1-Grand-place du Marché, Krakow (Poland)
The Rynek Główny Kraków was miraculously preserved from the damage caused by the second world war. This treasure of medieval architecture is located in the heart of the ancient Royal capital of the Poland. The amazing Basilica of Santa Maria in the asymmetric towers adjoins the square. Overlooking the Rynek Główny, the cloth Hall, built in the 16th century to accommodate the market for fabrics, now houses shops of handicrafts and souvenirs. Street artists and flower merchants contribute to maintain the magic of the place. Come in July on the occasion of the festival of street theatre or December to admire the Nativity scenes.
Cracow welcomes a famous Christmas market, which stalls are prepared before the cloth Hall during a month.
2-Piazza San Marco, Venice (Italy)
How can you resist the romantic charms of the Serenissima? In the heart of the city, Piazza San Marco embodies the splendour of its past. The place is now constantly invaded by tourists (and pigeons), where the exorbitant rates charged by its cafés. But will stands the St Mark's Basilica, one of the architectural treasures of Venice, with a remarkable blend of styles involving arrows, Byzantine cupolas, marble and mosaics. Side rises the Doge's Palace, a Gothic masterpiece in shades of pink and white.
The cafe Florian (www.caffeflorian.com) is decorated with romantic paintings and large mirrors. In the afternoon, an orchestra provides a friendly atmosphere.
Place Saint-Marc, VeniseCreative commons
3-DJEMMA EL - FNA, MARRAKECH (MOROCCO)
In 2001, Unesco has classified the Djemaa el - Fna masterpiece of world heritage, particularly for its ability to revive every night the oral tradition of the Morocco and the legends of the city. This historical crossroads, nerve centre of Marrakech, is a spectacle open-air permanent. Snake charmers, henna tattoo artists and vendors of water alongside a motley crowd of visitors who SIP a freshly squeezed orange juice or allow themselves to be trained by the musicians gnaoua bluesy rhythms. Stalls flourish by the dozens to the sunset on this place that vibrates from dawn until well after midnight.
Freshness evening, nothing like that warm tea with ginger and cinnamon (4 dirhams) sold by many vendors of the place.
Djemaa el - Fna, MarrakechCreative commons
4-place Stanislas, Nancy (France)
The place Stanislas is the architectural jewel of the elegant city of Nancy. Neoclassical style, this place dates from the time when the city was the capital of the Dukes of Lorraine. With its rococo fountains, its wrought iron gates Golden to gold and the opulent buildings (including the Town Hall and the theatre) which frame it, square form a fine example of 18th-century French architecture.
Don't miss the remarkable Museum of fine arts (www.nancy-tourisme.fr) on the West side of the square.
Place Stanislas, NancyCreative commons
5-Plaza Mayor, Salamanca (Spain)
Considered the most beautiful square of Spain, Plaza Mayor is bordered by arcades surmounted by buildings at three levels. It was built in the middle of the 18th century in a very harmonious baroque style. Under the harsh light of the Sun from noon or at night, the place has a unique atmosphere. Take the time to appreciate it when you installing on the terrace of one of its many cafes. You may attend one of the local feasts and, certainly, the joyful hustle and bustle there maintains the student population of Salamanca.
Next to the Plaza Mayor, the central market of Salamanca (Castile and León) offers quantity of meats, pastries and fresh bread.
Plaza Mayor, Salamanca
6-square of old town, Prague (Czech Republic)
Staromětske náměstí (old town square), and its pastel-colored buildings, is one of the major sights of Prague. Arrows in the Gothic style, perfectly symmetrical, Notre-Dame-de-tyn in the baroque architecture of the Church Saint-Nicolas, this place which housed the town market for centuries is also one of Europe's most beautiful. It offers a remarkable perspective on the belfry of the Town Hall: Watch visitors clump while waiting for the astronomical clock strikes the hour and animates. Admittedly, the place is very touristy, but the place is beautiful. Hard to resist the magic of the show.
The clock shows four different times: that of Central Europe, the former Bohemian, Babylon (where the length of hours varies according to the seasons) and sunset. Put you agree on the dial if you give an appointment on the spot!
The old-town square, Prague
7-grand-place, Antwerp (Belgium)
Although Brussels has the most beautiful place in the country, the Grote Markt in Antwerp (Belgium) also deserves that we pay him homage. Just as charming and lively as the Grand-Place in Brussels, it displays however more modest proportions. Renaissance style, the hotel city or stadhuis, 16th century, is the point of this pedestrian square of more or less triangular shape. The Grand-Place has also an austere fountain and richly ornamented corporations homes (the highest and the most photogenic is located at no. 7), behind which stands the arrow of the Gothic Cathedral. Why not enjoy the show from the terrace of a café while munching a waffle ..
The best waffles are Desire de Lille (Shrijnwerkersstraat 14-18), which offers a wide choice.
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