Top 5 Most Famous Beaches in the Cinema
It’s a summer and probably everyone is making plans to collect some tan by the sea. That’s why we ranked our top 5 on the popular beaches in the cinema. Here are some locations that are not only preferred by millions of tourists each year (even in the new reality), but are also among the favorites of the representatives of the Seventh Art.
Top 5 of the Famous Cinema Beaches
Petit Tabac, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The Caribbean paradise on Earth – exotic with turquoise lagoons, dazzling white sand, huge palm trees, coral reef and wild beaches… What more do you need?! Well, maybe Johnny Depp to make you feel like in the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean”.
We will not go into details about the history of this beautiful place, discovered in 1498 by Christopher Columbus. But let’s get back to cinema. The exact location where most of the footage for the various episodes of “Pirates of the Caribbean” was taken is Wallilabou Bay, on the northwest coast of St. Vincent. There, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) found himself in the company of Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley), but their stay was not at all romantic, especially after the beauty set fire to the hideout with rum.
Laughing Waters Beach, Jamaica
Fans of the Agent 007 series have probably heard of this beach, especially fans of older episodes. A private exotic place that became famous after the shooting of the first James Bond movie. There, Ursula Anders (one of the girls of the agent) appears from the surf. Her photos from the production can be seen at the local restaurant.
GoldenEye is the most famous address in Jamaica, which is a magnificent high-end resort, including a lagoon and a private beach. There is also the villa where Ian Fleming writes all his James Bond novels.
Mónsul Beach, Almeria, Spain
Captivating beauty, incredibly fine sand and crystal clear water appear in many movies and commercials. One of the favorite destinations of directors of western, military and fantasy films. Among the most popular titles are Lawrence of Arabia (1962), A Fistful of Dollars (1965), Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). Lucky Luke (2004), Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014) and others.
Undoubtedly, the charming nature is not the only reason why this is a preferred destination. Costs here are often significantly lower than in the United States. And another plus – the desert is close to all the amenities of the big city, necessary for the film crew. Just 30 minutes away are the fantastic natural beaches of the Mediterranean – Cabo de Gata Nature Park.
Capriccioli Beach, Sardinia, Italy
Another location of Agent 007 from the time of the incarnation of the late Roger Moore (1977). Some of the shots were taken in one of the most expensive hotels in the world – Cala Di Volpe, a favorite of many celebrities. It is located in Porto Cervo, one of the most luxurious resorts in Sardinia. Most of the film was shot south of Porto Cervo and around San Pantaleo. Somewhere here is shot the white Lotus Esprit “jumping” into the ocean.
Ko Phi Phi Le, Thailand
Unearthly beautiful, exotic and devoid of the vulgarity of the commercial world. This is exactly the beauty we see in the thriller “The Beach” with Leo DiCaprio. The Hollywood star walks around this fine sand and trembles at the terrifying sharks. But don’t worry, on-screen marine predators predominate in movie production, so if you get a chance to bounce to this beautiful beach, don’t worry about your life.
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And if you have to travel to Sofia and are wondering where to stay, we are waiting for you at Art Hotel Simona. The artistic atmosphere of each of our six themed art floors, the incredibly delicious food and the special attitude towards each guest will make your stay an unforgettable experience.
5 Tips for Healthy Eating During the Holidays
It is clear that summer is the holiday season – there is no dispute on this issue. But during our travels and entertainment we often forget about our healthy diet. If you still stick to proper nutrition and you are wondering exactly how to combine it with your plans for sea or mountain adventures, maybe these few tips are just for you.
How to Eat Healthy During the Holidays?
Make a List With Forbidden Foods
Something very valuable, especially for people with digestive or gastric problems. They certainly understand well what we mean, but we will explain to everyone else. And in the beginning we clarify that we do not need to be very drastic to eat relatively healthy, even when we are out of town.
The easiest way is to make a list of foods to avoid. This does not mean that we will deprive ourselves, we will just be careful. This list is good to include fried and greasy things, as well as very salty packaged products and sausages. And if you’re wondering why it’s so important, it’s good to know that it won’t hold water or fill you with toxins.
Think About Places to Eat in Advance
When we go to the sea or the mountains, we choose a place to sleep in advance. At the same time, however, inquire about the places where you will be able to eat. If you prefer and have such an opportunity, you may prepare your own food. In case you are going to eat in a restaurant, ask in advance where delicious and quality dishes are offered.
Don’t Hurry – Positive Emotions Will Not Escape
Clearly, adventures can’t wait, but you don’t need to rush all the time. Take enough time for breakfasts, lunches and dinners, because they are valuable both for energy and for sharing time with loved ones and friends. And if you’re still in the rhythm of the big city, slow down a bit, eat something tasty, take some drink and enjoy the company.
You Have to Limit Fizzy Drinks
We know very well that gin goes with a tonic and rum with a cola and we do not say that they are forbidden, but we do not need to pour carbonated drinks from morning till night. We will save you explanations of how harmful they are to your health, because we believe you are aware. We just want to point out that there are healthier and more enjoyable alternatives. Think about them!
You Don’t Overdo With Sweets
It is true that the vacation is time for relax, but you do not want to try to lose the extra pounds next two months, right?!. Not to mention the harm to health from excessive amounts of jam… So you better sweeten your life with some fruit or dark chocolate.
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And for those who have a trip to Sofia – no matter for work or just for a walk, know that Art Hotel Simona can offer unforgettable experiences in an artistic rooms at reasonable prices. And all this 3 km from the city center and with impeccable hygiene measures, as the new reality requires. And for gourmets, the Simona restourant has a wonderful list of specialties that you will find hard to resist.
We are expecting you!
Some Especially Important Amenities in Art Hotel Simona
The new reality has led to transformations in all areas of our lives. Undoubtedly, there are some in the hotel business so that we can ensure greater safety for guests and employees. Therefore, no matter how many innovations we introduce in the service, there are some “basic” requirements. However, it is precisely these amenities that we often seem not to notice, but without them the stay would definitely not be so pleasant.
Hotel Amenities Without Which It Would not be the Same
Cleanliness
Well, the pandemic has probably made more people pay attention to hygiene, but in general this is something we take for granted. However, Art Hotel Simona has developed a special safety program and methodology for disinfection of our hotel rooms, conference halls, Simona restaurant, as well as the common areas.
Security
Many guests accept hotels as a home away from their own home and therefore expect to have serious safety and security measures there. That is why with us you have the opportunity to use a free safe, and the hotel is also equipped with security cameras.
Parking
Something that will be very important to you if you do not want to use taxis and plan to travel with your car or rent one. Parking in Sofia, especially in the evening, is sometimes a real nightmare, so the free parking at Art Hotel Simona is certainly a huge convenience that will save you a lot of worries.
Internet
In our country we are used to accepting the Internet as a completely ordinary and normal extra. Well, then it certainly impresses you when you visit places where the WiFi is not very good and you have to wait for the desired page to load, as in the good old days. That is why in Art Hotel Simona we have thought about this issue, building a connection using the latest technology with hotspot points, which allows guests to move around the hotel without having to connect to different routers on each floor. This system provides super fast WiFi and a great connection anywhere in the hotel – even in the summer garden of the restaurant “Simona”.
Breakfast
No need to tell you how important the breakfast is. Besides, you don’t think it would be convenient to wake up and wander around an unfamiliar city looking for something tasty to eat. For this reason, Simona restaurant offers a nutritious start to the day so you can concentrate on the important things.
Restaurant
And when it comes to food, let’s take care of the menu throughout the day, as well as to have a place to have a drink to relax after work. Of course, you would probably like to explore the city, but if you prefer to take a shower and eat without having to go far, with us you can do it in Simona restaurant.
Comfortable Beds
The hotel takes care of many basic needs, but one of the most important is to provide a comfortable place to relax. And to feel good it is not enough just to have a place to sleep – what matters is a good mattress, cleanliness, arrangement of the room and good air circulation. That is why we at Art Hotel Simona have taken care of the overall comfort of the guests by adding our own artistic touch to the interior of the premises.
Lighting
This is quite a problem in many hotels because most do not offer adequate lighting in the rooms and bathrooms. Good lighting is also very important for the experience in the room and ensuring security. What do you think?!
Which is the Perfect Time for Dinner
Scientific claims on this issue are contradictory. In principle, eating late at night has long been “stigmatized” because it interferes with healthy sleep. According to some studies, early dinner or skipping it altogether can increase the amount of fat we burn. Some experts even claim that eating after 19:00 is a health risk, not just for weight gain.
What is the Best Time For the Last Meal of the Day?
It all depends on the lifestyle we lead. If we get up early, it is quite understandable that our dinner will be earlier. At the same time, someone who sleeps until 11:00-12:00 cannot finish his meals at 17:00, can he?! Therefore, it is best to stop eating at least 1-2 hours before bedtime, if we can 3 hours – even better.
And we at Art Hotel Simona advise you to forget about fast food and take care of your health in the most delicious way possible. We do not accept skipping dinner as an option, because “hungry eyes do not can sleep”, as folk wisdom claims. You will also miss many shared moments with your loved ones.
Tricks Against Night Hunger
Our body needs to get used to certain habits, but if you still suffer from “night eating syndrome”, there are some tricks to help yourself. One of them is drinking water, because it will fill the stomach and prevent overeating. The other – start brushing your teeth after dinner, not before going to bed. This will create the attitude that you are done with the culinary temptations for the day.
And Watch Out What You Eat
It became clear that at the end of the day we should not overdo it. Keep in mind that fats and high-fat foods are absorbed more slowly by the body and can cause reflux or heartburn. It is good to limit bread, fried foods and desserts. If for some reason you are still hungry after dinner, you can afford some cheese, a handful of almonds, wholemeal biscuits, yogurt or an apple, because they stabilize blood sugar when we sleep.
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And we are waiting for you in Simona restaurant (at what time you decide) to enjoy together the variety of temptations in the culinary art.
Weekend Offer: The Bells (PHOTOS)
Bells Park is one of the emblematic of Sofia. We all know where it is (hopefully), but how many of us know its history?! The place where the impressive monument is located is extremely beautiful and is only a kilometer from Mladost district.
The area offers the opportunity to walk in nature, and you can certainly find quieter picnic areas if you prefer privacy. Before that, however, be sure to take a walk to see the many bells from around the world, especially if you have children – a lot of fun.
What is a Bell Park?
This is a complex whose official name is the International Park of Children of the World. It is located near the Sofia village of Bistritsa at the foot of Vitosha Mountain. It was opened in 1979 on the idea of Lyudmila Zhivkova because of the hosting of our country at the International Children’s Assembly “Flag of Peace” under the auspices of UNESCO (Children’s Art Festival).
Photo: NUKK
The complex is designed by the sculptors Krum Damyanov and Mihail Benchev, the architects Blagoy Atanasov and Georgi Genchev and eng. Anton Maleev. It was built in just 30 days and in its center there is a monument with a height of 37 meters. It consists of 4 vertical pylons, oriented according to the directions of the world. At the top there is a sphere that symbolizes the planet, and 7 bells – for each of the continents. Many more bells (over 130) are located in a circle around the main monument.
Curious about the Bells:
- We can find a copy of a bell from the 4th century BC;
- The oldest original bell is from the 11th century;
- One of the bells (from Latin America) took part in a real uprising;
- In 1996, a few bulldozers were about to demolish the monument;
- The Bulgarian bell weighs 1300 kg, and the reason – in honor of the 1300th anniversary of the founding of our country.
How to Get There?
You can use public transport – buses 314, 111, 112, or the more convenient option – by car (there is a place to park). Unfortunately, you can’t rely much on signage, so you’d better turn on your GPS navigation.
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And we are waiting for you in Art Hotel Simona, where you will enjoy a cozy, artistic atmosphere, unique design rooms, interesting culinary offerings, impeccable hygiene and special treatment. And all this only 3 km from the center of Sofia.
Tips for Beginner Cooks (Units of Measurement)
Anyone who has experimented in the kitchen at least once has encountered “units of measurement” such as a tablespoon of salt or a cup of coffee oil. And you’ve probably wondered if you would do something wrong. That’s why, so you can be a little more confident next time, we offer you a short but very valuable guide to measuring products “by eye”.
And one more thing – don’t forget that the skill is mastered by practice, so don’t worry about making mistakes! You can get an unexpectedly good result, because the real culinary art is a passion that requires love, desire and a small dose of madness.
How to measure products without a kitchen scales?
1 pinch = about 1 g (salt, sugar, flour, red and black pepper)
1 handful of salt = about 80 g
1 lump of sugar = about 6 g
1 medium egg = about 50 g
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If you do not like cooking or just want to try something new and different, welcome to our restaurant “Simona”. Along with the pleasant art atmosphere, we promise you a unique taste that delights the senses.
