I’ve been trying to mentally unpack all the mental reasons why Eurovision is STILL a big deal in spite of its decades-long history, and I have concluded that it most likely comes down to the fact that there are very few chances for Europe as a geographic entity to take complete control of its entertainment experience, and at the end of the day that is some a lot of Europeans really want. Here in Europe, what we watch on TV, at the movies, and on our iPods is forever being effected by outside influences, the biggest being of course the North American entertainment scene. It is however rare still relatively rare for neighboring European nations’ native musical acts to cross national boundaries; and even when they do it’s usually from the bigger countries and already on a cross-oceanic scale. (Even Canadians and Australians have heard of Rammstein and Robyn!) For the most part, Eurovision affords an amazing platform to exhibit what you love most about your national music scene (although my British friends assure me that this year’s entry for the UK, Bonnie Tyler, has not fallen into this category for around twenty years) and share it with your European neighbors. Several countries hold their own national contests to decide on who will represent them on the big day, thus summoning national attention for the contest months before the finals. And even without such contests to find Eurovision contestants, I have yet to see a national entry that has absolutely no fanbase in their homeland – the national organizers want an audience, after all!

And to top it all off, Eurovision is a competition that even the smallest countries can win because it is based on talent and luck which anyone can access: if you and your song have what it takes to make people all around Europe love you, you get the points, simple as that. In spite of what many argue, the variety of nations is broad enough that even preferential treatment of friendly neighboring countries does not matter a whole lot once you’re in the finals. It’s been proven time and time again that the European public tends to vote for someone they like, regardless of their nationality. After all, the contestants aren’t draped in their national flags singing patriotic songs, they’re (almost always) singing  cheesy pop songs designed to appeal to a mass audience (Finnish Goths “Lordi”, Russian babushkas, and Engelbert Humperdinck aside).

However, the biggest reason Eurovision is still around in spite of the odds, the political ups and downs, and the wavering economy, is that it is a competition and Europeans LOVE competing against one another. We get to employ all of our favorite national stereotypes (even when they blatantly do not apply), paint our national flags on our faces, and play drinking games – in other words, all the same things we do during the Olympics, the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA World Cup, and any other international competition we happen to care about. We get to get confused by foreign languages, make fun of foreign accents, cheer on our favorite neighbors and boo our least favorite ones – all those things that make us European whether we were born here, chose it as our adoptive homes, or are simply visiting.

This Saturday, wherever you are in Europe, find a Eurovision-friendly bar (it shouldn’t be hard!), pic a favorite contestant, and cheer along with us.

Ireland
A full Irish breakfast, namely: bacon, sausages, black (blood) pudding, eggs, and vegetables all fried in lovely creamy butter. Possibly some fried breads (pancakes) and possibly washed down with some Guinness or a brew, and failing that, milky tea or coffee.

United Kingdom
A full English breakfast. Pretty similar to the Irish breakfast, but with baked beans (of course!) to go with their rashers of bacon, sausages, black pudding, eggs, a fried tomato and mushrooms. And, of course, tea. (I’m guessing it’s pretty difficult being hungover and vegan anywhere on the British Isles??)

Germany
Curryworst. Lovely, albeit sodium-saturated, meaty sausage slices dipped in delicious sugary curry-ketchup sauce. Probably with some weissbier because why not, you’re in Germany.

Russia
The Russians tend to not make a huge fuss over their hangover breakfast, and stick to incorporating some pickled gherkins into their meal, maybe with some other foods, but preferably just with the juice that comes in the jar with the pickles. Great for those of us who adore pickled anything. Also, vegetarians!

Belgium
There is nothing French about French Fries: they are in fact the most beloved snack food of tiny neighboring Belgium, and also function as a scrumptious hangover cure. Greasy, salty, with a large dollop of mayo on the side – what could be better??

Italy
Much like the Russians, Italians are fairly minimalist about their hangovers, preferring to stick to espresso and fruit juices as their bodies recuperate from a night of heavy drinking.

The Netherlands
Pickled herring sandwiches. Much like all things pickled, herrings are somewhat of an acquired taste. They are, however, easily found on lazy Sunday mornings in local neighborhood fish stalls around Amsterdam so they have that going for them…

Denmark
Recovery Beer, or “reparationsbajer.” The Danish are too badass for hangover food – hair-of-the-dog all the way!

Thailand
Street-vendor rice noodles. Be it the famous pad thai, or the sweeter pad see yew, Thai street vendors and their carts have your late night drunken food cravings covered.

Japan
“Okonomiyaki” – potato pancakes with literally anything you want thrown into the mix. The carbs and protein are both comforting for an upset stomach and great for absorbing all that alcohol.

Canada
Poutine: fries in warm gravy sprinkled with a healthy helping of cheese curds. This delicious Canadian take on Belgian fries is wonderfully satisfying on a chilly evening/ early morning. And let’s face it, in Canada, you are more likely than not to be facing a freezing cold morning (I say this as a Canadian).

Bolivia
Fricasé: spicy pork meat chilly stew. Infused with cumin, and padded out with bread and potato, this might not be the best idea for stomachs untrained in spicy foods but delicious all the same. Screw getting a hangover, I would kill for a bowl of fricasé right now for lunch!

United States
Salty, greasy, fried foods. Similar in this way to the Irish and American takes on the hangover breakfast, but don’t over think it: grilled cheese sandwiches will do, although fried bacon and eggs (maybe with some fries?) will definitely seal the deal.

1. Visit Ilkley Moor. If you fancy a getaway from the city, there is no place more refreshing and beautiful than the Ilkley Moor in West Yorkshire. Enjoy the bracing wind and the rough, beautiful scenery year-round.

2. Spend a night in the hotel where Agatha Christie once disappeared. She was found run away to Harrogate’s most luxurious hotel, the Swan Hydropathic, after arguing with her husband. In honor of the Queen of Crime, the hotel now holds mystery weekends.

3. Play in the warm sands of Skegness, the classic English beach holiday destination. Located in Lincolnshire, it has been a favourite of the English public for a many a decade and for good reason. “Skeggie’s” sandy beaches and summer sunshine showcase the best aspects of British summer.

4. Visit the beautiful ruins of Whitby Abbey. Having served as the inspiration for the setting of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the castle ruins are a lot more majestic and a lot less eerie seen in person in the light of day.

5. Look down at London from the Monument to the Great Fire of London. Designed by Christopher Wren, the Monument boasts one of the most spectacular views of London. The narrow spiral staircase inside the column leads to an observation deck with a wonderful view of the city. The climb is definitely worth your while.

However, this logic only applies if there is common sense behind the critiques which are well-founded and realistic and come from an educated outlook. For example, it is worth pointing out that Toronto (what up, hometown!) may not have the same plethora of gorgeous medieval buildings as Bruges – fair enough, good to know so that you don’t go there if a medieval vibe is what you’re after. On a budget? Some cities are naturally more affordable than others – from personal experience, I’d never advise anyone to go to London for a week if you don’t have at least a couple of hundred pounds to spend. Want a relaxing warm vacation for the entire family? Maybe don’t go to Moscow. Not altogether positive descriptors but, you know, helpful!

Pretty straightforward, right? The key is to assume from the get-go that every place and every individual there is of intrinsic value and has aspects to offer the likes of which you will not find elsewhere. If those specific features are not for you, then based on such a critique you can make a reasoned decision to go elsewhere. However, it just isn’t smart to assume that you can speak for everyone.

Now that THAT is off my chest, can we please just take a moment to appreciate how uninformative, biased, and, at times, frankly quite racist Mr. Landsel’s piece is?

• “There are places worth a thousand dollars in airfare. There are even places where eleven hours of flying is a small price to pay. Then there is Buenos Aires. The steak and wine are cheap, the ice cream is outstanding and — children, cover your ears — the sex is even better.” Instead he suggests we try Rio de Janerio because it has a bigger impact, although on what he fails to say. While Landsel may pick his vacations based on the availability of steak, wine and sex – all good things, don’t get me wrong – can we just go ahead and assume they are not universal measures by which vacations are assessed?
• Berlin is “an awkward teenager of a city, brimming with potential.” Now this one made me splutter tea all over my keyboard as I wondered if maybe the author was referring to the Town of Berlin, Connecticut? Because he sure as hell cannot have been talking about the the beautiful city of Berlin, capital of Germany, founded in 1192 AD?? He casts it off as a viable European destination because “Berlin is too modern, too sterile, too expensive and too unsure of itself to merit much of your time or money.” I’m just going to leave you with these images, Mr. Landsel:

  

  

This is exactly why millions of travelers every year chose one of my favorite modes of sightseeing: hopping into a car (sometimes rented, but often not), placing a pin into a map (or a ‘final destination’ point on their Google Maps app), and making the most of the journey there. And although Google Maps and other navigation systems have made finding your final destination significantly simpler, there are still things one must take into account when driving outside of your home country, especially if that home country is outside of the EU.

Firstly, avoid tragedy and make sure that your car battery is healthy. ‘Nuff said.

Secondly, there are certain things that you must, must, must have in the trunk of your car when travelling around Europe. In all fairness, although you are legally obligated to have them on hand, it also makes common sense to not go driving without:

• a warning triangle

• a reflective, high visibility vest

• first aid kit

• a GB sticker (if you have a British license plate)

• and headlamp beam deflectors.

If you are currently in Europe and not in possession of these essentials, or perhaps  you are planning on hopping over the channel in the near future, you can purchase a travel pack containing all of them here.

Thirdly, do not go without car breakdown insurance for all the obvious reasons. The less obvious reasons include language barriers in rural and often even urban areas of Europe, as well as the sheer distances between towns in large parts of Europe. Imagine trying to hail the help of a passing motorist from a winding roadside along the shores of Portugal, or being stranded in freezing, snow-blanketed Finland, or on a narrow path in the Austrian Alps. There really is no price to peace of mind.

Fourthly and finally, although it isn’t law, a mobile phone that can make calls across Europe could mean the difference between a relaxed road trip and a stressful one. Make sure you always have a charged phone on hand when on the road.

Good luck, and drive safe!

Nuremberg means many different things to many people. Undoubtedly, the city has a tragic history it wishes to get past. In spite of a lengthy medieval and early modern history, what sticks out in people’s minds more than anything when thinking of Nuremberg is its history as the site of Hitler’s conventions after his rise to power – the Nuremberg rallies. The Nuremberg Laws depriving German Jews of their citizenship were passed here in 1935. Nazi architecture can still be seen around the city, although around 90% of the city was wiped out through Allied bombings in 1945. After the war, Nazi war criminals were tried here in the Nuremberg Trials.

Alright, it’s not a city that spring immediately to mind when considering holiday getaways. However that is unfortunate because not only is there an extensive cultural history that predates the 20th century hidden in the (now restored) medieval architecture seen around the city, it is also an easily accessible relaxing vacation spot for the entire family, perfect for a weekend trip.

For one thing, budget airlines Ryanair and Cityjet have launched service to the nearby airport which itself is only a 13 minute train ride away from the city center. Once here, the 23 Euro Nurnberg Card will give you unlimited access to public transportation as well as entry to several major museums for to days.

In terms of sightseeing, there is much and more to do in and around the city. The castle, a standing symbol of the Nuremberg imperial powers has fantastic grounds. If you start your stroll from below the castle, the path will lead you to square at Beim Tiergärtnertor and the Albrecht Dürer House. The latter is the only surviving house of a Rennaissance artist located outside of Italy.

Make sure to also stop by Unschlittplatz, which is home to a fantastic medieval fountain, one of many located around the city. The Our Lady Church is also worth a stop, the fresh food market in front of the church even more so. And in case you need a reminder that you are indeed in Bavaria, check out the Nürnberger Alm – a traditional Bavarian Inn built to look like an alpine chalet. Indulge in your favourite Bavarian beer at leisure here.

However, a stark reminder of the city’s turbulent past as an iconic Nazi city is the Way of Human Rights. It is a set of stone pillars on which are engraved the 30 articles of the UN declaration.

Finish off your trip with a stroll through the iconic park designed by Albert Speer, Hitler’s Architect-in-chief. Stand and walk through the rally grounds where the crowds that worshipped Hitler once stood – it is a chilling yet fascinating sight.

As you can see from the above picture, there is  nothing wrong about Rhossili Bay in South Wales – there’s blue water, there’s sand, there’s green fields surrounding the sand. There is also an average water temperature of around 11 degrees centigrade, with a high of 18 degrees on the warmest days of summer. It’s been a while since I’ve swum in natural waters that are not steamy and Caribbean or preheated swimming pools, but from what I remember of summers spent swimming in northern Europe, 18 degrees is still bone-chillingly cold and not something an average person would willingly put themselves through on a daily basis. I may be biased though – I’m always at least a little bit cold. But seriously, wouldn’t swimming in the warm waters (ranging from 16 degrees all the way to 25 degrees) of Bondi Beach in Sydney be more pleasurable? Btw, world famous Bondi Beach in Sydney did not make the top ten which is why some Aussies are seriously pissed off. Screw the hundreds of poisonous jellyfish that attack bathers each year, Bondi Beach has surfing body builders!!! And what does Rhossili have, except killer fish and chips??

My favourite part of the Rhossili Bay fiasco is the reaction of some of the ultra-defensive Brits to the Aussie indignation. Namely that being able to enjoy frolicking in waters of 6 degrees is something that something only a Brit would do because only the British have the determination and true British resolve necessary to not freeze their private parts off.

Um, guys? You know we can see you when you go completely insane en masse every summer in Magaluf, right? Seriously, they’ve made documentaries about it.

To be completely honest, I really don’t see the point of comparing the two. Aussie beaches are fantastically hot, especially for northern foreigners like myself but they are tropical and some sun is always lovely. And yes, the bodybuilders and surfers are a nice touch, amiright ladies? British beaches on the other hand are chilly, but the fresh air and beautiful scenery more than make up for it as long as you don’t attempt swimming on anything but a very warm day. And yes, the fish and chips are freaking amazing. Why must we compare and rate opposites? Just visit both!

Perhaps the best way to cut straight through to the true and glorious nature of the city is to take a gander around its foundational landmarks, the places which represent a culture and a history without which Moscow today  would be unimaginable.

1. The Cathedral of the Protection of Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat, or St. Basil’s Cathedral, or Pokrovsky Cathedral
Built during the reign of Ivan the Terrible to commemorate the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan, the cathedral stands at the geometric center of Moscow. Even in its home country it is completely one of a kind, with its bonfire-shaped towers unforgettable to those who are lucky enough to set eyes on them. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990, and is often misrepresented as the Kremlin – that’s how symbolic of both Moscow and Russia. Legend holds it that Tsar Ivan blinded the building’s architect after the building was completed so that he would never recreate the buildings design elsewhere.

It is clear, then, that following last year’s extremely successful celebration where over 50,000 spectators came out to participate, this year’s celebration of the advent of the Year of the Water Snake in Rome will be extra-momentous. The People’s Republic of China has sent over three dance troupes comprising in total 110 dancers to participate in the year’s festivities. The dancers come from the Beijing Theater of Opera and Dance, the National Acrobatic Team and the Beijing Wanxing Dance and Singing Group. And if the 2008 Olympics are anything to go by, Chinese performance artists take their craft incredibly seriously.  The show basically has no chance of not being spectacular. The China National Acrobatic Troupe alone encompasses within its act plate spinning, group diabolos, contortionists, and bicycle skills among other acts. The troupe is a key performer in Chinese cultural exchange activities and has won over 42 awards globally – and yet they are only one of the three great acts! Imagining all of that magnificence but with a backdrop of night time Rome, and the question that pops to mind is whether cultural fusions could possibly get any better than this?

The celebration of the New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, will take place on Saturday February 2^nd beginning at 19:00. Festivities will commence with a parade greeting the arrival of the snake and beginning at Largo Corrado Ricci at the Forum end of Via Cavour. At 19:30 an evening showcasing Chinese culture will begin on a stage at the side of the Victor Emmanuel monument. Two large screens with be in place to optimize the viewing pleasure of those unable to be close to the stage. The evening will conclude with a magnificent firework display from the Celio Hill above the Colosseum.

Flamenco’s musical genre is of Andalucia influence and there has always been a devotional affinity with Madrid. Diverse bars, schools, stores, and restaurants in Madrid promulgate this art form, known for its nighttime magic. The eating-places with flamenco shows in Madrid typically begin after 9pm and saunter well into the wee hours. Most restaurants offer dinner and shows together, and Flamenco performances may consist of singing, dancing, or singing alone.

One such place with a deeply rooted flamenco spirit is Cardamomo Tablao Flamenco, offering perhaps the finest flamenco in Madrid. There is nothing ostentatious about the loutish tablao of Cardamomo; nonetheless, the best underground flamenco performances in Madrid can be found there. It is something that should not be missed whether you are sitting to enjoy tapas or no meal at all, you will appreciate the fantastic performers. It’s a place where countless Madrilenos go to delight in an evening of flamenco. It is as veracious as it gets unless you are invited to a fiesta gitana where you will discover flamenco’s purest rhythms through guitar, percussion, or Palmas; a basic style of percussion that helps highlight the vivacious song and dance.

Flamenco History
Flamenco was created from a fusion of diverse cultures: Jewish, Christian, and Arab. It grew into a musical style near the end of the 15th century much to the credit of the gypsies in the south of Spain. Known as a nomad culture, gypsies traveled and borrowed aboriginal types of music. They molded the music they unearthed into a variety of pulses together with proud, jagged, alluring movements. Flamenco is the outcome of differing communities and cultures that gypsies adapted in Andalucia.

Diverse Styles of Flamenco
The miscellany of flamenco styles is utterly amazing. Each style is called “palo” and symbolizes a distinctive traditional flamenco form. In effect, there are over 50 palos with their very own rhythms and variations. More often than not, palos have a local derivation within Andalucia, where it all began. It is rumored that flamenco was originally performed in cafes-cantantes, chiefly in Cadiz, Jerez, and Seville. From these regions, the art of flamenco became a sensation that ventured out to other regions and is still loved and respected until this day.

Where to go to Savor Flamenco in Madrid
Flamenco can be enjoyed in countless taverns and bars in Madrid. Usually, patrons can go to any one of these places and listen to music after eating their meal. Word has it that the best flamenco in Madrid is at the Corral de la Moreria “tablao” flamenco restaurant. Hugely recognized as being the leading flamenco restaurant in town, it draws top artists and serves fantastic Spanish food.

Other places to venture for a night of flamenco is the Vina Pe, La Torre del Oro, and Casa Patas, where patrons can relax and order a bottle of wine, tapas, and listen to the music while taking in the flamenco ambiance. There is no question that Madrid has continued a tradition much-loved the world over. Flamenco will continue to be an inimitable adventure for all who experience it.