Europe Explored » delicious meals https://europeexplored.com Travel through the most beautiful places in Europe Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.6 Wine Tasting Experiences: The best of Spain, Portugal and France https://europeexplored.com/2012/10/12/wine-tasting-experiences-the-best-of-spain-portugal-and-france/ https://europeexplored.com/2012/10/12/wine-tasting-experiences-the-best-of-spain-portugal-and-france/#comments Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:32:58 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=11852 Europe creates some of the most delicious and highly-praised wines in the world. Due to the unique mixture of altitudes, weather conditions and soil type, the variety of wine created is staggering. And then of course there is the world-famous Champagne, which is unique to the French district of the same name, in Reims. Therefore […]

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Europe creates some of the most delicious and highly-praised wines in the world. Due to the unique mixture of altitudes, weather conditions and soil type, the variety of wine created is staggering.

And then of course there is the world-famous Champagne, which is unique to the French district of the same name, in Reims. Therefore wine tours are one of the best ways to sample wines and at the same time see the amazingly beautiful areas of Europe responsible for these delicious beverages.

wine shop
Photo by admin

Basque Country – Spain

This area is well-known for its Riojas and there are plenty of opportunities to tour the Bodegas or wineries made famous by this rich red wine. Try the Marques de Riscal one of the most well-known wineries in Basque country, and only an 11 minute drive from LaGaurdia, it also has a spectacular hotel attached to it. You are able to taste and sample a variety of wines here and also taste some of the delicious meals created by the top on-site chefs, handy to soak up all of the alcohol!

Quinta da Aveleda – Portugal

Near the City of Porto along the west coast of Portugal, the international number one wine tasting experience at Quinta da Aveleda is not to be missed. Only a 30 minute drive from Porto the main building is covered in lush green ivy and surrounded by beautiful gardens that you can stroll around. You get taken around by friendly helpful guides (who can also speak English) and they show you the vineyards and grapes that they make into Vino Verde. This unique green-tinged wine tastes light and refreshing; you are able to taste whole bottles of wines at the end of the tour. The staff are more than happy to accommodate your personal tastes if you would rather try a different wine to your partner or travel companion.

Quinta da Aveleda, Portugal
Quinta da Aveleda, Portugal by zip 95

Margaux – France

Just north of the more well-known wine tasting area of Bordeaux, Margaux is arguably one of the most refined wines of the region. With glorious countryside and ancient castles and forts surrounding the area, you are likely to stumble upon a truly delicious vintage at this unique winery. In order to make it a more seamless vacation, why not go on a cruise for wine lovers? You can go from Southampton in the UK and then tour the regions with a guide and share your love of wine with other like-minded fellows.

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Love on a Greek Island – Romantic Things to Do in Crete | Greece https://europeexplored.com/2012/07/31/love-on-a-greek-island-romantic-things-to-do-in-crete-greece/ https://europeexplored.com/2012/07/31/love-on-a-greek-island-romantic-things-to-do-in-crete-greece/#comments Mon, 30 Jul 2012 23:26:54 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=10288 What could be more romantic than going on a holiday with your special someone? When you get away from it all together you can truly relax, forget about all of your troubles and enjoy your beautiful surroundings. Lounge on the beach together, savour delicious meals and discover the local culture. The Minoan Palace at Knossos, […]

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What could be more romantic than going on a holiday with your special someone? When you get away from it all together you can truly relax, forget about all of your troubles and enjoy your beautiful surroundings. Lounge on the beach together, savour delicious meals and discover the local culture.

The Minoan Palace at Knossos, Crete, Greece
The Minoan Palace at Knossos, Crete, Greece by Sonja Pieper

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and it is set within the Mediterranean Sea, just south of the Peloponnese. It is arguably one of the most beautiful Greek islands and it is well known for its beautiful beaches and seascapes. The geography here offers everything from coastal plains to busy cities to rugged mountains. The island is bathed in sunshine all year round and you are sure to enjoy great weather during your visit.

Whether you are visit on your honeymoon, anniversary, or just for fun, there are plenty of romantic things for you and your partner to enjoy on the island of Crete. Here are some ideas of fun activities to get you started:

The Minoan Palace at Knossos

This beautiful ancient palace is one of the most popular attractions on the island of Crete and you and your sweetheart will want to spend at least a full day exploring it. The palace was originally built in 2000BC but was destroyed in an earthquake 300 years later. It was built even larger, then destroyed again in 1450BC, likely by an eruption of a volcano on Santorini which caused a huge tidal wave. The palace once had over 1,200 rooms and many of them have been recreated to depict how grand and beautiful they would have looked. It is a truly stunning place to walk around with your special someone.

Samaria Gorge, Crete, Greece
Samaria Gorge, Crete, Greece by Ben Ellis

Samaria Gorge

Taking a long walk with your partner can be a great opportunity to enjoy some time together and engage in deep conversation to get to know each other even better. It’s even nicer when you are surrounded by gorgeous scenery!

Walking along the Samaria Gorge is one of the best hiking routes in Crete, as it is the longest gorge in all of Europe. The scenery is spectacular along the 11 mile path and it can be managed by any reasonably fit hiker. You will have a great sense of achievement at the end when you reach the Libyan Sea after hiking all the way from the White Mountains.

The Beaches

Lying in the sun, feeling your toes sink into the soft sand and gazing into your partner’s eyes… what could be more relaxing? There are miles and miles of gorgeous sandy beaches on the island of Crete and the weather is sure to be warm and sunny.

At the beach, Rethymnon Beach, Crete, Greece
At the beach, Rethymnon Beach, Crete, Greece by jechstra

If you are looking for a quiet and peaceful beach, head to Rethymnon Beach, Aghios, or Nikolaos Beach. These spots offer a laid back atmosphere with a few cute shops and restaurants along the pretty harbour. In the harbour at Rethymnon, you will be able to enjoy live music while you relax in the warm sea breezes. If you are looking for more of a party beach, head to Malia Beach which is a popular hotspot for young tourists and has plenty of exciting bars.

These are just a few of the romantic activities that you can enjoy on the island of Crete. Of course, simply being on this island is romantic, as you soak up the warm sunshine and the laid back pace of Greek life. Taking the time to spend a holiday together can be a great way to rekindle your romance and put the spark back into your relationship.

An all inclusive holiday in Crete can be a great way to spend quality time with your special someone in a beautiful sunny setting.

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Malá Fatra National Park – one of the most visited national parks in Slovakia https://europeexplored.com/2012/03/22/mala-fatra-national-park-one-of-the-most-visited-national-parks-in-slovakia/ https://europeexplored.com/2012/03/22/mala-fatra-national-park-one-of-the-most-visited-national-parks-in-slovakia/#comments Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:02:40 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=6421 Malá Fatra National Park is one of the most visited national parks in Slovakia. The mountain range offers beautiful bows and forests, full of interesting natural phenomena and rare animals and plants. It is one of the most beautiful places in Slovakia, ideal for year-round tours, relaxation and winter fun. Local recreation centers are one […]

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Malá Fatra National Park is one of the most visited national parks in Slovakia. The mountain range offers beautiful bows and forests, full of interesting natural phenomena and rare animals and plants. It is one of the most beautiful places in Slovakia, ideal for year-round tours, relaxation and winter fun. Local recreation centers are one of the most modern in the country. And something else – it is a place where the famous character of many Slovak legends, novels, poems and films is from. His name was Jánošík!

Malá Fatra National Park in Slovakia
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by overdrive_cz

Malá Fatra is located in the northern part of the country. Its tourist centre is Terchová village. Accommodation is offered mostly by private owners in their home areas or cottages. The prices are around €10 per night. There are also several hotels with prices around €35 per night. In every village around the park you can find local restaurants offering delicious meals for little money.

Charming small waterfalls and gorges in Vrátna Valley

One of the most interesting trips that can be undertaken in a national park, is a visit to two waterfalls. One of them is Šútovský waterfall which is set at the river Sut in Šútovská dolina valley. The stream is more than 2 meters wide and falls to 38 meters deep gorge.

Another one, which is one of the rarest Slovak falls, is 10 meters high Klacký waterfall, declared a national natural monument. There is stunning countryside around with wild rapids and a giant pots (holes carved by water).

Mala Fatra National Park, Slovakia
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Petrusia1

Gorges in Vrátna valley and Terchová valley are popular hiking attractions thanks to a beautiful scenery of rocky formations but also to local folklore festivities. They are held here every year in honor of Juraj Jánošík, a native of Terchová village.

You can also visit Crystal cave in Malý Rozsutec or climb to the highest peak of Malá Fatra – Veľký Kriváň (1709 m). If you get tired you can relax in nearby thermal park Meander Park in Oravice featuring geothermal water with temperature ranging from 35 to 37°C, or in another thermal park Bešeňová.

If you wish to learn more about famous Juraj Jánošík you can visit museum in Terchová or another popular open air museum in the village Nová Bystrica – Vychylovce. It documents the local folk architecture and life in the past. An interesting exhibition is the historic forest railways from the early 20th century.

Malá Fatra National Park with the equally interesting surroundings is simply the perfect place for a nice and cheap holiday. If you want to save some money in these hectic days and enjoy great nature at the same time, come to Slovakia.


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The city of Antwerp with one of the largest seaports in Europe | Belgium https://europeexplored.com/2011/08/30/the-city-of-antwerp-with-one-of-the-largest-seaports-in-europe-belgium/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/08/30/the-city-of-antwerp-with-one-of-the-largest-seaports-in-europe-belgium/#comments Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:50:57 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=4810 Renowned for being the diamond capital of the world, Antwerp is the second largest city and municipality in Belgium. It’s also the capital of the province of Flanders. But more than anything else it’s a truly fascinating place to visit; a cosmopolitan place full of beautiful architecture and historical buildings. The old city centre is […]

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Renowned for being the diamond capital of the world, Antwerp is the second largest city and municipality in Belgium. It’s also the capital of the province of Flanders. But more than anything else it’s a truly fascinating place to visit; a cosmopolitan place full of beautiful architecture and historical buildings.

The old city centre is built around a cathedral, the most impressive in Belgium. The cobbled lanes and backstreets are packed with bars, antique shops, art galleries, chocolatiers, designer boutiques and diamond shops, making Antwerp a haven for people who like to shop. Tucked away between these shops are restaurants bursting with delicious meals — Antwerp has a reputation for having some of the best food in the region.

The people of Antwerp are known for their easy-going lifestyles and their cheerful dispositions; they’re thought to be some of the happiest people on earth because of the relaxing and enjoyable nature of the city. Fashion designers, painters, musicians, actors, dancers, poets, publishers — they all flock to Antwerp, creating a lively cultural scene.

Not only is the cultural scene lively; so is the nightlife. They say life pulsates in Antwerp like nowhere else in Flanders. Antwerp’s club culture has expanded; in summer the regenerated docklands to the north and south of the town beat and pulse with music.

Antwerp truly has something for everyone; you can spend your days relaxing, shopping, eating and taking in the beautiful buildings and history of the town but spend your nights partying and having fun.

The city of Antwerp has also one of the biggest and most important seaports in Europe.


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