Europe Explored » european union 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 It’s time to make a decision… https://europeexplored.com/2013/03/08/its-time-to-make-a-decision/ https://europeexplored.com/2013/03/08/its-time-to-make-a-decision/#comments Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:37:54 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=14069 It’s that time of year again. The time of year we dream of swapping the cold weather for a cold cocktail and a sun lounger parked on a sweltering beach. Yep, it’s time to book your summer holiday. Perhaps surprisingly, though, increasing numbers of holidaymakers are taking advantage of their time in the sun by […]

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It’s that time of year again. The time of year we dream of swapping the cold weather for a cold cocktail and a sun lounger parked on a sweltering beach.

Yep, it’s time to book your summer holiday.

Perhaps surprisingly, though, increasing numbers of holidaymakers are taking advantage of their time in the sun by using the period away to make life changing decisions.

Flight
Photo by Claire (Europe Explored)

In fact, research shows the warmer weather allows strung-out Britons to wrestle with life’s big choices such as changing careers, getting married or having kids. The report also claims that, with the pressures of everyday life removed, holidaymakers are free to plan and change any aspect of their life they’re not content with.

But there’s far more to consider before setting foot on the aeroplane, waving manically from the window and jotting down everything you plan to change from the beach.

For example, have you thought about how you might get to the airport? No? Well let’s do that now…

Picture the scene: your flight is at 6am. You’re rushing around getting kids ready, jamming suitcases shut as your other half has seemingly packed provisions for an Arctic expedition, and you’re stressing about finding a suitable parking space when you reach the airport.

However, all of that stress (well, most of it) can be alleviated with a few simple clicks of a mouse.

Valet parking from I Love Meet and Greet allows you to drive your car straight to the terminal where it will be collected by a professional driver and parked in a secure compound. This convenience allows you and your family to reach check-in within minutes without worrying about a parking space.

Large parking place
Large parking place by thienzieyung

Nothing could be easier.

Additionally, on your return, your car will be delivered back to you at the terminal – and this lets you get back on the road for home safe in the knowledge you’ve made some great decisions.

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Alonzo Zeringue was bitten by the travel bug at an early age. Since then, he’s rarely been able to stay in the same country. Alonzo has contributed this guest post on behalf of I Love Meet and Greet – number one for airport parking in the UK.

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Round Trips in Europe – Things to Consider https://europeexplored.com/2013/01/09/round-trips-in-europe-things-to-consider/ https://europeexplored.com/2013/01/09/round-trips-in-europe-things-to-consider/#comments Wed, 09 Jan 2013 20:19:35 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=12884 With the arrival of the European Union and Commission came one really wonderful opportunity and this is that many of the countries in Europe are now extremely easy to travel to. Many border crossings have all but disappeared and you often don’t realize that you have crossed a border until your satellite navigation system informs […]

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With the arrival of the European Union and Commission came one really wonderful opportunity and this is that many of the countries in Europe are now extremely easy to travel to. Many border crossings have all but disappeared and you often don’t realize that you have crossed a border until your satellite navigation system informs you that you are in a different country. Whilst this is undoubtedly a vast improvement from the old days of border queues and passport checks there are still some pitfalls that can catch you out when you take round trips in Europe that can be easily avoided with a little research.

Round trip
Photo by admin

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.

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Mažučiai – Largest Japanese Garden in Europe | Lithuania https://europeexplored.com/2011/05/31/mazuciai-largest-japanese-garden-in-europe-lithuania/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/05/31/mazuciai-largest-japanese-garden-in-europe-lithuania/#comments Mon, 30 May 2011 22:34:31 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=4208 Mažučiai (Madzuchai) is a village in Lithuania, lying in the district Kretinga, 3 km west of Darbėnai. However the village has only 23 inhabitants it is world-wide known for the largest Japanese garden in Europe. The creation of this Japanese garden started in 2007 by Šarūnas Kasmauskas in collaboration with the architects of Japanese gardens […]

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Mažučiai (Madzuchai) is a village in Lithuania, lying in the district Kretinga, 3 km west of Darbėnai. However the village has only 23 inhabitants it is world-wide known for the largest Japanese garden in Europe.

The creation of this Japanese garden started in 2007 by Šarūnas Kasmauskas in collaboration with the architects of Japanese gardens from Japan (e.g. Hadžime Watanabe, Hiroshi Cunoda…) and is still in progress. The works slowed down considerably sudden economic crisis in 2009. The largest Japanese garden in Europe (16 ha) will be called the Valley of singing stones (Lithuanian Dainuojančių akmenų slėnis). It is located on a hill musicians (Lithuanian Musicians kalnas), the highest hill in the area (its altitude is 32.4 m above sea level). During the establishment of a pond on the hill, a total of 24 springs have been revealed.

The project has no official sponsors yet, nor by the European Union, nor by the Lithuanian State. All funding is coming from the owner – S. Kasmauskas, his family and from charitable donations.

Japanese gardens are one of the important aesthetic elements of Japanese culture. Impress even those that are not closer interested in the culture of this country. The rules of their creation have been developed almost a thousand years. Although the western style gardens are very different, they attract anyone who has a sense of beauty.


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Matera – one of the oldest settled place in Italy https://europeexplored.com/2011/02/15/matera-one-of-the-oldest-settled-place-in-italy/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/02/15/matera-one-of-the-oldest-settled-place-in-italy/#comments Tue, 15 Feb 2011 12:24:30 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=2524 Matera is a town in southern Italy, 65km south-east from Bari. The town was founded by the Romans in the 3rd century BC. Matera reminds a poor peasant culture, which, since prehistoric times began to excavate the local famous cliff dwellings (Sassi). The cliff dwellings are so amazing that the city is on the UNESCO […]

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Matera is a town in southern Italy, 65km south-east from Bari. The town was founded by the Romans in the 3rd century BC. Matera reminds a poor peasant culture, which, since prehistoric times began to excavate the local famous cliff dwellings (Sassi). The cliff dwellings are so amazing that the city is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.

Matera, Italy
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Alessio Milan

Long after the World War II, people still lived in these “cave homes” and often lived in one room with the pet. Until the late 1980s this was considered an area of poverty, as these houses were, mostly unlivable. Local administration has become more tourism-oriented, and has promoted the re-generation of the Sassi with the aid of the European Union, the government, UNESCO, and Hollywood. Today there are many thriving businesses, pubs, and hotels.

Matera, Italy 2
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by giuseppe portale

You can park the car near the center of the city completely free of charge. Throughout the city you can see several hiking trails, together with several maps with marked trails. However, it is not difficult at all to get lost in the winding streets.

Do not miss Matera Cathedral at the Piazza dei Duomo, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view. Similar views of the city are also at several other places in the city.


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Mont Blanc – the highest mountain of European Union https://europeexplored.com/2011/01/31/mont-blanc-the-highest-mountain-of-european-union/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/01/31/mont-blanc-the-highest-mountain-of-european-union/#comments Mon, 31 Jan 2011 14:29:14 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=2452 Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps and it is also the highest mountain of European Union countries. Mont Blanc peak reaches an altitude of 4810 m. The mountain is located between the regions of Aosta Valley in Italy, and Haute-Savoie in France. Under the Mont Blanc massif leads one of the main […]

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Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps and it is also the highest mountain of European Union countries. Mont Blanc peak reaches an altitude of 4810 m. The mountain is located between the regions of Aosta Valley in Italy, and Haute-Savoie in France. Under the Mont Blanc massif leads one of the main routes between Italy and France. The tunnel started to build here in 1957 and was completed in 1965 and is 11.6 km long. The first climbers in Mont Blanc were Jacques Balmat and the doctor Michel Paccard, who reached the peak on 8th August 1786. The first woman who reached the top of Mont Blanc was Marie Paradis in 1808.

The top of Mont Blanc is covered by a thick layer of ice and snow. In 1893 the observatory was built at the top, but due to unfavorable conditions it was abandoned in 1909 and it finally fell. Mont Blanc is very popular for rock climbing, hiking, skiing and snowboarding. In the vicinity there are two towns – Courmayeur in Italy, and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in France —the site of the first Winter Olympics, there is also a ski resort.


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Mini Europe park – the most popular tourist destination in Brussels, Belgium https://europeexplored.com/2010/11/12/mini-europe-park-the-most-popular-tourist-destination-in-brussels-belgium/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/11/12/mini-europe-park-the-most-popular-tourist-destination-in-brussels-belgium/#comments Fri, 12 Nov 2010 11:32:23 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=2071 The Mini Europe park is located in the capital of European Union – Brussels, Belgium. Thanks to the Mini Europe park you can walk all over European Union within a few hours. There are 350 models and animations of important buildings and technical monuments from 80 cities of the European Union (each of 27 countries […]

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The Mini Europe park is located in the capital of European Union – Brussels, Belgium. Thanks to the Mini Europe park you can walk all over European Union within a few hours. There are 350 models and animations of important buildings and technical monuments from 80 cities of the European Union (each of 27 countries has some model there). Models are made in scale 1:25 and in very high quality, some of which cost as much as €350,000 to make.

The Mini Europe park is located just few steps from Atomium and is the most popular tourist destination in Brussels. With 300,000 visitors per year and a turnover of 3 million euro, Mini Europe Park is one of Brussels’ leading attractions.

In the area of the park you can enjoy e.g. the animation of the earthquake during the eruption of Vesuvius.

The basic admission fee in 2010 is €13.10
Openning hours

  • From 20/03/2010 to 30/06/2010 from 9:30 to 18:00 (cash desk untill 17:00)
  • From 01/07/2010 to 31/08/2010 from 9:30 to 20:00 (cash desk untill 19:00)
  • From 01/09/2010 to 30/09/2010 from 9:30 to 18:00 (cash desk untill 17:00)
  • From 01/10/2010 to 09/01/2011 from 10:00 to 18:00 (cash desk untill 17:00)
  • 24, 31/12 – from 10:00 to 17:00 (cash desk untill 16:00)

During summer months you can visit the Park also during the night.


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Sofia – administrative, cultural, economic, and educational centre of Bulgaria https://europeexplored.com/2010/09/04/sofia-administrative-cultural-economic-and-educational-centre-of-bulgaria/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/09/04/sofia-administrative-cultural-economic-and-educational-centre-of-bulgaria/#comments Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:23:48 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=1549 Sofia, with 1,4 million residents, is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 47th largest city by population in the European Union. It is also one of Europe’s most compact and walkable capital cities. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha, and is the administrative, cultural, economic, and […]

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Sofia, with 1,4 million residents, is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 47th largest city by population in the European Union. It is also one of Europe’s most compact and walkable capital cities. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha, and is the administrative, cultural, economic, and educational centre of Bulgaria.

Prehistoric settlements were excavated in the centre of the present city, near the royal palace, as well as in outer districts such as Slatina and Obelya. The well-preserved town walls (especially their substructures) from antiquity date back before the 7th century BC, when Thracians established their city next to the most important and highly respected mineral spring, still functioning today. Sofia has had several names in the different periods of its existence, and remnants from the city’s past can still be seen today alongside modern landmarks.


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Sweden – open and accepting society https://europeexplored.com/2010/04/29/sweden-open-and-accepting-society/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/04/29/sweden-open-and-accepting-society/#comments Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:15:32 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=111 Sweden is the third largest country by area in European Union (after France and Spain), located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It is bordering with Norway to the west and Finland to the northeast, and has also water borders with Denmark, Germany and Poland to the south and Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia […]

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Sweden is the third largest country by area in European Union (after France and Spain), located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It is bordering with Norway to the west and Finland to the northeast, and has also water borders with Denmark, Germany and Poland to the south and Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia to the east. Sweden is also connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund.

Sweden, officially the Kingdom of Sweden, is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy of government with the current king Carl XVI Gustaf. The country has highly developed economy. The capital city is Stockholm, which has about 800,000 inhabitants. The whole kingdom covers 449,964 km² with approximately 9,856,000 inhabitants (of which about 1.5 million are immigrants). The largest cities after Stockholm are Göteborg, Malmö and Uppsala. Three main areas of Sweden, basically corresponding to the southern, central and northern parts of the country are Götaland (south), Svealand (central part) and Norrland (north).

The best time for visiting Sweden is Winter or Summer when you can see the polar night (in Winter) and have the daylight only for a few hours, or polar day (in Summer) with the sun above you almost for 24 hours.

Typical cuisine is Smorgåsbord (a buffet of savoury delicacies), Baltic herring, pea soup and pancakes.

Among the best know people from Sweden you will find actress Greta Garbo or music group ABBA.

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Belgium – head of European Union https://europeexplored.com/2010/04/27/belgium-head-of-european-union/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/04/27/belgium-head-of-european-union/#comments Tue, 27 Apr 2010 22:18:54 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=76 Belgium is a developed European country, which boasts one of the highest GDP in the world. It has great historical and especially cultural heritage. In a country you can visit numerous monuments from various historical periods. The most popular Belgian cities are Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent and Liège. Belgium is interesting with the diversity of […]

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Belgium is a developed European country, which boasts one of the highest GDP in the world. It has great historical and especially cultural heritage. In a country you can visit numerous monuments from various historical periods. The most popular Belgian cities are Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent and Liège.

Belgium is interesting with the diversity of its population. The country is divided into 3 areas, Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels. In the northern part of Flanders, live Flemish, who speak Flemish (Belgian Flemish is a variant of Dutch). In the southern part, Wallonia, live Walloons, who speak French. In the region of Brussels there are Flemish and French speaking residents but also many foreigners. The third official language alongside French and Flemish in Belgium, is German.

Flemish are closer to the Dutch and Walloons to the French, both with the mentality and temperament, and way of life. Between Flemish and Walloons, there is a certain degree of jealousy and they are sometimes even talking about the possibility of division of land into two states.

Brussels – the capital of the EU
The capital of Belgium – Brussels is also sometimes called the capital of the European Union. Brussels houses the Council of Ministers and the European Commission, but also the European Parliament.

Brussels is bilingual, but if you go through the streets, you can hear a lot more languages ​​than just French or Flemish. A large number of foreigners live here, many of which are currently working in the institutions of the European Union. Brussels is a truly cosmopolitan city that offers many tourist sights and attractions such as: the Grand Place with historic houses and town hall, the famous Atomium and Mini-Europe – an entertainment center with models of buildings from different cities of the European Union.

Not least among the advantages of Belgium are their specialties and typical dishes and drinks. A very popular is fish in many ways, mussels, cheese or french fries with mayonnaise. From the candies you should try waffles and of course the world famous Belgian chocolates.

The most popular drink is beer. The best-known brands include Leffe, Chimey, Duvel, Jupiler, Maes, Hoegaarden and Stella Artois. They also have flavoured beers, such as cherry, strawberry or currant.


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Hungary – delicious goulash https://europeexplored.com/2010/04/27/hungary-delicious-goulash/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/04/27/hungary-delicious-goulash/#comments Tue, 27 Apr 2010 21:22:46 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=63 Hungary offers all kinds of the recreation opportunities. However it is not suitable for sea and salt water lovers, or for climbers and lovers of hiking and skiing, because the country is mostly flat and the higher hills are just at the border with Slovakia, where is also located the highest peak of Hungary – […]

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Hungary offers all kinds of the recreation opportunities. However it is not suitable for sea and salt water lovers, or for climbers and lovers of hiking and skiing, because the country is mostly flat and the higher hills are just at the border with Slovakia, where is also located the highest peak of Hungary – Kékes (1015 meters) situated in the Mátra mountain range. Snow occurs rarely, and only for a few days.

But everything else you can even imagine you can experience in Hungary – the cultural and social events, concerts and discos, folklore festivals, good food and drink, especially a great wine, sports (fishing, bathing and swimming, excellent opportunities biking, ballooning, parachuting and hang-gliding, windsurfing, sailing and water skiing on Lake Balaton, beautiful horses with the opportunity to ride on them, craft workshops, nostalgic carriage or old trains rides, boat cruises, live gypsy music, visits to zoos and nature reserves, and last but not least, many wellness activities in famous Hungarian spa.

Hungarian cuisine

Like any other cuisine even Hungarian one is influenced by the cuisine of neighbouring countries – mostly Bulgarian and Slovak. This cuisine is characterized by a variety of tastes and looks. Its main ingredient is the pepper, which grown all around the country. Another important ingredient is sour cream. The most commonly used meat is from oxen, calves, pigs or rams. They can also prepare the turkeys, chickens, ducks and geese as well as different game. The local rivers are excellent providers of freshwater fish such as perch, Danube catfish, sturgeon, pike or carp.

The most famous Hungarian dish is definitely Hungarian goulash or Segedin goulash. Then it is gnocchi with sheep cheese, which is the apparent influence of Slovak cuisine. The most popular spice is the pepper, served in six kinds and gives the meal its right Hungarian flavour. Popular soup is halászlé (fish soup) and bean soup. Another traditional dish is Perkelt prepared from various types of meat in a pot on the fire. Furthermore, it is worth tasting Borsos Tokány – braised beef in red wine sauce with tomatoes or Tordai lacipecsenye – crisp roasted young pork wrapped in flour with hot peppers. Traditional dishes include chicken with mushrooms and pepper, fried liver, Transylvanian layered cabbage or noodles with cabbage. The meals are served with all kinds of vegetable and fruit salads, e.g. such as cucumber salad with sour cream. Very popular deserts are strudels or poppy tubes.


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