Are you hoping to jet off to the Windy City of Chicago, but not sure what lies in store for you? Well, let me tell you you’ll be blown away! So what is there to see and do in Illinois’ biggest city? There’s a whole host of fun things to explore, just take a stroll around this city with our helpful guide!

Chicago is the third most populated city in the United States of America and more than 2.8 million people live within its boundaries. Located in Cook County, the city was founded in 1833 near to the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. Thanks to the huge population, you’ll be glad to hear that there are tons of attractions in this magnificent city and it’s a place you’ll love spending time in. Whether you’re here for work or a city break, Chicago is a fantastic city to spend time in. After a visit, you won’t want to leave!

Get an authentic taste of Chicago with a Chicago-style pizza, a deep dish pizza with a thin crust at its edges, loaded with delicious toppings. The Chicago style-hot dog is a real treat for visitors dropping by for a bite to eat. Made from a Vienna beef dog, the hot dog is piled high with green pickle relish, tangy yellow mustard, tomato, dill pickle, pickled sport peppers and a dash of celery salt. Tuck in!

Sports fans will enjoy a game at two of the city’s baseball team fields, with the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox representing the National League and American League respectively. Alternatively, you can head to the Major League Lacrosse at Toyota Park or catch the Chicago Bears for a spot of exhilarating National Football League.

Chicago is an important economic hub and a lot of crucial business goes on in the Chicago office. For workers spending time in Chicago, you’ll be interested to know that the business district of Chicago rakes in $506 billion in gross metropolitan product, the third biggest in the US! Chicago has the US’ second biggest financial district and an important manufacturing industry.

The Seven Hills of Rome are the foundation on which the ancient city is built upon. These include the Palatine, Esquiline Aventine, Viminal, Caelian, Capitoline and Quirinal. While they all play an important part, it is ideal to note that the original traditions of the city were founded by Romulus and this was on Palentine. History and tradition states that they were not a city in the beginning but rather as small settlements. It was later on when religious games were organized by occupants of these regions that they start to bond together.

As this progressed, the distinct settlements were then merged to form groups. This in turn drained the marshy valleys, which were between the settlements. They were turned into markets and in this manner the city was formed. Out of the 7 that make up the current city, it is important to note that only 5 are populated with parks, buildings, and monuments. The Capitoline on the other hand is what hosts the city’s hall while the Palatine is known as the archeological area. Note that each of these has its own history and as such, it is important to ensure that you understand each.

Aventine
The most ancient structure was destroyed by fire though the Mithraic Basilica that dates back to the 5th century is still intact.

Caelian
Roman King Tullus Hostilius who ruled in 673-641 BC is believed to have relocated the population of Alba Longa city to this location after conquering it. It was then considered the home of the elite. Monuments to find here include the Baths of Caracalla built in the 206-216 AD.

Capitoline
This was considered the ideal location of a citadel. In addition to this, it also hosted temples that were considered sacred to Jupiter, Minerva, Juno. In addition to this, it is ideal to note that the Roman senate meetings were held here.

Esquiline
The initial structures here were the Domus Aurea or the Golden house that were built by Emperor Nero. After his death, they were destroyed and in their place, the Baths of Trajan and the Coliseum were built.

Palatine
This was the first place to be inhabited and it is believed to have been founded by Romulus. It has several palaces and other imperial buildings that are still standing up to date.

Quirinal
This was not in the original map out of the city. It has several palaces and it was considered to be the safe haven of a god named Quirinus.

There are 3 villages in the gorge of the river Poqueira in the Granada province and Capileira is the highest of these three villages. It is located at a height of 1436 m above sea level. You can either walk in the gorge or walk up to the Sierra Nevada.

This village has become very popular among the tourists. It is the main centre from which the tourists go for walking and also for accessing the mountains, in particular the mountain Mulhacén, which is the tallest in Spain. It is a climb of two days with an overnight stop. Its population was about 590 in the year 2005.

History

Some people are of the opinion that the village Capileira originated at the time of the Godos; there are others who believe that it was much earlier than that. The meaning of the Latin word capilaris is “more elevated place” and Capileira is located at a higher level among the three villages. Its location is such that it was not easily conquerable and hence the Arabs and Romans conquered this place last.

Climate

The maximum and minimum average temperatures in this place are 30°C in July-August and 5 °C in January.

Art and Culture

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza – was a church constructed on the site where there was a mosque in the 16th century on orders from the Catholic Monarchs. In the 18th century this building was replaced by the current Mudéjar-style building.

Iglesia Parroquial de Santa María la Mayor – was built in the 18th century by replacing a mosque of 1502.

Museo Etnológico Pedro Antonio Alarcón is a village museum wherein local handicrafts and dresses are displayed.

Cuisine

Bread is the most important food item in this place and many people bake their bread at home. People in Capileira use Arab-style ovens for baking their bread. These ovens are constructed with brick or clay-lined and they are capable of holding the heat well.

Poor Man’s Potatoes – Patatas a lo Pobre – is a popular dish made using ingredients like potatoes, onions, green peppers and olive oil and fried until the dish becomes crispy. Fried eggs as well as chorizo or black pudding are also popular dishes in this place. Local diet always contains hunting meat. Other popular items are fennel stew and choto capilurrio. There are hotels where you can get vegetarian foods.

Sports and Entertainment

This place is relatively small but it still has nightclubs and a number of tapas bars. The nightclubs are small but have good dance tunes selection and dance floors.

Shopping

This village is popular for local craft items of good quality hand stitched by the locals; these are hand-woven rugs and leather goods – shoes, bags and belts.