A very interesting museum in the charming Belém region that some visitors unfortunately overlook, yet we find particularly interesting. It is one of the finest collections of antique, noble and aristocratic coaches in the world from the 16th to 19th centuries. The collection used to be at the Royal Horse Riding arena, but it has now moved to a very modern ample concrete white building… Read more »
Category: Things to Do
There are many beaches around Lisbon, and summers are hot, so you might want to enjoy a relaxing day in the sun, if weather allows. The beaches we suggest are within thirty minutes from Lisbon, and will provide a convenient respite in between days walking around town and visiting the sights. Carcavelos is closest to Lisbon and very popular, so we recommend you skip it,… Read more »
The inhabitants of Lisbon love their historic neighborhoods and speak of them with such pride, one can get the sense that each area is distinct from the other. To experience a traditional old town, head to Alfama, an old village where you can wander around narrow streets under the shade of the majestic St George castle uphill. We stopped at Beco do Azinhal and had… Read more »
One of the most iconic things about Barcelona is its outstanding, groundbreaking architecture and breathtaking buildings scattered around the city. Surely magnificent, the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell should be on your list, but don’t miss other amazing projects by Gaudi like Casa Milà (or La Pedrera), Casa Batllò or Casa Vicens, the first house designed by Gaudi that will open to the public soon.… Read more »
Known endearingly to locals as “Born”, this neighborhood is not new but newly hip. The “place to be” in Barcelona, this trendy region is right by the good old Gothic Quarter and just across from hectic Via Laietana. Wander around the pretty Triumph Arch and Parc de la Ciutadella, and then head to the neighbourhood’s narrow streets and spend some time on Carrer de La… Read more »
If you are looking for some time under the sun, skip the popular urban beach of Barceloneta, it can get really crowded on hot days. Try to skip Costa Brava as well, it is further away (officially from Blanes to the French border) but at the peak of summer can get equally packed with lines of cars and hordes of tourists. Go the Barcelonan way… Read more »
What could be better than developing (or mastering) new skills whilst exploring a city? Whether taking photos is your hobby, for social media sharing or you simply want to take nice pictures to register a memorable experience in town, photography tours can be a fun and unique way to get acquainted with Barcelona. We found the Barcelona Photography Tour to be a perfect experience. There… Read more »
Even though the Flamenco actually comes from Southern Spain (Andalucia is well known for it), one feels like experiencing it when visiting the country. It is difficult to find authentic places in which to listen to and watch elegant and passionate Flamenco dancing without falling into a tourist trap. Los Juanele, in Eixample, is probably the closest you can get to a typical taverna full… Read more »
Would it be possible to go to Barcelona and not watch the mythical soccer team play? For sports enthusiasts this is a must, but even if you are not a soccer fan, a visit to legendary Camp Nou stadium is a good way to experience a bit of the sport and team that is said to have five hundred million fans worldwide. The stadium holds… Read more »
The Sainte-Chapelle is an enchanting gothic style chapel, and it is rather bemusing that travelers, and occasionally locals, do not know about it. Located in the île de la Cité, the oldest part of town, and only a few blocks away from famous Notre-Dame cathedral, the Sainte Chapelle has some of the most impressive stained glass windows we have seen in Europe. The upper chapel is… Read more »
Gourmands beware: the following will get your cravings going! You will probably pass by the Tour Eiffel in your next visit to Paris, and if that is the case just continue your stroll… from the Tour Eiffel, walk along the open spaces of Champ de Mars (security permitting), stop at pâtisserie Lenôtre at École Militaire for a delicious pain-au-chocolat, or any other mouthwatering traditional French… Read more »
The Louvre and D’Orsay museums are in most travelers’ lists and we certainly recommend visiting these traditional and incredible museums. But why not consider other interesting options of less visited cultural venues? Palais de Tokyo is intriguing as a place that refers to itself as an anti-museu: in this very exciting contemporary art venue, exhibitions aim at fostering debate over what art is all about.… Read more »
A must in the City of Light, this tour is particularly special since you will see most of the beloved Paris attractions lit up and it seems the city has a different atmosphere. Most of the tours start in Marais, pass by the Place des Voges stunning square, then by the Louvre Museum, cross the river Seine and some of its bridges, the Eiffel Tower,… Read more »
One of the up-and-coming areas in town, the quaint Canal St. Martin is still an unknown place for many travelers, but a hotspot for locals who like cool areas and a hipster vibe. Take a stroll in the Canal’s walkways amidst charming iron footbridges, quays, unique boats and locks, fashion shops like Antoine & Lili or Babel, graffiti walls, small art venues or the Artazart… Read more »
Perhaps you are in Paris for an extended stay, have been to Paris too many times (never enough, in our opinion) or maybe champagne is your top priority. In any of these cases, why not consider taking a 40 minute high speed TGV train to Reims and spend the day tasting France’s national treasure? As you arrive in Reims, Maison Mumm is walking distance from… Read more »
Parisians endearingly call rue Mouffetard La Mouffe. It is one of the oldest and most traditional streets in Paris in the heart of the Quartier Latin, a very traditional region of town where world known Sorbonne University is located. La Mouffe is very lively and Hemmingway used to call it “a wonderful narrow crowded market street”. This vibrant street is well worth a stroll for… Read more »
Forget about those infamous small white glass-ceiling boats with lots, and lots, of tourists. We highly recommend a tailor made experience, as private canal boat rides can take you to the very small canals only locals know about and make stops at excellent restaurants for lunch or dinner. There are private tours where in-vessel food service is offered. We suggest an evening ride in a… Read more »
You would not be able to say you had a true Amsterdam experience if you did not ride a bike. Spring and summer are especially good for that, but you will see locals riding around in all temperatures, rain or shine, from pleasant summers to harsh winters. The city is flat, which makes for an easy ride. Pedal along the canals or in the many… Read more »
Considered one of the most beautiful showcases of flowers in the world, the Keukenhof gardens are usually open from the end of March until mid-May, when you can see flowers at full blossom. Enjoy the breathtaking sight of the fields of tulips outside the garden, with astounding colors which will likely stay with you for years to come. Tulips are the absolute highlight, but Keukenhof… Read more »
In our view a true traveling experience to a destination must include a visit to a street market and places locals go to. Even though you will see a few tourists around the Albert Cuyp area, you will soon realize this open-air market caters mostly to locals looking to buy food, books, clothes or to eat and drink a beer in one of its 300… Read more »
