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Monday, December 12, 2011

The most beautiful opera houses in the world

Opera de Monte Carlo
Located in the principality of Monaco, the Opera de Monte Carlo was opened in 1879. Designed the magnificent and extravagantly, the opera house was recently renovated. Over 80,000 gold leaves were applied to paintings and moldings, a five-ton chandelier has been entirely rebuilt. As it seats only 524, it is often difficult to get tickets. This the only opera house in the world to feature exterior views (thanks to the windows overlooking the Mediterranean) from within the concert space.

Teatro di San Carlo
Located in Naples, this is the oldest opera in Europe that has never closed the door. Opened on 4 November 1737 and then it was the largest in the world with its 3300 seats. Teatro di San Carlo is included in World Heritage by UNESCO.

The Mariinsky Theatre
Opened in 1860, this is pre-eminent theater is located in St. Petersburg, Russia. Named after Empress Maria Alexandrovna, wife of Tsar Alexander II and there is a bust of the Empress in the main entrance foyer. The building was severely damaged during the 900-day Siege of Leningrad, but later restored in 1944. With its marvelous 1,625-seat auditorium it is one of the greatest world class music theatres.

Bavarian State Opera
Built in 1818, Bavarian State Opera is located in Munich and features an impressive exterior and a magnificent interior. Destroyed in World War II it was moved to another place and built in its original form. Re-opened in 1963, the State Opera seats 2,100 people. Today the opera is among the most famous in the world.

Teatro Amazonas
This opera is in the heart of Manaus, deep in the Amazon rain forest of Brazil. Opera House was constructed during the Belle Epoque – the era of rubber that makes Manaus one of the most prosperous cities on the continent. The dome of the opera is covered with 60,000 ceramic tiles imported from France and currently has 701 seats

Romanian Athenaeum
This concert hall is one of the most beautiful buildings in Bucharest. It was built in 1888 in neoclassical style by architect Albert Galeron and considered as one of the architectonical jewellery of Romania. The auditorium (28, 50 m in diameter and 16 m high) having a special acoustics, seats 600 in the stalls and another 52 in loge seating.

Haji Lane, Singapore

Haji Lane is a small-scale shopping in Singapore‘s hidden retail destination. Singapore has enormous, glittering shopping malls in and around Orchard Street which are wall-to-wall major-brand retailers, the stuff of a shopaholic’s dream. Anyway for those seeking something more intimate, the indie boutiques on Haji Lane are far from the roaming mall rats. Beautiful boutiques showcase rising Singaporean designers, as well as other designers from Asia and beyond, lining a narrow, backstreet of the tranquil Kampong Glam area – also known as the Arab district.

Don’t miss stores on the second floors of the charming shophouses; look out for mysterious flights of stairs through doorways at street level because you might just find find a new little world at the top of them. United Label is a wonderful shop, a womenswear brand by a Thai designer living in Singapore, as well as a selection of adorable stationery culled from around Asia. Near the entryway a staircase leads to a floor stocked with clothes from different labels. There are a few racks of items that have been majorly discounted, while others are dedicated to items like delicate, screen-printed tees.

At one end of Haji Lane is Soon Lee (no. 73), which stocks a mix of chic womenswear, accessories and lifestyle items from Hong Kong, Korea and even the Philippines. The boutique’s size (basically two shophouses combined into one) gives way to a large selection for browsing. Balancing out the shopping element, a few cafes and rest stops provide a place for breaks. A Thousand Tales (no. 55) is an all-in-one art gallery, cafe, bar, restaurant and furniture complex. While the menu next door at Bar Stories (no. 57A) sells drinks like mojitos and caipirinhas, visitors are invited to ask the bartender to make something special for them. The Scandinavian-inspired furniture is used as seating for patrons, who can buy it right there if they like it enough.

Pluck (no. 31/33) focuses more on housewares, but the cafe inside offers a revolving selection of homemade ice cream in a variety of flavors. The standouts are the Asian-inspired flavors, such as green tea with red beans or cashew-infused yogurt. There are also flavors made with alcohol, like the refreshing lychee martini.

Museum aan de Stroom

The MAS is an impressive building with a museum, among other things. Because it is also the visible storage, the museum square with Luc Tuymans’ mosaic, the boulevard, the rooftop panorama, etc. The MAS is a total experience. Nowdays, Antwerp has its own iconic piece of museum architecture and it’s poised to make the medieval Flemish town a global destination. The Museum aan de Stroom opened last weekend to an estimated 100,000 visitors, including the Belgian royal family.

The MAS brings together the collections from the former Etnografisch Museum, the Nationaal Scheepvaartmuseum and the Volkskundemuseum. They are given a new home in the MAS along with part of the Vleeshuis Museum collection and the Paul and Dora Janssen-Arts collection. The collections are spread over four floors and are not displayed side by side. The pieces are connected through a dynamic scenography on the different floors. They don’t just impart information. They tell stories, they endure, they are actors in an ever-changing play.

Once Antwerp was a harbor village with a massive port more than seven times the size of its commercial center. In the 1600s, the city was the seat of the Dutch superpower, establishing the nation’s merchant status for centuries to come. Today, Antwerp belongs to Belgium and it’s still a city defined by its watery borders. And it’s there, just off the River Scheldt between the historic city center and the up-and-coming industrial neighborhood het Eilandje, that the MAS Museum steps into its starring role.

With this museum, Antwerp got a a striking ten-story monolith of stacked boxes in alternating red Indian limestone and undulating glass. The architects, Neutelings Riedijk from Rotterdam, rotated each level 90 degrees, allowing the escalators to ascend around the perimeter of the museum. The effect is a moving viewing platform affording wraparound views of the city, from the Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady to the domed Centraal Station to the grittier docklands and warehouses in the immediate vicinity of MAS.

The birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus

One of the oldest cities in Poland, the medieval town is the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus. In 1997 the history center of the city was designated a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site and the Old Town was added to the list of Seven Wonders of Poland.

Archaeologists have discovered that the first settlers in the area were over 1100 BC. In 1230 Teutonic Knights built a castle on the site. In 1263, Franciscan monks settled in the city, and after them, and Dominicans. As you can see, the town is very attractive. Torun has the largest number of preserved Gothic houses in Poland. The most interesting monuments are: The Cathedral of SS. John the Evangelist and John the Baptist, The Old Town Hall, begun in 1274, City fortifications, begun in the 13th century, Ruins of 13th-century Teutonic Knights’ castle, and many more.

Mas Des Retrouvailles

Mas des Retrouvailles is a lovely six bedroom villa located in the French village of Cereste.

The village of Céreste is situated high in the Luberon mountains at the heart of the Great Luberon National Park. The village is crossed by the Via Domitia, which was built by the Romans to link Rome to Spain.

The area offers much in the way of historical interest as well as activities including hiking, horse riding, cycling and rock climbing. The St. Michel Observatory is 15 kilometres away, from which there are magnificent views over Provence to Haute Provence, Mont Ventoux and the Verdon and Oppedette gorges.

Le Grand Jas

With its south-facing terrace olooking to the infinity swimming pool, newly landscaped grounds and five spacious ensuite bedrooms, all of them air-conditioned, Le Grand Jas is perfect for a group of couples who desire a residence of great comfort and character from which to explore Provence and its many culinary and historic treasures.

Vue Sur La Baie De

A charming small, 3 bedroom villa situated on an exclusive estate high in the hills with superb views across the countryside to the Bay of Cannes,France.

The villa is very elegantly decorated in cool blues and whites with many works of art and wonderful antiques, making it unsuitable for young children.

First Floor One twin bedded room and one double room with king size bed, sharing a shower room.

Cannes Sea View

This 6th floor apartment is perfectly situated on the Croisette,Cannes,Nice .It is only a 5 minute walk from the Palais des Festivals and with amazing sea views.

It is ideal for a couple who want to relax in Cannes without having to use their car; for a corporate trip where colleagues need a central location in which to stay for a meeting; or for one of the many “Congres” held in Cannes. It is also perfect for hosting a cocktail or dinner party.

This apartment is very adaptable to sleep different groups of people so do not hesitate to ask and we will arrange it to suit your requirements.

Mas De L’Esperance

Mas de l’Esperance is a magnificent newly built vacation house in France,Avignon.It is made with a stone façade and pale blue shutters.

It is situated close to the very pretty villages of Le Paradou and Maussane-les-Alpilles in the heart of the Les Alpilles region. The historic hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence is also just a short drive away. With several pedestrian footpaths starting from the house, it is a perfect location for walkers, and also for golfers, being close to golf courses at Mouries and Les Baux.

Access is via a tree-lined driveway and an electronic security gate into the grounds of the property. The garden is filled with pine and olive trees, fruit trees, and rock gardens, as well as a 15 x 5m swimming pool, with step access. There is also a boules court and four bicycles.

Mas St. Pierre

This newlyl restored and decorated villa is lotaed in the countryside between Avignon and Tarascon, France.

Dating from the 18th century, the traditional features of the house have been retained and its uneven floors, stone staircases, large fireplaces, beamed ceilings and uneven whitewashed walls all add to its authenticity and charm. The exterior too is very pretty with its stone façade, covered in climbing roses and vines, and beautiful old shutters.

It is set in 4 acres of landscaped gardens with trees, flowers and vines, and fields of lavender and olive trees. The new 14 x 7m swimming pool is accessed by steps and alarmed for the safety of young children. The pool house comprises a fully equipped summer kitchen (sink, cooker and fridge), and built-in barbecue and a summer dining area. There is also a shower room and WC. Near the pool is a covered terrace, furnished for dining or relaxing outdoors. The property is particularly child friendly with its large garden, with children’s swings.

Un Charme A Goult

This very welcoming four bedroom villa in France is situated in the hilltop village of Goult, which is situated in the Luberon hills.

The hilltop village of Goult is situated in the Luberon hills, equidistant between the picturesque villages of Gordes and Bonnieux. It is a wonderful area for walks and cycling, as well as driving tours to explore the many attractions of this diverse area. Situated on a hillside, the villa is surrounded by woodland and has wonderful views over the valley.

The house is accessed by a driveway up past its terraced garden, planted with lavender and shrubs. On the same level as the house is the 11 x 6m swimming pool, with a surrounding terrace furnished with wrought-iron sunloungers. A pretty covered terrace just outside the house is perfect for dining outdoors.
The rooms have been decorated and furnished exquisitely in true Provençal style. Soft muted colours, traditional beamed ceilings and stone tiled floors form a backdrop for the country antique furniture, beautiful antique lights and mirrors and pretty curtains and bed linen. Everything is immaculate, yet very tasteful and welcoming.

Mas De Van Gogh

Mas de Van Gogh is an amazing villa, with views of vineyards and the famous monastery of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole and located on the outskirts of St Remy, France next to the remains of the Roman town of Glanum.

The secluded garden, surrounded by pine trees is large, boasting a profusion of mature trees, plants and flowers. There is an alarmed 12 x 7m swimming pool to the right of the house on a lower lawned terrace. Whilst there are two terraces to the front and side of the property that are ideal for outside dining or relaxing in the sun or shade, depending on the time of day. One of the terraces is covered with table and chairs and Weber BBQ.

The front door of the 250 sq m property enters into a pretty Provencal dining room with a large old stone fireplace, through which there is a fully equipped modern kitchen, with cooker, fridge/freezer, and electrical appliances. To the rear of the kitchen there is a pantry with washing machine and dryer.

Maison De Fontvieille

The beautiful small town of Fontvieille in France is placed approximately ten kilometres to the west of Maussane-les-Alpilles.It is reknown for its windmill, immortalized by Alphonse Daudet in his collection of short stories, ‘Lettres de mon Moulin’.

The very pretty property is situated just on the outskirts of the town centre and a short walk from the local shops and restaurants. It is particularly well placed for visiting the many attractions of the area, including Arles, Les Baux–de- Provence, St. Rémy-de-Provence and the Camargue.

The accommodation is all on one level and the interiors have been furnished with flair and taste by the interior designer Owner. Stone tiled floors, original exposed ceiling beams and white painted walls serve as a backdrop to the antique doors, country antique pine furniture, wrought-iron lamps and Provençal fabrics. The living/dining room has a large open fireplace is comfortably furnished with cream upholstered sofa and chairs. Large glass doors open to a terrace with pergola, furnished for dining outdoors

Maidon De La Treille

This lovely property is located in the small village of Maubec in the Luberon,France close to the many beautifull hill villages and activities which this area provide.

There is a small food shop in Maubec, and more in nearby Coustellet. The villages of Oppède-le-Vieux, Gordes, Ménerbes and Bonnieux are all within a 15 minute drive.

Although a village house, it is hidden from view behind a stone wall, and accessed by electric security gates. Within the walled garden is a 9 x 5m covered swimming pool, which can heated on request, with pool house, and beyond this a lovely covered terrace from which the views to the Luberon mountain range can be enjoyed.
The building is divided into two parts; the main part comprising the living area, tastefully decorated with antique furniture, and equipped with satellite TV, and two bedrooms. The second part, houses the other three bedrooms and a typical provençal living room, opening to a covered terrace. There is air-conditioning in the bedrooms, and the property also has internet access.