Amsterdam

The compact size of Amsterdam – a city built around a system of canals – means that you are never far from the highlights of the destination, and there is never a dull moment, whatever may take your fancy. There is a charm that comes with the quaintness of Amsterdam, but recently a new wave of urban art has been sweeping the town, with an influx of cool reigniting its bohemian credentials. While Anne Frank’s House and the Van Gough Museum are understandably popular, you should also check out rising photographic talent at Huis Marseille or Foam. Away from the tacky stag-do-central of the Red Light District is Reguliersgracht, where criss-crossing alleys are lined with chilled-out cafés and dinky boutique shops.

Amsterdam, Netherlands by Christian Lendl

Istanbul

While the majority of the population of Istanbul are Muslim, it is a sprawling cosmopolitan city with a huge mix of cultures. Being located on the very edge of Europe and Asia, it is a melting pot of Western and Middle Eastern cultures which will fascinate any discerning traveller. One of the archetypal visions of the city can be found in the Covered Bazaar, where merchants and locals trade wares and offer must-have souvenirs to the tourists who pass through. This will give an idea of the whole city, which is a maze of nooks and crannies, all filled with remarkable cafes and boutique shops offering scents, gold and textiles. The Blue Mosque is a must, presenting fabulous mosaics of ceramics and glass, and offering an insight into the wealth and excess of the home of the Ottoman Empire.

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey by Jerzy Kociatkiewicz

Rome

The home of an empire that once included territories in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Rome is a goldmine of cultural artefacts. One of the most popular ruins is the Colosseum, which once held brutal fights to the death for the entertainment of thousands. Standing in the stalls, one can imagine the roars and jeers from the baiting crowds. Opposite is Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, from which some of the best views in the city can be found, looking down over the ruins of the residences of many Roman emperors, including Augustus (27 BC-14 AD), Tiberius (14-37) and Domitian (81-96).

Fontana di Trevi, Rome, Italy / Photo by Julo for Best of European Union

London

The British Empire is one with a long and treacherous history. London has a regal sense about it, with cultural monuments still standing proudly across the city – many of which, such as Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament, are still being used today as the centres of the monarchy and Government, respectively. The Tower of London, along the north bank of the River Thames, was built primarily by William the Conqueror in 1078, with many phases of expansion across the centuries. Juxtaposed with the historical sites is modern urban London, with many waves of immigrants creating a cultural hotpot in areas such as Brixton and Camden, where restaurants serve cuisines from across the globe and boutique shops and market stalls trade in unique gifts.

London, England, United Kingdom by Tim Morris

Berlin

Berlin is a strange mix of cultures, which is sometimes a little difficult to feel at ease with. On one hand, you have the ever-present reminders of its recent history, in the form of Third Reich tours or visits to the Iron Curtain and the location of Hitler’s bunker, where he spent his last few hours. While fascinating, it can also be spine-chilling, thinking how recent those terrible events were. However, there are plenty of opportunities to chill out, with quirky urban spectacles such as pop-up nightclubs, and underground ping-pong events, held in derelict buildings. The best way to do this is get talking to the locals and ask if they know of any happenings close by. A sure-fire destination for weekend parties, though, would be Farbfernseher in Kreuzberg.

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany by Bill Tyne

With so many routes and tour companies available to help you travel across the continent or dedicate your time to discovering one particular city, there is no excuse not to learn about these fascinating hubs, no matter what your budget.

Written by Kat Kraetzer, a travel blogger who loves to visit Europe.

The post Europe’s Best Cultural Hotspots appeared first on Best of European Union.

With a poor climate, the economic downturn and the rising cost of living, now may be the time to find a nice little European bolthole where you could ride out the storm. It’s true that in most other European countries your money goes further, the climate is better and the pace of living more relaxed. So whether it is for a holiday home, a retirement property or simply an investment – which European countries offer the most home for your money?

Avila, Spain by World Wide Gifts / License: Creative Commons

Most people, when thinking about moving abroad or investing in property think about France or Spain, but before you think about removals to France or removals to Spain, have you considered the other European countries which offer great value? For instance, Italy has seen prices fall by around 8 to 20% over the last few years and now it is possible to buy a lovely rural, stone built house set in a lovely village for around £150,000. Whilst a larger property, if you are looking to make a permanent move, will cost around £205,000 for a three bedroom hillside house with a barn and large garden in the lush hills of Lucca, Tuscany.

Turkey is also worth a look if you are looking for an affordable place to live or buy a holiday home. Istanbul has some great value apartments which could see you a healthy return for investment. Istanbul has a housing shortage estimated at around 250,000 units per year. This means that buying an apartment here would see no shortage of tenants if you are looking to invest in property as opposed to live there yourself. For instance, a one bedroom apartment in Bahcesehir, which is just 20 minutes from the city centre, will only set you back around £48,000 and makes a superb investment.

Girona, Spain by Europeana EU / License: Creative Commons

Spain has some great deals to be had too. No other European country has such a wide and varied landscape from beautiful beaches, to elegant cities and through to charming town and hidden villages. There are mountains, lush valleys and quiet hidden beaches which you could easily spend a lifetime exploring. With this in mind, it is no wonder that property sales are on the rise. The cost of living in Spain is generally cheaper than the UK and we all know the climate is much better too!

Some great value homes can now be had here such as a two bedroom home in Murcia, South East Spain could be yours for around £45,000. That’s not a lot of money for your home! Take a look on the internet at the range of properties available to buy, next decide on your budget and what you wish to gain from your property. You might be pleasantly surprised at just what you can afford in one of these bargain European destinations!

Written by Helen Mitchell, looking for the best way to move abroad.

The post Affordable Places To Live In Europe appeared first on Best of European Union.