Browsing CategoryEurope

Visiting Glasgow for a Shopping Minibreak

Glasgow has a plethora of great tourist attractions, from its Victorian architecture and museums to its legendary music venues and restaurants. What some don’t know is that Glasgow has a fantastic shopping scene. With trains from London taking under 5 hours, a weekend shopping minibreak is well worth considering. Here are the places to check out. The Barras A true Glasgow original, Barras Markets run every weekend, and definte the spirit of the city. Ostensibly a flea-market, they sell anything from DVDs to furniture, and everything in between. Haggling is encouraged, and the lively atmosphere sets it apart from other…

UK Business Travel Spending Set To Rise In 2013

With web conferencing, virtual meetings and other ways of doing business without actually meeting the other person in the flesh on the rise, you’d think that the amount of money businesses spend on corporate travel would be in decline. Not so. A report released by GBTA several weeks ago forecasted that business travel spending would rise by nearly 2% in the UK this year, with this level of growth only set to ‘accelerate’ in 2014. The report states that business spending will top £26.5 billion this year, up from £25.9 billion last year. It also points to the fact that…

Exploring the Italian Dolomites: A Mountain Range for All Seasons

The Swiss or French Alps have long been the default choices for skiers and snowboarders in the winters months and hikers, rock climbers and paragliding enthusiasts when the snow has melted. But overlook the Dolomites in north-eastern Italy and you are missing out on some of the most dramatic mountain treks, skiing opportunities and panoramas in Europe – and with a lot fewer tourists too. Those who take holidays in the Dolomites will be rewarded in different ways at different times of the year. But one constant of the region is the vast array of magnificent and extraordinary limestone formations…

Why Ibiza Rocks

No, we are not simply talking about the Ibiza Rocks hotel, although it most certainly does.  We are telling you why we think Ibiza rocks. Ibiza, the white isle, gets its name because it is just that.  Surrounded by beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters making it the perfect place to sunbathe and relax as well as party and let your hair down. Ibiza rocks for a number of reasons. 1. Party time Ibiza is renowned for being a party island.  It has nightclub after nightclub, packed full of energetic crowds and world class DJ’s.  If partying is your thing, if…

Cruise Europe – Unpack Once!

The Rhine River flows  from the Swiss Alps through Germany and eventually flows into the North Sea coast in the Netherlands and is the twelfth longest river in Europe. There are many beautiful castles to see along the way, as well as many vineyards and cathedrals – all in beautiful settings. River cruises in Europe are a very easy way to see some magnificent scenery and get some great cultural and historical experiences. The Rhine river cruises are not the only options, there are also choices like the Danube river cruise, French cruises or one that takes you through to…

Beauty and History in Naples, Italy

Many travel bucket lists will not be complete without Italy. Considering the country’s colourful history and beautiful works of art, it is no wonder that it is a popular tourist destination for travellers, backpackers, and even dreamers. There are many places to go to in Italy, and one of the best is Naples – which is known for its rich history, stunning plazas, and enchanting bays. If you are still writing down your itinerary, be sure to include the following places of interest. Parco Virgilliano This lovely park overlooking the Bay of Naples is one of the most frequented places…

Honouring the Patriots of Minsk

Not many foreigners visit this capital of Belarus, which makes it less crowded and more tranquil as compared to other touristy cities in Europe. Now whether those attributes are a plus or minus depends on you. Despite the not so fabulous number of tourists to the place, it does not come short of beautiful attractions and places of interest to visit. Most notable though are the many historical buildings and monuments that were put up in honour of the brave soldiers who fought in the different wars that tore the place. Victory Square Victory Square is a structure that pays…

Enjoy Brussels!

Brussels, is a historical city within Belgium. For many years it has been a city long forgotten, but in the last decade it has seen a huge transformation. The city is now truly a cosmopolitan and bilingual city of wonder. Packed with fine food and culture, Brussels is a fine example of glorious Art Nouveau architecture and the origin of many a famous character, including the one and only Tin-tin. The Grand Place is certainly the place to be. Known as the heart of Brussels, it is the legacy left after the city was blitzed in 1695. It was rebuilt…

The Love, Life & Lights of Paris, France

Long considered the paragon of style, Paris is the most glamorous city in Europe. It is at once deeply traditional – a village-like metropolis whose inhabitants continue to be notorious for their hauteur – and famously cosmopolitan. While such contradictions and contrasts may be the reality of any city, they are the makings of Paris: consider the tiny lanes and alleyways of the Quartier Latin or Montmartre against the monumental vistas from the Louvre to La Défense; the multiplicity of street markets and old-fashioned pedestrian arcades against the giant underground commercial complexes of Montparnasse and Les Halles; or the aristocratic…

Stranger in Moscow

In Siberia, they call Moscow “the West”, with a note of scorn for its bureaucrats and politicians. To Westerners, the city looks European, but its unruly spirit seems closer to Central Asia. For Muscovites, Moscow is both a “Mother City” and a “big village”, a tumultuous community with an underlying collective instinct that shows itself in times of trouble. Nowhere else reflects the contradictions and ambiguities of the Russian people as Moscow does – nor the stresses of a country undergoing meltdown and renewal. The city is huge, surreal and exciting. After a few weeks here, the bizarre becomes normal…