Málaga, Andalucía, Spain by untipografico

When you land at Malaga airport (the largest in Andalucía) you might be tempted to pick up your car hire and set off on the open road, out of the city or even province. But wait, don’t miss out on Malaga; take in the city first then head out to discover the rest of the province. Malaga province known largely for the Costa del Sol (one of the first places to attract tourism in Spain) should be well reviewed and documented. However, the city itself and the small villages in the area were relatively undiscovered. If you want an initial guide on Malaga province then look no further than this plethora of perfect places to peruse:

The City Itself – Historic Cultural Malaga

If you like Spain, you’ll love Malaga. Rich in culture from art galleries to incredible eateries, you can take in a bull fight or become engrossed with Picasso. Malaga as the birth home of the modern artist offers a multitude of modern art galleries – the Thyssen, the CAC and the Picasso Museum to name just three. When you want to relax, soak up the atmosphere and people watch then there is no better place than one of the coffee shops or restaurants. Top insider tips include: Le Panto on Calle Larios for incredible cakes, Café con Libros on Plaza Merced for thirst quenching juices and milkshakes, Taberna el Quitapenas on Calle de Marin Garcia for fresh fish and Bodega El Pimpi for Sherry and Serrano Ham.

Málaga Cathedral, Andalucía, Spain by Thomas Münter

Beyond the City and into the Mountains

Malaga province is famed for White Mountain villages where they are as picturesque as they’re traditional. Each village has its own nuances from eating a special variety of lemon sprinkled with paprika as tapas in Iznate, to slow oven cooked kid with garlic in Canillas de Aceituno. This is the real Spain, jump in a car hire in Malaga and set off around the province. On your drive from the coast it becomes mountainous very quickly and the winding roads offer some fantastic views out to sea over to Morocco. Visit Gaucin with its art shops and wonderful sunsets or the area around Grazalema which is a hiker’s paradise. Each white village offers something new, if not a culinary delight then an incredible view.

Summer Dining

Spain as a whole is rich in gastronomic delights and Malaga province is no exception. If you are beside the sea during the summer months look out for Chiringuitos (rustic BBQ’s on the beach) where the catch of the day is seasoned and grilled to perfection. During August it’s harvest time for Muscatel grapes. Try Vino de Malaga a sweet sherry which is made around most towns and villages. There are different variants, from semi sweet to syrupy sweet but all are made from the local muscatel grapes which are collected by hand.

While on holiday in Malaga, adapt to the pace of life, stop, relax and enjoy the surroundings. Plan your day around food times – breakfast anytime up to midday, lunch between 14.00hrs and 17.00hrs (make it long and leisurely), then dinner anytime from 20.30hrs onwards (the later the better in summer).

Paul Collins lives in Southern Spain and works for http://www.marbenjo.com/ a family run car hire firm based in Malaga.

The post Malaga and its Province – A Short Insider’s Guide | Spain appeared first on Best of European Union.

Amsterdam Canal, Netherlands by William Beutler

1. The Anne Frank Museum – €8.50

This very moving museum is a must see.  Visit the Annex where Anne Frank lived under the Nazi regime and where she wrote her diary. There is also an exhibition tribute to the victims of the Holocaust and racial intolerance.

2. The Hash Museum – €7

Despite its magnificent architecture, fascinating history and cultural attractions, most tourists come to Amsterdam to smoke in the coffee shops. Exhibitions at the museum offer a detailed history of its use and cultural meanings of hemp around the world and you can even see how cannabis has the potential to become a “resource renewable energy” – sounds fishy to us!

3. A Water Taxi Ride on the Canals – €8

The many canals and waterways are some of the main features of Amsterdam. The best way to see them is to take a boat. In general, tourist trips on a boat are very expensive and overcrowded. We therefore advise you to go to Damrak Street, and jump in a water taxi, which will take you for an hour on the canals of Amsterdam cheaply.

4. Underground Church in the Red Light District – €7

And yes, there is a church in one of the most disreputable parts of the city. There was a time when Amsterdam was deeply Protestant, and not so tolerant Catholics settled in this church.  Today the Amstelkring Museum (or “Our Lord in the Attic”) is worth visiting as well as the attic rooms which house a collection of paintings, sculptures and silverware, which gives an insight into Catholic time in Amsterdam.

5. Beer Tasting in a Windmill

At The Brouwerij there is a windmill that has a micro brewery and pub. Every Friday afternoon from 4pm you can have a free tour of the brewery. Meanwhile the pub is open from 3pm until eight at night and offers delicious local organic beers. With an average price of €1.90 for a beer you can enjoy a few glasses – but beware the hangover!

6. Historic House on the Edge of the Channel – €6

The canal-side houses offer a great visual experience with architecture of all shapes and sizes, some of which looking like it about to collapse. If you are curious about the history of Amsterdam and its houses, then take a walk through the doors of the Geelvinck Hinlopen Huis Museum which gives you a tour around the gardens and themed rooms – and give an idea of the style of life in the 17th century.

7. Bike Rental – €6.50

The best way to navigate the streets of Amsterdam is still on bike. Not just because it’s good for your health, but it is also a great way to discover the different parts of the city, especially if you have to stay the whole weekend. Because of its popularity in the capital, you’ll have no problem finding a safe place for your bike. The streets are filled with bike and dedicated places to park.  You can pre-rent a bike online or visit Damstraat Rent-A-Bike (Damstraat 20-22, 1012). It will only cost you €6.50 for 3 hours.  You won’t find many better ways of having a relaxing afternoon in Amsterdam.

8. A Taste of Suriname

Better known under the name of Dutch Guyana, Suriname (South America) is a former Dutch colony. Many Surinamese emigrated to Holland, bringing with them cultural and culinary traditions. Suriname is in itself a melting pot, the food is a mix of Indian, Creole and Indonesian. Surinamese restaurants in Amsterdam flourished, particularly in the Pjip area. The Warung Malong is one of the best of them (Van der Helststraat first 55 Wed – Mon 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.).

9. Dutch Cheese Tasting

One of the most exported goods after the Dutch beer Heineken, is cheese! It is very easy to find a good piece of Edam or Gouda in Amsterdam. But the best is the cheese from Kaaskamer.  This cave contains enormous cheese wheels with over 440 different cheeses (all aligned along the height and walls), as well as a variety of breads, meats and pies to top it off.

10. Tulip Bulbs to Take Home – €5

The Bloemenmarkt or Floating Flower Market, located on the Singel Canal is one of the most beautiful attractions in Amsterdam. Holland is famous for its beautiful tulips that come every spring, and hundreds of cyclists ride the “Route de la Tulipe” to admire the flowers. Tulip bulbs are a great souvenir, you can buy 12 bulbs on the market for €5, so do not hesitate to bring a big bag so you can plant some back at home in your own garden!

Guest Author: Article sourced and edited by Jane Middlecamp.  Jane is a travel blogger who regularly writes about weekend destinations.  If you are stuck for something to do when in a foreign city then you should check out the travel section in the Wall Street Journal Weekend Edition.  For more information on a subscription to the WSJ Weekend Only Edition please check the link below:

www.wallstreetsubscriptions.com/wall-street-journal-weekend-edition-discount-subscription

The post 10 Cool Things to Do on a Weekend in Amsterdam | Netherlands appeared first on Best of European Union.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Frank van de Velde

In addition to its scenic 17th Century canals, relaxed coffee shops and notorious red-light district, it’s packed with landmarks, historical sites and museums. Nicknamed “Mokum” or “Safe Haven”, Amsterdam has a broad range of officially recognised buildings and institutions, as well as surplus, charming oddities.

Certainly one of the first ports of call is the Van Gogh Museum, which houses the largest collection of paintings and drawings by the Dutch artist (who was born in Zundert, which is about 80 miles from Amsterdam). It is the most-visited museum in the country and one of the most popular in the world, which is bittersweet considering the sad life of Van Gogh, who died at 37 without receiving recognition for his paintings.

The “Achterhuis” in Amsterdam is the preserved hiding place where wartime diarist Anne Frank and her family hid from German soldiers in World War II. It exhibits the life and times of the young writer and artist, and is dedicated to all forms of persecution and discrimination. Whether or not you have come across Anne Frank’s diary from 1945, the museum is a deeply humbling place to visit.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Minke Wagenaar

Near Anne Frank House is the stately Prinsengracht or Prince’s Canal (named after the 16th Century Dutch Prince of Orange). It is the longest canal in the city and is home to a number of historical sites including the Noordekerk or Northern Church, the bustling Noordermarkt (Northern Market, which is lined with restaurants and shops) and the Westerkerk (Western Church), which is the tallest church in Amsterdam.

Packed with things to see and do – from midnight mass to saucy cabaret – Amsterdam is one of Europe’s premier tourist cities, and well worth the visit.

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