Europe Explored » left bank 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 What’s for Dinner? Surviving Paris on a Student’s Budget https://europeexplored.com/2012/06/02/whats-for-dinner-surviving-paris-on-a-students-budget/ https://europeexplored.com/2012/06/02/whats-for-dinner-surviving-paris-on-a-students-budget/#comments Sat, 02 Jun 2012 10:27:28 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=8195 Every semester, thousands of college students head off to Paris to study abroad.  With tuition rates at all-time highs, Dollar low against the Euro and Parisian prices floating higher than the Seine Flood of 1910, students will be wondering how to feed themselves on a student’s budget in a city known more for fine dining than […]

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Every semester, thousands of college students head off to Paris to study abroad.  With tuition rates at all-time highs, Dollar low against the Euro and Parisian prices floating higher than the Seine Flood of 1910, students will be wondering how to feed themselves on a student’s budget in a city known more for fine dining than fast food.

Fortunately, with a little preparation and the right attitude about eating efficiently, there are techniques to properly grub in Paris on a school cafeteria budget.

Crepe Paris, France
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by jonmcalister

Rue

Of course, explore the street grub.  More specifically, the crepe stands across the city offer hunger eliminating creations for about five Euros each.  Choose stands where crepes are made to order on the large round cookers. The vendor will fold your Nutella or ham and cheese creation for easy portability.

Also, drop by the outdoor windows of the smaller Greek and Middle Eastern eateries in the pedestrian area near Place St. Michel on Left Bank.  Buying at to-go windows is usually cheaper than table dining.  For example, five Euros will serve up chicken shawarma sandwiches with chopped tomatoes and yogurt sauce.

In addition, across the Seine in the Fourth Arrondissement, check out the old Jewish quarter near Rue des Rosiers for affordable falafel eateries.

Falafel
Falafel / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Lara604

Parisian Asian

Don’t forget about Parisian Asian food. While not as notable as some Chinatowns, Paris has its own dim sum for small sums.  Wheeled around the restaurant in small carts, you only purchase food that interests your table.

In the same area along Rue Belleville where the Tenth and Nineteenth Arrondissement meet, you’ll find small Vietnamese restaurants.  These noodle dishes and Vietnamese sandwiches are both satisfying and delicious choices which provide a nice change of palate from everyday fare.

French Pizza

Most of the Parisian pizza restaurants feature wood-fired ovens and thin crispy crusts.  Be sure to try the piquant oil served on the side, but take it easy — it packs a punch!

Market Streets

The Parisian way is to shop by specialty store, including cheese from the fromagerie, bread from the boulangerie, deli-style meats from the charcuterie and fruits from the marchand de fruits.  Classic baguettes are price controlled in France and generally cost less than one Euro.  You can also purchase half baguettes — just ask.  By buying in sandwich-sized quantities, and assembling yourself, you’ll have a delicious and fresh meal on the cheap.

Pizza
Pizza / Photo by admin

Street Markets (Not to be confused with Market Streets)

Different from market streets, with their rows of brick and mortar specialty shops, Paris also abounds with tented or open air street markets where vendors set up shop certain days of the week, usually in the morning.  Here you’ll find spice vendors, fresh produce, nuts, prepared meats, and much more.

Treat Yourself

To reward yourself for thrifty spending and hitting the books, treat yourself to a restaurant meal now and then.  Restaurant Chartier on 7 Rue Faubourg Monmartre in the Ninth Arrondissement is a good start.  For about 15 Euros you will be dished up memorable grub by servers in Parisian style, long, white aprons.

When university is over and you’ve parlayed your hard earned diploma into a corner office, you’ll find yourself in Paris one evening reminiscing with your former roommate over a bottle of champagne at the Tour d’Argent.  When the chateaubriand arrives at the table, you can reminiscence about the affordable rotisserie chicken you used to buy on the Rue des Martyrs!

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Kampen – city with rich Hanseatic history in Netherlands https://europeexplored.com/2012/03/05/kampen-city-with-rich-hanseatic-history-in-netherlands/ https://europeexplored.com/2012/03/05/kampen-city-with-rich-hanseatic-history-in-netherlands/#comments Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:15:56 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=6071 On the left bank of the Rhine arm called IJssel, in the Dutch province of Overijssel, lies town Kampen, which is famous mainly thanks to Protestant Theological University. The city, however, boasts a rich Hanseatic history. Today the city has about 33,000 inhabitants. Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Taco Witte Kampen is […]

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On the left bank of the Rhine arm called IJssel, in the Dutch province of Overijssel, lies town Kampen, which is famous mainly thanks to Protestant Theological University. The city, however, boasts a rich Hanseatic history. Today the city has about 33,000 inhabitants.

Gate, Kampen, Netherlands
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Taco Witte

Kampen is connected to Zwolle, which is the capital of the province, by a road that continues north to Emmeloord. Between the cities leads also 12 km long local railway that crosses a typical Dutch landscape. View of the endless plains dotted with trees and wind power plants. Without them, it would perhaps be possible to see through Amsterdam. The pastures are full of cows, or white sheep.

The most important monuments of Kampen are the city gates, which are the remains of former fortifications. Very valued building is the Church of St. Nicholas (Bovenkerk) from the 14th century, tower Nieuwe Toren from the 17th century and the city hall decorated with a beautiful facade. You can visit a small port or take a walk around the romantic streets. Following the Burgel channel and Broederstraat street you can get to a beautiful gate Broederspoort dating from the 15th century. From here it is just about 400 metres to another Gothic gate Cellebroederspoort.

Port, Kampen, Netherlands
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Phillip Capper

Through Burgelgracht you get to the church Bovenkerk, which was built from the bricks and rare stone. Since this is a Protestant church, its interior is not overly ornate and interesting. Behind the church lies Koornmarkt – a square on which stands the building of the famous Protestant Theological Faculty. A little further you come across the Koornmarktspoort gate with two massive cylindrical towers, which in the past defended city from the waterfront. It is the oldest gate in the city.

Kampen is also famous for the production of cigars, as evidenced by the small Kamper Tobacco Museum located on the square Botermarkt. However this museum is really unique as it is open for tourists only after prior agreement.


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Cologne Cathedral – one of the best-known architectural monuments in Germany https://europeexplored.com/2011/10/21/cologne-cathedral-one-of-the-best-known-architectural-monuments-in-germany/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/10/21/cologne-cathedral-one-of-the-best-known-architectural-monuments-in-germany/#comments Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:35:12 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=5178 Close to the left bank of the River Rhine rises a massive construction of Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom). It is a Gothic cathedral built in the French style. It is a symbol of the city of Cologne and one of the largest cathedrals in Germany. More than a hundred columns support an extremely steep arch […]

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Close to the left bank of the River Rhine rises a massive construction of Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom). It is a Gothic cathedral built in the French style. It is a symbol of the city of Cologne and one of the largest cathedrals in Germany. More than a hundred columns support an extremely steep arch with the amount of colored light windows. The most valuable treasure is a magnificent reliquary of the Three Kings containing the relics of the Holy Three Kings. More than 500 steps leads to the South Tower, where you can enjoy a unique panoramic view of the city.

Cologne Cathedral - one of the best-known architectural monuments in Germany
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Jannis Andrija Schnitzer

The cathedral was built over 600 years. Its eastern part with the chorus and part of the two towers were built in the year 1300. In the 15th century there was added the second floor to the south tower where was placed a bell. Towers were connected with the chorus through a long low building. Cathedral, as we know it today, was built in the 19th century of neo-Gothic style.


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Its official name is Hohen Dom zu Köln. The total length of the cathedral is 144.58 m, width is 86.25 m, and height of tower is 157 m. The median nave is 119 meters long and over 45 m wide, the higher one is the only cathedral in Beauvais, France (48.5 m). The church could accommodate 4,000 people and all windows cover an area of 10,000 m².

Everything that was newly built since 1842, was built according to the original medieval plans.


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The town of Sigulda – Latvian Switzerland https://europeexplored.com/2011/07/22/the-town-of-sigulda-latvian-switzerland/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/07/22/the-town-of-sigulda-latvian-switzerland/#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:45:37 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=4700 In the central part of Latvia you can find a beautiful and historically significant town of Sigulda. It lies on the southern outskirts of the picturesque forested valley of the River Gauja. This area is an ideal starting point for trips to Gauja National Park. For its beauty it is often called “Latvian Switzerland” by […]

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In the central part of Latvia you can find a beautiful and historically significant town of Sigulda. It lies on the southern outskirts of the picturesque forested valley of the River Gauja. This area is an ideal starting point for trips to Gauja National Park. For its beauty it is often called “Latvian Switzerland” by the local people.

The area of today’s town was settled by The Livs (Livonians) already in 2000BC. The Livs lived here until the 12th century when they build several wooden forts on the tops of the local hills. At the beginning of the 13th century they were not able to resist against German raids and left. In 1207 the land on the right bank of the river Gauja belonged to the bishop of Riga and the left bank to the Knights of Sword Order. Both sides have built castles Satezele (later destroyed) and Segewald in important places, which should protect them from the opponent. From the name of the second castle – Segewald is probably derived the present name of Sigulda.

In the period from the 16th to 18th century Sigulda underwent a number of wars, but the decline of this medieval city was noticeable already during Livonian Wars. The first one who conquered the castle Segewald was Ivan the Terrible. Sigulda fell to the Swedes in 1601 for a short time, who completely burnt it down during the retreat. Due to constant unrest and fighting Sigulda almost disappeared from the earth’s surface. The life returned back here in 1625 when the whole area fell to the Russians. Great development came up with the construction of the railway Riga – Valka – Pskov in 1889. In 1928 it was registered as a town of Sigulda and increasingly becoming a place where the rich families moved from St. Petersburg and Warsaw.

The recreation potential was not discovered until 1920-1930 – in a time of independent Latvian state. In 1935 there were registered 375 rental vacation homes in Sigulda. During the World War II many monuments and houses were destroyed and burnt. Recovery occurred during the Soviet domination between 1950 and 1962. The city gradually became a regional hub again. Today the town of Sigulda with 11,000 inhabitants is a small spa resort and also an important winter sports center. There is a short ski slopes with ski lifts and groomed trails. The river will satisfy all lovers of water sports, you can try also rafting here.

The main attractions of Sigulda are the ruins of Segewald castle on the northeastern outskirts of the town. From its walls you can enjoy a beautiful view of the other side of the valley, where is located Archbishop’s castle Turaida built of red bricks in 1214.

The nearby Gauja National Park was established in 1973. It covers an area of ​​917 km2 and is divided into five functional zones. Its most valuable parts are the reservations, in which tourists are not allowed. Under high protection is also the Gauja River valley, which together with the valleys of its tributaries, create a very nice landscape feature. Also, from a geological point of view it is a very interesting area.


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Danube Delta in Romania – second largest delta in Europe https://europeexplored.com/2010/05/26/danube-delta-in-romania/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/05/26/danube-delta-in-romania/#comments Wed, 26 May 2010 16:57:45 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=229 Perhaps one of the most famous rivers in all of Europe is that of the Danube River. And although the river meanders its way through much of continent, it is in the nation of Romania, where one can find the Danube Delta where the river flows into the Black Sea. The Danube Delta is considered […]

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Perhaps one of the most famous rivers in all of Europe is that of the Danube River. And although the river meanders its way through much of continent, it is in the nation of Romania, where one can find the Danube Delta where the river flows into the Black Sea.

The Danube Delta is considered to be the second largest Delta in all of Europe (just after Volga delta). It is also one of the most well preserved ecological destinations in the country. There are a number of lagoons, which can be found throughout the Delta region, including that of the 1015 square kilometres Razim-Sinoe Lagoon.

Danube Delta, Romania
Danube Delta, Romania by Acaro

Today, the Danube Delta consists of three main distributaries which includes the Sfântul Gheorghe, Sulina as well as the Chilia. There are also a number of large lakes that can be found within the area that includes the Dranov, Gorgova as well as the Roşu. Among them you will find many of the most fertile and picturesque marshes and lagoons that have made the Danube Delta one of the most popular destinations not just in Romania but also throughout the entire region of Europe.

Thanks to its location along the Black Sea, the area around the Danube Delta features a unique microclimate which results in one of the driest as well as sunniest areas in all of Romania. It is estimated that every year, there are more than 2500 hours of sunshine, which equates to roughly 70 days of clear blue skies. And although there are more than 400 millimetres a year of precipitation there are more than 1000 millimetres a year of evaporation. As a result, the year-round climate associated with the Danube Delta makes it a pristine destination in the country.

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