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The Smart Tourism Experience: Valencia & Bordeaux Leading the Way
Bordeaux and Valencia are the 2022 European Capitals of Smart Tourism . The European Capital of Smart Tourism competition was set up by the European Commission to recognize and award the outstanding best practices and innovations that European cities have achieved in smart tourism. Cities from all over Europe apply to be crowned as the next European Capital of Smart Tourism and are assessed in four distinct categories: accessibility, sustainability, digitalization, and cultural heritage and …
Traditional crafts in Europe
Artisanal traditions are alive and well across Europe, preserved through knowledge passed down from generation to generation. Get in touch with these handicraft traditions — literally — not only by seeking them out at fairs and in shops but taking hands-on workshops. You’ll appreciate the skills required much better when you try your hand at throwing and decorating pottery, weaving baskets, carving wood, or making anything from lace to toys to musical instruments or bread, cheese and beer. From …
European Music Destinations
If music makes your world go ‘round, visiting Europe for festivals and concerts is a perfect idea. You’ll be spoiled for choice by the variety of events in terms of musical genre, particular instrument, performers — local and international —festival length, location, venue, and audience size. Dress up for an opera performed in an iconic hall , or take a picnic to one in the park . You can visit the hometowns of favorite European composers, learn to folk dance with locals, groove ‘til the wee …
Portugal’s timeless city of Coimbra
Tradition, charm, and a university's vibrancy Step away from the usual routes and into the laid-back rhythm of Coimbra , one of Portugal’s most historic and captivating cities. Set along the banks of the Mondego River, Coimbra was once the capital of the Portuguese kingdom and remains a place where tradition, student life, and cultural heritage come together in uniquely authentic ways. Begin your visit at the university , founded in the 13th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site — a …
Veggie and vegan in Flanders
A wonderful universe of fine dining Flanders is a place of and for lovers of life. You can sense this in Flanders’ wealth of top gastronomic restaurants, which guarantee a marvelous culinary experience. More and more of these trailblazers take a noticeably sustainable approach and are building a veggie and vegan universe. Flanders’ culinary future is veggie, creative and sizzling. Here are just a few of Flanders’ green hotspots for gourmets. Souvenir, Ghent Fifteen years ago in Ghent, the city …
Portugal’s abundant veggies
Savoring Portugal as a vegetarian Although Portugal is traditionally known for its fish, seafood, and meat-based cuisine , the country is becoming increasingly welcoming to vegetarians. This change is influenced by Portugal’s Mediterranean diet , which naturally includes an abundance of fresh and dried vegetables, legumes (beans, chickpeas, broad beans, etc.), dried fruits and nuts (walnuts, almonds, chestnuts, raisins, etc.), and whole cereals, breads, and herbs. As well, olive oil is the main …
Barrier-free Czechia
Czechia offers plenty to do for people with various physical limitations. Here is an overview of the most accessible destinations in Czechia. Remember, wherever a wheelchair user can move around freely, so can parents with children in strollers, too! Czech accessible tourism guide The number of destinations in Czechia that are accessible to all, regardless of physical ability, is growing. Prague has disabled travelers in mind, although the cobblestones can make some of the ancient streets …
Almere, a gem in the Netherlands
For savvy travelers who like architecture and more Amsterdam is a top Dutch spot, yet savvy travelers are on to a refreshing alternative just 30 minutes away by train. Almere , the Netherlands ' youngest city, offers a real Dutch experience — with fewer crowds and better prices than the capital. Almere's story is uniquely Dutch: a city literally carved from the sea floor. Built on reclaimed land in the 1970s, it has grown into the Netherlands' eighth-largest city. What makes it extraordinary …
Why you should visit Europe off-season
Imagine this: you’ve arrived at the Colosseum or Acropolis or Cologne Cathedral. There are no queues, hardly any people. You almost have these renowned landmarks all to yourself. That’s the benefit of traveling to Europe in the off-season . Did you know that a third of all visitors to Europe come in July and August? To be sure, these balmy months are wonderful. But there’s an entirely different side to this marvelous continent that’s waiting to be discovered, if you know when to come and where …
Tourism with Good Taste
Sample the Best Cooking Schools in Europe If you love cooking as much as you love travelling, why not combine your passions and embark on the ultimate tasting tour? With gastronomic tourism on the rise, travelers 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 …