i stumbled upon the opening of the Fiorgen art exhibition at the Archaeological Museum after getting lost in Florence.  The exhibition runs from 28 November to 12 December 2009. I didn’t pay a fee to get into the exhibition but I’m not sure if that’s just because it was launch day. I really enjoyed the exhibition,  it was certainly a range of styles and themes from typical Tuscan scenes to the surreal. Read Full Story

Florence is full of art, shopping, and amazing food. These are no secrets and nor should they be – they are part of any Italian experience, tourist yes but essential too. But once you’ve polished off that second bowl of gelato (yes, I know – it was a small bowl), do you know about these hidden Florentine secrets? The Vasari Corridor (or Vasarian Corridor). You will not notice this one unless you’re looking out for it. This walkway is a couple of storeys above gro... Read Full Story

Kunsthaus Tacheles in Berlin is an old warehouse with artists’ studios, clubs cum cafes and outdoor street-art where you can tap into the alternative art scene. The locals we met who recommended it told us we’d know it as it was the only grungy, run down building in a neighbourhood where everything else had been renovated. That and the half buried plane in the yard at the back.   The building was originally used for shops and businesses, but in the 1990s after the Berlin wall came... Read Full Story

The Road to Rouen is one of two things for most people. For those who are into their English rock bands, it is the title of Supergrass’s fifth studio album (2005). For those who travel to France by ferry via Calais and then on to Normandy, Brittany, or further down to the Atlantic seaboard, it is that seemingly interminable stretch of motorway that needs to be got out of the way before your holiday can really begin. Supergrass recorded their album in a converted barn near the city of R... Read Full Story

Storkyrkan, or St. Nicolaus Church, can trace its history back to the 1200s and is the oldest Parish Church in Stockholm.  Situated in Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town, the church is right next to the Royal Castle.  The past 800 years have seen several additions and renovations, and today Storkyrkan boasts a Baroque exterior and a Gothic interior. And it is that Gothic interior that impresses with its red brick and vaulted ceilings.  The artwork on the walls depicts not just the standard rel... Read Full Story

No visit to Berlin would be complete without eating at least one traditional, Turkish döner. While the döner may not be native to German culture, it has become a popular food option in Berlin. With a high population of Turkish people living in the city, Turkish food and culture has become an important part of Berlin culture. To fully experience Berlin would require dabbling a bit into the Turkish influence. Döner stands line the streets of Berlin and are often the inexpensive lunch option fo... Read Full Story

For many people, the third-largest Lithuanian city of Klaipeda is just a stop on the way to somewhere else along the coast – often Palanga or Nida, nearby resorts, the latter of which is found on the Curonian Spit – and I have to admit, the only reason I spent a night in Klaipeda was to take the ferry over to the Spit the next day. But Klaipeda is a sweet town in itself, and worthy of a stop. I made a walking tour of the town, following my guidebook, and found it a pretty place w... Read Full Story

If you are visiting Zagreb and have a day or two to spare, take the opportunity to explore some of the stops beyond the city limits. Samobor Samobor is the perfect escape for those who want to get away from the hustle of Zagreb. A thirty minute drive from the city, Samobor is a 13th century town known around the country for its pastries (the rudorska greblica, a special cheese cake, and the Samoborske kremsnite, a custard cake with flaky pastry) and its annual carnival held in January- Februa... Read Full Story

In this guest post travel writer Anne-Sophie Redisch describes some of the wonderful Christmas Markets in Vienna. From mid-November to 24 December, Vienna is filled with Christmas spirit. Vienna’s Christmas markets are as charming and elegant as Vienna itself. The markets are held in several locations, including (but not limited to) Spittelberg, Schloss Belvedere, Schönbrunn and Rathausplatz (City Hall). Christmas trees for sale in Graben St, Vienna Vienna’s Christmas Markets are a lo... Read Full Story

I love Lille.  It’s a small village in the North of France near the Belgian border.  It used to be an off-beat and out of the way destination, but now that it is a high-speed railway hub only an 90 minutes away from London and 30 minutes from Brussels, it’s now a fantastic getaway destination. Here’s some of the great stuff you’ll look forward to when you visit: Vieux Lille:  The old part of the city, filled with little boutique shops, antique stores, and cafes.  It&... Read Full Story