Off to Europe

Two Days in Paris

Ben S. — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:25:00 +0000

Tourists and locals enjoy Paris by the Eiffel Tower - Photo: Gabriel Villena

With over 28 million visitors each year, Paris is without a doubt one of the most exciting cities in the world and a destination that you certainly don’t want to miss on your trip to Europe. So, whether you are taking a long deserved city break or only have two days to spend in Paris on your European vacation, we hope you find our tips on what to see and do in Paris in two days helpful.

Eiffel Tower

Whilst cliché to some, the Eiffel Tower should definitely be first on your list of things to do, especially if you only have two days in Paris. This attraction is so popular that many tourists still visit on their second and third trips to this marvelous city. The view from the second and third levels is truly incredible, so make sure you take the trip up the tower to enjoy an unforgettable view. If you are really short on time and money, the view from the second floor is still amazing.

Buy a Paris Pass

Even if you are visiting Paris for two days, we strongly recommend that you take advantage of the Paris Pass. The Paris Pass offers free entry to over 60 of Paris’ best sightseeing attractions, excellent special offers at the best stores and restaurants as well as free public transport. The Paris Pass also enables you fast VIP entry at most of Paris’ best attractions. The Paris Pass is a great way to save time and money in the City of Lights.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Built in the 12th century and standing on the Île de la Cité, this magically cathedral is an awesome example of Gothic architecture. Free guided tours are available upon request, so make sure you enquire at the information desk when you arrive. If you’re in a hurry, however, it is recommended that you visit the cathedral during weekday mornings and evenings to avoid the hordes of tourists and the annoying long lines.

The Louvre

Even if art isn’t your cup of tea, just walking through the Louvre and its courtyards is something you just have to do. In fact, even art lovers often say they are more impressed with the architecture of the building than with the art it contains! The Louvre is one of the world’s largest museums and is jam packed with treasure, so we suggest that you by do some research online before you visit or save your time by booking a guided tour.

Catch the Eurostar

If you are visiting Paris from London or Belgium you should take advantage of the Eurostar. The Eurostar is a high-speed passenger train the connects Paris with Belgium and London. Travel time between Paris and London is about two hours and 15 minutes, so it is a great way to travel to Paris quickly, cheaply and easily. Also, only twenty minutes of the journey is in the channel, which will give you a chance to check out some of the beautiful European countryside.

The Catacombs of Paris

The Catacombs of Paris or Catacombes de Paris offer a stunning visual to even the most jaded amongst us. Filled with the remains of Paris’s long buried dead, and a bit of vandalism, the tour is both stunning and strangely beautiful. Do keep in mind, however, that you may have to wait in line. Only 200 guests are permitted entry into the catacombs at any given time.

In truth, there is so much more to see and do in Paris than what can be done in just two days. However, with a well thought out plan and the right travel tips and advice, you can see and do what is more important to you and still experience what this magically city has to offer. Be sure that, even with your itinerary in hand, you take along an excellent map. The pie shape of the city can be confusing at best.

Bon voyage!

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Top Five Attractions in Salzburg

Sophie — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 21:54:28 +0000

A panoramic view of Salzburg, Austria. Photo: io_nia

Salzburg, Austria: The birthplace of Mozart is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, where the romantic charm of the Baroque and Renaissance periods come alive in its impressive architecture of the historical buildings and right down on the cobbled streets. The capital of Land Salzburg is also called the “heart of the heart of Europe.” There is so much to see and do in this popular tourist destination and for first-time visitors, here are five of its top tourist attractions:

Hohensalzburg Fortress

Situated on the southeastern summit of the Monchsberg, Hohensalzburg Fortress is said to be the largest completely preserved castle left in central Europe. Spanning over 250 metres and towering 122 metres above the Salzach River, the fortress was used as a stronghold of the ruling prince-archbishops of Salzburg. Visitors to the site marvel at the grandeur of the architecture and layout as well as the breathtaking view of the Alps from its massive towers.

Salzburg Cathedral

Known around the world for its 4,000-pipe organ, the Salzburg Dom is located on the south side of Residenzplatz. At one time it was hailed by some critics as the “most perfect Renaissance building in the Germanic countries,” with its marble façade and twin symmetrical towers. The Salzburg Cathedral is also home to the Dom Museum, which showcases historical and religious artifacts collected by the archbishops in the 17th century. As well, the cathedral excavations shows the ruins of the original foundation.

Old Town District

A visit to Salzburg is not complete without going to the birthplace of its most famous son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In Getreidegasse, the house where the famous musician was born has been converted into a museum where mementos of his life are displayed. The place is also a busy shopping district lined with burghers’ houses dating from the 15th to the 18th century.

Mirabell Gardens and Palace

Built in the 1600’s, this magnificent garden is a perfect example of Baroque landscape gardening and has been featured in the classic movie “Sound of Music.” The banquet hall is a historical landmark since this was where Mozart performed for the elite society of Salzburg.

St. Peter’s Abbey

Founded in 696 A.D. by St. Rupert, this Romanesque basilica is one of the most popular attractions in Salzburg, renowned for its onion domes and high altar. It houses the oldest library in Austria as well as the nearby Petersfriedhof cemetery where aristocratic families and famous personalities are buried, including Mozart’s sister, Nannerl Mozart and Haydn’s brother, Johann Michael Haydn.

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Walking Holidays in Germany

Ben S. — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 00:55:06 +0000

One of the many hiking trails in the Karwendel mountains in Bavaria, Germany. Photo: © manfredxy

Today we will take a look at a holiday destination for those who love to explore the countryside and discover the hidden pearls of its geography. The country in question is Germany, a great destination for nature lovers who get excited at the thought of strapping on their boots for some adventurous hiking.

Although this aspect might often be under-publicised, Germany is filled with romantic forests, colourful hills, steep mountains as well as hidden shores leading to tranquil embedded seas. Those who dare to hike its trails will find a destination filled with options: from early hikes along tidal shores and visits to traditional villages to trips through the low mountain regions and journeys to the mountain-tops.

We’ve found the country to be prepared for demanding hikers as there are numerous trails and routes that are well maintained and lead you through some of the most beautiful locations. These trails are all signalled and offer information regarding the difficulty and length of the hike which makes planning your trip that much easier. If you don’t want to explore by yourself you can hire the help of a professional guide and there are even trip-organisers who offer “hiking without luggage” packages that make your life easier and free your hands (and backs!) to enjoy the sights at your leisure.

Journey to the Bavarian Forest

The Bavarian Forest is one of the most popular German destinations for hikers. The region is located in the area between the Danube river, the Bohemian Forest and the Austrian border and is the largest closed woodland area in all Central Europe. As is customary throughout Germany, there are well signposted hiking trails that can lead you through mysterious woodlands and across both natural and cultivated landscapes. Most of these trails will also allow you to visit villages both large and small and even reach the mountain peaks of the Bavarian Forest, such as the 1,456 metres tall Arber Mountain.

Those who would like to take a look at Bavaria’s past can follow the historic trade routes located between the Danube river and the Bohemian region. These routes were used by salt and glass traders to transport their merchandises from the many glass workers that had originally settled in the mountainous Bavarian-Bohemian border area. Of those settlements, there are about a dozen that still exist. One of the most popular hiking trails, the “Route vom Lamer Winkel”, presents a six day stretch over 99km that will take you through the countryside and showcase a variety of traditional glass manufacturing villages such as Zwiesel, Spiegelau or Riedelhütte before ending in Grafenau.

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Regional Guide to the Food of Tenerife

Ben S. — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:40:17 +0000

Spend your time in Tenerife trying some of the most delicious dishes and sensational Canarian cuisine by checking out the most highly recommended regional variations. There are a wide range of different tastes and styles to be found on the Canary islands, but it’s on Tenerife, the most cosmopolitan of the seven, that you’re most likely to be able to find a rich variation of traditional dishes.

Why Tenerife?
In Tenerife, you’ll find savvy restauranteurs who’ve realised that many tourists no longer want food too familiar to the kind they would find at home, instead they are hoping to have their taste buds and their expectations challenged with local cuisine.

If you book flights to Tenerife, you can expect to find traditional Canarian dishes as well as plenty of Spanish dishes with influences from Africa and Latin America. Of course, you still need to pick your restaurants and dishes wisely to be able to sample the most interesting dishes.

Where to go?
The southern region of Tenerife is warmer and brighter, and therefore is where you’ll find the largest concentration of resorts and tourist-friendly restaurants. While this is ideal if you’re gasping for a cup of tea, it is harder for you to find a wide variety of authentic restaurants.

When you move out of the resort zones, you’re more likely to find the kind of small restaurants typifying the Canarian approach to food – that the customer should be able to eat whatever they want to, whether that’s a sandwich at dinner time or a selection of starters for your main course.

What to eat?
Be sure to try the many different variations on a classic stew you’ll find in Tenerife, the meat is generally succulent and the vegetables locally sourced and flavoursome, including garbanzo compuesto, a gorgeous chickpea and meat combination.

You’ll also want to experiment with fish dishes, as the lobsters, crab, dorada (a type of sea bream), mussels, oysters are all easily available and of a high quality, while the salted and spiced fish of ancocho canario is an excellent taste of Tenerife. Complement these with sides such as papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) and ensaladilla, which is actually a Russian salad but which can be found all over the Canaries.

How to eat?
Tapas is the perfect way to sample a huge selection of different flavours and the small portion sizes perfectly suit the climate. There are few better ways to make the most of cheap flights to Spain than by indulging in as many experiences as you can while you’re there.

Bienmesabe, a very sugary dessert made from a blend of honey, almond cream, eggs and rum will end your meal on a high note but if that’s too rich for you, you should definitely try ron miel, a sweet honeyed rum.

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Beneath the Golden Domes: A Trip to the Grand Bazaar

Ben S. — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:54:56 +0000

The popularity of Turkey as a holiday destination for Europeans has sky-rocketed in the past decade. Istanbul, millenarian city and capital of three successive empires is the perfect destination for those who wish to experience the mysterious world that sits on the crossroads of Europe and Asia. In this article we’ll talk about the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of shops at the heart of Istanbul that attracts huge crowds every day.

The Grand Bazaar is a massive complex, truly one of the largest covered markets in the whole world. The 5,000 shops of the Bazaar receive between 250,000 to 400,000 visitors daily. While this little fact should give you a clear picture of its scope and popularity, the most important thing to realise is that a visit to the Grand Bazaar is as much about the people as it is about shopping. The experience of delving into a small city of pedlars, hagglers and throngs of customers has few equivalents around the world.

Entering through the Nuruosmaniye Gate visitors arrive to the Jewellery street, a wide pedestrian avenue that goes completely across the bazaar. As its name implies, this street is filled with jewellery stores that deal in gold, precious and semi-precious stones (such as sapphires, rubies and emeralds.) The bazaar is actually one of the most important gold markets in the world. The prices of the materials are not particularly low but lower workmanship costs means that mindful buyers can get these hot commodities at a reasonable price.

Gold and precious stones are just the tip of the iceberg. The Grand Bazaar has incredible variety for those who wish to alleviate the weight of their pockets. Most shoppers visit the bazaar because of its jewellery, hand-crafted ceramics, regional carpets, spices and antiquities. The good news is that most of the stalls are grouped in sections by type of goods, which means that (except for a particularly elusive item) you won’t have many problems finding what you want. Still, many first-timers who choose to wander might feel lost walking around in side-streets that seem to be part of an insidious labyrinth. Getting your bearings is not that hard as long as you make sure you remember your way back to the main street or the tourist information points.

After your stroll (or shop) you can sit down at one of the many cafes or treat yourself at one of the dozen restaurants sprinkled over the premises. Even those who choose to pass on the shopping can spend an afternoon exploring the two bedenstens (domed buildings) of the bazaar and watching the crowds. The Grand Bazaar is open from 09:00 to 19:00 (Monday to Saturday only) and can be reached by taking the Zeytinburnu tram or by a 15 minute walk from the Aya Sofya/Blue Mosque area.

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