Archive for January, 2010

Buenos Aires in summer and winter

January 29th, 2010

How one describes a visitor’s impression of Buenos Aires depends greatly on what time of year you visit this bustling metropolis.

In January the sun shines brightly in the blue sky, the local kids break up from school for the summer holidays and the whole city takes on a different rhythm. Come here from January to March to avoid the cold European winter and party with the “Porteños” but be prepared to sweat; this is summer in Buenos Aires and its hot! This is a great time to enjoy the free and easy feel of a city on a summer break, with rooftop terrace parties by night, but a lot of your time here in summer during the day will be spent finding pleasant ways to escape the heat, so here are a few tips:

There is a very nice swimming pool at Parque Norte where you can spend the whole day dipping into different pools and using the facilities for a very modest entrance fee.

The Mar del Plata, 400 km from the city, is where the locals go to sunbathe and people watch in summer and, although it’s quite a trip, it’s worth it as this is where you will find some of the best beaches in South America.

Of course, Christmas and New Year’s are summer events in Argentina too which is a novelty. Like many European cultures, both of these dates are about being with family first and then partying into the small hours with friends. Fireworks are also an important feature of both celebrations.

Winter in Buenos Aires is a good time to indulge in the local food and drink culture; sipping on a coffee at the “La Puerto Rico” café on Adolfo Alsina street and enjoying its intellectual, studenty feel or really treating yourself to some “chocolate con churros” – hot chocolate and a sugary pastry. The most famous pastries in Buenos Aires are known as “Facturas” which literally means “bills”! You may see people wheeling carts full of steel flasks up and down the street – they are selling coffee and facturas for next to nothing – not to be missed!

Shopping is equally appealing in the summer as it is in the winter as you’ll be grateful for the heating or the air conditioning and not only the wonderful array of big brand name shops that you’ll find in any of the many shopping centres.

The MALBA Museum and the Evita Museum both come highly recommended too for the obligatory dose of local culture and history.

If you are looking for cheap accommodation in Buenos Aires you won’t be disappointed as there is plenty to choose from although establishments tend to fill up quickly in the summer months.

The Obelisk is one of the most central monuments in the city and you will find plenty of hostels in the centre of Buenos Aires  near to this sculpture which are a good, budget alternative to hotels and the ideal place to meet other young travellers and make sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun.

Choose which side of Buenos Aires you want to see: the cosy, indulgent and cultural face of winter or the hot, fun, exciting face of summer, and get planning the trip of a life time!

Salamanca – The Golden City

January 26th, 2010

Nestled between Madrid and the Portuguese border you will find the pretty city of Salamanca with its historical city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its bubbly personality thanks to a huge student population and its characteristic sandstone buildings which have earned it the nickname of “The Golden City”. Read on to find out why you should visit Salamanca and what to see and do when you are there…..

Salamanca is a city that is both quintessentially Spanish and refreshingly international. Here you will find some of Spain’s most spectacular Renaissance buildings, a beautiful old 12th Century Romanesque Cathedral and wonderful museums such as the Art Nouveau and Art Deco Museum Casa Lis as well as great number of foreign students who come to the University of Salamanca and many private language schools to study Spanish. Down winding old lanes, hidden away in ancient buildings you will find a great selection of bars, cafes, night clubs and restaurants where the city’s young population go about the serious business of having a good time.

Plaza mayor is by far Salamanca’s most treasured sight as it out does so many of Spain’s other central “Plazas” in terms of beauty and is best appreciated early in the morning before the crowds hit town or at night when it is all lit up, giving it an extra special magical feel.

This city was awarded the European title of Capital of Culture in 2002 and, as you might expect, offers many festivals and local celebrations throughout the year. One of the biggest public events takes place on the 12th of June in honour of San Juan de Sahagun, the city’s patron saint. The Feria de Salamanca in September is the tourist high season in this city as this major event attracts hoards of visitors to the streets of Salamanca to see the processions and take part in the drinking, eating and general partying that goes on for a full week, ironically in the name of religion! If you plan to visit the city during this period, book your accommodation way in advance to avoid disappointment.

One of the main things that makes Salamanca so attractive is its size; it is big enough to offer the sights and entertainment found in larger cities whilst maintaining the friendly, safe feel of a village. Come to Salamanca and discover its special charm for yourself.

Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart

January 18th, 2010

Salzburg is a surprisingly popular tourist destination which bustles all year round with a whole range of events and attractions. Apart from the city’s busy calendar of concerts and markets, some of the main highlights for tourists to Salzburg are its old fashioned charm, natural beauty and its history as the birthplace of Mozart. Its proximity to Vienna also makes it popular for a short city break. Here are my tips on things to do and things to avoid in this charming Austrian city:

Do….

Find some nice accommodation in Salzburg with decent rates and a central location so that you can save on the hotel and public transport and spend on eating out or visiting local attractions.

Try the local specialities such a good beer in one of the beer gardens and eat a delicious Mozartkugel (chocolate, nougat, marzipan and pistachio ball).

Visit the Grunmarkt (a market) which is on from Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 7 pm. This lovely market sells everything from sweets and pastries to locally grown agricultural products, including some fantastic cheeses.

Don’t…

I would advise that you steer clear of the obvious tourist traps though such as buying tacky Mozart related souvenirs or paying a fortune for a coffee in the most touristy bar in town and getting rude service to boot! Although a little embarrassing, a horse-drawn carriage ride through the cobbled streets of the old town is great fun!

There really is something to do every season in Salzburg: you can enjoy a hike in the nearby hills (featured in the musical – the sound of music) and enjoy open-air classical concerts in the warmer months and try your hand at skiing in the winter or luxuriate at one of the local thermal spas after a trip to a Christmas market.

Salzburg has obvious potential to attract tourists and you can’t blame the locals for exploiting its charm a little. With beautiful Baroque architecture, Disney-like church spires, an elaborate cake culture and a past steeped in classical music…Salzburg is a feast for the senses. Be warned though that there is a fine line between tacky and classy which is often blurred in Salzburg but you’ll be surprised how quickly you get used to it and how much fun it can be.

Bread & Butter Berlin 2010

January 8th, 2010

Bread & Butter Berlin 2010 runs from 20th to 22nd January 2010, showcasing the latest streetwear and urbanwear. If you’re in the fashion industry and want to offer your clients the latest in urban and street fashion, Bread & Butter Berlin 2010 is an unmissable event. If you’re heading for Bread & Butter 2010, why not check out for a budget Berlin hotels? Choose from a wide range of budget Berlin hotels, hostels, apartments and bed & breakfasts close to Tempelhof Airport. This historic Berlin airport is the location for Bread & Butter Berlin 2010, and is a major Berlin tourist attraction. See the latest in cutting edge urban fashion at Bread & Butter 2010, and make great savings on Berlin accommodation.

GSMA World Congress 2010 in Barcelona

January 8th, 2010

The GSMA World Congress 2010 will be held at Barcelona’s Fira de Montjuic exhibition centre from 15-18th February 2010. Thousands of industry professionals, plus hundreds of manufacturers, operators and mobile phone industry gurus will be getting together in Barcelona. Now is the right time to find budget hotels close to the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2010, the former 3GSM Barcelona.
Have you seen this large selection of budget hotels, hostels, apartments and bed & breakfasts for the Mobile World Congress 2010 in Barcelona? Book now, and avoid the hassle of looking for a place to stay. Get budget accommodation online for the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2010 in Barcelona.  Save on time and energy, so you can focus on the innovations and new business opportunities at the GSMA Mobile World Congress.

Carnival in Venice 2010

January 8th, 2010

The Carnival in Venice 2010 – “Sensation” will be celebrated between February 6 and 16 this year. During Venice’s Carnival 2010, the whole city will gussy up for the party, with lively music, typical Venetian masks and colourful festivities.
By staying in one budget hotels, apartments and B&Bs, you can experience Venice’s 2010 Carnival you can find the best quality accommodation at a budget price without hassle in the centre of Venice. Historically, in the XVII century, the noble Venetians donned masks in order to mix and mingle with the merry-making peasants. Today’s carnival program includes everything from the famous Vol dell’ Angelo to street theatre, with festivities for children and nightly concerts and also the compagnie della calzada. A fabulous party which you can attend on the cheap with budget hotels thanks to this large selection of budget hotels, apartments and B&B’s for Carnival Venice 2010.

Berlinale 2010: international film festival in Berlin

January 8th, 2010

The international film festival in Berlin will screen the best films of the year February 11-21, 2010 in Berlin. If you are thinking about making the pilgrimage to this mecca of celluloid, you will surely be on the look out for the best quality budget accommodation for the Berlinale 2010 film fest. Check out this selection of budget hotels, hostels, apartments and bed and breakfasts close to the silver screens of Berlinale 2010. Every year, thousands of film professionals and many film-goers take over Berlin to see the projections of the Berlinale, so make sure you reserve your tickets and get your budget accommodation some time in advance.
The best budget hotels, hostels, apartments, B&B’s for the Berlinale 2010 on this selection would take home the Golden Bear award for the best selection of budget accommodation.

Stockholm – city of the future

January 8th, 2010

The beautiful capital of Sweden is a network of islands connected by bridges, creating a calm, peaceful atmosphere thanks to the constant presence of the water on the horizon. Many are the reasons to visit Stockholm, but what comes to most people’s minds when they think of this city is the sheer freshness, cleanliness and healthy atmosphere which characterise it. But Stockholm doesn’t just have nature to offer, it is also a highly sophisticated city with an efficient public transport network and a wide variety of world-class art galleries and museums.

Stockholm is ideal for a short getaway as most of the places of interest to tourists can be reached on foot, so you can get a taste for a lot of what the city has to offer in just one day. The historic centre, Gamla Stan is by far the most popular tourist attraction thanks to its stunning medieval buildings, winding streets and intriguing galleries, boutiques and cafes. It is possible to find cheap accommodation in Gamla Stan and it makes a great base from which to explore the rest of the city. Towering over this tiny island you will find the Royal Palace which is also well worth a visit.

In a lot of ways, travelling to Stockholm feels a little like travelling to the future; a place where extremely trendy people enjoy a healthy life style of good food, fresh air, cutting edge cultural venues and a generally very efficiently run society. Immigration is always growing in Stockholm (for obvious reasons) and this gives modern Stockholm a surprisingly cosmopolitan feel too, making it all the more interesting and easy for foreigners to visit. Most Swedish people speak fabulous English, so there is no language barrier as such, and if you are struggling to understand sign posts in the street, just stop one of the notoriously polite locals and ask for a little help. Budget hotels in Stockholm are surprisingly easy to come by, which is a relief as, if there is one thing that Stockholm is not – its cheap!

Visit Stockholm for some inspiration from the Swedish on how to live the good life!

Venice – Queen of the Adriatic

January 6th, 2010

If there is one European city that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime, it’s Venice. Many cities have been described as “an open-air museum”, but Venice is exactly that; it has more historic and artistic monuments crammed into its relatively small historic city centre than any other city and is just so stunningly beautiful that you can’t help but feel inspired and romantic as you explore its labyrinth of water-side lanes and pretty squares. Although touristy all year round, Venice maintains its original charm and character; don’t expect to come here and see nothing more than decaying palaces and the remnants of a more glamorous past, Venice has, in its way, moved with the times, bringing modern art into its most ancient galleries and keeping the older industries of glass making and shoe making up to speed with modern tastes. There truly is no other city in the world like Venice and memories of your visit to this magical place will stay with you forever.
Venice is a popular tourist destination all year round although budget accommodation in Venice tends to be more readily available in the winter, but be warned – it is freezing! Cheap B&B’s in Venice are a good option as they tend to be smaller, less expensive establishments run by locals and with breakfast included in the price of your stay; when you have seen the prices of a cup of coffee at the local bar you will see why this is so important!
There is a fair amount to see and do in this city considering its size, but here are some of my personal favourites:
1) A visit to the Rialto Market is a real treat for the senses. They sell everything from food to clothing and is considered one of the best street markets in the world.
2) Although expensive, a good Italian coffee on Piazza San Marco is a delightful experience. Try to go at a time when the crowds are elsewhere (very early morning or late evening) so that you can actually appreciate the view.
3) The Peggy Guggenheim Museum makes a great day out if you like modern art. It’s worth timing your visit to coincide with one of the talks on Peggy Guggenheim too as she had a rather interesting life and it’ll help you to understand the museum and art better.
4) Visit the islands of Burano and Murano. Burano is famous for its attractive, colourful houses and Murano is the place to see how that famous Murano glass is made.
5) And finally, just wander! Enjoy getting lost and taking in all the little details, like the gargoyles looking down at you from every street corner, the old lady looking out from here window, the smaller boutiques and the lesser known monuments.

Visit Venice at least once and you’ll most probably return for more!