Evening in Venice – just before the great storm / Photo by admin

Most Romantic Time of Year to Visit

Venice, or Venezia, as it’s known to the locals, has the best weather in late spring and early summer. Unfortunately, that also makes it the busiest, most crowded and most expensive time of year to go. Skip summer altogether, as the heat and the smell from the canals is decidedly unromantic. Autumn is a possible alternative as the weather cools and the crowds thin. However, it also marks the start of high water season which can sometimes be inconvenient – and wet. The best bargains and fewest crowds can be found during the winter, but be ready to bundle up since winters are indeed cold. On the bright side, snuggling up to keep warm can be very romantic.

Most Romantic Things to See and Do

While just about any activity can be romantic if you’re in love, there are certain things to see and do in Venice that are particularly romantic. From gondola rides to simply losing yourself in the city, the following is a list of the most romantic things to see and do in Venice:

Romantic evening in Venice, Italy / Photo by admin

Go for the Gondola

It may be cliché, but no romantic visit to Venezia is complete without a gondola ride. However, for the most romantic experience possible, it’s good to keep a few things in mind:

• Gondola rides can be expensive. Gondola fares are set, but do get more expensive at night or if they are booked through an agency or your hotel. They are also more expensive the longer they are (average is 40 minutes) or if your gondolier sings (not all do). The fare goes down significantly if you share your gondola with other riders, but that’s not terribly romantic.
• Venice is divided into six neighborhoods. For a more secluded (and possibly less expensive) ride, board a gondola in one of the less busy neighborhoods.
• If you simply cannot afford a gondola, try a traghetto instead. A traghetto is similar to a gondola (though not as romantic) and will take you across the Grand Canal for less than a dollar.

Evening in Venice, Italy / Photo by admin

Sunrise, Sunset

There are several things to do in Venice that are exponentially more romantic when done either at sunrise or at sunset. Here’s just a partial list of the best dawn and dusk has to offer:

• Walk the city at sunrise – While it may be hard to want to get out of bed before dawn, the effort is well worth it. The streets are quiet and empty as the locals are setting up for another gorgeous day. As sunlight begins to flood the city streets, grab a latte at a local café and relax as the city comes to life.
• St. Mark’s Square – This location is magical at both ends of the day. Travelers and romantics in the know recommend dancing in St. Mark’s Square at dawn as one of the most romantic things a couple can do in Venice. If it happens to be close to evening, climb Giotto’s Campanile (bell tower) for a stunning view of the city at sunset.
• Take a twilight photography tour – Walk the city’s most beautiful sites and photograph them while they’re bathed in romantic swatches of color and light. Make sure your tour includes the Bridge of Sighs, a romantic location in its own right.

Lost in Venice, Italy / Photo by admin

Touch a Heart

There is a street in Venice, Sotoportego dei Preti, where those seeking love can find a heart in an arched stone entryway between two houses. Sotoportego dei Preti might be hard to find but legend has it if you’re in a relationship and you touch the heart together, your love will last forever.

Venice is, in a word, romantic. Losing your map and losing yourself in the city is one of the most romantic things you can do. Let the city take you where it will and let your heart lead the way.

Contributing blogger Cora Righton lives for romance, having chased it down the streets of Italy for most of her adult life.

The post In Love In (and With) Venice appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo by William Murphy

Mini cruises are a great option if you want to sample a destination or area, without committing a whole fortnight to it. You can relax and unwind for a long weekend, or enjoy a mid-week getaway to many destinations. Just because you can’t spare much time doesn’t mean your choice of cruise ships is limited either. The majority of cruise companies now have a short break option, often sailing from ports within the UK so you don’t waste any time travelling to ports in resort.

Stroll along the canals in Bruges, relax in a cosmopolitan cafe in Rotterdam, or explore a traditional fishing village in Spain – whatever takes your fancy, there’s a mini cruise to suit you even if you only have a few nights to spare.

With so many fabulous ships to choose from, some people opt for mini cruises just to enjoy the wide range of activities on board. Try your luck in a casino, take a dip in a refreshing pool or sing and dance the night away at a cabaret show – all without stepping foot off your chosen ship!

If you’re planning a birthday surprise, a hen do or a romantic long weekend away, mini cruises are a fantastic option. Holidays away with groups can sometimes be more stressful than they’re worth, as it’s hard to have your own space and keep everyone happy. This is where short cruise escapes are ideal, as you can spend time together, or go off and do your own thing for a while, whilst still all being onboard the same magnificent floating hotel.

With mini cruises available for a range of durations and destinations, there really is no excuse not to hop aboard and treat yourself to a few days of escapism…

The post Short Stay Cruises appeared first on Europe Explored.

Canals of Ljubljana, Slovenia / xiquinhosilva

Slovenia

Travellers may start their Eastern Europe adventure by visiting this small country situated east of Italy. Caravan enthusiasts often venture to Ljubljana, which has an excellent caravan resort that many campers use as base camp. The fully equipped facility not only has all of the basic amenities, but additionally offers car hire services, a fitness centre, complete with sauna, and wireless internet. The river flows through the medieval town centre filled with Baroque styled architecture and fountains. Take a charter boat ride, canoe or kayak down the picturesque river while enjoying the scenery. During the first century, the Romans inhabited the area and visitors have the opportunity of stepping back in time at the City Museum and exploring life in the ancient city of Emona.

Take a day trip down the highway for 46.5 km (29 miles) and visit the scenic community of Bled, located near the spectacular Julian Alps. The community also has camp sites for those desiring a longer stay. Take a horse and carriage ride around the deep blue glacial lake or up to Bled castle. Visitors enjoy free swimming on the island side of the lake. Gaze in awe at the green forest covered hills and mountains of the area. At Vintgar Gorge, guests journey a wooden bridge path that leads to beautiful pools, rapids and waterfalls.
Visitors enjoy another interesting day trip by travelling 55km (35 miles) from Ljubljana to Predjama. Of all the castles in the country, Predjama may be the most interesting. In the late 1200s, the Luegar family resided here in the Postojna Cave system and built a magnificent fortress extending out from the cave and into the side of the mountain. Learn the legend of the knight known as Erazem who lived a Robin Hood like lifestyle until succumbing to his enemies. The castle offers tours of the fortress and cave system while providing commanding views over the countryside.

Budapest, Hungary / Marco Aurelio Martins Costa

Hungary

From Slovenia, travellers may follow the highway north to Hungary. The vast Lake Balaton offers the perfect location for a base camp. A four star camp resort offers numerous amenities in addition to the 50km lake that provides the perfect location for swimming or other water sports. Located in the city of Sunshine, the campsite is only 7km (4 miles) from Budapest and within two hour’s drive from other amazing sites.

The capital city of Budapest contains numerous beautiful buildings that include the St. Stephen’s Basilica, the largest church in the city. Enjoy the amazing architecture and artefacts then climb the lookout tower for an amazing view of the city. Hero’s square contains many different places to visit including the Scechenyi baths, the Budapest Zoo and City Park.

Drive just 69km (43 miles) from Budapest and see Holloko Village, which is one of the country’s World Heritage Sites. This small medieval village, developed during the 1400s, features many of the original buildings. The location also has a number of cultural museums, dedicated to dolls, the post office and the history of Holloko. Residents also display century’s old crafts that include weaving.

Just 91km (57 miles) from Budapest, visitors find the town of Villany, one of Hungary’s important winemaking regions. The community lies nestled in a valley surrounded by the Baranya Hills on one side and the Villany Mountains on another. Here guests have the opportunity of touring the facilities and vineyards of winemaking locations.

Eastern Europe is sometimes a forgotten destination, but is well worth the trip, to explore and enjoy.

This mini-travel guide is brought to you by Caravan Club – who offer travel advice and caravanning news for caravan enthusiasts. If you are planning a trip, check out their caravan sites on www.caravanclub.co.uk.

The post Travelling in Eastern Europe appeared first on Europe Explored.

Oudegracht begins in the south-eastern part of the city where are joining together the rivers Kromme Rijn and Vaartse Rijn, and where begins the original moat of the fortified town. Oudegracht then continues to the center of Utrecht. Part of Oudegracht follows the original course of the river Rhine, but it is not certain which part of it is.

View Oudegracht – one of the most famous and most beautiful canals in the Netherlands in a larger map

The northern part of Oudegracht is probably older, it dates back to around the 10th century and connects the River Rhine with the River Vecht. The construction of the southern part began in 1122, but then the river level dropped due to the completion of the new dam in Wijk bij Duurstede. Exposed shores were then used to protect the city from flooding. Since 1275 the water level is stable.

Oudegracht form a vibrant center of Utrecht. It is alive on both sides. Here you can sit on numerous outdoor terraces and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the place, watching the ships and boats or take a walk around the water where you can find a quiet picturesque places in the shade of aged trees. Also such a night lit Oudegracht belongs to a very romantic experience.

You can explore the beauty of Oudegracht for hours from its banks, bridges or from the water. There are organized cruises and gondola cruises, or you can rent canoes or paddle boats.

View Oudegracht – one of the most famous and most beautiful canals in the Netherlands in a larger map

The post Oudegracht – one of the most famous and most beautiful canals in the Netherlands appeared first on Europe Explored.

Fireline of the Rotterdam, commemoration of the May 1940 bombardement by Nazi Germany by Trebaxus

The port of Rotterdam has 105km2 and stretches over a distance of 40km. The largest ocean-going ships have unrestricted access to the port for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A sea depth in the port is 24 meters, which allow access to any ship.

More than 500 regular shipping lines connect Rotterdam with over a thousand ports around the world. For many smaller European ports serves as a container transshipment.

Goods coming into Rotterdam in the morning, may be, for example in Germany, Belgium, France or Great Britain on the same afternoon. One of the main advantages of Rotterdam is its location at the mouth of the rivers Rhine and Maas. The result is efficient and economical use of transport by rivers and canals deep into the heart of Europe.

Rotterdam, Netherlands by M.M.Minderhoud

The metropolis is surprisingly quite different from other cities in the Netherlands. The port of Rotterdam was very important already during the World War II and therefore it was totally destroyed. The city was not renewed again like lots of other Holland cities, but it was built from the scratch. Rotterdam is now a city of skyscrapers.

When you go to Rotterdam, you will be surprised by the transport system. The density of highways is unbelievable, have many lanes, there are a large number of highway intersections. Roads are built on bridges and raids in several levels. If you saw the transportation system of the Japanese and North American cities, so it is exactly here. Moreover, everything is illuminated at night. Tunnels are not an exception.

The post Port of Rotterdam – the biggest port in Europe | Netherlands appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Jack Versloot

In the summer you can enjoy sandy beaches along the North Sea. If you are planning a holiday by the sea, be sure to book a hotel in advance. Lakes, reservoirs and canals create ideal conditions for water sports. E.g. sailing is a very common and popular enjoyment here. During spring and summer the flowers are just about everywhere.

The Netherlands is divided into 12 provinces and include also a set of Caribbean islands – Netherlands Antilles and the independent island of Aruba. Although the Netherlands is a small country, it offers many interesting places. E.g. windmills – certainly every one of us has heard about them. However from the several thousands of them, only less than a thousand survived.

Cities and their surroundings are full of cultural and historical monuments, ancient buildings and museums. Near the towns there are parks suitable for a bike or roller skating. Those more adventurous can take advantage of water reservoirs and rivers and experience firsthand with sailing and windsurfing on the largest lake in the country Ijsselmeer. Hiking is probably the most ideal way to combine an active holiday with sightseeing.

The coast are beautiful as well. After a tide there are hundreds of small and large treasures from the seabed lying on the beaches. It is difficult to recommend a place or location, which would be best. The main point is that regardless of where you are and how you arrived, you are welcomed by nice and helpful people.

What is the best known in the Netherlands? Fantastic fields of tulips and other flowers. Colourful markets offer great cheese directly from their producers that still wear traditional costumes. Ticking clogs, windmills ….. famous painter Vincent van Gogh and Rembrandt and Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is a city where you can find dozens of museums, tourist boats filling the canals, grinding of diamonds, coffeshops at each corner. Another Dutch city of Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port. The city boasts modern architecture and offers views of the city from the air – from well-known, 185 meters high, Euromast tower. Utrecht is a historic town dominated by the Dom Church with tower reaches a height of 112 meters.

When visiting the country you should not miss the fishing village at the IJsselmeer – the largest lake in Western Europe. In addition, the towns of Edam and Alkmaar, which are famous for their cheese markets and the small town of Delft which is famous for producing the famous Delft pottery.

There are also several theme and amusement parks in Netherlands.

The post Netherlands – a country of windmills, tulips and water canals appeared first on Europe Explored.