Tag Archives: italy

Best Art Museums Worldwide

Are you or your family new to the art scene or are you returning veterans? Interested in learning the origins of various artists, or just love to see some of the weirder pieces of art the world has to offer? Wherever you decide to go on holiday, the chances are that you’ll be able to find an art museum somewhere nearby.

They are incredibly popular, and although the recent rise of the internet has hinted at a decline in the modern appreciation of classical art, they are still incredibly popular and provide a window into what it was like living and working in ancient times, as depicted by various painters and artists of the ages. Whether you are looking for the most visited museums of the world or are more interested in finding those hidden gems, take a look at some of Penguin’s best worldwide museums.

The Uffizi Gallery, Italy

[penguin] uffizi blogLocated in the centre of the beautiful city of Florence, Italy, the Uffizi Gallery is one of the oldest museums in the world, and is also one of the most famous museums of the western world. The museum holds many beautiful pieces from classical artists of the 16th century, including works by Da Vinci Himself.

The museum is incredibly popular and visitors hoping to see the beautiful works on show may have to face waiting queues of up to 5 hours to get into the museum. Pre-booked ticket holders experience a significantly reduced waiting time.

Prado Museum, Spain

[penguin] prado blogKnown as the main Spanish national art museum, the Prado houses a vast collection of European art from as early as the 12th century to the early 19th century. To this date the Prado has had over 2.7million visitors and is comprised of over 20,000 pieces of art, including drawings, prints, sculptures and paintings.

The Prado also houses a number of historic documents and is known as a site of significant historic importance. Hire a car in Madrid to visit the Prado now!

The Louvre, France

[penguin] louvre blogHoused in the Louvre Palace, this museum was originally built as a fortress in the 12th Century, and some of the remnants can still been seen in the basement of the museum. It officially opened on the 10th August 1793 and is one of the world’s best known museums, attracting over 10 million visitors since it was opened.

The Louvre holds a huge collection of ancient pieces and antiques from all around the world and is also noticeable for its iconic, pyramid design at the entrance.

Penguin’s Bucket List – Week 2

Do you have a bucket list? We don’t quite yet, but we’re working on it! A bucket list is a great way to collate all the places you want to see before you ‘kick the bucket’ as it were. Some things are better to do and see on your own, whereas others are great in a group of friends. If one or more of you want to go somewhere and see something or do something special before it is too late, only one thing is stopping you; You! Well you and finances, but everybody has those problems.

Inside_the_Coliseum_(8085639142)The Coliseum in Rome

Originally known as the Flavian Ampitheatre, visit this fantastic building, one of the last remaining relics of a brilliant and bloodthirsty race. Its 80 arches entrances make way to a staggering 55,000 spectators, who were seated higher or lower in the Coliseum according to their station. A number of historic events happened in the Coliseum, one of the most famous being the gladiator fights.

Presently, two thirds of the original Coliseum have been destroyed, but what remains is a stunning reminder of both the artistic beauty of the Romans, and their strange, cruel attitudes towards the ‘sport and entertainment’ of the times. The Coliseum is located in the heart of Piazza del Colosseo, and is open from 9am until varying closing times throughout the year. 

 

Look after an Elephant

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Like taking care of a bigger, louder horse! This experience is not to be missed as it is a chance to see these majestic beasts up close. Take care of an elephant for a whole day in the Elephant Nature Park located just near the city of Chiang May in Thailand.

The experience lasts a whole day, starting from 8am where you will be picked up from your hotel to go to the Elephant Park and then ending at around 5pm where you will return to Chiang Mai city.

You’ll need a spare pair of clothes and a towel, as you’ll get up close and personal when you get to bathe the elephants! You will also feed the elephants and get to spend some real quality time with them. The park provides a buffet lunch for its elephant carers, so you won’t go hungry!

Our bucket list is beginning to shape up nicely! For help on car hire to get to where you need to go, why not contact us? Stuck for ideas? Why not have a look at our Bucket List?

Strawberry Ice Cream Day; Bon Appetit

2552806737_959657e7bf_oSo today is national Strawberry Ice Cream Day. A universal snack for during the summer, often accompanied by a romantic film or used as a soothing technique when confronted by an awkward break-up. Not many people dislike this fantastic sugary treat – those who are intolerant to lactose not included – and though it’s not a spectacular culinary dish, there can be no denying the popularity of ice cream on holidays. Ice cream and holidays are synonymic in that you can’t have one without the other. So why not have a look at the best places to have one of the world’s most famous holiday snacks?

In the Persian Empire, residents would pour grape juice over snow and eat it as a treat in the hot weather. Later on it was adopted by several other civilisations, where they would use various fruit syrups over ice to make different flavours. Originally it was thought that the Arabs first used milk to make ice cream, using sugar as opposed to fruit juices to sweeten it, and then flavouring it with fruit and nuts. many people dislike this fantastic sugary treat – those who are intolerant to lactose not included – and though it’s not a spectacular culinary dish, there can be no denying the popularity of ice cream on holidays. Ice cream and holidays are synonymic in that you can’t have one without the other. So why not have a look at the best places to have one of the world’s most famous holiday snacks?

Italy first brought ice cream to Europe in the 16th century and since then its popularity has grown immensely. There are countless flavours, both predictable, and strange, such as eel and octopus ice cream made in Japan (where else?), and every country has an associated favourite flavour. So where is the best place to eat it?

Perché No! In Florence, Italy

Translated as ‘Why not!’ This ice cream shop was founded in 1939 and is one of the most iconic ice cream shops in Italy. The ice cream is all made fresh from produce daily, using carefully chosen ingredients. The fruit ice creams and sorbets are made entirely from fresh juice and are free of colouring agents. There are some more inventive flavours; such as the ‘Chesnut Honey and Sesame Seeds’, or you could try the classical ‘Whipped Cream’ flavour, ever present as a favourite.

Glacé In Sydney, Australia

Established in 1984, Glacé has quickly become famous throughout Australia for its innovative ice creams, sorbets and ice cream based desserts., Because it uses fresh ingredients, including full cream milk and fresh cream, Glacé is incredibly popular as a manufacturer of ice cream. The company itself has won over 100 awards by industry groups for their creative ice cream based desserts. Plus they do wedding cakes!

Special Mention: Ice Cream City

19Known for their eccentricity, what is Japan without dipping their toes into the market of ice cream? The ice cream city is a magical place inside the indoor theme park in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, with hundreds of flavours of ice cream, from the traditional vanilla, chocolate and story, to the more exotic crab or snake flavoured ice cream.

Located in the Sunshine City Complex, only a short drive by hired car from the Ikebukuro subway station, the theme park has a small entry fee plus an additional fee to purchase each miniature tub of ice cream, but it is certainly well worth it!

Merry Christmas From Penguin Car Hire – Christmas Trees

It’s Christmas Day! And the turkey is ready and roasting in the oven, the children are busy playing with their stocking gifts and mum and dad are desperately trying to clean up the shredded wrapping paper lying all around. Maybe you are stuck in traffic, driving a hired car over to relatives to spend the day with them. Or perhaps you’re just starting off your day with a lazy breakfast of bubble and squeak from the meal the night before. Whatever festivities you and your family are enjoying on Christmas day, we have a very Christmas themed blog for you on this day to keep up with the Christmas Spirit!

Here is a short list of some of the most amazing documented Christmas trees from across the world, all in one place. Enjoy!

Largest Floating Christmas Tree

The Christmas Tree in Rio de Janeiro is an 85 metre metal cone that weighs a staggering 542 tonnes, and floats atop the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. It is decorated with a staggering 3.3 million Christmas lights, and Christmas doesn’t start in Rio until the Christmas Tree has been properly erected and lit up.

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World’s Biggest (to date) Christmas Tree

Lies in Gubbio, Italy. It is not a traditional ‘tree’ but is instead a tree decoration display situated on Mount Ingino, located above Gubbio. The ‘tree’ is 650 metres high and 350 metres wide, and can be seen from miles away. The shooting star at the tip of the ‘tree’ is made from over 25 lights and covers over 1,000 square metres.  The tradition of this hillside ‘tree’ has been going on for over 30 years, but this year the ‘tree’ has been the town’s biggest undertaking yet.

 

World’s Strangest Christmas Tree

There have been several competitors for this top spot, but the upside down Christmas tree is certainly worthy of the top spot, because it has all the aspects of a traditional tree, just turned on its head. The upside down Christmas tree is a great addition to any home, because it is also a space saving tree! 

upside-down-christmas-trees

And one more, for those who really love sparing no expense at Christmas time…

World’s Most Expensive Christmas Tree

Located in the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, this tree has been decorated with over 180 items of jewellery and precious gemstones, and has been valued at 41,329,531 AED, which is approximately £6,975,880. The tree alone is worth over £6,000 but the majority of its wealth is accumulated through its furnishings.