Like to watch tennis? Visit Panama and watch ships from dusk till dawn. Hungry for antic ruins? Rome is waiting for you. Thirsty for milk? Visit Sweden, milk force No.1.
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Rome, Italy
If you like to enter Rome in style like antic Roman did centuries ago, instead of highway choose the local road which leads from the airport to town of Isola Sacra. Than get off the road in Lido di Ostia, former harbour of antic Rome and drive some three kilometres near the coast line. Than make a turn on Via Cristoforo Colombo road in Lido di Castel Fusano and there you are, on the strait pine tree alley watching the same scenery which Roman soldiers saw on their returns to Rome from a victorious battles. Well, maybe it is not the same scenery today but it is close enough to get the picture.
Today there are not much places left from what we call the "eternal Rome". It left the centre of Rome and Via Sacra road, a line from Kolossi to Julius Caesar Forum. Those ancient places free of horns and traffic noise are worth to be seen. Modern Rome is full of traditional trattorias, eating places which are less formal than stylish restaurants. Traditional colours of Italian cuisine are made of tomato, mozzarella and basil. Taste it on bruscetta and continue with pasta and meat.
Don't forget to order a desert and a cup of coffee, two things that Italians brought to perfection. Stretch your legs and look up for the newest clothes collections near The Spanish Steps and don't forget to take a look at shop windows with dishes and furniture. Never mind if you don't buy anything your eyes will be thankful for a tour.
Stockholm, Sweden
There are no wrong ways to enter Stockholm in Sweden like you will certainly not miss if you order milk in a restaurant. During the 18th century Sweden was military force number 1, today it is milk "force" number 1. According to data, Sweden citizens drink annually the most milk in the world. What's happened with data for their national drink Absolute Vodka we don't know.
In the IKEA land visit IKEA store, not because of furniture but because of million of other small things for everyday use in home that are cute and simply designed. If you will be interested to watch the best modern design that Scandinavia offers visit Svenskt Tenn in Strandvagen street. Winter in Stockholm is... winter in Stockholm, not much to tell: white, frozen, dark and calm at the same time. But the city has street floor heating system and there's no chance for you to see the ice on Stockholm's streets. Visit Stockholm during the summer months when daylight lasts for 18 hours and when all Scandinavians are happy to finally see some sunlight. They celebrate that event probably with... milk.
Visit little "no name" galleries and stores, each of them may surprise you. Be wild and try to catch salmon or two, their size will surprise you for sure. Visit Gamla Stan (Old Town), island of Djurgarden, a hunting reserve of Swedish kings and Riddarholmskyrkan, a baroque church that hold the tombs of Swedish royalty.
Panama City, Panama
If you are making plans to do business in Latin America take Panama into account, the new Miami of Central America and currently the best place which offers both good life and business privileges. To accomplish that last just follow the signs, high and modern skyscrapers which point to the business district. If the reason of your visit is not business but pleasure, enter a nearest shop, buy Panama hat and spend some time watching ships moving through the Panama Canal.
When your stomach starts to alarm announcing lunch time, visit Miraflores Restaurant appropriately located at the canal and enjoy excellent food without taking an eye of the busy canal.
Let you stomach catch few breathes after the lunch and when you feel that it is ready to move on, take it to walk in nearby Panama Viejo, 16th century colonial city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. For "shop till you drop" situations, Via Espana and Av Centar may be spots of you interest. For more history data there is 17th century Spanich Colonial Casco Viejo.
Don't leave the city before you visit Parque Metropolitano, the large tropical rainforest and one of the most dramatic city parks in the world. There you will find a diversity of tropical wildlife and trails for your early morning jogging which is, by the way, also the best time to see Titi monkeys: small size, long tail monkeys, territorially oriented, read: most probably nervous. Or visit the Smithsonian Institute of Tropical Research Aquarium. For a man with a Panama hat, that's a warm and safe place to spend the morning. ■