Life in Europe

Europe’s Busiest Ferry Service gets even better

admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:29:08 +0000

Europe has a huge travel infrastructure with millions of miles of first class motorways as well as being cris crossed with train routes and more than one thousand regional airports but the oldest method of long distance travel , by boat still refuses to wither and die.

Even today the busy trade routes of old are still flourishing in the modern world, recessions may come and go but people still need to move from place to place and if it’s over water then boats are best. One of the busiest cross country routes in the world is still the ferry to France and back from Dover in England. In the height of the summer there are more than twenty journeys each and every day.

For more than 50 years now there has been a ferry service between the UK and France along this route and with the introduction of the hovercraft service and more latterly the super-fast Sea Cat there is plenty of options of Calais ferry for passengers to choose from.

Calais on the French side was pretty much wiped out by heavy shelling during the second world war and so has little left dating back to the 1800’s but you should defiantly make time to visit the exquisite Hôtel Meurice de Calais (1771) and try the fish soup for the most authentic dish in town..

Today’s Ferries are a cut above the metal boxes that gave the industry such a bad name in the seventies and eighties with first class shopping option , luxury lounges and celebrity chef endorsed restaurants. If you are looking for a day out with a difference I strongly suggest you look at taking the ferry, only don’t forget your passport !

Where To Go In Europe This Winter

admin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:51:17 +0000

Europe is truly a year round destination – offering something to intrigue and excite throughout the seasons.

Whatever you are looking for from a winter break then the continent of Europe is likely to be able to accommodate, with great city break, superb skiing and even a good smattering of winter sun.

Great Winter City Breaks in Europe

Winter is a great time to explore the cities of Europe; with the cold weather bringing a breath of fresh air to areas that can seem crowded and claustrophobic in the high season. Some great choices of city breaks for the winter months include:

Edinburgh – the Scottish capital is a city built for bad weather. The Scots understand the need for cities that serve in all seasons and Edinburgh is a great example. With the festival crowds long gone, the city is transformed. Wander the stunning stone streets, or head to Arthur’s seat to survey your surrounds. Explore the Castle and walk the Royal Mile – before warming up somewhere with the traditional wee dram of whisky. Be warned that New Year or “Hogmanay” is one of Edinburgh’s busiest with street parties and fireworks proving very popular.
Cologne – Head here in the winter to enjoy the amazing Christmas Markets – perfect to get you in the mood for the festive season. The city has seven separate specialist venues for seasonal shopping, with the one by the cathedral generally considered superior.

Winter Sports Breaks in Europe

Europe offers a great selection of destinations for skiing and snowboarding, attracting visitors from across the globe looking for a truly authentic experience. Some spots to consider are:

Courchevel – with its 600km of dedicated ski and snowboard runs to suit all levels and abilities, Courchevel in the French Alps is hard to beat. If you are flying into France car hire can be a great way to access the mountains and retain independence – just ensure your vehicle is fitted with the necessary snow tyres or chains before heading up to altitude.
Aviemore – The Scottish Highlands are not often considered by skiers from out of the area, however they offer an exciting alternative to other European resorts. Ski and snowboard on Cairngorm mountain, spot reindeer on the mountains or take a day out from activity to tour a local distillery or even go monster-hunting at nearby Loch Ness.

Winter Sun in Europe

Despite its northern hemisphere location, it is possible to find winter sun in Europe. Suggested spots to seek out a little winter warmth include:

Canary Islands – This Spanish outpost is nearer to Africa than mainland Europe and as such enjoys a stunning off-season climate. The three main islands of Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura each has a distinct personality offering something to suit all types of traveller.
Madeira – This Portuguese island outpost also benefits from lying at the extreme southern reaches of Europe. Great food, great welcome and stunning winter climate make this a popular choice with warm-blooded travellers.

What Is Europe Best For?

admin — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 14:46:30 +0000

Europe is a prime destination for many, and if you’re heading to this area then you’re in for a treat. With so much to do in such a compact area you can easily visit multiple locations and countries in one trip. Famous landmarks such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Eiffel Tower and London’s Big Ben are just a few of the top attractions that Europe has to offer. And whether you’re looking for city shopping, cultural variety of simply lying on the beach, Europe has it all.

1. Shop

One of the best things to do in Europe is shop. With so many fantastic countries you’ll find a great range of options, and will be able to return home with bags full of goodies. In Britain, if you love brands such as Littlewoods and Next, you’ll find great shopping on London’s Oxford Street and in Edinburgh’s city centre. The Haute Couture capital of the world, Paris, is also a fantastic place to find fashion, whilst exploring the Greek market of Monastiraki will offer multiple flea market bargains.

2. Indulge in the Beach

Many European countries are graced with a Mediterranean coastline, and you should take the opportunity to enjoy this tide-less sea. Pristine beaches, warm waters and soft surf are ideal for beach getaways, with Spain’s Costa Brava being particularly popular. In the South of France, Nice and Cannes are also ideal for beach holidays, whilst heading to a Greek island such as Crete or Mykonos will offer beautiful shores to spend all day exploring.

3. Discover History

Europe is overflowing with relics from the past and if you’re a history buff you’ll be enthralled in everything that’s on offer. In Greece some of the world’s oldest and most sacred temples can be found, with Athens home to the Acropolis. This site dates back to 650 B.C and is said to be where the goddess of Athena worshipped. In Rome you’ll discover some of the worlds most renowned pieces of art in addition to the Coliseum; a grand building where gladiators once fought. Meanwhile, London holds its own in historical sights, with the Tower of London, Westminster Cathedral and Hampton Court all stunning attractions to explore.

4. Enjoy Cuisine

With a vast range of countries all nestled together it is no surprise that you’ll be able to find huge variety in cuisine. Travel to Italy for pastas, pizzas, coffee like you’ve never had before, and the soft taste of gelato. In France you’ll be able to indulge in snails and frogs legs whilst, if crossing the border into Belgium, you must experience the nation’s mussel pots. And with paella in Spain, goat’s cheese salads in Greece, and London’s traditional ales and pub lunches, foodies will be delighted.

5. Explore Eastern Europe

Europe is no longer confined to the traditional spots of Spain, France, Italy or Germany, and Eastern Europe is fast becoming a very popular holiday spot for many. Estonia’s capital of Tallinn has won the accolade of being one of Europe’s most cultural cities, and has lots of attractions and architecture to explore. Romania meanwhile offers a step back in time as trips outside Bucharest will find rural villages and horse drawn carts commonplace.

Top Destinations In Europe

admin — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:01:51 +0000

Europe is a great place to travel too, especially if you want to try and see several locations in one trip. With so many nations clustered together you can easily find a range of iconic cultures and famed landmarks within relatively easy travel distance of each other. And with a variety of landscapes and weather to enjoy in addition, a European holiday can be as diverse as you want.

If you want a family holiday, then some of the best places to go are Spanish or Portuguese resorts. Spain, in addition to the great resort areas of Alicante, has a plethora of islands to explore, and holidays in Majorca are particularly good for families. Here, you not only get the luxury feel of holidaying on an island but services are well developed so that you won’t be in need of anything whether you’re travelling with older teenagers or small infants. There are a great range of beaches and coastal towns to explore if you want to a relaxing and stress free holiday whilst, if you’re into more active getaways, sea kayaking, wind surfing and rock climbing are all available. Portugal’s Algarve meanwhile is a thriving family retreat, offering some of the nations’ most beautiful coastlines in addition to very well serviced resorts.

For city retreats there is a wealth of options, and London, Paris, Rome, Florence and Amsterdam are all fantastic locations. A combination holiday is easy to do between Paris and London, with the Eurostar allowing you to easily nip between The Louvre and Eiffel Tower and England’s iconic Tower of London, Big Ben and red double decker buses. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for stunning works of art including murals, sculpture and architecture then the Italian cities of Florence and Rome are sights to be seen. Once capital of the world, Rome boasts some of the world’s greatest arts pieces and mixes the quintessential Italian culture with the common sight of nuns and priests wandering through the street. Florence meanwhile truly has breathtaking architecture hidden around every corner, and is a glorious city to explore. And if you like the romance of cycling through cobbled streets and enjoying wondrous canals, then The Netherland’s Amsterdam is the perfect place to visit.

Eastern Europe is also quickly becoming a very attractive place to explore, and for families or groups of friends, Turkey’s Antayla and Dalyan are some of the best coastal regions to visit. These thriving resorts offer all the services that holidaymakers require, in addition to having gorgeous beaches and a great climate to enjoy. Meanwhile, the Estonian capital of Tallinn has won the accolade of the European City of Culture, resulting in it being a popular destination for those wanting to explore Europe’s lesser travelled eastern fringes. Poland’s Warsaw is a great place for a mix of culture by day and partying by night, whilst Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania are also quickly becoming the latest hotspots for travellers to enjoy. With Europe boasting an incredible array of top cities, rural towns, and exciting activities, you’ll find yourself enjoying the European Union for many years to come.

Europe Car Hiring is so easy NOW!

admin — Wed, 25 May 2011 11:26:22 +0000

In Europe Car hiring is used very less as most people either travel by subway or bus. Some do have their cars even. But when their large families come in vacations from foreign countries than rent a car becomes common.

Europe Car Hire is working at their best to rent a car on cheap rates. This can be seen by you if you look up for other rental car services and prices for hiring a car/van for any purpose. Not only this, but also they have different car types for every family. They have a minivan for small families. Also they have economy bus and other types of vehicles to transport housing items.

these cabs can get from airports even. They are termed as “radio cabs”. There has been different car hiring services provided around Europe. These stations in Europe are in Amsterdam, Berlin, Frankfurt and other areas of Europe. These stations further have car hiring companies in their surroundings.

To save your time and money one should get a rental car as they are cheap in foreign countries like Europe. It is also feasible for a big family who needs two cars for them. Buying two cars they should hire a van instead to take those families on a tour.

To visit their site log on to

car hire Europe
Europe airports

Florence

admin — Thu, 19 May 2011 10:17:06 +0000

In 1865 Florence was the Capital of Italy, the local wily Florentines realised that whilst Florence was still the talk of Europe following the renaissance people were fickle and its popularity was on the wane.

In a bid to modernise the city large areas were raised to the ground , many road were rearranged , historic quarters were destroyed and some of the medieval walls were torn down. The update is evident today and these same broad avenues crazy Italian drivers zipping around in an endless traffic flow. The music of Italy is not Vivaldi in Florence , it’s the hock of horns and the squeak of tyres as daredevil Florentines dart back and forth in search a quicker way to get where they are going. To add to the confusion pedestions take their lives in the hands crossing everywhere and fearless motorini (moped) riders flit around the larger cars and lorries as if protected by a strange divine force.

Florence today remains a busy business and tourist center. I always think the best way to approach this beautiful town is from the south on the road from Siena. The city magically appears through the trees and bursts in view. Only those with the hardest of hearts can not be failed to be moved by this first glimpse of The Bell tower , The Basilica di Santa Croce and Brunelleschi’s dome.

If you do intend to spend time in Tuscany stay away from the busy ( and expensive ) town center hotels and find yourself one of the many cheap apartments in Florence. Make sure you get a parking space and take your time to explore not only the city but the splendours of Siena, San Gimignano Lucca and Pisa.

Take time to immerse yourself into the local culture and sit down to a simple Tuscan meal of the local tomato stew or prime steak in a small family-run trattoria. If you can afford to slash out there are some great Michelin stared gourmet restaurants or stylish designer eateries. If wine is your passion make sure you enjoy the odd glass of Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Montalcino’s Brunello. Bella…

VIVACIOUS AMSTERDAM

admin — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:47:05 +0000

What is the word which comes to one’s mind when we talk about a city with nightclubs, cafés, music, theater, art and rich cultural heritage? It is Amsterdam, the capital city of Netherlands having a laid-back atmosphere which blends remarkably in its cosmopolitan style, having over 174 different cultures. It is one of the top three most diverse cities in the world. People of the city speak fluent English, which makes communication much easier. The city houses around 7,000 monumental structures and has the rich wealth of the most acclaimed art work in comparison to any other city in the world. The city of Amsterdam throws open various things of city to enjoy for every tourist from its rich jazz music to drenched nightlife to roadside cafés to world famous diamond factories and this is also a reason for over a 3.5 million visitors coming to the city every year.

THE SCENIC WONDERS

As Netherlands is known for its scenic beauty with stretches of tulips along with windmills driving along. The country has some of the most beautiful fishing villages of Volendam and Marken, which till date houses the original Dutch houses. Spring time creates an awe feel for any visitors with billions of blooming flowers all across. The Keukenhof, is also known as the world’s most photographed location. The city has an extraordinary public transport system which is planned in such a way that most of the beautiful sights are within walking distance of each other. The canal system also adds on to the transport and the beautiful sightseeing. Car rentals are available in every part of the city or you can just take a car rental from the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Car Rental Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

CLIMATE

The weather change is very unpredictable in Amsterdam; one might have to pull out a winter wear in the peak summer times. The weather has similarities to that of Irish and British climate however it also has the sudden temperature extremes. There coldest months are from December – March. To experience the climate just take a car rental like most of the tourists. Go to Car Rental Netherland

YOUR HOLIDAY TO AUSTRIA

admin — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:44:24 +0000

A nation too much enclosed by anchor harbor a hoi polloi embrace of 8.3 million folks situated repercussion the core of Europe, Austria. It has a publican of differential European countries in that its neighbor. The whole area spans about 83,872km2 of area. 91.1% people of the unreduced folk are Austrians hide the individual includes the variant Europeans besides a limited accrual is again qt. undeniable became a archetype of EU in that without reservation thanks to UN repercussion the tempo 1995 besides adopted the currency euro a pair of senility near. Real is unparalleled of the wealthiest countries of the system besides significance 2010 corporeal ranked 5th monopoly the World’s HDI.

THE CLIMATE IN THE COUNTRY

The key areas of Austria are check repercussion the bitter climate constituent moment which steaming westerly winds outweigh. Further than 50% of Austria is subjugated by the Alps Mountains, the high weather mystique is the one shot that prevails. Prestige the east—in the Pannonian unvaried also along the Danube valley—the weather singularity exhibits continental nature mask not exceptionally lavish than the grand regions. Albeit Austria is blasting pull the colder months (-10 – 0 °C), the temperatures imprint summers are quite better, hole up detestable temperatures staying between 20-25°C besides record temperatures string the band of 30°C or extreme. Shot over the tops car occupy. Find out about Austria Car Hire

THE CAPITAL – VIENNA

One of just the nine Austrian states and also the capital of the Republic of Austria is known as Vienna. It is the principal of the Austrian states with an estimated 1.7 million people inhabiting the area. It is the main center for a number of things in Austria like cultrue, politics and commerce. The total area of the city is 414.89 km2. Another attribute regarding the population is its density which is 4,128.6/km2. Its time zone is CET (UTC+1). Its lowest and highest elevation points are at 495–1,778 ft respectively. Hire a car and enjoy your travels in the capital. Go for Car Hire Vienna Airport

Cruise Deals to Europe and the Mediterranean

admin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:52:33 +0000

The sinking economy has a large impact on anyone (Americans) thinking about going to Europe on vacation. Thankfully the Cruise lines are well aware of what is going on with our economy and are offering significant savings and value for cruises ranging from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia. Regular cruisers already understand the savings involved and may want to move on to the bottom of the article where the top deals to Europe are listed. If you are new to cruising, it is important to remember that the price includes all of your meals, your cabin, activities on the ship and in many instances, onboard credit.

These cruises are appropriate for everyone – families, friends and couples. Of course the larger cruise lines will have the largest variety of folks, the smaller and sometimes, more expensive cruises tend to be geared for adults.

Cruise itineraries through Europe, Destination information and Current Deals:
Beginning from the North moving South:
If you want to see spectacular scenery, majestic Fjords and old European towns, then Scandinavian Cruises are the way to go. There are varying itineraries, but for the most part if you are departing from Norway, you will cruise through the Fjords cross the Arctic Circle to Kirkenes, an outpost near the Russian border. This is a cruise focused on scenery, wildlife and Viking towns. Finland is a popular spot and quite a unique surprise for Americans.
Finland has been called “Finwacky” because of the Finnish sense of humor and pastimes. Even if you are visiting the city for just one summer day during a cruise ship port of call, you can check your inhibitions at the dock and get a little Finnwacky, whether you fancy spinning around upside down on a ride at Linnanmaki Amusement Park, lunching at an antique prison turned modern-day hotel or careening through the city to your own rendition of “My Way” in a Karaoke Taxi.

Right now you can enjoy 7 exciting nights experiencing the “Finwacky” culture for yourself starting at $1249 for your very own balcony. Look out into the Mediterranean Sea as you make stops in Copenhagen, Oslo and so much more! Bring the family along and have kids, 17 & under sail free. The sailing is in June, so you may want to pack a little light.

The next set of itineraries is for the Western Mediterranean:
The Western Mediterranean offers arts and culture, surf and sand, cafe hopping and boutique shopping, a variety of sights, attractions and activities.

Itineraries that sail the Western Mediterranean typically emphasize ports of call in Spain, France and Italy (with a few interesting detours along the way). These could also include stops in Portugal (primarily Lisbon though Oporto is occasionally featured), Morocco (Casablanca and Tangier), Monte Carlo, Malta and Croatia (Dubrovnik, most commonly). The actual ports of call vary and could include everything from France’s very chic Villefranche to Italy’s open-air museum of Florence.

Some of these fabulous cruises start at just $999 in a Balcony. The cruise is for 7 nights and has a free upgrade from a balcony stateroom to a balcony superior.

Some Great Deals to the Eastern Mediterranean
Moving east some memorable locations for your cruising experience come in the way of the Greek Isles, Turkey and the Croation Coasts. Because the summer months are in close proximity to us here in the America’s, June is the best time to go. Sailings in June to explore the Eastern Mediterranean start at just $1399 for a balcony stateroom or you can leave a month earlier in May and pay just $1299 for the same balcony. Imagine waking up to the sites of places like Venice and the Greek Islands.

Alternatively, if you decide that exploring Turkish treasures and the Croation Coasts is something that you would find more enjoyable, you can find some great deals starting at $1119 for a 7 night trip.

To view these European cruise deals, click here

There are updated European cruise deals updated daily by clicking here.

Armageddon – The Final Countdown

admin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:52:32 +0000

Clips from the movie “Armageddon” mixed to the music of “Europe – The Final Countdown” (it starts out a little slow, but it’s worth the wait)