Granada Travel Guide

Historically, Granada is one of the most important cities in Spain, and possibly in Europe. This mid-sized location based in Andalusia, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, in the south of the country. The area is over 700 metres above sea level yet is a fair distance from the Mediterranean coast.

The city has a rich and multicultural history, which is still well preserved in the many interesting streets, landmarks and buildings. In modern times, Granada has become a student city with a good nightlife as well, but the overall look of the area is has not been compromised.

Unlike Seville and Cordoba, which are also based in Andalusia, Granada has a mild temperature, easier to bare for the un-adapted tourist. The city also has far more history and culture on offer than nearby Malaga.

Granada is served by bus, plane and train, however, internal and external transport is not particularly fast. The city centre is small enough to walk, although the surrounding parts are a bit more spread out.

The city holds a number of interesting historical buildings including the 16th century Cathedral de Granada and the old university as well as a number of Arab style streets dating back to the 14th century, known as El Albayzin.

The highlight, of Granada, has to be La Alhambra. Made up of the fortress, the palace and the garden, this medieval complex overlooking the city is considered to be on par with the Seven Wonders of the World. It was home of the Nasrid sultans, high government officials, servants of the court and elite soldiers fro the 13th and 14th century. It is advisable to book tickets for the Alhambra at least a day in advance, as queues can be long.

Granada is a must visit part of Spain and is based in one of the most interesting regions. Plenty of tourists flock to the city to see La Alhambra, however, the area doesn’t seem crowded or hectic. The atmosphere, the heat, the history and culture make this one of the most enchanting parts of Europe.

Brighton City Guide

This charming beach town on the Coast of Sussex, England makes up the majority of the city of Brighton and Hove. Located almost directly South of London, Brighton has a plenty to do, but is ideal for escaping the noise and crowds of the country’s capital.

The city has a strong bohemian style which can be explained by the large gay population in Kemp Town. For this reason, Brighton is known as the gay capital of Britain. The proximity to London and the sea has also attracted media and music types, creating a fantastic nightlife.

Getting to Brighton is easy as the city is well served by train with direct services to and from London throughout the day. Gatwick airport can also be reached by rail in around 30 minutes.

Brighton is known for its pebble beach which may not be as comfortable as a sandy beach is, but with a number of small shops and fish and chip cafes scattered along the walkway, it has a certain character which seems to have progressed from the classic British beach town style of the 1950s. The city has two large piers, Brighton Pier, AKA the Palace Pier, which holds a number of games and attractions. The burned out wreck of the West Pier sits on the other side of the beach, but is out of bounds to the public.

Further inland, adjacent to the pier, the Sea Life Centre is the oldest working aquarium left in the world. It features a walkthrough underwater tunnel and a number of interesting sea creatures.

The Lanes is an area of small shops with thin, interesting streets, reflecting the layout of the original fishing village of Brighton. Further up is The North Laine which is a collection of alternative streets and buildings with shops selling alternative products like bongs, potions, and fire staffs.

For an interesting piece of architecture, The Royal Pavilion is a wonderfully strangely designed building, transformed between 1815 and 1823 by the architect John Nash. The Indian themed exterior of the pavilion stands out compared to the surroundings and looks fantastic on a sunny day or in the evening. Guided tours are available and allow visitors to see the Chinese style décor inside.

Brighton is an interesting city with great character and plenty to see. The attractions and buildings are varied throughout the area but the best part of visiting is to wonder through the streets, taking in the culture and looking at the strange shops on offer. One drawback to the city’s relaxed style is the constant pretentious feeling of the people and places, however for a short break, this doesn’t become an issue. Brighton and Hove has gained a fully justified reputation as one of Britain’s finest beach cities and is well worth a visit on a sunny day.

Antwerp City Guide

Antwerp City Guide
Antwerp is a charming city in the Flanders region of Belgium, on the bank of the river Scheldt which is linked to the North Sea by the estuary of Westerschelde. With a population of over 400,000, it is the second largest one of the most important cities in the country as well as one of the most important ports in Europe.

The name Antwerp comes from “ann de werpe” or “at the throw” in Dutch, referring to where the river throws its sand. Antwerp was one of the most important financial centres in the world during the 16th century and traders from all over Asia and Europe sold and bought goods there. The city’s rich culture throughout history means it has a large number of interesting and extravagant buildings.

Antwerp is well served by train, bus and plane both nationally and internationally and public transport is efficient, well run and good value, however, the city centre is compact enough to walk through.

The most notable aspect of Antwerp is the relaxed, safe and friendly atmosphere with a slightly gritty style throughout, however, the city has a good amount of landmarks and interesting buildings.

The Cathedral of Our Lady towers over the city, adding a lot of character to the surrounding area. This clean, beautiful building is one of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe. Built in 1351 it stands at over 400ft tall.

The City Hall/Old Market Square is the historical centre of the city. Typically medieval guild houses surround the Market Square, typical to Flemish historical towns. The city hall was designed in an architectural style almost exclusively found in this region of Europe – a combination of Gothic and early Renaissance.

Lying on the bank of the river is the Het Steen- a charming and small medieval castle. Previously functioning as a fortification for the city, it currently houses a naval museum and adds an extra piece of scenery to the river Schelde.

It is worth noting that the city, much like Amsterdam, has its own red light district. This relatively small area of the city is safe enough during the day, but may be worth taking care in during the late hours.

Antwerp is a charming, interesting and attractive city with plenty to see compared to its size. The area benefits from a fantastic location, mild weather and friendly people, making it a wonderful place to visit or live in.

Andorra La Vella Travel Guide

This small city is the capital of Andorra, a small country between Spain and France in the Pyrenees. With a population of just over 22,000, the whole place seems to be crammed between two mountains and often experiences cold and snowy weather.

Andorra La Vella, meaning Andorra the Old is split into the old town and the new town. The newer part of the city has a number of shops whilst the older has historical buildings and landmarks. The Church of Sant Esteve is part of a picturesque area of the old town and dates back to the 12th century. Nearby is the Casa de la Val is the seat of the Consell General and dates back to the 16th century.

Shops make up a major part of the city and shoppers can benefit from the low tax. A number of electronic and clothing stores are scattered through the new town – enough to give the place a feel of a large city.

For a great view over the city, the ideal way is to walk across the Rec del Solà and Rec de l’Obac. These thin paths run along the side of the mountains and are illuminated at night. With some fantastic views of the surrounding area and buildings, these paths, both around 2.5km long are well worth a walk.

Andorra La Vella is a small city, and it is easy to see most or all of it within a day. The surroundings, however are breathtaking and the style and atmosphere is different to anywhere else.

Bath City Guide

Bath is one of, if not the most beautiful locations in England. With a population of 80,000, this small city has a high level of importance and became a World Heritage site in 1987. A rich history and culture attracts many tourists there every year, making it very busy in parts during the summer months as well as around Christmas.

The city was built around a spring which made up the Roman Baths. In 60-70 AD a temple was built and over the following 300 years a bathing complex was created. A defensive wall was built around the area, but after Roman withdrawal in the fifth century, the baths fell into disrepair. In 1676, a former student of Oxford University named Thomas Guidott moved to Bath and showed an interest in the springs. He then brought the water’s health giving properties to the attention of many people. Following this, the aristocracy began visiting the area. By the time of the 1801 census, the city had reached a population of just over 40,000, making it one of the largest in Britain. In the Second World War Bath suffered three air raids, killing many residents and damaging a lot of buildings. Regeneration work has been taking place ever since.

Getting into the city by car can be difficult during the summer as Bath is a small place and attracts a large amount of tourism. Queues can build up on the roads, especially coming from the London direction. Bath Spa is the city’s main train station and is well served from a number of locations throughout the country. The closest airport is Bristol International, on the outskirts of Bristol - Bath’s neighbouring city. From the airport a bus runs to the Bristol Temple Meads train station and from there are regular connections to Bath.

One of the main attractions of Bath is walking through the small streets on either side of the main shopping area. The city has a number of local and interesting shops and at Christmas time has an outdoor market near to the Abbey. The bustling shopping streets are contrasted by the city’s parks which are scattered around. The main one of these is Royal Victoria Park, which was opened by Princess Victoria in 1830. This is overlooked by the Royal Crescent, a road of 30 houses built between 1767 and 1744 which is a fantastic example of Georgian architecture. Along with the Circus, it creates a key shape and is the area for some of the most expensive houses in the city.

In the city centre runs the river Avon and over this is Pultney Bridge. Around here is the Bath Rugby stadium which is known as the Rec. Rugby is a popular sport in the area and on match days and the atmosphere is energetic. This is helped by the central location of the stadium.

Towering over the city, the Bath Abbey provides a central point. Founded in the 7th century, this is one of the largest examples of Perpendicular Gothic architecture in the south west of England. Next to this is the Roman Bath Museum, which shows visitors information about the baths and allows them to see them, however, swimming there is not permitted.

Bath is one of the best places to visit for a traditional view of British upper class life. The city is well preserved, interesting and cosmopolitan. It is small enough to see in a short amount of time, but beautiful enough to make you want to stay much longer.

Bern City Guide

Despite being the capital of Switzerland Bern is only the fifth largest city in the country. With a population of around 130,000, this charming venue is smaller than Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Lausanne. Despite the size, Bern is an important city with a remarkable design and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Bern was founded in 1191 by Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen. The Duke then named the city after a bear he had killed. The bear is an important part of Bern’s image as it is featured on its emblem and a major tourist attraction in the city. A pit with two of the animals enclosed is situated near the river and is open 08:00-17:30 in the summertime and 09:00 to 16:00 in the winter. The pit is likely to be expanded in the future with the possibility of the bears being able to swim in the river.

Bern has a rich history which I documented in the Berne Historical Museum – the second largest in the country. For a political view of the city, the Federal Palace of Switzerland, known as Bundeshaus offers guided tours when the government is not in session.

Throughout the city there are small alien graffiti mosaics. These can be found on rooftops, walls and bridges and were declared in 1998 by the anonymous artist known as ‘Invader’. These pieces are shown on certain maps and tours through the city.

Near the centre of the old town is the interestingly designed Zytglogge. Built around the turn of the 13th century, this features an hourly display of early technology with a wonderful animation. Minutes before the hour, music will play along with a drumming jester. On the hour, bears and a king appear. The city’s tourist office offers guided tours of the clock tower, showing the mechanics behind the show.

The city’s international airport is slightly south of the city and offers flights to many major European cities. From the airport, a shuttle bus drives to the central train station and taxis are also available. The central train station is interestingly designed and offers connections to most major cities in Switzerland.

Although Bern is not the largest city in Switzerland, it has the importance, beauty and design expected of a European capital city as well as the cleanliness and safe atmosphere common throughout the country.

Frankfurt City Guide

Frankfurt is one of the only four cities in Europe have a significant amount of high rise skyscrapers. Despite being only the fifth largest city in Germany, it is the finance and transport capital of the country.

The many skyscrapers help, but don´t solely create a modern look and feel to the city. Frankfurt was severely bombed in World War II, with around 5,500 residents killed. Post was reconstruction took place in a modern, simplified style. A few landmark buildings were recreated historically, however, these were still simplified. Despite the modern look to Frankfurt, a number of touristic sights are scattered throughout, including the medieval city, which, post-war was the largest in Germany. This area has been reconstructed, much like the rest of Frankfurt, but still provides a picturesque setting.

The River Main runs through the city and a walk along its bank provides a pleasant route. Slightly away from this, the Roemer can be found. This is the city hall, located on the Römerberg. Made up of nine houses, acquired by the council from a wealthy merchant in 1405, and partially destroyed in World War II, this provides one of the most historical looking settings in Frankfurt. A short walk from this leads to St. Bartholomew´s Cathedral, which was originally constructed in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Historical buildings are not as prominent in Frankfurt as the modern skyscrapers. The tallest of these is the 259 metre high Commerzbank Tower, which is formerly Europe’s tallest Building. Behind this in height is the Messeturm, which stands at 257 metres. Both of these towers however are not open to the public. The Maintower, which is 200 metres tall, has an observation deck at the top for the public.
If you are looking for a historical city with old buildings, Frankfurt may not be the best choice for a touristic visit. This multicultural, modern place, however, does have a lot to offer in terms of sightseeing. Europe doesn´t offer many opportunities to see so many skyscrapers in such a small space. Frankfurt presents the chance to see a business city, which attracts immigrants from all over the world, providing culture, style and impressively tall buildings.

Füssen Travel Guide

This small German town in the region of Bavaria is famous for the enchanting castles on its outskirts. Thousands of visitors flock to Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau every year, whilst paying little or no attention to the charming surroundings of this friendly area.

Lying to the east of Füssen, Castle Neuschwanstein is reachable by a quick bus ride or a long walk. The building was commissioned in the 19th Century by Ludwig II of Bavaria and designed by a theatrical set designer, rather than an architect. Opening in 1886, over 50 million people have visited, making it one of Europe’s most popular tourist attractions.

Within a short distance of Neuschwanstein is the childhood residence of Ludwig II, Hohenschwangau castle. Build by King Maximilian II between 1832 and 1837, this was previously the site for the Fortress Schwanstein. The medieval fortress was originally built by a family of knights and dates back to the 12th Century.

Various churches are situated around the town, and the buildings in the centre have a distinct Bavarian style, but much of the attraction of Füssen comes from the natural beauty in its surroundings. For those who enjoy hiking, there are routes of mixed difficulty levels all around. Mountains surround picturesque lakes throughout the area, creating relaxing, yet stimulating treks.

For the evenings, a number of restaurants are scattered around the town, especially between the train station and centre. Füssen isn’t known for it’s food, but due to the amount of tourism in the area, there are a good amount of restaurants of different styles. For drinking, many Bavarian beers are available in pubs in the centre. Arguably some of the best beers in Europe come out of the Bavarian area, so it is recommended to at least try one.

Füssen is not large enough to provide attraction for a long holiday, however, it is worth visiting the town, rather than just the castles nearby. A direct train goes to and from Munich allowing the possibility of a Munich/Füssen holiday, giving an interesting mix of a bustling city and quiet town, both showing different sides of the wonderful Bavarian culture.

Geneva City Guide

Geneva is known for being a global city as it is one of the major centres of international diplomacy. Although French is the official language spoken in the city, English, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese and Arabic are also prominent as well as German and Italian.

Surrounded by the Alps and the Jura mountain ranges, the city is located on the South-Western side of Lake Geneva and is within a short journey of France and Italy.

Getting to Geneva is fairly easy. Many plane companies, including Easyjet offer flights to destinations all over Europe and a couple of flights go trans-Atlantic. The city is well served by train with services to locations all over Switzerland as well as some parts of France and Italy. There are also night connections to Barcelona with a journey duration of nine and a half hours.

One advantage the city has, due to it’s proximity to a large lake is the possibility of boat travel to and from various ports around the coast line.

Travel within Geneva can be done by bus, train, tram, bike, walking and by car. Driving is especially useful if you intend on visiting the nearby mountains.

One of the more prominent attractions in Geneva is the Jet d'Eau. This is a jet which pumps water around 140metres into the air. Once an occasional pressure release for a power generator, locals were so impressed with the way it towered above the city, it was made into a permanent fixture when a pump was installed in 1891. The surrounding area gets soaked with water.

The city’s old town holds the towering Cathédrale St-Pierre, a part-Romanesque, part-Gothicbuilding just off Grand-Rue and is where John Calvin preached from 1536 to 1564. The Palais de Nations is the European arm of the UN. One of the most impressive aspects of this important building is the Assembley hall, but it is also worth visiting the fantastically designed gardens and viewing the large collection of art. Various tours are available.

Geneva is truly an international city, however, despite the cosmopolitan feel of the city, it doesn’t have the style one would expect. Here you can meet people from every part of the world in one place, but generally, it is not the liveliest of places. There are, however a number of attractions to see, and it is friendly and safe. The lake provides a good focal point to the city and on a clear day, the mountains provide a beautiful backdrop. Whilst the city does not have a huge amount to do, it works well as a hub for being based in whilst visiting the nearby mountains, lake locations and cities in Switzerland, France and Italy.

Gimmelwald Travel Guide

This small mountain village just above Stechelberg in Switzerland has a population of less than 200, but attracts thousands of tourists every year. Visitors flock from all over the world to this tiny hotspot to experience the beautiful views, interesting culture and fresh mountain air.

The main occupations in Gimmelwald are farming and tourism, however, the village also had a school and firehouse. As well as a few small hotels and guesthouses, a popular hostel offers low budget accommodation in a fun and friendly environment. Nearby Mürren, a slightly larger village has a lot more business life with a number of shops including a supermarket.

The main activity on offer in Gimmelwald is hiking. Trails in the area vary from relaxing strolls to tough, steep climbs. Breathtaking mountain views, stunning waterfalls and in some months, snowy hills surround the village, giving fantastic photo opportunities and motivation to walk. A walk up the hill to Mürren presents the opportunity for paragliding as well as skiing during the cold seasons.

Getting to Gimmelwald is an adventure in itself. Public transport runs from Bern, however, this is by two trains, a bus and a cable car. A national train runs between Bern and Interlaken Ost, and from here a local service connects to Lauterbrunnen. A bus takes passengers from there to the Stechelberg cable car station. A short, but spectacular assent from here leads to the edge of Gimmelwald.

Despite the location and size of Gimmelwald, there is a wonderful atmosphere and plenty to do. The mixture of cheap and more expensive accommodation in the area presents a fantastic opportunity for anyone to experience the culture, surroundings and lifestyle of this charming mountain village.