Climb the Maspalomas Dunes

You can have fun climbing and then sliding down the Maspalmos Dunes on the island of Gran Canaria. Karen has more tips on beautiful Gran Canaria beaches.

Maspalomas Dunes in Gran Canaria

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Go back in time at the Alcazaba, Malaga

The Alcazaba (a Moorish fort) in Malaga was Karen’s favourite attraction on her trip there. It dates back to the 11th century and is built on a hill in the centre of Malaga so you also get great views over the city. Take a look at Karen’s photo tour of the Alcazaba for some great pictures.

Rose garden at the Alcazaba in Malaga

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Spectate at a bullfight in Seville

Bullfighting is such a typical Spanish idea and even though I don’t like the idea of watching it, so many people do and it is certainly one way to appreciate a part of Spanish culture. Jeremy recommends watching a bullfight in Seville at the historical Plaza de Toros, where weekly fights are held during summer.

Plaza de Toros, Seville by nachof

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Wall in the Mallorcan Mountains

If you want to head to an island like Mallorca but don’t fancy just sitting on the beach or heading to clubs the entire time, try something Karen enjoyed – a walking holiday on Mallorca based in Soller in the northwest of the island.

Walking near Soller in Mallorca

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Admire the Gaudi Buildings in Barcelona

If (like me) you’re intrigued by unusual architecture then you will love the Gaudi influence in Barcelona. Antoni Gaudi has left a legacy of amazing places in Barcelona, including the (still unfinished) La Sagrada Familia and the Park Guell, both fantastic places to visit.

View from La Sagrada Familia by Amanda Kendle

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Relax in Retiro Park, Madrid

In central Madrid, one of the loveliest places is the Retiro Park, spanning 350 acres and including a lake, fountains, old buildings and, sadly, a memorial to the victims of the 2004 terrorist attacks in Madrid. It’s a great place to relax and stroll within the city.

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Watch the Dolphins L’Oceanographic, Valencia

In Valencia, the City of Arts and Sciences complex is a fascinating (and architecturally beautiful) place to visit, and in particular the L’Oceanographic aquarium is a great spot, especially for families.

Dolphin show by Heather on her travels

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Visit the Guggenheim in Bilbao

Around a million visitors a year head to the incredible Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao – it has certainly received many compliments since it was opened in 1997. Bilbao is actually Spain’s fourth largest city and Andy reported after is trip there that there is more to it than just the Guggenheim, which suggests to me it really is worth a visit.

Guggenheim Museum by aherrero

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Hike in Ronda

The historic town of Ronda in Andalucia is well-known for its old city wall and gates and its dramatic setting on the cliffs of a gorge. Karen has written an inviting summary of Ronda in her photo tour post and Jeremy offered a different perspective on hiking in Ronda.

The New Bridge in Ronda

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Dance the Flamenco in Seville

Who can visit Spain without enjoying some flamenco dancing? Flamenco is native to Andalucia so what better place to explore it than Andalucia’s capital, Seville. Check out Jeremy’s post on Flamenco in Seville where he has many very convincing reasons for seeing a flamenco show in Seville.

Flamenco dancing by Jeremy Branham 

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Admire the Dali Sculptures in Marbella

As a day trip from Malaga, the town of Marbella is a popular outing. I’m most intrigued by their collection of bronze Salvador Dali sculptures, which follow a pedestrian walkway down to the sea front from the old town.

Dali sculpture in Marbella

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Visit the Reina Sofia Art Centre, Madrid

In Madrid, one of the most impressive sightseeing spots is the Reina Sofia Art Centre. It’s home to an amazing collection of modern art including a large collection of Picasso, plus paintings from Dali, Kandinsky, Miro, Yves Klein and Francis Bacon, to name but a few.

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Have Fun at Tibidabo Park

For something a little different in Barcelona, I’m going with a tip my sister provided after her recent trip – she said her favourite Barcelona outing was to Tibidabo Park. It’s an amusement park that’s over a century old and features rides dating back to its beginnings, and you reach it by a great funicular railway.

Tibidabo Park by Sarah Ackerman

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Hike on Ibiza

The island of Ibiza may be best known for trendy nightclubs but there is actually numerous other activities, and one of these is hiking. There are several great hiking trails, both along the coast and up to the highest points, and all feature spectacular views.

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Walk the Walls of Girona

Girona in the Catalan region is a very pretty city, and Karen’s post on walking the Girona city walls includes some great videos to show you just why it’s worth the trip.

View over Girona from the city walls

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Visit the Valencia Bioparc

This rather special zoo experience in Valencia certainly isn’t a typically Spanish experience, but it might be one of the few places you get to see (particularly) African animals in reasonably natural surroundings. It moved to this location as recently as 2008 and has been very well designed with the “zoo immersion” concept in mind.

Valencia Bioparc by Tolao

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Shop at La Boqueria Market, Barcelona

The La Boqueria Market in Barcelona are not just popular with tourists, but also with Europe a la Carte writers, because between us we’ve posted about these fantastic food markets three times! Reason enough to visit, I say. Have a look at my post on the fruit, veg and sweets, Lindsay’s post on eating great meals at the markets, and Karen’s photo tour of the fish stalls.

 La Boqueria Market by Amanda Kendle

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Explore La Coruna

The second largest city in Galicia, La Coruna, has a bunch of interesting tourist sights to explore. As well as landmarks like the Tower of Hercules, La Coruna is big on music and culture and it’s easy to find a concert or performance happening during your stay.

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Visit the Costa Verde

The Spanish Costa Verde or Green Coast is on the north of the country on the Atlantic Ocean. It’s cooler than other parts of Spain which makes it a good summer destination and it’s also popular with surfers. Check Karen’s post on Costa Verde attractions for of things to see and do.

Costa Verde beach by Todo-Juanjo

Run with the Bulls

Running with the bulls may not be for everyone (and certainly not for me!) but it is a very typical Spanish experience. The running of the bulls takes place during the San Fermin festival in July each year.

Running from the bulls by klmcmahon

Trace Arabic Culture in Granada

Granada’s a lovely city and our guest post from Nellie Huang highlights the many Arabic influences in Granada. In particular the UNESCO-listed Alhambra palace and fortress is something quite different to see.

The Alhambra by RaMaOrLi

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Visit the Dali Museum in Figueres

The town of Figueres in Catalonia was Salvador Dali’s hometown and today it’s home to the Dali Theatre and Museum. The largest collection of Dali’s works in the world can be found here and there are plenty of historically significant sites from Dali’s life as well.

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Soak up the winter sun on Fuerteventura

If you’re looking for a winter getaway to a spot of sunshine then try what Karen did, escaping to Fuerteventura on the Canary Islands. They have plenty of daylight hours and even the winter temperature averages around the low 20s (Celsius).

Sunset at Costa Calma

Visit the Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote

Another of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote, is also well-known for its mild climate, but it has another bonus – it has incredible natural beauty which has remained largely undeveloped. In particular, being volcanic has given Lanzarote some amazing landscapes and they haven’t been overrun with golf courses or resorts.

Lanzarote by LisArt

Ski in the Sierra Nevada Mountains

Spain is not the first destination you think of when you’re planning a skiing holiday but an interesting alternative to the usual spots is to ski in the Sierra Nevada mountains in Andalucia.

Your Own Highlights of Spain

Spain is a vast country with so many amazing things to see and do – so this list is merely a taste. Please feel free to add your favourite Spanish suggestions in the comments below.

25 Things to Do in Spain

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Typical Premier Inn room

I assume that Premier Inn’s decision has, to some degree, been taken in response to their main UK rival Travelodge’s introduction of free WiFi in the Bar Cafes of their hotels. Anyway, it’s good news for budget travellers in the UK.

Although I have Vodafone mobile internet on my mobile phone and a T-Mobile USB modem for my netbook, it’s very useful to have access to free WiFi for uploading photos or videos, in order to stay within my data limits. Also, in the case of poor mobile broadband signal in the area.

Premier Inn Now Offer 30 Minutes Free WiFi

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Vineyards near Heilbronn in Germany by Amanda Kendle

France

You probably won’t be surprised to hear that the most often featured country when we talk about wine is France. One exciting time to visit France is on Beaujolais Nouveau Day, the third Thursday in November each year, when the new season of this popular red wine is released for sale. Karen wrote about the marketing of Beaujolais Nouveau Day a while back and Thomas described some of the Beaujolais Nouveau celebrations that take place – it certainly sounds like a fun time of year to visit France.

Beaujolais Nouveau by kobakou

The Loire Valley is a popular wine region of France, and Thomas wrote about visiting the small Clos de Murs vineyard here. There are so many vineyards in the area, along with some interesting castles, so it makes for a great destination.

Loire Valley vineyards by Thomas Dowson

Bordeaux is yet another well-known origin of French wine, and the city of Bordeaux is considered by many to be the world capital of wine, especially as it hosts the Vinexpo fair each year.  Guest poster Rob Wallace visited a particularly lovely vineyard just outside Bordeaux, the Chateaux France Mayne, on his driving trip through France.

Bordeaux by Thomas Dowson

Provence, one of France’s most popular tourist regions, is of course also home to some great wine destinations. Kimberly described the Luberon Valley in Provence as being a spectacular destination both for wine, sightseeing and relaxing.

Luberon Valley by Kimberly Sullivan

As for other great wine regions in France, Andy recommended a great book which talked about classic wine destinations in France including Champagne and Burgundy.

Italy

It’s only fair to turn to Italy now, a country which is the world’s second largest producer of wine after France. Karen wrote about a lovely Italian wine tradition, the Cantine Aperte or Open Wineries Day,  held every year on the last Sunday in May, when many small wineries that are often not open to the public throw open their doors and everyone can buy wine direct from the producer.

Cantina Aperte by M@rcello

There’s also the opportunity to get off the mainland to Sardinia to enjoy some good Italian wine – along with some excellent food.

Sardinian meal by Heather Cowper

Portugal

Obviously the first kind of wine you’ll think of when travelling to Portugal is port wine, and Jeremy wrote about visiting the Port Wine Institute in Lisbon where you can sample many different kinds of port.

Port Wine Institute by erik jaeger

Andy found another good place to try some Portuguese wines (not just port wine) and wrote about Vini Portugal – you can taste six wines for free (and give your feedback on a form) and of course the wines are also there for sale if you want to take some home.

Vini Portugal by Andy Hayes

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is not exactly a place you’d consider as a wine destination, but over the years Europe a la Carte contributors have written about several ways to enjoy wine here.

If you’re in London, Sian has written a great post about Leicester Square wine bars. They are certainly numerous and stock great varieties of wine.

Leicester Square by electric counterpoint

There are also several festivals which either focus on wine or including plenty of it! The Edinburgh Wine Festival was an international festival held in 2007 for the first time (not sure if it will make a comeback); the Channel 4 Taste Festival moves around and we first mentioned it when it was held in Edinburgh a few years ago, and annual food and drink festival (with plenty of wine!) runs in Newcastle. Timing your travel to coincide with an event like this means you may not have to go far to experience a wide range of new wines (and some great food to go with it, too).

At an Edinburgh festival by Andrew Girdwood

Austria

Austria (especially in the east) has a lovely tradition of small vineyards opening up as taverns called Heuriger during certain times of the year, with a licence to serve some simple food and to sell only their own wines. Marcus visited a Heuriger in the Grinzig area near Vienna and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Grinzig by Marcus Cederstrom

Germany

The tradition in southern Germany is very similar to the Austrian Heuriger and in the Swabian region where I lived, it was very common to visit a Besen. These small restaurants at vineyards received this name because they would traditionally sweep out a room of the house (with a Besen - a broom) and set it up for guests when the right time of year came. Great food, great wine and a great time!

The Rhein-Mosel region is probably the most famous of the German wine regions and plenty of excellent wine (mostly white) is produced around here. It’s also the home of Riesling wine.

Vineyard overlooking Rhine by roger4336

Hungary

Hungary is usually completely overlooked as a wine country but it actually is home to some fantastic wine. Jeremy wrote about wine tasting in Recsk (near Eger) when he visited the Kohari Prince winery.

Kohari Prince Winery by Jeremy Branham

The most famous wine region (of many!) in Hungary is the Tokaj region in the north of the country, bordering with Slovakia.

Tokaj vineyards by access.denied

Bulgaria

Bulgaria also has a long history of wine production. The largest wine-making region is near the Black Sea in the east of Bulgaria and a lot of white wine is produced here, including a variety of Gewürztraminer, one of my favourites.

Vineyard in Bulgaria by furbyx4

Estonia

Up in the Baltics, Estonia is certainly not famed for making wines, but if you want to drink a few good glasses in a great setting, then Sian’s find of the Gloria Wine Bar in the Estonian capital of Tallinn is a place you want to see.

Gloria Wine Bar, Tallinn by sian

Slovenia

There is a must-see wine-related tourist attraction is Slovenia. Head to the city of Maribor and you can find, as Jason did, the oldest wine vine in the world, housed in the Old Vine House. You can also find some of the oldest and largest wine cellars in the world – it’s no wonder that Slovenia is rapidly creeping up people’s  ”must visit” lists.

Maribor Wine Road by Jason Green

Croatia

Neighbouring Croatia also its fair share of wine. On the Istrian peninsula – the western part of Croatia on the Adriatic Sea – there are four large wine regions, and Jason wrote about the many Croatian wine towns within this area.

Vineyards in Istria by Ai@ce

Turkey

Last but not least, in Turkey, a country where many people wouldn’t expect to find too much wine, Inka has written all about a fantastic trip she took to vineyards in the mountains at Sirince, near Selcuk. She discovered some great fruit wines, too, in incredible bottles – it certainly looked like wine travel with a difference.

Turkish wine by Inka Piegsa-quischotte

I hope that you’ve enjoyed our wine in Europe virtual tour.

Exploring Europe Through Wine

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The Peace Palace in The Hague

Admire the Floral Displays at Keukenhof Gardens

One of my all-time highlights in the Netherlands was visiting the Keukenhof Gardens near Lisse. This vast area is planted with a spectacular array of tulips and other flowers and is only open for a couple of months each year (around March to May) but I would argue it is well worth timing your travels to catch it.

Keukenhof Gardens by Amanda Kendle

Sample Cafe Life in Maastricht

The town of Maastricht is perhaps better known as the home to the Treaty of Maastricht which kicked off the formation of the EU, but it is a lovely place to visit too. It sits in a peninsula of land right in the south of the Netherlands and is almost in both Belgium and Germany, and is full of fantastic cafes.

Watch the Kinderdijk Windmills Turning

You can’t get more Dutch than a bunch of old windmills and one of the most scenic spots to snap lots of windmill photos is at Kinderdijk. There are a total of 19 historic wooden windmills along a canal here and you can either walk, cycle or cruise the canal to explore them.

Kinderdijk Windmills by Amanda Kendle

See Art at Mauritshuis

The Mauritshuis or Royal Picture Gallery in The Hague is a gallery housed in an old palace, and it includes works from a number of famous Dutch painters including Rembrandt and Vermeer and the Flemish artists Bruegel and Rubens.

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Go Geometric at the Rotterdam Cube Houses

The cube houses or Kubuswoningen built in Rotterdam are a particularly unique attraction, and well worth a look! Built in the 1970s, these houses are cubes on a strange angle, designed to look like a forest of trees, and one has been opened for public viewing.

Cube houses by Daniela M

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Learn about Dutch History at Zaanse Schans

This historic town near Zaandijk is really a big museum, featuring a number of windmills plus a bunch of historic houses moved here from all around the area. There’s also a Zaanse Schans museum to tie it all together.

Go on a Amsterdam Canal Cruise

It may be a somewhat stereotypical tourist activity but cruising the canals of Amsterdam in their low-lying canal boats is popular for a reason – it’s a great experience! Seeing Amsterdam “from below” is an interesting perspective and it’s one of the best ways to see the unique canal-side buildings and some of the narrowest houses you can imagine.

Amsterdam Canals by Amanda Kendle

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Visit the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam

Located in Amsterdam close to the Rijksmuseum, the Vincent Van Gogh Museum features a huge range of works from each of Van Gogh’s different periods, and as Kimberley found, it also has great children’s activities to keep them interested and occupied if you are travelling with your family.

Van Gogh’s Wheatfield with crows by Kimberley Sullivan

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Tower above the Minature Village of Madurodam

The miniature village of Madurodam, in Scheveningen, The Hague, is a unique way to see all of the main attractions of the Netherlands in one small space. It includes models of many Dutch places at a 1:25 scale and even includes mini tulips!

Maduradam by arwa

Buy some Delft Pottery

The town of Delft is most famous for its Delft Blue Pottery but is a lovely town even for those without a keen interest in pottery. It’s a scenic spot with canals like Amsterdam and has some really interesting architecture in the town centre.

Delft pottery by baralbion

Enjoy the View from Utrecht Cathedral

The Domkerk or cathedral in Utrecht has a high tower which serves as the symbol of Utrecht. It’s also the only truly Gothic church found in the Netherlands.

View from Utrecht Cathedral by Mark Samson

Visit the Original Haarlem

Although it’s the namesake of New York’s Harlem district, the Dutch town of Haarlem is different in many ways. It’s a short ride from Amsterdam to Haarlem and is actually the eighth largest city in the Netherlands – visit on Saturday for the big outdoor markets held in Grote Markt.

Haarlem by Kimberly Sullivan

Take on some Culture at the Museums in Leiden

The oldest university town in the Netherlands is Leiden, part way between Amsterdam and The Hague, and there is a museum to interest everyone. Take your pick from museums such as the National Museum of Antiquities, the Rembrandts at the Municipal Museum or Boerhaave Museum, covering contributions to science from Dutch researchers.

Relive History at the Anne Frank House

The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam is not just my favourite Dutch museum but one of my favourite museums in all of Europe. Housed in the very building where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II, it will be exceptionally meaningful to anyone who has read Anne Frank’s diary, but also very interesting to people who haven’t.

Anne Frank Huis sign by henrikj

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Taste Dutch Beer at the Heineken Experience

Fans of the Dutch beer will love a visit to the Heineken Experience, a combined brewery and visitor centre in Amsterdam.It was renovated and reopened in 2008 and includes a combination of history, how-to and, of course, some beer samples.

Take in the Sun at Zandvoort Beach

As a half day trip from Amsterdam, visiting Zaandvoort Beach is a great way to spend a warm day in North Holland. Motor racing fans may know the name as being home to Circuit Zandvoort, but it is also one of the Netherlands’ most popular beach resorts.

Zaandvoort Beach by furbyx4

Try Watersports at Scheveningen Beach

Another beach alternative is on the North Sea near Rotterdam where you can spend a summery day at Scheveningen Beach. There is a long pier and numerous water sports and boating activities available here.

Take a Rotterdam Harbour Cruise

For a cruise of a different kind, the Rotterdam Harbour Cruise will showcase not the quaint buildings and sweet canals of other Dutch cities, but rather the bustling port that until 2004 was the busiest port in the world, and is still by far the largest port in Europe.

Aerial view of Rotterdam Harbour by jochemberends

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Go Underground at the Sint Pietersberg Tunnels

The Sint Pietersberg of Maastricht date back to Roman times and the tunnels used to extend right into Belgium. Sint Pietersberg is actually a Roman fort near Helpoort and is the best point to explore some of the tunnels.

Sample the Wares at Alkmaar Cheese Market

The Netherlands is famous for its cheeses and one of its most popular tourist attractions is the Alkmaar Cheese Market. Every Friday from April to September the locals recreate the old-style cheese market which has been running since the 16th century.

Alkmaar cheese by Miles.18

Try some Gin at the House of Bols

If the Heineken beer tasting didn’t meet your requirements, perhaps it’s the House of Bols you’re looking for – it is a Dutch gin museum run by the Bols distellery and you can take an hour long tour ending up with a special cocktail.

Have a Cheesy Experience in Gouda

Another well-known Dutch cheese is Gouda, and the town that gives its name to this cheese is a lovely place to visit. I enjoyed a day in Gouda and was surprised at how much cheese I saw! (I ate a fair bit of it, too!).

Town of Gouda by Amanda Kendle

Buy Books at the Deventer Boekenmarkt

For book lovers, time your visit for an early August date and you may be able to see the Deventer Boekenmarkt, the largest book market in Europe held in the town of Deventer. Over 800 book stalls are set up outdoors along the Ijssel River and browsing them all could take you most of the day.

Deventer Book Market by arwa

Visit Rotterdam Zoo

With over a million visitors a year, the Rotterdam Zoo or Diergaarde Blijdorp as it is known locally is a great day out. It also includes an Oceanium with sharks, penguins and all manner of fish.

Penguins at Rotterdam Zoo by wwwleraar

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Walk Through Amsterdam’s Enchanted Forest

For something a bit off the beaten track, Andy recommends the Amsterdame Bos or Amsterdam Forest, one of the largest city parks in Europe. It’s a great place to cycle and there is also a goat farm to visit, or you can just enjoy the green, peace and quiet.

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Your Netherlands Tips

Do you have any tips on what to do in the Netherlands? Let us know about something we’ve left out of our list by leaving a comment below.

25 Things to Do in the Netherlands

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Bojnice Castle

A decent day trip from Bratislava gets you to Bojnice Castle – a particularly picturesque castle dating back to the 12th century and rumoured to have inspired Disney’s Cinderella Castle (and there are certainly some similarities between the two!). If you can hop on an English guided tour it’s worthwhile as the castle is home to some very interesting history.

Bojnice Castle by Amanda Kendle

Levoca

The small town of Levoca is World Heritage listed and is most famous for the altar inside the church attached to the town hall. It’s a painted Gothic wooden altar which is the largest in Europe and it’s really spectacular – and the rest of the town is a lovely spot too.

Levoca Town Hall by Yarotu

Spis Castle

Not far from Levoca (two great sights to combine) is the Spis Castle (Spissky Hrad. The castle ruins are attractive enough in their own right but it is their position on top of a hill looking down over green countryside which makes it a particularly picturesque place to visit.

Spis Castle by Ronnie Macdonald

Poprad

The northern border town of Poprad is a little special to me as it was the very first place I visited in Slovakia. It’s fast becoming a popular tourist destination as it is the gateway to the High Tatras and it is a nice-sized town with good tourist infrastructure and a relaxed feel to it.

Downtown Poprad by Amanda Kendle

The High Tatras

Slovakia shares this mountain range with Poland but the popular tourist part of the Slovak side is referred to as the High Tatras. This is a great area to ski in winter with a variety of ski resorts, but it is also a beautiful place for hiking in summer.

High Tatras resort by crustiq

Trnava

My favourite day trip out of Bratislava when visitors came calling was to the town of Trnava, about an hour out of the city. It’s full of churches and other interesting buildings and is a place which you can easily explore on foot during an afternoon.

Trnava in winter by Amanda Kendle

Cerveny Kamen Chateau

Slovakia really has a great number of castles, palaces and chateaus for such a small country, and Cerveny Kamen is another one worth visiting. It dates back to the 13th century and is an easy day trip from Bratislava, and as well as touring the castle you can see a falcon show.

Cerveny Kamen by korom

Smolenicky Zamok

And while we’re talking castles, the other one that impresses me is Smolenicky Zamok, a castle with some similarities to Bojnice Castle most probably because they were both owned at one stage by the wealthy Palffy family. As well as being a sightseeing spot it is often used by locals for wedding photos and includes a popular conference centre.

Smolenicky Zamok by Peter Fenda

Bardejov

In the eastern part of Slovakia, the small spa town of Bardejov is another UNESCO Heritage listed part of the country because of its exemplary medieval town centre.

Bardejov town centre by hartjeff12

Slovensky Raj

One part of Slovakia I regularly heard about when I lived there but unfortunately didn’t make it to is the Slovensky Raj, or Slovak Paradise National Park. It’s in the eastern part of Slovakia and is mostly dense forest, but it has well-marked walking trails so it’s great for some outdoor adventure.

Slovensky Raj by macskapocs

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Your Tips for Slovakia

If you’ve got some more tips for great places to visit in Slovakia, please feel leave a comment below.

10 Places to Visit in Slovakia

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Admire Lake Balaton

When I lived in Slovakia, many of my local friends told me I should take a trip to Lake Balaton, one of their most popular holiday destinations. Lake Balaton is the biggest lake in Central Europe and there are numerous villages on its edges catering to tourists – tiny Tihany with its lovely Benedictine Abbey was one of my favourites.

Lake Balaton on a stormy day by Amanda Kendle

Enjoy History in Pécs

Down towards the Croatian border, the town of Pecs is a popular destination in Hungary for its cultural and historical sites – it was even elected one of Europe’s Capitals of Culture for 2010.

Explore the Danube in Budapest

One of the highlights of Budapest and its surrounds is taking a cruise on the Danube River. You can even start way up in Germany and cruise down to Hungary if you want. Andy recommended the cruise along the Danube as a unique way to see the most beautiful spots of Budapest.

River Danube, Budapest by Amanda Kendle

Be Scared at the House of Terror, Budapest

One of the most popular museums in Hungary, the House of Terror in Budapest has exhibits explaining the various occupations of Hungary over the years and an explanation of the fascist and communist times the country has experienced.

Hike in Hungary

Many visitors to Hungary go there to follow some of the good hiking trails through the mountains. There’s no one best place, but some of the popular mountain ranges include the Mátra, Zemplén, and Bükk ranges, particularly in the summer season of course.

Sopron

Sopron in the west of Hungary is full of heritage buildings from the medieval era and onwards, and some of its highlights are the  Firewatch Tower, Storno House and the Gothic Goat Church.

Sopron by Emmanuel Dyan

Keszthely

Keszthely is one of the major resort towns near Lake Balaton and I personally found it the calmest and nicest. It includes a large palace but seems to have a relaxed atmosphere and good access to the lake and lake-based activities.

Take a Dip in the Heviz Baths

One of my personal highlights of Hungary was swimming at the Heviz Baths in the north-west. The thermally-heated water is warm all year round and apparently the fact that it’s slightly radioactive is good for our health? I’m not sure how that works but the setting is gorgeous so I highly recommend it!

Heviz Baths by Amanda Kendle

Dance to traditional music in Resck

Vineyards and wine are popular tourist attractions in Hungary, and Jeremy recommends the small town of Resck for a spot of wine tasting and in particular the Kohari Prince winery where there’s also musical entertainment and dancing offer.

Violinist at the Kohari Prince winery in Resck by Jeremy Branham

Party at Siofok

One of the resort towns around Lake Balaton, Siofok is famous as a summer destination for young people because it’s home to numerous nightclubs. I haven’t been there myself but have heard from party-loving friends that it’s heaps of fun!

Explore Baradla Cave

The Baradla Cave (and several more caves) in the Aggtelek National Park in northeastern Hungary is a great destination for travellers. These are World Heritage listed caves and the Baradla Cave is famous for being the largest stalactite cave in Europe.

Baradla Cave by rover0

Get regal at Godollo Castle

The Godollo Castle is an easy half-day trip from Budapest, and it’s become famous because it was once the summer residence of the famous Sisi! It features an impressive Empress Elisabeth exhibition devoted to her and is also a beautiful building in its own right.

Get into the groove at the Sziget Festival

One of Europe’s largest music festivals is the Sziget Festival, held every August in Budapest, on an island in the Danube. It runs for an entire week and at least half of the festival attendees come from outside Hungary; in the past the line-up has included famous singers and bands including Prince, Iron Maiden, REM and Lily Allen.

See Double at Komarom

If you travel between Bratislava and Budapest by train, then you are bound to stop in the twin towns of Komarno (on the Slovak side) and Komarom (on the Hungarian side). I enjoyed a day trip here and thoroughly recommend both sides of the border for an interesting cultural comparison.

Komarno by Amanda Kendle

Sample Wine in Resck

Wine tasting is an essential part of your trip to Hungary and the country has a long history of wine making following particular Hungarian traditions. Whichever part of the country you visit you will probably stumble across a wine making region (there are two dozen of them) but if you’re keen, try the areas around Sopron, Eger and in particular Tokaj.

 Szeged

If you’re keen on checking out the cities of Hungary then you’ll need to add its second-largest city, Szeged, to your list. It’s an interesting university town (there are three different universities there) and because it was destroyed by a flood in 1879 it was completely replanned and rebuilt.

Experience the Gellert Baths

Thermal baths are a fantastic part of visiting Hungary and while you’re in Budapest, you shouldn’t miss the Gellert Baths. Guide books sometimes liken this to swimming in a cathedral and I had a great experience there and must agree!

Gellert Baths by Amanda Kendle

Eger

Eger is another fantastic Hungarian city and it’s a good place to visit if you’re keen on historical monuments – its most famous being a 14-sided minaret.

Take time to reflect at the Gulag labor camps and Resck memorial

To explore one of the more sombre times in Hungarian history, Jeremy suggests the Gulag labor camps and Resck memorial are worth a visit. This area was home to some of the harshest camps operated by Stalin.

Take a Dip at the Szechenyi Bath

On a lighter note, another well-known thermal bath and set of pools can be found at the Szechenyi Baths in Budapest. I’ve not made it there yet but I have been keen to go ever since I owned a guidebook with a picture of men playing chess while in the water at these baths – looks like great relaxing fun!

Szechenyi Baths by PharPhoto

 See the Great Plains at Puszta

In the eastern half of Hungary, the Great Plains (centred around the Hortobágy National Park) is a World Heritage-listed area and is quite different to other parts of Hungary. It’s a place worth exploring for its unique folklore and scenery, especially in the national park where the steppe is relatively untouched.

Try Hungarian paprika

If you have even vaguely foodie interests, then you will be impressed by the paprika of Hungary. In Hungary paprika means not just the ground spice we use in cooking but the actual capsicum or pepper it’s obtained from and you will find them everywhere!

Paprika near Lake Balaton by Amanda Kendle

Visit the former capital of Esztergom

Not too far north of Budapest, the city of Esztergom was once the capital of Hungary and today boasts several interesting attractions including the largest cathedral in the country and a particularly extensive Museum of Christian Art.

Warm up at Fisherman’s Bastion

In Budapest, overlooking the Danube, the Fisherman’s Bastion is a wonderful spot on the “Buda” side of the city. You can walk along the top of the walls (it joins seven towers) or if you’re like me, enjoy a hot drink inside the Bastion.

Fisherman’s Bastion by Amanda Kendle

Go back to WW2 at the Hospital in the Rock

Relatively newly opened to the public, the Hospital in the Rock is part of the caves of Castle Hill in Budapest, and you can now enter some of the areas used during the siege of Budapest during the second World War.

Your Hungary tips

Have you been to Hungary, or heard of a great place to visit there? Please let us know your tips for what to do in Hungary in the comments.

25 Things To Do in Hungary

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Visit the Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari

This UNESCO World Heritage Site was discovered in 1982 outside the village of Sveshtari. It dates back to the 3rd Century BC and contains unique decor architecture, with murals and half-human and half-vegetable female figures carved into the walls,  the only of its kind known in the Thracian region. A visit to this site will give you insight into the ancient Getae tribes, a group of Thracian people believed to be in contact with the Hellenistic and Hyperborean of the ancient world.

Thracian Tomb by Klearchos Kapoutsis

Explore the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo

Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rock-Hewn churches reside in the village of Ivanovo and in the valley of the Roussenenski Lom River. A visit here will give you the chance to explore an entire community of rock-hewn churches, monasteries, chapels, and cells. From the 1220′s to the 17th century, monks inhabited the caves around the area, and were actually the ones to create this amazing site. At one time, there existed about 40 churches and over 300 other religious rock-hewn buildings. Today, there are five churches for you to enjoy, all with impressive frescoes and unbelievable history.

Rock-Hewn Churches by Klearchos Kapoutsis

Orpheus’ Sanctuary

Also known as the Thracian Sanctuary, this site is located near Tatul Village and is an enormous rock structure dating back to the end of the 5th and beginning of the 4th century BC. Surrounding it is a rock pyramid and tombs that date back to the 13th to 11th centuries BC. During excavations of the site, myriad religious artifacts were found like figures of the Sun God, clay human idols, models of vessels, and bronze items. Moreover, circular formations of clay alters used to make sacrifices were also discovered. Visitors can visit the site today and should, as in 2011 it was named one of the 10 Wonders of Bulgaria.

Orpheus’ Sanctuary by Klearchos Kapoutsis

Hike Around Pirin National Park

Pirin National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and encompasses an area of about 150 square miles. Visitors are immersed in unique limestone mountain landscapes, over 70 glacial lakes, caves, waterfalls, alpine meadows, and lush forests. There are also an array of animals that inhabit the area, like brown bears, grey wolves, eagles, owls, wild cats, badgers, otters, and more.

Pirin National Park by frans.sellies

Visit the Dzhendema Reserve

The Dzhendema Reserve, located in Stara planina (Old Mountain), is made up of the catchment area of the Bayala River, the upper part of the Tundzha River, and the gorge of the Tazha River. It is the biggest reserve in the Central Balkan National Park territory and is also considered a biosphere. The name “Dzhendema” literally means “hell”, which is no surprise as there are many steep gullies, dark forests, and unpredictable weather. Although the area is rough, it is also undeniably beautiful, especially with the array of unique and wild flora and fauna, and visitors can enjoy picturesque panoramic views.

Dzhendema Reserve by Evgeni Karalamov

Spend Some Time in the Ancient City of Nessebar

Visit this city for the perfect combination of history and present, as Nessebar has both an ancient area and a modern area. The ancient area contains millennia-old history with preserved monuments like fortress walls from Roman Times and the Middle Ages, old Byzantine churches, and antique houses. In fact, there is so much history in Nessebar that the area was actually named a Museum City in 1956.

Nessebar by Moty@BG

Peruse the Yambol Historical Museum

The Yambol Historical Museum is located in the center of town in Yambol, Bulgaria. Established in 1952, today the museum features 93,000 historical, cultural, and artistic exhibits. Several departments make up the museum, including Prehistory, Antiquity, Middle Ages, National Revival, Modern History, Contemporary History, Ethnography, and Numismatics. See archeological treasures, peruse traditional costume, and learn about local crafts, customs, and beliefs.

Yambol Historical Museum by vintagedept

Explore the Dragoman Marshland

Dragoman Marshland is located in close proximity to Dragoman (to get there you enter the town and turn at the road for the city of Godech). It is the biggest karst swamp in Bulgaria and encompasses an area of about 480 football fields. The Dragoman Marshland is inhabited by much flora and fauna, including 226 bird species, and plants like reed, threadworm, rush, and bulrush. One really unique plant in the area are the insectivorous plants that act as floating predators without roots. For those who want historical and ecological information, a visitor center offers interactive exhibitions and educations materials.

Lay Out on Sunny Beach

Sunny Beach is the biggest beach resort in Bulgaria and is situated on the southern side of the Bulgarian Black Sea Riviera. The beach faces east and blends together with the mountains in the north. This is also one of the few places left on the coast of the Black Sea where you can still find natural sand dunes, and rare plants varieties are preserved within these formations. When you’re done getting tan and swimming, shopping, restaurants, sports, and nightlife can all be enjoyed in the area.

Sunny Beach by Star Tour

Visit

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is located in Sofia and is a Bulgarian Orthodox church. It is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox churches in the world and can hold about 10,000 people inside. Construction for the cathedral began in 1882, and today visitors can enjoy beautiful features like colorful Italian marble interiors, a temple 12 giant bells, a gold plated dome, and furnishings made with luxury materials. Along with the architecture and design, visitors can also peruse ancient relics of Nevsky himself and a museum and art gallery inside the crypt.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral by David&Bonnie

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10 Things To Do in Bulgaria

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Me taking a beach towel from a Rufus Roo jacket pocket

I already practise pocket stuffing by putting my computer leads, mobile phone charger and mobile phone in my (everyday) jacket pockets.  I also wear my heaviest clothes & shoes and tie at least one jumper around my waist. However a Rufus Roo jacket would greatly increase my carrying capacity.

Cost

I found a black Rufus Roo jacket in adult large size for £26 post free on the Amazon site. However all other adult sizes and colours cost £30, again post free.  The price is also £30 on the Rufus Roo site but there’s an additional £3.50 charge for postage and packing. However there was a special offer on the Rufus Roo site to save £10 if you bought two jackets. Therefore it could be cheaper to buy two jackets from the Rufus Roo site, as the total cost would be £53.50 (it still costs £3.50 for P&P for two jackets), as opposed to £54 on Amazon. You’d also have more choice of colours and sizes by ordering on the Rufus Roo site.

Bear in mind that Ryanair currently charge £40/40 Euro at the boarding gate if your one piece of cabin luggage exceeds their size or weight limit.

My Review

The large size was big enough for either my husband or me. I managed to fit a netbook (small laptop), a beach towel, 6 tops (T-shirts), a pair of sandals and charging leads for my phone and netbook into the four large pockets. The smaller pockets at the front were handy for my passport, purse and mobile phones. The generous arm holes mean that you can wear the jacket as a shoulder bag until you reach the boarding gate.

You can see all my Rufus Roo photos on Flickr.

I’ll be roadtesting the Rufus Roo Jacket on my next flight to see if I can get around the airlines hand luggage restrictions.

Disclosure

This post is based on my own personal experience and research, be sure to check the hand luggage restrictions with the airline before you fly. I will earn a commission if you purchase a Rufus Roo jacket through the links on this post.

Beat Airline Hand Luggage Restrictions with Rufus Roo

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Museum of the Discoveries in Lisbon by Jeremy Branham

I decided to split my seven days between Lisbon and Faro. I found a Ryanair flight from Faro back to Edinburgh for around £40.

Faro by mickpix

Mary Goudie of Your Lisbon Guide has very kindly offered to pick me up at Lisbon airport to take me on a tour of Lisbon on my day of arrival. The following day she will take me to Tomar, where we’ll visit the Convent of Christ.

I’ll be staying at one of the Heritage boutique hotels in Lisbon.

We already have some posts for what to do in Portugal and a collation of the best of Lisbon travel tips on Europe a la Carte. If you have travel tips for the destinations I’ll visit, please leave a comment.

Tips for My First Trip to Portugal

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Visit Mechelen, the former capital of Belgium

Mechelen is a small city in Belgium that  used to be the capital from 1506 to 1530. The area may be tiny, but it is filled with history and activities. Visit the late-medieval Saint Rumbold’s Tower, with its unique wood carvings and 15th, 16th, and 17th century religious artwork. Boat tours and brewery tastings are also a popular option, and a stop at the Brewery Het Anker will give you the option to taste beer chocolates. Moreover, a walk around the main square of town will give you the chance to see eight beautiful churches.

Michelen by Clayirving

Make a stop in Durbuy, the world’s smallest city

Durbuy, which claims to be the world’s smallest city, is a traditional Belgian town in the French speaking part of the country. Simply wandering around the tiny city and its quaint streets can make for a relaxing day, and stopping at a local cafe for a strong brew can make the day even better. Begin your tour of Durbuy at the Chateau des Comtes de Marchin, where you will be given stunning views of the river Muse and also delicious Belgian waffles in their cafe. Next, move on to the Grotto de Han, a cave that has been offering tours since the 1800′s. Long stretches of tunnels and a natural cathedral are all part of the experience.

Durbuy by pickinjim

Admire the Grote Markt in Antwerp

The Grote Markt (Great Market) is a giant square in the center of the old city. You will be able to take in 16th century architecture, golden statues, fountains, and lavishly decorated houses of the Guilds.  Visit town hall, shop in boutique stores, sip a coffee in a cozy cafe, or enjoy a pint of Belgian beer at one of the square’s pubs. The atmosphere is quite romantic, and although it is a favorite spot for locals and tourists, and prices are still reasonable.

 Grote Markt by Alan Stanton

Travel back to the Middle Agest at the “Castle of the Count”

In Ghent, you can visit Gravensteen Castle, a castle as well as a historical museum. The castle dates back to the Middle Ages and in Dutch literally means “castle of the count”. Not only are visitors to this castle treated to amazing views of the city, but also an authentic castle experience with a moat, dungeons, and various torture devices that were once used in the city.

Gravensteen Castle by Coy!

Experience the food and drink culture of Bruges

For those who love to eat and drink, Bruges is the perfect city to visit in Belgium. Home to the Chocolate Museum, Frite Museum, and the De Halve Maan Brewery, this city will have you donning loose-waisted pants the entire trip. De Halve Mann is the still-active family brewery in Bruges, and for 6 euros you can get a guided tour and tasting. At the Frite Museum, you will learn all about Potato Fries, which originated in Belgium. Best of all, this is the only museum in the world to be dedicated to this particular food favorite. And a stop at the Chocolate Museum will give you a chance to learn about the history of the treat while also participating in cocoa-inspired workshops.

Life-sized chocolate statue at the Chocolate Museum by tim2ubh

Pay your respects at the Trenches of Death in Diksmuide

The Trenches of Death is a historical site in the peaceful countryside town of Diksmuide. The site itself is a network of trenches from WWI located next to the River Yzer. An small building provides visitors with information before their journey into the solemn area of the trenches, which have been restored to look exactly like they would have during the war.

Trenches of Death by CityWodge

Expand your knowledge at the Grand Curtius Museum in Liège

Located on the Meuse River in Liège, the Curtius Museum is a historical and cultural museum dedicated to archeology and art. Originally built around the early 1600′s, the museum was originally known as the Musee Curtius (Curtius Museum) but reopened in 2009 after extensive renovations to be called the The Grand Curtius Museum. Visitors can peruse more than 7,000 years of regional and international artifacts and over 5,200 items on display in chronological or thematic order. The collections include decorative arts, Mosan art, archeological treasures, religious art, weaponry, and glass pieces.

Art from Curtius Museum by groenling

Explore the Neolithic Flint Mines in Spiennes

The Neolithic Flint Mines are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and covers more than 247 acres. They are the biggest and most ancient group of land mines in all of Europe. The existence of the mines actually gives evidence of the inventiveness and technological progress of Neolithic cultures. For only 2,50 Euros, you can see this amazing site for yourself and get a glimpse into the extraordinary past of the area.

Neolithic Flint Mines by ines saraiva

Hear the oldest belfry in Belgium in Tournai

The Belfry of Tournai is the oldest belfry in Belgium dating back to medieval times. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and at 72 meters high and with 256 stairs to reach the top, can be seen from miles away. Although a fire damaged the building in 1931 and some of the 44 bells had to be replaced, the largest bell of the period as well as the fire bell were preserved. A visit to this site will show you beautiful architecture and a picture of history.

Belry of Tournai by girolame

See the Waterloo Battlefield up close

In the town of Waterloo resides the Waterloo Battlefield, a historic site from Battle of Waterloo during the War of the Seventh Coalition. A 40 minute tour with historic narration is offered, as well as an impressive lion monument, a wax museum with life-like figures of Napoleon and other soldiers, enlightening films, and restaurants. While there is a great area with panoramic views just be cautioned that there are quite a lot of stairs. For ticket prices, click here.

Waterloo Battlefield by bruxelles5

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10 Things to Do in Belgium

See Europe with the Europe a la Carte Travel Blog. Copyrighted content published on Europe a la Carte.