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4 Places to Enjoy Spring in Europe

Girl, uniterrupted. CC Image by Ian Muir (Flickr).

By DANIEL HOGAN

Europe is a continent sized adventure land, mesmerizing idealistic tourists with the promise of history, romance, and memories to last a lifetime. With so many enticing options, planning your trip across the pond can be overwhelming. Here are a few places that are sure to captivate your adventurous spirit and exceed your expectations for the ultimate European vacation!

Las Ramblas (Barcelona)

The energetic atmosphere and cultural vibe filling Las Ramblas makes it one of the most captivating streets in Barcelona. It is not only a beautiful avenue, outlined with towering trees and ornate buildings, but a popular shopping quarter. Local and internationally known shops and stores, like Zara, line the outskirts of Las Ramblas, which is always filled with locals, tourists, and those simply out for a stroll. One of the key attractions on Las Ramblas is La Boqueria, an outdoor market offering specialty foods, desserts and fruit juices. After spending a day of shopping on Las Ramblas, La Boqueria is the perfect location to rejuvenate during lunch and experience the local culture.

Vondelpark (Amsterdam)

Vondelpark 4 Places to Enjoy Spring in Europe

Vondel Wonder. CC Image by Amsterdamized (Flickr).

Nestled in the heart of Amsterdam, Vondelpark is the city’s largest park, boasting a bike trail, multiple ponds, four restaurants, and stunning grassy fields. Thousands of locals, tourists, and students flock to Vondelpark daily, soaking up the sun’s heat in a relaxed, outdoor setting. Groups of friends are always seen playing soccer on the grassy landscape or riding bikes around the park’s outer path. During your European adventure, Vondelpark should definitely be on your list of things to do in Amsterdam.

Hofbräuhaus (Munich)

Hofbräuhaus 4 Places to Enjoy Spring in Europe

Cheating. CC Image by Jenn Vargas (Flickr).

A signature to Bavarian culture is the beer and Hofbräuhaus is a historic landmark in Munich combining this German tradition with bratwurst, pretzels, and good company. The moment you step into the doors of Hofbräuhaus, sounds of a Bavarian band and guests singing national songs ring through your ears. The ceiling is adorned with elaborate paintings of flowers while waitresses, donning traditional Bavarian dress, weave through the crowds selling giant pretzels to patrons. A “come as you are” mentality fills the atmosphere of Hofbräuhaus. Rather than being seated by a waitress, guests are welcome to sit at any one of Hofbräuhaus’ long tables, fostering a friendly environment of mutiple nationalities. For things to do in Munich, Hofbräuhaus should definitely be at the top of your list.

Piazzale Michelangelo (Florence)

Piazzale Michelangelo 4 Places to Enjoy Spring in Europe

Piazzale Michelangelo. CC Image by Humayun Rashid (Flickr).

Perched upon a hill overlooking the entire Florentine valley, Piazzale Michelangelo is one of Florence’s most unique and beautiful squares because of its overarching view. Although the square is located a bit outside the city’s center, about a 10-minute cab drive, it is the perfect location to relax with friends over a bottle of wine while admiring the Florentine landscape. The panorama is especially striking just before sunset, when guests see Florence dazzling in lights. Though Piazzale Michelangelo is mainly a tourist hub, with only a few locals, it is definitely one of the most spectacular places to visit Florence.

Daniel Hogan is a writer at Party Earth - a global media and entertainment company that publishes reviews and listings of the best social experiences around the world including: things to do in Amsterdam, beaches in Ibiza, plazas in Rome, bars in Los Angeles, parks in New York, festivals and concerts everywhere, and more.

Didn’t Know Barcelona Had A Thriving Nightlife? Find Out More And Where To Go!

Concierto de Baroness en Sala Be Cool, Barcelona. CC Image by alterna2 (Flickr).

Barcelona is one of the most beautiful and thriving cities in the world, and is home to nearly five million Catalans, as well as a diverse community of international travellers. Second only to Madrid as the biggest city in Spain, millions of people travel here every year to experience the amazing culture, excellent food and bustling nightlife.

Barcelona is the largest metropolis on the Mediterranean Sea, and it became the most important city of the Crown of Argon after being founded by the Romans. Not only does Barcelona have a rich cultural history, but it’s also a modern day hub for architecture, reflected by its various UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Having hosted the summer Olympics in 1992, the city is also the home of FC Barcelona, the greatest football club in the world.

With major influences in education, commerce, media, entertainment, science, fashion and the arts, Barcelona is ranked 3^rd in the world most successful branded cities. Over 35 million people travel through the city’s major airport, Barcelona International, every year, any many of these tourists come to experience the thriving nightlife. Let’s take a look at some of the best places to go on a night out in Barcelona.

Be Cool

Be Cool is a snazzy underground music venue tucked away from the main stretch of clubs and bars in the city centre. Only the coolest hipsters attend nights here, and with some of the biggest bands in the world beginning their early careers on this stage, Be Cool really is the highlight of the alternative Barcelona club scene. Not only are the line-ups impressive, but it is the simple details that make this club impressive – take the revolving dance floor for example!

Sala Apolo and La

Sala Apolo Didn’t Know Barcelona Had A Thriving Nightlife? Find Out More And Where To Go!

El público (I) – Moreno del Metal en Sala Apolo, Barcelona. CC Image by Gerard Girbes (Flickr).

With the DJs at the centre stage, and enthusiastic music lovers pouring out over the standing stalls, Sala Apolo and La is one of the hottest bars in Barcelona. Mondays are for pop-rock, Tuesdays are for indie-electro, Wednesdays are for root music and the rest of the week is for partying to the biggest tunes in the charts, so it’s no wonder this place is always packed!

If you’re looking for something a bit heavier, then Thursday is the night when the best Djs in the city come together and play the deepest and darkest bass tunes known to man. With cocktails galore available until the early hours of the morning, Sala Apolo and La bar is a certain must see when visiting Barcelona.

Macarena Club

This club is an underground and alternative gem, offering the latest up-and-coming DJs from all over Europe. With the main booth on the middle of the dance floor, you might end up standing on the DJs’ toes when things get overexcited – but don’t let this put you off, because the Macarena Club is always an experience to remember. This bar screams non-commercial, so if you like the dance music that’s not played on the radio, then this is the place to be. Open until 5am and serving excelling beers and cocktails all night, this club is a raver’s paradise.

Lloyd is a freelance writer and blogger, his articles centre mainly on travel though he also contributes to various music and culture websites. He is currently writing on behalf of http://www.cruise.co.uk/.

El Carme: The Heartbeat of Valencia

How to Blend in With the Locals in Barcelona

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Locals enjoy the view of Barcelona.

By ALEIX GWILLIAM

Hundreds of thousands of tourists every year choose Barcelona as their holiday destination. The Catalan capital is one of Europe’s and the world’s top tourist destinations thanks to its rich culture, fascinating history, delicious gastronomy, and excellent weather. The summer months are especially popular to visit the city and stay in Barcelona apartments, therefore the streets are full of tourists. These tourists, in the eyes of the locals, stand out quite a bit due to their appearance, which can bring some negative consequences such as being clear targets for pickpockets. Also, many tourists don’t know the intricacies of the city and can end up paying over the odds for services and restaurants.

To avoid all of this, first of all, consider your appearance. Of course, our appearance might not resemble that of a Spanish person but 17% of the total registered population of the city are foreigners, so what distinguishes a tourist from a foreign local is the appearance. The clothes are an important part of this. We must not wear sandals and socks at the same time, a cliché indeed but a common one among the unaware. Wearing city merchandise will also show we’re not from the city so avoiding the “I <3 Barcelona” t-shirts is definitely a good move if you don’t want to stand out.

Tapas How to Blend in With the Locals in Barcelona

Time for tapas.

Adapting to the times that locals do things in Barcelona is also essential. Many tourists don’t adapt to local timetables and eat and party when they do so at home, which is completely out of place in Barcelona. Eating times are more or less as follow: Breakfast, 9am-11am; lunch, 1pm-4pm; dinner, 9pm-11pm. When it comes to partying, locals will usually start drinking in bars at 11pm to midnight and won’t go into the clubs until 2am. Anytime before, the club will be empty. A local party will usually go on until 6am or 7am.

Also, if you look like a tourist, you’re more likely to be drawn into restaurants that sell highly overpriced food. These restaurants have PR people at the door who will promise you many great things, which will then result in an unpleasant surprise once the bill arrives. Avoid eating at any restaurant on the Ramblas because the prices they charge for typical Spanish food, such as tapas or paella, their main bait, and drink, sangría, are obscene.

Lastly, use public transport as much as possible. If the bus network seems too complicated, use the Metro, the most popular form of transport in the city. If you use taxis, you might have the foul luck of coming across a driver who will take you the long way around, because he notices you’re a tourist and tries to make money out of it. To avoid that, let the taxi driver know your exact destination and speak as little as possible in your native language amongst yourselves during the journey. Not all drivers are like that but if you’re on a tight budget, it’s not worth risking it.

Follow these tips to fully enjoy your stay in apartments in Barcelona. By acting and looking more like a local, you’ll avoid all the tourist traps and the nasty surprises that come with them. Your stay will be much more enjoyable.

Photo: 1, 2

Go Vegetarian in Europe

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Herman's Höjdare, a popular eating spot in Sweden's capital.

A renowned gastronomic treasure trove, Europe boasts an exquisite and mouth-watering assortment of cuisines and ingredients to excite every palate. Although many countries attribute this deliciousness to the more carnivorous side of their cookery, those that have chosen to abstain from the meaty life will find Europe ideal for vegetarian delights.

Yellow Sunshine, fast food place in Berlin.

For example, book flights to Berlin and discover that there’s so much more to Germany than bratwurst. With thousands of immigrants from all over the globe choosing to make this hip city their home, Berlin offers everything from fantastic Turkish falafel and Italian pizzas to Japanese sushi. Feast your eyes and your taste-buds on far-flung Thai soups and aromatic vegetable curries that conjure images of India to hearty German breakfasts of fresh fruit, breads and cheese accompanied by a steaming coffee or tea. With a vegetarian eatery on nearly every street corner, those with a penchant for healthier foods will love the choice of cafes and restaurants to tuck in to. Vegetarian health food shops are also all the rage and are great places to buy veggie snacks on the go. One of the things Berlin does best is, of course, beer which should present no barrier to the vegetarian taste-bud!

Greece is another land of plenty when it comes to vegetarian cuisine. If you crave fresh food that tastes of the sun, book flights to Rhodes and get your teeth into an astonishing array of lip-smackingly gorgeous mezze dishes from Giaprakia (stuffed vine leaves) and Meliasti (feta cheese in filo pastry) to Melitzana Plitsi (roasted aubergine) and Horta (greens cooked with lemon and olive oil). The combination of sunshine and sea air is guaranteed to elevate the culinary experience to even greater heights of tastiness!

Vegetalia, Barcelona.

If you love the flavours of Spain, why not head to Barcelona or grab flights to Fuerteventura and enjoy the laid-back life of the Canary Islands. Although big on seafood, bananas, potatoes, eggs and cheese feature in local menus and are often used in new and exciting ways. Try the local goat’s cheese, heavenly with a drop of home-grown El Monte wine, or a melt-in-the-mouth Spanish tortilla with some freshly made bread slathered in silky golden olive oil made nearby. Fuerteventura is dotted with little tavernas and family-run bistros that happily create a meat-free extravaganza at the drop of a hat. Those who crave the familiar tastes of home can rest easy; as a popular tourist destination, Fuerteventura has its fair share of restaurants and the ubiquitous hotel buffet, serving up dishes from the British shores.

Escape the ordinary and take a culinary crusade around Europe where you can swoon with delight in the patisseries of Paris, go weak in the knees for Swiss fondue, perk up the palate with slippery Italian pasta or go crazy for Portuguese custard tarts.

Photo: 1, 2, 3

Make the Most of Barcelona With Children

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Afternoon in Park Güell.

By FRANCESCA EDWARDS

Barcelona is a fantastic holiday destination for any tourist. The city is teaming with sights to see and things to do – it’s the perfect place to give your children a holiday they’ll never forget.

Culture For All the Family

Just because it’s a ‘family holiday’ doesn’t mean you have to miss out on any of the top cultural sights of Barcelona – you may be surprised at how much children enjoy visiting Barcelona’s tourist attractions too. Barcelona’s modernist architecture is dotted around the city. These buildings are full of fantasy and spark the imagination at any age – which makes walking around the streets of Barcelona an exciting experience as you never know what wonderful modernist work will be waiting for you around the corner.

Gaudí’s Park Güell is also a favourite with both adults and children. This incredibly unique park sits on the top of the city and is a true work of the imagination. As well as the impressive ‘Room of 100 columns’ and main square, there is also a children’s playground and if you’re ready to brave the short hike to ‘the Calvary’ (a stone monument with three crosses) at the top of the park, the breathtaking views over the city make it the perfect spot to play a little game of ‘eye spy’.

Another great way to spend an afternoon in Barcelona is to take stroll down the length of La Rambla. The street is alive with many spectacular human statues, stall upon stall of souvenirs and vendors selling tasty treats. Be warned, La Rambla, is a wonderful place however as a main tourist attraction, you will find it can be very crowded.

For the Kids… But We All Know Adults Love It Too!

Port Aventura – Situated just outside of Barcelona (about an hour by train) this giant theme park will never fail to provide a fun day out for all the family. The park offers a wide array of rides attractions for all ages – from twisting and turning rollercoasters to the classic tea cups, you’ll find it all in this fabulous theme park. Port Aventura is split into several themed areas, in no other place would you be able to travel through the wild Wild West, explore Mexico’s ancient ruins and visit a Chinese temple all in one day. In the summer time you can also have a splash on the park’s aquatic rides – a great way to cool down and enjoy some fun thrills at the same time!

Barcelona’s Aquarium and Zoo – an afternoon spent admiring nature’s wildlife is a great alternative if you need a break from sightseeing. Both are conveniently located within the city. You can find Barcelona’s aquarium by the seafront in the Barceloneta area. The aquarium is Europe’s largest Mediterranean aquarium – a definite highlight for the kids will be wandering through the 80 meter underwater tunnel and spotting the aquarium’s sharks!

Barcelona’s zoo is home to hundreds of animals, reptiles and amphibians. As well as admiring the animals, your children may also enjoy a pony ride or going for a spin in the mini electric cars.

Practical Accommodation For Everyone

For an easy and hassle free holiday, renting a Barcelona apartment in the city centre is one of the best options. After a day of sightseeing you may find you want nothing more than to come back to a homely apartment where you can spend the evening playing card games in the kitchen or watching a family film in the lounge. A great alternative to staying in a hotel, you will be grateful for the extra space and flexibility that comes with renting an apartment.

Photo: Bevis Chin

Travel Through Europe This Spring

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A suggested route for a European trip. When you pass through Prague on your trip, consider one the many Prague apartments to rent.

view from eiffel tower Travel Through Europe This Spring

View from the Eiffel Tower.

Europe offers one of the most intense travel experiences in the world, with a diversity of cultures and customs packed into a relatively small geographical area, meaning that visitors can really make the most of a visit of any length to get a real feel for the area.

One of the best ways to approach the planning of a European tour is to take in as many capital cities as possible, as plotting such a route through the continent offers many more exciting experiences along the way.

London

For many travelers, one of the highlights of a European visit will be London. The UK capital has long been an influential city on the global scene, from the swinging sixties when it led the world in fashion and music to the present day as it prepares to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

For this reason, those looking to head to Europe on their travels would benefit to start by finding cheap flights to London and using this as their jumping off point for the rest of their journey. On arrival attractions in London include the London Eye – the biggest “big wheel” in the world – and Westminster Abbey, which will host the Royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Paris

From London it is just a short hop across the channel to France as travelers head for Paris – the City of Light. A world away from its near neighbour, the French capital epitomizes all that many outsiders consider Europe to be with its wonderful wide boulevards and breathtaking architecture. Must see sights include the iconic Eiffel Tower – a structure that has stood as a symbol of the city for more than a century. Other areas to visit include artistic Montmartre, home to the Sacre Coeur cathedral, and world renowned shopping street of the Champs Elysees.

Spain

From Paris, visitors can choose to head south to Spain, where both the capital Madrid and beautiful Barcelona are cities not to be missed, with the opportunity to head for the country’s famous costas for some beach based rest and relaxation.

Central Europe

Alternatively, visit Germany, Switzerland, or Austria, where central European culture begins to make its mark offering an experience that is a world away from the mellow Mediterranean mood of some neighboring nations.

Italy

Heading onward to Italy, visitors can immerse themselves in the remnants of the ancient Roman culture at Rome’s Colosseum, or soak up the country’s history and heritage by viewing some amazing art and architecture. Other Italian cities not to be missed include Venice with its intricate network of canals, and Florence whose renaissance past is still apparent on every street. History buffs should head for the Neapolitan Riviera to combine stunning scenery with the Roman ruins at Pompeii and Herculaneum in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius.

Prague

prague old square Travel Through Europe This Spring A trip to modern Europe is not complete without venturing into the East, with many former communist countries now serving a lively tourist trade. Top of the pops in terms of eastern European capitals is Prague, whose rich history sits alongside a recently emerged cosmopolitan café culture making it a great place to round off a European tour.

Walk the well known Wenceslas Square and head for the Narodni Muzeum (national museum) for an insight into this culturally rich country, or relax al fresco on the Old Town Square, from where a range of exciting trips and tours can be joined, including those to the original Jewish ghetto or the city castles that once housed the kings of Bohemia.

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