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a feel good travel blog

Seattle's 7 Best Sunset Spots to Fall in Love With

6/8/2017

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Seattle is one of the most beautiful cities in America. The modern architecture, in my opinion, is ruining the beauty of our downtown, but nevertheless, the nature, thankfully, has remained the same. Nearby downtown Seattle, there are several spectacular spots to watch the sunset. Most of these places are visited by locals and showcase some of the best sunset views in town. Although the city is not limited to these seven spots, I recommend these places to step outside the bustling city and to end your day with a touch with nature. 
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Marshall Park - Queen Anne
Marshall Park is a tiny view point park located on West Highland Drive, just minutes from Kerry Park. Around sunset, admire the skyline at Kerry Park change colors and then make way towards Marshall Park to watch this ball of fire set behind the Olympics. Across from Marshall is the ancient Parson's Garden, where trees look as old as the dinosaurs. 

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Discovery Park Beach - Magnolia
Discovery Park is another a local hotspot. Runners, relaxers, bird watchers, everyone flocks to Discovery Park to escape the city and enjoy some R&R. Follow the loop trail (I start at West Emerson Street) that leads to the beach. On a lucky day, bald eagles soar above the shoreline and red tail or Cooper's Hawks perch in the nearby trees. This is the biggest park in Seattle and one of the most beautiful. If you have time, walk toward the lighthouse for a bit of peace and quiet. 

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Elliot Bay Park - Waterfront 
For travelers, this is the easiest and most accessible area from downtown to watch the sunset. Walk from the Olympic Sculpture Park on the Elliot Bay trail to admire the sun setting over the Olympics. There is plenty of green space, and small beaches, along the waterfront to host a picnic or just to relax. The beauty of the waterfront is not explainable via words, but is something you must experience while in Seattle. 
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Alki Beach - West Seattle
Alki, and Golden Gardens, are two of the most popular beaches in the city. And there's a reason why, since Alki and Golden Gardens are traditional fine-grained sand beaches. Here you'll find beach volleyball competitions, barbecue pits and the opportunity to rent four-person bicycles. The sunset is viewable from any spot along Alki beach all the way to the water taxi. Traffic in and out of Alki can be a nightmare, so if you visit Seattle without a car, take the water taxi from downtown to West Seattle and either walk, or catch the shuttle bus to Alki. 

Space Needle Observation Deck - Seattle Center/Queen Anne
The iconic space needle is one of the most visited sites in Seattle, and is probably the best sunset spot in the city. Catch a bird's eye view of the sun setting over the Olympics while admiring a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding neighborhoods. In the summer, the lines are long and the tickets are expensive, but most people find it's worth the wait. 

Golden Gardens - Ballard
On a warm and sunny day, which is not very often outside of summer, Golden Gardens is one of the most popular beach destinations for sunbathers and outdoor enthusiasts. The fine-grained sand is as golden as the sun, and the feeling of it makes you believe you are somewhere in Florida. The water looks tempting, but is frigid, so swimmers beware! This is a popular sunset spot and sometimes make-shift DJ parties happen here during the day and at sunset. 

Sunset Hill Park - Ballard
Sunset Hill is a small park that features exquisite views of the Olympic National Forest and the Puget Sound. Below the hill, the bay is alive with sailboats, gliding in every direction. The park is quieter than Golden Gardens and is often visited by locals and families. 

What's your favorite spot to watch the sunset in Seattle? 


Wander Seattle without getting lost! This Lemon Tree article is now featured on GPSmyCity.  To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Seattle's 7 Best Sunset Spots to Fall in Love With. 
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8 Must-Visit Churches and Cathedrals in Prague

6/1/2017

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It’s no secret on why people love Prague. It’s beautiful, majestic and historic. The ancient architecture and tight-knitted alleyways ignites history, making one feel as if they are walking through a Medieval fairy tale. Churches are one of the most visited architectural sites throughout Europe. And Prague has no shortage of churches. Whether you seek intricately painted art, angelic music or history, be sure to visit one, or all, of these churches in Prague.

St. Vitus Cathedral
Located at the Prague Castle, this is one of the most visited churches in the city. The construction took centuries to complete and one will notice the Gothic masterpiece, which is a spiritual symbol of Prague. Construction began in 1344 commissioned by Charles IV and reached its final phase of construction between 1873-1929. This cathedral serves importance as it has coronated the many Czech kings and queens.
III. nádvoří 48/2, 119 01 Praha 1, Czechia
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http://www.free-city-guides.com/prague/tyn-church/
Tyn Church
Founded in 1385, Tyn served as the Old Town’s Church. Some claim its history dates further back, but if searching for history, this is one church to visit. The Hussites controlled the church in the early 15th Century. Sadly, this was a period of history where Roman Catholics slaughtered the Hussites, which led to the Jesuits to take control. The Jesuits replaced the Hussites symbol with a figure of Mary nailed between the towers.
If you look closely, the Towers are not symmetrical. One tower, Adam, is larger than the other, Eve. A fire occurred in 1679, which resulted in the Baroque-style of reconstruction. The organ dates back to 1673 and is the oldest in Prague. 
Old Town Square, Old Town, Prague 1, Czech Republic

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pinterest.com
St Nicholas Church on the Market Place
St. Nicholas is a Baroque-style church, and the largest of three St. Nicholas churches in Prague. This is the largest of the Jesuit churches in town. Records date back to 1283 where a former parish one stood ground before the new construction in 1703. From painted vaulted ceilings to grandiose statues, this is one of the most beautiful churches in the city. One interesting fact is that Mozart played on this organ in 1787.
Malostranské nám., 118 00 Praha 1-Malá Strana, Czechia

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http://www.prague.eu/en/object/places/137/vysehrad
Vysehrad Park & St Peter & Paul Church
Seventy years after the construction of Prague castle, the town built this church and fortified trading post. In 1085, orders from Vratislav II, prince of Bohemia’s founding Premyslid dynasty, constructed what the locals called, the “Castle on the Heights.”  The interior is worth exploring and is more detailed than its modest exterior. Many Czech artists, musicians and politicians are buried in the adjacent cemetery.
V Pevnosti 5b, Vysehrad, Prague 2

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http://churchcrawler.blogspot.com/2011/10/st-saviour-sv-salvator-old-town-prague.html
St. Salvator Church Old Town
This won’t be the most colorful church you’ll ever lay your eyes on, but it’s history is fascinating. The 17th Century Church is the largest evangelical church in the city. The church was founded by German Lutherans who laid stones for its foundation in 1611. The church changed owners throughout history, where the Evangelicals purchased the church in 1863. The white interior and exterior boasts a sense of purity amidst these holy walls. Marvel at the detailing, the perfection is divine. 
St. Salvator Church Charles Bridge
Krizovnicke namesti 2, Old Town, Prague 1, Czech Republic
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tripadvisor.com
St Martin in the Wall Church
This tiny and well-preserved Romanesque church dates back to the 1178-1187 during the settlement of the Ujezd. The church was divided into two in the 13th Century during the construction of the Old Town walls. During the 14th-15th Century, the church was reconstructed in Gothic style, which is what you still see today. It occasionally opens for classical music events.
Martinska 8, Old Town, Prague 1, Czech Republic

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tripadvisor.com
Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius
The beautiful interior tricks visitors into thinking that this church is as ancient as the city itself. In fact, this is one of the youngest churches in town. Built between 1854-1863, many are interested in this church due to its World War II connection. In May 1942, two Czech paratroopers were ordered by the government to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich, a Bohemian puppet state’s Nazi overseer. The paratroopers and others who assisted in the plot fled to the crypt of the Orthodox Church of St. Cyril and Methodius. A partisan betrayed the plot, and told Germans, who tried to shoot their way into the crypt and then flush the men out with water. To end the drama, the resistance fighters committed suicide, as there was no other escape besides surrendering to the Nazis. This led to hundreds of innocent people, and the village of Lidice, to lose their lives. The church contains plaques and a timeline of the event.
Resslova 9a, 120 00 Praha 2-Nové Město, Czechia
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http://clementinumconcerts.com/stclement.html
St Clement’s Cathedral
Built between 1711-1715, this Barque-style church replaced a former Gothic church destroyed in the 15th Century. The fine details from the organ loft to the pillars require attention as there are not many places left on the planet that have this type of fine and detailed handwork. It operates as a Greek Orthodox Church and features concerts throughout the year.
Karlova 1, Old Town, Prague 1, Czech Republic

What's your favorite church in Prague? Each one is unique in its history, architecture and design and I recommend seeing as many as possible! 


This Lemon Tree article is now featured on GPSmyCity.  To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to 8 Must Visit Churches in Prague. 
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    Elizabeth Rae Kovar is a Fitness Trainer, Author of Finding Om, Presenter, Yogi, Vegan & lover of the World. View her portfolio at www.elizabethkovar.comor health-based blog at mindbodysoul-food.com

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