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If you are yourself driving around Europe it is important to make sure that you, and your vehicle, are properly insured. This is usually a pretty easy thing to do as holiday insurances are now far more prevalent and easy to obtain and many vehicle insurers will offer Europe wide cover for no extra cost. That said you should still check with your providers that you are covered in the countries that you are planning to visit.

On top of this it may be worth checking that you are covered in any countries that you might be visiting by mistake on your round trips in Europe. With the open border policy that is in effect throughout much of Europe it is very easy to suddenly find yourself in a country that you weren’t expecting to be in. Many of the motorways you are going to go on during your round trips in Europe (in Danish rundrejser i Europa) will cross over borders with little warning and it is easy to find yourself in Belgium when you thought you were in France or Holland.

Just because you have insurance and you didn’t have to show a passport it doesn’t mean that you don’t need to pay road tax for some of the countries in Europe. Whilst many countries do not require visitors to purchase a road tax certificate, some do. Austria and Hungary are classic examples of this fact and if you are caught without the correct tax certificate you could find yourself on the receiving end of a hefty fine.

There are some fantastic bus tours that can be taken throughout Europe and the Christmas Markets in Germany or a Wine tour of France can be an extremely enjoyable experience. It is important to realize that travel times can, however, be quite lengthy and it is better to wear sufficiently comfortable clothing to make the journey enjoyable. If you are travelling by bus to see the Opera in Vienna then leave the posh dress in your luggage until you arrive, you will have a far more pleasant journey.

River cruises along the many amazing waterways of Europe are a great way to see the continent at a relaxing pace and rivers such as the Danube offer some wonderful cultural experiences. However, just because you are on a river it doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t suffer any effects of motion sickness. It is extremely unlikely that you will experience any turbulence that could compare with ocean travel, but just the gentle motion of the boat can upset some people. So make sure that you have some sort of sea sickness medication just in case. It would be a terrible thing if your holiday were to be ruined because of an easily avoidable illness.

The post Round Trips in Europe – Things to Consider appeared first on Europe Explored.

A lot of people to day, both young and old, are slowly discovering the benefits and joys of a vegetarian diet. Exploring vegetarianism means living a healthier lifestyle and keeping diseases at bay.

Samâdhi – vegetarian restaurant in Berlin, Germany by Olivier Bruchez

European Vegetarianism

If you’re right smack in Europe because you are vacationing or are there for any other reason, it is imperative to know where to get the best vegetarian meals. Countries in Europe are known to easily provide a pound or more of flesh as Spain, Portugal and most of Eastern Europe are famous meat eaters.

So where should you go if you’re aching to eat salad?

Ghent – Why It is the World’s Vegetarian Capital

Normally, cooking courses and food tours are activities that are not easy for vegetarians but in the City of Ghent in Belgium, there are hordes of vegetarian food tours. Vegetarians can hop from one food destination to the next without saying no to local specialties.

Neuzeke or Tiny Nose is a homemade, sweet, conical cherry candy which you need to try. Augustine beer and the local Gruut beer are beverages that you and your friends should sample. Roomer, on the other hand, is an alcoholic drink made from Elderflowers – it is highly refreshing during the hottest days in that city.

There are many vegetarian desserts in Ghent. Try Belgian waffles but say no to the square ones as the toppings can be really fattening. Look for the oval-shaped Liege waffle which is best eaten plain.

Ghent is a place where you don’t need to buy a vegetarian food map. Just walk around and you can do your own vegetarian tour. Avalon is a famous organic restaurant there with ample servings of vegetable meals. Tasty offers smoothies and 11 vegetarian and vegan hamburgers. Mosquito Coast may not be strictly vegetarian but they have the most diverse vegetable menus to offer.

Say No to Meat at Sicily

Sicily comprises a huge portion of Italy. Look forward to quality produce which comes out of this place. Even meat-eating folks will be enticed to eat their greens once they see the fresh vegetables from this area. Get your fill of caponata, arancine and manicotti, three of the most sought-after recipes in Sicily.

Amsterdam – It’s Time to Try Dutch Vegetarianism

Amsterdam in Netherlands is an ever-progressive city. Liberal-mindedness abounds on this place which is no surprise that vegetarianism has been embraced. There is a huge percentage of vegetable eaters on this city which is why there are strings of restaurants which cater to this growing population of vegetable eaters.

Berlin – A Grander Version of Amsterdam

Berlin is quite similar to Amsterdam in terms of vegetarian lifestyle. The only difference is that, it offers vegetarianism on a bigger scale. The big metro areas are peppered with restaurants which now cater to the vegetable-eating public. So who says Deutschland is all about sauerbraten and wurst?

About the Author: Mary Jean is a writer for MyFood, a company that provides healthy meals via delivery in the UK.

The post Best Cities for Vegetarians in the EU appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Paul Gooch

Whether you’re a keen sailor, or a neophyte, the Tonnerres will enchant you with the extraordinary variety of vessels on show. Take the opportunity to plan a yacht rental in Brittany from July 13th to 19th as you won’t want to miss this celebration of the most beautiful ships in the world.

But hey, what exactly is a tall ship?

A tall ship is a traditionally-rigged boat, much like those you would see in Pirates of the Caribbean or Hook. They’re famously complex to construct and sail, but the experience of cutting through watery fathoms in one of these vessels is unforgettable. They require a crew of many people to manage the system of rigging, which may include gaff rigs, topmasts, topsails and square rigs.

Ok, I get it. Old looking boats that I can crew. Cool, but what’s this bonanza you were talking about earlier?

This year, four countries and their seafaring history are being showcased at the festival. Each country has a whole festival day dedicated to them, so after learning about Indonesia’s Sandeqs and their how their crews work their boats, you can watch a parade of their flotilla. If that’s not enough, check out the nautical-themed firework show after sundown. If Russia floats your boat, discover the Sedov and Kruzenstern cadets though military parades and marvel at the Kossack boats. Mexico and Norway are also featured with parades themed around the countries and their typical boats.

So why does this festival come to Brest?

Brest has a long maritime history of exchange between many countries in Europe as well as America. The Breton people are also very proud of their history and their roots, so any event where they can share their passion for la Bretagne and by extension, its maritime connections, is welcomed with open arms. Furthermore, the harbor at Brest is huge, so there’s plenty of space to accommodate the large number of festival ships and spectator boats.

Sounds good! Is there anything else to do apart from festival stuff?

Quick answer: Lots! Brest itself has some interesting activities. The Oceanopolis Aquarium hosts tanks with a variety of habitats so you can see miniature versions of the Normandy coast and a tropical mangrove. Perhaps the most enjoyable tank is the penguin tank, but that’s just a personal opinion!

Brittany has a famously beautiful coastline, so Brest would be a great starting or end point to a longer yacht trip. The Mont Saint Michel is a huge abbey carved into an island of rock just half a mile out at sea, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Brittany pancakes are a favorite among the French – in all four corners of the country you will find establishments boasting that they are authentic Crêperies Bretonnes. The real thing needs to be made with buckwheat or sarrasin (also known as blé noir) – these ancient grains give the pancakes their nutty, complex taste. For an authentic experience on home turf, don’t miss trying out a variety of sweet and savory crêpes filled with delights ranging from banana, chocolate and caramelized nuts to tuna, crème fraîche and succulent tomato.

I think I’m sold!

A trip to the Tonnerres de Brest is the perfect excuse for a European sailing holiday. Brittany will charm you with its old-world beauty and quaint streets. As for the boats, they really are the crème de la crème.

Lalage is one yacht rental away from throwing in the day job and moving to a house boat in the Caribbean!

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