Zizou For Ever

Surrounded by mountains, you can discover an entire ancient Roman city at your own pace. The site is large, and it will take you several hours to see it. A few recommendations: - Watch out for the heat, as there is little shade, so bring a hat and a water bottle. - If you cannot present an Algerian passport, make sure you are accompanied by someone who has one, otherwise, it is not possible to enter. Supposedly, it is for YOUR safety, but I do not really understand why. I think it is a shame not to do everything possible to show the world the richness of Algerian heritage!

Just a few minutes from the city center, right by the sea, you have ruins dating back to the Roman era. If this were in Greece or Italy, you would have millions of visitors crowding in to see this place... but we are in Algeria, so it is less crowded :) Take advantage of it and go check it out!

The Parc des Princes is a bit small compared to the ambitions of its home club (PSG) and the size of the Paris metropolitan area (10 million inhabitants). I would also add that the stands are relatively far from the edges of the pitch, especially in the corners. On the other hand, I find the exterior very beautiful, with the concrete ribs that make it a unique structure. This stadium is actually listed as a historical monument, which, as I understand it, prevents them from doing just anything to the structure without the authorization of the architect Roger Taillibert. The roof and the layout of the stands are well designed to ramp up the atmosphere and the decibels. A stadium that has beco…

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The positive thing about the stadium is that since it only hosts international matches, shows, and concerts, the crowd is pretty family-friendly and good-natured. But honestly, I wouldn't call it a real football stadium. It is not built to be a "cauldron." The stands are too far from the pitch (even though there is a mechanism to cover the track for football configuration) and the roof is very high, which lets the sound escape and lets the wind in. So, yes, with its 80,000 seats, it is the biggest venue in the country, but it is not the place for the hottest atmosphere.

Been a Juventus fan since the Zidane era, so I was curious to see the club play on their home turf. Not disappointed. The stadium isn't huge, but it is very compact, and the stands are steep and close to the field. In the end, you really feel the atmosphere pushing the players, and you have a great view of the game.

Honestly, the Schalke 04 club and its stadium are far from being the most well-known, and I was not expecting much when I went to see a Bundesliga match there. Well, it was a huge surprise. The atmosphere was intense, loud but friendly, and the stadium is super cool with impressive dimensions and shapes (there is even a retractable roof). Very pleasant surprise!

The home of the Galacticos, legends like Zidane, Ronaldo, Benzema, and the list goes on! The best club in the world? It's not just the stands and the pitch. The museum and the trophy room are open for tours, and it's impressive.

Honestly, from a purely aesthetic point of view, it is not the most beautiful stadium, with stands built in several phases and no real harmony. On the other hand, being there on a match day, you experience a special atmosphere. You can feel that it is an entire community coming together for a traditional event.

The unique thing about the Dortmund stadium is its kops, which are massive, solid walls of stands behind the goals with standing room (for league games, though they turn into seats for European cup matches). The kops create an insane atmosphere during the game. Before every match, but especially before the big ones, they put on huge, spectacular tifos. You have to see it!

I do not know why the 2 Milan clubs want to change stadiums, but I think San Siro just deserves a renovation to be among the best stadiums in Europe. It is big, its architecture is unique and impressive, and, what money cannot buy, the place is loaded with the glorious history of the 2 Milanese clubs.

I admit, I didn't think I would put Lille in the top tier of French soccer clubs and facilities. So, it was a nice surprise to attend a LOSC match at their stadium. It is big, nice and compact, you can see the pitch well, and the atmosphere is pretty lively while remaining relatively wholesome. The roof can even close in case of bad weather, and it seems to me that it is the only Ligue 1 venue that can do that.

It is very hard to get tickets because they are in such high demand, but seeing an Old Firm (a nickname with somewhat fuzzy origins) at Celtic Park is a real privilege. For those who do not know, the Old Firm refers to the derby between Celtic Glasgow (a historically Catholic club) and the Glasgow Rangers (a historically Protestant club), which has taken place several times a year since the end of the 19th century. It is a huge event in the city. The stadium and the pubs are packed, and the fans experience the match with so much passion. A real experience to have. People who are not into soccer will have a hard time understanding it, but soccer fans will absolutely love it.

While many clubs are leaving their historic homes for new multi-modal stadiums with tons of VIP boxes, hospitality areas, shops, and all kinds of entertainment, Liverpool has been at Anfield Road for many decades. Mind you, it is not a dump either, the stadium is perfectly maintained. However, there is a truly special atmosphere there. Attending a match and listening to the supporters sing "You'll never walk alone" (in tribute to the 96 victims of the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster who died in a crush) will give you chills.

Super modern building connected to a restored old fort. The contrast between the new and the old works surprisingly well. The view of the harbor is worth the trip. Part of the museum is free. The temporary exhibits require a ticket. I was not very impressed by the exhibits. A lot of the items on display were pretty mundane. There was a sound space focused on the Orient with music and spoken words that was not very convincing.

Algeria isn't really known for its cultural or historical tourism. Yet, just like everywhere else around the Mediterranean basin, there are old ruins in Algeria too! The Roman ruins of Timgad cover several hectares. It is an entire ancient city that you can visit, with its old temples, amphitheater, forum... Definitely worth a visit, and I hope the authorities can keep the historical heritage of this UNESCO-listed site intact.