As I was reading about the impeccable personality of Carol I, ruler of Romania from 1866 to 1914 and ruler of the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen dynasty (Swabian branch of the Hohenzollern dynasty), I couldn’t help from wanting to find out more about the roots of such human essence.

Hohenzollern Castle, located about 50 kilometers south of Stuttgart is considered the ancestral seat of the Hohenzollern family, which emerged in the Middle Ages. Its history is tumultuous: it was completely destroyed and rebuilt twice until Engineer-Officer Moritz Karl Ernst von Prittwitz gave it the Gothic-Revival style look we see today. Its chambers were not permanently inhabited, but rather used as galleries for the numerous historical artifacts belonging to the Hohenzollern family.

Visiting the Hohenzollern Castle is possible by reaching station Hechingen (1 hour by train from Stuttgart). After that, you can take a bus to the Hohenzollern parking lot and then hike 20 minutes to the top. As Emperor William II stated, “The view from up here is truly worth a voyage.” St. Michel chapel (the oldest part of the complex) and the inner courtyard offer great opportunities for photographers. The castle is open daily (except Christmas) and you can check out more practical visiting information here. Admission fee for visiting the entire castle complex: € 10.00.

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Off to see the world? Here are seven destination that will feed your appetite for charming and original architecture along the way. From Yemen to China, prepare to get a glimpse of the world’s most creative small towns and villages ever built.

1. Alberobello, Puglia Region, Italy

Alberobello is inhabited by 11,000 lucky Italians and is famous for its unique 14th century Trulli huts. The Trulli of Alberobello are part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites list since 1996.  Modest and lovely looking, the trulli are built using roughly worked limestone boulders collected from neighboring fields. They have pyramidal, domed or conical roofs developed by using corbeled limestone slabs. Most of the unusual homes are currently used as accommodation or gathering places (restaurants, cafés).

2. Al Hajjerah, Yemen

Al Hajjerah is an unusual town in Yemen and one of the most impressive settlements in the Arabian Peninsula due to its unique architecture and isolated position. With a population of 2000 people, it is located 40 km northwest of Yemen’s capital Sana’a, up in the Haraz Mountains at an altitude of 1850 m. These innovative multi-story constructions were built in the 16th century to serve as a strategic observation point, as the wild environment was considered proper for rejecting invaders. Although most of Al Hajjerah’s buildings have been around for hundreds of years, the city’s architecture seems very modern and innovative when it comes to engineering. The unusual dwellings lie suspended on the cliffs like they are at the point of collapsing, of disappearing into the gap.

Unfortunately, traveling to Yemen is strongly discouraged due to a state of severe political crisis, as well as a very high threat of terrorist attacks, abductions, tribal violence and general lawlessness.

3. Monsanto, Portugal

The Portuguese countryside offers many pleasant surprises to the wandering traveler. Monsanto is an incredible, architecturally delicious village where you can see granite houses squeezed between giant boulders. While in Monsanto, be sure take your camera along the narrow, spectacular streets and hike to the top of the 400 feet high hill, where you will discover the old castle.

4. Setenil, Spain

Traveling to Setenil de las Bodegas in Spain may prove to be a real adventure for those suffering from symptoms of claustrophobia. Located in the scenic province of Cádiz, Spain, the unusual village was creatively built using local stone as construction material. Walking through Setenil is like a never ending discovery. Get to observe the ruined Moorish castle and the nearby church of the Encarnación; enjoy discovering the narrow streets in this compact, cliff-enclosed town.

5. Chuxi Village, Fujian, China

Chuxi Tulou cluster is a part of Chuxi Village, located in Yongding County, scattered in the mountainous southeastern region of Fujian province, China. Known for  its imposing earthen buidings called “tulou”, Chuxi was inscribed in 2008 as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Fujian tulou has its architectural influences from the Chinese traditional houses which are  “closed outside, open inside”. This architecture principle is represented by an enclosure wall with living quarters around the peripheral areas and a common courtyard at the center of the tulou. Some of the buildings have a small construction inside the courtyard that serves as an ancestral hall for worshiping, festivals, meetings, weddings, funerals and other ceremonial functions. Jijinglou, the largest round tulou, was built in 1419 during the Ming dinasty and consists of two concentric rings: the outer ring is a four-storey tall buiding with a number of 53 rooms per level and the inner ring is a one-storey bilding.

The Chuxi Tulou is representative for the Hakka culture and unlike other housing types which reflect social hierarchy, Fujian Tulou exhibits its unique characteristic as a model of community housing, where all the inhabitants are equal. When they built the tulou, Hakka people decided to create  all rooms of the same size, with the same materials, without any differences in decorations, windows and doors. If you happen to travel to Fujian, visit a tulou, stay at a Hakka family- they will be happy to have you in their homes. In Chinese, the name “hakka” means “guest families”.

6. Göreme, Cappadocia, Turkey

Göreme, located among rock formations known as “fairy chimney”, is a town in the historical region of Cappadocia,  in Central Anatolia, Turkey. Hidden labyrinths and lunar landscapes are just two of the features that could describe the unworldly Göreme, a town that is “hiding” centuries of unwritten history, created by lava layers deposited over time and consisting of caves, tunnels and underground settlements.

It is said that being present here is a memorable experience due to the fact that the settlement is not only composed of unique, imposing towers of stone carved by time and excavated by men, but also the visitor’s journey through historic time, ancestral, with strong religious significance. The origins of this town date from the third century, during the Roman period, when Christianity was the prevailing religion in Cappadocia, which is revealed by numerous well preserved churches and chapels in Byzantine style.

The historical setting of Göreme, the rock-hewn churches and the massive eroded landforms combine in such unusual way that unveils an astonishing cultural and natural patrimony that made Cappadocia region a world icon.

7. Kandovan, Iran

Kandovan is an extraordinary ancient village in the province of East Azarbaijan, near the city of  Tabriz, Iran. With its at least 800 years existence, this remarkable place is inhabited by 670 people and offers scenic landscapes. With homes carved inside rocks, some of them 700 years old, the Kandovan village is said to have been partially formed by volcanic remains from a strong Mount Sahand eruptions hundreds of years ago.

The most interesting aspect about these “houses” is the fact that the rock acts as an energy efficient material, keeping the house cool during summer and warm during winter. This is why most of the inhabitants here do not use heaters or air conditioning systems. It takes ten months for four people to dig a room in Kandovan. The intriguing architecture of this village, with its incredible slopes and irreverent paths, seems to defy all rules .

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Portmeirion, located in North Wales, Great Britain, is a distinctive village not just because of its remote position or secluded way of life, but due to its architecture innovation as well.

Born from an unrestrained wish to bring history and beauty back home, Portmeirion is the “result” of the creative mind (and generous financing) of architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, who created a new space from memory sketches of unforgettable places he had visited.

Sir Clough Williams-Ellis was so impressed by villages on the Italian Mediterranean shores, especially Portofino, that he decided to create his own Italian renaissance style village back in the North Wales, on the estuary of the River Dwyryd. When he was asked about the Italian architecture in his daring project, the architect replied in a warm voice: “How should I not have fallen for Portofino? Indeed its image remained with me as an almost perfect example of the man-made adornment and use of an exquisite site.”

The Portmeirion Village was built between 1925 and1975 and is now run by a charitable trust with the aim to preserve its architecture, important sculptures and vast gardens. Contrary to all belief, this is not a residential village; instead, it runs as a tourist attraction, welcoming day guests (admission is £7.50) and hotel residents, using the village’s many cottages as special accommodation.

Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion’s designer, denied repeated claims that the design was based on the town of Portofino, Italy. He stated only that he wanted to pay tribute to the atmosphere of the Mediterranean.

A stay in Portmeirion will cost you from 79GBP (per person, low season) to 299GBP (high season, in Castell Penthouse Suite). You can check out several accommodation options for 2013 here.

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Traveling to Setenil de las Bodegas in Spain may prove to be a real adventure for those suffering from symptoms of claustrophobia. Located in the scenic province of Cádiz, Spain, the unusual village was creatively built using local stone as construction material.

Setenil lies along the river gorge of Rio Trejo, with which it developed some sort of fascinating symbiosis. The villagers used the rock overhangs as walls or partially developed homes, building their dwellings around them. This way, the natural shapes of the gorge are preserved, the environmental intervention being reduced to a minimum. Walking through Setenil is like a never ending discovery. Get to observe the ruined Moorish castle and the nearby church of the Encarnación; enjoy discovering the narrow streets in this compact, cliff-enclosed town. The tourism center is also accommodated in a scenic building with a Moorish wooden ceiling.

The bars and restaurants here are ranked as the best in the entire region, mostly due to their unique atmosphere. What you have here is a vibrant place, filled with roaring motorbikes and lively conversation, especially during the spring and summer week-ends. You can find picturesque cafes carved in rock on a small street just off the Plaza de Andalucía. And if you do happen to visit Setenil de las Bodegas, feel free to leave a comment below and tell us how it went!

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Verdi’s A Masked Ball, produced in 1999. Photograph by BENNO HAGLEITNER

Even though the Bregenz Festival is held in five different locations throughout the city, Seebühne (the floating stage) on Lake Constance is the most popular of them all. In the staging process, the lake and its shores are the grounds for innovative decors and fantastic light shows.

Stage inspired by The Death of Marat, an iconic painting by Jacques-Louis David. Envisioned for the staging of André Chénier. Photograph by Bregenzer Festspiele / KARL FORSTER

The seat capacity for the plays on Lake Constance is around 6800 (according to Twisted Sifter), making this a perfect setting for lovers of the opera worldwide. We only read positive reviews written by the visitors in Bregenz who attended one or more spectacles. The atmosphere is said to be unique and the artistic quality of the show unparalleled. Some people even talk about the ferries in the background, which add even more dynamics to the grand decor. Tickets for the opera plays taking place in July-August 2013 can be purchased here, with prices ranging from 40 to 120Euros. Enjoy the photos!

Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème
Photograph by KARL FORSTER

A new era for the Festival was ushered in by the triumphant success of The Magic Flute on the Lake.Photograph by KARL FORSTER

Beethoven’s Fidelio directed by David Pountney; Photograph by KARL FORSTER

Verdi’s monumental desert opera Aida on the waters of the Constance Lake; Photograph by Bregenzer Festspiele / andereart

In 2003, the Bregenz Festival staged Leonard Bernstein’s hit musical West Side Story Photograph by BENNO HAGLEITNER / VISION fotografie

Giacomo Puccini’s opera thriller Tosca, staged in 2007/2008; production by Philipp Himmelmann

George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess,

Over 300,000 people saw Verdi’s Nabucco on the Lake in the summer of ’93 and ’94.

Carmen | 1991-1992. Photograph by KARL FORSTER

Giuseppe Verdi’s Il Trovatore

Opera on the Lake 1989/91 The Flying Dutchman
Photograph by KARL FORSTER

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As if a giant man was trapped in the desert of Atacama in South America, the surreal Mano de Desierto (Hand of the Desert) seems to reach out from the sand in the shape of an impressive stone sculpture. The unusual landmark is located conveniently on the Panamerican Highway, where it proudly stands 11 meter tall in a strange “hello” shape.

The Hand of the Desert was envisioned and implemented by the Chilean sculptor Mario Irarrázabal. The project’s impressive size is supposedly inspired by human vulnerability and helplessness. You can visit the monument by taking Route 26 or Route 28 from the city of Antofagasta (port in Northern Chile), both which lead to Route 5, where the sculpture is located. Bring your camera along, the contrast of the sand and sky in the region is said to be unique.

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Designed by Turkish artist Mehmet Ali Uysal. this unusual clothespin sculpture which adorns the Chaudfontaine park in the outskirts of Liege, Belgium was especially implemented as part of the Festival of the Five Seasons in 2010. The giant “clipper” appears to be holding on tightly to a mold of land and grass, its original appearance attracting the attention and curiosity of cyclists and various travelers passing by.

As enthusiastic as we are about land art and every single form of urban expression, this unusual wooden structure found on Atlas Obscura made our day. We love the way it blends in the landscape, no matter what the season and we also appreciate the element of surprise its presence brings to the park. We would love to read some of your thoughts on the installation as well.

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These terraces built largely by hand are considered by the Philippines to be the “Eighth Wonder of the World” . It is simply fascinating that the locals still plant rice and vegetables on the terraces.

The rice fields are located at 1500 meters altitude and cover 10,360 square kilometers of mountainside. The ancestors of Ifugao people used an unique and efficient irrigation system which brings water from the rain forests above the terraces to feed the “suspended lands”.

In an attempt to conserve this unique mankind wonder, UNESCO subscribed the Banaue Rice Terraces in 2001 to the List of World Heritage in Danger, due to the “blending of the socio-cultural, economic, religious, and political environment” threatened by extinction in time if people don’t start acting responsible.

In the last few years, tourism has developed in the are, offering activities for visitors which include the traditional sightseeing of the Banaue Rice Terraces and visits to the tribes at the foot of the terraces. A special attraction is considered the Mumbaki , a traditional Ifugao witch doctor that performs spiritual healing rituals.

Getting there

The trip from Manila takes about 9 hours and air-conditioned buses have daily trips straight to Banaue. There are many terminals from where you can get the bus, but it is more indicated to visit the airport’s info desk and get the right information. During the trip to Ifugao, the bus will pass through the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, and the sights won’t be few.

Accommodation around Banaue shouldn’t be a problem, as you are likely to find several inns in town and other lodging houses at reasonable rates. You can also search for private houses where you can stay for a lesser charge.

You will find more information about the rice fields here.

Pictures and information via 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12=

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Because “Tourism on the Edge” strives to come up with information that is both practical and thrilling, for today we’ve decided to concentrate on the “unusual traveling” part of the blog and I put together a few small, but important conclusions of my last (and yet only) trip to Milan several months ago.

As you probably all know, Milan is considered to be the business heart of Italy, a place of fashion and hard working, money making… but this is not of our concern.

In today’s post we will talk about the emotional side of Milan and the things one can do or visit in order to gain a little vitality.

So here it is, A Subjective Hitchhiker’s Guide to Milan:

Practical tourist details:

• there are plain connections from almost all major cities in the world, so booking a flight is easy
• once you get to the airport- Bergamo in my case, don’t take a cab unless you are Bill Gates. Otherwise, take a shuttle bust. It will cost you 7,5 Euros ’till Centrale Station in Milan
• Getting around is easy with a subway 1 day pass- 3 Euros.
• You can ask around for a free map of the city at any paper stand
• there are plenty of ATMs available, but cash is good also
• spring-summer is the best time to visit (April- September)
• get many sandwiches from home, Milan is one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Contrary to all beliefs, Milan is a relatively small city and getting from one point of interest to another is very easy by subway.

Things to see:

I asked a friend before going to Milan what is there to visit and his reply was :”Well, basically you take left and get to the Dome”. Stunning as it may be, the Dome is not the only “special place” in Milan.

For the arts fans and not only. Santa Maria delle Grazie is a beautiful church to visit and a must see. Inside, there are a few impressive sanctuaries, each enriched with paintings dating back centuries. It’s a great place for meditation and also the home of Da Vinci’s “Last Supper”. I was not able to see the painting due to the fact that reservations are made with weeks in advance. There is more information on this here.

Milan has some wonderful parks- we even ran into some beautiful lakes with complementary cute ducks. Discovering them is a real treat.

But as this post goes out to all of you hitchhikers out there, my main advice could only be “walk your heart out”. This is a very peaceful city and strolling through the semi-empty streets feel really nice. Biking is also very common in Milan. Here are some typical images of the city streets:

Of course, Milan has some impressive art galleries and exhibits all year long that are worth visiting.

Last, but not least, here are some pictures- not too commercial I hope- of the main points of attraction:

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele: “The architect Mengoni was responsible for refurbishing piazza Duomo in the mid 19th century, and he also designed the sumptuous covered arcade, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, that has always been the traditional meeting-place for an informal business discussion, socializing, or just watching the people of Milan go by. At the time (1865-78), the use of iron and glass for the roof was innovative, even daring (the Eiffel tower would be built in 1889): the concept of a covered arcade with shops on the ground floor, offices and apartments on upper floors, was also new at the time, and would be copied, for example in Naples and in Moscow.”- info via

And finally, we take right and get to the Dome

I believe there were so many said to evoke its beauty and amazing architecture, that I will just let you check out a few more photos adding just that seeing is live is totally worth it.

This is the short and non-commercial version of visiting the city. If you have any other tips or practical advice, please leave a comment.

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As we were stating in a previous article, Africa always has so much to offer whether it is the fauna, the landscapes or a huge variety of cultures and traditions. Many of the people outside the cities or the modern life often choose to live after ancient laws, keeping their devotion to the tribe. The Maasai people are a perfect example for understanding the special connection between humans and nature.

The Maasai (also called Masai) are a Nilotic ethnic group of semi-nomadic people located in Kenya and northern Tanzania. Due to their distinctive customs, dress and residence near the many game parks of East Africa, they are among the most well known of African ethnic groups.

Maasai society is strongly patriarchal in nature with elder men, sometimes joined by retired elders, deciding most major matters for each Maasai group. The central human figure in the Maasai religious system is the laibon (ritual leader) who may be involved in: shamanistic healing, divination and prophecy, ensuring success in war or adequate rainfall. A particularity of their culture is the initiation of the young people in their long journey to become warriors and reliable men of the tribe.

Music and dance

Maasai music traditionally consists of rhythms provided by a chorus of vocalists singing harmonies while a song leader, or olaranyani, sings the melody. Women chant lullabies, humming songs, and songs praising their sons. Both singing and dancing sometimes occur around ceremonies and involve flirting. Young men will form a line and chant rhythmically “Oooooh-yah”, girls stand in front of the men and make the same pelvis lunges while singing a high dying fall of “Oiiiyo..yo” in counterpoint to the men.

The Maasai dance is called adamu (“the jumping dance”) and is performed when a circle is formed by the warriors, and one or two at a time will enter the center to begin jumping while maintaining a narrow posture, never letting their heels touch the ground. Members of the group may raise the pitch of their voices based on the height of the jump. (information from Wikipedia)

photo by Dmitri Markine

The Maasai are usually very friendly with travelers; at times they dance and sing to welcome visitors.

Pictures via 1,2,3,4,5,6,7

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