08.25.2008 | 9:46 am | European Destinations
Sitting calmly on the edge of Lake Geneva, Switzerland’s third largest city is tranquil and self-assured. With museums aplenty, and only a short distance from the Alps, Geneva is a great place for a weekend away, or as a starting point for a mountain adventure.
The Alpine climate makes Geneva’s weather a little unpredictable. The weather is pretty calm settled from mid-August through to late October. July gets hot, January gets cold, and September is rainy.
So what is there to do? If museums are your thing you’ll find several excellent ones. There’s the Musee Barbier-Mueller, Musee d’Arte et d’Histoire, Musee d’Histoire Naturelle and the Musee Internationale de la Reforme.
If you prefer the outdoors, you’ll love the Jardin Botanique and the lakeside, with its views over to the impressive jet water fountain and the Alps in the distance.
There are plenty of chic bars and restaurants to pass the evenings, and the whole city has a pleasant, austere feel.
Find the cheapest flights to Geneva on FlightComparison.co.uk.
08.18.2008 | 11:18 am | European Destinations
If you’re planning a trip to Italy, make sure that Florence is on your itinerary. It is a city steeped in centuries of history, art and architecture, and it’s perfect for a mini-break or a stop off on a longer trip around Italy.
The best times to visit Florence are low season April-June and September-October when accommodation will be cheaper. Early December is lovely too, if you don’t mind a nip in the air. The streets look incredibly beautiful with winter mist in the air.
You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to activities. Florence is packed with gorgeous churches and museums. The most recognisable church has to be the Duomo, with its candy-striped bell tower. Other churches you should check out are Santa Croce, Santa Maria del Carmine and Santa Maria Novella.
If you’re a fan of art, you can’t visit Florence without a trip to the Uffizi gallery. Here you’ll find the work of the great masters, including Donatello and Fra Lippi who flourished under Medici rule in the late thirteen hundreds.
Take a day trip out to nearby Fiesole which nestles in the Tuscan hills. It was here that Leonardo Da Vinci tested his flying machine, and where Boccaccio wrote the Decameron during his exile.
Florence’s history dates back to pre-Roman times when a settlement was established on the banks of the River Arno. After a power struggle between rival families the Guelphs and Ghibhellines in the medieval times, the city came under Medici rule after the plague. Florence suffered heavy damage in World War 2 and was one of Mussolini’s strongholds.
The city’s mercantile legacy can be seen on the Ponte Vecchio, where street traders still peddle their wares.
Find cheap flights to Florence on FlightComparison.co.uk.
08.11.2008 | 6:59 am | European Destinations
When people visit Andalucia, Spain’s southernmost province, they normally go to the classic tourist destinations along the coast, or the historic cities of Seville, Grenada and Cordoba. But sitting close to the Atlantic coast, and steeped in a unique history all of its own, Huelva is an interesting town to add to your itinerary.
Huelva is a maritime town located between the rivers Guadiana and Guadalquivir. Christopher Columbus is an important figure in Huelva’s history. Interesting sites to visit include Moguer, Palos de la Frontera, and the Rábida Monastery. La Rábida is where Columbus sought the help of the Franciscan brothers in when organising his voyage to the Americas.
The modern city of Huelva is small and pleasant. The worker’s district in the Victoria area is particularly beautiful. The barrio was built for the workers on the Rio Tinto River, and consists of quaint houses and narrow streets. The rest of the city is home to many lovely churches, historic buildings and museums.
Huelva is close to the seaside resort of La Antilla, which is where many townspeople go during the summer months. Hiring a car is a good idea, especially if you want to follow the Columbus trail, or visit the nearby Donana nature reserve.
Book cheap flights to Spain. Visit FlightComparison.co.uk.
08.5.2008 | 11:17 am | European Destinations
As Scandinavian cities go, Helsinki is pretty special. It shares an air of cleanliness and tranquility with cities like Oslo and Stockholm, but the influence of its Soviet history means that it has a unique Baltic feel.
The city is small, and thus easy to get around on foot. There are very few high rises, and the mix of old architecture and futuristic buildings makes it visually very interesting.
Most people will recognise the austere aquamarine domes of the white Lutheran church which presides over the harbour. Its staid interior is a big tourist attraction, and the town’s tour bus leaves from here.
Further into the town there is a pleasant shopping street dotted with outdoor cafes and cosy restaurants. The market down by the harbour is well worth a look. Make sure you go into the food hall, where Finnish delicacies such as reindeer and herring are served.
Ferries connect Helsinki to Tallinn and other Baltic cities, and tours depart for Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
Find cheap flights to Helsinki on FlightComparison.co.uk.
07.28.2008 | 7:41 am | European Destinations
Laid out over the expanses of several islands, Stockholm is one of best-looking cities in the world. The capital of Sweden is famous for its clean air, uncluttered streets and diverse culture.
The common misconception that Stockholm is always cold is completely untrue. While the more northerly reaches of Sweden may experience Arctic chills, the capital’s climate is temperate. It never gets stiflingly hot, but neither does it get prohibitively cold. Daylight averages nine hours in the summer.
A slight disadvantage is that Stockholm’s airports are quite a distance from the city centre. Vasteras is about an hour and a half’s drive away, and the main airport Arlanda is nearly 30 miles outside the city. The Arlanda express train will get you into town quickly though.
Once you’re there, you’ll find that you can walk around the city easily. Stockholm’s multiple islands make for some lovely walks across the stretches of water, and some fantastic views of the castle and town hall.
One of Stockholm’s most popular attractions is Haga Park. In the park grounds there’s a butterfly garden, walk-through aviary and museum exhibits.
Skansen is the world’s first open-air museum. Begun more than 100 years ago, the museum sits on a hilltop, from which you can view much of the city while immersed in something of a cultural bonanza. Costumed actors play out their daily routines, and there’s an aquarium which kids will love.
The castle, or Kungliga Slottet, is one of Sweden’s most visited attractions. Though is not the oldest castle in Europe, it is one of the largest. It still serves its original purpose as the residence of the royal family. The castle has a total of 608 rooms, and visitors can watch the Changing of the Guard everyday around noon in the summertime, and three days a week during the off-season.
The old quarter, Gamla Stan, is well worth a visit. The cobbled pedestrianised streets give you a glimpse of what Sweden’s capital would have looked like hundreds of years ago. There are some lovely bars and cafes in this area. Make sure you stop for one of Sweden’s legendary ‘fikas’ – coffee and cake.
The newer centre of the city has several wide, clean boulevards packed with shops and department stores.
For cheap flights to Stockholm visit FlightComparison.co.uk.
07.21.2008 | 11:48 am | European Destinations
Santorini has to be one of the most beautiful of the Greek Islands. Formed by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago, the island is shaped like an inverted ‘c’. Towns and villages perch precariously on the hillsides overlooking the sea, dotted with blue domed churches.
Because it is so picturesque, Santorini is something of a tourist trap. Daily cruise ships dock in Thira and spill hoards of vacationers onto the island who throng the narrow cobbled streets. But don’t let this put you off. Once the tourist chaos dies down, Santorini is a hugely enjoyable place for a holiday.
Fira is the main and largest town on the island. Here you’ll find the most active nightlife, a variety of shops and a historic museum. Head to Oia if you want the typical Santorini experience. Oia (pronounced Ee-a) sits on the northernmost tip of the island. Traditional whitewashed houses nestle against the hillside and cobbled streets lead through the village to the castle overlooking the sea. On one side Oia faces the caldera, or lagoon, and the other side it looks onto the Aegean Sea with views to the other Cyclades islands.
Oia has some exquisite boutique hotels and lots of villa style accommodation. It isn’t a cheap place to stay, but it’s worth every penny to have a view of the famous sunset. A set of steps leads down from the castle to the beach village of Ammoudi where you can swim in the ocean and try the local fishermen’s catch of the day at one of the seafront restaurants.
Some airlines fly direct to Santorini but most stop off in Athens. Find the cheapest flights at FlightComparison.co.uk.
07.13.2008 | 10:23 am | European Destinations
Greece’s capital city is one of Europe’s highlights. Ancient ruins and modern bustle combine to make it an unforgettable place for a holiday. Standing on the hill looking at the Acropolis you get the feeling that you’re right at the centre of ancient civilisation. Dine out at a cosy taverna or drink at a trendy bar and you’ll know you’re in a modern European metropolis. Athens has so much to offer.
Spring and autumn are the ideal times to visit as the weather is moderate and the streets aren’t too packed with tourists.
So what is there to do and see? The Acropolis is the most famous ancient monument in the Western world. It stands on a hill overlooking the city and is lit up at night. The complex consists of the many-columned Parthenon, and the Erechtheion with its six maidens who hold up the porch.
The Agora was the place of administrative, commercial, political, and social activity in Ancient times. All the roads in ancient Greece led to this centre. It contains the Temple of Hephaestus dating back to 449 BC - the best preserved Doric temple in Greece, and the Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios where Socrates gave speeches. The Stoa of Attalos was built between 159 and 138 BC and has been restored. This is where rich Athenians used to congregate to flash their cash in the expensive shops. It is now home to the Agora Museum which has a useful model of the complex. Near the south entrance of the market you’ll find the early 11th century Church of the Holy Apostles with its Byzantine frescoes.
Athens is home to the oldest museum in Greece, established in 1931. It has over 20,000 items ranging from costumes and jewellery to paintings. The National Archaeological Museum has a huge collection of Greek antiquities including the Mask of Agamemnon.
The National Gardens in the Syntagma area provide welcome relief from street life. Here you’ll find a beautiful array of trees, ponds and pathways along with the Botanical Museum, children’s playground, duck pond and café.
If you’re in Athens during the warmer months you’ll probably run into a festival happening somewhere in the city. There are the carnivals that run for a number of weeks before Lent, and a grand Easter celebration. This involves a night-time candlelit procession up Lykavittos Hill to the Chapel of Agios Georgos. The biggest event is the Hellenic Festival which takes place from mid June to September. Classical music and dance performances are held, and Ancient Greek Drama is performed at the Theatre of Herodes Atticus with the floodlit Acropolis visible as the backdrop.
Discover Athens for yourself. Find cheap flights to Greece at FlightComparison.co.uk.
07.11.2008 | 5:24 am | European Destinations
Amsterdam – a unique mix of hedonism and European charm, and a brilliant place for a holiday. From the picturesque canals to the seedier backstreets, Amsterdam has a magic all of its own.
The capital city of the Netherlands was built around a series of canals, earning it the nickname ‘Venice of the North’. A temperate climate makes Amsterdam an ideal city to visit at any time of the year.
Whether it’s a slice of history and culture you’re looking for, or just plain entertainment, you can’t go wrong in Amsterdam. The city is famed for its coffee shops and ribald underground scene and many visitors come here with that in mind. However, for the more discerning tourist, there’s a whole host of museums, shops and galleries to enjoy.
Start your Amsterdam adventure on the Leidseplein, the busy central square. This is a popular meeting place for city dwellers, and has a multitude of restaurants and bars. It’s a great way to see the city in full swing, day or night. Another big square is the Dam, bordered by the imposing Royal Palace. There’s also the Rembrandtplein which is extremely popular with tourists thanks to its traditional Dutch pubs, restaurants and hotels. In the centre of the square is a small park with a statue of Rembrandt.
The Albert Cuyp market is Amsterdam’s largest and busiest, and sells an array of foods and spices as well as clothes. This is Amsterdam at its most vibrant and multicultural. The market is named after 17th century landscape painter Albert Cuyp whose paintings can be seen at the Rijksmuseum. The area around the market has lots of cafes and restaurants serving Dutch and foreign cuisine.
Jordaan was once a rundown area but is now highly sought after for its converted warehouses, narrow streets and eclectic social scene. It is home to students, businessmen and creatives and is a great place for a wander.
There is no shortage of museums and galleries in the city, from the Rijksmuseum
and the Anne Frank Huis to the Van Gogh Museum. A stroll along the canals offers views of the countless churches and quaint bridges. The Vondelpark and Amstelpark provide a verdant break from the city streets. And when night falls, you can enjoy the other side of Amsterdam life in any of the many cafes, bars, cabarets and restaurants.
Amsterdam is served by Schipol airport, and flight time from London is a speedy one hour. Once you get to Schipol there are direct trains to the main city station, as well as taxis which will get you into town in around twenty minutes. For cheap flights to Amsterdam visit FlightComparison.co.uk.
06.30.2008 | 7:13 am | European Destinations
If you’re going to Portugal for a holiday you’ll most probably visit either Lisbon or the Algarve. Visitors to the Algarve normally head straight for the beach, but the provincial capital Faro is perfect for a minibreak, or a day trip from the resorts.
This quaint city has a population of just over forty thousand but it buzzes with life. See history on display in the old town of Cidade Velha, and experience the seamless mix of old and new which makes Faro so charming. Getting around the city is easy on foot, and taxis are reasonably cheap. The beaches are only three kilometres away over the bridge.
The climate in Faro is wonderful for much of the year but spring is the perfect time to visit - the weather is perfect and the city is thriving.
Start your discovery of Faro at the 18th century Arco da Vila – the gate to the old town. Inside this district, known as the Cidade Velha, you’ll find many historic buildings in a mix of Roman, Moorish, and Portuguese styles. This part of town is home to shops, cafes and eateries. Look out for remnants of the medieval city walls.
The eye-catching Capela de Ossos, or Chapel of Bones was built about two hundred years ago. The chapel’s exterior is lined with human skulls and bones and is part of an older Baroque church, Igreja do Carmo, which has two impressive bell towers.
Faro’s old cathedral, the Se, is another architectural gem, mixing Gothic and Renaissance styles. The Gothic tower can be seen from much of the city. The highlight of the cathedral has to be the 17th and 18th century tiles inside.
There are some excellent museums in Faro as well. The Museu Municipal, Museu Maritimo, and Museu Ethnografico Regional all show aspects of Faro’s rich history and culture. Many of the exhibits reflect the city’s fishing heritage, with replicas of historical boats and ships, and some great photographs.
Step outside the city for a rare glimpse of Roman Portugal. In the beautiful countryside of Milreu stand the ruins of an ornate villa. It dates from the first century AD and was built in the peristyle tradition - a gallery of columns surrounding a courtyard. Also worth a look is the is the the Palace of Estoi just north of Milreu. This 19th century rococo building is famous for its blue and white tiles and overgrown gardens.
When night falls, head to the Rua do Prior where most of Faro’s partying happens. The street in the heart of town is lined with night cafes, local bars and English pubs, as well as dance clubs that stay open until dawn. Rua do Prior is great during the day too.
Find the cheapest flights to Faro at FlightComparison.co.uk.
06.23.2008 | 11:54 am | European Destinations
Basking in the sun on the Costa Blanca, Alicante is a town of thrills and traditions that will give you an insight into authentic Spanish. After centuries of war, foreign rule, and domestic struggle, Alicante has become a popular destination for holidaymakers. Originally a small port, it is now a bustling town famous for its festivals. From the beaches to the city centre, Alicante is a busy mix of fun and history, and a great place for a vacation.
It is hottest and most vibrant during the summer but also at its busiest and most expensive. Spring and autumn are good times to visit although it cools down towards winter.
The Spanish are well known for their fiestas and celebrations and Alicante is no exception. In late April the town holds the Muslim and Christian Festival which commemorates the expulsion of the Moors in the 13th century. Hundreds of locals parade through the streets wearing exotic costumes. The most famous celebration is the Festival de Sant Joan which takes place over a week in late June. The drinking and dancing goes on all night around a procession of extravagant floats. On the night of June 24th the festival reaches its peak, with a firework display and a bonfire. For the lowdown on the history of the festival have a look round the Museu de Fogueres.
The Castillo de Santa Barbara is one of Alicante’s most famous landmarks. Its enormous walls have long been seen as the symbol of the city. The castle sits at the top of Mount Benacantil overlooking the entire city and the wide spread of the Mediterranean. A passenger lift goes up to the Castillo from Postiguet beach.
Make your way to the Isla de Tabarca which is home to a medieval fort, a cosy beach and some great seafood restaurants. A great way of getting there is in a glass bottom boat from Alicante port.
To see how Alicante looked under the Romans take a trip to the ruins of Lucentum. The site is located in the middle of the La Albufareta suburb, but you’ll get a feel for the layout of the old town despite the modern high-rises.
There are some great museums in Alicante. The Museo Arqueologico Provincial was nominated for European Museum of the Year in 2004 thanks to its collection of ceramics and Iberian art. The Museo de Bellas Artes Gravina is an art museum housed inside an imposing 18th century mansion. If you go, make sure you visit the Iglesia de Santa Maria nearby with its gilt altar and Gothic nave. The building that is now the Museo-Casa de la Asegurada was used as a prison in the 17th century, and houses an impressive collection of 20th century art by Gris, Miro, Picasso and Dali.
Alicante is often seen as a gateway to the resorts on the Costa Blanca, but the city is so much more than simply an airport. For cheap flights to Alicante check FlightComparison.co.uk.
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