Sunday, 26 June 2016

Palio di San Giovanni Battista

Hey Guys! Hope you guys are all having a good day! Ireland are playing France today in the Euros, so c'mon guys, cheer on the boys in green!
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In Fabriano, a town in Italy where I visited in 2014, June is quite a popular time in the cultural and tourist calendar for the area. The Palio di San Giovanni
Battista is a very much community event in Fabriano. 
What is the Palio di San Giovanni Battista?
The Palio di San Giovanni Battista, named in honor of John the Baptist, is a historically backed re-enactment of an event brought back to the present day after centuries of strife. The Palio takes place from start-mid June and will continue to the sacred day of John the Baptist, in whose honor the doors of each participating district face each other in the varying competitions like popular historical games, decorative floral displays (infiorate), competitive archery, flag displays and the culminating the grand competition which involves racing, forgery and other spectacles. 
The four districts of Fabriano compete against each other to become the Palio winner. These four districts are:

  • Porta del Borgo (Yellow)
  • Porta Cervara (Red)
  • Porta del Piano (Blue)
  • Porta Pisana (Green)
In 2014, I stayed with my friend in Fabriano who brought me to witness the different events of the Palio di San Giovanni Battista, starting with the opening ceremony. A procession of people in medieval attire from the different districts strolled up through the main street of Fabriano into the Piazza. Initially, I had
no idea what was going on. It was like taking a step backwards in time. The outfits were amazing to see, the people played their part and the community were out in their numbers taking pictures and wearing the color of their district.
The year I visited, it was also the year of the World Cup so there wasn't a shortage of people around Fabriano at the time. I got to witness the different events of the Palio. These different displays, I've never seen before. There was a sports day-like event that involved the four teams competing in sack racing to one side and then stilt walking back, there was a medieval type rounders, cart racing just to name a few. The flag displays and drummers made the events really amazing and created an atmosphere for the event. The infiorate gave a different and artistic feel to the event with amazing works of art being made with plants of different colours. Each district had their own tavern in the town which made up the night life of the Palio.
The year I was there, the finale put me on edge as I rooted for Porta Pisana, the district I was staying in. Watching them through the different events, but that
year, the winning team was Porta del Piano.
Last year (2015), I did not keep up too much with the activities of the Palio di San Giovanni Battista, but this year I kept up to date with the event and followed Porta Pisana. To everyone's amazement and delight, Porta Pisana won the Palio di San Giovanni for the first time in 21 years, an amazing victory that left me delighted for the district.
*Pic Credit: Palio di San Giovanni FB Page*
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I recommend those travelling in Italy during June to travel to Fabriano and witness the event. Not only are the sub-events interesting and good fun to watch but the parties surrounding the Palio are always lit! Congratulazioni Porta Pisana!
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More on Italy coming soon!
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Wednesday, 22 June 2016

Galway: A Culture Capital

Growing up outside of Galway City, actually getting to go into the city was seen as a treat because you'd always come home with something new and nice. And growing up outside of the city, a greater appreciation for the metropolitan and busy lifestyle was developed as you would see people going about their business. 
I've spent a lot of time in Galway growing up, going to many places, seeing different events and divulging in the true rustically modern atmosphere of the
city which I'm sure crafts the people of Galway and all it's inhabitants to be the hospitable, warm and friendly people that they are.

But for those who have never been to or experienced Galway or know what Galway even is, let me tell you all about it.

Galway is a city that is enriched in culture, history, food and all round banter. Guaranteed that if you come to Galway, you won't be disappointed. There may not seem like much to do, but the more time you spend in the city the more you'll find to do. Museums, waterways, beaches, shopping, scenery and access to the most amazing and unique landscapes in not just Ireland, but in the world, in my opinion. 
Getting to Galway is quite an easy task. For those travelling to Ireland or travelling domestically, most towns and cities will have bus links to and from Galway. There is a coach station in Galway that links Galway to Dublin Airport via CityLink and GoBus, two of the more popular bus companies. Not only is there a bus link to and from Galway but there is a train link through Ceannt Station which serves Dublin, Athlone and other stops.
Galway is currently in the bidding race to become the Culture Capital of 2020 and personally, seeing the effort being made throughout the city shows a sense of pride in the culture being exerted by businesses, the people of Galway and the community of the West of Ireland as a whole to gain a name for Galway as a rightful cultural capital.

But what makes Galway City a good candidate to be a cultural capital and what makes it a unique part of Ireland?

  • Food Culture: One thing that is unique about Galway and manages to draw people is the unique food that Galway has to offer. Being an Atlantic coastal city and on Galway Bay, seafood is a very big staple to the food culture in the Tribes County, Oysters especially. So much so that there is an annual Oyster festival held in Galway (http://galwayoysterfestival.com/) which, for those who enjoy good seafood, should visit. This year the Oyster Festival is being held from the 23rd to the 25th of September. All across the main areas of Galway City
    (Eyre Square/Shop Street/Latin Quarter/Spanish Arch), the smell of food is prominent. The variety of restaurants and eateries in is broad and wherever you eat, expect your expectations to be met. Some of the places I like to go for lunch/Coffee/Dinner in Galway are:
  • Historic Culture: The History in Galway is unique. From it's historical structures (Spanish Arch, Galway Cathedral) to it's notable people who hale from the country (President Michael D. Higgins, Lady Gregory). The "rustically modern" vibe I mentioned earlier, comes from the preservation and integration of the historic culture of Galway into the present day is incredibly commendable, for example. The St. Nicholas Collegiate Cathedral, one of the largest medieval churches to still be in use, is surrounded regularly by the St. Nicholas Street Market. Other things l
    ike people chilling around the Spanish Arch is a great example of present day, historic cultural submergence. 
  • Atmosphere: The atmosphere in Galway is next to none. You walk down the main street of Galway and you hear the sounds of street performers, you see amazing displays of art and feel the vibe that can only be described as "Galway". The events that happen in Galway and things that make Galway memorable are what adds to the vibe and creates lasting impressions on tourists and inhabitants alike. For students, NUI Galway, GMIT and other learning institutes are situated here. The nightlife of Galway is next to none with live music, excellent bars and again, amazing atmosphere.



These three points are just a small pick of a large selection of reasons as to how to explain the culture of Galway but words can only express so much, The Tribe City is one that needs to be experienced for yourselves, and I would highly recommend it!

Thursday, 9 June 2016

Interesting Spot: Oranmore (Galway)

Hey guys! As part of my new job, I am away from most social media and my laptop for a majority of the day and when I get time, I'm exhausted, so the frequency in which I will be able to blog will vary and for this, I apologize. 
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Today, as part of my job, I had to go to a part of Galway (my county) that I have never spent much time in or knew much about the town, We would have always passed through Oranmore on our way to get to the motorway or other parts of Ireland but we never found a reason to stop by.
So today, as part of my new job, I went out and did some maintenance in Oranmore and spent the day there.
The first stop we made, we pulled up and had a look around at the different jobs that needed to be done and the time it would take to do them. As this was going on, I looked on the other side of the road to come across literally, the most beautiful view which kind of made my day! There were cows in the pasture and behind them was Oranmore bay, an inlet that went out into the Atlantic Ocean. Right in the corner of my eye, Oranmore Castle loomed and looked onto the bay, topping off an already picturesque scene. Work became a distraction as I wanted to look and get the proper description of the landscape and the way the water looked with the sun glaring down, but unfortunately, the scenery became a distraction for my work.
After the first part of the job, we continued on to different parts of the town. We moved up the street where the scene of the bay turned into us working along the bridge. Now that became chewing gum for the eyes as it was so beautiful. I kinda just wanted to stop and take it all in. So we continued working with the water and other things and we moved around to different parts of Oranmore.
The people of Oranmore seem really nice. As we worked, no one intruded on our business and we were able to get on with it. They all seem really calm people and they make the area seem nice and warm (and not just the hot weather Ireland has right now).
As I walked around Oranmore, I took in this towns beauty. The nice bay scenery, the nice hum of people and students going about their business. It wasn't overly busy but it was enough to be really relaxed and beautiful. Oranmore gets a good amount of visitors considering that it is a connection route to the M6 motorway from Galway to Dublin.
I recommend coming and taking a look around Oranmore, if you find yourself in the West of Ireland. It's a great spot and the food I saw people eat in the restaurants looked absolutely amazing considering it's coastal, I'd say all the produce is fresh.
Pics of Oranmore to follow
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Wednesday, 1 June 2016

Bucket List: Luxembourg

Figuring out my travel plans, a lot of places came to my head which I will write about eventually but one that popped up and took a lot of consideration was
Luxembourg. Not many people would be like "Oh I'm off to Luxembourg" or "You know, I'd love to go to Luxembourg" which is what makes it a real intriguing place I'd like to visit. Not as widely popularized like Belgium or The Netherlands in that region in the North West of continental Europe, after researching Luxembourg, it has strongly risen on my bucket list of places to go.

Quick Background

Landlocked in Western Europe, Luxembourg is a country bordered by Belgium, Germany and France. As well as being bordered by three of the more powerful countries in Europe, Luxembourg is one of the three countries along with Belgium and France that make up the capitals for the European Union and the seat for the European Court of Justice.

There are two main regions in Luxembourg, Oesling in the north and the Gutland in the South. Although it has two regions however, it is still a micro-state in Europe. Compared in size to the state of Rhode Island in the US. Ranked as the 8th-least populous country in Europe it still has a government and also a monarchy! In Luxembourg, the monarch is Henri, the Grand Duke.
Luxembourg is also a strong contributor to to favorable integration between countries, being an involved member of organisations like NATO, Benelux, OCED, The EU and the UN, Luxembourg is also quite a strong country for its size.

After all that boring stuff about the background. What is there to do in Luxembourg?!

Luxembourg is quite a historic place to visit. It would be cool to take a look at all the historic places and the architecture. Not a major tourist destination and being landlocked, it wouldn't have massive tourist attractions like Disneyland

  • Vianden Castle: One of the largest fortified castles on the west of the
    Rhine. A 10th Century castle with more extensions in the 11th and 14th centuries. For architecture lovers, it has a mix of Romanesque and Gothic design. The castle is over 300 metre high and overlooks the river Our. I really want to see this castle and look around. I'm sure, considering it dominates the town of Vianden, it provides an awesome view. (http://www.castle-vianden.lu/english/)
  • Hiking: Not known for its terrain, unlike places like Switzerland. But Luxembourg has incredibly unspoiled landscape which is perfect for
    hiking and hillwalking. In the north of Luxembourg, it contributes to part of the Ardennes region which contains the highest point in Luxembourg. The landscapes of Luxembourg are as stunning as they are charming. Actually, hiking trails throughout the country that offer so much. Views, villages, ancient ruins. You name it. The best part about this is the ability to stay and hike, which makes for amazing adventure tourism within Luxembourg. Where to look for these hiking trips:
  • Different Famous Buildings: Luxembourg has a monarchy, which could mean really nice buildings and Luxembourgish architectural design. It would be real cool to see places like The Palace of the Grand Dukes, Altstadt Vianden, the Chateux de Clervaux and other majestically constructed buildings. Luxembourg also has some ancient ruins and old buildings that would make cool pictures and I'm looking forward to see.
Those are just three of the things to do in Luxembourg. But how would you get to Luxembourg?

Luxembourg is served by Luxembourg Findel Airport which caters for airlines such as:
  • British Airways (Heathrow)
  • easyJet (Lisbon, Gatwick, Milan, Porto)
  • HOP! (Lyon)
  • Luxair (Barcelona, Dublin,Geneva, Hamburg, Madrid, Nice, Prague, Stockholm, Vienna and many more)
  • Turkish Airline (Istanbul)
The cheapest way to get to Luxembourg is to fly to either  Charleroi or Frankfurt Hahn airport and from there, take a Flibco bus to Luxembourg, Bus tickets can be quite cheap if you book in advance, you do have to book online though.

*Pic Credit: (Flagpedia.net, datuopinion.com, shootandscrawl.com, lcto.lu, luxair.lu)
Thats my ideal trip to Luxembourg and what I'd like to see and few ideas for you guys if you're planning a trip away. If you guys want more information, leave a comment below or drop me an email at: david.keane8@gmail.com 
Be sure to follow and like on Instagram @Davidcandykeane
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Saturday, 28 May 2016

Italy: Where I Want To Go- Part 1

Italy is probably the most beautiful countries in the world, lets be honest. It is a country enriched with history, unique culture, spectacular scenery, delicious food... The list could go on. This country gives so much to the world, the most important to me would be the food, of course. 
I have visited Italy before. I was there for a while and stayed on the Adriatic
side of the country in the region of Marche, in the town of Fabriano. From Fabriano, I traveled only to Senigallia, on the Adriatic Coast and Assisi, in the region of Umbria. I flew into and out of Rome of course, but not seeing enough of Italy left me with a hunger to see more! There is so much of the beautiful country left to see and discover that I'm itching to go back.
Having friends in Italy makes the whole idea of visiting Italy a lot more attractive as I have people to show me the best places, to bring me to the best eateries and to ensure I have a good experience and that I won't be disappointed, maybe bring me to places and to show me things I would have missed if I was on my own. For example when I was in Marche, I went to see the Grotte di Frasassi (http://www.frasassi.com/) in Genga (Between Ancona and Assisi). If my friend hadn't suggested to go there, I wouldn't have gotten to see the amazing karst cave endowed with stalagmites and stalactites.
There are a lot of places I wish to visit in Italy, some for the fact I have friends there and wish to discover more, and others because of the popularity and the "need" to go there. Some places I wish to visit are:

Rome/Roma: 

The Capital of the boot-shaped country. I have only flown into Rome Ciampino Airport to then travel 3 more hours to Marche but unfortunately, I spent no
time in Rome. Let's be real, it's a must go place throughout the world. The atmosphere as you travel around the capital is something that resonates across the world but Rome just has this magical vibe to it. Kind of similar to something you'd imagine in Paris. It's something different to places like London or Dublin. Some must see things I wish to see in Italy are:
  • The Colosseum: A place of ancient historical significance and recognition worldwide. The Colosseum is a landmark to Italy and a staple of Ancient Roman history. Everyone should be familiar with the gladiator fights that would have taken place in the arena. Now it is a major tourist attraction to Italy.
  • The Trevi Fountain: This fountain appears in most movies shot in Rome
    and is an icon to the Trevi district of Rome. It's got a romantic sense to it
    that is really attractive and the whole concept to make a wish and throw money in, as a giant wishing well is a really nice idea. (Right hand over left shoulder, so they say). I for sure want to see this fountain at nighttime.
  • Piazza Navona: A famed plaza in Italy. The plaza features the Fountain of the Four Rivers and in the middle stands an Egyptian Obelisk. From articles about Rome, it seems like a really unique place to visit.
  • The Basilicas: A great way to see unique architecture of different places is to look at the churches and cathedrals that were build as they give a look at the type of architecture that has been passed down. Rome has plenty of basilicas which are enriched with heritage and history, as well as beautiful architecture. Some of the basilicas I wish to see are:
    • Santa Maria in Trastevere
    • Abbazia di San Paolo Fuori La Mura
    • Arcibasilica di San Giovanni in Laterno

Venice

You know, I feel like there is more to Venice than riding a river on a gondola. For sure I wanna do that but it's not all I'd like to do while I'm there. Many
popular movies have been filmed in Venice, so to see some places where famous movies have been shot fits nicely into the Literary/Culture Tourism category. Movies like; James Bond. Lara Croft. The Tourist and Indiana Jones have been filmed in Venice. There are some places in Venice I'd love to see:
  • The Grand Canal: I mean, you can't not go to Venice and take a boat ride. It's something that needs to be instagrammed. How can you go to Venice and NOT take a boat ride!
  • Opera at La Fenice: Masquerade and Opera are both things famed to come from Venice. Going to the Opera at La Fenice, known as "the most famous and renowned landmarks in the history of Italian theatre"
  • Saint Mark's Square: The Main Square in Venice. Near the Square is Saint Mark's Basilica which is renowned for its incredible architecture.

Genoa

The capital of the region of Liguria and the sixth largest city in Italy. This city if famed for being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of San Salvador, Cuba and other islands in the Caribbean. Genoa, with remarkable enriching art, culture and cuisine, became the culture capital of Europe in 2004. The good thing about Genoa is that it is a seaport and also on the Mediterranean! Who doesn't love a Mediterranean city! Some of the places I'm hoping to visit in Genoa:
  • The Royal Palace: When I heard that Genoa had a Royal Palace, like the Palacio Real in Madrid, I have to go and visit! I think the architecture of Royal Palaces are quite fantastic.
  • Boccadasse: An old marine village in Genoa that looks really rustic, which
    is something that shows the authenticity of a place. It is enclosed in a narrow bay, which I'm sure makes for amazing scenery.
  • Palazzi dei Rolli: A street of big buildings! Like, that sounds kinda cool and architecturally amazing!
  • Christopher Columbus: Taking a look around Genoa, I feel, would give a great feel for the history. And especially that of Christopher Columbus, seeing any famous sites marked for the navigator or any landmarks. It would be quite unique.
These are just the first three places on my list of places in Italy to visit! Stay tuned for more and if you want anymore on these places, leave a comment!
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Wednesday, 25 May 2016

Heading Back To Spain

So in March I went on a trip with my class to Madrid which can be read about in my earlier posts. It was honestly such a good trip. I was in awe of the beauty of Madrid and how unique it was. I tried a lot of new things and had some pretty amazing experiences (Falling in love with calamares, seeing a park with two
lakes, dancing salsa and other amazing things).
Coming back from 4 days in Madrid was quite sad but I mean, I had rubbed the foot of the El Oso y el Madroño so I knew that eventually I would return to Madrid. It was some place that was amazing in itself but perfect to use as a base to travel to other places. It has a metro, amazing world class attractions and WARM WEATHER!! which is difficult to come by in Ireland. So travelling to the airport, going on the metro, boarding the flight and leaving was no a real happy moment.
Back to reality, it was back to the day in- day out slug of going to college, working and coming home. Don't get me wrong, I love college and love studying tourism but routine can be lethal! 
About two weeks after we arrived back from Madrid, the lecturer who brought us to Madrid, came to me and a few other of my classmates and offered us an amazing opportunity. Do our second year of college in Spain. Of course I jumped at the chance to go! The three of us were given the options: Seville, Malaga, Murcia, Alicante, Valencia and Madrid. Some of which I had never been before. It was difficult to decide between the cities and universities.
The following day however, we were told that Madrid had sparked interest in accepting us for the Erasmus program. The University de Rey Juan Carlos is a
incredible college in which a couple of my Spanish friends. Looking back at pictures from Madrid the first time I went, I became increasingly excited to go to these places again and have Spanish food every day!
The applications have been submitted and fingers crossed they come back with 100% assurances of us going (Otherwise this post was pointless) but moving to Spain for a year should be a really amazing experience. While I am in Madrid, I plan to go on trips and travel more so that I can get more tourism experience and also have loads of content to write and amazing pictures!
Places in Spain I want to travel to while in Spain:

  • Galicia: The region in the North West of the country above Portugal. A friend lives there and it seems like a really cool coastal place to live.
  • Grenada: Down the South of Spain. A historically enriched part of Spain and it's down south so it'll be warm.
  • Cadiz
  • Seville
  • Murcia
  • Bilbao
  • Santander
  • Barcelona
  • Valladolid
  • Salamanca
Besides travelling domestically, I hope to travel abroad on trips also to a few countries. For example;
  • Portugal- It's super close to Spain, so why not!
  • Switzerland
  • Italy
  • The Netherlands
  • Gibraltar
  • Andorra
  • France
Spain should be an amazing experience for me and I encourage anyone in university to do an Erasmus year. Be spontaneous and travel!
"If Adventure is dangerous, try routine, it's lethal!"
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Sunday, 22 May 2016

Itinerary: Sligo

1 Getting There and Getting Around

Sligo is situated in the north west of Ireland. It has a bus route that goes and comes to Ireland West Airport Knock, an International Airport Servicing Ireland, Britain, Portugal, Spain and Italy. It also has a bus link to Donegal, Cork, Derry, Belfast, Galway and Dublin. Being so easily accessible to Dublin and Belfast, there are adequate transport links from Dublin Airport and Belfast International Airport, each serving a large range of destinations including a majority of Europe and USA.
Sligo also has a train station. The line solely goes between Sligo and Dublin. Right next to the train station however, is the bus depot. In Sligo town, pedestrian transport is common as everything is within walking distance. All over town also there are bus stops. From each stop, it is possible to travel to areas in Sligo like Strandhill and Rosses Point.

2 Where to Stay

Sligo has many nice places to visit. And with that, has many nice places to stay. Some area recommended to visit on your stay to Sligo are:
  • Strandhill: Strandhill is a coastal area of Sligo that has amazing scenery, nice restaurants and a lovely beach. It's a must see place when in Sligo. Places to stay in Strandhill:

3 Things to Do

Sligo is a beautiful, history enriched place to visit. The historical significance of some things in Sligo still resonates today. 
  • Sligo Gaol: Although not yet opened. Sligo Gaol is a significant part of
    history as it played a role in shaping the people of political importance who have become famous to us in Ireland.
  • The Model Arts Centre: In here, you will see a lot of art on exhibition. One of the main artists on display is Jack. B Yeats. The brother of W.B Yeats, the famed poet. The art is one of a kind and is part of the Niland exhibition.
  • Knocknarea: This provides a cool mixture of exercise and history. Knocknarea is where Queen Medb of Connaught is said to be buried, like a lot of places in Ireland. Symbolized by the cairn on the top. The views from Knocknarea are one of a kind.
  • Yeats' Grave: Out in an area called Drumcliff sits the area of Yeats' grave. Jill Barber owns a nice tearoom and is the curator for this site. It is fascinating and a must visit.
Other things to do:
  • Surf: Out in Strandhill is the perfect place to go surfing. Should you not be a good surfer, Strandhill Surf School lies on the shore. The beach has many nice sand dunes and amazing scenery out to the ocean. Many nice
    eateries lace the shoreline too.
  • Benbulbin: Another mountain to climb in Sligo is Benbulbin. This mountain gives probably one of the best views of Sligo I've ever witnessed and is definitely worth a climb.
  • Carrowmore Megalithic Tombs: These tombs date back to ancient history of Irish ancestors. The guides are super imformed about the sites and the way they are preserved is amazing.
  • Lough Gill: Out at lough Gill. You get a real nice scenic view. Make your way and maybe you can go SUPing out on the water. SUPing in Lough Gill is probably the best experience I've had in Sligo.

4 Places to Eat

There are a lot of nice places to eat in Sligo. It's always hard when you're in the centre of the town and have to decide where to eat cause there are so many good restaurants and cafés. For example:

  • The Belfry
  • Café Fleur
  • Rugantino's
  • Fabbrica
  • Ealá Bán
  • Fiddlers
  • A Casa Mia
  • The Glasshouse Hotel
  • The Swagman Bar
  • Grappa
  • The Embassy
These are just some of the nice places in Sligo town to eat. As for going out for a drink, here are some nice bars:
  • McGarrigles
  • Shoot The Crows
  • The Snug
  • Garavogue
  • Fifth on Teeling
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Sligo is a really nice part of Ireland to visit and when it's busy, has a real nice atmosphere and makes for a good time. Spending a couple of days in Sligo will not be disappointing!
Any comments welcome!
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