Paris Jazz by Pascal Subtil

Paris was of course at the heart of the 1920s’ cultural imagination. Creative types flocked to the City of Light, where a liberal, bohemian lifestyle was the norm. For those enamoured of what many see as a Golden Age, there are still numerous places you can visit in Paris that capture something of the era’s romance. For a unique view of the French capital, plan a bus trip to Paris and embark on your own bohemian adventure in this atmospheric city.

Start with a leisurely stroll through the winding streets of Montparnasse and the Latin Quarter. These Left Bank neighbourhoods were the centre of the city’s cultural scene and home to many of the greatest names in art, music and literature. These included painters such as Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall, as well as the “Lost Generation” of American writers – most notably F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot.

You can visit (or at least view) the former homes of many of these renowned characters, ranging from the humble abodes of Ezra Pound (at 70 Rue Notre-Dame des Champs) and Hemingway (at 74 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine) to the extravagant mansion once occupied by Cole Porter at 13 Rue Monsieur. It is also possible to view the exterior of the flat at 27 Rue de Fleurus where Gertrude Stein hosted her legendary salons and began her impressive collection of art.

Hemingway home in Paris, France by Evan Bench

The bars and cafés of the Left Bank were another frequent meeting place for the decade’s most cutting edge minds. Many of these establishments were clustered in the Carrefour Vavin (now the Place Pablo-Picasso), and a number are still in business today, including La Closerie des Lilas (where Hemingway and James Joyce dined together) and La Rotonde (which Hemingway once denounced as a meeting place for posers rather than serious artists).

A short walk will also take you to the venerable Les Deux Magots Café in Place Saint Germain des Prés. This establishment positively drips with literary history – you can occupy the seats once favoured by the likes of Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Albert Camus, among others. To further immerse yourself in the city’s literary past, head toward the Seine along the 5^th arrondissement to visit Shakespeare and Company. This independent bookshop is as iconic today as it was in the 1920s, when it attracted the likes of Hemingway, Joyce, Ford Madox Ford and William S. Burroughs.

Shakespeare And Company, Paris, France by Jim Linwood

For a taste of showbiz glamour, 1920s-style, check out a review at the famed Folies-Bergère or Le Moulin Rouge. Both were hugely successful in the Roaring 20s and catered to the popular taste for exotic, risqué music and dance. While the shows may seem a bit over-the-top today, the opulent setting of the cabaret clubs successfully evokes the carefree spirit of Les Années Folles.

This article was written by Rob Hawkins, a freelance copy writer who is currently writing on behalf of Megabus.

The post Jazz Age Paris – enjoy 1920′s lifestyle appeared first on Best of European Union.

Of course, not everyone has been fortunate enough to find a ticket to the sports this summer, but whether you are attending an event or are merely sightseeing, the Olympic village and stadium in Stratford is a genuine treat. Beat the locals of London by being one of the first to ride the Greenwich cable car over the Thames, and then enjoy the spectacle of the state-of-the-art arena. Capture some memorable photographs and marvel at the architectural wonder of Anish Kapoor’s celebrated Orbit Tower.

Westminster, London, UK by Tanveer Chandok

You can find some more of Kapoor’s smaller works on display at the Tate Modern gallery on the south bank of the Thames. The incredibly popular gallery displays works by renowned artists including Francis Bacon, Pablo Picasso and Damien Hirst and – like many of London’s most famous museums – is free for the general public to enter, making this cultural treat a cost-effective option too.

Some experiences encapsulate everything about the character of a city and, in the case of London, that experience is the London Eye. A thirty minute trip up into the sky in one of thirty two revolving capsules provides the very best vantage point of the city: towering above even Big Ben.

Of course, no visit to England’s capital city would be complete without a moment to enjoy the majesty of the British Royal family’s Buckingham Palace. One of the most recognisable buildings in all of Great Britain, the palace is a favourite for visitors in its own right. But with the addition of the changing guards, and the fascinating ancient ceremonies and customs, there are few who would pass up an opportunity to experience this for themselves.

London is a cultural capital of the world. Whether your love is art or music, theatre or shopping, there is everything you could wish for in a holiday destination. From the boutiques of Carnaby Street to the glamour of Bond Street; William Shakespeare’s Globe theatre and the Barbican; the numerous stadiums catering for every sport; whatever your passion in life, you will find the best of it in London.

This is an incredible, historical city. As you arrive in the ultra-modern Heathrow Airport you will be amazed that some of Britain’s oldest landmarks – from St Paul’s Cathedral to the Palace of Westminster – are less than an hour away. Any one of these locations would be a must-see place to visit, but in London you might find that there is never enough time to see it all!

Click here, for more information on Heathrow Airport and Heathrow Airport Parking

The post City Guides : London – Summer Olympic Host appeared first on Best of European Union.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by manuelfloresv

Other historical treasures include local Malaga Cathedral of the first half of the 16th century, which combines several artistic styles. You can walk through Paseo Marítimo seaside promenade, but there are also several pedestrian zones criss-crossing the center. You certainly should not miss a tour of the Picasso Museum, housed in a Palacio de Buenavista palace. Establishment of this museum was made thanks to the wife and grandson of painter, Christine and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, who donated a large portion of images. Currently you can see there more than 200 works, including the paintings, drawings, sculptures or engravings.

View Málaga – birthplace of Pablo Picasso Spain in a larger map

The museum was inaugurated March 27, 2003 with the participation of the Spanish royal family. Besides the permanent exhibition of works by Picasso are also temporary exhibitions.

Roman amphitheatre is one of the oldest monuments in Malaga. It is situated at the foot of the Alcazaba fortress. It dates from the 2nd century after Christ, from the reign of Emperor Augustus. It was discovered only in 1951, during completion of one of the gardens.

View Málaga – birthplace of Pablo Picasso Spain in a larger map

The post Málaga – birthplace of Pablo Picasso | Spain appeared first on Best of European Union.