Shopping off the Beaten Track
There’s more to shopping in Europe than the designer brands on Champs-Élysées.
One of the best ways to witness the diversity of Europe is to participate in one of the many festivals – be it celebrating a saint, food , film or even the circus.
In Valencia, Saint Joseph is celebrated both spectacularly and loudly. Each neighbourhood of the city produces a model known as a falla, often a cartoon-like sculpture made from papier maché. Over 700 of these, sometimes giant, figurines decorate the city. At the end of the celebration the fallas are burnt amidst loud celebrations as firecrackers and fireworks explode, making sure all around can hear the festivities
Every August hundreds of thousands of people flock to Edinburgh for the world’s largest arts festival. Actually made up of two separate festivals, the high-art Edinburgh International Festival and the more alternative Fringe festival, the event sees the whole city transformed into a stage, with entertainers from all over Britain and beyond putting on an act.
Ever wondered what the Brandenburg Gate or Reichstag would look like in deep purple or light green? If so, the annual Festivals of Lights in Berlin is your chance to see. Every year Berlin’s most famous buildings are lit up for one of the largest illumination festivals in the world, transforming these world-famous landmarks through light, projections, and events.
With the focus on how everyday life can give rise to artistic creation, La Strada Street Theatre Festival in Graz gives visitors the chance to experience art and theatre in innovative and sometimes unexpected ways. With performances spilling out onto the street and all around, don’t be surprised if you find yourselves caught up in the action on your tram or bus home…
Utilising its location at the crossroads between Eastern and Western Europe, Karlovy Vary’s International Film Festival brings films from across the world to the diverse audience of Central and Eastern Europe. Started in 1946, it was used as a propaganda tool by the Communist government for many years, but since the Velvet Revolution it has developed into one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world.
Based at the Centre for New Circus, the Cirko celebrates and provides a modern interpretation of traditional Finnish circus, bringing it to life for a contemporary audience. With performers coming from around the world this is a great way to see juggling and acrobatics as you have never seen them before.
Oysters are the order of the day in Galway, and especially so on the last weekend of September when the world’s longest-running oyster festival is held. With a wide range of events on offer, from high-class tasting in some of Galway’s best restaurants to fun events for children, this food festival has something for everyone.
Come enjoy one of Italy’s most famous creations, the pizza, at its birthplace in Naples. As well as sampling the true Neapolitan pizza, the festival offers lessons on how to make the perfect dough and traditional tomato sauce, so you can take a little bit of Napoli back with you!
There’s more to shopping in Europe than the designer brands on Champs-Élysées.
Some of Europe’s most historic sites are sports stadiums. From gladiators battling in the Colosseum to the world’s best footballers competing in Camp Nou, stadiums have long had their place of prominence in European lifestyle. Explore 10 of the most historic sporting sites throughout the years with this photo gallery.
Discovering Europe’s creative hotspots. A selection of trendsetting venues, innovative concepts, and the freshest ingredients to inspire your visit to Europe.
Travel back to the Middle Ages with this photo gallery of the most breathtaking castles that still stand in Europe.
The mystery of the Celtic people continues to entice people to visit the ancient sites and ponder the meaning of what’s been left behind. You can explore well-known passage graves and monastic settlements of Ireland and Scotland to catch a glimpse into the sacred and storied Celts, but you can also find their mark on a number of other places throughout Europe that are just as fascinating.
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Europe is unique in every way. So, it’s no coincidence that it offers some of the most unique lodging options in the world. Whether you’re backpacking through Spain or you’re a spending a month in Norway for school, you’re sure to find an unforgettable place to sleep at night. Consider this gallery your guide to some of the most unique places to stay in Europe.
Musical locations around the island!
A few of our favorite sporting events…
Three perfect cities for discovering Europe’s freshest creative talent!