Kreta Konaki and Rethymnon.

Holiday to Greece on the island of Crete. Since 1997 we go to the place Rethymnon at the hotelFortezza, the hotel is named after an ancient Venetian fortress "Fortezza". It is a little busier in the course of the years but it's still a pleasant city with a small town center, a nice little port and very much fun terraces and good taverns. The cityscape has in the distant past many Venetian and Turkish influences. This means lots of cozy little streets where time has stood still with a lot of sweet people who are still look astonished at all those tourists who come to THEIR island. Everybody says to you good morning (in their case Kalimera). Here in the Netherlands that no longer happens every day. After years of holidays in France (which was also very nice) and Spain, we have lost our hearts to Crete and its special inhabitants. In August 2003, we go together with Jos, Inez and Ilvy on a very successful holiday to Kokini Hani, also on Crete. Our apartment was called Konaki, which was very pleasant. Not too big and not too small, close to the sea and trips were good to be done by public transport, such as Heraklion and Agios Nicolaos.

Rethymno also (Rethimno, Rethymnon, Réthymnon, and Rhíthymnos) is a city of approximately 40,000 people in Greece, the capital of Rethymno regional unit on the island of Crete. It was built in antiquity (ancient Rhithymna and Arsinoe), but was never a competitive Minoan centre. It was, however, strong enough to mint its own coins and maintain urban growth. One of these coins is today depicted as the crest of the town with two dolphins in a circle.

This region as a whole is rich with ancient history, most notably through the Minoan civilisation centred at Kydonia east of Rethymno.[2] Rethymno itself began a period of growth when the Venetian conquerors of the island decided to put an intermediate commercial station between Heraklion and Chania, acquiring its own bishop and nobility in the process. Today's old town (palia poli) is almost entirely built by the Venetians. It is one of the best preserved old towns in Crete.

The town still maintains its old aristocratic appearance, with its buildings dating from the 16th century, arched doorways, stone staircases, Byzantine and Hellenic-Roman remains, the small Venetian harbour and narrow streets. The Venetian Loggia houses the information office of the Ministry of Culture. A Wine Festival is held there annually at the beginning of July. Another festival, in memory of the destruction of the Arkadi Monastery, is held on 7–8 November.

The city's Venetian-era citadel, the Fortezza, is one of the best-preserved castles in Crete. Other monuments include the Neratze mosque (the Municipal Odeon arts centre), the Great Gate (Porta Guora), the Piazza Rimondi (Rimondi square) and the Venetian Loggia. From Rethymnon you can make very beautiful day trips. In the area are famous monasteries as the Arkadi Monastery and Preveli Monastery, and part of the Idi Mountains with the highest point of Crete, Mount Ida Psiloritis (2456 m.) Another attraction is the Kourtaliotiko gorge, with the end at the palm beach Preveli into the Libyan Sea. From Rethymnon goes also 2 times a week a boat to the volcanic island of Santorini.

Zoo Antwerpen.

The Antwerp Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the world is one of Antwerp's most popular attractions. With an animal population of over 5,000 and more than 950 different species, it attracts about 1 million visitors each year.

During the 19th century expansion several 'exotic style' buildings were constructed to house the animals. One of the most remarkable buildings is the 1856 Egyptian temple which currently houses the giraffes.

Notable animals

OkapiThe Antwerp Zoological garden holds the studbook for five animals, including the okapi. This animal was introduced in the zoo shortly after its discovery in Congo. There are still several of these strange animals with long tongues in the zoo. More than 75% of the okapis in captivity have Antwerp blood. Some other notable animals out of the +900 species include the polar bear, Siberian tigers, Indian lions, Arabian oryxes, Indian elephants, gorillas, bisons, orangutans, crocodiles, small panda, koala, panthers, sharks,...

More attractions

Red PandaOther attractions include the planetarium, the winter garden, birdhouse, reptile building, nocturama (nocturnal animals), aquarium and the recently created vriesland ('freeze land'): a biotope with sea otters, King penguins and macaroni penguins. A recently added biotope is the 'swamp land', where you can see the habitat of the hippopotamus, tapirs, pelicans and some other animals. The Antwerp zoo used to have a dolphinarium with several dolphins, but the basin was too small, so the dolphins were replaced by sea lions. The former dolphin show is now replaced by a very popular sea lion show.

The Antwerp zoo also has a 'kidsite', with a

Elephantsplayground and some small animals that the children can touch. Also on the site are three different restaurants and a shop.

Gardens

If you're not interested in animals, the exceptionally well kept gardens are worth a visit in itself. Many of the gardens feature beautiful sculptures created with flowers and shrubbery. It is certainly the most beautiful garden in Antwerp.

Zoo info

The entrance of the Zoo is located at the Astrid Square, right next to the Central station.

Bobbejaanland.

Coming soon

Paris.

Paris is the city of fashion, love, romance, art, gastronomy, beautiful monuments, museums, wide avenues, beautiful parks and what not? Many praised and described this city, therefore a favorite of many. Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and you can it visitung many times, it never get boring. The typical buildings, cozy bistros, picturesque streets and elegant squares give the city a special and characteristic atmosphere that you will not see elsewhere.

 The city is composed of twenty districts, each with its own character and peculiarities. Take the stately avenues and elegant buildings in the 8th arrondissement, the medieval character of le Latin Quarter in the 5th arrondissement, or the familiar charm of Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement. Wherever you go in Paris, there is always something special to discover and experience. In fact all events in the city over this year are worth a visit. See the world in action at Roland Garros tennis or enjoy many performances and music during Fete de la Musique and the Jazz Festival of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

From all over the world, people come to Paris to see art and therefore is the city full of fine museums. Of course there are the famous Louvre, Musée d'Orsay and Centre Pompidou where famous paintings of great masters can be admired. Less known, but no less worth Musée de l'Orangerie, Palais de Tokyo or Espace Dalí where art lovers surely have a great time. Do you not love the art, but still want a special museum? Even then, Paris has a lot in store for you: the Musée du Parfum Fragonard or Musée du Cinéma example. And actually you can not skip the classics: the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur everyone must surely once have seen.

Finally, the good food and the leading Paris fashion is reason enough for many people to visit the city several times. In Paris you can actually buy anything, and the city is home of famous luxury brands such as Hermes, Dior and Chanel. The upscale department stores Au Printemps and Galeries Lafayette will certainly live up to their high expectations and for small, unique boutiques you'll be fine in the Marais and Saint Germain districts. If you have gotten all that shopping hungry, grab a terrace and watch the town you pass by. Or dine at a trendy spot or in a luxury restaurant. Hunger in Paris you will never have, always thirsty for more!

Zoo Arhnem

comming soon

Heerlen Elephants

comming soon

Valkenburg

comming soon

Koblenz

comming soon

Our Pets.

I, Fred used to have at home, even when I was little, always cats, or rather a female cat that was always fun, with small kittens in the house. Ria when she was little she had always had a dog and hamsters. When we were married we started about pets., Ria prefer a dog and I a cat, but because we both worked, it seemed to us better to take a cat, so below the cats are discussed in the course of time have had and still have.

rest are coming soon.

Hedgehog

Coming soon