Tag: culture

Top Five Attractions For Culture Vultures in Vienna

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The Opera House is one of the best Attractions For Culture Vultures in Vienna ... photo by CC user Mstyslav Chernov via http://mstyslav-chernov.com/

When you think of Vienna, romantic architecture, stunning scenery and fairytale castles spring to mind, but there’s a lot more than meets the eye to this fair city. Bathed in rich history and traditions, there’s so much to see and do here for culture lovers. Here are just five of the top attractions you must see when next taking your trip out there.

1. Become an art expert

You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to art galleries, and there are collections to suit all tastes. If watercolours and drawings are your passion, head for the Albertina and view 45,000 of them. If you’re into Pop Art and Photorealism, Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns await you at the Museum of Modern Art. If you favour tradition, why not combine art and history by visiting the Kunsthistorisches Museum of Art. From Greek and Roman collections to ancient sculptures and decorative art of old, this is one not to miss.

2. Give in to gluttony

If gastronomy is your area of expertise, you’ll find everything from old-style Viennese cooking, to hipster hangouts or chic and stylish fine-dining. Click here for a guide to the best restaurants in the area. If you’d rather go local, why not grab some street food after walking around a flea market in search of hidden treasures. Plus, boasting seven square kilometres of vineyard, Vienna is the world’s largest wine-growing capital city. Don’t forget to wash down all that rich food with fine wine.

3. Take in an opera

What could be a more sophisticated outing than good food, fine wine, and an evening at the opera. Viennese opera houses are home to regular ballets, classical music, seasonal concerts and other special events. Why not take a look at the up-coming shows so that you don’t miss out on your next trip? Whether you want to check the calendar or reserve seats, Vienna Opera Tickets has everything you need.

4. Peruse the local museums

Vienna has over 100 museums within its boundaries, so you won’t be short of places to go. Start at the Vienna Museum and walk through the artefacts and exhibits that piece together Vienna’s history. From materials used to create some of the most iconic architecture in Vienna, to relics dating back to the Stone Age, the Natural History Museum is bound to get your cultural juices flowing. But if that’s not enough, why not drop in for tea at Mozart’s former home, or Sigmund Freud’s place, both now popular museums. 

5. Take an eTukTuk tour

Tours of the city stretch from professional photography tours to cycling routes. If you really want to see the city in style though, take an eTukTuk tour to the best hidden gems in Vienna as seen from the rooftops. Off the beaten track, it’s the best way to sample the cultural delights the city has to offer, and it ends with free drink at the coolest rooftop bar in town.

Hopefully the culture-vultures out there will be heading for these places in the near-future – we’ll see you there.

The Top 3 Greek Family Escapes

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One of the more tantalizing places to plan Greek Family Escapes is in Santorini ... photo by CC user antoniocastagna on Flickr

Greece has always been one of the best places to visit when it comes to family holidays and weekend getaways. Greece is made up of many islands and islets that are scattered all over the Ionian and Aegean Seas.

Around 227 of these islands are inhabited, so some of the others are island paradises still waiting to be discovered. There are a lot of destinations that you should definitely visit for a family escapade, and they are just waiting for you. Here are the top 3 Greek family escapes that you should definitely stop by once you are in the country.

Kavala

One of the best places to visit first in Greece is Kavala, a stunning seaside city. What you should definitely look out first is the seafront, which is very inviting for the entire family. You and your family members will be able to enjoy the urban beaches on this seaside city.

You can also take a picture of your family by the harbor which is the perfect spot. If you are a history junkie, and want to visit some ruins or the sort, then you can go to the archaeological sites of Philippoi and Mount Pangaion.

Mount Pangaion is especially great since it has a lot of ancient artifacts and ruins, such as the Byzantine monasteries and the traditional villages set amidst the lush nature.

Book at www.cyplon.co.uk

Domes of Elounda

While this might not be a town or island in Greece, it deserves to be one of the best getaways for a family to have a vacation. Domes of Elounda is a luxury boutique hotel in Crete, and is nestled grandly on the Elounda Gulf.

It has some secluded suites, a spa that will invigorate you perfectly, and grounds that are full of shrubs and other plants. You can also enjoy the great food from different restaurants in this luxury hotel. All of them are dishes that you can find all over Greece, and some of them from other countries too.

Now, a vacation is not complete without going to a special spot in the area right? Well, Domes of Elounda has their own patch of beach in which you can enjoy all day long and even at night if you feel like it.

Book at www.babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk

Santorini

If you want a place where you can see a lot of beaches and clear waters, then you should be visiting Santorini. By far, Santorini is the precious gem of the Aegean. After all, it is a sought-after Greek haven known for a lot of things, such as its legendary sunsets, romantic ambiance, caldera, ancient ruins, unique beaches and mouthwatering cuisine.

There are a lot of things to do on this nostalgic island. While the children are away playing on the beach, why not enjoy some romance with your partner on one of their resorts or enjoy some delectable dishes on one of their great restaurants? You can also head to one of the towns if you want to see some great sights, beautiful artwork, and gorgeous locals.

Book at www.tatler.com

Greece is one great getaway for your family. Try to visit these top 3 escapades so you can enjoy your vacation completely.

3 Countries that Have to Feature on Your European Bucket List

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Seeing fine statues in Florence is on the European bucket list of many people ... photo by CC user ashleyhexum66 on Flickr

Europe is a vast continent, and with so many countries offering different experiences for the discerning traveler it can sometimes be overwhelming trying to decide where to go.

If you have endless time and resource available then you could spend your years visiting every single one, experiencing the sights and people of each country, whilst picking out your favorite. However, if you want three that will satisfy your every need and offer you a trip of a lifetime then these three countries will not disappoint as you tick off boxes on your European bucket list.

Italy

Think of Italy and you think of the ancient historic sites, the wonderful food and wines, and the beautiful landscapes of incredible beaches, rolling hills and great lakes. It is all of these characteristics and more that make this a destination that should feature on your bucket list.

Not to be missed are the cities of Florence and Rome which are jam packed full of incredible attractions such as the Coliseum and Roman Forum in Rome and the Ponte Vecchio and Statue of David in Florence.

Away from the cities, in the Tuscan countryside you can cycle through the vineyards and soak up the postcard perfect views whilst stopping occasionally for a glass of locally produced wine. Top things off with a stay in one of the regions stunning luxury villas like these and your trip will be complete.

Spain

Spain oozes charisma and charm with its passionate people and vast number of great destinations for the traveller. In the south, the cities of Seville and Granada with their Moorish architecture and flamenco soul are perfect for a cultural city break. The coastal city Barcelona is great for a city/beach break in the summer and northern San Sebastian serves up a gastronomic treat.

The beaches of the Costa Del Sol offer the holiday maker some great hotels and resorts perfect for relaxing in the sunshine and the mountains of the Sierra Nevada even provide opportunities for skiing!

Spain really does have everything and is often cheaper than other European destinations such as France and Italy.

UK
The UK may not be known for its fine weather but that shouldn’t put you off a visit as there is still plenty to enjoy come rain or shine! Brilliant London is just as you imagine it to be with its iconic red buses and black cabs and wonderful sites such as Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.

Many people come to the UK and only visit London and if you do this then you are most certainly missing out. In the north of England, the historical city of York with its magnificent minster and old cobbled streets will make you feel like you have stepped back in time.

Lovers of the outdoors should head to the Lake District where the countryside is simply stunning. Then you have the quaint villages of the Cotswolds where you can sit back in a beautiful cottage (check these out) and explore wonderful countryside and enjoy village life.

In Scotland, the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow each have their own personality with plenty going on and some wonderful restaurants. If you are lucky enough to visit Wales as well then head to the lovely seaside town of Aberystwyth.

Why spend Christmas in the cold? 3 Unique Xmas Travel Ideas

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Of all the Xmas travel ideas you can get, Lanzarote is a marvelous one!

Yes we know … summer isn’t officially over for another month and a half, but with booking season for winter holidays just around the corner, we just wanted to give you a gentle nudge so that you can get your plans set before the rush begins. If you spent last Christmas at home, you might not need much convincing to spend the merriest season of all in the tropics this year.

After all, with the memory of the brutal polar vortex fresh in your head, wouldn’t you feel more joyous with sand between your toes on December 25th instead of having snow in your shoes? I think we can all agree that a silky smooth tropical breeze feels much more relaxing than the sharp bite of a northern gale, so if you are seriously considering a tropical escape this year, we have compiled three Xmas travel ideas for tropical destinations around the world that will allow you to escape the bitter cold of a Christmas in the north.

1) Lanzarote

If you don’t wish to subject yourself to a long-haul flight in order to get somewhere warmer this holiday season, then checking out cheap Christmas breaks to Lanzarote will get you out of the dour weather of the continent, and on to an island that rarely ever sees day time highs fall below 21 degrees Celsius in the winter time. Weather here is the polar opposite of the dampness witnessed further north, with the arid climate virtually assuring rain-free skies for most (if not all) of your visit.

When you’re not unwinding on Lanzarote’s diversely coloured beaches (ranges from white to golden brown to volcanic black), the active can try their hand at some of the best diving and/or surfing in the European Union, while those more artistically inclined can check out Jameos del Agua, a concert hall, restaurant, bar and swimming pool built inside a former lava tunnel.

2) Barbados

If the baby blue waters of the Caribbean are calling out to you subconsciously, then Barbados stands out as one of your best options as a place where one can relax in tropical surroundings, do many enriching activities, and celebrate Christmas in style. Submarine tours and catamaran cruises are both excellent ways to get to know the marine environment of this former British outpost, while those that enjoy a tipple or two will love the Mount Gay distillery, where Barbados’ most famous beverage, dark rum, is conjured up from the sugarcane that grows in abundance in the island’s interior.

3) Goa

If you’re looking for a little Asian flavour this Xmas, but want a place where you can still attend mass on Christmas morning, then Goa will satisfy both of these requirements admirably. While most of India identify with Hinduism or Islam as their primary faith, Goa is an enclave of Christianity, as it was a colony of the Portuguese more than a half milennia ago.

A sizable chunk of the population still identifies as Christian, worshiping God in one of several gorgeous cathedrals in the area. After celebrating in this fashion, or if you are just here for the amazing food and beaches, take advantage of Goa’s other attractions. Flea markets filled with hippie garb can be found everywhere, clubs, bars and pubs are chock full of cheap drink, and the old town of Goa has plenty of centuries old Christian art, much of which has an Indian twist.

For those looking for a piece of authentic India, the cuisine, Hindu temples and volunteer opportunities can be examined just as readily as in other places in India, so don’t be scared off by proclamations that dub Goa a tourist trap.

5 Fun Things to Do in Tenerife

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If you are an active person, hiking up Mount Teide will certainly be one of the fun things to do in Tenerife!

If you are an active person, hiking up Mount Teide will certainly be one of the fun things to do in Tenerife!

For generations, the Canary Islands have been a getaway for those fleeing from the stressors in their lives, if only for a week or two. Some have managed to settle here permanently, but for those of us who haven’t the resources to live in permanent exile from bosses, bad weather, and irritating in-laws, we need to make the most of the time that we have in this idyllic sub-tropical islands.

Fortunately for you, time to get away from these inconvenient but necessary burdens is close at hand, so you have been researching Tenerife flights in order to make your (temporary) escape official. While some time on beaches like Playa de Las Teresitas is definitely in order, you don’t want your holiday to go by in a blur while you bake away on a sun lounger.

Indeed, the best breaks are defined by moments of discovery and excitement, and so you wonder: what fun things to do in Tenerife will achieve this goal? It offers plenty, and the list of potential adventures below is but the tip of the iceberg.

1) Go on a trek up Mount Teide

Did you know the highest mountain in Spain is not on the Iberian peninsula, where 99.9% of its territory is situated, but is instead on Tenerife? Before we got into the travel business, neither did we. Being of volcanic origin, Tenerife was built up in dramatic fashion by a hotspot in the Earth’s crust, resulting in Mount Teide, the dizzyingly high peak that has shot up from the placid Atlantic Ocean, to the alpine elevation that its summit is at today.

You could take the gondola up, but what fun would that be? Don’t forget winter coats and sweaters for the climb, as the peak tops out at 3,700 metres above sea level, putting the temperature at the summit at about 5-7 degrees Celsius in the summer, and below zero in the winter. The beach below will feel extra warm when you get back from this adventure.

2) Cool off and find thrills at Siam Park

If you’d rather thrill seek by slipping down steep water slides rather than freezing your buns off, then spending a day at Siam Park will help you fulfill this desire. A water park that was designed based on the exotic architecture of Thailand (and was even opened by one of the princesses of its Royal Family), Siam Park has the largest collection of Thai architecture in one spot in the world outside the Southeast Asian country, has slides that include racers, plunge slides, bowls, and rapid rides. The food concession even serves Thai food in a full-fledged dedication to its theme!

3) Play a solid 18 holes at Golf del Sur

Tenerife has plenty of raw beauty to gawk at everywhere you look, which must have made the first duffer to grace its shores dream about opening a course here. Well, golf has certainly found its way here in the present day, with Golf del Sur, one of the best courses on the island, standing ready to challenge your ball control skills.

4) Learn how to kitesurf at El Medano

Are you the time that likes to try and pick up new sports in your free time? If this describes you, then why not give the uber exciting adrenaline sport of kitesurfing a try while on Tenerife? El Medano is one of the world’s best places to practice this relatively new discipline, as strong and consistent winds combine with sheltered waters to create the perfect environment for a kite rookie to learn the sport in.

5) Catch a show at the ultra modern Auditorio de Tenerife

If all this physical activity has you worn out at this point, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll have to resign yourself to the beach for the rest of your holiday. In 2003, the Auditorio de Tenerife, with its daring late modernist design, opened its doors to lovers of the performing arts, hosting musical festivals, stage shows, galas, award shows, and much more.

There is a consistent schedule of performers/groups putting on shows and productions, so check when you arrive to see if there is an offering that might appeal to you.