Rome, Italy / Photo by Claire for Europe Explored

Learn Italian in Rome with group language classes

Classes organized in group are one of the best ways to learn the Italian language in Rome. Besides the tutorial program. Schools in the capital are happy to provide administrative assistance with issues related to accommodation and local tours. For students who would like their relatives to take a visit it is possible to arrange thematic excursions for the whole family: food and wine tasting, culinary tradition, art gallery tours and more.
The classes are led in spacious rooms with a warm, cozy atmosphere. The groups are small enough to let each student practice and improve their spoken and written skills with native speaking teachers.

The Most Exciting City in the World

Rome offers its visitors an endless spectrum of cultural and social activities: museums, art galleries, churches, religious and archeological sites. Church of San Luigi dei Francesi located on Via Santa Giovanna, the Roman Empire Vatican Museum, the Pantheon building on the Piazza della Rotonda are just a few hidden gems to find in this monumental city.

For those who are looking for a party time, Rome offers a rich nightlife entertainment: bars, pubs and live music venues are spread all over city. Most night outdoor activities are concentrated in the downtown: the area around Piazza Navona and Via della Pace with its cafes and surrounding alleys. Another dynamic place is San Lorenzo at the location of the main university where the pubs are swarmed with young people, creating a lively and informal atmosphere.

During the summer, there are many open-air events such as concerts and music festivals. The evening will be incomplete, though, without enjoying some delicious ice cream in Rome’s finest restaurants, such as Dal Siciliano (Sicilian style) or the famous Gelateria Il Dolce Sorriso located on Via Arenula. To get the best of the Italian authentic cuisine, students can try Osteria del Cavaliere and enjoy a brunch with a salad buffet for a reasonable price.

More than just a language

Time spent in Rome accompanied by systematic group studying, will not only contribute to a successful language acquisition, but also expose the students to new cultural traditions and etiquette, which is a world of its own.
Taking a trip to Italy’s capital in order to learn is a great way to combine business and pleasure. Watching the city life outside the language class window will inspire anyone to keep on learning, and using the language on Rome streets will make it easier to absorb vocabulary and build confidence.

Gabriele is a dedicated travel writer about travelling in Italy.

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Hamburg, the second largest city in Germany, has traditionally lived in Berlin’s shadow – but not anymore.

The northern metropolis has become a media and industrial hub in modern times, with Hamburg now one of the most affluent and best places to live anywhere in Europe.

And tourists can’t get enough of Hamburg’s charms. From art to history and music to marathons, the city now attracts over four million visitors each year. Read on to find out about some of the interesting and innovative places to visit when Staying in a Hamburg hotel this year.

St Michaelis Church

A truly iconic landmark of Hamburg, visitors are drawn from across both across Germany and further afield to gaze upon and worship at St Michaelis Church. The glorious Baroque building was originally constructed in 1786 and is dedicated to the archangel Michael. One of the main attractions of the building is the glorious bronze sculpture of Michael vanquishing the Devil, which welcomes tourists as they enter through the main entrance.

Today, visitors can climb St Michaelis’ 132 metre-high spire, where they will be able to soak up fantastic views of Hamburg’s skyline and harbour district.

A view from St Michaelis Church, Hamburg, Germany by Marcus Winter

Tierpark Hagenbeck

Hamburg Zoo was originally opened in 1907 and is the rival of any in Europe. The zoo was the first to pioneer cageless exhibits, and it still uses moats to this day to improve visitor experiences by providing them with panoramic and lifelike enclosures.

The zoo has 210 different species of animals, with tourists able to feed the hugely popular elephants, lions and polar bears during their trip to this highly-respected conservation centre.

Tierpark Hagenbeck, Hamburg Zoo, Germany by Stephan Mosel

Tierpark Hagenbeck: https://www.hagenbeck.de/en/tierpark/start.html

Hamburger Dom

The Dom is the largest fair in Germany and can more than match anything Berlin has to offer in terms of excitement. Held for 30 days in spring, summer and winter, it is located at the heart of Hamburg in front of St Mary’s Cathedral. Tourists can not only enjoy its Ferris wheel and other fairground attractions but buy local delicacies and products from the Dom’s market stalls.

Hamburger Dom, Hamburg, Germany by BineHerzog

Hamburger Dom: https://www.hamburg.de/dom/

Long Night of Museums

This renowned event sees many of Hamburg’s excellent museums and cultural institutions throw open their doors for an all-night extravaganza. The idea might have originated in Berlin but Hamburg has perfected it. Around 40 top attractions, including the Museum of Arts and Crafts and the Deichtorhallen, stay open into the night, allowing visitors to enjoy their collections in the unique moonlit conditions.

Hamburg State Opera

The city’s opera company is the envy of art lovers across the world, with Hamburg one of the leading lights in staging productions. Opera dates back to 1678 in the city and is now housed in the innovative Staatsoper building. The company has received international acclaim for its pioneering programme and tourists are as likely to be able to enjoy a world premiere of new and exciting shows as an operatic classic.

Hamburg State Opera: hamburgische-staatsoper.de

What do you want to visit in Hamburg?

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It’s not just young children that benefit from day trips, older children and even young adults will learn something by travelling into London for day trips too. There is so much to do that you’ll never get bored. There are museums, theatres, famous boats and the River Thames, monuments and bridges, not forgetting Big Ben, the London Eye and Buckingham Palace. Also, many of these places are free to visit, so no extra money is being spent unnecessarily.

Big Ben & London Eye, England, UK by Adalberto.H.Vega

Children learn about the history of the city of London each day, so why not give them the chance to visit and view the place they are learning about with school trips to London? This will give them a chance to learn more by doing something exciting, such as activities and walks, rather than sitting in a boring classroom all day.

Although children are the hardest to please when it comes to learning, by giving them something fun to do and helping them learn will surely keep them happy. Giving the children something that will help them learn about the history of where they live and that involves lots of activities, for example. Want all of this? Then send them on school tours of London with their school!

Many children don’t often get the chance to travel into London with parents due to work or other commitments. These tours and days out will give children the chance to see what London is all about for themselves and will give them the opportunity to see first-hand what it entails, rather than watching videos and looking at photos.

Getting children to remember what’s being taught is always a struggle, so by giving them the chance to travel to London, have fun and learn, they should (hopefully) remember and appreciate what they are being taught more.

School Trips To Londonare easily arranged through the child’s school, and are reasonably priced for any parent, giving children the opportunity to view London and learn about its history in a more enjoyable way. This also gives them the chance to learn about different methods of transport used in and around the city – a hot topic for young kids, learning about trains, tubes, cars, bikes, boats and buses.

Children like to venture through places they are unsure of, so by giving them the chance to venture to London, you are giving them the opportunity to go on a huge adventure, whilst learning along the way. This gives the child an improved knowledge of their surroundings and history but enjoyment of being somewhere new and exciting.

Have you ever stopped to think about how your child may benefit from school tours of London? Well, giving children the opportunity to travel to London, will allow them to learn, have fun and grow up, knowing that London is not such a scary place to be, and that you don’t have to stay local to have fun or to learn.

Enjoy stress free school tours to European and other worldwide destinations with Voyager School Travel. Call them on +44 (0) 1273 827 327 to know more!

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Photo by Mitchell

Spanish art is so distinct. It is characterised on experimented pictorial techniques and effects on light and textures. And this kind of exploratory trend finds its roots in painters such as Joaquin Mir and Casas who represent the predecessors of impressionists. Aside from this eccentric style, came the rise of avant –garde led by Pablo Picasso which made blares and hullabaloos. Later then, pop art, minimalism, modern art installations, and abstract expressionism crowded the European Art scene.

Barcelona, as Spain’s most cosmopolitan city and one of the Mediterranean’s busiest ports, also boasts in their arts competence, as shown in their numerous galleries and museums, amidst Europe’s heavy concentration on hi-tech and biomedical business. The racing heart of Barcelona never skipped a bit. Here’s the top 5 art museums/ galleries that Barcelona prides itself on:

1. Picasso Museum – This museum is located in Malaga City. It was inaugurated on the 27th of October 2003 by the King and Queen of Spain. And because Picasso’s works are too many to display, some are queued outside the museum’s narrow pedestrian for free public appreciation. Alongside the building are bookshops and cafés – all specialising in Picasso’s modern arts.
2. Joan Miro Foundation – This opened to the public on the 10^th of June, 1975. It has been dedicated to artists who saw the opportunity to promote and publicise their works. During when Spanish art was minimal, the Foundation conveyed a different yet refreshingly and dynamic concept of art.
3. Tàpies Foundation – This foundation is not only an avenue for arts but for education and research as well.  It seeks to protect and distribute all the museum’s significant documents and material, as well as its educational resources so it could help facilitate information about Antoni Tàpies’ contemporary works.
4. Mies Van der Rohe Pavillon – Exhibitions and lectures are hosted in this foundation. Aside from disseminating knowledge about its designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, it also features modern and contemporary architecture in general from either a historical or present-day point of view.
5. Catalan National Art Museum (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya) – It is the national museum of Catalan visual art. It is especially noteworthy for its outstanding collection of Romanesque church paintings, and Catalan arts which includes: 1) Romanesque art; 2) Gothic art; 3) Renaissance and Baroque art; and 4) Modern art.

These are just among the many art wonders of Barcelona where one can visit, enjoy, and relive once again the historical impression set by its artists. Let me quote Octavio Paz’ statement: “Art is an invention of aesthetics, which in turn is an invention of philosophers… What we call art is a game.”

Author Bio: Mitchell Zavich Zunia is a native of Pennsylvania, and had graduated at Robert Morris University with a degree in International Studies. She is a field photographer for a high- flying publication in Pittsburgh. Also, she’s the online content coordinator for www.allseminyakvillas.com. You may follow her on Twitter @MitchellZunia

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Bristol Cathedral / Heather Cowper

The scale of business grew and grew, until there was a small harbor built. Bristol waters were treacherous and the ships that docked there were subject to huge currents, that often resulted in the timber of the ships getting damaged. Because of this sailors had to reinforce their ships, and it quickly put Bristol on the map for their ship craftsmanship. The harbor is still in use today, and it makes the perfect destination for you to visit and learn more about UK history. One of the most famous ships in the UK- the SS Great Britain, which was the first iron hulled propeller-driven ship to travel over the Atlantic. It’s now rested in Bristol, and you can visit the ship. It’s a very popular tourist attraction within Bristol.

Of course with all the ships and the great harbor that Bristol is home to; it’s no surprise that Bristol was notorious for pirates. The city was home to many a pirate, and today; the streets are still the same! If you’re into history, then you’ll be able to find yourself taking a step back into time with a walk around Bristol.

The famous UK soap casualty was filmed in and around Bristol, so if you’re a fan of the show you’ll be able to set foot in the city where it was filmed, until 2009, when the show hung up its production line. The show was filmed in an old warehouse in the city, and numerous places in and around Bristol!

Bristol is home to many museums, and you can find yourself entertained for days by visiting some of them. In fact, it’s home to the Clifton suspension bridge museum, the Bristol museum and art gallery, and Blaise’s castle house and museum. This is just a selection of the museums you can visit when in the city. There are others that will have you flabbergasted and spoilt for choice!

Of course, like any other city, Bristol is also home to many events, including the recently hosted Olympic flame torch- and the shopping in the city is fantastic. It’s home to many a UK retailer where you can just let your shopping devil let rip, and you can shop until you drop!

And when the day is done, Bristol is home to some of the best hotels. Including, the Doyle hotel in Bristol. Where you’ll be able to kick off your shoes and rejuvenate ready for the next day’s sightseeing and shopping!

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London / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Andrew Gatt

Regarding accommodation there are a wide range of accommodation options available to you. From budget hostels to luxury rentals London is bursting with exciting opportunities. Where you stay in London will largely depend upon your budget and plans.

A cheap way to stay in London

If you are on a shoestring budget then a luxury hotel will obviously be out of the question and there are a number of youth hostels, cheap bed and breakfasts and shared university accommodation. You will find these all over London and although more expensive than a lot of bed and breakfasts, hostels etc in other parts of Britain, they will provide you with a good base from which to explore everything the capital has to offer. During the Olympic period however, even these options can be expensive as accommodation has largely sold out.

Location, location, location

If your weekend trip includes a trip to the theatre or to the museums then you will probably want to stay nearby. This will limit your options slightly although you should still find something within budget if you look around. If you are prepared to travel though you will find that the London underground is extremely reliable and useful. If the idea of the Tube doesn’t appeal there are countless taxis you can hail or you could even hire a car and driver.

A more expensive way to stay

You can spend thousands of pounds per night for some of the finest luxury hotels London has to offer or you can rent a property for the duration of your stay. For luxury rentals London cannot be beaten. You will find hotels that blow your mind away but if you would like to keep your independence you can rent a luxury apartment or house for the duration of your visit. These obviously don’t come cheap but you will be able to stay in a high-end London rental property in the heart of the city. This will give you easy access on foot to all the major attractions whilst allowing you to live a home away from home.

This article was written by Brandon Barnes on behalf of Rhodium RH45 which offers luxury properties in London both for sale and rent.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Wolfgang Staudt

Walking Tours

If you’ve just landed in Barcelona and you’re looking for a way to get acclimated, a walking tour could be the perfect way to get your bearings. Several companies in Barcelona offer free walking tours. The catch? You’re supposed to leave them a tip; however, the amount of the tip is entirely up to you. Try Travel Bound Barcelona Free Walking Tours, Barcelona Free Tours, or Runner Bean Tours. 

Museums

Many museums in Barcelona charge a nominal fee to enter, but some of these museums waive their entrance fees during certain times of the month. If you’re a fan of Picasso, the Museo Picasso offers free admission on the first Sunday of every month, and after 3 PM every Sunday. Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya also has free admission on the first Sunday of the month. The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona has free admission on Wednesdays. 

Food

In many cities and towns in Spain, it’s customary to get a free tapa with your drink. In a pricey city like Barcelona, though, you’ll usually have to pay for your tapas most places. Fortunately, the city also has plenty of places where you can go to get complimentary tapas with your drinks on certain days. On Sundays, get a complimentary buffet with your drink purchase at Bar No Sé. On Tuesdays, check out Sesamo for free tapas tastings. For cheap tapas any day of the week, Txapela is the place to go. This cozy tavern offers a wide variety of freshly prepared tapas, all under two euros a piece. 

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Jordi Cerdà

Accommodation

A great way to really immerse yourself into the new culture is to eat with the locals. Find out what it is they eat daily and at least sample it. With so many different foods to try in Barcelona you’d assume it would be really expensive to try them all but some foods require a lot of home-based cooking to really taste like the traditional dishes so for example, there are plenty of places you can enjoy a Catalonian meal in the area, but why not consider renting an accommodation in Barcelona and making your own dishes in your temporary kitchen! Rented accommodation can work out much more cost effective if you’re planning to stay for more than a couple of days and you save loads by cooking your own meals.

Barcelona’s Great Outdoors

Parc Guell is a fascinating, gorgeous park that Gaudí left unfinished. It’s filled with Gaudí’s signature interesting architecture, as well as beautiful fountains, statues, and a museum. While the museum on the park’s site charges a small fee to enter, the rest of the park is free. Another free, beautiful place to escape the city is Barcelona’s Botanical Gardens. The gardens offer a variety of plants, flowers, and trees for visitors to enjoy, as well as an excellent view of the city. Nearby Montjuïc Magic Fountains offer another great view of the city, as well as the beautiful fountains that change shapes against the backdrop of the Palau Nacional.

Markets and Shops

Las Ramblas is Barcelona’s most famous street. This pedestrian street is filled with street performers, locals, and visitors from around the world, with shops, hotels, nightlife, and restaurants lining its sides. You can wander past La Boqueria, an open-air market offering produce, meats, and flowers, as well as restaurants serving food and drinks. It’s free to browse the market, but food and drinks are relatively cheap. Also check out the Port Vell Antique Fair. It’s free to look, but there are plenty of cheap bargains to be found.

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Inside you will find around 700,000 items on display, which relate to the history of music both in the Czech Republic, with items belonging to the world famous Czech composers Dvořak and Smetana, and around the world, such as an original score by Mozart. There is a programme of temporary exhibitions passing through the museum throughout the year, so even returning visitors can find something new to see.

A lot of the collection is old manuscripts and recordings, as well as instruments, and there is plenty for the music lover to browse through while also enjoying the beauty of the grand assembly hall.

If you would rather listen to music than learn about it, there is a programme of concerts each year in the assembly hall which take full advantage of the hall’s ambience and fantastic acoustics. These concerts are usually live classical music and opera, and if you are planning to visit Prague it is certainly worth seeing if there are any concerts you could attend during your stay.

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The National Park includes the Central Alps with the highest mountain ranges of Austria, including Mount Großglockner (3798 metres high) and Mount Großvenediger (3666 metres high). The “Großglockner Hochalpenstraße” is an alpine road to near the mountain top and offers spectacular scenery. On the way upwards (or downwards), several museums tell the story of its construction in the 1930ies (mostly to fight unemployment and support tourism), the ecology of the region and other aspects of the “Tauern” mountains.

The Großglockner Hochalpenstraße is Austria′s second most popular attraction after Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. Beyond this busy part of the park, there are plenty of areas that offer excellent hiking opportunities. The Krimml Waterfalls are another famous sight in the Hohe Tauern.

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Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia by Giovanni Dall’Orto

Soon after the completion of the main road, which connected the town to Altinum, Aquileia would grow to become a powerful and wealth commercial center. At the peak of its time, the town of Aquileia was home to more than 200,000 Romans. The city was known for its glassmakers.

In 452, the town was attacked by Attila the Hun and set ablaze. Many of the glassmakers who had helped make the town prosperous, relocated to the area surrounding the Venetian Lagoon. It is here at the lagoon that some of the most famous glass shops min the entire empire rose.

Archaeological Area, Aquileia, Italy by Zumzum

The town of Aquileia today is a park which is opened to the general public. Many of the ruins in Aquileia such as the forum, necropolis and harbor can be visited by year round by the general public. Many people also take the time to wander through the two neighborhoods in Aquileia that have been recently opened to the public as well. There are two different museums in Aquileia that house the many artifacts that have been uncovered over the years in the archeological dig sites located throughout Aquileia.

It is important to note that the original Roman basilica which had been built back in the 3rd century was destroyed during the attacks of Attila the Hun. The present day basilica was built on the ruins of the originally by order of the House of Savoy back in 1031.

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