Tag Archives: tourism

How to Spend Summer in Lisbon

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Lisbon How to Spend Summer in Lisbon

Miradouro da Graça. CC Image by M. Angel Herrero (Flickr).

By ALEIX GWILLIAM

Travelling to Lisbon in summer offers a wide range of places to visit for enjoying good weather and high temperatures. Whether you’re travelling alone, with family or your significant other, here are a few places to make the most of the hottest season in the year.

Lisbon thrives in the sunshine and hot temperatures. The prospect of visiting the Barrio Alto in the afternoon, then going for a meal and a drink in the Alfama after a day of discovering the city, is hard to beat.

Food, monuments, history, bars, restaurants, trams, landscapes, streets… no matter where you look after leaving your accommodation, preferably one of the many Lisbon apartments, you’re bound to see something interesting. However, with the summer months, some activities are especially rewarding when in the Portuguese capital.

Everyone who has debated between the beach and bathing in the sea or staying in a swimming pool may at some point have thought, “wouldn’t it be great to have a swimming pool with sea water!”. Well, in Oeiras, just a few minutes west of the city of Lisbon, the Piscina Oceânica open air swimming pool is filled with sea water and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. This place is ideal to go and escape the crowds of the city, relax in a salt-water pool or sunbathe in one of the many sun beds that surround it.

If you don’t fancy leaving the city, visit Lisbon’s Botanic Garden which contains some of the world’s most endangered species and plants. This garden is an initiative of the University of Lisbon and aims to bring people closer to the flora and wildlife, surrounded by beauty in the shade of big trees and plants, a perfect way to spend an afternoon. You’ll find the garden on Rua da Escola Politécnica 16; Metro: Rato.

For a chance to get out of the city to somewhere quiet, the estuary of the river Taugus is one of the most beautiful in Europe, with wetlands of spectacular migratory birds, including the striking pink flamingos. Visit by car, foot or bicycle; follow one of the many itineraries on location to combine nature with sport and make an amazing day out of it.

To enjoy the view of Lisbon, day or night, there are many miradouros, or viewpoints, around the city. Some overlook the castle, others overlook the river and a few overlook the unique neighbourhood of the Alfama. The Miradouro São Pedro de Alcântara, the Miradouro São Jorge and the Miradouro da Graça are just three examples of viewpoints that overlook different parts of the city.

Avoid the crowds this summer and rent apartments in Lisbon, where you can find many activities to do in the open air inside or outside the city. Whether it’s nature, history, culture, gastronomy or leisure, Lisbon has it.

Books to Read Before Visiting New York

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New York novel Books to Read Before Visiting New York

By ALEIX GWILLIAM

Here’s a good question: what’s better, knowing or not knowing about a place before you travel there? Some people prefer to plan their travels to the very last detail and others enjoy going places without having planned anything. However, reading about your next destination can only spark your curiosity even more. To quench your thirst before you turn the key and open the door to one of the many New York apartments, here are some books that will help you pass the time.

Few American writers have the same status as Henry James. This great New Yorker wrote some of the best novels set in the US at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th. It would be unfair to make a list of New York books and not include him. Washington Square, a novel set in late 19th century New York, is a tragicomedy about the relationship of a father and his daughter and all the conflicts that arise. When you visit New York this time around, you might not see carts pulled by horses everywhere in the streets but it’s a good account of what life used to be like, described by one of the best American novelists of all time.

Another classic is The Great Gatsby, a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald set in New York after the First World War, the golden days of the United States’ society, with secret parties where alcohol flowed despite the prohibition. Love, death and deceit make for the perfect depiction of a great time to have lived in New York.

Slightly darker but nonetheless brilliant is J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. Set in New England and New York City, it follows Holden Caulfield’s struggle to fit into society. Ironic and sometimes sad, this novel has gone down in history as a controversial yet classic piece of literature that depicts American life in the fifties like few other books do. Through the eyes of young Caulfield, the grandeur of New York can be imagined and felt as the pages of this American classic are turned.

No book shows better what New York was like in the eighties than Tom Wolfe’s The Bonfire of the Vanities. Business districts, greed, Wall Street, politics and society are the main points in this book at a time when New York and the United States went through a very important and complicated part of 20th century history. During the times when money ruled and New York was the centre of the universe, Wolfe’s novel will grip you from start to finish.

Whether you want to read these books at home before your travels or in one of the apartments in New York, they will show you how the city and its people have evolved throughout the years, through thick and thin, and how the city has been shaped until it’s become what it is today.

Area Fiorentina, the Surrounding Area of Florence

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Mugello Area Fiorentina, the Surrounding Area of Florence

Covoni in Mugello. CC Image by Giuseppe Moscato (Flickr).

By ALEIX GWILLIAM

Travelling to Florence is not just about seeing the city itself but the whole region that surrounds the city, also known as Area Fiorentina. Aside from Florence itself, the Area Fiorentina is comprised of five regions with plenty of different cultural, historical and gastronomical attractions. Mugello, Montagna Fiorentina, Valdarno, Chianti and Empolese Valdelsa are easy accessible by car or bus from many Florence apartments.

Mugello is a valley in the northeast of Florence filled with beautiful little towns surrounded by gorgeous green landscapes. This is the original land of the Medici family, loved among those who look for silence and countryside. The towns of Borgo San Lorenzo and Barberino di Mugello are particularly worth a visit due to their beauty and buildings of cultural and historical interest. Lake Bilancino is also a highlight of this area along with Trebbio Castle. Expect for these places, long walks in the countryside and forests make it a joy for nature lovers.

East of Mugello is Montagna Fiorentina, an area that stands out for its beautiful natural landscape. Vineyards and olive trees in the valleys of mountains and hills make this an excellent place for nature enthusiasts. The Foreste Casentinesi National Park and the Forest of Sant’Antonio have beautiful walking paths that attract hikers.

Further south is the smallest region of Area Fiorentina, Valdarno, which follows the river Arno along the valley. The town of Figlino de Valdarno is a 12th century town with beautiful roads that border the river. Religious tourism is the main attraction of Valdarno, with small churches and parishes dating from the 11th to the 16th century, such as those in the town of San Giovanni Valdarno or Incisa.

Tuscany Area Fiorentina, the Surrounding Area of Florence

A Tuscany delight. CC Image by Edgar Barany (Flickr).

To the west of Valdarno is Chianti, a name that will ring a bell to wine lovers, since this is the origin of Chianti wine. Of all the regions, Chianti is possibly the most beautiful with all the picturesque towns surrounded by vineyards. Castles, churches, monasteries, cottages and villages line the roads that lead to Florence, the old roads taken by pilgrims that arrived in the city from Italy and other parts of Europe. Tuscan cuisine is especially good in Chianti, so sample it in the villages of San Casciano or Impruneta.

Finally, there is Empolese Valdelsa, southwest of Florence, a land of castles and romanesque and renaissance architecture, with many castles and churches scattered across the green landscape. Medieval towns filled with buildings and museums of historical and gastronomical importance, such as Certaldo, Castelfiorentino or Montespertoli, make this part of Tuscany ideal for history lovers.

Although you’ll be on the road discovering the beauty of Tuscany and Area Fiorentina, it will pay off to choose one of the price-worthy apartments in Florence as a base for your trip.

What to Do as a Newcomer in Budapest

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Széchenyi Thermal Baths What to Do as a Newcomer in Budapest

Széchenyi Thermal Baths. CC Image by Alex E. Proimos (Flickr).

By ALEIX GWILLIAM

With hundreds of thousands of tourists arriving in Budapest every year, you want to be among those in the know to avoid unwanted surprises. Here are a few tips if you visit Budapest for the first-time.

In the last few decades, since the dismantlement of the USSR, all countries behind the Iron Curtain, such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and the Baltic countries, have become interesting and popular tourist destinations for visitors. These countries still preserve some of the essence of the past, which mixed with modernity, make them unique destinations at cheap prices, since most of them aren’t in the Eurozone yet. Hungary is one of the prime examples, and its capital Budapest is the crown jewel. Budapest apartments are becoming an increasingly popular accommodation choice for those who want to visit this city on the shores of the Danube, and this hasn’t gone unnoticed to the tourist services in the city.

First of all, it’s important to know that Hungary still trades in Forints (HUF), and not Euro. Since it’s quite a weak currency (approximately 300HUF = 1 Euro), it can be easy to get confused if you’re not used to handling these types of currencies. If you arrive at Keleti Train Station, you may be approached by people who offer allegedly better exchange rates than the official bureau de change. However, their exchange rate isn’t correct and notes can be false so make sure to change your currency at the bureau de change.

Once that is sorted, try out the excellent Hungarian cuisine. Not trying its typical food (goulash) and spirits, such as Pálinka (try Unicum at your own peril), is almost a crime. When you go to a restaurant, some of them will try and sell you the so-called ‘tourist menu’. Even as a purist, you shouldn’t be put off by this since Hungarian people are very pleasant and welcoming and will strive to give you their best cuisine. The portions will be abundant and they will probably give you a free shot of pálinka at the end,  so these are highly recommended.

Budapest is also famous for its thermal baths. Since most baths have cheaper rates usually after 7pm or 8pm, save your visit to these beautiful buildings, such as the Szechenyi, Gellert or Rudas, for the evening. A bath will be especially rewarding after a busy day in the city, and also more beautiful since the outdoor areas of the thermal baths will be lit up at night.

Last, Hungarian is a very complicated language and the Hungarian people are aware of this so a lot of them speak some English. However, if you can learn some basic words (Hello & Goodbye = Szia; Thank you = Köszönöm; Please = Kérem), the locals will warm to you and will go that extra mile to help you with whatever you may need.

For the highest comfort during your stay in the city, rent apartments in Budapest and enjoy your home from home on the shores of the river Danube.

The Via Aurelia, from Rome to Pisa

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Civitavecchia The Via Aurelia, from Rome to Pisa

Pirgo by Night. CC Image by Daniele Liberati (Flickr).

By ALEIX GWILLIAM

Rome provides a great starting point for various day trips that take you to places with a lot of history as well as offering a beautiful landscape. One drive is to follow the old Via Aurelia, the road from Rome to Pisa, built in the year 241 BC. The road goes along the Italian West Coast, a beautiful 200 mile trip, and today, the Italian motorway SS1 uses the same route. The Via Aurelia is an excellent choice for a day out during your stay in Rome apartments.

The road leaves from the Western part of the city, not far from The Vatican. After 18 miles you come across the town of Cerveteri, which was one of the most important Mediterranean commercial centres for over 200 years, from the 7th to the 5th centuries BC. Cerveteri was an Etruscan village, and although it’s not by the sea today, it used to be at the time. In Museo Nazionale di Cerveteri you can see all sorts of Etruscan remains and treasures that were taken from the Banditaccia Necropoli. The necropolis is laid out as a village with Etruscan huts and tombs.

Past the port of Civitavecchia, where you can get ferries to Spain, Sardinia, Corsica and France, you will find Tarquinia, another famous Etruscan centre, which holds one of the best archeological museums in Italy. The town is alleged to have been founded in the 12th century BC, and it also holds a necropolis. After Tarquinia, the road goes a bit inland and you can enjoy the change of scenery before it returns to the coast at the town of Orbetello.

The combination of Italian countryside and sea with villages on cliffs and tempting beaches makes the road a real joy to drive. If hunger kicks in, you can drive a few miles up the road to the town of Grosseto. Ideal for lunch to sample delicious Tuscan cuisine and try the typical schiaccia, an oven-baked bread with herbs. In Grosseto you can also visit its famous Medicean Walls, its 13th century cathedral or its many beautiful palaces.

After lunch, the beautiful drive up to Pisa goes past beaches such as Follonica and quiet towns like Castagneto Carducci, perfect for an afternoon’s coffee in the shadow of its cobbled piazzas. Less than an hour up the road you get to Pisa and its famous tower.

Consider renting apartments in Rome before your trip, then get behind the wheel and enjoy the western coast of Italy.

Aleix Gwilliam is a 24-year-old from Barcelona who looks English but thinks like a Catalan. He enjoys travelling, especially on old Czech trains, and trying to start conversations in Hungarian with people at Pecs station, even though his Hungarian is as good as his Bulgarian, in other words, not very good. He’s a trier.

Caffè Florian, a Luxurious Experience in Venice

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Caffe Florian Caffè Florian, a Luxurious Experience in Venice

Venice, San Marco, the “Caffè Florian”. CC Image by Frank Müller (Flickr).

By ALEIX GWILLIAM

In the heart of Venice, in Piazza San Marco, there’s one of the classic and most luxurious Venetian experiences. Caffè Florian is known for its distinctiveness, its exclusiveness and the exquisiteness of its food and drinks.

There isn’t quite anything like Venice. No other city in the world holds the beauty of this city in the heart of the Veneto, a city built on water, where you can only get around by boat or by walking its narrow streets and crossing its small and beautiful bridges over the canals. Staying in one of the many Venice apartments is an experience you will never forget, since Venice is no place to just spend a day in. Yes, Venice is a pretty expensive city and you’ll definitely have to pay a bit more than you’re used to in other cities but you won’t hesitate to do so, because the the beauty of the place all make it completely worth it.

Eating and drinking in Venice can be quite expensive especially in the areas of San Polo and San Marco. However, when in Venice, you cannot miss out on a visit to Caffè Florian. This café in Piazza San Marco first opened in 1720 and it has been serving Venetians and illustrious foreigners ever since. No wonder Lord Byron, Casanova, Goethe and Charles Dickens, amongst many others, were regulars in this Venetian café. Its delicious preparations and luxurious interior make it irresistible to anyone who wants to sample true Venetian culture. Mirrors in golden frames, velvet sofas, delicate chandeliers, and beautiful art scattered everywhere inside makes Florian an almost intimidating place to be in. Its service is excellent as well, with the waiters dressed in impeccable suits and white shirts, ushering the clients to their tables and handing them the menus. Yes, this is the part where Florian makes its exclusiveness known, as the prices on it are a tad high. A hot chocolate at 10€ or a cup of tea at 9€ can seem a bit high, but the quality is immense. Make sure you try the cakes, especially pistachio and chocolate, which at 13€, completely justifies its price. If you fancy something savoury, the sandwiches at Florian are exquisite. Wines and champagne are also available, perfect for a midday snack overlooking the piazza. The food and drinks are served on a silver tray and can easily fit on the centuries-old wooden tables.

Italian Orchestra Caffè Florian, a Luxurious Experience in Venice

Live Italian Orchestra at Caffé Florian. CC Image by remster_9 (Flickr).

Also, usually an orchestra will play classical music outside under a canopy. The music is heard inside the café and makes the atmosphere relaxing and the client feel special. However, don’t be surprised if your bill includes a 6€ musical supplement per person. But with it being Venice and after enduring the dreamy experience of the food and drink, it is well worth it.

There is no point in travelling to Venice and counting the pennies. Venice is a city to be enjoyed and Caffè Florian is an important part of it.

Renting apartments in Venice is a cheap way of finding accommodation, so you can spend the money you’ve saved on treating yourself to Venetian luxuries, such as the incredible Caffè Florian, which overlooks one of the most beautiful and emblematic squares in the world.

Aleix Gwilliam is a 24-year-old from Barcelona who looks English but thinks like a Catalan. He enjoys travelling, especially on old Czech trains, and trying to start conversations in Hungarian with people at Pecs station, even though his Hungarian is as good as his Bulgarian, in other words, not very good. He’s a trier.

El Carme: The Heartbeat of Valencia

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Valencia panorama El Carme: The Heartbeat of Valencia

View from Torres de Quart. CC Image by Xavier (Flickr).

By ALEIX GWILLIAM

It’s inevitable for people who travel to Spain to look at the cities of Barcelona and Madrid as their main destinations, especially if it’s the first time in the country for them. However, a city a few hours south of Barcelona is becoming one of the most vibrant destinations for people who want to enjoy the beauty of Spain and the warmth of the Mediterranean Sea without the hassle of huge cities. Valencia is the perfect place to go if you want to mix the past and the present with a gastronomy that words don’t do justice.

The city has begun to host more and more international events every year, such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix or the America’s Cup. The fast modernization of Valencia, though, has not influenced the charm of its old town one single bit. The neighbourhood of El Carme is where the old town comes to life. The barrio combines historical monuments and museums with a vibrant nightlife, making it the place to be if you want to party in the city. And here, there are plenty of Valencia apartments to stay in.

However, before night falls, you’ll have plenty of time to visit some of the city’s most famous monuments in this part of town. Here, you can find the famous Torres de Quart, a medieval gate with two high towers that used to protect the city back in the 15th century. A short distance away, in the old northern entrance to the city, are the Torres de Serrans, a similar construction of the 14th century of equal impressiveness. Also in the neighbourhood there’s the famous IVAM, the Valencian Institute of Modern Arts, which hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions of local, national and international artists. It only deals with 20th and 21st century art and it’s a must for all fans of this cultural field.

If you fancy some shopping, El Carme has plenty of small trendy shops where you can buy vintage clothes and accessories as well as original gifts to take back home with you.

El Carme El Carme: The Heartbeat of Valencia

Prenent Café. CC Image by Rafa Sanchis Albelda.

Once the cultural aspect of the tour is done, it’s time to sit down and enjoy some of Valencia’s excellent food. Of course, the paella is the star of the show, but don’t be fooled by tourist traps that sell it because it will most likely be pre-heated. Any place that advertises paella is to be avoided. However, any rice dish is good.

For dessert or an afternoon snack, try orxata amb fartons. Orxata is a milky drink and the fartons are spongy sweets with glazed sugar, which are to be dipped in the orxata. If you fancy a drink, head to the popular Bar Negrito, on Plaça del Negret, where you can enjoy a drink on its famous and popular terrace watching life go by. Then head back to your accommodation in Valencia and get ready for Valencia’s vibrant nightlife. El Carme has many options of bars and clubs but the best place to go will of course be found out by hearsay, the best possible traveller’s guide.

Consider renting apartments in Valencia, visit El Carme, and be thrilled by everything the place has to offer.

Aleix Gwilliam is a 24-year-old from Barcelona who looks English but thinks like a Catalan. He enjoys travelling, especially on old Czech trains, and trying to start conversations in Hungarian with people at Pecs station, even though his Hungarian is as good as his Bulgarian, in other words, not very good. He’s a trier.

New York City in Movies

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Manhattan New York City in Movies

Lower Manhattan, New York. CC Image by frankhg (Flickr).

By ALEIX GWILLIAM

New York City is possibly the most famous city on the planet, mainly as it has been the setting for thousands of films. Here are some to see before your next trip.

New York is a city that draws people to it like few other cities around the world can. Frank Sinatra once famously said, “I want to be part of it”, and that applies to the hundreds of thousands of tourists who rent New York apartments every year. Aside from the obvious landmarks in the city, which everyone knows about, people want to visit New York because they have seen the city in films. From Lights of New York, the first all-talking movie to be released, in 1928 to The Avengers, released this year, hundreds of movies have used New York as their setting. What is it about this city that makes filmmakers want to shoot their movies there? Why does New York attract so many tourists and expats?

The answer can be as diverse as the number of people who come to New York. There’s no exact answer. One premise they might agree on is that New York is a cool city, a city where everything can happen. Or perhaps it’s due to the United States’ overwhelming movie production power that spreads all over the world, which makes it far more probable for the general public to watch a film set in New York and not in Ouagadougou.

Woody Allen showed its more personal side in Manhattan (1979). Allen is in love with the city and in this film he wanted to show it in its full splendor, showing its buildings, streets and people in the nicest possible way. It would be surprising if anyone had watched Manhattan and wouldn’t feel impressed with the city. However, some movies show its darker but thrilling sides, such as Martin Scorses’ Taxi Driver (1976). Scorsese is just as big a lover of New York City as Allen, but he uses the city as a stage, not as a trophy.

When it comes to superheroes, fantastic stories and action movies, New York City probably takes the biscuit. King Kong (1933) famously climbed the Empire State building and since the comic book boom in the mid-20th century took place, Spider-Man (2002) climbed his way through the skyscrapers all the way to his home in Queens, Captain America saved lives in the Lower East Side and the Ghostbusters (1984) saved the city’s streets from evil. Let’s face it, it wouldn’t be the same if the mafia in The Godfather III (1990) was set in Tulsa, OK, or if John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever (1977) was dancing in the clubs in Albuquerque, NM, now would it?

To summarize, New York is a magical city. It doesn’t have the old charm of certain European cities or the exoticness of some parts of Asia but it definitely has that je ne sais quoi, which makes it irresistible for the traveller. With so many movies for all tastes being set in New York, it’s within everyone’s reach to see it, learn about it, and finally enjoy it on location.

Inspire yourself to visit New York with one of the many movies set in the city. For accommodation, nothing’s better than apartments in New York, which will give you the freedom you need to immerse yourself in the city like a local.

Aleix Gwilliam is a 24-year-old from Barcelona who looks English but thinks like a Catalan. He enjoys travelling, especially on old Czech trains, and trying to start conversations in Hungarian with people at Pecs station, even though his Hungarian is as good as his Bulgarian, in other words, not very good. He’s a trier.

The Rodin Museum: A Tranquil Site in Paris

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Rodin Museum The Rodin Museum: A Tranquil Site in Paris

The Musée Rodin and its gardens.

By ALEIX GWILLIAM

We’re not discovering the wheel when we say that Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. An also well known fact is that Paris is one of the biggest cities in Europe, and it can get a bit hectic. When we go and stay in Paris apartments we may have a list of museums to visit, like the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay, but seeing such a dense artistic offer can tire us from being on our feet and then walking out onto busy streets. If we need a break to relax but we don’t want to waste precious time in the City of Light, there’s a sometimes overlooked place that can give us the respite we so badly need.

The Musée Rodin is located in the district of Saint-Germain-des-Près, at Hôtel Biron, an old 18th century hotel on the crossroads of rue de Varennes and Boulevard des Invalides. The beautiful site is the home to some of the most valuable sculptures in the history of art, those thought out by Auguste Rodin (1840-1917), as well as works by his mistress Camille Claudel (1864–1943). The great thing about this museum is that not all works are exhibited indoors; many sculptures are placed in the green gardens, perfect for a walk to admire the art whilst relaxing from the city. The gardens and the museum are both of equal beauty; they compliment each other to perfection.

Le Penseur The Rodin Museum: A Tranquil Site in Paris

Le Penseur (The Thinker).

Auguste Rodin is considered the father of modern sculpture. He created human figures in clay, which weren’t of a decorative nature, like most of those at the time, but themes from mythology and allegory, causing a huge controversy in the art scene of Paris. However, thanks to the sculptures exhibited in the 1900 Universal Exhibition, Rodin became a world-famous artist and his legacy has lived on until today.

The location of the hotel-museum is also unique, as it’s surrounded by tranquil gardens with trees, rose gardens, ponds, greenery and birds singing as a soundtrack. This is an oasis in the middle of the city and an ideal place to go with your partner for a romantic stroll.

When you rent apartments in Paris, visit this beautiful spot of art, culture and relaxation.

For more information on tickets, timetables and how to get there, see the official website of the Musée Rodin: http://www.musee-rodin.fr/

Aleix Gwilliam is a 24-year-old from Barcelona who looks English but thinks like a Catalan. He enjoys travelling, especially on old Czech trains, and trying to start conversations in Hungarian with people at Pecs station, even though his Hungarian is as good as his Bulgarian, in other words, not very good. He’s a trier.

Photo: 1, 2

Find Travel Inspiration Through Woody Allen’s Films

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Rome Find Travel Inspiration Through Woody Allens Films

Another another Rome... CC Image by Stefano Corso (Flickr).

By ALEIX GWILLIAM

Often we find ourselves watching a film set in a certain place andlike it so much that we decide to book a trip to that destination. If you haven’t visited Rome, Woody Allen’s new film ‘To Rome with Love’ may inspire you to plan a trip there.

People who like travelling usually don’t need any inspiration to choose their next destination. However, that doesn’t mean they cannot be inspired. Those who like films, and more specifically Woody Allen films, use his creations as an excellent source of inspiration to select their next destination.

Woody Allen’s new film is set in the Eternal City, the centre of what used to be the biggest empire on earth, the city that inspired many artists throughout the centuries and the city, where we can see some of the most beautiful monuments and museums in the world. If we’ve never been to the Italian capital before, once we leave the cinema we may go online and rent Rome apartments, because any views of the city in the film are enough to convince any travel lover.

Born in the Bronx in 1935, with the name Allan Stewart Konigsberg, and raised in Brooklyn, Woody Allen first wrote jokes for money and became a full-time comedy writer at the age of 19.

Highly successful, he earned big money and also moved towards the field of stand-up comedy. After some playwriting, he began directing films. His finest effort, so far, came in 1977 with Annie Hall, for which he won various Oscars, including Best Film and Best Director. Two years later came Manhattan, which was seen as a tribute to the city of New York. Both films are a perfect depiction of the city; they show its streets, its lifestyle and its beauty. Manhattan has inspired many to travel to the city that doesn’t sleep and has made as many fall in love with New York.

In 2005, Allen changed his setting to London with Match Point, which got mixed reviews. The story plot aside, the film partly portrays the lifestyle of the British upper class with shooting locations in Belgravia, Chelsea, Mayfair and Notting Hill and at sights such as Tate Modern, St James’s Park, and Queen’s Walk along the South Bank.

romelove Find Travel Inspiration Through Woody Allens FilmsIn 2006, Allen released Scoop, also set in London, with beautiful scenes of the British countryside, a destination all lovers of nature and eco-tourism can appreciate.

2008 saw Allen change his background again, this time to Spain with Vicky Cristina Barcelona. The film became a great advert for Barcelona; the city comes across beautifully and makes the film better for it.

Fast forwarding past Midnight in Paris from 2011, To Rome With Love is set to be released this year. If you’ve never been to Rome before, we recommend you to see the film because it will show the city in its entire splendor. A definite source of inspiration for your next trip abroad.

With history, culture, art and food in multitude, one doesn’t need any futher reason to rent apartments in Rome and discover the beautiful Italian capital.

Aleix Gwilliam is a 24-year-old from Barcelona who looks English but thinks like a Catalan. He enjoys travelling, especially on old Czech trains, and trying to start conversations in Hungarian with people at Pecs station, even though his Hungarian is as good as his Bulgarian, in other words, not very good. He’s a trier.