Donbass Arena Stadium, Ukraine

 Extra-Velganzer. From west to the east. A little bit problem, but that’s ok. After visiting Arena Lviv, we are going to visit one of the host city in the eastern of Ukraine and is about 1175 Km. I take this opportunity just to make sure that our final trip is the stadium that would held the final game of EURO 2012. Where we heading. Of course you already now. Donetsk. And Donetsk will be team base camps for France.

First things you have to know about Donetsk is this city is the centre of Ukraine's coal mining region. South-east of Kyiv on the Kalmius River, it was founded in 1869 by Welsh businessman John Hughes, who established a steel mill and several coal mines in the area. A century and a half later and Donetsk's patrons are still built on foundations of steel and coal, the industries leaving an indelible mark on the cityscape.

Despite images of soot-caked faces and hob-nailed industry, the capital of the Donbas has actually been recognised by UNESCO as the world's cleanest industrial city and the center is benefitting from a financial injection. Five rivers meander through it and the Sea of Azov, the world's shallowest sea, is an hour away. But let me tell you another story of this city in another discussion. Right now, let’s hurry to finish our travel in this city by visiting the stadium that will be used to live event of EURO 2012.

 Yes, Donbass Arena. One of the stadium in the heart of Donetsk. The Donbass Arena is the new home of FC Shakhtar Donetsk. It has a capacity of 51,504 seats, which includes 45 corporate boxes that can hold 830 people.The construction of this stadium begun in June 27, 2006. The first story of this building started when the businessman and club owner Rinat Akhmetov had raised the profile of the club with his investments, the next step was to be the construction of a prestigious arena. Construction started in 2006 and was completed in 2009. 

 The architect for this stadium is Arusport. Arup (officially Arup Group Limited) is a multinational professional services firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom which provides engineering, design, planning, project management and consulting services for all aspects of the built environment. The firm is present in Africa, the Americas, Australasia, East Asia, Europe and the Middle East, and has over 10,000 staff based in 92 offices across 37 countries. Arup has participated in projects in over 160 countries. That’s why if you observe the architecture of the stadium you will find how amazing the stadium. The stadium finished thanks for the help from general contractor ENKA a Turkish construction conglomerate based in Istanbul Turkey. The construction cost for this entire stadium is 400 million Dollar (Such a lot of money isn’t it?).

The name of the stadium represents the shortened name for the Donets basin industrial region, hence - Donbas, however the official name in English spells after the Russian orthography.

 So, whats really interesting about Donbass Arena can be described in Number Fun facts as follow (Please remember the fun facts about Donbas Arena, who knows when you watch the live show of EURO 2012 football game there will be quiz you can win with answering the question):

• The total area of the stadium's glazed facade is 14,283 sq.m.
• 2,482 triple-pane glass units were used for glazing the stadium’s outer façade.
• Over 16 thousand sq.m of vertical surfaces are made of glass, totaling 3,108 heavy-duty panes.
• The underground height of the building is: parking lot area - 12m; dressing rooms - 8m, media space rooms - 4m.
• Height from pitch level to the topmost roof point is 54m.
• The total floor area of all the stadium's levels makes 83,823 sq.m.
• 93% of stands are roof-covered, only 3,800 seats in the bottom tier are not covered.
• 24 first-aid stations (18 permanent ones and 6 mobile ambulance groups).
• 53 fast-food outlets, a fan cafe, 4 Silver bars, 3 restaurants (Diamond, Platinum, Gold), a media cafe and a lounge bar will satisfy any visitor's taste.
•  2,000 lux is the lighting intensity, ensured by 272 high-precision targeting spotlights mounted along the perimeter of the stadium's roof.
• 6,000 ports installed in the stadium for concurrent network connection
• The stadium's video monitoring system comprises 570 CCTV cameras.
• 588 monitors installed throughout the stadium.
• 92 sq.m is the display surface of each of the 2 giant LED screens.
• 267m is the total length of the LED electronic advertising hoardings
•  The stadium's logo structure weighs 50 tons, it is 8m high and 14m wide.
•  34 staircases availablethroughout the stadium space.
•  11,978 is the total number of stairs at the stadium. The flights of stairs comprise 4,181 steps.
• The shortest stairway includesonly 22 stairs (the sub-stand space on the arena’s western side). While the longest one is comprised of 240 steps (on the eastern side).
•  The longest stairs are nearly 50m-long.
• 35 steps form each aisle in betweenneighbouring blocks.
•  550 heaters aggregately radiate 22 MW of thermal energy.
• Each heater weighs 49 kg.
• The bowl is divided into 24 heated areas.
• The prime cost of heating one spectator seat during the match is about UAH 1.
• The system consumes some 2200-2300 cubic centimetres of gas per hour.

This Arena will be a venue at the Euro 2012 championships. At the tournament the stadium will host three group matches, a quarter-final, and a semi-final. The game are France VS England on June 11, Ukraine VS France on June 15 and England VS Ukraine on June 19.

How To Get To The Donbass Arena.

If you from ouside Ukraine then you have to take flight to Ukraine. I suggest that you take flight directly to Donetsk. So you can immediately arrive in Donetsk Sergey Prokovief International Airport.

The Donbass Arena is located in the central Voroshylovskyi district, tucked against the northern edge of the city centre. The stadium is within walking distance of most city centre locations. On its northern side lies Leninskogo Komsomolo park.

The main railway station lies further north, approximately 6 kilometres. Tram line 1 brings you in 20-25 minutes to the stadium. Get off at stop Prospekt Mira. Alternatively take trolleybus line 2 and get off at Bely Lebed shopping mall.

Buses that serve the stadium are line 13, 14, 16, 46a, 46б, 73б, and 77. Your stop is Krytiy Rynok.

If arriving by car, make your way to the city centre and the main Artema/Artyoma avenue that crosses the city north-south (starting at the railway station in the north and running all the way to the southern edge of the city centre). At the altitude of Mira/Myru avenue turn east and you will find the stadium after one block on your left hand side.

Address: 189e Chelyuskintsev Street, Donetsk 83048

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Posted in: Ukraine

Arena Lviv Stadium, Ukraine

 Extra-velganzer, lets cross the border of Poland to another beautiful country. Yes, iam talking about Ukraine. How beautifull is’t it?. We still looking for another excitement before the kick off the game. A week before the match that will be watch over 4 million eyes around the world. lets travel first to stadium by stadium and from one city to another host city.

Check your passport and then without you realize you already in Lviv. Lviv is a charming city, just 70km from the Polish border, with a coffee-house culture more akin to Austria and Hungary, and while other cityscapes were whitewashed by Soviet rule, Since it was founded as a hilltop fort on Zamkova Hora in 1256, Lviv's colour continued to shine through. The narrow-gauge tramways are not as visible as they once were – in the past two decades nine of the 11 lines have been abandoned – but they retain a presence, trundling along in their green livery.

 A jaunt up to the city's highest point, Zamkova Hora (Castle Hill) is revealing, and looking down on the UNESCO World Heritage site the epitaph 'the Florence of the east' is hard to discredit. Some 80km south of the city, the Carpathian mountains may be a touch too far to see but you may get a glimpse of the coniferous forest that dominate parts of the surrounding region, camouflage for the significant mineral wealth that lies below.

We are not going to talk about Castle Hill, Let’s talk about it in next journey. Right now, let’s just straight to the southern part of Lviv (a little bit hard to say Lviv is not it?). Near the intersection of the city's beltway M10 and M6 and also the route E471 and M06. Yes, we are in Arena Lviv, one of the host of EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

Arena Lviv is a football specific stadium in Lviv, Ukraine. It is one of the eight UEFA Euro 2012 venues, where it will host three of the group-stage games. According to the official plans, the stadium has a total seating capacity of 34,915. It has also been the new home field of FC Karpaty Lviv since 10 December 2011.

 The stadium construction started in November 20, 2008. The architect of the stadium is combination between local and European architect. Albert Wimmer ZT Gmbh (Vienna) / Arnika (Lviv) is the architect of this building. The stadium completed in October 2011 after spend 211 Million Euro only for construction cost. The contractor is Altkom.

The stadium's capacity is anticipated to be 34,915 spectators including 450 VIP sittings as well. All seats will be covered, while part of the roof assembly will be transparent to provide sufficient sunlight for the turf. The stadium's parking will be located underneath the arena which will consist of three levels. The parking for VIP will include 1593 spaces. Parking for tele- and radio-media agencies will include (6,000 square metres (65,000 sq ft)). There also will be parking for the disabled and special elevators will provide passage to seats that are also designed and reserved to accustom the necessary personnel.

Arena Lviv is the most modern and one of the newest stadiums in Europe. Arena Lviv meets all the requirements of UEFA, which include development of new technologies in construction, information and digital spheres.  A good few of the requirements aimed at increasing of spectators’ conveniences and security at the match.

 It is comfortable and beautiful sport facility with well-developed infrastructure designed especially for UEFA Euro 2012 and is designated for maintaining a service at football and entertainment events of the highest level and scope. During Euro 2012 the Lviv stadium will seat 32,767 guests, including  300 seats  - for honoured guests in the VIP-zone and about 150 seats in the skybox zone. The “hallmark’ of the stadium is its view of the pitch from the spectators’ seats of both upper and lower tiers, since the specially designed stands structure provides the maximum effect of the spectator on the pitch. All the seats are located under partially transparent covering. After the European Championship number of seats will be increased to 34,915 by reducing the media sector and the area provided for special technique for broadcasting of Euro 2012 finals.

 Stadium has 9 turnstile groups around the perimeter. Within each group there are scores of turnstiles, providing an unimpeded access to the stands. All the turnstiles are equipped with pointers. All the information you need, you can always check with stewards, dressed in yellow bibs.

All the visitors enter the promenade, a space between lower and upper stands, and then they are divided into two streams.  “A” stands are the lower tier and “B” stands are the upper one.

Visitor can be catered by 26 fast food outlets situated on the level 0 and the promenade. At the lateral sides of these outlets there are installed the water closets.

Arena Lviv will host three of the group-stage games of 2012 European Football Championship finals in Group B. those games are Germany VS Portugal at June 9, Denmark VS Portugal at June 13 and Denmark VS Germany at June 17.

How To Get To The Arena Lviv.

If you are travellers from outside Ukraine then you shoul take flight to Ukraine or straight to Lviv International Airport. The airport lies northwest from the stadium.

The Arena Lviv lies in the far south of the city of Lviv, just outside the urban limits, at about 8 kilometres of Lviv’s city centre and about 10 kilometres from the central rail station (which lies south-west of the centre).

The stadium lies near the crossing of the M10 and M06, and can thus be easily reached by car. The M06 connects with Lviv city centre in almost a straight line.

By public transport one can take trolleybus 5 from the city centre. Take the bus from Shota Rustaveli Street in the southern part of the city centre. The bus will go to the central bus terminal, which is almost next-door to the Arena Lviv.

Trolleybus 3 connects the stadium directly with the airport.

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Posted in: Ukraine

Municipal/Miejski Stadion, Poland

 Extra-Velganzer. This is the last day we are going to travel in Poland.  Yes, as I said before, we are going to travel in Poland just only to see what they got to be a host of one of phenomenon event in the world. Its EURO 2012 man, a party for  professional footballer in alll over Europe. Before they party started, lets get our party started.

So let me count first, we already visit Stadium in Gedanks, Warsaw and Poznan. Our last trip in Poland to visit the EURO 2012 stadium is in Wroclaw. It situated on the River Oder (Polish: Odra), in Lower Silesia. It is the largest city in western Poland. Wrocław was the historical capital of Silesia, and right now become the capital of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. Over the centuries, the city has been part of many countries such as Poland, Bohemia, Austria, Prussia, or Germany, and has been part of Poland since 1945 as a result of border changes after World War II. According to official figures for 2010, its population is 632,996, Wroclaw is the fourth largest city in Poland.

 To ensure they become good host in EURO 2012, Worclaw has preparing anything to welcome all the football athlete include the stadion. The Municipal Stadium of  Wroclaw, Poland, (Polish: Stadion Miejski we Wrocławiu) is the highest fourth category football (soccer) stadium built for the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship. The Stadium is located on aleja Śląska in the western part of the city (Pilczyce district). It is the home stadium of the Śląsk Wrocław football team playing in the Polish T-Mobile Ekstraklasa. The stadium has a capacity of 42,771 spectators, all seated and all covered.

Stadium construction began in April 2009 and was completed in September 2011. The architect of this amazing building is JSK Architekci. The winning architectural concept developed by JSK Architekci is called STADIUM-LANTERN. The distinctive shape was chosen to be easily recognizable and associated with a dynamic city.It cost more than 700 Million PLN only for complete all of the things. The operator of this stadion is Spectator Management Group. A worlwide sport management based in Pennsylvania USA.

 The shape of the stadium is highlighted by the innovative design of its external walls. The building is covered by glass fibre mesh coated with teflon. The mesh is anchored by steel rings placed around the entire body of the stadium. The covering lends lightness and transparency to the massive structure. The colors of the external walls of the stadium can be changed using a sophisticated lighting system.

Concession stands are situated under the semi-transparent facade.

The architectural concept also includes an outdoor promenade around the stadium, called the esplanade. The esplanade grants access to the inside of the stadium from two directions. From the south, it leads under Lotnicza Street where an integrated Park&Ride plaza is being built with a tram stop, a train station, and an outdoor parking lot). From the north, the esplanade leads from the northern public transport interchange with tram and bus stops and a parking lot for buses.

 The area surrounding the stadium and esplanade is landscaped and provided with benches to create a park-like space where people can relax or meet.

The stadium is divided into a number of dedicated zones necessary for the proper functioning of a sport arena Level 0 in the western section of the stadium. VIP fans is seated in close proximity to the playing field, and is separated from the teams' zone only by a glass wall. The teams' zone is located on Level 0 in the western part of the stadium. Identical facilities for both teams are equipped with locker rooms, massage rooms, showers, toilets, coach rooms and warm-up areas. In addition, there is an indoor swimming pool. The teams' zone also contains rooms and areas for the medical staff, referees, children and UEFA delegates, as well as cheering testing facilities.

The media zone is located in the upper section of the western stand. Each seat meets FIFA/UEFA requirements and is equipped with power, telephone, internet and TV connections. Some seats have a foldable desktop. Seats for commentators have revolving chairs.

Panoramic lifts and an open staircase grant access to the upper levels. A spacious and exclusively equipped Business Club is situated on Level 1. The Business Club is divided into three smaller rooms, each equipped with its own facilities. Each seat in the Business Club seat has its own internet connection.

On Level 3, there is twenty VIP boxes with a clear view of the pitch. Ten VIP boxes in the eastern stand is available for rental under the name "Incentive Boxes". VIP seats is broken down into three sectors: gold, silver, and bronze, depending on their location and the view they offer.

 The esplanade surrounding the entire stadium leads from the ground level to Level 1. Concession stands, first aid stations, police offices and rest rooms are located on the promenade. Seats for fans with disabilities are located in stands equipped with wheelchair ramps, and disabled fans are able to sit next to their caretakers. The new stadium is an arena without barriers. A Fan Shop is also located on Level 1. The shop offers merchandise such as scarves, T-shirts, mugs, and posters to fans of WKS Śląsk Wrocław.

Stadium opening took place at 10 September 2011 with boxing fight between Tomasz Adamek and Vitali Klitschko for WBC heavyweight title. First football match between Śląsk Wrocław and Lechia Gdańsk was played on 10 October 2011. Śląsk won this match 1:0 and Johan Voskamp was first goalscorer on the new stadium.

 How To Get to The Municipal Stadium In Wroclaw.

 One things you should remember that you can travel to this stadium if you already reach Poland. from all over Poland you can reach this city by anything. You can use Bus, Train, Car or plane. But I suggest you who take a flight from outside ueropean country to take Plane.

Wroclaw has its own international airport on Strachowice (Wroclaw, ul Skarzynskiego 36), roughly 12km from the city centre. It's a bit smaller than those in other Polish cities, but functional nonetheless. So If you want to use Plane then you will landing at Wroclaw Copernicus Airport. Thereare so many intenational flight will serve you to be there.

The stadium can be reached by accessing the motorway A8 from motorway A4.

Alongside the stadium is located junction called Wroclaw Stadion connecting A8 highway with parking at the stadium.

Currently, the stadium can be reached by different kinds of public transport. By buses: 103, 403 and 435 from the north side, and by the trams 3, 10, 20, 32PLUS, 33PLUS, and bus 128 from the south side. A new tram line is currently under construction. The route leads through Gaj - Hubs - City center - Kozanów - Pilczyce - Stadium, and it will end north of the stadium.

On the south side of the stadium, a transport interchange is being formed, including a new train station called Wroclaw Stadion. A two-way railway line will run at the zero level, while at the first level a tram line will be built to connect the city center with Leśnica. The transport interchange will also be available for vehicular traffic. A car park, city bus stop, bicycle paths and parking for cyclists are currently under construction there. A heliport is located on the eastern side of the stadium.

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Posted in: Poland

The Seven Sisters Waterfall, Norway

 Good Morning Extra-Velganzer, its very nice to meet you in this sunny day.  Little bit cloudy, because I can see group of cumulus “Big” Nimbo flying around here. But, no problem,the sun light still shine up there. So this is the best time to travel and spend energy and also spend “Wow” Words to see beautifull nature, amazing site and unforgotable environment.

So, right now, I am travel in Norway, Sitting in the boat observe the amazing water strippers The Seven Sisters. They are so amazing, never stop to dance, every time, every day and every week and I guess it will be long lasted untill the here after. So beautifull.

People may ask me, what are you talking about?. Just calm down, because right now we are going to explore the adventure of Geirangerford generally, specifically we are going to see The Seven Sisters Waterfall or in Norway famous with De Syv Søstrene or Dei Sju Systrene, also known as Knivsflåfossen.

The Seven Sisters (Norwegian: De Syv Søstrene or Dei Sju Systrene, also known as Knivsflåfossen) is the 39th tallest waterfall in Norway. The waterfall consists of seven separate streams that’s why it called “Seven Sisters”. I don’t really understand why the people add  “Sisters” joining with the “seven”, why not just put “Seven Brothers”. Probably its because this seven waterfall place in same location but have seven stream, that’s why it called Sisters.  The tallest of the seven has a free fall that measures 250 metres (820 ft). The legend of the seven sisters is that they dance playfully down the mountain, while a single waterfall opposite the seven sisters (known as the Courter, or Suitor, a male onlooker) flirts playfully from across the fjord. In Norwegian, 'The Suitor' is Friaren

 it is located along the Geirangerfjord in the municipality of Stranda in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. The waterfall is located just south of the historic Knivsflå farm, across the fjord from the old Skageflå farm. The falls are about 6.5 kilometres (4.0 mi) west of the village of Geiranger.

In Norway, seven adjacent waterfalls famously drop into Geirangerfjord, a fjord so impressive that it has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Seven Sisters stream over the fjord's 400-meter walls and are a popular attraction in summer months. In winter, The Seven Sisters flow as usual, the sea-level temperatures warm enough that the falls infrequently solidify.

How To Get To The Seven Sisters

           If you want to get to GeirangerFjord you need to arrive to Oslo, Norwegia. The Geiranger Fjord (Norwegian: Geirangerfjorden) is a fjord in the Sunnmøre region of Møre og Romsdal county in Norway. It is in the municipality of Stranda. It is a 15-kilometre (9.3 mi) long branch of the Storfjord (Great Fjord). The small village of Geiranger is located at the end of the fjord where the Geirangelva river empties into it. After arrived in Oslo international airport you cn take a bus to goto GeirangerGjord. There are express bus routes from Oslo, Trondheim and Bergen daily to Geiranger. In summer, daily buses to Åndalsnes (Nkr197, three hours) via Valldal leave Geiranger at 1pm and 6.10pm. For Molde, change buses in Åndalsnes; for Ålesund, change at Linge.

          If you using boat, The popular, hugely recommended run between Geiranger and Hellesylt (passenger/car with driver Nkr100/210, one hour) is quite the most spectacular scheduled ferry route in Norway. It has four to eight sailings daily between May and September (every 90 minutes, June to August). Almost as scenic is the ferry that runs twice daily between Geiranger and Valldal (adult/child single Nkr160/80, return Nkr250/120, 2¼ hours) between late-June and mid-August.

          From mid-April to mid-September, the Hurtigruten coastal ferry makes a detour from Ålesund to Geiranger (departs 1.30pm) on its northbound run only.

           Domestic flight connections are good, with direct flights from the largest cities of Norway to Ålesund Airport Vigra and to Ørsta/Volda Airport Hovden. Direct flights to Copenhagen and Riga. Northbound and southbound coastal express Hurtigruten calls daily at Ålesund and Torvik by Fosnavåg, and during summer season you can join daily round trips between Ålesund and Geiranger. Good bus connections to/from most cities and towns in Norway. The train trip with Raumabanen is an experience in itself, from Åndalsnes the "Train Bus" takes you further on to Ålesund & Sunnmøre.

If you choose to get there by plane, Domestic flight connections are good, with direct flights from the largest cities of Norway to Ålesund Airport Vigra and to Ørsta/Volda Airport Hovden. Direct flights to Copenhagen and Riga. Northbound and southbound coastal express Hurtigruten calls daily at Ålesund and Torvik by Fosnavåg, and during summer season you can join daily round trips between Ålesund and Geiranger. Good bus connections to/from most cities and towns in Norway. The train trip with Raumabanen is an experience in itself, from Åndalsnes the "Train Bus" takes you further on to Ålesund & Sunnmøre.

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Posted in: Norway

Municipal/Miejski/Lecha Stadium. Poland

 Extra-Velganzer, Jak Sie Masz??..lets continue our travel in Poland, after visiting the gorgeous National Stadium and PGE Arena Gdansk. Now lets continue our trip in Poland, looking for another excitement and experience before the kick off of EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. We are still in Poland but we will leaving Warsaw or Gdanks. We are going to visit Poznan with her A-Magnificient-Zing stadium they have.

Poznan roughly translates as "one who is recognised" and if the seemingly endless trade fairs in the city are anything to go by it certainly is. The fairs provide a huge source of civic pride (and money) and though of no real interest to the average visitor, the city – Poland's fifth largest and once a royal seat – has more than enough to offer elsewhere.

Poznan started life as a ninth-century wooden fort on a Warta river island before a growing population forced its migration to the mainland. Under Prussian/German rule from 1793, it returned to Poland in 1919 and the city sparked an intense regional uprising, a spirit revived as the city also witnessed the first mass protest in the Soviet bloc. With so much unrest Poznan has over the years undergone all manner of refits, from aesthetic facelifts to complete rebuilds; not unattractive scars of its history.

 After appointed as one of the host of Euro 2012, Poznan prepared their town to welcome this great event. Not only prepared the town but also best service for the next star of football players in Europe with special stadium.

Stadion Miejski or famous with stadion Lecha broke to the ground in 1968. The year of the story begun. Need 12 years to build this stadion, such a long story to build a great monument. Compared with others 2 stadion we already visit before, this stadion need a less construction cost. Its only obut 180 million euros to rebuild this stadion after it broke to the ground. The “Ted Mosby” of this stadion is Modern Construction Design Sp. z o.o. since build in 1968, the stadion renovated for the first time in 2003-2010. Like most stadiums in those times it was built on artificial hills on which concrete benches and crown of the stadium was later formed. The construction consisted of three stands (in a characteristic U-shaped style), while place dedicated for fourth stand was left free. Swimming pool and gyms were supposed to be build there, but this plan was never realized. It took almost 12 years to complete the whole structure. The first match on the new stadium Lech Poznan played on August 23, 1980 with audience of 18,000 people. The match between “Kolejorz” and Motor Lublin ended in a 1-1 draw. The first goal scorer for the home team at the new stadium was Mark Skurczyński.

 The Municipal Stadium in Poznań is the first facility for UEFA EURO 2012™ to be completed. Three European Championship matches will be hosted here in June 2012. Those matches to be played there are Croatia v. Ireland on 10 June, Croatia v. Italy on 14 June, and Ireland v. Italy on 18 June. (The other three matches in that group will take place at PGE Arena, Gdańsk.). According to the reconstruction project, the stadium is completely covered with a roof. The roof consists of three sections, which can move on the principle of accordion. This part of the project is believed to be the most expensive and most difficult in the modernization. The frame of the entire roof structure is made ​​of steel (about 7,000 tons).

On zero level of the stadium there are a football pitch, rooms for the players of two teams, locker rooms for athletes and coaches, as well as showers, saunas, massage rooms. On the same floor there are arena’s technical support services. The third level is organizational. It houses rooms for the press and the stadium’s employees, offices and warehouses. There are two conference halls for 25 and 50 persons, a photo studio. Two levels are designed for VIP persons: a hotel, two restaurants, two medical centers and other facilities. 

The modernization of the existing stadium on Bułgarska Street began in January 2009. In well under two years the stadium has undergone a complete transformation. Now the facility at Bułgarska Street is modern, multifunctional and safe. Matches during the UEFA EURO 2012™ will be watched by over 43 thousand people, 480 people can be accommodated at 45 sky boxes, 1,100 seats are provided for the business sector, media zone operates separately. Additionally, 222 seats at the stadium are intended for the disabled fans: 142 seats or wheelchair users and their companions; 40 - for people with partial or complete loss of hearing, 40 - for people with partial or complete loss of vision. For the latter special sportcasters will provide an individual match reportThe grandstands are completely covered with a membrane of natural silk. The City of Poznań has invested 713 million PLN in the modernization of the facility.

Officially opened on 20^th September 2010, the first real test of the facility was a Sting concert. The artist performed at the stadium during the 2010 edition of the festival: "Poznań for the Earth" - accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and conducted by Steven Mercurio. Ten days later the first football match was held-the match between Lech Poznań and FC Salzburg in the group stage of the UEFA Europa league. It was attended by 42,000 fans!.

 Poznań stadium can boast the two biggest broadcast screens in Poland, each consisting of 120 smaller LED screens with an area of 116 m². Previously, the record had belonged to the Warsaw Riviera and the Katowice Spodek. A lighting rig of lightning power, reaching 2000 lux, can meet the requirements of state-of-the-art HD transmission.

Stadium operates 2 restaurants, bar, cafeteria and 27 catering stalls with 221 stands for sale. The arena’s parking space is capable of servicing over 2,000 cars.

How To Get To Municipal/Miejski/Lecha Stadium In Poznan.

 Poznań-Ławica airport is 7km west of the city and has daily flights to Warsaw as well as regular links to Copenhagen, Dublin, Stockholm, Barcelona, Germany and England. in the vicinity of the route leading directly to the major city points and next to the road out of Poznań to Berlin and Warsaw. It is possible to get to the city centre from the airport using line 59 or express line L, that is going directly to Railway Station. In line L the ticket price doubles and one can take one piece of luggage free of charge.Poznań Główny railway station in the heart of the city offers the best domestic service with about 20 daily services to Warsaw (3-4 hours). Frequent trains run to Wroclaw (2.5 hours), Gdansk (4 hours) and Kyiv (18 hours) and there are also direct services to Berlin, Cologne and Moscow.

All trains coming to Poznań stop at Poznań Main Railway Station (Poznań Główny). The Railway Station is composed of two buildings: the Main Hall (Hala Główna) and the West Railway Station (Dworzec Zachodni) connected by a subway. The Railway Station is located in the city centre, just next to the Poznań International Fair venue (Międzynarodowe Targi Poznańskie). In the Main Hall there are kiosks, shops, fast food restaurants, ATM and Glob - Tour tourist information.

Passengers can get to the city by tram or bus - the nearest tram stop is next to the West Railway Station. Trams no. 5, 8, 14 and 18 leave the stop. In the vicinity of the Main Hall exit there is a municipal bus stop for lines 51, 68 and 76. At night, also night buses approach the stop. To get to the tram stop, passengers should use stairs or a lift leading to the Railway Bridge (Most Dworcowy). There, passengers can use trams no. 6, 10, 11 and 12. TAXI ranks are located next to the Main Hall and the West Railway Station exit. It is advisable, however, to call RADIO TAXI in a point located in the Main Hall. Automatic train timetable information system (phone no.): 863 38 14, 863 38 15. Central domestic and interantional train information (phone no.): 94 36.

PKS Station (Bus Transport Company) is located in ul. Towarowa 17/19. It provides both domestic and international transport services. Apart from ticket offices, kiosks, bar and PKS information point also travel agencies selling tickets for international routes are located in the bus station hall. Next to the station there are fast food restaurants, ATM, a bookshop and a cake shop. In front of the station there is a tram stop for lines no. 6, 10, 11 and 12. Information (phone no.): 664 25 25.

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Posted in: Poland

Old City Graz, Austria

Extravelganzer, how are you right now?. Hope that you still in very good condition to travel today. As I told you before, this blog is about traveling, trip, journey, visiting new place and looking for many experience. So if you going to find a pets overhere, you are in wrong place. Because this place is all about travelling.

So where we are going right now??.. Hmmmm, I am a little bit curious with  one of beautifull city in the world – beside the Ve-Nice of course -. If I say like that so no more question and no more clue I have to give, right to the points. I already pepared all of the things to be brought. Camera, Check. Paspor, Check, Visa, Check. Hotel, Check, Ticket, Check. Lets travel to the Old Graz City In Austria.

 The history of Graz begun when (A.E.I.O.U., or Austria Est Imperare Orbu Universo) left behind by Friedrich III, King of Germany and holy Roman Emperor, who resided here. The city boasts the empires’s(and Europe’s) largest armory: More than 30,000 pieces of every imaginable kind of armor and equipment used for war and jousting fill four floors of the 17^th-century. Landeszeughaus Armory. The town’s draw may be its magnificient architecture from middle ages and the renaissance, but the tone of Graz today is young and upbeat, thanks to three prominent universities (one offering the only facilities of jazz in all europe), the oldest founded in the 16^th century, from spring untill fall, a number of prestigious fars and music festivals enliven the flagstone streets and squares, while students keep the atmospheric beer cellars, bars and publike beisls buzzing. As capital of the agriculturally rich region of Styria, one of Graz’s most enticing day trips is a meander out along any of eight “wine roads” south of the city.

          Graz laid on the southeastern seat of the Hapsburg as early as 1379, features one of Central Europe’s best-preserved Alstadte (Old Town). Just look around Graz and you will see the ubiqutious motto “Austria Rules The World”.

Graz is the second-largest city in Austria after Vienna and the capital of the federal state of Styria (Steiermark). On 1 April 2010 it had a population of 291,890 (of which 258,605 had principal residence status). Graz is situated on the Mur River in the southeast of Austria. It is about 200 km (120 mi) southwest of Vienna. The nearest larger urban center is Maribor in Slovenia which is about 50 km (31 mi) away. Graz is the capital and largest city in Styria, a green and heavily forested area.

You know what makes Graz especially exciting, amazing, gorgeous, wonderfull and astonishing  is the combination of these historic treasures with truly stunning modern architecture like the Kunsthaus Graz, which beautifully reflects the Old Town in its façade. Graz has a long tradition as a student city: its six universities have more than 44,000 students. Its "Old Town" is one of the best-preserved city centres in Central Europe. Students from the city’s four universities enjoy the many street cafes, which lend the city an almost Mediterranean flair. Art galleries, great shopping, innovative- as well as excellent traditional restaurants, and a busy event calendar ensure that the city stays young at heart.

 Graz has come quite a long way since first being officially settled in the Middle Ages, and its rich mix of architectural styles surely gives testament to its comprehensive history. During the rule of the Roman Empire, Graz was the site of a small fort, which graced the Schlossberg Graz hill in the middle of the city. When Slavic peoples moved into Graz later on, they erected a larger fortress on the same hill. This castle would eventually be the influence for the city's name. Gradec in Slovene means castle, and the same word translated to German is Graz. The name Graz was first applied by the German Babenberg Dynasty in the year 1128. The Babenbergs ruled Austria between 976 and 1248, eventually ceding power to the Habsburg Dynasty. The Habsburgs would erect their own, larger castle on the hill, though only part of it remains to this day. The Schlossberg Graz castle was ordered to be destroyed in 1809 by Napoleon after he defeated Austria in the Battle of Wagram. All that survived was the Uhrturm (Clock Tower) and the bell tower. The surviving Clock Tower is today the symbol of Graz. It was saved by the city's citizens, who paid a hefty sum to France to spare their beloved symbol.

In 2003, Graz Austria was designated by the European Union as The European Capital of Culture. This gave Graz the chance to really show of its attractions. Among the main Graz attractions that visitors won't want to miss is the Schlossberg Graz hill, which is quite akin to Lykavittos Hill in Athens, Greece. There is a cable car (funicular) that takes visitors to the top of the hill, and if you're up for it, you can climb the winding stairs instead. A lovely park with southern plants was established here in the late 1800s, and there is also a restaurant at the top of the hill where you can enjoy a meal and some great views of the surrounding city. Between the months of May and October, guided tours of the hill are offered, and in the summer months, the hill is the site for a bunch of concerts. As for the southern plants found on the hill, Graz Austria enjoys a relatively Mediterranean climate due to its location in a "bowl" south of the Austrian Alps. There are plants all over the city and outlying region that are typically found south of Austria, which is a neat point of curiosity.

 Graz's Old Town is a definite must-visit when enjoying Graz travel, and thankfully, much of it was spared during the WWII Allied bombing campaigns. It's a great idea to take tours of Graz's Old Town whether it is guided or not. You can start in the main square (Hauptplatz), which is surrounded by old houses, the most notable of which is the seventeenth century House of Luegg. While exploring Old Town Graz, it's worth it to head over to Herrengasse Street, where the Landhaus is found. The Landhaus is an ornate Renaissance palace that once served as the seat of the regional government. It was designed by the Italian architect, Domenico dell'Allio, who began work on the gem in 1557. A stunning arcaded courtyard awaits visitors at the Landhaus, and the building overall is just something to behold whether you tour it or just gawk at it from the other side of the street.

Though it's not open to visitors, as it serves as the provincial government seat for Styria, the Burg is a notable structure that you will hardly miss when visiting Graz Austria. Originally a castle that dates back to 1499, it was built for Maximilian I, who was then Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Today, the Burg is home to government offices, and though it's not open to visitors to fully explore, the concierge often allows visitors in to admire the medieval winding staircase, which is truly impressive. Not all of the Graz attractions are historical ones, however, and attractions in general don't get much more modern than the Kunsthaus, which is the most recognizable Graz museum. Set on the banks of the River Mur, this blue blob of a structure is home to a great collection of modern art. Whether or not you appreciate the innovative design of the Kunsthaus is something else.

Because all of this amazing-nes,  In 1999, Graz was added to the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage Sites, and the site was extended in 2010 by Schloss Eggenberg. Graz was sole Cultural Capital of Europe for 2003 and got the title of a City of Culinary Delights in 2008. UNESCO experts were so impressed by the interplay of the countless sights and attractions that they declared the Old Town of Graz to be a World Cultural Heritage site, worthy for protection for the ages. Graz is old, to be sure. So that’s why is worth to visit this city. So many things to see, so many things to do and so many experience will fill up your life. Guarantee.

How To Get To The Old City Graz

So if you want to get in Old City Graz. You must already be there in Austria. There are a few different ways to get to Austria, but if you don't live in Europe or aren't already based somewhere on the continent, then flying is likely how you will arrive. Your Austria airfare will take a large chunk out of your travel budget, so it's always a good idea to look for cheap flights to Austria if you have the time. With the money that you save, you'll have more left over for things like shopping and tours.

If you got from European country, you can also use plane. Graz airport (IATA: GRZ), (Flughafen Graz - also known as Thalerhof), around 9 km south of the city centre. Scheduled flights operate to Graz from Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart, Vienna, Linz, Innsbruck, Zurich, London, Hannover, Friedrichshafen. It is possible to fly from Britain from London Stansted with Ryanair, and within Europe low-cost airlines serving Graz-Thalerhof are Intersky and Lufthansa, amongst others.

From the airport you have several possibilities to reach the centre:

• by taxi: approximate fare to the center is between €20-25.
• by bus: the bus station is directly in front of the arrival zone. Bus lines 630 and 631 are going to Jakominiplatz (the central point of public transportation) from approx. 05:20 to 23:45, travel time is 20 minutes. Fare is €1,90 for a single ticket (February 2012).
• by train: to reach the train station you have to walk ~5 minutes (easy to find, just head straight out the airport and continue to the east). Line S5 connects to Graz Hauptbahnhof (main station) from 04:47 (Saturdays and Sundays 05:17) to 22:47 (Sundays: 21:47). Travel time is 15 minutes, fare is also €1,90 for a single ticket.

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Posted in: Austria