Shopping off the Beaten Track
There’s more to shopping in Europe than the designer brands on Champs-Élysées.
Set sail on Europe’s high seas with a cruise. Explore the water and coastal destinations of one of Europe’s many cruise options, from big luxury cruise lines to chartering a small fishing boat.
Set sail from the large port city of Tallinn in Estonia. On board a cruise through the Baltic sea you can visit other amazing coastal cities like Helsinki, Riga, Copenhagen or Stockholm.
See everything the Baltic Sea has to offer on a cruise from Sweden to Latvia. Riga and Stockholm both have old world charm that complements each other perfectly
Poland’s vast coastline is central Europe’s gateway to the Baltic. Drop anchor in Gdynia to visit the beautiful Hel peninsula.
Embark on your own fishing or cruise trip from Sopot.Originally a medieval fishing village, Sopot has grown along with the neighboring cities of Gdańsk and Gdynia.
See Norway’s famous fjords up close on cruise through the Norwegian Sea. These impressive geographical features are best seen from the water, as their massive cliffs and inlets are difficult to all take in from land.
Apart from taking a cruise ship, you can also charter a private yacht and set your own schedule, like here in Montenegro.
Cruises aren’t all just about being on the ocean. Take some quality time to see a sunset from the warm beaches of the Mediterranean.
Your holiday doesn’t have to completely center around your time on the water. Take a few extra days in a seaside hotel, like these in Monte Carlo.
Take the overnight cruise from Copenhagen to Oslo and explore two countries in a weekend. Two bustling metropolises now, both cities grew out of small Norse villages around the turn of the first millennium.
Hire a sailing ship and explore the many cosy harbors, islands and coastal waters around Denmark.
There’s more to the Adriatic sea than just Italy. See the wonderfully preserved medieval city of Dubrovnik in Croatia and all the other charming coastal cities when you make port for the night.
Explore the beautiful Atlantic ocean from the coastal towns and cities along Portugal and Spain’s western borders, and out to the islands farther into the ocean. Madeira island, Portugal pictured here is a colorful retreat is southeast of the European mainland.
While you may not think of the Arctic as an ideal cruise location, the breathtaking views of Iceland and surrounding natural features like glaciers and icebergs are well worth braving the cold. It’s also a unique chance to see some Arctic wildlife like whales or orcas.
There’s more to shopping in Europe than the designer brands on Champs-Élysées.
Romance is everywhere in Europe. But along the coast and in the small harbor towns, romance is inevitable. From seaside villages in Italy to beaches in Latvia, browse some of the most romantic coastal spots in Europe. Then, treat your sweetheart to the ultimate getaway.
In 2021, eleven amazing spa towns in seven European countries were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a ‘transnational serial’ World Heritage Site, called the “Great Spa Towns of Europe”. These towns, in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom represent a unique cultural achievement and urban form which was at its height from the late 18th century to the 1930s.
Music is at the heart of every country, city and person in Europe. But the type of music you’ll find during a trip to Europe can vary dramatically. From modern rock festivals to classic opera performances, you’re sure to see and hear a wide range of performances. Browse this gallery for a taste of some of Europe’s most interesting music scenes.
Europe is a magical place. From ancient castles to picturesque waterfalls, much of the scenery looks like it could be straight out of a fairytale. In fact, much of Europe’s best literature, collections of short stories and iconic European fairytales are inspired by real places. Explore them for yourself to turn the stories of folklore into your reality.
Your ultimate guide to taking on the continent.
The Lent Festival is the biggest open-air festival in Slovenia and one of the biggest in Europe. Festival Lent is culture. Culture of a city. Of a city entering summer. Festival Lent is culture. Culture of mingling. Mingling with glances. With smiles. Festival Lent is culture. Culture of senses. Music. Theatre. Dance. Cuisine. Festival Lent is culture. The culture of Maribor. Unique, and one of a kind.
Recharge your batteries in Swiss thermal spas!
Blueberry pie recipe from the European Young Chef Award 2017 was created by Josi Polso, representing Kuopio – European Region of Gastronomy candidate 2020
Hünkar Begendi was created during the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz, for his special guest Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon the Third. The name of this dish literally translates as “liked by the Sultan.” The chef kept on asking the Sultan and the Empress if they liked the dish, therefore the name got stuck as “liked by the Sultan.” In fact the Empress liked it so much that, she asked for the recipe and took it back home with her.
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Plenty of cooking demonstrations with some of Ireland’s best known chefs.