Traveling Europe https://travelingeurope.biz We love to explore Europe! Wed, 22 Mar 2017 09:07:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 189052614 A Day at Feria de Abril de Sevilla https://travelingeurope.biz/a-day-at-feria-de-abril-de-sevilla/ Wed, 22 Mar 2017 09:07:00 +0000 https://travelingeurope.biz//?p=1482 Every year in April more than 5 million people attend the Feria de Abril de Sevilla or known in English as the Seville Fair.

Upon arrival to the fairgrounds, which take place in the Andalucian capital of Seville in southern Spain, you are greeted with a magical entrance that appears to look like a lit up castle or ornate building.

Entrance to the Feria de Abril. Taken by Edmund Gull via Flickr.
Entrance to the Feria de Abril. Taken by Edmund Gull via Flickr.

Feria De Abril Traditions

Once inside, the “costumes,” so to speak, only add to the whimsicality of the event. The women wear their best trajes de Flamenca, Flamenco-style dresses, and the men in the traditional traje corto or short jacket, though more common today is a standard suit. I could imagine that wearing the correct outfit is mandatory for all the Sevillanos or Sevillians. As this was our first time at the fair, we didn’t have our own Flamenco dresses.

Plus, none of us could actually dance the traditional Sevillana or Sevillian Flamenco dance, so it didn’t seem absolutely necessary. Given the chance to decide again, however, I would absolutely try to find the dress to wear, whether I bought it online or second hand, as it definitely makes you feel more included in the festivities.

The women dancing in the traditional Flamenco-style dress.
The women dancing in the traditional Flamenco-style dress.

Inside The Fairgrounds

The fairgrounds are set up in rows of casetas or small tents. Most of the tents are private and you can only enter with permission. There are some public tents, however, which is where we went. Inside each tent is music, dancing, drinking typical cocktails such as the rebujito, a mix of Sherry and a soft drink, and eating tapas.

Officially, the festivities begin at midnight on Monday night, two weeks after the Semana Santa or Easter Holy Week, and end the following Sunday. Many of the activities already start on the Saturday before the official opening, however.

The people in the public tents were quite friendly; we were able to have a few conversations with the locals that ended up teaching us some of the traditional Sevillana. We were not very good, to say the least, but it was a great cultural experience to learn something new and meet a few locals. Around 4 or 5 in the morning, people began going to the larger tents, which also had more popular music from today. Wanting to “do as the locals do” we stayed out until dawn dancing, having some typical drinks and enjoying the food!

The Sevillana dance:

Planning For Your Trip to Feria

Keep in mind, as the Seville Fair is a very popular destination, we had a lot of trouble finding a place to stay since we decided to go only a month before the fair. Fortunately, I had a friend that lived in Seville that let us stay at her house.

If you plan to visit, I would recommend booking your accommodation far in advance. Also, make sure that you are close enough to walk to the fairgrounds, as they are not located in the center of the city. Instead, the fairgrounds are located in Los Remedios, to the southwest of the city, next to the Guadalquivir River. Overall, it was a great experience and a glimpse into a true tradition of Southern Spain, I would absolutely go back in a heartbeat!

[Andalucia.com], [Wikipedia]

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A breath of fresh air in Garmisch-Partenkirchen https://travelingeurope.biz/a-breath-of-fresh-air-in-garmisch-partenkirchen/ Fri, 03 Mar 2017 14:52:45 +0000 https://travelingeurope.biz//?p=906 Just south of the picturesque small resort town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is Germany’s highest mountain, Zugspitze, at almost 3,000 meters high.

It offers not only word-class winter sport possibilities, but also breathtaking views of the surrounding area from many points throughout the climb up to be enjoyed during any season.

World Famous Winter Resort

Many know Garmisch-Partenkirchen as a winter resort destination for ski and snowboarders. The mountain features nearly 120 km of downhill runs for all difficulty levels as well as 110 km of cross country trails, a terrain park and Germany’s first superpipe. It was even the home of the 1936 Winter Olympic Games. Today, one of the most famous activities is the New Year’s Ski Jump, where crowds gather on January 1st of each year to watch athletes fearlessly execute sky high jumps and show off their talents. It can be difficult to get tickets to this event, so it is recommended to book as early as possible.

Because Garmisch-Partenkirchen is such as popular winter sport destination there is great infrastructure to ensure that you can participate in any kind of activity possible. You can ski, sled, snowshoe-hike and even stay overnight in an igloo village!

Although I wouldn’t consider myself a particular good snowboarder, there were tons difficulty levels available and the powder was really soft (I found from falling many, many times). There are also tons of lodges scattered throughout the mountain, so you can easily take a break to warm up with a hot mug of Glühwein!

Map of Zugspitze, Garmisch-Classic and Mountain Wank routes offered by Zugspitze.de.
Map of Zugspitze, Garmisch-Classic and Mountain Wank routes offered by Zugspitze.de.

And it’s not just great in winter, either!

Although we visited in the winter, a trip to Garmisch-Partenkirchen is also a great summer activity too! You can enjoy a ride on the cable car along three different routes: Zugspitze, Garmisch-Classic and Wank (these are also offered in the winter in accordance with winter options too).

For the Zugspitze route, you can do a glacier hike and even sled on natural snow in the summer time! On the Garmisch-Classic route, activities include hiking, climbing and paragliding while the Wank route includes the options for hiking and paragliding.

View from mountain, Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
View from mountain, Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

A Charming Village

What I also loved about Garmisch-Partenkirchen was the small city itself. Historically Garmisch and Partenkirchen were two separate districts with distinctly separate identities. It wasn’t until 1936 when the towns were forced to combine by Adolf Hitler in anticipation to the Winter Olympic Games. Today, visitors can notice a more modern feel in the section of Garmisch, while the fresco-filled cobblestone streets of Partenkirchen maintain a more historical point of view.

We also managed to find a great bed and breakfast, owned by a welcoming elderly couple. The room was less than 40 euros per night and we had our own bathroom. In the morning, the woman who ran the guesthouse made us a delicious full German breakfast- the perfect start to an adventure filled day!

[Zugspitze.de], [Wikipedia]

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Strøget: Copenhagen’s Shopper’s Paradise! https://travelingeurope.biz/stroget-copenhagens-shoppers-paradise/ Thu, 26 Jan 2017 11:33:16 +0000 https://travelingeurope.biz//?p=1987 Did you ever think of Copenhagen as a shopper’s paradise?

Well, add it to the list… Milan, Paris, and you guessed it, Copenhagen! In the heart of the old city you will find one of Europe’s longest pedestrian streets known as Strøget. Beginning from the City Hall Square to Kongense Nytorv Square, you almost can’t miss stumbling onto to Strøget at some point during your trip, even by accident! (Which happened in my case).

Strøget. Taken by Dan Lundberg via Flickr.
Strøget. Taken by Dan Lundberg via Flickr.

A Success Story

In actuality, Strøget is the name of a collection of streets that have always been located in the heart of this city. The layout dates back to 1728 when the area known as Frederiksberggade was designed following a fire. Most buildings on this street date to the late 19th, early 20th century, though the oldest dates back to 1616.

For much of its history, these streets have always been known as some of the most fashionable of the city, so its no wonder why they would be considered the perfect candidate for conversion to fully pedestrianized once it became apparent that cars were beginning to dominate the old city.

The new pedestrian streets in Germany following the war inspired City officials, and during the 1950s they would close them temporarily during the Christmas time. In 1962, however, the change was made permanent and first section of Strøget was turned into a total pedestrian area. Initially, this decision faced harsh criticism, but after time the project quickly proved successful and the area welcomed more shoppers, cafes and a renewed street life. The network continued to expand to what it is today.

Shops on Strøget

This 1.1 km stretch of car free heaven is line with more shops that one could even imagine! From the typical budget brands and chains such as H&M or Zara to the international luxury brands like Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, Strøget has literally any shop for any budget. There are also a lot of local shops featuring Danish brands.

Strøget shopping street. Taken by Dan via Flickr.
Strøget shopping street. Taken by Dan via Flickr.

Eating on Strøget

Naturally, shopping is an exhausting activity. Refueling is a requirement and luckily that is no problem on Strøget. For a sweet tooth, you can find a wide variety of options from delicious cafes to famous patisseries such as Conditori La Glace (home of delicious cakes and baked goods) to perhaps Europe’s best cheesecake from DAILY.

Cheesecake
Black raspberry and key lime cheesecakes from DAILY.

If you’re feeling like you need a little more sustenance, check out some of the many restaurants with a variety of international options or perhaps one of Copenhagen’s most traditional options: the hot dog. Get fancy at the award winning DØP, where they serve only organic meat, with whole grain breads.

Hot dog from . Taken by Heather Sperling via Flickr.
Hot dog from DØP. Taken by Heather Sperling via Flickr.

If you’re on a budget (as in can spend less than 5 euros per meal) then check out many of the Kebab shops on the street or, probably an even better idea, head off the main drag to a smaller side street which is less populated.

What Else to See on Strøget?

Especially during the summertime, Strøget is bustling with people going for a stroll, busy shoppers and many street performers. As well, going down the many little side streets will bring some more interesting, unique shops and most likely a path to some of Copenhagen’s other attractive and popular sites.

Carnival on Strøget. Taken by Stig Nygaard via Flickr.
Carnival on Strøget. Taken by Stig Nygaard via Flickr.

[Visit Copenhagen]

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Food, music, and traditional sports at Basque Fest, Bilbao https://travelingeurope.biz/food-music-and-traditional-sports-at-basque-fest-bilbao/ Thu, 19 Jan 2017 10:47:44 +0000 https://travelingeurope.biz//?p=1072 Located in the border areas of northern Spanish and southern France, the community of the Basque people is truly unique.
One of the most famous sites in Bilbao, the Guggenheim Museum

The culture has a rich heritage with ancient roots, which predate the arrival of the Romans. Historians estimate that the genetic uniqueness of the Basques even predates the arrival of agriculture in the Iberian Peninsula, dating back at least 7,000 years.

The fact that the Basque community is present today after thousands of years, while many other cultures have simply disappeared, is just one distinctive factor of their culture. Some consider the Basques to genetically represent the indigenous people that first inhabited the European continent, while other studies have shown that they are not significantly genetically different from others in the Iberian Peninsula (modern day Spain).

The Basque Language

The traditional Basque language is indisputably considered one of the most distinct aspects of their culture, as it has no roots in Indo-European languages. It is believed to be one of the only surviving pre-Indo-European languages in Europe (developed before the Romance languages such as Spanish), and the only in Western Europe. In Basque, the language is known as Euskara, with various dialects. For Basques living in Spain during the rule of Franco, it was considered an act of dissent to speak Euskara, rather than Castellano, and the culture was deeply repressed.

The Basque Culture

In the autonomous community known as Basque Country in northern Spain, one can see that the Basque people continue to be extremely proud of their heritage, if not more due to their lengthy suppression during the 1900’s. They are also one of the most economically strong regions of Spain with a significant amount of industry.

A prime example of their cultural pride is the annual Basque Fest that takes place in the prominent cities of Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz at the end of March and beginning of April. During this time, the Easter festivities such as street processions coexist with aspects of Basque traditions such as gastronomy, sports and customs.

The festival is based on the linking of tradition and modernity through five pillars of Culture, Music, Market, Sport and Gourmet, united together by the icon of the “Lauburu”, the traditional symbol of the Basques.

A Famous Basque Festival

When we visited Bilbao, it was actually coincidental that the festival was going on at the same time. However, it was truly a great experience as there were not many tourists there and we could get a first hand view of deep cultural traditions. Scattered throughout the city were various art exhibitions, dances, street theatres, craft fairs and children’s entertainment that were free to join.

Traditional Basque sport, barrel lifting.
Traditional Basque sport, barrel lifting.

Another really cool part of the festival was the Basque sport competitions. As the Basque people were historically farmers or fishermen, their traditional sports are based on these lifestyles, known as “Basque rural sports”. Examples include wood chopping, stone/anvil/bale lifting, cob gathering, tug-of-war, weight carrying and dragging games. These games are obviously very physically demanding, and it was so exciting to see them taking place live!

Pintxo of Spanish Tortilla - By flydime (Pinchos / Spain, Barcelona) [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons.
Pintxo of Spanish Tortilla – By flydime (Pinchos / Spain, Barcelona) [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons.
Gastronomy was also a huge part of the Fest (and definitely one of my favorite aspects of visiting any new city). Traditionally, the food consists of meat and fish grilled over hot coals, often including tomatoes and hot peppers. We ate a lot of “pintxos” or Basque tapas, which is a small snack typically on a piece of bread.

[Basquefest.com], [Basques in Spain], [Wikipedia], [Discover Magazine]

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A Rich History in Plaza Mayor https://travelingeurope.biz/rich-history-plaza-mayor/ Fri, 06 Jan 2017 11:42:49 +0000 https://travelingeurope.biz//?p=1444 Just a short walk from Madrid’s iconic Puerta del Sol is another center of life in the Spanish capital: the Plaza Mayor.

Plaza Mayor signWhat Can You See at the Plaza Mayor Today?

Today, the Plaza Mayor is an expansive space in the heart of the city center. Compared to the labyrinth of small, winding streets that lead up to the Plaza from many different directions, the open space is a welcome relief and literally, a breath of fresh air.

Plaza Mayor panoramic. Taken by Loek Zanders via Flickr.
Plaza Mayor panoramic. Taken by Loek Zanders via Flickr.
Summer at Plaza Mayor. Taken by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra via Flickr.
Summer at Plaza Mayor. Taken by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra via Flickr.

The Plaza is formed on all sides by three story buildings that serve a variety of purposes, from residential to business to the central Madrid tourist office. On the upper floors you will notice balconies, good for catching an afternoon breeze or checking out what’s going on below.

On the ground floor of these buildings there are typically a variety of Spanish-style restaurants with interior dining spaces. More popular, however, is to sit out at one of the outside tables admiring the atmosphere and watching the many different characters that entertain for money in the Plaza.

Outdoor seating at Plaza Mayor. Taken by Pablo Sanchez via Flickr.
Outdoor seating at Plaza Mayor. Taken by Pablo Sanchez via Flickr.

Though sitting out in the Plaza and enjoying a meal, some tapas or even a drink may sound like a great idea, it is actually super overpriced and from my experience the quality was definitely lacking. I would recommend instead spending a little time walking around the Plaza, then heading out one of the entrances towards less touristic neighborhoods with more reasonably priced tapas such as La Latina.

The Rich History of Plaza Mayor

The conceptions for the construction of the Plaza date back to 1577 when Philip II asked renowned Classical architect Juan de Herrera to remodel the existing Plaza del Arrabal. Construction did not begin until 1617, and was finished by Juan Gómez de Mora in 1619.

Statue of King Philip III in Plaza Mayor. Taken by Loek Zanders via Flickr.
Statue of King Philip III in Plaza Mayor. Taken by Loek Zanders via Flickr.

As the Plaza Mayor has been around for nearly 400 years, you can imagine it has seen its fair share of historical events. The first ceremony to take place was the beatification of San Isidro Labrador (San Isidro the Farm Laborer), Madrid’s patron saint.

From there, it served as the location for bullfights (typically in celebration of marriages or other events), as well as the autos-da-fé (the ritual condemnations of heretics during the Spanish Inquisition, followed by executions such as burning at the stake or hangings. The burnings turned out to not really be a great idea, when a fire largely destroyed the plaza in 1790. The Plaza Mayor that we see today is from the architect Juan de Villanueva, who reproduced it in 1790 following the destruction.

Throughout the years, the Plaza Mayor has also gone under a variety of names such as Plaza de la Constitución, Plaza Real, Plaza de la República and back to the Plaza Mayor.

Events in the Plaza Mayor Today

Today, the Plaza serves as a location for events such as a holiday market, concerts and other traditional parties and festivals. We went to a delicious Jamón (Spanish Ham) festival a few years ago that definitely didn’t disappoint!

Jamon fair

[Go Madrid]

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Disney Inspiration: Neuschwanstein Castle https://travelingeurope.biz/disney-inspiration-neuschwanstein-castle/ Fri, 23 Dec 2016 14:17:18 +0000 https://travelingeurope.biz//?p=1496 Did you know that the Neuschwanstein Castle was the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella’s Castle? Nestled in the hills of Bavaria, this is one spot you don’t want to miss!

Having visited Cinderella’s Castle when I was very young, I couldn’t imagine anything comparable to the enchantment and fantasy that it possessed. That was until I visited Neuschwanstein last winter and had a first-hand experience with the famous muse.

Story of Neuschwanstein Castle

The isolated location of the castle, between the Alpine foothills in the south and a hilly landscape in the north, was intended not as a defense strategy. Rather it was built to provide a private, quiet place for the reclusive Ludwig II of Bavaria. He had spent his childhood in the family summer residence in the area. When Ludwig became king in 1864, he commissioned the palace named “New Hohenschwangau Castle”. It was to be built over the ruins of two previous family residences, the two Hohenschwangau Castles. It was renamed to Neuschwanstein after his death.

Upon visiting the castle today, you can see that the Hohenschwangau Castle (built over another castle’s ruins) is also still standing within the vicinity of Neuschwanstein. (A bit confusing, I know!).

View from the hike up to Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle is in the distance.
View from the hike up to Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle is in the distance.

How To Get There

Getting to the castle can be done by private car or public transport including the train or a bus. To determine the best route for you, check here. Once you have arrived at the town of the castle, there is a still some “obstacles” that remain before you can go inside. For example, it’s located at an altitude of approximately 940 meters.

During our trip, we went up by foot, which took about 30-40 minutes. It was during wintertime and there was a lot of ice and snow. This made the scenery really beautiful, but I wouldn’t recommend going by foot in these conditions as we almost slipped a few times on the ice and it was a long way down! Other options are to arrive by shuttle or even by horse-drawn carriage.

The entrance ticket to the castle must be bought in the city itself as the ticket office. There were many tourists here, even in winter, and it was obvious where to purchase. We didn’t end up going inside (as we are poor students) but I would definitely choose to if given the choice again! I would absolutely recommend going in the summer months, when the foliage is in full bloom as the area around the castle itself is really beautiful and refreshing. Also not to be missed is the Marienbrücke, or bridge that overlooks the castle.

neuschwanstein
View from the Marienbrücke

By going on foot, you also could take some breaks along the way. As well, there was plenty of time to stop and admire the breathtaking views that stretched as far as the eye could see, equipped with lakes and little Bavarian villages. Pack a snack and plenty of water though. It’s a long way up and once you reach the castle there are food and drinks options. But, as expected, they were pretty expensive.

[Wikipedia]

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How To Stay Active While Traveling https://travelingeurope.biz/active-traveling/ Wed, 14 Dec 2016 11:48:23 +0000 https://travelingeurope.biz//?p=1536 Maintaining a daily fitness routine is hard enough at home base. Yes, you can make your own meals, go to the gym, go for a run and set a regular workout schedule. How to stay active while traveling? While that’s a whole other ball game…

Traveling throws your fitness regime out the window.

As much as I love not knowing where I’ll go next, what experiences are coming my way, trying new foods and being totally open to, well, the open road, I always get frustrated by my lack of ability to maintain some sort of fitness regime. And that really hurts when you’re traveling in summer on the coast of great beaches such as those in Greece or Spain.

Suddenly there is no gym you can go to, no familiar running path to take, probably no awareness of what you’re eating and definitely a change in sleep patterns.

So, the question remains: how to maintain some sort of fitness routine while on the road?

Stay Active While Traveling Tip #1: Set A Goal

Personally, I think the most important factor in staying fit for your trip, whether it is just a week or months at a time is to set a reasonable goal for yourself. I try to workout at least 30 minutes per day, five days per week. That is probably not realistic while traveling.

So instead, set a goal for yourself that can be accomplished relatively quickly, without any gym equipment in a small space. Check out some of these 20 minute, equipment optional whole body workouts from Buzzfeed.

If these still seem too much for you, be realistic. Can you do 100 sit-ups and 30 push-ups per day? Probably. Find what works for you and stick to it. Also keep in mind that you can find many video workouts online.

Stay Active While Traveling Tip #2: Walk… A Lot

Generally, when I travel I spend a lot of time walking around the new city exploring compared to the typical amount of walking I do during a normal day not traveling. Also remember that biking through a city or other destination is a great and inexpensive way to see a lot in a short amount of time. This is a great thing if maintaining your fitness is important to you during your travels.

Day trip biking through Waterland near Amsterdam.
Day trip biking through Waterland near Amsterdam.

Also, don’t be afraid to try day trips to places outside of the city, especially if there will be a little hiking involved. One of my favorite trips was to the Calanques National Park in Southern France (outside of Marseille). We had to walk 3 km up and down a huge hill in 30-plus degree summer heat in order to get to the beach, but definitely worth it!

Stay Active While Traveling Tip #3: Be Aware Of What You’re Eating, But Don’t Forget To Enjoy

I’m the kind of traveler who gets most excited to eat new things. I plan a day around which places I want to try food at, rather than what sites I want to see (not great for a fitness regime).

Red fruit Tiramisu and red wine with a view of the Notre-Dame in Paris: a.k.a. my reason for traveling.
Red fruit Tiramisu and red wine with a view of the Notre-Dame in Paris: a.k.a. my reason for traveling.

On my next trip, I would like to be a little more aware of maintaining some sort of healthy diet while traveling. Instead of just eating whatever at every meal, maybe save it for once per day and the rest of the time choose something more typical to what you would eat normally at home. Plus, a lot of the best food to try is the fresh, seasonal fruits and veggies you can’t get in your home country!

Stay Active While Traveling Tip #4: Plan Active Trips

Some of the best sites that Europe has to offer are part of an active trip. Go skiing in the Alps, hike through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, go surfing in Greece. Take advantage of all the natural gifts!

View from the top of the slopes in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
View from the top of the slopes in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

What other tips do you have for the active traveler?

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Tapa or pintxo? https://travelingeurope.biz/tapa-pintxo/ Wed, 16 Nov 2016 16:44:24 +0000 https://travelingeurope.biz//?p=502 In every corner of Spain you can find delicious little snacks, typically to accompany your drink.

Sometimes they are referred to as pintxos (or pinchos) and sometimes as tapas. So is it a tapa or pintxo you ask? Well, follow me on this little journey through culinary history…

During my recent visit to Alicante, we happened upon a popular Spanish restaurant chain Lizarran, which offers both tapas and pintxos. This was the first time I had been to this place, and it was a really cool experience. The cold snacks, such as tortilla de patata, were self-serve. With the ring of the bell from the chef, waiters came around to each table with trays of delicious hot snacks to choose as you wish. Each snack either had a large or small toothpick and at the end your bill was tallied depending on the number of sticks on your plate. That got me to thinking, what distinguishes a tapa from a pintxo?

Are pintxos cold and tapas hot?

This may be the easiest one to answer, with a big fat nope. Both pintxos and tapas come cold or hot, savory or sweet, vegetarian or with the most delicious jamón (Spanish ham). Essentially, the actual ingredients do nothing to distinguish a tapa from a pintxo.

Pintxos at Lizarran. Taken by Dennis van Zuijlekom via Flickr.
Pintxos at Lizarran. Taken by Dennis van Zuijlekom via Flickr.

How about where they originated? Does that help?

Traditionally, the word “pintxo” comes from the Basque version of the Spanish word “pincho”, coming from the verb “pinchar”, which means to pierce, puncture, prick, stick, etc. Therefore, it makes sense that a pintxo is typically a small piece of bread that is pierced with a small stick to keep the ingredients in tact.

Basque tavern with pintxos (some with sticks, some without). Taken by Katina Rogers via Flickr .
Basque tavern with pintxos (some with sticks, some without). Taken by Katina Rogers via Flickr .

Tapas, on the other hand, come from the Spanish verb “tapar”, which means to cover. There are a variety of possible explanations to their emergence. One xample is the thirteenth century Castilian King Alfonso X had some sort of illness, which didn’t allow him to drink wine without eating something. Therefore, he passed a law that if alcohol was served at a tavern it must be accompanied by food.

Other explanations simply say that in old Andalusian taverns fruit flies were such a menace that the guests would use the small plate of food to cover their sherry in between sips, which would explain the use of the verb “to cover”.

Tapa with shrimp, olive oil and pepper from Barcelona. Taken by Terence via Flickr .
Tapa with shrimp, olive oil and pepper from Barcelona. Taken by Terence via Flickr .

The definition of a tapa versus pintxo varies depending on which region of Spain you are in. In the Basque country today, for example, something that would be referred to as a Tapa in Andalusia, is always referred to as a pintxo, even if it doesn’t have bread or a stick.

What about if they are free?  

The cost also does nothing to separate a pintxo from a tapa, instead it will again probably just be a good indicator of which region of Spain you are in. For example, in Andalusia, especially Granada, you will always get some sort of snack with your drink for free. They are typically referred to as tapas, and some places offer a more extravagant version than others. Oh, and they usually get better the more drinks you get.

If you are in a larger city such as Barcelona or Madrid (with the exception of El Tigre and a few others places), it would be really hard to find free tapas or pintxos, instead they will be self-serve or you have to order them directly.

So, in conclusion have we gotten any closer to a definition of tapa versus pintxo? Well, probably not, but rest easy that no matter what it’s called, it’s probably delicious!

Source: Gourmet and Breaks

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Airbnb vs. hostels vs. Couchsurfing https://travelingeurope.biz/airbnb-vs-hostels-vs-couchsurfing/ https://travelingeurope.biz/airbnb-vs-hostels-vs-couchsurfing/#comments Thu, 27 Oct 2016 07:19:02 +0000 https://travelingeurope.biz//?p=759 Which sets you up for the best travel experience?

As someone who is always on a budget, hotels never factored into my decision of “where to stay?” Instead, I’ve mostly stayed in hostels (the good, the bad, and the ugly) and recently, Airbnb has been the go-to option for traveling. Though I’ve never actually tried couchsurfing, I know some friends who have and I’ve read a bit about it in case I want to try it in the future.

When comparing Airbnb vs. hostels vs. Couchsurfing, there are definitely different benefits and drawbacks that each one brings to the table

1. Price

In my experience, Airbnb and hostels are tied in this respect. You may find hostels cheaper in some destinations over others or vice versa.

Airbnb has the potential to be less expensive if you are in a larger group and the host has a flat rate for the entire apartment. For example, five of us recently stayed in beautiful apartment in the city center of Belgrade for less than 10 euros per person per night, but if there had been only two of us, it would have been much more expensive. I always try to compare the two options before booking. Sometimes you can find really good deals on hostel booking sites such as the one we had in Ibiza for 18 euro per person per night which actually turned out to be a private apartment.

Or the castle we stayed in in Carcassonne, in southern France for 17 euro per person per night!

View from our room at the Castle Chambres, Carcassonne, France.
View from our room at the Castle Chambres, Carcassonne, France.

If price is your biggest concern, however, Couchsurfing is the winner here, as you don’t have to pay anything to use the service. Instead, the price is more for your time, social interactions and sharing your experiences with the host, if they wish. You aren’t required to spend time with the host, of course, but it can be considered a bit rude if they are hosting you for free and you don’t want to make any conversation with them at all.

2. Comfort

On the spectrum, I would put couchsurfing as the lowest level of comfort, as you can many times be sleeping literally on someone’s couch in the middle of their living area. Or you could have your own space; it really depends on luck in this case.

I’ve stayed in some hostels that were absolutely terrible and would have actually rather slept on the park bench outside (cough, cough, in Edinburgh) but on the other hand I’ve stayed in really comfortable hostels, with each bed having their own privacy curtain such as the Lounge Hostel in Skopje, Macedonia.

The clear winner for me in terms of comfort is Airbnb. Having your own private apartment is amazing for any trip and not having to be kept awake by stranger’s snores is a huge perk! Plus, depending on where you’re staying and how much you’re willing to pay you can get a super cool place, such as the one I stayed in in Amsterdam with a rooftop hot tub!

Our rooftop hot tub at the Airbnb in Amsterdam.
Our rooftop hot tub at the Airbnb in Amsterdam.

3. Socialization

Airbnb is definitely the most private of the options, though sometimes the host is happy to give you some advice and perhaps invite you for a drink with them or something.

If I was to travel alone or with just another friend, maybe a hostel would be the best option so that you could meet fellow travelers and socialize with others. Couchsurfing is also a great option for meeting new people, but you are more limited to the host and perhaps if they want to introduce you to some friends.

In conclusion:

Want the cheapest option? Couchsurfing

Want to feel the most comfortable? Airbnb

Want to meet new people? Hostels

What do you think? Do you agree?

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Twenty-Four Hours in Hamburg https://travelingeurope.biz/twenty-four-hours-hamburg/ Thu, 13 Oct 2016 15:35:23 +0000 https://travelingeurope.biz//?p=1347 Only a few hours drive from Berlin, there’s no reason not to make a quick stop in Hamburg on your way! Here is my list of what to do if you’ve only got 24 hours to spend there:

Wake up and head to the harbor…

The quarter known as Landungsbrücken is a great spot to sit and watch the city wake up. Stop at one of the many small cafés overlooking the Elbe River for Brötchen (small rolls) with a slice of cheese or meat (a typical German breakfast) and a hot cup of coffee.

Landungsbrücken harbor
Landungsbrücken harbor
Shipping piers at Landungsbrücken
Shipping piers at Landungsbrücken

If you’re there on a Sunday morning, be sure to check out the famous Hamburg Fishmarkt, located just a short walk from the Landungbrücken Ubahn station. As it is still a relatively active port, there is always some sort of commotion going on.

Next up: HafenCity

As the caffeine from your coffee starts to kick in, you may want to stretch your legs a bit. Head southwest along the line of the harbor towards to HafenCity. Thirty years ago, this area was desolate, abandoned after the once vital port was deemed to small for the new, larger container ships. In recent years, however, it has been revitalized.

With sustainability in mind, the neighborhood has been designed to be a walkable, livable, destination for residents, just a little over a kilometer from the city center. New architectural concepts and innovative urban designs are the things to see here. Points of interest include the Marco Polo House (some of Hamburg’s most expensive real estate), the Unilever building, the Chilehaus and of course, the still-in-construction Elbphilharmonie.

Elbphilharmonie with the Marco Polo Tower and Unilever building in the background. Taken by specialpaul via Flickr.
Elbphilharmonie with the Marco Polo Tower and Unilever building in the background. Taken by specialpaul via Flickr.

Then, Head North to the City Center

Walk north up Osakaallee following signs to the Rathaus (Town Hall) and city center. At the corner of Osakaallee and Brooktorkai you’ll find a small little café called Fleetschlösschen. In case you need to warm up this is the perfect little cozy spot! Or, if your hungry for lunch, continue up Bei St. Annen, which turns into Brandstwiete, turn left onto Willy-Brandt-Straße and you’ll find the Gröninger Privatbrauerei, a delicious spot to try some authentic German dishes traditional to northern Germany and Hamburg.

Fleetschlösschen cafe. Taken by Roman Pfeiffer via Flickr.
Fleetschlösschen cafe. Taken by Roman Pfeiffer via Flickr.

As you transition from the HafenCity to the city center, be sure to check out the Speicherstadt, a string of large ware-house like buildings that have survived World War II (where most of the buildings in the Hamburg city center have been destroyed) and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Speicherstadt. Taken by Marcus Pink via Flickr.
Speicherstadt. Taken by Marcus Pink via Flickr.

Once you find yourself at Rathaus Markt, take some photos of the historic Town Hall (you can’t miss it). During the Christmas season there is also a really nice Christmas Market there. Other events are held there throughout the year as well.

Relax By The Alster

Cross the main square in front of the Rathaus and head towards Jungfernsteig, walk along the Alster Lake, relax by the water if the weather permits.

Jungfernstieg
Jungfernstieg
Alster Park-compressed
Park by the Alster.

If the weather is nice, also consider taking a stroll in the Planten un Blomen park, which has a botanical garden with tropical greenhouses, an authentic Japanese garden and a rose garden with over 300 types of roses (in the warm weather).

From There, Head Towards Sternchanze

Ratsherrn Pilsner
Ratsherrn Pilsner. Taken by Bjoern via Flickr.

Sternchanze is Hamburg’s alternative area, which has lots of cool little shops, cafes and bars. It is also the location of my favorite brewery Ratsherrn. In the Altes Mädchen building you can find the Rathaus Brewery and shop. Sample a few of the craft beers!

Hang out there for a while or hop back on the U3 getting off at Landungsbrücken again. Instead of going towards the harbor, head towards to the Portuguese Viertal (Portuguese neighborhood) to my favorite dinner place, Luigi’s. With a background of Latin salsa beats, energetic waiters shouting “escuzi, bella!” and super delicious pizza, this place is not to be missed! At the end of the meal they also bring a bottle of digestive to the table at the end of the meal, to liven things up a little bit more.

Either call it a night or…

Head to One of Hamburg’s Most Famous Districts: Reeperbahn

Full of clubs, bars, strip clubs, cheap take away food places, casinos and some excellent people watching, the Reeperbahn is a truly unique aspect to the city. There’s always a party somewhere on the strip and on Friday and Saturday you’ll find people partying all night.

Große Freiheit street at the Reeperbahn. Taken by Stimmungsfänger via Flickr.
Große Freiheit street at the Reeperbahn. Taken by Stimmungsfänger via Flickr.

 

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