Waegook Tom

A Blog About A Globetrotting English Teacher

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3 Must See Historic WWII Sites in Europe

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If you are planning a vacation to Europe this summer, why not plan your itinerary so that you can see some of the most popular historic WWII sites. Whether you are a history buff, a history student, or simply wanting a closer look at what you’ve learned about in World History class over the years, there is something extremely humbling about visiting sites where famous battles were waged and won, led by great generals from both sides.

You can learn more about these generals on 10Awesome.com, and then plan to visit some of the sites of those famous battles. Perhaps you’d like to tour the cities most devastated by war or pray for the souls lost in concentration camps. There is nothing like mixing a bit of history with sightseeing trips as you work your way across the continent.

1. A Look at Life in Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp (Berlin, Germany)

Located just outside the city of Berlin, there is an amazingly detailed museum, which is only three km from the first ever work camp set up by the Nazis. Although the Oranienburg concentration camp has long been destroyed, you can still learn much of the history of these camps in the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. Not only will you see exhibits that document the lives of the prisoners, but there are exhibits which show you what life was like for the soldiers who were ordered to man the camps. If anyone doubts just how horrible these camps truly were, this is worth a visit to get an accurate depiction of the hell in which these prisoners were kept.

2. D-Day Landing Beaches (Normandy, France)

When reading about those famous generals mentioned above, one that will surely strike an interest is British General Bernard Montgomery who served in the British Army for half a century, from 1908 to 1958. Known as the intelligence, the planner behind the D-Day Normandy invasion, Monty (as he was lovingly referred to) defeated Germany’s Rommel, another great general of WWII here, as well as in Africa. However, there are a great number of war sites, including the D-Day landing beaches and museums in Normandy that will keep you busy for days touring and learning about real history from a first-hand view.

3. Enamel Factory of Oskar Schindler (Krakow, Poland)

Few people haven’t seen Spielberg’s award-winning movie, Schindler’s List which was largely based on Oskar Schindler, a member of the Nazi Party in Krakow, Poland who literally saved the lives of hundreds of Jews seeking to avoid capture by the Gestapo. While the enamel and munitions factory still stands today and is home to the Krakow Museum of Modern Art, you can tour the museum and learn why history has come to regard this Nazi as a wartime hero. It is documented that through political bribery and putting Jews to work in his factory, he was able to save them from the camps.

Those of us in the United States have a limited understanding of the devastation that was widespread throughout much of Europe during WWII. We know about Pearl Harbor, the one place struck by the war in North America, but most of us can’t imagine what Europe endured through those tragic years. When planning to travel through Europe, take the time to see at least these three historic sites, memories of the war that saw the greatest loss of lives of any war in history.

Top 5 Places in Europe to see this Fall

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Fall is a magnificent season, filled with a plethora of vibrant colors that make an inspiring contrast with the clear blue sky, while the strong, clean air fills your nostrils and heart with a strong wanderlust. So where can you go to make the most out of this beautiful season? To help you decide easier, take a look at our top 5 suggestions below.

1. Perthshire, Scotland

Located in Scotland, you can certainly get a delightful experience in this legend-filled territory. Locals talk about it as the Big Trees Country, and that’s because it really has some big trees. And you can imagine how heart-throbbingly beautiful they appear in the fall, with each of their leaves having a different hue.

But the multi-colored leaves aren’t the only reason to visit Perthshire. Imagine the foggy lochs you’ll get the chance to see, listening to all the thrilling stories that surround them. However, you will need a first aid kit nearby if the weather is too foggy and you accidentally trip.

The rivers are whirling near the forests, but they’re so clear you can actually see the trees reflected in the bright waters. You can definitely take the chance and lay down on the ground to enjoy all this, or you can immortalize your trip with some nature photographs.

There are also a few hikes you can try on the hills nearby, like the Pass of Killiecrankie. Although the hills don’t have really difficult climbs, the sceneries are amazing thanks to the woodlands. You’ll also have some pretty interesting viewpoints along the way that will make you want to never leave this magical place.

2. Bavaria, Germany

If you’re looking for jaw-dropping views, then Bavaria has some heathery, Alpine vistas you will never forget. The Alpine forests have vibrant colors that will make your heart skip a beat once you see the perfect contrast these make with the snowy peaks.

The fact is that Bavaria is a pretty wide region so you’ll see different landscapes here, at various altitudes, which means there’s a difference in weather too. For instance, if you’re planning to enjoy milder temperatures and very rich colors, you should stick to the lower altitudes. That’s because Queen Winter has already taken reign up in the mountains.

The Vermont of Europe, Bavaria is a forested region filled with deciduous trees and shrubs that offer great autumn foliage views. And they frame the other sights really well, like the romantic Neuschwanstein Castle with its legendary aura. Or you can enjoy the Oktoberfest, the weather is perfect for that with little to no rains during this time of year.

3. Civita Di Bagnoregio, Italy

If you want to go down on the map to the southern regions of Europe that enjoy a more delicate, warm climate thanks to the Mediterranean climate, Italy is our country of choice. There are plenty of different views you can enjoy here, with ancient or medieval cities, relaxed beaches, and bucolic rural views.

Most of these breathtaking vistas can be seen in one place. The town of Civita Di Bagnoregio is definitely stunning, resting majestically on the top of a hilled crest positioned right above a huge canyon. The beauty of this lies in the difficulty of reaching it.

There’s only a footbridge you can use, and the way in will definitely impress you since it’s entirely made of stone. Besides, it’s a perfect combination between Antiquity and the Middle Ages seeing as it was made 500 years BC, but its decorations date back to the 1300s.

The beauty of visiting this town in the fall is literally like a trip to Medieval Italy, with quaint shops and friendly folk, along with incredible architectural gems.

4. Reynisfjara, Vik, Iceland

Back to a colder northern point, you can’t miss Iceland’s greatest views. With a decidedly colder weather that will put shivers down your spine, the Vik village has amazing sand beaches that require attentive exploration.

Covered with a black sand that’s surprisingly neat and fresh, the place offers very distinct views to your run-of-the-mill tropical islands or Mediterranean beaches. The reason is that the beaches here are formed after the eruption of a volcano. Once the boiling-hot lava ended up in the cold Atlantic waters, the combination between these two temperatures is what produces the tiny specks of black dust.

But that’s not all there is to it. The landforms created by the volcanic activity in the area are impressive as well. Just think of the Trolls of the Vik, pillars that are said to be formed by trolls dragging their ships. The whole area is simply fascinating in the fall, with a stark contrast to the warm colors of the leaves in more temperate climates.

5. Meteora, Greece

Speaking of the autumn foliage in warmer weather, there are few places on this Earth that can offer views as impressive as those you see in Meteora. The Eastern Orthodox monasteries located on the pinnacle of these abrupts cliffs are really an inspiration to everyone, repleting with deep spirituality.

And this sense of magic and wonder accentuates the beauty of the diverse colors, allowing you to think of higher powers at work in this world. But their history is equally inspiring, seeing as the medieval monks who found shelter here were actually running away from religious persecution.

The giant rocks of Meteora look incredibly serene pasted on the clear blue skies, with their feet covered in deciduous trees and shrubs that are now vibrantly colored. These rock columns appear as huge pillars made from sandstone, and their orange hue is what creates this perfect contrast with the blue sky.

Where will you go?

With such magnificent options at your fingertips, we’re curious where you’ll book a flight to. Would you rather enjoy bucolic villages and milder weather, or would you prefer a sharper, crisper autumn air with gothic sceneries? And once you come back from your trip, tell us all about the wonderful views that inspired you there.

Author Bio:

Rebecca lives in USA, but loves hiking all over the world. Her favorite is Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal. It usually takes 16 days, but she likes to slow down, enjoy mountains, company of other adventurers and take more pictures, so it took her 28 days last time. Another of her passion is the ocean, so all short and long hikes along the ocean shore bring a lot of joy. She also writes for HikingMastery.com.

Must See Places For World War Two Buffs

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Europe is awash with rich history throughout all of its countries – from France all the way through to the east and beyond, Europe has some of the most varied and unique history in all the world. Along with this history though comes some inevitably dark history, especially in terms of events such as World Wars One and Two. World War Two in particular housed a dark undercurrent with the genocide of millions of Jews throughout the continent, an event that still can be revisited and learned from in the many structures that were left by the Axis powers in Europe that still stand to this day. If you’re a World War Two buff, read ahead for some truly unique places to visit in Europe to get a new perspective of the war that happened between 1939 to 1945.

Oradour-sur-Glane, France

Oradour-sur-Glane was a quiet French town which was home to around six hundred people nestled in the countryside near Limoges. On June 10th, 1944 a Nazi Waffen SS brigade entered the area arresting everyone in sight, including people who were merely riding their bicycles through the town and assembling them in the town square. What happened next was horrific to say the least when the men were separated from the women and children and everyone was locked away in different buildings which were then razed. Of the some six-hundred residents only a handful survived the massacre. The remains of the town are still there to this day and was ordered by President Charles de Gaulle to be protected as a memorial and museum.

Oskar Schindler’s Factory, Krakow, Poland

Anyone who knows of Oskar Schindler’s rescue of numerous Jews would be interested in visiting his enamel factory in Krakow, which now houses the Krakow museum of Contemporary Art as well as the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow. Only the administrative portion of the building still stands, but it’s worth a visit. The museum houses much information about Oskar Schindler as well as his work to rescue as many Jews as possible, many of which were saved by working in his factories and through his political bribery. This is an excellent addition to any visit to Krakow, regardless of whether you’re interested in greater World War Two history or not.

Concentration Camps – Throughout

Along with the dark history of Europe comes some of the remaining locations of concentration camps that were used by the Axis powers in their “final solution”, the genocide of the Jews in Europe. Remaining camps range in popularity – if you could call it that- and some have been destroyed over time. The most popular remaining ones for visitors include Auschwitz in Oswiecim, Poland, but there are many strewn throughout Germany, Czech Republic and Poland amongst other countries that all have their own museums and memorials dedicated to the people who lived, worked and died in the camps.

So there you have a couple of really historic, and sometimes disturbing, sites to seek out in Europe for those who are interested in the history and aftermath of the Second World War. With so many sites of not just horrific and gruesome events but also interesting munitions stores and the like as well as the beaches of Normandy all open to visitors, it’s no wonder so many people go to these impressive sites year after year.

Europe’s Coffee Culture And Where To Find It

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Travellers love Europe – its back streets lined with quirky and unusual shops and cafes, cobblestones, and real unadulterated culture. Every city in Europe has them and every city also has its own take on the drink that many people consider to be lifeblood – coffee. From Parisian to Turkish to Greek and everything in between, coffee has been reinvented across the continent and continues to be one of the most sought after drinks throughout the region. With so many types and styles it’s easy to see why. So what are the top places in Europe for coffee lovers? Read ahead to find out more!

Paris, France

Many people don’t realise that Parisian coffee is some of the best in the world, and for good reason. It’s not the typical Bolivian, Colombian or Ethiopian coffees, although those are surely and easily found throughout the city. But as France had formerly colonised regions of South East Asia such as Laos and Vietnam, two coffee producing areas of the world that people can sometimes seem to forget about. Vietnam not so much, but Laos is one that many people don’t realise grows coffee to begin with. If you find yourself in the Parisian back street cafes, be sure to seek it out, as the cooler growing regions of Laos’ Bolaven Plateau make this a full, rich coffee that can only be found in Paris and Laos and is therefore a real treat to the senses.

Rome, Italy

Italians are known for their love of food, wine and coffee and what better way to sample all three than a trip to Rome? With named such as Espresso and Cappucino originating from Italy, it’s easy to see how the Italians have influenced coffee styles not just in Italy but around the world. For an added luscious and delicious experience, try an Affogato – a shot of Espresso which is poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream – an absolutely mouthwatering treat after dinner as an alternative to a heavier dessert.

Vienna, Austria

If you’re looking for the ultimate in coffee experience, look no further than Vienna. Viennese coffee house culture is alive and well and is actually listed as an item in an inventory of Viennese culture which is held by UNESCO. The coffee house culture of Vienna is similar to that in other parts of the world but here is taken extremely seriously. Many coffee houses can be quiet places of retreat where many come to go about their daily reading, writing and the like. Gardens are available in warmer months and many of these cafes can hold various artistic performances such as live poetry readings or lively discussions on many topics. If you’re looking for a place to experience true Viennese culture, this is the place.

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague makes this list due to the fact that it’s well placed within Europe to have access to extremely delicious coffee of all kinds. Italian, Viennese, and even Turkish coffees are found on menus throughout Prague, and so if you’re in the area, you must stop into a restaurant or cafe to try a few different forms of European coffees.

So there you have a couple of places that you should check out if you’re a lover of all things coffee and you’re in Europe. It’s a fantastic place for coffee lovers and you will be hard pressed to find a coffee you don’t like in the back street cafes of European towns and cities.