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Venice is built on 120 tiny islands. The city was founded in the 5th century by immigrants escaping from the waves of Germanic and Hun invasions. The lagoon, which proved to be a safe haven, impenetrable to anyone without the knowledge of the varied and changing morphology, was inhabited at the time only by a few fishermen. In 726 Venice elected the doge autonomously for the first time: he was Orso Ipato, the first of many that would rule for over a millennium. Originally circulation took place only by sea but little by little the bridges were built (there are over 400 today) and it became possible to move from one island to another by foot. A Palace of Justice and a "Palazzo Comune" were built and, in 829, the Ducal Chapel, later known as the Basilica of St. Mark, also started being built. Trade with the East, a source of riches and prestige flourished and eventually, Venice established itself as the greatest maritime power in Europe, creating a network of maritime ports...

The current cathedral in Prague Castle is the third of a series of buildings on the site, all dedicated to St. Vitus. The first sanctuary was built by order of Wenceslas I, the Duke of Bohemia, in 926-30. This church was destroyed after 1060 and replaced by a romanesque building. However, following the promotion of Prague's bishopric to an archbishopric, in mid 14th century, King John of Luxemburg and later Charles IV started to build a large cathedral in the Gothic style. The cathedral was only fully completed in 1929, on the occasion of the millennium of St. Wenceslas. St. Vitus cathedral is a shrine and resting place of many saints, namely St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas, St. Adalbert, St. John Napomucene. It's also the burial place of many Bohemian Kings and Holy Roman Emperors. It contains some of the most important symbols of Czech statehood, such as St. Wenceslas crown. Opening hours: Nov-Mar 9 am to 4 pm (12 pm to 4 pm on sun.); Apr-Oct 9 am to 5 pm (12 pm to 5 pm on s...

The Mnajdra Temple complex is 500m away from the Hagar Qim temple. It consists of three buildings facing an oval forecourt. The three temples were built between 3600-3200 BC and 3150-2500 BC and are the best preserved of a larger complex. Mnajdra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Opening hours:  9 am to 5 pm (6 pm Apr. to Sep.). Closed on Jan. 1, Good Friday, Dec. 24,25 and 31. Entrance fee:  €10 (includes the Hagar Qim temple complex) How to go:  Take bus 74 from La Valletta Back to Blue Grotto

Rocha da Pena is an elevated area of the Algarvian Barrocal, with unique characteristics of limestone formation, reaching its highest point at 479 meters. Throughout the trail, it is possible to observe the various characteristics of karst formations such as sinkholes, poljes, sinks and caverns. The best-known karst formation is the Moor's cavern that gives shelter to two species of bats, Schreiber's bat and the Lesser Mouse-Eared bat, both endangered species. The geographic isolation of Rocha da Pena also constitutes the perfect shelter and breeding area for 124 birds species, including birds of prey such as Bonelli's Eagle, the Buzzard, the Little Owl, the Eurasian Eagle Owl, the Common Kestrel and the Black Kite. Mammals include the mongoose, the fox, the hedgehog, the rabbit and the wild boar. Around small lakes and water tanks, there are salamanders, toads, frogs, and newts. The protected area of Rocha da Pena has approximately 500 species of plants including th...

Hagar Qim (Worshipping Stones) is a megalithic temple complex dating from 3600-3200 BC. The temple was first excavated in 1839, never having been completely buried. The complex consists of a central building- the temple- and the remains of at least two other structures. It has been suggested that the Hagar Qim complex was used for fertility rituals. The temple complex of Mnajdra stands 500m away. Opening hours: 9 am to 5 pm (6 pm Apr. to Sep.). Closed on Jan. 1, Good Friday, Dec. 24,25 and 31. Entrance fee: €10 (includes the Mnajdra temple complex) How to go:  Take bus 74 from La Valletta Back to Blue Grotto

The church of Our Lady Victorious dates back to 1611 and was built partly in the renaissance style and partly in the baroque style. In 1620 it was taken over by the Carmelites who from 1636 to 1644 had the church reconstructed, giving it its current appearance. The church is famous for its statuette of Infant Jesus of Prague, originally from Spain and donated to the Carmelites in 1628. Legend states that it once belonged to Santa Teresa of Avila. Outside the church copies of the statue are particularly popular in Portugal, Spain, the Philippines and Latin American countries. Opening hours : 8.30 am to 7 pm (8 pm on Sunday) Museum: 9.30 am to 5.30 pm (6 pm on Sunday) Entrance free

Praça do Comércio is also referred to as Terreiro do Paço because it used to be the location of the 16th century Ribeira Royal Palace, destroyed by the Great Earthquake of 1755. After the earthquake, the square was completely remodelled as part of the Pombaline Downtown (named after the Marquis of Pombal, the Prime Minister at the time). The equestrian statue in the middle of the square represents the reigning monarch at the time of the earthquake, D. Jose I, riding his horse Gentil. Access from Rua Augusta is made through Rua Augusta Arch . Back to Lisbon