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.

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.

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]

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).

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 19^th, early 20^th 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.

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.

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.

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.

[Visit Copenhagen]

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.

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!

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

What 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.

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.

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.

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!

[Go Madrid]

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!).

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.

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]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

While the New Town and coastal areas are thriving sections of the city, my personal favorite part is the original, medieval Edinburgh’s Old Town. Kings and queens, invading armies, the condemned and the celebrated have walked through these streets for hundreds of years and in 1995 the Old Town has been an official UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

The Start Of Edinburgh’s Old Town Begins With The Edinburgh Castle

The layout of Edinburgh’s Old Town runs similar to many of the old quarters of northern European cities. It begins with the fortification, in this case the picturesque Edinburgh Castle perched on top of a rocky crag (rocky or steep cliff) that has developed from a long extinct volcano.

This crag, known as Castle Rock, was the earliest section of the city to be developed. It is unknown when the earliest fortification was built there, some evidence suggests early settlements to the late Bronze Age, but it is widely accepted that some sort of castle was first erected in the 11^th century.

The Royal Mile

From the Edinburgh Castle, the layout of the Edinburgh’s Old Town slopes down towards the east on the tail of land from Castle Rock. During the 12^th century, Holyrood Abbey was built at the foot of the hill, which created the spine in which medieval Edinburgh grew. This connection between the two is commonly referred to as the Royal Mile. Today there are only ruins of the Holyrood Abbey, but it is a spot not to be missed. Along the Royal Mile, small alleys and streets come from each side, forming a fishbone shape and each offering a cool new place to explore.

During the development of the residential area of the Royal Mile, it was very advantageous to live inside the defensive walls. Since the street area itself is so narrow, the homes had to be built in a multi-story fashion and are considered some of the first “high rise” residential buildings.

On the Royal Mile, you will find the heartbeat of Edinburgh’s Old Town. Not only is it one of the main sections of the world famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe, but it is also full of the oldest visitor attractions and tons of shops, bars, restaurants and nightclubs.

St Giles’ Cathedral

Also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, the Cathedral has been the focal point of the Church of Scotland and the principle place of worship for nearly 900 years. The present church dates to the 14^th century, with a famous crown spire and stands in the center of the Royal Mile between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

[Edinburgh Guide], [Time Out]

And did you know that the story is actually inspired by the fairy tale of the same name written by the famous Danish author Hans Christian Andersen?

Perhaps you did.

But did you also know that this story by Hans Christian Andersen also served as inspiration for one of Copenhagen’s most famous sights and one of the world’s most famous little ladies?

The Little Mermaid

In 1909 Carl Jacobsen, the son of the founder of the Carlsberg brewery, was fascinated by the ballet depicting the fairy tale story written by Andersen nearly 85 years earlier performed at Copenhagen’s Royal Theatre and aptly named “The Little Mermaid”. He was equally as enthralled with the ballerina, Ellen Price and was thus inspired to cement (or, in this case bronze) the memory in the form of a statue.

The young sculptor Edvard Eriksen was commissioned for the piece and Ms. Price was asked to pose. She agreed to model for the head, but refused to the model the rest in the nude. Thus the sculptors wife, Eline Eriksen was used for the body.

The statue is made of bronze, 1.25 meters high and weighs 175 kilograms. It was first unveiled on August 23, 1913 in one of Copenhagen’s most frequented outdoor recreational spots: on a rock by the waterside at the Langelinie promenade.

Visit Her Today

Seems as though her prince isn’t coming. She’s been waiting over 100 years at this point, but nonetheless, The Little Mermaid remains one of Copenhagen’s most loyal figures. It is also one of the most famous sites for the city’s tourists. And it’s the most photographed statue in Denmark, with over 5 million annual snaps.

She sits just off the shore from the promenade, a short walk from the also famous Nyhavn area. Even on a cold winter day there were about thirty or so people standing by the windy waterside snapping photos of her. One guy even tried to stand on the rock next to her (someone that is strongly discouraged by the city as it could damage the statue) and he fell in.

Really… right before my very eyes.

Sad for him that he was now soaking wet in negative temperatures and sad for me that I didn’t get a photograph of that…

There are some ideas to move The Little Mermaid from her perch so close to the shore to discourage vandalism. Since she first took her place in 1913 she has been decapitated a few times, her arm cut off, paint poured on her and even blown off her perch (possibly by explosives). Each time, however, she is restored to her rightful spot, sitting on the rock, welcoming visitors to Copenhagen Harbor and patiently waiting until the day her prince arrives.

[Wikipedia], [Copenhagenet]

5. A History Predating the Pyramids

Proof of habitation in Ireland dates back over 5,000 years to the Brú Na Bóinne tombs located in County Meath. Built in the Neolithic or Late Stone age, they predate the Egypt’s Gaza Pyramids and England’s Stonehenge. There are several large passage tombs: Knowth, Dowth and Newgrange. These are very popular during the winter solstice.  A ray of sunlight shoots through the opening of the Newgrange mound and illuminates the chamber for a few minutes. Along with this site, there are countless other historical experiences to take in!

6. A Preserved Traditional Culture

Ireland enjoys a relatively isolated location. Only Britain in relatively close distance. Therefore, the culture and traditions have remained relatively unchanged by foreign influence and invaders throughout history. Early druidic culture and fringe influences from the Roman civilization have allowed the people of Ireland today to retain significant elements of the Celtic culture.

Visit Trinity College in Dublin to see the Book Of Kells, written by Celtic monks in the 9^th century. It’s considered a cornerstone piece of Irish heritage. It is comprised of a copy of four gospels written in Latin, depicting scenes through wording and artistry.

7. More Than Just Potatoes!

When you think of Irish food, there’s a large chance a giant plate of potatoes comes to mind. While that may still be part of the traditional gastronomy, dairy products, especially farm made cheeses are putting Ireland on the international map. Not sure what is Irish cheese exactly? Click here to find out! 

Besides delicious cheesy products, Ireland is also seeing a revival of local products as well as farmer’s markets and increasing demand for organic products. Traditional dishes such as Irish stew, soda bread, fish and chips and colcannon (cabbage, kale and potatoes) are still a must try. But make sure you don’t miss out the fresh seafood either! With thousands of kilometers of coastline, you can find delicious Wild Atlantic salmon, scallops, lobster, prawns, swordfish, sole and oysters at almost any place along the way. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the annual Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival each September!

8. World-Famous Beers

If I’m being perfectly honest, one of the first images that pop into my mind when I think of Ireland is a cold pint of Guinness. What better way to relax after a long day of sightseeing, kissing stones, exploring ancient tombs and rough, rugged landscaped that with a cold brew? The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin is considered a top site, which has been produced since 1759. (Albeit I decided not to go because it cost a whopping 18 euro entrance).

Stay tuned for the final four reasons to complete the list of why Ireland should be on your travel radar!

[Huffington Post], [The Richest], [Readers Digest]

But seriously, there’s got to be a reason that Italian foods are some of the most popular worldwide. And the reason I can’t contain myself from eating double portions when I’m there…

It’s just so darn delicious! Comforting, flavorful, unique combinations. They make my heart melt and taste buds dance with joy. Yep, that’s the only way I could describe it…

What’s on the list of must-try Italian foods?

1. Pizza- specifically Pizza Margherita

I’ve been told that the only way to judge a pizza place is by their classic Margherita. Ingredients like fresh Basil, Mozzarella, homemade tomato sauce topped on a crispy yet soft and savory crust is one of the most mouthwatering dishes out there. Despite its simplicity, the importance to mastering this classic on the list of Italian foods is in preparation and ingredients. Although pizza is common throughout the whole country, Naples is perhaps the most well known. Iconic restaurants such as da Michele, Sorbillo and El Presidente have been serving up this classic for generations. They following the strictest Vera Pizza rules.

2. Gelato

Throughout Europe you can find places serving “authentic Italian Gelato”. While they may succeed in this feat (such as Los Italianos in Granada, Spain), you have to go to the source for a chance at authentic and original gelato heaven! Gelato comes in a variety of flavors. Some can be very creative. Gelato can come without dairy (known as Sorbet from the south of Italy) or the dairy version, created in northern Italy. Look for signs that say “produzione propia” or “artigianale”. This means that the gelato was made on-site, in the old fashioned way with natural ingredients.

3. Tiramisu

Although I’ve yet to try tiramisu in Italy, I have had some that was homemade by a real Italian (that almost counts right?). It was one of the most delicious deserts I’ve ever tasted! Typically, the desert is made from ladyfinger biscuits, coffee, eggs, sugar, cocoa and mascarpone cheese. Ingredients are layered and topped with an espresso-flavored cocoa. The dish is light and creamy. It may come in a variety of interesting twists- such as fruit or chocolate tiramisu.

4. Pasta

One of the most famous Italian foods, a big plate of pasta is part of the quintessential Italian experience. Regional specialties are usually the way to go. A famous dish in Rome is the pasta alla carbonara. This is a combination of bacon or guanciale (an Italian cured meat), egg, romano or pecorino cheese, black pepper and white wine together with pasta noodles. When in Bologna, don’t miss out on the pasta al ragù, cooked in a meat sauce. In Genoa, the pasta al pesto, made from garlic, basic, pine nuts, olive oil and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is the way to go.