Off to Europe

Five Reasons to Visit Spain this Year

Ben S. — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:38:22 +0000

San Sebastian's La Concha Beach - Photo: © Ben Savill

From more convenient travel options to a host of cultural events, there are manifold reasons to visit Spain this year. When planning a trip, it’s helpful to take a look at upcoming local festivals, attractions, and transportation options to maximize your Spanish holiday.

Semana Grande in Bilbao

One of the best ways to experience Spain is to take part in its highly varied cultural festivals, celebrating the history and tradition of each region. One of the best is the Big Week, or Semana Grande, in Bilbao, which draws 100,000 visitors each year. Taking place in the third week of August, it features the best of Basque culture, with everything from a strong-man competition to giant puppets parading through the streets.

Attractions of the Costa Blanca

A highlight of Spain for many visitors is the Costa Blanca, the long stretch of golden sandy beaches in the Alicante province. Flights to Alicante drop you off in the center of the Costa Blanca’s scenic capital city, from which you can explore all of the surrounding historically rich towns and tranquil beaches. For an alternative view of this region, you can visit some of the lesser-known areas such as the ruggedly beautiful Calblanque nature reserve and the quaint hilltop village of Guadalest to get away from it all.

An increase in flight options

There are now numerous budget airlines offering cheap flights to Spain, and the number of destinations is set to increase this year. For example, the Spanish low cost airline Vueling is adding new routes from Cardiff to Spain beginning in 2012, and Ryanair is rolling out a flurry of new flight options to destinations including Barcelona, Ibiza, and Madrid beginning in March. Jet2 is also adding budget-friendly flights to their roster this year, including a route from East Midlands to Malaga.

Music festivals in Barcelona

The Primavera Sound Festival takes place from May 30th to June 3rd in Barcelona’s spacious Parc del Forum. With the sea as your backdrop, you can shake it to numerous international rock and pop acts. Past performers include The White Stripes, Pixies, and Lou Reed. Only two weeks later, there is Sonar Festival, on 14-16 June. This festival is mainly dedicated to multimedia art and electronic music. It also draws in big names such as Orbital, The Chemical Brothers and Beastie Boys.

High speed AVE trains

Spain’s new high speed AVE trains can barrel through the countryside at a speed of up to 193mph, allowing you to see more of the country in less time. For example, it now only takes 2.5 hours to get from Barcelona to Madrid. New routes in 2012 will include a line from Seville to Cadiz and extended service throughout the Northern corridor in Basque country.

What Next?

10 Free Things to Do in Rome

Ben S. — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:56:30 +0000

Are you traveling Rome on a budget? Check out the stunning Piazza Novana in Rome for free - Photo: © Andrey Anisimov

When in Rome there are hundreds of things to do and places to see – but do all of them mean spending a small fortune? Think again. There are loads of awesome sightseeing activities that you can do and they are all virtually free. Here are some suggestions for a thrifty but still fun way to enjoy Rome.

Go to church – at the St. Peter’s Basilica, you can walk around the cavernous halls when there is no Mass, explore the grounds or visit the Vatican Museum, which offers free admission every last Sunday of the month. Rome has hundreds of churches with impressive architecture to boot so get out your map and start walking.

Take a fitness test – walk up the 138-steps of Scalinata della Trinita dei Monti (the Spanish Steps), the longest and widest staircase in Europe. Once you get to the top, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the whole city.

Pyramid of Cestius - Photo: © Jacek Cudak

See Egypt in Rome – or one of Egypt’s iconic figures, the Pyramid of Cestius. The 87-foot tall structure is one of the best-preserved monuments in Rome and is a popular tourist attraction.

Enjoy nature – on a sunny day there is nothing better to do than to be in a lovely park such as the Villa Borghese. Take a stroll in the heart-shaped park, read a book or take a nap under one of the trees.

Take an ancient polygraph test – the Bocca della Verita is an ancient sewer grate with a rather dreadful legendary power. According to old tales, if you place your hand inside its mouth and tell a lie, your hand gets bitten off.

Be in the center of everything – in Rome, the Piazze are where most people converge and chances are there will be free events happening. Walk around the Piazza Navona and enjoy watching the fountains or the Piazza Campo dei Fiori where there is always a local market.

Rome's Pantheon and Fontana del Pantheon - Photo: © Ben Savill

Soak up on Roman history – visit the Pantheon, an ancient pagan temple turned into a burial ground. Built in 27 BC, it is one of the best-preserved Roman monuments. Or stroll through the ruins of Foro Romano – the center of government, religion and commerce in ancient Rome. Another leisurely walk to enjoy would be down the old road out of Rome, along the Appia Antica.

Get a free pass to the museums and galleries – check out calendars or websites and find out when they are open free to the public. The Musei Capitolini, for instance, offers free admission on the last Sunday of the month.

Explore the eerie and unusual side of Rome – visit the Capuchin Crypt in the Santa Maria della Concezione with its collection of the bodies of 4,000 Capuchin friars.

Enjoy open-air music and shows – mark your calendar for special festivals and holidays where there will be parades and performances throughout the city. During summer, there is the Estate Romana where Rome is transformed into an outdoor event spectacle – concerts, film showings, dances and art on display are often offered free to the public.

What Next?

Magnificent River Cruises Along the Seine

Ben S. — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:21:51 +0000

View of Paris and the River Seine. Photo: © Tanja Krstevska

River cruises along the Seine – magnifique! The only word to describe the experience which has got to be on every ‘must do’ list on the planet! For there can be no better way to absorb the scenic grandeur, the culture, the romance, the glory that is France than by cruising gently along this historic river.

Millions of words have been written about the River Seine, especially when combined with Paris, France’s capital city, extolling its seductive charms and virtues and praising its timeless beauty. It’s been sung about for centuries. It’s been filmed thousands of times. Yet, there seems no end to the fascination and magical qualities the river and it’s capital weave within the subconscious minds of millions of people across the world.

Strange, really, given the river is not huge in terms of its size. When compared to the mighty River Amazon, the River Nile, or even rivers closer to home like the Rhine or Danube, the River Seine is a rather modest affair. But, in terms of the oft-quoted saying, size isn’t everything!

The Seine rises in the Burgundy region of France near to the beautiful town of Dijon, famed for its mustard and wines and liqueurs. The countryside around this historic town of around 150,000 inhabitants is a rich tapestry of medieval churches, vineyards, rivers and forests. The Palace of the Dukes and Estates of Burgundy – the Ducal Palace – which goes back to the 14th century, is a ‘must see’ attraction not to be missed.

The river flows north-west through the charming town of Troyes, an important centre of trade during medieval times. The use of the troy weight system for precious metals and gemstones, such as gold and diamonds, originates from here. The town also boasts a fine cathedral and many churches and museums, all well worth visiting.

From Troyes, the river enters the Paris suburbs via Melun, once situated on an island in the Seine and a place where Roman couriers once changed tired horses for fresh mounts while carrying important messages to and fro across the empire.

Then into Paris proper, a city known the world over and a magnet for tens of millions of travellers from all across the planet. What can you see and do in Paris? Literally, everything. It’s got the lot! Top ten list, anyone? How about the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, The Louvre, Pere-Lachaise Cemetery, Orsay Museum, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Moulin Rouge, the Sorbonne, and Disneyland Paris.

And, yes, a few dreaded facts or two! Did you know that more than 40 million people visit Paris and surrounding area every year, making it the most visited city in the world? Paris and its surroundings generate 25% of France’s gross domestic product. Man first started settling in the area some 6,000 years ago. The name Paris comes from the Parisii, a sub-tribe of the Celtic Senones. The city has no fewer than 37 bridges crossing the River Seine.

And the Eiffel Tower, the symbol of Paris, was never meant to be a permanent feature of the skyline when it was built by Gustave Eiffel for the World Fair of 1889. When the fair finished, it was supposed to be dismantled. Somehow, the Parisians never quite got around to it! Just as well. After all, what’s Paris without its Eiffel Tower.

What Next?

Norway: Exploring Northern Scandinavia

Ben S. — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:17:19 +0000

As one of the three Scandinavian countries, Norway has the unusual distinction of being both the westernmost and easternmost of the group. Embracing Sweden and Finland, Norway is a vast country where the land is both harsh and beautiful and the rocky wilderness hides amazing natural landscapes.

While the oil and seafood exports are the backbone of the Norwegian economy, nature explorers and tourists with an eye for beautiful geography are drawn in year after year. The tourism industry revolves around this variety of landscapes that extend across the cold of the Arctic Circle. Most consider the main attraction to be the fjord coastline but many visitors also enjoy staying at ski resorts and exploring the lakes and snow covered woods. Norwegians take pride on keeping fit and enjoying sports so visitors can expect a variety of options for their trip. In winter, you can try cross-country or alpine skiing and snowboarding. In the summer the climate is gentle and both hiking and biking become a great way to enjoy an outdoors vacation.

The Fjord Coastline

Norway enjoys the highest concentration of fjords in the entire world. These are long and narrow inlets surrounded by steep cliffs; passageways carved into the stone and rock by glacial activity during successive ice ages. Fjords can be considered nature’s own works of art, formed as the glaciers retreated and the sea water flooded the valleys that remained.

Flåm is an excellent choice for those who wish to sign up for a visit to the Norwegian fjord coastline. The area surrounding this village enjoys some of the most extreme and beautiful fjord scenery and offers a variety of “fjord safaris.” These experiences get you right into the thick of things, as you explore the fjords at close range in rigid inflatable boats. During the trip, there will be frequent stops when you’ll be able to appreciate some of the local wildlife and see the old settlements perched on the high mountain sides.

Visiting the fjords is an excellent option for travellers who like to appreciate natural marvels and are willing to get out of the crowded cities to enjoy the humbling visage of towering cliffs and thundering waterfalls. If you would like to experience Norway for yourself, we recommend going during either Autumn or Spring. While Summer enjoys the most stable temperatures (and long warm days) it is during these two seasons when the country blooms with colours and you can enjoy most of its natural charm. Regardless of your choice, remember that climate is always fickle on mountain country and be prepared for an adventure.

What Next?

Exploring Europe by Rail

Ben S. — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:26:24 +0000

Real travellers will tell you, it’s just as much about getting there as being there. The anticipation of not knowing what you’ll find when you get to your destination, time spent reflecting on where you’ve just left, a little alone time to enjoy the scenery and gather your thoughts. All this is possible with rail travel and in Europe the prices are still low, unlike the astronomical hike currently happening in the UK.

There is so much to see and do in countless different countries in Europe, but you’d miss out on so much if you just flew from destination to destination. Yes you may save a little on travel time, but for many travellers the enjoyment of the journey is paramount. Plus with the sumptuous scenery on offer in Europe, you’d really want to see this from ground level, not up in the air.

Taking the train round Europe was for decades considered only for students, but now it seems like a more of a savvy way of exploring the continent. With some of the best rail networks found anywhere in the world, it’s relatively fast and also comfortable. But it’s not going to be cheap if you book it last minute. You can’t just jump on and pay nothing – you’ve got to make sure you do some careful planning.

The first thing you should really do is choose a route to follow. We all know what it’s like when travelling. You’ll meet someone who says you simply have to go here and you’ll be off course for days. The unexpected destinations is one of the most thrilling aspects of travelling, so don’t discount it, but have a think about the number of countries you plan to see as you’ll be able to opt for different passes dependant on this factor. You can get yourself a pass enabling you to visit many different countries or you can simply opt for a regional pass which will be ideal for countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Italy.

Railing in Europe has also been made much easier since the Euro as for many destinations you’ll just need the same currency. However, when heading to more far flung Eastern European stops this isn’t the case so you’ll still need to compare currency exchange rates before and while travelling to ensure you get the best deal when changing your currency.

So, hop on; and remember – it’s just as much about the journey as the destination.

What Next?