainly the most prominent exhibits — nicknamed “Dippy” — is a 32-meter-long replica of the Diplodocus carnegii skeleton that has been on display in the central hall for years. The cast was gifted by the Scottish-American industrialist Andrew Carnegie, after discussions with King Edward VII, then a keen trustee of the British Museum. Carnegie paid £2,000 (equivalent to £272,185 today) for the cast, copying the original held at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. The works were sent to London in 36 crates, and on May 12, 1905, the exhibition was presented with great public and media interest. The actual fossil had yet to be mounted, as the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh was still being built to house it.

As word of Dippy spread, Carnegie paid for additional copies to be made for display in most major European capitals and in Central and South America, making Dippy the most viewed dinosaur skeleton in the world. The dinosaur quickly became an icon of the museum and appeared in many cartoons and other media. After 112 years on display at the museum, the dinosaur replica was removed in early 2017 to be replaced by an actual young blue whale skeleton, a 128-year-old skeleton nicknamed “Hope.” Dippy embarked on a tour of various British museums starting in 2018 and ending in 2020 at Norwich Cathedral.

The skeleton of the blue whale, Hope, that replaced Dippy is another prominent exhibit in the museum. The display of the skeleton, about 25 m long and weighing 4.5 tons, was made possible only in 1934 with the construction of the New Hall of Whales (today it is called the Sisari Gallery (in a separate room where there is a model of a blue whale)). The whale had been in storage for 42 years since it ran aground on sandbars at the mouth of Wexford Harbor in Ireland in March 1891 after being injured by whalers. At that time, it was first exhibited in the Sisari Gallery (blue whale model), but now it takes pride of place in the museum’s Hintze Hall.

Discussion of the idea of ​​a life-size model also began around 1934, and work was conducted in the Hall of Whales itself. Since making a plaster cast of such a large animal was considered prohibitively expensive, models were used to carefully fit the structure together. During construction, workers left an opening in the whale’s stomach, which they would use for stealthy cigarette breaks. Before the door was closed and sealed forever, some coins and a phone book were placed inside – which soon grew into an urban myth that a time capsule remained inside. The works were completed in full in the hall and in front of the public in 1938. At the time, it was the largest such model in the world, with a length of 28 meters. Construction details were later loaned by several American museums, which further expanded the plans. The work involved in removing Dippy and replacing him with Hope was documented in a BBC television special the day before Hope was unveiled to the public.

The Darwin Center is home to Archie, an 8.62m giant squid that was caught alive in a fishing net near the Falkland Islands in 2004. The squid is not on display but is stored in a large tank room in the basement of the building. Special visits are available to the public and they see unexhibited items behind the scenes for a special fee by booking one of several tours that can be found in their daily offer. Upon arrival at the museum, the specimen was immediately frozen and preparations began for its permanent storage. As there are few complete and relatively fresh examples of the species, “wet storage” was chosen, leaving the squid undissected. A 9.45-meter acrylic tank was constructed, and the body was preserved in a mixture of formalin and saline.

The museum houses the remains and bones of the “Thames River Whale”, a northern right whale that lost its way on January 20, 2006 and swam into the Thames. Although it is primarily used for research purposes and is stored in a museum warehouse in Wandsworth. Dinocochlea, one of paleontology’s more enduring mysteries (it was originally thought to be a giant gastropod shell, then a coprolite, and now a concrete worm tunnel), has been part of the collection since its discovery in 1921.

Trafalgar Square is a public square in the City of Westminster, central London, established in the early 19th century around the area formerly known as Charing Cross. The square’s name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, a British naval victory in the Napoleonic Wars over France and Spain that took place on October 21, 1805, off the coast of Cape Trafalgar.

The site around Trafalgar Square has become a significant landmark of London since the 1200s. For centuries, distances measured from Charing Cross served as location markers. The site of today’s square formerly housed an elaborately designed, enclosed courtyard, the King’s Mews. After George IV moved the mews to Buckingham Palace, John Nash restored the area, but progress was slow after his death, and the square was not opened until 1844.

The 52-meter-high Nelson’s Column is guarded by four lion statues in its center. A number of commemorative statues and sculptures occupy the square, but the Fourth Plinth, left empty since 1840, has hosted contemporary art since 1999. Prominent buildings overlooking the square include the National Gallery, St Martin-in-the-Fields, Canada House and South Africa House.

The square has been used for community gatherings and political demonstrations, including Bloody Sunday in 1887, the culmination of the first Aldermaston March, anti-war protests and climate change campaigns. Since 1947, Norway has donated a Christmas tree to the square and it is placed twelve days before and after Christmas. The square is the center of London’s annual New Year celebrations. It was famous for its feral pigeons until their removal in the early 21st century.

Piccadilly Circus is a crossroads and public space in London’s West End in Westminster. It was built in 1819 to connect Regent Street with Piccadilly. The name comes from the Latin word meaning “circle”, is a round open space at a street intersection.

Piccadilly Circus now connects Piccadilly, Regent Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, Haymarket, Coventry Street (onwards to Leicester Square) and Glasshouse Street. It is close to the main shopping and entertainment areas of the West End. Its status as a major traffic intersection has made Piccadilly Circus a busy meeting place and tourist attraction. The circus is particularly notable for its video display and neon signs placed on the corner building on the north side, as well as the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain and the statue of Anteros (popularly thought, though mistakenly, to be of Eros status). It is surrounded by several notable buildings, including the London Pavilion and the Criterion Theatre. Below the square is Piccadilly Circus station, which is part of the London Underground system.

And now I would like to introduce you to a London neighborhood that is particularly dear to me because of its unusualness. Covent Garden is a district of London, on the eastern edge of the West End, between St Martin’s Lane and Drury Lane. It connects to the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist area and to the Royal Opera House, which is itself known as “Covent Garden”. The district is divided by the main thoroughfare Long Acre, to the north of which is given over to independent shops centred around Neal’s Yard and Seven Dials, while to the south is the central square with its street performers and most of the historic buildings, theatres and entertainment venues, including the London Transport Museum and the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

The area was grassland until briefly settled in the 7th century when it became the heart of the Anglo-Saxon trading town of Lundenwick, then abandoned in the late 9th century after which it reverted to grassland. By 1200, this part of the present-day city was enclosed by the abbot of Westminster Abbey for use as arable land and orchards, which were later called the “Abbey and Convent Garden” and later the “Monastery Garden”.

After the dissolution of the monastery, the young King Edward VI granted it in 1552 to John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford, a trusted advisor to his father King Henry VIII. The 4th Earl commissioned Inigo Jones to build some fine houses to attract wealthy tenants to the area. Jones designed the Italianate arcade square along with St. Paul’s Church. The design of the square was new to London and had a significant influence on modern city planning, acting as a prototype for new estates as London grew.

By 1654, a small outdoor fruit and vegetable market had developed on the southern side of the modern square. Gradually, both the market and the surrounding area came into disrepute, as taverns, theaters, taverns and brothels opened. By the 18th century, it had become notorious for its abundance of brothels. An Act of Parliament drawn up to control the area erected a neoclassical building by Charles Fowler in 1830 to cover any current deficiencies and help organize the market.

The market gradually grew and new buildings were added: the Flower Hall, the Charter Market, and in 1904 the Jubilee Market was opened. By the end of the 1960s traffic congestion was causing problems, and in 1974 the market moved to New Covent Garden Market about 5 kilometers south-west at Nine Elms. The central building reopened as a shopping center in 1980 and is now a tourist site containing cafes, pubs, small shops and a small interesting craft market called the Apple Market, along with another market held in the Jubilee Hall.

Chinatown is an ethnic enclave in the City of Westminster in central London, bordering Soho to the north and west, Theaterland to the south and east. The enclave currently occupies an area in and around Gerrard Street. It contains a number of Chinese restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets, souvenir shops and other Chinese businesses. The first Chinatown was located in Limehouse in the East End.

The first area of ​​London known as Chinatown was located in the Limehouse area of ​​East London. In the early 20th century, London’s Chinese population was concentrated in the area, opening up businesses that catered to the Chinese sailors who frequented the Docklands. The area was known for exaggerated reports and stories of slum houses and (then legal) opium dens, rather than the Chinese restaurants and supermarkets of today’s Chinatown. However, much of the area was damaged by aerial bombing during the Blitz in World War II, although a number of elderly Chinese still choose to live in the area. After World War II, however, the growing popularity of Chinese cuisine and the influx of immigrants from Hong Kong led to an increasing number of Chinese restaurants opening elsewhere.

The current Chinatown, located off Shaftesbury Avenue, did not begin to develop until the 1970s. It used to be an ordinary area of ​​Soho, run down, with Gerrard Street as its main thoroughfare. It was dominated by the Post Office, facing Macclesfield Street, and other large establishments were The Tailor & Cutter House, now a Chinese supermarket and restaurant, the Boulogne Restaurant, near the end of Wardour Street, and the Peter Mario Restaurant at the other end. Other businesses included a bakery, the Sari Centre, the Lesgrain French Tavern, Harrison Marks’ Glamor Studio, an Indian restaurant and various brothels. Many assume that the first Chinese restaurants were opened on Lisle Street, parallel to Gerrard Street, and gradually they opened in greater numbers, one of the first restaurants being the Kowloon Restaurant. This area now has more than 80 restaurants.

London is a city that you can explore for years and believe me you will never fully discover it because this city is so big, it is best to just get lost in the streets of London and explore this city when you visit all the main tourist attractions. Trust me, you’d be pleasantly surprised what you’d discover about this city if you let yourself be completely charmed by it.

Since I spent most of my life in London, both because of my sister who trained as a doctor for years in London, this city is well known to me and when I’m in it and I have extra free time, I get on an interesting bus line and take the opportunity to see the city. That’s my strategy for getting to know the parts of London that I haven’t been able to discover, but I leave it up to you to choose your own way of discovering this unusual European metropolis.

When you get tired of sightseeing or just want to enjoy the charms of shopping, London is the center of hedonism for all shopping lovers. You must bear in mind the fact that London is the center of luxury and supreme hedonism and that it is possible to find absolutely everything needed to satisfy the needs of the most demanding clientele. On the other hand, there is also an affordable side of London where people on a budget can enjoy this city. Due to this fact, ie. because of that balancing balance i love this city because it can satisfy everyone’s needs depending on the clientele’s capabilities.

During this visit to London, my home was located in Marylebone, an upscale neighborhood located in central London and part of the West End. Oxford Street forms its southern boundary. The ancient parish, and later the city borough, merged with the boroughs of Westminster and Paddington to form the new City of Westminster in 1965.

The area is also served by numerous tube stations, such as: Baker Street, Bond Street, Edgware Road (Bakerloo Line), Edgware Road (Circle, District and Hammersmith & City Lines), Great Portland Street, Marble Arch, Marylebone, Oxford Circus and Regent’s Park.

During every trip, the hotel where we stay is very important to all of us, because the hotel is our home in the new destination and therefore it is very important to choose a good hotel in each destination. During my stay in the capital of England this time, The Marylebone Hotel was my home, adorned with style, comfort and a beautiful atmosphere in the very heart of London.

The Marylebone is a 5-star hotel, ideally located in the heart of the English capital, one of the most exciting cities in Europe. This great hotel is just a moment’s walk from bustling Oxford Street and trendy luxury shopping and entertainment districts such as Bond Street, Hyde Park and Soho. Its location in the borough of Marylebone makes it the perfect base for those looking to explore central London, shop or sightsee with ease, while staying in one of London’s most cosmopolitan and stylish areas.

The vibrant charm of the Marylebone neighbourhood is reflected in the style and ambience of Marylebone. This alluring tone begins in the hotel’s chic lobby and cocktail bar, characterised by inviting angles and the elegance that this hotel exudes. Then there’s the ever-popular 108 Brasserie and Bar, set on the cobblestones of picturesque Marylebone Lane – a lively forum for locals and visitors alike. The elegantly designed guest rooms and suites at The Marylebone Hotel, including the Roof Terrace Suites, represent modern comfort in the heart of London.

The Marylebone Hotel belongs to The Doyle Collection group of luxury hotels, where guests can always enjoy free access to the exclusive Third Space Health Club, which has a gym and an 18m swimming pool among other modern facilities.

In the next post, I will share with you a review of this hotel, as well as many details about this amazing hotel. I would like to give a special thanks to the staff at The Marylebone Hotel for their warm welcome and hosting me at their hotel. The stay in their hotel was exceptional, a unique experience that I will remember!

My dear travellers, we have come to the end of this first special travelogue in the series of travelogues about London where we had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this British metropolis. Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of The Marylebone Hotel in collaboration with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of English local culture and tradition. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from London.

A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way.

I am honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with many companies and businesses in the tourism sector and I would like to thank The Marylebone Hotel and The Doyle Collection once again for this amazing adventure and for allowing me to experience the beauty of this unusual local English culture and tradition in a completely different way.

How did you like my story about London, the British metropolis and the heart of Western Europe? Have you had a chance to visit London so far?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with a new story!

With Love from London,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by The Marylebone Hotel and The Doyle Collection Group. This post represents my personal and honest review of the impression of the destination and the tourist services provided during my stay in London.

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Letters from Ireland: Dublin, a Remarkable City of Love and History…

Adventure Travel 4 Comments

My dear travellers and all lovers of unusual trips, welcome to the second travelogue in the series of posts from Ireland on the Mr.M blog. The month of February is dedicated to this unusual country in the heart of Western Europe, a country known for its greenest landscapes, St. Patrick’s Day, music, the famous Irish whiskey, but also for its exceptionally high quality wool. At the very beginning of today’s travelogue about the capital of Ireland – Dublin, the most famous city of love and history in Europe, I would like to thank the Enterprise Ireland team for the cordial invitation to the 50th anniversary of the three-day Irish craft fair and the Showcase Ireland fair and for enabling cooperation with Irish fashion brands that you had the opportunity to see in fashion stories from Ireland.

If by some chance you missed reading the previous travelogue post about Showcase Ireland or you want to remind yourself of some interesting things, take the opportunity to visit the following LINK.

Dublin is Ireland’s capital, situated on a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey in the province of Leinster. The town’s southern border runs along the Dublin Mountains, which are part of the Wicklow mountain range. At the latest census, the inner city region had a population of about 600,000, Dublin and its suburbs had a population of around 1,300,000, and County Dublin had a population of 1,500,000, making it the island’s most populous metropolis.

How was Dublin founded? The Gelli settled in the area about the 7th century, followed by the Vikings. The Kingdom of Dublin expanded to become Ireland’s main settlement following the Anglo-Norman conquest of Ireland in the 12th century. Since the 17th century, the city has grown significantly, temporarily becoming the second largest in the British Empire and the sixth largest in Western Europe following the 1800 Act of Union. After obtaining independence in 1922, Dublin became the capital of the Irish Free State, which was renamed Ireland in 1937. As of 2018, the Globalisation and World Cities Research Network classified the city as a global metropolis, with a “Alpha Minus” classification that placed it among the top thirty cities in the world.

Dublin’s historic center is surrounded by the Royal Canal and the Grand Canal, bounded to the west by Houston train station and Phoenix Park, and to the east by the IFSC and Docklands. O’Connell Street is a major thoroughfare in the city center and many Dublin bus lines, as well as the Luas Green Line, stop at O’Connell Street. The main shopping streets in the inner city include Henry Street on the north side and Grafton Street on the south side.

Dublin has many landmarks and monuments dating back hundreds of years. One of the oldest is Dublin Castle, which was first established as a great defensive work by order of King John of England in 1204, shortly after the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169, when he ordered to build a castle with strong walls and good moats for the defense of the city, the administration of justice and the protection of the king. Largely completed by 1230, the castle was of typical Norman courtyard design, with a central square without a tower, bounded on all sides by high defensive walls and protected at each corner by a circular tower. Located south-east of Norman Dublin, the castle formed one corner of the outer perimeter of the city, using the River Poddle as a natural means of defence.

One of the most prominent sights of Dublin is the Dublin Tower, officially called the “Monument of Light”. It is a 121 meter conical tower, made of stainless steel, completed in 2003 and located on O’Connell Street, where it meets Henry Street and North Earl Street. It replaced Nelson’s Column and is intended to mark Dublin’s place in the 21st century. The tower was designed by Ian Ritchie Architects, who sought “Elegant and dynamic simplicity that bridges art and technology”. The base of the monument is illuminated and the top is illuminated to act as a beacon in the night sky across the city.

The old library of Trinity College Dublin, which houses the Book of Kells, is one of the most visited sites in the city. The Book of Kells is an illustrated manuscript made by Irish monks around 800 AD. Ha’penny Bridge, an iron footbridge over the River Liffey, is one of Dublin’s most photographed landmarks and is considered one of Dublin’s most iconic landmarks.

Other landmarks and monuments include Christ Church Cathedral and St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Mansion House, the statue of Molly Malone, the complex of buildings around Leinster House including part of the National Museum of Ireland and the National Library of Ireland, the Custom House and Arras an Uachtarain. Other landmarks include the monument to Anna Livia. Pulbeg Towers are also a landmark of Dublin and can be seen from various places around the city.

Interestingly, there are 302 parks and 66 green spaces in the Dublin City Council area as of 2018. Public parks include Phoenix Park, Herbert Park, St Stephen’s Green, Saint Anne’s Park and Bull Island. The Phoenix Park is about 3 kilometers west of the city centre, north of the River Liffey.

Its 16-kilometer perimeter wall covers 707 hectares, making it one of the largest walled city parks in Europe. It includes large areas of lawns and rows of trees, and since the 17th century it has been home to herds of wild fallow deer. The residence of the President of Ireland, which was built in 1751, is located in the park. The park is also home to Dublin Zoo, Ashtown Castle and the official residence of the United States Ambassador. Music concerts are sometimes held in this park.

St Stephen’s Green park is close to one of Dublin’s main shopping streets, Grafton Street, and the shopping center named after it, while the surrounding streets are home to the offices of numerous public authorities.

St Anne’s Park is a public park and recreation facility shared by Raheny and Clontarf, both suburbs on the north side. The park is Dublin’s second largest municipal park, part of a former 2 square kilometer estate that was put together by members of the Guinness family, starting with Benjamin Lee Guinness in 1835. The largest municipal park is located near (northern) Bull Island, which is also shared between Clonley Dolly Beach, not far from Ramount.

Which sights should not be missed if you are visiting Dublin? Trinity College is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the Irish capital, due to the unusual treasures housed in the Old Library, built by Thomas Burgh between 1712 and 1732. The main reason for the large number of tourists is the famous Book of Kells, an amazing, illuminated manuscript of the four gospels of the New Testament, which were written around 800 AD. created by monks on the Scottish island of Iona, but even more stunning is the 65-meter long room, the main chamber of the library, which houses about 200,000 volumes of the oldest library.

Dublin Castle (Dublin Castle), this castle has been the stronghold of British power in Ireland for over 700 years, beginning with the Anglo-Norman fortress commissioned by King John in 1204. Only the Record Tower, which was built in 1258, remains of the original structure, while most of what you can see today was built from the 18th century onwards, but believe me, parts of this castle are still impressive.

Christ Church Cathedral is a magnificent cathedral that was originally designed to be seen from the river, make the effort to walk up to it, to really see its grandeur up to and to truly admire the beauty and grandeur of this religious edifice. The cathedral dates back to 1038, when Sitrich, the Danish king of Dublin, built the first wooden Christ Church here. A little later, in 1171, the original base was expanded in the shape of a cross and rebuilt in stone under the leadership of the Norman warrior Strongbow.

You might think that this is a bit of an unusual tourist recommendation, but if you have time, you must visit Glasnevin Cemetery. Gravestones in Ireland’s largest and most historically important cemetery where you can read like a who’s who of Irish history as most of the leading names of the past 150 years are buried here, including Daniel O’Connell and Charles Stuart Parnell. The cemetery was established in 1832 by O’Connell as a cemetery for people of all faiths – a high-minded response to the refusal of Protestant cemeteries to bury Catholics. There are a lot of organized themed tours of this cemetery so ask around and learn more about Irish history.

During the trip, the hotel where we stay is very important to all of us, because the hotel is our home in the new destination and therefore it is very important to choose a good hotel in each destination. During my stay in the capital of Ireland, my hotel Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence was my home, which is decorated with modern style, comfort and a beautiful atmosphere in the old in the immediate surroundings of the park in the heart of Herbert Park.

Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence is set in a tranquil park in the center of Dublin, this hotel acts as a peaceful and spacious oasis dedicated to providing a luxurious, relaxing city break imbued with high quality hospitality and a thoughtful personal touch.

During my visit to Showcase Ireland, I had the opportunity to stay in a park view studio apartment with a balcony. For those who want to extend their stay and enjoy the hotel a little more, Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence is pleased to offer exclusive Studio Apartments with a balcony that have a magnificent view of the park. Within this distinguished category, this hotel has a select number of Studio Suites, each offering unparalleled views of tranquil Herbert Park.

These studio apartments redefine luxury living, seamlessly blending the comfort of a superior hotel experience with the convenience of a fully equipped kitchenette, ensuring that every moment of your stay is filled with enjoyment and comfort. Perfect for holidaymakers and business guests looking to stay a little longer, the apartments have an integrated kitchen, lounge and dining area, as well as all the amenities you’d expect from a luxury hotel. The Park Residence at the Herbert Park Hotel is the perfect choice for guests looking for both short and long term accommodation in Dublin.

Today I want to introduce you to a truly exceptional Irish brand with a passionate story behind it. This is a story of celebrating true craftsmanship, ethical production, sustainable natural fabrics and the desire to bring each of these together into beautiful, modern and timeless collections of cruelty-free silk sleepwear for men and women, as well as famous award-winning pillowcases.

The Ethical Silk Company is a brand that began its journey in the lush and colorful country of Ireland, brought to life in the hands of Dubliner and wife founder Eva. As a girl, Eva was inspired by her mother’s numerous beauty rituals that she did every day before going to bed with a silk scarf around her pillowcase to protect her skin and hair, and she continued this as an adult when she lovingly founded The Ethical Silk Company, in order to show the world the benefits of sleeping on silk!

The Ethical Silk Company brand, with a lot of hard work and creativity, has undergone a transformation into the much-loved brand it is today. The brand led by a group of 5 business women, Banke (CEO of the company), Fritha (Director for Europe), Margaret (Director for UK), Sade (Director for North America) and Shola (Director for Ireland), who took over from Eva, are now fighting with full force for ethical and slow fashion!

Despite their different stages of life, this team of five fantastic women has many passions that bind them together as one business family. They strive to be uncompromisingly committed to ethical production and fair practices because they firmly believe that everyone should be fairly rewarded for their work and skills, and should be treated with respect. Of course, there is also a love for natural, sustainable fabrics where no animals have suffered in the production process that has as little impact on our planet as possible.

A simple and transparent supply chain. The team of this brand knows their suppliers very well, they build a solid and reliable relationship and during these years they visit them regularly, so they are also considered an extended part of this business family. What’s most important is a deep appreciation of generational, expert craftsmanship and beautiful, high-quality tailoring and merging these into modern, elegant and timeless fashion collections for men and women.

Plus the beauty of hand block printing with each piece being unique and telling its own story. The Ethical Silk Company family is in love with what they do! They never sit still in the world of slow fashion. The future is eco fashion and they are proud that the brand’s Ethical Silk Company clients can have peace of mind knowing that they are not only enjoying the timeless elegance of the men’s and women’s collections, but are supporting the cycle of sustainability and social responsibility, making a statement that luxury and ethics can coexist beautifully.

In today’s post, you have the opportunity to see The Ethical Silk Company men’s silk pajamas, which are proof that elegance can meet comfort when sleeping in natural ivory with navy details. Made from 100% mulberry silk and tailored in a Fairtrade tailoring unit using environmentally friendly mulberry silk. These pajamas are breathable, lightweight and temperature-regulating for the best possible sleep.

These pajamas feature details such as trouser pockets, French seams, mother-of-pearl buttons and navy detailing. These pajamas are machine washable.

The Ethical Silk Company sleepwear is designed to be relaxed for maximum comfort. Since woven silk doesn’t stretch, if you’re ever in doubt about a size, I recommend choosing a larger sleepwear size to allow for extra wiggle room while you sleep. In this way, you will allow yourself maximum comfort so that you can truly enjoy the beauty and benefits of silk.

This time I have a surprise for all Mr.M blog readers so with this special code MRM10 you can get a discount of 20% and it can be used on the entire The Ethical Silk Company offer except gift cards and eye masks. This code cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or archive sale.

I would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence for their warm welcome and hosting me in their hotel. The stay in their hotel was exceptional, a unique experience that I will remember!

My dear travellers, we have come to the end of this second special travelogue in the series of travelogues about Ireland where we had the opportunity to get to know the capital of Ireland – Dublin and to share with you some interesting tourist attractions that you should visit if your trip leads you to Ireland.

Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of Enterprise Ireland and Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence in collaboration with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of local culture and the beauty of everyday life in Ireland. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Ireland.

A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to work with many companies and entrepreneurs in different sectors and I would like to thank Enterprise Ireland and Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence once again for this amazing Showcase Ireland adventure and for allowing me to experience in a very different way I feel the beauty of this unusual Irish culture and I feel the beauty of everyday life in Dublin and Ireland in general.

How did you like my story about Ireland and the presentation of the capital of Ireland – Dublin? Have you had a chance to visit Ireland yet?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with a new story!

With Love from Dublin,,

Mr. M

This post is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence as well as other local partners. This post represents my personal and honest review of the event experience and the destination itself.

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Letters from Ireland: Discover the Cliffs of Moher with Black Tie Chauffeur

Adventure Travel 5 Comments

My dear travellers and all lovers of unusual trips, welcome to the first travelogue in a series of posts from Ireland on the Mr.M blog. The month of February is dedicated to this unusual country in the heart of Western Europe, a country known for its greenest landscapes, St. Patrick’s Day, music, the famous Irish whiskey, but also for its exceptionally high quality wool. At the very beginning of today’s travelogue about the Cliffs of Moher, the most famous natural Irish beauty that everyone wants to visit when visiting this extraordinary country, I would like to thank the Enterprise Ireland team for the warm invitation to the 50th anniversary of the three-day Irish craft fair and Showcase Ireland and for making it possible to collaborate with Irish fashion brands that you have had the opportunity to see in fashion stories from Ireland.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Black Tie Chauffeur, a Dublin company that provides chauffeured passenger services. This company enabled me to visit the Cliffs of Moher, which are among the most beautiful and impressive natural sights in Ireland. Today I will introduce you in more detail to the service of a private driver with whom you can quickly and with a high level of comfort enjoy the natural sights of Ireland – the Cliffs of Moher.

With the selfless help of all the mentioned partners, the fashion stories and travelogues from Ireland were created, which you had the opportunity to read this January and February, and I sincerely hope that you enjoyed this adventure. Today I will introduce you to the mysterious and magnificent natural beauty of Ireland.

If by some chance you missed reading the previous travelogue post about Showcase Ireland or you want to remind yourself of some interesting facts, take the opportunity to visit the following LINK.

You can also read some of the fashion stories created on the Cliffs of Moher:

Black Tie Chauffeur, one of the leading companies providing luxury transportation services in Dublin. Established in 2017, dedicated to providing unparalleled elegance and professionalism to both business and leisure travelers throughout Ireland. Black Tie Chauffeur offers an exceptional fleet of luxury vehicles to ensure a refined and comfortable travel experience.

The Black Tie Chauffeur fleet includes the Mercedes E-Class, which redefines its category by raising the bar for luxury and distinctiveness. While for those seeking unparalleled luxury, the long-wheelbase Mercedes S-Class LWB sets new standards for the ultimate private driver experience. In addition to these vehicles, Black Tie Chauffeur’s fleet also includes the Mercedes V-Class XLWB, which offers generous space and impressive passenger capacity, making it ideal for group travel without compromising on luxury. Whether you are traveling for business or want to complement your leisure time in Ireland, Black Tie Chauffeur’s meticulously maintained vehicles and professional drivers guarantee a journey that will fill your trip with elegance and comfort.

What services does Black Tie Chauffeur provide?

  • Airport Transfers: their expert chauffeurs provide modern and reliable transport, with access to all airports for complete comfort. Their team of drivers always understand the importance of luggage, ensuring a smooth journey.
  • Corporate Chauffeur Services: When you travel for business, your transportation is crucial. That’s why Black Tie Chauffeur offers chauffeur services throughout Ireland, which can be tailored to suit all needs.
  • Private Chauffeur Tours of Ireland: The perfect way to explore the natural beauty of Ireland is by car, as you can enjoy the picturesque scenery that way. You can have your own private tour with Black Tie Chauffeurs, and their drivers are experienced in taking you through every sightseeing spot in Dublin or anywhere else throughout Ireland.
  • Golf Tours: Black Tie Chauffeur offers premium chauffeured golf tours throughout Ireland, providing luxury transport to the country’s most famous golf courses. Whether you’re playing at Ballybunion, Royal County Down, Lahinch or Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, their professional drivers ensure a seamless, first-class experience. With spacious, top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz V-Classes with an extra long wheelbase for your comfort, they cater to golfers looking for comfort, reliability and true VIP service.
  • Chauffeur services for weddings and other special occasions: Black Tie Chauffeur is here to make your special wedding day perfect and memorable. Their professional drivers are ready to help you with everything from getting you there on time to ensuring a smooth departure for your honeymoon.

Black Tie Chauffeur Company has won many accolades and awards, which is why they are proud to be recognised as one of the best private chauffeur service companies in Dublin. Rest assured that when you choose Black Tie Chauffeur, you are choosing excellence and quality that is second to none. Experience the difference with Black Tie Chauffeur, where your journey is service at the highest level.

If you want to book Black Tie Chauffeur services, you can do so on their official website at Blacktiechauffeur.ie and thus book the best service for your trip.

Their quality of services has been recognized by clients of exclusive profiles such as US Bank, Elavon, Hudson Advisors, Navantia and many others.

My adventure in Ireland was amazing and I can give you a warm and sincere recommendation for the exceptional service I received from Black Tie Chauffeur, so it’s best to keep this post in mind and save it in case you plan to visit Ireland.

The Cliffs of Moher are sea cliffs located on the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, Ireland. They occupy an area of ​​about 14 kilometers. At their southern end, they rise 120 meters above the Atlantic Ocean at Hag’s Head, while in the north, they reach their maximum height of 214 meters north of O’Brien’s Tower, a round stone tower built near the midpoint of these cliffs. The nearest settlements in the Cliffs of Moher region are the villages of Liscannor and Doolin.

From the cliffs and from the top of the tower, visitors can see the Aran Islands in Galway Bay, the Maumturks and Twelve Pins mountain ranges to the north in County Galway and Loop Head to the south. The Rocks are among the most visited tourist sites in Ireland, with almost 2 million visitors a year.

You’re probably wondering how these unusual cliffs that have become Ireland’s most famous tourist attraction today got their name? The Cliffs of Moher take their name from an old headland fortress called Motar or Moher, which once stood on Hag’s Head, the southernmost point of the Cliffs of Moher coast, now on the site of the Tower of Moher. Writer Thomas Johnson Westrop named it in 1905 as Moher Ui Ruis or Moher Ui Ruidin. The fort was still standing in 1780 and is mentioned in John Lloyd’s A Short Tour of Clare. It was demolished in 1808 to provide material for a lookout/telegraph tower which was intended to provide warning in the event of a French invasion during the Napoleonic Wars.

The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most popular tourist destinations and topped the list of attractions in 2006 when they welcomed almost one million visitors to the official visitor centre. With additional visitors elsewhere, there are about 2 million a year. According to the latest report in 2022, about 1.5 million visited the Cliffs of Moher, with 41% of visitors coming from the US. Since 2011, they have formed part of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark, one of a family of geotourism destinations across Europe that are members of the European Geoparks Network and also recognized by UNESCO. The rocks are also a “signature point” on the official Wild Atlantic Way tourist trail.

While the cliffs can be accessed from several points, and there are 18 kilometers of trails, most visitors come to the official visitor center.

The official Cliffs of Moher Coastal Path is 18km long, from Hag’s Head to Doolin, passing the Visitor Center and O’Brien’s Tower.

There are two trails near the visitor center, the official trail is set back a bit for safety, while the unofficial trail is located closer to the edge. In July 2016, the so-called footpath, off the official Cliffs of Moher trails, was temporarily closed due to the risk of rockfall. People are warned to stay on the official path away from the cliff edge instead of the unofficial path along the sea. Incidents of injuries and even fatalities from visitors who strayed from the trail continued to be a problem despite signage and other prevention initiatives. In February 2025 the coastal footpath was closed due to these safety concerns.

Special ferry trips also allow tourists to see the cliffs from sea level, and at certain times fixed-wing aircraft from Connemara Airport also provide an opportunity to view the Cliffs of Moher.

The rocks of the Cliffs of Moher mainly consist of deposits of Namur shale and sandstone, and the oldest rocks are at the bottom of the cliffs. At the time of their formation between 313 and 326 million years ago, the river dumped sand, silt and clay into the ancient sea basin. Over millions of years, the sediments that collected at the mouth of this ancient delta were compacted and lithified into sedimentary layers preserved in the now exposed cliffs. The area is considered a geological laboratory that preserves the record of deep-water deltaic deposits. Individual layers vary in thickness from just a few centimeters to several meters, each representing a distinct depositional event in the delta’s history. In total, up to 200 meters of sedimentary rock is exposed in the Cliffs of Moher. Trace fossils are abundant, consisting of two main types: scolicia or worm tracks, which are interpreted as feeding tracks left by as-yet-unidentified invertebrates, and burrow marks, which are circular features preserved as casts of burrows once occupied by yet-to-be-identified marine crenia. Traces of undulations have been preserved on some stones.

Today, the cliffs are subject to erosion due to wave action, which undermines the foundation of the support, causing the cliff to collapse under its own weight. This process creates various coastal landforms characteristic of erosive coasts, such as sea caves, sea deposits and sea stumps. Branaunmore, the 67m high sea cliff at the base of the Cliffs of Moher below O’Brien’s Tower, was once part of the cliffs, but coastal erosion has gradually removed the layers of rock that connected it to the mainland. A large sea arch can also be seen at Hag’s Head below Napoleon’s Signal Tower and many smaller sea arches can be seen from sea level. It is possible to see 300-million-year-old river channels cutting through, creating unconformities at the base of the cliffs.

At the height of the season, it is estimated that around 30,000 pairs of birds, representing more than 20 species, live on the cliffs. These include Atlantic puffins, which live in large colonies on isolated cliffs and on tiny Goat Island, and razorbills. This place is an important area for birds.

A wide range of marine life can also be seen, from gray seals to harbor porpoises, dolphins, minke whales and sharks, as well as, occasionally, sunfish. Wild goats, foxes, badgers and Irish hare are found on land, as well as various breeds of farm cattle.

The Cliffs of Moher have been featured in numerous media. In cinemas, the cliffs have appeared in several films, including The Princess Bride (1987) (as a filming location for “The Cliffs of Insanity”), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) (as a filming location for the scene where Harry Potter and Professor Dumbledore search for the Horcrux) (2010) and Irish Wish (2024). The rocks are mentioned in Martin Scorsese’s film Bringing Out the Dead (1999) and featured in the 2008 documentary Waveriders as the location of a large surfing wave known as the “Aileens”.

In music, the cliffs have been the setting for music videos, including Maroon 5’s “Runway,” Westlife’s “My Love,” and Rich Mullins’ “The Color Green.” In 1999, most of the ashes of singer Dusty Springfield were scattered on the cliffs by her brother Tom. There is also an Irish fiddle tune called The Cliffs of Moher.

The new Cliffs of Moher 2040 strategy programme, this strategy is being prepared on behalf of Clare County Council by a multi-disciplinary team of international consultants, with guidance from a Steering Group of representatives from local authorities, the Cliffs of Moher Experience, Fáilte Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, private industry and the wider community. Extensive consultation has also been carried out with elected members, the tourism and hospitality sector and the local community over the past three years.

The Cliffs of Moher 2040 draft strategy provides a long-term vision for the sustainable development of attracting world-class visitors over the next 20 years, while extending economic benefits across the region.

Strategic opportunities for the future development of the Cliffs of Moher

  • To position the Cliffs of Moher as a major world-class destination through the development of improved relationships and links with the Burren, the Wild Atlantic Way and the wider hinterland. Use the iconic Cliffs of Moher as a magnet to attract as many visitors as possible across the county.
  • Achieve increased economic benefit from all visitors (coach/group visitors and fully independent travelers) and spread these benefits across the county and region.
  • Encouraging visitors to stay longer.
  • Increase the number of overnight stays, and therefore income and employment in the region
  • Greater cross promotion
  • Increase opportunities for local businesses
  • Develop a sustainable county-wide transportation system to provide sustainable access to the COM site and beyond.
  • Provide remote parking hubs and a shuttle system for visitors, a magical journey to the edge and a real sense of arrival.
  • Help in improving the quality of life of the local population

The Burren is a karst/glaciokarst landscape centered on County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland. It is about 530 square kilometers, within a circle made up of the villages of Lisdoonvarna, Corofin, Gort and Kinvara. The area includes natural features such as Mullamore Hill and the Ayladi Cliffs, as well as historical monuments such as Poulnabrone Dolmen and Caherconnell Stone Fort. The Burren National Park covers a small part of the Burren and is the smallest of Ireland’s eight national parks, while the adjacent territory, including the Cliffs of Moher, is included in the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark.

Although the name is generally applied to the limestone uplands of north-west Clare and the adjacent lowlands, and generally excludes the Clare Shale area in the south-west, the exact extent of the area is not clearly defined, and geologically it extends into County Galway in both the north and north-east. The south east pocket of County Galway around Kinvara is usually included and is the base for many Burren organisations. The Burren is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Galway Bay, and the Aran Islands are a geological continuation of the limestone hills that make up most of the Burren.

According to one definition, the Burren extends south to a line from the seaside resort of Lahinch to Corofin, and is bounded on the east by a line roughly from Kinvara to the monastery of Kilmacdoo, near Gort. Note that taken literally, this would include places such as the town of Ennistymon and the Cliffs of Moher, which would more often be considered neighbors of the Burren. In another definition, the agriculture-focused “Program Buren” defines a region that extends deep into the Gort Plain, encompassing the South Park, while it would extend to Cooleugh Park, among others, and Turkey. Ruan and Crusheen, and in the south-west to the edge of Doolin, as well as the routines of Lisdoonvarna, Kilfenora and Corofin.

The size of the Burren thus stated varies between about 250 square kilometers (basic area of ​​exposed limestone), over 360 square kilometers (taking in all limestone landscapes) and 560 square kilometers, depending on the approach of 7 square kilometers (depending on the land approach). Approximately 60% of the plateau has exposed limestone pavement.

In the next travelogue, I will write about the capital of Ireland, Dublin, which many say is unusual and special. My dear travellers, we have come to the end of this first special travelogue in the series of travelogues about Ireland where we had the opportunity to enjoy the Cliffs of Moher, which are the most famous tourist attraction. Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of Black Tie Chauffeur in collaboration with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of Irish local culture and tradition. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Ireland.

A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to collaborate with many companies and businesses in the tourism industry and I would like to thank Black Tie Chauffeur once again for this incredible adventure and for allowing me to experience the beauty of this unusual Irish culture and tradition in a completely different way.

How did you like my story about the Cliffs of Moher, a site that adorns this unusual country in the heart of Western Europe? Have you had a chance to visit Ireland yet?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!

In the following stories from Ireland, we will discover some other interesting sights that you should visit if your journey takes you to this unusual country!

With Love from Ireland,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland, Black Tie Chauffeur and Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence. This post represents my personal and honest review of the impression of the destination and the tourist services provided during my stay in Ireland.

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Letters from Ecuador: Hotel del Parque, a Luxurious Oasis of Peace in the Heart of Guayaquil…

Adventure Travel 4 Comments

My dear travelers and lovers of unusual journeys, welcome to the new series of travelogues on the Mr.M blog. November and December were dedicated to an unusual country in the heart of South America, a country known for the best quality cocoa, bananas and coffee – Ecuador. The time has come to say goodbye to this unusual destination and this will be the last travelogue in the series of travelogues about Ecuador. Good news for fashion story lovers that there are a few fashion stories left from Ecuador, so you can expect them throughout this month on the Mr.M blog.

At the very beginning of today’s travelogue, I would like to thank Hotel del Parque and PRO ECUADOR, as well as other partners who selflessly supported my adventure in South America. With their help, the travelogues from Ecuador and fashion stories that you had the opportunity to read this November and December were created, and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the new adventure.

If by any chance you missed reading the previous travelogue and fashion stories from Ecuador or you want to remind yourself of some interesting things, take the opportunity to visit the following links:

  1. Letters from Ecuador: Quito, a city coloured by the art and architecture of the Baroque…(Travelogue)
  2. Sannino Napoli: Discover true Italian craftsmanship with timeless and unique style…(Fashion Story)
  3. Letters from Ecuador: Quito, the pearl of South America in the middle of the world…(Travelogue)
  4. Brett Johnson: Fashion for the modern man with refined and refined taste… (Fashion Story)
  5. Letters from Ecuador: Cuenca, the Vibrant Charming Colonial Gem of South America…(Travelogue)
  6. Appella: Unique Watches that Combine Classic Design and Swiss Functionality… (Fashion Story)
  7. Letters from Ecuador: Ingapirca, Gualaceo and Chordeleg, Explore The Beauty of Andean Culture… (Travelogue)
  8. Brett Johnson: The American Touch of Iconic Elegance… (Fashion Story)
  9. Letter from Ecuador: Guayaquil, The Most Colourful Pearl of the Pacific (Travelogue)

In the previous travelogue, you had the opportunity to get to know Guayaquil, the most colorful pearl of the Pacific, and today you will have the opportunity to get to know the luxurious natural oasis of peace located in the very heart of Guayaquil – Hotel del Parque. This facility is more than a hotel in itself, the location and the interesting history of this place is reason enough if you decide to travel to far and exotic places and experience the beauty of Guayaquil and Ecuador, you should really visit this hotel, as well as the zoo which is located within this complex. It is important to note that Hotel del Parque is part of Hoteles Oro Verde, a 100% Ecuadorian hotel chain.

Hotel del Parque represents an unusual blend of history and elegance, resulting in an unforgettable living experience. This tropical oasis trapped in time, perfectly located in the neighborhood of Samborondon, is the ideal place to start your Ecuadorian adventure in Guayaquil. This impressive historic building from the 19th century offers a pleasant atmosphere of sophistication and timeless elegance. The hotel is equipped with refined Ecuadorian furniture, impressive marble bathrooms, free wireless internet, mini-bar, air conditioning and many other services that will make your stay more comfortable.

During your stay at Hotel del Parque, you can dine on fresh seafood at the luxurious Casa Julian restaurant on the riverfront. You can also enjoy a massage or beauty treatments in a unique setting within the bell tower, with wooden beams from the original, recently restored, Gothic chapel. Enhance your experience with chocolate tasting, coffee roasting and various walks in a stunning tropical setting.

Can you imagine waking up to the cheerful song of parrots and the call of monkeys floating in the treetops. Hotel del Parque is located in the Historic Park of Guayaquil, a tropical oasis trapped in time, a place where palm fronds and exotic flowers sway in the breeze from the Daula River.

The history of Hotel del Parque is a history made up of kindness and hospitality. The building originally provided shelter for the homeless, elderly and disabled. Today, carefully transported, piece by piece, from its original site in 1891, carefully renovated and placed in the Guayaquil Historical Park, it remains an example of a sanctuary, surrounded by the peace of the natural world. It was previously known as Hospicio Corazon de Jesus. The estate was built in 1891 by the oldest charitable institution in Guayaquil. It would be the first hospice in the city, and its founders, Manuel Galesio and his wife, Mrs. Jesús Pereira, said it should shelter only the homeless, elderly or disabled.

A building condemned for demolition in the 1980s, the property was purchased by the Central Bank of Ecuador and moved, piece by piece, to its current location in the Historical Park. There, the building was meticulously restored along with three other buildings from this heritage. The staff of the Hotel del Parque undertook the renovation of the facade, transforming it, with great care and persistence, from an old structure into the luxury property of today. Designer Julio Vinueza was inspired by the estate’s republican architecture to create sophisticated interiors.

The Green Globe has recognised Hotel del Parque as one of the world’s sustainable hotels. This outstanding five-star hotel, one of the first of its kind in Ecuador and South America, aims to fulfil the requirements of being a sustainable tourism establishment that is acknowledged both domestically and globally.

By adhering to the Green Globe standard, which comprises more than 380 compliance indicators and 44 fundamental criteria, Hotel del Parque sets the bar high for luxury sustainability. As a result, visitors may anticipate opulent comfort and unforgettable experiences without having to worry about the exploitation of valuable sociocultural or natural resources. Almost every aspect of the hospitality industry is touched by Green Globe’s extensive sustainability program, which pays close attention to every little detail. Design and building, food and health, company management, guest pleasure, communication, ethics, and more are all part of long-term sustainability initiatives.

As part of Green Globe’s environmental initiatives, the eco-friendly Hotel del Parque is home to Casa Julian, one of Guayaquil’s top restaurants. This restaurant quickly ascended to popularity thanks to its innovative sustainable food methods and imaginative culinary design. One important metric for the hotel’s Relais & Chateaux rating from a few years ago is its gourmet food. However, Casa Julian is no longer alone itself; the Hotel del Parque now has two more top-notch restaurants.

The most well-known historical landmark in Guayaquil is the Hotel del Parque, and its greatest green space serves as a magnificent tribute to gastronomic excellence. Indulge your senses and enjoy the culinary enchantment of Casa Julian’s wonderful meals beneath the branches of the magnificent Parque Historico. Here, luxury and comfort coexist together, modernism and antiquity are merged, and traditional flavours are tastefully combined with contemporary culinary appeal.

Experience the rich flavors of Ecuadorian cuisine crafted by the talented chef Javier Urrutia, a true innovator in traditional cooking. Hailing from Ecuador, this culinary expert honed his skills at the Institute of Higher Culinary Arts, learning from renowned Guayaquil chefs Diego Hermosa and Juan Jose Moran. With a strong foundation in gourmet cooking and a commitment to sustainable practices, each dish by Javier Urrutia promises authenticity and leaves a lasting impression.

My experience at Casa Julian during my recent stay at Hotel del Parque was quite remarkable, offering a fresh and unique perspective. The restaurant’s interpretation of traditional Ecuadorian dishes is outstanding, allowing me to fully appreciate the enchanting atmosphere through all my senses.

The breakfast at El Jardin, which has replaced the previous breakfast terrace and is tucked away in the hotel’s exotic inner courtyard, was what made my stay at the Hotel del Parque interesting. Today, the room serves the fabled breakfast, and in the late afternoon, the aromas of Italian cooking fill the gardens.

With its main course, House Pasta, which includes traditional dishes like garganelli, tortellini, spaghetti, or farfalle and is served with a glass of house wine, El Jardin’s small menu mimics a dinner at home. Rich treats like tomato carpaccio with cheese in a balsamic reduction sauce or cantaloupe with cured ham infused with Campari are examples of antipasto. Classics like panna cotta or fruit-and-herb sherbets are complemented by dreamy Italian desserts.

The Hotel del Parque features 44 guest rooms spread across two floors, all furnished with Ecuadorian-made furniture that is both contemporary and vintage. Gray and yellow tones honor the building’s historic beginnings while blending in with the lush tropical surroundings.

The Deluxe Double, Deluxe King, Signature King, Junior Suite, and Park Suite are the five categories into which all of the rooms fall. Each of these categories offers visitors an opulent degree of service along with unique extras that make their stay at this storied hotel one to remember.

I had the chance to stay in the Signature King and Park Suite room categories during my six-day stay at the Hotel del Parque.

With a private room with a double bed, a separate living and dining area, a small pantry kitchen, and four large windows overlooking the main historic park, the Hotel del Parque Park Suite is a spacious 170 square meter suite that epitomizes luxury hedonism in Ecuadorian bliss. With views of the tropical gardens, the master bathroom features a sophisticated freestanding bathtub. In South America, this kind of lodging offers a new standard of comfort and luxury.

The lavish marble slab bathrooms in every room only serve to highlight the sophistication and beauty of this unique structure on the banks of the Daula River. While on vacation in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s pearl of the Pacific, the Park apartment’s bathroom is spacious and specially designed to provide you with great comfort and a pleasant time to yourself.

I’d like to now take you on a tour of some of the Parque Historico’s fascinating locations and the people who live there. Nestled within Parque Historico’s botanical gardens, Hotel del Parque appears to be a world away from the bustle of the city. With its restored 19th-century homes, varied ecosystems, and frequent cultural events on the banks of the Daula River, this exotic, intimate paradise offers you the chance to explore.

On more than three hectares, there are natural areas that produce three distinct ecosystems that are home to aromatic and therapeutic plants. The wildlife sanctuary serves as a natural habitat for a variety of exotic animals, including endangered giant harpy eagles, spider monkeys, iguanas, and crocodiles. Away from the bustle of the city, I heartily recommend a visit to this park and zoo, which serves as a haven for many stray animals that have made this place their home.

The animals are content and roam freely throughout the zoo because this is a kingdom of peace and nature. Don’t be shocked if a giant iguana blocks your path or a large parrot or exotic bird lands on your shoulder.

My dear travelers, we have come to the end of this sixth and also the last special travelogue in the series of travelogues about Ecuador where we had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this unusual country in South America and get to know the paradise on earth that in Guayaquil proudly bears the name Hotel del Parque. Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of PRO ECUADOR and Hotel del Parque in collaboration with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of the local culture and the beauty of everyday life in Guayaquil. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Ecuador.

A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to collaborate with many companies and businesses in the tourism sector and I would like to thank PRO ECUADOR and Hotel del Parque once again for this amazing adventure and for allowing me to feel the beauty of this unusual place in a completely different way Ecuadorian culture and feel the beauty of everyday life in Guayaquil.

How did you like my story about Ecuador and the presentation of Hotel del Parque? Have you had the chance to visit Ecuador so far?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!

With Love from Guayaquil,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by PRO ECUADOR, Hotel del Parque and other local partners. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.

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