The largest excavated palace of the Minoan civilization, 5 km (3 miles) southeast of the present-day capital of Crete, Heraklion. It was first built in 1950 BC, rebuilt in 1700 BC and destroyed by fire in 1400-1380 BC. Knossos was the cultural and economic centre of one of the first great Mediterranean civilizations. The ruins comprise a stone-built rectangular complex, laid out on four levels around a square covering 1325 m2 (1584 sq yds). The British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans began excavations in 1899, spending large sums of his own money on the project. Now an area of 20 000 m2 (24 000 sq yds) has been uncovered, revealing many chambers, workshops, and a throne room with the alabaster throne of King Minos - master, according to Greek mythology, of the bull-headed Minotaur which wandered the underground labyrinth below the palace. Many of the artefacts found at Knossos are now displayed at Heraklion.
Locals hypothesize that the legacy of Italian blood and culture in Cologne, colonized by the Romans more than 1500 years ago, makes the people more jovial and lighthearted. Cologne is the largest city on the Rhine.
Kolsch is not only the dialect spoken here but, also the name of their own top-fermented beer. There are more than 4,000 pubs, restaurant's and brewery taverns in Cologne.
Unlike many of the world's large cities, Cologne, with a population of over a million, gets better every day, there are more things to do and see, more new and innovative buildings... more
Travel is an opportunity to learn, whether geography, languages, history or other subjects.
Cologne is situated on the beautiful Rhine River.