Mini Travel Guides

Berlin is one of the most exciting cities in Europe, and my personal favourite European travel destination Berlin’s got everything: fascinating museums, lots of tasty food, interesting locals and of course, the legacy of a truly up and down history. I’ve collated the best things to do in Berlin, written by members of the Europe a la Carte blogging team to help you plan your trip to the German capital.

Best Museums in Berlin

Museum lovers will be in their element in Berlin. Heather recommends the Pergamon Museum, saying it’s one of the best Berlin museums on the Museuminsel (Museum Island).

Part of the Ishtar Gate at the Pergamon Museum by luisvilla

Less well-known but equally inspiring, Lindsay says the Käthe Kollwitz Museum gave her a lot of food for thought.

Inside the Käthe Kollwitz Museum by Lindsay Sydenham

Heather also suggests visiting the Jewish Museum and the Anne Frank Museum. Personally, I’d say the Jewish Museum is the best museum in Berlin, and well worth at least an afternoon.

Part of the intriguing Jewish Museum by Goodnight London

Best Street Art in Berlin

What would a visit to Berlin be without finding part of the Berlin Wall? Marcus shared his experience at the East Side Gallery.

A famous panel of the Berlin Wall at the East Side Gallery by qyphon

Best Views in Berlin

One of my favourite outings in Berlin is a walk up into the spiral dome of the Reichstag. Not only do you get to enjoy its impressive architecture, but you also get great views over the city.

Inside the dome of the Reichstag by pit-yacker

Best Shopping in Berlin

Berlin’s a great place to shop, and the Ku’damm or Kurfürstendamm is definitely the hotspot – and Heather lists some nearby sights if shopping gets too much.

The Kurfürstendamm by night by Schrottie

Lindsay recommends a visit to the Art Nouveau style Hackesche Höfe complex consisting of eight interlinked courtyards.

Jugendstil courtyard at the Hackesche Hofe by paularps

Best Free Attractions in Berlin

It costs nothing to enter the Berlin Cathedral, says Lindsay, who claims it’s one of her favourite spots in Berlin.

The impressive Berlin Cathedral by ilm19

Best Food in Berlin

Lindsay suggests that a traditional Turkish döner is a delicious typical Berlin food to try – thanks to the influence of the city’s large Turkish population.

Ready to eat: a Turkish döner by andynahman

Best Transport in Berlin

To get a quick overview of where many of the main Berlin attractions are, Heather recommends a rickshaw ride.

Rickshaws parked near Brandenburg Gate by swamysk

Best Day Trips from Berlin

If you want to escape the city, head to Sanssouci Palace, enjoyed by Marcus as a relaxing getaway.

World Heritage site Schloss Sanssouci by Gertrud K

If you’re planning a trip to Berlin, you can find the best deals at Berlin hotels using the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

Your Berlin Tips

With so much more Berlin sightseeing on offer on the main tourist trail like Checkpoint Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate, the list of great things to do in Berlin is practically endless. If you have some tips, please let us know in the comments.

Twitter Tips

@Welcome Beyond: ‘Berlin Underworld’ is also worth visiting: http://bit.ly/adUMeQ

Best of Berlin Travel Tips

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

Planning a trip to the Netherlands? Confused about what to get back as a souvenir from the land of tulips, windmills, cheese and clogs? But what if you could get all of them and much more, dripping in the very own unique flavour of the low lands? Read on.

Delft blue pottery (or the Delftware as it is also known) is the tin glazed, hand painted blue and white earthenware produced in and around the Dutch town of Delft. The pottery is famous for its quality and craftsmanship.

The original, entirely hand painted pottery is now made only in some of the factories in Delft. These are quite expensive and come along with a certificate of authenticity – the most popular and the best variant being the ‘Royal Delft’ (the title reflects its honorary status).

A thorough knowledge of the Delftware is required on part of the buyer when considering the expensive, hand painted version. Look for the trademark as well as for the quality certificate issued by the Delft Chamber of Commerce to verify the authenticity of the Delftware.

To avoid burning a hole in your pocket, you might as well go for the less expensive version (that does not follow the centuries old tradition of hand painting), but reflects the culture of the Netherlands nevertheless. These pieces are readily available in local antique shops, open markets and tourist stores.

Delft pottery is most commonly available in the form of tulip vases, floral plates, tiles, windmills, key chains, cutlery, and clogs as seen in the pictures here. Make sure you wrap them properly before putting them in the suitcase, as these are fragile items.

Display them with pride in your house when you are back – they will bring forth fond memories from your travels.

[Photo Credit - Orangesplaash]

Delft Blue Pottery – The perfect Dutch Souvenir

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

I fly to Europe from the West Coast at least twice a year and unfortunately, I am not a comfortable flier. When the pilot announces over the intercom that we are approaching turbulent, bumpy conditions and that passengers should take their seats, I start getting nervous.  I don’t really enjoy flying as it is and the jolts accompanying air turbulence make me miserable. But, I have discovered that listening to soothing music helps me relax.

I recently received a great new CD that I  downloaded to my IPod to take with with me on  flights to help calm my nerves. Putamayo Presents Yoga has really helped! The CD, which was really designed for at-home Yoga practice and meditation has just  the perfect combination of singing, chanting and melodious instrumentals to calm the soul.

The CD features world recognized artists such as:  The Lucknow Project, Shantala and Lama Gyurme, Wah,  Jean-Philippe Rykiel, Krishna Das,  Yogini, and more. For more than 70 minutes of bliss, I recommend Putamayo Presents Yoga. And after your flight, be sure to try these Yoga poses to relieve the pains and aches from sitting for so long.

Putamayo World Music offers unique CDs with music from your favorite country or genre.  For more information visit their website.

Written by Terri Fogarty for EuropeUpClose.com

When I was on holiday alone in Sicily, I found myself walking from the station in Palermo to Teatro Massimo. It was about 9pm, and not quite dark. But I was followed slowly by a car and it really scared me. It was very probably just teenage boys playing about, but it scared me. And then I realised that late at night, Palermo changes. It gets slightly unsavoury. There doesn’t seem to be any danger around, but the atmosphere doesn’t quite feel right. It was only after that night that I read a guide book that said the same thing. It’s not a particularly dangerous place but the vibe changes.

But that doesn’t stop you from walking around when you’re on a summer holiday. It doesn’t stop me from exploring (and winding up in a rather run down area just because I could spot a church in the distance that I wanted to go and see). I’m curious about how conscious we are about our safety when we travel.

When we’re on holiday, we’re relaxed. We let our guard down. We’re not thinking about anything serious. Of course, most of us still won’t walk down a creepy looking alleyway on our own, but I don’t think we always put our safety first when we’re away. Of course, a lot of this is common sense, but I don’t think it’s always top of our agenda when we’re away. Not mine, anyway. I’m not proud of that, but I think it’s the truth.

Most of the time, even during the day, we can spot a dodgy bar (I’ve been to more than enough of those in London). But you don’t really know, do you? That cafe that looks fine could be quite horrible once you get inside. I’m all for throwing out the guide book, and going it alone, but a quick flick through will tell you where the dangerous areas are. Asking friends if there’s anywhere you should avoid is key (and very handy now there’s Twitter).  You can also read our “Top 10 Tips for Safe Travel“.

I hate being a holiday killjoy, but it always surprises me that I’ll talk to anyone on holiday, chat away, go to a bar with them. I wouldn’t do that as readily in London. I don’t think I’m alone in that. The urge to experience everything and meet new people kinda takes over. And whether we like it or not, that makes us vulnerable. Especially when we’ve gone out for a few drinks. I don’t feel like I do enough to put my personal safety first. I’ve never found myself in a dangerous situation, but I have put myself in a couple of hairy places that could have easily been avoided. I think I need to take off the rose-tinted glasses when I’m away.

What about you? Are you more vigilant when you’re abroad, or do you want to experience everything and think about safety a little less than you should?

Flickr image from Dominic’s pics‘s photostream.

How safe are you when you travel?

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

The Scoop on Auto Europe’s Peugeot “Buy Back” Program

A friend who is planning a trip to France recently called to ask if I knew anything about Peugeot’s “Buy Back” program. I didn’t, but was intrigued, so I did a bit of research so I could help him with his travel arrangements. He called me yesterday from France to report that his Peugeot “Buy Back” experience went swimmingly, so I decided to pass the information on to the readers at EuropeUpClose.com.

Here’s the deal:
A Non- European Union citizen traveling to France for more than 17 days is eligible to purchase a brand new Peugeot, drive it during your vacation (as you would a rental car) and then sell the car back to the dealership.

If you are arriving at Charles de Gaulle airport, there is a Peugeot dealer nearby that will sell you one. Another option is to request to be picked up at the airport/train station/hotel to go to the nearest dealership.

What’s in it for the dealership? In France (as well as throughout Europe), there is a Value Added  Tax (VAT) that makes luxury purchases (like a car) very expensive…20% more expensive, to be exact. If dealerships sell cars that are “slightly-used,” it saves the new owner this 20% tax. Individuals who are not citizens of the European Union are not required to pay this tax, however. So, the Peugeot dealer sells you the car (without VAT) for at least 17 days, you sell it back, and then the dealership sells it to an E.U. citizen or to a rental company (with no VAT, thanks to the fact that it is pre-owned).

Price-wise, it is often less expensive to do this program than it is to rent a car. It is in the dealership’s best interest that the car is well taken care of while in the possession of its first owner, so they offer zero deductable insurance coverage and a 24-hour service hotline. In the best case scenario, everyone benefits from this program.

Positive aspects of the “Peugeot Buy Back” program:
•    You get to drive a brand new Peugeot
•    The car is fully insured (zero deductible) and you have 24/7 breakdown coverage in case anything goes wrong
•    You only have to be 18 to participate in the buy back program (versus most car rentals that require the primary driver to be at least 21)
•    You can pick up and drop off the car in different cities within France
•    You can return the car without filling up the gas tank

Other things to consider:
•    You need to have the car for at least 17 days
•    The car will usually come to you with very little fuel in it, so be sure to locate a gas station near the pick-up location
•    You will be charged extra for pick-up or drop-off outside of France

Sound good? Check it out at AutoEurope for more information.

Venice is one of those Europe destinations that nearly every tourist wants to head to, and usually I try to avoid these places – but Venice is special. My most recent trip to this beautiful city was just for a long weekend and I almost left without taking the obligatory Venice gondola trip.

No gondola ride in Venice? It’s a sin! Initially I thought I would try and skip what I saw as a tourist trap, but then as I walked alongside the canals of Venice and saw people floating along in shiny black gondolas I started to get jealous. That’s why I spent a Sunday morning down in front of Piazza San Marco asking around for prices. It was pretty early in the morning and few tourists were around, so a number of the gondoliers were standing around with nothing to do.

Prices varied dramatically at this time of day but eventually an entrepreneurial gondolier offered my friend and I a forty-five minute ride for 60 Euros, much less than half the price most of them were quoting. It was well worth it – one of those experiences you reminisce about later. Basically, I’d say if you want your Venice gondola ride, go for it. My Europe travel tip is to try to avoid peak tourist times and be prepared to haggle to get the lowest price.  But don’t miss out on one of the best things to do in Venice.

If you’re planning a trip to Venice,  use the price comparison search box below to find the best price for your accommodation in Venice.

Touristy Venice gondola trips still a must for me

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

Paris is a truly amazing European city.  I’ve collated tips of the best things to do in Paris, written by members of the Europe a la Carte blog team, to help you plan your Paris trip.  If you think that you’ll visit several Paris sightseeing attractions, you should look into buying a Paris Pass which includes admission to over 50 museums and monuments, a public transport travelcard, a Paris city tour and River Seine cruise.

Best Paris Views

Neha asserts that the view from Tower Montparnasse at dusk is one of the best Paris views.

View from Montparnasse tower over Paris by Neha Puntambeka

Kimberly thinks that the view from the Notre Dame towers over Paris, framed by the gargoyles which line the towers, is unrivalled.

View from Notre Dame over Paris by chuck624

Best Paris Walks

Thomas tells how he chanced upon a mile long nature trail walkway, along a section of the Petite Ceinture, a disused railway line near central Paris.

Petite Ceinture, Paris by boklm

I reviewed the Paris Movie Walks guidebook which details various routes along which you can visit locations used for film shoots in Paris.  If you’re a movie buff, you’ll love doing these walks.

Canal St-Martin, location from “Amelie” by hydraulix16aa

Best Paris Attractions

Neha enjoyed her walk around the cobblestoned paths of the Pere Lachaise Cemetery, a free Paris sightseeing attraction.  It’s the burial place of several well known figures such as Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde and the French singer, Edith Piaf.

The grave of Édith Piaf, Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris by Donna Rutherford

Best Paris Museums

Jeremy recommends visiting the Musee Rodin, where you can admire Rodin’s sculptures both inside and in the lovely garden.

Crouching Woman by Auguste Rodin in Rodin Museum garden, Paris by H Barrison

Amanda is a fan of the Musee d’Orsay, she thinks if you only have time to visit one Paris museum,  the Musee d’Orsay may be a better bet than the Louvre.

Musee d’Orsay by dalbera

Best Paris Cafes

Sian rates Cafe Marly, which lies at the edge of the Louvre courtyard, as her top Paris cafe.

Cafe Marly at the Louvre by wolfiewolf

Best Paris Pastries and Confectionery

Andy names his three favourite Parisian pastries shops.  Talk about sweet temptation.

Parisian pastries by Let Ideas Compete

Sian was enchanted by both the interior and the contents of the A la Mere de Famille confectionery shop, established in 1761.

A la Mere de Famille, Paris by Sian Meades

Best of Paris for Kids

Thomas has plenty of ideas for things to do with kids in Paris including Parc Asterix, Cirque de Paris and Parc de Buttes Chaumont.

Parc Asterix by blondetpatrice

I hope that this post has given you some ideas for great things to do in Paris and helped clarify which Paris sightseeing attractions will be on your itinerary.  You can find the best deals on hotels in Paris on the HotelsCombined price comparison site, which searches through more than 30 accommodation sites to find the lowest prices.

Your Tips

If you have any tips on great Paris sightseeing attractions and the best things to do in Paris, please leave a comment.

Nic Julian of Gap Daemon tells us that Montmartre is great for a walk if you stay away from the main street leading up to the Sacré-Cœur (full of tourists and thrift stores). Good view from Sacré-Cœur too, as you know.

The Tuileries and the Jardin du Luxembourg are also great if you want to get away from the busy streets of Paris and just enjoy a relaxing walk.

I could probably go on for a while, so many great places in Paris…

Best of Paris Travel Tips

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

I’m off to Malaga for one week at the end of September 2010.  I’m asking Europe a la Carte readers for tips on the best things to do in Malaga.  What are the best Malaga attractions, the best places to eat in Malaga, the best Malaga cafes with free wifi?  Please leave a comment and I’ll add the best Malaga travel tips to this post with a link to your site/blog.

Malaga cathedral by ainudil

I’ve only visited Malaga briefly a few years ago. We bypassed Malaga on Our Own Place in the Sun reccy visit to Spain in February 2009, when we came to the conclusion that it seemed better value and less hassle to rent a holiday apartment in Spain than buy our own.

Malagueta sand sculpture by Presley Jesus

I won a week’s stay at an apartment in Malaga in the GlobalCityBreak Facebook competition. In fact GlobalCityBreak are running another Facebook competition, (until 31 December 2010), where you can win a stay for 6 people, from 28 March to 4 April 2011, at a penthouse apartment in Malaga city centre.

View from my Malaga apartment by GlobalCityBreak

I’m really looking forward to some early Autumn Spanish sun, doing some Malaga sightseeing and staying in the same accommodation for a whole week.

Twitter Tips

@TravelBite told me about the Picasso Festival in Malaga which culminates on 25 October, a bit late for my visit but maybe I’ll catch start of festival during my last few days in Malaga.

You can follow my Malaga trip on Twitter with the hashtag #malagatrip.

Looking for Malaga travel tips

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

Marseille may only be the second largest city in France, but it is the oldest. It was the Greeks from an ancient town of Phocaea (Asia Minor) who in about 600 BC founded the city as a base for their maritime trade on the Mediterranean. And ever since, Marseille has played a prominent role in the cultural development not only of this part of France, Provence, but also the Mediterranean region more generally – so obviously reflected in the striking cosmopolitan feel of this great European city, from its architecture to its gastronomy, the mix of its inhabitants to the diversity of international visitors year-round.

And of course the city gave France her national anthem: there were a number of men from Marseille who marched with the revolutionaries from the Rhine to Paris in 1792, as a result the hymn of the Army of the Rhine was known as La Marseillaise.

Marseille has been selected as the Capital City of Culture for 2013, when it will almost certainly be one of the best places to visit in Europe. This may be a while off yet – but there is nothing like a bit of forward travel planning. Getting to Marseille is as easy now as ever: the city is served by both an International Airport as well as a large Train station, Paris-Marseille is only three hours via TGV.

Once in the city, there are many Marseille attractions on offer are far too numerous to mention. But, with some 22 museums, 17 theatres, an internationally renowned opera house and a stadium that seats 60,000 people, all offering an incredible variety of exhibitions, shows, concerts and events , the over-used saying ‘there is something for everyone’ might very well have been coined for this European city.

But if all this sounds a bit too daunting – especially on the pocket, my travel tip is to get yourself to the tourist office for a  Marseille City Pass, available for one or two days. Marseille is as good for people who live the high-life in luxury boutiques and hotels, but also for those travelling on a budget. The pass allows you freedom to see as many Marseille attraction as you want at your own pace, and includes museums and castles, the tourist trains, and reductions on a range of services.

The photographs in this post have been taken from the Marseille Flickr Group

If you’re planning a trip to this French city, find the lowest prices for Marseille hotels using the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

Marseille, European City of Culture 2013

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

The largest port in Europe, Rotterdam is situated on the banks of the river Nieuwe Maas. Due to its location, Rotterdam has become a commercial hub for petrochemical and shipping industries. So if you have seen the Rotterdam architecture and the windmills, its time to take the Spido Cruise trip to explore the harbour.

The Rotterdam harbour tour involves a 75 minute cruise through the port of Rotterdam and starts from the base of the Erasmus Bridge. The tour sheds light on the major activities taking place in the Rotterdam port including cargo handling and trans-shipment.

It involves a tour through the docks, giving a good view of the loading/unloading of containers. Therefore, it makes for a great learning activity for the kids too.

A normal Rotterdam harbour tour costs € 9,50 p.p for adults and €  5,80 p.p for children between 4-11 years of age. It is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with departures every 45 minutes or so (frequency decreases in the winters).

In case you want more, go for the extended tours or full day trips – these provide a complete rendezvous with the Rotterdam harbour mixed with some great food and entertainment.

Photo Credits – All photos by Orangesplaash

Rotterdam harbour tour: An insight into Europe’s largest port

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.