Hey! My name is EUROBEPPE,I’m from Rovigo, I am nowgoing to take you on a virtualtrip to the three regions wehave discovered for our project. Let’s start with Finland. Come with me!!

Lapland

Tornio

Now I am in the Arktikum science museum in Rovaniemi!

This Museum shows culture, history, and modern life in the Arctic. Concepts such as human life in tune with nature are explored in depth.

It’s really original because there are many activities thatmake the visit more fun. Firstly I see a film about the Arctic nature. After changing room, I enter a dark circularplace and... I have to lie down along: I can watch the Aurora Borealis! It’s amazing!

Arktikum

Entering a room, I feel cold. In front of me there is a strange object: it’s a pieceof ice that is kept in an arctictemperature. Brrr…it is freezing cold!

An important part of this Museum isdedicated to the environmentaldegradation of the Arctic, caused by the pollution from each country in the world. I come into a room, where there are the most polluting things present in the World, like Oil.

Candy ShopIn Finland Candy shops are very popular. I am going into a big one in Tornio. Here I shall buy the best chocolate in Finland, Fazer, that is one of the souvenirs of Finland you cannot miss. I’ve just entered what is really a big supermarket and I can see around me many shelves with every kind of sweet..it’s incredible! And not only the modest packages I am used to seeing, but huge sizes, like the Toblerone of 2 kg. After having a tour among those shelves, I find the chocolate I want so I buy one bar of milk, one with berries.

Here we are in Sampo. Sampo is a Finnish icebreaker built in

1960 in Helsinki and now stationed in Kemi. It is 75.68m long and 14m high . The ship is

now used for tourist cruises.

I am in one of the most magicalplaces in the world: Santa Claus’ s village, Rovaniemi!

About 10 years ago, It became the most visited Christmas attraction in North European countries thanks to direct contact with the Nature!

Here I will be able to meet Santa Claus in person!

RovaniemiSanta Claus’s village

I’ll participate in safaris on sledges drawn by huskies or reindeers , I’ll skate on frozen lakes, I’ll take a walk in forests..Or I’ll buy something during a visit at Christmas markets!

I’d like to stay hereforever, everything ismagic!

What do Finnish guys do in the evening?

They have at their disposal some buildings (usually houses) where they can go without paying !! And there they play cards, play the guitar, dance, sing…

Tell me something about Finnish customs..!

You have to know that in Finland each family has got a Sauna at home and they use it very often!

And now let’s fly south toFrance, ehm, not really France but the Basque region in southFrance, the city of Bayonne and its surroundings.

THE

BASQUE

COUNTRY

The trip to the PyreenesI am on an excursion to thePyreenes . The way is long anddifficult, but the landscape isamazing. Walking in nature is verycommon in this region and it’s reallyworth it! I can see a house whichlooks like an ordinary house but it’sexactly on the border betweenFrance and Spain. There are somany trees that I can admirecountless shades of green.

Basque parties!!!

One of the most exciting everydayactivities you can do in theBasque country is taking part ina local festival!! There you canenjoy good music and also food,such as the great basque meat,ham, chocolate and drink somecider!

I’m now visiting the city of Bayonne, there are a lot of things to see here but in my opinion every tourist should visit the beautiful gothic cathedral that is a HistoricalMonument of France and also a UNESCO Human Heritage site. As soon as you enter the cathedral you’ll be impressed by the stunning brightness of the sun-light through the stained glass windows

Sport and outdoor activities

Now we’ll have some free time. So… Let’s try the most famous sports of this region.Basque pelota is very popular, you have to play with a little ball in a "trinquet" which is a gymnasium with a left-hand wall.

Arteka in Bidarrai is a place where you can do rafting in Bidarrai's river, it is great, and it is an exciting experience. You should try too!

I’ve just visited the cathedral and now I’m walking around the centre of Bayonne with its typical houses that have open colored beams. I move on to the Adour river and then I cross it so I get to the university campus where I can meet some other young people and maybe get some new friends!

The amazing sunset!!

Le rocher de la Vierge

Ok guys, it’s time to travel evenmore south, this time to the foot of Europe, the wonderfulisland of Sicily, and in it the multicoloured and multifacetedcity of Catania.

Ok, now we are in front of Catania’s cathedral!! It is a beautiful baroque building dedicated to Saint Agatha..the patron Saint of the city! The façade is decorated with 10 bronze statues of saints.In front of the cathedral a fountain attracts my attention: it is the Elephant fountain, the symbol of the city..

And now, let’s go and discover the history of the city! There are lots ofRoman and Greek buildings, for example the Greek-Roman Theatre..

The Odeon..

The Roman Amphitheatre..

… but also the Bellini Theatre

and the famous Ursino Castle, that records the Swabian domination in Catania!!

WONDERFUL!!!

And now … what is it?

Oh yes!!! The famous Volcano Etna!!

The highest volcano in Europe!!!

Ok, let’s now discover an important ceremony of Catania: Saint Agatha celebration !!

A very big festivity that involves all the people of the city !!!

Let’s finally discover the most famous sweets of this beautiful city !!

The “cannoli”, a typical Sicilian sweet with ricotta cheese..

… and the “cassata”, a cake with ricotta cheese and candies !!

GNAM !!!

Well, our tour is over …I hope you enjoyed yourselves !!!Maybe one day we can go there all together on holiday … can’t we??See you soon guys … byeee !!!!!!!

Comenius 2011/2013: “Promote your Euroregion”.