Columbus Travel Insurance Center

It’s one of those things that every American just has to see in their lifetime. The Liberty Bell is one of the most famous symbols of this country and remains one of the most popular attractions in Philadelphia.

The Liberty Bell has recently been moved to a new home on 6th street. The bell is now encased in a glass structure that gives it a backdrop of independence hall and the sky rather than of the modern buildings that surround it. This new glass structure also includes interactive exhibits and other related artifacts to give you a full understanding of the bell’s history. Visitors can also see a film made by the History Channel explaining how the bell became so important to this country. It is now a complete experience so even if you have seen the bell in the past, you can visit it again an get a completely new experience.

If you would like to see the Liberty Bell in person you can view it at its home on Chestnut Street between 5th and 6th street. It is open between the hours of 9AM and 5PM. For more information you can call 215-965-2305. If you plan to visit the bell be prepared to put up with tight security. Unfortunately with the times we live in the government must protect this important symbol from those who would like to harm it.

Learn about Philadelphia carpet and upholstery cleaning at the authors website. Information on caring for your expensive carpet and upholstery.

Share This

General summary of city:

Bruges, Belgium, from the Norse word ‘Bryggja’ meaning “mooring place,” is one of the three regions and the capital of Flanders. Bruges has a population of over 100,000 and covers an area of approximately 138 km. This historic city, with its natural link to the sea, became a commercial center for European trade in early medieval times, as the harbor filled with ships carrying wool, grain, and wine. In a short while, the door opened for trade with countries on the Mediterranean Sea and the first fleet of ships arrived from Genoa, Italy. With the increase in international trade and the influx of capital, Bruges soon became an extremely wealthy city and a worldwide banking market. Over time, however, internal revolts between the prosperous tradesmen and the common people of Bruges led to the subsequent decline of the city as an important center for trade. As silt began to form and fill the waterway, Bruges was replaced as a major seaport by the more accessible city of Antwerp. After its separation from the Netherlands near the end of the medieval period, Bruges today is no longer known for its maritime prowess, but for its preservation as a provincial city with a wealth of culture and history.

Places of interest:

Bruges, often called the Venice of the North, is actually much further inland, amid different arms from the sea, waterways created by repeated flooding from the North Sea. After constant dredging, the Reie River was turned into a network of canals, the Water Halls of the Market. The Court of the Market (Grote Markt), the Castle, and the small towns of Damma and Suis are visited by tourists in Bruges on riverboats owned by five families. The Market has a belfry tower from which you have a spectacular view of the city and the Provincial Court, on the east side of the square where the original water halls existed, is a wonderful example of neo-Gothic architecture. The statues of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, national heroes, are located In the middle of the market square. Within the museum adjacent to the Castle, The Shrine of the Sacred Blood houses the vessel that is carried in a procession every year on Ascension Day. The southern area of modern reconstructed medieval houses still reflects the original architecture of Bruges. In addition, there are several wonderful museums in the city such as the archaeological museum, with historical exhibits from the Stone Age and beyond. Another place of interest is the Groeninge Museum, which houses a magnificent collection of fine art, containing works by Flemish masters such as Van Eyck, Hugo van der Goes, Jacob van Oost, and the more recent expressionist masterpieces.

Things to do:

Walking through and around the ramparts that enclose this delightful, small city is one of the best ways to discover its charm. Carriages can be hired and scooters can be rented for an hour or a day of sightseeing, as well. Day trips by buses (fares are extremely reasonable) can be arranged to Sint-Trudo Abbey Male, former castle of the Counts of Flanders, and the Boudewijnpark and Dolphinarium, a theme park and panoramic aquarena. Take time for a stop at the Lace Center to watch the local artisans at work and the Antique and Flea Market where arts and crafts are featured. Exploring a bit further in the area around Bruges, you’ll enjoy the beaches at Zeebruge, a small seaside resort, and the quaint village of Lissewege located between the city and the coast. Zeebruge lies within 8 miles from Bruges, connected by a canal, and boat trips and visits to the exhibitions of the sea are popular things to do. There is no end to great shopping in Bruges, largely between the Market square and the old city gates. A number of small specialty shops are situated in the center such as De Kaarsengieterij, the oldest and only candle shop in Bruges. Here, you can find garden and interior candles, candle holders, and t-lights, or if staying in the city a while, take the opportunity to order hand-painted candles for gifts and special occasions.

Food & Drink:

Bruges is known for excellent food and restaurants, featuring French and Flemish cuisine. Mussels, steamed in beer or wine, are a favorite of the people in Bruges and are often served with a side order of French fries with mayonnaise. Waterzooi is a type of soup with cream, vegetables, chicken, or fish, and paling in’t groen consists of eels with vegetables and herbs. Popular selections for dining out, as might be expected, are in the variety of seafood that is available, from fresh salted herring to North Sea shrimp. Chocolate is a must for dessert or for purchase in the many shops or patisseries that surround the city and the Cote d’Or, with an inexpensive selection of chocolate bars. Wine is served in most places; however, with over 100 breweries in Belgium and 400 varieties, beer is the national drink in Bruges. There are three types of beer, lager or dark, white, and the lambic homebrewed beer, often flavoured with fruit. Beer is relatively expensive, but much stronger than beer from other countries. There are a number of restaurants and pubs such as De Garre that have great atmosphere and serve over 100 different varieties of beer.

Hotels & Accommodation:

Hotel Prinsenhof

Sofitel Brugge

Portinari

Patritius

Best Western Premier Hotel Navarra

Small Luxury Hotel The Pand

Relais Oud Huis Amsterdam

Minotel Azalea

Hotel De Tuilerieen

Die Swaene

Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce

Crowne Plaza Hotel Brugge

Walburg Hotel ****Restaurant

Hotel de Orangerie

Hotel De Castillion

Brugsche Suites

Graaf Van Vlaanderen

Hotel Asiris

Hotel Ibis Brugge Centrum

Hotel Cordoeanier

Hotel Botaniek

Hotel Koffieboontje

Hotel Jacobs

Scandic Brugge

Novotel Brugge Zuid

Hotel Groeninghe

Hotel ‘t Voermanshuys

Hotel de Pauw

Hotel Goezeput

Campanile Brugge / Bruges

Hotel Malleberg

Hotel Gulden Vlies

De Tassche

Entertainment:

Bruges is a fun-filled city, if you’re looking for some friendly nightlife. The nightclubs are small, but filled with lively conversation, drinking, and dancing. The Grand Caf

Share This

Frederick, Maryland has got many museums to offer an interesting menu for the lovers of American history. The National Museum of Civil War Medicine (www.civilwarmed.org) is one such unique museum displaying the real conditions under which the wounded were operated and treated during those difficult years.

The Barbara Fritchie House and Museum honors this interesting woman who supposedly challenged the mercurial Stonewall Jackson with “shoot if you must, this old gray head, but spare your country’s flag.” Her reconstructed home now welcomes visitors as a museum.

Beatty-Cramer Architectural Museum has a truly unique place in American history. The building of this museum on 9010 Liberty Road, was there at its current spot when the Frederick Country was founded back in 1748! The architectural connoisseurs will find plenty to admire in the way it was built including its wooden frame and interesting brick work.

The Children’s Museum of Rose Hill Manor Park is another must-see spot for museum goers. Its exhibits include a manor house preserved in its 1790s condition (www.rosehillmuseum.com) and a Carriage Museum. Every year the museum hosts an “Annual Civil War Encampment” that is worth seeing.

And of course when in Frederick you have to pay a visit to the Monocacy National Battlefield. The battle fought there on July 9, 1864 went down into the history books as the fight that “saved Washington DC.” Although the Confederate General Jubal Early has won the Monocacy battle, he was held at Frederick just long enough to set up an effective defense perimeter around Washington and thus save the city from falling into Confederate hands.

History is still breathing deep and live in Frederick, Maryland.

———————————————————

Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a Creative Copywriter, Editor, an experienced and award-winning Senior Technical Communicator specializing in fundraising packages, direct sales copy, web content, press releases, movie reviews and hi-tech documentation. He has worked as a Technical Writer for Fortune 100 corporations since 1999.

You are most welcomed to visit his COPYWRITING WEB SITE http://www.writer111.com for more information on his multidisciplinary background, writing career, and client testimonials.

Register at his web site to get your FREE Writing and Marketing Tips & Ideas.

He is the editor of PRIVATE TUTOR FOR SAT MATH SUCCESS web site http://www.privatetutor.us

In addition to being an Ezine Articles Expert Author, he is also a Senior Member of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), Member of Bethesda / Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce of Maryland, and a Member of the American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI).

Share This