Brighton Pier, England, UK by Samuel Justice

Brighton

The seaside town of Brighton is located just a short train ride to the south of London and is particularly charming on a sunny day. The main pier here is a great place to take a stroll, while shoppers will want to head to the Lanes to browse for bargains. Most of the main attractions here can be found close to the sea, while the Royal Brighton Pavilion is one of the town’s most unusual landmarks and music lovers will find that a wide range of concerts are regularly held here.

Canterbury

The small city of Canterbury is one of the most vibrant destinations in the county of Kent. The city centre is pedestrianised, allowing visitors to wander along the cobbled streets and soak up the atmosphere. Canterbury is famous for its architecture, and no trip to the city would be complete without paying a visit to Canterbury Cathedral. This was also the setting for Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, and visitors can get a feel of what the city was like at the time of Chaucer complete with the sights, sounds and smells of the era by visiting the Pilgrim’s Way Museum.

Canterbury Cathedral, England, UK by Steve Evans

Aylesbury

This historic market town can be found just 35 miles to the north west of London, meaning that visitors will have plenty of time to absorb the main sights within a day. Aylesbury is a town that is simply bursting with charm and exploring the town centre is a real treat. Aylesbury is also famous for its ancient standing stones, which are believed by many people to have mystical powers.

Bournemouth

City slickers who are looking for a little fun in the sun should take the train to the southern beach town of Bournemouth. Eating fish and chips by the sea is a popular pastime here, while there are plenty of wide rides and other attractions waiting to be enjoyed.

Oxford

The historical city of Oxford makes the ideal daytrip destination. Wandering along the cobbled streets and lanes in the old section of the city is an uplifting experience, and lovers of history and architecture will find numerous impressive churches, colleges and other buildings to explore, while the Pitt Rivers Museum is a great play to visit to learn about this city’s vibrant past.

Oxford University, England, UK by Biker Jun

Bath

With it Georgian architecture and chic and sophisticated bars and restaurants, Bath is the perfect blend of the old and the new. The buildings that can be found in the town centre are particularly well preserved and this makes exploring a lot of fun. There are plenty of great outdoor cafes here where visitors can enjoy a snack while indulging in a little people watching, while many of the shops here feature handicrafts that cannot be found in any other part of the country. Bath was named after the Roman Baths that were once extremely popular here, and the Roman Baths Museum is the perfect place to find out all about them.

Of course, these are just a few of the destinations that are waiting to be discovered by both visitors to London and those who live there. Conceirge services offered by some of London’s best 5 star hotels are often more than happy to organise a day’s excursion so make sure you pick their brains about the various destinations that are within easy reach of London’s very excellent railways.

Article sources:

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/england/london/travel-tips-and-articles/77050

https://www.wikitravel.org/london

Tom, a freelance writer from London, is a huge fan of rustic Britain and often indulges in his love of the Isles by taking the train without a destination in mind..!

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Doolin, County Clare, Ireland by Peter Gorman

Feel it with your hand and you’ll realize that its almost bathwater warm. There is sun and warmth on the west coast that is not often seen in Dublin. It gets hot in the afternoon and feels like summer in the US. As great as this is, it is not the only reason to see Doolin.

Doolin is known for its traditional Irish music, all year round. It is more frequent in the summer during tourist season, but worth checking out. O’Connor’s is a warm, cozy place where the musicians sit in a booth near the front door and play all evening. The pub was packed in June and serving up food as fast as they could put it out. Naturally we had fish and chips and Irish stew, which was delicious.

Gus O’Connor’s Pub, Ireland by Carlos Mejía Greene

We met a couple from Atlanta, GA, one of which was originally from northern Ireland. She sang like an angel and knew every folk song they sang, and there were way too many to count. Her husband was as clueless as we were about the lyrics.

We had such a good time we stayed very late, and eventually the guitarist played “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” by John Denver, the only song we knew, and we sang loudly which I blame on the Guinness. It’s better in Ireland.

The friend from Northern Ireland said, “It’s all about the craic.” This is pronounced “crack” and means fun, gossip, news and entertainment. Without the craic, what have you got? It’s found in pubs.

Live Music at O’Connor’s Pub, Ireland by Emily OS

Craft shops in Doolin are worth a look too, and the natural beauty of the area with old stone walls in the pastures is very picturesque. The Village Crafts Shop, owned by Gus and Maeve, has woolens, tweeds and the like where we bought Irish sweaters that actually smelled like sheep. They were not processed by some factory; they were handmade locally and will last forever. The color is natural and not whitened; they’re warm and remind us of Doolin.

We stayed at a family-owned B&B and the owner found out that my wife was a professional jazz guitarist, so the jam was on. It was a nice country cottage with good amenities, much like others in the area, and the owners were friendly. It was an all around great experience.

Kevin Caldwell wrote this article for DublinTempleBarHotels.com who help travelers find hotels near Temple Bar in Dublin.

The post A Day in West Ireland appeared first on Europe Explored.

To experience some genuine typically British experiences then try this list of five – there’s something for everyone.

1. Eat fish and chips. Ideally in the north of England or Scotland where the best ‘chippies’ are to be found, and – very important this – you must eat it sitting outside from the paper it comes wrapped in rather than from a plate. Go heavy on the salt and malt vinegar, absolutely delicious.

2. Try crown green bowling. A version of this genteel game has been played in the UK since the 13th century and it is as much a sport of kings as horse racing. Perhaps one for the older set think English country villages and a cream tea and you are along the right lines.

crown green bowling by Jenny Poole

3. Hop across to a European party island. If you visit Britain in the summer months and are struggling to cope with the unfortunate reality of almost continuous rain then grab a cheap flight and holiday in Ibiza, Majorca or Tenerife for a long weekend. Get ready to party hard this is not for the faint hearted – or your Mum!

4. Take a donkey ride on the beach. Get back to basics with some family fun at the seaside. Indulge yourself with ice creams a plenty and give the kids a treat with a donkey trek on the sands, they’ll love it. Also look out for traditional Punch & Judy puppet shows, crazy golf and amusement arcades: all essential tourist attractions at British coastal towns.

5. Go and see a football match. Soak up the atmosphere on the terraces and get engrossed with the action on the pitch. Some of the world’s greatest players play soccer in the UK so take the chance to see them close up and discover this exciting sport for yourself.

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Spaghetti Bolognese

Bolognese sauce originated in Bologna, Italy and was traditionally used as dressing for tagliatelle. The dish that it has developed into, known as Spaghetti Bolognese, is a tomato sauce prepared with meat, usually beef or pork, and served on a bed of spaghetti with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese over the top. Although you will see this dish on the menu in Italian restaurants the world over, you are unlikely to find it in Italy.

Spaghetti Bolognese / Photo by admin

Greek Moussaka

This version of the eggplant based dish is thought to be a creation of Nikolaos Tselementes, the most influential Greek cookery writer of the twentieth century. It is a baked dish with layers of minced beef and aubergine, topped with a Béchamel sauce. The original dish can be traced back to 10th Century Baghdad, where it was served to the Caliphs.

Photo of Greek Moussaka by avlxyz

Fish and Chips

Created in London in the 19th Century, this staple of the British diet is comprised of a fillet of battered deep-fried fish served with chips. The fish is usually cod, or haddock, and the batter is a simple combination of flour and water. It is usually garnished with salt and vinegar. There are over 11,000 Fish and Chip shops in the UK, selling almost 260,000,000 meals every year.

Photo of Fish and Chips by edera

Paella

This is a very popular Spanish dish that originated from Albufera in Valencia. There are many different varieties of paella including seafood, valencian and mixed. The dish consists of rice which is cooked in a pan with saffron over an open fire. A variety of additional ingredients are added as part of the cooking process. The word ‘paella’ comes from the Latin word for ‘pan’ or ‘dish’.

Photo of Paella by dgies

Beef Stroganoff

Originating from 19th Century Russia, Beef Stroganoff consists of sautéed pieces of beef served in a sour cream sauce. It is normally served with rice or pasta, although the traditional Russian variety is served with potato chips. Stroganoff is a very popular dish in Sweden where the beef is replaced with a traditional Swedish sausage known as a Falukorv.

Photo of Beef Stroganoff by Rendy

Black Forest Gateau

Originating from the mountain range in the Southwest Germany this cake is known locally as Black Forest Cherry Torte. It consists of several layers of chocolate cake with cherries and whipped cream in between each layer. The cake is topped with more whipped cream, maraschino cherries and chocolate shavings. This is a popular dessert in the US, Canada and Australia where it is known as Black Forest Cake.

Photo of Black Forest Gateau by PetitPlat – Stephanie Kilgast

Boeuf Bourguignon

Coming from Burgundy, in the East of France, Boeuf Bourguignon was originally a peasant dish. It is a stew made with beef, braised in a Burgundy red wine, slow cooked to seal the flavour, and garnished with a variety of onions, garlic and mushrooms. From its humble beginnings this dish has been transformed over time and is now considered haute cuisine by French restaurateurs and culinary experts.

Photo of Boeuf Bourguignon by jstuppy

Irish Stew

This is a traditional Irish dish, dating back to the early 1800′s, made from lamb which is boiled slowly in a pot with a variety of vegetables including potatoes, carrots, onions and parsley. One of the earliest known references to ‘Irish Stew’ is in Lord Byron’s poem; ‘The Devil’s Drive: An unfinished Rhapsody’ written in 1813.

Photo of Irish Stew by SaucyGlo

Doner Kebab

The literal translation for the Turkish phrase ‘doner kebab’ is ‘rotating grilled meat’. This is a traditional dish made with shaved goat, lamb, turkey, chicken, beef, or mixed meats, which have been roasted on a spit. It is generally served in a flatbread pitta. It is a very versatile dish and there are a wide range of toppings which can be used as an accompaniment including; tomato, onion, lettuce, tabbouleh, parsley, cabbage, and cucumber. There are also a range of sauces that can be used on a kebab including; yogurt, tahini, hummus, tzatziki, salsa, and garlic mayonnaise, to name but a few.

Photo of Doner Kebab by Graham Holliday

Pizza

Originating in Naples, Italy, this is a flat round bread oven-baked and typically topped with tomato sauce and cheese. It is then layered with a variety of other toppings and is probably Italy’s most famous export. Nowhere is it more popular than in the US where approximately 100 acres of pizza are eaten every day!

Photo of Pizza by admin

So, if you’re lucky enough to get yourself on one of those travel tours around Europe, make sure you try some of the local cuisine! No matter which country you go to, they will have a wonderful variety of traditional dishes so don’t be scared to try something different!

Written by Kat Kraetzer, a passionate traveller and experienced travel writer

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Prince Regent Royal Pavilion, Brighton, UK by Dominic Alves

It’s only around 50 miles from the centre of the capital, and is an hour’s train ride from London Bridge and Victoria stations. There are times when even the most iconic cities in the world become a little too fast-paced, congested and hectic, so if you’re in the mood to seek out some fresh sea air and a little more space in which to breathe, Brighton should be a must on your vacation itinerary.

Brighton is home to a significant number of top class restaurants that offer the finest cuisine options for any visitors who are seeking out the best in dining, but sometimes it might be better to choose a true classic. Fish and chips is synonymous with all things British, of course, but it’s perhaps best enjoyed when close to the sea. Freshly-caught cod in crispy batter is simply delicious, especially when accompanied by a generous serving of the finest quality chips.

The city of Brighton, officially known as Brighton & Hove, has a rich heritage and is home to a number of historic buildings. Perhaps chief among them is the Royal Pavilion, once the home of the future King George IV. More than 400,000 tourists visit the location every year, and a guided tour of the landmark is a must. The distinctive design is reminiscent of Indian architecture, reflecting a popular fashion from the time when it was constructed.

Palace Pier, Brighton, UK by Garry Knight

Equally famous, although perhaps not as noble, is the spectacular Palace Pier. Located in the heart of the city, it’s a hugely popular attraction that plays hosts to tourists from all over the world every week. It’s home to several amusement park rides, bars, restaurants, and other attractions.

For those who enjoy live music, an overnight stay in Brighton is highly recommended, because the city has plenty of venues that remain open into the wee small hours. The local nightlife has a distinctive buzz about it, and this intriguing Sussex location enjoys a reputation for its artistic innovation and its musical diversity.

David Showell has visited Brighton on several occasions. When he’s not travelling, he’s working for https://www.carrentals.co.uk/.

The post Visiting London? Head South for a Day of Difference in Brighton! appeared first on Europe Explored.

Beach in Sicily, Italy / photo by admin

1. Ostia

Ostia is about thirty minutes from Rome by train, and is one of the most popular summer day trips for Roman citizens. Three miles of golden sand is bordered by the Paolo Toscanelli boulevard; a great place for you to stroll down, popping into the cafes and restaurants for bite to eat. The beautiful beach is divided up into public and private areas- you can access the private for a fee; these beaches are usually less crowded with better facilities. If you’re tired of the sun, check out the Roman ruins or the historic port of Ostia Antica.

2. Nettuno

Slightly further from Rome is the bay of Nettuno. Easily accessible on foot, the sea esplanade leads to modern Nettuno; whereas the older ‘Il Borgo’ part is located near the town centre. Il Borgo contains some of the Amalfi coast’s best restaurants, with a beautiful view over the port area. Live music and other activities take place over the summer on the esplanade and the marina. The best small beach is the Spiaggia le Sirene.

3. Santa Marinella

It’s just a quick train ride from the Rome Termini station, (only 45 minutes) to this picturesque beach commune. The clean Mediterranean sand and crystal waters attract many locals, so this isn’t the place to go if you’re looking for privacy and seclusion! Adding to the allure, one of Italy’s most famous seafood restaurants – L’Acqua Marina – is located only ten minutes away.

4. Sperlonga

When you need a break from the history, consider Sperlonga. Although it’s two and a half hours from Rome, the journey is definitely worth it when you see the stunning pale sandy crescent and open ocean view. The beach is well-developed, with all facilities within easy reach; and the local eateries serve everything from fish and chips to authentic Italian cuisine. Some places will even deliver food direct to your beach towel!

5. Santa Severa

With the officially-recognized cleanest waters around Rome, this beach is easy to get to from Rome by bus or train. In addition to the pristine sand, there’s a nature reserve located on a nearby headland; as well as a naturally formed cave system once used as a hiding place by slaves.

Whether you’re renting one of the Rome apartments or staying in an Amalfi coastline villa; visiting a local beach is the perfect way to finish off your summer vacation. Make sure you leave early to grab that prime spot on the sand!

Next time you are heading over to Europe, why not rent one of the apartments in Rome from Worldwide Accom.There are many within the city centre, close to the metro stops as well, meaning you can easily hop on the metro to all the attractions or even to the beach.

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