Shopping off the Beaten Track
There’s more to shopping in Europe than the designer brands on Champs-Élysées.
There’s more to shopping in Europe than the designer brands on Champs-Élysées.
Sundays in Budapest are a design-lovers paradise. Original and trendy clothes, toys, furniture, ornaments, ceramics or recyclable objects can be found in abundance at the Hungarian design market ‘WAMP’. Held once a month in the Milenaris Park, in Budapest, the Sunday fair is an opportunity for a wealth of young designers to showcase their work for the first time.
The Nationale straat, or National Street, in historic Antwerp, is the epicentre of the Flemish fashion scene, and one of Europe’s most prominent fashion districts. With a Fashion Museum (MOMU) and the renowned fashion department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, located on National Street, Antwerp is a city displaying a unique and trendy fashion vibe at every turn.
Contemplating what could be done with a boring grey parking lot, architect Hans Peter Hagens had a creative idea: to turn it into an organic food market. Little did he know that this was going to become the new hype on Copenhagen’s food market scene. He proposed the concept to the Municipality of Copenhagen back in 1997 and travelled all around the world to study other examples. The market finally opened its doors in September 2011.
The artists hosted in St Catherine’s passage in the medieval part of Tallinn’s old town are united by a guild. But they have not sworn eternal loyalty to each other, but to you: the so-called ‘Katariina Guild’ is the idea that visitors should be able to witness the processes behind each artisan’s creations. Wandering along cobbled streets, visitors can observe work first-hand in the artists’ studios, showcasing an array of textiles, ceramics, millenary, fine leatherwork, patchwork, jewelry and hot glass.
Lisbon is a city of contrasts. It can be elegant and fashionable, glamorous and alternative. You can encounter tradition, but also find the latest modern trends. In Lisbon, the so-called city of the seven hills, you’ll inevitably stumble across the Chiado district, the city’s most well-known shopping area.
In the narrow streets in the old town of Veliko Tarnovo, craftsmen still practice their trades. Artisans such as blacksmiths, potters and jewelers are still using techniques from times gone by. But inspiration is also found in the modern world, creating objects in perfect harmony between past and present. Situated in North-Central Bulgaria, relatively few foreign tourists find their way here, but those who do certainly meet face-to-face with history.
There’s more to shopping in Europe than the designer brands on Champs-Élysées.
There’s a lot to celebrate in Europe – especially during one of Europe’s many fire and ice festivals. Each festival is different from the rest, but they’re all a good time. From Iceland to Malta and everywhere in between, Europe’s festivals are some of the most colorful, festive and energetic celebrations on the planet. Browse some of the best and literally the brightest fire and ice festivals in Europe with this photo gallery.
How architecture and contrasts changed Europe’s cities.
Modern day Europe is crossed by ancient medieval pilgrimage and trade routes, travelled by walkers and ramblers on a slow adventure, discovering castles, vineyards and olive trees, delicious food and local wines. One of the most famous routes in Europe is the Via Francigena – or the route from France how it was called in medieval Italy. Crossing Europe from Canterbury (England) to Rome (Italy), it reaches Santa Maria di Leuca on the very tip of the Italian heel. The route takes you from Northern Europe to the harbors of the Mediterranean Sea along 3200km, which are manageable in 4 months on foot. Browse the gallery to discover, region by region, some of the most beautiful places along the Via Francigena. Join Via Francigena photo contest!
Every August, the Mainz Wine Market in the Romantic City Park brings together regional wine enthusiasts for a vibrant gathering.
The Stuttgart Wine Festival is a not-to be-missed event for wine lovers. It is held each year in the Baden-Württemberg region of Germany. The festival’s entire focus is on food and wine, and it’s a summer event with a twist: there is no loud music! Those who, in addition to gastronomy, also love velocity and cars will find a real paradise and this event is the perfect chance to discover the region.
Europe is a jolly place to be any time of the year. But when Christmas time rolls around, some places become nothing short of magical. It all starts at the Christmas markets sprinkled throughout the continent. From Finland to France, unwrap the wonder of European Christmas markets with this gallery. Then, find your way here in December to experience it firsthand.
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Touch the sand and dirt where the greatest generation fought for freedom and prosperity for all.
Christmas markets and other holiday attractions.
If you love cooking as much as you love traveling, why not combine your passions and embark on the ultimate tasting tour? With gastronomic tourism on the rise, travellers from all over the world are able to get a unique perspective on a country’s native cuisine and how it’s prepared while sampling the local culture, sights and attractions. Try a cooking class in Europe and learn culinary secrets from world-renowned chefs in some of Europe’s most spectacular settings. Learn to make paella in Valencia, how they make cheese in the South of France, or about nose-to-tail butchering in the English countryside.
The #HistoricallyCurious archaeologist Raven interviews the fellow archaeologist Patricia Brum. Click below and learn more on the Roman Troia site just 30 minutes from Lisbon.