Photo by Mike Cattell

This diversity is also reflected in the range of accommodation options that are available. As you might expect, there are hotels of all shapes and sizes across the country, from independently owned seaside palaces to international chains that are familiar to all. In addition to the hotels, there is an enormous number of self-catering properties to be found in all regions of this beautiful nation.

One of the more intriguing options, however, is one that most overseas visitors rarely consider, despite the fact that it has become something of an institution to UK-based travellers. The traditional British guest house offers travellers a comfortable room in a more homely location, and is generally far cheaper than a conventional hotel, a fact that comes as very welcome news to those who are on a tight budget.

Head to the seashore

Guest houses have been around for many years in the UK, and are especially common in seaside towns. Over the decades, a large number of British people have stayed in them, enjoying extremely affordable holidays in the process. Although the number of guest houses in Britain has dropped in recent times, there are still a great many to be found in places like Blackpool, Scarborough and Brighton.

One constant you’ll find in almost all of them is the opportunity to start the day with a traditional fried breakfast. Even if you wake up feeling as though you’re not hungry at all, the aroma of sizzling sausages and crispy bacon will soon have your taste buds tingling with anticipation. Not many guest houses offer an evening meal, but in the morning it’s a different story altogether.

Visitors to London have the widest choice of accommodation options of all, and although there aren’t many guest houses in the centre of the city there are some in the outlying suburbs. The extensive rail, tube and bus networks ensure tourists who stay away from the middle of the capital can still get to the major attractions and landmarks in no time at all.

Jamie Anderson works for https://www.anycarhire.co.uk/ and is a big fan of the British guest house.

The post In Praise of the British Guest House appeared first on Europe Explored.

Isar River north of Munich, Germany by Florian Schütz

About Munich

Munich’s 1.3 million population is the 3rd largest in Germany after Berlin and Hamburg. It is the capital of Bavaria a free state within Germany. Munich sits at the bottom of the Bavarian Alps and is positioned on the Isar River (pictured above). Germany has had a considerably large amount of economic success in the post-wars years which has helped the city grow into the most popular tourist destination in Germany.

Its economic success has been helped by huge businesses like BMW originating from there; Munich is a high-tech city. Known not just for its beer festivals it is a hub for business. Munich has a great and a spirited night-life with a large number of night clubs and the tradition of drinking beer making everywhere a place to buy alcohol. The city has a sparkling artistic community and opera, theatre, dance and popular music flourishes in Munich where you will find musician’s performing everywhere.

National Theatre, Munich, Germany by Andreas Praefcke

What to do in Munich

As said above the night-life in Munich is full of music, entertainment from clubs to opera to theatre. Indulge yourself in the great brewing tradition of the city and enjoy a beer and give your taste buds a treat with a Weisswurst, a German delicacy, a white sausage traditionally served with sweet mustard and a pretzel.

Why not visit one of the football teams in Munich, Bayern Munich, TSV 1860 and SpVgg Unterhaching all apply their trade in the city of Munich in the Bundesliga. Visit the Allianz Arena (home of Bayern Munich) a huge stadium with a capacity of 71, 137 seats (pictured below). The Munich club are the most successful in German history and a visit to the Stadium would be great for any follower of football or architecture.

Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany by Mattes

Munich is a large cultural city and many composers have emerged from the city such as Richard Wagner, Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss and Orlando di Lasso amongst others. The city still contributes to the modern music theatre and have theatres to visit in the city such as the Deutsche Theater, which is Germany’s largest theatre for guest performances.

One of the oldest Science museums in the world is located in Munich, the Deutsches Museum or German Museum which is found on an island in the River Isar. Munich also has several coveted art galleries such as the Neue Pinakothek and the Alte Pinakothek.

The home of BMW is in Munich and a visit would be great for any lovers of cars and for those who love sport the BMW headquarters is located next to the Olympic Park.

BMW Head Quarters in Munich Germany by Cccc3333

Conclusion

In conclusion the city of Munich is one of the best cities in the world and you won’t run out of things to see and do. When in this marvellous city, make sure you get a hire car, get lost in the culture of beer and sausages, and enjoy the parties, festivals and night-life. Visit a Stadium such as the Allianz Arena or the Olympic stadium.

For those who are looking for a more cultural aspect visit the theatres and museums, Munich really has something for everyone.

The post Fun Things To Do During A Weekend Break In Munich, Germany appeared first on Europe Explored.

York Minster, UK by Paul Wordingham

The city of York, founded by the Romans in 71 AD is steeped in historical, artistic and political connections just waiting for you to discover them. First stop should be York Minster which is a stunning cathedral of architectural importance that features incredible stained glass and dominates the cities skyline. York is a walled city and visitors can walk along many of the intact walls and discover the various towers and gates on the route around the old town. Famed for its tourist industry, York is an ideal destination for last minute UK holidays and is easily accessible by road and rail.

With gardens and riverside parkland to explore on sunny days, and themed ghost walks to venture on – if you dare – as the nights draw in, York offers diverse experiences all year round. Don’t miss out on a walk down the ‘Shambles’ which is a quirky medieval street filled with over-hanging timber framed buildings or the chance to see iconic steam trains at the National Railway Museum.

York has something for everyone: couples on a romantic break can take a boat ride down the river, lounge in the award winning restaurants and bars or give their credit cards a work out in the numerous shops and boutiques. Families can head to the Jorvik visitor centre to immerse themselves in the sites and smells of Viking culture; or how about a trip to tantalise the taste buds at York’s Chocolate Story? There is often an outdoor ice rink in winter and many seasonal events throughout the year; York is waiting to welcome you – add it on to your itinerary now!

The post Visit York: The Capital of the North | United Kingdom appeared first on Europe Explored.

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

The post Top 10 European Dishes appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Christopher John SSF

If its culture you’re after, this city is a key destination for art, history and theatre lovers. Tate Liverpool on the Albert Dock would be a perfect venue to enjoy exhibitions of national and international modern art work that is sure to leave you inspired. There are many museums for those who wish to delve into various histories such as The International Slavery Museum, The Beatles Story or even the new Museum of Liverpool which demonstrates exactly why the city deserves a visit.

Avid shoppers will be spoilt for choice in this retail haven of a city where there is a large variety of stores to choose from. Liverpool One can be found in the centre of town and is home to over 160 high street shops. The particularly stylish can take a stroll down Cavern Walks where many a WAG can be found enjoying the selection of designer boutiques selling names such as Vivienne Westwood.

Photo released under public domain

Restaurants range from fine dining eateries and stylish bistros to cafes and international cuisine. Visitors are guaranteed to find something to tantalise their taste buds during the day or night. Panoramic views of the beautiful city can also be enjoyed from a selection of restaurants whilst tucking into your meal.

The legendary nightlife rivals many a city, and if you enjoy a drink, the residents of Liverpool are sure to deliver on this particular service. There are traditional pubs as well as numerous cocktail bars, comedy clubs and nightclubs to choose from. Firmly establishing its famed reputation in the nineties when Cream Nation was brought onto the scene, Liverpool continues to produce some of the most atmospheric and enjoyable nights to be had by any.

The sporting scene is also an appealing factor for the football, golf, rugby, horse racing and possibly most gaming fanatics. Home to two world-famous Premiership clubs, Liverpool and Everton FC, and also host to the annual John Smith’s Grand National, Liverpool boasts a lot of amazing venues and events.

Liverpool is easily accessed by many a transport link and offers an enormous number of differently priced and styled accommodation to make your stay even more enjoyable.

This article was written by Alexandra Jackson, a travel blogger for Skyparksecure specialists in Liverpool Airport Parking - ensuring your return journey from this amazing city at amazing prices.

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The post Liverpool – a key destination for art, history and theatre lovers | United Kingdom appeared first on Europe Explored.