La Marseillaise, Managua

Advantages: ...
Disadvantages: ...

..., and Peace (both by Etex); and The Departure of the Volunteers, more commonly known by the name La Marseillaise (Rude). La Marseillaise by François Rude; One of four reliefs on the pillars of the Arch. The day the Battle of Verdun started in 1916, the sword carried by the figure representing the Republic broke off. The relief was immediately hidden to conceal the accident and avoid any undesired associations or interpretations as a bad omen. Engraved around the top of the Arch are the names of major victories won during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. The names of less important victories, as well as those of 558 generals, are to found on the inside walls. Generals whose names are underlined died in action. Beneath the Arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and eternal flame commemorating the dead of the two world wars. Here every... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A unique city, full of history and character
Disadvantages: Racy reputation, some grim districts

...of an upturned brush. Twin forts guard the entrance to the harbour, built, it is said, as much to keep the turbulent Marseillaises in order as to protect them from seaborne foes. High on a hill to the south, the basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde looks down on the old town. The overall effect is not exactly picturesque - the Vieux Port is too busy and noisy with traffic along the quayside for that - but already one can see that there are more attractions to the place than it is sometimes given credit for. ~ Sites and sights ~ Not much of Marseille's ancient history is visible to the visitor, except in museums, of which there are several. A few sections of rampart along the sea-wall allegedly date back to prehistoric times, but it is impossible for the inexpert eye to distinguish them from the more recent. Neither of the two 17th century... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Huge variety of scenery and things to do. Calm and relaxing.
Disadvantages: Slightly lacking on the nightlife front. Mighty cold or hot at times.

...in the days of yore of the 8th century; it is also believed that the unique Alsatian dialect originates from these Alemans. Now, football fans will be familiar with Leicester City’s tongue-in-cheek nickname “Yo-yo City”, as they never seem to stay in the same league, well Alsace has to be the “Yo-yo Region”. Glorious Empires such as Austrasia, the Charlemagne Empire and the Holy Roman Empire had all governed Alsace until it finally became part of (not so glorious) France after the Thirty Years War (1618-1648), a war that destroyed the, until then, prosperous region. You may know that the French national anthem is called “The Marseillaise”. What you perhaps do not know is that “The Marseillaise” was composed in Strasbourg in 1792 (by Rouget de l’Ile if you must know). Napoleon is said to have regarded Alsace very highly. So much, in fact... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful