Berlin has been a popular tourist destination for years and attracts people of all ages – for both the vast historical relevance and abundance of important museums to its culture and vibrant streets. Continue reading Berlin: Europe’s Greatest City?
Category Archives: Europe
Rijeka – A Beautiful Croatian City At Night
Are you wondering what tourist destination to visit in Europe? Consider Rijeka, a vibrant city nestled in the heart of Croatia. Let’s examine Rijeka’s vast offering in more intricate detail.
About Rijeka
Rijeka is an interesting prospect for anyone interested in a sightseeing tour of the city’s rich history. Its port-city status aside, you can schedule a tour of the surrounding area, where you can interact with the city’s people and learn about the city’s tag of an industrial hub. Guides are always on hand to walk you through the city’s vast alleyways, where you can get an in-depth understating of the rise and fall of industrial activities, the local culture, and the hope the city’s people hold. That way, you will get an up-close dose of Croatian hospitality.
For anyone relishing a dip, you can take a scuba dive where interestingly, you can enjoy a boat ride on your way to a dive at sea, or even start your dive from the shore. The latter alternative would be a more ideal explorative approach to scuba diving in Rijeka. The diving centers are resplendent; professionally managed by personable staff who are also well-versed in different languages. For the adventuresome who have never tried diving, this would be the ideal opportunity to learn easily. The area is teeming with sea life and what better way to see the microorganisms, or even to photograph them than on a dive?
Why choose Rijeka?
Besides, a visit to Rijeka would not be complete without a trip to the city’s museums. For instance, the historical museums such as the Governors Palace attest to Croatia’s heritage and leadership. Its proximity to a large park means you can thereafter take a stroll and wind down, as you reflect on your tour. The city’s art museums provide an intriguing collection of curated artifacts that are “a must see” for art loves. Moreover, the city’s landmarks such as Trsat castle, historical sites, and ancient ruins are a major draw to Rijeka.
Getting Around
With all these sites in mind, the lingering question on any tourist’s mind would be how to navigate your way around Rijeka. Your choice of transport can largely influence the number of sites you can visit, as well as your overall experience.
Since the prices are low and simillar to public transportation, many tourist decide to rent a car in Rijeka. Rijeka is a vast city, with lots of attractions. A car rental service would rid you off the hassle and inconvenience of having to wait on a bus or tram. This would ensure that you make the most of your time on your trip, and even visit more attractions thereby leading to a more enjoyable experience.
Moreover, buses may also not access the specific areas you intend to visit. A bus service may also run at an inconvenient time. Rather than cutting your trip short and getting cranky, or contending with a long walk to a tourist site, simple hire a car. It will rid you of the unease, while getting you around at your convenience.
Hiring a car is not only reliable, but is also pocket friendly. As compared to public transportation, it is not a steep option, pricewise. Some car hire service may only be marginally expensive, but hey, a couple of Euros more for a reliable service are well-worth it. Renting a car means you can engage in the activities that drew you to Rijeka- sightseeing, the sumptuous delicacies, the people, historical artifacts, a boat ride etc.
Final words
Ultimately, your visit to Rijeka is bound to be a standout experience. If you’ve ever wondered what top-rated destinations to visit in Europe, Rijeka should be on your list. Give it a shot, and you will realize the jewel that the city really is.
Top 5 Croatian Islands You Should Visit
Croatia is a country of a thousand islands; known for their beautiful landscapes, unspoiled nature, pebble beaches and olive groves, these gems of nature are visited every year by tens of thousands of tourists. But, since there are so many of them, which one to visit, you might ask yourself. To help you with that dilemma, we offer you a list of the five Croatian islands we consider the most interesting.
And here are the top 5 Croatian islands you should visit:
1. Vis
Once a Yugoslav military naval base, Vis is now a perfect oasis of peace and quiet for those seeking to escape the urban frenzy and crowds often present in larger Croatian tourist towns. Besides being a place of exquisite natural beauty and clean rocky beaches, Vis will enchant you with its warm locals (who’ll be happy to teach you catch and prepare fish), taverns (the island is known for its winemaking tradition and seafood delicacies) and fauna, as the island is covered with vineyards, palm, pine, olive and oleander trees. It’s also a perfect destination for couples who want to enjoy the intimacy of long romantic walks and hidden bays.
2. Pag
The island of Pag is the center of Croatian tourist nightlife as it is dotted with beach bars and nightclubs with 24-hour licenses, meaning that the party – literally – never ends. The beach parties at Papaya, Aquarius, Kalypso and other Pag clubs often host well-known international DJs and the island became the place-to-be for teenage and generally younger, party-eager visitors. But even if you don’t consider yourself a party animal, Pag will amaze you with its barren interior (often compared to the surface of the Moon!), famous sheep cheese and lamb delicacies as well as the traditional folklore songs and costumes.
3. Losinj
Located in Kvarner, the northern region of the Adriatic, Losinj belongs to an archipelago that consists of more than 30 islands and islets and is considered to be one of the most visually attractive archipelagos in the Mediterranean. It’s almost a classic-Caribbean type of scenery; the sky is sunny and cloudless, the sea is deep and green and the island is heavily forested, an attribute in which the people of Losinj take great pride. In fact, there are even tours such as the Aromatic Island Garden designed to show visitors the richness of the island’s flora and fauna. As all the settlements are small towns with a blend of Venetian and Greek influences, Losinj is an ideal place for a rejuvenating, heart-soothing holiday.
4. Hvar
The island of Hvar is located between Korcula, Brac, and Vis; it is unique because of its large fertile coastal plain, fresh water springs and many pine forests, vineyards, and olive groves. The island has been inhabited for thousands of years and has always been in the center of sailing routes of the Adriatic Sea, which turned it into an important focal point of naval trade in the past. The ancient Greeks founded a colony at the island, somewhere around 4th century BC. The site is today known as Stari Grad and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, it’s a famous tourist island attracting a large number of people every summer, but historically it was a place of culture and arts, and, curiously, the place of one the first public theaters in Europe.
5. Korcula
Korcula lies near the Dalmatian coast in the south Adriatic and, with over sixteen thousand inhabitants, is the second most populous island in the Adriatic. The main settlements are the tourist towns of Korcula, Blato and Vela Luka, with several smaller villages. The island owes its tourist popularity to the warm and clean Adriatic and the mild Mediterranean climate and is mostly covered with pine forests. It’s the alleged birthplace of the famous adventurer Marco Polo and, according to legend, the first settlement on the island was founded by the Trojan hero, Atenor in the 12th century BC. Ferries connect the island with the cities on the Croatian coast, but there are direct ferries to Italian ports as well.
28 countries, 28 dishes – Europe’s top food picks [Infographic]
Europe is renown for its cultural and exquisite food providing those unique tastes that you can only find abroad – so what happens if you were given the opportunity to try only one diverse dish from each of the European countries?
The following infographic from countries-28-dishes Hotels4U poses that such scenario and helps decide for us which one dish we should be trying. Some of them will be well-known, such as paella from Spain, whilst others you may never knew existed. The handy guide even provides some helpful insights into the sort of calories and ingredients you would typically expect from each of the dishes too, which are super useful for anyone concerned about travelling with allergies or trying to watch their figure.
Which of the mentioned dishes have you already tried and which are you most looking forward to trying out?
28 countries, 28 dishes – Europe’s top food picks!
Splendor of Scandavian city: Stockholm
From enticing Absolut Vodka to the rocking Swedish House Mafia, this country has given many amazing things to the whole world. Its beautiful cities are conferring magnificent sites, panoramic views and exceptionally great stories about its history and culture. Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There are few things about the city where you should definitely go and try things out.
Taking the tour of Djurgården Island
The Djurgården Island is one of the hottest tourist destinations. The island is situated in the middle of the city and is famous for its greenery all over the place. It will be a heavenly abode to those who have a special corner for nature in their heart.
Get a ride of amazing Viking ship
Grona Lund amusement park is the best way to have fun with family, especially to those who have little kids with them. The park will be depicting a perfect picture of Scandavian culture. Moreover in this park you can also find the ride of Viking ship which is very rare.
Travel into the lane of glorious history
The ones who enjoy history, this city will be their paradise. It is an abode to many museums like ABBA museum, Vasa museum. The latter was forged after a famous Ship Vasa which sailed from Stockholm in 1628 and sank. Later on after 300 years the ship was discovered and was restored back in the place where you all can see now.
Take a look at the changing of guard’s ceremony
Royal guards are the part of Swedish Armed Forces. The ceremony takes place in front of the residence of King of Sweden. Altogether 30,000 guards participate and perform it within the time period of 40 minutes.
Dazzling nightlife
The city is not only a paradise for nature and arts lover but also bliss for those who are party animals and love gambling. There is a casino in the city which entertains people with various games like blackjack, baccarat, jackpot slot games, roulette etc.
Not to forget the favourite Scandavian activity: ice skating!
This one is especially for those who are visiting this magical place during winters. Kungsträdgården Park offers one of the best and most amazing sites for ice skating to its people. The best part about ice skating is that it is absolutely free!
With the fascinating stories of the valiant Vikings, Stockholm has much more to proffer the world as well as its people. Enjoy your trip to this magnificent land.
Essential Travel Tips For Enjoying Croatia On A Budget
Gone are the days when vacations were a reserve of the well off. Nowadays, most people including young teenagers can afford to save for a vacation at least once a year. This is probably due to the fact that most people around the world have embraced tourism prompting the hospitality and travel industry to lower their costs a little. Though, this doesn’t mean that anything you do during your vacation is cheap. In fact, without proper planning, you could spend a fortune that you will never recover and you’ll regret using forever. Below are useful hacks that will let you enjoy your Croatian vacation on a budget.
1. Arrange for private accommodation
Accommodation is usually the most challenging part of any vacation. Finding a perfect place to stay usually takes a very long time especially for first time visitors and those without social connections. As a matter of fact, if you are not careful enough, you could spend an unnecessarily huge amount on this. Apparently, Croatia has quite a number of very affordable accommodation plans with private accommodation topping the list. Renting a room or home from a family will be of great help to you in terms of saving on the money that you would have incurred in expensive hotels. Ironically, you will not be limited in terms of space and you can as well choose to make your own meals here.
2. Make your vacation a little longer
Rather than taking two different vacations to enjoy Croatia fully, turning them into one long vacation is a genius idea. Most owners of hotels and private accommodation in Croatia usually drop the price of accommodation the longer you stay. This is due to the fact that the cost of maintenance and repairs is usually reduced when you stay longer. Staying for at least 4 days is advisable for anyone who wants to enjoy each bit of this gifted land on a tight budget. This also applies to boat yacht agencies in that if you hire a boat or yacht for longer, your costs will be discounted.
3. Travel off season
Just like any other business venture, the tourism and travel industry tend to depend so much on demand. When a lot of tourists are visiting this region, everything from air tickets, accommodation to food and drinks tend to become more expensive. Traveling off-peak is one of the best ways of enjoying your vacation even during the recession. In Croatia, the peak season for tourism is between July and August. Most of Croatia’s tourism attractions are natural and though it is greatest in spring and autumn, you will definitely enjoy your visit even during the winter.
4. Find an all-inclusive hotel
Checking into a hotel where you pay only for your accommodation and nothing else could be too expensive for someone on a budget. It will also be hard to estimate your expected cost of stay. Finding a resort whose payment is inclusive of your meals, gym and other activities will help save so much money especially when visiting as a family. In case you plan to have your meals outside the hotel, you can make use of smaller restaurants and hotels that are cheaper yet their food is more original and delicious.
5. Consider a travel package organized by your hotel
Croatia is a vast land with tourist attractions from North to South and East to West. Some hotels offer travel packages especially for flights, cruises and traveling by road. These packages are usually cheaper than traveling all alone as fuel costs are greatly reduced. Though, for sailing through the Adriatic, you can choose to rent a boat, yacht or gulet from a sailing charter in Croatia for unlimited fun and privacy. Alternatively, you could use public transport as it is comfortable, cheaper, more flexible and faster.
For your vacation in Croatia to be perfect, you do not need to sleep in the presidential suite or eat a 12-star meal. You can still enjoy your tour on a budget by trying to be a little creative and different. Croatia is home to an infinite number of tourist attractions, some of which haven’t been unearthed yet. Wouldn’t you love to be the first to visit a wonder no one else has ever seen? Apparently, this will save you a considerable amount of money as you will not be required to pay for your entrance. Places such as Karlovac, Paklenica National Park, Cres Island, Pag Island, Kopacki Rit Nature Park, Dugi Otok, the Sibenik Archipelago and Vis Island will offer you most of what famous and most visited areas cannot, in fact, at a lower cost. In addition to this, these areas are more peaceful due to the lesser tourists visiting these areas. Renting a boat or yacht from a boat yacht rental agency so as to tour the Adriatic islands will definitely make the whole experience even sweeter. Try using the above travel tips to enjoy Croatia on a budget.
Reasons to visit Devon & Cornwall [Infographic]
Take a look at the holiday cottages, lodges and self catering apartments available in Devon and Cornwall on bluechipholidays.co.uk.
Getting Around Split – The Residence of a Retired Roman Emperor
There are a number of international flights to Split airport from around Europe. Many people come to experience the varied wonders of Split, and Croatia as a whole each year, and it is no wonder, with the many sunshine hours, mild temperatures, picturesque scenery and fascinating historic and cultural sights on offer. Split Airport is second only to Zagreb airport in Croatia and sees many people flow through it, especially in the summer, when the number of visitors increases dramatically. In summer, charter flights from around Europe swell the number of scheduled flights to the country.
Getting to Split from Split Airport
The Airport is actually about 25 km west of the city itself, close to the town of Trogir. Fortunately, it is very easy to get to and from Split airport with taxi transfer, a popular option among tourists and there are public transport options like buses also available. Airport buses run from the terminal to Split city centre – they stop at the east end of ‘Riva’ and the fare is around 30 kn. Local buses also run from the public road just outside the airport and are a cheaper option, though you must change buses to get all the way to the historic centre and they can be a little hit and miss, so it is almost certainly not worth it for the casual tourist.
Transportation options
A taxi from the airport to the ferry port or Diocletian’s Palace in the centre of old Split will take around 30 minutes and should cost around 270 kn, though drivers will often agree to 220 kn if you agree a price up front. Pre-booking a taxi is often a good idea as you will often get a better price doing it this way. A Split airport taxi transfer will also ensure that you are able to meet your return flight, if you are not happy to rely on public transport, or if your plane leaves in the middle of the night, when buses do not run.
Diocletian’s palace
It is easy to get around the historic centre on foot, and this is indeed the best way to see it. Walk around the harbour area, Diocletian’s palace and the old town’s maze of streets. It is also a good move to rent a bike and use that to transport yourself up Marjan’s hill, along the Riva (waterfront of Split) and even out on the ferries onto the islands in the Adriatic if you so wish. Buses will take you from Split’s historic centre to any of the more modern outlying districts that you may wish to visit.
Excursions from Split
Outlying attractions can easily be visited by bus or car. Be sure to take the opportunity during your stay to visit the castle villages of Kastela, and the Roman city of Salona, both of which can be reached by bus, taxi or under your own steam if you choose to hire a car. It is worth noting that if you buy your bus ticket from a kiosk rather than from the driver on the bus, then it is a little cheaper. If you are going to spend more than just a few days in Split, it is recommended to take a short bus trip to the vibrant and relaxing Vodice, where you can enjoy the famous Blue Beach and party in the evening.
So, as you can see, getting to and from Split Airport and transport in and near the city is easy and trouble free. So book your flight today, and come and explore this sublime city.
Vodice – Vibrant and Relaxing in Equal Measure
Vodice is favoured by the balmy mediterranean climate experienced by all the towns and cities on the the Croatian coastline. It is a hopping tourist hotspot, surrounded by gorgeous beaches and natural wonders – no wonder then that so many, young and old, choose to visit or move permanently to this terrific town.
Whether you live for the hustle bustle of the summer season, with beaches to luxuriate on, the yacht-filled marina to meander through and taverns, cafes and clubs galore, or prefer the more sedate side of life, with cultural sites, Roman ruins, National parks and fascinating wildlife of land and sea, visit Vodice to find exactly what you are looking for.
Perfect place for sunseekers
In summer, Vodice is vibrant and fun-filled. Many fulfil their fantasy of the perfect party-hard vacation in Vodice. During the day, the beaches are filled with sun-seekers and swimmers, and the warm nights are long and filled with music. Tourists go for excellent seafood meals at Vodice’s many fine restaurants, and drink in a relaxed tavern or busy bar before adjourning to a club to dance until the wee hours in a hedonistic bacchanalia that, while wild, retains a relaxed and happy vibe.
Nights full of music and dancing
If you are looking for excitement and adventure, then Vodice can offer it in abundance. Vodice has more to offer than sunbathing. People play on the beaches, and recreate on and under the sun-sparkled Adriatic sea. Why not play tennis or volleyball to burn off those extra holiday pounds? Swim from the beaches, or try diving beneath the blue waters to see the submarine world, teeming with life, or go fishing, sailing, jet-skiing or banana boating above the waves.
Surfing is also popular, and kayaking can be a good way to see the town from a seaward perspective. Or why not venture away from the coast a take a tour inland – bicycling is popular in this varied region. Pick up a biking map from any tourist office in Vodice and you will see the wide variety of tracks available nearby for a range of abilities and fitness levels.
Property hotspot for retirement
If you are considering looking for a retirement property, then Vodice could be a very good choice. In the summer, you can enjoy the maelstrom of the tourist invasion and make the most of the fun in the sun, blessed beaches and vibrant lifestyle, while when the tourist season is over, you can enjoy the quieter and more relaxed side of this terrific town.
Vodice has plentiful and varied real estate on offer. Whether you are looking for a larger new build property, a stone town centre villa, or a seaside apartment, there are many exciting deals to be had. So consider Vodice when searching for property in Croatia, and come and experience vibrant and yet relaxing Vodice for yourself.
The beaches stretch along the whole town of Vodice, and varies along its length. Some of the beaches are pebbly, some rocky, some enjoying sun-drenched terraces on which to spread your towel. One of the most popular stretches is Plava plaza, a Blue flag beach and the recipient of an international ecological award. Another popular stretch is Hangar beach. Both beaches have a range of facilities including bars, restaurants and you can easily access anything you might require as you relax and soak up the sun.
Rich history and culture
If you are a fan of history and culture then you will enjoy the attractions of the town itself – the old parish churches, 17th Century Coric Tower, and the wells on the water springs round which settlement in the area was centred. Near Vodice you can see several more pretty historic churches, and stone field cottages, for example those at Raso’s bunja. Many amazing archaeological sites are to be found near Vodice, including remarkable Roman ruins.
From Vodice you can also visit some of the most spectacular natural sights in Croatia at the Kornati and Krka National Parks. Sail to the beautiful Kornati Islands, or experience the scenic splendour of the waterfalls and lush greenery of Krka National Park inland. Wildlife enthusiasts will also enjoy the Falcon centre in the pine forest of Dubrava.
Island of Krk – Discover the Hidden Paradise
Golden Island, as it was called since ancient times, Krk represents one of the largest island on the Adriatic Coast and the one with the most developed economy. Since 1980 the island is linked to mainland via a sustainable bridge. Island’s landscape is highly diverse – the north is almost a pitch of desert due to its strong winds, while the southern part abounds in green vegetation and creeks. Relief favors the cultivation of grapes as well as the creation of the famous “Vrbnicka Zlahtina” wine, which is exported to several regions in the country.
Tourist facilities include modern resorts such as huge Omisalj, Njivice and Malinska on the northwest coast and historic towns which preserve plenty of medieval features on the east coast, such as Krk and Baska. If you cannot travel to the island during summer, then you should know that spring and autumn are also ideal seasons – if the weather is on your side you can do plenty of sea swimming in June, September and October. On the island there are several marked trails that will take you through forests as well as seashore paths. It is also worth exploring the underwater world as there are several diving-licensed clubs in Krk, Croatia.
The main administrative center is the city of Krk Island, a city founded before the Romans have settled on the island. Main attractions of the city include the Cathedral of the Assumption in XIII-XVI, Romanesque church of Sv Kvirin (XII century), a fortified castle and a Franciscan monastery. If you are staying longer than one day you can find various accommodation options that will suit your needs. In case you are looking for a longer stay or even thinking about living on this beautiful Island, Krk has some real estate agencies which can help you out.
Baska
Baska is the best resort on the island of Krk, the largest island in Adriatic. Its position assures continued prosperity so Baska is
among the top 10 destinations in the Adriatic. The resort is located inside a smooth valley, in a bay surrounded by olive trees and vineyards. In the background anyone can observe the Velebit mountain, which is ideal for climbing, hiking and mountaineering. Beach is presumed to be only 2 km away from the city, being just one of the 30 beautiful Adriatic beaches which are available to visitors and locals.
Vel a Plaza, the main beach, is located inside the city center and is surrounded by bars, restaurants, cafes and hotels. Natural beach made of pebble is ideal for children and those who cannot swim. One can rent pedal boats, umbrellas and sunbeds.
In Baska there are several museums, cultural and sports facilities. They originate from one of the oldest and most impressive cultures in Europe. Baska was originally a Romanian place, being located on the area where it is found today. Much of the original town was destroyed by Venetians. In the early sixteenth century the new town Baska developed on the site, greeting visitors with plenty of attractions. There are a few houses from the sixteenth century in there which are still in very good condition and nowadays are used as shops. Not far from the town lies the church of Sv Lucija, where the famous inscription was discovered.
Malinska
Malinska is a tourist resort located on the western side of the island. Its name was derived from “Mlin” which means windmill. Beach resort consists mostly of gravel. For entertainment there are available various nightclubs, including the popular Crossroad. Promenade Rajska Cesta expands on a distance of several miles and enables visitors to rejoice from beautiful feet walks or bike trips.
KRK Island also offers few interesting places for those interested in scuba diving, such as:
- Peltasis (1968)
- Punta Silo – for beginners but also for experienced divers (3-35 m)
- St. Marak – 18-22 m – includes fishes and octopus.
- Vrbnik cave – the cave entrance lies at 15 m depth
- Tenki reef – maximum depth is of 40 m
- Kamenjak – two rocks found at a distance of 25 m; diving is possible up to 35 m deep.
- Glavina – a beautiful location found at 25 m depth
Most certainly, Krk island in Croatia is a beautiful place worth exploring. Furthermore, it is perfectly suitable for those who want to escape city’s conglomeration and move in a tranquil place where plenty of entertainment and relaxation options are available.